When Johnson entered the inspection office to spy on the situation, Zhou Qingfeng was inspecting his real heavy infantry in the territory outside the city.
On the spacious training ground, five hundred carefully selected soldiers wearing forged iron armor and thick iron helmets were training with sharp spears.
Because multiple queues kept marching, the sand on the field was flying repeatedly. Neat footsteps trampled the ground repeatedly, turning it into a solid plane.
The orders of low-ranking officers and the shouts of soldiers echoed each other and spread in all directions. The officers and soldiers were all sweating profusely and breathing heavily, repeating boring training movements thousands of times.
The powerful families in the North only use serf soldiers, and the knights have only a small number of armed retainers. Such a large-scale infantry group is really rare.
Ranger Mahan was stunned by the intensity of this training. He followed Zhou Qingfeng and whispered: "Sir Hugo, you train soldiers as nobles. This..."
"Isn't this bad?" Zhou Qingfeng turned around and asked. Today he specially called this ranger who likes to fight with a shield to show him his heavy infantry.
"Of course." Ma Han confirmed first, but then asked: "But the cost..."
spend?
Of course the cost is high.
In order to maintain its own ruling system, the 'Harmony Chamber of Commerce' is desperately purchasing food from the south. Food prices in Cold Wind City have been rising recently, driving up food prices throughout the North.
The 'rich and powerful collar' has too many unemployed people, and its own agricultural production is seriously insufficient, so it must rely on external input.
Zhou Qingfeng can still hold on. After all, his territory produces a lot of products and there is no shortage of platinum coins. As long as trade continues, there will be no problem.
But an army not only needs to be fed and drunk, but also needs to be supplied with a large amount of equipment and consumable materials. These are bottomless pits that need to be filled every day and every month.
This bottomless pit is too deep, and the "rich and powerful leader" can only maintain a standing army of several hundred people, and the likes of urban management can only be regarded as handymen.
On the training ground, heavy infantrymen of ten people in a row and three in a team were marching in neat formation. All the soldiers were between fifteen and twenty years old.
All lower-level commanders have received training from the Arcane Research Society and have at least mastered basic elementary school knowledge. This is already a very educated army.
In order to build this armed force, the money spent was not just tens of thousands, but more of a large amount of hard-to-obtain materials.
Where do the supplies come from?
More than half of it came from poaching the dignitaries of Cold Wind City. After half a year of digging, the foundations of the city's nobles were loosened, leaving only the lonely superstructure noisy in the council of Winter Hall.
According to reports from the 'Harmonious Chamber of Commerce' from other places, other dignitaries in Cold Wind City are also engaged in armaments, but they are no longer able to hold on.
Each family is facing an extremely strange economic situation. They are making more and more money, but their power is constantly declining. This is like 'cutting flesh with a dull knife', which is extremely uncomfortable.
What this switch brought was the rapid growth of the power of the "rich and powerful leaders".
Zhou Qingfeng stretched out his hand, and in his palm was a magic gem.
"This gem contains the 'Shield Technique', 'Blessing Technique' and 'Demonized Weapon'. I plan to distribute one to every soldier..."
Mahan interrupted in surprise, "Every soldier?"
"Yes, every soldier." Zhou Qingfeng replied affirmatively.
This is not a question of cost. Even if you have money, it is difficult to buy hundreds of magic gems that store three first-level arcane spells.
Although the three spells will not last too long, imagine if five hundred hoplites with enhanced attack defense and even blessings launched an attack.
Unless the long-legged family from the most powerful period is brought back, no one in Hanfeng City can withstand it.
"Sir Hugo, what do you mean...?"
Mahan couldn't figure out the reason why he was called here. He only thought that there was some task assigned to him, but now it seems that this task is not what he expected.
Zhou Qingfeng spoke softly and sighed: "I heard from Adrian that you are always the first to charge and the last to retreat in the team. Your bravery and calmness are the strongest support for your companions."
This sounded like a compliment, but when Ma Han heard this, his expression darkened, he lowered his head and whispered: "No, it's not. I once..."
"I don't care what happened in the past." Zhou Qingfeng patted Mahan on the shoulder, "Adrian said that you wanted to take revenge on the nobles of Cold Wind City and wanted to chop off a few noble heads.
