The Mountain of Ice and Fire

“Lord Bancroft, how many gold coins can be minted from this piece of gold?”

“Six, Madam!” Archscholar Bancroft's metal necklace jingled slightly, strung with numerous metal pieces, each representing a field of knowledge.

The archscholar was erudite and not easily deceived.

However, Jenny had no intention of deceiving him.

“Good, to make the paper money equivalent to the value of this ingot, we need to produce six Gold Dragon notes.” Jenny slowly placed six Gold Dragon notes next to the gold.

“Scholar, when our bank issues six Gold Dragon notes, it must first place such an ingot of gold into the bank's gold vault and lock it away. These six Gold Dragon notes can be exchanged for this ingot at the bank at any time, and this ingot can be exchanged for six Gold Dragon notes. That's the little secret of how six Gold Dragon notes are equivalent to this ingot of gold.”

“The amount of paper money issued depends on the amount of gold reserves? The bank is a bridge for the exchange of paper money and gold at any time? The value of the paper money in circulation always balances with the value of the gold stored in the bank?” Bancroft's questions hit all the key points.

“Yes! With gold reserves as the absolute guarantee for paper money and free exchange, what do you have to worry about?”

“But we don't know how much gold the Clegane Bank has in reserve, or how much paper money the bank plans to issue?”

“That's the second thing our bank will do, but before we do that, I need you to accept and understand that paper money transactions are more convenient than gold transactions. A ship full of goods no longer requires carrying several boxes of gold and silver coins for trading, and it's less likely to attract thieves. A box of gold requires hiring mercenaries wherever it's placed, while a stack of paper money can be hidden in a pocket without anyone noticing. Paper money transactions are more convenient than gold, silver, and copper coins, and they are easier to carry.”

Bancroft and May Humphrey exchanged glances. Milne also felt a window of understanding open in his mind. These were all intelligent people who could immediately understand the principles Jenny was explaining.

“As for the concerns you have, they are not a problem at all in my eyes. How to know how much gold the Clegane Bank has in reserve, and how to control the bank's issuance of paper money equivalent to the value of gold—these major problems you think are unsolvable are as easily solved as the little secret of making paper money equivalent to the value of gold. If you can trust and support paper money transactions, I will explain everything here tonight.”

Although Bancroft appeared calm, he was actually very surprised. Such complex matters became extremely simple in Jenny's hands. He could understand and accept the explanation of paper money being equivalent to gold, but the issue of the bank's gold reserves and the balance between paper money and gold reserves—technically, it didn't seem difficult, but the difficulty lay in who would dare to supervise the Mountain's bank to ensure fairness?

“Lords, if I can resolve all your doubts, are you willing to support paper money transactions? Are you willing to participate in the bank's business?”

“We also have the right to participate in the Clegane Bank's business?” May Humphrey asked.

“Yes, Lord. The bank currently has only two branches in the Seven Kingdoms, one in the Westerlands and one in King's Landing. If the paper money transaction can be successfully implemented in the Westerlands, then King's Landing, the North, and the Reach can follow suit. Our bank needs more people to be bosses, to be shareholders, to develop and work together. Branch banks in various places need people to manage them. We are all Westermen. For the banking business, I hope the Westerlands' wealthy and nobles can be the first batch of cooperative shareholders. Why can't everyone come together to make money?”

May Humphrey and Milne Ervine were deeply moved!

The benefits of controlling the power to mint money were unimaginably great. This was another gold mine for the Westerlands, and it would not be exhausted.

Bancroft also realized the significant business opportunities of participating in the banking business.

These three were all intelligent men.

May Humphrey looked at Milne Ervine, and Milne looked back at May. Their eyes met, and they understood each other.

Participating in the Mountain's banking business naturally had many benefits. For Milne, it not only meant escaping death but also climbing onto the great backer of the Warden of the West, gaining immeasurable connections for his family's descendants to become nobles in the future.

Bancroft, representing House Lannister of Lannisport, joined the banking business, but the amount of money invested was very small, almost negligible. However, the Clegane Bank did not implement the paper money transaction plan when Bancroft withdrew his investment.

Bancroft said, “Madam Jenny, if the bank can resolve the issues of gold reserves and the legality of issuing paper money, the balance between gold and paper money, and opening bank branches in other cities, I think the merchants of Lannisport and I personally will firmly support the bank's paper money transaction plan.”

“Since we are launching the paper money transaction plan, we naturally have solutions to all the problems raised by the scholar,” Madam Jenny said. “The legality of issuing paper money has already been resolved by Lord Mountain. When the time is right, I will show you the evidence. If the lords of a certain place refuse to allow Westermen to establish banks, I think there are two things that can be shown to them.” Madam Jenny placed a knife on the gold ingot. “Gold plus the Westermen's knife, what do you think of the persuasiveness of these two things?”

“Since Madam says that the issue of the legality of paper money transactions has been resolved, I request to join,” Milne decided immediately.

Merchants have the keenest sense, especially when there is profit to be made.

In the Westerlands, embracing the Mountain's thigh is all benefit!

