Game of Thrones: The Bronze and Fire Lord.

Chapter 307 Leonor's Crisis, the Sea Serpent's Taunt (Happy Dragon Boat Festival!)

"What do you want to discuss now that you have to disturb a grandfather holding his newborn grandson?!"

Viserys plopped down, his face full of impatience.

With a copy of the ancient book from the Yi region that he had exchanged, Imon sat down in his seat.

"Uh... it's still the same job assignment as the Minister of the Imperial Court."

At this point, only Prime Minister Leonor dared to speak up.

"Hmm."

Viserys nodded coldly and spread his hands: "Tell me, how many new things will you argue about today?"

The Prime Minister lowered his head in shame.

Since Dorne's submission, Coelen and his family have lived in King's Landing, but Dorne has still been plagued by numerous rebellions, both large and small.

Thanks to the blockades of Prince's Pass, Bone Road, and Greenblood River, the rebellion was contained within Dorne.

Princes Aegon and Aymond, riding dragons, quelled battle after battle.

Unfortunately, it's still a drop in the ocean.

“Your Majesty, Prince Amond’s engagement ceremony is imminent, and Prince Coollen will be returning to Dorne. We need to send a reliable minister to oversee it.”

Tailan cautiously got down to business.

“That’s right,” said Grand Scholar Orville. “Coollen’s return to govern Sunspear will help quell Dorne’s anger.”

"Damn it!" Viserys sighed, rubbing his forehead in exasperation.

He was arrogant when he conquered Dorne.

His mood was uncertain after Dorne's repeated rebellions.

Those who fear war most now open their eyes every day to ask where the rebellion is in Dorne.

Whom did you choose?

Viserys looked around, his gaze sweeping over each minister.

The ministers, feeling the king's gaze sweep over them, awkwardly looked away.

"Pfft!!"

The sea serpent scoffed on the spot.

Viserys's face darkened, not only from his annoyance at the sea serpent's rudeness, but also from his anger at his ministers' incompetence.

Being sent to Yangji City to assist was a truly arduous task.

No, that's not right—it's not just suffering, it could even cost you your life.

No one wanted to go, so the Imperial Council had been discussing the matter for months without reaching a conclusion.

Imon watched the spectacle with a smile, briefly turning a page of his book to distract himself from learning the Yi language.

To be honest, his intelligence level is not top-notch.

Their physical abilities are slightly different from those of non-humans.

However, he has a pretty good talent for languages.

The Yi language is relatively difficult; it is the type that is easy to learn but difficult to master.

After looking at it for a while, he thought that the Yi language had some similarities with Valyrian and that it had the shadow of the Chinese characters from his previous life.

Although he had long forgotten most of what he knew after learning the Common Language, Higher Valyrian, and Dothraki.

Yet, I still mastered the basics very quickly.

“Imon, stop reading your book and give me some advice.”

Viserys frowned, disapproving of his nephew's leisurely pace.

"Hmm~~"

Imon rolled his eyes, closed the book, and tossed it onto the table.

You didn't say that I didn't like reading before.

What a fickle elder.

However, he still offered his opinion.

Aemon calmly said, "Instead of appointing or dismissing ministers, I suggest you focus your energy on Aemon's engagement ceremony. The nobles of the Seven Kingdoms are hostile to Dorne, and I'm afraid someone might overturn the table during the ceremony."

Nobles from all over the country were to participate, and Dorne was also to send representatives.

Once both sides get carried away, the chances of a chaotic brawl are extremely high.

"..."

Viserys closed his eyes, suffocating, and rubbed his temples hard.

Another troublesome matter!!
Ultimately, the topic returned to the selection of ministers.

"I believe that a senior advisor should at least have a rich resume."

Minister of Justice Thaddeus spoke softly, then decisively said, "I recommend Lord Tyran. He has served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and has no shortage of experience and expertise."

"Hey...you!!!"

Tailan was terrified.

But you know what, there's some truth to it.

