The Sun King's Evidence

"Old Guard, do you want to imitate the Rick Guard?" Alfred immediately thought of the Empire's Rick Guard.

"Almost, somewhat close, but everything is reversed." Ryan nodded: "The Rick Guards are an elite cavalry regiment that the emperor needs, because the empire has excellent infantry but no excellent cavalry, and we are on the contrary, what we need It’s a good infantry regiment, so we need the Old Guard.”

"Yeah." Alfred nodded. The Templar thought for a moment and then said with interest: "Speaking of which, the Church of Justice has long been aware of this. The Paladins, the Ascetics, the Holy Shooting Army, and the Charlemagne Artillery Regiment , Knights Templar, Knights Hospitaller, our church has done a good job in this aspect.”

"This is not normal." Ryan squinted his eyes and complained: "It's not like you don't know the situation of the Justice Church."

"Speaking of which, what exactly did Luther Huss say that made him almost expelled?" Ryan asked casually.

"He came to the Cathedral of Justice and delivered a speech that shocked the entire Brunswick." Alfred nodded: "This fighting priest publicly announced that he really could not tolerate the ills accumulated by the entire church over the past two thousand years. , he believes there are numerous problems that need to be corrected.”

"First of all, the various ranks and positions in the Justice Church are too bloated. There is no need to establish many so-called priesthoods and teaching positions. But in fact, these positions are filled with a large number of people who are just doing nothing. Then there are too many deputy positions. One There are actually several or even a dozen deputy bishops under the regional bishop. Their responsibilities are unclear, overlapping, and overly bloated. He hopes to streamline the department and eliminate at least a quarter of the redundant clergy."

"Then there is the issue of parishes. Many dioceses, such as the dioceses of Mordheim, Drakwald and Sylvania, have actually been abandoned for many years, but the entire team of these dioceses is still alive and operating, such as Heath. In the Diocese of Irvania, the regional archbishop there stays in Stirland to hold office all year round. He only rows into the Helfen Swamp when electing a bishop. A few people vote to elect a new regional bishop, and then they go on to elect the new regional bishop. Row away.”

Alfred also sounded a little indignant: "Indeed, Hus is right, our church is indeed a little bloated."

"Haha, according to this battle priest's idea, how many people will lose their jobs?" Ryan sneered and shook his head: "Continue, since he dares to say so, then there must be more than that."

"Immediately afterwards, Luther Hus believed that there were problems with the collection of tithes and various donations. From the great chanter down, there were many corruption problems in the entire church. A tithe was stolen from the yeoman. After the collection was collected and handed over to the headquarters, they experienced layers of exploitation, and many funds and materials disappeared inexplicably. Most of the priests were more obsessed with politics and seeking more donations from nobles, businessmen, and civilians, instead of bearing in mind the God of Justice and the The mission left behind by Charlemagne - to fight the evil of Chaos to the end."

"Finally, Luther-Hus lashed out at the Curia Council, which he believed should not focus its attention on the pursuit of ever grander banquets, ceremonial congresses, and taller, grander temples. He focused his efforts on collecting tithes and participating in the internal affairs of the empire. His words and deeds angered the entire Holy See Council. He was required to publicly apologize to the entire empire within three days, and swore that he was drunk and talking nonsense. "Alfred continued: "The fighting priest did not agree, so the Holy See Council prepared to excommunicate him. It was His Majesty Archbishop Vicmar who stopped this behavior. His Majesty Archbishop Vicmar disapproved of such a drastic move. He believed that there were indeed problems within the church, but Hus’s views were too radical and he refused to adopt them. Hus left in anger.”

"...The ideal is beautiful, but the reality is very skinny." Ryan smiled meaningfully: "Do you believe that if we really do what Hus asked us to do, this will be the real disaster. Think about it, Hus In just one sentence, how many people will lose their jobs? Lose the positions they depend on for survival? What will these people do?"

"But Huss is right!" Alfred was still a little worried: "We do need to change, just like you, Ryan, tell me."

"Actually, it's very simple. Luther Huss was right, and Archbishop Wickmar was also right." Ryan nodded, and he said slowly: "The Church of Justice has experienced two thousand years since Charlemagne. time, the entire church has maintained a high degree of self-discipline and strong cohesion. It is very good to be able to maintain it for two thousand years and reach this point now. Don't forget, the God of Justice never takes the initiative to make demands on the structure of the church. , He has always only answered questions and told the Archbishop what the next goal is, so in the long development, the entire church has already formed a highly bureaucratic organizational structure from top to bottom, just like you said."

"So Luther Hus's view is wrong?" Alfred asked.

