Game of Thrones: I am Dothraki, not a barbarian

Chapter 75 Marriage
Leon stared into Rahalo's eyes, his tone becoming more sincere.

“That’s why I came to see you.

I am the Governor of Pentos and the representative of the merchant class in Parliament, with fifteen votes.

And you are the actual controller of the city-state, and the lives of millions of people are in your hands.

You don't need to be the Speaker yourself.
Because if you do that, you'll just scare the nobles and the merchants, and they'll run to Braavos, to Myr, to Volantis...

Instead, you need someone who can hold those people in check for you, someone who can fight for your interests in Parliament, and that is what I am worth.”

Laharo pondered for a moment, then asked, "What can I gain if I support you? Don't just talk nonsense; I want to see tangible benefits."

Leon seemed to have prepared a speech in advance and immediately began to tell the story.

"In the past two hundred years, Pentos has fought four wars with Braavos, but has lost every one of them.

Ninety years ago during the Fourth Pambu War, there was still the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Guards, who was appointed by the Governor-General's Council and served as the wartime commander.

After that defeat, we signed a series of unequal treaties.
The treaty stipulated that Pentos could not have more than 2,000 soldiers and no more than 20 warships. From then on, we no longer had the ability to wage war, and the position of commander-in-chief of the guard naturally disappeared.

However, since you possess sufficient power, we can restore this position and make it permanent, and even make Pentos militarily strong again!"

Leon paused and added: “If you are willing to support me as speaker, I will promote this issue in parliament.

At that time, the army of Pentos will be under your complete and legal control, and you can even allocate a considerable amount of military funds for you!"

A smile curled up at the corner of Laharo's mouth, and he leaned forward slightly, showing a strong sense of oppression:
"That sounds good. But are you sure your council will agree so easily?"

Leon said frankly, "As long as we can keep trade going, or even expand it, and let everyone know that it's profitable, I firmly believe they will agree."

Rahalo suddenly held up five fingers and said, "I want 50% of Pentos' tax revenue!"

In fact, he never thought about becoming the speaker. He didn't have the time or energy to argue with others in the parliament about trivial matters. He just wanted them to give him money.

His statement just now about wanting to be the speaker was just an attempt to get a higher price.

Illyrio only gives 500 gold dragons every year, and even each city-state gives the khals a similar amount. It can only be said that those khals are ignorant.

What is the concept of taxation in a city with a population of one million?
Leon froze when he heard that. He hadn't expected Laharo to have such a big appetite. If military expenses accounted for 50% of the income, then Pentos would have to exhaust all resources and would really be unable to continue to develop.

"Lord Kao," he explained patiently, "To be honest, although Pentos has a population of one million, its annual fiscal revenue is only between 35 and 40.

The vast majority of the money is spent on administrative expenses and infrastructure every year. The city walls, roads and docks need to be repaired every year, and the sewers need to be dredged and garbage removed.

Not to mention supporting the prince, holding celebrations and sacrifices, and maintaining the temple, if it’s half…”

He laughed bitterly, "That's impossible. However, if it's 5 gold coins, I think it's absolutely no problem!"

In fact, Laharo knew that Leon had concealed a key expenditure. According to international practice, the taxes of the nobles were returned in full, and the taxes of the people were divided into 30% and 70%. If this part of the cake was touched, the governors would be in trouble.

Now that he, Laharo, has come with a warhorse and a scimitar in his hands, the biggest piece of cake should of course belong to him!

"I want one hundred thousand, otherwise no deal!"

"This……"

Leon hesitated for a long time. Such a large amount of money would definitely affect the interests of some people, but compared with the prospects after gaining power, it seemed nothing.

A fleet from the East laden with silk, porcelain, and spices could make up for the losses.

If they lose Rahalo's support, all their plans will ultimately be in vain.

After weighing the two options, he had no choice but to compromise.

Thinking of this, he gritted his teeth and picked up the red wine glass.
“Deal!” “Deal!”

Laharo also raised his glass and drank it all.

Leon put down his wine glass, adjusted his red and blue beard, cleared his throat, and then said seriously:
"My Lord, as a token of my sincerity, I will marry my daughter, the mermaid of Braavos, to you, my Lord.

She was a Braavos courtesan, beautiful, intelligent, and a virgin.

This marriage symbolizes the unbreakable alliance between us."

"In this world, besides marriage, is there no other way to strengthen alliances?"

Rhallor couldn't help but complain inwardly, then said, "The Dothraki will be loyal to their allies. Besides, I have Khaleesi, so a marriage is unnecessary."

You want to marry your daughter to him for 100,000 yuan a year?

You wish!

Daenerys had been sitting aside listening quietly to the conversation between the two. When she heard about the marriage proposal, she subconsciously clenched her fingers. Only when she heard Rhallor's refusal did her heart finally relax.

The Mermaid of Braavos, a name that speaks volumes about how beautiful the person is even without seeing her.

However, her reason soon overwhelmed her emotions.

There was more than one Khaleesi for every khal, she had known that since the day she married Rhaelor.

Moreover, other khals not only had several khaleesi but also countless slaves for their enjoyment, but Rhallor never did so.

She once asked Doreah and the others how they would relate to the other khaleesi if they married a khal.

Doreah told her calmly that the Seven Gods had seven faces, and humans had even more faces. As a Khaleesi, it was enough for her to ensure that one of the man's faces belonged to her.

Being jealous or even hysterical towards a man like Laharo, who stood at the pinnacle of power, was useless and would only make one look like a nagging woman.

Love is like sand held in the palm of your hand. The tighter you hold it, the more it slips away. In the end, only a few residues are left to tell you that it has been there.

But the marriage has nothing to do with love, it's about the game of power, which is something that's in her blood as she was born a Targaryen.

She married Laharo because of the marriage alliance, and fortunately, she had the most beautiful love in the world.

Rahalo disdains to rely on marriage to gain power, but Leon is backed by a large number of Pentos merchants. Cooperation with them is crucial to Rahalo's grand ambitions, and only marriage can make them feel at ease.

Therefore, she cannot be a burden to Laharo.

Daenerys took a deep breath, grabbed Rhaelor's hand, leaned close to his ear, and said firmly:

"My sun and stars, accept this marriage. A great Dothraki khal cannot have only one wife.

Your goals are greater than this city-state. This is the price you pay for allowing the Targaryens to regain the Iron Throne. I am willing to bear the consequences!"

Now, she is no longer a chess piece of fate. She can even decide the marriage for him and can be regarded as a chess player manipulating the chessboard.

Rhallor grasped Daenerys's hand tightly. "You can only be my concubine. You are my only Khaleesi, Dany."

This was Laharo's last stand.

This is not pretense. He doesn't like arguing with a group of men in parliament, and he doesn't want to argue with a group of women at home.

If you want women, just go out and grab a bunch of them. Keeping them at home will only cause trouble.

(End of this chapter)