One minister after another, according to their identity and status, paid their respects to Losa. Losa also gave cordial greetings, even though many he hadn’t t more than a few tis, let alone had any deep acquaintance with.
Upon returning to Hebron, Losa felt like he had stepped onto a stage, with everyone’s eyes fixed upon him.
Inside the tent, the feast was already set, with mingling of wine cups and dice, creating an atmosphere of great enthusiasm.
Losa’s return was undoubtedly a boost for those worried he might never co back.
Losa called Kurs over, saying, "Kurs, send out the word, tonight the whole army will eat well."
Kurs frowned slightly but, seeing the smile on Losa’s face, still replied, "Yes."
Currently, Transjordan’s financial situation isn’t good. Bearing the logistical spending for so many people every day is like pouring money away.
Losa nodded to him slightly and said quietly, "Don’t worry about the money."
Initially, Losa was financially strained from Prajna and Chelina’s elite training, but while helping General Nikiforos recover the ruby, he also scavenged the shipwrecked ruin, sold the goods on it to the Spoils Store, and exchanged for nearly ten thousand Suludes Gold Coins. These were from dozens of rchant ships loaded with goods; if not for most of the goods having rotted and lost value, they would’ve been worth far more than just ten thousand gold coins.
This money, along with Nikiforos’s reward, caused his originally empty wallet to beco stuffed again.
However, this money was clearly not enough to sustain an army of ten thousand troops for long.
Under Losa’s command, aside from the standing army, there are no salaries to speak of. The lower vassals fulfill their feudal contracts, and obviously don’t require wages.
But wages weren’t the main reason limiting the size of the Holy Land forces; to sustain over ten thousand troops with their consumption of man and horse would require tens of thousands of carriages for monthly supply transport.
This also needs to account for losses during transport, as both pack animals and laborers consu supplies during transport. Fortunately, being on ho turf ans the army can obtain local supplies which prevents difficulty in movent.
Baron Argon then suggested, "Sir, we don’t know when the war will start; perhaps we should find so entertainnt for these energetic lads?"
The "entertainnt" ntioned by Baron Argon obviously refers not to the camps established by the accompanying rchant fleet, which feature alcohol, prostitutes, and spoil rchants, just like vultures circling over carrion.
Kurs didn’t allow these people to accompany the army. They’re too prone to creating chaos within the camp.
This is Hebron after all, the seat of the Losa Territory. Once these military toughs start trouble, it’s Losa’s interests as a lord that are hard.
Losa readily accepted Argon’s suggestion: "Alright, I’ve decided to organize a contest tomorrow featuring archery, swordsmanship, mounted combat, and chess, with rewards for the victors."
It’s better to channel their energy; ultimately, these vigorous soldiers need so form of entertainnt to let off steam.
The banquet soon dispersed and did not last long.
Compared to most chaotic military camps, Hebron’s camp had rules that were anything but scarce, and Losa didn’t want these "Commanders" to get drunk as he just returned.
Soon, only Losa’s core mbers remained in the tent.
His gaze swept across the faces of Kurs, Andreas, Ulm, Laine, Model, Stark, and Fabio, sincerely saying, "Thank you all for your hard work during this ti."
"Though I wasn’t in the territory, Kurs told about your performances, and I am very pleased."
He praised them casually and then said, "Kurs, starting today, you will continue as the Steward of the Holy Vault, taking control of all financial powers in the territory, while also serving as the First Governor of Hebron."
"Andreas, for your excellent achievents in Alandler, I appoint you as the First Governor of Eira Port, assisted by Mueller from the Tax Bureau to govern the entire Eira Port."
"Ulm, starting today, I commission you to establish the Circuit Court, while retaining your Patrol Officer duties, you will serve as the Chief Judge of the Transjordan border area, accepting petitions from the people in my na."
A series of appointnts were quickly announced.
Kurs managed Transjordan thodically, needing no drastic changes, now was not the right ti for it. After the battle ends, he will bring the fa of victory to initiate centralized reforms.
As for losing the battle.
Whether he can keep his territory is another question, and naturally, there’s no need to consider centralization further.
...
By the campfire outside the tent.
Derum eagerly took the food brought to him and sat down. The warm firelight illuminated the plate with fairly sumptuous food—white bread, pea stew, and a bottle of wine shared among several people...
It’s the best al they’ve had in many days.
"Ah, is there honey spread on this bread? It’s surprisingly sweet."
"Who would’ve thought he really is a Marquis."
"If we had received his favor at the ti, we might have beco Lord Knights directly."
"At the very least, not working so hard every day like now."
Derum chewed on his bread, speaking indistinctly, "What hard work? It’s definitely better than being cannon fodder for that Rauf guy. I see it clearly now, the Marquis treats us really well."
"Yes, even this dinner, who knows how much it costs. If it were , I’d surely save it all for myself."
"Let’s work hard; this ti, I’ll strive to earn so rits for everyone, even if we’re not knighted, at least each person should get so land, so money as a reward, and then return ho to marry."
Derum and the others exchanged smiles.
What’s the biggest difference in life at Transjordan compared to before? It’s not that it’s not hard; rather, it’s that after the hard work, there’s hope in sight.
Unlike before, where after a gruelling year of herding, they were constantly worrying, afraid that Rauf might send soone to suddenly rob them of all their livestock.
...
Returning to the residence in Hebron.
After a simple wash, Losa heard Jeanne casually asking, "By the way, sir, isn’t today another card draw day?"
"No rush, we should first arrange the Iron Marshall’s camp, and if the war doesn’t hurry to break out, I can still train a squad of heavy cavalryn."
Hundreds of heavy cavalryn can play a crucial role in war.
His recent card draws have beco more philosophical—reason being the increasingly low odds for useful items.
Always a pile of bits and pieces, like a "Deluxe Saddle" or a "Luxurious Silk Shirt", "Purple Lace Underpants".
If one claims they’re useless, they are actually quite useful.
For instance, the Deluxe Saddle is quite comfortable to sit on, the silk underwear is both heat-insulating and warm, and the lace underpants... Prajna looks rather captivating wearing them.
Everyone knows n have two heads, and they belong to different departnts, but sotis, the small head can command the big head.
...
After arranging the Iron Marshall’s camp, Losa returned to the residence and directly chose to draw cards.
A rich purple light flashed.
You have acquired a new retinue—Bloodthirsty Mad Wolf.
Finally, it’s here!
Losa felt a bit of joy inwardly.
After completing the battle record of the Wolf Race civil war, he was temporarily given the status of a "Texas Ally", long overdue for loyalty from a Texas Wolf Race mber.
"Who are you?"
Chelina’s expression was full of doubt; the bloodline on this man was so familiar,
but he clearly wasn’t soone she’d t before.
"Who am I? I’m the Bloodthirsty Mad Wolf from Basilicata. Who do you say I am?"
"Bloodthirsty Mad Wolf... sounds kind of familiar."
Chelina was silent for a mont before suddenly saying, "It’s quite an unfortunate matter."
"So you rembered?"
"He is indeed soone from our family."
"Hey, don’t call it your family. I’ve never t you before, don’t think having so Basilicata blood makes you a family mber, brat."
The man’s expression was unyielding, his tone full of the arrogance typical of pureblood families.
Watch your words.
Though he temporarily hadn’t thought of doing anything to Chelina, having such a pretty girl around all the ti.
However, to say he rely treated her as a friend would be too self-deceptive.
Only then did the arrogant man lower his head, saying with difficulty, "Sorry, sir."
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