I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 131 Fear of Insufficient Troops

……

……

"hurry up!"

Durant shouted angrily, his whip lashing mercilessly at the lagging soldiers behind him.

Durant may seem mild-mannered, but he's actually much stricter than Gundle when it comes to training.

"Run faster! What are you doing, sluggishly?"

Before he could finish speaking, a soldier lost his footing and stumbled to the ground.

The soldier was panting heavily.

"My lord, I simply can't run anymore. These things I'm carrying are too heavy... I just can't run anymore!"

"I command you to get up right now!"

Durant looked down at him and questioned him sharply.

"Barron, do you want to quit?"

"Sir, you've added another thirty pounds of bricks to our bodies, and the armor we're wearing weighs over thirty pounds too. We simply can't keep going!"

Barron looked bitter. "We've run five kilometers already, let's take a break..."

"Your goal is ten kilometers!"

Durant grabbed Barron by the collar and yanked him up abruptly.
"If you can't keep going, I'll have to kick you out of the elite team!"

"Think about your pregnant wife. You need more work points to exchange for supplies so you can take good care of your wife and child, don't you?"

"I know, sir, but I really can't run anymore."

Baron was breathing heavily.

One of the soldiers behind spoke up: "Sir, do we really need this kind of training?"

"My lord, we can't hold on any longer..."

The others also looked distressed. "We don't need to carry such heavy things, do we?"

The soldiers behind Durant were a carefully selected elite force, capable of running ten kilometers while wearing chainmail.

But Durant was not satisfied with this.

It's no secret that all the soldiers in Frostleaf Town have experienced a certain improvement in physical condition thanks to a stable supply of meat—everyone knows this now.

Therefore, Durant cannot be expected to meet the standards of ordinary people; a 10-kilometer weighted cross-country run is just a basic requirement.

Furthermore, since this is the elite team of Frostleaf Town, Durant naturally has to be even stricter with them.

It's only the beginning, and everyone is finding it hard to persevere, hence the bitter look on their faces.

"What's this? The Knights Squad is carrying a hundred pounds of weight!"

Moreover, in the future, these people will not only be trained as ordinary soldiers. Rhodes' goal is to enable these soldiers to wear full armor and charge directly with square shields.

The goal is to train them to be heavily armored warriors like Günler.

Since those things aren't available right now, Durant had them use other types of weights to get used to them in advance.

"The knights and squires are all practicing breathing techniques; we can't compare..."

The soldiers couldn't help but complain.

"Am I discussing this with you?"

Durant frowned.
"If you can't hold on, go back to your original team, and I will select new people."

The soldiers all lowered their heads, and even Barron struggled to his feet to continue.

There's no way around it; the treatment of elites is just too good.

Not to mention the tens of thousands of work points, the unlimited meat provided every day is tempting enough.

Everyone was scrambling to squeeze in.

"Because you wasted time, we'll add another three kilometers today!"

At Durant's command, the soldiers instantly erupted in groans of agony.

"Wait a moment."

Just as the team was preparing to set off again, Rhodes' voice rang out.

……

……

The appearance of Ivan, the spy, made Rhodes feel even more threatened.

In the words of my past life, this sense of crisis is called the fear of insufficient firepower.

Rhodes's condition should be called a fear of insufficient manpower.

Rod couldn't help but call on Gunther to accompany him on a tour of the barracks to alleviate his symptoms.

I just happened to witness what was happening.

Durant's request was not difficult for Rhodes.

But ordinary soldiers need time to process it.

Those who grit their teeth and persevere will become elite soldiers; those who can't will remain ordinary soldiers.

"Good day, my lord!"

When the soldiers saw Rhodes appear, they all bowed in salute.

Rhodes nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over each soldier.

"You are the best of the best that Durant selected from five hundred reservists and then competed against two hundred regular soldiers."

“You fifty men will become the most elite soldiers in Frostleaf Town in the future, second only to the Knight Squad.”

With a serious expression and solemn tone, Rhodes commented, "It can be said that you will be the main fighting force of Frostleaf Town, the backbone of Frostleaf Town."

Upon hearing Rhodes's assessment, the soldiers straightened their backs.

"So no matter how high Durant's demands are, you cannot give in."

Rhodes' voice boomed, "Because the spine must be brave, strong, and unyielding; it must support the entire Frostleaf Town!"

"Yes, Lord Lord!"

The soldiers echoed loudly.

With the lord's personal encouragement, everyone's spirits were immediately lifted.

