Joseph nodded. "We'll do as you say. I'll have the General Staff Headquarters coordinate it."
To be honest, he had indeed underestimated the fervor of the French people. The two Military Academies could only hold around eight thousand people at most; most of those answering the call would still have to sleep out in the open.
He added, "Bring in another batch of tents from the garrison Warehouse. And Field Dining Cars—don't let everyone go hungry.
"As for training, see how many Instructors are still needed. I'll have General Berthier transfer back a batch of officers who have served longer at the front..."
What Joseph had not expected was that every problem with recruiting new soldiers was swiftly resolved on its own.
It was not because Baron Gotesheim had come up with a good solution, but thanks to the people of Paris.
On the outskirts of Paris.
The broad King's Road rang with the song of "Glory and Victory"—"The ranks of warriors stand in perfect order. Resolve and faith are written upon their faces; glory and victory are our creed..."
A few hours ago, Gilles Gaizika had still been able to sing along, but now he was so exhausted that he could no longer feel his legs. Relying only on instinct, he continued inching forward step by step.
His family's circumstances had improved greatly from before, but he still could not bear to spend money on a carriage to Paris.
People continually hurried past him, while others moved even more slowly than he did.
In short, countless people were converging toward Paris along this road that stretched beyond sight. And the overwhelming majority were young men.
From their conversations, Gaizika could tell that they were all heading to enlist in the army.
Many small towns had no Recruitment Offices, so