Chapter 39: Navy Discussion 2
Facing Captain Austin's surprised expression, the Earl continued: "Not only will you be promoted to your position, but you will also be transferred to another branch of the military - the Navy."
I have just become the commander of the newly formed 6th company, and my soldiers have not yet become familiar with it, so they will be transferred to other units. Wait, Navy? Did Arda have a navy? Austin had a puzzled expression on his face.
Paul saw Austin's inner doubts and explained: "Yes, in view of the fact that the threat of pirates still exists, and for the sake of future ocean trade, we are going to establish a new branch of the navy."
Austin understood. It was probably because the count took a fancy to his familiarity with sea life since he was a child. Someone should have recommended him. Ocean trade? Not a bad idea, it looks like I have a lot to achieve.
Sure enough, Paul continued: "It was Bryce who recommended you to me. He said that you come from a family of ship merchants and have lived at sea with your elders since you were a child. You are a very suitable naval prospect."
"Bryce Mr. Si is so complimentary." Although he was secretly happy in his heart, he still had to be modest.
Paul changed the topic: "However, your position will be temporarily prefixed with the prefix of agency. Whether it can become official depends on your own ability."
Austin He puffed out his chest: "Please rest assured, Lord Earl, I will definitely live up to your expectations."
Paul waved his hand: "Everyone will say this to me, but what I care about is the final result!"< br>
"Yes, sir! Where are the sailors now? We will go to sea for training now." Now we must show our motivation.
Paul pointed at Austin: "Now you are the only one in the entire navy."
Austin: "..."
It turns out that he is a mere commander. Rowing alone to find the pirates' desperate rhythm.
“Don’t worry, everyone is not very familiar with the sea, so we don’t act rashly. I plan to organize the navy into fleets, groups, squadrons, and squadrons, and you will be my Northwest Gulf Fleet agent The commander is also the acting detachment leader of the first squadron of the first squadron of the Northwest Gulf Fleet. This is the same position as Bryce and others."
"In view of your familiarity with maritime affairs, you can draw up your own recruitment standards. After I review them, I will hand them over to the recruitment office to recruit qualified soldiers and sailors for you, and you will conduct the assessment yourself. At the same time, for the current two infantry battalions who are proficient in watercraft and ship handling Veteran, I allow you to freely choose to add to your command, and build up the navy as soon as possible."
Austin was relieved, this would be much easier, "Yes, Lord Earl, we must form it as soon as possible. Combat capability. "
"As for the ships, we can only use captured pirate ships or requisition a group of civilian ships for training, but I will order the shipyard to build a group of warships in terms of their style, structure and other details. You can go and make suggestions.”
“I’ve known Director Rubin of the shipyard since I was a child, and I will go to him to discuss it.”
Paul nodded with satisfaction, and everything went smoothly. It went well.
"You first go back and estimate the required expenses. Come to my room in the evening and we will discuss it in detail."
"Okay! Your Majesty!"
Captain Austin stood up and saluted. A salute, and just as he was about to turn around, he suddenly thought of something.
"Sir, I suddenly thought of an idea. If you agree, this will be a great supplement to our combat effectiveness."
Paul suddenly became interested: "What idea? Don't Nonsense, say it quickly.”
Austin thought about it carefully and said: "I have been responsible for the interrogation of pirate prisoners. A considerable number of them were coerced into joining the gang. They have basically done nothing bad or their crimes are relatively minor. Can these prisoners be handed over to me? They served their crimes in the navy with meritorious services."
"Well, if this is the request..."
Paul hesitated a little, put his right hand on the table, and tapped the table with his index finger and middle finger alternately, thinking about this. The feasibility of a proposal. "It's not impossible. You can send me their information first, and we will organize people to screen it carefully. But even if you let them join the navy, don't let them show up in public again."
< br>
"Your Excellency is wise!" Just the right amount of flattery is necessary.
But Austin remained there without moving.
"Is there anything else?"
Austin said squeakingly: "Uh...that pirate leader named Quaker might also consider it. His naval battle command We should have a lot of experience, but this is exactly what we lack the most.”
The count seemed to have recalled something bad, and he stared at the captain sinisterly.
“That pirate leader? Is that the ‘Great Quaker’ who wrote to humiliate me? Hey, don’t hit the snake and follow the stick.”
"Uh...just pretend I didn't say anything." Captain Austin turned to leave.
Paul waved: "Forget it, bring his information together and look at it first before talking."
......
The next morning, Austin came to bring him He collected a large stack of thick notes, which contained detailed interrogation records of a number of pirate prisoners who had committed relatively minor crimes. The paper used for recording is a new type of paper invented by Paul, which has spread throughout the Northwest and is becoming more and more popular.
Paul summoned Schroeder, Joyce, Bryce, Claude, Cecil and five other company commanders to review these records with Austin to screen those who could enter the Navy , this must be strictly controlled, the admiral is Paul's heart and soul, and those black sheep cannot be allowed to get in.
"This Quaker Gang is really interesting!"
Looking through the information on the Quaker Gang pirates who had been captured before, Paul turned to Austin and said, "No wonder you want such a pirate leader."
"Yes, I think Quick and most of his men can be recruited."
Indeed, this Quick gang is really an alternative among pirates. From the information, they seem to be There is no record of robbing ordinary civilians. They only robbed the rich and some small nobles. The weird thing is that they also helped some poor people. Of course, this is what they call themselves, and they do not live by robbing for many years. Instead, he is both a businessman and a Taoist, occasionally hiding his identity to engage in small business such as short-distance shipping.
Austin added: "Most of the members of the Quaker Gang come from bankrupt farmers and runaway slaves. There are very few people with black spots before joining the pirates. They have never dealt with other pirates very well, and they have also cooperated with many gangs. Several times.”
Paul nodded secretly: "It's quite a bit like robbing the rich and giving to the poor. No wonder 'Loach' ran away without saying a word when he saw that the situation was not going well during the Battle of Huxin Town, without showing any friendship between colleagues."
Actually, this is what he overthinks. Pirates live a life of licking blood with their swords every day. There is no peer friendship. It is not uncommon for them to get angry with each other.
After careful review by everyone, a total of 300 prisoners were screened out.
Paul thought for a while and decided: "It's impossible to recruit them all. Even if they haven't done anything serious, at least their age and physical fitness must meet our recruitment standards, and they must serve their sentences. The assassin who disobeyed management during this period is even more unacceptable. Cecil, please collect information on the activities of the Quaker Gang to see if they have not robbed civilians as they said."
Then he turned to Austin and said: "These people must be recruited into the navy in batches, scattered and assigned to various teams, and they must be monitored closely. They must not be allowed to stick together."
Austin accepted the order: "Yes, Lord Earl."
(End of this chapter)