Chapter 32: Forming the New Army (2)

The First Battalion of the Standing Army?

Bruno's words didn't cause much of a reaction. After all, to these soldiers, the name of the army was entirely up to the whims of their noble lord and had little to do with them.

"The newly formed Standing Army will be very different from the previous City Defense Army. There will be no rotating shifts during the spring planting season. Once enlisted, soldiers must be on duty full-time and undergo daily training…"

Hearing this, most of the soldiers present began murmuring among themselves. Many of them were the only working men in their families. Joining the army during the off-season was merely a way to reduce their household's food expenses. After all, the so-called Idar City Defense Army offered very low pay—only thirty copper coins a month, adding up to less than four hundred copper coins per year. But the most important thing was that they provided food.

For many commoner families in this world, having one less mouth to feed could mean a better chance of survival.

However, if this so-called Standing Army required daily training, then who would take care of the fields back home?

"…But once you join the Standing Army, each soldier will receive an annual salary of three gold coins, along with a living allowance of thirty copper coins."

As soon as he said this, the soldiers could no longer contain their excitement and started discussing fervently.

This wasn't just a slight raise—it was more than three times their previous salary!

In Idar, an average household needed about two to three gold coins per year to sustain itself.

If they did the math, that meant a single soldier's wages could support an entire family. And if their wives and children worked diligently to maintain their fields, their lives could become much more comfortable.

Thinking along these lines, many soldiers started considering that joining the Standing Army might actually be a great idea.

Of course, due to individual family circumstances, some soldiers were still hesitant about committing to full-time military service, but they were in the minority.

Bruno observed their reactions closely and decided to add more fuel to the fire:

"The Standing Army is a military force designed for war. Almost every year, we have small skirmishes with the forces of Soren City in the Grand Highlands. But where there is danger, there is also opportunity. Soldiers who distinguish themselves in battle will be rewarded, and those with outstanding achievements could even be knighted and become nobility!"

At this, the soldiers erupted in excitement.

A knight might be the lowest rank of nobility, and they might not even have land, but it was still nobility!

Could a mere peasant like them really have a chance to become a noble?

Instinctively, the soldiers glanced behind Bruno at his personal guards. Each of them was dressed in fine clothing, bearing the title of knights. The thought that they too could one day stand among them, dressed just as well, sent waves of heat through their chests.

"And if a soldier falls in battle, their family will receive a one-time pension of nine gold coins. Additionally, the lord will prioritize finding work for the soldier's surviving family members to ensure their livelihood."

By now, the soldiers were no longer whispering among themselves. They were staring at Bruno with wide eyes, barely stopping themselves from shouting, I want to enlist!

"The benefits of the Standing Army are obvious. However, not everyone will meet the requirements. Soldiers must be between eighteen and thirty-five years old, be legal citizens of Idar with no criminal record, and be in good health, free of any diseases…"

Bruno listed seven or eight different requirements, and he could clearly see the look of disappointment on the faces of some of the soldiers.

But he would not lower his standards. Good benefits and high wages had to come with stricter recruitment conditions. What he wanted to build was a disciplined, well-organized army completely under his control.

After all, this would be the first military force personally created by Bruno, and for the foreseeable future, the First Battalion of the Idar Standing Army would remain one of his most trusted core units.

The requirement that soldiers must be citizens of Idar was also intentional. The Stuart family had ruled this land for nearly a hundred years, and to the commoners, every past Earl of Idar had been seen as a good noble.

At the very least, Idar had never forcibly enslaved its commoners and turned them into serfs. Compared to many nobles in the central and western parts of the empire, Idar was significantly more benevolent.

"The First Battalion of the Idar Standing Army will be established with a total of 500 soldiers. The first round of recruitment will enlist 300 men. You have one day to consider. Those who wish to enlist should report here by noon tomorrow. The remaining positions will be opened to commoners for recruitment the day after tomorrow."

With this, Bruno concluded his speech.

After he finished, Sam Layton, the commander of the City Defense Army, hesitantly approached him with an embarrassed expression.

"My lord…"

"What is it?" Bruno glanced at him.

"The wages for the Standing Army… aren't they a bit too generous?" Sam asked enviously.

He had a point. Though the personal guards all held the title of knight, their actual salaries were meager. Since their food, clothing, and housing were covered by the lord's castle, their additional pay was only one gold coin per year.

As for land, only knights who had been elevated to baron rank, like Sam Layton himself, were granted actual estates.

"I've considered the personal guards as well," Bruno said. "Once the Standing Army is fully established, the personal guards will train alongside them. Those who perform well in training can remain as personal guards or serve as officers in the Standing Army. Those who fail to meet the standard will simply remain within the Standing Army."

Sam wasn't too concerned about this. In his eyes, the personal guards were far superior to the peasants plucked from the fields. Training alongside them should be easy.

Just as he was about to nod, he suddenly looked at Bruno with a hopeful expression.

Bruno raised an eyebrow. "What is it now?"

"Uh… the salary…" Sam was on the verge of tears.

"Those who pass the training will receive four gold coins per year…" Bruno said with a chuckle. "As for you… we'll see how you perform."