Edel, carrying the weight of regret in his heart, found himself immersed in the daily affairs of the state. While he was deeply engrossed in his work, a guard approached him with a message. "Your Royal Highness, General Puleshan has completed a report and has requested your presence at the training and assembly of the 12th Division."
Upon hearing this, Edel took the report and examined it carefully. Military reorganization was a significant event, and royal inspections had become a routine part of the process. To build Edel's influence within the military, King Carol I had entrusted him with overseeing each reorganization, except for the very first.
"The ceremony in Galati on the 14th of October is ten days away. This gives me a perfect opportunity to inspect the progress myself," Edel thought to himself.
He instructed the guard, "Inform General Puleshan that I will personally preside over the ceremony."
"Very well, Your Highness."
Ten days later, Edel arrived at the Bucharest Railway Station where General Puleshan was already waiting. After exchanging pleasantries, they boarded the train bound for Galati. As was customary, Puleshan sat next to the crown prince during the journey.
"How has the reorganization of the army been progressing recently?" Edel inquired.
"This year has been quite productive. The 12th Division's reorganization is complete. The 15th Division's artillery and machine guns still require some adjustments, but it's nothing significant. The arsenal has been coordinated, and the necessary equipment will be delivered next month. However, next year might present some challenges," Puleshan explained, elaborating on the difficulties anticipated for the following year.
"What issues are expected next year?" Edel asked, his interest piqued.
Puleshan responded, "Next year, we are restructuring three divisions—the 10th, 17th, and 24th. We foresee a shortage of qualified officers, particularly technical officers like military doctors and veterinarians."
Edel understood the gravity of the situation. A competent military doctor needed to be adept at surgery, including amputations, and also capable of treating common ailments like colds and fevers. Moreover, these doctors needed to be physically robust and not too advanced in age. In Romania, where medical infrastructure was lacking, such doctors were highly sought after in major hospitals, which offered competitive salaries far exceeding what the military could provide. The same was true for veterinarians. Despite the daily promotion of patriotism, the reality of lower wages in the military often led skilled professionals to opt for more lucrative civilian roles. Raising salaries in the military was not a viable solution either, as it would disrupt the existing pay structure and potentially lead to greater dissatisfaction.
"This issue might be addressed by identifying individuals within the army who possess the requisite academic qualifications and aptitude, providing them with specialized training, and requiring them to serve in the military for fifteen years as a form of repayment for their education," Edel suggested, recalling a strategy from his past experiences.
Puleshan smiled inwardly at the crown prince's suggestion, recognizing its practical challenges. "Training a qualified military doctor could take between three to five years, not to mention the significant costs involved. But Your Highness, I will certainly take your suggestion into consideration."
Seeking to change the subject, Puleshan then mentioned, "Your Highness, perhaps we could also review the new training syllabus for the soldiers?"
Edel's interest was piqued. "Yes, I would like to see it."
Puleshan signaled to a young officer. "Antonescu, bring the training plan."
As Antonescu approached with the documents, Edel observed him closely. The young captain bore a striking resemblance to a well-known dictator from World War II but appeared much younger. Despite the historical figure's later misdeeds, Edel recognized the potential in this officer.
After a brief introduction where Antonescu outlined his military background and education, Edel felt reassured of his capabilities. "Captain Antonescu, you come from a distinguished family and have shown commendable dedication. I hope you will continue to serve Romania with distinction."
Antonescu, humbled by the praise, expressed his gratitude and commitment to fulfilling the crown prince's expectations.
Once the conversation concluded, Puleshan discreetly advised, "Captain Antonescu, you may return to your duties."
As Antonescu left, Edel suggested to Puleshan, "Arrange for him to receive training in Germany this year."
Puleshan, understanding the implication, nodded. "It shall be as you wish, Your Highness. It will be interesting to see how much he can learn from such an opportunity."
Meanwhile, Antonescu rejoined his fellow officers, who teased him about his good fortune in attracting the attention of such high-ranking officials. Amidst the friendly banter, Antonescu felt motivated, knowing that this was just the beginning of his military career.
