The air in Rushmarsh's lord conference room was solemn.
The candlelight glowed brightly in the narrow space.
Suleiman was sitting at the head seat at the end of the long table, tapping his fingers silently on the table and scanning everyone present.
The cabinet manager Olivier, the financial manager Hubbard, the new Monopoly Guild president Bo Ke. Hewen, and the young bachelor Rooney.
This is the core of power initially established by House Lychester in Riverlands.
Olivier cleared his throat, his voice breaking the suffocating silence.
"Sir Suleiman, there is news from Seaguard."
His voice seemed a little thin in the empty room.
"Robert. Royal Fleet of Baratheon has divided its troops into three groups and has successfully landed at Pyke, Harlaw Island, and Great Wyk."
"Ironborn's resistance at sea was weak and the war was going smoothly."
Suleiman's expression did not change, he just nodded slightly, indicating for him to continue.
Olivier took a deep breath and began to report the next thing.
"William of Maidenpool. Mooton, has previously gone to Riverrun on behalf of the Governor."
"He reiterated his previous agreement to House Tully and asked them to send Lord Edmure. Tully to Rushmarsh to serve as Lord Lymond's attendant."
He paused and carefully observed Suleiman's reaction.
"William. Mooton, in the raven letter, claimed that he was in the hall of Riverrun and how he severely attacked Brynden. Tully's treacherous behavior."
"Of course, that's just his own words.
"Riverrun refused."
There is still no wave on Suleiman's face.
This result was within his expectation. Handing over Edmure. Tully was equivalent to surrender.
Olivier suddenly froze, a chill running from his spine to the back of his head.
He didn't know when everything started to change.
There was a time when he could still express different opinions calmly in front of Suleiman.
But now, like everyone else, he weighs every word before speaking.
Fear, like an invisible vine, unknowingly wraps itself around everyone's heart.
No one dared to express their feelings in front of this young man anymore.
This is not a good thing.
Olivier suppressed the throbbing in his heart and turned to the last thing, which he considered to be the most difficult thing.
"About Saltpans...
"The death of salt merchant Corton's family has spread more and more widely."
"Although the common people of Riverlands are indeed as adults said, they are cheering for the tragedy of the merchant family."
Suleiman's tapping sound stopped.
He finally spoke, his voice terrifyingly calm. "Add more fire."
"Mobile our knights and spread the news in the taverns, in the markets, and in every corner where people gather."
Everyone raised their heads and looked at him.
"Let's just say that Corton's family is lending usury to farmers."
"They exploited poor farmers and craftsmen with extremely high interest rates, and countless families went bankrupt because of them."
"In short, whether you find it or make it up, pin the worst deeds on them.
"They committed suicide, but they burned themselves out of fear of crime."
Suleiman's voice contained no emotion, as if he was announcing an established fact.
"The governor's financial controller discovered their crime and was about to accuse them and confiscate their property. They had no choice but to commit suicide as a family."
Rooney Bachelor stood up abruptly, his chair rubbing against the stone floor, making a harsh sound.
His face turned red with shock and anger. "Sir! How could we do this!"
"A family has died! Three children among them! And a baby!"
The young bachelor's voice trembled with excitement.
"This is slander! It is blasphemy against the dead!"
"The duty of a lord is to uphold justice! To protect his people! Not to frame them with lies!"
"Even if they are just businessmen!"
"We should find out the truth! Punish the guilty!"
Hubbard's fat body made an unpleasant tremor.
He laughed like a boar in heat, and his small eyes squeezed by fat were full of sarcasm. "Young man, you shouldn't become a bachelor, maybe you should become the governor's legal administrator."
Scholar Rooney was shaking with anger and pointed at Hubbard: "You...
Suleiman raised his hand, and Hubbard's laughter stopped abruptly.
His eyes turned to Bachelor Rooney, his eyes were calm, but with a power that penetrated people's hearts.
"Rooney, Maester, I can understand your anger."
"I also sympathize with that family's experience."
His tone softened, like that of a patient mentor.
"But the reality is, whether they committed suicide or someone orchestrated this murder to attack House Lychester, we only have one choice."
"That's counterattack."
"Use the fastest and most effective way to regain the initiative."
Rooney Bachelor's lips moved and he still wanted to argue.
Suleiman continued, "It doesn't matter what the truth is."
"What matters is what people believe is the truth."
"A criminal family of loan sharks committed suicide in fear of crime, and the Governor liquidated them on behalf of justice. This is a story."
"A story we need more of right now."
Suleiman stood up and walked slowly.
"We want everyone in Riverlands to believe that the Corton family is evil and their wealth is built on the suffering of others."
"Their death is the divine punishment sent down by Seven."
"The governor is the enforcer of justice and the protector of the common people."
His voice became cold.
"At the same time, for our needs, we must also make them hate businessmen."
"Let them believe that behind every wealthy businessman there is a dirty evil."
Rooney Bachelor's face turned pale, he sat back on his chair and stopped speaking.
This is not by any means that he agrees with Suleiman's point of view, but that a bachelor's duty is to serve the lord and make suggestions, no matter what the other party wants to do.
