Chapter 61
The Devers laughed, "My answer is to accept Turií's employment."
Even though Burcos was mentally prepared, he still couldn't help but be surprised.
"Don't be too happy yet! This is only my personal opinion. I still need to convince my subordinates and soldiers. After more than a year of fighting in Persia, many of them are tired of war and are eager to return home. " The Devers poured cold water on Burcos's enthusiasm and said, "I will try my best to convince them. Of course, the higher the salary, the more they will be convinced."
"Two Daric gold coins per month for one soldier!" Burcos said decisively.
The Devers calculated in his mind and asked, "How many people do you need?"
"Of course, the more the better!" Burkos blurted out without hesitation.
"Heh, how arrogant! If I were to bring five thousand people with me, the monthly salary and provisions would be a huge figure. Can Tuliyi afford it? "
"I told you that Turií is one of the most prosperous cities in Greece! Even if you bring ten thousand people with you, Tuliyi can easily support you for a year on his own! Burcos said confidently.
"Ok, I hope so," the Devers expressed his optimism and asked, "Also, how are we going to Turií? How many ships do you have? "
"I have already negotiated with the owners of the ships in Byzantine. As long as you pay, you can have as many ships as you want!"
"Then, will the people of Sparta agree to let us leave for Turií?" The Devers asked the question that he was most concerned about.
"I have already received the authorization from the Senate of Sparta. At the same time, the head of the Byzantine Empire, Creed, is having a headache over your existence. He is happy to see you leave," Burcos answered confidently.
Therefore, the Devers agreed without hesitation, "It seems like you have arranged everything. Then, I will tell you the number of soldiers I want to bring tomorrow morning and discuss a more detailed employment agreement with you. "
"Ok, I will come back tomorrow morning. I hope you have good news! " Although there were some twists and turns in the beginning, the negotiation was successful in the end. Burkos left in a happy mood.
"Dear, are you really going to Turií?" Cristoya, who had been listening quietly, asked.
"Yes!" Devers turned around, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Kristoya, maybe this is a good opportunity! A chance for us to turn from fish in the water into fishermen casting nets! "
… …
Matonis sat on the ground, feeling both excited and curious. Ever since he became a platoon leader, he had never participated in the discussion and formulation of any decision in the military camp. This time, Herald Asistes was the one who urgently informed the platoon leaders to attend the meeting. Could it be that there was an important decision to be made?
He looked around and saw Olivers talking and laughing with the people around him. This kid was now a platoon leader and had the same status as him. Every time Matonis saw Olivers, he would be annoyed. Therefore, he shouted, "Olivers, there is a military meeting here, not your tent. Please be quiet!"
Olivers turned around and laughed, "So it's the brave Matonis. Have the two soldiers who violated the military rules and robbed the citizens of Byzantine been punished?"
When Matonis heard this, although he was filled with anger, he did not dare to shout anymore.
Ever since they entered Armenia, Devers had become an important leader in the mercenary army. His military talent was recognized by the leaders and soldiers, and he also won over the hearts of his subordinates. Therefore, he started to reform and reorganize the mercenary army.
During the expedition in Armenia, the mercenary army had many small conflicts with the local natives, and many of them were killed and injured, including the officers. Also, Armenia, Farsia, Taurkia, and other places were mostly mountainous, and it wasn't easy for a large army to spread out. Therefore, according to the actual situation, Dyvers first merged the army of fourteen hundred-man teams into seven companies of two hundred men. Each company had four teams of fifty men. This way, not only was it convenient to command, but it was also more flexible in mountain battles. Because a single team was strong enough to repel a small group of enemies, and a regiment had the ability to take on independent combat missions. Because it had four teams, it could use two teams to fight head-on, another team to circle around the flanks, and the last team to act as a reserve.
After this reorganization, the efficiency of his army greatly increased. Some soldiers even said proudly in private, "Our Devers are not only blessed by Hades, but they are also enlightened by Athens!"
Then, Devers took advantage of the death and injury of the officers to promote his trusted subordinates. For example, Hilos was promoted to a company captain, and Matonis, Olivers, and Giogris were promoted to team captains. This allowed him to have more control over his troops.
Then, he started to implement the second step of the reform plan. He created a 'military law' to strictly control the soldiers. To the mercenaries who were free and undisciplined, this was a death sentence. But the situation was special at that time. A considerable part of the conflict with the local natives was caused by the soldiers' wanton theft and robbery. Therefore, enforcing military discipline was the best way to reduce the conflict. But, Devers not only enforced military discipline, but also made some rules for marching, camping, scouting, and other military aspects. For example, Devers used to be surprised at how simple the mercenaries built their camps. Sometimes, there was no protection at all. Therefore, when camping, the camp must dig trenches, set up deer abatis, and build earthen ramparts.
In the beginning, the soldiers were unwilling to do it. They were already tired after marching and fighting, and they still had to do such hard work. Wasn't it tiring? But after two night raids by the natives, the soldiers in the other camps were defeated. There were casualties, and there were losses. Only the Devers' troops were safe under the protection of the trenches and earthen walls. Only then did the soldiers start to accept this rule in their hearts. Of course, the Devers only made some simple rules. He didn't dare to take them too seriously. For example, running away during a battle was a felony that was punishable by beheading in his previous world. But if he did that, the soldiers in the camp would definitely rebel. Therefore, he only used some lighter punishments: flogging (he didn't dare to flog too much), fasting, and so on. To the Greeks who valued honor, it was extremely embarrassing to be stripped naked and spanked in front of their comrades. Unless it was a special situation, they would try their best to abide by the rules.
Of course, many soldiers couldn't stand the rules and ran to other camps. In addition to the casualties, the number of soldiers in the Devers's camp should have been greatly reduced. One had to know that when the entire Greek mercenary army returned to Byzantium, it was reduced from the original 13,000 (purely soldiers) to 9,000 (this was already half the number in history, and the Devers played a big role in this). But the number of soldiers under his command was still about the same as when he first took over, about 1,400 soldiers.
There were four reasons why the number of soldiers didn't decrease. First, the Devers tried to be as fair as possible in managing the army. No matter if it was a commander or an ordinary soldier, they were all treated equally. The loot from every battle and raid was also distributed by Marigi to the soldiers according to their contributions. The Devers came empty-handed. Second, his troops were the strongest and had the fewest casualties, especially after the military reform. To the soldiers who wanted to go home alive, the Devers were a strong source of support. Third, the Devers' medical camp healed a large number of injured soldiers, and half of them chose to stay. Fourth, the Devers were charismatic. He was a 'god-favored' military genius, and he was mysterious. However, he was kind to his soldiers, and he even used his War Horse to carry the wounded soldiers … … The soldiers were happy to accept his command, and they affectionately called him 'our Devers'.
Now, the Devers led the mercenaries for more than half a year, and they started to get used to the military laws that were simple to the Devers, but they were very strict on the soldiers. Therefore, Matonis knew that his soldiers violated the laws that the Devers set before they came to Byzantium, and they would definitely be punished. This was hard for him to accept since he was protective of his soldiers. At this moment, he didn't have time to think too much. The Devers opened the tent and walked into the hall with Marigi.
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