Lazy to Explain, Jazz Makes a Move!

Spring, Day 5, Friday, Windy, 8:30 AM.

Daeren woke up early, but felt like he was running late.

By the time he arrived at the treasury, Lord Owen was already waiting.

"You're quite early," Daeren greeted with a jest.

Ever since he started managing Dragon Tongue Farm, he had given up ordinary ingredients, eating only one or two meals a day, ensuring each was made with special crops.

This morning, he had eaten with Shayani and the others: tomato and bean stew with pan-fried steak. The onions in the stew were replaced with leeks, and the steak was seasoned with wild wasabi. It tasted excellent, but it took time.

Lord Owen smiled amiably, "His Majesty gave the order early, I wouldn't dare be late."

After pleasantries, they got to the point.

Lord Owen showed a troubled expression and hesitantly said, "Your Highness, due to the treasury's financial shortage, after much deliberation by the royal council, we can offer you two options..."

"I'm all ears," Daeren said calmly.

Lord Owen quickly replied, "It's like this: at the suggestion of Lord Chancellor Chilton Costard, the first option is to provide you with materials to build a castle, and then conscript a group of farmers for the construction."

"The second option, if you're not satisfied, Lord Chilton can authorize it: we can offer you eight thousand seven hundred Gold Dragons as compensation for the value of a castle."

The king had a whim, and the ministers could only adapt.

Despite being somewhat prepared, Daeren couldn't help but laugh, "Eight thousand seven hundred Gold Dragons, to the exact coin."

Lord Owen chuckled sheepishly, "To prevent unforeseen circumstances, the treasury can only mobilize this much liquid capital for now."

In terms of execution, the ministers had been quite accommodating.

"I don't want Gold Dragons. Take me to see the materials you mentioned."

Daeren understood this and decided to assess the situation first.

At the prices of the Seven Kingdoms, eight thousand seven hundred Gold Dragons was more than enough to build a decent noble's keep, but it was far from a prince's palace.

"I'll lead the way," Lord Owen said promptly, taking out his keys to unlock the door.

RUMBLE!

The dusty treasury door slowly opened, releasing a faint smell of dust that swirled like murky crystals in the sunlight.

"Cough, cough."

Daeren coughed twice, his gaze sweeping across the treasury.

It was less a treasury and more like Warehouse No. 3. The real treasury, where the money was kept, was inside the Red Keep. The other treasuries were simply warehouses built throughout King's Landing. Therefore, this one was quite large.

"Watch your step, Your Highness," Lord Owen said, waving away the dust and lighting a torch to illuminate the interior.

Inside the empty treasury, piles of white marble slabs of various shapes were stacked against the walls, enough to fill the entire space.

"What are these?" Daeren asked curiously.

Lord Owen explained, "The Baratheon Family of the White Wall, you must have heard of them." To ensure Daeren didn't struggle to recall, he elaborated vividly.

The Baratheon Family of the White Wall was an ancient noble house from the Riverlands, prominent during the reigns of Aegon IV the Unworthy and Daeron II. Their patriarch, Count Ambrose Butterwell, was renowned throughout the Seven Kingdoms for his dairy business, amassing wealth comparable to that of the Lannisters and Tyrells. With his fortune, Count Ambrose tore down the family's old manor and built a new city with white marble. Because it was entirely white, it was named the White Wall. The locals called it "Milk House."

Besides business, Ambrose was also a politician, serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer under Aegon IV the Unworthy. His method of pleasing the king was truly despicable. On the night Aegon V stayed at the White Wall, Ambrose presented his two unmarried daughters to the king, to serve as his mistresses. Aegon IV's lustful desires were satisfied, and the next day, he rewarded Ambrose with a dragon egg as thanks.

"Using a dragon egg as payment for prostitution, you deserve to die!" Recalling this history, Daeren gritted his teeth. Did they know how difficult it was for a Targaryen to obtain a dragon egg now?

Lord Owen kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his eyes, pretending not to hear, and continued his story.

After the death of Aegon IV, his eldest son Daeren II ascended the throne and promoted Earl Ambrose to Hand of the King.

But greed is in a merchant's nature, and Earl Ambrose was not satisfied. In secret, he colluded with Damon Blackfyre II of the Blackfyre Family.

For this purpose, a White Wall Tournament was held, with that Dragon eggs as the prize.

He intended to use this tournament to rally supporters of the Blackfyre Family among the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms and plot a rebellion against the Iron Throne.

The plot was exposed.

Daeren's great-grandfather, Aegon V, was traveling the Seven Kingdoms incognito as Aegon at the time. He stumbled upon the Blackfyre conspiracy after the tournament.

Aegon and Ser Duncan stalled for time, while Aegon's father, Prince Maekar, led a large army to attack, thus igniting the second Blackfyre Rebellion.

The Dragon eggs also vanished. It was said they were stolen by Bloodraven's men and stored in an absolutely secure location.

Afterward, Earl Ambrose was executed, and the once-prominent Baratheon Family was destroyed.

Even the White Wall was dismantled by Bloodraven's men. The materials were transported back to King's Landing, the site was covered with lime, and nothing grew there for a hundred years, completely erasing the Baratheon Family's traces.

Lord Owen spoke: "Your Prince, these white marble slabs were obtained from the dismantling of the White Wall."

"There's such a history behind them."

Daeren mused.

