So now, it was not yet time to divert energy to something as seemingly ethereal as planting cedars.
After discussing the current economic situation and trade development direction of Tauris with his Finance Minister of Tauris again, Manuel personally saw Arno off, and then continued to stay in Bangkok Pu Palace, waiting for another important official who had an appointment with him today.
Half an hour later, Manuel's trusted Army Commander of Tauris, Dmitry Tukharovsky, arrived at the Palace on time as per his monarch's appointment and met Caesar after several months.
After a series of bows, salutations, and pleasantries, Tukharovsky sat on the chair opposite his monarch as instructed and began to report in detail his observations and experiences while leading troops in Tauris during this period.
"As I just reported, despite Manuel's personal supervision and oversight, there are still remnants of the old 'customs' from the Theodoro Principality era in the army," Tukharovsky reported.
"For example, some time ago, several batches of logistics officers, from both minor nobles and commoners, and even squad leaders, participated in organizing 'greasing palms,' 'eating soldiers' blood,' and such… Oh, I apologize, Manuel, I should say corruption.
I've spent too much time with those soldiers and accidentally used military slang."
While reporting, Tukharovsky presented the relevant report to his monarch, "As per Manuel's previous request: officers are not to be arbitrarily dealt with during peacetime.
Therefore, I have specially brought the list of these corrupt criminals today, please Manuel, deal with them."
What the Army Commander referred to was a rule Manuel had set for his subordinates since he was the Crown Prince: in peacetime, if an officer violating military discipline was to be dealt with, regardless of rank, Manuel had to personally review it.
Although after ascending the throne, he relaxed the requirements due to his daily busy schedule, often turning a blind eye when his generals dealt with non-commissioned officers, allowing them to proceed as they wished, while he sometimes only signed off.
But ultimately, the necessary procedures still had to be followed.
As for the corruption, Manuel initially just smiled inwardly: could army corruption be worse than that of civil officials?
But soon, he couldn't smile anymore.
"Deal with them all according to military law, then hang their stripped bodies in the barracks.
If the bodies rot, decapitate them and hang their heads in the barracks for public display until next year." After carefully reading the "glorious deeds" these individuals had committed and repeatedly confirming their guilt, Caesar made his final judgment with an expressionless face.
Although Tukharovsky was not surprised by this, he still couldn't help but applaud inwardly for his Caesar's cruel yet effective decision, "Manuel is as sharp and decisive as ever; he truly has zero tolerance for anything that harms the army's capabilities!
Though it's hard to get used to always maintaining a refined, Greek-like tone when reporting to Manuel."
And the positive aspect of his inner thoughts inadvertently showed on his face, "Yes, Manuel.
Loyalty!" The Rus' commander looked at his Caesar with fervent eyes and responded firmly.
After this unpleasant interlude, they continued to discuss the current state of the army.
After discussing the next fine-tuning improvements for firearms, Tukharovsky continued to report something that caught Caesar Manuel's attention.
"Manuel, to be honest, some time ago, some remnants of Tatar nomadic factions in North Tauris secretly plotted a coup again.
Fortunately, someone eventually dared not offend the Lord's majesty and chose to report the matter."
"How was the pacification process?" Manuel didn't even bat an eyelid at this; he and his subordinates had dealt with Muslim troublemakers before.
He wanted to know the specific process rather than just the final outcome of the pacification.
"Reporting, Manuel, the rebels resisted quite stubbornly.
Furthermore, the intelligence was received rather late, so I personally dispatched a Grand Company main force to suppress them before sunrise."
This surprised Manuel a little, "That shouldn't be the case; the Cossack Legion, being orthodox nomads, should be able to assist the company, right?"
Tukharovsky reported with some difficulty, "Uh, Manuel.
The Cossacks didn't even know about this incident until the company had finished pacifying it…"
For a moment, Manuel was even a little angry, "These useless Cossacks… Can't they use their dull brains to think about why I gave them the right to graze and carry weapons?
Isn't it precisely to smash their heads with sabers and iron rods when the nomads rise up!?"
Tukharovsky was quite astonished by Caesar's anger: he had thought his Manuel recruited Rus' exiled farmers and serfs and named them "Cossacks" merely for stability, never expecting these people to also serve such a purpose.
However, Manuel was unaware of his subordinate's thoughts and immediately suppressed his anger, somewhat indignantly asking a servant to bring paper and pen.
He wanted to personally write a letter to the Cossack chieftain he had appointed, subtly warning him about the obligations that came with the power he bestowed.
He specifically instructed them in the letter to keep a close eye on the remaining Tatar Muslim nomads in North Tauris, and also told them to utilize the mobility unique to light cavalry, especially when pursuing and killing those rebellious guerrillas who plotted rebellion, emphasizing that they need not spare the lives of infidels, but simply trample them with horse hooves.
After doing all this, his lingering anger was suppressed as the letter was sent out.
Afterward, having discussed all aspects of Tauris's military deployment and situation during this period, Caesar Manuel stroked his short beard and made an unexpected but reasonable request,
"I shall personally visit and comfort the warriors of the Autocratic State tomorrow.
After all, I was in Pontus for a while recently, and it's inevitable that the officers and soldiers in the Tauris region might have felt neglected.
The recent large-scale officer corruption is also related to my lack of attention to the army."
Before Tukharovsky could respond, Caesar, looking slightly tired, waved his hand and smiled, "Alright, then it's settled.
I will personally go from Bangkok Pu to the military camps in the suburbs and even North Tauris tomorrow to inspect the troops, just as I did before I ruled Pontus."
With that, Manuel rose to prepare for his meal, and Tukharovsky also promptly stood up, following his monarch out of the room.
Because next, it was time for the two of them to set aside their roles as monarch and subject and converse casually as friends.