Descending On France 1780
Chapter 94 - 088 The army does not move without provisions first.

Chapter 94: 088 The army does not move without provisions first.

Thinking and doing straight away, that afternoon Anning returned to his own estate, gathering his artillery troops.

As soon as the alignment was completed, his personally chosen deputy, Russell, asked, "Mr. Frost, I heard you’ve been promoted to Legion Commander?"

Anning: "Who said that?"

"This afternoon, an old farmer who went to the city to deliver food came back and told us that you’ve become the Legion Commander overseeing a large legion."

Anning was astonished: "What Legion Commander? They gave me less than two thousand men. I lead nearly five hundred, and a bit more than a thousand remain."

Russell: "That’s still a force, though. Now the troops you command have expanded ten times."

Anning: "Shut it, don’t make it sound like it’s something good. I see it as Lafayette deliberately setting me up, seeing that my reputation is too high. He is sending me with such few troops to suppress Conte’s rebellion; it’s clear he wants me to be soundly defeated."

Russell was shocked: "Is that so?"

The reason Anning chose Russell as his deputy was primarily because he valued his honest and straightforward nature—or in other words, a bit of a blockhead.

This sergeant, personally promoted by Anning, was originally a mason from Paris City, typically speaking in a simple, honest manner.

Anning: "Anyway, our main purpose this time is to make an appearance. Lafayette has promised to personally lead the main force of the National Guard to suppress the rebellion. We’ll take the lead, scout the enemy situation once we arrive, and wait for Lafayette’s main force."

We won’t fight if the main force doesn’t show up—Anning didn’t voice this part out loud.

He paused, then changed the subject: "I gathered you all because there is something we need to do. I plan to divide you into two groups. One group will continue to operate the cannons, as artillery, while the other will be promoted directly—privates to junior sergeants, junior sergeants to sergeants. Step forward if you want a promotion."

Everyone looked at each other; initially, no one stepped forward.

Anning: "What, don’t you all want a promotion? The military salary will increase!"

Someone grumbled: "From my experience, things that seem very good often turn out to be traps."

"Alright," Anning scratched his head, "I’ll just tell you the truth. The new troops assigned to me are a disorganized bunch; they can’t even line up properly. I need you to train them rigorously. It’s not going to be an easy task, so there will be a salary increase. If no one volunteers for promotion, I will actively choose those whom I think are capable."

Anning paused, then asked again: "Anyone volunteering for promotion?"

Only a few people stepped forward voluntarily.

Anning: "Good, you few, well done! Therefore, I decide to promote you directly to senior sergeant! Once in the troops, you will become company leaders."

Company leaders should be Lieutenants, but with a current shortage of officers in the National Guard, non-commissioned officers have to take on the role.

Anning paused, then pointed at Russell: "You, Russell! You’re still my deputy, but since the troop I command has expanded, it’s inappropriate for you to remain a sergeant. I promote you to lieutenant to continue as my deputy, and also as the second in command of the entire troop. If I die, you will take command."

Russell was alarmed: "This... shouldn’t it be inappropriate? A lieutenant is a high officer, I’m not accustomed to being called ’sir’."

Anning: "No! We are the National Guard, we adhere to the principle of equality for all! Officers and soldiers are equal! From now on, our soldiers are called combatants, officers called commanders, both are equal. A soldier, if performing well, can also become an officer!

"Russell, you are the first in my troop to move from soldier to officer, you’re promoted because I think you are capable! Don’t let me down!"

Russell was deeply moved: "Yes! I will definitely perform well!"

Then, Anning called out a list of names of active individuals he remembered, promoting them to senior sergeants, and then let them recommend their friends to be promoted to sergeants.

After more than an hour of this activity, Anning had a troop of a hundred non-commissioned officers. He led this troop into the city, and they were assigned to the new troops under his command.

**

In the headquarters of the National Guard, Lafayette’s assistant entered his office, saluted, and then reported, "Frost promoted his own small Artillery squad to sergeants, and then brought them to join the troop assigned to him. He also requested the corresponding number of sergeant ranks insignia from the headquarters."

Lafayette frowned, "What the hell, he really expects to use those civilians to command the army? His troops will disperse after the first round of rifle fire!

"I have already seen it in the New Continent. The American troops had a large number of militiamen, and these militiamen are simply unreliable. The Redcoats’ bayonet charge would inevitably disperse them.

"The militiamen are just a mob. Even dressing them in uniform blue uniforms does the same.

"Not to mention that this group of militiamen is led by ’sergeants’ who are also civilians. The army needs well-trained sergeants and experienced officers!"

The aide shrugged, "Maybe Mr. Frost has another opinion."

"Hmph, he’s just a leatherworker’s son, he knows jack about war! He got the Legion of Service Medal because he saved Tolleson’s daughter! It’s all hollow honor!" Lafayette said contemptuously, "This rebellion will completely shatter all his honors and expose his true face! I’m sick of people thinking this leatherworker’s son has the same military capability as me!"

In fact, among the drunkards of Paris, Andy Frost’s military capabilities are considered superior to Lafayette.

The aide asked, "So... should we approve his request for sergeant promotions?"

"How many sergeants is he promoting?"

"60 Junior Sergeants, 30 Sergeants, 22 Senior Sergeants, and one Lieutenant."

Lafayette frowned, "Where did he get a Lieutenant from?"

"Apparently, it was his former assistant, a bricklayer he promoted."

Lafayette exclaimed, "A bricklayer! What does he think the army is! To let a bricklayer become an officer! I can’t wait to see his small squad collapse!"

The aide asked confusedly, "Uh... aren’t we the ones handling the rebellion..."

"The National Guard isn’t ready to mobilize en masse. We still need to maintain the security of Paris." Lafayette walked to the window, "So before we deploy, Mr. Frost will have to figure it out on his own."

**

At this time, Anning just came out of the National Guard’s camp.

He had just stuffed his own recently promoted "sergeants" into the newly assigned troop.

He was not very sure what role these people could play.

But at this time, he had more urgent matters to worry about.

Before the troops move, provisions have to be prepared. But rather than provisions, Anning had a more pressing issue to worry about: Military Salary.

Currently, the National Guard’s military salary is paid with vouchers issued by the National Assembly, but these vouchers are only accepted by Patriots, and outside of cities where Patriots are concentrated, they are not acknowledged by villagers.

Especially in rebellious areas like Conte.

Anning wanted to use copper coins to pay his troop’s military salary.

Additionally, he hoped his troops could obtain some silver coins as military funds to buy food and supplies locally in rural areas.

One cannot just forcefully requisition food in the rebellious areas.

That would be pushing the local people to oppose us.

To solve this problem, Anning decided to find the Duke of Orleans.