No wonder his father, Aerys, had proposed building a new city on the south bank of the Blackwater Rush, entirely from white marble.

So that's where the idea originated!

It wasn't in his father Aerys's character to not use readily available materials.

Lord Owen explained with a wry smile: "It's not that simple."

All the materials from the dismantled White Wall were transported back to King's Landing. While enough to build a tall castle, there was a huge shortfall for a large city with high walls and a complete sewage system.

It's like choosing items with money in your pocket. You start with a budget of 10 Gold Dragon and plan to buy something worth 8 Gold Dragon. After comparing, you find something better for 11 Gold Dragon, and then realize something for 15 Gold Dragon is simply perfect.

In the end, you walk away with something worth 30 Gold Dragon while only having 10 Gold Dragon.

Minor nobles can take out loans, but the Iron Throne cannot.

"Lucky me," Daeren thought with a grin.

Lord Owen spoke cautiously: "Your Prince, if you don't mind, I can send people to transport these materials to your fief today."

"My lord, there's nothing to fear from true dragons."

Daeren laughed heartily.

Lord Owen's face lit up: "Good, then it's settled."

The decision was made by the Small Council, and he was tasked to negotiate alone, bearing the risk of Prince's displeasure and a report to the King. It would be best if the matter could be resolved smoothly.

"Your Prince, I will show you these materials in detail."

Lord Owen immediately became enthusiastic.

Daeren had the same intention.

Although the Small Council was full of flatterers to his father Aerys, they were not lacking in ability.

The White Wall was a castle built 110 years ago, using the finest white marble with gold veining. It was not only sturdy and durable but also aesthetically pleasing.

Stored in the treasury for years, untouched by the elements, its quality had not diminished in the slightest. It would be like new if used to build a castle.

"Truly excellent."

Daeren ran his hand over a cold, smooth marble slab, very satisfied.

A castle made of white marble would be far superior in material to the stone towers of Red Keep, Dragonstone, or the burned Summerhall.

If he were to be picky, he'd likely be fobbed off with shoddy construction, which wouldn't be as good as these high-quality materials.

After a thorough inspection, both parties left the treasury, very pleased.

As he stepped out the door, Daeren glanced back inadvertently, catching sight of a wooden stump in a corner.

"That's a frame made of Phoebe Zhennan wood. I heard it was processed by artisans from Essos using mortise and tenon joints."

Lord Owen explained considerately.

Daeren turned his head, not paying much attention.

That backward glance was purely instinctual.

It's like walking down the street, unsure if someone is watching you or calling you, and you instinctively look back, only to find someone glanced at you.

"Send it to my farm. I'll use it as a stool."

Daeren thought for a moment, finding it pleasing to his eye.

A wooden stump of Phoebe Zhennan wood was quite valuable.

"A trivial matter," Lord Owen said, patting his chest and assuring him it would be done.

Everything arranged, it was time to lock up and leave.

Daeren walked up to Ser Jon, discussing the site selection for the Prince's Palace.

"Wait a moment!"

Suddenly, a lean young man with shoulder-length blonde hair strode over, flanked by a squad of heavily armed Lannister soldiers.

The Council Hall.

Aerys unexpectedly attended the meeting, spewing saliva as he demanded the restart of the New City Plan 2.0.

The Privy Councilors had no words, their heads hanging low.

"It's almost time."

Tywin sat alone at one side of the council table, facing King Aerys as the Hand of the King.

Calculating the time, his fourth brother, Gillian Lannister, should be appearing to cause trouble for the good student.

"That fool Aerys."

Tywin glanced at his tirelessly old friend, his mind racing.

Ever since Daeren returned to King's Landing yesterday without seeing him, he guessed the student's wings had grown strong, and he was about to leave him, his teacher, behind.

The only point of anticipation was his daughter Cersei's encounter with Daeren.

He still remembered his daughter's excited demeanor at dinner last night, saying Daeren had held her waist, cared about her injured ankle, and had been a gentleman, sending flowers and inviting her to meet again.

"Good, he has good taste."

Tywin approved.

Under his diligent governance, the Lannister family had become the most powerful family in the Seven Kingdoms in terms of overall strength.

As his daughter, Cersei possessed natural high value for a political marriage.

Not to mention the girl was already very beautiful.

"However, if a little flattery like this is meant to break free from my supervision, you're underestimating me a bit."

The construction of the Prince's Palace was a done deal.

He couldn't and wouldn't stop it.

That would cause a complete rift between him and Daeren.

But on this matter, with a little maneuvering, he could make Daeren taste the difficulties and obstacles he would face without his teacher's support.

"He's a smart kid, a little show of force will make him understand."

Tywin was at ease, already envisioning Daeren's furious yet helpless expression.

But, was it really like that?

"Kid, the Hand of the King personally approved the procurement of materials for the repair of Mud Gate Port."

Gillian waved the decree in his hand, putting on an arrogant air.

He intended to go out to sea to retrieve the lost family sword, Oathkeeper, and secure funds to recruit a crew. Once this task was completed, his brother Tywin would provide sponsorship.

"Do you know who I am?"

Daeren sized up the arrogant youth, who looked about eighteen or nineteen, encountering such blatant provocation for the first time.

Gillian scoffed, "Sorry, I only obey the Hand of the King's orders."

It was obvious what was happening, but Daeren didn't waste words. "I can't be bothered to reason with you. You're not worthy of listening."

"Sir, attack!"