Chapter 55: The Merchant Factions of Gulltown
The city was already close at hand, this beautiful, charming, and petite pearl of the Vale—Gulltown.
Gulltown is one of the five great cities of Westeros, located southeast of the Eyrie and south of Runestone. It is similar in size to White Harbor in the North, but smaller than the other three great cities: Lannisport, King's Landing, and Oldtown.
Rhaegar saw Gulltown's white walls, pristine as snow, and the blue-and-white Falcon-and-Moon banner of House Arryn flying high, matching the azure sky.
What a lovely and beautiful city! Although it carried the smell of fish from the docks, it smelled much better than King's Landing.
King's Landing was huge in population and reeked to high heaven.
King's Landing was originally a military port, but grew larger over time.
Rhaegar had already integrated with the knights of the Vale. The Vale knights considered him a bright, handsome, and charismatic true dragon.
In the era of noble houses, a great noble's common touch made others feel overwhelmed. Rhaegar was not putting on an act; it was his nature, a matter of indifference. After all, his common touch attribute was fully stacked.
The Vale knights felt Rhaegar possessed great warrior charisma. The Prince of Dragonstone was physically robust and skilled in combat, gentle yet not perverse, poised, and tolerant. He endured the knights' vulgar jokes, treating them like brothers in the barracks, unlike some sons of lords who were overly pretentious.
Rhaegar and the knights often sparred. Although the Prince never lost, he gifted the knights many presents.
However, most of the knights of the Vale were landed knights, not low-level farmers.
At the Gulltown docks, Rhaegar saw a crowd gathered, all smiling.
This was not only because Lord Jon Arryn, Warden of the East, had returned, but also because Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, Prince of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne, had come for a pleasure trip.
Although Prince Rhaegar was young, everyone had heard many anecdotes about the true dragon and wished to catch a glimpse of the Prince's demeanor.
It was a wonderful thing for the citizens of Gulltown to welcome the arrival of the true dragon.
As the ships began to dock, Rhaegar saw everything more clearly.
On the pier, Rhaegar saw the representatives of Gulltown's leading houses: House Grafton, House Shett, and members of House Arryn, as well as the Faith of the Seven. These stood in the first and second tiers. Many wealthy merchants, though richly dressed, could only stand in the third tier.
As for the common farmers, servants, and dockworkers, they were considered the lowest tier.
Rhaegar noticed that the number of wealthy merchants in Gulltown was considerable, occupying a large proportion. This was related to the Vale's geographical advantages: the Vale is mountainous on one side and coastal on the other, making it relatively conservative and less connected to other regions. Land travel to the west, north, and south is difficult, so the primary supply for the Vale comes from eastern sea trade. The influence of wealthy merchants in the Vale is growing stronger. They are entrenched in Gulltown, thriving and flourishing.
"Look, here comes my money-grubbing relative from Gulltown. He looks less like a knight and more like a merchant," Lord Jon Arryn grumbled to his Captain of the Guard.
Many nobles were impoverished but extremely proud, while many wealthy merchants had money but no social status. One sought face, the other sought substance.
Due to Lord Jon's displeasure, Rhaegar also noticed the pot-bellied, lavishly dressed Arryn knight, who looked more like a merchant than a warrior. The Arryns of Gulltown were pragmatic; people couldn't starve to death, so they married into wealthy merchant families and made a fortune. However, they were despised by other impoverished branches of House Arryn, who considered them too vulgar.
"How can our old House Arryn marry the daughters of common merchants? We'd rather starve than lower ourselves. It truly disgraces our family name."
Everyone has their own way of life, and the Arryns of Gulltown had figured out how to survive.
"Lord Maekar Grafton, Lord of Gulltown, a young and energetic knight."
"Ser Os Shett."
"Ser Roland Arryn." He also had blond hair and blue eyes, but was pot-bellied—a super-sized Arryn.
"Septon Petre, a kind man."
"…The Gulltown Customs and Tax Officer."
