My Players Are So Fierce-Chapter 417

Chapter 417: Basic Labor Force +60000, At This Rate Murphy Will Get Rich Overnight

The military observation mission from the Goldflower Kingdom set out in grand fashion. The short Marshal, being very courteous, notified Murphy’s side before his troops departed. His intention was to let the cunning Murphy prepare to receive 10,000 armed Blood Servants and 50,000 unruly soldiers along with all the criminal scum from East Prussia’s regional prisons.

Though doing the same thing, Marshal Loren, the 70-something-year-old young dwarf, clearly wasn’t as shameless as those northern politicians.

Although they had never been friends with the Transians, he himself felt what he was doing now was a bit underhanded.

He had expected his notification would make Murphy fly into a rage, but unexpectedly, the other’s response through the Computation Bead was quite calm, with a tone that even contained deep joy and anticipation. This made Marshal Loren wonder if Murphy had gone mad from too much pressure as Governor.

Given Transia’s current situation, what was there for a vampire governor to be happy about?

Shouldn’t he be desperately trying to find an escape route before conflicts broke out?

Marshal Loren couldn’t make heads or tails of this, but he didn’t understand the significance of this batch of “labor force” he was sending to various levels of Transia.

Murphy and his administrative team had been plagued by manpower problems for a long time.

Although the situation had eased with the addition of mountain folk and migrants, these people who “admired the royal transformation and came to submit voluntarily” were precious in the eyes of Murphy and Miriam, they absolutely wouldn’t waste them by throwing them into the Baroness of Shadow’s territory to dig holes or sending them to build the highway from Count of Kadman’s territory to Seicob’s territory.

As the Black Plague drew closer, Murphy now urgently needed a batch of “consumables.”

And Marshal Loren had just delivered exactly what the Governor needed most, and 60,000 people at once!

What kind of concept was this?

Even calculating based on the situation where 10-20 people died every day in that trench being dug near the Foul Swamp area in the Baroness of Shadow’s territory, this batch of consumables would be enough for Murphy to last until the Maginot Line was established and transfer them to the road construction project.

The Stonemason Guild would get enough basic labor force. As long as Old Chen and his two disciples could steel their hearts, the construction work they were fully responsible for would progress by leaps and bounds.

However, Professor Chen was after all an intellectual, kind-hearted and couldn’t bear to see such cruel exploitation of humans by humans.

Therefore, Grayman and Bricklayer never let Old Chen go to the Baroness of Shadow’s territory, to prevent the sentimental old man from feeling heartbroken at seeing how people were being used like beasts at the front lines.

However, Murphy and Miriam’s tacit approval of the frontline behavior produced an unexpected result.

According to reports from Adele’s secret informants, after seeing humans who were assigned there doing the same work and receiving the same treatment as them, the kobolds digging trenches at the front actually became more cooperative and submissive.

Some kobold clan chiefs had started believing Murphy’s initial promises, thinking Governor Murphy would definitely treat all races in his territory “equally”!

Just look at how harsh these vampires could be even to humans, and since the establishment of the Crimson Citadel, members of the Blood Vulture Clan had been strictly carrying out the hunt for traitors.

Therefore, Lord Murphy would absolutely not allow any race to be superior to others in his territory.

This report once greatly troubled Murphy.

Although this was a scene he was glad to see, the vampire governor couldn’t help but want to ask those kobolds if their understanding of “equality” was a bit problematic?

Oh, not talking about equal benefits, now it’s about equal punishment, right?

Your requirements for your miserable life are really low enough, this description itself is a perfect illustration of the word “miserable”, right? Fortunately the kobolds weren’t too bright, if this was replaced with that bootlicker Hog, he would definitely be singing Murphy’s praises by now.

In any case, after a series of arrangements that Marshal Loren couldn’t understand at all, three days passed in a flash.

When Colonel Frayzer led the military observation mission’s chief officers and his complex troops in grand fashion into Transia’s borders, they met the personnel from Crimson Citadel who came to receive the prisoners at a newly built post station near Seicob territory and Anderma Hills.

Quite a few people came, roughly several hundred at a glance.

The dozens of large and murderous Winged Cavalry at the front caught the attention of every young Pioneer Army officer. Although not everyone here had participated in the Battle of Seicob City over two years ago, they had heard of these Winged Cavalry who had nearly broken Marshal Loren mentally.

As for Colonel Frayzer, he observed even more.

He saw the still somewhat immature bearing of these Winged Cavalry, which was enough to show these were all new recruits – in other words, the Winged Cavalry had begun rebuilding.

This wasn’t good news for the Pioneer Army.

Colonel Frayzer, who had personally participated in the Battle of Seicob City, knew that once these guys recovered their strength, their grudge with the Pioneer Army would be back on the daily agenda.

“I salute you! My lord.”

People’s Army General Maxim, who had been officially appointed as Transia’s military chief, rode forward and solemnly said to Colonel Frayzer: 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

“On behalf of Governor Murphy and Regent Miriam, I welcome you all to Transia to assist us in dealing with the Black Plague. We have already selected several areas for your encampment.”

