Tyrion looked up from his book and said, "Is there anything…"
At this moment, the masked Gold Cloak took off his mask. After seeing the person's face clearly, his pupils suddenly constricted: "Greene?!"
Tyrion's gaze narrowed slightly, but he quickly laughed and climbed off his chair, stumbling over.
"Ha, your entrance was quite unexpected, hmm…"
Tyrion surveyed Greene's attire, pinched his chin, and continued, "How do I feel like entering the Red Keep is as easy as strolling into a brothel?"
He reached out and patted Greene's thigh, grinning, "I heard you're very popular in the Vale, Blood Earl?"
Greene smiled, pointed to the wooden box, and said, "Good evening, I brought you a gift."
Tyrion eyed the wooden box Greene was holding with suspicion and said, "You're truly thoughtful…"
With a thud, Greene placed the wooden box on the carpet.
Tyrion chuckled, "Greene, let me make it clear, I only like delicate women. Your enthusiasm won't change my preference, I guarantee it."
As he spoke, he opened the lid of the wooden box and curiously craned his neck, only to… Tyrion suddenly saw a chubby face, its hollow eyes staring straight at him, a strange smile hanging from its lips.
Tyrion blurted out, "Whoa…"
He stumbled back a few steps in panic, almost falling to the ground. Tyrion opened his mouth but found his throat seemed to be blocked, unable to make a sound, only an awkward gasp.
… … … …
Tyrion's mind went blank for a moment. He could only stand there blankly. After an unknown period, a wine glass appeared in his line of sight, and he instinctively reached out and grasped it.
The sweet summer red slid down his throat, and Tyrion gradually regained his composure. He murmured, "What a beautiful big head."
After a moment of silence, he added, "I haven't been sleeping well lately. I just mistakenly thought I was in a nightmare…"
Greene chuckled. Tyrion took a large gulp of summer red, a hint of embarrassment on his face: "Alright, those are all good excuses… Your gift was such a surprise, it scared me so much, I almost peed myself."
Greene found a chair and sat down, saying, "Tyrion, you are not a dutiful ally."
Tyrion's eyes flickered, and he said seriously, "Greene, you killed a member of the Small Council."
Greene gently swirled the cup in his hand and said, "As an ally, you failed to prevent Lioness from summoning me back to the Red Keep."
Tyrion stared at Greene and said in a deep voice, "Varys is also my ally; he is like my flesh and blood."
Leaning back in the chair, Greene crossed one leg: "If I had gone directly to Maegors Holdfast, now…"
He pointed to the wooden box and continued, "Inside would be another beautiful big head, your head."
Greene tilted his head slightly: "Lannister Giant, your ally, who is like your flesh and blood, doesn't seem to have considered your safety."
After hearing Greene's words, Tyrion was slightly embarrassed. After a pause, an exaggerated sadness appeared on his face: "The eunuch deceived the Dwarf's feelings."
Then, he grinned, "Indeed, you are my ally, like a brother, Greene."
Greene shrugged slightly, "At least an ally who cares about his ally's safety, Tyrion."
He spread his hands and continued, "Besides, I am already sitting here, this is a fact happening before your eyes, my friend."
As Greene's words fell, Tyrion's eyes trembled. He reached for the wine jug and limped to the chair next to Greene, then climbed onto it.
Tyrion pondered for a moment, then said seriously, "Greene, my friend, I need your advice."
Greene swirled his wine glass, then lowered his gaze to the rim of the glass, paused, and placed the wine glass on the round table beside him.
He spoke, "Tyrion, do you want to hear my plan?"
Tyrion nodded and said, "Stannis's army from the South will soon reach King's Landing, so King's Landing needs stability, and my good sister won't consider these things."
He reached out and patted Greene's arm, sincerely saying, "I'm very sorry, I can't imagine the consequences of Lioness going mad… I always thought I was omnipotent, but the beauty of power made me unknowingly indulge, and I don't know when it started… I even began to fear losing the power in my hands…"
Taking a large sip of summer red, he sighed, "Old Lion had keen insight, I'm just a ridiculous Dwarf."
Greene stared at the person beside him for a while, then patted Tyrion's small shoulder and said, "My friend, what you truly fear is Stannis's army."