Based on their resumes, besides Leonor and Sea Serpent, the highest seniority in the Royal Council is that of Tyran, a young man in his early 30s.

Otto and Linman were imperial advisors, but they participated sometimes and didn't participate at other times, so they cannot be counted.

Moreover, one of them had personal motives and the other was too old, so they were no longer within the scope of appointment and removal.

"Alright, stop scaring our Lord Tylan."

Viserys waved his hand, determined not to throw the newly appointed treasurer out.

Although Talan is clever, he is diligent and hardworking, and is a candidate for the next Prime Minister.

It also serves as a crucial link between the royal family and the western border.

If I were to be poisoned to death in Yangji City, that would be quite a spectacle.

"If you ask me, we can put the assistant minister of Yangji City on hold for now."

The sea serpent leaned back in its chair, looking arrogant.

“Oh?” Viserys glanced at it and asked, “Is there something more important?”

"of course."

Upon hearing this, Imon also glanced at the sea serpent.

Since Aunt Renis ran away from home, and with no one around to advise her, the sea serpent has become increasingly unrestrained.

Despite his age, he seems to be experiencing a second spring in his career.

"Compared to the arduous task of Yangji City, we have all overlooked an opportunity to enrich the kingdom."

The sea serpent stretched out its large hand and moved it across the table as if manipulating a map, saying methodically, "The Arm of Dorne has reappeared, and the Fire Peak Strait is the only sea route between the eastern and western continents."

"Just imagine how much wealth would be generated if ports were established on both sides of the Taiwan Strait!"

These words sent a chill down the spines of the ministers.

This is the important thing that the Imperial Council should be doing!
"The precursor to the Arm of Dorne, the Step Isles, was Aemon's fiefdom."

Viserys glanced at his nephew, somewhat tempted, but made no move to interfere.

Amon opened the book and peeked through the gaps to read.

People eventually become the kind of people they hate.

"Your Highness, what is your opinion?"

The sea serpent was full of confidence.

"No way."

Aemon replied indifferently, "My fiefdom has its own plans."

It's none of your business!
The sea serpent was speechless, secretly cursing the kid for being a chameleon, changing his tune in an instant, forgetting the tacit understanding they shared in their battles against Dorne.

Imon didn't care at all.

"Ahem... I have something to say, Your Majesty and all of you."

Tailan put his hand to his mouth and coughed lightly to attract attention.

"Tell me about it."

Viserys was very accommodating.

"Is such that."

Tyrande's spirits lifted, and he said enthusiastically, "The Arm of Dorne is the Prince's fiefdom, but it has been neglected for a long time, allowing passing ships to pass through at will and causing many taxes to be missed."

Every port in the kingdom is required to pay taxes annually.

That's how the Stone Steps Islands were originally.

After the major overhaul of Dorne's Arm, the tax system had not yet been established, leaving the area in a state of neglect.

Tax evasion!!!!
“Hmm.” Viserys nodded, agreeing. “Go on.”

Tyran became increasingly arrogant and said, "In order to prevent the city-states of the Eastern Continent from evading taxes and developing bad habits, I suggest that a tax official be appointed to stabilize the tax revenue first."

"Oh~~~~"

Everyone suddenly understood.

That's because Lord Tyran, who is always cautious in his words and deeds, advocates it.

Collecting port taxes is precisely the responsibility of the Finance Minister.

Tailan is going to make money.

"Then about this matter..."

Viserys felt relatively at ease and wanted to delegate some authority.

"The Fire Peak Strait is not a port of the seven countries. Since the matter involves a port of a foreign country, it should be handled by the Minister of the Navy."

The sea serpent interrupted in advance; how could it possibly let its good suggestion slip away?

Tyran's expression changed, and he was about to argue when he was frightened by the other party's fierce gaze.

"snort!!"

The sea serpent scoffed disdainfully.

Seeing this, Viserys's expression became subtle, and he decided against making a decision.

One is a thankless job assisting in Yangji City, the other a lucrative job managing port taxes.

As the king, he didn't need to get involved; he let his ministers fight it out first.

