With an army in my hands, the world is mine! (Happy New Year)
The selection of ordinary soldiers is relatively easy; those with good performance records are given priority, while those with a history of violating military discipline or committing crimes are eliminated. A regiment of Infantry and a Cavalry Battalion, totaling more than 1,700 soldiers, were selected in just a few days.
The selection of officers is more complicated.
Following the Crown Prince's instructions, Berthier dismissed all Field-Grade Officers, retaining only Captain as the highest rank.
There is no need to worry about a lack of mid- to high-ranking commanders, because many Captain have the ability of mid-level officers, but they are stuck at the junior Junior Officers simply because of their background or lack of funds.
Promoting outstanding individuals from among these people is far more effective than relying on the original hereditary officers.
Of the remaining officers, those from noble Nobility were all eliminated, and some of those of low character had to be removed as well. The entire selection process lasted for more than ten days before it was over.
Upon receiving the report that Berthier's team had been organized, Joseph "miraculously" got out of bed and removed the bandage from his arm—in fact, the wound had long since healed, leaving only a small scar.
The following day, he went to Paris and witnessed the public trial of Teodoro, the mastermind Farmhouse Bombardment Incident, and several of his men.
The so-called trial was just a show, intended to quell public anger; the verdict had actually been decided days earlier.
Teodoro and Kemu, who ordered the shelling to begin, were sentenced to Decapitation, while the other accomplices received various punishments such as imprisonment or forced labor.
After the Military Tribunal judge announced the verdict, a deafening cheer erupted in the square in front of the Paris City Hall.
Many people shouted "Avenge the Axel couple!" and rained stones at Teodoro. If it weren't for the Gendarmerie using their shields to block the bullets, the murderers would have died on the spot, without even having to go to the execution ground.
Then, amidst the cheers of the crowd, Joseph climbed to a high place and announced:
"My injuries from the attack have healed. After investigation, the 'pests' within the French Guard have been purged, and the other officers and soldiers are innocent. I hope everyone will leave them alone."
People immediately started shouting again:
"Thank God, the Crown Prince is safe and sound."
"Praise the Crown Prince's benevolence."
May God grant the Crown Prince good health.
"Long live the Crown Prince!"
At the same time, the newspapers controlled by Joseph began to cooperate, placing all the blame on Bessonval or Teodoro and others, while claiming that the other members of the French Guard were not responsible.
It was only the officers who were initially reported who suffered; their crimes of embezzlement or assaulting soldiers were confirmed, and they became sacrifices to appease public anger.
Less than a week later, the French Guard's investigation was completed. The once-sensational public opinion quickly faded from memory.
The French Guard Guardsmen, who had escaped unscathed, were overjoyed and wanted to celebrate, but then they suddenly realized that the responsibility of protecting Paris had now been handed over to two regiments sent by the Flanders Brigade—which had been renamed the "Paris Legion."
They were stripped of their French Guard title and renamed the "Marit Corps," and were forced to be stationed in a remote town...
However, some of them soon saw a glimmer of hope—their new commander, Lieutenant Colonel Berthier, led them, along with Odorik's Cavalry Battalion, away from the Marit Corps Garrison to the familiar Mars Training Field in the Southern Suburbs of Paris.
These 2,200-plus men were basically the most elite part of the original French Guard.
The newly appointed commander of the Marit Corps, Marquis Marit, looked at the remaining 1,500-plus officers and soldiers with utter helplessness.
Right now, which capable or well-connected officer would be willing to take on the mess that is the French Guard? Marit is the incompetent coward who was sent to clean up the mess.
He had heard before taking up his post that Berthier Regiment was extremely powerful, and that it was he who had resolved the crisis facing the French Guard. Therefore, Marit dared not utter a word about Berthier and Odorik's actions, treating them as if they were not his subordinates.
On Mars Training Field, the more than two thousand officers and soldiers brought by Berthier stood in neat rows, looking nervously at the Reviewing Stand ahead, wondering what instructions their new commander would give.
However, the first person to step onto the Reviewing Stand was a boy in a blue and white Military Uniform, surrounded by their regimental commander and several officers.
Joseph looked at the sea of soldiers below the stage, his heart filled with excitement and satisfaction.
Having been in this world for so long, he finally possesses an army that is completely obedient to him!
Although the number of people was small, and even the number of officers was incomplete, it was a Qidian with special significance—the integration of Royal Power and military power. From then on, he truly possessed the ability and means to change the future of France!
No, perhaps the whole of Europe will be completely changed from this moment on!
A Bugle Call sounded from below the platform, and an officer shouted, "Ready for a rifle salute!"
The Signal Flagmen immediately waved their small flags rapidly, making several gestures. Instantly, two thousand soldiers raised their rifles and saluted.
Joseph raised his hat in acknowledgment, silently nodding in approval of the soldiers' training; they were indeed the elite troops protecting Paris.
The officer below the platform shouted again, "Attention!"
Joseph then announced loudly, "I believe everyone knows me. Today, I represent the Royal House to visit His King's most loyal troops."
The Signal Flagmen immediately waved his flag to give the order, and the soldiers on the Training Field shouted in unison, "Long live His Majesty the King!"
Joseph continued, "From this day forward, you will be the role models for all France soldiers, forming a new kind of army unlike any before!"
The officers and soldiers below were extremely surprised. They had thought that their military careers were over because of the attack on the Crown Prince, but they never expected the Crown Prince to suddenly appear and even say that they should become role models for France soldiers.
However, after the Crown Prince spoke only about the new promotion and military pay mechanisms, everyone lost their composure and forgot about discipline, whispering amongst themselves.
"Can someone who isn't Nobility be promoted to a mid-level military officer?"
"Your Highness means, 'able to be promoted to any position,' which includes high-ranking military officers."
"Promotion is based solely on ability and military merit! Thank God, we all have the opportunity to become officers!"
"The most crucial point is that there are no fees for the promotion!"
"Did you hear that? His Highness said that from now on, military pay will no longer go through officers, but will be distributed directly to us by the Paymaster."
"I heard that! The Paymaster is directly appointed by the Minister of War, so we no longer need to worry about having our pay withheld!"
"His Highness also said that military pay would be increased. Oh, thank God, thank His Crown Prince!"
Joseph did not order the officers to maintain order; he knew that with these two reforms alone, he had already won the absolute support of these two thousand-plus officers and soldiers.
Dear readers, Happy New Year!
Tian Hai Shan wishes you all your dreams come true, everything goes smoothly, and you're happy every day! Mwah!
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(End of this chapter)