Chapter 453 The principal takes office
Large tracts of newly opened farmland are arranged closely in regular square shapes on the field. The farmland is full of wheat. It is the time when the wheat turns green. Looking at the whole field They all look green.
A wide gray and white road crosses this seemingly endless green land and extends straight to the north.
The road is very well built. It is paved with white stones and saplings are planted on both sides.
A carriage drove slowly from the south side of the road. The driver clicked his pipe and blew out a smoke ring happily from time to time.
He held the reins with one hand and turned his head left and right to admire the scenery around him.
“It’s unbelievable that a few years ago this was an inaccessible forest.” The coachman sighed.
This is a tall and strong man with a ruddy complexion, high cheekbones, and thick stubble extending from his chin to the base of his ears.
The man was wearing a blue single-breasted jacket with a stand-up collar, a white shirt underneath, a pair of white breeches, and a pair of black boots.
This attire identifies the man as a member of Arda's army.
The coat, made of thick linen, had fringed epaulettes sewn on the shoulders. The epaulettes were a symbol of rank used in the Arda army. The man's epaulettes were embroidered with yellow silk thread. bars and two stars, indicating his rank as a lieutenant.
"De'er~De'er~" The driver shook the reins and slowly stopped the carriage on the side of the road.
A woman's voice came from the carriage, "What's the matter? Stop, Boris?"
Boris Makarov jumped out of the carriage and replied to the woman: "Dear Yes, I’m going to relieve myself!”
He walked slowly to the side of the road, trying to find a sheltered place. Because he saw a group of people dressed as farmers in the distance digging ditches for drainage next to the road. In addition to volleyball on the road, this kind of ditch can also play a role in diverting water to the crop fields near the road.
Looking left and right, there was nothing he liked. The saplings beside the road were still too small, so he had to jump into the ditch beside the road. There was no one on this side of the road, so he took the time to peep.
After fastening his trousers with satisfaction, he returned to the road, glanced at the distance on the other side, and found that the group of people who had dug the trench were stopping to rest.
Makarov stamped his feet vigorously on the ground and jumped a few times.
He said with emotion: "This road is well built and very hard!"
He squatted down and brushed away the pebbles on the ground with his hands, revealing the yellow and gray land. . Makarov touched the hard road surface and recognized that it was a roadbed made of so-called "mortar".
This mortar was also invented by Count Grainman and was made by mixing lime, clay and fine sand in a certain proportion. This material is also commonly used in the military to build fortifications.
A female face appeared from the window of the carriage and shouted to him: "Boris, get in the car and drive quickly. I don't want to drive at night."
"Oh, don't worry. Well, dear, we still have plenty of time. Come down and take a breather, and I’ll go talk to the guys working there. We’ll have to make good friends with the locals in the future.”
After Makarov finished speaking, he walked towards the group of trench diggers.
The group of farmers saw an unknown person walking toward them, and they all focused their attention on the person.
"Hey! Guys, don't be nervous." The person waved to them.
They saw clearly that the other party was dressed as a soldier.
A group of people were in awe. Because of the series of pro-military policies in Lake Center Town, Alda soldiers now have a high prestige in the land under the jurisdiction of the Government Council, from officers to soldiers, and can even be compared to the previous knights. Moreover, the army recruits people regardless of their background, and children from serf families can also join the army. Once they join the army, the whole family will immediately regain their freedom.
In the past, regaining freedom was not necessarily a good thing, because a free man with nothing might soon become a beggar.
But now it is different to gain freedom by joining the army. Their venerable lord, Lord Greyman, would allocate fertile land to the family, grant them seeds and iron farming tools, and if they were very lucky to have a farming community nearby, they would also be able to use harvesters and Opportunities for large machinery such as threshing machines.
If they are willing to leave the village where they have lived for generations, they will be assigned to work in a new type of manor - or should be called a farm. Although farming is also done there, they must learn to operate it skillfully. Harvesters and other large machinery must learn to serve livestock such as mules, horses, and cattle. Moreover, the harvested grain belongs to the farm, and they receive monthly wages just like workers in the factory—sometimes converted in grain.
In short, joining the army has unlimited benefits. During the recruitment season every year, countless families are eagerly waiting for a thin enlistment notice.
Makarov instantly gained the respect of a group of people. Although they didn't understand what the two stars and one bar on the epaulette meant, in short, the respect was correct.
"My lord..." they said cautiously.
"I'm not an adult, you can call me Lieutenant Makarov."
"Hello, Lieutenant Makarov."
The lieutenant asked: "You are here Is digging ditches a form of corvee? "
"Oh, thank the Lord of Light!" One of the farmers put his hand on his forehead, "There is no corvée anymore, it was abolished before the last Advent. You can get paid by working for the lord later.”
“Yes,” another farmer echoed him: “We all take advantage of the slack to make some extra money. Walking along this road, you encounter several groups of people digging ditches.”
Makarov pretended to be serious and said: "Thank you Count Grayman! Thank you for his kindness! I have never heard of a lord who asked his subjects to work and also gave them money."
"We are sharing "I fell in love with a good lord." The farmers said sincerely: "The original Heavenly Father can bless him with a long life."
Someone asked: "So, Lieutenant Makarov, why are you here with us?" What to do?”
A smile appeared on Makarov’s face, “Is this road leading to the town of North Hope?”
“Yes.” He received an affirmative reply, and someone introduced him: "We are the residents of North Hope Town. Your carriage should be able to arrive after walking along this road for more than an hour."
"Ha, great." Makarov said happily: "I will soon become a resident of Northern Hope. Please allow me to call you in advance - neighbors."
"A soldier? We are deeply honored. But soldiers are not supposed to be in military camps..." The farmers welcomed him, but at the same time expressed doubts.
Makarov patted himself and continued to introduce himself: "I have been transferred to the reserve force, and according to the arrangements of my superiors, I will serve as the principal of the town public school in the Town of Northern Hope,"
“Oh! This is the place where we teach the children how to read.”
The farmers said they knew and they all extended their hands.
"Welcome, Lieutenant Makarov."
(End of Chapter)