Chapter 317 The Weak Armor

The late autumn breeze is comfortable and gentle, mixed with the fragrance of plants and flowers, gently blowing through the mountains and forests.

At the eastern foot of the Crimson Mountains, dozens of people led by Samwell walked slowly along the rugged stone road at the foot of the mountain.

"Your Majesty, according to your request, we have conducted relevant investigations. I have to say that the water conservancy irrigation system you envisioned is indeed feasible to a certain extent, and the prospect is very attractive. Once completed, it will add tens of millions to the storm area. acres of arable land!" The face of Bachelor Edgar shone with excitement and even fanaticism.

He was originally a bachelor of Fallen Wood City, and once built cisterns and canals for the Fell family.

But after hearing about the irrigation system planned by the Storm King, Bachelor Edgar was immediately shocked by this grand plan.

Throughout the history of the Seven Kingdoms, perhaps only man-made miracles like the Great Wall of Despair can be compared with it.

So, after receiving the invitation, Bachelor Edgar came to Storm's End without hesitation, determined to participate in this great project destined to be passed down through the ages.

"Your Majesty, please look." Bachelor Edgar pointed to the mountain stream flowing ahead, "The source of the water conservancy project can be built here. The Crimson Mountains block the moist airflow from the narrow sea, and the precipitation is abundant. You can see multiple Streams flow from the mountains.

These natural mountain streams indicate the height of the terrain for us, and a little repair is a natural ditch. The first reservoir needs about 200 acres, is 80 feet deep, and the bottom is paved with gravel. Whenever it rains, the water in the mountains will surge, and it can easily fill this reservoir for us.

The artificial ditch extending from the reservoir needs to be ten feet wide and five feet deep, with a step down every thousand feet, with a drop of twelve feet to prevent silting, and embankments nine feet above the ground must be piled up on both sides.

If you want to lead all the way to the Wende River, you need to build about 300 reservoirs along the way. The entire artificial river is 700 miles long, running through the north-central part of the stormland, flowing from southwest to northeast, and finally flowing into Blackwater Bay.

Along the way, a network of ditches extending in all directions will be spread out, which can add nearly 50 million mu of cultivated land to the storm! "

Samwell was also heartbroken, but he still asked cautiously:

"How long will it take to build such an artificial river?"

"It depends on how much manpower and material resources you can mobilize..."

"There will be 100,000 laborers in the early stage, and it will gradually increase to 500,000 or even more in the future." Sam Will said, "As for material security, you don't need to worry about it, it is guaranteed."

Chief Gavin Mander frowned when he heard the number of workers, but he didn't say much.

Bachelor Edgar was greatly encouraged, excitedly said:

"If you can guarantee at least 300,000 laborers to participate in the construction of the canal, I estimate that this great project will be completed in three to five years!"

At this time, Gavin reminded:

"Your Majesty, the construction of a large-scale water conservancy project is probably not only a matter of manpower and material resources, because this ditch has to cross the territories of dozens of lords, large and small, in the stormland. How to obtain the consent of these lords and get them to cooperate is also a big problem. question."

Samwell actually thought about this problem from the very beginning.

Large-scale water conservancy projects are a product of centralization, and they are destined to encounter many obstacles in Westeros, a place where the enfeoffment system is implemented.

Regardless of the fact that the lords of the Stormlands have already recognized the Storm King and swore allegiance to Samwell, but allegiance belongs to allegiance, even the Storm King has no right to dictate the affairs of the vassals' own territory.

"I will solve the problem of coordinating with the major lords. You start construction from the territory directly under Storm's End."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Bachelor Edgar replied, looking very confident, "After we build a section of canal and add a lot of cultivated land, the rest of the lords will definitely be more willing to cooperate when they see the benefits of it."

"Yes." Samwell smiled slightly.

Actually, the real reason why he is so confident is that winter is coming.

The Stormland is located in the southern part of the Westeros continent. Although it is not as cold as the North Valley and the River, the temperature will be greatly reduced.

At that time, only cold-resistant crops such as rye, potatoes, and sugar beets can be grown in the fields, and food production will be greatly reduced. Famine is inevitable.

And Samwell knows that this coming winter may be unprecedentedly long and difficult. It is difficult for the Lords of the Stormlands to resist joining this water conservancy project that can greatly increase the area of arable land in the face of the constant starvation of their people.

As long as this artificial river can be built, it will not only reduce the impact of the famine, but also greatly increase Samwell's prestige. More importantly, the resulting artificial river management coordination mechanism can already shake the foundation of the enfeoffment system .

Samwell can also take this opportunity to strengthen his control over the Stormland and become the real Storm King.

This is the real reason why he would rather spend a lot of manpower and material resources to build this water conservancy project.

