Chapter 72: A Bountiful Harvest

Eddard dismounted from the unicorn, and the various Rockborn leaders presented their gifts one after another. The gift presented by Aisi Binglong was a dragon carved from obsidian; Billy Stern presented a unicorn cub directly to Eddard; Resson Magnar presented an ivory bracelet; the Maple Leaf leader presented an Amber Shipin; and Gewen Hanshuang presented wild blueberries.

Gewen Hanshuang said, "Lord Eddard, the Blue Noble is a wild blueberry from Skagos; it is very delicious."

Eddard took a bite; compared to ordinary blueberries, the texture of the wild blueberries was explosive. Eddard knew that blueberries grew in high-altitude, cold regions and were rich in nutrients, making them the aristocrats among fruits with huge potential for economic value.

Eddard had not expected that the barren Skagos would actually produce something like wild blueberries. Once wild blueberries were sold to The Reach, King's Landing, and the Free Cities, they could help the North earn money. Eddard hurriedly asked the Rockborn leaders for two bags of blueberry seeds.

Eddard saw the Rockborn feeding the unicorns a type of green grass and asked curiously, "What kind of grass is this?"

The Rockborn guide Nonda said, "This is Beast Grass. The stalks and leaves of this grass are thick and sturdy, and it grows quickly. It can survive on rocks and in soil, and it can even survive in the cold of winter. It has high cold resistance. In winter, this Beast Grass can be used to feed the unicorns."

Northern agriculture relied heavily on animal husbandry. In winter, when heavy snow covered the land, there was almost no green to be seen in the fields, and animal feed became a major problem. Eddard had now built farms in Winter Town and had started feed storage early, but it was still far from enough.

This Beast Grass could survive and grow in the harsh winter, and the North did not have it. If Beast Grass were introduced to Winterfell and promoted throughout the North, the livestock industry would have feed in the future.

Eddard asked the Rockborn leaders for several bags of Beast Grass seeds and then said, "Leaders, when you return to your homelands, you can have your Rockborn gather more Amber, blueberries, and mine more obsidian. As for Amber, blueberries, and obsidian, I will buy as much as you have."

Upon hearing that there was money to be made, the Rockborn leaders were all very happy. Billy Stern said, "Lord Eddard, Amber can be used as ornaments, and blueberries can be eaten, but what do you want this obsidian for? Don't Northern soldiers all use steel armor? Obsidian is sharp, but it is brittle. Back then, the Children of the Forest relied on obsidian weapons, but they couldn't even defeat the First Men who used bronze weapons."

Eddard smiled mysteriously, "You just focus on gathering obsidian. From now on, the Rockborn are a part of the North, and I will lead you to live a good life."

The Rockborn would not know that obsidian was a powerful weapon against the wights. It was still summer, but as a Chuanzhe, Eddard understood that sooner or later, the Night King would lead his army of cold wights and White Walkers to launch an attack on The Wall. If the North did not manufacture obsidian weapons as quickly as possible, it would be unable to stop the southward advance of the Night King's army.

After the Rockborn submitted, Eddard led the Northern Army and began to withdraw.

This sweep of Skagos was undoubtedly a success. The largest island in the North had returned to the rule of Winterfell. In the future, Winterfell could receive taxes and tributes from the various Rockborn clans every year. In addition to the main island of Skagos, Donggesi Dao had also returned to the rule of Winterfell; it was a long, narrow island from north to south, with an area about twice that of Bear Island.

The sparsely populated Skane to the north of Skagos, as well as all the surrounding subsidiary islands, had all returned to Eddard's control. The Wildlings Beyond the Wall, the conspirators in the Free Cities, and the enemies in the south would be unable to use Skagos to attack the North in the short term.

Furthermore, Eddard had discovered blueberries and Beast Grass; these plants would play a role in the future development of the North. Skagos produced obsidian, which was undoubtedly a valuable mineral.

After the Skagos Rockborn submitted, the North gained another source of troops. The Rockborn were barbaric and crude, but there was no doubt that they were fierce in battle.

Helen Pyke and her Ironborn Pirates, along with the Smith and shipbuilders, were another of Eddard's gains. Previously, Eddard had asked his ward, Theon Greyjoy, to write to Lord Balon, hoping that the Iron Islands could send some Smiths and shipbuilders. Lord Balon had been very perfunctory, dragging his feet for months before sending only a few apprentices to Winterfell.

Now, Helen Pyke's subordinates included more than a dozen Smiths and two shipbuilders, among whom were masters like the Smith Wote and the shipbuilder Mogul. Winterfell would gain a group of skilled craftsmen. In addition, all thirty-plus Longships of the Ironborn Pirates fell into Eddard's hands.

Roose Bolton praised, "Lord Eddard, when the Northern Army's provisions were burned, the Northern Vassals all thought our army was doomed to defeat and should retreat. Lord Eddard defied all opinions, led the army over mountains and ridges, and penetrated deep into the interior, and actually succeeded."

Rickard Karstark said, "Lord Eddard crushed the Rockborn and the Ironborn in one fell swoop during adversity; he is truly a famous general of the realm."

Eddard said calmly, "This is all the credit of the soldiers."

Before the army set out, Eddard had Maester Wuse of the Dreadfort send a Raven to the Citadel.

"Maester Wuse, tell the Citadel that I have not only the horns and bones of unicorns, but also unicorn cubs. If the Citadel wants to study unicorns, send Maesters to serve in Winterfell. I want talent proficient in medicine, agriculture, history, and geography; I also want Assistant Maesters and apprentices. As long as they are literate and can read and write, I will take them."

Maester Wuse smiled, "Lord Eddard, the Citadel has always lacked research on unicorns. The Citadel has long offered high prices to purchase unicorn horns, yet they have not found even one. Now that Lord Eddard has unicorn cubs, I believe it will attract some Maesters to come and serve in Winterfell."

Eddard and Jon Snow stood on the beach by the sea, watching the Northern Army board the ships one after another. Warriors from all over the North—the Northern Mountains, the Dreadfort, Karhold, White Harbor, Barrowton, Deepwood Motte, and others—would return to their homes.

Jon Snow said, "Father, I heard some lords saying that the North should station troops on Skagos."

Eddard said, "Skagos is the largest island in the North; once troops are stationed there, it will be a huge expense. The Rockborn have just submitted, and leaving a large army to garrison it would only make the Rockborn resentful."

Jon Snow whispered, "I always thought you would let Billy Stern of Driftwood Hall or Resson Magnar rule Skagos. Billy Stern helped the Northern Army take Abyss Keep, and Resson Magnar surrendered directly with the warriors of the Magnar clan; since the Northern Army landed, they have never directly attacked the Northern Army."

Eddard smiled, "Jon, you observe very carefully, but it is a pity that there are some truths you do not yet understand. Billy Stern and Resson Magnar are both brave and skilled in battle. Once Skagos falls into the hands of either one of them, as time passes, incited by the Rockborn under their command, there is no guarantee they won't have thoughts of rebellion."

"Now, I let the major Rockborn clans govern themselves, all paying taxes to Winterfell and accepting the protection of Winterfell. In this way, neither Billy Stern of Driftwood Hall nor Resson Magnar of King's Hall can dominate the Rockborn. The Rockborn leaders will compete with each other and guard against one another; in this way, the Stark family has strengthened its rule over the Rockborn."

Jon Snow praised, "Father is indeed thoughtful. We can return to Winterfell soon; I miss my younger siblings and Robb."

Eddard said, "I miss them too, but we must go to Castle Black first."

Thanks to "Newbie Loving Little White" for the monthly ticket, thank you for your support!

(End of this chapter)