Chapter 49

In Aegor's original world, what he was about to attempt would undoubtedly be seen as stepping on the toes of the banks—essentially challenging the machinery of the state. With one accusation of illegal fundraising hanging over his head, he'd be buried under the weight of the system.

But in Westeros, an economic and financial blank slate, there wasn’t even a legal framework to regulate such matters. And even if there were, with Eddard Stark as Hand of the King, the Night’s Watch would certainly be granted the authority to collect funds legally.

Aegor wasn’t trained in economics—in fact, by all rights, he should have no understanding of it. But in his previous life, he frequented a forum called “Zhihu,” a chaotic mix of elite professionals and creative storytellers, wise sages and compulsive braggers. There, he not only honed his skills in crafting stories and witty repartee but also picked up some niche insights and obscure knowledge—tools that were proving invaluable now.

What Aegor wanted to do was, in essence, a Ponzi scheme—robbing Peter to pay Paul, at least until he figured out a way to generate sustainable income. This was precisely why Tyrion’s initial reaction had been to reject the idea outright.

But in a moment of inspiration, Aegor had explained a grander and far more elaborate scheme to Tyrion. Using plain language that was neither accurate nor technical but sufficiently intuitive, he had described how modern societies operated on what was essentially an even bigger “scam.” Most people didn’t understand it, and even those who did often refused to believe it—or their belief didn’t matter, because the system worked regardless. This vast construct, a triumph of human imagination, was the very foundation of modern civilization. And once everyone participated, it ceased to be a scam and became reality.

Aegor’s gambit was to broaden Tyrion’s perspective using this grand narrative, making him more tolerant of the smaller-scale fundraising scheme through a kind of “poison against poison” approach. He didn’t delve into the catastrophic consequences that could arise from mishandling finance, nor did he fully understand the implications of introducing these concepts to Westeros. And he certainly couldn’t guarantee success. But he had to exude confidence—hesitation or doubt would never convince a feudal lord encountering such ideas for the first time.

Having Tyrion, a Lannister, as a partner wasn’t strictly necessary, but his involvement would smooth the process considerably.

Aegor still dreamed of shedding his black cloak and returning to his own world. He didn’t want to spend his days endlessly scraping together ransom for his freedom. After much thought, “fundraising” seemed like the only way to solve his financial woes in one decisive stroke.
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Aegor was incredibly busy.

First, he needed to inspect the office space and the two assistants Eddard Stark had assigned to him. While both of these could theoretically be addressed with money, funds were tight until the fundraising began, so every coin saved counted.

Next, he had to arrange for the first installment of Tyrion’s “ransom” payment to be sent to the Wall.

Finally, he needed to prepare for a trip to Dragonstone to set up the dragonglass mining operations.

The tasks didn’t sound overwhelming, but in this era, just traveling from one place to another consumed an inordinate amount of time. As someone newly freed and freshly appointed, Aegor was treading cautiously and leaving no room for mistakes.
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After a quick lunch near the Red Keep, Aegor and Yoren headed back to the castle. They didn’t see Eddard Stark—unsurprisingly, the Hand of the King was even busier than Aegor. Yoren was escorted to the dungeons for his recruitment work, while Aegor met the two Stark guards assigned to assist him: Odyn and David.

The guards, hailing from Winterfell, carried the North’s innate respect for the Night’s Watch. The three quickly got along, and Aegor, with their help, headed to the Eastern Barracks of the City Watch.

There, he encountered the current Commander of the City Watch, Janos Slynt—a short, stocky, balding man with a double chin and a perpetually greasy expression.

Aegor felt nothing but disdain for this man, infamous for corruption, selling titles, and betraying Eddard Stark in the original story. Slynt, for his part, showed little interest in a Night’s Watchman who couldn’t possibly offer him any bribes. Still, since the Hand of the King had ordered it, Slynt didn’t dare obstruct or sabotage Aegor’s efforts. After a cursory greeting, he lazily assigned a gold cloak to escort Aegor and his companions to the building that would serve as the Night’s Watch’s new office.
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The office was situated directly across from the Eastern Barracks of the City Watch, close to the Red Keep and the noble district. As a City Watch property on a bustling street, even Slynt wouldn’t dare rent it out for personal gain. As a result, the building had been sitting unused until Eddard Stark granted it to the Night’s Watch.

Aegor was satisfied with the arrangement. The location, visibility, and proximity to law enforcement made it a prime spot for their operations. Renting such a property would have cost more than his entire purse of coins could cover in a month. Seeking Eddard’s help had undoubtedly been the right move.

After inspecting the premises, collecting the keys, and wrapping up formalities, Aegor took the Stark guards back to his inn to regroup with Tyrion. By late afternoon, they headed to King’s Landing’s bustling port area near the Blackwater, the center of commerce and trade.
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The journey took them through Sister’s Street, Muddy Way, and the Fisher’s Square. They exited the city through the River Gate, also known as the Mud Gate, and arrived at the docks.

Despite its name, the Mud Gate wasn’t actually decrepit. The nickname stemmed from the muddy footprints left by countless dockworkers and traders, which turned the area into a swamp during rainy days. Three hundred years ago, this was a forested stretch of Blackwater Bay with only a handful of fishing shacks. But after Aegon’s Conquest, it became the busiest trading hub in Westeros.

Warehouses, inns, markets, taverns, graveyards, and brothels crowded the area, filling every available space. The docks buzzed with activity, the air alive with shouting and laughter. Ships of every size, from deep-sea fishing boats to merchant galleys from Braavos, Pentos, and Lys, lined the piers. Goods flowed in and out in a ceaseless rhythm.

Tyrion, well-connected and highly regarded among the port’s merchants, handled negotiations with his usual charm and wit. Aegor simply followed along, letting the dwarf secure deals with ease. From pricing and delivery dates to securing ships to transport the goods to Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, everything was settled smoothly. For the next three months, Aegor’s obligations to the Night’s Watch were covered.

The Stark guards were assigned their first mission: ensuring the safe and timely delivery of these supplies to the Watch.
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As night fell, Aegor made arrangements with the captain of a small merchant vessel heading to Dragonstone. After paying a modest deposit, he secured passage for the following day.

His second day in King’s Landing had been busy, productive, and, most importantly, successful. For now, Aegor allowed himself a rare moment of satisfaction.