"I'm sorry, I've let the Empire down. I've let down the sages, and I've let down you, my closest comrade-in-arms and best friend. As a commander with a heavy responsibility, I forgot my duties during the long journey and lost my judgment under the temptation of family affection. I personally trained the leader of the rebels and caused a disaster. If it weren't for your planning, everything would be irreversible. Although the matter is over, someone must take this responsibility, and it must be me."

General Cage only left Qin Guang with these words and a broken body.

"Give Solent Cage a funeral with adequate etiquette."

Qin Guang ordered.

"Teacher..."

"Go ahead, I need a break."

Qin Guang waved his hand and interrupted Zhou Donglai.

When Zhou Donglai walked out of the room, Qin Guanghun's tense body suddenly relaxed, like a deflated balloon.

He rested his elbows on the table and rubbed his hair with his five fingers.

Only in this way can he feel a little less annoyed.

Qin Guang formulated the entire plan from beginning to end, with the aim of giving the Free Will Alliance a chance to vent and re-recognize the importance of unity, and at the same time to let these people know where the only way out is.

In Qin Guang's initial calculations, when the doomsday suppression procedure killed nearly 10 million people, the situation would be completely stabilized, the death penalty would be abolished, and it would be changed to forced freezing.

But in fact, the Doomsday Suppression Program did not stop running, and even an armed conflict broke out, threatening the implementation of the entire Nunnery Plan.

When the crazy Bill Clayston attacked Tang Yingqiao's room, it was the most dangerous moment.

Fortunately, Tong Ling, who woke up unexpectedly, controlled the situation, but then, Tong Ling, who was as cold-blooded as the Doomsday Suppression Program, took over the battle and the highest command.

More than 80% of the 300 million deaths were basically killed in the process of Tong Ling leading the armed forces loyal to the original mission of the fleet to suppress the militants.

The free will warriors did not really lose their power to resist when they surrendered.

However, these second and third generations who were born in the fleet and rarely went out on missions have been indoctrinated with the fleet's strongest force and how powerful the guarding prodigy instructor Tong Ling is since

they became conscious. Most free will warriors are terrified and deeply afraid of the thought of becoming enemies with Tong Ling.

When the top warriors of the Free Will Alliance were easily killed by Tong Ling, this fear reached its peak and quickly defeated the rebellious warriors' will, which was not firm to begin with.

But before the last rebellious warrior laid down his weapon, the total death toll had exceeded 300 million, and the number of reserve embryos that had lost their activity due to damage to the ship was even more in the tens of billions.

According to estimates, the fleet's overall strength in all areas of scientific research, production, and military affairs has declined by more than 30%, which is dozens of times more serious than the losses in all the encounters that have broken out so far.

Qin Guang was just trying to hold on in front of Zhou Donglai, but he felt very guilty.

He had already begun to wonder if he was really too old, his judgment had declined, and his comprehensive planning ability was no longer enough to take on the important task. It was time to give Solent Cage psychological intervention, tell him the facts, and appropriately delegate power to this long-time assistant to train him into a transitional supreme leader.

But Qin Guang did not expect that Cage would actually drink bullets and commit suicide.

Qin Guang was deeply traumatized.

The reason for the severe trauma was not that he lost a long-time friend and a successor to whom he wanted to entrust a mission, but that he was shocked to find that his judgment had declined to such a tragic level.

No matter what the reason, suicide is always the most shameful way for a person to escape when facing difficulties.

Cage's mental state and ideological realm are not even qualified for an ordinary soldier, let alone serving as the deputy commander-in-chief or acting commander-in-chief.

"I don't even understand this. It's so shameful."

Qin Guang slapped himself hard.

Winning is a win by luck, but losing is a complete loss.

This is Qin Guang's summary of himself.

A few days later, more and more people found new jobs, and various affairs started running again. The repair of damaged ships, waste recycling and mass production of new mass energy collection devices were carried out rapidly, and the situation finally stabilized.

Qin Guang called Zhou Donglai to his office again.

"Teacher, what do you want to talk to me about?"

"I have almost made the arrangements. I will announce my retirement at the Supreme Conference tomorrow. You will take over as the Supreme Commander, and I will become a staff advisor."

