In addition to developed agriculture, trade between the valley and the other side of the Narrow Sea is also very frequent.
At the southeastern end of the valley lies Seagull Town, one of the five largest cities in Westeros.
Compared with White Harbor in the north, Seagull Town has better conditions: it has a lower latitude and is closer to the Free Trade City;
There are many products in the valley, and merchants from the Eastern Continent have more reasons to trade here.
The prosperous trade brought a lot of wealth to the valley, and made Seagull Town a gathering place for wealthy merchants.
The branch of the Ellin family in Seagull Town became rich through commerce and became an influential family in the valley.
In addition to Seagull Town, there are also many small ports along the narrow coastline of the valley.
Through these ports, local lords can trade directly with merchants from the east without having to go through Seagull Town.
Although these trades were small in scale, they brought wealth to the lords involved.
The knights of the valley prove the power of this kingdom.
The Knights of the Vale are numerous, well-equipped and well-trained, and their wisdom spreads throughout the Seven Kingdoms.
These knights and soldiers helped the Iron Throne defeat Blackfyre in the Battle of the Red Grassland, and also helped Robert defeat the Targaryens in the Usurper War.
In addition to reflecting the power of the kingdom, the knights of the valley also prove the wealth of the valley.
In this world, it takes a lot of time and money for a qualified knight to go from training to becoming a knight. He needs to have enough money to buy armor, weapons, war horses, pack horses and other equipment.
However, the fact that the valley itself can support so many well-equipped and well-trained knights is naturally inseparable from its rich wealth.
Compared to the valley, the harsh conditions in the north are a disaster.
If you want to improve the combat effectiveness of the Northern Army, you must improve the economic level of the Northern Territory, and all of this must be under your control.
It seems that Gao Bin will find a way to take over the financial power of the Northern Territory as soon as possible.
Tony lay at Gao Bin's feet, licking his lips out of boredom. Dogs and wolves have the same habit. They like to wet their noses to identify things. Their noses are very clever.
Direwolves are much larger than ordinary wolves, with thick fur and gray-white hair. Only a few of them are pure white or pure black. As for the color of their pupils, there is no unified standard.
However, compared to other direwolves, Tony is obviously malnourished. He is smaller than direwolves of the same age, and sometimes looks like a husky when he was a child.
Today, among the children of the Stark family, only Gao Bin has his own direwolf, so Tony's status in Winterfell is comparable to that of a national treasure. The little ones love it very much and feed it with their own food from time to time.
But Tony likes to be around Gao Bin the most, even if Gao Bin is rude to him sometimes.
No, Gao Bin pondered over the map. It was lying at its feet quietly, not making any noise.
Suddenly, it stood up from the ground, staring at the door with a pair of green eyes, and followed closely, footsteps sounded, someone was coming.
Direwolves' keen intuition and five senses far beyond those of ordinary people are the basis for their ability to survive in extremely cold areas for thousands of years.
However, even if this is the case, there are not many direwolves left in the entire north.
"Gao, what are you doing?"
It was Ned who came back. He took off his military uniform and put on the long gown he usually wore at home. He couldn't help but feel happy when he saw his second son studying the map.
Just as he was about to talk to him, Gao Bin said:
"Father, what do you think about the current situation in Winter City?"
Ned was stunned for a moment, put away his smile, and said seriously:
"Child, are you going to interfere in the political affairs of Winter City?"
"Father, there is no need to be nervous, just have a casual chat when you have nothing to do."
Ned looked at him deeply, sat back down, put the dagger on the table, then pointed at the map and asked:
"Tell me, what have you researched?"
"Poor! The North is too poor, we need to make money!"
"Of course, making money is always the main theme, but how to make money? The North has no specialties of its own!"
"If there are no special products, create channels!"
"Channel?"
"Yes, we can form a trading team. In addition to buying and selling the items we need, we can also buy and sell here and there to make a profit."
