Later recruits were also gradually assimilated through repeated political and ideological lessons.
The soldiers sat below, listening intently and nodding from ti to ti. Occasionally the sound of training bugles drifted in from outside the window, but the people inside paid no attention, their minds completely focused on the lesson.
Next to the classroom was a small library holding dozens of military manuals, history books, and literacy textbooks. Although the collection was modest, every volu was worn at the edges from frequent use.
Behind the dormitory area lay the kitchen and ss hall. The kitchen had tall chimneys; three als a day sent fragrant smoke curling into the sky. Long tables and benches filled the ss hall. Every al included hot soup and hot dishes. Breakfast was wheat porridge with pickled vegetables, lunch was black bread with at broth, and dinner was stew with multigrain flatbread. On holidays there were extra rations. Soldiers queued for food in orderly lines.
Beside the kitchen were the mill and root cellar, stocked with ample grain and supplies. Eating their fill and eating well—this was the fundantal guarantee of an army's combat effectiveness!
In the southeast corner of the camp stood the stables, currently housing six hundred warhorses. The stables were spacious and well-ventilated, with dry straw on the floor that was changed twice daily. Grooms tended the horses with care; every mount was sleek, muscular, and glossy-coated. Luke had considered bringing horses from Earth, but he worried they might "contaminate" the native Westerosi bloodlines. Then he rembered he was already "contaminating" the local gene pool with his ocean horses… so contamination it was.
Next to the stables were the forge and armory. Blacksmiths worked day and night repairing damaged blades, armor, and crafting new spearheads and arrowheads.
In the southwest corner was the infirmary, staffed by twenty military physicians and stocked with herbs and instrunts. Injured or sick soldiers ca for treatnt every day. Minor wounds were patched up and the n returned to duty; serious injuries received imdiate care.
Beside the infirmary were the bathhouse and laundry. Soldiers rotated through in shifts to bathe and wash clothes, keeping themselves clean and preventing disease.
The setting sun cast golden light over the camp.
Training for the day had ended. Soldiers returned to their quarters, wiped down weapons, tidied their bunks, chatted, and rested. So took out letters from ho and read them over and over. Others gathered to hear old veterans recount past battles. Still others lit oil lamps in the classrooms and quietly recited the words they had learned that day.
The bugle sounded again—roll call. The entire force quickly assembled on the parade ground. Each company reported its numbers, checked attendance, and submitted its report.
Major Mars stood on the reviewing platform, delivered a brief summary of the day's training, and announced tomorrow's schedule.
Finally, the entire garrison shouted the camp's battle cry in unison. "Jaqenion!" "Rule through virtue!" "For Lord Luke!"
The roar shook the heavens and echoed across the camp. In that sound lay discipline, honor, and conviction… This was the soul of the East Barracks.
Night deepened. The camp gradually fell quiet. Sentries still stood watch on the arrow towers, eyes alert. Inside the dormitories ca the steady sound of breathing as exhausted soldiers sank into deep sleep. Tomorrow, the bugle would sound again. Training would continue. Discipline would hamr them, blow after blow, forging them into tempered steel.
And this was exactly what Luke wanted.
To build a true iron army, Luke had spared no effort in every aspect of military life. One of the most important elents was the uniform. In his view, an army's spirit and appearance began with what it wore. Soldiers in rags could never have high morale, while soldiers in neat, dignified uniforms naturally developed a sense of honor and belonging.
So he had personally designed several styles of uniform. To be precise, he had directly referenced… or simply copied… classic designs from Earth's various armies!
Besides the full plate armor used on the battlefield, the soldiers now had several different sets of uniforms:
Everyday training fatigues for daily drills and labor—durable fabric, simple cut, easy to move in. Combat uniforms for actual fighting—using Earth's "star-camouflage" series, which shifted appearance under different lighting for excellent concealnt. The fabric was specially treated to be waterproof and windproof and included mounting points for gear. Dress uniforms for parades, leave, and formal occasions.
These were copied straight from the German "West Sea-style" uniforms—crisp tailoring, fitted cut, stand-up collar. Wearing them made a man look noticeably sharper. The aesthetic sense of a failed art student was truly top-tier…
Each type was further divided into spring, sumr, and winter versions. Spring uniforms were light and breathable, sumr ones sweat-wicking and cool, winter ones thick and warm. Boots were matched accordingly—training boots, combat boots, dress shoes—each with its own purpose.
All clothing, hats, armor, and weapons ca from modern factories on Earth. The materials were thick, the craftsmanship excellent, the look uniform and handso.
When the first batch of uniforms was issued, the soldiers could hardly believe their eyes. The best clothes they had ever worn in their lives were the coarse new outfits they got once a year for New Year's. Yet now their lord was giving them multiple sets—and every set was finer than what the nobles back in their old territories wore!
One veteran clutched his dress uniform and cried for a long ti. In his forty years of life, it was the first ti he had known that clothes could be this soft, boots this comfortable, buttons this bright.
The next day at inspection, all the soldiers stood in neat formation wearing their brand-new dress uniforms. Sunlight glead on row after row of straight figures—black uniforms, silver buttons, gold epaulets. The entire force radiated an indescribable aura of dignity.
Tyrion Lannister happened to be present that day. He stared at the army for a long ti, speechless. At last he said to Luke, "Luke, I take back what I said before. Your magical weapons are indeed impressive, but they're nothing compared to this army of yours."
Luke smiled and said nothing.
Tyrion continued, "You know, I've seen countless armies in Westeros. The Westerlands' golden lion legions, the City Watch in their gold cloaks, the Riverlands levies, the knights of the Vale… but none like yours."
He pointed at the soldiers. "Look at their posture, their eyes, every crease in their uniforms… this isn't an army, this is a work of art."
Luke shook his head. "Art can't win wars."
"Precisely because of that," Tyrion took a deep breath, "they can win wars—and they will. You've created sothing entirely new, Luke. The old lords' armies will crumble like sand before yours."
He spoke calmly, but deep in his eyes lay a trace of worry—worry for House Lannister, worry for the old order of Westeros.
Luke patted his shoulder. "These are still new recruits. They only have the appearance, nothing more, right?"
Tyrion said seriously, "Your soldiers have excellent armor and weapons. Even recruits can exert terrifying combat power. No wonder you defeated the noble coalition… give yourself another three to five years and the Jaqenion Family Guard will be the undisputed strongest army in Westeros!"
Besides the uniforms, Luke had also copied the modern military rank system. Shoulder boards, arm patches, collar tabs—everything was included.
Private: blank shoulder board. Private First Class: one bar. Sergeant: combination of stars and bars. Lieutenant: one star. Captain: two stars. Major: three stars. Lieutenant Colonel: crown plus one star. Colonel: crown plus two stars. (Highest current rank.)
Each rank ca with corresponding benefits and待遇.
Luke had also issued every soldier a small booklet printed with illustrations and nas of all the ranks. Soldiers flipped through it in their free ti, dreaming of the day they would wear a higher rank.
--------------------------
Support us on P@tre0n and gain access to 100 chapters in advance!
[email protected]/inkshield
User Comments
0 comments from readers