Chapter 185: Dragonflame Road Construction
Rhaegar Targaryen looked around the hall. The council chamber currently held the most powerful people in King's Landing: the King, the Hand of the King, the royal ministers, the Prince, and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
Of course, Rhaegar noticed that one powerful figure was absent from the chamber: the Commander of the City Watch, the backbone of King's Landing's military force. Although not a member of the Small Council, he held considerable real power, greater than positions like the Master of Laws. However, the Dragon Guards stationed at the Dragonpit were enough to crush several groups of Gold Cloaks, and with the rise of another military force, the value of the Commander of the City Watch was steadily declining.
Rhaegar Targaryen looked with interest at the Master of Laws, Lord Simon Staunton, a short, stout minister with a double chin and red hair, hailing from House Staunton of Rook's Rest in the Crownlands.
This man had risen to his position by flattering Aerys and being recommended to the King through him. How could Rhaegar ever forget this vermin? He constantly sowed discord between Rhaegar and Aerys, though there had never been much affection between father and son to begin with. Men like him flattered Aerys while disparaging Rhaegar at every turn. These petty jackals circled around power, scrambling for influence while slandering and defaming him.
According to the original history, the final years of Aerys's reign were completely dominated by these sycophants from the Crownlands. The flatterers around Aerys formed a sharp opposition to Rhaegar and his young companions, deepening the conflict between King and heir. Some had even proposed that the future Beggar King, Viserys, should inherit the throne instead.
After Aerys drove Tywin away, he relied on five pieces of trash who plunged King's Landing into chaos. The Master of Laws, Simon Staunton; the Master of Coin, Lord Qarlton Chelsted; the Master of Ships, Lucerys Velaryon; the Master of Whisperers, Varys; and the pyromancer Rossart of the Guild of Alchemists.
Most of them were not of high birth. The highest among them were merely fallen minor lords, and most came from the Crownlands, perfectly illustrating the decay and weakness of Aerys's reign.
Now, however, Rhaegar had already sent people to Pentos to eliminate Varys and Illyrio Mopatis in advance. Lucerys possessed talent, and with the reputation of House Velaryon behind him, he had already turned to Rhaegar's side. As for Rossart, Rhaegar appreciated people with technical skill; perhaps the pyromancer could still prove useful.
Only the two remaining pieces of trash, Lord Qarlton Chelsted and Simon Staunton, remained. Rhaegar hoped they would behave themselves. Otherwise, if they ever fell into his hands, he would show no mercy.
Simon Staunton noticed a trace of coldness hidden within Rhaegar's otherwise gentle smile, but after blinking, he assumed it was merely his imagination.
Jaehaerys II rose to his feet. As the King spoke, his figure seemed to grow taller.
"King's Landing is congested and foul-smelling, its alleys winding like serpents and serving as breeding grounds for crime and ugliness. And the great roads established by the Conciliator, roads meant to ensure the smooth functioning of the realm, have now become too narrow and fallen into disrepair. Gentlemen, we must make King's Landing beautiful and ensure that the roads remain clear," King Jaehaerys II declared.
Jaehaerys II still appeared frail and pale, his large purple eyes tired beneath silver-gold hair that reached his shoulders. Rhaegar suspected it was a congenital illness, for Jaehaerys's brothers, Duncan the Small and Daeron, had both been much sturdier men.
The King wore the crown of Maekar I. He was gentle, wise, and brave, though sickly in body. Because of his frailty, many mistook Jaehaerys for weak, but only those closest to him, such as Barristan Selmy and others, understood that beneath his delicate appearance lay a resilient and courageous heart.
Now, no one questioned the King's decisions. Victory could transform weakness into strength and elevate the humble into greatness. Jaehaerys II had achieved victory in the War of the Ninepenny Kings and triumph in the Stepstones campaign, restoring royal authority. The royal family had regained control over the Stepstones, placing the Iron Throne in a stronger position than ever before, with substantial military strength, wealth, and dragons.
Because of these victories, Jaehaerys II had effectively continued many of King Aegon V's policies, and the recovery of royal finances gave the Crown renewed confidence.
Aerys Targaryen's expression grew strange. He had thought the matter would concern something glorious. But road construction and municipal management of King's Landing? That meant dealing with commoners — a thankless task.
The title of Commissioner of Municipal and Transport Affairs of King's Landing sounded straightforward enough. Responsible for city planning, maintaining the Kingsroad, and ensuring transportation flowed smoothly. Yet it was exhausting work that involved dealing with the troublesome masses of King's Landing. If things went wrong, he would be showered in filth by the smallfolk.
Aerys preferred attending dances and discussing grand political visions rather than involving himself in tedious details.
