章節 200: C200
In the ancient Western world, two types of paper were used: parchment and papyrus. Parchment, made from animal skins, was primarily used by the nobility due to its high cost. Meanwhile, papyrus was a more affordable writing medium made by processing the papyrus plant.
Papyrus originated in ancient Egypt and became popularized around 3000 BC. It then spread to Mediterranean civilizations such as ancient Greece, as well as to Europe and West Asia due to the conquests of the Roman Empire. Even Britain, which was once a territory of the Roman Empire, was introduced to papyrus.
However, papyrus was not resistant to moisture and was susceptible to molding, especially in Britain's mild and humid climate. To address this issue, flax was added to the papyrus to counteract its tendency to mold and slightly increase its resistance to moisture.
Flax is native to the Mediterranean region and is grown in temperate zones of Europe and Asia. With the expansion of the Roman Empire, flax was introduced throughout Europe, including Britain.
Shirou's paper-making technique was built upon this foundation. Although the improved papyrus paper cannot last for a thousand years like hemp paper, it is able to withstand the effects of temperate and humid climates and has increased resistance to molding.
The principle of driving out good money with bad money was implemented to achieve his objective faster and more effectively. This is also known as Gresham's Law, which states that when there are two types of money in circulation, people will tend to hoard the money that they perceive as more valuable, and spend the money that they perceive as less valuable. This means that the less valuable money will circulate more widely, driving the more valuable money out of circulation. This principle has been observed in various historical contexts, such as during the debasement of currency in ancient Rome.
However, due to the limited production capacity of ancient kingdoms, it was still challenging to produce paper on a large scale, even with the improved papyrus.
As a solution, Shirou devised a plan to integrate paper with metal coins and create a new currency system to regulate the economy. Although the Little Ice Age brought him disaster, it also presented an excellent opportunity to expand his territory and invade other countries.
Prosperity and adversity are interdependent.
However, that was all in the future, and he would not act recklessly before trapping other countries with food. He decided to begin by implementing the new currency system on a small scale within his own territory and then gradually use commercial means to control the economic lifeline of other countries.
Shirou called upon his commerce officials, led by Bedivere, and entrusted him with the responsibility of implementing the new currency system. Bedivere was tasked with gathering merchants to trade with other kingdoms, with an emphasis on the need for furs and weapons. As long as they had furs and weapons to trade, they could exchange them for food with Cornwall.
Additionally, Shirou used magecraft to establish communication with other kingdoms' kings and negotiate the time, location, and tariff agreements for trading.
Afterwards, Shirou and Lancelot traveled by boat to Benoic and used the same approach to negotiate agreements with Ban and Bors, who were also facing food shortages. They successfully established trade routes in Gaul, much to the relief of Ban and Bors.
Unaware of Shirou's malicious intentions, both King Ban and Bors were grateful for his assistance. In particular, King Ban expressed his admiration for Shirou's virtues and showed great concern for him when he boarded the boat.
Shirou responded humbly to King Ban's praises before departing with Lancelot on the boat.
During their journey, Lancelot expressed his gratitude to Shirou for his assistance to Benoic, and Shirou's friendly demeanor further endeared him to the prince. However, as a prince, Lancelot could not pledge his loyalty as a knight.
Despite no one noticing Shirou's malicious plan, Merlin sensed something was amiss.
"My king, are you planning to swallow Gaul?" Merlin asked.
Shirou smiled and said, "If you know it in your heart, there's no need to say it out loud."
"Tsk tsk, that's not like you, my king. King Ban and King Bors helped you a lot in the early stages; to think you would stab them in the back like this."
"As a friend, I am grateful to them, but as a king, I have to do this."
"What's the point of swallowing Gaul then?" Merlin asked. "You know that the Britons are people from the end of the Age of Gods. Even if you occupy Gaul, it will be meaningless."
Shirou turned his head and gazed at Merlin for a while before responding, "There's actually one thing that has been troubling me."
"What is it?"
"Saxons, Picts, and Britons are all present on the island of Britain and can adapt to high concentrations of true ether. So, why are only the Britons defined as humans from the end of the Age of Gods and destined to perish?"
Merlin smiled and shrugged, "Who knows?"
Shirou posed another question, "There's one more thing I'm curious about. Why is it that the Saxons, Picts, and even the Irish were able to adapt to the lack of true ether in the environment of the European continent, while the Britons couldn't?"
Merlin furrowed his brow, deep in thought. He had never pondered this question before. After a moment of hesitation, he admitted, "I'm afraid this is beyond my knowledge."
Shirou turned his back to Merlin and surveyed the hardworking people around them. "But still, even if it's just once, this king wants to struggle."
Merlin's confusion deepened as he pressed on, "I still don't understand. How does this relate to your goal of occupying Gaul?"
"I want to see whether it's the adaptability of humans or the destructive power of the environment."
Merlin's expression shifted from confusion to bitterness as he realized his true intentions.
"So, this is your true invasion..." Merlin stared at his King and smiled bitterly.
Shirou turned away, his small shoulders bearing the weight of his race's fate.
...
"King Arthur is so foolish. He missed such a good opportunity to demand more from us," the kings sneered at Shirou, thinking he was too young to be a king.
They felt that if they were in King Arthur's place, they would have taken advantage of the abundance of food and demanded more from them. However, King Arthur's failure to do so made them think that he was weak and foolish, and therefore not suitable for his position as king.
Nevertheless, this could work in their favor, as having someone provide them with food could allow them to recruit more soldiers.
King Leodegrance was among those present, and upon returning from Cornwall, he walked into the palace with a broad smile on his face.
"Father, what's so funny?" Guinevere, the princess renowned for her beauty, inquired with curiosity.
"I'm laughing at King Arthur, Guinevere. He's a shortsighted man," King Leodegrance chuckled.
"King Arthur? The legendary Red Dragon of Britain?" Guinevere blinked her eyes, and her black hair cascaded gently over her shoulders.
King Leodegrance smiled and retorted, "What Red Dragon of Britain? He's clearly just an inexperienced young man who knows nothing about being a king. However, I must admit that there is a resemblance between you and King Arthur, Guinevere. Why don't I crown you as the king, and then you can become King Arthur?"
"Father, please don't joke like that."
Guinevere blinked her eyes once again before asking, "Father, what did King Arthur say to make you laugh like this?"
"Well, let me tell you, Guinevere..."
King Leodegrance laughed as he recounted what had transpired in Cornwall to Guinevere.
Despite initially smiling, Guinevere's countenance gradually turned pale as she listened, and she appeared to be quite frightened.
"What's wrong, Guinevere?" King Leodegrance asked with concern.
Guinevere bit her lip and hesitated for a moment before speaking up, "Father, as your daughter, I know it's not my place to interfere in state affairs. However, I must strongly advise against making a deal with King Arthur like this. We need to inform the other kings and not engage in trade with him under these circumstances!"
"Why not?" King Leodegrance asked in surprise. He wasn't angry with his daughter for meddling in state affairs, knowing her to be intelligent and capable. If she were a man, she would have made an excellent heir to his throne.
In truth, it wasn't Guinevere's beauty alone that set her apart from all the other women in Britain. Her intelligence was what truly made her remarkable.
"Because... if we do this, within three years, all the kingdoms will be in King Arthur's hands!"
"What!?"
King Leodegrance was stunned.
...
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