Game of Thrones: The Black Dragon King

In the past, when Rhett read about "emphasizing agriculture and suppressing commerce" in textbooks and historical records, he always scoffed at it and contemptuously labeled the monarchs and ministers who followed this policy as short-sighted.

But it wasn't until he possessed the enormous wealth accumulated by slave owners, yet couldn't even buy a single grain of food, that he truly understood the heavy weight of this national policy.

It must be admitted that these people may not understand political economy or know what surplus value is, but they are all experts at extracting surplus value.

In the feudal era, the most crucial productive force was ultimately people.

A strong laborer, after deducting the necessary time for cultivating the land and producing the food needed to feed himself, spends the rest of his time generating surplus value.

Building city walls is surplus value, forging weapons is surplus value, mining and logging are also surplus value...

In short, as long as they are properly encouraged and kept busy after they are well-fed, the national strength will continue to accumulate and grow in various forms such as taxes, population, resources, city defenses, and territory.

Ultimately, food was the cornerstone of everything that existed in the feudal era.

……

"Fight the Lazarim?" Saladin asked, puzzled. His own king had been avoiding him for days, locking himself in his study studying maps, and this was the only decision he'd come up with?

"Easy to fight, and very fat." Reed rubbed his hands together incessantly. "These sheep-people are weak in combat, highly obedient, and surprisingly skilled at farming and herding. Many serfs and herdsmen are of sheep-people origin. Moreover, the upper reaches of the Skazardan River have a considerable area of ​​arable land and fertile pastures, controlled by just three sheep-people towns. Most importantly, they still practice slavery!"

"Strategically, there are no problems. Troops can be drawn directly from Kaiser City. The supply line is also short, and fighting with our backs to a fortified city is very safe. But there is one situation we must consider: in the eyes of the Dothraki, these goat-men are also very fat. Moreover, the Lazarin region has always been the Dothraki's reserve granary, and they will not sit idly by." Wolf drew his conclusion after gesturing to the battle map with calipers for a long time.

"Wouldn't that be a good way to settle both old and new scores together? I'm not afraid of them crowding together; I'm just afraid they'll disappear into the grassy sea and vanish without a trace."

"According to the agreement you made with Valerian, shouldn't you be preparing to attack the disputed territory now?"

"No need to delay, it will take some time for Valerian's fleet to arrive. I'll go and make the first move. The rest will be left to Dark."

"The problem of food shortages..." Sarah hesitated.

"The Dalazarin region was originally established to address the food shortage problem. Whether it's sending food to Meereen or sending immigrants to the Dalazarin region to cultivate farmland and graze livestock, it will greatly help to solve our current food shortage predicament."

"Do you need me to arrange the work for the subsequent immigrants?" Saladin immediately understood.

"There's also land reclamation and city defense construction."

"What is your goal?"

"The pace of the war should be coordinated with the speed of the migration. First, attack Hessi, then Lazashi and Koslaq. If conditions permit, rebuild the three ruined cities of Krazaji, Eve, and Mayeha. Construct some fortresses to block the Dothraki guests surging out of the Dothraki Sea."

"Shall we arrange the immigration now? After all, Meereen is currently severely overpopulated."

"Yes, the first batch will consist of about 10 people, mainly freed sheep-people slaves. By the time I take down Hessi, I hope this group will be halfway there. Armed priests will also be deployed at the same time; their High Shepherd seems to possess dark magic abilities as well."

"I'll take care of it," Martin said.

"Using war to solve livelihood problems and food shortages, I feel like I'm going crazy," Saladin said, sounding somewhat unreal.

"That's just how the world is, the strong prey on the weak, and people use swords as plowshares to acquire land," Wolf said, his face beaming with excitement.

"Was the arrival time of the Valerian merchant fleet accurate? I think I can use that as bait." The Caliph's opening remarks were full of scheming.

"No, the fleet cannot be lost; it carries the food we desperately need."

"Then what about your news of the eastern expedition?"

"You can use this as needed."

……

Reid flew back to Kaiser Pass in half a day. In that half day, he gathered 3000 horse archers, and in four days, he led his army on a mad dash, along the ancient trade route east of Meereen, which had been trampled by caravans and Dothraki slave traders for thousands of years, and arrived at Hess.

This was Reed's first time here, and it was also the easternmost point of Essos he had reached so far. Along the way, he was amazed by the idyllic and tranquil scenery.

