I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 357: Enlightenment (4)
War is hell.
If there is a commander who denies this, then that person should never be given command.
Anyone who doesn’t even know such a basic concept is bound to look for romance on the battlefield, ultimately leading to the destruction of entire battalions, regiments, and divisions. They are nothing but garbage.
Therefore, from the commander to the common soldier, those who participate in war are all walking into hell on their own two feet.
Strangely enough, most officers and non-commissioned officers march into hell proudly, even the newly appointed lieutenants and sergeants.
Do they have some kind of steel resolve that ordinary soldiers do not possess?
‘Not at all.’
“Your Majesty, have you ever thought about this? The likelihood of desertion among new lieutenants and sergeants is lower than that of ordinary soldiers.”
“... I’ve never thought about it. I suppose I did not, and neither did the late Emperor, my father. Among the nobles, you’re the only one to have seriously considered this.”
The Pythagorean theorem, we know that it was discovered by Pythagoras.
This is half right and half wrong.
Because, long before Pythagoras was born, ancient Egypt, with its high-tech—essentially like today’s superpower—was already aware of and using the formula [A^2 + B^2 = C^2].
However, Pythagoras relentlessly explored this obvious knowledge and, as a result, made great contributions to the development of mathematics.
To make progress, one must constantly ponder and explore why something is the way it is.
Even in the game where filial sons inquire about their parents' well-being, if they want to escape the bronze level, they must analyze and improve on why they’re stuck in bronze rather than blaming the team, just like moving up to silver.
“Their shoulders bear a heavy burden, and they are given a reason to fight. In contrast, soldiers often don’t even know why they are fighting.”
“You always tend to view things from the perspective of the lowest position, no matter what you do.”
“That’s because the wealth, power, and honor I enjoy now are all thanks to them.”
“Had it been me before, I would have thought such nonsense was unworthy of consideration.”
Afterward, the emperor smiled faintly.
“Now, I completely agree with you. A knight’s nobility and dignity come from fighting honorably for the people he must protect. Therefore, honor is fulfilling the duties he has to uphold. If I, who lead all the knights of the empire, do not care for the people, I would be a laughingstock for everyone. I still need to learn more.”
“Your Majesty, you are already a ruler greatly respected by the people.”
“In that case, I must strive to ensure that the crown prince, due to my achievements, is also respected by all. Not that I believe he is incompetent. When I was his age, I was far less capable.”
“The Toscana Empire will continue to prosper forever, Your Majesty.”
The wealth and power I now enjoy are also thanks to the strength of the Toscana Empire.
It is also the land where Leo and the others will live.
Even though other countries are chaotic and disordered, Toscana must remain peaceful.
For my own purposes, I can do anything.
Ah, but I won’t invoke the wisdom of the anti-Semites and bird-killers who called intellectuals reactionaries.
“Soldiers who have no reason to fight do not fight to win. They fight simply to return home safely. As a result, their morale is low, and they’ll run away at the slightest disadvantage. Officers and non-commissioned officers, who have a reason to fight, will hold their military discipline high and fight until they die, even in the most adverse situations.”
Soldiers should be respected just for serving.
Do they receive high pay? That only matters during peaceful times without war.
In times of war, who cares about high pay?
Only when they are respected and their honor acknowledged by family, friends, and the nation can they suppress their fear and fight in the face of bullets, defending ‘honor.’
It’s not a coincidence that in the U.S., if a Medal of Honor recipient appears at an airport, people will spontaneously upgrade their ‘economy class’ ticket to first class.If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen
Likewise, at places like the Super Bowl, when the game starts, they display the face of the Medal of Honor recipient on the giant screen, and the crowd claps [N O V E L I G H T] and cheers in sincere admiration.
Moreover, anyone who insults or harms soldiers, police officers, or firefighters will be relentlessly pursued and punished, as the utmost respect must be shown to them.
That’s how they fulfill their duties and ensure their safety.
‘Those who look down on soldiers must have rotten heads full of noodles.’
