Those who face the wall, but are in the Nascent Soul stage.

Chapter 293 I Will Lead the Surrender (3k)

"Is the technology for the Iron Curtain device already mature?"

"Yes, Commander Qian, the Iron Curtain device has been mass-produced. All we need to do is mount the Iron Curtain device module directly onto the warship's module area and power it to generate a powerful molecular force field, which will reinforce the warship's hull to the point of being indestructible."

"But the interior is still fragile, and the Iron Curtain device can only work on metal crystal structures that are bonded by metallic bonds."

"Commander Qian, technological development takes time. Once the Iron Curtain device is fully deployed throughout the fleet, the interstellar dust that has been hindering the fleet's long voyages will no longer be a problem. The hulls of warships under the Iron Curtain force field will be immune to any interstellar meteorites and may even be immune to electromagnetic kinetic energy cannons of the same level. Who would have believed that before?"

"Lieutenant, have you ever thought about this?"

"what is the problem?"

"Iron Curtain technology is a variant of molecular-level force field generator technology, and this technology was brought to us by the Trisolarans."

Upon hearing this, the adjutant frowned in deep thought. He looked at Commander Qian before him—in reality, Qian Mengjian did not hold the title of commander. His rank was inherited from the US military ranks of the Common Era, higher than that of a typical star-class warship captain, but only at the level of admiral. The title "Commander Qian" was a derivative designation used by the crew in recognition of Qian Mengjian's previous role as the Supreme Commander of NATO.

At first, Qian Mengjian would correct him, but after the old men at the Solar System Fleet Joint Conference started jokingly calling him Commander Qian, he stopped caring.

Go ahead and yell, I'm still young, I'll become a real commander sooner or later and scare you old bastards to death.

"It was indeed sent by the Trisolarans, but the principle of the molecular-level force field generator is to utilize the electromagnetic force, one of the four fundamental forces. This direction is correct, and many cutting-edge scientists have confirmed it. You don't need to worry about any flaws in this technology."

Five years ago, the Trisolarans withdrew all their sophons and abandoned their blockade of human technology.

Three years ago, the Trisolarans transmitted science and technology to humanity through Liu Xiu, the leader of the ETO.

A year ago, after learning of the defeat of the Devouring Empire, Six-Dimensional Sophon proposed peace talks.

The Trisolaran civilization's successive displays of weakness, one after another, led to this peace talks that should never have happened. In many people's minds, the humble six-dimensional sophon was practically begging for peace on his knees.

Qian Mengjian said, "I am not worried about the technological flaws. Although I do not understand physics, I know that the scientific community has ways to verify potential technological risks. I am just wondering if the Trisolarans have more advanced technology?"

The adjutant said, "It doesn't matter. Even if we don't launch a counter-offensive against the Trisolaran fleet, given their snail-paced pace, we'll be completely unafraid of them in two hundred years."

"Actually, I've always liked the energy shields in science fiction works."

“You can move Mr. Luo Qing to the Paradox Engine for seclusion. He comes with his own defensive formation, which can make your vision come true.”

Qian Mengjian said, "One Luo Qing is not enough; I need 4900 Luo Qings." (Note: 4900 refers to the total number of newly built and restored star-class warships in the two years following the war.)
The adjutant shook his head: "Instead of mass-producing Luo Qing, let's think about what the joint meeting's next steps are after the fleet completes its upgrade. With so many warships, we can't keep floundering in this small puddle of the solar system. Commander-in-Chief Vitalis (Commander of the European Fleet) said at a press conference a few days ago that after the peace talks end, he will send an interstellar fleet of 2000 star-class warships to 'friendly visit' the Trisolaran system."

"Ha, confident Frenchmen." Qian Mengjian shook his head and walked to the porthole, looking out at the world.

In Jupiter's orbit, hundreds of Jupiter-class shipyards are carrying out modular upgrades on starships.

Apart from a few flagships like the Paradox Engine, the vast majority of Star-class warships are "assembly line products," using mature modular construction technology to finally assemble a Star-class warship.

Therefore, installing the Iron Curtain device is not as complicated as imagined. The design life of the Star-class warship is about 200 years, so subsequent upgrades and modifications have been taken into account, and there are reserved blank module areas.

All that's needed is to install the shipborne Iron Curtain device module in the blank module area. With Little Moss's coordination, this upgrade process only takes about an hour, and more than a hundred Jupiter docks are undergoing simultaneous upgrades and renovations.

In just a few days, all the star-class warships will be upgraded. The new star-class warships, equipped with the Iron Curtain device, will have hundreds of times the protection of the originals, and will be basically immune to the bombardment of low-energy weapons (electromagnetic guns) and low-energy gamma laser rays.

Before this, human warships were in the era of glass cannons; after this, we will enter the era of battleships.

"Lieutenant, any news about ETO lately?" Qian Mengjian asked abruptly, glancing out the window at the starships passing by one after another.

"Have you also noticed the news about Luo Ji, the Wallfacer, 'proving his way to immortality'?"