After a pause, he said helplessly:
"Of course, this way of making money is too slow, but at least it's better than sitting around waiting to die."
"Is there any more?" Ned did not rush to comment and continued to ask.
"If possible, I hope to meet the leader of the Mandalay family." Gao Bin hesitated for a moment and then said it.
"Weyman? Why do you want to see him?" Ned was puzzled.
"Because White Harbor is the only place in the entire North where there is an opportunity to make money, and the Manderly family's loyalty to the Stark family is something I can trust."
Ned laughed:
"You actually trust that damn fat man?"
Caitlin once said that Wendell Mandler was the third fattest person she had ever seen in her life, the second fattest was his eldest brother Willis Mandler, and the fattest was their father Wyman Mander.
Le.
Obesity without muscles not only means poor appearance, but also means laziness in Westeros, lack of force training, and basically means weakness.
However, at the Red Wedding, the first action of the unarmed Wendell Mandler was to pick up a leg of lamb as a weapon to protect his lord.
In the whole story, Wyman Manderly did not have a positive image in the early stage. When Robb went south to rescue Ned, the Karstark, Glover, Amber and other families sent all their main forces to follow Robb south. Wyman Manderly, however, kept a secret and refused to leave. He only sent his two sons to participate in the war and kept the main force in his hands.
During Robb's journey south, he had been constantly asking for help from the Stark family, asking for the construction of a mint and warships, competing with the Bolton family for the Horwood family's territory, privately sending troops to occupy the city of Horwood, and even after Ned's death, he
Plan to let Wendel marry Lady Caitlin.
If Wyman Manderly's plan succeeds, and he already controls the trade and silver mines, he can then take over the financial and naval power, occupy the Horwood family territory, and then marry Stark, then he
The Mandalay family is literally half the guardian of the North.
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It can be said that in the early stage, the Mandalay family was more careerist than the Bolton family.
However, when the Stark family was destroyed, Wyman's performance surprised all the viewers who had hated them in the early stage.
Weiman said:
"I have been repairing warships for more than a year.
You have seen part of it, but more is hidden in the Bairen River.
Although I lost a few horses, I still commanded more heavy horses than any other lord north of the Neck.
My walls are strong and my cellars are full of silver.
The ancient city and Widow Hope will fight for me.
I also have many small lords and fiefdom knights under my banner.
I can give King Stannis the support of all the lands east of the White Knife, from Widow's Watch to Ramsay Gate, to Sheep's Head and the headwaters of the Broken Branch.
As long as you can meet my bid, I promise to do all of this."
Roose Bolton has Lord Ned's daughter.
To thwart him, White Harbor must possess Ned's son and the direwolf.
The wolf can prove the identity of the child we speak of, if the Dreadfort wants to deny him.
This is my price, Lord Davos.
Smuggle my lord back and I will recognize Stannis Baratheon as my king."
Everything the Mandalay family has prepared before, including the territory, soldiers, horses, silver, and warships, is to leave the last guarantee for the Stark family.
The Mandalay family's territory also houses a large number of refugees displaced by the Bolton army.
Only then did everyone realize that this old fat man, who was admitted to be cowardly, selfish, and did not believe in the old gods, was the most loyal, wisest, and strongest pillar of the Stark family.
The Mandalay family is greedy, not brave, and not good at fighting. They like to protect themselves wisely and always hide aside when trouble comes.
But they know clearly what to do and what not to do.
Although he keeps a low profile and avoids situations when he can, he never forgets his strength, loyalty and responsibility.
When it is inevitable to avoid it, people will find that they are the truly brave people, and they have already dug a grave for their opponents while avoiding and giving in step by step.
White Harbor is like a wedge nailed to the back of the Boltons. To the north it can drive straight into the Dreadfort, to the northwest it can threaten Winterfell, and to the southwest it can cut off the Moat of Cailin.
