Game of Thrones: The Frozen Throne

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Hello everyone I apologize for the delay in today's chapters

amm I want to speak to you honestly

I firmly believe in the value of constructive criticism it acts as a guiding compass helping us stay on the right path when we stray However there is a significant difference between constructive criticism and outright insults Some individuals don't offer opinions or feedback they simply hurl insults

Many of these people hide behind the anonymity of the internet finding a false sense of security in their actions Most of the time I choose not to dwell on it I tell myself that perhaps they are going through something difficult which has put them in a bad mood I don't get angry because I try to understand what they might be feeling

But to those individuals I want to send a message My friend life is short and simple Enjoy it the right way without hurting others Insulting people doesn't give you true power it only offers a fleeting sense of satisfaction while potentially causing real harm to someone else

Let's choose kindness Let's criticize in a way that helps people grow and improve in what they love rather than discouraging them even if their dreams seem impossible Let's support each other spread positivity and inspire those around us to keep moving forward no matter how tough the journey may be Thank you all for your support and understanding

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A few days later, an emissary from the Iron Bank's White Harbor office arrived at Winterfell.

The emissary was dressed in a long robe of red and white, with a kind expression, a face full of fiery red whiskers, and a plump figure.

"Lord Eddard, I am Saul, the head of the Iron Bank's White Harbor office. I heard you have a need for a loan, so I rode swiftly to meet you."

With Klar's assistance, both parties quickly agreed on the loan amount and disbursement time. The Iron Bank agreed to lend 500,000 gold dragons to Winterfell. Then, they began negotiating the interest rate.

Klar said, "Saul, this is the Duke of Winterfell, ruler of the vast lands between the Neck and the Wall. You must have seen the projects in Winter Town—the factories, the grand market, the farms—all under construction. Lord Eddard will have many opportunities to borrow money from you in the future, but this interest rate… you must show sincerity and offer a discount."

Saul maintained a humble demeanor.

"The rate I offer is the lowest you will find in the Seven Kingdoms. If you don't believe me, you can inquire with any wealthy merchant or noble south of the Neck."

Saul even produced a ledger showing the interest rates at which merchants and lords across the Narrow Sea had borrowed from the Iron Bank. Compared to those rates, his offer to Winterfell was indeed generous.

Klar disdainfully tossed the ledger aside. "How many noble houses in the Seven Kingdoms borrow half a million gold dragons at once? Saul, I worked for the Iron Bank for years—do you think I don't know these tricks? Let me be clear: I invented these tricks myself."

"If you refuse to offer Lord Eddard a better deal, I can send someone to Braavos to negotiate with other Iron Bank representatives. I even know some keyholders personally, and I have friends close to the Sealord. We came to you because you represent the Iron Bank in White Harbor. If you don't seize this opportunity to profit, losing such a huge deal… well, that would be unfortunate."

Saul visibly tensed. There was competition among the Iron Bank's employees, and he couldn't afford to lose such a valuable client as the Warden of the North.

After intense negotiations, Saul was forced to lower the interest rate. At that moment, Klar kissed the cat's-eye ring on his right thumb.

This was a prearranged signal with Eddard—if Klar kissed the ring, it meant the Iron Bank's representative had settled on a very low interest rate, and Eddard could finalize the deal.

However, to Klar's surprise, Eddard said, "I believe the interest rate can go even lower."

Saul smiled bitterly. "Lord Eddard, this rate truly cannot go any lower. Your financial advisor, Klar, is a former employee of the Iron Bank—I can't deceive you. If I return to Braavos with this deal, I will surely be reprimanded by my superiors, and my colleagues will mock me."

Eddard said slowly, "How about this—if I include Northern timber in the transaction to offset the interest, would you reconsider lowering the rate?"

Saul licked his lips. Klar immediately realized that Eddard had introduced a bargaining chip that was irresistible to a Braavosi.

The North was covered with vast forests, the most famous being the Wolfswood. In the North, timber was not particularly valuable. However, in Braavos, it was extremely expensive.

