Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Military Reform (6)
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The disciplinary battalion under my command was a unit that drew intense interest from the higher-ups.
That was why the Chief of the General Staff had personally summoned me to his office.
"Sir!"
"Thanks to you, I've even gotten a promotion, so of course I've been doing well. So, how's the disciplinary battalion treating you?"
When a high-ranking officer asks if military life is tolerable, the polite answer is always "yes."
Saying otherwise would make you the biggest bastard in the world...
Regardless, I was riding the highest peak of my career since becoming an officer.
I'd been given the chance to fully unleash my abilities.
"We're doing our utmost not to fall short of your expectations, sir."
"The reports and proposals you've submitted from time to time have received high praise at General Staff Headquarters. All the measures are concise yet highly effective."
"Thank you, sir."
A smile spread across the Chief of the General Staff's face.
"When you first suggested banning beatings among soldiers and the indiscriminate harsh treatment by officers and NCOs, I have to admit it sounded utterly absurd. Back when I was at the academy, we were taught that green recruits or soldiers lacking discipline could be corrected through appropriate beatings."
Even in dramas, novels, or anime from the 1980s, it's the same.
When the young, clumsy protagonist makes a mistake, he gets a "loving whack" first thing.
After running off in tears, he comes back a bit later thinking, "Ah, that beating was for my own good," and turns into someone who justifies the toxic discipline...
'Even beatings need a proper justification.'
"How on earth did you come up with that idea?"
"Indiscriminate beatings have two major downsides."
"Two of them, huh?"
"First, without established principles, soldiers and NCOs lose sight of right and wrong. Second, since they get beaten no matter what they do, they become desensitized to it."
Physical punishment isn't inherently bad.
If your kid does something seriously wrong and you explain why they're being punished...
They might feel abused in the moment, but looking back, they often accept it as deserved.
But without principles, they can't distinguish right from wrong, so bad behavior doesn't get corrected.
Worse, they start thinking, "If I mess up and get beaten, oh well."
One or two times might scare them.
But after dozens, they go numb.
"So you saw desensitization as the problem."
"Once soldiers get used to beatings, we'll eventually have no choice but to use guns to control them."
"You're right. We should avoid using firearms to control troops at all costs."
For donkeys or pigs, sure, wield the whip.
But not for people.
Deep down, that's what I wanted to say...
In the Empire, that would just prompt, "Officers are different from NCOs and enlisted," so this was the best I could do.
Whether by foot or ship, as long as I reach Seoul, it's fine. As long as my ideas get through properly, that's enough.
"For officers, military life is an honorable and valuable calling. For enlisted men, it's no different from three years of hard labor."
"So that's why they lack motivation?"
"No one enjoys hard labor. But if we set clear, justified standards—punish those who slack off, reward those who work hard even a little—we can instill motivation and drive in them."
Even reservists turn into elite troops if you dangle early dismissal as bait.
Hang small rewards in front of soldiers, and naturally, they'll work harder.
"Rewarding soldiers serving the Empire feels a bit..."
"If we stint on rewards for those who devote themselves to the nation, the Empire will be in danger. You know that, sir."
The Chief of the General Staff furrowed his brow.
But he didn't refute my words.
No, he couldn't deny reality.
"The Empire is indeed in a state where it could collapse any day. Or rather, it depends on when the neighboring countries band together."
"...I'm sorry, sir."
"No need for you to apologize. Alright, we'll increase those small rewards as you suggested."
"Thank you, sir."
"That's all well and good, but... what the Chief of General Staff is really curious about is this: what's the practical benefit of teaching soldiers to read and write?"
Reading and writing cost money outside the army.
Of course there should be effects from teaching such advanced skills for free.
"First, over the course of two months, our battalion dedicated about five hours every Friday to literacy training."
"Two months—short if short, long if long. No, teaching illiterate peasants to read and write in just two months is impressive."
"Thank you, sir."
Everyone studied their asses off for those two months.
Some even studied through weekends, skipping playtime, just to qualify for NCO promotion.
And plenty crammed the night before exams to avoid failing out.
"Once soldiers become literate, they can handle a variety of tasks. Before, we'd have to open every oak barrel one by one to distinguish liquor from gunpowder. Now, our battalion doesn't need to."
"Interesting."
It might seem trivial, but it's huge.
Being able to read expands the scope of tasks soldiers can handle...
"They're not at a level for complex duties yet. But we can completely eliminate the old inconvenience of routing even simple orders through NCOs."
"Verbal orders get distorted after just two people."
Simple ones like "advance" or "retreat" are fine...
But "Flank right, then charge when you see our banner."
Even that gets mangled in relay— they might flank right but charge on their own timing.
Or not charge when they see the banner, or charge out of nowhere.
Eliminating that hassle...? The Imperial Army will be several times stronger.
"There are other benefits too, and we can boost morale by giving them only the information we want."
"By issuing newspapers with a bit of spin, you mean?"
"Yes, exactly."
There are plenty more effects.
Distributing books on modern farming techniques to peasants, spreading tech and knowledge more easily.
Or using readable newspapers loaded with propaganda to collect extra taxes.
But those are invisible effects for now.
They'll show in a few years.
"Excellent. If it boosts morale and improves capabilities, we have to adopt it. It doesn't cost much either."
"Good, I'm satisfied. We'll incorporate all the policies you've tried."
Reducing harsh treatment and boosting rewards will raise army morale...
"Anything else you want to try in the disciplinary battalion?"
Honestly, plenty.
I'd love to overhaul the disorganized supply system properly.
Why does resupply require so many pointless procedures, with no oversight?
Pork costs 6,000 marks per 10kg in the market, but the quartermaster's report claimed they bought it for 11,000—I nearly died of shock.
And soldiers don't train every day of the five-day week...
I'd like to properly run a field farm system.
All the soldiers are farmers at heart, so they'd be good at it.
Harvesting wheat, barley, veggies would cut costs, and we could save some of the savings like a bank account to give to discharging soldiers.
"You have a lot on your mind."
The Chief of the General Staff chuckled.
"Yes, sir. But I think I've done all I can at the battalion level."
"You've worked hard."
"Thank you, sir."
That's how the world works.
You can't do everything at once.
Doing it step by step is enough.
"...And prepare for deployment."
"Not a transfer?"
"No. Do you remember Lieutenant Colonel Rierson?"
"Yes, I remember him well."
Am I getting that kind of mission now?
Stirring up chaos in enemy territory.
"We're not sending a war hero like you to do that. You could probably infiltrate the Marco Kingdom and spark a revolt, but His Majesty the Emperor doesn't want to lose a talented man like you."
"Then what mission...?"
The Chief of the General Staff handed me a sealed letter.
"Shouldn't you get married soon?"
"Yes, sir."
"The Empire allows commanding officers to grant up to a year of leave to young officers of your age who are unmarried. It's an old law from when family succession was paramount."
Nowadays, asking for long leave to marry gets you flogged.
That law was last used 300 years ago—purely ceremonial now.
"Officially, we'll grant you long leave under that law. Go to the Marco Kingdom and convince their General Staff."
"Is that possible?"
"For a mere lieutenant colonel, no. But for you, it should be fine. I swear, even if you fail, there'll be no personnel repercussions."
....... A very tough order.
But I'll do it.
That's what being a soldier is.
"I'll carry out the orders, sir."
"We'll provide as much funding as you need, and if you have a sweetheart, bring her along. It'll look more natural that way."
Yeah, going overseas alone would be awkward.
Saying you're off for a romantic trip sounds right.
"Sir!"