(Guaranteed chapter, 5800 words.) ）

*

Captain Butler counts the cargo in the hold, accompanied by two record apprentices, a saber knight.

The sailors have lifted anchor, the oarsmen are all in position, the sails have been loaded, and the sails are pulled up when the wind is blowing.

The ship came from the city-state of Mill on the other side of the Narrow Sea, and the first deck below deck was full of wheat and beer from the riverland, and the second deck was cider, freshwater dried fish, gold and silverware, the skins of wild beasts such as lions, shadow lynxes, bears, and wolves, and all kinds of wild animal bacon.

The ship's cargo was not unloaded from the free-trade city-states on the other side of the Narrow Sea, but in the Midsummer Islands in the sea to the south.

There are several small kingdoms in the Midsummer Islands, and the islanders love all the goods on the continent of Westeros the most. The wheat beer in Riverland is the best-selling in the Midsummer Islands, surpassing the wines made by the Redwin family on the old town of Qingting Island.

The Redwing family's wines sell well in the free-trade city-states and cities of the Far East, but the islanders of the south do not.

Rows of cargo ships beat drums at a 'slow' speed, lined up, and slowly sailed out to sea.

As long as all the goods are loaded on the ship, you have to hurry up and go to sea, otherwise you will lose a lot of money every day.

This batch of goods is fine, there is no need to worry about rotting and spoiling, but the hired Clegane mercenaries, experienced sailors, two hundred oarsmen, and dozens of ship-carrying handymen and porters are all in place, and every day's life and wages are costs.

After the watch number is unloaded in the Midsummer Islands, it is necessary to hurry up and load the cargo in the Midsummer Islands. The Midsummer Islands are the hottest place, the skin of the island's inhabitants is like night, and the island is rich in a variety of tropical fruits, many of which are completely not available elsewhere, and sell well in the nine free trade city-states.

After the captain counted the wheat beer, he went down to the second floor and counted the cider, furs, bacon, gold and silverware, and other goods. There was a sudden thump on the deck, and someone was speeding down, following the footsteps down the stairs to the first cabin, and continuing down to the second cabin.

Butler looked at the visitor, it was the second mate, West.

"Captain, the naval fleet does not give us permission to leave the port. “

"Why?" Butler's voice was so loud.

"Is there something wrong with the taxes?" asked the first mate next to him, "The taxes are now paid in the Klegan Bank, and no longer to the administrative officer of the naval fleet." ”

"There is no problem with the tax, according to the previous rules, it is paid in full. The captain yelled, "What about Ulf, tell Ulf to come quickly, how did he pay the taxes, did he hand them over to the Klegane Bank?"

"Captain, I inquired, it seems that a sum of money needs to be deposited in the Klegan Bank to get the bank's priority release slip. The second mate whispered.

"Deposits, priority release?" the captain snapped and walked to the small window to look out, outside, the cargo ships were queuing out of the port, "Those ships have all deposited money in the Klegan Bank? Isn't this forcing people to pay money to the bank?"

"Captain, there is interest. The second mate said in a low voice, "And the next time I come to the West to buy goods, there are captains, merchants, and bosses in the bank who have deposited money, and their goods will go out of the city, into the city, on the docks, on ships, on the sea, and mercenaries, all of which have priority." ”

"I didn't hear the Lord of the City and Madame Jane talk about it, so I went to a meeting. The captain shouted, his eyes widened, his eyebrows furrowed, and his face full of anger.

"I didn't say anything at the meeting, I inquired about it privately. Those who do not save money and have loans also have the right of priority to leave the port. ”

"What if I don't save money and don't take out a loan?"

"We have to wait until the ship with priority is gone before we can get permission to go to sea. ”

"How long will it take?!" Butler is still a believer, he is notoriously short-tempered.

“...... I do not know...... Captain ......"

Butler was furious and slammed the notebook in the face of an apprentice of records: "I'm going to apply for a departure order myself." Damn, no other port has ever had such harsh conditions. Lanniport is doing this, doesn't it want people to buy and sell goods?"

"Captain. The first mate said, "If we can save a small amount of money and have the priority of purchasing, moving, and going to sea, I think we can give it a try." I'm going to have to do it again next year anyway. ”

"What if I don't run away?" said Butler, puffingly.

"If it doesn't run away, the bill can be transferred to another captain, or someone can be appointed to inherit or collect it, or the bank can send the money to the designated person. Captain, if you don't want to do it, I'll ...... I...... I think...... Then ......," the first mate stammered.

Butler glared at the first mate, and smacked up.

