Chapter 137: Crown Prince's Guards Corps
Chapter 137: Crown Prince's Guards Corps
The two thousand-plus officers and soldiers on the Champ de Mars were all somewhat dazed.
Just a few days ago, they had felt like the unluckiest people in the world, inexplicably caught up in the attack on the Crown Prince, subjected to scrutiny, and even believing they were destined for exile.
Now, they felt like the luckiest people in the world, having inexplicably joined a new corps and being reviewed by the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince had also announced a host of new regulations, offering them a future full of hope.
If they weren't currently standing in formation, they would have wanted someone next to them to kick them, just to check if this was all a dream.
It was a while before Joseph gestured for the soldiers to quiet down. He then proceeded to announce several new regulations regarding military merits, pensions, retirement allowances, and even preferential treatment for soldiers' families.
Having had their previous experience, the officers and soldiers were once again visibly excited, but they forcibly restrained themselves, maintaining discipline on the field.
After Joseph finished explaining the military reforms directly related to the soldiers' vital interests, he took two small booklets from Berthier, who was standing nearby, and held them up. "Your regimental commanders will distribute the other disciplinary regulations and systems to each of you later; I won't repeat them here."
He put the booklets away and scanned all the soldiers on the training ground, declaring in a loud voice, "No matter your background, no matter your current unit designation, from now on, within the corps, you may call yourselves—the Crown Prince's Guards Corps!"
"Future training will be stricter than it is now, and more will be demanded of you, but all of this will bring you greater honor. Anyone who feels they cannot accept this may apply to leave later and return to the French Guards... oh, what's it called now?"
Berthier quickly whispered from the side, "It's Marrier's Corps, Your Highness."
Joseph nodded. "You may return to Marrier's Corps at any time."
All the officers and soldiers present automatically disregarded this option.
'Are you kidding? Give up unhindered promotions, give up pay that won't be embezzled by officers, give up high pensions, just to return to that rotten Marrier's Corps?'
'The Crown Prince's Guards Corps'—the title itself sounded imposing. Perhaps they were being directly promoted to the Royal Guard.
Anyone who couldn't choose wisely now must be insane.
'Isn't it just a bit more training and stricter requirements? What does that count for! Before joining the army, who among us hadn't experienced hardship? Whether as a farmer or a craftsman, wasn't life harder than it is now?'
Unexpectedly, the Crown Prince declared loudly, "The first test you will face is to prove that you are at least stronger than the police, and better at fighting. Oh, no, not the police, but the police academy cadets who haven't even graduated yet."
The officers and soldiers on the Champ de Mars laughed inwardly. 'They were once elite French troops, after all, daring to compare themselves even to the King's Guards.'
'What were the police, anyway? Just ruffians recruited and managed by the government. At most, they'd undergone one Police Reform—could they really have become so formidable? If they couldn't even beat those guys, it would be a joke!'
However, they would soon realize just how utterly wrong they were.
Finally, Joseph gestured to the two officers beside him. "These are your paymasters. From now on, they will bring your wages directly to you every month. If you find any issues with your pay, you can even write to me directly to complain.
"Now, the paymasters will distribute your first salaries."
And so, the first review of the Crown Prince's Guards Corps concluded with a cheerful payday.
The soldiers counted the silver coins in their hands, their faces beaming with joy.
The lowest rank's pay had been raised from 13 livres to 15 livres, while sergeants' pay increased from 17 livres to 20 livres.
This salary might not seem high, but the soldiers received free food, lodging, and uniforms. All of this money could be sent home, easily supporting a family of four or five.
Joseph left the Champ de Mars and immediately headed to the Paris Police Academy.
After his carriage had traveled just over a quarter of a mile, he saw a military camp under construction. This was to be the new barracks for his Guards Corps.
From the very beginning, he had no intention of sending the corps back to Molette-Rowan Town. Half a month prior, he had purchased land here and started building the camp. As for issues like being far from their official station, he had Berthier apply to the Minister of War for "extended training outside the garrison" and made arrangements with the Paris Legion, currently stationed in Paris. With that, no one would question it too much.
On the Paris Police Academy's parade ground, Director Joseph gave a motivational speech to the cadets regarding the "joint exercise" scheduled for a few days later.
After the speech, he went to the office of the Director of Studies to inquire about recent enrollment figures.
"Over 1,300 cadets enrolled in the entire academy now?" Joseph looked at Friant with some surprise.
Friant respectfully nodded. "Your Highness, the number of applicants to the Police Academy has surged recently, due to the Police Bureau's assistance to the Axel couple. If not for insufficient dormitory space, we might have already surpassed 1,500."
Joseph remained silent. He had originally planned to instruct the Police Academy to increase enrollment, but now it seemed unnecessary.
He then instructed Friant, "From now on, cadets can choose to become 'Combat Police' or join the army upon graduation. Lieutenant Colonel Berthier will have someone send you the army's regulations and benefits.
"As for those who pass the elite class assessment, they can directly serve as officers."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Friant had previously heard the Crown Prince mention establishing a combat police force.
Roughly, it would be a unit wearing police uniforms, equipped with infantry weapons, and even some warhorses. It would be publicly stated as being for combating vicious gangs, such as those who dared to attack the royal family, like the Blood Blade Gang.
Two days later, the Crown Prince's Guards Corps welcomed over five hundred Paris Police Academy cadets to the Champ de Mars.
The two sides were about to conduct a joint exercise, which was essentially a military skills competition.
As soon as the police cadets entered the field, they astonished the officers and soldiers of the Guards Corps—crisp uniforms, orderly formations, and an imposing presence. 'Were these really just ungraduated police cadets?!'
What truly shocked them was that the police cadets were all equipped with the latest Charleville Model 1776 Flintlock Muskets!
Even the French Guards had only begun to re-equip with these rifles three years ago, and a third of their men were still using older 1763 Model Flintlock Muskets from the Seven Years' War.
And at the very end of the police cadet formation, there were even more than 30 cavalrymen... or rather, mounted police officers.
Comments