Chapter 225 The Handless Sword

"Sam, think again about my proposal."

Even though he had been rejected, before leaving, Prince Daolan still did not give up persuading him.

Samwell looked at the persistent Prince of Dorne, smiled, and said:

"How about we start with some simple cooperation and build trust first."

Prince Doran asked with interest: "What kind of cooperation?"

"Tariffs." Sam Wells said, "In order to strengthen the commercial exchanges between Reach and Dorne, I propose that the tariffs between each other be completely exempted."

Prince Doran said in a playful tone: "Can you make such a decision on behalf of Hewan?"

Samwell smiled mysteriously: "This is what I need to worry about. How about it? Your Highness Doran, this small cooperation can strengthen the foundation of mutual trust between the two parties. Would you like to give it a try?"

Prince Doran stared into Samwell's eyes for a while before saying:

"No tariffs at all is a bit too much. Let's cut it in half."

"Halve?" Samwell reluctantly agreed, "Yes, but the tax rate cannot be raised any further."

"Yes." Prince Doran said with a smile, "I will send an envoy to Highgarden to sign the contract. I hope this can be the beginning of the reconciliation between Riverbend and Dorne."

"May the friendship between Riverbend and Dorne last forever."

"Friendship forever."

Prince Doran lowered the curtain, and the carriage started and slowly drove out of Starfall City.

Samwell didn't stay in Starfall City any longer, and took Margaery that afternoon, and left by boat under Natalie's reluctant eyes.

Three knights and a thousand soldiers recruited from Starfall City were also taken away.

In fact, the war potential of the Dane family is far more than that, even if it is severely damaged by previous failures, but Samwell does not want to empty out the defense force of Starfall City. The eastern barrier prevents some hotheaded Dornishmen from raiding his lair.

After leaving Starfall City, he did not return to High Court immediately, but went to Yingzui Island first.

The Lord's return was naturally warmly welcomed.

Especially when everyone knew that their lord had been officially engaged to Miss Margaery Tyrell, the enthusiasm was even higher.

Samwell took Margaery around the territory and made a gesture of being close to the people before returning to the castle and calling the retainers for a meeting.

This time Cheman Huya finished his expedition and returned to the territory. After seeing Samwell, he was also honest and did not dare to be a monster. He just exuded an unconcealable awe-inspiring aura. It seemed that he had killed a lot outside during this time.

Samwell didn't bother to reprimand him anymore. After all, this person has indeed made great contributions to the development and growth of Yingzui Island. Most of the population of the territory is obtained by Cheman through the continuous annexation of the savage tribes in the Crimson Mountains. of.

According to the calculations of the general manager Gavin, the total population of the territory is now approaching the 100,000 mark. A territory of this size, even in the affluent River Bend, is not too small.

The valley of Yingzui Island can no longer hold so many people, so they can only be scattered outside the valley and the surrounding villages and towns.

The previously abolished post of village head had to be reactivated to manage the increasingly prosperous village.

In addition, Samwell also made a decision to confer the title of baron on Gavin, the chief executive, and give him the most prosperous town of Lanpi in the outlying villages and towns as a fiefdom.

Blueskin Town is the gathering place of the original Blueskin tribe. Because of the existence of silver mines, it has now formed a large-scale town around silver mining, refining, casting and other industries. This time, Samwell will use this A small town was given to Gavin as a reward for his hard work in helping him manage the territory.

Of course, the silver mine in the town is not included in the scope of the reward. After all, it is an important source of income for Yingzui Islet, and it is impossible for Samwell to just give it to Gavin.

When Gavin asked the lord to give him a surname, Samwell thought about it and said:

"I recruited you as a servant on the banks of the Mande River, so you should take Mande as your surname."

"Yes!" Gavin shouted excitedly, "I, Gavin Mander, offer unparalleled loyalty to the great Viscount Samwell Caesar, and may the Seven Gods bear witness for me. It will be the highest honor to serve the Caesar family!"

Samwell withdrew his long sword and helped Gavin up:

"You will continue to serve as the general manager of Yingzui Island. As for your own territory, send an acting mayor and a castle. Let Vido lead someone to help you build one."

"Yes, my lord."

After the meeting of retainers, Samwell summoned Melisandre alone.

I don't know if it's an illusion, but the red-robed witch seems to be younger than when she met last time.

