General Zhang Youxia, until this week China's top general, can expect much rougher gruel, having abruptly disappeared amid accusations of corruption and possibly espionage. They are not subject to any oversight other than that of the Party, which recognises no authority other than its own. Xi Jinping's China is not Stalin's Russia and there is no bullet to the back of the head for rivals – at least not immediately. Having cleared out most of his top generals, Xi has more direct control over the army than ever before. His purge may not only demoralise the ranks, but encourage more sycophantic generals to tell him what he wants to hear.