Qin Renhuang just became an immortal, and you told me this is the prehistoric time

Upon hearing this, the imperial concubines' beautiful eyes lit up. What an honor and warmth it was to be personally accompanied by His Majesty on an outing! Just as they were about to express their joy and gratitude, they saw several imperial concubines dressed in more formal palace attire, with capable demeanor, hurrying in from the direction of the inner study, their faces showing obvious worry.

These are the imperial concubines of the "Inner Study" appointed by Ying Xuan to assist in handling daily government affairs; they are all exceptionally capable.

They first bowed to Ying Xuan and the other concubines present. Then, the leader stepped forward, holding several urgent memorials in her hands, speaking in a hurried tone.

"Your Majesty, we have just received several urgent reports, and something serious may have happened! I'm afraid Your Majesty will be unable to leave the capital for a tour in the near future."

Ying Xuan raised an eyebrow slightly.

What's the urgent matter?

The imperial concubine presented the memorial, looking worried.

"It's an urgent memorial from General Wang Jian of the Wasteland, delivered over 800 li, along with a joint urgent report from the Cabinet and the Ministry of War! It concerns nearly ten million Imperial Guards of the Wasteland!"

She paused, lowering her voice even further, with a hint of disbelief.

"Your Majesty, who in Great Qin does not know that the Wilderness Imperial Guard is the strongest fighting force of Great Qin? Nearly ten million men have fought bloody battles, and almost all of them have broken through to the first level of life, with many even cultivating the rudimentary form of the primordial spirit. Such a force, if left unattended in normal times, without the threat of monsters... may become... a major threat!"

Ying Xuan took the memorial, scanned it with his divine sense, and immediately understood its contents.

He looked up and, sure enough, on the white jade square outside the palace gate, a dark mass of cabinet ministers led by Chu Yi and the main officials of the six ministries stood there, each one like a clay or wooden sculpture, their faces grim, the atmosphere frighteningly heavy. They had clearly all learned of the contents of the memorial and were waiting for His Majesty's decision.

Ying Xuan's gaze returned to the memorial. In the memorial, Wang Jian detailed the situation in which the soldiers at the front were homesick due to long-term fighting and in response to His Majesty's new policy on childbirth, and jointly requested that they be granted annual leave to visit their families. He also stated frankly that this matter had caused turmoil in the army, and the generals were having a hard time suppressing it. If not handled properly, it might affect the morale of the army and the stability of the defense line.

Looking at the memorial, Ying Xuan was not angry at all. Instead, he chuckled softly. The chuckle sounded complicated, with a hint of understanding, a hint of emotion, and a touch of cold amusement.

"The Qin Dynasty was established too recently, and it lacked real foundation."

He put down the memorial and spoke to the several imperial concubines in the inner study who looked worried, as if talking to himself.

"This land was once divided into seven kingdoms. Our ancestors of the Great Qin Dynasty worked hard for six generations, and the First Emperor swept across the six kingdoms to unify the land. However, at the beginning of my reign, the land that truly belonged to the people of Qin was nothing more than the former territory of the Qin state. The people who remained in the six kingdoms may not have truly submitted to us."

He stood up, walked to the pavilion, looked at the officials standing solemnly in the square outside the palace, and slowly spoke.

"Afterwards, I relocated people from other worlds to fill the population, and in a short period of time, the population swelled to hundreds of millions. But among these people, apart from the original few million Qin people, there are probably not many who truly identify themselves as subjects of the Great Qin, rather than 'Chu people,' 'Zhao people,' 'Song people,' or 'Ming people.'"

Most people are merely intimidated by my power, residing in the lands of Qin and uttering the name of Qin; their true allegiance... is hard to say.

“In the past, when the world was at peace and there were no major wars, such hidden worries could be concealed. The court used both kindness and severity, and over time, it may be able to gradually resolve the situation.”

Ying Xuan's tone turned cold.

"But now, the wasteland is ravaged by bloody battles year after year, and monsters are endless! Almost all of the most elite and powerful forces of our Great Qin have been poured into that place! These soldiers have seen their strength soar in the flames of blood and fire, but what have they gained? Besides the increase in strength, have they received corresponding status, wealth, and glory to match it?"
Those people who migrated from another world watched themselves or their children fight for their lives on the front lines, while the court's rear was developing steadily, but resources were being poured into the wasteland. How could they not feel resentment?
The only problem was that the generals were mostly renowned figures from past dynasties, whose prestige and ability were sufficient to suppress the enemy. If a weaker general had been in command, well, the enemy might have been 'coerced' into 'demanding an explanation from the capital,' or even worse, things might have gone wrong!

This insightful and ruthless analysis sent chills down the spines of the imperial concubines present. Having lived deep within the palace for so long, and having only managed state affairs in a limited way, they had never considered the country's hidden dangers from such a macro and sharp perspective.
One of the imperial concubines in the inner study composed herself and asked cautiously.

