Chapter 100: The People’s Army

The next morning, the assembly gong sounded especially urgent. Everyone hurriedly dressed and ran to the training grounds, where nearly five hundred people stood neatly in formation.

The lizardmen did not join the assembly. They had already returned to their temporary living quarters and seemed to be plotting something important.

This gathering would determine the militia’s future, and many had mentally prepared themselves for the possibility of disbandment.

“Good. No one has grown lazy just because the crisis is over.”

Viscount Jarvis nodded with slight satisfaction, then walked to the front of the formation, scanning the crowd with a stern gaze.

“The dangerous winter is over. You have successfully completed the task of resisting the undead monsters and earned the lord’s recognition. Now, you have two choices before you. The first is to stay and be incorporated into the lord’s regular army. The second is to take the 20 silver coins the lord previously promised and go home.”

Eh? They could actually stay? Many showed surprised expressions.

No one dared to break discipline by openly chatting, but plenty stole sideways glances to gauge their comrades’ reactions.

Those who shared a tent with Kadir weren’t so shocked—they’d heard Blue’s speculation the night before.

Viscount Jarvis continued.

“I will give you some time to think. You may discuss quietly now, but you may not walk around.”

Once permitted, the formation instantly buzzed with murmurs as people whispered and asked each other’s opinions.

“Hey, are you going to leave?”

“Why would I? Staying sounds great—especially with such high pay.”

“I only joined the militia to get those 20 silver coins…”

“I was injured by the undead before. I’ve got a mental scar. I don’t want to fight anymore.”

After a while, at Viscount Jarvis’s signal, a knight struck the gong hard, calling for silence.

Once the crowd quieted down, the viscount said slowly.

“Time’s up. Those who want to leave, step forward. Those who wish to stay, remain where you are. Make your choice now.”

Some stepped out without hesitation. A smaller group hesitated for a long time before finally taking a step forward.

In the ranks, Kadir stood tall, chest out. Thinking back on all he had experienced in the militia, he decided to stay.

Sneaking a glance at his tentmates, he was surprised to see they had also chosen to remain.

After a moment, Viscount Jarvis gave a subtle nod to a nearby knight.

The knight stepped forward and called out loudly.

“Those who stepped forward, fall out and gather over there in the open space. I’ll lead you to collect your reward.”

Nearly a hundred people left the formation, the vast majority of them newly recruited soldiers.

They had only gone through spear drills before being thrown into battle, never receiving any cultural training.

Viscount Jarvis wasn’t surprised at their departure.

A handful of veterans also chose to leave—perhaps for unavoidable personal reasons, or perhaps the month-long ideological work (cultural training) had not taken hold for them.

Once the group leaving was escorted away, the remaining soldiers reformed ranks.

Looking at the roughly four hundred who stayed, Viscount Jarvis allowed a faint smile to appear.

“Good. From this day forward, you are the regular army of Bianshu Town—the People’s Army!”

The People’s Army was the name Owen had chosen for this regular force—an army made up of the people.

“Report!”

At the very front, Blue raised his hand high.

This is part of military discipline — before asking a question, you must first shout “Report!”

“Speak.” 

Viscount Jarvis looked over.

“What’s the difference between being incorporated into the regular army and staying in the current militia?”

“Good question.” 

Viscount Jarvis explained.

“The People’s Army is a force loyal to the lord and dedicated exclusively to combat. It will have more frequent training, stricter discipline, and at the same time, much greater rewards — or harsher punishments.”

Stricter training and discipline weren’t hard to understand. But what about the rewards and punishments? Everyone was instantly curious.

“Report!” 

Kadir couldn’t help raising his hand.

When Viscount Jarvis nodded, he asked eagerly.

“So what’s the new reward and punishment system?”

“It’s no longer something as simple as giving out strips of dried meat. The army will implement an officer ranking system. In the future, those who complete assigned combat missions in battle, or display exceptional performance, will earn military merit. Accumulate enough merit, and you can be promoted in officer rank — and your pay will increase substantially as well.”

To make sure everyone understood the meaning of the officer system, Viscount Jarvis gave an example:

“Officer rank represents your position in the army. For example, a position like mine, commanding the entire army, is something that can also be achieved through rising in officer rank.”

Owen borrowed the military structure from Winston’s forces but didn’t copy it wholesale. Instead, he created his own framework: army, division, regiment, battalion, company, and squad.

For now, it was set at five people per squad, ten squads per company, ten companies per battalion — with further adjustments to be made as needed.

At present, the number of troops wasn’t high; they could just barely scrape together a single battalion.

Besides making management easier, the more important point was to give soldiers a clear path for advancement, motivating them to fight bravely on the battlefield.

After all, a soldier who doesn’t aspire to be a general is not a good soldier.

“In addition, those who have earned a certain amount of military merit, upon retiring — that is, leaving the army — can receive a piece of arable land.” 

Viscount Jarvis added.

Arable land!

Everyone involuntarily sucked in a breath. Under the curse of Kazitu, the most precious resource in the Bianshu town was that small amount of farmable land.

The meaning of obtaining land went without saying.

For as long as they could remember, land had been a symbol of noble privilege. Who would have thought that commoners like them might have a chance to obtain it? It was almost unbelievable.

Even if they couldn’t pass the land on to their descendants, it would still be just like the knights.

It made people wonder — was the lord truly serious?

Of course, they didn’t yet know that the lord had already found a way to lift the curse’s effects.

And Viscount Jarvis also didn’t clarify that what they would actually receive was land usage rights.

The rights to the land would be split into ownership and usage rights, with sales prohibited.

After the user’s death, the usage rights would be reclaimed.

This was something Owen had learned from Winston’s system, ensuring that the ownership of land remained concentrated in his own hands.

“As for punishments—”

Viscount Jarvis continued.

“If someone violates military discipline, fails to complete combat missions, betrays the lord, deserts, or commits similar acts, they will inevitably face severe penalties. It won’t just be an increase in training intensity — there will also be forced labor, imprisonment, and for serious crimes, even execution by hanging. Any prior promotions or rewards will be revoked. After hearing all this, does anyone want to back out? Now is your chance — you can step forward.”

Viscount Jarvis scanned the crowd, but not a single person moved.

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