Game of Thrones: Roar of the Dragon

Chapter 136: A Man's Dream, a Shocking Method

The throne room of the Red Keep was crowded with people, and nobles from the seven kingdoms were whispering in groups of three or five.

Although the celebration and trial meetings had ended for several days, the nobles of the seven kingdoms in King's Landing not only did not leave, but gathered in larger and larger numbers.

The reason for this situation was that a piece of news that came from nowhere spread throughout the seven countries in a short period of time.

His Majesty Jacaerys is considering holding a grand wedding in the near future, and he will promulgate a personally revised royal marriage system.

The new king has a voracious appetite and will marry many more queens than Aegon the Conqueror ever did!

The nobles of the seven kingdoms gathered in King's Landing did not come to protest.

After all, the new king's notoriety had spread across both continents, and Dorne had just been destroyed; they couldn't possibly have the courage to do so.

On the contrary, these nobles of the seven countries basically brought with them young and beautiful unmarried women from their families.

They wanted to do their best to get a queen for them.

The queens of Westeros have considerable power, the most famous of which is Queen Alysanne Targaryen.

She established a women's court to listen to the plight of women in the seven countries, and promulgated a series of laws including the Widow Law and the abolition of the right of first night.

At that time, the people of the Seven Kingdoms praised Queen Alysanne and King Jaehaerys I, bringing their reputation to its peak.

Before the fall of the Citadel, a scholar who studied history claimed that half of the credit for King Jaehaerys I's 55-year prosperous reign should be attributed to Queen Alysanne.

If His Majesty Jacaerys really makes history, he will marry multiple queens.

Then this is definitely the best shortcut for small and medium-sized noble families to become top families.

Although they dared not say it openly, they secretly dreamed of having one of their female members chosen as one of the queens.

Then, when Jacaerys dies, the queen who gave birth to the eldest son can naturally become the regent.

By that time, even the smallest family would be able to soar to great heights with the help of the Regent!

Squeak!

The door to the throne room opened, and Jacaerys, dressed in his best attire, stepped in with the hilt of the Blackfyre sword in hand.

Behind him, of course, were Benilla, Stone, the two brothers Lusris and other direct lineage members.

Daario, the captain of the White Knights, stepped forward quickly, raised his head and shouted, "Greetings to the King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men.
Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, Protector of the Realm, Lord of the Narrow Sea and the Stepstones, Burner of the Sea, Destroyer of Tyrosh, Conqueror of Myr,
Protector of the Wall, Dragonlord of Valyria, True Dragon, Jacaerys Targaryen I! "

"Meet Jacaerys I Targaryen!"

The nobles of the Seven Kingdoms are different from the common people. Unless it is a special occasion, they only need to bow.

Jacaerys walked among the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms, but his eyes glanced at the noble girls who were carefully dressed and had different temperaments.

The timid girls who remembered ladylike etiquette strictly bowed their heads and lifted their skirts, while the brave girls quietly looked up and sized up the new king.

When these brave girls saw that the king who held the highest power in the seven kingdoms was so young and handsome, they couldn't help but smile from the bottom of their hearts on their faces.

The most conspicuous among them were the Lannister sisters standing behind Duke Jason, they did not bow their heads at all.

As if some kind of seal had been lifted from her sister, Tisara, she even licked her lips with her wet tongue when her eyes met Jakaris's.

Benilla, standing behind Jakaris, saw everything, but she was calm at the moment.

Just the position where she was standing now said it all.

Jacaerys walked to the Iron Throne, turned around and sat down, then raised his hand to signal his Hand of the King to begin today's agenda.

Stone coughed lightly to attract attention, and then said loudly: "Ahem! At the imperial meeting held yesterday.

Grand Maester Mukun warned His Majesty Jacaerys that the Targaryen bloodline was dwindling and might be cut off.

Under the advice of all the ministers of the Royal Council, His Majesty Jacaerys finally agreed to amend the king's marriage system. "

When the nobles of the seven kingdoms heard Stone's statement that the king only reluctantly agreed after the ministers had tried their best to persuade him, they couldn't help but roll their eyes.

But all the nobles were now agitated because the rumor was indeed true.

After taking a breath, Stone began to talk about the marriage system that was unique to the king.

“The new marriage system of the king sets up the position of queen and he can only marry one person.

If there is a princess, three women shall be married; if there is a concubine, nine women shall be married.

There was also a position for female concubines, with twenty-seven wives, and a position for female concubines, with eighty-one wives.

One hundred and twenty-one people in total!"

Wow!
The nobles of the seven kingdoms were immediately in an uproar when they heard Stone's announcement of the king's new marriage system.

His Majesty Jacaerys wants to marry one hundred and twenty-one wives?
Can your body handle it? Can you really handle it?

When the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms heard the previous rumors, they had tried their best to estimate how many queens there were who were said to have many more than Aegon the Conqueror.

