"At the very least, they have already slowed down the Empire's pace of deploying fleets to the front line."
"The Abuja Ring has been severely damaged, the supply lines have been cut off, and the Empire's reinforcements won't be able to arrive anytime soon."
His voice rose slightly.
"If we take this opportunity to send reinforcements and press forward..."
He paused, then continued.
"What do you think those three Imperial Fleets will do?"
The Wargaming Hall fell silent for a few seconds.
Then someone spoke softly.
"They will hesitate to act."
It was the Major General who had earlier agreed with Chen Qingyu.
His gaze fell on the Star Chart, his tone carrying a hint of certainty after careful thought.
"With their line of retreat cut off, reinforcements delayed, and our main force pressing on the front line..."
He looked up at Lü Yanlin.
"Even if they don't want to retreat, they'll have to consider their route of retreat.
What if the reinforcements don't arrive in time? They'll have to face a Federation Fleet several times their size alone!"
Lü Yanlin nodded.
"Exactly."
He turned his gaze back to the group, letting it linger for a moment on the faces of those General Officers who looked hesitant.
"Moreover..."
He paused, his tone slightly heavier.
"They might even become disorganized out of fear that their line of retreat is cut off."
"Once their formation is in disarray, the opportunity for victory will present itself."
A low murmur of discussion arose in the Wargaming Hall.
Some of those previously hesitant General Officers began to nod slightly.
Ruan Xingwei's expression changed subtly, but he remained silent.
Lü Yanlin waited for the murmurs to subside a little before continuing.
"As for Admiral Ruan's concerns..."
He looked at Ruan Xingwei, his tone calm, without any hint of aggression.
"The issues of starships and personnel."
"Actually, they can be resolved as well."
Ruan Xingwei looked up at him.
Lü Yanlin reached out and tapped a few times on the Star Chart, pulling up a new set of data.
It was a statistical report on decommissioned vessels from various star domains of the Federation.
"Over the years, with the gradual deployment of T5 and new Tier 4-class starships, the older models of T4-class and T3-class starships phased out from various star domains..."
"Most have been equipped to the Interstellar Coast Guard."
"Patrolling major navigation routes, combating smuggling, and maintaining order."
His fingers lightly traced over the data.
"The numbers are vast. It's still relatively easy to pick out three hundred thousand ships in good condition from among them."
A soft intake of breath was heard in the Wargaming Hall.
Someone couldn't help but speak up:
"Three hundred thousand ships?"
Lü Yanlin nodded:
"Three hundred thousand ships."
"Although they are all old, decommissioned models—thin shields, outdated armor, and firepower inferior to T5-class..."
"It's more than enough to form three 0.5-grade sequence fleets."
Ruan Xingwei's brow furrowed slightly.
"The starships can be reclaimed, but what about the personnel?"
"Those Coast Guard personnel have never fought in a war."
Lü Yanlin looked at him, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"There's also a solution for the personnel issue."
He paused, then continued.
"For key positions—captain, first officer, chief engineer, fire control director..."
"These roles, we can recall veterans to re-enlist."
Ruan Xingwei was momentarily stunned.
"Veterans?"
Lü Yanlin nodded.
"Those veterans who retired ten, twenty years ago."
"Who have seen combat."
"Who know what it feels like when artillery fire flies overhead."
His voice was not loud, but every word was clear and forceful.
"Have them put on their military uniforms again, return to the posts they once knew."
"And then..."
He paused:
"Promote them one rank above the military rank they held at retirement."
The Wargaming Hall fell silent once more.
Someone drew a soft breath.
Some exchanged glances.
Chen Qingyu's eyes lit up.
Almost the moment Lü Yanlin finished speaking, he understood the Chief of Staff's entire intention.
Using decommissioned old ships, paired with retired veterans.
To cobble together three second-line sequence fleets.
And then...
Lü Yanlin's voice continued, calm, yet carrying an undeniable certainty.
"With these three 0.5-grade sequence fleets..."
He reached out, drawing three lines on the Star Chart, each pointing to a different star domain.
"Replace the garrison forces in the Weiwu, Taihe, and Sanyang star domains respectively."
"Take those veteran sequence fleets from those three domains..."
He paused, his voice slightly heavier.
"Pull them out."
"And have them rush at full speed to the Ten Stone Starfield."
His words fell.
The Wargaming Hall sank into a brief, complete silence.
Everyone looked at that Star Chart.
At those three lines.
At that plan.
Those General Officers who had been arguing heatedly just moments ago were now speechless.
Because the plan Lü Yanlin proposed was simply too perfect, taking almost every aspect into consideration.
It had the seizing of the fighter craft that Chen Qingyu wanted.
It also addressed the insufficient forces that Ruan Xingwei worried about.
More crucially.
Its feasibility was high.
Using second-line ships and second-line personnel to temporarily maintain the defensive lines in other star domains.
Using the pulled-out elite fleets to reinforce the Ten Stone Starfield that needed them most.
This was the optimal solution that could be offered under the current conditions.
Ruan Xingwei sat there, his expression extremely complex.
Chen Qingyu's earlier words, Lü Yanlin's complete plan, were like two heavy punches, solidly striking his chest.
He gave a slight, barely perceptible curl of his lip.
The gesture was very light, but several people sitting near him saw it.
Then he spoke.
His voice was not loud, even carrying a hint of self-mockery.
"I have nothing more to say."
He paused, his gaze settling on Lü Yanlin.
"Chief of Staff Lü is exceptionally wise. I am convinced."
The Wargaming Hall was quiet for a moment.
Then a low, good-natured chuckle rippled through.
Those faces that had been so tense finally relaxed.
Ruan Xingwei's statement was like a key, unlocking the door that had been deadlocked for so long.
Lü Yanlin gave a slight nod, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"Admiral Ruan flatters me."
He said no more.
Nor did he need to.
What followed was the usual show of hands for the vote.
Yet almost everyone in the room raised their hand at the same moment.
No one hesitated.
No one delayed.
Even Ruan Xingwei slowly raised his right hand.
Unanimously passed.
A subtle silence quietly spread.
Those General Officers exchanged glances, their eyes holding a certain unspoken understanding.
Everyone knew.
This vote, on the surface, was to rescue the Vault Fleet, to severely damage those three Imperial Sequence Fleets, and to protect the eight star systems of the Ten Stone Starfield.
But everyone understood in their hearts.
There was another, deeper reason that no one openly stated.
To rendezvous with the Pluto Fleet.
To rendezvous with that fleet, which was now isolated in the Imperial Hinterland, fighting a bloody battle deep within the Bushman Star System.
To rendezvous with that commander.
Qin Bei Wang.
The only son of Marshal Qin Qianfan.