The train eventually arrived in Galati, where the serious work of inspecting the 12th Division awaited them. The reorganization process was set to begin, marking another step in Edel's efforts to strengthen and modernize the army under his watchful guidance.
As the train pulled into the station, Feleit and his team moved forward to welcome the distinguished visitors. Edel, the crown prince, and Puleshan, the Chief of Staff, disembarked, greeted by the Division Commander Feleit, who represented the Twelfth Division with great pride.
"Welcome, Your Highness, and Chief of Staff, to inspect our Twelfth Division. It is a great honor for all of us," Feleit declared with a formal salute.
Edel exchanged a firm handshake with Commander Feleit, acknowledging the warm reception. "General Feleit, it's a pleasure to meet you. I appreciate the warm welcome from the officers of the Twelfth Division. I look forward to seeing an excellent performance tomorrow."
After the pleasantries, Commander Feleit and some of his staff returned to their duties, while Edel and Puleshan were escorted by car to their accommodations. They rested well that night, preparing for the next day's activities.
The following morning, Edel and his entourage entered the barracks of the Twelfth Division, ready to conduct their inspection.
"Your Royal Highness, Chief of the General Staff, all officers and soldiers of the Twelfth Division are assembled and ready for your inspection," Commander Feleit announced, saluting sharply.
Edel and Puleshan returned the salute, and Feleit led them to review the troops. As the royal party approached, the duty officer commanded the soldiers to stand at attention.
"The soldiers are in excellent condition," Edel noted, walking past the rows of disciplined troops.
"This is the result of rigorous training," Feleit responded, though he thought to himself about the intensified training over the past month, aimed at impressing the crown prince. He knew that Edel had a keen eye for discipline and the mental state of the soldiers, a preference that was well-known among the senior military officials.
After the initial review, they proceeded to observe a rifle shooting drill, which was a more specialized aspect of the training. Officers from the General Staff Headquarters were present to evaluate the soldiers' accuracy and technique.
Following a session of 200-meter fixed target shooting, the results were compiled and presented. Puleshan, analyzing the report, remarked, "An average score of 76.4 is quite commendable."
Commander Feleit explained their approach to continuous improvement. "We conduct monthly reviews of our shooting training, addressing any issues that arise. Skilled shooters mentor their peers, and we've systematized the training essentials to ensure every soldier is proficient."
Puleshan approved of the method, and Edel found it strikingly familiar, reminiscent of an improved technique he had heard about from President Yuan in Romania.
"This approach is well-suited to our needs in Romania; it should be adopted more widely," Edel suggested to Puleshan, who agreed, envisioning its application to weapon maintenance and tactical training.
Many Romanian soldiers struggled with illiteracy, complicating their understanding of military tactics and maintenance. Feleit's method offered a practical solution, much to Prieshan's relief.
Feleit modestly credited the idea to a friend who had relayed General Yuan's method from China. Edel, however, was more interested in the effectiveness of the strategy than its origins.
The inspection continued with a demonstration of machine gun shooting, which impressed the visitors. The highlight was the artillery performance. Edel inquired about their capability for indirect shelling.
Commander Feleit admitted that their training had not yet advanced to that level. Puleshan added that only half of the divisions were capable of such a technique due to recent reorganizations.
Realizing his expectations might have been high, Edel, nonetheless, underscored the importance of mastering indirect artillery fire, expressing his hope that it would become a standard capability across the army soon.
Puleshan promised to prioritize this in future training, aligning with the crown prince's expectations.
The visit concluded with a review of the division's tactical maneuvers and artillery accuracy. Both Edel and Puleshan were satisfied with the Twelfth Division's performance, feeling reassured about the progress of the Romanian military.
Before departing, Edel sought Feleit's insights on the Russian military presence across the Danube. Feleit detailed the deployment of Russian forces, expressing confidence in the Twelfth Division's capability to hold their ground, potentially even pushing back with additional support.
Edel's visit ended on a high note, with both he and Prieshan boarding the train back to Bucharest, optimistic about the future performances of the Romanian army. Their inspection had not only confirmed the competence of the Twelfth Division but also reinforced their strategic plans against potential threats.