Winterfell, Wolfwood
Three somewhat bedraggled figures were frantically fleeing through the blackthorn bushes, not daring to pause even as the branches tore at their skin.
It was as if some terrifying monster was chasing them. Then, more than a dozen Goblins and five tall Bear Goblins burst out of the bushes behind them.
These Goblins held pitchforks and sickles in their hands. Following them, four Direwolves also leaped out, and then four men dressed as civilians ran out from behind.
The Direwolves were incredibly fast, charging forward and immediately pouncing on the three fleeing figures. The Goblins then swarmed in and pinned them down.
The Goblins were brutal. By the time the civilians, shouting curses, kicked them away, the three men were already beaten beyond recognition. A pitchfork was even stuck in the unfortunate fellow's backside.
Looking at the three men, who were now half-dead, a youth of about seventeen or eighteen among the civilians suddenly spoke up:
"I knew these guys were up to no good. What merchant asks about the City Watch? They would have disappeared once the City Watch arrived. If Nina hadn't been so sharp-eyed, they would have gotten away."
"Screech…"
Just at that moment, an eagle's cry suddenly came from the sky, followed by a series of wolf howls from deep within the forest.
"'Wolf Spirits'? How I envy them! I heard that more than ten people from the Tree Clan have been selected, and they are all going to 'Wenlan' to study. Saint said that they may become Druids in the future, which is simply wonderful. When I grow up, I will also go to the Hall of Gods to hold a bloodline awakening ceremony."
In their long-term research, the Druids have discovered a new way to awaken the Warg talent. They soak Weirwood seeds in the vitality magic spring, and after these Weirwood seeds swell, they take them out and crush them.
This Weirwood seed paste is much better than the old recipe, and the most important point is that this Weirwood seed paste can be used by ordinary people, and the effect is very good.
Northmen with complete First Men bloodlines have about a 50% chance of becoming Wargs after adulthood. The awakening time for ordinary people is about 16 years old. Talented people like the "Six-Shaper" Valamyr awakened their Warg talent at the age of 7.
Soon, two huge Direwolves rushed out of the forest, startling the laborers gathered there, and then, more than ten City Watch soldiers wearing standard armor appeared behind the two wolves.
"Are you the ones who found these three spies?"
A soldier with a bar-and-beam etched on his helmet asked the civilian laborers present, his tone seemingly calm, but his subordinates could still detect a hint of excitement in his voice.
After receiving confirmation, six soldiers stepped forward and helped the three men to their feet. Then, the soldier who had spoken earlier took out three Silver Stags from his pocket and tossed them to the three laborers.
"According to Imperial law, your actions deserve commendation. Here are three Silver Stags. Take them. Thank you for your assistance to the Empire. You may now lead your Goblin slaves back."
One of the older laborers weighed the Silver Stags in his hand and said with satisfaction:
"Thank you for your kindness, Captain Lemon. We are all members of the Empire. This is what we should do."
Subsequently, the team composed of civilians and Goblins departed the area, heading towards Winterfell. The young man who had spoken earlier kept looking back at the City Watch, as if searching for something.
At that moment, a Swift Hawk soaring in the sky suddenly flew down, landing directly on the hand of a man riding a giant Snow Bear.
Valamyr, a Six-Shaper, had originally intended to come to Winterfell to attend a meeting of the Wolf Spirits. Because he heard that enemy spies had appeared near Winterfell, he excitedly rushed out.
Valamyr is now a "Wolf Spirits" instructor, specializing in teaching young Wargs how to communicate with their animal companions. After swearing fealty to Marco and receiving the teachings of the Three-Eyed Raven, Valamyr changed his previous methods of forcefully controlling animals, which had been rather brutal.
As the most talented Warg among all the wildlings, Valamyr quickly mastered this new ability and perfectly established a new relationship with his six Warg companions.
"Are these the three? Well, let me see what secrets they hold!"
After saying this, Valamyr entered "White Eye Mode." He quickly entered the consciousness of the most severely injured soldier.
Although he was forbidden from harming his animal companions, Valamyr still retained this ability. He found that it had a unique advantage in obtaining information, which he found useful in his later work.
However, achieving this level of proficiency placed extremely high demands on a Warg's abilities. Currently, Valamyr had only trained three individuals with this talent.