I don’t need to say anything more; history spanning thousands of years proves it.
“Tell the soldiers why they must fight. You must place the burden of duty and honor on their shoulders.”
“Should I tell them what the young duke said to me?”
“Just that alone would be insufficient.”
“Then what more should I teach them?”
“Absolute loyalty to Your Majesty. Everything my father-in-law suggested is meant to give soldiers fighting in the army a motivation to offer absolute loyalty to Your Majesty.”
“Farmers, laborers, or even just ordinary soldiers who have served in the army will have loyalty to me planted in their hearts. Simply hearing this is intoxicating. It feels more thrilling than the first night, like being drunk without even drinking alcohol.”
Powerful people are always intoxicated by power.
I am, and the emperor surely is as well.
“In the upcoming war, reward those who distinguish themselves. After all, when we conquer the Holy Empire, noble titles will be available. You must present them with the goal that fighting for Your Majesty will make them nobles. If they die fighting for Your Majesty, they will be rewarded, and if they survive and achieve merit, they will certainly be rewarded. This belief will be the fuel that keeps the flame of absolute loyalty burning forever.”
“I will do so. I must do so.”
“And instill in them strong faith. Bind their loyalty and faith to Your Majesty.”
“Bind faith and loyalty together. How exactly should I do that?”
Such arguments are circulating throughout the Toscana Empire, the Kingdom of Lyon, or even the Albanian continent.
The king is appointed by the gods, so they must obey his authority.
It controls the nobility, but honestly, it’s not enough.
If you look at it from that perspective, it’s forced.
For example, if an unpopular man were to approach the prettiest girl in the department and say that it’s ordained by God that they should date and marry, people would send him straight to the psychiatric hospital.
But if the most popular girl in town approached me and said it was ordained by God that we should date, I’d think, ‘Sounds tempting, as long as she’s not some religious fanatic.’
“Deus made Your Majesty the emperor of this empire. And Your Majesty has been given a very important mission by Him.”
To brainwash the emperor—what a schemer I am.
No, I’m a loyal subject like no other.
People like 황희 or 맹사성, great ministers of the past, would surely lament in the afterlife that they never had a loyal subject like me in Joseon.
I’ve saved the nation’s finances, rescued the people from illiteracy, and risked my life in plague-stricken areas, saving hundreds of thousands of lives.
‘There has never been a loyal subject like me.’
“To release the burden of suffering from the people and give them freedom. To share their pain, shed tears with them, and embrace them with empathy. Your Majesty, who does all of this, is the apostle of God, fulfilling His will.”
If the Pope heard this, he would be calling for the emperor’s excommunication, causing a commotion.
But what can the Pope do after suffering a religious reform?
If he acts up, he’ll only be trembling in fear, worried about losing his donations.
“Loyalty to Your Majesty, who fulfills God’s will, is what Deus desires. Teach them how to read and write so that they can directly understand Your Majesty’s teachings and what You wish to convey.”
The emperor listened to my words, and a look of rapture spread across his face as tears began to flow.
“......”
“Soldiers who learn to read and write will understand and follow Your Majesty’s will. Moreover, they’ll even be able to carry out small-unit operations. Even simple ones.”
Soldiers in pre-modern times couldn’t read or write, and they were often very ignorant.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.
When recruits were told to stop shooting their muskets when the enemy got close and charge with bayonets, they often didn’t understand the strategy.
So they were taught through strict discipline.
“Do you like it?”
The emperor, hearing my words, tightly clasped both of my hands.
“I’ll promote you to Major General by my authority. Do whatever you want! Go ahead, do whatever you like!”
... At my age, making it to reserve brigadier general (with the option to transition to active duty) is already an unprecedented promotion in the history of the empire.
But Major General... am I crazy?
“Wouldn’t someone else do better? I’m just a beginner with a little knowledge.”
Saying that, I left the palace in a rush, leaving behind the emperor intoxicated by rapture.
