After the execution, Alexander and Robert sat alone to talk.
"So, how's life treating you, my boy?" Alexander asked.
"Everything's good. Now only if there was a cure to give some brain to Cercei, life would become perfect." Robert replied.
"She's a fine woman, both in body and bed. But whenever she opens her mouth to speak, it spoils everything. I'm also starting to doubt the legitimacy of my children. The boy Joffrey is a devil. He likes to kill every little living thing he sees. Yesterday he brought a dead rat to me. I can see it, uncle. The same madness I once saw in the eyes of the Mad King." He added and downed a full glass of Butterbeer.
"Well, son. I might be able to deal with the Lannisters. Not your wife, but House Lannisters. While I am sure Cercei will soon make a wrong move and doom herself." Alexander offered.
"I'm all ears, Uncle. If you can deal with the Lannisters I've got no problem. But I also heard that you liked that little imp, Tyrion." Robert asked.
"Yes, I do like him. He's a smart boy and still has a heart. Tywin's youngest brother, Gerion, is also a good man. I am not going to kill them, Robert. I am going to bankrupt the Lannisters and then take over their land."
"What? Hahaha... I think you're drunk uncle, money is something that Lannisters have the most. They have that huge rock filled with gold. How will you bankrupt them?" Robert laughed.
"Don't overestimate the Lannisters, Robert. I secretly checked out their mines on my last visit. It's nearly empty. Think about it, Robert. They have been mining that rock for thousands of years. It's about time it gets empty. I am clearly telling you. The Lannisters don't have gold left. And Tywin would never let this news come out. After all, other houses fear him because of the gold. And to keep that image, he would do anything." Alexander said.
Robert looked shocked and then loudly laughed, "Hahahaha... They are f*cked, you mean. Oh... Such a great joy to hear that. Tell me, uncle, how can I help"
"I want you to act. Say that you want to expand King's Landing but the Starks have denied the funds as they are busy. Ask Tywin for money, let's say, 5 million gold Dragons for starters. Don't worry, I really intend to expand and upgrade the city. But the main thing is that Tywin will have to ask for loans from the Iron Bank. And believe me, I have a very high reach in the Iron Bank. We will bankrupt him slowly. When he'll ask you to pay up, you'll pay with my money. But that money might go missing when the Lannisters will be transporting it." Alexander explained his plans. He also used some magic to make sure that Robert doesn't spoil anything.
To Alexander, Robert was like a distant family member. He cared for him but not enough to actively participate in things to help him. All he was doing currently was to help himself. Robert was just another happy guy from what he was doing.
...
A month later, Alexander received a report from the Iron Bank that Tywin secretly sent his brother to the Iron Bank of Braavos and loaned 4 million Gold Dragons. This meant that the Lannisters had started to run out of money.
But he had also predicted another upcoming problem. The Smallfolks living in Tywin's lands will face hardships. There could be a scarcity of food and jobs soon. So, he went to talk to the guy in charge of handling the department of Human Resources. He was a Maester originally from Lys, who was very enthusiastic about resource management so Alexander had him read books about it from the library.
"How are you Maester Nur? I got an important job for you," Alexander entered the office.
"You command, I obey, boss. What is it?" Maester Nur quickly replied.
"I want you to prepare to snub some unhappy smallfolks from the Lannister region. There will be problems coming soon. So you need to prepare for them." Alexander said.
"And how much time do I have?" He asked.
~Bronn, I'll cut your extra sword if you ever said something like that again in front of her.~ Alexander warned with a mental message.
Bronn had never experienced that and quickly took out his sword and looked around, only to realized it was his boss.
~Fokin Magic~ he muttered and followed.
...
Alexander boarded his ship from the Wolf's city. The initial railway track connecting 4 major cities of the North had been laid. However, it was still in the initial testing stage. But still, the Army used it. It connected Winterfell with Wolf's City, Moat City and Norgold.
This was going to be the first time that the North would show its might. Many Northern Lords also came. Jorah Mormont came too. He was young and ambitious. Alexander knew that the guy was going through his life's dumbest period. He was going to make some mistakes and Alexander wasn't going to let that happen. Sure, he did like the little Lyanna Mormont, younger Sister of Jorah to be the next lord of Bear island but he wasn't going to let a northern lord commit human trafficking.
Soon, the full Western Fleet of the North departed for the Iron Islands with 250 ships, 80,000 men including the Army personnel. The 4 Northern Fleets were very costly to manage. They cost nearly 2 million Gold Dragons each year to operate. But North was a money-making machine now and had no problem managing it. Even the Navy was often sent on assignments to make some money.
5 days later, the Fleet reached the small port of House Banefort in Westerlands. They were a loyal house to the Lannisters. The House Banefort was the closest Western port to Pyke, the seat of the ruling house of the Iron Islands, House Greyjoy.
Robert was still on his way and they were the first to arrive there. Alexander straight up took over the military command of the port while ignoring the cries of the local officials. He then told his men to continue patrolling the sea and sink any Ironborn ship they saw. Only the main commanding ships were anchored near the small port. He also kept Rina near him at all times. She also honestly stuck to Alexander as she slightly understood the seriousness of the situation.
"Where are the bad guys, Grandpa?" She vigilantly asked...
"In the sea, my child. We are waiting for the king here." Alexander said.
"Isn't the King a bad man too? Momma said that." She inquired.
"Haha... Yes, he's also slightly bad. But not bad like the ones we are fighting now. The king is just dumb, not that bad." Alexander corrected her.
"Umm.. Okay, it's Stupid King then" she said and started humming some songs.
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