After about three minutes, Valamyr deactivated "White Eye Mode." He nodded thoughtfully, then looked at the captain named Lemon, and said calmly:
"We can fall back. I need to return and discuss this matter with the Speaker. He is truly worthy of being chosen by the Green Seer. His talent is extraordinary. No wonder he can serve as Speaker at such a young age."
After a moment of reflection, Valamyr strode to the front of the group, his form met with looks of reverence from the others. The three spies, supported by their comrades, followed behind as they headed towards Winterfell.
After about thirty minutes, Valamyr and his group entered Wolfwood Avenue. In the official records of the Valyrian Empire, it was known as "Line 1," but the common folk preferred to call it Wolfwood Avenue, as nearly half of the road cut through the Wolfwood.
Watching the many people frequently bowing and greeting him, Valamyr felt like he had wasted his life before. He used to act entirely on impulse, which caused many of his subjects to resent his actions, yet not dare to speak up.
It wasn't until Valamyr submitted to Marco in Hardhome and studied at Griffin's Roost for a time that he truly understood his own incompetence and narrow-mindedness. He finally understood why Mance Rayder could be the King-Beyond-the-Wall, while he could not.
From that time on, Valamyr changed his behavior and way of thinking, earning the respect of many and finding a wife who truly wanted to share her life with him.
As Valamyr and his group were making their way back to Winterfell along Wolfwood Avenue, a regular council meeting was proceeding in an orderly fashion in the Winterfell hall.
In the hall, a row of seats and document tables were arranged in front of the fireplace, with similar setups on both sides. Bran Stark was seated at his Speaker/President's table, with his younger brother Rickon Stark beside him. The direwolves Summer and Shaggydog were obediently curled up at their feet.
Around them were the many council members of Winterfell, representing various professions and including some minor nobles of Winterfell. In truth, their current method of governance was similar to the way the old nobility used to handle affairs of state.
Actually, Marco's purpose in doing this was also to reduce the influence of the old nobles on the territory, and at the same time, to let these people from different classes compete with each other, so as not to affect Marco's overall rule too much.
In addition to the hereditary rights of these surrendering nobles in the early stage, all councilors only have a term of 5 years, and the Speaker is the same. Later, everyone has the opportunity to become the Speaker.
Of course, if you want to become a councilor, you must be prepared; after serving two terms as a councilor, you must leave your post and work elsewhere. This is to reduce the influence of councilors in the local area.
In the beginning, the people might still hold the old nobles in awe, but as time goes by, when these guys enjoy the taste of power, they will no longer be as submissive to these nobles as before.
Allowing the nobles to retain the seats of councilors and always allowing them to inherit them is only to reward their merits for surrendering to Marco.
In the later stages, after Marco's city plan succeeds, the second sons of the nobles who become councilors will not want to stay in the castle, and Marco has already proposed a law, which is that the head of the family must give the second sons enough money to settle down.
As time goes on, when people find that money can get them more things, they will give up their obsession with military power and part of their power.
At this moment, a middle-aged man was standing in the hall of Winterfell. He did not kneel and salute the nobles around him as before, because in the Valyrian Empire, the people only needed to kneel to Marco.
"So, you're requesting the lease for the Number 3 riverbank, is that correct, Merchant Skuru?"
Bran's slightly immature voice held a hint of seriousness as he addressed the middle-aged merchant below.
"Yes, esteemed Speaker! I obtained a new type of seed from the Druids. After some trial plantings, I developed a crop very similar to a turnip, but with an incredibly sweet taste.
I've named it Sweet Turnip. When we chop and boil the Sweet Turnip, we obtain something similar to honey. Though it looks quite unappealing at first, after filtering it repeatedly, we get this."
The middle-aged merchant then produced a glass jar from his pocket, containing half a jar of amber-colored, viscous liquid, which drew gasps of admiration from the council members.
At Bran's gesture, a servant approached the merchant and took the jar. Maester Luwin, standing beside Bran, received it and examined the contents. After confirming there were no issues, he signaled for Bran and the others to taste a bit.
After returning to Winterfell with Bran, Maester Luwin remained by Bran's side, as always. Doctor Marwyn from the mage tower had repeatedly invited him to join the tower, but he had declined each time.