"Bachelor Edgar, you will take the lead in the construction of this water conservancy project. Tell Gavin directly if you need anything, and he will fully cooperate."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Bachelor Edgar took a deep breath, his eyes sparkling, "I will definitely complete this unprecedented water conservancy project for you!"

After deciding on the construction of the water conservancy project, Samwell rode a dragon back to Storm's End.

Just happened to meet Margaery Tyrell who was returning from a trip.

During this period of time, Margaret has not been idle in the castle, but has been going out to patrol as the Queen of the Stormland, convening women's courts, giving money to the poor, and caring about people's livelihood...

Gavin Mander mentioned before that the queen has won the love of many Storm's End citizens with her charming and friendly attitude, and her reputation among the people is no lower than that of him, the Storm King.

"Your Majesty, you are back." Margaret stepped up to meet her, her brows had a sense of grace and luxury, and the bulging belly under the snow-white cashmere cloak added a touch of maternal brilliance to her.

Followed by Brienne Tars in armor.

Samwell first nodded to Brienne, then gently hugged his wife, saying:

"Well, I've been back for two days. I just went to chat with the bachelors and craftsmen about the planning of the water conservancy project."

Margaery took the man's arm, leaned on him like a bird, and walked towards the room side by side:

"I've heard from Gavin that it's a big project. But now that the storm has just calmed down, is it a bit urgent to mobilize so many laborers to build water conservancy?"

"Winter is approaching, and the Stormlands need more arable land. There is no rush." Samwell patted his wife's soft hand, "Don't worry, I know it."

"Okay." Margaery is a woman who knows how to measure, and she stopped talking when her husband made up his mind.

And she never asked about Gao Ting, as if she really didn't care.

Samwell also did not raise the court.

This is a tacit understanding between the two.

Entering the room, Samwell helped his wife take off the cloak, and lit the beeswax again.

Among the jumping flames, an elegant fragrance filled the room.

"The Bukeler family invited me to tour the Copper Gate City, Sam, are you free to go with me?"

"I'm afraid I'm not free. I'm going to go to the other side of the narrow sea." Samwell hesitated, but decided to tell his wife the truth, "Katu has confirmed the whereabouts of Daenerys, the last princess of the Targaryen family. Go see her."

"It turned out to be her." Margaery didn't show the slightest abnormality on her face, "I've heard people talk about her, and her three dragons. Sam, you'd better marry her. In that case, the Seven Kingdoms The nobles will be more willing to accept you on the Iron Throne."

Hearing this, Samwell looked sideways at his wife in surprise.

Margaery smiled slightly: "What's the matter? You wear the crown of Aegon the Conqueror. It's strange to marry two wives like him."

"You don't mind at all?"

"It's a little bit. But I believe you won't snub me just because of your new wife, right?"

Margaret raised her face and looked at the man.

"Of course not." Knowing what to do at this time, Samwell lowered his head and kissed her red lips.

The woman's body gradually became soft, melting into the man's arms like water.

Samwell picked up his wife by the waist and strode towards the bedroom.

The next morning, bright sunlight shone through the window on the spotless floor.

Margaery rested her chin on her hands, looking at the back of the white dragon that was getting smaller and smaller in the sky, her eyes gradually lost focus.

It wasn't until the knock on the door that she woke up from the ecstasy.

"come in."

Brienne Tass pushed the door in, bowed and said:

"Your Majesty, are you going out today?"

"No, take a day off today." Margaret curled up lazily on the sofa chair, gently stroking her swollen belly, "You can also take a rest, you don't have to stay with me all the time."

"Okay." Brienne saluted again, turned and left.

But when she reached the door, she turned her head again, as if she wanted to say something, but she didn't know how to say it.

"What's the matter, Brienne?" Margaery smiled, "Just say what you have, I won't blame you."

Brienne hesitated for a moment, but said bluntly:

"Do you really not mind Caesar marrying a second wife?"

Margaret did not answer, but asked rhetorically:

"Do you know the family language of House Tyrell?"

"Life goes on and on."

"Yes, endless life." Margaery's face showed a touch of sadness, "Grandmother used to think that this language was too imposing, and she has been trying to transform the Tyrell family in her own way, trying to make this language The family is more worthy of the status of Lord of the Reach.

But unfortunately, she failed.

Perhaps there is no strong gene in the blood of the Tyrell family. "

Margaery looked at Brienne, showing a gentle smile:

"It seems that not every woman can wear steel armor like you. For me, gentleness is the best armor."

As she spoke, Margaery turned her eyes to her swollen belly, and her eyes became softer:

"More importantly, I will have a boy for Caesar, an heir."

(end of this chapter)