CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 39 ARRANGEMENT

"Women are more attentive than men, better at caring for people, and can soothe the pessimism of injured soldiers, aiding their recovery. More importantly—" Maximus patiently and earnestly explained, "Acronis, you must know that although our team consists of people who have suffered, the traditional view places women at a relatively low position in the team. They often face harassment from the soldiers, who remain unpunished.

But when soldiers are injured, they tend to be pessimistic and despairing. Under the meticulous care of women, their recovery seems like a second chance at life. These women become ’mothers’ who gave them this second life. Can their respect and gratitude towards the women be any less?! When these injured soldiers return to their respective teams and spread the stories of the women in the Medical Team, who would dare bully you again? Wouldn’t your status be elevated?!"

"This... this... that’s true." Acronis was moved but still hesitated, "But the young women in our kitchen are the main workforce. If we send them all out, the kitchen work won’t be easy to manage. If we can’t provide food for the soldiers on time—"

"You don’t need to worry about this. Among the new Roman army slaves who joined, many can cook and can temporarily help you."

Why temporarily? Because Maximus thought this group of army slaves could play a greater role; just being cooks would be a waste.

"The soldiers of the Guard can also temporarily help you. As long as we get through one or two days, when the leaders assign people to us, I can let you choose first. However, I think the number of people in your kitchen is not small, but the work efficiency is not very high. Actually, with some changes, fewer people can finish more work. You don’t need to watch over the kitchen all the time—it’s too exhausting! Regarding this matter... after the meeting, we can discuss it further."

Acronis was a farmer’s daughter and used to be a slave and cook without managing people. Since becoming the head of kitchen affairs, she had been figuring out how to manage things and people for a month. Listening to Maximus, she was intrigued, especially since this young Supply Team Captain had already demonstrated his wisdom multiple times before.

Maximus, unaware of her thoughts, continued, "After this victorious battle, we acquired a lot of weapons, armor, several crossbow cannons, and some military supplies. This is different from ordinary life supplies and requires knowledgeable people to manage them carefully. Otherwise, if they get damaged, it would be such a waste!"

After saying this, Maximus glanced at Gaius.

"The captain is right. Weapons and armor are hard to come by. I’ve never been in the military and don’t know how to maintain them. We indeed need someone specialized in managing them." Gaius agreed readily, having no interest in the matter and preferring to keep things simple.

"Flanitnus." Seeing no objection from Gaius, Maximus sighed with relief and turned to ask, "Among your people, who is suitable to manage these weapons and equipment?"

Flanitnus thought for a moment and said, "Glaeus Capitol. He can write and calculate and used to be entrusted by soldiers to write letters and even manage their money."

"Okay, let’s temporarily put him in charge of managing these military supplies." Maximus nodded decisively, looking at everyone, then continued, "The leaders decided that tomorrow the entire team will relocate to the farm not far down the mountain to build a new camp. Our Supply Team’s base will be in that farm. By then, we need to mobilize everyone to work together to complete the relocation as quickly as possible, including the wounded. So, Pigeris, your transport team—"

"Captain, most of our transport team’s carriages are still there, but there’s not much of the draft horses left—" Pigeris began to complain when Maximus interrupted him, "Didn’t Spartacus’ leader hand over the 15 carriages seized at the olive oil farm to you?"

"Oh, I almost forgot." Pigeris sheepishly slapped his forehead.

"If there aren’t enough carriages, I have already discussed with Okmar to borrow a few captured warhorses to use as draft horses temporarily—"

"Captain, warhorses are not draft horses; they haven’t been trained and are hard to control." Pigeris reminded him.

Maximus glanced at him, "That will depend on your transport team’s skills. If I solve every problem, then what’s the need for you as the transport team leader?"

"I understand. I’ll find a way to solve it," Pigeris quickly responded.

"I have three oxen that can help pull the cart," Seksepis offered.

"See, when you encounter difficulties, everyone’s here to help, so there’s no need to worry at all," Maximus said, half-jokingly and half-seriously.

Pigeris, encouraged, immediately pledged, "Captain, our transport team will do our utmost to transfer all the wounded to the new base smoothly!"

"Good!" Maximus said, turning his gaze to Seksepis, a Samnite man from the Apennine Mountains, tall and thin like a stick. This was why the leaders discarded him to the Supply Team.

"Seksepis, although all the sheep in our Supply Team have been eaten, I believe we will soon acquire new flocks. Your herding team should not follow the relocation. I have gained the leaders’ permission; once the soldiers leave, this farm can be used to raise cattle and sheep."

"That’s great!" Seksepis exclaimed joyfully, "In the daytime, I can let the cattle and sheep graze on the nearby hills, and at night drive them back into the farm, so we won’t lose them again. I can also raise more chickens and ducks on the farm..."

Maximus ignored Seksepis’s murmuring and turned to Flanitnus, saying, "After relocating to the new base, I don’t intend for the wounded to live in the farm. I plan to set aside a piece of land outside the farm to build tents, allowing the wounded to reside there. But I want these tents to be as interconnected as possible, with breathable air and ample space for the wounded... How many tents would be needed? How should they be set up?"

"How many wounded are there?" Flanitnus asked.

"About 250 people."

"How many people are in our entire team?"

"About 2,000 people."

Flanitnus thought for a moment and said, "We are responsible for transporting these military tents. I remember clearly because although the army has only 3,000 people, the supplies were prepared for 5,000. It seems Grabo had planned ahead to mobilize Campania’s City Guard. This morning I saw some tents in the camp burned, but the remaining ones are enough for the entire team..."

As Flanitnus spoke, he gestured with his hands, "Roman army tents are made of cowhide supported by iron poles, making them sturdy and not easily damaged. They are rectangular when set up and can accommodate a squad of 10 people. If only 6 people stay inside, it will be more spacious. Thus, we will need around 40 tents. You said you want the tents to connect and ventilate, which is simple. Erect the tents close together, roll up the cowhide on the sides, and it will naturally be ventilated."

"How long will it take to set them up?"

"Our 35 people can set up 40 tents, and with some help... it will take roughly an hour."

"That’s excellent. This task is up to you. After we move to the new base tomorrow, go ahead and start this immediately. I’ll provide as many people as you need, but the tents have to be set up quickly so the wounded can move in. If possible... build a wall or fence outside the tent area to avoid disturbances in the future."

"I’ll do my best." Flanitnus replied somewhat reluctantly.

"Flanitnus." Maximus looked at him and said sternly, "You all have the military skills we urgently need. Apart from managing the military warehouse and members of the Medical Team, the others will form a military advisory group, with you serving as the leader."