"Your Majesty, General Wang mentioned in his memorial that it might be possible to rotate the troops from the inland prefectures and the garrison troops to alleviate the homesickness of the Imperial Guards and to train the new army. As far as I know, the total number of troops from the prefectures and garrison troops in various places is now about 13 million."

Another royal consort added, her face showing worry.

"However, the strength of the county garrison troops is far inferior to that of the wilderness imperial guards. Rashly deploying them into such a desperate place as the wilderness may result in heavy casualties and be of no use."

Upon hearing this, Ying Xuan suddenly burst into laughter, his laughter filled with confidence and a sense of complete control.

"Hahaha! You all underestimated Wang Jian, and you underestimated me too!"

He stopped smiling, his gaze sharpening.

"Who is Wang Jian? He is a top commander who can rival Bai Qi! He presented this memorial to me, clearly laying out the problems, hidden dangers, and the morale of the army, without offering any specific solutions... This in itself says it all!"

Ying Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, his tone resolute.

"This shows that the situation on the front lines in the wasteland is still under his control! The soldiers are emotional, but far from being out of control. He is asking me for directions, and also 'speaking out' on behalf of the soldiers, trying to get the compensation they deserve. As for the casualties that may result from rotating new recruits..."

A slight smile curved his lips.

"Do you think Wang Jian would throw over ten million greenhorns right into the monster's mouth to die, as you imagine? Don't forget, when the Qin Imperial Guard first entered the wilderness, their strength was even weaker than the county soldiers are now!"
It was a breakthrough achieved through countless fierce battles, built up with mountains of corpses, seas of blood, and the life force of monsters! In that wasteland, the life force and spiritual energy dissipated from the deaths of monsters are the best catalysts and supplements for low-level cultivators! Wang Jian will definitely take advantage of this to allow the new recruits to gradually adapt and grow in a relatively controlled environment.

Even if there are some casualties in the early stages, as long as they are kept within a certain proportion, it is worthwhile. An army that does not shed blood and experience life and death will never become a truly strong army! Ying Xuan's last words were filled with an undeniable domineering aura.

"Even if we take a step back and assume that the new recruits are temporarily incompetent, and the situation really reaches a point where strong suppression is needed... isn't there still me here?"

His gaze seemed to pierce through the palace walls and reach the distant wilderness.

"Let alone that I am the ruler of this realm and control the power of heaven and earth, even the nearly ten thousand Tianxing Sect cultivators who are currently obeying my orders, if I give the order, would they launch a full-scale attack to crush the nearly ten million Imperial Guards in the wasteland who harbor ulterior motives... what difficulty would that be?"

"Mobilize the troops from various counties and prefectures, as well as the garrison troops, and send them into the wasteland!"

Accompanied by urgent messenger horses and communication talismans from cultivators, this decree quickly spread throughout the entire Great Qin Dynasty.

In an instant, the barracks of various prefectures and counties were in an uproar! Squads of prefectural soldiers and garrison soldiers, who had been training for a long time and were well-equipped, bid farewell to their hometowns with excitement, trepidation and longing, and like rivers flowing into the sea, they set off continuously for that legendary battlefield.

More than a year ago, when nearly ten million of the most elite Imperial Guards of the Great Qin Dynasty were rotated back to their hometowns for the first time, the entire Great Qin Dynasty truly realized that beyond the wasteland in the northwest of the empire, the rift known as the "Heavenly Gate" actually connected to a strange world overrun by monsters!

And their soldiers, there, used their flesh and blood to resist the tidal wave of invasions day after day.

What shocked the people even more was that many of the Imperial Guards who returned home carried "souvenirs" brought back from the battlefield—mainly metal armor fragments or weapon remnants that had been simply processed and peeled off monsters.

These things were even more sturdy and sharp than the standard farm tools issued to them by the imperial court! With a little melting and modification, folk craftsmen could obtain excellent farm tools and even weapon blanks.

Moreover, the imperial court issued a clear decree to reward meritorious service.

For every otherworldly monster slain by a soldier of the Imperial Guard, their family would be exempt from taxes for a year! Many veterans who had slain dozens or even hundreds of monsters in the wasteland had their family taxes exempted for decades or even centuries! For the vast majority of ordinary families, this was an immense blessing and honor.

The wasteland, a name that once represented death and despair, gradually became a "land of hope" and a "land of merit" full of opportunities and a chance to change the fate of their families in the hearts of countless people of the Qin Dynasty, especially young people who were eager to make achievements and change their destiny!
In addition, over the past year, the spiritual energy of the Great Qin has been continuously enhanced due to the feedback from the wasteland and a series of measures taken by Ying Xuan. The cultivation strength of the soldiers and garrison troops in various counties has also risen accordingly, generally reaching the peak of the acquired realm or even the innate realm, with the best even touching the threshold of the first level of life.

With their increased strength, their ambitions also grew. They had long felt stifled by patrolling the counties, maintaining order, and reclaiming wasteland all day long.

