I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield Chapter 737 - 527: Making the Best Use of People (Part 2)
Previously on I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield...
"Military Lord!"
"Military Lord!"
The soldiers out on the training field quickly noticed Qin Tian's arrival. Instantly halting their drills, they promptly assembled into formation and offered Qin Tian a crisp, standard salute.
Qin Tian gave a slight nod and calmly instructed, "Continue your training."
"Yes, sir!"
The soldiers responded in unison, immediately resuming their rigorous training.
Perhaps with Qin Tian's presence, their movements became even more precise, and their training intensity visibly increased.
After a brief inspection of the first training ground, Qin Tian led the three accompanying him to the second field—this area was designated for the exclusive training of over five thousand Barbarian Warriors.
As they drew near, a distinctly different atmosphere enveloped them.
In stark contrast to the disciplined order of the previous field, the scene here was undeniably more chaotic, resembling a roiling gladiatorial arena.
The Barbarian Warriors, stripped to the waist, their bronze muscles bulging against the cold wind, engaged in wild grappling and exchanges of blows. Savage shouts, the resonant thuds of flesh meeting flesh, and the explosive booms of surging Spiritual Energy blended into a primal, untamed symphony.
"Whoa, this is much more intense than just a moment ago!" A flicker of surprise and keen interest crossed Kane’s face as he couldn't help but exclaim.
Despite the apparent messiness, Kane's sharp eye could discern the frightening physical prowess of these Barbarian Warriors, their Qi and Blood so potent it seemed on the verge of overflowing.
Even without consciously employing Spiritual Energy techniques, their combat effectiveness, relying solely on raw strength, was formidable.
Xue Wuyang and Zhou Ziming also took note of this, their brows furrowing slightly as they intently observed the proceedings in the training ground, though they remained silent.
The moment Qin Tian appeared, Terreda, who had been overseeing the training from the sidelines, immediately ceased his activities, wiped the sweat from his brow, and hurried over.
"Boss!"
"Terreda, how is the training progressing?" Qin Tian inquired with a smile.
"Excellent!" Terreda nodded vigorously, a hint of pride coloring his voice. "The brothers are brimming with fighting spirit, unafraid of hardship or exhaustion; their progress is remarkably swift!"
Qin Tian smiled, placed a hand on Terreda's shoulder, and said, "Good. Keep up the great work. I'm just showing a few guests around."
"Yes, sir!" Terreda cast a curious glance at the newcomers before returning his full attention to directing the training.
Qin Tian led the trio on a circuit around the Barbarian Warriors' training area. Then, utilizing spatial transfer once more, they were instantly transported back to the meeting room.
"You've both visited the training grounds. What are your impressions?" Qin Tian asked, resuming his seat in the main chair and surveying the three men.
Kane was the first to respond, a grin on his face. "Not bad. Whether it's the regular soldiers or the Barbarian Warriors, they're all training with remarkable zeal. Quite captivating to watch."
Xue Wuyang considered for a moment before stating in a measured tone, "Their fundamental training is acceptable, but there's certainly room for enhancement."
Qin Tian's attention then turned to Zhou Ziming, who had remained quiet until this point.
Zhou Ziming lifted his gaze. His tone was level, yet unmistakably laced with disdain: "A bunch of trash."
The instant he spoke, Kane's eyes widened in astonishment, his expression one of sheer disbelief. He had never imagined Zhou Ziming would dare to belittle Qin Tian's subordinates so openly and directly in his presence.
Even the corner of Xue Wuyang's eye twitched involuntarily.
Qin Tian, however, remained composed, displaying no hint of displeasure.
"So, you're implying neither group is worthy of your attention?"
"Precisely," Zhou Ziming replied without the slightest reservation, his tone unyielding. "One group is simply trash, and the other is even worse trash."
"You truly are... exceedingly blunt." Qin Tian shook his head, a sense of resignation in his gesture.
At that moment, he finally comprehended the intense animosity the second-generation heir harbored towards Zhou Ziming, and the extreme measures taken to imprison him.
With such an unrestrained tongue and a personality that disregards everyone's pride, it was understandable why people would find him utterly intolerable.
However, Qin Tian possessed a naturally magnanimous disposition. He also recognized that for individuals like Xue Wuyang and Zhou Ziming, who had served in the Royal Space Fleet, both the local soldiers at Ice Extreme Pass and these raw, untamed Barbarian Warriors likely appeared as mere irregulars, naturally unworthy of their regard.