Braavos was a city built on islands, surrounded by swamps, salt marshes, and shallow waters. The outlying islands were covered in forests, but because Braavos had no city walls, these forests served as windbreaks. The Sealord prohibited logging in those forests.

The lands near Braavos, settled by the Andals, consisted mainly of hills and plains with few forests. The city's shipyards required vast quantities of high-quality wood to build their renowned purple-hulled galleys. As one of the busiest ports in the world, Braavos had an insatiable demand for timber.

Thus, Braavos was heavily dependent on imported wood, and firewood was one of the city's most expensive commodities—prices soared even higher during winter, drawing constant complaints from travelers.

Much of the North's timber was sold to Braavos. Lumber from Deepwood Motte, the forest clans, and the lands around Winterfell was transported down the White Knife River to be shipped from White Harbor to Braavos.

In the end, under the pressure of Eddard's timber offer, Saul further reduced the interest rate.

The contract was signed, and Saul said, "Lord Eddard, the Iron Bank looks forward to our next cooperation. Let us warm each other with gold dragons and timber!"

After Saul left, Klar gave Eddard a thumbs-up.

"Lord Eddard, I truly admire you. You understand how to use Braavosi desires as leverage in negotiations. You pinpoint their needs to maximize your own benefit. You are truly a commercial genius."

Eddard ran his hands over his forehead. "This commercial genius is getting poorer by the day."

Klar chuckled. "At least the stables, barracks, factories, warehouses, and farms in Winter Town can continue construction. You wouldn't want to leave them half-built and abandoned, would you?"

Eddard let out a deep sigh. "Once Winter Town's expansion is complete, I will have to rely on the salt works, apiaries, and these factories and farms to generate income—otherwise, I won't even be able to pay the interest."

Klar frowned. "Lord Eddard, I know you have great ambitions for the salt works project. But as your financial advisor, I must warn you that it could be exploited by lords and merchants. If Winterfell buys salt at market price, who can guarantee that lords and traders won't mix in smuggled salt to sell at a profit?"

Eddard replied, "It's natural for vassals to skim a little profit—if a cat catches a mouse and takes a bite of meat, is that such a big deal?"

Klar laughed exaggeratedly. "But what if the cat causes more harm than the mouse? Lord Eddard, you have gathered your vassals, and they will be raising armies. War will make them poorer and more desperate. Sooner or later, they will turn their attention to the salt works."

Eddard checked his ledger. "We will deal with the salt works issue later. For now, I can move on to the next phase of my plan. Klar, tell the guards at the door to summon the shipbuilder Marlin."

By the time Marlin arrived at the study, night had fallen. Under the glow of beeswax candles, Eddard and Marlin examined ship designs. Marlin presented a model of a future Northern warship.

Marlin said, "Lord Eddard, as you requested, Northern warships will be modified versions of the Braavosi Sealord's galleys. In naval battles, onboard catapults, ballistae, and archers positioned on the upper deck will rain down devastating attacks on the enemy. If you allocate funds and manpower, I estimate the first ship will be ready to launch in a month."

Eddard was slightly disappointed. "The Braavosi shipyards can build a galley in a single day, and you need a month?"

Marlin sighed. "Lord Eddard, I worked in the Braavosi shipyards for years. Their efficiency is high because they have a vast workforce of skilled shipwrights and operate with an assembly-line system. How many such workers can you find in White Harbor? Even saying a month is optimistic."

"Lord Eddard, with all due respect, spending so much money to build ships to fight the Ironborn and pirate raiders is a waste. This money could be used to hire a mercenary fleet from the Free Cities or even pay the Sealord to deploy his navy. The Sealord's fleet is unmatched."

Eddard replied, "I do not trust mercenaries. As for hiring the Sealord's fleet, I would rather invest in our own. Marlin, we Northerners are the descendants of the First Men. The First Men were not seafarers, but I believe we can learn and grow. We do not seek to conquer the seas, but we must defend our waters and rivers."

"Otherwise, we will forever be at the mercy of the Ironborn and pirate raiders."

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