Aemon paused for a moment, his eyes fixed firmly ahead.
Swish, swish, swish...
The quill pen wrote down a name: "Rhaenyra Targaryen."
The pen tip poked and drew a cartoon pig's head next to it.
Marriage is a big deal, and many aspects must be considered.
Aemon had a good impression of Rhaenyra, and she also liked him.
Of course, she is the first choice.
In terms of their identities, the two are a good match.
She is an heir to the Iron Throne, but unfortunately, she is a girl.
He is a young prince who tamed an adult dragon, but his place in the line of succession was downgraded repeatedly.
Together, they make up for each other's shortcomings.
In one word: orthodoxy!
Aemon nodded slightly and wrote down the second name:
"Laena Velaryon."
A cartoon rabbit head was drawn behind the name.
Apart from Rhaenyra, Laena may be the most suitable spouse.
With Vermithor under his crotch and Vhagar tamed by Laena, who can compete?
Once they join forces, it's hard to imagine who could compete.
Aunt Rhaenys and cousin Laenor are dragon riders too, so they could help at the critical moment.
In terms of raw strength alone, it's beyond imagination.
"The sea snake is not an easy old lamp."
Aemon frowned and circled the woman's name.
The Velaryon family is too involved; rash contact will only bring trouble and offend the uncle.
Then, he wrote the third line of small words.
"To be determined in the Valley marriage."
As usual, he drew a sheep with its butt sticking up behind it.
Aemon smiled and drew a big X.
Marrying the nobles of the Valley is currently the most profitable option.
This way, you can integrate into the power structure of the Valley nobles.
Unfortunately, he wants to make money quickly.
"If you marry a girl from the Valley, Daemon will fly back directly from Driftmark Island, right?"
Aemon couldn't help but laugh.
Future direction:
"It's impossible to gain a foothold in the Valley without friction."
Aemon's eyes were narrowed, full of determination.
They must seize control of the Moon Mountains and undermine the Arryn family.
Subdue the closed and conservative nobles of the Vale.
"I am weak now, and I need allies, vassals, and subordinates."
Aemon wrote them down one by one, and the future looked promising.
Suddenly, a suitable marriage partner in the Valley seems possible.
Hmm.
The possibility is very small.
A dignified Lady requires more when choosing a husband.
Being too strong is not good; it's easy to take over the magpie's nest.
Too weak, and she will become a stepping stone.
Since the two have never met, it's difficult to say whether they're suitable for each other.
Knock, knock!
The door was knocked on and gently pushed open from the outside.
"Prince, we should set off."
Johanna wore a black gauze dress, and her voice was soft and charming. "The nephew of old Maester Hughes is here, following most of the people in the southwest who are migrating to the river valley."
Aemon heard this and stood up happily.
He rolled up the parchment and stuffed it into the green satchel on the table.
"Squeak~"
A little mouse opened its mouth and hid its master's treasure.
"Let's talk on the way."
Aemon carried his satchel and traveled lightly with Johanna.
As they walked out of the castle, they saw a bronze dragon in the distance.
Johanna's beautiful eyes shone as she said, walking: "With this group of migrating subjects, the valley will finally have a population."
"No hurry."
Aemon smiled slightly, seeing through the other party's intentions.
It took a lot of effort to get this "black swan."
His mother, Lady Rhea, had told him to be strict and forbidden him from losing his virginity early.
"Roar!"
Vermithor opened his vertical pupils and moved his huge body slightly. A dull roar came out of his throat.
"Gurgle~"
Johanna's body stiffened, and she didn't dare move forward.
The famous "Bronze Fury" exuded oppression with just a look.
"Give me your hand,"
Aemon said as he held her hand and approached.
With panic in his eyes, he pressed his hand against the bronze scales on the dragon's neck.
Johanna's face changed drastically, and her heart nearly jumped out of her chest.
"Don't scare her, Vermithor."
Aemon concentrated, calming his breath as he rested his forehead against the dragon's slightly shaking neck.
To conquer a smart and capable subordinate, you must show corresponding courage.
Nothing is more intimidating than a giant dragon.
"Roar!"
Vermithor glanced sideways, raised his head slightly, and prepared to take off.
"How is it?"
Aemon asked, tilting his head.
"I, I..."
Johanna stammered for a moment. A hint of surprise appeared in her eyes, and she laughed from the bottom of her heart.
She could see His Royal Highness's sincerity.
Just like her burning heart at that moment.
The best expression is not language. Aemon read her excitement through her eyes.
The number of housekeepers increased by one.
"Hiss—"
After a while, Vermithor roared into the air, carrying two figures into the sky.
...
Near noon.
River Valley, at the foot of the mountain.
"How are the preparations?"
Aemon strode over and asked the White Knight in charge of supervision.
Steve replied truthfully: "The obstacles have been cleared, and the old craftsman has measured the ground's uniform height and is compacting the foundation."
Aemon nodded and took a quick look around.
At the foot of the mountain in front of him was a flat, open space half a kilometer long and wide.
The stones that had been moved away were piled up in different categories all around.
They were waiting to be used later.
On the open ground, a mixture of sand, stone, and clay, one meter thick, was laid on the surface.
Three thousand people used wooden hammers or stone rollers to repeatedly tamp the mixture without stopping.
"Let me try."
Aemon thought, stomping his foot on the tamped ground.
There was a dull sound, and a shallow mark was left behind.
