Medieval: Kingdom Come: Deliverance

Chapter 133 Military Reform

Inside the Maiden's Tower castle in Troski, the former meeting place of nobles is now filled with the rustling of paper and the low murmurs of newly appointed officials. In the room that serves as a makeshift meeting hall, a rudimentary map of the territory is spread out on a long table, and Peter sits at the head of the table, looking at everyone with great interest.

Now that he has gained control of the territory, it is time to reward his loyal subordinates for their contributions, and to grant them official positions and promises.

Sir Semih

He looked at the old man next to Mayor Martin on his left, "People are the foundation. Your personnel department needs to set up the framework first. Everyone who works for the town, from the village chief to the warehouse manager, should be registered. You will evaluate their abilities and performance, and you will also make recommendations for their promotion or dismissal in the future."

"Yes, sir." Old Sammy nodded steadily and unfurled the parchment scroll in his hands. His literacy made him stand out among the group of rough men.

The meeting proceeded in an orderly manner, with each minister who was called upon presenting the current situation and plans.

Tom the Blue Cat has been appointed Minister of Irrigation and Farmland, with his primary task being to promote the cooperative experience of the Lion Camp to the entire territory.

Romeo was appointed Minister of Social Welfare and was busy with population statistics, resettling displaced people, and restoring vitality to the land.

When Urban, the former head of the Chamber of Commerce, was appointed as the Minister of the United Federation of Industries, he spoke with unprecedented excitement.

"Sir, we can no longer be satisfied with small workshops."

Urban gestured with his hands, "I've already chosen a piece of land east of town. We're going to build a centralized workshop to break the guild's monopoly! Blacksmiths, carpenters, weavers—they'll all be brought together, working together like an army. We'll train our own workers, manufacture goods, and keep the profits firmly in our own hands!"

His words resonated with many, but also raised concerns.

Clement, the former second-in-command of the Chamber of Commerce and now the head of the warehousing and logistics department, immediately chimed in: "Urban, once your workshop is up and running, raw materials and finished products will flow like a river. My warehouses and wagon trains must keep up, or everything will be congested." He turned to Peter, "Sir, expanding the warehouses and building a transport fleet will require a considerable investment."

Peter nodded slightly. His own Lion Village team was still too small, so he had to recruit other elite members from the Trossky territory.

His gaze swept over everyone present.

Emerridge of the Medical Treatment Department guarantees the production of medicines and the sanitation and disease prevention in each village; Old Yaromir of the Road and Bridge Engineering Department promises to improve the poor transportation in the territory as soon as possible; young Auda is in charge of the Cultural Propaganda Department...

"Auda, your task is heavy. We must let our people know why they work and why they fight. The Griffin's ideology and the policies of the territory must be spread through your mouth and your pen. Also, organize some recreational activities and teach the children to read."

"Yes, sir!"

The handsome young man immediately straightened his back, his face beaming with immense pride.

Finally, his gaze fell on Pavlina. The finance minister he had personally promoted was watching him nervously. Peter softened his tone: "Pavlina, I'm entrusting you with the keys to the purse strings because I trust your loyalty. I will personally teach you Arabic numerals and the new accounting methods. Your department will train tax collectors for each village who can accurately calculate accounts."

"Yes, sir!"

Pavlina blushed. She hadn't expected that she, a girl, could attend a meeting with men, and she was even more grateful for Peter's trust in her.

Peter slowly stood up and placed his hands on the table.

"Gentlemen, the framework of our new model has been established. It may be cumbersome, it may be expensive, but its future is absolutely bright!"

He then shifted his tone, pointing to the most crucial issue: "To accomplish all this might be more expensive than ever before. The territory's annual income of five thousand Grossens, used to pay your salaries and invest in production and construction, might not even be enough. Fortunately, our generous young lord, Borgo, has funded us with tens of thousands of Grossens. In that respect, they are truly our benefactors."

This remark made everyone present burst into laughter.

What if you're short of money?

As the saying goes, "If others hoard grain while you hoard guns, then others will become your granary."

Simply farming and relying on the meager taxes paid by farmers, no matter how high the taxes are increased, is not as profitable as going out and plundering. For example, at that time, England, which was in the midst of the Hundred Years' War with France, would frequently land in France to burn, kill, and plunder, returning home laden with spoils and becoming increasingly wealthy.

Therefore, don't be afraid or panic when your territory is running out of money. As long as you train your troops well and improve the combat skills of your subordinates, the chaotic situation will naturally find a way out.

A person can be a good person, but a lord should never be a good lord.

Therefore, Peter wanted to form a civilian army based on free civilians and modeled after the Swiss army to defend the territory.

After the meeting, Peter did not return to his comfortable bedroom in the castle, but instead rode back to the Griffin Camp, the true heart of his power. There, the Overseer's Office, parallel to the town government, had been established, and he assumed the position of Overseer.

It has subordinate departments such as the Lion Guard, militia, arsenal, clothing factory, horse breeding farm, and gunpowder factory.

