Baron Stan's Wild Idea
"Fine, fine! Ramesh Singh, you're just spending 1,000 gold coins a year on military pay for these people?"
Chen Changhe's face instantly turned gloomy, his gaze sharp as he stared intently at Ramesh Singh.
He remembered that the annual cost for the military pay for guarding the camp was 1,000 gold coins.
An expenditure of 1000 gold coins resulted in such a bunch of misfits?
Chen Changhe's tone was extremely cold as he spoke, clearly indicating that he was angry.
"What? A thousand gold coins? Does being a guard mean you get a military salary?"
"No! I haven't received a single penny all these years!"
The soldiers were the first to cause a ruckus. They remembered that when Ramesh Singh recruited them, he only promised to provide them with food, drink, and shelter, but they wouldn't receive a single penny in pay.
Where did all those thousand gold coins go?
Could it be...?
They all looked at Ramesh Singh with suspicion.
"I'm innocent! Your Excellency, I didn't take those 1,000 gold coins! I gave them all to Baron Stan! It's all recorded in my ledger!"
Ramesh Singh knelt down abruptly, took out an account book, and presented it with both hands.
He was completely wronged. He hadn't even touched those gold coins from beginning to end; they were simply transferred directly to Baron Stan.
The total annual expenses of the entire camp amounted to only a few dozen gold coins, all of which he paid out of his own pocket.
If it weren't for that, why would he go to such lengths to find some oddballs to serve as guards?
Being a sheriff is really tough!
Ramesh Singh knelt on the ground, trembling with fear.
He quickly explained the whole story to Chen Changhe.
It turns out that when Baron Stan was in charge of Hope Town, he thought that maintaining a proper garrison camp was too expensive.
In addition to receiving their monthly pay on time, soldiers also need to maintain their weapons and equipment, as well as their training grounds, every few days.
Therefore, he gave the order that Ramesh Singh only needed to recruit some people to fill the ranks, and that he didn't need to spend too much money on it.
Ramesh Singh looked bitter.
"Your Excellency, I had no choice. Baron Stan wields immense power, and I dare not disobey his orders."
However, since he and Baron Stan were cousins, he still made a point of explaining things for Baron Stan:
"Actually, this isn't Baron Stan's fault. Hope Town is close to the Orc Royal Court. If the Beastfolk wanted to attack Hope Town, even a dozen guards wouldn't be able to solve the problem."
"The sole purpose of establishing the guard camp is to maintain order in the town."
However, if something really goes wrong, we wouldn't dare to interfere, nor could we.
"These 1000 gold coins are to be sent to Bluetooth Town to strengthen Bluetooth Town defenses."
"Before each Beastfolk invasion, we relocate all the inhabitants of Hope Town to Bluetooth Town."
The city walls there are much higher than here, and the defensive facilities are better, making it much safer.
"Furthermore, thanks to the blessings of the gods over the years, the Beastfolk have always avoided Bluetooth Town during their invasions, so our people are quite safe."
After hearing Ramesh Singh's explanation, Chen Changhe's expression softened slightly.
He couldn't help but admire Baron Stan's ingenious ideas.
From a rational perspective, Baron Stan's approach was indeed more appropriate.
According to the rules of the Noble Council of this world, territorial nobles may not easily give up their territories.
However, Baron Stan was only acting lord; he didn't need to lead his people in a protracted battle with the Beastfolk in Hope Town.
If things don't look right, then we'll take everyone and move directly to the safer Bluetooth Town.
"This guy is really something!"
Chen Changhe sighed inwardly. Although he was somewhat dissatisfied with Baron Stan, he had to admit that his strategy did have its merits.
After all, when facing a powerful Beastfolk threat, preserving one's strength is of utmost importance.
As for the Beastfolk always letting Bluetooth Town go, that's certainly not due to divine intervention.
Baron Stan had always maintained a food trade with the Beastfolk, making him the perfect neighbor to Beastfolk.
If they kill Baron Stan, they might get a less agreeable lord to take over Bluetooth Town.
Where did they get so much grain?
"Hmph, while Baron Stan's ingenious idea has some merit, it cannot disregard the stability and development of the territory."
Chen Changhe murmured softly.
At this moment, Ramesh Singh seemed to have also noticed the subtle change in Chen Changhe's attitude, and he quickly said:
"Of course, of course! Your Excellency, Baron Stan was in charge of the territory before, and our previous actions were out of necessity."
Please rest assured, I will dismiss all these useless people and recruit new ones for you.
This time, I will definitely recruit some strong and capable soldiers to protect Hope Town for you!
After Ramesh Singh finished speaking, he looked nervously at Chen Changhe, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.
This can be seen as him once again demonstrating his loyalty to Chen Changhe.
He is Baron Stan's cousin, but more importantly, he is now the sheriff of Hope Town.
His lord was the baron standing before him.
Before Baron Stan left yesterday, he spoke with him and mentioned the issue of guarding the camp.
Baron Stan's suggestion at the time was to overhaul the guard camp and reorganize it.
He had originally planned to take care of this matter in a few days, but he did not expect Chen Changhe to act so quickly.
The soldiers were not having it and started making a ruckus.
These people aren't very capable; they just coast along here, freeloading off others.
If they are really kicked out of the guard camp, they will probably starve to death in their current situation.
"Why? Why are you kicking us out?"
"We won't leave! We won't leave! Please let us stay, Your Excellency Baron. We promise to train diligently and on time from now on!"
"Please have mercy, Your Excellency!"
These people knelt on the ground one by one, wailing in pain, and one of them even tried to pull Chen Changhe's trouser leg.
Ramesh Singh quickly stepped forward and kicked the guy far away.
"Quiet down, all of you! What kind of behavior is this! How dare you disobey the Baron's decision!"
He angrily shouted at them.
"Don't you guys even know what kind of trash you are?"
"All these years I've raised you and provided for you, have I done something wrong?"
"Find your conscience! If I hadn't fed and clothed you all these years, you'd all be buried long ago!"
"Stay here? What are you staying here for? You lot dare to fight Beastfolk?"
"Get out of here obediently, and of course I'll give you some money as severance pay."
Although the soldiers were unwilling, they didn't dare to be too disrespectful in the face of Ramesh Singh's reprimands, but they still muttered under their breath, unwilling to leave.