GOT/ASOIAF: Ruler Beyond The Ice

Chapter 648 - 650: If You're My Brother

A moment later, the Small Council meeting, urgently convened because of the sudden bloodshed, came to an end. The first phase of the response plan was issued: Aegor would take the lead in resolving the domestic and international fallout from Illyrio's death, Grey Worm would return to the scene as Daenerys's trusted man to investigate the River Gate guards and gather more detailed information about the incident from nearby residents, and Daenerys would decide whether to intervene personally after receiving further reports, depending on the actual situation...

After a brief spell of unease, everyone's emotions steadied again. However, rather than saying everyone had strong nerves, it would be more accurate to say that everyone had enough faith in the Hand's abilities and methods, believing that Aegor could handle this matter.

Daenerys was the first to leave, followed by the attending officials, who scattered like birds and beasts, pouring out of the temporary council hall like students leaving class and hurrying toward their respective means of transport. Only Tyrion, who still had some reservations about the outcome, sought out Aegor to complain.

"What are you doing! As for that tax, fine, let it be one-third, it's your money anyway, outsiders don't need to feel sorry for it. But I'm the Master of Coin, not some foreign advisor. Why do I have to get involved in such a troublesome mess as Illyrio successfully seeking death?"

Tyrion's two short legs moved quickly to keep up with Aegor's pace. He was genuinely a little angry now. The arms tax rate discussed during their private meeting had originally been 30 percent, and it was acceptable that Aegor had unilaterally rounded it up to one-third. Taxing Aegor's property heavily would at least make him look tough and capable in the eyes of others as Master of Coin. But assigning him work outside his duties without any prior discussion made him feel as though he had been forced into overtime, and he was very displeased. "I'm already exhausted preparing the central bank, revising tax rates, and setting up the Ministry of Agriculture. Are you saying I'm still not busy enough? What about our agreement that I handle internal affairs and you handle external ones!?"

According to the principle of dividing labor between internal and external affairs, this truly was not Tyrion's responsibility. If he had not been caught off guard by Illyrio throwing away his life, Aegor would never have done something so unprofessional and rotten for no reason. He had painted himself into a corner and could only swallow the result. There was nothing more awkward than that. Since he was in the wrong first, what harsh words could he possibly say? He could only apologize again and again and explain the difficulty.

"Wasn't it because the matter happened so suddenly, and I'm about to head west on campaign? Looking around the council, is there anyone else who can handle this job? But I didn't just pick you on a whim. My thinking was this: in the broader task of rebuilding the tax system, formulating tariffs is naturally included, and the accounts managed by the Master of Coin also involve debts and credits tied to both domestic and foreign affairs. If you want to discuss those two matters, then sooner or later you will have to negotiate with representatives of the various city-states." Aegor readily admitted it was his fault, then frankly explained the reason for his decision. "Daenerys is not accompanying me on the campaign. With her in King's Landing, not every foreign envoy will necessarily require you to receive them. Under those circumstances, rather than selecting a foreign advisor, who would not only take away authority but also create more trouble for internal coordination during negotiations, why not cut out unnecessary offices and let you temporarily hold the post as well?"

These words were clearly not enough to fully dispel Tyrion's dissatisfaction. He rolled his eyes. "At most Daenerys will only show up when heavyweight envoys first arrive. Once you've said that, all the remaining details and the rest of the 'cats and dogs' will definitely be left to me. I'm just a damned mortal, and a dwarf at that. Aren't you afraid such a heavy burden will crush my fragile shoulders?"

"Though your body is that of a dwarf, in the eyes of us of the Night's Watch, your image has always been that of a Lannister Giant." Aegor quoted Jeor Mormont's assessment of him, using a little flattery to lighten the mood. "And it's not that exaggerated. It seems like you've been given one more duty, but in truth, you only need to handle this issue along the way while formulating tariffs and trade rules with outsiders, and make a few minor concessions over it. Besides, think back calmly first. How did I, starting as an ordinary soldier, eventually become Lord Commander of the Night's Watch?"

Is he about to start preaching with emotion and reason again? Tyrion immediately felt a headache coming on, but he could not very well refuse to cooperate. "You completed every task Jeor Mormont gave you, no matter how absurd or difficult. After securing the position of Chief Logistics and turning the three giants into four, you used political means to suppress the other three giants and the other two Commanders, and finally rose to power."

"That's a good summary, or rather, too concise, so concise that it leaves out what I actually want to say. When I served as Chief Logistics under Commander Jeor Mormont, on the surface it looked as if I was laboring to complete one task after another that he handed to me. But in reality, every time he assigned me a task, he inevitably delegated the authority needed to complete it, and once the task was finished, I gained the corresponding influence and the trust of the black brothers." After explaining the practical difficulty, Aegor struck while the iron was hot. "And as long as I do not voluntarily give them up, those powers, that influence, and that trust are things Jeor Mormont, without reasonable cause or explanation, could neither take back from me nor ever remove from my hands again. I am not only the Night's Watch's logistics manager, but also the chief recruiter, image ambassador, and 'most trusted sworn brother.' It is by relying on these assets that I can suppress the other elders. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

That was true. Once he became involved in diplomacy, it would mean he would have a voice in this department and field in the future, which was indeed a significant gain. But Tyrion had never been a man with a strong lust for power. He only hoped to do one thing well enough to prove himself. Compared with power and influence, the only thing that truly interested him was the "financial hegemony" that so far existed only as a concept.

"Making me work is really just training me, and by finishing these tasks I can gain Daenerys's trust, establish my footing in the council, and suppress the doubts of others. Hah... do you think you're the only one who knows how to play with words? I've been a leader too, you know." Tyrion made a retching gesture, then gave a thumbs-up. "But I have to admit, hearing the same routine from your mouth makes it sound fresher, more refined, and more convincing. As expected of Hand of the Queen, I am impressed. But all of that assumes I can actually complete the task. What if those people across the Narrow Sea refuse to buy it, and I fail?

The sarcasm in that praise was practically overflowing, and the final question did indeed hit the point. Aegor smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Treat this as you helping me clean up my mess. I promise you this, if it goes well, the credit will be yours, and if anything goes wrong, I will step forward on my own and bear the responsibility. Besides that, as an additional token of gratitude, once this turmoil has passed, you may either discuss with me the recommendation of a deputy for diplomacy, or recommend someone else for the position and remain Master of Coin yourself. I will persuade Daenerys." After saying this, without waiting for Tyrion's agreement, Aegor pulled him along on his own. "No time to explain, get in the carriage first. We'll discuss the remaining details on the way, as we used to. By coincidence, I also have someone waiting for you, someone you will definitely want to see."

Someone I will definitely want to see?

A large question mark rose in Tyrion's mind. He kept wondering who it could be, but even after being dragged into the carriage, he still could not guess the answer.

(To be continued.)

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