Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters-Chapter 755 - 56 Rewards_2

Chapter 755: Chapter 56 Rewards_2 Chapter 755: Chapter 56 Rewards_2 All the company-level commanders under Winters were honed in blood and fire; they just lacked systematic learning.

Winters drew a line on the map with a graphite stick, “The eleventh and twelfth companies are on their way to Niutigu Valley to reinforce you.

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“Four companies for Niutigu Valley?” Bart Xialing asked in surprise.

“Correct,” Winters circled Niutigu Valley on the map, “Your current stronghold is too small. I suggest you build a fort directly around Niutigu Valley and completely enclose Niutigu Valley Town.”

“You just have to give the order,” Tamas said with a simple smile, “What’s there to suggest?”

“No, you are the frontline commanders. You need to make decisions based on the situation at hand, I can only offer suggestions,” Winters took out two appointment letters from his bosom, “Four companies make a battalion. Starting now—Tamas, you are the acting battalion commander of the first battalion.”

Tamas sprung out of his chair like a spring, his lips trembling, not knowing what to say.

...

“Bart Xialing,” Winters handed an appointment letter to the commander of the second company, “Starting now, you are the acting deputy commander of the first battalion.”

“Centurion!” Tamas suddenly spoke, “I…”

“Hmm?” Winters raised his eyebrows slightly.

“Let Bart be the commander…” Tamas hung his head, “…I don’t have the ability to lead a battalion.”

Winters tossed the appointment letter on the table, crossed his arms and asked, “Are you the military civil officer, or am I the military civil officer?”

“You are…”

“Then why the unnecessary words?” Winters flung the appointment letter at the commander of the first company, “Whoever I say is in charge, is in charge. Bart Xialing, do you have a problem with that?”

Bart Xialing hastily protested his innocence, “Centurion, how could I possibly be unhappy? I didn’t say a thing!”

“So you don’t have a problem with it?” Winters looked at the commander of the first company, “Mr. Tamas?”

Tamas silently picked up the appointment letter and saluted.

“I’m giving you reinforcements and two more tasks,” Winters said while marking the map, “First, evacuate the villages near Niutigu Valley, bury grain and valuables on the spot, gather all people, livestock, and carts in Niutigu Valley Town.”

Tamas and Bart Xialing nodded continuously.

“Second, demolish the bridges between Niutigu Valley and Blackwater Town and set up beacon towers along the Panto River.”

“So… are we abandoning Iron Peak County?” Bart Xialing asked gravely.

“As long as the Herders from Iron Peak County don’t cross the Panto River,” Winters answered decisively, “don’t bother with them.”

Tamas pointed at the map and asked, “There’s another bridge by Shizhen, what should we do?”

“I’ve already sent the third company to evacuate Shizhen, you don’t have to worry about it.”

“Understood.”

Winters looked at his subordinates, his heart filled with an indescribable sentiment. He cautioned them, “Revodan is nearly a hundred kilometers from Niutigu Valley, the outcome here will rest on your shoulders. The Herders are poor in engineering and their arms are not sharp; their only advantage lies in mobility. Maintain your resolution, and remember not to be led around by them.”

“Yes!” Tamas and Bart Xialing saluted solemnly.

“Okay, don’t be so serious,” a hint of a smile appeared in Winters’ eyes, “I’m here to commend you.”

Thus, a simple commendation ceremony was held in the square of Niutigu Valley Town.

Under the gaze of soldiers and civilians alike, a diminutive soldier named Peter Buniel was the first to receive the award.

The new government was financially strapped, so the rewards were straightforward—granting more land.

Because he bravely charged into enemy lines during battle and took down an enemy Hong Lingyu, Peter Buniel’s land grant was increased from three hundred to six hundred mu (note: 40 hectares), simply doubled in a blunt manner.

On hearing the words “three hundred mu,” the onlooking farmers and townspeople were already whispering among themselves—three hundred mu was enough to make any common farmer envious.

When “six hundred mu” echoed across the square, the crowd gasped in unison, even louder than the magically amplified voice.

Even Captain Thomas was taken aback when he first learned about the extent of the rewards. Although Dwarf Peter was one of his soldiers, Thomas still earnestly advised Winters to reconsider and exercise restraint.

Winters countered this by telling Thomas a classic joke from the Land Academy, “It’s said that madman Richard once threatened Marshal Ned with ‘a hundred thousand troops’ to fight the Alliance. The old marshal replied evenly, claiming the Alliance could also muster a hundred thousand.”

“So madman Richard said, ‘Then I’ll send two hundred thousand troops,'” Winters smiled at Thomas, “Guess what the old marshal replied?”

“The Alliance could also muster two hundred thousand troops?” Thomas ventured a guess.

“That’s impossible, the Alliance can’t mobilize two hundred thousand troops. The old marshal said…” Winters patted the commander of the first company on the shoulder, “‘then we’ll just fire two shots each.'”

Thomas pondered for a long time, then timidly asked, “I don’t understand Sir, could you explain further?”

Winters sighed. Bart Xialing of the second company interjected, “What the Centurion means is, if everyone could take down a Hong Lingyu, we would’ve won the war a long time ago!”

So is six hundred mu a lot? Of course, it’s not much. But for the lonesome Peter Buniel, it could be said to be too much.

Onlookers looked on in shock; other soldiers with feats of valor were elated, but only the diminutive Peter Buniel showed no hint of joy on his face.