"I hope the fall of the Red-Eye Clan earns the soldiers the honors and medals they deserve."
"They already have."
Annan gave up trying to get Femi to ask for a reward and considered what would befit such an epic victory.
Money? Useful, but only so useful. Hellfire soldiers already enjoyed the best treatment: several Breathing Methods taught free of charge, meat every day, and housing for their families.
A personal visit from him? More effective than money, but hardly a reward. Outsiders would call him stingy, too.
Noble titles? Those were the usual choice. After every major battle, other powers produced a fresh crop of nobles. The advantage was that knights really would risk their lives for a title. The disadvantage was that they did not much care whose lives they risked to get one. Besides, Free City did not do things that way.
Annan had an idea. "We already have the Dual Command System. Let's introduce a Military Rank System as well."
"A Military Rank System?"
"That's right."
"All recruits start at the lowest rank, soldier. They rise through their performance in daily training, battle, and emergencies. From lowest to highest come the Noncommissioned Officer Tier, Junior Officer Tier, Field Officer Tier, and General Officer Tier. Like noble titles, ranks carry no official post. Unlike noble titles, they raise a person's standing, serving as a mark of identity and honor."
After all, not everyone could become a captain, a centurion, or even a Thousand-Man Commander. Those who did become officers could also be demoted when circumstances changed. The Military Rank System would be a record that followed someone throughout their military career.
It had another advantage: even after a transfer, a soldier's rank would help them quickly find their place in a new unit.
If young soldiers longed