Maximus continued: "Quintus, your staff must take responsibility to choose a target and formulate a plan. Flanitnus, you need to oversee the army’s intensified training. And Adrius and Scapula, based on the operational plans, lead the engineering team to prepare for the construction of siege weapons. I hope our troops can secure victory in their very first direct siege battle and once again establish the reputation of our army!"
Those named, including Quintus, immediately perked up and responded in unison: "Yes, Leader!"
After the meeting ended, everyone dispersed.
Following the adjustments Maximus made to his troops the day before, he also completed the reorganization of the logistics department. The resulting central officials are as follows: Chief’s Attendants (multiple), Civil Affairs Officer Vallerus, actual Financial Officer Magus, actual Clerk Casius, Commerce Officer Pigeris.
The four subordinate departments include: the kitchen, led by Acronis; the warehouse, managed by Capito, with deputy Gaius; the engineering team, captained by Adrius with deputy Spukala; and the medical team, led by Captain Horace and Nurse Chief Nexia.
"Children, how do you feel attending your first meeting?" Maximus turned to look at the five young boys standing behind him, his face kind and approachable, completely different from the stern demeanor during the meeting earlier.
"Teacher, I feel great, like I’ve grown up overnight!" Akegu said loudly.
"Akegu, remember what the old... Leader reminded us before. In formal occasions, we must call him Leader; how could you forget?" Casius quickly reminded.
Maximus laughed and waved it off: "It’s okay, it’s okay. Now that only we are in the room, you can call me Teacher; it feels more intimate that way."
"Hear that, Casius the nagger." Akegu rolled his eyes at him.
Casius responded with a warm smile and said nothing.
"Teacher, I’m a bit scared, worried I won’t handle so much money well," Magus said uneasily.
"No need to worry. As long as you strictly follow the financial management methods I’ve put in place — verify the inflow and outflow of every coin and item carefully, keep clear records, and conduct regular inventories — you shouldn’t make mistakes..." Maximus said gently. "Even if mistakes arise, it’s okay. As long as you actively correct them, Teacher will forgive you. You should all be bold in your duties, don’t be afraid of making mistakes! If something goes wrong, Teacher will back you up!"
Hearing this, the five youths visibly relaxed.
Maximus added with heartfelt sincerity: "I hope you all take your time as attendants seriously, grow quickly, and prepare yourselves to shoulder greater responsibilities in the future — to help Teacher lead our forces out of the Romans’ encirclement and rebuild our homeland!"
These honest words from Maximus touched the boys deeply; their hearts grew heavy with a profound sense of duty. In unison, they vowed: "Teacher, we won’t disappoint you!"
As the mentor-disciple atmosphere grew warm, someone suddenly burst into the room. "Leader Maximus, there’s something I need to discuss with you."
Maximus looked up. "Torrelugo, what is it?"
"It’s — recently, our Second Brigade has been responsible for overseeing the blacksmith shop..." Torrelugo proceeded to explain the situation of blacksmith Pasipidas getting injured.
Maximus listened calmly, then looked toward the five boys and asked: "What’s your opinion on this matter?"
Akegu and his peers, new to the team’s management affairs, were clueless about what to say.
This was already within Maximus’s expectations, so he spoke softly: "Our team lacks weapons and equipment. Blacksmiths are talent we desperately need – we only managed to acquire two in Pompeii. To prevent them from escaping, I’ve stationed soldiers to guard them. At the same time, to keep them working for us, or even potentially joining us in the future, I ordered the soldiers to guarantee their safety and show them respect. This challenging task falls to the Second Brigade—"
"This task is indeed difficult!" Torrelugo interjected.
Maximus glanced at him and continued: "...The soldier who sent the short sword for repairs complied strictly with the shop’s rules, committing no wrongdoing. Furthermore, after the accident, he promptly sent the injured blacksmith to the medical team. Not only should he not be penalized, but he deserves commendation—"
Hearing this, Torrelugo visibly relaxed.
"As for the blacksmith apprentice speaking up on behalf of the soldier, he wasn’t wrong either. The apprentices are former slaves — they’re one of us. Once trained, they’ll sincerely craft weapons for our cause. Hence, instead of criticizing him, we should offer comfort. Truthfully, the blacksmith’s injury falls on himself. While this incident was coincidental, it reveals his resentment towards us; if it hadn’t happened today, something similar might have occurred another day—"
"Leader Maximus, what you say is absolutely right!" Torrelugo praised immediately.
"Though he brought this upon himself, he’s injured now. To prevent his father from using this as an excuse to refuse further cooperation, I must go to the medical team now to visit the injured blacksmith. Moreover, I’ll urge Captain Horace to give his best effort in treating him and insist that he’s well cared for during recovery. I hope these actions will improve their impression of our team—"
Maximus looked at the five boys intently listening. "Akegu, head over to Capito, the warehouse supervisor, and relay my orders. The blacksmith shop will now fall under his jurisdiction. He should go to the medical team to offer condolences to the injured blacksmith."