Game of Thrones: Winter Dragon Lord

Chapter 200 Assassination
"Your Highness, is this judgment biased?"

The sun seemed to be particularly good, and there was no trace of winter coming at all. The clouds in the sky were like layers of crucian carp scales, and the light shone brightly on the castle.

"Isn't a human life worth fifty dragons, Ser Farring?"

Gilbert was silent, but Cole knew the answer in his heart.

"Although Earl Heywood Fell has proved his innocence, he died in his room after all," Cole said. "Another 10 gold dragons will be paid from the castle as compensation to the merchant. His daughter was killed in the territory of Storm's End, which is also my lord's negligence."

Gilbert nodded. "Your Highness, the world will surely praise your generosity and kindness."

The merchant's so-called witness, when brought, denied seeing the dead man, and claimed that he had drunk a lot that day.

He was unable to preside over such a one-sided trial and could only make this verdict in the end.

In the afternoon, Cole dealt with Sir Cadran Hope's claims of wildling harassment in the hall, and he promised to send a team of cavalry to investigate on the spot.

In fact, these days, Cole has been planning how to solve the problem of free people in the Royal Forest.

Although he has a certain appeal among the free people, if he wants to use this to restrain their behavior, it is okay for a short time, but it will inevitably lead to conflicts after a long time.

If you want to solve the problem, you have to find its root. The reason why the Gaoshan clan tribe likes to plunder may be due to historical grievances and traditional customs, but the most important factor is food and land.

Cole has now given them a safe place to live, and only hopes to solve the material problem and ease the conflict between the free folk and the people of the stormlands.

He is preparing a caravan to trade with the freemen in the imperial forest, using food, cloth and wine to trade the furs of the wildlings. At the same time, he is preparing to build a market in the imperial forest and encourage the freemen to trade in the market.

Although force is the fastest way to solve problems, it is by no means the best solution. The Great Wall can block countless attacks by savages, but it will never solve the problem of savages.

Of course, the role of the Great Wall is by no means just to stop savages.

Until the evening, he did not deal with many government affairs.

Cole sat alone in the study, looking at the sea cliff outside the window, the setting sun was dissipating, and the shadow would cover the earth.Late at night, loneliness would engulf him, especially after returning from the Great Wall, this feeling of loneliness became more and more intense.

People are emotional animals, and Cole is not a ghoul, so he naturally has his own emotions.

Bang Dang, a crisp sound interrupted his thoughts, Cole turned his head and saw the maid who was cleaning the house was picking up the scattered candlesticks in a panic, ignoring the burning hands, seeing him turn his head, the maid hurriedly knelt down, Begging for mercy in a crying voice, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, my lord, I... I didn't mean it."

Cole shook his head and helped her up, "Everyone makes mistakes, and you have already paid the price for it, so you don't need to blame yourself." Looking at her scalded hands, he said, "Go wash them with clean water. Have a dip."

The girl nodded timidly, regretting her loss of focus, but those blue-purple eyes of melancholy, even if it was just a sneaky glance, had already deeply fallen and heartbroken her.

After the maid left, this episode also calmed his mind, and he returned to the affairs of Storm's End.

He didn't like eating at long tables, but had to.

Several seats were empty at the table banquet tonight, and it was Earl Heywood Fell and the knights of Fallen Wood City, perhaps dissatisfied with his trial.

The servant stood aside holding a copper basin filled with clear water. He gently washed his hands in the water, dried them with a silk towel, and then announced the start of the dinner.

The chef stewed a whole lamb with potatoes, and the lamb was cut into each plate, along with a bowl of thick soup.

"Your Highness." When he was concentrating on cutting up the stewed lamb on the plate with a knife and fork, Gilbert suddenly spoke up. "We were unable to find the merchant in the city."

Cole frowned.

Gilbert continued: "He was seen going off with a merchant ship."

"Then let's end this matter."

The dinner was not enjoyable. Whether it was the prince or the lords, the castle seemed to have always followed the seriousness of the war.

After the meal, Cole handed a letter to Maester Pylos, asking him to send it to Sunspear with a raven, and at the same time invited Davos to his study.

Like him, the Onion Knight did not handle the administrative affairs of the castle smoothly. No one had ever taught them how to manage a castle and a territory.

Stannis entrusted the affairs of the castle to the two before his death. Although Cole has always been in the lead, he would still ask Davos for suggestions and ideas before making a decision.

"With the current reputation of the free people, I am afraid that few merchants are willing to trade with them." After Cole told Davos the idea of ​​​​trading with the Alpine clan, he gave a suggestion.

"So I plan to form a caravan by myself, and I will be escorted by the Corps for the time being. I don't know if you have any good candidates to recommend." Caravans are also one of the assets of the nobles. Can bring income to the castle.

The Onion Knight nodded. He understood that if he wanted to ensure the stability of the territory, he had to face the problem of the wildlings.

"I've only dealt with Ms. Val in the castle, and I don't know much about the free people, but I know that businessmen are good at chasing profit. If there are enough benefits to trade with the free people, someone will definitely be willing to do it." Dai Foss was silent for a few seconds, then added, "It's like smuggling."

Cole's plan has been perfected, and Davos can't tell the lack of it, and there is nothing to lose by setting up a caravan to try it out.

Davos liked to communicate with all kinds of people in the town, and learned rumors from all directions from their mouths. People praised the prince's bravery and chivalry, but they also complained that the war had destroyed their homes beyond recognition.

People desire peace, but peace cannot be determined by them.

All the actions of Storm's End seemed to be in full swing preparations for the war.

"I'm going to invite an old friend to serve as Chancellor of the Exchequer in Storm's End." Cole said suddenly. He had the right to accept the chancellor's appointment, but he still felt that he should inform the Prime Minister.

Before leaving, Davos asked about Princess Shireen as usual. Cole had no news about his so-called fiancée, and only hoped that Duran could bring her back from the north safely.

Cole is used to going to bed late, and when he returned to his room, the castle was already silent, and occasionally he could hear a few dogs barking. The guards followed him to the door, and he ordered him to rest.

He pushed open the door and just sat on the bed when suddenly his heart throbbed.

The moonlight shone through the window, and the cold light flickered.

(End of this chapter)