Professional Army I

The morning sun was high as Edward called Sir Roland and Baron Lucien into his study. The past few days had been marked by intense planning and strategizing, but today's meeting would focus on a critical aspect of the territory's future: the army.

Edward leaned back in his chair; his gaze sharp as he addressed Sir Roland. "How goes the training of our troops?"

Roland, ever the dutiful knight, straightened as he replied. "The men are progressing well, my lord. The initial rough edges are being honed, and they're becoming more disciplined by the day. But there is still much work to be done to bring them up to the standard you desire."

Edward nodded, absorbing the information. "Good. But there's something we need to address. When the territory was under constant attack, we were forced to recruit in large numbers, building up our forces quickly to counter the threats. Now that things have stabilized, maintaining such a large standing army is draining our resources. We have a thousand troops—far too many for our current needs and paying them is emptying the coffers. We need specialized, disciplined soldiers, not just a large number of men."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "I've decided to review the troops in the square to boost morale, but also to announce another round of selections. Only the best will remain in service, and those who are not selected will be compensated and returned to their homes."

Roland's expression remained neutral, but there was a flicker of concern in his eyes. "I understand, my lord. But what will be the structure of this new, more disciplined army?"

Edward's eyes gleamed as he explained, "We will reorganize the army into five levels: regiment, battalion, company, platoon, and squad."

He gestured to a parchment on the table, where he had already sketched out the organization. "A squad will consist of ten men, led by a squad leader and a deputy. Three squads will form a platoon, led by a platoon leader and deputy. Three platoons will make up a company, which will also include a mess team, led by a company leader and deputy. Three companies will form a battalion, and three battalions will make up a regiment. Each level will have its respective leaders and deputies, creating a clear chain of command."

As Edward explained the structure, he couldn't help but compare it to the military systems he had known in his previous life. Back then, he had commanded vast armies, far larger than this, but the principles of organization and discipline remained the same. He had learned the importance of a structured hierarchy, where even in the chaos of battle, every soldier knew their place and their duty.

But these thoughts remained private, locked away in the depths of his mind. He knew better than to reveal such knowledge to Roland or Lucien—at least not yet. They were loyal, but such concepts might be too foreign or overwhelming for them to grasp immediately.

Roland studied the diagram, his brow furrowed. "It's a complex system, my lord. But it seems sound."

Edward nodded. "Indeed. Alongside this structure, we'll implement a rank system: two ranks for soldiers—private and first-class private; three ranks for non-commissioned officers—corporal, sergeant, and staff sergeant; three ranks for junior officers—second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and captain; and three for field officers—major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel."

He continued, "This system will ensure that there is always a clear chain of command, even in special circumstances. If a commander is incapacitated, the command will pass according to position, then rank, and finally by length of service. This will prevent the chaos we've seen before when a unit falls apart because its leader is killed."

Roland nodded slowly, but there was a hint of hesitation in his voice as he spoke. "My lord, with all due respect, do we need such a detailed structure for an army of only a thousand men? Perhaps simplifying the ranks to four levels—private, non-commissioned officer, junior officer, and field officer—would suffice for now."

Edward shook his head, a hint of impatience creeping into his tone. "No, Roland. The structure must be comprehensive, even if our numbers are small now. This is about more than just the present; it's about the future. As our territory grows, so too will our army. We must be prepared for that eventuality."

Inwardly, Edward criticized Roland's short-sightedness. His experience from his past life told him that a detailed and well-defined hierarchy was crucial for maintaining discipline and effectiveness, especially when the army expanded in size. But he held back from introducing even larger units and higher ranks, knowing that the current army was not yet ready for such expansion.

His gaze turned serious as he continued, "And that brings me to another point. We need to formalize the employment of these men. We can't continue relying on loosely bound loyalty or conscription. From this day forward, the soldiers of House Grafton will be formally hired and paid a fixed wage. Their service will be a profession, not just a duty."

Roland and Lucien exchanged a glance, both taken aback by the proposal.

"And furthermore," Edward added, his voice firm, "if a soldier falls in battle, his family will be compensated. We will take care of our own. A man who knows that his family will be cared for if he dies will fight with even greater courage. This will not only boost morale but also ensure loyalty."

Lucien cleared his throat, concern evident in his tone. "My lord, while I understand the noble intent behind this, I must point out that such a policy will greatly increase our expenditures. Providing fixed wages, let alone compensations for the families, will place a heavy burden on our treasury. We are already stretched thin. How do you propose we finance this?"

Edward's gaze was steely as he replied, "We will find a way, Lucien. The prosperity of our house is built on the strength of our army. A professional, well-compensated force is worth every coin. We will make sacrifices in other areas, if necessary, but this is non-negotiable."

Roland, who had been silent, finally spoke up. "My lord, if we are to formalize the army in such a manner, perhaps we should also consider standardizing their appearance. Uniforms, with the colors and insignia of House Grafton, would not only distinguish our troops but also instill pride and unity among the men."

Edward smiled slightly, pleased that Roland was thinking along the same lines. "Indeed. I've been considering the design already. Our soldiers will wear uniforms in the colors of our house—deep blue and silver. Each rank will have its own distinct insignia. This will not only create a sense of unity but also make it easier to identify officers on the battlefield."

Lucien interjected again, clearly agitated. "My lord, with all due respect, these changes are ambitious. Uniforms, wages, compensation for families—these are all noble ideas, but they come at a cost we may not be able to bear. We've just discussed reducing the size of the army to save money, and now we're talking about increasing our expenditures even further."

Edward's expression hardened. "I understand your concerns, Lucien, but this is about more than just numbers. This is about the future of our house. A disciplined, professional army is an investment in that future. We cannot afford to cut corners on this."

Lucien sighed deeply, recognizing the determination in Edward's voice. He knew that further argument would be futile, but he also knew that it was his duty to protect the financial stability of the house. "Very well, my lord. I'll make the necessary arrangements, but I strongly urge you to reconsider the scale of these changes. We must tread carefully to avoid overextending ourselves."

Edward gave a curt nod, satisfied that the meeting had achieved its purpose. "Thank you, Lucien. Now, we have much to do. Roland, prepare the troops for inspection. I want to see them at their best. And begin drafting a formal employment contract for the soldiers. They will know that their service is valued, and they will be compensated fairly."

As the meeting concluded, Edward couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The changes he was implementing were just the beginning. His territory was stabilizing, and with Elara's growing intelligence network, a restructured and professionalized army, and the commitment to take care of those who served him, he was laying the foundation for a future where House Grafton would stand strong against any threat.

But beyond the military and intelligence efforts, Edward knew that keeping his soldiers and people happy was paramount. A well-compensated and respected army would have no reason to harbor resentment against the ruling nobility. Ensuring that there was no dissatisfaction among his own people was not just about loyalty; it was about preventing the seeds of revolution from taking root in his territory. As long as his soldiers felt valued and his people felt secure, there would be no fertile ground for the revolutionary waves that would soon threaten to sweep through the kingdom.

Edward was determined to make House Grafton a bastion of stability, a place where discontent could find no purchase.