"His point of view is correct, but his position is wrong." Ryan shook his head, and the Duke himself lowered his head and sighed: "Look at me, when I arrived in this country, I went directly to the palace in Kurona to give an impassioned speech and denounce Are there all kinds of maladministrations and shortcomings in this country? Have I pointed it out to all the dukes and told them that the serfdom system is seriously backward and that your rule is too dark?"

"Hmm~" Alfred suddenly understood something.

"As a person who is determined to change the status quo, Luther Huss, the fighting priest, has good intentions, but he does not consider his position. Young people are always like this. They feel that they have the truth, so they challenge authority. Remember, Ah Fu, in the court and the church, be careful not to reveal your ideals and blueprints prematurely unless you have reached a high enough position." Ryan said earnestly: "The truth will not help you in many cases, but the authority will take care of it. you."

"Failing to position himself correctly is Luther Hus's biggest problem. Do you think Archbishop Wickmar doesn't know about some of the problems within the church? I think he knows better than anyone else." Ryan finally said: "You should do your best now. It’s your own business. The Freya Ancient Church District is now a blank slate. You can construct it according to your own ideal methods. You must know how to use the people sent by His Majesty Vicmar, and they will also obey your orders. This It’s enough. These dispatched paladins, battle priests and templars will be somewhat bureaucratic, but this is inevitable.”

"Well, it is true that they work very hard and fight bravely when facing the harassment of the undead." Alfred nodded, and he sighed: "Indeed, I shouldn't deny all their contributions just because I don't like them at all. .”

Many people in the old world spread rumors and believed that Britannia only believed in the Lady of the Lake. In fact, this was wrong. In fact, the knights basically believed in the Lady of the Lake, but other sects were still spread in the Kingdom of Knights. , the knights do not exclude other sects as some people think, otherwise the Mercy Goddess Salia Sect and the Poseidon Mannann Sect would not set up their main temples in Curona and Boulder in Britannia. Luo, in fact, except for the Holy Grail Knights, after other knights died or were killed in battle, their remains or ashes were also buried in the cemetery garden of the Moorish God of Death.

However, Alfred's acquisition of a piece of land is indeed an epoch-making progress. Before that, the power of the Church of Justice only extended as far as Montfort. The largest Church of Justice in Britannia was built in Montfort Castle. The main reason for the failure of the Justice Church's missionary work is the conflict between the Justice Church and the Fairy of the Lake Church over their faith. This is similar to the fact that the Ulric Sect tried its best to prevent the Myrmedia Sect, the Goddess of War, from opening a military academy in White Wolf City. Reasonable, because their missionary targets are military nobles, especially generals and knights.

"That's almost it, Ah Fu, that's it for today." Ryan came out of the water, and the two of them had indeed soaked in the water for long enough.

"Well, thank you, good friend. What you said has answered many of my questions." Alfred's condition improved a lot.

The two men came out of the water and dried themselves with bath towels.

"It's okay." Ryan nodded, and he suddenly said: "By the way, Sulia and I are going to the Old Guards Barracks tomorrow to take a look. Do you want to go with us?"

"certainly."

"very good."

.........I am Vive l'empereur! dividing line......

The establishment of the Old Guard has recently attracted the most attention from the serfs in the entire Knight Kingdom, or at least in the entire southern part of the Knight Kingdom.

Since this news was sent out, almost every serf in the entire south of Britannia has been discussing the matter of the Old Guard.

Because from this new army, they truly saw the opportunity for promotion from serf to knight!

Although Ryan issued the "Knight Promotion Order" three years ago with the help of the Fairy of the Lake Church, in fact, the serfs still felt impossible and disappointed to be promoted to the knight class.

The reason is very simple, that is, even with the quota of three people per year, promotion to the knight class still requires double review by the Knight King + Lake God Witch, and the Knight King throne is still in the hands of Richard, and these three quotas are often allocated to For the illegitimate children of the nobles, three years is not a long time, and there are only nine places in total. The illegitimate children of the nobles can be calculated by the number of carriages. Do you want to be a serf? There will be no chance if you wait another hundred years.

However, Ryan had no intention of relying on this to select the best among serfs and promote them to knights. His real purpose was to break the directional thinking of all nobles and serfs in the entire kingdom. Through the "Knight Promotion Order", the insurmountable gap between nobles and serfs was The gap has been opened, so after being mentally prepared, Lane will encounter little opposition if he introduces the "Old Guard" setting.

This is like being in a stuffy room. If someone proposes to open a window for ventilation, everyone is opposed to it. But if this person suddenly says that he wants to lift the entire roof to get fresh air, everyone will definitely be startled and stop them quickly. , then this person proposes to open a window for ventilation, and this proposal will be passed nine times out of ten.

Therefore, after the news came out, the serfs throughout Britannia were boiling.

The Old Guard!

