Chapter 37: RoWE - Chapter 37
Chapter 37: Full-Time Night's Watch
Aeg raised his eyebrows, "Not happy? I really can't think of any bad news I could hear right now."
"It's not really bad news." The dwarf said with a smile, "I did convince the Night's Watch leadership to let you come with me to King's Landing as a 'supply officer,' but in the process I bragged a little about you, and Maester Aemon decided to give you a chance to show off your abilities. So, besides what I just said, you have some other tasks."
More tasks are better than going on a wall patrol, especially one specifically looking for White Walkers. Aeg felt no ripple in his heart, only more curiosity, "Such as?"
"Yoren will also be heading south in a few days, responsible for recruiting more people to see the Wall in King's Landing, and I've decided to go with him." Tyrion quickened his pace. The weather was too cold; standing still could freeze a person to death, "Commander Mormont's intention is for the first batch of recruits to be brought back to the Wall by Yoren. Upon his arrival, he will immediately turn back to find you and bring back another batch of recruits. and so on. In other words, during the gaps between these comings and goings, you'll also have to recruit for the legion."
The "Crows" are nominally recruiters for the Night's Watch, but someone like Yoren, a rough man. how could he have the ability to recruit volunteers? Their job is actually to go to various places, find the lords, and get permission to pick people from the prisons. The more diligent ones might go to the slums to see if there are any starving people willing to make a living at the Wall.
Before crossing over, Aeg was just an engineer, living on his skills and qualifications, not taking bribes and rarely needing to please others. He seldom organized activities or drank with clients and owners. How could he be good at recruiting? Thinking back, it was probably the abilities and qualities he displayed during the self-defense in the deserter incident that left a deep impression on the high-ranking officials, who were used to dealing with farmers and scum, making them unconsciously believe he could do anything.
Recruiting is fine. Even if he doesn't do well, could he really be worse than Yoren and the others? Aeg sighed, "Anything else?"
"Yes, Dragonstone has replied, agreeing to allow the Night's Watch to mine obsidian on their island, but they can only provide convenience. The specific work, such as manpower and facilities, is the responsibility of the Night's Watch." The dwarf continued, "Now, Mormont's intention is for you to take charge."
"King's Landing and Dragonstone are only separated by Blackwater Bay." Aeg took a breath, no wonder, "So, I'm also responsible for the obsidian mining? Recruiting hands and gathering supplies for the Night's Watch in King's Landing while also responsible for mining for them? Do I have three heads and six arms? How many hands and funds does he give me?"
"Sorry, the Night's Watch is also in difficulty, so funds don't exist. As for manpower." The dwarf showed a gloating expression, "Commander Mormont said he would request support from the various houses of the North, but the initial arrangements for the mining work are up to you. The expenses for tools and items are also for you to figure out first. The legion will reimburse you as much as possible later. Well the Night's Watch fleet is also at your disposal."
The Night's Watch fleet? Aeg didn't know what expression to make. Eastwatch-by-the-Sea does have a fleet, but its size is only slightly larger than the legendary Mongol navy: two sleek galleys, the Crow's Nest and the Talon, responsible for clearing the Bay of Seals of smugglers selling weapons to the wildlings; a slightly larger transport ship, the Blackbird, responsible for trading with the south or the Free Cities across the narrow sea; the crew and port guards total less than two hundred. So-called at his disposal, it's actually just letting him load the mined obsidian onto the ships to transport back to the Wall.
The arrangement for the mining work is easy to say. At worst, he could ask a coal or gold mine owner for advice, but to cover the initial expenses as a true "propertyless" individual, where would he get the funds to cover them? Waiting for the North to gather miners for him would be slower than doing it himself. If he didn't want to dig "coal" himself, he would have to recruit. In short, this was clearly asking Tyrion to bleed a little more.
Aeg was slightly moved by the willingness of the Night's Watch leadership to let him leave, but now he was overwhelmed by the pile of tasks thrown at him. The price of freedom is indeed not low.
"Considering I'm also responsible for this, I'll help you figure something out."
"Tyrion." Aeg hesitated, "I'm really sorry to make you spend more money."
"What do you mean spend more money? Do you think I'll cover that expense for you? With your immediate superior's rogue temperament, if I dare to cover it, they will definitely dare to drag their feet on repayment. As a Lannister, can I pursue such a 'small sum'?" Tyrion raised his eyebrows, "I'll contact some blacksmith shops, wealthy people who made their fortunes in mining, and use credit to provide your 'coal mining' project with tools, items, and industry guidance. Let them go after Mormont for the debt and see if your commander dares to tarnish the Night's Watch's reputation for such a small amount of money."
"That's true." Aeg suddenly realized, isn't this just the tactic of risk transfer? In terms of money, Tyrion still has some brains, "Then I'll have to trouble you more."
"Don't be too quick to be happy. There's one last task. Improve the image of the Night's Watch in the eyes of the nobles and people of the South, below the Neck." Tyrion said cruelly with a grim expression in Aeg's widening eyes, "Now, you're a busy man with multiple roles as a supply officer, recruiter for King's Landing and the Crownlands, obsidian mining supervisor, and ambassador for the Night's Watch's image. Instead of thanking me, you'd better hurry back and think about how to do this pile of tasks well."
***
Under Tyrion's curious gaze, Aeg lifted his hand to pinch his philtrum, to prevent himself from fainting due to suffocation. He took a few deep breaths of the cold air to suppress the impulse to stay at Castle Black and continue as a ranger.
It was clear that the Night's Watch leadership never intended to let him leave comfortably. He had thought too simply. If paying a ransom to a rich man could leave the Wall and live a normal life with just the label of the Night's Watch, the world would have been in chaos long ago.
These tasks, these blatant and unconcealed difficulties, were the Night's Watch leadership's final means. As long as one of them is not completed beautifully, it provides a handle for the officers staying at the Wall. Whether to recall him or let him go for Tyrion's sake is just a matter of a word.
Can he complete this pile of tasks?
Impossible, this is far beyond the capabilities of an individual. Knowing the plot and understanding the characters' personalities is indeed a huge advantage, but it's far from being outrageous to the point of becoming a superpower. Without external help, it's impossible to move an inch. And now, the only external help he can rely on is Tyrion. Only such a distinctive character could allow him to get close with a little trick. But such a kind and helpful dwarf, how could he bear to keep bleeding him just because he's willing to help, to maintain his so-called "freedom"?
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