After securing the fealty of the Red Mountain wildling tribes in the lower and middle reaches of the Torrentine, Arthur noticed two new Strategy Cards had unlocked on his system panel.
[Barbarian Invasion]: For seven days, the army you command gains enhanced adaptability to rugged terrain, reducing stamina consumption when traversing mountains and hills.
[Wait at Ease]: For seven days, the army you command gains greater concealment when setting ambushes, and morale significantly increases after a successful ambush.
The effects of these two Strategy Cards corresponded perfectly with the characteristics of the Red Mountain wildlings.
This unexpected windfall, along with the specific command buffs, delighted Arthur.
Commanding armies had always been his shortcoming compared to his other abilities.
Now, with [Barbarian Invasion] and [Wait at Ease] supplementing him, plus the aerial reconnaissance of the giant vulture, this weakness was effectively filled.
The effects of these cards also inspired him to train a standing mountain corps.
Wildlings were already adapted to the Red Mountain environment and skilled in ambushes. Paired with his buffs and aerial recon...
He would be able to walk sideways through the Red Mountains without fear. Establishing such a force would also greatly strengthen his protection of the Red Mountain tribes.
If any tribe in the Red Mountains refused to submit, or if conflicts arose with other wildling tribes or lords in other sectors of the mountains...
Arthur could make them fly.
Unity of knowledge and action.
Arthur immediately summoned the architect Quentyn to the Mining District near the Red Mountains. He marked out a piece of open ground to begin planning the Mountain Corps Training Ground.
The Mountain Corps Training Ground opened recruitment to all Red Mountain wildlings, offering high wages and excellent benefits.
In less than half a month, over 800 wildlings signed up, along with 100 Dornishmen from other Starfall territories who came seeking fame and fortune.
Among the 800 wildlings, former captives made up the majority.
Arthur had promised them that if they became members of the Mountain Corps, they would no longer have to eat "bread-sized sticks and stick-sized bread" for their three daily meals.
After eliminating those with disabilities or who did not meet age and gender requirements, over 600 people remained.
However, Arthur still felt there were too many. His target number was 100 regulars and 100 reservists.
For one, maintaining a large number of professional, full-time soldiers was too expensive. For another, in mountain warfare, 100 highly trained troops could absolutely crush any single wildling tribe.
Based on this organization, Arthur called upon Ser Bard and recruited the Stone-Bear chieftain, Bjorn, as an instructor. Using Black Mamba and Peach-Sigil swordsmen as the backbone, they assisted him in training and screening the soldiers.
After another month of weeding out the physically weak, the slow-witted, and the insubordinate, the number was finally controlled to just over 200.
Since the training ground was still under construction, Arthur gathered the instructors, key personnel, and Septon Arles for a meeting at Ironstone Keep, the small hillfort in the Mining District.
Arthur announced, "Next, it is time to screen these 200 soldiers into Regulars and Reservists."
Ser Bard asked, "Arthur, how do you plan to screen them?"
Arthur: "Hold an assessment. The top 100 scores become Regulars; the rest become Reservists. The lowest-scoring Reservists will be eliminated."
"Regulars will receive fifty percent higher wages and better benefits than Reservists. Those eliminated will receive severance pay equal to one month's wages."
Ser Bard: "Won't the numbers just keep shrinking until there's no one left?"
Arthur: "Haven't many people been requesting to join the Mountain Corps recently?"
"During the assessment, allow these new applicants to take the test as well. Select the excellent and potential-filled ones to fill the gaps."
Bjorn asked, "There have been hundreds of applicants recently. Hundreds fighting for a single spot? Isn't that a bit few?"
Bjorn no longer wore his bearskin. Instead, he was dressed in the uniform of the Mountain Corps.
Arthur didn't answer, just nodded. The cost of training professional soldiers was high; every elimination was a loss.
Implementing the elimination rule and ranking system was meant to promote healthy competition within the corps, not just for recruitment.
Bjorn: "My Lord, what will the assessment content include?"
Arthur scanned the group. "That is why I called you all here to discuss."
"I want this army to be loyal to the commander, possess strong combat effectiveness, tenacious fighting will, and rich combat literacy."
"Please keep this goal in mind and speak freely about the content of the future assessment."
The group looked at each other and fell silent for a moment.
Ser Bard spoke first, counting on his fingers: "Swordsmanship, spear, archery, horsemanship, formation drills."
Septon Arles: "Faith in the Seven, reading and writing, obedience to orders."
Bjorn: "Speed of movement in the mountains, hunting ability, ability to survive in harsh conditions, bravery."
Arthur listened quietly to the various suggestions without interrupting.
He simply instructed Wick and Vic to record everything everyone said.
In the end, combining their suggestions with his memories of military training from his previous life, Arthur formulated an assessment plan for the current stage.
The main assessment items were:
Running Laps (Stamina/Speed)
Cross-Country (Endurance/Terrain adaptability)
Swordsmanship (Combat skill)
Housekeeping (Discipline/Organization)
Each of the four main items was worth 100 points.
Formation (10-man squad collective): 100 points.
Archery: 50 points.
Faith in the Seven and Literacy were bonus items, adding 10 points each.
Having set the assessment items, Arthur summoned everyone again that same day.
"We will hold an assessment now, another at the end of the year, and then once every six months."
"Subsequent assessment content will be changed or added based on training and needs."
Septon Arles looked troubled. "My Lord, only 10 points for Faith in the Seven? Isn't that a bit too little... considering that 'Housekeeping' thing is worth 100 points?"
Before Arthur could speak, Bjorn cut in. "We are assessing soldiers, not septons. If you ask me, both bonus items should be removed. Believing in the Seven and knowing how to read won't kill enemies."
Septon Arles retorted, "The Warrior among the Seven protects soldiers on the battlefield. Reading and writing increase a soldier's combat literacy and ability to understand orders."
Ser Bard was confused why horsemanship and lancing were not included.
Arthur finally clarified, "These are the assessment items for the current stage. They are the most basic things. We will change and adjust based on actual conditions later."
Seeing no further objections, Arthur slapped the table. "Alright, execute according to this plan."
Personally, Arthur hoped the Faith of the Seven would spread among the wildlings, as it would strengthen the connection and identity between Dornishmen and wildlings.
But he knew haste makes waste. Transformation had to be subtle and gradual.
---
Mountain Corps Garrison
Sturdy stone barracks surrounded the edge of the dedicated military training ground. Workers were still constructing fortifications and training facilities in the large open space.
The stone barracks were divided into three sections.
Quarters for Reservists, Regulars, and Officers were separated.
Officer quarters were built to a higher standard than Regular barracks, and Regular barracks were better than Reservist barracks.
On one hand, this was a reward for the performance of officers and regulars; on the other, it set an attainable goal for the soldiers.
Between the living quarters and the camp was the Quartermaster's Office, currently under construction.
The Quartermaster's Office controlled warehouses storing grain and other supplies, responsible for distributing materials, issuing orders, and handling miscellaneous affairs.
Outside the Quartermaster's compound were several smithies providing weapon and armor repair, as well as customized weapon modifications.
With Arthur's command, the Mountain Corps began their first assessment on the open training ground.
Watching the soldiers standing at attention, marching in formation, folding blankets into squares, and running laps in full swing, the corners of Arthur's mouth curled up unconsciously.
This scene... I know it all too well.