Special Expert of Beauty CEO

”Boss, you’ve finally returned!”

”Are you alright? I see that the boss looks much healthier, it seems this trip to the Demon Clan has been quite fruitful.”

”Boss, during your absence, we’ve been really worried, fearing any movement from West State, and also hearing from the Imperial City that some might target you there. Tsk tsk, with you leading troops to West State this time, it seems we truly face sieges from various factions.”

On the first night of Qin Tian’s return to Yueya City, he held a discussion meeting with everyone.

At this time, the battle situation in West State is in a stalemate; the people from King Wu are busy competing with the Demon Clan for an unexpected treasure, and although they’ve sent forces to attack Ye City several times, each was repelled by Xu Kuan and Zhao Lanjin.

The West State Army, repeatedly defeated, perhaps has recognized the capabilities of ”General of Hundred Defeats” Xu Kuan. After losing tens of thousands in several attacks, they started fortifying around Ye City, but facing Xu Kuan’s gradually impassable defenses in Ye City, they seem helpless.

So now, hearing someone from the Imperial City might harm him is nothing unusual for Qin Tian.

With King Wu escaping the Imperial City, undoubtedly, his followers still hide within the city.

Currently, the battlefield in West State, stabilized under Qin Tian’s arrival, poses a threat to King Wu.

Since they couldn’t find a breakthrough in direct warfare, King Wu would likely consider underhanded tactics, similar to how historical power ministers dealt with generals in the field, like Qin Hui against Yue Fei.

Qin Tian does not desire to be like Yue Fei.

”I’m curious, how do the people from the Imperial City plan to deal with me?”

Qin Tian’s gaze fell on Xiaozhuang, knowing the intelligence system managed and expanded by Xiaozhuang has infiltrated various troops, this information was surely obtained by him.

”Someone from Ice Emperor’s side has allied to petition Ice Emperor to recall you, hearsay Ice Emperor initially declined but then they petitioned again, pressing for a deadline to kill King Wu and end the West State unrest,” Xiaozhuang said spiritedly. ”Their old tricks again.”

Qin Tian smiled lightly, ”What’s Ice Emperor’s response?”

”Ice Emperor hasn’t responded yet,” Xiaozhuang said, ”but beneath the calm, various variables may arise, boss, we must prepare to respond.”

Zhou Yang chimed in, ”Boss, from what I gather, because we maintain neutrality, neither siding, the Crown Prince and Ninth Prince both are wary of our strength, intending to temporarily ally to eliminate us.”

Shua!

Qin Tian’s eyes brightened.

In fact, this was his primary concern now, the occurrence of this matter.

If the Ninth Prince and Crown Prince join forces, then later, the Imperial City would surely have no place for him.

If he faced danger, even Ice Emperor might directly eliminate him for the sake of his two sons.

Though relying on Ice Emperor now, Qin Tian knows, eventually, he and Ice Emperor will have a resolution.

Moreover, in Ice Emperor’s eyes, he might be just a pawn for balancing the Crown Prince and Ninth Prince?

Presently, Qin Tian refuses to be anyone’s pawn.

”Old Third, you need to intensify intelligence gathering on this front, the frontline enemies aren’t scary, it’s those hungry wolves we must guard against.” Qin Tian contemplated, ”Additionally, Old Second, personally lead dozens of experts back to the Imperial City to bring Fan Bing and Du Qiuniang back, fearing someone might target them now.”

”Understood.”

Lin Yu nodded.

”Additionally, boss, our army currently has some instability, especially during your absence, some generals, hehe, I think might be people from the Crown Prince or Ninth Prince, starting to spread various rumors, not staying in line.”

Zhou Yang stood up, ”We must stand firm in the battlefield, relying on the army is crucial now, military morale and combat power are too important, I suggest boss to suppress firmly.”

”How would a firm suppression look?” Qin Tian didn’t expect there’d be so many hidden outsiders among the troops here.

But thinking about it, it’s understandable since, in reality, besides the five hundred personal guard he initially brought from East Capital, there hasn’t been a truly direct lineage unit.

This is dangerous.

Once war starts, the troops might abandon him at a moment’s notice.

Zuo Yuanhao spoke seriously, ”Among the discontented generals, they belong to two types: one is the batch coming from the Imperial City with us, already hiding spies from various factions; the other is the local forces from West State including Liang Qishan’s old subordinates, making management even harder.”

”General, I suggest targeting the leaders first, to intimidate them, and I believe the others dare not act rashly.”

Qin Tian nodded, ”The military morale must not be disturbed, I wish to form a unit truly belonging to me, Qin Tian!”

After speaking, Qin Tian looked at Zhou Yang, ”Old Zhou, give me a list of the troublemakers.”

...

To stabilize military morale, Qin Tian deliberated multiple times with Zhou Yang and Zuo Yuanhao over two days.

Zhou Yang’s advice was immediate action, firmly suppress, make all cower and submit.

Zuo Yuanhao suggested adopting a gentle approach, first stabilizing these people, enduring the period against West State Army, then settling accounts after victory, after all, it’s a time to employ people.

One suggestion involved slaughter, the other tolerance.

Ultimately, Qin Tian chose the former.

That day, he summoned a meeting of all non-frontline mid-level generals including those on Zhou Yang’s list.

Among them besides Qin Tian and others were more than eighty people.

After the opening remarks, Qin Tian began setting the arrangements.

Among them, the largest titles were four generals, Wang Lin and Jiang Fei, under the Crown Prince, each commanding thirty thousand troops; Zhang Yilong and Su Cheng, under the Ninth Prince, also with thirty thousand troops each, these four already lead a total of one hundred thousand.

Additionally, there were another twenty-one generals from various forces, either participating in the logistics supply or commanding ten thousand troops each, together they command eighty thousand.

Eighteen thousand troops, if left unchecked, these eighteen thousand won’t just be Qin Tian’s soldiers, might even become hidden threats in his army!

Failure to decisively act invites chaos.

These twenty-five had become thorns in Qin Tian’s eyes.

As arranged beforehand, Qin Tian directly announced the decision to remove Wang Lin and the twenty-five from positions of real power, putting them in equivalent idle roles.

Indeed, once the order was issued, the meeting erupted instantly!