The Lazarin people, or the Goat People, cultivated their farmland along both banks of the Skazadan River. They would build longitudinal irrigation canals perpendicular to the river channel. Then, using human or animal-powered waterwheels, they would divert the murky river water, carrying silt, algae, and humus, into the canals to irrigate the farmland on both banks.

These fertile lands along the riverbank are densely planted with rice, wheat, turnips, and cabbages, all growing vigorously and beautifully. A gentle breeze from the river creates rolling waves of wheat, a sight that fills Reid with immense joy.

The houses of the Lazarin people are built of rammed earth, are square or round, have onion roofs, and have thick walls that are heat-insulating and durable.

A small village typically consists of thirty or fifty households, with wooden fences and reed mats forming the walls of the village or tribe. These walls are usually guarded by a few sentries carrying simple hunting bows.

Yet, in these simple villages, Red saw several flocks of sheep and goats, each numbering in the thousands. When the young men on horseback drove the flocks with their whips, the moving flocks resembled a vast, rolling cloud.

With their weak military strength and abundant wealth, it's no wonder the Dothraki like them, and now Reed likes them very much too.

When Reid's three thousand mounted archers marched past the villages, without even resorting to force, the chieftains and elders of the Lazarin would kneel down, bringing gold, silver, wine, cartloads of grain, and flocks of sheep. This was a scene Reid frequently witnessed.

"Take anything you fancy, just don't hurt the people here." This was a phrase Red often heard.

"I am not here to plunder, but to rule. Submit to me, pay taxes, and I will protect you from plunder." This was a sentence that Reid repeatedly emphasized when facing these tribal chiefs and village elders who came to surrender.

When the dust-covered, dark cavalry, surging like a tidal wave, formed ranks and charged toward Hersey, a rudimentary town no more than a league in circumference, consisting of a double-layered wooden palisade and a shallow moat, Reid encountered no real resistance.

Behind the double-layered wooden palisade stood hundreds of archers and nearly a thousand guards equipped with leather armor and spears. Several barely functional catapults were also mounted on the city walls, and sharpened wooden stakes were planted in the shallows of the Skazadan River. Clearly, they had been prepared in advance. Faced with the approach of three thousand archer cavalry, they did not immediately kneel down and surrender. Instead, they sounded the alarm. The figures behind the palisade moved about, emitting shouts mixed with fear and panic.

"Hiss!"

The Night Fury's massive form swept low over the small town, its wings whipping up clouds of dust and grass clippings that smelled of sheep dung. The livestock in Hershey City collapsed to the ground, defecating and urinating, and bellowed incessantly. The Lazarin soldiers, perched atop the wooden fence, stared at the dragon in mid-air, their faces ashen.

The horse archers were already in formation, their hooves lightly pounding the ground, their bows half-drawn, waiting only for the order to unleash a rain of arrows upon the wooden palisade.

"Your Majesty, shall we attack directly?" the captain beside him asked in a low voice. "The gate isn't thick; we can drag it down with a dozen or so horses using anchor hooks."

Reed didn't answer immediately. He gazed at the rammed-earth houses, the neat irrigation canals along the riverbank, and the distant farmland and livestock—destruction was always easier than construction. On this bloody continent where the strong preyed on the weak and constant warfare raged, the good life earned through hard work and sweat always deserved respect.

The Dothraki enjoyed burning, killing, and looting, ruling through fear. What he truly desired was land, people, and a sustainable supply of food.

"Send someone over to shout to the people inside, telling them to submit to me and I will protect them from the Dothraki's plunder; if they dare to fight, then this idyllic pastoral scene will be reduced to ashes."

As soon as he finished speaking, a messenger cavalryman spurred his horse forward and loudly proclaimed the order towards Hersey's gate.

A noisy argument immediately erupted from the town's simple walls.

The horse archers dismounted to replenish their mounts with salt and a small amount of oat feed they carried with them.

Before long, the horse archers had set up a reasonably respectable negotiation area. A rug large enough to seat seven or eight people was laid out on the grass, followed by a folding table and several stools. On the table was a flat wine jug for easy carrying on horseback and several matching cups. Soon, a hot skewer of roasted mutton was brought to the table.

This is another reason why Reed prefers Arab cavalry. Compared to the heavily armored cavalry, who all need an equal number of laborers to serve them like knights, these horse archers, who are composed of semi-nomadic people, are all good at managing their lives. Their skills in roasting meat are exceptional, and when marching with them, you can often enjoy some wild game.

