Herald of Steel



Alexander's decision to let so many of his men go could be attributed to the fact that he could afford to let them go.

And besides technically he was only relieving them, not really losing them.

And it was a point Heliptos was the first one to chime,

"The lord is right. As long as the officers and instructors are there, our army will still be strong." "Besides, we are not really losing those men. They still exist. We can call them back anytime."

"When we organize long campaigns, our armies will certainly be bolstered by levies and they can join then, as temporary officers or regular infantry."

"I think it's not a bad idea."

Heliptos pointing this fact out made the others quickly take note of it.

He was right.

The veteran soldiers were still with them, just working as peasants or merchants or being retirees.

So Melodias then next said, "Also, they can help defend the city if something happens while we are away."

"Three thousand (3,000) veterans defending the city will put us at ease.".

"Also few can join the city guards. Keep an eye on all the things we discussed," Grahtos chimed in next.

And hearing the council members all seem very enthusiastic about Alexander's proposal, Menes understood the decision had largely been approved, and so voiced his support too, saying,

"This is indeed good. Many of the men have been fighting for years and want to now settle down. Start a family."

"And this land and money will be a good gift to help them do that. They have done a lot for us, They deserve a good way of enjoying their life."

"But isn't it a bit too much money and land?"

Suddenly, just as Menes finished, this voice rang out,

It seemed that one person inside the room who was still dissatisfied- Menicus.

"I just calculated the land or money we will need to do this." The old man gruffly said, pointing out, "And it's about 200 square kilometers of farmland or about 90 million ropals. Can we afford that?"

Menicus's worry was very justified as paying the cost of 3,000 retiring soldiers was nothing to scoff at, especially when historical precedence was taken into account.

It had to be remembered that even the mighty Roman army, at the height of its power, with nearly 300,000 active duty legionaries had only 6,000 to 7,000 retirees every year.

And compared to that vast empire with its virtually infinite resources, Alexander was currently just a tiny ant.

So in many's eyes, retiring 3,000 men with such large benefits was not at all prudent.

"It will be a bit hard on us in the short term, sure. But nothing we cannot bear." But Alexander did not seem to think so, as he answered with a low nod, adding,

"I will admit the land and money is a bit big. But this will not be for everyone, Regular soldiers will get 8 acres or 16,000 ropals when they retire."

"This is only for our men. In recognition of their service during Zanzan's darkest hours."

As Alexander said, this voice turned softer and his eyes unfocused, seeming to enter into a pool of nostalgia, as he began,

"When I was a mercenary, my biggest dream was to have a bit of land to myself. And now I have that and a lot more."

"So I feel like giving these fellow brothers of mine something I too once wished for."

"Is it too wrong?" Alexander asked with some remnants of vicissitudes in his voice.

Now it was not true that Alexander's dream as a mercenary, or more accurately slave was to have land.

His real dream was to attack to weak city-state and take control of it.

But his feelings about giving the lands to the former mercenaries were indeed genuine.

Given they had left their homeland and fought and died for him, Alexander truly felt this was the appropriate way to repay them, by giving them an early retirement and a generous severance package.

"Hmmm," But Menicus certainly did not share that sentiment.

Which was expressed by the low hum he produced reminiscent of a growl, while looking pointedly at Alexander.

And for the first time, Alexander seemed to think the old man had found a massive flaw with his plans.

"You have said that only the infantry will retire. That the officers will remain."

"But has my lord thought what if the officers want to retire too? You are offering a lot of money and land after all." Menicus posed.

And Alexander seemed to at least have a retort ready for this.

"Of course, it is because unlike the levies and conscripts, they will get many perks. The common ones like rations and civil benefits like lower land purchasing prices aside, there will also be things like having priority in choosing booty when we conquer new lands."

"Gold, silver, jewelry and beautiful women."

"The veteran officers will be first in line to have these."

Alexander pointed out, and then continued listing,

"They will also have a career in the military. So over time, they will be promotions, benefits, and all the prestige that come with it."

"If they had enough of a long and illustrious career, or made significant contributions, they might even have get a peerage after retiring!"

"I certainly will not treat those who choose to stay and fight the same way as those who choose to quit!"

He strongly promised.

"*Shake*, *shake*," But although Alexander felt he had made a strong case for himself, Menicus did not seem to think so.

"You are misjudging them." The old man very pointedly said, "You said a mercenary's biggest dream was to obtain land. But someone like you who has been one for only a few years could never understand how much we want it."

"But I do."

"I have been a mercenary all my life and I very well know the attraction even of a scrap bit of land it holds to us."

"And let me tell you now. No matter how much gold, silver, women, or promotions you promise, most will choose to forgo them for the land."

"Because most mercenaries fight for the main reason of saving enough money to buy some land."

"And if they are being offered that, then why should they bother to fight?"

"Only the foolish would risk their life and limb to fight in the army when a perfectly safe alternative exists."

"Dying by having your heart pierced by a spear does not usually happen during plowing."

"At least that would be my choice." Menicus very determinedly said.

And as the old man slouched back on his chair, the revelation shook Alexander.

He had not thought about it like that and had assumed the perks would be enough.

But if the far more experienced Menicus was saying otherwise.

"Will increasing the money work?" Alexander asked weakly, though he was pretty sure what the reply was gonna be.

"No." And the predictable reply was there, as Menicus said,

"Most of these men have already tasted everything you can offer before."

"Perhaps a few really ambitious will stay in hopes of getting a peerage, but most won't."

"Risking their life for a possible noble title is not worth it to most."

"They would rather take the land being offered to them right now. Especially when that land is so large and good."

"....." This put Alexander into a thoughtful rumination.

He had mistakenly assumed much of the officer's core was as or nearly as ambitious as him.

Alexander personally, of course, would have taken the peerage option, because he would rather die than live a life as a commoner for all eternity.

Both for him and his children.

But not everyone was as bullheaded as him.

"Don't let them go, Alex. Listen to Menicus." And as he was considering his option, Cambyses's concerned voice rang beside him, who with a quick wit quipped,

"You said an army of sheep led by a lion is better than an army of lions led by a sheep. Well, I prefer my army to be of lions led by lions."

Hearing which Menicus could not help but break a light smile.

"Mmm, I too implore my lord to reconsider."

"Giving so much land to so many men, many of whom are in their early to mid-twenties is not a good decision."

"I absolutely will not approve of this!"

Menicus was very firm in his opinion.

And as he listened to his top advisor and wife, it became clear to Alexander that what he was about to do was wrong.

".....then what would you have me do?" Thus he asked Menicis.

And after a while of thinking, during which the man kept brushing his beard with his hand, at last answered,

"I propose we should only give the original offer for those 40 years and above."

"And the instructor position should only go to those above 35 years, with increased pay, let's say 50 ropals."

"And lastly, if anyone below that age wishes to retire, well they can too. We will give them 1,000 ropals for each year they served in their mercenary company."

"That should satisfy everyone."

Alexander was beyond amazed at the simplicity of the solution.

"Great! Great! Let's do it like that," So he cheered with a big grin.

And then turning to Menicus with a moment of ecstasy promised, "Menicus, you have saved me tens of millions of ropals and perhaps the destruction of my army."

"So once we get more land, I promise to make you a Talukder (Viscount)!"