Chapter 200 Assassination

"Your Highness, is it unfair to pronounce this sentence?"

The sun seemed to be particularly good, and there was no sign of winter coming at all. The clouds in the sky were like layers of crucian carp scales, and the light illuminated the castle.

"Isn't a human life worth 50 gold dragons? Sir Falin."

Gilbert remained silent, but Cole knew the answer in his heart.

"Although Earl Heywood Fair has proven his innocence, he died in his room after all." Cole said. "In addition, another 10 gold dragons were paid from the castle as compensation to the merchant. His daughter was killed in the territory of Storm's End. It was also my dereliction of duty as a lord."

Gilbert nodded. "Your Highness, the world will surely sing the praises of your generosity and kindness."

After the businessman's so-called witness was brought, he denied seeing the deceased and claimed that he had drunk a lot that day.

Unable to preside over such a one-sided trial, he ultimately had to make this verdict.

In the afternoon, Cole dealt with the problem of savage harassment claimed by Sir Cadran Hope in the hall again, and he promised to send a team of cavalry to investigate on the spot.

In fact, Cole has been planning how to solve the problem of free people in the Royal Forest these days.

Although he has a certain appeal among the free people, if he wants to use this to restrain their behavior, it will be okay in the short term, but over time, it will inevitably lead to conflicts.

If you want to solve the problem, you have to find its root cause. The reason why the mountain tribes like to plunder may have historical grudges and traditional customs, but the most important factors are probably food and land.

Cole has now given them a place to live, and he only hopes that solving the material problem will alleviate the conflict between the free people and the people of the Stormlands.

He is preparing a caravan to trade with the free people in the Royal Forest, using food, cloth and wine to trade for the furs of the wild men. At the same time, he is preparing to build a market in the Royal Forest to encourage the free people to trade in the market.

Although force is the fastest way to solve the problem, it is by no means the optimal solution. The Great Wall can block countless savage attacks, but it can never solve the savage problem.

Of course, the role of the Great Wall is by no means just to stop savages.

Until evening, he had not handled many government affairs.

Cole sat alone in the study, looking out the window at the sea cliffs. The setting sun was dispersing, and shadows were about to cover the earth. Every night late at night, the loneliness would engulf him, especially after returning from the Great Wall, this feeling of loneliness became more and more intense.

Humans are emotional creatures, and Cole is not a ghoul, so he naturally has his own emotions.

Bang, a crisp sound interrupted his thoughts. Cole turned his head and saw the maid who was cleaning the house was hurriedly picking up the scattered candlesticks, regardless of the burning on her hands. Seeing him turn his head, the maid hurriedly knelt down. Begging for mercy in a tearful voice, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, sir, I...I didn't mean it."

Cole shook his head and helped her up, "Everyone makes mistakes, and you have paid the price for it. There is no need to blame yourself anymore." Looking at her burned hands, he added, "Go and wash your hands with clean water. Take a dip.”

The girl nodded timidly, regretting her lack of concentration, but those melancholy blue-purple eyes, even just a furtive glance, had already made her deeply depressed and heartbroken.

After the maid left, this episode calmed his mind, and he returned to focusing on the affairs of Storm's End.

He didn't like eating at the long table, but he had to do it.

There were several empty seats at tonight's table banquet. It was Earl Heywood Fell and the knights of Fallenwood City. Perhaps they were dissatisfied with their own trial.

The servant stood aside holding a copper basin filled with water. He gently washed his hands in the water, dried them with a silk scarf, and then announced the start of the dinner.

The chef stews a whole lamb with potatoes, and the lamb is cut into each plate, along with a bowl of thick soup.

"Your Highness." While he was concentrating on cutting the stewed mutton on the plate with his knife and fork, Gilbert suddenly spoke. "We failed to find the merchant in the city."

Cole's brows furrowed.

Gilbert continued: "He was seen following a merchant ship."

"Then let this matter come to an end."

The dinner was not a happy one. Whether it was the prince or the lords, the castle seemed to have followed the seriousness of war.

After the meal, Cole handed a letter to Maester Pylos and asked him to send it to Sunspear City on a raven, and at the same time invited Davos to the study.

The Onion Knight, like him, did not handle the government affairs of the castle smoothly. No one had ever taught them how to manage a castle and a territory.

Before Stannis died, he entrusted the affairs of the castle to the two of them. Although Cole had always been in charge, he would still ask Davos for his advice and ideas before making decisions.

"With the existing reputation of the free people, I am afraid that it is difficult for merchants to go and trade with them." After Cole told Davos about the idea of ​​​​trading with the Alpine clan, he gave advice.

"So I plan to form a caravan of my own, which will be escorted by the corps for the time being. I wonder if you have any good candidates to recommend." The caravan is also one of the assets of the nobles, and it is also important to form a caravan of the Julius family. It can bring profits to the castle.

The Onion Knight nodded. He understood that if he wanted to ensure the stability of his territory, he had to face the problem of the savages.

"I have only dealt with Ms. Val in the castle. I know very little about the free people. However, I know that businessmen are good at pursuing profits. If they can get enough benefits from trading with the free people, there will definitely be someone willing to do it." Foss was silent for a few seconds, then added, "It's like smuggling."

Cole's plan was already perfect, and Davos couldn't point out the flaws. Besides, he wouldn't lose much by setting up a caravan to try it out.

Davos liked to interact with all kinds of people in the town and learn rumors from all directions from their mouths. People praised the prince's bravery and chivalry, but they also complained that the war had destroyed their homes beyond recognition.

People long for peace, but peace cannot be determined by them.

All actions at Storm's End seem to be in preparation for the war.

"I am going to ask an old friend to serve as Chancellor of the Treasury at Storm's End." Cole said suddenly. He had the right to accept the fate of the Lord Chancellor, but he still felt that he should inform the Prime Minister.

Before leaving, Davos asked about Princess Shireen as before. Cole also had no news about his so-called fiancée. He only hoped that Duran could bring her back safely from the north.

Cole was used to sleeping late. When he returned to the room, the castle had fallen silent. Occasionally, he could hear a few dog barks. The guards followed him outside and were ordered by him to rest.

He opened the door and just sat on the bed, when suddenly his heart palpitated.

The moonlight shines from the window, and the cold light flashes.