Lily Evans snuggled comfortably in Alexander Hayes’s arms. “I want to borrow some of your men, is that alright?”
Alexander Hayes grinned and poked Lily Evans’s soft cheek. “My dear wife, you’ve already recruited my two best hands, Sean Hayes and Mrs. Penny. Bella Bell is now your apprentice, and Lola’s practically working for you too. Who else do you want?”
“I don’t want anyone—I want soldiers,” Lily Evans replied, sharp and witty.
“Soldiers? Darling, are you planning to go to war?” Alexander Hayes asked, his curiosity playful.
“If you want soldiers, you only send them to war, right? Tsk, that’s not what I’m after.” Lily Evans sprawled across Alexander Hayes’s chest and revealed her plan for the spice plantation. “I’ve thought it over—no matter where I recruit workers, I can’t trust them. I don’t want to send guards to keep them from leaving, either. So after weighing it all, I realized your soldiers are the best fit for the plantation. The Hayes Regiment is famous for its discipline, loyalty, and absolute obedience. There are always some who’ve been wounded and can’t fight anymore—men with no wives, no children, no family, truly pitiful. They can’t go to battle, and there’s not much for them to do in the army. So why not pick a few hundred reliable men from your ranks and send them to help me grow spices? I’ll pay them generously, and after enough years, they can retire with their savings and live comfortably. This way, they’ll have a nest egg for their old age.”
After finishing, Lily Evans blinked at Alexander Hayes and poked his firm chest. “I only want your wounded soldiers who can’t fight. Is that okay?”
In that moment, she looked just like a little girl innocently asking for candy.
Alexander Hayes’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he gazed at her, wishing he could devour her all over again. But he knew Lily Evans’s stamina was limited, so he held himself back, his voice husky as he promised, “It’s a small matter. Since my wife asks, I’ll make it happen. Leave the selection in the regiment to me; you just relax. You’re actually helping me out—those wounded soldiers can’t fight, have no family or land, and their army pay is limited. They can’t stay in the army forever. Now, you’re giving them a way out, and it’s a good thing for everyone.”
“Really? Sending your wounded soldiers to work the fields actually helps you?” Lily Evans asked, her voice curious and teasing.
Alexander Hayes nodded firmly. Lily Evans quickly realized that in ancient times, there was no such thing as work injury insurance or pensions. Ordinary soldiers who were injured in battle got very little compensation—not enough to support them for the rest of their lives. Most armies would simply drive the wounded out, not wanting to waste food on those who couldn’t fight. But Alexander Hayes was kind to his men—he believed those who became disabled fighting for him shouldn’t be discarded so heartlessly.
So as long as those homeless wounded soldiers were willing to stay in the regiment, Alexander Hayes would never drive them away. He’d keep them around to handle logistics and odd jobs.
But there were only so many positions, while the number of wounded kept growing. Over time, it became a huge burden on the regiment’s finances.
Suddenly inspired, Lily Evans lay on Alexander Hayes’s chest and said, “Since those wounded soldiers are former heroes, and we buy new farmland every year and need more laborers, why not let the ordinary wounded work as farmhands on our land? We’ll provide food, lodging, and wages. Your men are a hundred times more disciplined and efficient than regular tenant farmers—using them will make everything run smoother than ever.”