Firts the guard : they are closed polearm while the other infantry is flexible ! I am happy to try them as close infantry but is it correct "close" or is it something not intended 8)
Second the guards : from my reading they are included in the infantry total to compute the 1/3 mandatory poor infantry .
1. Guard are Close. (The others are flexible due to the missile troops present - a bit of a compromise to be honest).
2. Yes, guard are not southern auxiliaries so can be included in the total.
Richard