Chapter 153 Loans

King Robert's roar was so loud that even the servants passing by in the corridor outside looked sideways, while everyone at the scene was silent, and the only one who spoke out against the former Prime Minister became speechless.

The Duke of Arryn Valley is based on the national level. If this battle is really fought, it will be a huge burden on the entire country.

It is even very likely that they will fall into the quagmire of war, dragging down the entire Seven Kingdoms, the nobles will be separated from virtue, and the common people will rebel.

At that time, the son of the mad king will not even need to bring the dragon to fight, and the power of the Iron Throne will fall apart on its own.

Of course, it is not impossible to raise troops by war, but the premise of doing so is profitable. But now the labor and teachers expedition, crossed a sea to attack another city-state that is not rich in continents, what benefits are there?

It was as ridiculous as trying to rob the Dothraki.

The previous battle of the Nine Bronze Kings was roughly similar to the current situation. During the reign of Jaehaerys II, Duke Mond Baratheon, then the former Prime Minister, personally commanded the expedition to expedition to the Stone Step Islands.

However, after the nine-man regiment was finally wiped out, the Iron Throne army retreated from the Stone Step Islands, daring not to touch this piece of land. Otherwise, it is very likely that they will be boycotted by the nine major trading city-states, and those who stay on the island will not be able to come back alone.

Because the power of the Iron Throne is too strong, the free trade city-states cannot accept that the Iron Throne will leave any enclave on the Essos continent, even if it is an inaccessible and unclaimed land.

If the Seven Kingdoms left an enclave on the Essos continent, it would only take a few years of hard work, and a steady stream of supplies would be transported from Westeros to be hoarded.

Next, if the Iron Throne intends to invade the free trade city-state, countless armies and knights will board warships and cross the sea to the continent of Essos in an instant.

Because the toughest supply problem for them has been solved.

at the moment.

The problem went round and round and returned to its original point.

It would be better if Targaryen's remnants consisted of dragons and no armies, because as Jon Arryn said, nothing can be done without dragons.

Aegon had dragons when he conquered Westeros, but he still smashed his head in Dorne, and even killed a dragon and a sister.

Therefore, the army is the most sensitive point for the Iron Throne. Targaryen has won consecutive battles on the continent of Essos, and has pushed out a large tract of land all the way.

One of Jon Arryn's think tanks had previously predicted that the Free Cities would not allow Targaryen's crazy expansion, and would be strangled by the union. However, I didn't expect to be slapped in the face in an instant. Now Andalos is no longer an existence that can be easily extinguished by a free trade city-state.

"Well, Your Majesty, if we really want to attack Andalos across the sea, we still have a lot of problems that need to be solved urgently."

Since this battle was destined to be fought, Jon Arryn didn't want to talk too much. He felt that if he continued, he would be suspected of collaborating with the enemy by Robert.

In fact, not only did Robert see the threat, but Jon Arryn also felt that he couldn't let Targaryen continue to expand, otherwise it would probably lead to bitter consequences.

It's just that as the former Prime Minister, one person is under ten thousand people, but the king above his head is a guy who does nothing.

Some things the king can't see, doesn't mean they don't, it's just that this good adoptive father is still running back and forth when he is old, and he just wiped his buttocks.

Then the gray-haired old duke began to count the problems that needed to be solved urgently.

"The first is the issue of supplies."

"Your Majesty, if we want to fight Targaryen, we must have enough golden dragons."

"The Iron Throne is now saddled with a debt of over four million gold dragons."

Having said that, Jon Arryn glanced at the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but it was obvious that the other party had just lost his mind and was not in the state, and he was even slightly stunned and did not respond.

Then he was gently poked by Varys who was sitting next to him, and reminded in a low voice.

"grown ups?"

The finger tapped where the chancellor's chest was.

"O, O"

The Minister of Finance immediately understood, and hurriedly took out the backup treasury account book from his arms, and then respectfully handed it to the former Prime Minister.

And the old man was a little helpless looking at these pig teammates. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is as stupid as a pig. His only ability is to open his mouth to ask someone to borrow money. He dares to sign any contract as long as he can give money. For this reason, Jon Arryn is not less anxious. fire.

However, recently the Chancellor of the Exchequer has been unable to borrow money. Robert is already quite dissatisfied with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. In his opinion, the Chancellor's first priority is to borrow money. will be replaced.

Thinking of this, the figure of a young man suddenly appeared in Jon Arryn's mind. The other party was shrewd, capable, capable, and had a good relationship with his wife.

perhaps

The white-haired old duke's heart moved slightly. If the opportunity is right, he wouldn't mind choosing the best and let the other party help him share some of the pressure.

But at the moment, I have to report to His Majesty the King, and then Jon Arryn opened the treasury ledger.

On the other side, because he was just reminded by the intelligence chief Varys, there was no shame in the king and the former prime minister. After returning to his seat, the Minister of Finance gave Varys a smile of thanks.

The other party folded his hands in his sleeves, and when he saw the expression of the Minister of Finance, he nodded slightly and showed a kind smile.

The workplace is not easy, it is the need to help each other.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has been feeling more and more of King Robert's displeasure lately, and now is the time to walk on thin ice.

"what?"

However, at this time, the Chancellor of the Exchequer suddenly froze for a moment, and he didn't respond to a question until this time.

How did Varys know his treasury ledger was on his chest?

…

On the other side, the former Prime Minister, who was sitting in the first seat on the king's left, had already taken the ledger and began to report to His Majesty the current state of the country's finances, as well as the only remaining golden dragon in the treasury.

Now the Iron Throne owes a debt of more than four million golden dragons. The main reason is not that the Chancellor of the Exchequer's ability is strong, but that money is needed in all aspects and Robert's extravagance when the country has just recovered from the war.

At the same time, because of the need to borrow money, the Iron Throne recognized the debt owed to the Iron Vault during the Targaryen period, which is also a large amount.

These bits and pieces are always a debt of four million gold dragons.

Half of the debts came from the Lannister family, and the rest came from the Tyrell family, the iron vault of Braavos, and several commerce guilds in Tyrosh, and even the church.

Then Jon Arryn closed the treasury books, a wrinkled cheek full of seriousness.

"His Majesty."

"Although Braavos and Targaryen's Remnant have some unsubstantiated connections."

"However, the real purpose of Braavos doing this is to prevent the seven kingdoms from being truly unified and to disturb this pool of water."

The eyes of the Duke of Arryn Valley are vicious and piercing.

"If we want to finish this battle, we must ask for a loan from the Iron Vault. No matter how harsh the conditions and interest are, we can temporarily agree to it."

"As for the future, we will discuss it at that time."

In order to win this battle, Jon Arryn can be considered a sacrifice.

The Iron Vault stares at the interest, and the Iron Throne stares at his principal.

If you win, you don't have to pay it back, and if you lose, you don't have to pay it back.