Theora and Marcus are also very busy.
Theora once again rectified the incompetent governors, consuls and parliamentarians, replaced those officials who were unable to complete tax collection tasks or had low administrative efficiency, and selected replacements from among their cronies and reliable supporters.
Marcus waved his knife at the tax officials and merchants, and the money and supplies must be collected.
He established a new tax audit system in Braavos and sent his private guards directly to each City-States tax office to verify and collect every tax payment.
The three acted separately, each taking the most direct and toughest measures in their own fields to deal with the crisis.
The three of them did not dare to conceal the changes and situations in the trade City-States.
During this period, each of them intermittently reported everything to Redd who was in Valyria city.
Redd certainly knows the issues within the trade City-States, and even knows them quite comprehensively.
Because not only would the three of them report news to him individually, but every once in a while, his Master of Whisperers Mesalia would also send him some information that she thought he needed to know.
Part of it is about King's Landing.
Among them are Rhaenyra's recent daily life, Laena's latest illness, and other things.
Rhaenyra's situation in King's Landing still hasn't improved.
King Viserys continues to slowly take back power, removing Rhaenyra's supporters from key positions one by one, and placing those loyal to him in key positions of Small Council.
After many attempts to influence Small Council's decision-making failed, Rhaenyra gradually gave up open confrontation and instead maintained its existence through more covert channels.
She traveled regularly between Dragonstone and King's Landing, using her time in Dragonstone to keep in touch with the garrison and residents who remained on the island, and using her time in King's Landing to participate in those court events that she was still qualified to attend.
Alicent further consolidated her position beside Viserys during this period. Her fourth child, Daeron, is growing up healthily. Viserys has shown more attention to this youngest son than the previous children.
Sir Otto's influence in Small Council continued to expand. Through a series of carefully designed personnel arrangements and policy suggestions, he gradually integrated those nobles and officials who supported Aegon II into a tight alliance.
Rhaenyra's isolation in the palace became more and more obvious, but she did not give up. She was waiting for the opportunity, waiting for news from Redd, and waiting for the new situation that might arise after the reconstruction of Valyria city was completed.
After Laena was infected with Greyscale, his condition continued to worsen in the first few months.
Gray-white scaly lesions began to appear on the surface of her body. The scales spread from the edges of her fingers and toes to her arms and legs. The skin surface became dry, rough, and darker in color.
Doctors at Driftmark tried various methods to delay the disease, including ointments, hot compresses, and dietary adjustments, but the course of Greyscale's disease could not be reversed, only slowed down.
After Laena contracted the disease, he isolated himself in a side hospital in Driftmark, and no longer had contact with other people except necessary attendants and doctors.
She did not give up hope, she was waiting, waiting for the clue left by Laena after Redd's request to use Valyrian steel sword was rejected - she wanted to know whether Redd had the ability to treat Greyscale, and if so, she was willing to exchange it at any price.
The other part is about the recent situation of City-States, Douglas, Theora, and Marcus.
Mesalia's intelligence shows that all three are expanding their private armies and have a tacit understanding to divide power among themselves.
A large amount of military power is controlled by Douglas, and 70% of the important positions in the army are Douglas's newly arranged cronies.
Theora took over the executive power, and the governor's meeting of Trade City-States was about to become her personal meeting.
Marcus has Iron Bank and the tax power in his hands. Every loan business and tax payment of Iron Bank has to pass through his hands.
The three of them hold military power, administrative power, and financial power in their hands respectively, and they divide them quite neatly.
The three of them were all helped up by Redd personally. Originally, the three of them could only be regarded as strangers, but now they have become such tacit teammates.
Redd is a little relieved. Even though the three of them went a little too far, Redd doesn't think there is any big problem.
Although their behavior is a bit greedy, but they are still obedient, it is not a big problem.
After all, the three of them have stabilized the fundamentals of trade City-States. It is understandable that they would be greedy.
What's more, so far, Valyria City only sends more things to Valyria City every half month, and occasionally even sends him some special gifts.
Now that he is so sensible and capable, he doesn't care about this anymore.
Of course, if one day they have a brain problem and want to leave or go against him, disobey or disobey orders, that's another matter, and they will have to settle the score then.
Redd picked up a secret letter, which was Mesalia's advice.
Excessive decentralization of power without balance will lead to loss of control sooner or later.
Mesalia wrote that if any of the three decided at some point in the future that they would no longer obey his orders, they would have enough power to challenge his authority.
Douglas controls 70% of the army, Theora controls the administrative system, and Marcus controls the financial lifeline.
If they unite, they can blockade Free Cities's port, cut off all connections between Valyria city and the outside world, and trap Redd on this peninsula.
Even though Redd has the Demon Dragon Legion, the food and material supplies of the Demon Dragon Legion depend on the operation of Free Cities. If the supply is cut off, the Demon Dragon Legion will not be able to maintain long-term combat capabilities.
But Redd really doesn't like dealing with those trivial government affairs at all.
Even Redd already looks down on secular power.
If he didn't still need the convenience brought by this power, he might not even care about it.
What's more, Redd is confident that the three of Douglas cannot escape his control, even Mesalia.
Whoever dares to betray him will only die.
This confidence is not blind, it is based on two foundations.
First, he has the King Ghidorah and Demon Dragon legions, which are his absolute guarantee of force.
Any traitor will be reduced to ashes in front of Dragonfire, no matter how many troops or wealth he controls.
Second, the power he gave to the three people was based on his personal authority. Those officers, officials and tax collectors promoted by the three people were essentially loyal to Redd, not to the three people.
If the three of them try to betray, they need to get their subordinates to do the same, and those subordinates are well aware of the consequences of betraying Redd.
Redd did not shrink the power in the hands of Douglas, but instead allowed the three people to behave as they did.
The three people also showed their ability to stabilize the trade City-States.
Redd didn't even have any involvement in this process, and it was entirely up to them to report to him on their own initiative.