"Enough. I am perfectly aware of their current standing. It is precisely because of this that I summoned you here specifically," Qin Tian redirected the conversation, his gaze settling upon Xue Wuyang as his tone grew grave. "Effective immediately, you will be responsible for training these Barbarian Warriors. I am granting you three months. By then, I expect them to be utterly transformed, molded into a disciplined army capable of engaging in tough battles. Do you believe you can achieve this?" "I can. I am confident in my abilities." Xue Wuyang responded without a moment's hesitation. For an veteran soldier with over two decades of service, who had risen through the ranks from a humble beginning to the position of fleet regiment commander, the task of training a force of a few thousand was hardly a daunting challenge. He had already observed that while these Barbarian Warriors were indeed wild and lacked discipline, they possessed excellent physical foundations and remarkable tenacity. Although the training would present greater difficulty compared to regular soldiers, for him, it remained entirely manageable. With the implementation of precisely formulated training plans and the enforcement of stringent discipline, their reformation within three months was entirely feasible. "General, what about my role?" Kane stepped forward slightly, his voice laced with palpable eagerness. After enduring over a year of confinement in prison, he was practically bursting with the need to act, yearning for a significant undertaking to dedicate himself to. Qin Tian gave the matter brief consideration. "Your task is to return to your area of expertise: assemble a Mercenary Corps for me." This decision was not a spur-of-the-moment one; he had been meticulously reviewing the command structure under his authority. The Shadow Division, under Li Qi's command, was responsible for intelligence gathering and clandestine operations; the Barbarian Battle Group served as the primary combat force, tasked with territorial expansion and frontline assaults. However, upon further reflection, he recognized the absence of a versatile and mobile unit within his forces. Certain missions, if assigned to the Shadow Division, would be akin to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, thereby squandering valuable covert resources; entrusting them to the untamed and less sophisticated Barbarian Warriors carried the risk of overlooking critical details and consequently precipitating complications. Kane, possessing prior experience in establishing Mercenary Corps, was thus the ideal candidate for this crucial role. More significantly, as the large-scale development of Mingwang Planet progressed, the Ice Extreme Pass region was anticipated to experience a substantial influx of various Mercenary Corps. While these mercenaries could contribute to the local economy and undertake diverse tasks, their often dubious backgrounds and profit-driven motivations presented an inherent risk. To effectively manage this burgeoning force, it was imperative to have his own trusted operatives integrated within the Mercenary Realm to provide oversight and guidance. Kane's newly formed Mercenary Corps would be perfectly positioned to fulfill this strategic function. "A Mercenary Corps? That’s precisely my forte!" Kane's eyes gleamed with renewed vigor the moment he received his assignment, his chest puffing out with pride. He confidently assured, "General, you can rest easy! In my past, I was quite the prominent figure in the Mercenary Realm. In a mere six months, I elevated a Mercenary Corps from its nascent F-level status to the C-level, just a hair's breadth away from the B-level threshold! Simply provide me with a handful of dependable individuals, and I guarantee swift establishment of a formidable unit!" "I will ensure you have ample personnel," Qin Tian stated with gravity. Despite Kane's impressive past achievements, Qin Tian could not afford to place his absolute trust in him. His intention was to strategically position a few trusted individuals alongside Kane. This was not an act of excessive suspicion, but rather a fundamental tenet of effective leadership in managing personnel. He had already determined the source of the necessary personnel: one or two operatives from the Shadow Division with strong skills in intelligence and coordination, supplemented by a select few from Zuiyu who had prior mercenary or real-world combat experience. The remaining positions would be filled through Kane's independent recruitment efforts. This approach would also serve as Kane's initial test. Should he prove incapable of handling even the basic task of team formation, Qin Tian would be compelled to re-evaluate Kane's overall capabilities and his suitability for assuming greater responsibilities in the future. "As for you..." Qin Tian's gaze shifted towards Zhou Ziming, who had remained notably silent, his tone softening slightly. "For the time being, you will remain by my side. Familiarize yourself with our operations first. Your specific duties will be determined at a later juncture." The decision not to assign Zhou Ziming a defined role was not indicative of a lack of importance. On the contrary, Qin Tian held him in even higher regard than Kane and Xue Wuyang. He had never been short of capable generals on the battlefield; his true deficiency lay in commanding talents skilled in overall strategic planning and independent decision-making – individuals who could truly function as marshals.Zhou Ziming, a distinguished graduate from a premier military academy's Conducting Department, had already made a name for himself within the Space Fleet's staff division. His sharp intellect, remarkable strategic foresight, and exceptional command capabilities placed him at the zenith of the Empire's rising talents. His sole imperfection was a personality marked by an excessive arrogance and a sharp tongue. However, from Qin Tian's perspective, this was a minor issue—true prodigies often possessed such traits, demanding a degree of understanding. Qin Tian intended for Zhou Ziming to shadow him, offering an unfiltered view of Qin Tian's inner circle, the current state of Ice Extreme Pass, and its future development. Once Zhou Ziming was fully assimilated into the surroundings, Qin Tian planned to elevate him to the position of adviser. This would allow his elite aptitudes to be fully harnessed, crafting comprehensive strategies and enabling Qin Tian to secure victories from afar. Upon hearing this plan, Zhou Ziming responded with unwavering calm: "Understood." His demeanor remained unchanged, leaving his inner thoughts a complete enigma to all observers.