“We won’t trouble you with that.”

The Colonel said in a deep voice:

“We will choose where we want to stay ourselves.”

“Well, that’s not up to you, gentlemen.”

Maxim said expressionlessly:

“Transia is not a colony of the Goldflower Kingdom. Even after a ten-year war, this land still hasn’t surrendered when it ended. Since we didn’t bow to you in our most difficult times, now that everything is improving, you can’t expect us to suddenly become cowards.

Please take your officers to Crimson Citadel to meet with the Governor and Regent, Colonel. Your soldiers must stay here until both sides reach a unified agreement!

Transians don’t have a tradition of allowing other countries’ armies to move freely on our land.

Note!

This is not a request.”

Such a tough reception caused a stir among the young people in the observation mission. Major Ron, Colonel Frayzer’s deputy, was about to retort but was pressed down by a gesture from the Colonel.

He looked at Maxim who had worked together with him before, and saw the stern light in his blood-colored eyes.

He knew there was no room for negotiation on this matter.

Unless the Pioneer Army planned to fight with the Transians here and completely take control of this land, they would have to accept these guys’ arrangements.

“Fine, there’s no problem with your arrangements.”

Colonel Frayzer nodded, but then changed his tone and said:

“But all the losses incurred while my soldiers stay here must be paid by you. Since you claim to be the masters of Transia, show some hospitality!”

“Though Transia is poor, we can still manage to host a group of uninvited guests.”

Maxim said in a low voice:

“Please pacify your soldiers. The prisoner reception has begun. Also, where are the ‘consumables’ that the half-dwarf Marshal supported us with?

Our representatives from various industries are ready to select ‘talents’.”

“They are people. Although they are scum, I hear many ominous things in your words.”

Colonel Frayzer responded:

“Although I have no good feelings toward them, out of kinship, I still hope you won’t use them freely as vampire food.”

“You’ve been away from Transia too long, Colonel. Your understanding of vampires on this land is still stuck in the past. We stopped doing such stupid things like killing the chicken for the eggs long ago.”

Maxim held his riding crop and said casually:

“Using people as blood bags is really too wasteful. Their talents need to be discovered, whether they want it or not! Only those who are completely worthless can become servants providing fresh blood.

This will also be their final use in Transia.”

While the high-level dialogue was going on between both sides, the people who came with Maxim had already begun taking action.

Colonel Flanders, once a war hero of the Third Brigade of Armed Blood Servants, had chosen to retire. He didn’t join the Kadman People’s Army to become Maxim’s deputy, but instead laid down his arms and returned to farming, and was elected as the leader of a migrant legion about to go pioneer the Baroness of Shadow’s territory.

However, now that past compatriots were returning to Transia, this colonel in his prime didn’t refuse Maxim’s invitation and came here as the representative of the Armed Blood Servants.

Accompanied by several People’s Army officers, he came to the ranks of the 10,000 Armed Blood Servants captured by the Goldflower Kingdom.

Looking at these exhausted compatriots before him with no light left in their eyes, he felt quite emotional. After the Third Brigade was captured by the northerners, they were sent to build that life-devouring steam railway in the Great Wilderness, while the Blood Servants of the First and Second Brigades before him hadn’t had an easy time in the POW camps of East Prussia either.

Colonel Flanders saw whip marks on everyone, their clothes were tattered with none of a soldier’s proper bearing, and some disabled ones were placed on carts, looking just like beggars with their disheveled appearance.

Some of them had seen Flanders this war hero before, and among them some officers who barely maintained their dignity tried hard to salute him.

Flanders returned each salute, then under everyone’s attention, he shouted loudly:

“Where are your commanders? Where is General Berkeley? Is Colonel McKen still around? What about Colonel Mario? Make a sound!

Don’t hide behind your own men like a coward!”

No one responded to him, only blank stares telling silent tales of suffering.

Several minutes later, a lieutenant colonel with a broken leg was carried on the back of his soldier to Colonel Flanders. This guy had become extremely thin, his once well-fitting uniform now hung loosely on him like a flour sack.

He spoke very weakly while lying on the soldier’s back, saying to Flanders:

“I salute you, Colonel. I am Lieutenant Colonel William Scott, First Brigade Assault Company Commander. The commanders you’re looking for are all gone.

After the Goldflower Kingdom captured us, they sent us to mines in Anju. They didn’t kill us but what awaited us was over two years of hard labor.

General Berkeley died in a suspicious mine accident.

Colonel McKen was swept into a cliff trying to save his soldiers during a mudslide, and that bastard Mario betrayed us.

He took 1,500 elite Blood Servants and defected to the Wolf Vulture faction of the Wolfsbane Clan.

I am one of the few remaining officers. The bastards from the Goldflower Kingdom were clearly systematically clearing us out, but the Night Mother had mercy and finally let us return to our homeland.

