Ch. 161 Theories of Governance (Part 1).

Traveling in different countries, and even different worlds, experiencing the local culture and architecture is a very interesting thing.

For example, in King Braden’s palace, the Roman-style decor is different from what it was back in Wales.

High columns, huge arches, and spacious indoor areas.

Unlike the stereotypes of later generations, there are not many pure stone structures in the buildings constructed by the Romans.

Hmm, perhaps in the early days of the empire, when the population was sparse, it was possible to build pure marble structures, but as the empire’s territory expanded and Roman culture spread, using marble to build all structures became too impractical.

The main body is cast from concrete or built directly from bricks, with the outer layer coated in lime plaster or covered with a thin layer of marble slabs.

This not only saves costs but also maintains the original visual effect. Moreover, the combination of bricks and concrete is definitely easier to shape than heavy, large stones.

What allowed Roman-style stone columns and huge arches to spread across the Mediterranean coast was not expensive marble, but lime and concrete.

Besides, such monochromatic buildings do not cause aesthetic fatigue.

The interior is hung with tapestries of various colors, and the exposed walls are mostly painted with murals.

The beds are very interesting.

Looking at that square bed, with three sides against the wall, integrated into the architecture.

Mia thought of a word.

‘Kang’

However, there was no small hole underneath to add firewood.

The kang was covered with a wool mattress.

This palace is also a decent museum; on both sides of the corridors, or in certain special rooms, the treasures of the King’s family are displayed.

Standing on the high balcony of the palace with her hands on her hips, looking at the city, there was a feeling of ‘I am above all others.’

Mia could also be said to have experienced the refreshing feeling of a super mansion.

Although this is not her territory.

As evening approached, the attendant brought news that the King invited them to a banquet.

If viewed by the standards of later generations.

The food here is far from luxurious.

And King Braden, as a contemporary, seemed to have the same thought: “War is approaching, and I cannot treat you all with holiday standards.”

He looked quite apologetic.

No one had any objections to this, because the dishes in front of the King were exactly the same as those in front of the guests.

To ensure that all dishes were hot, the people at the table would eat the dishes already served while waiting for the chef to serve more.

On the noble dining table, all large pieces of meat were cut by servants.

The Romans at the banquet liked to use their hands to grab the food and put it into their mouths, but the Britons preferred spoons and knives.

The two cultures were able to blend together, with the Britons enjoying Roman-style dishes in their own way.

Besides roasted meat, which is more or less the same everywhere in the world.

There was also stewed pork with apples, seasoned mashed pumpkin, and sweet fried meatballs. A salad boiled in broth, mixed with olive oil, cream, and grape jam.

And most importantly, expensive white bread.

And another food that interested Mia very much.

Boiled chicken-filled dumplings.

Dumplings are certainly not the exclusive patent of Easterners; setting aside the cultural factors behind the food, a dumpling is just food wrapped in dough, nothing more.

The Romans have this food, the Franks have this food, the Sassanids have this food, and the Iberians also have this food.

It can be said that wherever wheat is grown, if not one hundred percent, at least eighty percent know how to make noodles and dumplings; it is just that there are slight differences in cooking methods.

Baked, fried, boiled, pan-fried, all kinds.

They even provide fish sauce and wine vinegar for dipping.

Artoria was not carrying her sword. Perhaps because of the conversation with King Braden earlier, she seemed a bit gloomy.

She scooped up the mashed pumpkin with a spoon and put it into her mouth without saying a word.

“Your Highness,” King Braden said shortly after the dinner began, “I previously mistook your foster brother for you; I hope that was not an offense. I only heard that after King Uther died, Merlin placed you in the care of an excellent knight who was loyal to King Uther.”

Artoria shook her head, “That is not an offense, Lord Braidin.”

Braidin nodded slightly, then raised his wine glass.

He greeted everyone present, especially those he hadn’t chatted with much before.

“Lord Wilden, if anyone could win your loyalty, then he would probably be the luckiest Soldier in the world.”

In Wilden’s hand, the cup almost became a thumb-sized toy.

“I am loyal to Mia…” Wilden replied.

“Oh,” the King turned his gaze to the young girl.

“You claim to be a mage?”

“Yes.” Mia nodded politely.

“Do you have any connection to King Uther?” Braidin asked.

“No, none.” Mia shook her head and smiled, “It really is just a coincidence.”

Braidin frowned slightly, half-believing and half-doubting.

“Where are you from?”

“A place you haven’t heard of.”

