Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Principles (2)
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Law is established by the consensus and belief of the people.
Consensus that killing someone or stealing money means you deserve punishment.
The belief that breaking the law will definitely bring dire consequences.
The reason our corps' discipline is so lax is a mistaken belief that's spread among the soldiers: that minor violations of military law won't really result in punishment.
With the root cause so clear, the solution was simple.
'The belief that military law will be enforced to the letter.'
"It seems 20 million marks isn't enough. In that case, I'll raise the amount. I'll pay two million marks directly."
The soldiers gathered in the parade ground began to murmur.
"Two million marks? With that kind of money..."
"Deus miserere. That's enough to buy a cow and farming tools after discharge and still have change left."
"Maybe I should just move it and call it a day?"
One mark is roughly equivalent to one won in Korea.
So two million marks is about two million won.
But this is a pre-modern era, where a serf household—the closest thing to commoners—earns an annual average of just five million marks.
In that context, two million marks feels like ten million won.
'It's a massive sum.'
"Move this, and you'll get two million marks on the spot. If no volunteers step forward, you'll stand by like this for days until someone does."
As I said that, one soldier strode forward to the podium.
"Soldier, what's your name?"
"Private Max, 1st Battalion, 3rd Company!"
"Good name. Now, move that stick into the box on my command."
"Yes, sir!"
All eyes turned to Max.
They looked at him with mocking stares.
"No way they're really giving two million marks."
"They'll back out for sure."
He probably jumped the gun without thinking it through.
But that doesn't matter to me right now.
One man steps up, follows my order exactly, and receives the promised reward in full.
Show them that example, and we're done.
"Private Max! The stick is in the box!"
"Come up to the podium."
"Yes, sir!"
I handed the two million marks directly to Max as he climbed up.
He clearly hadn't expected them to actually pay; or maybe he couldn't believe they were handing over this fortune for moving a single stick.
His body froze stiff from all the second-guessing.
"Regiment, attention!"
All eyes focused on me.
"Private Max has fully carried out this company commander's orders. As promised, I hereby award him two million marks."
The murmurs grew; they stared in disbelief.
They weren't envious of Max—they were just baffled.
Who wouldn't be? Handing out ten million won for moving a stick?
"And from this moment, I relay the Corps Commander's new directive."
What the Corps Commander wanted from me was exactly this kind of example.
What could a lowly captain on the verge of major promotion do to enforce discipline across an entire corps?
If I went after lieutenant colonels, colonels, brigadiers, and major generals to tighten discipline...
The corps wouldn't just shake—it'd collapse in chaos.
"Until now, minor military law violations were often handled with a verbal warning or let slide. But from now on, even the smallest infraction will not be tolerated. Superiors' orders must be obeyed without question, or severe punishment will follow."
People aren't beasts.
Just wield the whip, and they'll turn on the wielder—or rebel.
That's why rewards must go hand in hand.
"But obey your superior's orders, and you'll receive rewards. Just like Private Max here."
With that, I gave the dismissal order.
I've shown them a memorable episode. From now on, enforcement will be ironclad.
If they can't get the message after this warning, that's on them when punishment comes.
On the way back after the warning, my aide, Lieutenant Lina, asked me.
"Company Commander, will discipline really straighten out just like this?"
"Of course not with this alone."
Changing the ingrained habits of hardened criminals—or even ordinary people—takes time and effort.
How could tens of thousands of soldiers change from a single event?
Impossible.
"But what I did today will stick in their minds. Think about it: someone earned two million marks moving a single stick? How unforgettable is that?"
In an army without TV or radio, gossip is the prime entertainment.
On guard duty, you stare at the enemy lines while roasting the new guy for an hour straight over some screw-up, or spin tales of absurd hometown stories.
That's how they kill time.
Officers have work to do and head back to barracks or home after duty, so they don't dive into it.
"It's certainly memorable."
"And per the Corps Commander's directive, from now on we'll punish even minor violations that went unchecked before—strictly by the book. Show exemplary conduct in training or duty, and rewards will follow."
Humans are learning animals.
The first time someone sees a gun, they point the barrel at themselves without a care.
But witness it fire and kill once...
'Even the muzzle turning their way makes them jump.'
"With rumors of this spreading far and wide, those who can't shake old habits and start getting punished will watch themselves. Nobody wants to experience the horrors of breaking military law firsthand."
"Understood."
"Glad it cleared things up."
"Won't you be promoted and reassigned to another unit in a month?"
Honestly, I don't know where yet.
General Staff lock-in, or somewhere else.
"I'd prefer the General Staff, but that's unlikely."
"Skirmishes rage across the Empire even now, and competent officers are scarce. Especially someone like you, sir."
At least it's not like Germany's WWII officer shortage.
The Wehrmacht got so desperate they made lieutenants company commanders at the front.
And major brigade commanders? Laughable, but it happened.
"Probably. You didn't make special promotion this time, Lieutenant Lina, but if I pull strings at the General Staff, I could get you wherever you want. Any preferences?"
I exceeded expectations on a directive straight from the Field Marshal himself.
No creating promotion slots out of thin air, obviously...
But slotting into a key posting essential for generalship? That much, sure.
Like frontline battalion staff or general's aide.
"I'd like to follow you, sir."
"Rotating through other billets would help your promotions more."
Every army has must-pass postings for advancement.
Operations staff or frontline commanders.
Offering that chance, yet she wants to stick with me.
'Thinks staying under me boosts her career more?'
"My father said back when he was a junior officer: don't chase postings—follow and learn from someone worth it to the end."
True, your first boss can change your life.
Land a toxic one at a big corp, and you quit fast.
Or thrive under the best in a hellhole and parlay it into a top firm.
"I think learning long-term under you will benefit my officer career."
"Even if promotions slow?"
Our Imperial Army ranks are messy, especially for junior officers.
A good posting as lieutenant can net first lieutenant in two years, not four.
"And racking up merits following you seems better for promotion anyway."
"Got it. I'll make a strong case."
Not my place to say, with more lieutenant time than her...
Most new lieutenants are dead weight from inexperience.
But Lina never tripped me up and even helped this mission.
'Worth grooming long-term.'
"Thank you, Company Commander."