In winter, White Harbor is the only ice-free port in the North. Whether it is mercenaries hired by Stannis or soldiers from the valley, whether by land or sea, they must have the help of the Manderly family to enter the North. p>
Gao Bin, who has opened his eyes, is still willing to believe in the loyalty of the Mandalay family.
Otherwise? Do you want to play IQ games with Xiaopipi?
Of course, it’s not that Xiaopipi can’t be used, but that’s a story for later, let’s not mention it for now.
"Father, don't underestimate the Manderly family, especially their loyalty to the Stark family!"
Seeing that Gao Bin said so solemnly, Ned also hesitated:
"But you know how greedy the fat men of the Mandalay family are, and you won't get any benefits from negotiating with them."
"Father, just let me meet you." Gao Bin was extremely confident.
Since Gao Bin woke up after being injured, he has become unwilling to talk nonsense and has become taciturn. He sometimes spends a whole day thinking alone in his study.
These changes caught Ned off guard, but they are undoubtedly a good thing.
However, he is destined to be unable to inherit the title and become the true wolf master of the North. However, if he can, he may be able to train him to become Robert's best helper, just like his relationship with Robert.
At least that's what Ned thinks now.
"Okay, I will arrange it, but don't worry, you know how lazy they are."
When it comes to that damn fat man Wyman, Ned's face is full of helplessness.
"Then tell them that I have a way to make the Mandalay family one of the richest families in the Seven Kingdoms."
This was a bit loud, but his firm words and bright eyes made Ned unable to give any reason to refute, and finally turned into a long sigh:
"I know, let's go back and wait for the news."
In fact, Ned did not ignore Gao Bin's words. He really thought carefully about the development of the Northern Territory.
As Gao Bin said, in the desolate and cold north, the only thing worth using is White Harbor, and White Harbor is the territory of the Mandalay family. It seems that this meeting is inevitable.
Ned sent a private invitation to the Manderly family and held a grand banquet at Winter Castle to welcome his loyal guardian.
Because it was specifically mentioned in the letter that Weiman Mandala dragged his heavy body to come to pledge his allegiance in person, but his two sons did not come.
I don’t know if it’s because of laziness or other thoughts.
But it doesn’t matter anymore, Gao Bin wants to meet Weiman the most.
After meeting the real person, he believed the description in the book. He was too fat, really too fat, weighing at least 300 kilograms.
Gao Bin saw with his own eyes that after he got off the carriage, the horses pulling the carriage breathed a long sigh of relief. It seemed that they were very tired from the journey.
Boom~
It was like a huge clock hitting the ground, making a muffled sound.
The fat man stood on the ground and knelt down to Ned with great difficulty.
It’s hard just to look at it, let alone the person doing the salute.
Ned quickly stepped forward to lift the man up:
"Okay, no need to be polite."
"Thank you, your esteemed Duke, the lord to whom I have been loyal all my life."
"Okay Wyman, we are all old friends. There is no need to be like this. By the way, let me introduce to you my eldest son Robb, my second son Gao, and my eldest daughter Sansa."
"Oh, my dear children, how are you? Do you still remember me?"
Rob kept an elegant smile:
"Of course, Uncle Wyman, I still remember sitting on your lap eating fish fingers when I was little, oh, I really miss the fish fingers in White Harbor."
Weiman laughed loudly, sounding like a bell:
"Little Rob, you are indeed the kid who knows how to eat best in the Stark family."
"I don't think so, Uncle Weiman, maybe we can exchange a hundred ways to eat fish. Believe me, fried fish fingers are by no means the most delicious." Gao Bin spoke.
"Oh? Gao? You like to eat too?"
Compared to Rob, Weiman was not familiar with Gao Bin, and since he was not a direct descendant, Weiman would inevitably look down on him.
"No one doesn't like to eat. In this world, food is the only thing you can't live up to."
He shouted one of the most classic slogans in modern society, which immediately aroused the big fat man's favor.
