Chapter 54

Seeing Zhengliang's determination to expand the army unwavering, all the vassals tactfully refrained from further objections and instead began to consider how many ashigaru should be recruited this time.

"Your Highness, we could start by temporarily recruiting 100 ashigaru, and then consider whether to increase the number based on the actual number of displaced people recruited," Togo Heiji suggested, seeing that the lord had made up his mind.

"Hmm, given the state of our territory, that's all we can do for now. The newly formed ashigaru unit should train for about half a day each day," Zhengliang sighed. "Also, what is the usual stipend for a samurai? And for an ashigaru?"

"The lowest-ranking samurai receive a stipend of around 13 to 15 koku, while ashigaru receive about 3 to 4 koku," Togo Heiji replied. As the former head of a Togo branch family, he was well-versed in these matters.

"In that case, let's set the stipend for samurai at 15 koku and for ashigaru at 4 koku," Zhengliang thought for a moment and then decided. "As for the newly formed standing ashigaru unit, they should continue to train according to the previous standards. Kunitsugu, you will be in charge of this." The previous training standards included a 2-kilometer cross-country run in the morning, followed by an hour of drill training, and then two hours of formation and combat training. After these sessions, it would be around 11:30 AM, leaving most of the ashigaru with the rest of the day to tend to their farming duties.

"Additionally, divide the ashigaru into three small units to take turns guarding the entrances and exits of the territory and the lord's residence," Zhengliang continued. "Heiji, please record all of this; these will be the military regulations of our family." Hearing this, Togo Heiji immediately took the pen and paper from Kishiro and began to write.

"Your Highness, how should we train the samurai? Will it be the same as before?" Tsuda Kunitsugu asked.

"The standing samurai from neighboring territories will be trained together. The morning training will be similar to that of the ashigaru, and in the afternoon, I plan to add some additional training," Zhengliang intended to emulate modern military training, adding some special exercises, the designs for which he had already given to Tombei the previous night. "The standing samurai will also be divided into three units, and one unit must be on standby in a dedicated camp at night. I will arrange for a camp to be set up near my residence." Zhengliang planned to have the camp near his residence so that he could quickly mobilize the samurai in case of an emergency, and it would also serve to protect his residence.

Togo Heiji's brush moved quickly across the paper, but Zhengliang had said so much that Heiji was struggling to keep up. Zhengliang paused for a moment, allowing the vassals to digest his plans. In fact, Zhengliang was also a bit frustrated, as most of his vassals had no military knowledge, with only Tsuda Kunitsugu, who had organized monk soldiers, having some experience. The others were only familiar with leading a dozen men into battle. To be honest, these vassals were only good at brawls and had no experience with large-scale military engagements, let alone famous battle formations.

After a while, seeing that everyone's frowns had eased, indicating they had understood his requirements, Zhengliang continued, "To ensure that the training is not affected, each samurai will be allowed four days off each month from the territory's training and the nightly camp watch. Most samurai have their own fields, so they need time to manage their farming. Kishiro will be responsible for registering and managing this, and I will review it at the end of each month." After nearly a month with Zhengliang, both Sogoro and Kishiro had grown significantly, and Zhengliang planned to give them more experience, as they would be his future family samurai.

"Yes, Your Highness," Kishiro, excited, even forgot to bow before Zhengliang and directly knelt behind him. Zhengliang smiled faintly, gently waving his left hand to signal Togo Heiji not to be upset. He was inwardly sighing, as he was still short of people, and even his fiancée and maids had been assigned tasks. If he knew what the vassals truly thought about his assignment of tasks to the maids, he would probably be furious.

"Your Highness, will I be in charge of the samurai training in the afternoon?" Taking advantage of the moment when Zhengliang took the tea offered by Sogoro, Tsuda Kunitsugu stretched his neck and asked with eager eyes. As the only vassal who had experienced all of Zhengliang's military training, Kunitsugu deeply appreciated Zhengliang's ingenious training methods and was determined to participate in the new training for the samurai in the afternoon.

"Yes, the morning training for both the ashigaru and samurai units will be your responsibility, and I will occasionally inspect," Zhengliang mainly wanted to foster competition between the two units. "As for the afternoon...," Zhengliang feigned hesitation, picking up the teacup to take a sip, and then said, "You will still be in charge, but you must ensure that the entrances and exits of the territory are well-arranged."

"Yes, Your Highness. I will ensure that everything is well-arranged and that those rascals stay alert," Kunitsugu loudly promised.

"Ch!" Zhengliang spat out the water he had just sipped, realizing that Kunitsugu had learned his usual training curses.

"Your Highness?" Seeing Zhengliang suddenly spit out the water and cough, everyone was tense.

"Ah, it's nothing," Zhengliang quickly waved his hand to indicate it was fine, straightened his wet clothes, and then continued in a serious tone, "On the last day of each month, organize internal competitions for the ashigaru and samurai units; those who perform well will receive grain rewards. Ashigaru who excel in three consecutive competitions will be promoted to samurai; those who perform poorly will have their stipends reduced."

"Admirable! Your Highness, this will make the ashigaru and samurai pay more attention to their training," Kishiro immediately praised. Zhengliang smiled slightly but did not respond directly, then continued, "In battles, we will calculate battle achievements; those who perform outstandingly will receive rewards, with the highest reward being a promotion to a fourth- or even fifth-rank citizen. Injured warriors will be cared for by the territory; those who cannot continue as ashigaru or samurai will be provided with livelihood arrangements by the territory; and the families of those who die in battle will receive compensation, with the territory taking care of the dependents and the children until they come of age."

"Your Highness, although this will place a significant burden on the territory, it will greatly reduce the concerns of the ashigaru and samurai, making them fight more bravely," Togo Heiji said sincerely.

"Yes, especially the last point, which will help many households that have lost their breadwinners and fallen into hardship. Your Highness, this decree will earn greater support from the citizens," Oishi Kunitoshi remarked, his eyes welling up, seemingly recalling difficult times.

"Everyone, I entrust you with the task of discussing and determining the specific standards for calculating battle achievements, and then submitting them to me for confirmation. Additionally, expedite the selection of suitable personnel to record military achievements among the ashigaru and samurai. The orphans of fallen warriors will be temporarily汇总到我这里，我将安排人员处理," Zhengliang slowly scanned the room, "All these measures are predicated on the further expansion of our territory and the increase in food reserves. The prosperity of our family depends on your support. Please implement the decisions made today immediately."

"Yes, Your Highness, we will do our utmost for the prosperity of the Luo family," the vassals immediately bowed.

(PS: This is the fourth week of the new book release, already A-signed, with nearly 150,000 words updated, and no plans to stop. At least 1.5 million words. Last week, it was on the Sanjiang Potential List, and this week, it is on the New Book Recommendation List. It is second on the New Historical Fiction List. Dear readers, don't leave after reading; even if you don't have votes, add it to your bookshelf. I beg you, my goal is to write at least 1.5 million words, even if it means a spectacular failure. Enjoy writing, enjoy solitude.)

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