His chest rose and fell violently, indicating that his emotions had not calmed down.
The new guild president, Pork. Hewen, kept his head down from beginning to end and said nothing.
He was like a sponge, greedily absorbing every detail of the meeting.
He learned the most important lesson in becoming a governor-general.
That is, never question, just follow the orders of Lord Suleiman.
Suleiman stopped and turned to Olivier.
His voice became distant, like a bard.
"In Riverlands, there is a greedy businessman."
"He lent a sum of money to a kind-hearted farmer. The contract stated that if the farmer failed to repay the money on time, the businessman would cut off a pound of flesh from the farmer."
Everyone in the conference room held their breath.
Hubbard had a weird smile on his face.
"Later, the farmer was unable to pay back the money due to natural disasters."
"The greedy businessman took him to court and demanded that he fulfill the contract and cut off a pound of flesh from his chest."
"Everyone despaired for the farmer because the contract was clear and irrefutable.
Suleiman's mouth curved slightly.
"That's when a smart judge stood up."
"He told the merchant that the contract only said that you should cut off a pound of flesh, but it did not allow you to shed a drop of blood."
"You can cut off exactly one pound of flesh without losing a drop of his blood."
"If you fail to do so, all your property will be confiscated and you will be put to death."
Suleiman's story was finished, and there was dead silence in the long hall.
He looked at Olivier and said word by word.
"Improve the story and make it more spreadable so even a farmer can understand it."
"Farmers and traders can be anyone."
"But the judge must be an official of the governor."
Suleiman's eyes turned to Poke. Hewen.
His tone was calm, as if he was discussing the good weather. "In three months, you will leave the governor's territory and go to Riverlands to annex industries in other lord towns. Will there be any difficulty?"
Poke. Hewen straightened his waist just now, and then subconsciously bowed down.
He lowered his head and said in a respectful voice, "I'm having difficulty, sir."
Pork. Hewen considered the words. He knew that this was both Suleiman's inquiry and a test.
"Although what we have received is a complete industry, it still takes time to hoard goods, sell them, expand funds, expand industries, and go global."
"Maybe one year, maybe two years...
"Because most of Riverlands's businessmen have backgrounds, the Westerlands, the Reach, King's Landing, and they have sufficient funds...
He paused, organizing his thoughts.
"Riverlands does not have large cities like Lannisport, Oldtown, King's Landing, Gulltown. Even the North has a large port city like White Harbor."
"And Riverlands... we only have small towns, and the market is too fragmented."
"This resulted in Riverlands having no united business power and being suppressed by foreign businessmen. It had no choice but to surrender to them."
Pork. Hewen lowered his voice and spoke the core question.
"Riverlands farmers, businessmen, and even some lords all owe money to outsiders."
"I estimate that the amount will probably not be less than two hundred thousand Gold Dragon."
"As far as I know, some lords even owe money to Lord King's Landing, Master of Coin, Petyr. Baelish."
Suleiman A flash of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Two hundred thousand Gold Dragon, this number exceeded his expectations.
It took a few years, which was too long. He didn't have such a long time to wait, so he might as well build Riverlands into a business depression and start over.
He was silent for a moment, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, making a regular sound, "Launch a political propaganda on the governor's territory."
Suleiman's voice was very soft, but it made Poke. Hewen lower his head.
"Secretly encouraging Riverlands farmers and knights not to repay those usurious loans."
"Let Riverlands businessmen's money be unable to be reversed."
"Put them bankrupt fast."
Pork. Hewen's breathing stagnated, and he felt a chill that penetrated into his bones.
This plan is simple, crude, yet extremely vicious.
Suleiman's explanation is simple and clear. "On the one hand, the Governor acknowledges that this debt contract was witnessed by Seven and is protected by law."
"This farmer does owe you money, of course you can ask for it."
"But you have no right to restrict his freedom, let alone harm his body."
"Because they are Riverlands people, Warden of the Trident also provides them with legal protection."
"For these businessmen, once they lose the means of threatening violence, even if the other party is just a small farmer, if he refuses to pay back, these businessmen have nothing to do."
Pork. Hewen instantly understood Suleiman's purpose.
The reason why businessmen are hated by the common people is that they can easily own a large amount of assets without engaging in labor production. This is only one aspect.
The most important point is that businessmen use usury to snowball, causing civilians to lose their lives and lose their fortunes.
For Riverlands small and medium-sized businessmen, all their money is lent out. Once the knights and farmers resist repaying the loan sharks, they will quickly go bankrupt.
As for those businessmen who are based on the Westerlands, the Reach and King's Landing, it is impossible for them to spend a year and a half for a few silver coins, dozens of Gold Dragon debts, and every farmer and knight.
The cost of their time is too high.
As long as there are enough defaulters and a trend develops, it will be enough to bring down their capital chain.
Let them not dare to set foot in the Riverlands market again.
And they can rely on the governor's background to quickly annex and encroach on the remaining industries until they monopolize the entire Riverlands.
Suleiman's voice continued, "From now on, I also strictly prohibit your six families from providing usury to common people and nobles in the governor's territory, the future Riverlands."
"The Governor will open loans to commoners and knights. There will be interest rates, but not too much."