They heard that killing any monster in the wasteland would bring a reward from heaven and earth, which could accelerate cultivation and earn real merits and tax exemptions. These county soldiers were already itching to sneak into the wasteland and fight those legendary monsters in real battle!
Now, His Majesty's decree has finally arrived! Although we know the front lines are dangerous, the opportunities are equally enormous! Countless young faces are filled with passion and longing.

Almost simultaneously, another, even more authoritative and unquestionable decree resounded like thunder across the front lines of the wasteland—"Summon the Imperial Guards to the capital immediately!"

"As you command!!!"

A million mighty roars, as powerful as mountains, resounded throughout the desolate Great Wall, shaking the surrounding wilderness! A million soldiers, scattered along the various sections of the defensive line, dressed in uniforms similar to those of other imperial guards but with more refined details, and exuding a noticeably fierce and composed aura, stepped forward in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized, their eyes blazing with fervent light.

They are the true elite and backbone of the Qin Imperial Guards—the Dragon Guards!

Almost instantly upon receiving the imperial decree, Wang Jian issued the order for a "full withdrawal." The main force of the more than eight million Imperial Guards, who were clearing out the remaining monsters and consolidating newly occupied areas outside the Great Wall, retreated swiftly and orderly towards the Great Wall defense line like a tidal wave. Their movements were so rapid that they even left behind a large number of monster corpses and scattered spoils that they had not yet had time to collect.

Above the wasteland, the Tianxing Sect cultivators, who were guiding the attack and completing their daily "quotas," also tacitly accelerated their killing pace upon seeing this.

They had already been told that the Emperor of Qin was the "Sect Leader" of their Heavenly Star Sect in this realm, and the Sect Leader's decree was the highest order. Countless magical treasures shone even more intensely, wiping out the last batch of monsters remaining on the battlefield, and thick pillars of blood energy shot into the sky once again.

The millions of county soldiers and garrison soldiers who had just arrived at the front line of the wasteland were being impacted by the dense blood energy and battlefield aura, which stirred their minds and made their strength subtly increase. They felt the blood energy that was dissipating in the air, which was a great tonic for them. Many of them had fluctuating auras and even showed signs of breaking through on the spot!

Some talented individuals, with the intentional or unintentional guidance of veterans and their own accumulated experience, naturally crossed that threshold and officially became Level 1 Lifeforms!
Upon hearing the imperial decree to "enter the capital" and seeing the terrifyingly powerful elite Dragon Guards assembled, the new recruits were not afraid at all. Instead, they were infected by the iron-blooded and solemn atmosphere, and many of them couldn't help but join the veterans in singing the war song that belonged to the Great Qin Dynasty - "Qin Feng"!
After the million-strong Dragon Guards had assembled, they didn't say much, but instead clasped their hands in a solemn military salute towards their commander, Wang Jian.

Immediately, led by officers of the Dragon Guard at all levels, these million elite soldiers, their bodies radiating light of varying strength but all carrying a dense aura of bloodlust, transformed into a blood-red cloud that blotted out the sky and flew swiftly towards the imperial capital, Xianyang!

As he watched the rapidly receding crimson clouds, a barely perceptible smile, along with a deep-seated arrogance, appeared at the corner of Wang Jian's weathered face.

The Dragon Guards are the core of His Majesty's personal army. Their weapons and armor were initially sculpted by the Great Qin Imperial Palace using incense and spiritual power mixed with rare metals. The Dragon Guards themselves then nurtured and refined them day and night using a secret blood sacrifice ritual. Although metals obtained from another world were later incorporated to enhance their strength, their core foundation remains a gift from the Imperial Palace. Their individual combat prowess, the quality of their equipment, and their loyalty to the imperial authority far surpass those of ordinary imperial guards.

If these million Dragon Guards were to turn their weapons around, they could easily crush the remaining eight million or so ordinary Imperial Guards on the wasteland!
His Majesty's decision to remove them at this moment has profound implications.

Firstly, it serves as a kind of enhancement or review of this absolutely loyal core force; secondly, it also indirectly weakens the "unstable factors" that may exist on the front lines of the wasteland due to the expansion of strength.

Although the departure of the Dragon Guard will inevitably lead to a decline in the overall combat strength of the remaining Imperial Guards, the newly added county soldiers will be unable to replace the role of the veterans in the short term, the pressure on the defensive line will increase, and casualties may also increase.

But Wang Jian didn't care about that.

He was confident that as long as the remaining eight million-plus Imperial Guards remained in his hands, he could keep them firmly pinned down in the wasteland, unleashing their maximum combat power and fulfilling the mission entrusted to him by His Majesty: to guard and devour the other world! As for casualties? In war, how can there be no death? In Wang Jian's view, exchanging a certain number of casualties for absolute control of the defensive line and the continuous "bleeding" and "tempering" of the army was entirely worthwhile.

Not long after the Imperial Guards left, several generals commanding the main army rushed to Wang Jian's central command tent, their faces showing obvious anxiety. (End of Chapter)