The entire conference room fell into a profound silence.

After a long moment, the Minister of Military Affairs finally announced with a heavy tone, "Let us proceed to vote on this plan." Zhong Yun returned to his seat, closed his eyes, and sighed inwardly.

This is the only thing I can do for Davao.

If the plan fails the vote, then it’s Heaven’s will to destroy it; do not blame me...

Another stifling silence followed.

"The results of the vote are—" The Minister of Military Affairs' weighty voice sounded again.

"Five votes in favor, eight against, two abstentions.

The opposition exceeds fifty percent of those present.

The plan is rejected..." Hearing this result, Zhong Yun’s heart sank.

I did my best, he thought in despair.

"...As Marshal, I hereby invoke my right of veto to nullify this resolution," the Minister of Military Affairs' voice continued to reach Zhong Yun’s ears.

"I declare the plan approved." Zhong Yun’s eyes snapped open instantly, and he stared at the expressionless Minister of Military Affairs on the platform in disbelief.

The members of the Provisional Operations Department were equally stunned.

They absolutely never imagined that the Minister of Military Affairs would actually use the "Veto Power" at this juncture.

The so-called "Veto Power" meant that during wartime, the Marshal could completely negate any resolution reached by the Operations Department members during a military council meeting, forcibly pushing through his own plan with a single vote.

The "Veto Power" nearly expanded the Marshal's authority infinitely.

However, in reality, this power was rarely used.

Every Marshal who employed this authority did so with extreme caution.

Because if the power were used arbitrarily, that Marshal would quickly be ousted.

The Marshal ignored the myriad of gazes fixed upon him and continued, "Now, I formally appoint Major General Zhong Yun as the Commander-in-Chief of the 45th Fleet, fully responsible for executing this plan." A strange atmosphere began to permeate the Provisional Operations Department.

They had never even heard of a "45th Fleet" associated with Davao.

Moreover, commissioning a mere Major General to lead an entire fleet was unprecedented in the Republic’s history.

What exactly is he planning?

This question hung in everyone's mind.

"Yes, Your Excellency, Marshal," Zhong Yun stood up, striving to steady his emotions.

From this moment forward, he was truly bound to Davao’s war chariot.

"Zhong Yun." In front of the Presidential Palace, Liu Yunqi, who had just stepped down from a shuttle vehicle, called out and ran toward Zhong Yun, who was standing at the entrance.

Zhong Yun held the body thrown into his embrace tightly, inhaling her familiar scent of hair, and felt that the world was incomparably beautiful.

"I missed you so much," Zhong Yun murmured.

Liu Yunqi said nothing, merely clinging to him with all her might, expressing her longing through action.

Zhong Yun lifted Liu Yunqi into his arms, smiling slightly.

"You’