flstandardbreds Chapter 496: Invalids
Chapter 496: Invalids
In the autumn of 1459, the sunlight shone through the mottled leaves onto John's desk, casting a golden glow.
John was leaning quietly over his desk, concentrating on reading the documents sent from various places.
Now that the operations of various domestic departments are on track, they have relieved him of a lot of work. The mountains of letters that used to pile up have now been significantly reduced, and they are no longer sent to him in piles like before.
"Chirp, chirp!" A familiar sound broke the silence in the room. John raised his head and looked to his side.
When he has nothing to do, he always likes to touch the coal balls next to him.
This duck is now ten years old, which is considered old in the entire meat duck population.
Since he came back, for some reason, the duck would follow him around whenever he left the bedroom, never leaving his side.
At this moment, Coal Ball, who was feeling comfortable being touched, was squinting his eyes and making comfortable sounds.
John had an idea and wondered whether he should make Coal Ball a national mascot.
At this moment, John turned his head and saw Karl running from the door.
Karl's small figure was like a gust of wind, and suddenly pounced on him.
"father!"
Karl’s voice was full of intimacy and dependence. John smiled and touched Karl’s head, and asked softly:
"What's wrong? Aren't you going to play with your sister?"
Carl shook his head like a rattle and said seriously:
"Katherine always plays with her dolls. I don't know how to play with her. I prefer playing with my wooden soldiers."
Before this, John saw that Carl liked military-related things, so he asked a carpenter to carve a bunch of wooden soldiers for Carl.
When Carl was bored, he would fiddle with the wooden figures and build his own "army" in his little world.
"That's right, Dad."
Karl suddenly took a deep breath and then asked:
"When can I join the army?"
John was startled, and then asked doubtfully:
"Why do you ask?"
Carl said anxiously:
"I used a telescope to see a bunch of soldiers in armor outside the city. The newspapers also said that soldiers were being recruited everywhere. The maids in the castle were also talking about whose children had joined the army. I felt embarrassed for not joining the army..."
After hearing this, John smiled and explained:
"Oh, you're still young. No one would want you to join the army if you're not even nine years old. You can't just join the army if you want to."
Indeed, the Holy Helderland Kingdom Army's recruitment offices, not to mention the Knights and Field Corps, are overcrowded even for the local garrison troops.
If he became a local garrison soldier, even if he served the minimum two-year military service period, the military salary plus the provincial subsidy would be enough for him to buy a house in the capital, not to mention that he would be assigned a job after returning from service.
Nowadays, there is a shortage of people in every position, and as long as you don’t do anything illegal, it’s basically a stable job.
Hearing Karl's expectant words, John asked with a hint of seriousness:
"Carl, do you want to join the army so badly?"
"Yeah! I want to defend my country, too! I want to be respected by people!"
Carl answered without hesitation, a twinkle in his eyes.
John thought for a moment and said:
"Well - it's not impossible to join the army if you want to, but you need to go to military school first, and then join the army. This way you can not only join the army, but maybe even become a general later."
"Really? Dad!"
After hearing this, Karl's eyes instantly lit up like stars, and he asked loudly with excitement.
"Yes, I happen to know a military academy that will start recruiting students next year. I will take you there then, but you need to study hard and not fall behind in academic subjects."
John said earnestly.
"Great!"
Carl cheered happily, then ran out excitedly, ready to go back to his bedroom to study hard and prepare himself for joining the army in the future.
At this moment, Matilda pushed the door open.
She had already listened to the conversation between the father and son, which was full of warmth and expectation. After she came in, she placed a plate of apples on the side of the table and said softly:
"Karl is less than nine years old now. The military academy will not recruit such a young child."
John smiled and explained patiently:
"No, I know a military school that recruits kids like this."
Matilda frowned and said with a puzzled look:
"That's impossible. All military academies recruit children who have completed junior college at least at the age of twelve."
John looked at her and said seriously:
"Yes, for example, the Invalides in Helmingen."
The Invalides, a special place formed under a special historical background, was originally established to properly accommodate those soldiers who fought bravely in the war against the Yoda Empire and were unfortunately disabled.
They fought bravely on the battlefield, defending the country's dignity and territorial integrity with their flesh and blood.
However, the enemy's fierce artillery fire and cruel swords caused serious injuries to their bodies.
Many soldiers lost limbs, some became blind, some suffered hearing loss, and some even suffered indelible mental trauma.
When they retired from the battlefield, the Invalides became their new home, and as long as they were willing and their physical condition allowed, John could find them a leisurely job in the relevant military departments, such as guarding or teaching in a military academy.
This not only allows them to have a salary, but also ensures that they can live with dignity.
As time went by, the functions of the Invalides were gradually expanded.
Considering the large number of troops stationed near Helmingen and the fact that the soldiers are on missions away for a long time, their families also face many difficulties in life.
So, the Veterans Home took advantage of the situation and began to accept some of the family members of the stationed troops, so that when the soldiers wanted to see their relatives, they did not have to travel a long way back to their hometown.
There is also a military academy under the Invalides. In addition to the normal admission channels, which recruit students who are normally enrolled at the age of twelve, the military academy also has a junior college department, which specializes in recruiting military families and children of martyrs.
Among these children, some will be admitted to military academies in the future, and then join the army to become grassroots officers of the country. They will become the backbone of the army.
Therefore, John believes that as a future leader, it is necessary for Carl to contact and communicate with these children.
He wanted Carl to understand the growth background and inner world of these children, and to cultivate Carl's sense of responsibility and mission; at the same time, he also wanted these children to have the opportunity to contact and get to know Carl and understand future leaders.
John firmly believes that through such running-in and communication, Carl will be able to cultivate a team of his own in the future to prepare for his ascension to the throne.
"Karl has grown up. It's time for him to meet his future subjects."
John looked into the distance, thinking silently in his heart.