Ceding Land and Paying Indemnities
Braavos, Sealord's Palace.
Guards stood on either side of the main hall, while two messengers stood in front of the throne.
One of the messengers was Jon portly man named Wylis Manderly, who had recently arrived in Braavos with messengers from the Iron Bank to discuss repayment.
Of course, Wylis knew perfectly well that the core of all of Jon's repayment plans was one thing—delay!
They'll drag it out until the day of victory, until Braavos dares not demand payment.
Jon's exact words were that he would not return a single penny to the Iron Bank; once he had dealt with the internal affairs of the Seven Kingdoms, they could send troops to attack if they dared!
However, the extent of the promised repayment needs careful consideration. Too little would displease the Iron Bank and Sealord's Palace, leading to a breakdown in negotiations. Too much, on the other hand, would make them suspect that Jon's motives were merely to appease them.
After all, Braavos's strength should not be underestimated.
The nine Free Cities are ranked by strength, Braavos almost stands out among them, making it the most powerful city-state in many people's minds.
Apart from Volantis, who was the furthest away and disagreed, many others agreed with this assessment.
Braavos, skilled in shipbuilding, possessed an invincible fleet and won victory after victory in the war against Pentos, to the point that the city-state's governors and nobles dared not continue to use slaves.
To the south, Pentos feared them like the plague, and to the north, there was a city-state built on an island that relied mainly on fishing; it could almost be considered a vassal state of Braavos.
To the west lies a vast, boundless ocean; to the east, the greatest threat to the Essos — the Dothraki— remains inaccessible.
Braavos ' influence has expanded to the farthest reaches of its geographical reach, and there are rumors that they seem to be looking for a suitable overseas territory.
Therefore, Jon has always been cautious about Braavos, whose strength is overflowing.
Wylis's trip to Braavos was less about discussing repayment and more about putting on a show.
Wylis glanced at the new Sealord Ferrego, who sat on the throne. He looked to be in his forties, wearing a blue silk robe adorned with patterns of sharks, seahorses, whales, and starfish along the edges.
Pearls, gold thread, gemstones, and many other materials were used.
He also held in his hand a three-foot-long, black scepter inlaid with a large blue gemstone.
Behind him stood a tall and imposing swordsman.
Wylis knew that only the First Sword of Braavos was qualified to be Sealord's bodyguard.
What's remarkable is that this guard completely concealed his brilliance, appearing almost like a shadow of His Majesty the Sealord.
He's so good that people often forget he exists.
Wylis then looked at another person beside him, who was also slightly overweight.
He claimed to be Varys, the messenger of the Iron Throne.
The two are undoubtedly competitors.
One side wanted Braavos to remain inactive, while the other wanted him to Westeros the battle in Westeros.
In fact, Wylis arrived more than a month earlier than Varys, but he was unlucky enough to arrive during the change of Sealord.
In Braavos, the Sealord, as the supreme ruler, was not chosen from a single family or clan, but rather elected from among several families.
The last Sealord was from the House Antaryon.
That was an aging ruler, and all of Wylis's preparations and research were directed at him.
The previous Sealord witnessed the engagement between Viserys, the Beggar King, who is Daenerys's second brother, and Arianne, the daughter of Prince Doran Dorne.
Robert had already become king by then.
Therefore, Wylis believed that the previous Sealord was a ruler who liked to "bet multiple times," and such a person was not particularly steadfast. Therefore, the possibility of persuading him, or at least getting him to hold back, would be very high.
"After all, I'm about to retire, there's no need to take such a big risk."
However, the speed at which that "Sealord" Anta Lyon's health deteriorated caused the meeting to be postponed again and again.
It wasn't until the new Sealord took power that he had the opportunity to meet him, but unexpectedly, Varys also came.
Without a doubt, Varys represents the mysterious Young Griff.
However, today's situation is somewhat unconventional. Wylis believes that the new Sealord "must understand the current situation in Westeros," yet he has actually summoned the envoys from both sides together. What kind of move is this?
Wylis was puzzled, but the new Sealord, who sat high on the throne, spoke up, "I know why you two have come to Braavos. In other words, you are vying to take over Baratheon's debts, are you?"
"Competing"
Wylis couldn't help but laugh when he heard what the new Sealord said.
I was clearly just trying to fool you.
But thinking about it carefully, it's true; at least he acted as if he was paying off his debts.
Wylis immediately felt a wave of irony. Regardless of Jon and Young Griff's identities, what they were doing now was indeed paying the price for their father's murder, which was both shameful and disgusting.
"We're willing to take on our share," Wylis said before Varys could speak.
Wylis looked at Varys, only to see the latter calmly looking at Ferrego.
