"Good afternoon, Mr. Olivier. ”

On a rare crisp autumn afternoon in the midst of the rain and clouds, Enid went to a study in the castle for her weekly lessons.

"Good afternoon, my little angel. ”

A handsome blonde young man was holding a book and standing by the window.

It has been almost three years since she became the tutor of Miss Earl's family, and the teaching time has gradually changed from once a day to one lesson a week.

Every time I think about this, Olivier's feelings are extremely complicated.

From the very beginning of teaching this little girl to read and write, to the current literature and art, customs, noble coats of arms, geography and weather, he has witnessed the growth of a true genius.

"You're a true genius, Ini, and I know that better than anyone else. Olivier couldn't help but sigh again.

"You've said it many times, teacher. ”

Enid is a good boy who respects his teachers.

Compared with another "magic teacher" who has no sense of existence at all, this young man who has been teaching himself to read and write since he was ignorant and ignorant used to make the little girl feel a little longing.

It's not the kind between men and women, it's just the admiration for teachers or parents that every child has had.

Enid and her father rarely communicate, and the two older brothers can't maintain the dignity of their elder brother in front of Inid. So this handsome and erudite governess naturally became the "adult image" that Enid longed for in her heart.

So, even now, Enid still comes once a week to learn something that she can get from books if she needs it.

Today, though, Enid really had something she wanted to answer from the governess.

"Teacher Olivier, may I tell you about the Kingdom today?" asked the silver-haired girl.

"The business of our kingdom?"

"Yes, politics, economics, status on the continent, developments in recent years, blah blah, whatever. ”

"Okay......" Olivier put down the book in his hand, with a look of regret on his face, "I wanted to tell you something about ladylike etiquette." ”

Lady, that kind of thing doesn't matter. Pursing the corners of her lips, Enid now felt that the identity of a legendary mage was more suitable for her than a lady.

Seemingly dissatisfied with the girl's performance, Olivier raised an eyebrow: "Maybe I should suggest that Lord Earl find you a real etiquette teacher as soon as possible." If I'm not mistaken, you're almost five years old, aren't you? ”

Enid was silent, a problem she would have to face sooner or later.

Enjoying the privileged life brought by the family, it is natural that he should bear the corresponding responsibilities.

It's easy if you don't want to take it, as long as you let others know what strength you have, no one can force yourself. Compared to many other girls living in aristocratic families, Enid is very lucky.

But with that, there was a huge change in the attitude of everyone around me towards him.

Enid was a little scared of this shift.

Not to mention others, Enid has no confidence in his two stupid brothers. The thought that they might approach her with a different mind and purpose because of ambition, because of inheritance, because of being used, because of all kinds of things, felt unbearable.

People who never get it don't fear losing, and Enid feels like she's getting a lot, so she doesn't want to lose.

It would be great if I could keep silently guarding the family in secret and protect my own little happiness.

But one day it will still be exposed, right? Enid thought a little melancholy that she would always grow up, and then she would encounter many problems, and it would be impossible to hide it for the rest of her life...... Well, Enid expects to announce all this at the right time.

As for now, Enid has to cherish every moment.

As if sensing the little girl's mood sinking into a depression, the blonde governess said no more, and he pulled a book from the shelf.

"Our kingdom of Shia is also known as the Land of the Corridors. Glancing at Enid, Olivier flipped through the books in his hand, "I think you've read these books too, so do you know what is the origin of the mercenaries of our Xia Kingdom being famous on the continent?"

Enid retracted her drifting emotions and began to think about the teacher's question.

Olivier continued: "It's because of Thea's unique geography. You know, except for the Eylay Basin, the territory of the entire kingdom is like a long black loaf of bread, sandwiched between the Hengduan Mountains and the Endless Mountains, which is why the Kingdom of Xiya is called the Land of the Corridors. ”

Enid has read a book on this, the country of corridors, Thea, a very vivid metaphor, which connects the chaotic kingdoms of the north and the mighty empire of the south.

"On this long black loaf, there are basically large and small hills, and it is difficult to develop agriculture. And the kingdom has been peaceful for another hundred years, and the population has gradually increased...... The barren land could not support the surplus population, and as a result, displaced people arose, which became a source of instability throughout the kingdom. ”

Enid remembered another world, the end of many ancient dynasties, and the same was the case. Land annexation, population increase, and the surge of displaced people, although the imperial court at that time introduced a strict household registration system, such as joint sitting, armor protection, etc., but still could not fundamentally solve the problem.

"What would you do if you were the king of Thea?" Olivier stopped his narrative and asked the little girl the question.

Enid was a little dazed, judging from the experience of the other world, there was no more good way than to develop the productive forces so that the limited land could feed more people. Of course, the change of dynasty, through the great purge of the entire country, let the war kill a large number of people...... It is also a method, the result of natural selection.

Human society is like a living being, when it senses its aging, it will use this method of rebirth to regain its life.

However, Thea is not the great unified country, and the weakness caused by the internal exchange of blood will only give external enemies an opportunity to take advantage of. So Enid could only answer tentatively: "Hukou system?"

"Go on. ”

"Let the nobles at all levels be responsible for the population registration of their own people, register the population of every village, town, manor, etc., and if there is a population escape, the village chief and other low-level officials need to be responsible. Such a way?"

Olivier exhaled softly and smiled, "I'm glad you can think of such a solution, although it's not realistic. ”

"Oh?" the little girl was a little unconvinced.

"A vassal of a vassal is not a vassal of mine, this is the reality of our kingdom. Not to mention the kingdom, but also in the basin of Islay, will the order of the lilacs reach the lowest serfs of every vineyard?"

Enid was speechless.

Indeed, the situation of centralization and aristocratic feudalism was very different. Suppose a serf escapes in a vineyard and is not caught, and then the person in charge of the manor will hide it in order to avoid responsibility, how can the kingdom, and even here in Lilac Castle, know the situation?

No, the owners of those estates are all viscounts and barons under Lilac, and Lilac has no reason or way to meddle in it. This is as if there is no other administrative officer in the kingdom who is resident in Ailay except the tax collector.

And the people in charge of the manor, and even the lowest nobles to whom they were directly loyal, had no other way than to increase the guard of their serfs, and they could not have executed the other serfs for escaping one serf, which were their private property.

Since they will not be jointly and severally liable, mutual supervision between serfs has naturally become empty talk, and it is normal to run away one by one, or even make an agreement to escape en masse.

"So," Olivier continued, looking at the young girl's expression, "one of the kings of the forefathers gave such a solution—he turned the outcasts into adventurers. ”

"The countries in the north are at war all year round, and a large number of people are involved in the war every year, and Sophion in the south is also threatened by the Kuroshio. Therefore, His Royal Highness gave the people of Thea the right to choose to become mercenaries who lived and died, or civilians who lived by guarding the fields. ”

Two choices, two lives.

Instead of continuing the discussion, Enid said, "I see...... So, Mr. Olivier, tell me about the last few years in our kingdom. ”