Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

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"Only four squads? Then how should we deploy sword and shield troops, musketeers, and spearmen?" Juan furrowed his brows.

"We won't have sword and shield troops; each battalion will consist of one squad of musketeers and three squads of spearmen," Winters explained. "Sword and shield troops are too difficult to train and require high-quality equipment. Colonel John Jeska simply did without them, and the results were very good."

"Musketeers and spearmen, a ratio of one to three?"

"I don't have enough musketeers," Winters sighed deeply, then smiled. "Otherwise, I'd like to raise it to one to one, with each battalion comprising two squads of musketeers and two squads of spearmen."

Doubtful, Tang Juan asked, "Half of the troops as musketeers? What about melee combat?"

Winters's smile grew wider, and he took a piece of white paper, drawing on it while explaining to Juan, "If the musketeers employ rotating firing tactics, they can significantly weaken the enemy before getting to melee combat. Even in close quarters, we can intersperse musketeers among the spearmen like this..."

Juan leaned in eagerly to take a look.

"Can't you two ever finish?!" Andre, unable to stand it any longer, slammed the table and asked.

"Alright, alright, back to the main topic," Winters placated Andre, gently patting Senior Juan's shoulder. "I'll explain it to you later when we have time."

"You have my word," Juan said regretfully.

Winters continued explaining the reorganization, "Simply put, I want to establish the [battalion] as a tactical unit. Each battalion will have four centurion-led squads. Everything else remains the same."

"Isn't a battalion just a large squad?" Andre was confused.

"No, the numbers are the same, but it's a bit different," Winters explained. "A battalion has more officers, but commands fewer troops."

"Then let's just get rid of those century and large squad designations from the Ancient Empire," Andre suggested delightedly. "Let's go with [company] instead. And no more centurion or large squad leader. Just call them company captain and battalion commander."

"Doesn't centurion sound quite nice?" Winters was puzzled.

Andre scoffed, "Those who don't even know which way the gates to the Land Academy open dare call themselves centurions? It makes me so angry I could die. Those individuals don't deserve the title of centurion yet. Just call them company captain, that's fine!"

Regiments and companies were the organizational names of the mercenary forces of Vineta.

When Marshal Ned implemented military reforms, he deliberately used the designations of [century], [large squad], and [legion] from the Ancient Empire to differentiate from mercenary units.

Andre insisted particularly on this matter, and Winters also began to feel that a complete overhaul was in order.

So he crossed out [centurion] from his draft and wrote down [company captain].

Winters gathered the papers and concluded gravely, "After all the changes, they don't really matter. What truly matters is that – I want to say it at the end – [the Military Resolution Council possesses all military powers]."

"Of course," Andre replied nonchalantly.

"What I mean is, even if one day, the Military Resolution Council passes a resolution against my wishes, or yours," Winters stared at Andre. "We must still comply. Can you do that?"

"Do we need to talk about this?" Andreya Chelini answered resolutely, "I will always support you."

That wasn't the answer Winters was looking for, but he had no reason to be dissatisfied.

"There's still something that must change," Winters said with a smile. "Though, there shouldn't be much resistance, since our army is still a blank slate, not yet tarnished by those so-called traditions."

"What?" Tang Juan was puzzled.

"Enforcing discipline and making confiscations public property."

Tang Juan shook his head, "It could be difficult, or not difficult at all. It depends on your ability."

"Senior Mason?" Winters called out gently.

Lost in the world of his doodling, Mason was suddenly brought back to reality.

"What's up?" Mason instinctively covered the drawings of the artillery on the paper. "Is the meeting over?"

"I would like you to return to Revodan ahead of time," Winters said. "I'll bring the main forces and follow soon after."

Mason's eyebrows rose, "Return early? Is something going on?"

"Two things," Winters tapped the table. "After you get back, I want you to construct a gallows in the town square, the kind that can hang a lot of people."

The other four seated at the table were slightly surprised, even Moritz woke up and looked at Winters, puzzled.

"A public trial hasn't been held yet, has it?" Winters leaned back, "Let's accumulate them and settle the total account."

Moritz blinked and nodded slightly.

"And the other matter?" Mason looked into Winters's eyes.

"The other is a piece of good news," Winters laughed. "I would like you to prepare for a triumphal return."

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