CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 40 ARRANGEMENTS (CONTINUED)

"Military advisory group?" Flantinus felt unfamiliar with the term.

"It’s essentially a team that can provide us with military assistance at any time." Maximus glanced at the others and explained, "For example, if we want to build a camp, how should it be constructed? You will guide us; or, if we are going into battle, how should the battle be fought? You will draft the strategy, and once we reach a consensus, we’ll fight according to the plan..."

Isn’t that just a camp officer in the Roman Army? No, it seems to have more authority than a camp officer... Flantinus thought to himself: For a young man responsible only for the Supply Team to set up such a small team with military functions, he must have quite the ambition... but it makes sense, given he’s the kind of man who can make those speeches and tell those stories.

"Military advisory group, is it? I suppose I can give it a try." Flantinus’s tone was indifferent, but there was already a shift in the look he gave Maximus.

Maximus seemed not to notice this shift, and continued, "There is currently a matter that requires the military advisory group. Although this time we won, it was with some luck. In yesterday’s face-off, we were actually heavily defeated, so the leaders plan to implement strict military training for the Soldiers, and naturally, our Guard is no exception. I want you to lead the military advisory group and conduct rigorous training for our Guard Soldiers according to Roman Army requirements, can you do that?"

Before Flantinus could respond, Fesaros jumped in and said, "Maximus, our Guard can train on our own, there’s no need for outsiders to intervene."

"Train on your own?!" Maximus’s expression turned serious as he questioned, "Do you know how to lead the Guard in marching orderly? Do you know how to construct a Defense Camp? Do you know how to form ranks during a confrontation? Do you know how to use the copper horn and drum to command the Soldiers to charge or retreat?..."

Fesaros was left stunned by the series of questions, and after a long pause, he managed to squeeze out, "I know how to teach the brothers to fiercely fight the enemy!"

"Enhancing individual combat ability is just a basic skill for Soldiers in war, we have many other things to seriously learn so that next time we won’t retreat in chaos like yesterday," Maximus said solemnly. "Flantinus used to be a Centurion of the Roman Army, with extensive war experience. He will be an excellent teacher for us."

"He was a Centurion of the Roman Army?!" Fesaros was somewhat surprised. He originally thought Maximus valued Flantinus because he had been in the Roman Army for so long as an old slave, learning many skills. He did not expect him to have such a status.

The others were also surprised, their expressions towards Flantinus became complex.

"Hey!" Maximus shouted to remind them, "Don’t forget what I just mentioned in the courtyard: whether Centurion or a common Roman Soldier, they are all of Italian plebeian origin. Flantinus went through a lot of hardships going from Centurion to a slave, sharing the same plight as us. Since he joined us and fights against Rome with us, he is my brother, and we should welcome him with open arms!"

As soon as Maximus finished speaking, Acronis immediately smiled, "The captain’s right, no matter what Flantinus’s past status was, he’s one of us now. And having a Centurion in the Supply Team makes me feel even safer!"

Pigeris reluctantly said, "Roman Soldiers captured and arrested at will in Little Asia, which is why I became a slave. I only feel hatred, not fondness for Roman Soldiers. But you used to be a Roman Soldier and are now a slave, and since the captain has spoken... anyway, welcome to the Supply Team."

"Are you a Sabine?" Gaius asked.

Flantinus was a bit taken aback, and nodded, "Yes."

"I noticed your accent was similar, always wanted to ask," Gaius smiled, and then inquired, "Which town are you from?"

"Kunos."

"I used to be in Aeluntum, very close to you," Gaius’s smile widened, "We should keep in touch often."

"Sure." A slight smile finally appeared on Flantillus’s face.

"Wel... welcome to the Supply Team," Seksepis said with some nervousness.

Fesaros took quick strides to stand before Flantinus, startling Maximus, who thought he might mean harm to Flantinus, but was surprised to see his full smile, saying enthusiastically, "So you were a Roman Army Centurion, you should’ve told us earlier, you’re certainly better at strategy and tactics than me, please teach me more!"

Maximus let out a sigh of relief, realizing that with this young man’s personality, no conflict was likely.

Flantinus also breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing everyone eventually accepting his true identity and him and other army slaves showed how well respected Maximus was within the Supply Team. Thus, he earnestly said, "Our military advisory group will conduct rigorous training on the Guard, but with so few Guard members, practicing formation might be challenging."

"Start training anyway, we’ll have more people in the future."

Maximus’s response further solidified Flantinus’s belief: this young man would not be content with just being a Supply Team Captain.

Maximus glanced at the others and added, "Not only the Guard needs training, when you have free time, lead your subordinates in training too."

"Ah? We have to train too?!" Acronis exclaimed in surprise, and the others widened their eyes.

"Yesterday, after our troops’ defeat, we at the rear could have safely retreated to the mountains as planned if we didn’t panic and lose formation...,"

Maximus said solemnly, with a heavy tone, "Our fight against the Roman Army will be long and challenging. With each battle having potential victories and losses, our Supply Team, with our weak combat strength and abundant supplies, will often become a prime target for enemy assaults. My purpose for training you isn’t to teach you how to kill the enemy, but to teach you to follow orders, listen to commands, and retreat quickly and safely in danger, understand?"

Yesterday’s incident profoundly reminded Maximus, since the rebellion of Spartacus in history involved continuous migration, with the Supply Team being the slowest due to carrying various supplies. Without enhancing the organizational skills and crisis responding capabilities of the squad, such painful lessons would continue to repeat.

His reminder made the others realize this point, and they all expressed agreement.

At this moment, Flantinus also spoke up, "In fact, even the slaves doing odd jobs in the Roman Army need to undergo some military training to keep up with the Army without holding it back."

Maximus’s reminder, coupled with the reinforcement from Flantinus, finally made the others realize the importance of training, shifting from reluctant agreement to active cooperation.

"Oh, by the way, Flantinus," Maximus remembered something and continued, "In the past, I’ve taught the Supply Team to read, do arithmetic, and tell stories every night, just like tonight. You can also be a teacher and impart some knowledge to them."

"Me? Be a teacher?" Flantinus’s expression became more animated as he waved his hands in refusal, "That... I can’t do it!"

"You definitely can!" Maximus earnestly persuaded, "You have such rich military experience, something we’ve never experienced. You can combine your war experience to tell us what to watch for during training, what’s crucial in building camps, what preparations are necessary before battle, and how to kill the enemy while protecting oneself... You can even share a specific battle you participated in, or discuss a failure you faced... I’m sure everyone would be very willing to listen to your stories and learn a lot from them!"