The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Chapter 51: Bestowal of Marriage

The next day, Casterly Rock, Lannister Main Keep Great Hall.

Duke Tywin's voice wasn't loud, but his authority was palpable: "All the knights of the Westerlands are here. Today, I have several matters to announce. Everyone is welcome to voice their opinions."

The entire hall was silent; no one spoke.

This pleased Duke Tywin greatly.

He preferred his vassals to simply listen. The invitation to offer opinions was merely a polite formality.

Of course, Tywin didn't reject genuine opinions, but the key was that you had to have thoroughly considered your opinion and have a complete logical basis for it. Otherwise, you'd best keep your mouth shut.

"First, the operation of all salt mines in the Westerlands will be taken back by Casterly Rock. The small salt shops under the jurisdiction of the various knights will no longer be supplied with goods. Once their existing stock is sold, that's the end. All mined salt from the Westerlands' mines will be transported to Casterly Rock. Do any of you earls have any objections?"

The hundred or so people in the hall were as quiet as crows.

Tywin said, "Very well. Since everyone agrees, I will appoint Ser Kevan as the Salt Minister of the Westerlands. The entire Westerlands will only be permitted to sell snow salt. For the first six months, the price of snow salt will be the same as that of mined salt. After six months, the price will increase by twenty percent. However, once sold externally, the price of snow salt will increase threefold. A fixed quota of snow salt will be implemented within each vassal's territory. The monthly custom quota can only be reduced, not increased. Does anyone have any objections?"

The fixed quota was to prevent vassals from buying salt from Casterly Rock at a low price and selling it outside at a high price. Once the fixed quota was calculated, if you sold it outside at a high price, you and the people within your territory would have no salt to eat.

The entire hall was silent; no one raised any objections.

"Ser Kevan?"

"I accept the Duke's arrangement and accept the position of Salt Minister of the Westerlands."

"Good. Second, all vassals in the Westerlands must send two generals to Casterly Rock within three days to learn the art of commanding troops using war horns. Regarding the war horns, no one is allowed to spread this knowledge to the territories of other dukes. If it is verified that someone has leaked the information, they will be severely punished by military law."

Tywin's gaze slowly swept across the entire hall. Wherever his gaze landed, people lowered their eyes, avoiding his gaze.

Still, no one raised any objections.

"Ser Ravod Clegane."

Ravod quickly stepped out of the ranks and responded, "Yes, Duke."

"I appoint you as the chief instructor for the Westerlands' war horn training. I give you one month to train two generals from each vassal's banner in the Westerlands to master the art of commanding troops using war horns, one cavalry general and one infantry general. Do you have any objections?"

Sweetmouth Ravod's usual smiling expression was completely gone, replaced by a serious and stern look: "Yes, Duke."

This was a great honor that the Duke bestowed upon the Clegane family, and also Sweetmouth Ravod's honor.

"After the war horn training for the generals of Casterly Rock is completed, within two months, I will inspect the war horn command methods of all vassal legions in the Westerlands and conduct war horn method assessments for all formation changes and combat marches. Legions that fail the assessment will have their lords and generals severely punished by military law. Do any of you vassals have any objections?"

The entire hall remained silent; no one dared to raise an objection.

Tywin's gaze slowly swept across the hundred knights and lords in the hall once again. He made it a habit to slowly scan the entire hall after finishing a matter.

"Third, starting today, the use of chopsticks will be promoted throughout the Westerlands, starting with the great nobles. Within six months, all nobles, knights, legions, and commoners in the Westerlands will use chopsticks and completely replace iron cutlery. Steel is too precious; the Iron Islands have been raising the price of the iron ore they sell us every year."

"Within all vassal territories, starting tomorrow, blacksmiths are no longer allowed to use iron to manufacture large quantities of plates and knives. The production of any iron cutlery will be stopped. Maester Potter, tell them about the benefits of doing so."

Maester Potter cleared his throat: "Lords, I calculated last night that if we save the iron used to make iron cutlery and household items each year, such as washbasins, our Westerlands' iron reserves will increase by forty percent. If we use the iron saved to make armor, longswords, short knives, daggers, and iron arrowheads, the price of weapons will decrease by thirty percent."

The entire hall was silent, not a sound to be heard.

Regarding calculations, everyone trusted Grand Maester Potter.

