Gregor looked at Ador Salloot with eyes full of gratitude and admiration.
But in Adu's eyes, it was all humiliation.
humiliation?
Yes, this is indeed the highest level of humiliation.
Since I've transmigrated to this rather tragic world and become a noble, I might as well play some high-level games, including humiliation.
Two hundred gold dragon coins are already quite a lot as a gift; this is an engagement, not a wedding.
Compared to jade jewelry, Gregor prefers golden dragons. Jewelry needs to be converted into cash, while golden dragons are directly used as currency, making them much more convenient.
Ador Salot was truly generous this time: pearls, rubies, emeralds, gold dragons, silk, and rouge—all included.
Of course, Gregor was very grateful for Lord Tywin's help!
He deserves it.
Although Tywin Lannister conceived of the sophisticated administrative measure of replacing ironware from Gregor's chopsticks, he wouldn't have been inspired without Gregor's chopsticks.
Gregor's original intention was simply for the nobility to use, for their private enjoyment of finesse. Who knew that just one night later, Duke Tywin and the mathematician Grand Maester locked themselves away and, after some wild calculations, came up with such a sophisticated political solution as replacing iron with wood—it was truly remarkable.
Gregor had to admit that Tywin Lannister was indeed very skilled.
Gregor's gaze shifted to the face of the burly pig, Liller Krech, who had lost fifty gold dragons to him—how magnanimous!
Fifty golden dragons are equivalent to half a million in Earth's civilization.
Gregor remembered clearly that King Robert invited Eddard Stark to leave the North and travel south, spending the night on the sands of the Red Fork. Robert set up a wager, inviting Eddard to gamble. Given Eddard's status as Duke of the North, the maximum gold dragons Eddard could wager was ten. Even if Robert had his treasurer count Eddard's personal purse, it would only amount to fifty gold dragons and some small bronze stars.
Only in the Western Territory were these nobles truly wealthy.
Strong Pig Liller Kreh lost fifty gold dragons to Gregor, who nodded to him in gratitude.
Gregor is willing to give many such expressions of gratitude; he is not stingy at all.
The most sophisticated form of humiliation is when someone hates you so much they're itching to bite you, but you're still forced to smile and return their greeting.
The original intention was to trick Ador Saloth into a trap and seize the gold-rich Goldenleaf Bay from the Saloth family. Gregor was delighted with Ador's full support and simply set up a betting game, allowing the nobles of the West to participate openly, which made Gregor a fortune.
Without even needing to do the math, Gregor had already calculated that this Golden Dragon gamble would net him 321 Golden Dragons. Dozens of nobles and young knights were involved. 321 Golden Dragons, converted to Earth's value system, is equivalent to 3.21 million RMB. Of course, this amount still can't compare to the true tycoons of Earth's civilizations; after all, there are far more wealthy people and more excitement in advanced civilizations.
Gregor was quite satisfied with Ador's gift, but Duke Tywin seemed dissatisfied.
"Gregor, have you noted down all of Sir Ador's gifts?"
"Understood, sir."
"If he's missing even one thing, Gregor, you can go to the Silver Hall and ask Lady Tiger for it," Duke Tywin said solemnly. He was not joking, and Tywin never joked.
"Yes, sir."
Sir Ador's face immediately turned bright red.
This is blatant humiliation.
"Sir Liller, I know you are not the heir to the family and have no right to comment on the family's gifts. You are not the eldest son, and the family's lands and wealth will not belong to you, so why would you discuss gifts with Sir Ador?" Duke Tywin's calm tone was already an expression of his anger.
Earl Craig, Liller's father, knew things were bad; his son's lie had been exposed by Tywin. But knowing Tywin's nature, he kept his mouth shut, daring not to interrupt or express his opinion.
Li Le was speechless.
"Lile, do you admit you lied?"
"Yes, sir." Li Le knelt on one knee, filled with fear and unease.
Ador Salleau had mentally killed Liller seventeen or eighteen times, but now that things had come to this, he had no choice but to kneel down and confess to Duke Tywin that he had lied.
Duke Tywin said, "Today my daughter is engaged, and I have announced the implementation of three major government reforms. I am in a good mood, so I will not punish you two for the time being. But I will remember this, and if you do it again in the future, you will be severely punished together."
He stood up, his gaze sweeping over the entire room: "I'm going to the Bachelor's Tower to see my daughter. If she's still healthy, gentlemen, let's hold my daughter's engagement here this afternoon. Those who haven't brought a dowry can simply write a receipt. Sir Gregor, do you have any suggestions?"
Gregor was utterly impressed by Tywin's straightforwardness in asking for money. What would be condemned as shameless in Earth's civilization was perfectly acceptable to Duke Tywin. Gregor resolved to learn from him and surpass him.
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"Your Grace, I can't wait to get engaged to Miss Jenny!" Gregor said solemnly.
"Hmm, when do you plan to get married after the engagement?"
Gregor always believed that Tywin Lannister's cunning, like his political acumen, was a natural talent. Poor Jenny, she must be crying her eyes out in the bathroom countless times.
"Well, in a month. Once the generals of the Western Frontier have finished their training in military command and discipline, Miss Jenny and I will get married."
"Alright, since it won't be long, Jenny doesn't need to go back to Casterly Rock. She will stay in Casterly Rock until she marries you. After the marriage, I will hand her over to you completely and let you take her back to Clegane Castle."
"Yes, thank you, Your Grace." Gregor said solemnly, "Your Grace, you said you would also grant me a territory."
"Yes." Tywin waved his hand, signaling the end of the council to his vassals, then walked down the steps, saying to Gregor as he went, "Your new territory, from the existing borders of Clegane to the edge of House Sweefer's territory in Corn City to the eastern border of House Saloth's Silverhall Mountains, is all yours. The northern and western borders remain unchanged. Twenty new households will be added to your population. Have your clerk take the registers down and have those households register in Clegane."
"Yes, Your Grace."
Gregor saw Duke Tywin off as he strode out of the government hall, feeling extremely pleased.
The new territory was actually a no-man's-land between the three domains of the Swiffer family in Corn City, the Salriot family in Silver Hall, and the Clegane family in Clegane Keep. Don't let the unappealing appearance of this land—rocky slopes, streams, thorns, and overgrown grass—dwarfed its size. This meant that the Salriot family's gold mine mountains in Silver Hall were now just outside the Clegane family's borders.
The long border line meant that you could dig a hole anywhere and then turn a corner to enter the gold mining area, just like a burrowing rat, making it impossible for the Saloth family to defend against!
The new territory seemed to have no economic value, and the barren slopes and rocks were difficult to cultivate crops, but in Gregor's eyes, it was all a gold mine.
Gregor was secretly delighted!
As for Jenny, who cried herself to sleep in the bathroom?
Yes, under the rules of this world, it's perfectly reasonable and legal for the Mountain to possess her; this isn't about force or domination. Besides, feelings can be cultivated.