The people of the North's western coast, whether from House Leswell of the Craglands, House Mormont of Bear Island, House Glover of Deepwood Motte, House Flint of the Finger, or House Wool from the mountains near Ice Bay, had all suffered at the hands of the Ironborn pirates. These lords hated the Ironborn with a passion.
But when it came to paying for the construction of watchtowers to defend against the Ironborn, these lords were strangely reluctant.
"Watchtowers must be built to protect the safety of the western coast," Eddard urged his bannermen.
Lord Leswell said, "My Lord Eddard, the coastline is long. Building watchtowers and stationing troops will be a great expense, and the maintenance costs will be a considerable burden as well."
Lady Maege Mormont agreed, "The Wall is a good example, the largest defensive structure in the world, isn't it? Brandon the Builder constructed so many castles, and now most of them are abandoned, with only Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, Shadow Tower, and Castle Black barely holding on."
The other nobles nodded in agreement. Eddard said, "I have already considered the maintenance costs of the watchtowers and the expense of the soldiers. Each watchtower will house twenty soldiers. Besides training, these soldiers can work. Each watchtower will have a salt field developed nearby to refine sea salt. Just like a military colony, I call them 'Salt Forts'."
Lady Barbrey's eyes widened, Galbert Glover fell into thought, and Herman Tallhart looked confused. Clearly, these people didn't quite understand what Eddard was talking about.
Eddard could only explain patiently.
"My lords, the North is mostly self-sufficient in salt during the summer. But in winter, with less sunlight, our sea salt production plummets. Many salt works shut down entirely during the long winter. Then, we have to buy salt from across the Narrow Sea, from the southern regions."
"Every winter, we spend a fortune in gold dragons and silver stags to buy salt. The North has a long coastline on both east and west. Why not develop salt fields along the coast during the summer? We can store large amounts of salt for the winter and even export it for profit in the future."
The First Men were not a seafaring people. In the North, the Northmen had faced invasions from various pirates: Andal pirates, Ironborn pirates, Wildling pirates, Sistermen Pirates, and Stepstones Pirates. Coastal salt fields were often destroyed by pirates, and over time, the number of salt fields in the North dwindled. In winter, salt became so expensive that commoners couldn't afford it. Eddard was determined to change this.
The bannermen of Winterfell gradually understood. Lady Barbrey said, "Lord Eddard means to use the profits from the salt fields to pay for the arrow tower soldiers and maintenance costs? That seems like a good idea. But what if we can't sell all the sea salt we produce?"
Eddard replied, "Winterfell will buy it at market price. You only need to ensure the safety of the arrow towers and the salt fields. Salt is not valuable to the Ironborn, so you don't need to worry about them attacking the salt fields."
Previously, the bannermen on the west coast had been complaining about the costs of the arrow towers and soldiers. But when they realized they could also make money from developing the salt fields, they immediately perked up and agreed to Eddard's plan, all smiles.
Seeing that the west coast bannermen would have arrow towers and could make money from salt fields, the east coast bannermen also became interested.
Roose Bolton's ice-cold eyes gleamed. "Lord Eddard, pirates occasionally plague my lands as well. I could build watchtowers and start salt production. I just wonder if Winterfell would be willing to purchase it at market price."
Rickard Karstark stroked his beard. "Lord Eddard, as a branch of House Stark, how could I fall behind when you propose a Salt Forts plan? My lands get plenty of sunshine, so the quality of my sea salt is bound to be good. Don't forget, my House sigil is a white sunburst." "Everyone knows that many Wildlings use boats to bypass Eastwatch-by-the-Sea and cross the Bay of Ice to land on my lands, posing a great threat to the North. I believe that if I develop salt production, construct watchtowers, and deploy soldiers on my peninsula's coast, those Wildlings won't be able to harm the kingdom anymore!"
Lord Locke of the Dreadfort and Lady Lyessa Flint of Widow's Watch also requested to build watchtowers and salt production in their territories. Eventually, even Wyman Manderly joined in.
"White Harbor has plenty of beaches. We have some salt production already. If Lord Eddard needs it, I can build watchtowers and salt production to join the Salt Forts plan. The watchtowers will enhance the city's defenses and scare off those smugglers!"
Actually, Lord Wyman didn't care about the profits from the watchtowers and salt production. After all, White Harbor had considerable tax revenue coming in every day. What Lord Wyman valued was the "Winterfell purchases at market price" clause. As long as he joined this plan, White Harbor's salt wouldn't have trouble selling.
Eddard nodded in agreement. "White Harbor can join, but you must understand that Winterfell will purchase salt produced by the North's salt production. Don't let salt from the Free Cities or the South get mixed in."
Lord Wyman happily rubbed his fat fingers. "Lord Eddard, rest assured! How could I dare to deceive you?"
The nobles with lands by the sea all joined the Salt Forts plan. Some lords who didn't have coastal lands could only look on enviously. Many of these were the chieftains of the Wolfswood Clans and the Mountain Clans, as well as nobles like Lord Cerwyn and Lord Hornwood.
Eddard saw what was on their minds. "Those lords who haven't joined the Salt Forts plan, don't worry, I have another business opportunity for you."
The lords immediately listened intently. Eddard said, "We in the North have vast forests, mountains, and farmlands, suitable for beekeeping. I want to promote beekeeping techniques. You will establish Apiaries in your territories, design beehives according to the blueprints I provide, and feed the bees according to the recipes I give you. I will assign experienced beekeepers to you."
"Believe me, as long as you do as I say, the bees will make you money. You don't need to worry about selling your honey. Like salt, Winterfell will purchase it at market prices."
The lords' hearts felt as sweet as honey. The North has always been a harsh place. These lords worry every day about their territories and their people, always trembling in the shadow of winter. Now, the Duke Eddard's plan was like a beacon, illuminating their hopes.
Greatjon Umber said, "My Lord Eddard, I am a boor, and I don't understand these things, but I worry that you will buy these honeys and salts at market prices. Won't you end up with more than you can use? Don't lose money."
Eddard smiled. "Greatjon, don't worry. I won't lose money. I have my uses for the honey and salt I purchase. I also need everyone's help with something. If you have skilled artisans in your territories, be they blacksmiths, tailors, stonemasons, or veterinarians, as long as they have real skills, they can be sent to Winterfell."
Eddard waved his hand to signal the end of the meeting. Lord Hornwood immediately led the lords to leave one after another.
"Lord Wyman, you stay."