Viserys saw the dazzling treasures displayed before him.
Gold, silver, gems, spices, luxurious clothes, armor and weapons, fine wines—every item in the cedar wood chests was immensely valuable.
Of course, there were definitely no petrified dragon eggs.
Viserys thought this was normal; no one would offer such a grand gift right away.
The Fat Magister was no fool; he must have been testing the waters first.
Moreover, it seemed these gifts weren't paid for by Illyrio alone, but were pooled together by the Pentos Magisters.
Viserys felt there was a good chance of getting the fossilized dragon eggs; fossilized dragon eggs were not as valuable as live dragon eggs, and Illyrio had no use for them.
Live dragon eggs and fossilized dragon eggs were two different concepts and values, though fossilized dragon eggs were still very expensive.
There had never been a precedent of a fossilized dragon egg cracking open and hatching a dragon, especially since these three eggs had been dormant for at least several centuries.
Illyrio had tried until he was disheartened and finally offered them as a mere accompaniment.
First, obtain the petrified dragon eggs, then send Illyrio on his way; Viserys had a complete plan.
"These wines?" Viserys asked.
"Here are various aged vintages," Illyrio introduced. "There are sweet reds from the Reach, sour reds from Dorne, white Pentos amber wine, green Myr mead, Tyrosh pear brandy, Arbor golden wine, and even wines imported from the legendary East, from Qarth, Yi Ti, and Asshai by the Shadow."
"That's very thoughtful," Viserys praised. He was preparing to develop new products and could also try these aged wines from various nations.
"For example, this one," Illyrio said, holding up a bottle. "This is a strong wine, and the label says it comes from the private cellar of Lord Runcelord Redwyne, the grandfather of Paxter, the current Lord of the Arbor."
Viserys gazed at the gifts. These rich merchants were truly wealthy.
Through trade and shipping routes, these merchants had accumulated vast fortunes.
Now, with the land trade routes occupied by the Dothraki and the Rhoyne River route plagued by disease and bandits, the primary route remained sea transport, and coastal ports were often the wealthiest.
Pentos was considered a second-tier Free Cities. Except for Volantis being somewhat weak and Norvos a little less so, the other Free Cities that controlled trade routes were very rich.
However, without swords to protect their wealth, wouldn't these riches be subject to various 'zero-dollar purchases,' especially in Pentos?
"These are merely small gestures of goodwill from the Pentos Magisters to a friend, for your pleasure. These servants are also your gifts," Illyrio said, pointing to the women who had been brought.
As a Free Cities, it was easy to understand why Pentos would offer money to Viserys.
For nearly a century, Pentos had been constantly bled for gold, from war reparations to the Braavos to the Khals who swaggered in demanding gifts and feasting.
They always picked on the weak, and the Dothraki were no fools; they preferred Pentos.
Andals and the Vale were roughly at the same latitude, but the originally disorganized Andals was not as wealthy as the Vale.
Today's Andals relied on agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishing. Because trade accounted for a small proportion, Andals had not developed cities in its coastal areas, so it was not wealthy.
To make Andals wealthy, it needed to control shipping and trade routes and build coastal cities.
Relying on their tradition of unity and martial virtue, the people of Pentos were also wary of the new Andals.
After all, the people of Pentos knew all too well the enthusiasm for war that could erupt from these poor barbarians.
So, they came to test the waters first, offering gifts, which was also a form of dollar diplomacy.
"To my knowledge, Braavos does not allow you to have slaves," Viserys asked.
"That is true, but these servants are merely servants, special servants. According to the treaty imposed upon us by the Braavos about a century ago, Pentos abolished slavery. I am merely saying they will be obedient," Illyrio explained.
Viserys looked at the beautiful girls, beautiful but with troubled eyes. These were special free slaves.
"Andals has no slaves. As a gift, I grant these girls their freedom," Viserys commanded. He would not touch these women; they would be assigned as female Squires to military officers.
As for the possibility of spies, these female Squires would also face thorough scrutiny.
They would be free to come and go in the future; Viserys was too lazy to interfere.
"That is your power as King," Illyrio took a deep breath. "Children, you have gained your freedom by the King's arrangement."
Illyrio presented the lifetime debt contracts of these female servants. Though called debts, they were essentially compound interest, meaning these poor female servants were still slaves.
The female servants cried tears of joy, sobbing individually, and were then led away by the guards.
Illyrio understood that these women would have nothing to do with Pentos and might even become enemies of Pentos.
However, Illyrio's expression remained normal. These female servants were never meant to be prominent; they were just like any other gift.
Besides, he knew that the faith of Andals also forbade slavery.
Viserys looked at the wealth. The people of Pentos were still lavish, and the gold, silver, and jewels they offered were dazzling.