After his head was broken, he became the referee.

Methods of exercising power +1…

"Lord Corliss, you are already overwhelmed with managing the Green Blood River and commanding the fleet, and it is not easy for you to take on any more burdens."

Leonor shook his head in denial.

Viserys nodded silently.

The Valerian family is powerful and wealthy enough that, without her cousin Rhaenys's advice, they can no longer entrust him with the money-making tasks.

The sea serpent was aware of this as well, and sneered, "The advisors of Yangji City couldn't reach a decision after half a year of deliberation, but when it comes to my proposal on taxes, Lord Leonor suddenly becomes clear-headed?"

"this…"

Leonor was startled, and his expression changed.

The other party escaped the self-proving trap and countered by questioning his abilities.

"Or perhaps you've wasted your energy elsewhere."

The sea serpent spoke sharply: "Prince Aemond's engagement ceremony is approaching. If a dispute arises between the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms and the nobles of Dorne on that day, have you thought about how to handle it?"

"Of course, as long as the nobles on both sides are separated..."

"Hehe, you don't."

The sea serpent interrupted him directly, saying disdainfully, "Let me ask you one more thing. The news of the Iron Throne unifying the seven kingdoms has been circulating for six months. Did you make any advance predictions about which foreign guests visited the engagement ceremony?"

"..."

Leonor was speechless, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

At this point, the disadvantages of second-tier nobles serving as the King's Hand became apparent.

The Szhuang family has a short history, not much power, and is just average in all aspects.

It wasn't until he was granted a fiefdom in Harrenhal and received royal support that he rose to the upper class.

However, a lack of strength cannot be made up for overnight.

The information that the sea serpents, Tyrannos, and even Thaddeus could obtain in advance was something that Leonor, due to his background, had to learn later.

"Enough, Lord Corliss."

Viserys interrupted, displeased, "Lord Leonor's dedication to his country is known throughout the seven kingdoms."

"Phew, thank you, Your Majesty."

Leonor exhaled a cold breath.

The sea serpent sneered, its perception of Leonor far inferior to that of the shrewd Otto.

How can someone like that be appointed Prime Minister?

The ministers kept their eyes downcast and remained silent.

Viserys first stared at the sea serpent, then glanced at Leonor, his lowered eyes revealing a slightly complicated expression.

Leonor has two advantages.

1. Loyalty.

Second, occupy a crucial position in Harrenhal.

However, now only loyalty remains.

Is loyalty that lacks ability still considered loyalty?
Viserys glanced at the ministers in the royal council, a question mark silently forming in his mind.

His imperial council was truly a place rife with factions.

Prime Minister Leonor Strang is his staunch supporter.

Harold Westerling, commander of the Kingsguard, and Grand Maester Orville were both neutrals, or at least royalists.

The Minister of Justice, Thaddeus Rowan, was recommended by his nephew, Aemon, and was naturally one of Aemon's men.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Tylan Lannister is cautious and somewhat opportunistic, favoring his nephew Aemon, but is actually a member of his daughter Rhaenyra's mafia.

The sea serpent Corliss Valerian was appointed Minister of the Sea, but that wasn't the case; he advocated for equality and the creation of a better world for everyone.

Otto Hightar, the Royal Advisor, is a Green Party member and has been temporarily marginalized.

Linman Bisbury is getting old and is currently considering retiring.

It's normal for the royal council to be chaotic, after all, from the very beginning, it was a gathering of the seven most powerful nobles in the kingdom to divide up the spoils.

But his royal council meetings were a bit too chaotic.

The prime minister is incompetent, and the ministers are not united.

It seriously delayed national affairs.

"Hey!"

Viserys grew increasingly worried and stood up alone, saying, "That's all for today. We'll discuss the Sunspear City Advisor and the engagement ceremony in detail afterward. As for the tax collectors, you take care of that, Aemon."

"Ok."

Imon had anticipated this.

No matter how you put it, the Arm of Dorne is his fiefdom, and he has the final say.

(End of this chapter)