industrial lord

Chapter 766 If You Have the Courage

In Wesenberg, the main street is always more bustling on holidays than on weekdays, with pedestrians jostling on the sidewalks and the roadways being particularly congested, with horns blaring incessantly.

Pavel had just come out of the bookstore on the street corner that Metzger had recommended, his trendy shoulder bag containing several newly purchased poetry and essay collections.

He was looking down at the flyer in his hand, carefully studying it, wondering where to have lunch.

Just then, a familiar voice pierced through the noisy city, clearly calling his name: "Pavel?"

Pavel looked up at the sound, his gaze passing over the throng of people, and saw Rat standing across the street.

The knight from the Royal Knights of the Rhine Alliance was not wearing his usual striking knight's uniform today, but rather a plain dark brown coat.

Even so, his posture remained upright like a pine tree, his shoulders relaxed, and his steps steady. The unique, rigorously trained posture of a soldier was evident in every gesture.

Pavel immediately waved in response, then nimbly dodged a slowly passing tricycle and strode across the street toward him.

"Going to buy books?" Rattle's gaze naturally fell on his backpack. "Another math workbook? You never seem to relax for a moment."

The most feared course at Wesson Military Academy is mathematics, and the most terrifying is advanced mathematics.

As a survivor of the Battle of Redwaterwheel Village, Rat was selected this spring to be sent to the Wesson Military Academy for training. He was arrogant at first, but became well-behaved after experiencing a math class.

Military academies don't charge tuition, but retaking courses costs money, especially math, which is particularly expensive. The Royal Knights have stated they will not cover the cost of retaking courses for them.

Rattle and his friends inquired around and learned that there were extra math tutoring classes outside of school, where they met Pavel, who was also tormented by math.

“Just some literary books,” Pavel said. “I’m not very good at writing, so I plan to study hard.”

Latt nodded in understanding, and then said, "Perfect timing, I was just about to meet up with Vanke at the teahouse around the corner."

"Would you like to come together?"

Pavel did not refuse.

Van Kerk and Rattle were both eyewitnesses and survivors of the brutal Battle of Redwaterwheel Village last year, and Pavel himself had also fought alongside the border guards in the Battle of the Winged Hussars. They have always had a strong interest in and attention to that battle and the differences in military systems it reflected.

The teahouse was filled with the faint aroma of tea and the sweet scent of pastries. There weren't many customers at the moment, making it quite quiet. Fan Ke was already sitting at a table in the corner by the window, waiting.

Seeing that Rat had brought Pavel in, he immediately stood up, and the three of them exchanged a brief greeting.

They each ordered a cup of hot tea recommended by the shopkeeper, which was made with local wildflower honey, and the conversation quickly turned to last year's battle.

When Van Kerk heard that Pavel had participated in the operation outside Hamma, he was particularly curious about the fire attack that dealt a heavy blow to the enemy's elite Winged Hussars, so he asked directly about the details of that operation, including the source of intelligence, the tactical decision-making process, and the specific execution method.

Pavel didn't embellish the story much, but simply described the tactical setup at the time: how to use wind direction and terrain to set up pre-prepared tinder, and how the various squads coordinated and supported each other during the operation.

He deliberately avoided revealing some details that had not yet been disclosed, such as the assistance from local nobles.

Vanke took this question very seriously, and only gave up after several attempts to probe indirectly without getting a clear answer.

He is currently studying at a seamen's school and plans to go to a naval officer's school, which piqued Pavel's curiosity, prompting him to ask about life there.

Rat listened in silence, holding a warm teacup in his hands.

Halfway through his tea, he suddenly put down his cup. His voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet corner: "During these past few months studying at the Weisen Military Academy, I've come to realize more and more clearly one thing: the gap between our Rhine Alliance's Royal Knights and the Weisen Army is far more than just a matter of inferior weapons and equipment." He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, before continuing: "Their entire system—from the basic training methods for soldiers, the meticulous organization of logistical support, the rapid analysis and transmission of intelligence, to the systematic training of non-commissioned officers… every detail seems to have been precisely calculated and simulated, and is constantly being adjusted and optimized based on practical feedback."

"As for us, the Knights Order still largely relies on individual martial prowess, family honor traditions, and some outdated combat practices."

"The gap between them is deeper than we imagined."

Pavel didn't know why he suddenly said such a thing, but he wholeheartedly agreed.

He had participated in and witnessed many battles in Bohemia, but the almost ruthless combat efficiency and high degree of systematization displayed by the Weisen Army were truly unmatched elsewhere.

“That’s true,” he added. “They place great importance on data collection and the systematic summarization of practical experience. Even a small-scale border skirmish will be thoroughly analyzed afterward.”

“Every mobilization and every combat plan is supported by a large amount of intelligence analysis and past data. It is rarely based on the commander’s intuition or the soldiers’ brute force to confront each other head-on.”

"This decision-making and execution mechanism based on rationality is the real source of their strength."

Vanke remained silent for a while; he had been hearing this kind of argument from Larter quite often lately.

Last winter, he personally experienced the despair of being defeated by a superior enemy force, and also felt the complex emotions of being rescued in time by the Weisen Army. He deeply understood the cruel consequences brought about by such a huge gap in actual combat.

“If…if the Rhine Alliance’s army, even just its main legions, could be built up like the Weisen Army…” he said in a low voice, with a hint of bitterness and helplessness, “I would be willing to pay an extra military tax specifically for this.”

"This is much better than last year, when we sent a bunch of hastily assembled mercenaries who couldn't even march in a proper formation and had poor tactical skills to the battlefield and let them die in vain."

Rat slowly shook his head: "It's difficult. This isn't a problem that can be solved simply by investing money."

"To make a complete change means breaking with centuries-old habits, rebuilding a completely new and efficient command, training, and logistics system, and cultivating a group of qualified officers who understand and can execute this system... The cost of this is not just money; the time and effort required, as well as the obstacles encountered, are astronomical."

“And it will take a long time,” Pavel added. “This is not something that can be easily accomplished in one or even two generations.”

"The inertia of the system, the resistance of traditional ideas, the opposition of vested interests... each of these is a huge challenge."

Van Kerk didn't continue the argument; he simply stared silently at the cup of hot tea in front of him, remaining silent in his heart.

The conversation quickly turned to Pavel, whose experiences in the war in Bohemia piqued their curiosity.

Pavel was happy to boast and chatted with them for a long time.

That evening, after returning to his dormitory at the military academy, Rat spread out some stationery on his desk and began writing a letter to a friend who was far away in Kolen.

In the letter, he mentioned the conversation that took place during the day.

"...We talked about the heavy topic of military reform again in the teahouse today."

"Fan Ke still harbors an almost naive idea that as long as the Alliance is willing to impose a special military tax, it can quickly bridge the huge gap between us and the Wesson Army."

“Pavel and I both think this idea is too unrealistic, and changing the status quo is not something that can be done overnight.”

"However, perhaps... just perhaps, if someone shows great courage, we might see a glimmer of hope for this matter in a short time."

"But... I don't rely on that person's courage."

(End of this chapter)