Maester Luwin cared deeply for all the Starks. He wished to see Bran grow to adulthood before pursuing his own interest in magic. Unlike Doctor Marwyn, he viewed magic simply as a subject of study, not something he truly desired to master.
After Bran and the others tasted it, Maester Luwin collected the samples. Then, Bran asked calmly,
"This is quite good. It tastes similar to honey and should fetch a good price. Are you planning to have the local laborers help you cultivate this Sweet Turnip so you can process this sweetness?"
"Yes, my esteemed Speaker! That is precisely my intention. I will grow these on the riverbank, which won't affect His Majesty Marco's grain field strategy. I believe you will all agree!
The commission I offer is definitely more profitable than growing wheat, and I'll also hire some farmers to help me process this 'sweetness.' They will still receive compensation.
And most importantly, I've discovered that the Sweet Turnip residue left after filtering can be used to brew liquor. The taste is many times better than that of the inferior ale. This Sweet Turnip is truly a gift from the gods; every part of it is a treasure!"
Afterward, Bran and the other key council members exchanged whispers. Then, Clay Cerwyn stood up and addressed everyone.
"Now, in accordance with imperial law, we will begin voting on this issue. Since this involves the selection of future economic crops, the Speaker requests that everyone consider this matter carefully."
After surrendering to Marco, Clay Cerwyn integrated his faction from his previous council into the Winterfell Council, intending to reside in Winterfell permanently. He understood the future significance of Winterfell and wanted his family to establish a firm foothold here as soon as possible, so their family could thrive.
Soon, a ballot box was brought in, and the councilors wrote their opinions on slips of paper before placing them inside.
Then, under the protection of two temple warriors, the ballot box was brought before two Saints, a man and a woman, who would act as the tellers for the vote.
"Alright, the final results are in: 28 votes in favor, 2 against. Therefore, in accordance with the laws of the Empire, I declare this motion passed. The lease of the number 3 riverbank goes to the merchant Skuru, with a term of 5 years.
Merchant Skuru, the Winterfell Council approves your proposal. You may cultivate that land, and you may rest assured in hiring farmers and Goblin slaves."
After Clay Cerwyn said this, he handed a scroll, sealed with an official stamp, to the attendant beside him, who in turn presented it to the merchant Skuru.
"Thank you, esteemed lords. May the gods bless you, and thank you for the Empire's trust!"
Merchant Skuru expressed his gratitude to everyone in the hall with some excitement. Then, guided by the attendant, he left the hall.
The number 1, 2, and 3 riverbanks were a large area of farmland near the Oak River, also the area closest to the last outer wall of Winterfell. Many people knew that there was magical power behind Winterfell's walls, allowing for three harvests a year, and the climate inside the walls was essentially spring-like all year round.
Naturally, the surrounding lands became targets for the people, eventually escalating into brawls. Finally, the Winterfell Council intervened, reclaiming the land for cultivating new crops.
Perhaps due to the influence of magic, the crops on these lands grew exceptionally well. Areas like the 1, 2, and 3 Beaches could even achieve two harvests per year.
Bran and his associates organized the council, which usually convened for major events and crucial decisions. The people called them the "Upper Council," while the "Lower House" handled the miscellaneous affairs of Winterfell. The Lower House typically consisted of 20 reserve council members.
Within this system, a dedicated Chief Justice and Chief Prosecutor oversaw matters. These positions were usually filled by individuals from the Mage Tower, which had become a place similar to a Citadel in Winterfell.
If someone lacked the talent to become a mage in the Mage Tower, they could choose to become a legal scholar. This specialization was proposed by Doctor Marwyn and was specifically designed to assist the council in governance.
The "Lower House" had a much more complex set of responsibilities. It combined the functions of a police station and a court, and even handled certain governmental affairs. They issued orders and made decisions, which the City Watch then executed.
Marco's system soldiers were stationed within the city, training daily. They rotated approximately every six months, switching between the expeditionary force and the garrison.
Furthermore, the garrison trained new recruits. In addition to his system soldiers, Marco also had around 10,000 reserve soldiers who trained alongside the garrison.
Basically, Marco completely followed some of the regulations of the Blue Star's Chinese military when governing his troops, with only one difference.
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