Zhong Pingjiang remained entirely oblivious to the uproar surrounding the "Military Black Box Incident" that was currently shaking the capital. He hadn't seen the news in days, as the military had been putting immense pressure on him lately, requiring him to personally oversee production at the factory.

Upon returning, he still had other matters to address. He was so busy that he managed only three hours of rest each day.

Finally, after rushing the batch of "Spatial Remote Sensors" through production and delivering them to the Quartermaster's Department, he allowed himself a small breath of relief. Back in his office, he asked his secretary, "How are the recent war developments?" "Sir, you haven't been keeping up with the news lately, have you?" The female secretary sounded highly animated when mentioning this.

"We achieved a massive victory—a truly invigorating, huge victory." "Oh!" Zhong Pingjiang’s spirits instantly lifted. "Which commander orchestrated it?" "A Major General who is seventeen years old," the secretary replied.

"A seventeen-year-old Major General?" Zhong Pingjiang thought she must have misspoken and repeated the phrase. "That’s right, a seventeen-year-old Major General." Seeing his expression, the secretary knew what he was thinking.

"This matter is the talk of the town today." "A seventeen-year-old Major General, and one who wins battles. Remarkable," Zhong Pingjiang praised sincerely.

"Indeed," the secretary agreed wholeheartedly. "Though this morning, a large crowd of citizens protested at the Presidential Palace, demanding the military explain the background of this seventeen-year-old Major General." Zhong Pingjiang frowned slightly.

"At a time like this, how can these people still be stuck on such trivialities? If that Major General can win battles, it proves they are highly capable.

The military hasn't misplaced their faith in talent." The secretary nodded vigorously. "I hear it was incited by an article circulating widely on the virtual network." Zhong Pingjiang’s brow furrowed even deeper upon hearing this.

An article capable of stirring up so many people suggested the situation might not be so straightforward. He casually activated the panoramic television just as the military spokesperson was about to hold a press conference.

A handsome Lieutenant Colonel sat there, speaking in a resonant, booming voice. "...Today, we convene this press conference to formally commend Major General Zhong Yun..." The name Zhong Yun struck Zhong Pingjiang, causing his heart to leap violently.

Recalling what his secretary had said about the Major General being only seventeen, a wild notion surfaced in his mind. Zhong Pingjiang felt his mouth go dry.

No, this couldn't be real; it was impossible. He comforted himself—it was just a coincidence of names.

How could his own son possibly be fighting in the war, let alone be some Major General commanding a ship? "President Zhong, what's wrong?" the female secretary, standing nearby, noticed his distress and asked with concern.

Zhong Pingjiang nervously loosened his collar, large beads of sweat forming on his forehead, his palms trembling slightly. The secretary, thinking he was ill, urgently said, "I'll call the hospital right away." "No need," Zhong Pingjiang snapped, his eyes fixed intently on the television screen.

The secretary hesitated but decided to fetch help, quietly slipping out of the CEO's office. In the Finance Department, Yun Rong was reconciling the month's accounts.

The company's business volume had exploded exponentially over the past month, and the current staff simply could not handle the workload. Her workload was hardly lighter than her husband’s.

Seeing her husband's secretary rush in looking flustered, Yun Rong found it a bit odd. When she heard the secretary mention her husband seemed unwell, she immediately dropped her paperwork and rushed over.

It should be noted that while Zhong Pingjiang’s secretary knew of Zhong Yun’s existence and had seen him, she didn't know his name. Furthermore, Zhong Yun’s notorious nickname at the company was "Lecher." People often subconsciously linked a person's character with their capabilities.

Someone with a reputation as poor as Zhong Yun’s would never be associated by her with the legendary hero, the brilliant young Major General. Arriving at the CEO's office, Yun Rong saw her husband sitting slumped on the sofa, his face pale, covered in cold sweat.

She was instantly worried. "Are you alright?" She took his hand; it was cold as ice.

"Let me take you to a doctor," Yun Rong said, attempting to pull him up. Zhong Pingjiang used a surge of strength to pull her onto the sofa instead, pointing a trembling finger at the live news broadcast, his voice raspy.

"Look." "Your health..." Yun Rong paid no mind to the news; her husband’s health was paramount. "I'm fine," Zhong Pingjiang shook his head.

