Game of Thrones: Catastrophe

Mace originally wanted to report his achievements and show off, but he didn't expect to be met with a cold face. He could only retreat to the side in dismay. Vincent, who was next to him, quickly stepped forward with a booklet in his arms, bowed first, and then stood up and said:

“Your Majesty, my scouts have returned with news that Lord Rob Stark, the Duke of the North, has sent Wyman Manderly, the Earl of White Harbor, to Braavos to meet with Prince Stannis.”

“Your Majesty, I also have something to report.” The gaunt Minister of Finance, Akai, stepped forward. “The envoy from the Iron Bank has arrived in King's Landing.”

Leonno had originally planned to let the ministers discuss this matter, but he didn't expect the Iron Bank to jump out at this time. It seemed that the contact between the North and Stannis was not simple.

“Is the Iron Bank also demanding interest this year?” Leonno asked.

“No, they are demanding that the kingdom repay the principal along with the interest, totaling 1.6 million gold dragons. The national treasury currently has wealth worth 2.1 million gold dragons, which can be repaid.” Akai reported the numbers expressionlessly while holding an account book.

“How did Petyr borrow the money in the first place?” Leonno patted his knee, feeling very melancholy. He could afford to repay it, but he wasn't prepared to. If he repaid this sum of money, he wouldn't have the confidence to start a war with the North.

“The Iron Throne's credit.”

“That's great! Come, my Hand of the King, Lord Mace, and Lord Barristan, tell me, is the Iron Throne's credit more valuable, or 1.6 million gold dragons?” Leonno patted his legs and posed a question to the people below.

Of course, the Iron Throne's credit is more valuable! A thought flashed through the minds of Mace and Barristan below, but they knew that since Leonno had raised this question, the answer he wanted was definitely not this.

“Your Majesty, the value of these two cannot be compared.” Barristan replied slightly reservedly.

How stupid!

Leonno looked at the stunned Mace and the reserved Barristan, feeling annoyed in his heart, but he nodded with a smile on his face, agreeing:

“Yes! I also think so. 1.6 million gold dragons, this number is very large, but it is far from comparable to the Iron Throne's credit. As king, if I lose my credit, then you will no longer trust me.”

“That is absolutely impossible, Your Majesty. No matter what you do, we will absolutely support you.” Mace immediately jumped out to express his loyalty.

If you dare not support me, I will directly send you to the seven hells.

Leonno ridiculed Mace's clumsiness, but on the surface, he pretended to sigh and shake his head:

“Alas! I know the intentions of all the ministers, but I am very worried. How many years have we not seen winter now?”

How many years have we not seen winter? The ministers were a little confused when they heard Leonno's sudden sigh. How did the topic suddenly jump here?

Some people were stuck on the surface, but others were clever. Minister of Agriculture Donnel Noy directly raised his hand:

“Your Majesty, I have an opinion on the Iron Bank's debt.”

“Speak.” Leonno supported his knee with one hand, leaning his body slightly forward, appearing to listen.

“Your Majesty, I believe that we no longer need to repay the Iron Bank's debt, for three reasons.” Donnel puffed out his bulging beer belly, his words causing a stir among the ministers, but he ignored the others and just said to himself:

“First, the white ravens of the Citadel may come at any time. The coming winter will be extremely long. We must prepare for winter. Instead of giving this money to the Iron Bank to repay the debt of the late King Robert, it is better to keep it to prepare for winter.”

“Yes!” Hearing Donnel's words, the ministers couldn't help but suddenly see the light.

“What are the other two reasons?” Leonno nodded slightly, signaling Donnel to continue.

“Second reason, please allow me to be disrespectful to the late king. The late King Robert borrowed a huge sum of money from Petyr, all of which he used for his personal expenses, which did not benefit the kingdom in any way. The kingdom has no reason to repay his debts.”

“These are your loyal words, and they speak the truth. You will not be punished for this.” Leonno directly waved his hand. For the sake of the kingdom's interests, Robert's reputation could only be set aside, and that guy didn't have much reputation anyway.

“Third reason, the money the Iron Bank lent us, we have paid a large amount of interest every year in the past. The interest added together is enough for us to repay the principal. Therefore, we owe each other nothing.” Donnel stated the third reason.

“Akai?” Leonno looked at his Minister of Finance.

“Your Majesty, that is indeed the case. Adding up the annual interest, we have repaid the principal and even exceeded it, by about 200,000 gold dragons.” Akai gave an affirmative answer.

“That's perfect. Since that's the case, then reply to the envoy of the Iron Bank, just say that their...” Leonno clapped his hands immediately upon hearing Akai's reply, preparing to reply to the Iron Bank in this way, but was interrupted by a voice from below.

“Your Majesty, please allow me to speak. It is unwise to reply to the Iron Bank at this time.”

Davos stood up from below.

“Lord Seaworth has a different opinion, please speak.” Leonno was not unhappy about being interrupted, but instead very seriously allowed Davos to speak.

“Your Majesty, there is a saying in Braavos: The Iron Bank is not to be trifled with. If we reply to the Iron Bank in this way, they will definitely support our enemies, such as the North, who are currently in contact with Prince Stannis.” Davos explained the situation.

“That makes sense. Then, according to Lord Seaworth's opinion, what is the appropriate course of action? Do you have a better way?” Leonno had actually thought of the situation, but considering that the Northerners went to Braavos to meet with Stannis, he subconsciously believed that the Iron Bank had played a role in it and had automatically included them.

“Your Majesty, I think it would be better if we repay the Iron Bank's debt.” Davos cautiously put forward his idea, causing a stir among the ministers.

“Continue!” Leonno frowned slightly, signaling Davos to finish speaking.

“We repay the Iron Bank's debt, but with a condition, to borrow another sum of money from the Iron Bank.” Davos put forward a hypothesis.

“Can it be done?” Leonno did not reply, but looked at the Minister of Finance, Akai.

“It's worth a try.” Akai's large, bubble-like eyes shifted, looking at Davos with a strange expression. What was this guy thinking? Pay back a sum of money and then borrow another sum of money. Is this repaying the money or not!

“Your Majesty, please allow me to make some more suggestions. While borrowing money, the Iron Bank will definitely think. During this period, we can bribe the envoy of the Iron Bank, at least to delay the time, so that the Iron Bank cannot make a decision immediately.” Davos then put forward detailed operational suggestions.

“In this way, you will organize a team to contact the Iron Bank. Akai, you will be Lord Davos's assistant and fully assist him.” Leonno directly handed the matter over to Davos.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty.” Davos directly knelt on the ground.

“Completing the task I have given you and not betraying my trust is the greatest gratitude to me.” Leonno received Davos's gratitude without any guilt.