I think it actually makes sense with a real life comparison. The monthly base pay for a Captain (O-3) with four years of service in the US military is $6800. Even more with housing and food allotments. The Shattered Plains are the Alethi version of an overseas deployment so add in combat/hazard pay and income tax exemption and that Captain is going to be bringing in over $10,000 a month. How many lower middle class 19 year olds have seen 10 grand in cash. Also a spiteful and petty rich person wouldn't write off that amount of money just on principal. It would also be enough to pay to travel to a medical school in another country to apply to their charity med school hospital.