108 Argument with my readers (AN)
Alright guys I received a lot comment from you. That MC should rebuild Harranhall and Create an undefeatable army. But your ignoring the political backlash from doing such a thing.
So to answer your first question.
If MC rebuild the castle, spending a ton of cash and thousands of man-hours to see it through in his lifetime. It's one of the greatest reconstruction efforts of the age.
Somehow, his liege Lord hadn't noticed his efforts until the end. His liege gives Him the choice: leave the castle and hand him the keys, or be branded a traitor and sieged out in a few years.
It's not a matter of what you could accomplish with Harrenhall rebuilt, it's a stationary fortress.
Ignoring wealth like you specified in your question, I think any lord that rebuilt Harrenhall would immediately be labeled a threat and likely destroyed by the crown. One, how would you man it? Harrenhal is to big for any one army in Westeros so unless you're Dany and you have an entire Dothraki population with you, good luck with that. Also, Harrenhall is cursed. So even if you are left alone you have to deal with the curse and it seems like curses are a real legitimate threat in Westeros. Finally, Harrenhall is the most imposing castle in Westeros, so trying to rebuild it for himself would likely make instant enemies out of jealous neighbors like the Targaryens/ Baratheons in Kings Landing and the Tully's of Riverrun. Other neighboring houses like the Goodbrook, Lychester, Mooton. Which allies do you have to defend Harrenhall from these armies for the years it's going to take to be properly rebuilt?
In conclusion, I don't think it's possible for any minor lord to rebuild Harrenhall without full support from the crown. And even then, it's a massive endeavor that'll span years so you better hope it's an era of peace and prosperity so that the King could fund the project and divert the manpower necessary to complete it in his lifetime. Which is not going to happen.
Even with the knowledge of modern world the MC lack the necessary political support for keeping up with his project.
And
No minor up jump house would have the resources, even one of the richest liege lords would be strained to cover the expenses of fixing and rebuilding it. The point of Harrenhal is that it was built by pillaging, plundering and taxing to death almost three regions of Westeros, it's a huge expense to even maintain it in working order. Add the curse, I'd just leave it alone tbh. The only house that seemed to prosper at Harrenhal (before they all died) was house Strong and they were seemingly very rich before getting it.
At the end of the day Harrenhall is just a fortress. A huge, impressive one to be sure, but basically a big pile of melted rocks that are extremely costly to maintain and garrison.
Kings Landing isn't the grandest or most defensible area in Westeros, but it is (one of) the richest and most important, due to what's in it. Ie the population, the business, the trade routes it supports being on the water, the political clout, the seat of the head of religion, etc.
For Harrenhall to be worth rebuilding you'd need those types of long term incentives. A restored fortress of its calibur would have strategic wartime value, but it really isn't the site of any major economic, cultural, or political importance no matter what. Just isn't worthwhile, unless it gains some new gimmick. Ie it becomes the new capital of the Riverlands, a trade hub (not too likely based on its relative lack of natural trade routes), the ultimate major tourney getaway destination, etc. best bet is it could be designated the best neutral territory for diplomacy, with how defensible it is and its ability to house entire armies at once, along with its centralized location.
Now the second answer about creating an professional army.
Okay so let me ask you about why no Lord or even the king have a professional army in the first place.. ?
Two reason..
1. Culture.
2. Economy.
We all agree that in the show/books Joffrey is an idiot and a coward but he had one good idea and that was the royal army. Westeros has no standing professional army, their military is raised over time with peasant levies who are offered minimal training and basic equipment, all of which takes a lot of time and in the end leaves you with an inexperienced bunch.
The Targaryen's ruled for almost 300 years and in all those years there have been a ton of wars so why has no one thought of a standing army to maintain their power?
A professional army with soldiers trained every day would make a huge difference in maintaining order. The major problem all lords face with creating an army is time but with a professional army they would be ready to go at any moment and no lord would be able to raise an army fast enough before the royal army is at their doorstep.
So why haven't the Targaryens or any lord thought of this before ?
It's the same reason why there were few or none professional armies in early middle ages.
A) armies are expensive in more ways than one. First, you have to pay them. Second, you remove a large amount of healthy young men from economy.
B) Army's bread bad will in the population that is exposed to them
And finally:
C) Army's are a double 3edged sword. They can be used by you, but they can also easily betray you in a palace coup.
I don't know how some of the author's forgot these important facts and creats an overpowered army and navy overnight that can even defeat the entire kingdoms. Though I'm not criticizing their works.
But you must understand that even the king can't create an professional army even though he's the top of the food chain. Because his sworn lord paramounts and other Lords would think that the king might use it to oppressed them.
but I have a plan that will work đ... I hope . And it can somehow work in creating both. Though you can still suggest your thoughts on this my friends and valiant Readers.