He revealed a slight smile: "Your current situation… is like a recruit waiting to go to the battlefield, and it's your first time too."
Greene's gaze shifted to the night sky outside the window. After a pause, he slowly said, "Hundreds of thousands of King's Landing citizens… the future of the family… and even the future of the kingdom… you have to bear these heavy things for the first time…"
Greene's eyes turned to Tyrion, his gaze gentle: "As an observer, as your friend, I can only slightly understand the pressure on you, so… I don't really blame you, and aren't I doing the same? My reliable ally."
Tyrion stared blankly at the gentle-faced Greene. After a while, he turned his face away.
As he poured wine, he said, "Greene, if you were serious, I think you wouldn't even have to pay in a brothel."
Tyrion turned his head to look at Greene, grinning, "Ha, my reliable friend, that's the only thing I envy about you."
Greene laughed, tilting his head back.
After a pause, Greene looked Tyrion up and down, then suddenly said, "New recruit Tyrion, does General Greene need to boost morale?"
Tyrion was slightly stunned. He put down his wine glass and nodded with interest.
Greene's steady voice rang out: "Warrior Tyrion, Stannis, forged of steel, is about to bring fire and sword, and dark powers, to King's Landing.
And hundreds of thousands of people are unprotected, without Ser Jaime, without King Robert, without Prince Rhaegar, without their beloved Duke Renly.
They only have you, only you, this Little Devil Prime Minister whom they despise. Now, in this crisis, only you are their pillar of strength."
Greene gazed at Tyrion for a moment and continued, "Warrior Tyrion, are you ready to face the challenge?"
Unconsciously, Tyrion straightened his back like a soldier. As Greene's words fell, he nodded solemnly and said, "I think Warrior Tyrion is ready, General Greene."
Tyrion jumped off the chair. With his small hands behind his back, he paced back and forth.
After a while, he suddenly looked up and laughed loudly, saying, "Yes, they only have me! Only this guy they hate, this treacherous minister, this deformed Dwarf!"
… … … …
That night, a fire suddenly broke out in the Hall of Office in the Red Keep. Thanks to the timely rescue and firefighting efforts of the Gold Cloaks, the fire only affected the area under the jurisdiction of the Master of Whisperers, with no casualties.
Before the fire, it was rumored that a drunken middle-aged stableman near the Hall of Office saw a fast-footed old man, whose figure was suspected to be Grand Maester Pycelle, a member of the Small Council.
It is said that the stableman who spread rumors while drunk was quickly locked up in the dungeon by the Gold Cloaks.
… … … …
… … … …
The next day, morning, a residence in Hook Alley.
Naho Dimittis, the Iron Bank representative stationed in King's Landing, looked at Greene, then placed his hand on his chest and said, "Good day, my lord."
Naho Dimittis wore a three-tiered brimless hat made of purple felt and a dark purple robe with a stiff ruff and white ermine trim.
Greene returned the greeting: "Good day, I am Greene Kleber, Earl of Crab Claw Peninsula and Guardian of Seagull Town."
Hearing Greene's self-introduction, Naho Dimittis's eyes flickered. He bowed slightly and said, "It is an honor. I am Naho Dimittis, a humble servant of the Iron Bank of Braavos."
After speaking, he looked at Greene with a perfectly appropriate expression of doubt.
Greene took the initiative to explain: "Lord Dymytys, it was I who invited you in the name of Prime Minister Tyrion. I need your help."
Naho Dimittis maintained a reserved smile and said, "It is my honor. If conditions permit, I would be happy to serve you."
Greene smiled and extended his hand in a gesture of invitation.
After they were seated, Greene went straight to the point: "Lord Dymytys, the Seven Kingdoms are in turmoil now, and no one can predict the final outcome."
Naho Dimittis calmly nodded his chin. He was calculating the value of Crab Claw Peninsula in his mind, preparing for the upcoming "negotiation."
Greene lowered his voice slightly: "The Iron Bank's reputation is known throughout the Seven Kingdoms. I recently acquired some gold dragons, and I would like to deposit them in the Iron Bank."
Not a loan? Naho Dimittis was slightly surprised, but quickly regained his normal expression.
