-3- Mermaid Harbor
On Gallan Crabb's desk were three coins: a Gold Dragon, a Silver Stag, and a Copper Star.
[For example: A full suit of plate armor starts at 16 Gold Dragons, chainmail at 6 Gold Dragons, a fine warhorse at 10 Gold Dragons, an Unsullied at 100 Gold Dragons (excluding shipping), a meal with meat and a pint of ale costs 20-30 Copper Stars, a peasant's annual income is approximately 1 Gold Dragon]
The total amount of Gold Dragons in House Crabb's treasury is about 2000 (this refers to cash only, excluding goods stored in the lord's warehouse).
However, there is an external debt of 5000 Gold Dragons, with an interest payment of 500 Gold Dragons paid last year.
Following the War of the Usurper, at the behest of Lord Jon Arryn, ruler of the Vale, and in order to assist the noble lords of Crackclaw Point in "getting through hard times," the nobles and merchants of the Vale were compelled to provide loans.
This was one of the terms of the post-war peace treaty for Crackclaw Point.
You'll never see a single Gold Dragon. The nobles and merchants of the Vale treat the lands that belong to you as the principal of their loans.
That's how it is.
You can refuse, but Robert Baratheon's armor hasn't even been put away yet, and Robert hasn't had his fill of war.
The value of House Crabb's territory is priced at 5000 Gold Dragons, and the cumulative interest paid by House Crabb each year has amounted to 7500 Gold Dragons.
According to the contract, an additional 2500 Gold Dragons must be paid over the next five years, with the final year adding the principal of 5000 Gold Dragons.
This is a means of suppressing the vigilance of the nobles of Crackclaw Point by the Red Keep.
Post-war construction interest sounds good in theory, and the share is just right. It allows for survival without taking desperate risks, yet limits development.
For the Baratheon dynasty, only weak and compliant lords of Crackclaw Point are good lords.
...
The entire population of House Crabb's territory totals more than 2000 people. Due to the need to guard against the constant harassment of the hill tribes, about 200 militia must be kept ready for deployment at all times.
This is already pushing the limit.
Due to frequent warfare, the population ratio in the territory is skewed, with fewer men and more women.
The women here are robust, with most needing to farm and hunt like men, resulting in many spearwives.
////A spearwife is a free folk woman who is also a warrior.////
As long as the weapons are in place, spearwives can also be recruited for warfare, to rob money and men.
Almost everyone in House Crabb's territory is armed, leaving only craftsmen and the elderly. Everyone is mobilized without exception, with a maximum militia force of 1500 people.
Facing the hill tribe lords in the surrounding valleys, with small groups of only dozens of people or larger groups numbering only a few hundred, they are still disorganized... but they can be overrun!
Why bother farming? As mentioned earlier, House Crabb's motto has been temporarily changed to "Strength Over Toil."
The first step is to deal with those hill tribes who have gathered together to plunder, as Gallan Crabb is still young and they plan to take advantage of him.
And so it begins.
...
The next day, the sky was heavy with dark clouds.
The arc-shaped Whispers Castle, though roughly constructed, was not lacking in size.
During wartime, it could accommodate all of the more than 1000 subjects in the surrounding area.
Gallan stood atop the 20-meter-high castle wall, overlooking the scene, with Steward Hershel and Knight Phillip Rally standing behind him.
After Robert Baratheon's death, there will be continuous warfare, so planning for Whispers Castle should have been done early on.
Gallan looked southward.
The terrain to the south was gentle, and based on a scale of ten thousand people, the first step was to plan and build an inner ring, then an outer ring... Gallan chuckled lightly, not calling it ring anymore, but an inner city.
"Hershel, make a note."
"The village of fishermen will be renamed Mermaid Harbor in the future."
Steward Hershel faithfully recorded it.
"A mermaid has the upper body of a maiden and the lower body of a fish tail. The beauty of a mermaid is admired by all Seven Gods."
Hershel hesitated for a moment and asked, "My lord, won't this description be somewhat offensive...? Some septons are not friendly to us."
Gallan Crabb, the atheist, originally wanted to say that even the Seven Gods would be enchanted, but that language would be used later.
"Thank you for your advice, Hershel," Gallan paused. "Bards... find some reliable bards to convey the message. Let them decide how to phrase it; they're the professionals."
"Hershel, continue recording. Mermaids love to sing songs that have been passed down through generations, and they are extremely shy. They only surface to sing in the dead of night, and their beautiful voices are like... hmm, heavenly music."
Gallan originally wanted to say "blessed by the Seven Gods," but he kept that in his mind.
"Mermaids are carefree, kind, and optimistic. They only shed tears when they are deeply saddened, and their tears turn into the world's most precious pearls, one pearl for each tear."
"Mermaids can only love one person in their lifetime, and when they fall in love, they make a vow of love."
"A vow of love... make sure to record this. It's important."
"I am willing to be the beloved of someone, to love whom they love, to think as they think, to bear their pain, to endure hardships, whether poor or rich, humble or noble, in times of chaos or when abandoned by the gods, I will live for them, die for them, never leave or forsake them, until eternity!"
Both Chamberlain Hershel and Knight Phillip Rally opened their mouths simultaneously, their expressions rich.
Gallan felt they were moved, they believed it.
Mermaid Harbor could be a place hiding legendary secrets....or something like that.
Seeing this, Gallan changed his original plan.
A secret is only a true secret when it's kept by oneself.
So, Gallan also believed in the legend of the mermaids.
And don't forget one important point: mermaids are the shyest creatures in the world; it's only normal that no one was able to find them.
Come, to Mermaid Harbor, listen to the tales of those mermaids.
"This is a secret passed down orally among the generations of Crabb. I'm telling you now because you two are the people I trust the most."
Hershel and Phillip straightened their chest.
"First, mobilize all the villagers of Fisherman's Village and build a simple dock nearby. The location needs to be found, the distance can be far, but the main thing is to make it convenient for large ships to dock."
"Secondly, build a lighthouse to guide nearby ships."
"At the same time, there should be taverns, inns, and shops; the requirements at the beginning are not high, mainly functional. We need to earn every Copper Star."
"The strong villagers must be armed, and the elderly and weak can be arranged in suitable positions in the shops. We must ensure the safety of friendly guests."
"Mermaid Harbor must become more and more beautiful, more and more comfortable, and not disappoint those guests who come here."
"All of this is important."
The Steward seemed to understand. "My lord, the longer the legend of the mermaids is passed down, the more widely known it will become, and more people will be attracted to Fisherman's... Mermaid Harbor. Our leather can be sold directly to buyers here without being undercut by traveling merchants. Not just leather... Mermaid Harbor will become a trading post."
"No wonder you're willing to spread the legend of the mermaids..."
"Yes, rules are dead. For the development of the territory, as your lord, necessary sacrifices are inevitable."
"Keep it low, let it naturally spread. I'm counting on you."
With that said, Gallan turned away, stood with his hands behind his back, and let out a long sigh.
The hem of Gallan's robe fluttered in the wind.
Chamberlain Hershel bowed deeply with great solemnity.
Phillip, clad in plate armor, his hand gripping the sword hilt, veins bulging on the back of his hand, also bowed alongside Hershel.