Rhodes waved his hand, "I'm not giving you any slogans."

Rod turned his gaze to Baron. "Your wife is pregnant, isn't she?"

“Yes, Your Excellency.” Baron nodded with a smile.

"Congratulations! After training, go home and spend more time with your wife. If she needs anything, just let her know."

"Thank you for your concern, we lack nothing now!"

Baron was flattered and bowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you for giving us a prosperous and stable life. I will definitely train hard!"

Rod waved his hand and asked with a smile, "Then tell me, what is the purpose of your training here?"

"Reporting to you, sir, our objective is to defend Frostleaf Town and protect your property."

Barron chuckled and scratched his head, "And then I can earn some work points to support my family."

Barron was being honest, and everyone else couldn't help but laugh after hearing it.

Rod liked this kind of practicality.

"Well, that's a good point."

Rhodes nodded slightly. "Anything else?"

Rhodes's gaze swept over everyone.

"Tell me, what else are your goals as soldiers?"

The soldiers looked at each other, trying to figure out the answer to Rhodes' question.

After a moment of silence, a soldier stepped forward: "Protect our families, my lord."

"Well said."

Rhodes looked at the soldier who answered the question.
"You didn't originally live in Frostleaf Town, did you?"

Rhodes, one of the original militiamen, remembered that there was no such person.

In fact, there weren't many natives of Frostleaf Town in Rhodes' army, and Rhodes recognized most of them.

“Yes, sir, my name is Jones, and I come from Razor Plains.”

"Very good. People always realize they should cherish things only when they lose them."

Rhodes's gaze returned to Baron.
“You are not mercenaries, you are not just fighting for money, so you are not only protecting my property and my slaves.”

"You also need to protect your family who live on this land—your parents, your wife, and your children!"

Rod's voice rose a few decibels:

"What does it take to protect them? It takes strength, it takes power!"

"Do you think winning a few battles will protect them?" "Do you think wiping out a few small groups of troops at Eagle Ridge is the end of it?"

"Let me tell you, there are at least a thousand soldiers still at Earl's Ridge!"

"We currently have fewer than three hundred actual soldiers, and most of them are not as capable as you; they are your defeated opponents. That's why we've sent fifty of you to stand up!"

Rod clenched his fists, his gaze sharp:
"If Earl Falcon comes looking for trouble, what will we use to fight back? Will we use the blood of your wives and children to stop their swords?"

“It’s not just Earl Falcon. Jones, who just came from Razor Plains, should understand that there are even greater threats than Earl Falcon, such as the alien races.”

"They are far more ferocious than Earl Falcon's soldiers, and legend has it that they will even eat human flesh when they are extremely hungry!"

"If you think you can surrender to Earl Falcon after defeat, what about those alien races?"

"What are you going to do? Tell me, what are you going to do?"

The entire area was silent, but the fighting spirit burned in the eyes of every soldier.

"You have no choice but to fight to the bitter end! Use your blades to cut off their heads, use your shields to smash their skulls!"

Rhodes sneered, a slight, mocking smirk playing on his lips as he looked at the soldier.

"But can you lift sturdy shields and wear the full suits of armor I have prepared for you?"

The soldiers exchanged glances, momentarily puzzled.

Aren't we all wearing chainmail and carrying round shields?
Rod didn't explain further, but waved his hand, signaling Gunther to step forward.

Then Rod reached out and tapped Gunle, producing a heavy sound.

“Your captain, the full suit of armor that Gangle is wearing weighs sixty pounds.”

After Rod finished speaking, Gunle turned around, giving the soldiers a full demonstration.

"He can take on all of you by himself, with his armor on his back, his shield raised, and his axe in hand."

“As my elite troops, I will also prepare full-body armor for you.”

Rhodes spoke calmly, his gaze sweeping over everyone, "Now, if any of you can run ten kilometers in this armor and still fight, then you don't need to train anymore."

Rod's tone turned stern, and he glared at him, demanding:

"My blacksmith shop works day and night to make armor for you, but you bunch of good-for-nothings can't even run ten kilometers in it!"

"In the future, when we're rushing to the battlefield, you might have to wear this armor all day long. Can you handle it?"

"I will not be stingy with people who have the ability."

Rhodes reached out, and Gunle offered him his battle axe.

Rod gripped his axe and cleaved the stone block beside him in two!

"And this battle axe, sharper than any weapon in your hands, but are you worthy of it?"