Steve said, "Prince, everything is built according to the highest standards. It's absolutely solid and firm."
"Just barely passed."
Aemon was not very satisfied.
What good is a one-meter-thick foundation?
It can only make a shallow mark, proving that the tamping is not thorough enough.
He is not going to build a towering tower like Harrenhal, but the hardness of the foundation cannot be ignored.
"The construction level in Westeros is limited."
Aemon secretly shook his head.
Let's put that aside for now and check the first batch of building materials provided by the card.
The location is not far away, and we will arrive in a few minutes.
"Prince, I have counted everything."
Johanna handed over a list, her eyes seductive.
Aemon took a quick look.
Bricks, tiles, beams, and food were all available and quite heavy.
"The quality of these materials exceeds expectations. They're much better than the products of Westeros."
Johanna said calmly.
"Really? How high?"
Aemon didn't respond, but he carefully checked each of the stacked building materials.
He started with the bricks, each of which was one foot long and three inches thick. From the outside, they look like green bricks fired in a kiln.
The tiles are not simple either. They make a crisp, pleasant knocking sound, and each piece is emerald green like leaves.
At a glance, there were hundreds of piles of bricks and tiles stacked separately, amounting to no less than one million pieces.
The beams are made of various materials.
The most precious ones are twelve golden nanmu beams, each of which is a rare treasure with a diameter of one meter.
They are just right for the main hall's beams.
There is enough food for three thousand people to eat three meals a day for a month.
"It's worthy of a red card. Building a palace is just like this."
Aemon became happier and happier, sweeping away his depression.
According to the task list:
Provide sufficient materials.
Recruit 3,000 people to start working, and control the construction speed.
From these two points, it's clear that he doesn't need to worry about materials, and he can speed up the process.
At this moment, the card shows: "Not fully activated. Progress time: 1 year."
One year is quite fast, and it will take another year and a half for Rhaenyra to finish touring.
Aemon was very satisfied.
Don't worry about the phrase "not activated." It means the palace has not been built yet and construction has not officially begun.
When the time comes, he will activate the card, and the construction materials will arrive in sequence.
"Prince, if Lady Rhea asks, what should we say?"
Johanna was always cautious.
"It's a question."
Aemon's eyes turned, and he leaned in and said, "Just say I bought it from the Free Trade City. You don't need to answer anything else."
The card will automatically reduce suspicion.
If someone asks, say you bought it on the other side of the Sea.
After that, Aemon continued to inspect other materials.
Long Lake.
It is a vast lake covered with green duckweed.
The lake is fed by the Sea and connected to a long river from the north, hence the name.
"Hey, hey..."
A dozen old craftsmen led the way, directing thousands of young boys and girls to work hard.
Some shoveled sand and clay while others fetched water. Finally, they stirred it into mud.
A tall, thin, yellow-faced young man wearing a coarse bachelor's robe was supervising.
"Your Highness."
Seeing a silver-haired boy leading people from afar, the young man bowed slightly and saluted respectfully.
Aemon guessed, "Who are you?"
"My name is Muntor, nephew of Bachelor Buldor of Runestone City."
Bachelor Muntor calmly introduced his origins.
Aemon's eyes flashed, and he replied lightly, "I have heard of your name for a long time, Bachelor Muntor."
At the end of "Blood Dragon Dance," he replaced the previous Grand Bachelor, who had absconded from the Green Party, and became the new Grand Bachelor recommended by the Academy City.
He also compiled historical books on the "Blood Dragon Dance."
"I didn't expect that you are the nephew of Old Bachelor Elyos."
Aemon's expression remained calm, but his heart beat faster.
What is lacking most in the valley?
Talent!
Maester Muntor's sallow face showed guilt, and he apologized sincerely. "I'm sorry. Master Elyos sent me a letter, and I agreed."
But the academy arranged to repair it temporarily, so I studied there for another four years."
Aemon waved his hand. "It doesn't matter. Just come."
He seemed generous, but he sneered inside.
You dared to stand me up for four years? You skinny stalk! You'll wait to pay back your debts like a cow and a horse!
Maester Muntor was a rookie; his mind was simple, and his face turned grateful.
He raised his hand to introduce Aemon to His Royal Highness. "Look, these mud plasters are a mixture of fine sand from the lake and clay excavated from the mountains. They are considered top-grade."
Aemon heard this and thought of materials not provided by the card, such as mud plaster that acts as an adhesive.
For example, there was mud plaster that acted as an adhesive.
These materials are relatively common and can be found ready-made in the valley without having to be transported from elsewhere.
Just use local materials.
Suddenly, Aemon looked at the finished mortar and asked, "Is it strong enough for laying bricks?"
Maester Muntor spread his hands and said, "We don't have any better materials."
"..."
Aemon's eyelids twitched wildly. He decided to use this as an opportunity to hone his qi-cultivation skills. "You are from the Citadel. Do you have a better solution?"
"Yes, lime."
Maester Muntor replied.
Aemon smiled as if he had just been enlightened. "Yes, burn lime!"
In an era without cement, slaked lime is one of the strongest adhesives.
With this thought in mind, Aemon turned his head and looked at the towering mountains. Halfway up, a deep cave appeared out of nowhere.
"Hiss—"
A string was plucked in his heart. A sound came from the dark cave, and a huge dragon head slowly emerged.
Build infrastructure, conquer mountain clans, expand the army...step by step, the prince will stand up!
---------------
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