Bab 56: An Unbreakable Bad Habit
Hailan's decision to specifically select slaves for military service wasn't due to a sudden surge of compassion.
It was because these tragic slaves were more accessible to cultivate into his loyal forces.
"So this is Lord Hailan?"
"Not quite what I imagined."
"I thought he'd be an old man..."
The laborers brought back by Kuro were all gathered in the square of the Loguetown Navy base.
Due to their long-term slave status, these laborers were highly disciplined.
Although they didn't stand perfectly in line, they made an effort to stand in the square without needing orders from their superiors.
They were completely different from the previously unruly soldiers of Loguetown.
"First, I need to correct a misunderstanding."
"Don't call me Lord Hailan; you should call me 'sir.' Do you all remember that?"
"We remember!"
"Good." Hailan nodded in satisfaction.
These laborers were indeed obedient and easy to manage.
According to Hailan's requirements, out of the 50 people, 20 were female soldiers.
It wasn't that he wanted to create some sort of artistic troupe right now.
In this world, many women's combat abilities were not necessarily inferior to men's.
For example, in the Loguetown Navy base, apart from Colonel Hill, the strongest was Bellemere.
Therefore, under Hailan's orders, the training standards for male and female soldiers were precisely the same.
Hailan continued his speech: "Next, you will undergo a one-month special training under Lieutenant Wagner's leadership."
"The top 10 performers will return to the Navy headquarters with me."
After Hailan said this, there wasn't much of a reaction below.
For a group of slaves, their understanding was minimal.
What was the Navy headquarters?
Could they eat it?
Seeing no reaction from the recruits, Hailan was not surprised.
So he added: "The top 40 in each training session can have vegetables; the top 20 can have an extra bowl of meat soup; the top 10 can eat meat; and the top 3 can enjoy gourmet dishes made from sea king meat!"
Poor people never cared about honor; they cared about having enough to eat.
For these slaves who had been hungry for years, being well-fed was more important than going to the Navy headquarters for further training.
Having vegetables and meat was even better; as for sea king meat, that was beyond their wildest dreams.
The recruits in the square began to stir.
Hailan didn't stop them.
Discipline needed to be enforced, but not urgently at this moment.
On the contrary, it was crucial to motivate these recruits.
Hailan added another incentive: "Today is your first day here, everyone will have vegetables and meat to eat!"
Enjoyment was a bad habit; once accustomed to it, it was hard to give up.
Some might think that as long as they were full, vegetables and meat didn't matter.
But if they tasted meat, it would be different.
A person who has tasted meat and is then made to eat dry rations while watching others eat meat and soup would suffer more than someone who has never tasted meat.
It's all a strategy!
But Hailan didn't dislike this side of himself.
He would never become someone he hated.
He was doing what he wanted to do.
Kuro hurriedly reminded from the side: "Why are you all standing there? Hurry up and thank Sir Hailan!"
Hailan was also satisfied with Kuro.
Though he knew Kuro was a restless person with many ideas of his own,
he also knew that someone like Kuro, if managed well, could be handy.
"Thank you, Sir Hailan!"
A group of recruits shouted and wanted to kneel before Hailan.
This was a bad habit from their time as slaves.
"All of you, stand up!"
Hailan rarely cursed.
His dark expression made the recruits somewhat panicked.
"From today on, you are soldiers!"
"Remember this well: soldiers must never kneel easily!"
"Because you represent not just yourselves but the Navy!"
"Only fallen comrades are worth kneeling for!"
"If you only want to represent yourselves, you must first remove your uniforms!"
The recruits didn't understand the deeper meaning of these words.
But seeing Sir Hailan's furious expression, they quickly understood that this was a serious and important matter.
A recruit bravely asked, "Sir, how should we express our gratitude to you?"
"Salute!"
Kuro turned and saluted Hailan.
Initially, the recruits were puzzled.
Then, a few quick-witted ones understood Kuro's meaning and saluted Hailan as well.
It wasn't until all the recruits raised their right hands that Hailan returned the salute.
...
In the Navy dormitory, Nojiko was leaning out the window, observing the situation outside.
Although the recruits' movements were not very standard, seeing their serious expressions made Nojiko think. If there were more soldiers like these and officers like Major Hailan, the pirates wouldn't be able to wreak havoc anymore.
Bellemere suddenly appeared behind Nojiko, patting her head: "What do you think? Want to join the Navy?"
"Can I?"
Nojiko's voice was still tender, but in her eyes, there was a strong desire.
Bellemere smiled and replied: "You can when you grow up!"
In the original story, Bellemere encountered an enemy ambush during a military operation, and the island's Navy and civilians were wiped out, leaving only her, Nojiko, and Nami.
Heartbroken, Bellemere eventually chose to return home and grow oranges.
But this time, it was different.
She wanted to stay in the Navy.
Moreover, she had become the highest officer at the Loguetown base, a colonel of the Navy headquarters.
...
At night, in a bar in Loguetown, Hailan found the former Loguetown Colonel Hill drinking heavily.
"What's this?"
"Has Major Hailan not decided how to deal with me, a Navy traitor?"
Hill glanced at Hailan, then continued to drink.
Hailan sat opposite Hill: "With your skills, being able to keep Loguetown safe shows you're talented."
Hill's face showed surprise: "That doesn't sound like something Major Hailan would say."
"So, you're going to spare me?"
Hailan poured himself a glass of wine: "Let's not discuss my decision yet."
"I'm just curious why you didn't escape when I went to the Victoria Kingdom."
4o
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