nes was speaking from experience when he advised Alexander regarding the distribution of the rewards.
The propensity for the infantry grunts to cause trouble and raise issues out of sothing that was not even worth considering was really sothing that needed to be seen to be believed.
And hearing this quickly also reminded Alexander of how he used to divide any obtained loot. The shares were certainly not equal.
Now back then, Alexander did that based on contributions- the infantry did the fighting while the slaves and servants stayed at camp, so natually the forr got more, with the higher position in the ranks getting more rewards as they were responsible for more things.
However this gift was just that- a gift. Alexander could give any amount to anyone he wished.
So he did not think to divide it like that.
But now nes was saying to do exactly that- because the n would not care how much they got, they would get how much 'more' they got.
And Alexander certainly understood this psychology
For example- if both soone and their friend takes a job interview and he gets hired for 80,000 dollars a year, he will feel very happy.
However if just after a few months he hears that the friend got a 100,000 dollars a year offer in the sa industry, suddenly that sweet job will start to taste bitter.
This is because for most people, there was no absolute happiness, only comparative.
"Sigh… okay, then give the servants half- 50 ropals," Realizing this, the pasha hence changed his order, elucidating, "I will give 600,000 ropals in total. Give the n 480,000 and the servants 60,000. You take 20,000 and divide the rest between the officers and their assistants."
There were five major officers under nes-
A man who led from the front, rallying the n to charge the enemy. He was also the lead drill sergeant during peace tis, in charge of training new recruits and keeping the veteran's sword sharp and well oiled.
Then there was an officer who was at the very back, urging the n forward and keeping an eye out on the lines, thus making sure the formation was kept. He was also in charge of preventing routs and in case of a retreat, usually led the rear guard.
This post would go to nes's deputy, who stayed close to the commander, working closely to run any errands or relay instructions to other parts of the legion.
There was an officer in the middle of the formation also, kept there to maintain order. While in peace ti he was in charge of the camp's defense. So he would be the one to deligate sentry and watch duties.
The fourth was a standard bearer who carried the all important flag, helping the n keep heed of position in the vast battlefield. In regular tis, he kept attendance, and solved disputes among n.
Lastly there was the trumpeter, responsible for giving all the various signals, as well as being the military clerk in charge of soldiers' pay and calculating all the various deductions.
And to help them, there were quite a few slaves and staff.
So all in all, even when shared amongst all, these n would get surely at least a few thousand ropals from Alexander's dividends.
The order instantly brought a large grin to nes, his pearly whites shining brightly against his dark skin.
20,000 ropals was not a small amount even for him. But much more than that, he was pleased Alexander had actually listened to him, heeding his advice.
"Good! With this I can personally beat the shit of anyone who dares cause a problem." The general replied pleasantly with such gusto, believing he could have the officers' full support in any disciplinary hearing with this 'bribe'.
"Mmm… don't ntion it. Just take this as your compensation." While Alexander gently patted his general on the shoulder once more, his gaze suddenly turning soft and his voice a bit shad and weak, "I am sorry that I cannot take you to Adhan this ti. But I really need soone I trust to look after the n here. Just in case sothing happens…"
Looking at Alexander's face and hearing his words brought great comfort to nes's heart.
The black general was of course aware of all these arrangents and also why Alexander was going it, that still did not an he was not even a tiny bit salty.
The capital was said to turn into a golden wonderland during this ti of the year, decorated from top to bottom with festive festoons.
So naturally, the relatively young nes was curious to see the spectacle for himself. And when it was denied to him, he felt a bit disappointed.
But now with this apology, and hearing Alexander further add, "Do not worry. I will make it up to you next year. You and the princess can spend the fall and winter here," all that swiftly lted away like dews under the sun.
"Hahaha… don't ntion it, don't ntion it." The man uproariously roared without a care in the world, placing both his hands on his hips and declaring imperious,
"I am a general…A fight! What would a poor rcenary like do in that stuffy place full of snobbished, uppity nobles? I would die of suffocation. Hahaha!"
Whether genuine or not, nes's answer pleased Alexander, letting him give a light but deep smile.
"Ahhh… one last ti," Then as the very last point, the Pasha hushed his voice and detailed,
"The n who follow the Ramuh religion, let them all go out during the last day of the fair. It is of special significance for them."
"But when doing so, also keep an eye on those who want to leave the camp pretending to be them. They are either liars or hypocrites to the Mother."
"Do not do anything for now. Just pass on the list to . I will take care of them later."
"....." There was biting tone to Alexander as he said so, and hearing the instructions, nes turned to give the man a deep, profound look.
There were of course no atheists in the legion- the disbelief in the existence of god was a grave offense in not only Adhania but across the whole world, one whose only punishnt if convicted was death.
In fact, this was also one of the charges brought up against Socrates- that he had disrespected the gods by denying their existence. Which ultimately led to his famous end.
Thus if any n were to leave the camp to go enjoy the last day, his allegiance would be clear.
And realizing this ploy, nes's heart skipped a small beat.
'Really, how these nobles think are really beyond . To sche and plot even during such a festive ti. *Sigh*, he even gave them a 100 ropals to spend. How can the n not fall for this trap? Even I would!'
There was both great admiration in his silent rumination for Alexander over the trick as well as quite a bit of dread, as nes once again understood why the man was actually the boss.
Only soone like him could sit with the nobles and snatch food from the tiger's mouth.
And as he thought like this, the black general actually felt a trace of true pity for his n who would be foolish enough to fall for this all too easy trap.
Needless to say, getting one's na into a list to be read by the Pasha was an extre result- be it good or bad. And in this case it was certainly very, very bad.
He might not execute them outright, that would have been too extre. But stopping their career completely on its path was definitely on the table
"Sure! No problem." But regardless of nes's own opinion, he of course nodded quickly to the request, and with that, the two n finally parted for the mont.
….
Alexander quickly returned to Lord Iyazid and more importantly, by now the extrely impatient twins, who quickly chewed out his ears for the dealy.
However before Alexander could apologize, he was swiftly interjected by that middle aged nobleman who had greeted him initially, now interjecting with an urgent, sowhat cramped face,
"Ahhh.. my lord, will your n be staying here? These are actually His Majesty's personal hunting grounds, so…"
Even though the man trailed off, Alexander understood what he was trying to say.
If 6,000 n were to live, eat and clean themselves everyday, by the ti they left this place in six months' later, the whole thing would beco a barren wasteland, stripped of all its resources.
The wood would be used for construction of not just walls and palisade, but also barracks as well as kindling for cooking, while all the vegetation would beco fodder for the pack animals.
There was a reason moving armies were called locusts, sucking all the food like a vaccum everywhere it went.
"Ahhh… no problem. I will talk to His Majesty. I am sure he will agree." But Alexander simply breezed away the concerns, while quickly stepping up to go et Lord Iyazid, leaving whatever the nobleman wanted to say in his mouth.
When he was given the chance to et with Alexander, the middle aged man was certainly over the moon initially, thinking he had earned the king's enough trust to let him be designated with such an important task.
However that alacrity evaporated almost instantly as soon as he t Alexander.
And now he was really starting to regret it.
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