No wonder the Khals loved to visit Pentos to see the sea. The Khals dared not cross the "poisoned waters" of the sea; they just liked to come to wealthy but weak Pentos to demand gifts.
"These gifts are indeed very generous, so I accept them," Viserys said.
He was spending vast sums of money building Viserysgrad and training legions. From the perspective of food, Andals was self-sufficient, but other equipment, armor, horses, and large-scale infrastructure all required money.
Relying solely on Andalusian taxes, the confiscated wealth of the Greenvine Family, and the loan from the Black Pearl was barely enough to sustain things. So, Viserys gladly accepted the money offered by the people of Pentos.
Once Viserys's winery was operational, his tax structure would be more normal.
"My gifts have been delivered, and Pentos will forge a friendship with Andals," Illyrio said with a smile. "If it pleases you, we have also built a grand mansion for you in Pentos, for when you wish to visit in your leisure."
"Oh, you've built a mansion for me as well. Once I've organized my troops, I will bring my Royal Guards to Pentos for a visit, to thank the Governors for their kindness," Viserys said, looking at Illyrio.
Pentos had this tradition; they built seaside villas for the Khals to appease the Khals, and Viserys, this new power, received the same treatment as a Khal.
"Royal Guards?" Illyrio felt a sudden absurdity. Was he bringing an army to beg for food?
"How many troops do you have?" Illyrio asked cautiously.
"Although Andals is vast and sparsely populated, I command more than ten thousand elite soldiers and generals. I have seven thousand Royal Guards in Viserysgrad alone," Viserys exaggerated.
In truth, these things were a mix of truth and falsehood; Viserys's numbers were also inflated.
He probably only reached that number by combining the independent longbow battalions, cavalry battalions, engineer battalions, regular infantry battalions, plus the garrison and the Viserysgrad militia and farmer-soldiers.
Even so, Illyrio gasped, even if it was inflated, a few thousand men was still a significant number.
And this was just the army of Viserysgrad; if you added the auxiliary forces from Andals, it wouldn't be too difficult to field ten thousand men.
If these hungry and warlike andals became desperate, Pentos would face a disaster.
"If the Governors think it's too many, I'll bring half of my Royal Guards. Facing the great sea will comfort my longing for my homeland," Viserys said with a touch of melancholy.
Viserys saw that Illyrio wasn't quite getting it, so he started to "act" first.
"With such brave and fearless warriors, returning to your homeland of Westeros won't be too difficult. Then you will be the master of two continents and an ocean," Illyrio said, noticing Viserys's melancholy. A thought sparked in his mind; he had a clever idea.
Stir up conflict, arm them all, and let Viserys fight The Usurper to the death.
Regardless of who crossed the sea for a distant campaign, their vitality would be greatly depleted. At that time, while both sides were severely weakened, it would be the perfect opportunity to reap the rewards.
And for now, Illyrio only needed to ripen Viserys's desire for revenge.
After all, the iron throne had just endured Balon Greyjoy's rebellion and was recuperating, and Viserys was also integrating Andals.
The battle wouldn't start immediately, but it would definitely erupt at some point.
Illyrio then spoke in a low voice, "Justice will eventually triumph over evil. I believe you will restore Westeros. I will also offer my small sincerity, not from Pentos, but from myself."
Viserys descended from the throne and went directly to the Fat Magister's side.
This enthusiasm startled Illyrio.
"When I reclaim my throne, I will not forget the friends who helped me in my time of need," Viserys patted the Fat Magister's shoulder, a fervent look in his eyes.
"He's still just a child, easily swayed by a few words," Illyrio chuckled inwardly.
"With the elite soldiers of Andals and the friendship of my Pentos friends, I will surely make the Kingslayer and The Usurper grovel in the future.
Now I have tens of thousands of skilled andal warriors, and I can sweep across all seven kingdoms. At that time, the noble houses will surely rise to serve and follow their true King. The Tyrell, Redwyne, Darry, Greyjoy families, and others hate The Usurper as much as I do. The people of Dorne in the South have long been filled with rage, seeking revenge for Princess Elia and her children. Not to mention the common folk, who will let out a righteous roar and fight for their King," Viserys boasted. Anyway, the number of soldiers was made up; he couldn't commit all his soldiers yet and was still training them.
Viserys looked at Illyrio. Illyrio's expression indicated that he was satisfied with Viserys's plans; the fire had been successfully stoked.
Viserys also knew the Fat Magister's little scheme: to have him lead the troops to take the bullet, then both he and The Usurper would suffer heavy losses.
But it didn't matter; they were all actors. Amidst the pretense, Viserys was also aiming to get those three dragon eggs.
