Reborn: Imperial Officer Promotion Guide

It's no wonder that Captain Lorenzo was surprised.

A ten-year-old child, even in an aristocratic family, has only learned to read for a few years.

If it is a common family, children of this age can only help with housework at home and can speak fluently and express their ideas.

It is unprecedented to let a ten-year-old child do language translation.

"Lieutenant Hull, you are kidding, right?" Captain Lorenzo asked tentatively.

"No, I am not kidding. She is not an ordinary child. This child is called Yang Ling. She is very smart and has done business with the Kuming people."

"Even if you say that, it's hard for me to believe it for a moment."

"There is an iron rule among the Kumin people - it is strictly forbidden to harm children, even those of our Empire."

"Ling also took advantage of this. She had direct contact with the Kumin people in the past and is very familiar with their cultural customs."

"There is actually such a thing. This kid is really brave... Perhaps we can take advantage of this?"

Hull nodded. To be honest, it was very difficult to explain the matter of Ling. Captain Lorenzo understood his intentions, and Hull was relieved.

Captain Lorenzo was indeed an open-minded officer. Hull knew that if it were a slightly more stubborn officer, he would probably just laugh at this proposal and say nothing more.

"That's right, so I hope to let Ling act as an interpreter and participate in the negotiations with the Kumin people with me. In addition, I also hope that you can allow Ling to stay in the fortress for a while."

"There is no problem in hiring this child as a translator for negotiations, but is it necessary for her to stay in the fortress?"

"That's right. In order to negotiate with the Kumin people later, I also need to understand their language and culture. I left Ling in the fortress to learn about the Kumin people from her and increase the success rate of negotiations with them later."

"Hmm... How can we reach a ceasefire agreement with the Kumin people? Can you first tell me the specific plan for the next step?"

"First, treat the Kumin captive well to gain his trust. After gaining a certain level of trust, release him and let him serve as a messenger to facilitate face-to-face negotiations between us and the Kumin people."

"This plan is really simple."

"We have never had direct negotiations with the Kumins in the past, so we can try it out in the form of a draft. Even if the negotiations fail in the end, it will not be a loss for us. After all, we have been enemies with the Kumins for a long time. From this point of view, there will be no risk."

"...No, of course there are risks. If the negotiations fail, you and the child named Ling may not be able to return safely."

"Yes, Ling is still a child, so her safety should be guaranteed. As for me, I will most likely be killed."

Of course, having said that, even if the negotiations failed, Hull would not give up his life so easily.

Hull said this in front of Captain Lorenzo just to express his determination to make this happen.

In order to successfully reach a ceasefire agreement with the Kumins, Hull risked his own life.

In this case, Captain Lorenzo will certainly pay more attention to this matter.

"...Lieutenant Hull, you should be confident of success, right?"

"Of course, I have no interest in committing suicide. If I am not sure, I will not risk my life."

Captain Lorenzo looked at Hull with a little more respect in his eyes, and then became determined.

"I understand. I will be responsible for convincing the other officers on this matter."

"Captain Lo...Captain Lorenzo, please reconsider. He is just a second lieutenant. How can you so hastily agree to a proposal from such a person? What if the negotiation fails?"

Lieutenant Mosbia hurriedly interrupted to stop it.

"Don't worry, Lieutenant Mosbia. I won't involve you when I report it to my superiors. Submitting Lieutenant Hull's proposal is ultimately just my personal action. You won't be at any risk."

"...Oh my, that's not what I meant. Since you insist, I won't say anything more."

"..."

After hearing what Captain Lorenzo said, Lieutenant Mosbia just made a few brief excuses and immediately backed down.

As expected, he only cared about whether he would be held responsible for this. He was the kind of guy who was not worthy of being in public.

Don’t seek merit but seek no fault.

"However, if we can successfully sign a ceasefire agreement with the Kumin people and end the fighting that has lasted for so many years, it will be a great achievement. Lieutenant Hull, you will most likely be awarded the First Class Special Merit by the Central Government."

The First Class Special Merit is the highest level of recognition in the military of the empire. It is an honor that can only be obtained by those who have made significant contributions to the country.

This will inevitably be followed by monetary rewards and a leap in social status.

Generally speaking, one needs to serve in the army for about 6 years before having the opportunity to be promoted from second lieutenant to first lieutenant.

But if he won the first-class special merit, Hull would be on the promotion track, and perhaps he would be able to get the rank of lieutenant in less than a year.

Upon hearing the words "First Class Special Merit", Lieutenant Mosbia's eyes rolled around, and a look of greed revealed on his face.

"Captain Lorenzo, do you mean that if successful, the first-class special merit will be specially awarded to Lieutenant Hull personally?"

"Of course, this time the plan was proposed and implemented by Lieutenant Hull. Is there any problem in giving it to him personally?"

