Special Expert of Beauty CEO

”After discussions with the two deputy governors and with reference to the city lord’s opinion, I have finally decided that this expedition will consist of 150,000 people, fully commanded by Deputy Governor Zhang Qicheng. The military strategists will be selected by Deputy Governor Zhang Qicheng himself. Generals Chen Feng, Ye Ming, and Zhao Long will lead the troops into battle to support East State!”

After three days of contemplation, Xiao Zhan finally decided to let Deputy Governor Zhang Qicheng, who belongs to the East State Marquis, lead the troops to support the battlefield.

Upon hearing this decision, Qin Tian could only smile wryly, his emotions extremely complex.

On one hand, he was happy that his unit could participate in the support mission; on the other hand, it was extremely difficult for Generals Chen Feng, Ye Ming, and Zhao Long, who belong to three different factions, to join forces to defeat the Dragon Clan.

Moreover, Qin Tian already knew that both Zhang Qicheng and Zhang Zhiwen were reluctant to engage in battle, fearing a loss of their influence.

Now, after discussions, or rather Xiao Zhan’s forceful pressure, the troops of Zhang Qicheng and Zhang Zhiwen were to be led to the battlefield. Could they possibly be dedicated?

Even before the expedition, Qin Tian had already concluded that this time, following the major defeat of East State Army’s three main camps, the 150,000 City Guard Army would also suffer a crushing defeat!

Reflecting on this made Qin Tian’s heart ache, as he realized there was no opportunity, nor was it possible, to persuade the higher-ups; he could only obey orders.

The main force was to set out the next day, so Qin Tian convened a short meeting with his subordinates, emphasizing strict adherence to orders and listening to his commands on the battlefield.

This unit, which Zhao Lanjin often trained with regularly, and whose training regimen was similar to Qin Tian’s Special Forces training, had additionally incorporated the destructive power of True Qi.

Five days later, a grand departure ceremony was held for the 150,000-strong City Guard Army, after which the army advanced towards the East State River battlefield.

Along the way, the City Guard Army continually received reports from the battlefield, most of which were notices of East State Army’s defeats and retreats.

The three main camps of the East State Army were being continuously defeated and forced back. Most key cities along the East State River, except for Yang City, had fallen into the hands of the Dragon Clan’s army.

”You must keep Yang City intact for me! Go back and tell your General Zuo, if Yang City falls, our City Guard Army will lose the ability to expand eastward. If we become blocked to the west of the East State Mountain Range by the Dragon Clan’s army, there will be no way forward. The battle will be unwinnable! Tell him to defend it to the death for me! Hold on to this last hope for victory!”

Since departing East Capital City, Zhang Qicheng had received nothing but bad news, and in just three days, he had become visibly thinner, with an utterly exhausted look.

Initially, Zhang Qicheng had been unwilling to lead troops into battle, but after persistent coaxing and almost coercion from the City Lord Mansion and Xiao Zhan, he finally mustered the courage to bring his troops to the East State River battlefield.

However, before his army even reached the East State River battlefield, wave after wave of bad news had already instilled fear in him, putting him in a dreadful state.

Fortunately, the East State Army seemed to realize the importance of Yang City, and a day after the City Guard Army arrived, they managed to hold it.

Also, upon hearing that over ten thousand City Guard reinforcements had arrived, the pursuing Dragon Clan army retreated hundreds of miles.

This finally afforded the East State Army a chance to catch their breath.

”General Zuo, you command ten thousand troops from the three main camps of the East State Army, totaling thirty thousand men; how is it that only two thousand remain?”

When Zhang Qicheng led his army into Yang City and heard the report from General Zuo Jin of the East Camp of the East State Army, he was so shocked he stood up straight from his chair.

”The East Camp had ten thousand troops. Against the Dragon Clan’s hundred thousand soldiers, you were beaten into disarray and fled like a dog with its tail between its legs. Is the Dragon Clan army truly so formidable, or are you...”

”Governor Zhang, please do not accuse us unreasonably. The brothers from the three camps of the East State Army have fought bravely and with valor. It’s just that the Dragon Clan soldiers have somehow become so robust and aggressive after a few years of not engaging, that our soldiers’ combat power can’t keep up. I admit that we miscalculated the situation beforehand, but against today’s Dragon Clan army, I don’t think anyone would have a chance of victory. This isn’t my fault, nor is it the responsibility of the East Camp.”

Having lost the battle, these guys excel at evading responsibility.

This Zuo Jin spoke eloquently, and since his forces were not part of the City Guard Army, Zhang Qicheng had no grounds to hold him accountable.

”The situation has already come to this. What you say is useless. How many troops are left in the other two camps?” Zhang Qicheng shook his head and asked.

Zuo Jin replied, ”Half a month ago, the Dragon Clan army scattered us, and we fled with our troops, being pursued and attacked all the way.”

”I was pursued by the most enemies along my route, resulting in massive losses. Now, fewer than two thousand remain. I think the South Camp and West Camp should each have at least three thousand remaining... Now, the spies I’ve sent out to contact them have either died or gone missing. It’s hard to ascertain their exact location or number.”

After speaking, Zuo Jin cupped his hands toward Zhang Qicheng and said, ”Governor Zhang, now that you’ve brought 150,000 City Guard troops to the east, it’s precisely your time to achieve merits. I, Zuo, congratulate you in advance. My troops have been continuously fighting for months and are now utterly exhausted. We’ll retreat for a rest, leaving the defense of Yang City to you!”

Zuo Jin uttered these words and was about to leave, leaving Zhang Qicheng stunned, who, upon realizing, quickly got up to stop Zuo Jin, saying, ”General Zuo, I’ve come on orders to support you. I’ve got my people here, but now you intend to retreat? Isn’t this inappropriate?”

”Governor Zhang, I am sorry, but a soldier’s duty is to obey orders. I’ve been ordered to withdraw to East Capital City for recuperation. It can’t be helped.” Zuo Jin made a show of dealing with public affairs, saying, ”Governor Zhang, if you have any objection, you can raise it with our Great General. Until I receive new orders, I can only retreat for now, my apologies.”

Zuo Jin, speaking with his hands cupped, and a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, added, ”Governor Zhang, rest assured, I’ve already found out that the Dragon Clan army has fewer than 100,000 left, and only a bit over 20,000 are advancing toward Yang City. You have 150,000; fighting them will be as easy as chopping vegetables. Haha, the opportunity for you to earn merits has arrived, and I congratulate you, sir!”

Zuo Jin’s words carried a tinge of mockery. After saying this, he left, infuriating Zhang Qicheng, who pounded the table in the conference room, ”Good for you, Zuo Jin, daring to mock me! The Dragon Clan’s 20,000 are easy to defeat? If they’re so easy to deal with, how did your 20,000 get chased like fleeing dogs? Incompetent, utterly incompetent!”