Reed sat comfortably in the main seat, grabbed a skewer of lamb and started eating. With beer from his flat jug, the occasional bleating of sheep in the distance, and the gentle river breeze, he felt a sense of relaxation, like he was on a picnic.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the people in charge of the negotiations approached. The Lazarim of Hessian had sent three representatives of the power structure: the priest of the High Shepherd, his wife, and a secular military leader.

Reed gestured for them to sit down and poured each of them a glass of wine.

"Your Majesty the Dragon King, for thousands of years you are the first enemy who has the power to destroy this place directly, yet is still willing to give us the right to choose," the High Priest of the Lazarin people bowed and spoke first.

"I've always felt a certain affinity and goodwill towards ethnic groups that enjoy farming."

"Is this why you want to rule us?"

"I possess overwhelming military might, yet lack a stable food supply, which is the opposite of what you have. Submit to me and pay me taxes. In return, I will protect you from further Dothraki raids."

"What is your tax rate?"

"One-fifth of the taxes."

"Compared to the Dothraki's ruthless plundering, leaving no one alive, this is already merciful. But surely your demands are far more than this?"

"First, I will send officials and troops to garrison here, build fortifications, and manage everything here; second, I demand that you abolish slavery. There are about 200,000 to 300,000 Lazarin slaves in Meereen, who have already been freed by me and will return to their homeland; finally, priests will come to preach the doctrines of the Seven Gods, and at the same time bring you more advanced agricultural techniques, iron smelting, pottery making, and wool weaving."

The priest lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment, while the priestess beside him and the military leader exchanged a cryptic glance. Although in this land repeatedly trampled by the Dothraki, the "one-fifth tax" was no longer an oppressive policy, but rather a lifeline that was almost a blessing, and the freeing of slaves, the construction of cities, and more advanced craftsmanship, while seemingly means of governance, were also a great deal of support and assistance.

"Your Majesty, the people of Lazalin have farmed and herded for generations, seeking only a peaceful life. If you can truly protect this valley from the trampling of our iron cavalry, we are willing to submit, offering grain and tribute year after year."

"My forces will occupy the fortified cities, but will not seize the land, much less engage in the burning, killing, and looting like the Dothraki. However, every autumn harvest, one-fifth of the taxes must be paid in full to fund the army's provisions and the expenses of the region."

The military leader stepped forward, his tone still tinged with caution: "If the Dothraki Khalasa were to advance south again..."

"Then they will no longer be facing unarmed sheepmen, but my horse archers and my dragons."

Before Reed could finish speaking, the Night Fury let out a long howl in the sky, shaking the grass and trees and rattling Hershey's wooden fence. Inside the city walls, chaos erupted once again.

The priest sighed, "Hessi is willing to submit."

"Open the city gates and let my army take over the defenses. Also, I want to see enough supplies for 3000 cavalry for 10 days tonight."

We will do everything we can to meet your needs.

……

Hess, the temple of the High Shepherd.

The thick rammed earth wall blocked out the outside noise. The goddess herself closed the heavy door, and the submissiveness and humility on the faces of the three people vanished instantly, leaving only coldness and anxiety.

"The five taxes seem benevolent, but he wants to abolish slavery, send in troops, officials and priests, and spread heresy... Before long, we will no longer be Hershey's masters, but merely his servants."

"At least the centaurs will retreat after their raids, giving the Lazarin people time to recover. But he intends to take root here, and sooner or later he will devour our farmland, irrigation ditches, sheep, and even our altars."

"He's no better than the Dothraki! No, in some ways, he's even more dangerous than the Dothraki."

"If you travel for a day towards the Grass Sea, you will encounter Dothraki Karasa, who is hunting nearby."

"We can offer gold, silver, livestock, grain, and even some of our slaves to the Dothraki, as long as they can drive him away."

"He has a dragon."

"But if it's just a dragon, he can't conquer this place."

"The Dothraki are equally brutal and untrustworthy, but they are the best weapon against a common enemy."

The High Priest of Shepherd walked deep into the temple and lifted a heavy stone slab engraved with Shepherd runes. Beneath it was a dark channel, barely wide enough for one person to bend over and pass through, leading directly to the grasslands outside the city.

"Then you can't blame us?" A ruthless glint flashed in the priest's eyes. "When it comes to the ability to survive in the cracks, the people of Lazarin are the ancestors."