However, the highest number guessed by the nobles of the seven nations was less than ten. Who could have thought that the number announced now would exceed one hundred!

Moreover, there are many new nouns in this passage. The title of "Princess" only appears in small places in the Seven Kingdoms and generally refers to the queen.

Now it makes sense to list it in a separate position, and Wang Qi can roughly understand it.

After all, the Ironmen of the Iron Islands often forcibly abducted women from the coast of the Seven Kingdoms and took them back to be concubines.

As for female concubines and female imperial concubines? I have never heard of them.

And they don’t understand the difference between the latter four types and the queen.

But it doesn't matter, because Stone explains it right after.

“The king’s 121 wives, with the queen at the top, are collectively known as the harem.

The descendants of the queen, princess consort, and concubine, regardless of gender, have the right to obtain inheritance rights and the right to dragon eggs.

The descendants of concubines and royal concubines do not have the right of inheritance, but have the right to go to the dragon's lair and tame the dragon.

The position of the harem is not set in stone, and all decisions rest with King Jacaerys."

Therefore, only those thirteen women could truly be considered the king’s wives.

The other 108 people are just legalized lovers!

Upon hearing this, the male nobles of the seven nations present immediately converted the words into something they could understand in their minds.

But it’s pretty good!
Thirteen wives, excluding Princess Benilla, who was almost the designated queen, and the Lannister sisters, who were recently favored.

There are still ten positions, enough for nobles of all sizes from the seven countries to compete fairly.

Especially when he thought about the female members of his family giving birth to true dragon blood for His Majesty Jakaris, and gaining the right of inheritance and the right to lay dragon eggs.

The eyes of the small and medium nobles immediately lit up, and they made up their minds to let their female members get one of the positions.

But they were also secretly worried that His Majesty the King would choose his wife based on family influence.

“Because of the kindness and mercy of His Majesty Jacaerys, he is willing to give a chance to all the girls of marriageable age in the Seven Kingdoms.

No matter whether you come from a prominent aristocratic family or a poor civilian family, you can participate in the Girls' Day dance half a month later.

Of course, for the king's health and the quality of the true dragon bloodline.

Only pure virgins and those who meet the standards in height, weight and appearance can participate.

I will publish the detailed standards later.”

Wow!
When the nobles of the seven nations heard that commoner girls could participate, they immediately started making a fuss.

In the eyes of the vast majority of nobles, they and the lowly commoners are two different creatures.

Allowing their female members to attend the Girls' Day ball with civilian girls was tantamount to humiliating them.

Deng!
Jacaerys on the Iron Throne frowned and slammed Blackfire with his scabbard heavily to the ground.

At the same time, Womacks, who was napping in the Royal Gardens lair, raised his dragon head.

Its huge figure immediately blocked out the large square windows of the throne room, dimming the light inside.

The throne room, which was originally as noisy as a market, immediately became quiet. No one dared to endure the wrath of these two evil dragons. "The Prime Minister is now announcing the decision of the Imperial Council.

The decision of the Imperial Conference is my decision.

If anyone disagrees with my decision, just stand in front of me and speak out loudly.

Instead of hiding in the corner and squeaking like a mouse.

Now, if anyone has any objections, please stand up. I will give you one minute."

As soon as Jacaerys finished speaking, the entire throne room fell into deathly silence.

Not only did the nobles of the seven nations not dare to stand up and raise their objections, they even stopped breathing temporarily.

Just kidding! Building a harem and choosing concubines like an emperor is every man's dream.

In the previous life, I could only think about it in dreams, but in this life, it can finally come true.

If anyone dares to stop him, Jakaris will let Womacks have a good talk with him.

"Time's up! Very good, it seems everyone has no objection.

Stone, keep going!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Stone nodded to his king, then turned around and continued,

"As the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, King's Landing represents the face of the royal family and all the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms.

But the merchant ships from Essos could smell the stench of feces as soon as they docked in the Blackwater River.

Therefore, starting from today, King's Landing will add positions such as sanitation workers and street health supervisors.

Anyone caught urinating or defecating in public will be fined or even thrown into jail.

Every day, sanitation workers will collect feces at a fixed time and location, and will not wait for those who are late.

The large amounts of manure collected were transported to two grain-producing areas, Rosby and Stokeworth, near King's Landing, as fertilizer.

Lords, you can observe the changes in King's Landing recently. If you think the effect is good, please implement it in your respective territories."

The lords in the Game of Thrones world now have no concept of improving hygiene and composting.

The first city to improve sanitary conditions in Casterly Rock was more than a hundred years later, when Tyrion Lannister built a sewage sewer.

I believe that once the environment in King's Landing changes, these lords will follow suit.

As for composting, they won’t see any effects for a while.

"The sanitation of King's Landing is just a small matter. What comes next is the order of the King of the Seven Kingdoms!

The first is that from June this year to June next year, the business tax collected by the seven countries will be halved.”

