Game of Thrones: I am Dothraki, not a barbarian

Chapter 206 Insights
"A curved plow," the farmer replied with a smile, wiping the sweat from his brow. "This was given to us by Kao; it really saves a lot of effort. You've never seen one before?"

"No."

"From Westeros?" the old farmer chuckled.

"Correct!"

Barristan walked into the field and accidentally stepped into the turned soil, his boots immediately sinking in.

He frowned and asked, "Won't this deep plowing damage the soil's fertility?"

"How could that be?" The old farmer shook his head vigorously. "The old methods are the ones that really waste land. Are you still using the three-field system over there?"

“Yes. Three plots of land, one planted with wheat, one with beans, and one left fallow each year, rotating between them,” Barristan answered truthfully.

The old farmer couldn't help but laugh again: "We've used that method before. But think about it, a third of the land is lying idle, and you're hoping the gods will send rain? There's not even enough fertilizer. How much harvest can you expect?"

"So what do you do now?"

“We plant two or even three crops a year. After winter wheat, we plant spring beans, and in late summer we can plant amaranth or barley. In between, we use compost and manure to mix the soil. Sheep manure, grass ash, and decaying leaves are all useful, so there is no need for fallowing.”

As Barristan listened, he couldn't help but look up at the flat farmland in the distance.

The crops are growing rapidly, and the irrigation ditch flows slowly past the fields. Several farm women are squatting by the ditch washing vegetables, while children are splashing and catching fish not far away, their laughter ringing out.

The windmill turned in the distance, making a "crunching" sound.

He instinctively took a sniff, and a wonderful aroma of freshly baked bread mixed with the scent of firewood and wheat wafted out of the mill, refreshing and delightful.

Several children were gathered around the doorway, sharing a steaming piece of rye bread.

This is not a miracle; it is the daily life of the people under Lahalo's rule.

He sat on a rock by the field, gazing at the scene in silence for a long time.

Just then, the old farmer came over and handed him a spoonful of wheat paste. "Try it. I added milk and honey. The children all like it."

He took it, took a small bite, and his eyes involuntarily welled up with tears.

He thought of the increasingly corrupt monarchy in King's Landing, the devastation brought about by the War of the Five Kings, the brown soup with rat meat added to the flea nest, and the emaciated little beggars in the city.

“I always thought the Dothraki only raided on horseback,” he said in a low voice.

“We used to think the same way you did,” the old farmer patted him on the shoulder. “The world has changed. Do you see these children? They used to worry every day about being sold into slavery, but with Lord Kao’s protection, they can now catch fish, play in the mud, and sleep soundly until dawn.”

Barristan watched as the golden rays of the setting sun slowly spread across the entire plain. He had never imagined that peace would look like this.

"Aren't you afraid of war returning?"

"As long as Lord Kao is still here, we have nothing to fear."

The old farmer's tone was calm, yet it was like a nail driven into Barristan's heart.

He suddenly understood the weight Lahalo held in the hearts of these ordinary people.

This barbarian king not only possessed weapons and tactics ahead of his time, but also the ability to govern the country and improve people's livelihoods.

He was not as extravagant as Robert, nor as treacherous as Cersei, nor as hypocritical and selfish as Renly.

He was a true conqueror and a true builder, bringing unprecedented prosperity and hope to ordinary people.

Barristan had once believed that Westeros's future was destined to be consumed by the infighting among the Lannister, Stark, Baratheon, and Tyrell families. But now, he saw another possibility.

As Barristan returned to the city, he heard the heavy thud of hooves. Ahead, the road was covered in rolling yellow dust, and a large cavalry force was slowly making its way towards the camp outside Pentos.

He climbed a small hill, and his view suddenly opened up.

The Dothraki warriors had arrogant eyes, and surrounded by them, hundreds of supply wagons were piled high with armor, weapons, and military flags.

Following the supply wagons was a long line of prisoners.

A chain linked together a group of dejected Braavos soldiers, who dragged their heavy steps, slowly advancing towards the gates of Pentos like a winding river.

At the forefront of the prisoners, under the watchful eyes of hundreds of Dothraki warriors, stood three distinctive figures.

One of them,
It was Stannis Baratheon!

The man who claimed to be the "legitimate successor of the seven kingdoms" was covered in dust, his cloak was torn, his arms were tied behind his back, and his lips were cracked, yet he still stood proudly on his horse with his head held high.

Davos Seaworth and Davon were also bound hand and foot, their faces ashen, without armor, wearing only underwear, and looking dejected.

"By the gods above..."

Barristan never imagined that Stannis would end up like this!

The prisoners were all taken to the military camp outside the city, while Barristan turned into the city.

The streets were paved with white flagstones, and the wheels of vehicles left no dust. Children chased each other and flew kites, while vendors called out their wares at the street corners.
"Date pie! Freshly baked goat cheese!"

The tavern was filled with the sounds of zithers and the songs of bards, as commoners and merchants sat drinking heartily, the copper pots and wooden cups clinking together.

What surprised him even more was that the common people did not avoid or dodge the Dothraki when they saw them entering the city; they just went about their business as usual, and things remained peaceful.

In King's Landing, under the shadow of war, citizens fled, shops closed, nobles hoarded grain, and the poor rioted. But in Pentos, the people all wore expressions of relief.

The Shield of Pentos patrols the streets in groups of ten. They wear white robes with red horsetail insignia, carry spears or longswords, and have copper bells hanging at their waists for warning. They silently patrol the streets and nod to pedestrians whenever they move aside.

Workers were setting up an execution platform in Victory Square, clearly for Stannis.

A council speaker stood by the fountain, loudly announcing the new resolution of the Governor General's Council, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers.

"The Governor's Council has decreed that all unauthorized salvage of sunken ships in the port is strictly prohibited, and violators will be prosecuted for treason..."

"Starting today, imported ironware, tools, farm implements, and kitchen utensils from Dorn will be duty-free for thirty days. Those who want to snag a bargain can go and buy them..."

"Victory in the Fifth Pamp War!" The loud voice raised his right hand and pointed diagonally to the sky. "One hundred tons of grain have been captured. They're being sold off at a low price. Each person is limited to ten kilograms. They're located at the military camp outside the city. First come, first served!"

Immediately afterwards, cheers and shouts of praise for Khao erupted from the citizens, but no one rushed to run outside.

“That’s grain!” Barristan murmured. “Something that could start a riot in King’s Landing, and nobody here cares?”

He sighed, and the image of Lahalo appeared in his mind.

Some people are born to be kings.

A king is not defined by his lineage, but by his ability to create order.

(End of this chapter)