“Then why not let me hear about it?” Braidin said, “Even if it’s just to broaden my horizons.”

“Hmm…” Mia paused, “I come from The Lands Between, together with Melina and Wilden.”

“The Lands Between?” The King mused.

“That sounds like a very broad place name?”

“Indeed, it is quite a large place.” Mia nodded.

“Interesting, hmm…” Braidin stroked his beard.

Mia lowered her head, chewing the food in her mouth, when a sudden flash of inspiration struck her.

“Your Majesty Braidin,” Mia took a breath, and after overcoming some of her shyness, she said, “I like your city.”

“Oh?” The King heard this and laughed.

For a ruler, this was undoubtedly a compliment that pleased him greatly.

Braidin was no saint; he certainly enjoyed the praise of others. This country and this city were his pride, so he would not feign high-mindedness at such a time by saying things like, ‘But we cannot stop the war.’

“May I ask,” Mia continued, “how one should go about managing this country well?”

But when it came to this, Braidin raised an eyebrow. “Few mages ask me such questions.”

Mia paused. “Well, although I am a mage, I still have a land that I need to inherit…”

“That is indeed rare. Usually, sorcerers proficient in the arcane are reclusive monks who have detached themselves from the secular world…” The King took a sip of wine.

Mia said, “I think Artoria would certainly like to hear about your experience as well, wouldn’t she?”

Artoria, who was focused on eating, heard her name mentioned and looked up, blinking at Mia.

Once she finally realized what the topic of conversation was.

She nodded vigorously at Braidin. “I wish to learn some experience in governing a country.”

Braidin set down his wine glass and laughed.

“I wouldn’t mind being the Princess’s mentor.”

He was about to speak, but then paused in distress.

“But where should I begin?”

“Governing a country is a very complex matter,” King Braidin replied. “I am no longer young, and I am missing my other hand.”

He generously showed the group his empty, half-length sleeve. “That was eight years ago—about eight years ago—when my shield was pierced by a javelin.”

“When it comes to fighting, I am not much stronger than the other six petty kings, but when it comes to governing a country, I still have some confidence. This is an art—a very complex art, Princess, and Lady Mia.”

“Economy, military, the needs of the people, the relationships between subordinates, and relations with other kings—which ones do you want to hear me talk about?”

“Well,” Mia pondered for a moment. “Suppose the country you are to inherit is one ravaged by war, where the people are destitute and only one in ten of the population remains?”

“Hmm, well…” Braidin placed his hand on the table, half-supporting his body. “If the war is already over, then you must find a way to let them know that.”

“For example?”

“By letting their lives return to normal, of course!” Braidin said. “You must make them believe that you can protect them, so that they will spontaneously pay their taxes.”

“And another extremely important point is that only when your people are well-fed can they understand what a country is.”

Braidin raised a finger and emphasized, “Ruling over people is like training dogs, Princess. You must let them know your authority—that you are the master. At the same time, you must provide them with appropriate benefits so that they will fight for you.”

“If you cannot provide them with benefits—the most basic security, food, and property—then they will turn to anyone who can give them these things, including the Anglo-Saxons. Do you understand? Do not try to take away from your own people the things they rely on to survive. You may seem to gain wealth, but in reality, you are funding your enemy.”

Artoria and Mia both nodded, listening intently to King Braidin’s mini-lecture on statecraft.

“Of course, how to rebuild after the war is an even greater challenge,” he continued.

It lasted until late into the night.

The servants had long since cleared away all the plates and food, and in the end, only Mia, Artoria, and Melina remained.

King Braidin spoke about everything from how to appease the people to how to revive the economy, how to utilize natural resources for trade, and so on.

“Besides that, there is also the land. How can one make a country wealthy? The most important thing is grain. Grain can make the people prosperous, and when the people are prosperous, they will love their country.”

A series of bell tolls echoed from afar.

“Ah, it is already time for the curfew.” King Braidin looked out the window.

Unknowingly, he had been speaking for a long time.

“Let’s stop here for today.” The King drained his glass. “After we repel Vortigern, I will teach you more about the principles of statecraft, Princess.”

Since the host had already spoken, Mia and Artoria, as guests, had no reason to pester him further.

In any case, the few hours of conversation tonight had already been very fruitful for Mia.

At least for Mia, who didn’t even watch the news in her past life, King Braidin’s course on statecraft had completely opened the door to a new world for her.

It seemed she had some clues now on how to manage The Lands Between.