The knights he hired followed him all the way, leaving no one behind.

The mercenaries on the deck were all Cregan warriors, indifferent to the captain.

No matter how bad Butler's temper is, he knows that he can't take his anger out on the Clegane fighters, who are mercenaries who eat with their lives.

The bank belonged to Lady Jenny, not to the Clegane mercenaries. In the event of a pirate at sea, Butler needs these mercenaries to keep his life safe.

*

Butler went to the Navy Fleet Administration Office on the docks, and the knight and second mate remained outside the gate.

It was a large stone house divided into several small rooms.

Butler arrives at the port dispatch room, where there are several captains lined up, and Butler has to wait in line.

The first few are all new captains who have entered the port, and they have come to review and report. Everyone speaks the half-baked lingua franca of Westeros.

Westeros' merchandise sells well across the Narrow Sea, but there aren't many commercial captains on this continent.

Finally it was Butler's turn.

Most of his anger had subsided, and he decided to control his temper and communicate with the government officer.

"My lord, the watch number applies for departure. ”

"Show me your proof of paying your taxes. ”

Butler handed it over with both hands, and added a special sentence: "My lord, we pay taxes in the Cregan Bank according to the new rules of the city lord. ”

"You're from the city-state of Mill, and now you're from Lannis to the Midsummer Isles?"

"Yes, sir. ”

"For your safety and the safety of the crew, the watch will leave the port in three days. ”

Butler's face turned ugly, and anger burned in his heart: "Why, my lord. “

"We have received news that there are pirates on the route from Lannis to the Midsummer Islands. If you delay your departure by three days, you will have a better guarantee for your safety. ”

"My lord, the route from Lannis to the Midsummer Islands is wide, and there are many merchant ships going south together from the port today, everyone is together, the combined strength of the mercenaries is very strong, and the pirates are also afraid, please approve the release!"

"Captain, you pay your taxes, and we are responsible for your safe travel. There are a lot of boats in front of you, so it doesn't cause crowding, and it makes sense to leave the port in three days. ”

"My lord, is it because of pirates or because there are too many ships leaving the port?"

"Both. Next. The administrative officer waved his hand impatiently.

Butler didn't get out of the way: "My lord, I've heard that as long as you deposit money in the Cregan Bank, you have the priority to leave the port. ”

"Captain, please go out at once. The Administrator's eyes widened, and he shouted.

The voice was heard, and immediately two soldiers entered, their hands on the hilts of their swords, and they stared at Butler.

Butler looked at the faces of the two soldiers, looked at the arrogance of the magistrate, and said, "If you do this, I will not come to Lannisport next time to do trade." I swear. ”

"Get out!" shouted the Administrator.

The two soldiers immediately stepped forward and reached out to grab Butler, who wanted to pull out the dagger, but the political officer was also wearing chain mail, he was an officer in the naval fleet, with a dagger at his waist, staring at Butler tightly, waiting for his reaction.

If Butler dared to draw his sword, he believed that the magistrate would draw his sword and kill him.

Butler was forcibly dragged out of the gate by two soldiers.

The second mate and the hired knight hurriedly stepped forward, and the two soldiers roared, and suddenly pushed Butler to the ground, and several soldiers rushed over and unsheathed their long swords.

The second mate and the hired knight were both from Mill, and they did not dare to use force here, so they hurriedly helped Butler up.

Butler stood up and pointed to the door of the government office, bursting out with mil foul language. The Mill language, which the soldiers did not understand.

The soldiers pointed their swords at the knight, the second mate, and Butler, and in the distance a centurion saw it and strode over with his soldiers.

Several of the soldiers' swords were pressed against Butler, who was furious and had to shut up.

The soldiers stared at Butler with condescending contempt. The contemptuous eyes are undisguised, and looking at Butler is like looking at a pile of shit.

The centurion came over and ordered the soldiers to let Butler and his party go, and shouted at Butler and his party to get out.

Butler can only get out of here, and can't think about it.

The second mate persuaded in the Millian language: "Captain, the next time we come here to do business, I'm afraid we will be even more troubled." ”

"We won't be here again. Butler swears.

"But the wheat beer here is the favorite dark beer of the midsummer archipelago. The second mate said.

"If we don't come, his port will be depressed. Butler asserted.

“...... No......" said the second mate hesitantly, "the Clegane Bank has released the loan, and Captain Ferimon bought a new large ship three days ago, and is purchasing the same cargo as ours. “

"Ferimon is going to run to the Midsummer Islands too?" exclaimed Butler.