"I remember the portion we should bear is 1.57 million Gold Dragon, right? With interest, it should be 1.61 million Gold Dragon. I wonder, Iron Throne— " Ferrego drawled, then looked at Wylis— "and how do you plan to repay it?"
"Your Majesty, the Iron Throne does not represent some small city-state, governor, or nobleman. The Iron Bank's demand that we bear the debts of the Usurper is far too domineering, and we cannot accept it," Varys continued.
Wylis, standing to the side, felt a little numb; he felt like he couldn't get a word in edgewise.
"But it seems you only have the Vale and the Crownlands now," Ferrego added.
"But the usurper possesses the five great kingdoms."
"What usurper! It's His Majesty Jon!" Wylis quickly added.
"Then why should I support you?" Ferrego scoffed.
"Because of our support, the Iron Bank can at least recover some of its debts and gain an ally close to Braavos. Jon Snow's annexation of the Iron Islands, the Westerlands (which he has controlled the longest), Highgarden and Oldtown both located on the Sunset Sea coast), and even Winterfell (west of the North) mean he has no intention of controlling the East for at least the next hundred years. Losing Westeros as a source of income will be an unimaginable loss for Braavos."
"He's talking nonsense about His Majesty the Sealord. As the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, His Majesty Jon Snow naturally maintains balance—" Wylis's words lacked conviction.
Sealord Ferrego's eyes were lowered, and he appeared to be lost in thought.
The entire hall was eerily quiet; there wasn't even the sound of coughing or clothes rustling. The only sounds were the faint noise of waves and flowing water from outside.
"Just tell me, how much do you each plan to repay?" Ferrego asked.
"Is this going to be a bidding process for repayment?" Wylis was startled, his face turning grim. This completely disrupted his plans; he had no idea how much he would have to pay, or rather, what the sum would be.
"No matter how much Jon the usurper has to pay, we will always have an extra 100,000 Gold Dragon."
You damned eunuch!
Wylis's eyes widened, and he swore in a very uncharacteristic manner.
With just that one sentence, Wylis felt the unfriendly gazes of the guards around him.
"Sir, please watch your words," Ferrego began. "How do you intend to repay this debt?"
"Us----"
Wylis was furious. The idea that "a son cannot pay for his father's murder" was ingrained in his mind, and now he couldn't possibly make an offer.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind, and he said, "Sealord Majesty, don't be fooled by their promises. Dragonstone, Storm's End, and Harrenhal are already under Jon's control. The Crownlands is ours for the taking. The Vale is mountainous; who knows how long it will take to pay off the debts? This eunuch is just making empty promises!"
Upon hearing Wylis's words, Ferrego not only didn't get angry, but the corners of his mouth actually curled up slightly.
The current situation is that one party claims the other has no intention of repaying the loan at all, while the other party claims the other party is unable to repay.
But in any case, competition has begun, and as long as competition begins, he, as the object of competition, has the potential to profit.
"Sir, what do you think?" Ferrego asked Varys.
"The so-called 'Five Kingdoms' is nothing but self-aggrandizement in my opinion. Shireen, the rightful heir of the Stormlands, is with us. The North is a harsh land, and the gold mines at the foot of Casterly Rock have dried up. Not to mention that the true masters Jaime Lannister and Tyrion Lannister, are still alive. The core of the alliance between Tyrell and Jon is nothing more than a silver-haired infant of unknown origin. The usurper is not that powerful at all. If we could gain your support, we might be able to emulate the alliance between House Rogare and the Targaryen."
House Rogare is a family of the Free Cities. Their daughters married into the Targaryen House Rogare family, which led to the rapid expansion of their family's power.
Varys's implication was that the position of Sealord wouldn't belong to the Ferrego family forever, and while he was still in power, why not try to secure some future security?
This hit House Frey right where it hurts, because it's obvious to the naked eye that Jon can't marry into the Braavos nobility, but Young Griff. can!
Ferrego, seated high on the throne, also understood.
Collecting debts from the Iron Bank could serve as a pretext for launching a military campaign, and helping Young Griff would greatly benefit his family.
He pondered for a moment before speaking, "Braavos can send troops to aid the Iron Throne."
"Your Majesty—" Wylis tried to say something, but was stopped. He knew that the Iron Throne referred to Young Griff.
"At the same time, loans from the Iron Bank can also be temporarily frozen."
A smile spread across Varys's face.
"But Braavos needs a permanent port as payment for its debt."
Varys thought about it and, realizing it was just a port, agreed.
"I wonder which place Your Majesty has taken a fancy to? You may choose any place other than King's Landing."
"Of course not King's Landing, what Braavos wants is Storm's End."