He frowned imperceptibly and said, "Earl Kleber, I am just a humble servant…"
After a pause, he continued, "Please forgive my presumption, may I know how much you need to store?"
The magnanimous Lord Green did not mind the "arrogance" of the person before him. He spoke, "500,000 gold dragons."
As Greene's words fell, Naho Dimittis's eyes trembled. He was well-trained… and quickly processed the surprise Greene had given him.
He bowed slightly, and his tone became humble: "Esteemed Earl, thank you for your trust in the Iron Bank."
He placed his right hand on his left chest and continued, "The Iron Bank will arrange the best steward to manage your assets."
Greene revealed a slight smile and said, "I trust the Iron Bank's reputation, Lord Dymytys."
Naho Dimittis nodded slightly.
After a pause, seeing Greene's hesitant expression, Naho Dimittis proactively asked, "Earl Kleber, I am happy to answer any questions you may have."
"This is my first time dealing with the Iron Bank…"
Greene's face was a bit awkward: "Please forgive my presumption, the questions I want to ask might be a bit offensive…"
Naho Dimittis maintained his smile and simply nodded gently.
Greene cleared his throat and said, "I confess to you, my things come from Seagull Town. Will you protect me well?"
Naho Dimittis understood the hidden meaning in Greene's words. He smiled slightly and said, "Earl Kleber, please trust the Iron Bank's long-standing reputation. According to Westeros tradition, no matter when or where, you are a guest who has accepted the Iron Bank's bread and salt, a distinguished guest of the Iron Bank."
"Thank you for your patient answer, in return…"
Saying that, Greene took out an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Naho Dimittis.
Naho Dimittis took the letter, not rushing to open it, but looking at Greene with a slight doubt.
Greene seemed to recall something sorrowful, paused in silence, and couldn't help but sigh.
He slowly said, "Lord Dymytys, you can consider it my friend's 'last words'."
After a pause, he continued, "I don't know if I should say he disappeared, or passed away… I can't find the appropriate words for now…"
He shook his head slightly: "We have always been close friends, yet he hastily left only this one letter… And his 'last wish' was only witnessed by Prime Minister Tyrion and me…"
After a pause, Greene sighed deeply again, then raised his hand, gesturing for Naho Dimittis to open the letter.
… … … …
After reading the letter, Naho Dimittis, who had maintained a reserved smile, looked at the sad-faced Greene with some disbelief.
He thought of many things in an instant, and he hid his trembling hands in his sleeves.
From the moment Naho Dimittis began reading the letter, Greene's gaze had been fixed on the window, as if lost in thought.
Naho Dimittis softly said, "Earl Kleber, I will report this matter to the Keyholders of the Iron Bank."
Keyholders refer to the descendants of the twenty-three founders of the Iron Bank. They participate in the secret meetings of the Iron Bank with some of the wealthiest and most powerful families in Braavos, and hold important influence in electing the leaders of the Iron Bank.
… … … …
Naho Dimittis's voice brought Greene back to reality. He nodded with a bitter expression and said, "That friend of mine didn't like Westeros. I think he wanted to leave his wealth in Essos. As his good friend, I respect his wishes."
Greene stood up and walked over to Naho Dimittis, saying, "The rest, I leave to you, my lord."
Naho Dimittis couldn't help but suspect Greene's intentions. Although he didn't know the exact amount, he guessed that the Spider's assets were certainly not a small sum.
Why so generous?!
As if guessing Naho Dimittis's thoughts, Greene's next words dispelled most of his suspicions.
Greene spoke: "Prime Minister Tyrion and I have sensitive identities. If this matter were to leak out, even if it's out of good intentions, it could be used by our political enemies, especially in the current situation… We could easily be slandered as traitors to the Seven Kingdoms. Therefore, I hope you can keep today's secret, and do not let anyone outside the Iron Bank see this letter. I only trust the Iron Bank's reputation."
Naho Dimittis proudly guaranteed, "You can always trust the Iron Bank's golden reputation."
Greene nodded slightly, then took out another letter and said, "This is my handwritten letter. Please take this letter to Seagull Town to see my steward, Leyton. The war there could break out at any time, so please go as soon as possible, Lord Dymytys."
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