I heard the Third Brigade suffered the same fate.

In the POW camps those shameless bastards would even remind us of what you went through in the Great Wilderness, saying how merciful they were for not taking our lives.

They called themselves the embodiment of ‘civilization.’

Bah!”

“We failed, and this is the fate of the defeated.”

Colonel Flanders was silent for a moment, then said softly:

“You’ve returned now, which means your long period of hard labor is over. I must tell you with joy that Transia’s current ruler, Governor Murphy, is a different kind of vampire. Under his rule we may not get the life we desire, but I can guarantee you won’t face discrimination and abuse in your homeland.

I and several other retired officers have formed the ‘Transia Veterans Association’, which is a semi-official civil organization. The Administrative Office has allocated us enough resources to arrange the brothers’ future lives and destinations.

Lieutenant Colonel William, I now formally invite you to join us. The brothers have already bled for their homeland, so we can’t let them shed tears anymore.

Of course, the work you’ll shoulder afterwards is still heavy.

The Kadman People’s Army is recruiting qualified soldiers. You need to select enough elites from your current 7,000 men to transfer into the People’s Army ranks.

You also need to select 1,500 people to become militia protecting various villages and cities. The remaining brothers will be disbanded.

Those with families will return to their families, those without will be dispersed into various collective farms, or follow our newly formed Baroness of Shadow’s Territory Pioneer Group to the south to build our own villages and cities with our own hands.

I’ve already received authorization from the Governor!

As long as we can do it, we can regain our homes! The Governor even personally named our future territory.

He named it ‘Darrowshire.’

I don’t know what that means, but I believe this name contains blessings for us.”

“The south?”

William Scott, being carried on someone’s back, was stunned for a moment. He instinctively lowered his voice and said:

“But the Black Plague…”

“We can’t escape it, William.”

Colonel Flanders said in a low voice:

“Unless you’re willing to leave your homeland again and live a rootless life. After experiencing everything before, would you still make such a choice?

I think, even if we must die, we should die in our homeland! This is the last dignity for us folks who can no longer keep up with the times.

What do you think?”

The lieutenant colonel, who was already very tired and just wanted to rest, remained silent. None of the basic-level officers around him raised any objections either.

After all, the situation had already gotten so bad, how much worse could it get?

Their reception could be said to be a peaceful handover, but the situation with the 50,000 border troops that the Goldflower Kingdom aided Transia with wasn’t so easy to describe.

The column of 50,000 people stretched across the grasslands of Seicob territory like a dark tide. Even without weapons, these people’s numbers alone would be enough to cause large-scale chaos after they were disbanded. Fortunately, the military observation mission’s officers still had some sense and didn’t release these guys as soon as they entered Transia.

Several officers specifically responsible for escorting these “consumables” reluctantly handed the roster to Professor Malcolm before them. The latter was here on behalf of the Administrative Office to receive the aid.

The professor didn’t waste time exchanging pleasantries with the Goldflower Kingdom people. After receiving the roster, he returned to his own people, flipping through it while saying:

“The Pioneer Army’s information collection is very sloppy. They didn’t register these border troops’ personal specialties, which means you’ll have to figure out how to recruit the needed personnel yourselves.

This is 50,000 people, it can’t be done quickly. My suggestion is to spread them out.”

“No need to be so troublesome, Professor.”

The Stonemason Guild’s representative Bricklayer waved his hand and said casually:

“We’re about to start building two highways from Crimson Citadel straight to the south and north. According to Old Chen’s calculations, to complete them within three months without professional tools requires at least 30,000 laborers working overtime.

I mean let’s just divide them up right here.

First organize them all into basic labor groups of 20 people each, then whatever talents they have will naturally be screened at the worksite.

I brought twenty foremen, we can each take three hundred people.”

“We need all the veterans with artillery experience!”

Tiger Leopard Rider Lin, who came to select people on behalf of the People’s Army’s Crimson Hammer and Sickle Corps, also shouted loudly:

“Brother Stick said to take all the valuable people first, then slowly reform them later.”

“Alright alright, you pick first.”

Bricklayer shrugged and said:

“I’ll take people after you’re all done picking.”

“But that means they have to stay here.”

Professor Malcolm frowned and said:

“This is a scale of 50,000 people, temporary accommodation and such…”

“Can’t they just build themselves a POW camp right here?”

Bricklayer looked up at the sky and, not surprisingly, saw Spirit Vulture Revnor soaring in the heavens, representing that Lord Murphy was watching this side.

He said with a sideways glance:

“With so many people, even if each person carries one brick they could build a town. This is the first aid order, if they’re not willing to do even this small task, it means there’s really no need to keep up this pretense anymore, right?

Aren’t Valand Knight’s Winged Cavalry waiting for orders just a kilometer away?

To be honest, I kind of hope to see these guys start a riot, really. Barbarians have always feared power but not virtue, so this ancient wisdom of the killing stick is necessary in any era.”