The Fat Magister's plan wouldn't allow Viserys, the male true dragon, to live, and Viserys's plan wouldn't allow the Fat Magister Illyrio and Varys to live.
"That is so, Your Majesty. They are your subjects, and they love you dearly," Governor Illyrio replied with a pleasant expression. "Throughout the farms and villages of the realm, men secretly raise their cups to you, and women secretly sew true dragon banners, awaiting the day you lead your army across the sea."
Viserys scoffed at their beautiful illusions. He estimated that there would indeed be some remaining Royalists, but they would be a drop in the bucket.
Most people would side with whoever was winning.
Not to mention the Baratheon, Arryn, Tully, Stark, Lannister, these were all blood feuds.
To succeed, Viserys would have to truly achieve overwhelming dominance.
Otherwise, with the Fat Magister's empty talk, he would be going back to his death.
Development, the most crucial task right now was development, until he became a human-shaped true dragon, until he got the dragon eggs to hatch.
"Then, for my crossing, Governor, would you provide me with some more fleets, for future contingencies? Recently, I've been busy building the capital of Andals, but a King always needs a navy, right?" Viserys said to Illyrio, leaving no room for doubt.
"Yes, I will find a way. But Pentos has been stripped of its rights; we only have twenty warships," Illyrio felt his vision darken. This Viserys, why was he even more greedy than a Khal, acting as if he had him completely cornered, greedy and domineering.
But at least Illyrio had gotten Viserys to talk, like fishing, one had to be willing to use bait.
If it came to a crucial moment, Illyrio would still use the petrified dragon eggs to hook Viserys.
"I hear you have friends throughout the Nine Free Cities, Governor Illyrio. I wish to purchase a batch of Myr equipment; I wonder if you could provide me with some convenience," Viserys asked.
Myr's handicraft industry was developed, renowned for its intricate and detailed crafts, which were their main export trade.
This included manufactured goods, such as carpets and lace. The best lenses and telescopes, as well as carpets, screens, mirrors, lace, and glass panes that could be sold at the same price as Eastern spices.
Myr's paintings and miniatures were also highly esteemed and had a vibrant style. Myr also produced stiletto heels and triple-shot crossbows.
What Viserys requested was a large import of Myr's characteristic crossbows.
"As a great Governor of Pentos, I do have some small connections. I will arrange for Myr merchants to visit you, Your Majesty," Illyrio said with a smile, but inwardly, he was already speechless at Viserys's greed.
"One more thing, my new friend," Viserys patted Illyrio's shoulder. "I hear you also trade in dragon bones. I have a great need for dragon bones recently, I wonder if you... Of course, if the quantity of dragon bones is insufficient, I wouldn't mind fish bones from the Rhoyne River. I don't want animal bones to make up the numbers. I am very generous..."
This was Governor Illyrio's old profession. He was a merchant, specializing in spices, gems, and dragon bones, as well as other shady dealings.
It was said that he had extensive connections, not only throughout the Nine Free Cities but also as far as Vaes dothraki in the East and the legendary lands along the Jade Sea.
However, such a merchant would gladly betray any friend if the price was right.
"Since the King desires it, it is my honor. I might still have some stock at home, which I will present to Your Majesty. This is my small gesture of goodwill, my gift."
"How could I impose? You are too generous, my fat friend," Viserys's face also broke into a wide smile. He was going to thoroughly fleece the customer; since he was here, it was the perfect opportunity for him to extort and demand.
"It's only right, it's only right," Illyrio replied with a smile, seemingly genuinely generous.
"And valyrian steel longswords, you have any of those..."
Illyrio almost burst into tears. This Viserys was treating him like a wishing well, just reaching out and asking without offering money. "I truly don't have any of those, Your Majesty."
"I'm just joking with you, Governor, after all, valyrian steel is very precious," Viserys chuckled, then returned to his throne.
"Since my fat friend is so generous, I must prepare a magnificent feast for you. Looking at your physique, you must be a connoisseur of fine food. Let us dine together."
"It is my honor," Governor Illyrio breathed a sigh of relief.
Illyrio already had an idea. From this perspective, this greedy and domineering Viserys was also a fanatical restorer of his kingdom.
When the right time came to offer the dragon egg bait, he would unhesitatingly attack in the direction Illyrio desired.
Thinking of this, Illyrio still felt a bit smug. Viserys, The Usurper, let them clash and bleed each other dry.
And I, and Varys, these little people you overlooked, are the mantises manipulating the power and schemes.
But Illyrio did not know that Viserys, who appeared arrogant and harmless on the high platform, was already plotting how to confiscate his property and exterminate his family after squeezing the
Governor dry.
Offer is going on grab the offer soon
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