"Yes, Captain. Some captains of the city-states of Pantos and Rees have also borrowed money, and they are adding cargo to Lanis. With more money, they will buy more goods after unloading the goods in Old Town and Slatted Town. The captains wanted to have a good relationship with the Kregan Bank and have priority. ”

"Humph!" Butler snorted.

“...... Captain, I've heard that if you have a loan or storage relationship with the Clegane Bank, you will also have priority in docking, purchasing, and hiring porters at the port of Blackwater River in King's Landing. ”

"King's Landing in Blackwater River Harbor?" Butler refused to believe.

"Yes, Captain. ”

"Those captains are liars, they are deceiving you!"

The second mate was silent.

The knight said, "Captain, when can we go?"

"Three days later. ”

"For three days, we might as well take a day's worth of money and deposit it in the Cregan Bank in exchange for priority. The knight said.

Butler could not bear this compulsion: "Can you save no matter how much money you save?"

"I don't know, give it a try, or borrow a sum of money, and we'll not come here again. The two pairs of eyes flickered.

"I don't do anything like that, even if I don't run to the sea, if my son wants to continue doing it, the money will have to be repaid. Even if we only run this once, after cheating money, it will always be a hidden danger. You don't know when someone will come to your door and kill you. For those who do business, it is best to sleep without ghosts in their hearts and have peace of mind. Butler sharply lectured the second mate, "There are strangers in Westeros, and there are faceless and regretful guests in Essos, and they are all people who specialize in killing people for others. ”

“...... Yes, Captain......" The second officer's face flushed.

"I'm going to go to the Cregan Bank and talk to Lady Jeanne, I don't believe she, a duchess, would do such a deliberate and embarrassing thing. “

Butler strode into the city, and the knight and second mate hurriedly followed.

The three of them were chased by the boos of the Western Navy soldiers.

*

Clegan Bank.

"Madame, I want to see Lady Jane. Captain Butler said.

Mrs. Eddie, wife of the weapons master Tob Mott, receives Captain Butler.

"I'm sorry, Captain, Lady Jenny isn't here, she's back to Klegane. “

"Will Lady Jenny be back tomorrow?"

"No, Madame won't be here for a while. ”

"May I take the liberty of asking—what brought Lady Jenny out of here?"

Mrs. Eddie was disgusted by the captain's questioning, which was rude. But the people who come are customers, and they need to be treated with a good attitude. - This is Madame Jane's new rule, as long as it does not touch the core secrets and key matters, try to answer the doubts of customers.

"Lady Jenny wants to do something good for the families. Because of the three years of continuous war, the whole of the Westside was impoverished. The nobles ran out of money and food, and the lady hoped to lend some money to the people and nobles in need. “

Butler refused to believe it: "Lady Jenny is going in person?"

"Yes, the Duchess is someone I admire. ”

Butler was disappointed, and he was going to ask Mrs. Jenny in person about the rules of priority out of port, which ...... Somewhat...... Bullying people.

"Mrs. Eddie, I've heard that you have to save a sum of money at the Cregan Bank to get the right of first refusal. ”

"Yes, Captain. Mrs. Eddie was unabashed, her voice calm.

"Ma'am, we're not from Westeros. ”

"Then you should know the rules of Lannisport. The Clegane Bank has not been there before, and we need any means to promote the development of the bank and let more people know about the Clegane Bank. Those who were willing to put their spare money in the Cregan Bank had placed their trust in Lady Jane and Lannis, and it was reasonable for them to be granted priority to leave the port. ”

"Madame, aren't you afraid that no one will come to Lannisport in the future to do business?"

"There is an opportunity to make a fortune, and those who come cannot be stopped. Captains you can not come again, but there are more captains who are willing to come, because Lannisport also offers loans. What shall I call you, Captain?"

"Butler. ”

"Captain Butler, if you escaped from a storm and survived, but the ship and cargo were gone, and the sailors and crew died in large numbers, could you find someone in any other port who would lend you money to buy a large ship and go home with a full load?"

Butler stunned!

"You can't, but you can, but in Lannisham, because there is a generous Clegane bank that is willing to help anyone with honesty and character and responsibility to turn around again. Lend money to outsiders, Captain Butler, do you dare? Not a golden dragon, it's a hundred golden dragons, a thousand golden dragons, and our lady is willing to risk being deceived by outsiders to help anyone who will cooperate with her. You won't find anyone like this in any other port city. ”

"Madame's interest rate is not high at all. She is not greedy. A voice came, it was the acting lord of the city, Bancrof. He stood in the second-floor hallway, looking at Captain Butler with a calm expression.

