"Good." Maximus nodded, then looked at Scapula: "We have a construction team in the Supply Camp, whose current responsibility is to build camps and roads. In the future, I hope it can also construct bridges, siege weapons, and even water wheels, water mills, and lifting equipment for civilian use. We urgently need experienced engineers like you. Would you be willing to serve as the engineer of this construction team and also act as deputy leader?"
Scapula was somewhat surprised and couldn’t help asking: "Why does Leader Maximus want to build things like water wheels and water mills, which have nothing to do with warfare?"
Maximus straightened up and said with unprecedented seriousness: "Initially, we fought for survival. We were forced to rise in rebellion against Rome, garnering the support of countless slaves and impoverished people, and our forces have grown stronger. However, the might of Rome’s national power, you should know better than I, so this war will likely last a long time...
In fact, our ultimate goal is not to annihilate Rome but to gain complete freedom and find a piece of land to settle on and build upon...
I hope that by then, we can build water wheels to automatically irrigate fields, water mills to grind our grain, and cranes to help us construct houses and transport goods more effortlessly... With these machines, we won’t need slaves and can build our homeland well on our own, don’t you think?"
Spukala, Quintus, and Oluus exchanged a deep glance. They had initially adapted to the peaceful life in Lukelia, but having killed so many Pompeii nobles, they were forced to join the rebel army. Knowing Rome’s strength, they were somewhat despairing about the future, but Maximus’ words seemed to bring them hope again.
Quintus’ expression was no longer calm, and he asked solemnly: "Is this the idea of all your leaders?!"
Maximus saw their expressions and candidly said: "This is just my personal view, but I believe the other leaders have similar thoughts."
The three exchanged glances once more, and Spukala quickly said: "Building camps, roads, and bridges was something I often did in the army camp. I also frequently made siege towers, siege carriages, and other siege weapons, including cranes. I’ve seen water mills and water wheels but never made them. If I have to make them in the future, I’ll need some time to figure it out, but I should be able to make them."
"Don’t worry, I’ll arrange sufficient manpower and materials for you to explore freely. If you get inspired to make other machinery in the future and need more manpower and materials, feel free to ask me anytime..." Maximus made a solemn promise.
"I am willing to join the construction team of the Supply Camp." Spukala replied straightforwardly.
"May I ask, leader, who is the leader of the construction team?" Quintus interrupted.
Maximus seriously introduced: "The leader of the construction team is Adrius Gaius, a comrade of Flanitnus. He is a carpenter by trade and was a Heavy Infantry soldier in the army, but he has done quite a bit of bridge-building and road-paving. He’s a man of action who can inspire others..."
"Turns out he’s a former army slave—" Oluus said disdainfully in a low voice, and Quintus immediately gave him a look, making him shut his mouth.
"A construction team needs such a person as a leader, so the men will work more energetically. Leader, rest assured, I will cooperate well with him." Spukala said sincerely. Maximus’ previous words had enlightened him. As a former military engineer, he was more interested in having time to research and manufacture devices beneficial to people’s lives and found managing the team rather troublesome.
Maximus could see that Spukala was sincere, and he happily extended an invitation: "With your joining, I am confident in the future of the construction team. If there are others skilled in building and making machines among the companions who came with you, they can also join the construction team."
After saying this, Maximus then addressed Quintus: "Apart from the Lukaiya people joining the Personal Guard and the construction team, the rest will join you in the staff."
Quintus said nothing, silently calculating: Excluding those, there are still at least a dozen people with him, more than enough to take control of a staff team...
"By the way, among the Lukaiya people who came with you, is there anyone who works seriously and is impartial?" Maximus asked again: "Now that we’ve occupied Pompeii, the soldiers are all gathered in the city, and some are bound to commit illegal acts, disrupting order and undermining military discipline, so I need a strict Military Judge to oversee the army and maintain order in the city. This is not a temporary position; the Military Judge position will remain long-term in our Supply Camp."
Quintus hesitated for a moment and said: "Among the Lukaiya people who participated in the raid last night with Oluus, there is someone named Sidonius. He used to serve as a Military Judge for a while in the army, and he should meet your requirements."
"Then let him try serving as the Military Judge first." Maximus said straightforwardly.
Of course, Maximus had more profound reasons for letting a Lukaiya person serve as the Military Judge: The Lukaiya people were newcomers and unfamiliar with others, which helped them act fairly and impartially. Moreover, being a Military Judge is a role that offends people, and given the unique status of the Lukaiya people (Roman citizens by birth, neither slaves nor impoverished people), over time, the soldiers in the Supply Camp would inevitably form some opinions about the Lukaiya people, preventing them from deeply ingraining in the troop which holds many important Supply Camp positions...
Maximus was now attempting to use the traditional Chinese political principle of balance, yet whether it would be effective had to be observed over time.
"Tonight, I will gather all the key figures in the Supply Camp here for a meeting, announce your appointments, and let everyone get acquainted. I am confident this will mark the beginning of strengthening the military power of the Supply Camp!" Maximus said with high spirits.
But Quintus asked: "What arrangements does the Supply Camp have for our families?"
Reminded by Quintus, Maximus realized he had forgotten such an important issue but was relieved as he had developed a thicker skin. He immediately composed himself and seriously said: "After some of your families arrived at our Supply Camp, the children were gathered for education and training, while the adults were assigned to various departments based on their situations. You’ve had some interactions with your families these past few days, so you should have a general understanding.
Going forward, we will continue to act according to this. If anyone can’t adapt, adjustments can be made to their departments, but the basic principle remains unchanged—you can spend time with your families if free, but military and logistics departments will separate housing in the evening, considering that it is wartime now. Given your many years in the Roman Army, you should have a deeper understanding of this. Our Supply Camp also includes a few families, and they too are being handled in this manner. Everyone should be treated equally, right?"
Upon hearing Maximus’ words, Quintus and the others could raise no objections. Indeed, apart from other matters, the decision to arrange training and education for the children pleased them greatly.