章節 56: Ch 56: Wishes Do Come True!
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With these materials noted down, Tyrion juxtaposed them with the goods he sought in exchange from Bear Island, drafting his own trade list. He looked forward to seeing how Jorah would counter his attacks at dinner.
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"I heard you took a stroll across the whole Island. Was the ride comfortable, Tyrion?"
"It certainly was. I might just want to keep that wolf with me."
"It's not a wolf, but a winter dog, or snow dog, as we call it. Since you're fond of it, I'll have a few delivered to you," Jorah spoke graciously during their meal.
Tyrion sensed there was something afoot, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Jorah's demeanour was different, not just in manner, but in a certain indifference. He seemed more... relaxed.
"It appears Lord Mormont had a fruitful conversation with the Maesters from the Citadel. I do hope he shares his joy with me."
"Well, Bear Island has managed to secure a substantial order for printing books for the Citadels' Maesters. Given their extensive requirements for new parchments, books, and copies, I believe this may be the most lucrative trade we've ever made in history," Jorah elaborated generously.
"Ah, no wonder. Might I offer you a cup of Arbor Gold to celebrate the occasion?" Tyrion took advantage of the opportunity, pouring a fine wine he'd brought with him for the evening. Jorah smiled and expressed gratitude for Tyrion's own generosity. Even in his youth, Tyrion Lannister knew how to appreciate good wine.
"I've heard... there's a fish that fetches a silver stag per pound..." Tyrion began, but Jorah raised his hand and gestured to a maid across the room. She quickly hurried into the kitchen and returned with a plate of raw meat accompanied by a sauce.
"This is the Red Belly. It's only found in the Frozen Shore, the only place in the world. This fish dwells deep beneath the ice and cannot be found anywhere else. Sweet, tender, and best enjoyed raw. Please," Jorah explained, having instructed his cooks to prepare it generously for the evening, as there was another gathering in the main hall.
Maester Allen was serving the Maesters and celebrating the successful deal. Jorah hadn't informed Tyrion of the entire affair or the most crucial part. In the morning, while Tyrion was busy exploring the island, the group of Maesters had come to inspect the book workshop.
<<Scene Shift to Morning>>
"M'Lord, the Maesters wish to tour the printing workshop."
"And I wish for a thousand golden coffers. But wishes are just that, Maester Allen. They don't come true. If we allow this group of people, can you guarantee that the secret of our printing won't be uncovered by tomorrow morning?
You must understand, that the second-hand wine press machine we purchased from Lannisport is readily available in the south. Our only advantage lies in our ability to combine it with wooden letters. Nothing more. Once they lay eyes on the machine, there will be nothing novel left about it. So, no.
Inform them they can put our workshop to the test, but a tour is out of the question. It's private," Jorah dismissed the impractical request without a second thought. It was only by chance that he'd transitioned from woodblock printing to a proper printing machine like Gutenberg.
He couldn't afford to give away this secret. Gutenberg died penniless despite inventing such a machine. Jorah had no desire to follow the same fate.
After a brief debate, Maester Lyman directed Maester Haldon to assess the workshop's capabilities for all to see and settle the matter. Jorah welcomed the test wholeheartedly.
"This is a page from the sermons of the seven. I hope you can do justice to the Gods, M'Lord," Maester Haldon presented an old parchment to Jorah, who accepted it with due humility. When it came to matters of the Gods, he kept his pride in check.
"Maester Allen, the task is in your capable hands," Jorah entrusted the parchment to Maester Allen, who took it into the workshop and, before lunch, returned with a hundred copies of that sermon, astonishing the entire crowd.
With no fear of deceit or falsehood, the Maesters signed an agreement with Jorah, who in turn negotiated a favourable price. However, the greatest gain was from a Maester deeply involved in matters of faith.
"Lord Mormont, how swiftly can you produce five hundred sets of books?"
"Not long, Maester. May I inquire about the specific book?"
"It's the holy book of The Faith of the Seven. The Church has been urging us to prepare these sets, but our capacities are limited. If Lord Mormont can complete this within a month, I shall entrust this task to your care."
"And what is the price the Church is willing to offer, Maester?" Jorah inquired, aware that the Church held deep coffers in the south.
The Maester glanced around and raised three fingers to Jorah, then returned a simple smile.
"Gold Dragons?" Jorah queried in a hushed tone.
"Yes," the Maester affirmed promptly.
Jorah calculated, and it was a substantial profit. He shook hands to seal the deal. However, when he saw the actual agreement, his jaw nearly hit the floor. It wasn't three Gold Dragons, but THIRTY for each book.
Thirty Gold Dragons for a single book. Meaning, the price was Fifteen Thousand Gold Dragons for five hundred books. 15,000 Gold Dragons equated to 3,150,000 Silver Stags. In coppers, Jorah couldn't even fathom the number.
Over Three Million Silver Stags...
It was like a wish come true, leaving Jorah utterly flabbergasted. He had to double and triple-check the amount with the Maester before he grasped the depth of the Church's pockets.
No wonder these individuals led such extravagant lives in King's Landing.
After finalizing all the other agreements, Jorah calculated his profits, and it was almost 4 million Silver Stags. At that point, Jorah treated these rare, benevolent angels with the utmost care on his island. The finest meats, fish, and furs were generously provided by Jorah, and from then on, he was floating on cloud nine.
What trade with the Lannisters? What about the merchants? Their value had plummeted like an anchor dropped at a dock. In a month, Jorah would earn more than in the next ten years of trading. The Gods truly were great.
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