Crusader Kings: Prisoners of War.

Chapter 156 Ireland

The British Isles were definitely not a place with excellent natural endowments in the classical era or the early feudal era. On the contrary, it was a relatively poor place.

According to word of mouth among the ancestors, this land was called "Land of Green Hills" (Vertes collines), and later named "Isle of Honey" (l'le du Miel). This is somewhat a gilded name for their hometown, because the population here is actually not much larger than that of Rome, and the land is not fertile and rich, and certainly cannot feed many people.

The soil here is heavy and sticky, and is actually not very suitable for farming. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the agricultural output here even declined. In the early and middle Middle Ages, a wheat yield of about 50 kilograms per mu was normal. In comparison, the wheat yield of 250 kilograms per mu in China's Tang and Song dynasties was considered an average. It was really miserable. Many of them had to survive on coarse grains such as barnyard grass.

Relying on the large land area and small population, the per capita arable land area is two or three times that of small farmers in the Central Plains, so it can actually be maintained. But in Orwell's view, the value of Britain is not very huge. Instead of spending a lot of effort to study the land here, it is better to cultivate the land in Gaul, where the natural conditions are still superior.

"The Whip of Tyrants", Tacitus, one of the most famous Roman historians, made an analysis of the British Isles, which Orwell thought was quite pertinent and practical.

"Britain is a land of gold, silver, and other metals, and its conquest is worthwhile."

In fact, in addition to these, there are also raw materials such as grains, livestock, leather, hunting dogs, wood, and practical tools and luxury goods such as hunting dogs. In short, it is a place that produces resources and provides money.

In his opinion, the only land worth occupying and studying was the area around present-day England. He only planned to implement the Romanization project near England, and the rest of the places could be subdued and made into vassal states.

That's how his predecessors in another time and space managed Britain. They just built a part and kept the rest under control. There must be a reason for this. Orville didn't intend to go against this approach and put aside the appropriate approach without increasing his strength.

Boudica gave Orville a final look and said, "I hope you can keep your promise. I will have my men investigate the situation here."

.........

Orville was not in a hurry to discuss the details with Boudica. He would let people like Procopius talk to the other party and he would just make some changes to the draft and sign it. At his level, he didn't need to worry about everything.

After thinking for a while, he called Jeanne again and asked her some questions.

"Are you satisfied with this result?"

"If you can keep your promise, it is generally satisfactory. My people here need Roman technology and stability, which is better than their current situation. They are now threatened by the Anglo-Saxons and have to hide in the mountains to survive."

Orville laughed dumbly: "When have I ever broken my promise? I value and abide by any promise and contract." "Of course, otherwise I would not cooperate with you, and help you Romans persuade the Celts here."

Jeanne was not polite at all when speaking to Orville. She said whatever she wanted to say directly. Although she did not curse at him, she still said a lot of direct and sharp words. Orville did not mind it. He just treated her as an advisor who occasionally gave him advice.

He was only suspicious during wars. The rest of the time he was quite generous and would not be so rude as to not listen to such words. He would be quite happy if someone was willing to tell him the truth.

"Then I have another task that requires your help. Do you want to hear about it?"

"It seems that I have no other choice." Jeanne shrugged slightly, asking Orville to speak quickly.

"Your people in Scotland and Wales should have been dealt with. You don't have to worry too much about their future problems. But there is another problem. There is a country of your people across the ocean west of Wales. If you are willing, you can go there to explore the situation and see if you can bring back some answers."

Hearing this, Jeanne frowned: "Those people on the other side of the sea have always stayed away from disputes. Do you want to involve them? They will not affect your Roman cause."

Orville was a little confused. "I thought you knew that there have always been conflicts between Wales and the Irish on the other side of the Channel. The two sides have almost become enemies. If left alone, this hatred will definitely continue. The Welsh barbarians who have gained some of the power of the Romans will become even stronger. They will start a war on that small island. Do you know what disastrous consequences this will bring? It is better to prevent this situation from the beginning. What do you think?"

Orwell really didn't deceive the other party on this point. This is the actual situation that happened in history. Archaeological excavations have unearthed relevant traces of war, and the local Celtic mythology in Wales clearly records the story of the war between Ireland and Wales. The record was so tragic that it seems that only five people survived in the Irish camp in the end. Of course, we can just take a look at this. It is estimated that the Irish side also claimed that they won in the end.

It seems that Jeanna really knows nothing about these things, and it seems that the angels' abilities are not that magical. They are not as omniscient as those with a perspective cheat. They just know what they should know.

Orville guessed that this boundary should be whether or not to pray to the Eternal. Jeanna fluently said all the names and trivial information of those villagers before. Maybe those information were leaked to the Eternal and its angels during the prayer, so Jeanna was able to know those specific details. The locals still believe in their own Celtic mythological gods, such as Silver Arm Nuada, Long Arm Luger, Good God Dagda, etc. In short, it is not under the control of the old man, so naturally they don't know the corresponding information.

This is just Orville's own imagination, and I don't know if it is the fact. Anyway, Orville himself is convinced by this conjecture, because no matter how powerful the Chosen One is, his ability will definitely be subject to some limitations, and it is impossible for an omniscient human being to exist.

Jeanna looked a little skeptical, but she finally accepted the task: "I will go over there to see the situation. If that is the case, I will try my best to get both sides to put aside their conflicts and disputes and embrace harmony. If that is not possible for the time being, I will do it according to your method. You Romans will provide them with the necessary technology and resources, and in return, those people will accept indirect governance by the Romans."

(End of this chapter)