Translator: Cinder Translations
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Since the establishment of the Northwest Industrial Company and the Customs Union, Alden's relations with other territories have become increasingly close. The newly incorporated Emden Territory has gradually stabilized, and the pressure on Alden's armed forces for land defense has lessened significantly.
As a result, a voice emerged from within Alden Town, advocating for the reduction of the military.
"For an Earl, six thousand officers and soldiers is a bit too much."
"If you keep this up, the neighboring lords will grow concerned about you."
"Your army doesn't contribute to production, yet it consumes a huge amount of money and resources every year."
Lord Paul Grayman was surrounded by these opinions daily.
The latest developments within the territory also forced Lord Paul to take these suggestions seriously.
With little threat on land and booming sea trade, the prosperity of the route from the Northwest Bay to Horns Bay has attracted a horde of outlaws. Pirates, like weeds, were cut down only to spring back up, and the lords on nearby lands were less cooperative than the neighbors of Northwest Bay, unwilling to let Alden's navy land to uproot the problem.
Given this situation, military spending had to shift towards the navy.
After multiple discussions with heads of various departments, Paul quickly drafted a major adjustment to the army.
Apart from the First Infantry Battalion stationed at Alden Town, the other seven infantry battalions would all be restructured into half-sized units, keeping half the soldiers and most of the officers, while the other half of the soldiers and a few officers would be discharged from active service and reassigned to productive roles. However, this did not mean they would leave Alden's armed forces entirely; they would transition into the reserves, retaining their military ranks.
Not only would this apply to the current batch of soldiers discharged, but also to previously retired soldiers who would also be moved into the reserves. In the future, all retired soldiers would join the reserves until they turned fifty, at which point they would fully retire from Alden's military system.
The reserves were positioned similarly to militias, serving as a strong supplement to the active-duty forces. Like militia members, reservists would work regular jobs but undergo periodic military training. However, unlike militias, reservists had military ranks, and while many militiamen were only trained in using cold weapons, most reservists had experience with firearms. In the event of a war, reservists would be recalled to active service.
Thus, Alden's armed forces were officially divided into four components: active-duty army and navy, reserve army and navy, internal security forces, and militias.
As the Department of Administration was vigorously promoting education, most of the officers and soldiers transitioning into the reserves took up educational roles. Alden's elementary education standards were low, focusing mainly on reading, writing, and arithmetic, subjects that the military officers were more than capable of teaching. Many of them were even "advanced talents," proficient in trigonometry and solving multi-variable equations.
Boris Markalov was one such lieutenant officer transferred into the reserves.
One day, the battalion instructor called him in for a talk. Because of his good performance on the battlefield, the unit decided to reward him. The instructor gave him two choices: one was to maintain his current rank and directly enter the Grayman Military Academy for long-term, systematic study; the other was to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant and transferred into the reserves to work in a local role, where he would be assigned as the principal of a newly established public school.
At that time, Markalov didn't hesitate and immediately chose to enter the military academy for further studies.
However, after his family heard about the situation through letters, they strongly urged him to choose the other option. In the end, Markalov chose to respect his family's wishes.
This was mainly because his wife was particularly enthusiastic about him becoming a principal. Under the Administration's emphasis on education, principals in various regions had become highly respected local figures. Moreover, in the Alden military, officers below the rank of battalion commander were not allowed to bring their families with them, so if Markalov transferred into the reserves, he and his wife would be able to live together.
Northview Town, or simply Northview, was the destination of the couple's current journey.
This was a new town with a population of just over two thousand, mostly composed of displaced farmers from Northwest Bay and migrants from other places. Most of them worked on government-run farms, part of the Administration's land reclamation plan.
The so-called land reclamation plan aimed to develop the vast area north of the Wes Lake, previously covered with forests, swamps, and wasteland. Now, a series of towns and administrative villages had been established. This was the privilege of being a frontier lord: the ability to expand one's territory into unclaimed lands.
Northview was the northernmost town, and standing on its main street, one could see the dense forest that had yet to be felled. Beyond that lay the endless Rocky Mountains.
The town mayor hosted Markalov and his wife at the administration office.
"Welcome, Lieutenant. Thanks to you, our school can finally be established," said the somewhat plump Mayor Rossellini, beaming with joy.
He extended his hand toward a man with a cane, also dressed in military uniform. "Allow me to introduce you to the local conscription officer..."
Markalov laughed heartily. "No need. We know each other. Long time no see, Gernot!"
He then embraced the man warmly.
Gernot was just as excited to see his old friend and explained to the puzzled mayor, "We served in the same unit, but I left the active service early after losing my left leg in Emden."
Markalov asked, "According to my notice, I'm also supposed to take over as the conscription officer here. I didn't expect to be taking over your position. Why are you leaving?"
"My father needs help running the family tavern. He's getting on in years, so I had to resign."
"I see. Well, I wish you a happy and prosperous new life as a tavern owner, Gernot."
"Hahaha, stop teasing me. By the way, how's that kid Jos doing?"
"Oh! That kid's got ambition. He passed the exam and entered the military academy. When he graduates, I might have to call him 'sir'!"
The mayor patiently waited for them to finish their greetings and then introduced another person to Markalov. "This is Kajit, the captain of Northview's militia."
Kajit, a young man in his twenties, looked at Markalov's two-star insignia with admiration.
"It's an honor to meet you, Sir Markalov."
"Just call me Lieutenant," Markalov said with a smile, shaking his hand firmly.
Reserve officers also had the responsibility of training local militias.
(End of the Chapter)
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