Chapter 33: Demanding a Person (Part 2)
What does offending House Lannister mean?
In Westeros, there is a widely sung song known to everyone from kings and dukes to common folk. Its name is "The Rains of Castamere," also known as "Tywin's Curse."
This song tells the story of how, before Tywin Lannister became Hand of the King, he eradicated House Reyne of Castamere from Westeros for their disrespect towards the Lannisters. In just one battle, this wealthy and powerful Westerlands noble family, with their own lion sigil and gold mines, was wiped out from the face of the earth, along with their family members, servants, retainers, and soldiers. Anyone remotely associated with them was killed, leaving no trace. Most fans of the series or books might not even know such a family existed.
"Massacre and extermination" are terms almost legendary in Westeros, a privilege of the Targaryen family, who rode dragons to conquer the Seven Kingdoms. Although, in theory, a liege lord has the right to impose such punishment on his vassals, in the three hundred years since the unification of the Seven Kingdoms, only the Lannisters have taken things to such an extreme.
With this battle, the Lannisters solidified their shaky rule in the Westerlands and established their reputation across the continent. Even Aerys II Targaryen, known as the "Mad King," was impressed by Tywin's prowess and invited him to King's Landing to serve as Hand of the King.
It was proven that Tywin's abilities were indeed capable of managing the Seven Kingdoms.
After that, when House Farman of Faircastle disobeyed their liege, Lord Tywin sent only a harpist to play this song in their castle hall, and they immediately submitted; at the "Red Wedding," the Freys used the playing of this song as a signal for the massacre, ending Robb Stark's life and campaign; at the wedding of Joffrey I and Margaery Tyrell, at the subtle suggestion of the "Old Rose," this song was played repeatedly, and the young king's subsequent fate is well known.
Even until the end of the war, when Edmure Tully heard the song played for him by Jaime Lannister, he immediately surrendered Riverrun. This song has such terrifying magic, and supporting this magic is the strength and ruthlessness of House Lannister.
***
In summary, House Lannister is formidable.
Is there anyone in Westeros who isn't afraid of offending the Lannisters? Of course, and among them is the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. No matter how powerful or wealthy the Lannisters are, they can't send troops to attack the Wall. The Rains of Castamere? The temperature at the Wall could freeze the strings of a harp, and besides, this godforsaken place doesn't even have a rainy season.
Even if Lord Tywin himself said these words, Mormont could easily ignore them, let alone Tyrion, who was just using the Lannister name? However, while he wasn't afraid of the Lannisters, there was no need to offend the Queen's brother just to prove his bravery. Mormont was well past the age of competing. He scratched his head and thought of a solution.
"It's not that I don't want to give you face, my lord." The commander-in-chief cautiously used honorifics, deciding after much thought to pass the buck to two people who were even less afraid of the Lannisters, "But Aeg is a ranger, and in principle, his transfer requires the consent of his direct superior, and Maester Aemon has also asked for this man." He paused and called for his personal steward waiting in the next room, "Go, fetch the chief ranger and the old maester!"
Could there be a combination more fearless of the Lannisters than a vigorous Stark in his prime and a Targaryen whose family has been wiped out and is half in the grave?
Mormont was secretly pleased with his cleverness, while Tyrion was fuming, hating Mormont for being so cunning despite his honest and simple appearance.
***
Castle Black wasn't large, and the other two high-ranking members of the Night's Watch soon arrived at the commander-in-chief's room. After Mormont truthfully informed them of Tyrion's offer of support and additional demands, Benjen Stark immediately turned to scrutinize the dwarf with a displeased expression.
"Lannister," the chief ranger's tone was even more unfriendly than his expression, "I don't know how the convoluted internal struggles and power games of you southern nobles operate or what rules they follow, but I must warn you, if you're thinking of poaching to build your own power base, don't set your sights on the North or the Night's Watch!"
"Build a power base?" Tyrion, who was always the one to leave others speechless, was now at a loss for words. The dwarf was seething with hatred for Mormont, "You Black Brothers, with no discernment. A smart and knowledgeable person like Aeg, if I were the king, I'd make him Hand of the King to manage the Seven Kingdoms!" Since he could never be king, he could speak freely, "And you, you have him killing White Walkers and wildlings, it's the greatest waste of talent!"