"But Xiao Yun..." "What about Xiao Yun?" Yun Rong’s heart lurched. Seeing her husband's expression gave her a terrible premonition.

"I don't know," Zhong Pingjiang gripped his wife's hand tightly. His hand was slick with sweat.

He hadn't been this tense even when meeting the President. Yun Rong followed her husband's gaze and looked closely at the television.

Just then, the military spokesperson mentioned Zhong Yun's name: "...Major General Zhong Yun, in this engagement, single-handedly annihilated an entire enemy fleet with one vessel, destroying six enemy ships and capturing two..." Yun Rong grew more startled with every word. She, too, had been consumed by work and hadn't followed the news.

Hearing that Zhong Yun was somehow involved in the war made her heart jump into her throat. She instantly grabbed her husband’s arm and asked anxiously, "What is going on?

Why is Xiao Yun involved in the war? How could this happen?" "Try not to get agitated first," Zhong Pingjiang soothed his wife.

"We don't know if this Zhong Yun is our Xiao Yun yet. It might just be a shared name.

Let's not scare ourselves." Even as he said this, however, worrying was unavoidable. If their son were an adult and had joined the military, they would have no complaints about him fighting for the nation.

But Zhong Yun was only seventeen this year, and he had received no formal military training (they remained unaware of his time at the base). Sending him to the battlefield was tantamount to murder!

How could they not worry? How could they not be driven to frenzy by anxiety?

However, the photograph displayed by the military spokesperson ruthlessly shattered their desperate hope. Looking at Zhong Yun’s young, vibrant face on the screen, both felt their hearts sinking.

On the television, the spokesperson's high-pitched voice continued, "...In light of Major General Zhong Yun's brilliant achievements, and with the unanimous consent of all members of the Provisional Operations Department, he is hereby conferred the rank of Major General and appointed Commander-in-Chief of the 45th Fleet. He led the fleet to the front line a day prior and achieved even more glorious victories..." "What do we do?" Yun Rong collapsed onto her husband, looking helpless.

Zhong Pingjiang’s hands clenched suddenly, veins bulging across his forehead, his temples throbbing. He shot to his feet.

"Get me a connection to the Presidential Office." His voice was incredibly grim. "Hello, this is the Presidential Office," a clear voice responded.

For security, the video connection remained disabled. "I am Zhong Pingjiang of the Zhong Group.

I wish to speak with His Excellency the President," Zhong Pingjiang said with an edge to his tone. "Ah..." The voice hesitated slightly.

"Please hold, Sir." He relayed the request to the President. Given Zhong Pingjiang's current stature, he certainly held the right to request a conversation with the President.

"Mr. Zhong, what can I do for you?" Shi Jinpan appeared weary, yet still maintained a cordial smile.

While somewhat perfunctory, there were few people Dawo allowed him to treat so casually. "My son, Zhong Yun.

Where is he now?" Zhong Pingjiang stared intently, as if trying to pierce through the video screen to the man himself. Shi Jinpan raised an eyebrow.

"What? Didn't he tell you?" Zhong Pingjiang took a deep breath, suppressing a surge of fury.

"Is he on the battlefield?" "I am truly sorry..." Shi Jinpan sighed softly. "Sorry?" Zhong Pingjiang's voice abruptly rose in volume.

"Xiao Yun is only seventeen years old! How could you bear to send him to the battlefield?

Have all the soldiers in Dawo perished?" He had completely lost control, venting his wrath upon the President. "He is still just a child!

By what right do you send him to war? By what right?" "Waaah..." Yun Rong beside him was already weeping uncontrollably.

Facing parents terrified for their son’s life, Shi Jinpan lowered his distinguished head. He bowed deeply.

"I apologize." "On behalf of the 26 billion citizens and 110 million military personnel of Dawo, I say this to you: I am sorry." "At the same time, on behalf of the 26 billion citizens and 110 million military personnel of Dawo, I also say this to you: Thank you." Shi Jinpan bowed once more. "It was your son who allowed the desperate populace of Dawo to see the hope of victory.

He is a hero, a hero who saved Dawo. We will remember forever everything he has done for us." Shi Jinpan sighed deeply.

