Chapter 62: The Office
As the sun rose, another day began. Yoren, the rogue crow, went to Flea Bottom as usual after breakfast to gather "recruits," while Tyrion, unusually, rose early to initiate the setup of his long-awaited "printing press." Only Aeg indulged in a bit more sleep, watching the sun climb before finally rising, mounting his horse, and heading to the street-facing premises arranged by Eddard Stark for the Night's Watch.
Seals and signs couldn't be crafted overnight, and the bonds wouldn't be ready for a day or two, but the Night's Watch office needed to open soon. Whether for the signing of bonds or the progress of recruitment, these activities couldn't be conducted outdoors or in someone else's home. Just like scammers and shell companies often rent office space and hire employees to maintain appearances, financial activities conducted in a fixed location would provide outsiders with a great sense of security.
Jack had already ordered the desks, chairs, cabinets, and other office supplies on Aeg's list and scheduled a delivery time. They would arrive today, and as the applicant and future manager of the Night's Watch office, Aeg naturally had to be on-site to oversee the decoration and placement of various items. He had no choice but to be there.
The businessmen's sense of punctuality was commendable; within half an hour of opening, both people and goods arrived.
After a simple cleaning, Aeg began directing the workers to move the tables, chairs, and cabinets into the room and place them in their intended positions. He had never opened a shop, but he had grown up in his mother's tailor and clothing store since he was young, which had left an indelible influence on him. Unconsciously, he arranged the space according to the layout of his family's shop.
The office was divided into an outer and an inner room. On the walls of the outer room, one side would eventually display detailed explanations and rules of the Night's Watch bonds, while the other side would showcase the benefits and requirements for recruitment. Below them, two rows of benches for visitors to rest were already placed. In the middle of the room was a large table. In the future, the office manager would sit behind it to interact and explain to passersby or those interested in the bonds or joining the legion. If there was a definite intention, they could be invited into the inner room.
The inner room was Aeg's office, with a row of simple cabinets and wooden shelves. In the future, facilities like safes might be added. Facing the window was a desk slightly smaller than the one in the outer room. In the future, Aeg would conduct more in-depth discussions and negotiations at this desk and sign each Night's Watch bond, as well as the recruitment contracts for joining the Night's Watch.
After a busy session, Aeg and Jack's clothes were soaked with sweat. They carried chairs outside and sat down, looking at the empty, yet-to-open Night's Watch office, discussing what was still missing.
"Will there really be people signing up to join the Night's Watch?" Jack asked skeptically, having removed his Lannister armor due to the heat, fanning himself: "Maybe you are indeed eloquent, but wearing the black. the price to pay is too great. I wouldn't go even if I were beaten to death."
"Indeed, the Night's Watch now needs reform. If we continue to cling to that 'sacred' nonsense oath, we'll soon disappear from the world."
"Reform?"
"Yes, reform."
Aeg smiled mysteriously. Of course, he wouldn't really send a bunch of new recruits in the usual sense to the Wall. Not only did he not have the ability, but even if he did, he wouldn't do it. Sending people to the Wall, training them, and having them take the oath to become his lifelong "brothers"? What benefits would he get?
The newer recruits sent, the more stable the Wall's defense would be, and the less likely he would be forcibly recalled. This was true. However, conversely, the more members there were, the greater the power of the Night's Watch. and he would be more suppressed. He didn't want to return to the Wall, but he also didn't want to live under someone else's thumb, begging them not to recall him.
Aeg's plan was to pretend to recruit in King's Landing for a month or two, then write a pitiful letter to the legion's higher-ups: He had tried his best to persuade many people to go north to the Wall to resist the wildlings and the White Walkers, but when it came to the lifelong prohibition of marriage and leaving, 99% of them backed out. If the requirements could be slightly relaxed, allowing people to temporarily help at the Wall for a few years and then return home, he could quickly find hundreds or thousands of people to supplement the Wall.
The Wall was now desperately short of manpower. Mormont had no choice and would eventually agree to his suggestion.
Then, he could recruit workers by paying them to go north and fulfill his duties. these people would join the legion through his hands, receive payment from him, and ultimately might rely on him to fulfill the promise of being able to leave the Night's Watch and return home after a few years, as well as receive travel expenses for the journey back. They would form a solid community of interests with him, and in a sense, they would be "his people." Imagine if a fraction or even half of the Night's Watch members were like this; how much influence would he gain?
By then, even without any official position, he would be the second-in-command or even the most powerful figure in the Night's Watch. He wasn't leading the Night's Watch to rebel or seek independence. Without interference from stronger forces, figures like Alliser Thorne or Benjen Stark. anyone who wanted to move against him would have to think twice.
What should this force be called? the Night's Watch Auxiliary Army, the Gift Land Construction Corps, or the Temporary Garrison of the Wall?
He could decide on the name later; he had plenty of time to perfect this plan. But it wouldn't be appropriate to discuss it with Jack. It wasn't that he looked down on Tyrion's squire, but some things were better kept clear in his own mind.
The prerequisite for all of this was the success of the Night's Watch bonds. As long as this step went smoothly, everything that followed would not be too troublesome. problems that could be solved with money were not really problems.
***
Aeg's confident expression, as if everything was under control, made Jack itch with curiosity. Having followed his master for a long time, he had also picked up some of Tyrion's insatiable thirst for knowledge and curiosity. Just as he was about to ask, he caught sight of a big shot: "Damn! Lord Stark, what's he doing here? Aeg! He seems to be coming this way, is he looking for you?"
His thoughts were interrupted, and the Night's Watch member was startled. He looked in the direction pointed out by the young squire and indeed saw the current Hand of the King, Eddard Stark, riding down the street with a group of people.
Even if the Night's Watch office had just started renovations, it would be impossible to invite the Prime Minister of the Seven Kingdoms to attend the opening. Eddard Stark was probably just passing by, but since he was passing by, given his concern for the Night's Watch, it wasn't impossible for him to stop and inspect or even "guide" the work here.
In theory, the Warden of the North shouldn't interfere with the Night's Watch, but he was a high-ranking official, and Aeg's work in King's Landing depended entirely on him not obstructing it or even providing conveniences.
Soon, the Warden of the North and Aeg, conspicuous in his black attire, locked eyes. Eddard Stark said something to the guards around him on horseback, and the group all lightly pulled their reins, moving closer until they finally stopped at the entrance.
"Lord Stark." Aeg still spoke with neither servility nor arrogance. At this moment, he played the role of a loyal Night's Watch logistics officer. Just for this reason, the other party wouldn't make things difficult for him.
Aeg's plan was ambitious and intricate, weaving together the threads of finance, recruitment, and power dynamics within the Night's Watch. His vision was to create a network of influence that would not only secure his position but also allow him to wield significant power within the organization. The idea of a temporary garrison or auxiliary force was innovative, challenging the traditional lifelong commitment expected of Night's Watch members. This approach could potentially revolutionize the way the Night's Watch operated, making it more flexible and responsive to the changing needs of the realm.
As Eddard Stark approached, Aeg's demeanor remained calm and respectful, a testament to his confidence in his plans and his ability to navigate the complex political landscape of King's Landing. The encounter with Stark was a reminder of the delicate balance Aeg needed to maintain between his autonomy and the support of powerful figures in the Seven Kingdoms.
*****
A/N: I encourage you to take a peek at my other literary endeavors. I'm confident that you'll find them captivating. They're waiting to whisk you away on new adventures.
Also, a gentle reminder: "Don't forget to vote with your Power Stones. It will be a tremendous help in getting my works noticed by a wider audience. Your votes are like beacons in the night, guiding others to the stories we've built together."