Zhou Donglai was stunned and shook his head, saying, "Teacher, I am not ready yet. And although we have controlled the internal situation now, in a few years, our distance from the Silver Center will be less than 4,200 light years. According to the intelligence provided by the Empire, the enemy began to strengthen patrols near the Silver Center as early as fifty years ago. We have not had an encounter for several years. According to the theory of statistics and probability, the next With every passing second, the possibility of a skirmish will increase. The fleet still needs your experience, teacher. The fleet can only be successful under your leadership..."

Qin Guang interrupted Zhou Donglai again, "Donglai, I know what you are thinking. You think that if I step back at this moment, I will resign and damage my reputation, right?"

Zhou Donglai shook his head in denial, "Teacher, I don't think so. When I was pretending to be frozen, in addition to contacting the Free Will Alliance, I actually used my free time to read a lot of ancient books. I..."

"Sophisticated. Foolish! I've watched you grow up, how can I not understand what you're thinking? I don't need these empty titles. The principle of fleet appointments is that the competent ones get the job. I now know very clearly that I am no longer competent! As you said, unexpected situations may occur at any time, so it is even more necessary for competent people to step up. Let me stay in this position for one more day, which will cause more potential losses! Get out! Get ready to take over!"

...

Qin Guang never expected that Zhou Donglai would take the initiative at the meeting the next day.

"Everyone. Ancient leaders told us that making mistakes is not terrible. The important thing is to summarize the experience and lessons in a timely manner after each mistake, find out where the mistake is, correct it in time, and re-plan the correct route. I made a mistake."

"A long time ago, when I realized that the bad thoughts in the fleet had become irreversible, I designated this plan. I will not let something that harms the fleet to operate in secret."

"In ancient times when medical technology was not well developed, our ancestors were helpless against cancer. It's not that cancer cells can't be killed, but because in the early stages of cancer cells being born and secretly expanding, because their number is too small and the harm to the human body is too small, the human immune system fails to respond strongly enough in time." "

The terrible cancer cells are like killers lurking in the shadows, constantly accumulating strength until it is enough to deal a fatal blow to the human body, causing the patient to feel the first strong pain."

"But at this time, the number of cancer cells was too large and the distribution range was too wide. To kill these cancer cells, too many originally healthy cells would need to be killed. In the end, many ancient people unfortunately died in the process of treatment."

"But with the advancement of genetic technology, Dr. Lamennec Nightingale invented the cancer cell gene vaccine. This vaccine roams in the human body for a long time and has a keen sense of smell. Its ability to perceive cancer cells is 5,000 times that of the human body's own immunity."

"Of course, it is not aggressive, but once it finds cancer cells, it will approach and actively speed up the division of cancer cells. But these rapidly multiplying cancer cells are not mature, small, or strong enough, and can be easily killed by the immune system."

"However, the cancer cells do not know that they are deceived by their own huge numbers and begin to show their strength in the human body, just like the ancient Persian Empire sent 100,000 troops to attack Sparta, but these 100,000 troops were all five-year-old children. These cancer cells will be quickly eliminated by the human body's immune cells and rapidly produced antibody proteins."

"What I have to do is to turn myself into this vaccine. I infiltrated the Free Will Alliance and provided the rebels with a reliable top-secret communication channel. I accelerated the speed at which the Free Will Alliance organization went from being loose to being a system."

"General Cage was able to easily overpower Commander-in-Chief Cryo because I pretended to be in a deep sleep and secretly modified the guard rotation program and turned off the functions of some of the fleet's self-defense intelligent programs, providing General Cage with a window of opportunity for defense."

"After Commander-in-Chief Qin Guang fell asleep, I have been waiting for the activation of the Doomsday Suppression Program. This Doomsday Suppression Program is the fleet's immune system."

"But I did not calculate the armed turmoil, and I did not intend to kill Tang Yingju, Ophiroth and General Cage. Because of my personal mistake, irreparable losses have occurred. So I hereby declare myself guilty, and I beg you to give me the punishment I deserve."

"I think I should be executed."

The meeting was held twenty minutes earlier than the time Zhou Donglai notified Qin Guang. When Qin Guang pushed the door open, he saw Zhou Donglai announcing that he hoped he would be executed in front of everyone's shocked eyes.

Qin Guang was stunned on the spot.

Everyone in the conference room turned to look at Qin Guang.

Qin Guang pointed at his beloved disciple angrily, "You..."

"Teacher, I'm sorry for you."

Zhou Donglai spoke slowly, enunciating each word.

