Chapter 322

If the protagonist weren’t Tywin, Aegor would have thought he was hearing the story of another transmigrator. Without the interference of a foolish daughter and a contemptible sister, these two Lannister men had somehow accomplished a groundbreaking, far-reaching feat together.

Such a bold and forward-thinking move—was this something the old lion had always planned, or had Tyrion, influenced by Aegor’s own actions, inadvertently inspired it and passed the idea along to his father?

Still, for Tyrion to have maintained control over such a crucial sector like the bank despite Tywin’s disdain, he must have proven himself indispensable during this sweeping reform, earning his influence and position through his own actions.

Neither King Stannis locked in battle, Young Aegon struggling to claim his throne, nor Euron Greyjoy wreaking havoc for his own amusement could possibly realize that the very foundation they sat upon—or coveted—the bedrock of Westerosi society itself, had already begun to crack, silently edging toward collapse.

...

Of course, the societal changes on the horizon had little to do with Aegor directly. What concerned him now was whether Tyrion held enough influence within the Lannister Bank. And if he did, would the little lion be willing to grant Aegor the massive loan he needed?

“We have a good chance of securing the loan from the Lannister Bank. However, the journey from Crown's Rest to Lannisport and back would take weeks. Every day could be the last before the White Walkers attack. At this critical moment, it’s impossible for me, as Lord Commander, to leave on such a trip.” Aegor glanced at Nina, realizing just how fortunate he was. The woman standing before him had a master-apprentice bond with Tyrion Lannister—her involvement would be nearly as effective as Aegor going himself. “You’ve already sorted things in King’s Landing. Don’t rush back yet. Instead, take a trip to Lannisport for me. Borrow as much as you can.”

“Borrow money?” Nina pulled a face. “I’m only good at collecting money, not asking for it. And showing up after two years just to ask my mentor for a loan… what will Lord Tyrion think of me?”

Her concerns were valid, but Aegor had no one else to turn to. “I know it’s asking a lot, but I’ll write to him beforehand to prepare the way. The Night’s Watch is fighting to save the world. To gather the resources needed to fight the White Walkers and rally others to our cause, we can’t shy away from any means. When you get to Lannisport, investigate and confirm who truly runs the bank—Tywin or Tyrion. If it’s Tyrion, everything will be straightforward. If it’s Tywin… well, he likely already knows I’ve become Lord Commander. Tell him I’ve promoted Jaime to First Ranger of Crown's Rest and that I’m undertaking significant reforms within the Watch. As for the future—‘anything is possible.’ He’ll understand my meaning.”

“Understood.” Seeing that Aegor’s decision was firm, Nina didn’t protest further. “When should I set off?”

“There’s no rush. We won’t need the funds immediately. For now, this is just a casual discussion. Before you leave, I’ll give you a detailed list of tasks and specific requests. Besides the Lannister Bank and the Northern lords, don’t overlook the wealth of King’s Landing’s nobles. Even the bonds we’ve started to abandon might be worth revisiting.”

After the industries stabilized and began generating reliable profits, Aegor had stopped the practice of robbing Peter to pay Paul for the sake of long-term sustainability. But in the current situation, as long as the interest could be paid, who had the luxury of worrying about future repayments?

“Got it,” Nina replied.

“Beyond the funding issue, I have other tasks for you, Nina. Your family used to weave cloth. Do you know anything about tailoring or designing clothes?”

“Designing clothes?” Nina shook her head, puzzled. “I only know how to make a few simple outfits my mother taught me. Designing clothing… that’s the domain of professionals who work for noble clients. I don’t think I’m capable of that. What kind of clothing are you thinking of, my lord?”

“The Night’s Watch has always worn whatever donations they receive, dyed black as makeshift uniforms. I want to change that. Starting with the next recruits, I want a unified, standardized military uniform. There’s no rush, though. Take my ideas back to King’s Landing, consult with professionals, and finalize a design.”

To maximize the Night’s Watch’s combat effectiveness and hold back the White Walkers, sweeping changes and thorough preparation were needed. Beyond adequate supplies, arms, and training, fostering and enhancing the soldiers’ sense of honor was equally critical. Providing them with distinct, functional, and even slightly stylish uniforms could serve as a constant reminder of their duty and might even attract young recruits. It wasn’t the most crucial factor, but in the battle for survival, even a single nail on a horseshoe could make the difference.

...

There was much to instruct Nina about. Two more matters stood out in Aegor’s mind:

First, securing a stable and high-quality supply of saltpeter. The Night’s Watch industries in King’s Landing had gathered many bright minds by supporting innovation, so this issue seemed solvable.

Second, the chemical research conducted under the guise of “finding ways to counter the White Walkers” on the island in Crown's Rest’s lake needed to remain hidden. With Iron Bank observers in the Gift and at the Wall, the Watch required a secure, secretive location to experiment with weaponizing firepowder without risking the technology falling into the wrong hands.

Originally, Aegor had planned to relay all of this in writing. But discussing it face-to-face was far better. However, he soon realized he was pushing too hard and stopped himself.

“What am I doing? My dear Nina came all this way, and I’ve bombarded you with tasks since we met. Let’s put this aside for now. Come, that’s your lodging over there. Rest up after your long journey. Once you’re refreshed, I’ll show you the Wall and let you experience the beauty of the North.”

Nina, utterly disarmed by his affectionate tone and nickname, smiled shyly but radiantly. “It wasn’t that tiring, just sitting in a carriage all day. If you’re short on hands, I can start helping right away.”

Short on hands? Of course. Establishing firearms would require a host of experts across various fields. But that was a long-term goal, and Nina, while brilliant and loyal, couldn’t assist with that now.

“We’re not short on hands,” Aegor lied kindly, shaking his head. “Are you sure you don’t need rest?”

“I’m sure,” Nina replied with determined earnestness.

“Good.” Aegor grinned playfully. “Now that we’re done with business, let’s discuss ‘personal matters.’”

“Huh? But it’s still daylight…”

“Daylight is more fun!”

...