Blue Team

These new recruits were the five hundred militiamen supported by the Count. They had previously been assigned to build the city walls, but now that the walls were completed, they were quickly incorporated into the recruit camp and began to receive emergency military training.

Their treatment differed from that of Roderick and his soldiers.

The new recruits did not receive cash pay, but Lord Karl provided them with enough basic rations to feed themselves and their families: 22 catties of rye, 0.3 catties of meat, 0.1 catties of salt, and 1 catty of peas per month.

However, they were originally miners or farmers who had dealt with the land and ore for many years and were used to a frugal life.

In the past, participating in militia training in Fran City would only result in receiving a few extra kilograms of coarse grains after a month, which would at most make the family's porridge thicker for a few days. The main livelihood still depended on selling manual labor or farming.

In Carnford today, as long as you attend training on time every day, you can reliably receive enough food rations to feed your family for a month.

For these impoverished people who once struggled in mines and depended on the weather for their livelihood, this was a life they never dared to dream of before. It meant that their families could have enough to eat, that it meant stability, and that it meant hope.

Not to mention, the Lord has clearly stipulated that as long as one trains diligently, passes the assessment, and demonstrates sufficient courage in future battles, one will have the opportunity to be selected into the regular combat soldier ranks!

Once you become a soldier, the treatment is completely different! Not only will you receive a real monthly military salary of one Silver coin and fifty copper coins, but your food rations will also increase significantly, and you'll be able to eat more meat and salt.

In that way, they could not only support their families but also save some money, truly settle down on this land, and even have the opportunity to acquire their own land and house, completely changing their family's fate.

This clearly visible promotion path and tangible benefits greatly inspired the training enthusiasm of all new recruits.

Therefore, although these militiamen were still clumsy in marching and listening to slogans, and most of them couldn't even distinguish left from right, often causing chaos on the training ground by moving their hands and feet in unison or turning in the wrong direction, which gave the instructors a headache, none of them complained or tried to cheat.

As William looked at the new recruits whose movements were still somewhat clumsy and who were constantly being corrected by the instructors, he seemed to see himself and Roderick a few months ago.

Just then, Platoon Leader Miller's booming voice rang out like thunder across the training ground. "Attention, all! First Squad, Second Squad, Third Squad, assemble immediately, form ranks!"

William's heart tightened, and he dared not be negligent in the slightest. He immediately turned around and roared at the soldiers in his platoon, "Quickly! Assemble! Line up!"

The group, who had been resting on the ground, sprang up like springs and quickly took their positions as they usually trained.

Roderick immediately put away his long stick, jogged back to his group, and stood in his place.

Almost at the same time, the same shout came from the side.

"Second Platoon! Assemble! Quickly!"

"Third Platoon! Line up!"

In just a few dozen seconds, all the soldiers who were scattered around the training ground had returned to their positions.

The three squads in the First Platoon, along with the Second Platoon and Third Platoon adjacent to them, totaling one hundred and fifty soldiers, had already lined up neatly.

"Attention!!!" Platoon Leader Miller shouted the order.

With a series of crisp footsteps, all the soldiers straightened up, stomachs in, right hands gripping their weapons close to their trouser seams, left hands hanging naturally at their sides, eyes fixed straight ahead. Their movements were clean and efficient, demonstrating the professionalism expected of veteran soldiers.

Just then, Company Commander Brendan strode over with steady, long strides.

Miller stood at the very front of the formation, his sharp gaze sweeping across the entire area. After confirming everyone was in position and their military bearing impeccable, he turned to face Brendan, who was striding towards him, saluted, and loudly reported, "Reporting, Company Commander! First Platoon, Second Platoon, and Third Platoon are assembled! Please give instructions!"

Brendan returned the salute, his stern gaze sweeping over the battle-hardened, sharp-eyed veterans before him.

He cleared his throat and said in a loud voice, "I know that these days, you've all been having some thoughts and discussions about why you didn't get promoted despite making contributions."

The ranks were quiet, but many soldiers' eyes flickered slightly, clearly their thoughts had been exposed.

Brendan changed the subject, pointing to the noisy recruit training ground in the distance. "Now, I'll tell you why! Your First Company, as the only unit in Carnford currently composed entirely of veterans who have experienced bloody battles, is the backbone and seed specially left behind by Lord Karl! See those five hundred recruits training over there?"

All eyes followed Brendan's finger.

"Your primary task now is to serve as their whetstone and sparring partners! Use the experience you've gained in actual combat, the formations you're familiar with, and all your skills to train them and defeat them! Until you train them into qualified soldiers who, like you, can stand alone and obey orders without question!"

Brendan's voice carried an undeniable determination. "Once these new recruits complete their training and are formally incorporated into the combat force, our army will expand further! At that time, we will naturally need more officers and non-commissioned officers to lead them!"

"And you are the ones who will be promoted first! Do you understand now? It's not that we won't promote you, but there are more important tasks waiting for you! Training the new recruits is the greatest military achievement you can achieve!"

"Alright! Miller, Rick, Eddie, continue organizing the training!" Brendan finished speaking, nodded to everyone, and then turned and left.

As soon as Brendan left, Miller turned around, his face a mixture of seriousness and excitement, and roared at his three squads, "Did you all hear what the company commander said? Our good days... ugh, our bad days are here! We're about to become the 'enemy' of those greenhorns!"

His stern gaze swept over William and the other two squad leaders, along with the soldiers behind them. His tone was laced with warning. "Let me make this clear! In this sparring session, if anyone lets me down, if anyone can't even beat those new recruits who can't tell left from right, if anyone disgraces our First Platoon and my reputation, then you won't get away with it! Do you hear me?"

"Yes, we heard you!" the soldiers responded in unison, their voices tinged with tension, but more so with a burning fighting spirit and a subtle excitement.

They finally understood the Lord's deeper meaning: although training new recruits was hard work, it was a shortcut to promotion!

As the army expands, their future becomes brighter!

"Alright, don't get too excited!" Miller interrupted their reverie. "The mission is tough, so everyone be on your toes! To avoid embarrassing yourselves in front of the new recruits, starting tonight, extra training! William, you three squad leaders will lead the teams! Before the Sauron arrive, march five kilometers fully armed at night! Familiarize yourselves with night combat and the terrain!"

"Ugh? Another night training session..." A chorus of suppressed groans erupted from the ranks, many with pained expressions.

But despite the complaints, no one really objected.

On the contrary, beneath this suffering, a new flame burned in everyone's eyes—a yearning for the future, for military achievements, and for a higher status.

They all know that every drop of sweat they shed now is paving the way for a promotion soon.