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 wide training ground, five hundred carefully selected soldiers were training in forged iron armor, thick iron helmets, and sharp spears.
Because multiple queues are constantly moving, the sand on the field is flying repeatedly. The neat footsteps trampled the ground repeatedly, and it has become a solid surface.
The orders of the low-ranking officers and the shouts of the soldiers echoed each other, spreading in all directions. The officers and soldiers were all sweating like rain, with heavy breath, and repeated boring training actions thousands of times.
The powerful families in the North only used serf soldiers, and the knights had only a few armed attendants. Such large-scale infantry groups are really rare.
Ranger Mahan was stunned by the intensity of the training. He followed Zhou Qingfeng and said in a low voice: "Your Excellency Hugo, you trained as a nobleman. This..."
"Is this bad?" Zhou Qingfeng turned his head and asked. Today, he specifically called this ranger who likes to fight with shields to let the other party visit his heavy infantry.
"Of course it's good." Ma Han first affirmed, but then asked: "But it costs..."
spend
Of course the cost is huge.
In order to maintain its own ruling system, the "Harmonious Chamber of Commerce" is desperately purchasing food from the South. Recently, the price of food in Coldwind City has been rising, driving up the price of food in the entire Northland.
The "Fuqiangling" has too many full-time populations, and its own agricultural production is seriously inadequate, so it must rely on external input.
Zhou Qingfeng can still hold it, after all, there is a lot of production in his territory, and there is no shortage of platinum coins. As long as the trade continues, there is no problem.
But an army not only needs to eat and drink, it also needs to supply a large amount of equipment and consumable materials. These are bottomless pits that are filled in every day and every month.
This bottomless pit is too deep, and the'rich and strong collar' can support at most a few hundred standing troops, like the city management, it can only be regarded as a mess.
On the training ground, ten men and three rows of heavy infantry were marching in a neat line. All soldiers are fifteen to twenty years old.
All the grassroots commanders have received training from the Arcane Research Society and have at least the basic knowledge of elementary school. This is already a very educated army.
In order to build this armed force, the money spent is not tens of thousands or tens of thousands. More is a large amount of materials that are difficult to obtain.
Where did the supplies come from
More than half came from the corner of the dignitaries of Cold Wind City. After digging for half a year, the foundations of the nobles in the city were all loosened, leaving only the lonely superstructure clamoring in the parliament in the Winter Hall.
According to the situation reported from other places by the'Harmonious Chamber of Commerce', other powerful and powerful people in Cold Wind City were also engaged in armaments, but they were already unable to hold it.
Each family faces an extremely strange economic situation, earning more and more money, but their power is declining. This is like'cutting meat with a blunt knife', which is extremely uncomfortable.
The result of this switch is the rapid growth of the'wealthy and powerful leader' forces.
Zhou Qingfeng stretched out his hand, his palm was a magic gem.
"The'shield technique, the blessing technique' and the'magic weapon' are sealed in this gem. I plan to give each soldier one..."
Mahan interrupted in surprise, "Every soldier?"
"Yes, every soldier." Zhou Qingfeng replied affirmatively.
This is not a question of cost. It's hard to buy hundreds of magic gems that store three first-level arcane magics when you have money.
Although the duration of the three spells will not be too long, think about how five hundred heavily armed infantry who have strengthened their attack defenses and even been blessed attack.
Unless the long-legged family of the strongest period is brought back, no one in Coldwind City can hold it.
"Your Excellency Hugo, do you mean...?"
Mahan couldn't figure out why he called himself. He only treats himself as having a task, and now it seems that this task is not the same as expected.
Zhou Qingfeng spoke softly and sighed: "I heard Adrian say that you will always charge forward and retreat in the team. Your bravery and calmness are the strongest support of your companions."
This sounds like a compliment, but Ma Han looked dark when he heard the words, lowered his head and whispered: "No, no. I used to..."