"Child, you often go to White Harbor to play when you have time. I'll treat you to the most delicious fish fingers in the world. That's enough!"
"Of course, I'm looking forward to it."
After Sansa bowed politely, everyone entered the castle. The best way to entertain Wyman is to eat.
Ned was not stingy either, and brought out all the fine wines and food collected in the castle. Weiman had a hearty meal, remaining 80% sober, and followed Ned and Gao Bin to the study.
The moment the door closed, Weiman suddenly became serious:
"My dear Lord Duke, are you in trouble in the north?"
Ned was very satisfied with his attitude, at least on the surface he did it well.
"No, we don't have any trouble, but the future is hard to say." Ned's opening remarks successfully aroused Wyman's curiosity.
At this time, Gao Bin spoke:
"Thirteen hundred years ago, the Manderly family, who had lived in the Mander River Basin in the Reach, was besieged by enemies and unable to gain a foothold. The entire family fled across the sea, bypassing half of Westeros, and arrived in the country amidst hunger and cold.
The land of the north.
In the North, you are not just outsiders, but also pagans who believe in the Seven Gods.
But the Stark family accepted you without hesitation, and gave the Wolf's Lair, which originally belonged to the Gray Stark family, a branch of the Stark family, to the Manderly family, and promised to give the Manderly family the same protection as other vassals.
.
In return, the Mandalay family also swore to become the southern vassal of the Stark family and be loyal to the Stark family from generation to generation.
This oath has been kept by the Stark family and the Mandalay family for thirteen hundred years.
Uncle Wyman, is this history still engraved on the walls of the Mandalay family castle?"
Gao Bin's powerful words echoed in the study, and Weiman said solemnly:
"Of course, the Mandalay family swears allegiance to Stark, and Winterfell will always be the holy place in the hearts of the Mandalay family!"
Gao Bin believes this. The Mandalorians are very afraid of death. When they encounter danger, they always want to escape and compromise, but there is one thing that cannot be compromised - that is their loyalty to the Stark family! p>
Anything can be discussed, anything can be compromised, ransom can be handed over, food can be handed over, land can be handed over, troops can be handed over, and an unwilling marriage can be concluded, but betraying Stark is absolutely impossible! Of course Weiman has selfish motives, he wants power and territory.
But who doesn’t want to?
If a person says that he does not want to be promoted or granted a title, but only wants to guard his one-third of an acre of land and make selfless contributions to the Lord, then this person is probably a traitor.
When Robb went south, Wyman wanted to take advantage of the southern expedition to improve his family's status, but also wanted to protect himself. This is human nature. How many selfless saints are there in the world?
"I don't know what the Mandalay family did wrong to make Stark have such doubts, but the Mandalay family has never let desire blind their conscience.
No matter how many desires you have, you will always stick to your bottom line, loyalty, responsibility and vows.
The princes of Westeros may have been accustomed to words being like the wind, but the oaths sworn by the Manderlys are like the Seal Rock standing in front of White Harbor.
No matter what kind of storm we face, it will exist forever, from every day in the past to every day in the future."
This declaration made Ned's heart surge. He did not expect that his second son's questioning would lead to such a loyalty oath, and he was very happy.
Gao Bin also showed a satisfied smile:
"Okay, Uncle Wyman, Stark's trust in Mandalay is like the ice and snow in the north, which will never melt."
Weiman also smiled:
"So, why did you call me here this time?"
"Of course it's for money. The North needs to make money, and the Mandalay family also needs to have enough wealth. Only in this way can we enjoy life better, right?"
Weiman highly agrees with Gao Bin's words.
"Of course, who doesn't like money?"
"Baigang's geographical location is unique. If we can redesign it, we will surely generate endless profits!"
Weiman nodded:
"What do you want to do?"
He could see that this meeting was entirely the idea of Gao Bin, the second young master with impure blood.
"I want to build White Harbor into the largest entertainment center in the seven countries, an entertainment holy place in the hearts of all businessmen!"