“Madam, on behalf of House Humphrey, I am also willing to join the paper money transaction plan promoted by Madam.”

“House Lannister of Lannisport supports Madam's paper money transaction. I think Miss Rosamund will also be willing to develop the Westerlands with House Clegane. I apologize to Madam for the previous withdrawal of investment!” Bancroft decided to follow first and then learn more about Madam Jenny's 'solutions to various problems'.

It's better to grab a spot first. If what Madam Jenny says is not feasible, he just won't invest more money into the bank!

“Since Lord Bancroft, Lord May Humphrey, and Boss Milne are willing to join the Clegane Bank and support the implementation of paper money transactions in the Westerlands, I will explain the concerns to the three lords in detail. First, the legality of paper money transactions; second, the amount of the bank's gold reserves; third, the amount of the first batch of paper money issued; fourth, how to maintain the balance between gold reserves and paper money; fifth, the unique technology required for the paper of the paper money itself.”

Not only Bancroft and others were listening attentively, but also Sansa Stark and Madam Doughty.

These things sounded too mysterious and incredible.

Sansa was also a noble lady carefully cultivated by House Stark, erudite and knowledgeable, well-read in poetry and books. After being educated by life, she transformed from simple and naive to intelligent and resourceful, but when it came to replacing metal coin transactions with paper money transactions, she had absolutely no thoughts or talents in this area.

Besides admiration, Sansa was left with utter worship for Madam Jenny's innovative talent!

The hall became very quiet. Madam Jenny said, “Lord Bancroft, in addition to the five questions you most want to clarify, there is actually one most fundamental question that I will discuss with you tonight, and that is, how the bank makes money through paper money transactions.”

When it came to business, Jenny deliberately addressed Bancroft as lord, not archscholar.

Sansa was deeply moved!

The North has always lacked gold. The North's port city—White Harbor—once had glorious silver coin factories and silver workshops with world-leading skills, but they have now closed down. If she could understand Madam Jenny's paper money transaction secrets, the Starks of the North could completely establish their own banks in their territory.

Or, join forces with the Cleganes to open the Northern Bank. The Clegane Bank lends to the people free of charge, helping them to restore production. This measure benefits the country and the people, with a hundred benefits and no harm. The people of the North are also affected by the war, and they also need such strong assistance, but the North has no bank.

House Stark should invite Madam Jenny or Lord Mountain to the North to learn from them how to open a bank, how to allow goods, production, and trade to flow smoothly in the North with just paper, instead of scarce gold and silver.

While Sansa was calculating silently, she heard Madam Jenny's voice, which was right next to her ear: “Lord Bancroft, Lord May Humphrey, Boss Milne Ervine, Brienne, Sansa, and Madam Doughty stay, generals, centurions, attendants, and maids leave.”

This bank meeting convened by Madam Jenny, and the people who participated in the meeting, continued until dawn. After the meeting, the participants were all still full of interest.

Sansa wanted to open a bank in the North, and Madam Doughty wanted to open a small counter bank on the Claw.

A game that can generate money from money, and can also help the poor and tribal people in the territory not to borrow high-interest loans again, so that the people can smoothly communicate with each other and revitalize various transactions through the power of the bank, why not?

*

A few days later. The most prosperous and crowded South City market in Lannisport. Milne Ervine's spice shop.

A noblewoman lifted the curtain, and a maid walking beside the carriage hurried forward, extending her arm for the noblewoman to lean on. The noblewoman got out of the carriage, her face covered with a white veil, revealing only a pair of slightly weathered eyes, making it impossible to see her face clearly.

The coachman drove the carriage to the side of the street, and two swordsmen jumped out of the carriage, closely following the noblewoman on both sides, their hands on the hilts, protecting her.

The noblewoman entered the shop, extended her finger, pointed at the various spices in the shop, and said to the shop assistant, “This, this, this, and this, I don't want any of them, the rest…” She drew a circle with her hand, encompassing all the dozens of spices on the shop counter, “Give me one of each.”

The assistants quickly removed the four spices that the noblewoman didn't want and wrapped up one of each of the remaining dozens of spices for her.

An attendant carried the packages of spices into the carriage.

“Pay!” The noblewoman gestured to a male attendant beside her.

The attendant opened his money bag, which contained gold dragons, silver stags, copper stars, and copper pennies: “How much in total, boss.”

“Three gold dragons, two silver stags, and seven copper stars, Madam.” The shop manager respectfully placed his right palm on his left chest and bowed to the noblewoman.

The attendant took out one gold dragon, two silver stags, and seven copper stars, placing them one by one on the counter.

“I'm sorry, Madam, we only accept bank notes here, not gold dragons, silver stags, or copper stars.” The shop manager lowered his head even further.

*

This noblewoman was Donna Swyft, a large and old customer of the spice shop, and someone they couldn't afford to offend. Her status was very high, her maiden family was House Swyft from Cornfield, her father was Lord Harys Swyft, who had been shot to death by Anguy Clegane outside King's Landing; her husband was Hand of the King Kevan Lannister, who had also been beheaded by the Mountain in Baelor Square.