"Calm down, Lord Tyrion." Maester Aemon smiled faintly, speaking unhurriedly, "It was our oversight and that of the other commanders not to notice such talent within the legion. But now that we have, we will find ways to let him play a greater role. In fact, I've already discussed with Benjen that after this patrol, Aeg will leave the rangers and come under my command to help with some. tasks that illiterate and innumerate people can't handle."
"Tasks that illiterate and innumerate people can't handle?" Tyrion looked incredulous, "Is it to read letters for you, or to manage the Night's Watch's accounts or count the numbers? Maester Aemon, forgive me for saying so, but this Night's Watchman can do much more than that!"
"And forgive me for saying so, Lannister." Benjen Stark said disdainfully, "You're trying to take away a ranger who has already taken the oath. He is a soldier of the Night's Watch in life and a ghost in death. No matter how much he can do, it has nothing to do with you."
Tyrion was momentarily speechless. As a noble from the south, the state of the Night's Watch was indeed none of his business, but the Imp was no ordinary person. A flash of inspiration came to him, and he quickly thought of a countermeasure, "How is it none of my business? If the White Walkers you're always talking about really exist and they're going to breach the Wall, it's the end of the world. Although I'm a dwarf, I'm still part of humanity. I naturally want the Night's Watch to be stronger."
Stark interrupted him, "Digging up the smart person you like from Castle Black is your unique way of helping the Night's Watch?"
"Digging up? I want him to go where he can make a greater contribution to the Night's Watch! Do you know why the garrison of the Wall has declined so much?" Tyrion retorted, "You always think you're part of an ancient and honorable team, proud of your isolation from the world, refusing any change, refusing to communicate with the outside. The times have changed, but the Night's Watch still clings to the mindset and systems of hundreds or thousands of years ago. How can you not decline?"
"Oh? I'd like to hear your thoughts on how we should reform." Benjen sneered.
"Do you know what image the Night's Watch has in the eyes of southerners?" Tyrion didn't answer the question directly but changed the subject, "Unshaven old men, illiterate, dirty, smelly, and rude, traveling everywhere, bringing young and strong criminal scum back to Castle Black. The Wall of Despair is clearly a place that, under the guise of protecting the realm, is actually dealing with trash."
"Has no one taught you to speak carefully?" Benjen's eyes flashed with anger.
"You and I both know that's not the truth, but the image representatives you show to the residents and nobles south of the Neck are indeed like Yoren, the 'ravens.' Seeing is believing, can you blame them for having prejudices against the Night's Watch? I have no ill will towards Yoren, but what he looks like, you know better than I do. Not everyone has the leisure to come to the Wall to see your work!"
Tyrion's train of thought became smoother as he spoke, "So, apart from the Northmen who know the Night's Watch is protecting them, the rest of the Six Kingdoms have no idea what you are or what you're doing. The result is that only the residents of the North respect you, only the Northern lords support you, and only the North. At most, the Vale and the Riverlands nearby, occasionally have a few hot-headed young men volunteering to join. Everything is your own doing. Since you know to bring decent people to Winterfell to meet Eddard Stark, why don't you send decent people to the south to handle affairs?"
Benjen was about to slam his hand on the table in anger, but Aemon calmed him down, "Lord Tyrion, you're absolutely right, but there are only a few dozen middle and high-ranking managers in the Night's Watch who are presentable, and they all have a mountain of affairs to deal with. It's just."
"To solve the problem, you need to think about strengthening the Night's Watch, not clinging to one useful person and refusing to let go. You're now drinking poison to quench your thirst, moving from decline to extinction! If you don't change, you'll disappear. Maester Aemon, I think you're the most intelligent person in the Night's Watch. Do you think what I'm saying makes sense?"
"Allowing you to redeem Aeg will strengthen the Night's Watch? We might as well disband the Night's Watch!"
"This isn't a redemption. He'll still be a member of the Night's Watch!" Tyrion seized the key point, "And I guarantee that with Aeg's eloquence, wit, and knowledge, the contributions he can make to the Night's Watch after returning to King's Landing with me will far exceed what he could achieve by following Benjen on patrols beyond the Wall or assisting Maester Aemon!"
***
T-minus 8 hours!