The banquet ended smoothly, and Aegon became the "True King."
The captains, led by the mustached man, called Aegon "Aegon the True King."
Fairly speaking, this is absolutely a title of praise no weaker than "Young Stag King," and even comparable to "Conqueror."
Returning to his tent, Alec followed closely behind.
"Your Highness," Alec said with hesitation.
"Ask whatever you want, don't be reserved."
Aegon poured two cups of water, handed one to Alec, and drank the other himself.
After drinking a sip of clear water, Aegon felt much more awake!
"Your Highness, I think you're giving a bit too much," Alec said softly.
"Giving a bit too much? Are you talking about the money for those soldiers?" Aegon asked with a amused look.
Alec blinked his small eyes, not understanding what was funny, but still advised, "Yes, too much. You might not understand the purchasing power of a gold dragon."
He felt that Aegon, coming from royalty, didn't understand the concept of a gold dragon.
"Your Highness, just fifteen gold dragons can fully equip a knight. Five gold dragons per soldier is already a lot. You're also giving money based on population, and there's a housing construction fund. It's too much!"
"So what do you think I should do?" Aegon sat up slightly, preparing to test Alec.
"Just exchange the gold dragons for silver stags. It can win people over without costing too much. Even if they move their whole families to the Stepstones, silver stags will be enough for their expenses before the land produces."
Aegon nodded thoughtfully. Alec's answer was acceptable.
This level of political ability makes him an all-rounder in the current Seven Kingdoms. Perhaps he can be nurtured.
"You're right. Exchanging for silver stags is indeed enough for their expenses before the land produces, but have you thought about something?"
"What?" Alec didn't think he had missed anything.
Aegon popped a green grape into his mouth and said slowly,
"You are now a Royal Guard, but the Sealord of Braavos has taken a liking to you and is willing to give you the same treatment to go to Braavos to protect him. His Majesty lets you choose for yourself. Will you go to Braavos?"
"Certainly not. Leaving aside the fact that they're only giving me the same treatment as before, I wouldn't give up the honor of being a Royal Guard alone.
Furthermore, I'm not familiar with Braavos. Even if I resigned as a Royal Guard, I wouldn't go. Isn't it better to stay in Westeros?"
As soon as Alec finished speaking, Aegon gave him an "I told you so" look.
"It's the same principle. Our warriors are commoners from the Crownlands."
"If they aren't given significant benefits, why would their families give up the peaceful and prosperous Crownlands and come to my Stepstones to settle?"
"You think I don't know how much a gold dragon is worth, and I think you don't know the difficulties of migration, nor the fear commoners have of migrating."
"I want people. I want the families of these warriors who are fighting for me to come to the Stepstones to clear land for me."
"Clearing land requires buying farm tools, right? Planting grain requires buying seeds, right? Building houses also requires wood, stone, and tools, right?"
"And the eating, drinking, shitting, and pissing before the first crop is harvested – all of that has to be bought with money, right!"
"Besides these expenses, they also have to worry about being harassed by nearby pirates."
"You tell me, if I ask their whole families to move to the Stepstones to clear land, shouldn't I show sincerity? Shouldn't I be responsible for them?"
"If I don't even have this sense of responsibility, then what kind of Duke of the Stepstones am I? What Iron Throne am I fighting for?"
Aegon spoke righteously.
Alec was speechless, his face full of shame: "Sorry, Your Highness, I didn't realize you had considered so much."
"No need to apologize, it's not your fault. It's because the Stepstones are too barren." Aegon waved his hand, indicating that Alec didn't need to worry.
But in fact, Aegon was also forced into this situation.
The Stepstones are too barren.
If he could recruit soldiers himself, he wouldn't have gone to such great lengths!
Furthermore, if the families of these soldiers were not moved to the Stepstones, Viserys could continue to remotely control this army to some extent.
This is what Aegon absolutely could not accept!
Only by completely controlling this fleet could Aegon begin his next moves.
"Right, go get Nicks. Tell him I need to see him."
Nicks was the mustached captain who was the first to raise his cup and shout at the banquet.
"Okay, I'll go call him now."
Alec turned and left, and soon brought Nicks.
"Your Highness, you wanted to see me?" Nicks's voice was a bit hoarse, and his eyes were hazy.
"Pour him a cup of water," Aegon instructed the maid.
After drinking a cup of water, Nicks immediately felt much better.
"You are a talent, Nicks," Aegon praised.
"Uh..." Nicks was startled. "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. I am far behind you."
Nicks didn't know what Aegon was up to, so he could only follow Aegon's words and flatter him along the way.
"Heh heh, Ser Nicks, your ideological awareness is not good enough."
Aegon pointed at Nicks and laughed.
"Personal energy is limited. If you want to do something great, you must unite and work towards one direction!"
"I understand. Please give your orders, Your Highness!"
Hearing this, a very satisfied smile appeared on Aegon's face.
"I am going to promote you to Deputy Commander of the fleet, lead ten warships, and station on Grey Gallows Isle south of Bloodstone Isle. Do you have confidence?"
Hearing that Aegon was going to promote him to commander and let him lead ten warships, Nicks's eyes widened.
At the same time, Nicks also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He should have said earlier that he wanted to promote and reuse him. He went around in a big circle, saying this and that, and he thought Aegon was going to do something else!
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