Road building was one thing, but the citizens of King's Landing were notoriously unruly. If municipal work involved demolishing houses, expanding roads, or forcing labor, the smallfolk would absolutely riot.
Aerys always craved fame and glory. Proud, arrogant, and fickle, he lacked the temperament necessary to become a truly great ruler. Rhaegar had heard stories of Aerys's youthful romances; his affections for women rarely lasted more than half a month, much less his interest in governance.
In truth, Aerys was a man of grand ambitions but limited ability, a king who might govern adequately only by doing nothing. But this road-building position sounded far from prestigious. In Aerys's eyes, it was a seat atop a volcano.
Jaehaerys II noticed Aerys's hesitation.
"Aerys, do you have concerns?"
"Your Grace, I could certainly undertake the task, but lately the duties of the Master of Ships have been overwhelming. The fleet still requires training and refitting. I fear I cannot spare the time," Aerys replied stiffly.
In truth, he had already begun slacking off. The matter of succession remained distant, and Aerys believed there was no need to burden himself unnecessarily.
Rhaegar understood Aerys's hesitation. Since that was the case, he would simply take the position himself.
In recent years, Aerys's mental state had actually remained relatively stable. The madness of the original timeline came partly from his bloodline and personality, but also from repeated frustrations.
The Dragonlord family had dwindled drastically after Summerhall, barely enough to fill a table. Queen Rhaella's miscarriages and stillbirths were widely regarded as a curse. Aerys feared the extinction of House Targaryen's bloodline.
At the same time, he had always lived in Tywin Lannister's shadow. Tywin had healthy children, a suitable wife, praise, and proven talent in governance. Even without outside provocation, Aerys's own insecurities and lust for power would naturally breed suspicion.
But now Jaehaerys II still lived, and many of Aerys's future flatterers had already been purged. After returning to his family, Aerys's household was relatively stable. He had several children, and for now he remained controllable.
As for jealousy, he had not yet become mad enough to hate his own son. In fact, Rhaegar's success boosted Aerys's vanity.
Perhaps Aerys's best fate would be to live as a pleasure-loving king. The Iron Throne was not suited for everyone.
"If that is the case, then I must consider the burdens already placed upon the Master of Ships. Our rule over the Stepstones is stabilizing, and tariffs and the fleet are operating smoothly. Yet we must still guard against incursions from the Three Daughters, and the Royal Fleet must remain battle-ready," King Jaehaerys II said.
"Therefore, let Rhaegar assume the position of Commissioner of Municipal and Transport Affairs of King's Landing."
"However, Prince Rhaegar is still young, and this is an important matter. Young men may act too hastily, so experienced elders must assist him. In addition to the Prince serving as Commissioner, the Small Council will establish a temporary Municipal and Transportation Committee for King's Landing, consisting of the Hand of the King, Lord Ormund Baratheon, Tywin Lannister, Prince Aerys, Prince Rhaegar, and Lord Simon Staunton, with Rhaegar responsible for implementation. Grand Maester Pycelle will serve as adviser."
This arrangement also acted as a safeguard for Rhaegar. If public resentment truly arose, these senior officials would share responsibility.
"As you command, Your Grace!"
"As you command, Your Grace!"
In truth, the major decisions of kingdoms often originated from the ideas of only a few individuals before being pushed forward.
Rhaegar had originally intended to mention the ruins of Ghoyan Drohe, but he decided against it for now. Stabilizing Ghoyan Drohe would inevitably provoke greater enemies, and it was better to complete the current work first.
Not far from the old city gate of King's Landing, a new high-walled workshop soon appeared beside the road. It was guarded by powerful Dragon Guards soldiers, and dragons could occasionally be seen flying within its walls while their roars echoed outward.
Inside the yard stood massive warehouses filled with soil and large pools of water. The water and soil were mixed together into thick mud.
Rhaegar, riding atop his dragon, looked down upon the vast worksite. Moist earth filled the grounds, while clay bricks were placed one after another into enormous four-by-four molds.
"Dragonflame!"
Rhaegar ordered the soldiers to prepare the soil within the large molds beforehand. Then the Silver Emperor unleashed its dragonfire.
Silver flames roared across the bricks. Rhaegar carefully observed the intensity and duration of the flames while hidden runes flowed within the fire itself.
Again and again, Rhaegar experimented until the bricks reached the required standards of length, thickness, and hardness.
He could not recreate anything equal to the true Valyrian Roads. The greatest issue lay in the materials. The original Valyrian Roads had been made from fused volcanic stone, raised half a foot above the earth and smooth as glass.
Unfortunately, Westeros lacked the endless volcanic lava necessary for such construction.
Thus, Rhaegar could only create a lower-grade imitation of the Valyrian Roads using ordinary soil and dragonfire.
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