At this moment, another military commander next to Zhou Donglai suddenly lost control of his emotions, jumped up, and roared angrily: "Damn it! It's you! Fuck you! We trust you so much, Zhou Donglai!"

The white-haired, over 260-year-old old general punched Zhou Donglai in the face.

Zhou Donglai vomited blood and fell on his back.

The old general was furious and almost mad. He rushed forward again and punched Zhou Donglai in the face with both fists, and kept cursing while beating him.

No one blamed the old general for being impatient.

Compared with others, the old general was the most qualified to vent his anger.

Although the old general had no biological descendants, the kind-hearted old general was very happy to cultivate his descendants.

In the past hundred years, he used his spare time to personally take charge of the basic military training of thousands of children in the combat sequence.

The old general regarded these children as his own children.

Among them, his most proud achievement was that one of his children became a top third-generation warrior, dozens of S-level warriors, and hundreds of A-level warriors.

But in this turmoil, his children had to painfully split into two factions, one of which was led by the rebellious top warrior, and the other faction would rather bear the blame than stay with the old general.

In the end, the top warrior died at the hands of Tong Ling, and the other children of the old generals had to fight against each other.

These "children" with the same "father" fought harder than others on the battlefield to prove their beliefs and to dispel the doubts of other comrades.

Once they met each other, they killed each other without mercy.

When the battle was at its most intense, the old general who had been away from the frontline for decades personally went into battle, regaining the demeanor of an S-rank fighter, and killed two children whom he had criticized, saying "If you two bastards don't train well, you will die on the battlefield sooner or later."

Compared to other people's subordinates and families, the old general's children suffered particularly heavy casualties, from thousands to less than a thousand.

Until now, the old general's children, whether they had previously joined the Free Will Alliance or stayed with the old general, have not yet gotten out of the psychological shadow.

Of course, he has reason to be angry.

After just over ten seconds, the attendees nearby finally pulled the old general back. Zhou Donglai was beaten beyond recognition and blood, and was completely unconscious.

"Put Donglai in the medical cabin next to him, and the meeting will continue."

Qin Guang stepped on the flat-bed flying vehicle and landed on his own command platform, and gave such instructions.

The scene was a little chaotic, but things had to be settled.

Qin Guang was in a very anxious mood.

Before coming here, he organized a lot of words and made sufficient psychological preparations, but Zhou Donglai's self-assertion completely disrupted his plan.

Zhou Donglai has already "confessed his guilt", and Qin Guang must not put himself in it.

It's not that he doesn't dare to take responsibility, but now that Zhou Donglai has fallen, Qin Guang himself will never fall again, and the fleet will lose its backbone.

Among the other successors, there is currently no one who has both the ability and the prestige to command the entire fleet.

Zhou Donglai's treatment is progressing rapidly. With the help of the real-time treatment device, the injuries on his face and body are recovering at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The discussion here officially started, with the newly appointed administrative director speaking first, "Zhou Donglai very bravely admitted his mistake. But the damage he caused to the fleet is indeed enough to sentence him to death. I think we should not reject his request."

"I think we need to reconsider it. Among our successors, there is no second choice who can be compared with Zhou Donglai in military command ability. It has only been more than seventy years since we arrived in Yinxin, and we may not have time to train a second commander, so we should give him a chance to reform and atone for his sins. Although he made a mistake, his starting point was not treason..."

"I think..."

The meeting, which was originally thought to be one-sided, unexpectedly showed differences.

About ten minutes later, when most people had expressed their opinions, Qin Guangxian suppressed his men and signaled everyone to be quiet. He then looked at the old general who had just taken action and asked, "General Lu, what do you think?"

General Lu snorted and said through gritted teeth, "I wish he would die soon."

As soon as General Lu said this, the expressions of those who wanted to save Zhou Donglai's life darkened, and they thought it was over.

"But he can't die yet. We are all half buried in the ground. After all this ordeal, I really don't dare to be frozen again. I have to stay awake and keep an eye on these troublesome bastards to prevent any more trouble. So I can live for another fifty or sixty years at most, and I can't wait until the day we reach the Silver Heart."

"You are all about the same, but someone has to take over the overall situation, right? Tang Tianxin is a good choice, but according to the historical records of the Void, Tang Tianxin's ability will not take shape until at least 3015. There is still a 25-year gap in this period. Who else can we count on except him?"

"I've already beaten him up. Force him to be frozen, and I'll let him out when I die. As long as I don't see him again, I won't be angry."