Chapter 25 25. Recruiting soldiers
Although he was mentally prepared, when he stood at the entrance of the alley, Lowe still regretted it.
The pungent stench hit him in the face. He didn't want to stay even for a second longer and kept backing away.
It was not until he reached the fence outside the town that he took a deep breath.
What would happen if a town had no sewers? Now, Lowe has a direct understanding of what would happen.
A quick glance showed garbage and excrement everywhere, with sewage flowing everywhere.
To be able to stay healthy in such an environment, I can only admire the strong physiques of the people from other worlds.
"I'll tell you." Lan Lan kept covering her nose and staying far away, not even coming closer.
Lowe managed to calm down, pointed at the fence and asked, "If we keep going straight, can we get around to the main road?"
"Sure, but why don't you go back?" Lan Lan asked puzzled.
"I want to see how big Huange Town is." Lowe gave a high-sounding reason.
"Master, why don't we go through the mountain." Lan Lan raised her hand and pointed to the road outside the fence. They had to go out through the gate.
It took about a quarter of an hour to get from the west to the south.
The area of Huange Town is actually equivalent to that of a medium-sized university.
In terms of transportation, there are mainly two intersecting main roads, and four exits in the southeast, northwest, and northeast, leading to farmland outside the town in four directions.
The people usually live in the town, while the nomads live outside the town, acting as human shields to attract the attention of wild beasts.
It's very unfair, but there's nothing we can do about it. After all, it's great that the people are willing to accept the vagrants to stay.
Therefore, most vagrants want to become formal subjects.
On the high platform built by the City Hall, Lodel folded her hands and looked down at the bustling crowd below her.
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask."
"How much is the salary?" someone in the audience raised his hand and shouted.
"The salary is six silver dollars per month, and seven silver dollars after one year. People with ability will be promoted to captain. The salary is twelve silver dollars." Lodel replied loudly.
"I am a vagrant. Can I become a subject after joining the army?"
"Yes, as long as you work for us, we will accept you. The term is three years, and if you make meritorious contributions, the time can be shortened as appropriate."
"Can men sign up?"
"I suggest you don't, unless you are prepared to suffer. Our training is very hard, and the military rules are strict. Violators will be punished equally, regardless of gender."
“Is there an age limit?”
"Generally, we don't accept old people and children. Of course, if your ability is recognized by me, age is not a limitation."
Lodel patiently answered the crowd's questions, including specific welfare benefits and pensions.
It is a pity that there are no low-level nobles in the Earldom of Evelyn.
When someone asked if they could become nobles by making meritorious contributions, Lodel made it clear that it was almost impossible under the current circumstances, and that it would only be possible to grant titles unless a war broke out in the territory.
"Okay, the question and answer time is over. Those who want to sign up, come and line up." Lodel raised his arm to signal.
In front of the three stones below the stage, the crowd quickly formed a long line.
"First, it tests your strength. Second, it tests your endurance." Zoe's long voice said.
"Won't agility and reaction be tested?" someone asked.
"If you have absolute confidence, our scout team can also recruit people." The new scout captain, Wolme, stepped forward with a sharp look and said quickly: "Let me be frank, scouts are very risky. Of course, the income is also high. The starting salary is eight silver dollars. The salary of elite scouts is ten silver dollars. If you don't have the ability, don't come. I only want one."
There were discussions among the crowd. Many people thought the scout salary was good and wanted to try it. But the acceptance rate was too low.
In comparison, the admission quota for ordinary soldiers would be more reliable. Taking all factors into consideration, only a few people came to Volme.
With Lordel's approval, the test of strength began.
There are three different grades of stones in total.
The first stone weighed more than 100 kilograms, which was difficult for an ordinary person to lift. The second stone was twice as big as the first one.
I don’t know who brought the third stone, but it weighs at least 700 to 800 kilograms.
"rise!"
The strong woman with dark yellow skin and dreadlocks lifted the second stone with great effort. The whole audience burst into cheers.
She glanced at the third stone and shook her head helplessly.
"What's your name?" Zoe gave him an approving look.
"Gunaba, a nomad from the western grassland." The strong woman whispered.
"Good, next one." Lodel nodded slightly.
When Lowe arrived at the scene, the draft selection had already reached the middle stage.
The process is very quick. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.
As the crowd made way for him, Lowe came to Lodel's side.
"What are you doing here?"
“No money to buy anything.”
"I'll give it to you when I'm done."
Lowe found a chair with a backrest in the city hall office and sat on the podium, watching with great interest.
There is no entertainment anyway, so it's quite interesting to watch the female man lifting stones.
Finally, it’s the last person.
A girl with black hair and a ponytail came forward. Her build was similar to that of Lodel, but thinner.
Her appearance is just decent, with bright eyes.
She walked to the second stone and slowly bent down.
Not many people paid attention to it. Most people thought that this person was overestimating his own abilities and wasting his time.
The result was unexpected.
After the girl lifted the stone above her head, she threw it lightly into the air a few times. When she bent down and put it down, no dust was raised.
"What's your name?" Zoe asked the same question with a serious expression.
"My name is Li, I came here to live with my relatives. I want to join the army and get a household registration." The girl followed suit and pointed to the third stone, "Can I try?"
"Okay, if you can do that, I'll promote you to captain of the recruits." Lodel promised generously.
Li took a deep breath, walked to the boulder, bent down to find a suitable fulcrum. With a roar, she slowly lifted the boulder and gradually passed over her head.
They remained like a statue for ten seconds, with everyone's expression frozen on their faces.
It was not until she dodged and the stone fell to the ground that the scene became lively again.
The onlookers were shocked and talked about it.
"Very strong."
"Is she still human? Could she be a dragon?"
"Born with supernatural powers!"
Li dusted off her palms, "Sir, I did it."
"Yes, it has great potential." Lodel nodded slightly, feeling genuine joy in her heart.
Talents in the Earldom of Evelyn are too scarce. Every strong person joining is precious.
Zoe was in charge of counting the number of people who passed. About 500 people signed up to join the army, but only 73 of them were able to move the stone.
Among them, there are seventy women and three men, and the gender ratio is seriously unbalanced.
Adhering to the principle of not recruiting the wrong people, the remaining people were all eliminated.
(End of this chapter)
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