"Let these commoners and knights, who are in urgent need of money, lend the governor's money."
Pork. Hewen's heart beat wildly.
He saw a huge, bloody business empire being sketched out by this young man in this dark conference room.
First use rogue means to destroy the old creditors, and then use lower interest rates to turn all debtors into vassals of the governor himself.
One push, one pull.
The economic lifeline of the entire Riverlands will be firmly in the hands of the governor.
In Fairmarket, which is being rebuilt like fire, a temporary high platform has been built.
Under the high platform, it was darkly crowded with farmers who came from nearby villages.
There was numbness, confusion, and deep fear on their faces.
All the businessmen from the six major families arrived. They were wearing brand new silk clothes and standing on the high platform, as if they were being reviewed.
Pork. Hewen stood in the center of the high platform.
He looked at the ragged, sallow and thin Riverlands compatriots in the audience with mixed feelings in his heart.
A few days ago, he sent people to summon all the farmers who owed money to their six major families.
The news spread and panic spread like the plague.
Everyone thought that these newly promoted governor-general merchants were about to settle old accounts.
A thin man walked to the stage tremblingly, his cloudy eyes full of pleading.
"Sir, the war has just ended and we have just returned to our homes to rebuild. Please allow us some more time."
There were cries and pleas from the crowd.
"Yes, my lord, please."
"Let's give it some more time."
"Please."
They are used to being squeezed and resigned to the situation.
Pork. Hewen said nothing.
He waved his hand.
Several servants carried several heavy wooden boxes onto the high platform and opened them in front of everyone.
The chest was filled with parchment rolls and ledgers.
Someone in the crowd recognized the covers of the account books and let out a low cry of despair.
That is the source of their nightmares and a big mountain pressing on them.
Pork. Hewen picked up an account book and held it high.
"I know a lot of you."
His voice spread throughout the square.
"You've lost everything in this damn war."
"I know your embarrassment, I know your despair."
"I know you work from sunrise to sunset every day, but you can't even fill your stomach."
"Because your harvest and your sweat have been sucked away by these things!"
He shook the account book in his hand and his tone became passionate.
"These damn! Dirty! Account books written with your blood and tears!"
"Seven curse!"
The crowd was deathly silent.
They didn't understand what the upstart wanted to do.
Poke. Hewen's eyes swept over every desperate face in the audience.
He took a deep breath and took a burning torch from the servant's hand.
"Today, when I stand here, I am not representing myself or these six families."
"I represent Governor Riverlands, House Lychester!"
He shouted the name House Lychester extremely loudly.
"The Governor asked me to tell you!"
"From today on! Riverlands! will no longer be a paradise for blood-sucking insects!"
"We are the merchants of Riverlands! We are the merchants of the Governor!"
Pork. Hewen's voice carried a magical power that made the farmers in the audience raise their heads unconsciously.
"We must wash away our sins! Seven is the proof!"
"We will never be as despicable as the businessmen outside! We will never be as dirty and dirty as them!"
After saying that, he threw the torch in his hand towards the boxes of account books.
"Hoo!"
The flames instantly burst out, greedily devouring the parchments that recorded sin and despair.
The heads of the five major families behind Pork. Hewen turned their backs one after another, trembling all over, and half their life savings vanished in this moment.
Thick black smoke billowed upward.
Under the stage, it was dead silent.
Everyone's eyes widened, looking at the blazing flames on the stage in disbelief.
It was as if they were watching a miracle.
An old man rubbed his eyes and then rubbed them again. He thought he was hallucinating.
A woman holding a child covered her mouth, tears falling silently.
The thin man who had begged before was shaking violently.
His knees softened and he knelt down heavily in the direction of the high platform.
His forehead was knocked deeply into the soil.
"Your Majesty the Governor...
The sound he made sounded like crying or laughing.
One, two, ten, a hundred...
Under the high platform, the dark crowd fell to their knees one by one, like waves of wheat blown by the wind.
They didn't cheer or shout.
There was only uncontrollable, violent sobs.
It was the catharsis at the end of despair and the ecstasy of being reborn.
They kissed the land under their feet that had been cursed countless times, chanting a name repeatedly.
"House Lychester!"
"Lymond-sama!"
"Suleiman-sama!"
"Thank you, Lord Governor!"
"Seven is on top! The Governor is our savior!"
Pork. Hewen stood on the stage, his heart beating violently.
This was a huge gamble, a huge gamble that put his family and life on the gambling table. These usury contracts were all the savings he had earned through hard work. At this moment, they all dissipated with the flames.
Look at yourself as a fire, ignited with blazing heat.
He finally deeply understood the meaning of the sentence Suleiman.
"It doesn't matter what the truth is."
"What matters is what people believe is the truth."
Today, he personally created a truth for the people of Riverlands that they are most willing to believe.
A story about salvation and gratitude.
The fire still burns, turning those sinful pacts into ashes.
The black ashes dispersed in the wind, like black butterflies, flying in all directions.
They will carry this story and fly to every corner of Riverlands.
In this story, there is a governor who represents justice and mercy.
There is also a group of businessmen who represent evil and greed.