Qian Mengjian shook his head: "He's not Luo Qing. To grow into someone like Luo Qing, I estimate it would take at least three to five hundred years. His impact on future humanity would be limited. I don't care about Luo Ji; I'm asking about ETO." The adjutant said, "There really is news about ETO. Twenty-four hours after Dr. Luo Ji's assassination attempt, Liu Xiu, the current leader of the Earth-Three-Body Organization, urgently clarified the situation online:"
This was supposedly a colossal misunderstanding. The assassination order against Luo Ji was issued two centuries ago by the Sophon, and the cursed virus was also uploaded two centuries ago by Ptolemy, a member of the Trisolaran organization. Even the Trisolaran organization itself didn't expect the virus to still be functioning. The instigator, Copernicus, has been captured and is currently under interrogation. Liu Xiu's point was: since the Sophon left the solar system, the Trisolaran organization has lost its intelligence sharing and is on the verge of disintegration. It lacks sufficient control over its members, especially those from the east, leading to this major blunder during the crucial peace talks.

Qian Mengjian raised an eyebrow: "Are Earth International and Fleet International just going to let this matter slide like that?"

The adjutant shook his head: "It's not something that can be easily dismissed. That young man named Liu Xiu personally went to the Beijing Municipal Government to plead guilty and surrender. He didn't even come alone; he was followed by several ETO veterans, such as that guy named Newton. He even handed over the list of the few dozen people left in the ETO, all of whom have been arrested."

The adjutant also said, "Liu Xiu wept bitterly in prison, saying that he absolutely could not allow himself to become a historical sinner who hinders the peace talks between humanity and the Trisolarans. Although the attack on Dr. Luo Ji was caused by Copernicus's willful actions, as the leader of the organization, he could not escape responsibility and was willing to take full responsibility."

Qian Mengjian was slightly shocked upon hearing this.

"This is too... childish. ETO is completely wiped out just like that?"

The adjutant nodded: "It should have been destroyed long ago. What's the point of joining a civilization that is destined to fail? After Hu Hai died, the Trisolaran Organization declined. By the time of Liu Xiu, it hadn't recruited any new members for decades. It was just some die-hards who survived from the Common Era, the Great Depression, and the Green Grass Era who were keeping it going."

Qian Mengjian remarked with emotion: "In my time, ETOs were all tough nuts to crack. When I dealt with these ETO members in my early years, it was a life-or-death struggle."

"Commander Qian, times are changing. Humanity in the early days of the Crisis Era was terrified. Who could have predicted what would happen today?"

"makes sense."

Fifteen minutes later, the adjutant hurriedly floated over again.

"Commander Qian, Commander-in-Chief Vitalis has delivered a new appointment letter."

"Hmm? What's this Frenchman up to now? A promotion in name only, a transfer away from the Paradox Engine? I just scolded him a couple of times during the conference, why is he holding such a grudge?" Qian Mengjian suddenly felt uneasy.

"No...you can see for yourself." The adjutant handed the printed appointment letter to Qian Mengjian.

[Letter of Appointment for Commander-in-Chief of the Solar System Fleet's European Fleet]

Number: Taijian Ou Renzi [205] No. 073

兹任命[谦蒙渐]同志为太阳系舰队欧洲舰队临时总司令，任期6个月（自危机纪元205年5月15日至危机纪元205年11月15日）。

This appointment is effective from the date of its issuance.

Appointing Authority: Solar System Fleet Joint Conference
Issued by: Vitalis, former Commander-in-Chief of the European Fleet of the Solar System Fleet

April 15, Crisis Era 205

(Attached: Rank badge number, fleet command system access key, and "Commander-in-Chief's Duties Manual")
what?
Qian Mengjian thought he had misread it.

What is the position of Commander-in-Chief of the European Fleet?
Why isn't he a branch commander? Even a deputy commander-in-chief would be normal. Why did he suddenly jump to the position of commander-in-chief? Also, the term of office is usually at least five years, so why is this term only six months?
There was nothing else, no reason, no cause, no explanation; it was just suddenly passed on to Qian Mengjian, which was extremely puzzling, but this weighty letter of appointment was undeniably real.

"What's wrong with the higher-ups making me the commander-in-chief?" This was the first thing Qian Mengjian said when he saw the letter of appointment.

The adjutant naturally had no way to explain, but soon Qian Mengjian received a message from the Commander-in-Chief of the European Fleet in his private domain through his authority as the deputy commander-in-chief. He dismissed the adjutant and went to the captain's cabin alone.

Vitalis's holographic projection appeared in front of Qian Mengjian. His expression was complicated, and he only said one sentence to Qian Mengjian.

[General Qian Mengjian, this matter has arisen suddenly. There are few high-ranking officers within the Solar System Fleet who can be trusted, and you are undoubtedly one of them. The Joint Conference will use a fleet review and exercises as a pretext to reclaim control of most of the captains of the Star-class warships. The newly appointed executive captains will temporarily assume the captains' duties. You have been granted Commander-in-Chief authority. Please cooperate with the Joint Conference to ensure the internal stability of the European Fleet… I also need to undergo investigation.]

"Can you tell me what happened?" Qian Meng asked calmly.

Dr. Hines has had his barriers broken.

(End of this chapter)