"He was not a soldier, yet he unhesitatingly led a fleet to the most dangerous location, risking death to fight for the liberation of the people of Dawo." "He did everything a citizen of Dawo could possibly do. Every person in Dawo is proud of him." "I..." Shi Jinpan lowered his head deeply.

"As the President of Dawo, I could not save this nation, yet I had to rely on a youth to step forward. I am deeply ashamed." Bowing deeply again, he cut the communication link.

Zhong Pingjiang sat back down beside his wife, devastated, burying his face in his hands. "It's my fault; I’m the one who doomed Xiao Yun," his voice saturated with self-reproach.

If—if only I hadn't been so stubborn then, if I had listened to Xiao Yun's wishes and agreed to let him leave Dawo, he wouldn't have done something so foolish. Endless remorse gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake.

After severing the communication, Jinpan sat back in his chair, supporting his forehead with his hand, feeling only infinite exhaustion. He dared not tell Zhong Pingjiang that Zhong Yun’s fleet had been out of contact for twenty hours.

He couldn't bear to inflict that on him; as the father of two children himself, he understood Zhong Pingjiang’s pain. At the front lines, aboard the flagship of the Hongxian Federation.

"What did you say?" The Commander-in-Chief of the Hongxian Federation stared fixedly at the communications officer. "Receiving the highest directive from the Ministry of National Defense..." Overwhelmed by the sheer gravity of the order, the communications officer felt his limbs go weak, his voice trembling slightly.

"The Supreme Command orders us to immediately cease the offensive, secure the current jump points, and leave behind only necessary defensive forces. The rest of the main fleet is to return home." The Commander slammed his hand hard against the armrest; the dull thud echoed throughout the main control room.

"These bureaucrats, stuffing their faces while doing nothing!" He erupted in furious rage. "Do they have any idea how many excellent Federation soldiers we left behind to achieve this current situation?

Victory is in sight, and they order us to retreat?" "Do they know that if we abandon this golden opportunity, we might have to pay ten or a hundred times the price to conquer this nation later?" Everyone in the main control room fell into a terrified silence. This Commander-in-Chief held a status in the Hongxian Federation equivalent to Dawo's Yang Tianlie, possessing unmatched prestige in the military.

"Just give me half a month..." Hong Duolasi waved his arms, unwilling to simply pull back. "Just half a month, and I can break through the current defensive line and capture a Class-M star!" "Half a month..." His expression shifted constantly.

After a long pause, his face became resolute, as if he had made a momentous decision. He ordered the communications officer who delivered the message, "Destroy that record for me." "But..." Hearing this order, the communications officer’s face turned ashen.

"That is an order," murderous intent flashed in Hong Duolasi's eyes. "Yes, sir," the communications officer dared not say more and tremblingly destroyed the message he had just received.

"Everyone present, listen closely," Hong Duolasi swept his gaze across every face. "You will act as if you never heard that order.

I will bear all consequences alone." No one dared question his decision; neither the Deputy Commander nor the Chief of Staff dared to propose a "temporary vote." Hong Duolasi shifted his gaze back to the main screen displaying the fierce battle situation, letting out an almost imperceptible sigh. "I do this all for the Federation." A profound sense of bleakness spread through everyone’s hearts.

Given the strictness of the Federation's military law, even with Hong Duolasi’s rank and status, openly defying the Supreme Command would carry severe consequences—imprisonment, or even... execution.

They respected this commander from the bottom of their hearts; he had dedicated his entire being to the nation. Now, even his life would be laid down.

"We must win this war as quickly as possible. Only victory can lessen his culpability," everyone thought, pouring all their energy into the fight, hoping only to break through the stubborn enemy ahead swiftly.

Dawo Republic, Provisional Operations Department. The members of the Provisional Operations Department were meeting to discuss sending an early batch of retired veterans to the battlefield.

Suddenly, a soldier burst in without authorization, interrupting their proceedings. "Why are you trespassing in the Provisional Operations Department?" the Marshal said sternly.

The soldier was visibly excited. "Report, Marshal!

There is news from the 45th Fleet!" P: Added a thousand characters first. Will add the remaining two thousand next time.

Remember to cast your monthly tickets, everyone!