Bab 13: Discipline
---Ned Stark's Pov---
Everything is going perfectly. Torrhen is a miracle given to us by the old gods. That boy has helped House Stark and the North like no one else in the last thousand years. House Stark is getting stronger and richer day by day. Normally, I don't care that much about wealth, but as we get richer, the people of the North live a more comfortable life. Now we can get more food from the south. Thus, our peoples can be fed.
The North's biggest problem was always that there wasn't enough food. That's why we bought the suplies we needed from the south. Most of the supplies the North buys come from the Riverlands. Normally, House Stark makes treaties with the lords of the Riverlands and takes the supplies in bulk and distributes them to other houses in the North. Of course a few noble houses like the Manderlys choose to do their own trading, but in general most of the North prefers to get their supplies from House Stark. House Stark earns nothing from this brokerage business. We sell the supplies we receive at a price that will only cover the cost.
As we got richer, we could get more supplies from the south. We were still selling the supplies at cost until Torrhen came up with an idea one day. We were going to gift all the northern houses with half the amount of food they bought from us. Of course, with a few conditions. First, this gift of food must be distributed to the people in the region. The part given as a gift is completely forbidden to be sold or stored by any lord. The latter must announce "A gift from Lord Regent Stark and Lord Torrhen Stark to the people of the North" when distributing the supplies given by House Stark. Any House that does not abide by these rules will be temporarily suspended from trading with house Stark.
When Torrhen first came up with the idea, I didn't understand why we had to do such a thing. Then Torrhen explained why. If we did, the people of the North would know that House Stark would always help them, and they would remain loyal to us. In addition, if we did this, we would have helped the poor households of the north and we would have helped the common people of the north.
Then we started to implement this plan. The Noble Houses were overjoyed with the idea of getting free supplies, as we predicted. So until now, the plan has been running smoothly. No house has ever broken the rules.
However, despite all the good news, there is one thing that bothers me. Ironborns have been very active lately. I am afraid that they will attack at any moment. We must inform the Houses on the west side of the North to be prepared. We must also take more measures to ensure the safety of the canal.
Ser Rodrik entered my solar as I contemplated plans for a possible attack.
"My lord, a deserter has been caught from the night watch."
I was surprised to hear Ser Rodrik, but I quickly recovered and stood up.
"Prepare the horses, ser Rodrik," I said. Then, just as I was walking out the door, something occurred to me.
'I think he's grown enough, and he has to see it, it will be his duty to do it when the time comes.' I think.
"Ser Rodrik, tell Torrhen too, he's coming with us." I said to ser Rodrik.
Ser Rodrik was surprised at first, but then he nodded sharply and walked out.
So I took Ice and followed him out of the room.
---Torrhen's Pov---
Like every day, I was working in my lab after my sword training. At our meeting last week with my uncle and maester Luwin, we agreed that there is no obstacle to building a harbor and shipyard on the lake near Torrhen's Square. It was also decided to begin construction of a road between the lake and winterfell. Some of the workers from canal construction will be employed for all these new constructions.
After all this constructions are finished, I will have to devote my full attention to agriculture. The north is not self-sufficient with the current amount of agricultural production. We cannot be dependent on foreign sources for a very important resource such as food. This issue should be resolved as soon as possible.
But for now, I have to deal with other matters. I've spent the last 1 month looking for 3 materials I need for my Plans. The first was sulphur, relatively easy to find as Winterfell and the surrounding area is an ancient volcanic terrain. Of course, when I start mass production, I will need to find a large and stable source. I believe it can also be found near the Dreadfort. It's also a volcanic land. The second material I found was saltpeter or potassium nitrate. Charcoal is an easily accessible material. Now that I've counted all 3 ingredients, you should understand what I'm going to do. Yes, black powder. The sulfur and carbon (charcoal) act as fuels while the saltpeter is an oxidizer.
By mixing these materials in a certain ratio, we have miraculous black powder. Although black powder is not as useful as smokeless powder from modern times, I can make do with it for now.
The Greyjoy rebellion is also approaching. I know it happened in 289, but I'm not sure what month it is.
While I was working, there was a knock on my door and Bennet came in.
"My lord, your uncle has sent word. Looks like a deserter has been caught. He wants you to go with him."
A deserter? hmm, I think it's the first time I've seen an execution with my own eyes. If my uncle wants to take me with him, he must want me to learn the old ways of the North. Just like they took Bran with them in the first episode of the series.
"Okay Bennet, tell Edrick and the first squad too. we're going together." I said as I got up from my desk.
the first squad is the team where the first 10 people who have moved to the advanced stage in their training are combined. These ten people range in age from 13 to 15. Edrick is their team leader. The training of this group must be completed within 3 years. I want them to see this execution too.
While I was thinking about this, I finished my preparation. Then I went from the tower to the meeting place. When I got to the courtyard, Bennet and the first squad were waiting in line. I couldn't help but smile when I saw them so disciplined. Bennet and Edrick stood one step ahead of the others. Normally Edrick is Bennet's superior, but since Bennet is my aide-de-camp, Edrick can't give him orders.
As I approached them, Edrick turned to the squad and shouted. "Soldiers Attention!"
Then he turned to me and shouted "first squad is at your command my lord"
I gave them a soldier's salute and said. "at ease! soldiers!"
Just then my uncle came.
"I have to admit, Torrhen, as strange as these tutorials are, they're getting more and more impressive by the day."
"I believe the most important thing for a soldier is discipline, uncle."My uncle nodded. Then we all left the castle together.
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