Rhodes' eyes swept over each soldier: "I will prepare all these things for you, but only if you can carry them, carry them, and go far."

Otherwise, you'll only be able to watch helplessly as others trample on the lives of your family members!

After Rhodes finished speaking, all the soldiers lowered their heads, not daring to look him in the eye.

Rhodes was not trying to belittle them, but rather to tell them the importance of these things.

He walked up to Barron and patted him on the shoulder:

When your child is born, do you want him to see a strong father or a coward who can't protect him?

Barron's eyes held a firm resolve: "A strong father, sir."

"very good."

Rod patted him on the shoulder.

"Then prove it to me, prove it to your unborn child."

Rod raised his fist.

When you feel exhausted, think of those menacing enemies.

"When you feel like giving up, think about your family behind you."

"You are not training, you are fighting for survival! For Frostleaf Town! For your families!"

"For Frostleaf Town! For my family!"

The soldiers shouted in unison, their eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

A smile returned to Rod's face.

"Tell me, are you still tired?"

"Not tired!"

The soldiers shouted in unison.

"very good!"

Rod nodded in satisfaction.
"So from now on, the daily distance will be thirteen kilometers instead of ten."

"Is there a problem?"

"No problem, my lord!"

The soldiers answered in unison, their voices louder than ever before.

"Now, the backbone of Frostleaf Town, line up for a 10-kilometer cross-country run with weights! Forward!"

"go ahead!"

Amidst the resounding shouts, the soldiers were filled with high morale!
After the soldiers left, Gunle turned his head to the side.
"You're so eloquent, sir! Your words make us want to run a couple of laps!"

"If you run, you'll need to add another forty pounds."

Rhodes glanced at Gunle and continued his inspection of the barracks.

Elite troops need encouragement, but ordinary soldiers need it just as much.

Because of the existence of the Flesh Reaper, Rhodes' soldiers are all physically very strong.

Rhodes naturally had high expectations for them, demanding that they maximize the effects of their improved physique.

At the very least, in war, these soldiers must be able to crush their opponents in a one-on-one fight.

Winter has arrived, and life in the wild is tough; prey are less active.

Rhodes allowed the three hunting teams to take turns resting, while more people stayed at the camp.

Of course, their free time wasn't meant for them to lie around, but rather for them to intensify their training.

Rhodes instructed the hunters to pass on all their grappling hook skills, and also to train more longbowmen.

After inspecting the barracks, it was almost noon.

Rhodes didn't stand on ceremony and dined with the soldiers in the barracks.

After Durant ate hot pot last time, he brought it to the army with Rhodes' permission, and recently the soldiers in the barracks have also started to enjoy hot pot.

Rhodes felt that this thing was more suitable for military camps and also for the North.

Rhodes wasn't good at history, but he vaguely remembered that in his previous life, many ancient armies liked to use their helmets to boil water and make hot pot, and it seemed that the earliest hot pot originated from this method.

This method of preparation is also very convenient in the wild.

On a cold day, after training, everyone gathers around a hot pot to eat meat, which is a very happy thing.

The army camp cook prepared a separate stove for Rhodes, but Rhodes refused.

Once he entered the military camp, Rhodes no longer had so many aristocratic formalities.

He sat with Durant, Gunle, and several squad leaders, sharing a meal from the same pot.

Durant's girlfriend, Stella, also sat at the same table.

Before they even ate, the smell of goat meat had just wafted out when Stella rushed out and began vomiting violently.

"what happened?"

Rod looked at Durant with a puzzled expression: "Got it?"

Durant nodded somewhat embarrassedly: "Yes, sir, just over a month ago."

"Why don't you share this good thing with me?" Rod asked rhetorically.

"I'm sorry, sir, you are very busy every day, and I didn't mean to bother you with such a trivial matter."

Rhodes nodded slightly and instructed, "Since she is already pregnant, don't let her work too hard. Have Lawrence arrange two maids to serve her."

“Thank you for your generosity, Your Excellency.” Durant rose and bowed.

"Hehe, sir, our woman is pregnant too."

Gunle grinned and scratched his head sheepishly, the meaning of his words self-evident.

"I've never even seen your woman, and you're trying to take advantage of me?"

Rod feigned displeasure and asked in return.

"She is a widow and is not worthy to see you."

"Alright, go and talk to Lawrence yourself."

Rod glanced at Gunle with annoyance.

However, with his subordinates all having children, Rhodes felt at ease.

(End of this chapter)