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Adrian turned his gaze to the Minister of the Navy. Stannis, without any expression, said, "I intercepted the port tax revenue from the last quarter. The Royal Fleet's funding has been short for six consecutive months, and the warships' repairs can no longer be delayed."

Jon Arryn had an even worse headache. Even the rigid Stannis had resorted to seizing funds, which showed how dire the situation was. Forgetting about getting the money back was a given. He asked everyone, "Gentlemen, let's get straight to the point. What other solutions do you have for the funding problem?"

Adrian spread his hands. "Prime Minister, the only way to solve the problem is to increase the national treasury's income, but that requires time and investment. Right now, there are only two options: one is to borrow money, and the other is to solicit donations from the wealthy merchants in the city to solve the immediate problem at the expense of future interests. Of course, those treacherous merchants will definitely make some excessive demands."

Varys, the Spider, spoke, "My lords, I have a suggestion, but I don't know if it's appropriate to mention. The Lannister family suffered great losses in last year's war, and I estimate that Duke Tywin won't come up with such a large sum of money. We can try to borrow from the church. According to my information, the church still controls a large sum of money, enough to fill a large hall, at least over a million gold dragons. If the Prime Minister can personally discuss this with the High Septon, and with His Majesty's endorsement, they will definitely lend the money."

Jon Arryn said to everyone, "In that case, I need to discuss this with His Majesty. Let's adjourn today! Lord Celtigar, please stay for a moment."

Adrian: "Prime Minister, is there anything else you need to instruct?"

Jon Arryn: "It's like this, Earl Celtigar, you have been very busy recently, and I plan to assign you an assistant. He is Petyr Baelish from the Fingers, and he has managed the Vale's industries very well over the years. He is a very talented young man, and I think he will be of great help under your command."

Adrian thought for a moment and said, "Petyr Baelish... I have some impression of him. He is indeed a capable person. Since he is recommended by the Prime Minister's wife, have him come to see me tomorrow."

After everyone had left, Jon Arryn stood up, rubbing his sore back. Over 50 years old, he had suffered many hidden injuries in his early years, and he felt that he was becoming increasingly exhausted. King Robert's wilfulness and the worsening financial situation of the Seven Kingdoms weighed heavily on his mind. Lysa Tully walked in and took his arm, whispering in his ear, "My dear, have you spoken to Earl Celtigar about Baelish?"

Jon Arryn patted the back of her hand. "Adrian has already agreed. Notify Littlefinger. He can go to see him tomorrow. But I hope he can be as capable as you say. If he can't handle the job, I won't give him a second chance if he's dismissed."

Lysa Tully leaned her entire body against him, appearing somewhat charming. She said softly, "I trust Baelish. He is like a brother to me, growing up together. I trust him, and you've seen the achievements he's made in the Vale."

Jon Arryn's heart couldn't help but flutter. Should he try again tonight? The issue of the Arryn family's heir must be resolved. Or should he try the formula brought by the Lyseni? But can the bull's thing really be eaten? For the sake of a child! I'll risk it!

Adrian's carriage left the Red Keep. He looked back at the towering towers. Hmph, the Prime Minister is sending someone to him to divide the power in his hands. As for Petyr Baelish, he had heard of him. He was once the ward of an independent duke. He was deeply in love with Catelyn and even dueled Brandon Stark for her sake. Less than a year after that incident, news broke that Lysa had lost her virginity and had an abortion. As for who did it? Adrian was certain that Petyr was likely involved.

Life in King's Landing with great power is still very good. The Master of Coin is the King's chief economic advisor. His responsibilities include recording the income and expenditure of the royal treasury, receiving and summarizing reports from lower-level officials, supervising the collection of taxes and tariffs, borrowing money, managing the treasury, and supervising the royal mints.

Adrian also oversees a large number of officials, including the Master of the Rolls, the Royal Accountant, the Royal Measurer, the heads of the three mints, the Harbourmaster, tax farmers, customs officers, wool agents, road toll collectors, shipmasters, and wine agents, and so on. It took him a year to sort out the accounts. The kingdom's debt had reached 2.8 million gold dragons, of which 1.7 million gold dragons were provided by the Lannister family.

Under normal circumstances, the treasury's income is barely enough to balance the budget. However, King Robert is a spendthrift, and the legacy left by the previous dynasty has long been squandered. The treasury is so empty that even thieves would cry when they left.

Last autumn, a lightning strike caused a fire in the Red Keep, igniting many buildings and destroying part of Maegor's Holdfast. That was the King's residence, representing the face of the Seven Kingdoms, and it had to be repaired.

Also, the foundations of the Mud Gate's city walls had been eroded by the river for a long time, and a section had collapsed, which also needed urgent repairs. The theme of today's meeting was this: the treasury was out of money. Originally, the work of borrowing money was his responsibility, but this burden was too great, and the subsequent borrowing would definitely be an astronomical figure. Adrian decisively threw this hot potato to the Prime Minister.

Back at his residence, Adrian took a hot bath. If there was anything about King's Landing that he couldn't accept, it was the terrible environment. The air was filled with the smell of feces. It was better when working in the Red Keep, but if he stayed on the city streets for too long, he always felt unclean.

But after accepting Liu Yuan's suggestion and transplanting a large number of trees and flowers in the yard, he felt a little better.

In the courtyard, Lady Mya and Jory were leading little Viktor, who was only a few months old. Adrian was very pleased. Viktor was his first grandson. Grandparents are fond of their grandchildren, regardless of Eastern or Western culture, but he had to maintain the dignity of the family head and was embarrassed to show too much affection.

He pretended to walk towards the courtyard nonchalantly, but in fact, he wanted to hold his grandson again. A petite figure ran out, holding a piece of paper, and almost bumped into him. It was his little daughter, Lyanna Celtigar, now twelve years old and already a big girl. She waved the paper in her hand and said, "Father, look! It's a message from Crab Isle. Brother Garon is coming back soon. He'll be in King's Landing soon."