The Lion Guard is a frontline, full-time force. Strong men were selected from the militia, expanding the force to 120. They were organized into six squads of 20 men each. The squad leaders were: Squad Leader 1: John the Big Mouth; Squad Leader 2: Andre the Redbeard; Squad Leader 3: Ace the Hound; Squad Leader 4: Klaus; Squad Leader 5: Carter the Tomcat; and Squad Leader 6: Conrad the Lone Wolf.

John the Big Mouth led a squad to guard Trostsky Castle, Andrei the Redbeard guarded Nebakov Castle, while Peter led the remaining men to stay at the Griffin Camp. The three locations formed a triangle, firmly protecting the heart of Trostsky.

As a military base, the four squads stationed at the Griffin Camp, in addition to daily training, also had to handle tasks such as collecting taxes at the crossroads post station, maintaining security in the territory, and suppressing bandits.

The militia company was commanded by Munch the Double-Swords, and its subordinate militia captains from the villages of Troski, Takhov, Zheleyov, Semi, Griffin, Apolonia, and Shidir were under the dual command of the village chiefs and Munch the Company Commander.

When necessary, the Griffin Guard is supplemented by elite personnel selected from the militia.

The arsenal, overseen by Seedorf and Antoine, specialized in manufacturing standard weapons, armor, shields, and long-range crossbows.

The clothing factory, headed by tailor Bartoshek, specialized in producing blue-and-red-lion military uniforms, hoods, and gloves.

The horse breeding farm, managed by Marika and Tipo, among others, meticulously cared for and bred dozens of packhorses, donkeys, and warhorses.

The gunpowder factory, separate from the arsenal, was managed by Krezer, the owner of the Lower Semyon mill. It produced black powder.

Manufacturing and storage.

Several days later, Peter stood on the camp's drill ground, watching the deafening sounds of battle.

John the Big Mouth was drilling a squad of soldiers, his voice booming like thunder: "Remember! Grip your spears tightly with your left hand! Make a fist with your right hand and place it here!" He pounded his chest heavily, "This represents your loyalty! Dedicated to Lord Peter, dedicated to the Griffin family!"

"Victory belongs to Peter, glory to Griffin!"

The soldiers stood tall and straight, clenching their right fists and pounding their chests as they shouted.

Peter stood on the reviewing stand, facing the assembled troops. He did not discuss complex tactics, but instead reiterated the ironclad "Eight Military Laws" and the simple and direct "Ten-Point Military Merit System."

Regarding military discipline: Eight military laws!

Article 1: Anyone who does not advance upon hearing the drum, does not charge upon hearing the bugle, or does not retreat upon hearing the gong shall be beheaded!

Article 2: Anyone who deserts in the face of battle, charges into the ranks, or betrays his comrades shall be executed!

Article 3: Anyone who spyes on military secrets, spreads rumors, or disseminates such information will be executed!

Article 4: Anyone who steals military merits, conceals spoils, or falsely claims them shall be executed!

Article 5: Anyone who sets fire to houses, robs civilians, or murders innocent people shall be beheaded!

Article 6: Anyone who stays out all night, drinks alcohol in the camp, or gambles in the army shall be flogged twenty times!

Article 7: Anyone who fails to perform their duties diligently, is lax in night watch, or is negligent in patrolling will be whipped ten times!

Article 8: Anyone who is unhygienic, uses an unidentified weapon, or wears tarnished armor shall be whipped five times!

These eight military rules are simple and easy to remember. No matter who it is, they will not tolerate any mistakes.

What concerned the soldiers most was Peter's "ten-point merit system." Instead of reading the dry terms aloud, he stood on the reviewing stand and, facing the silent soldiers below, explained in the simplest terms: "Brothers! In my hands, your bravery and merits determine everything!"

"Killing an armored enemy earns 1 point! Capturing him alive earns 2 points! Why is capturing him alive more valuable? Because a live prisoner can help us cultivate more wasteland and create more wealth!"

"The first to break through the enemy's lines, 4 points! The first to climb the enemy's city wall, 6 points! Capture the enemy's flag, 8 points! Kill or capture the enemy's leader, 10 points of merit!"

"Military merits accumulate! Zero points, you're a recruit, I'll provide for your food and clothing. One point, you're a veteran, earning one pfennig a day and receiving leather armor! — When you accumulate 30 points, you're a captain! 1.5 Groshens a day, I'll grant you full plate armor and a longsword! If you want to retire, I'll give you ten acres of fertile land to live out your remaining years in comfort!"

"If you're ruthless enough and lucky enough to accumulate 50 or 100 military merits, I can give you land, manors, and knighthoods! Use the weapons in your hands to fight for a future for yourself and for Troski!"

Below the stage, the soldiers' breathing became heavy, their eyes burning with fervor. A clear, fair, and rewarding promotion system was far more motivating than any empty slogan.

He saw in the eyes of the soldiers, especially the newly promoted corporals and sergeants, a longing for military merit and land.

"That's it," Peter thought. "Bound them together with interests and discipline, and united by shared beliefs. This system may be expensive, but as long as it forges an invincible sword, then all the cost is worthwhile. After all, in this land, only power is the real hard currency."

When the powerful chorus of "Victory Under the Lion Flag" rang out again in the drill ground, Peter knew that his roots were quietly taking hold in this chaotic land.