Higher salary! Better food! More generous benefits and an independent high-level military camp!

The serfs who become the Old Guard will enjoy the status of "glorious freemen"! They will receive complete personal security and complete guarantee of the sacred freedom of personal property! They enjoy almost the same political status as knights, and battalion commanders can have knighthood and knighthood! The Fairy in the Lake has promised that as long as the old guard performs well, he can be directly knighted and have the title of knight!

Duke Lane even promised that he has already circled a large manor in Musilon, and the name is called Wang Family Old Guard Manor! The ownership of the manor belongs to the entire regiment of the Old Guards, and these soldiers will be able to receive an additional salary based on the output of the manor!

This...isn't this a fiefdom?

Serfs can really become master knights!

Therefore, the entire southern Brittany is discussing this new army crazily. The serfs are sitting on the field ridges, around the fire, crowded in the bar, and even lying in bed. Just two words, that is the old guard!

So, what kind of person can become an old guard?

The serfs gathered in small groups, annoying the village elders and the knights of the kingdom with questions.

At least five years of service!

Participated in at least three battles!

You must meet at least the above two conditions to participate in the selection!

The harsh conditions made many serf soldiers sigh, while those who met the conditions were overjoyed. Among them, the most important were those serf soldiers who followed him in the north and south after arriving in Britannia. .

After two weeks of training, the Old Guard temporarily selected five hundred people, who will become the first batch of recruits for this famous army that will dominate the old world in the future.

As expected, Duke Lane did not break his promise.

Straight and white uniform trousers! Belted white uniform shirt! Luxuriously decorated, gleaming half-plate armor from the dwarf workshop! A bearskin military cap made of animal skin and decorated with several gorgeous kite feathers! There are also exquisite weapons. The infantry in the infantry battalion can receive the exquisite weapons of the dwarves. The archers have received the exquisite bows made by the wood elves, and the musketeers have received cavalry swords and long-barreled fire weapons. pistol!

The old guards who were selected after layers of selections all held their heads high and were full of energy. They were proudly on duty in the Duke's Castle. Their neat and beautiful uniforms, strict military discipline and strong qualities also had the characteristics of their bodies after experiencing many wars. Not to mention the serfs, even the noble ladies were dazzled by the aura of blood and fire. Some noble ladies from knight families even had the idea of ​​finding an old guard to marry.

This new army will enjoy special and luxuriously decorated military camps protected by city walls.

In the morning, Duke Lane and Duchess Sulia received and reviewed the new army. Mrs. Surya even gave a speech with a big belly, which moved all the Guards soldiers and vowed to serve Lord Lane. , Mrs. Sulia and the child in her belly died.

Noon, Old Guards Barracks, dining room.

The entire military camp covers an area of ​​one hectare and is based on the construction of the Duke's Castle of Lane. The stone buildings made by dwarf craftsmen are full of majesty and solemn atmosphere. The walls are carved with various story murals, starting from Lane's arrival in Britannia. , he and his epic stories were carved on the wall by the dwarves, and the light cleverly shone into the room from the long windows, bringing glory and light.

On rows of long dining tables, the Old Guardsmen were enjoying lunch.

Raymond, former captain of the third company of the Count's Halberdier Company, now a member of the Old Guard, carefully looked at the lunch in front of him. The former escaped slave of Lyonnais thought with pleasure that this day was beyond his reach. The better.

The food of the Old Guard has changed greatly compared to when they were halberdiers. Now the food of the Old Guard is white bread with jam or butter, delicious pies, and delicious meat. Vegetarian food is paired with stews, and there is a fixed ration of barley wine. In the past, there was meat once every three days, but now there is meat every meal, and you can even eat marinated steak occasionally!

This is something only a knight can eat!

"Raymon, are you on vacation tomorrow?" asked an old guard. His name was Altir, a brave Winford man who had followed Ryan in battle for many years. The scars on his face made him look calm and indomitable.

"Yes." Raymond nodded. The Old Guard's leave is the same as before. They are given 20% leave in normal times, which is two days off in ten days. When stationed abroad, they are given 10% leave, which is one day off in ten days. During wartime, they only have one day off. Rest according to the commander's arrangements.

"Any plans?"

"I'm going to go home." Raymond stirred the stew in the bowl with a spoon. Large chunks of delicious pork were mixed with some cabbage and cauliflower, as well as many carrots and some fungi.

"Go home?" The Old Guards must live in the military camp, so Altier's choice of Raymond is not surprising.

"Well, go home and see your mother and brother." Raymond nodded. He was a little hesitant, not sure whether he should say it or not.

"Is...what happened?"

"Thomas... he wanted to study abroad in Nuer, but my mother couldn't make up her mind, so she asked me to go back."

"I see."

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