Her pair of fiery red eyes seem to be able to see into people's hearts, making it impossible to hide all thoughts and ideas.

Samwell avoided her sight and asked:

"How many believers of the Lord of Light are there in the territory now?"

"There are about three or four thousand people."

"So many?" Samwell was slightly surprised. You must know that although the Lord of Light has many believers in the Essos continent, he has no foundation of faith in the Westeros continent. In less than two months, the island has attracted so many believers.

"This is the power of the true God." Melisandre said devoutly, "The long winter is coming, your people have already felt the chill, they will spontaneously gather around the fire, pray for warmth, for light, for Redemption."

Samwell smiled, didn't say much, and asked instead:

"My brother Dickon Tarly, do you still remember that you performed the resurrection spell on him in Tianji City that day, but it didn't work. However, he did come back to life later on."

Melisandre didn't seem surprised when she heard the words, and said:

"The Lord of Light will answer prayers as long as we serve with sincerity."

"But there are some problems with Dickon's memory." Samwell looked at Melisandre's flaming eyes again, "A lot of memories have been lost, and some memories that shouldn't belong to him have been added, you know What's going on here?"

"No matter what changes happen to him, it is the arrangement of the true God."

Samwell was obviously dissatisfied with such an answer, he persistently asked:

"Answer me positively, Ms. Melisandre, is this a side effect of the resurrection technique, or is it the arrangement of the Lord of Light? If it is his arrangement, what is the intention?"

"Mortals can't fathom the true God's intention." Melisandre pointed to the flame jumping in the fireplace in front of her, "It's like there are more than one shadow of the flame, they jump and change, and never stand still."

Samwell stared into the witch's eyes with a gloomy expression.

Melisandre approached slowly, speaking softly but firmly:

"I'm not trying to prevaricate you, Lord Caesar. Witchcraft is like a sword without a handle. If you want to master it, you must be prepared to bleed. Even if a mortal holds this sword, with the fragile flesh and blood The body can't really grasp it.

Among all the witchcraft I have learned, resurrection is the most dangerous and sharpest sword without a handle. Every time I hold it, I can only pray for the guidance of the true god, and never dare to wave it on my own. "

Samwell frowned even tighter.

Melisandre saw this and persuaded:

"Lord Caesar, why do you worry about this? Your younger brother has been blessed by the King of Light, and his path has been arranged by the true God. This is the greatest honor."

"Dickon is my younger brother." Samwell said in a bad tone, "not a tool of the Lord of Light."

"We are all tools of the true God." Melisandre said piously.

"I am not anyone, or a tool of any god!" Samwell paused, "Nor is my brother."

Melisandre looked at the man quietly, her face as calm as a windless sea:

"Mortals can't resist the will of the true God. Instead of struggling in vain, it is better to accept the arrangement."

"Ms. Melisandre, are you willing to become a tool of the true God?"

"I am right now."

"No. You still have self-awareness and feelings... well, I believe you still have. But if one day, you lose these two things, what is the difference between you and a walking dead."

"The self-awareness of mortals always leads to ignorance, as for feelings..." Melisandre's fiery eyes did not show any fluctuation, "That is the burden and weakness of mortals."

"But it is also the source of happiness." Samwell stared at the red robe witch in front of him, "Ms. Melisandre, have you never loved anyone?"

Melisandre fell into a rare silence.

"Meryl..." A distant cry came from her ear again, conveying reluctance and pain through the burning fire and the rushing ashes.

"Number Seven!" A clanging voice interrupted everything.

Melisandre came back to her senses, her fiery red lips moved, but she didn't speak in the end.

Seeing that he couldn't get an answer from the witch, Samwell stopped talking and turned to leave.

Out the door, Samwell found Baron Gavin and asked:

"How many soldiers are there in the territory now?"

"1,500 people." Gavin blurted out, and then added, "There are another 500 people who have completed training, but lack weapons and equipment..."

"Don't worry about weapons and equipment." Samwell now leaned on his thigh, full of confidence, "Then gather 1,800 people, and I will take them to Highgarden early tomorrow morning."

"Yes, my lord." Gavin nodded in response, "Who are we going to fight with?"

Samwell let out a long breath and looked towards the east, as if he could see the vast land on the other side of the Crimson Mountains thousands of miles away:

"The Stormlands."

(end of this chapter)