I also want to find an infantry commander who is brave and calm, who can lead his men to charge forward and retreat. There are not many such people. You can take this position."
Mahan was stunned by this, "I...? Why me?"
"Why can't it be you?" Zhou Qingfeng shrugged, "We can't let Todd do it, right? That guy can only lead the 500th infantry charge with a wooden axe, either hacking the enemy to death or tiring himself out.
die.
Military command is an art, especially commanding infantry in battle. It is not as fast as cavalry, not as flexible as archers, and not as powerful as wizards. But when used well, hoplites can sweep everything and destroy everything."
Following Zhou Qingfeng's words, Mahan's shoulders shook uncontrollably. He was forcibly restraining his inner emotions, but excitement overflowed from his face.
"You really want me to command a team like this? I mean, this is a joke, right?
I have not been a member of the territory for a long time. For a person who is not of noble origin and has even had some stains, this must be a joke."
Zhou Qingfeng shook his head and said with a smile: "This is not a joke, I will issue you a formal appointment letter and notify everyone in the territory.
I will assign you deputies and staff officers, and arrange logistics. Indispensable is a 'scholar's touch' who can master the army regulations and command standards. I invite you here today to ask for your opinion."
Mahan's throat couldn't help moving up and down. He tried hard to keep his voice from being distorted, but suddenly he burst into tears and even choked up to the point where it was difficult to breathe.
"I never thought about this. I was a coward. I didn't step forward when my companions needed it. I failed to conquer fear, and I lost all my honor and dignity.
No, no, no, I admit, I do think that one day..., maybe my efforts will be recognized. Maybe someone higher up will accept me again.
But my efforts over and over again were met with ridicule over and over again. I hate the nobles in Cold Wind City because they always look down on me. I know this seems too utilitarian, but..."
Ma Han was older than Zhou Qingfeng and about the same size. He burst into tears as he spoke, crying like a child.
Zhou Qingfeng asked in a deep voice: "So your choice is...?"
Mahan simply knelt down on one knee and bowed his head to swear an oath.
"I, Alfred Mahan, the abandoned son of the Thayer family, a wanderer who has abandoned his glory, a man determined to wash away his shame and guilt. I am willing to offer my only loyalty to His Excellency Victor Hugo.
.
I must be fearless, resolute and upright, and would rather die than surrender. The point of your sword is the direction I am heading. If I violate my oath, I may my soul have no home, be nailed to a wall after death, and suffer eternal torment."
The oath is as loud as gold and stone.
A dream I have had for more than ten years is finally coming true today.
Zhou Qingfeng pulled Mahan up and said in a deep voice: "I, Victor Hugo, accept the oath of Alfred Mahan in the name of the lord of the Rich and Powerful Territory, and grant him the position of commander of the infantry regiment.
You may decide on the name and flag of your unit, and may inform any deserving person of this appointment. Regardless of your past, you have restored your honor and glory.
The current situation in Cold Wind City is getting worse and worse. I really don’t want to start a war with any force. But the enemy will not sit back and watch me gain an absolute advantage, so battle preparations still need to be made, because accidents can happen at any time."
Mahan stood up, full of pride for a moment, with a ruthless look on his face, and said decisively: "Don't worry, sir, the rotten garbage in Hanfeng City will never be able to gather together.
With such a heavy infantry, I can beat the souls of any noble family out of their bodies. Unless my team dies to the last man, I will never let any force endanger your safety."
Zhou Qingfeng burst out laughing when he heard this, and said happily: "It's not that serious. I'm not a weakling. I still command a cavalry team myself."
Not far from the training ground, hundreds of light cavalry were galloping past on horseback, with the wind and clouds swirling around. The equipment of this cavalry was more luxurious than that of the heavy infantry. The men were like tigers, the horses were like dragons, the hoofs were rumbling, and the shining Yaohuamen were shining from far to near.
Eye.
Further away, Hilly is teaching a group of wizard apprentices to learn arcane arts. Elves are extremely talented in this area.
Zhou Qingfeng has been strengthening his own strength, and he doesn't know who will be the first to jump out to sacrifice the flag.