Chapter 84: The Foundation of Stark's Reforms

As a Chuanzhe, when Eddard first proposed the Salt Farming Plan, his goal was to strictly prohibit illicit salt; making money was secondary. Once House Stark of Winterfell controlled the salt of the North, it could strengthen their control over the vassals throughout the North.

Eddard had proposed the Salt Farming Plan only after careful deliberation. He knew that if he rashly pushed a policy of strictly prohibiting the sale of illicit salt in the North, not only would the Northern vassals band together to oppose it, but the common folk would also object.

Back then, in Winterfell, Eddard proposed the Salt Farming Plan in front of the Northern nobles and promised that "Winterfell will buy back the salt from the salt farms at market price." The vassals were all very happy, thinking they could make a fortune relying on the salt farms. Because the salt farms lacked supervision, merchants and Northern lords could easily hoard goods from the commoners; much salt from the common folk and the black market was mixed into the salt farms and transported to Winterfell and White Harbor to be exchanged for coin.

The price of salt climbed all the way up, merchants and lords made a fortune, and public grievances boiled over. White Harbor and the Dreadfort accused each other of tampering with the salt farms. Eddard seized the opportunity and began to announce a strict ban on the private production and sale of salt by the commoners.

Eddard believed that some vassals would protest, but now, as Eddard thoroughly investigated the merchants who had driven up the price of salt, it was bound to implicate the lords. These lords had used the salt farms to line their own pockets, and facing an investigation by House Stark of Winterfell, they were unable to protect themselves. Some lords would be glad to escape punishment and would choose to accept Winterfell's ban on illicit salt.

Some nobles would choose to band together to protest, but with White Harbor and the Dreadfort tearing at each other, the Northern nobles were already severely divided on the issue of the salt farms, and banding together to protest was destined to be ineffective.

The reason Eddard dared to do this was because House Stark had ruled the North for thousands of years. House Stark had ruled for thousands of years since the time of the King of Winter and was the only Warden family in the Seven Kingdoms with the blood of the First Men.

Families like House Tyrell of Highgarden in the Reach or House Tully of Riverrun would never dare to push policies that offended their vassals; it was good enough if they could maintain the status quo and keep their vassals in check. This was because, whether it was the Tyrells or the Tullys, their credentials were too shallow; they were all Warden families promoted after Aegon the Conqueror arrived in Westeros.

Three hundred years ago, House Tyrell of Highgarden was merely the stewards of the Gardener King of the Reach. The Gardener House was entirely buried in the dragon's fire during the "Field of Fire," their bloodline severed. After Aegon the Conqueror arrived at Highgarden with his dragons, the castle steward Tyrell knelt and surrendered to the Dragonlord. Aegon the Conqueror appointed House Tyrell as the Lord Paramount of the Mander; House Tyrell transformed directly from stewards into a Warden family, and other nobles of the Reach had to pay homage and tribute to House Tyrell.

Many nobles in the Reach, whose bloodlines could be traced back to Garth Greenhand—similar to House Florent of Brightwater Keep, House Hightower of Oldtown, House Rowan of Goldengrove, and Redwyne House of the Arbor—were wealthy, powerful, and ancient of blood. They naturally did not submit in their hearts to the "mere steward" Tyrells. If they let House Tyrell push a ban on illicit salt in the Reach, it was destined that no vassals would cooperate.

House Tully of the Riverlands, the family of Eddard's wife Catelyn, was in an even worse situation than the Tyrells of Highgarden.

Three hundred years ago, the one who ruled the Riverlands was the King of the Iron Islands, Harren the Black, who built Harrenhal and eventually perished under the dragonfire of the Conqueror. Because House Tully took the lead in surrendering to Aegon the Conqueror, they were promoted by Aegon the Conqueror to be the Lord Paramount of the Riverlands, and the Tullys were upgraded to a Warden family.

However, House Tully was the most awkward Warden family in the Seven Kingdoms.

In terms of fiefs and population, House Tully in the Riverlands was not even as good as their neighbor, House Vance; historically, House Tully was even a vassal of House Vance, and the land of Riverrun was originally granted to House Tully by House Vance. In terms of wealth, House Tully was not as good as House Frey of The Twins or House Mooton of Maidenpool. In terms of castles, Riverrun was far less magnificent than Harrenhal, and Harrenhal was renowned far and wide.

In terms of family history, House Tully was also unremarkable in the Riverlands. Many Riverlands nobles, such as House Bracken, House Blackwood, and House Vance, had once been kings in history; House Tully had never been kings, and their history was far less ancient than those families.

Catelyn's father, Lord Hoster, was diligent, shrewd, and highly respected, but the strength and history of House Tully meant that Lord Hoster could not push policies that might offend his vassals.

House Stark had ruled north of the Neck for thousands of years; this was the unique advantage of House Stark. The people of the North loved House Stark, and the loyalty of the vassals was high, which was why Eddard dared to launch the policy of strictly prohibiting illicit salt.

In the study, Eddard finished looking over the accounts of the financial advisor, Klar, and said, "The glassmakers from Myr I asked you to find, have you found them?"

Klar toyed with the sapphire ring on his hand. "Lord Eddard, many of the glassmakers in Myr are slaves, and it is very difficult to buy them. However, I found a glassmaker living in Braavos named Ortega, who was also once a glassmaker slave in Myr. After buying his freedom, he gained his liberty and went to Braavos. This man's glass craftsmanship is superb, and his Glass Panes sell for a high price."

"I estimate that Ortega has already arrived at White Harbor and will be able to reach Winterfell in a few days."

With a glassmaker, Eddard could carry out his Glass Farm Plan.

Eddard left the study and walked toward the hall, where he met Maester Luwin. "Winterfell has obtained unicorn horns from the Rockborn, and we still have unicorn cubs here. When I was on Skagos, I sent a Raven to the Citadel to send a letter, welcoming the Citadel to send people to Winterfell to study, but these people must remain in Winterfell to serve. Has the Citadel replied?"

Maester Luwin nodded. "Lord Eddard, the Citadel has already responded. The Citadel is very interested in the unicorns and is willing to send three Maesters and more than a dozen apprentices to serve in Winterfell."

Eddard smiled. "The Citadel truly does not cast the eagle until it sees the rabbit. Back then, when I asked the Citadel for a few more Maesters, the Citadel refused to give even one. Now that I have unicorns, the Citadel is willing to cooperate with Winterfell."

Luwin smiled. "Lord Eddard, the Citadel has never seen a unicorn and has always wanted to collect unicorn horns and skeletons. Now that Winterfell has this magical species, the Citadel is naturally interested. It is just that, Lord Eddard, you are asking for so many Maesters at once—could it be that you are dissatisfied with my service?"

Eddard patted Luwin on the shoulder. "Luwin, my children were all delivered, raised, and educated by you; you are my family. How could I be dissatisfied with you? It is just that I need more Maesters to join my think tank. You are my family, and no other Maester can replace you."

Maester Luwin showed a relieved smile. "Lord Eddard, then I am at ease. The Citadel reminded me in the letter that among the three Maesters they are sending, some are skilled in medicine, some are skilled in agriculture, and some are specifically dedicated to studying Magic, but almost all of them are troublemakers. Lord Eddard, please be mentally prepared."

(End of chapter)