"Tyrion." The commander-in-chief nodded to the dwarf behind the table. As the former lord of Bear Island and a prince in the north, his seniority and status were naturally enough to call him by his first name: "Did you enjoy your stay at the Great Wall?"
"Thank you Commander-in-Chief for your concern. Except for my buttocks being numb and shivering from the cold at night, everything else is fine." Tyrion sat down across the table with a smile on his face: "But I have to admit that being robbed by a group of savages on the road from Wolf Forest to the new land grant was an unprecedented and exciting experience." "
It was the responsibility of the night watchmen for not keeping the savages outside the city wall. Please accept our apology. ."
"Okay, I forgive you." Tyrion shrugged nonchalantly, adjusting his posture to make his butt more comfortable: "In the past few days, I have an understanding of the current situation of the Night's Watch, but I really can't be cruel. I would like to blame you... But to be honest, no matter how short of manpower you have, it is your responsibility to stop the wildlings. This time I was attacked by Bunyan and his friends to protect me, but what if one day the wildlings fled to the hinterland of the north and attacked An? That would be a big problem if they were the subjects or even members of House Stark, Karstark, etc... Do you think so?" "
Yes, the savages climbed over the Great Wall from the gap between the three fortresses, and rowed from Seal Bay. Passing through the defenses of our two small boats, they slipped through the Grand Canyon in groups from the Shadow Tower. The Night's Watch tried to stop them all, but they were really powerless." Mormont frowned, "I have asked Yi Maester Meng has issued a warning to the lords in the north, and Duke Stark seems to have agreed to gather a force for me to temporarily command. Unfortunately, I don't know when it will be fully assembled and in my hands." "
Duke Stark is a good lord. ...It's a pity that even the arrival of gods can't stop the decline of the Night's Watch. Seeing the legendary shield that guards the human kingdom reduced to such a state, I feel really sad." Tyrion made a regretful expression, " So I decided to make a donation to the Night's Watch."
"Huh?"
...
Even a mature and steady person like Mormont couldn't help but be stunned for a moment - land grants and new gifts under the rule of the Great Wall Guards The number of residents in the land is less than 10,000, and it is completely impossible to support the nearly 1,000-strong Night's Watch Legion. Therefore, whether admitted or not, "funding" has actually gradually become the main source of food and supplies for the Black Shirts.
As the Commander-in-Chief of the Night Watch, he was already very skilled at asking for support from others - in fact, he was looking for an opportunity to cry out to the Queen's brother about his poor life, but he didn't expect that the other party came to him before he even opened his mouth. In excitement, even the title changed immediately: "That... is great, sir. The Night Watch will be grateful for your generosity and consideration of the overall situation!" "
Well, don't worry, there is an additional condition - I want to specify Come with me to King's Landing alone to receive my 'funding'."
"Who?"
"Aeg is the ranger from across the Sunset Sea who you sent to Winterfell not long ago." "
A very reasonable request. "Mormont calmed down instantly, stared at Tyrion for a while, and said tentatively: "But the Rangers are short of manpower now, so he has to return quickly."
"I haven't finished speaking yet." His true intentions were immediately apparent. He was the head of Bear Island for many years. Tyrion thought to himself, and quickly added: "Not only does he want to receive my funding, but he also wants to stay in King's Landing and continue to collect follow-up information for the Night's Watch." of food and supplies."
...
Mormont was silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "Tyrion, the status of the Night's Watch is lifelong. No one can join and then quit." "
I understand and respect this tradition. Or rules." Tyrion took over, "He will be stationed in King's Landing as the Night's Watch's supply officer and provide continuous support to the Great Wall. As the largest city and capital of Westeros, King's Landing has countless dignitaries. It's very simple to live there and get some funding."
Mormont shook his head: "Tyrion, I don't understand why you want to help him like this, but please allow me to say it bluntly, the Night's Watch Legion has everything now. There is a shortage, but the most lacking thing is people. Logistics and supplies are certainly stretched, but if you don't go out of the wall and just guard the Great Wall, you can still survive for a few months by scrimping on food and clothing. No matter what, the northern princes will not be able to watch the Night Watch. Starved to death.
"But manpower... is really in a serious shortage. "The Commander-in-Chief of the Night's Watch complained bitterly to the Queen's brother: "We have less than a thousand men left, six hundred are guarding here, two hundred are in the Shadow Tower, and the garrison in Eastwatch is even less. Less than one-third of these people can actually fight. The Great Wall is three hundred miles long. Please think about it. If the enemy attacks, I can only send three people to guard each mile. "
Three and a third," Tyrion yawned, "Not even that. There must be no shortage of this one, and there are half a million people in King's Landing. They can be pulled from the slums inside and outside the city." A few of them can fill up the few towers of Castle Black that are still intact. Besides, aren't the Night Watchmen like Yoren and the Wandering Crows not on the Great Wall all year round? Why can't Egger do the same? "
This is different. The Wanderers are all veterans who have been in the Night Watch for a long time. They are no longer as brave as they used to be. They can only use their remaining energy in this way... They have no place to take root here." It's okay to go, not to mention that we have also made calculations when providing food, accommodation and travel expenses to ensure that they cannot continue to hang around outside for too long after completing the task. "
Commander Mormont changed the topic, "But Egg is different. A young, strong, and agile young man like him can live a good life wherever he is thrown. Once he is let go, I'm afraid everyone will be arrested. Not coming back. "He muttered, "What's more, the night watchmen are no worse than the boys from the slums. These days, all they send are the same kind of goods...either stable boys, thieves or rapists. Such guys will be in trouble when they are short of people. Although it can be replenished, the problem is that there are too many such things, and there are not enough backbones who can train, manage and suppress them. There are only about thirty people in the Night's Watch who can read, and even fewer who can think, plan or lead. Lord Tyrion, I even want to ask you to stay in Castle Black to help, but you still ask us for people. "
You think highly of me too much. If you don't mind, I will be happy to bring all the dwarves in Westeros to you." "
The old man really didn't want to and was not in the mood to make witty remarks to the other party. He shook his head and said, "Please forgive me for not being able to accept your conditions. I don't insist on funding, and please don't mention taking people away again. ＊＊＊
Damn
, the old man should be more stupid and slow, why is this person in front of him so smart? Tyrion cursed, he never breaks a promise in his life, and hates the feeling of disappointing his friends. After thinking about it, he can only take out the money. The trump card: "Commander, let's do this. I guarantee the reputation of the Lannister family. Iger will never escape. If I cause you to lose a useful soldier... I promise to compensate you for more than a dozen... ...who are definitely not thieves or rapists, but can train, manage and suppress those scumbag men for you. What do you think? "
Mormont sighed helplessly. His refusal was so clear, but the other party not only refused to give up, but also involved the family's reputation... It seemed that his words were glorious and beautiful, but Mormont was born into a noble family. Naturally, I understand the subtext: I must take the person away, please give me some face - this is almost... no, this is forcing.
The implication is very simple, if you don't agree, you will offend the other party.