"But, if it weren't for you, ahem, ahem, and of course, me, this hasty plan he proposed might have died in the discussion. I think that our superiors' magnanimity and vision should also be commended. Moreover, we should not promote this kind of individual heroism. The army should emphasize unity and cooperation."

"If the ceasefire is successful in the end, the first-class special merit should not be awarded to him alone."

Lieutenant Mosbia spoke for a long time, and of course Hull understood it.

Everyone present understood.

To sum it up in one sentence - he must be given a share of the credit.

Even Captain Lorenzo, no matter how gentle he was, couldn't help but frown at this shameless and credit-stealing behavior.

"According to your logic, if one can receive the first-class special merit simply by allowing a subordinate's proposal, then shouldn't everyone be honored?"

Seeing that the group winning the award was not feasible, Lieutenant Mosbia immediately changed his explanation.

"That's not what I meant. I meant that the honor of first-class special merit has never been awarded to anyone below the rank of lieutenant. I'm just worried that it will cause unnecessary criticism. If you have to choose someone to receive the honor, at least choose an officer of the rank of lieutenant."

"You...you mean...Lieutenant Mosbia will replace Lieutenant Hull to receive the First Class Special Merit?"

"Well... it's actually a secret practice. It's not uncommon for subordinates' achievements to be accepted by their immediate superiors."

After hearing Lieutenant Mosbia's remarks, Captain Lorenzo unconsciously opened his mouth and fell silent.

Indeed, it has been eight years since the last first-class special merit award.

Count Mi Hill, who now stands at the top of the military and is known as one of the "Four Earls", launched a surprise attack on the cities of the Zeolan United Kingdom at that time and captured the opponent's important cities in one fell swoop.

At that time, Count Mi Hill was only a lieutenant.

Because of her low status and low military rank, the nobles at the time debated whether she was qualified to receive the first-class special merit.

The view that [the first-class special merit should be awarded to Mi Hill's immediate superior] was particularly prevalent at the time.

"But, Lieutenant Mosbia, do you think you have achieved enough merit to be awarded the First Class Special Merit?"

"Of course! I have dedicated my entire life to the cause of the Empire, and I believe that this passion is no less than anyone else. Moreover, I have worked hard as a lieutenant for many years and have never returned home in these years. Since the day I became a soldier, I have regarded the army as my only home. Compared to him, who has just joined the army for less than a month, I think I am more qualified to receive the country's commendation."

"Lieutenant Mosbia...you must be serious, right?"

"Of course, I've never been so serious!"

Lieutenant Mosbia answered without hesitation.

Seeing his obligatory look, Hull couldn't help laughing out loud.

“Hehe, actually it’s too early to talk about these things now. I don’t even dare to think about receiving the first-class special merit or something like that. I just want to do my best to ensure that the armistice agreement can be signed smoothly.”

"Lieutenant Hull is right. Lieutenant Mosbia's words just now had no malicious intent. He was just emphasizing his dedication and love for the Empire and the Army."

"That's right. I love the empire and the army deeply, and I am willing to dedicate everything to the country and the army. Lieutenant Hull, you have only been here for less than a month. This kind of national honor will not be yours even if you wait ten years based on seniority. You'd better understand your identity!"

"..."

"Alright, alright, let's call this a close for the Kuming people. Lieutenant Hull, do you have anything else to say?"

When asked this question, Lieutenant Hull thought about it for a moment.

"I do have a few words to say."

"Oh?"

Captain Lorenzo had not expected that a maverick like Hull would want to chat with his superiors.

"Captain Lorenzo, do you know this person called Gilusas Saga?"

"Of course, when our empire was still just a tiny country, the great heroes who made great contributions to the expansion of the empire were recorded in history as strategists."

"Yes, the strategies and thoughts of this great hero have always been my goal to learn. He once made an interesting statement on the use of troops - people in the army need to be divided into four categories."

“Dividing people into four categories?”

Hull smiled and nodded.

"The first category is people who are capable and ambitious. These people are suitable to be commanders on the front line."

"The second category is people who are capable but not ambitious. These people are suitable to serve as military advisors in the rear."

"I see. This statement is quite interesting."

"Then there is the third category - people with no ability and no ambition. These people are suitable to be soldiers filling in the battle line. In other words, even if they are useless, they can still play a role if they are sent to the battlefield."

"Hahaha, indeed, there is some truth to that!"

"...As for the final fourth category - people who have no ability but are ambitious."

"How should we arrange for such a person?"

Captain Lorenzo was obviously interested.

At this time, Hull looked at Lieutenant Mosbia.

His eyes were like frost, sharp and piercing to the bone.

Hull opened his mouth and spoke word by word.

"This kind of people must be eliminated as soon as possible..."