Duke Tywin's gaze slowly swept across the entire hall, incomparably majestic.

His vassals and knights remained silent.

"Does anyone have any opinions or anything they don't understand? Speak up!"

Tywin was already clear on which was more expensive, making chopsticks out of wood or using iron for cutlery. He had carefully considered this decision.

Most commoners cannot afford armor in times of war, and even their swords are rusty and of poor quality because weapons are too expensive.

Steel is too precious.

And wood, the Westerlands are full of mountains and primeval forests.

"Duke, if the manufacture and sale of iron cutlery are stopped, what will we use to cut vegetables at home? I think chopsticks can't cut meat," said Earl Lefford of Golden Tooth.

He spoke the minds of everyone.

"The kitchen knives used by chefs will be uniformly manufactured by the blacksmiths of Casterly Rock, and rationed to the vassal territories. I will ensure that every household has at least two kitchen knives. From now on, whether it's roast meat or toast, after six months, no one will be allowed to have one knife plus one fork per person. Only the meat and vegetables should be cut in the kitchen, then put on a plate, and brought to the table for eating with chopsticks."

"Six months later, all families in the Westerlands will use chopsticks. All iron cutlery in the family, including the Lannister family of Casterly Rock, must be handed over. Your iron cutlery can be exchanged for snow salt. I'll say it again, we must reserve more iron and use it sparingly. From now on, except for weapons and armor, all iron plates, iron basins, and iron crafts used in daily life are not allowed to be made of steel; all must be replaced with wood. Does anyone have any objections? Speak up!"

Everyone looked at each other, feeling that they needed to go home and digest it. Iron cutlery, which had been used for generations, was being changed?! Many people felt awkward, strange, and unreal, but no one stood up to object.

Because Duke Tywin demanded the same of himself and did not have any privileges.

Gregor couldn't help but admire Duke Tywin. The Duke was invited by the king at the age of twenty due to his outstanding political talent, and he became the Hand of the King, governing national affairs for twenty years. No one dared to question his ability to govern the country.

Replacing iron with wood would allow the Westerlands to lead other kingdoms in iron reserves. When the price of weapons comes down and the commoners of the Westerlands can have good weapons, whose soldiers will be more combat-effective in the event of war?

Although Gregor came from a world with a high level of civilization, he was really just a greenhorn when it came to planning national affairs.

When he first used chopsticks, he didn't think about replacing a large amount of iron with cheap chopsticks that were not worth mentioning. The Great Wyk island of the Iron Islands is rich in iron ore and does indeed force the Westerlands to raise prices every year.

"Okay, that's all for the government affairs. Today, I want to specifically mention Ser Gregor Clegane, who has brought these changes to the Westerlands. He has made a very special contribution to the changes in the Westerlands, and I believe he will have more good inventions and technologies in the future. For a knight with outstanding contributions, I want to reward him specially today."

Gregor stepped out of the ranks, respectful.

"Ser Gregor, you are my most loyal general, and your loyalty is beyond doubt. I am amazed that you are blessed by the light of the Seven Gods! Let us thank the Seven Gods! You are also my most valiant general, invincible and victorious in every battle. No one in the Westerlands or even the entire kingdom can match you. This time, I want to reward you with a large territory, and at the same time, I want to reward you with the best, most precious, and most beloved thing I have."

"Thank you, Duke," Gregor knelt on one knee, right fist clenched on his left chest.

"My daughter, Jeyne Westerling." Duke Tywin took Jeyne's hand beside him, "You have also reached the age of marriage. Today, I want to betroth you to Ser Gregor Clegane. I hope you will agree!" Tywin's words were couched as a request, but his tone was unquestionable.

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall became so quiet that it seemed as if no one existed.

Jeyne's head exploded with a bang. She saw the Duke's mouth opening and closing, but she couldn't hear what the Duke was saying at all.

Then, Jeyne felt like everything was floating. All the light, shadows, colors, and sounds were changing in a surreal way. She seemed to hear her father, Earl Gawen's voice, dreamlike and unreal: "Duke, you are Jeyne's father. Your betrothal of Jeyne is a great honor to House Westerling."

Jeyne felt herself soften, unable to sit still on the chair. She felt herself collapsing, and then all the light, shadows, and sounds disappeared. She fell into endless darkness, feeling her body sinking, sinking, without end.

*

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