Donna's eldest son, Lancel Lannister, had been forced to go to the Wall to become a member of the Night's Watch; her second son, Willem Lannister, had died in the war with the Northmen, killed by Lord Karstark of the North; when Euron Crow's Eye attacked the Westerlands, her youngest son, Martyn Lannister, had been executed by the Mountain as a sacrifice.

Although Donna had almost lost her entire family and seemed very miserable, it did not affect her extravagant lifestyle. The family's guards and servants had not decreased as a result. Kevan's territory had not been confiscated by the royal family because he was found guilty of treason.

*

Lady Donna Swyft, her maid, attendant, and two bodyguards all looked at the shop assistant behind the counter, not quite understanding what he was saying.

“Madam, we only accept paper money issued by the Clegane Bank now, which is this kind of currency.” The manager calmly took out a gold dragon note, a silver stag note, and a copper star note and displayed them on the counter for Lady Donna to see.

Lady Donna stared at the manager. In the past, just one glance from her would have made these assistants break out in a cold sweat, but now, the assistant looked calm and no longer feared Donna's power.

Donna suppressed her anger and said, “Call your manager out. I want to speak to him.”

Lady Donna Swyft was very familiar with the spice manager. In the past, before Kevan was beheaded by the Mountain, Donna could take the spices she liked without paying.

“I'm sorry, Madam, I am the manager of this shop. The previous manager, unfortunately, is dead.”

Luke, Madam Jenny's personal guard, had killed the spice shop manager because the manager did not know what was good for him and refused paper money transactions.

“I am very familiar with your boss, Milne. Call your boss out.” Donna's face became very ugly. Her family's power had indeed declined, but a spice shop assistant was still an ant in her eyes.

Lady Donna was already very restrained. The two knights beside her had already placed their hands on their sword hilts, waiting for a signal from the lady to kill the so-called manager of the shop.

“I'm sorry, Madam, Lord Milne is not here. He went to West City Port early this morning.”

“The money is on the counter, let’s go!” Lady Dona said quietly. Her tone was indifferent, but her heart was filled with humiliation. A mere shop assistant in a spice shop dared to make things difficult for her, refusing to accept her gold dragons, silver stags, and copper stars, insisting on some kind of paper money from the Clegane Bank. Dona had never seen such paper money before. She admitted that the flowery paper was pretty and exquisitely made, but that flowery paper wasn't gold, silver, or copper.

If she had paper money, Dona would have paid with it, unwilling to waste words with this lowly shop assistant. She was a Countess, a Lannister of the Westerlands, and a Swyft of Cornfield.

“I’m very sorry, Madam, but you must take your coins and leave the spices. Our shop only accepts Clegane Bank notes. We hope you can exchange your coins for paper money at the Clegane Bank before purchasing spices from our shop!”

One of Dona's knights couldn't bear it any longer. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword, veins popping on the back of his hand, as he said coolly, “What if we don’t?”

The shop manager and the employees in the shop immediately fell silent, not daring to say another word.

They were all commoners and didn't dare to argue with nobles. The only result of arguing was death!

The shop manager watched helplessly as Dona and her party walked out of the shop. Gold dragons, silver stags, and copper stars were left on the counter, but this violated the owner's regulations. If the shop manager didn't handle this matter properly, he would be fired by the owner and sent to the city watch to face the severe punishment of the law.

After Lady Dona and her party left the shop, and Dona got into her carriage and the murderous knight mounted his warhorse, he secretly reached out and grabbed a rope under the counter, pulling it hard. Outside the shop, a bell hung on a tall flagpole, and the bell rang loudly.

The shop manager and the employees didn't dare to confront a noble like Dona head-on. Even if they had to call for help, they tried to avoid being hated by the nobles, so it was most appropriate to 'report' after Dona got into the carriage and the knight mounted his horse.

Ever since the manager was killed by Luke, the owner, Meeln, had fired the useless mercenaries.

When nobles forcibly took goods without paying in paper money and the shop manager had no ability to stop them, he would pull the rope to 'report'.

On the street, two Clegane soldiers who were not far away heard the bell ringing. The two soldiers quickly came over, passing by Dona's carriage.

If the other party was a local noble, the Clegane soldiers were only responsible for understanding the situation and reporting it. A special officer would be responsible for handling these thorny matters.

In the most prosperous commercial street in the South City, there was a famous officer responsible for handling conflicts with nobles. This person was one of Lady Janny's personal guards, unremarkable in appearance, ordinary in looks, neither burly in stature, nor mighty in temperament. His name was Luke.

*

Dona and her party slowly left the bustling street. Just as they reached the intersection, a lone rider approached, riding in the middle of the street, heading towards Dona's carriage. He wore armor, a long sword at his waist, and no helmet. He didn't bring a single soldier with him. He was Luke, Lady Janny's personal guard responsible for handling noble troubles, and also Big Head Chiswyck's most trusted sworn brother.

Luke, the ordinary-looking Luke; the ruthless, merciless Luke!