"I don't care what it used to be." Zhou Qingfeng patted Mahan on the shoulder. "Adrian said that you want to avenge the nobles of Coldwind City and have to chop off a few noble heads.
I also want to find a brave and steady infantry commander who can lead his men to charge forward and retreat behind. There are not many such people. You come to this position. "
Ma Han was stunned, "I...? Why me?"
"Why can't it be you?" Zhou Qingfeng shrugged, "I can't let Todd do it? That guy will only lead the 500th infantry with a sharp axe and charge continuously, either hacking the enemy to death or exhausting himself. dead.
Military command is an art, especially commanding infantry combat. It is not as fast as a cavalry, not as agile as an archer, and not as powerful as a wizard. But the heavy infantry can sweep everything and destroy everything if used well. "
Following Zhou Qingfeng's words, Ma Han's shoulders trembled uncontrollably. He was forcibly restraining his inner emotions, but his excitement overflowed from his face.
"You really want me to command such a team? I mean, it's a joke, right
I have not been in the territory for a long time. For a person who is not a noble background, and even has a taint. This must be a joke. "
Zhou Qingfeng shook his head and smiled and said: "This is not a joke. I will issue you a formal appointment letter to inform everyone in the territory.
I will equip you with deputy positions and staff and arrange logistics. It is indispensable for a'scholar's touch' to master the army regulations and command norms. Inviting you today is also asking for your opinion. "
Ma Han's throat became unable to move up and down. He tried hard to keep his voice undistorted, but he burst into tears, and even choked up so hard to breathe.
"I never thought about it. I used to be a coward, and I didn't come forward when my companion needed it. I failed to overcome my fear, and I lost all my reputation and dignity.
No, no, no, I admit, I do think that one day... Maybe my efforts will be recognized. Maybe someone in the upper ranks can accept me again.
But my hard work again and again brought me ridicule again and again. I hate those nobles in Coldwind City because they always look down on me. I know this is too utilitarian, but... "
Ma Han was older than Zhou Qingfeng and about the same size. At this moment, 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.
"I, Alfred Mahan, the abandoned son of the Thayer family, a wanderer who turned his back on glory, and a man determined to wash away his shame and guilt. I am willing to offer my only loyalty to Victor Hugo. .
I should be fearless, bold and upright, and would rather die than surrender. What your sword refers to is my direction. If I break my vow, I hope my soul has no place to belong, and I will be nailed to the wall after death, and be tortured forever. "
The vows were thrown to the ground, like gold stones.
A dream that I have had for more than ten years will finally come true today.
Zhou Qingfeng pulled Mahan up and said in a deep voice: "I, Victor Hugo, accept Alfred Mahan's oath in the name of the lord of the'rich and powerful', and grant him the position of commander of the infantry regiment.
You can decide for yourself the name and flag of the unit, and you can tell anyone who is worthy of notification of this position. Regardless of your past, you have restored your reputation and glory.
The current situation in Coldwind City is getting worse and worse. I don't want to go to war with any forces. But the enemy will not sit back and watch me gain absolute advantage, so preparations for battle still need to be done. Because accidents can happen at any time. "
Ma Han got up, with great pride for a moment. He showed a cruel face and said categorically: "You can rest assured, the rotten trash in Coldwind City can't be collected at all.
With such a heavy infantry, I can get the soul of any nobleman out of my body. Unless my team is killed to the last person, we will never let any forces endanger your safety. "
Zhou Qingfeng laughed at the words, haha said: "It's not that serious. I'm not a weak scum. I still command a cavalry squad."
Not far from the training ground, a hundred people of light cavalry were galloping past, and the wind was blowing. This cavalry is more luxurious than the heavy infantry. People are like tigers, horses like dragons, hooves rumbling, and dazzling dazzling eyes from far to near.
Further afield, Xili was teaching a group of apprentice wizards to learn arcane arts. The elves are extremely talented in this regard.
Zhou Qingfeng has been strengthening his own force, and I don't know who will be the first to jump out to sacrifice the flag.