As soon as Stone finished speaking, the quiet throne room was filled with chants of "The King is Merciful" and "The King is Wise".

If the king is willing to reduce the commercial tax by half, doesn't that mean they can keep more gold dragons?
Therefore, many nobles of the Seven Kingdoms have been thinking about allowing their own caravans to sell more inventory while the commercial tax is halved.

Little did they know that this was exactly what Jakaris was aiming for.

He just wanted these nobles of the seven countries, who were like hamsters, to take out all their stocks and deposits.

If you want to stimulate the economy, you must first get money and goods flowing!

As for when the economy prospers, Jakaris has countless ways to reap the rewards.

“Article 2: All women in the Seven Kingdoms must marry before the age of sixteen. If they are one year older, they will be taxed double.

If over two years old, it’s twice as much, and so on.

At the same time, starting from today, the nobles of the seven countries must reward civilian families who give birth to newborns in their territories.

If a son is born, the reward is two small bags of wheat and a dog. If a daughter is born, the reward is three small bags of wheat and a sheep. "

For the nobles of the seven countries, after this king's order was issued, all the previous things suddenly became unimportant.

Because all the previous ones were false, and this one concerns their vital interests.

As the shadow of Womax was still there, most of the nobles just kept their voices low and didn't care about being the first to speak out.

But there are always people who stand up, such as the Tyrell family, lords of the River Reach, whose population was nearly nine million before the Dance of the Dragons.

After thinking carefully about his words, Sir Lorent walked to the steps of the Iron Throne and said slowly: "Your Majesty Jacaerys, we, the Tyrell family, are willing to fully support your orders.

But the population of the Riverlands is too large. Once your order is passed on, those untouchables... the common people will probably give birth to newborns crazily.

Even if our Tyrell family spends all its wealth to distribute the rewards.

But the land in the River Bend is limited, and with so many civilians suddenly increasing in number, there will definitely be a shortage of food.

Moreover, when they grow up and have no fields to grow crops, riots will inevitably occur, which may even endanger the entire Seven Kingdoms.

So I implore His Majesty Jacaerys and the ministers of the Royal Council to reconsider this royal order."

"Yes, yes, even the rich River Reach is like this.

Isn’t our valley in a worse situation?”

“The population of your valley is not too bad, but the population of our Westland is not much less than that of the Reach.

And there is far less land suitable for farming than in the River Bend.

But looking at Duke Jason, it seems that he intends to endure it for the sake of his two daughters!"

“Alas, encouraging untouchables to raise untouchables? What on earth is your majesty thinking?

The reward for having a girl is higher than that for having a boy. Is it because he wants to marry more wives in the future?
Even if it's lustful, this is too outrageous!"

Sir Laurent spoke these words slowly and clearly, while the other nobles of the Seven Kingdoms nodded and whispered as they listened.

Upon hearing this, Jacaris answered as if it was a matter of course: "Population is the primary productive force. Since there is not enough land, then we can increase the land!

The terrain of the River Bend is flat and open, the soil is fertile, and it has the Mande River and its branches, making irrigation very convenient, so it is called the granary of the Seven Kingdoms.

But in fact, the river bay still has a lot of unused hills and slopes.

If these large amounts of uncultivated hills and slopes can be reclaimed and utilized, crop yields in the river bay will double.

By then, I’m afraid we’ll be able to feed all the newborns in the Seven Kingdoms, not to mention the newborns in the Reach!”

Sir Lorent smiled bitterly upon hearing this, shook his head and replied, “Your Majesty, you may have only heard about the general situation of the Reach, but you don’t know the details.

These hills and slopes you mentioned are recognized by everyone as useless land.

If the location is better, it might be possible to build a castle or pass, but if the location is worse, no one would even be willing to live there.

If it were really possible to cultivate the land, it would have been cultivated and utilized thousands of years ago.

The Mande River basin does run across the entire bay, but how is water transported to the hilly slopes for irrigation?

Besides, how can we cultivate land on these hills and slopes where there is no flat ground and it is difficult for people to stand firmly?
I'm afraid that what you just said can only be done by gods!"

Upon hearing this, Jacaris stood up and replied in a deep voice: "Hey, only gods can do this?

Well, then I and my dragon are your gods!

I will personally go to the Reach and transform the hillsides into fertile fields.

The hills and slopes are unstable? Then I will shovel them into flat steps!
The water from the Mande River can’t reach the mountains? Then I will build irrigation canals to bring it up the mountain!”

Jacaerys' words echoed in the throne room, shocking all the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms.

Level the hills and dig canals to divert water!
There have been many amazing ideas in the history of Westeros, including amazing ideas about war, such as building the majestic Wall.

There are amazing ideas about the construction of noble castles, such as building Harrenhal where even giants can live, and the Eyrie built on a cliff.

But no one has come up with any groundbreaking ideas in agriculture in these thousands of years.

Until today, when it was brought up by King Jacaerys I Targaryen!
(End of this chapter)