It's true!

The interest rate on the money lent by the Clegane Bank to the captains was much lower than that of the loan sharks.

"Captain, do you have a bronze star on you?" Bancrov asked Butler.

Butler nodded.

"Save a bronze star and get the priority to leave the port. Bancrov said.

"A bronze star?" Butler couldn't believe it.

"Yes, a bronze star, even if I deceive you, you should treat me to a loaf of bread and a glass of milk. But, next time, maybe you'll be my best friend. ”

Butler stammered.

"Lady Jeanne wishes to make you aware of and familiar with the business of the Clegane Bank, and to remember that in the event of any misfortune, anyone who has the ambition to sail and whose honesty is admired by his peers can come to Lannis and work with the Clegane Bank. A bronze star, a first-hand experience of a deposit, a priority of departure. ”

A bronze star, an experience to understand the deposit process at the Clegane Bank.

Butler looked at Mrs. Eddie, at Bancrof, the second mate, and at the knight beside him, and he suddenly said: "The Seven Gods are above, I will come to Lannisport next year, and I have decided to store a golden dragon, which is the payment for next year's goods and the cost of the return trip." In case I go to sea unfavorably, can I write some authorizer's name on my deposit slip?"

Mrs. Eddie looked at Butler in surprise.

The captain came with displeasure, and suddenly offered to make a deposit, and why? What touched his heart? Mrs. Eddie did not understand.

Scholar Bancrov smiled, "Captain, your request is in accordance with Madame's bank regulations. According to Mrs. Jane, any future difficulties you encounter in trade will be eligible for the support of the Clegane Bank. On this money, you can also write the name of your heir. If there is any change in the future, the Klegane Bank will send someone to deliver the money to your heirs. ”

"Lord, please greet Lady Jenny on my behalf, I am willing to establish a partnership with the Cregan Bank. I also hope that my family will be supported by the Klegane Bank in the future. "Butler was an ambitious man, an honest character, and he wanted to build a caravan, a large fleet. It dawned on him that the sudden appearance of the Klegane Bank might be a response to the sea god's ambitions.

"Captain, the trust and support you have gained in Lannisport is also available in the port of the Blackwater River in King's Landing. ”

The second mate and the knight were stunned.

There is indeed a lot of money on the big feather ship, and the boxes are loaded, which is the money earned after unloading and loading all the way from Mill, to Pantos, to Blackwater, to Slatted Town, to Old Town, and to Lannis.

Half an hour later, boxes of gold coins were pulled by horse-drawn carts and sent to the Bank of Crega.

Captain Butler became one of the first people across the Narrow Sea to try crabs on Lannis. He has a fiery personality, courage, long-term vision, integrity and honesty, and is ambitious.

*

In fact, since Bancrof's meeting of the captains, the business of the Klegane Bank began to improve, and the number of borrowing captains and some merchants increased day by day, and the wealthy merchants who settled in the city began to try to save some spare money that they could not use at all. I hope that I can get a certain amount of power with Lady Jane and the city lord family.

Keeping spare money in your own home will not make money, but it will be able to be kept in the bank. Keeping spare money in the cellar of the family did not open up the upper nobles for the wealthy merchants, but there was gossip that through the bank deposits, they could meet the duchess and the acting lord of the city, and have the opportunity to eat and chat with them and make friends.

Then give it a try.

Wealthy merchants, captains, and workshop owners were not of high status and were all looked down upon by the traditional aristocracy. Because Jane's mother was the daughter of a spice merchant, Jane, who was carefully cultivated by the family, could not marry into the family of the great nobles, but was ridiculed and despised by the nobles because of her mother's background.

*

In Lannisham, the university scholar Bancroft used his power, his talent for mathematics, and Mrs. Jenny's discerning vision to give a strong impetus to the development of the banking business.

As Jane expected, as soon as the meeting of hundreds of captains began, the banking business was launched, and the momentum was good, and everything went well.

Captain Butler had a thousand gold dragons deposited in the Cregan Bank.

A thousand golden dragons, a small sum of money.

In King's Landing, Count Ode, the lord of Lannisport, quietly approached the Magic Mountain, hoping to cooperate with the Magic Mountain again, and the two made a lot of money by opening a noodle restaurant, if it weren't for the war, the money the noodle shop would have multiplied for them. And in this cooperation, Count Odd is aiming for a fortune, a jaw-popping opportunity to make a fortune. The Prime Minister had already joined, and Count Ode had heard about it from the Prime Minister, and he was so itchy that he decided to step in and invest in the shares.