Lord Jon introduced them slowly to Rhaegar. These were the leading figures of Gulltown, requiring detailed introductions, including their children and family members. After them came the minor nobles, and only then did they get to the wealthy merchants.
"And these are the gentlemen and wealthy merchants of Gulltown. I imagine you can feel their enthusiasm, Prince Rhaegar," Lord Jon said, his tone lukewarm. He had no affection for these merchants. He had heard many stories of impoverished nobles marrying into merchant families for money, which truly disgraced their houses.
But Lord Jon had no good solution. People had to live; they had to survive. Although Lord Jon was worried, he could not stop the situation from worsening.
The faces of the Gulltown merchants were already brimming with joy and smiles. While money was great, it needed the protection of power. And what could be more effective than gaining the Prince's goodwill? Even if they traveled to King's Landing later, they would have protection.
The Gulltown merchants eagerly waved their arms toward Prince Rhaegar and performed their courtesies.
Although Rhaegar was young, he was handsome and stately, with silver hair and indigo-blue eyes, just like the Dragon Kings spoken of in stories. The only regret was that the Prince's hair was too short, not the long hair typical of his lineage.
Rhaegar looked at the Gulltown merchants. Their expressions were fervent, their clothes bright, and they were scented with various spices.
Gulltown's handicrafts and tailoring were also famous. It exported spices, fruits, large pumpkins, and incense from the Vale. It was also a safe harbor, a place to stop on the way to Braavos. Because it was not far from the Free Cities, many people imitated the hairstyles and dress of the Free Cities.
Rhaegar saw the merchants' faces, which were filled with desire, longing, and passion. Most of them were stout and well-fed, dressed in exquisite clothes. In contrast, many minor nobles wore outdated clothing and looked sickly, clearly suffering from poor nutrition.
The fragmentation of the Vale was already very severe. The valley lands were fertile but parceled into small plots, leaving many landholding nobles living hand-to-mouth. This was unlike the Reach or the Westerlands, where one had rich land and the other held gold mines.
Meanwhile, the merchant community engaged in import and export trade, represented by Gulltown, was developing quite well.
Rhaegar knew that the rise of one and the fall of the other was a clear trend. It was just that the Vale was unique, and the trend was accelerating faster here.
These merchants and citizens were the new elite of Gulltown. They were ambitious and energetic, and would soon shift from commercial speculation to political speculation. Commercial speculation yielded profits measured in multiples, while political speculation yielded countless profits.
Rhaegar thought this might be the great tide of history.
The third estate of wealthy merchants and citizens in Gulltown was slowly rising and would soon join the Game of Thrones, unwilling to be outdone. Furthermore, many cities in the Free Cities were governed by bankers and merchants, which inevitably spurred on the Gulltown merchants. A Gulltown interest group was slowly forming, combining these merchants, minor nobles, and citizens. Even many second-tier lords would join them to push the tide. Even if there were no Littlefinger, there would be an Oldfinger.
Rhaegar thought, I should also harness these forces. Perhaps this is a form of interception.
After a brief welcome, everyone followed Lord Grafton to the banquet hall. The lord had already prepared a rich feast to welcome Lord Jon Arryn, Prince Rhaegar, and their entourage.
Rhaegar saw the merchants were in high spirits. It seemed this trip to Gulltown would yield quite a few gifts.
Money was a good thing, and Rhaegar was very friendly towards them, considering their generous gifting.
Rhaegar followed Lord Jon forward to the banquet hall, with others surrounding the Prince and Lord like stars orbiting the moon.
The merchants were immersed in the Prince's warm smile, which melted them like spring snow. They were utterly charmed by the Prince's charisma.
Even if they were rich, their social status could not be quickly elevated; they still had to kiss the nobles' boots.
The wealthy merchants were already rubbing their hands together, having prepared various gifts for Rhaegar.
Incense, clothes, spices, dried fruits, handicrafts, and more.
One wealthy merchant slapped his forehead, thinking: Prince Rhaegar is well-developed and doesn't look like a child. Perhaps he needs that kind of service.
However, Lord Jon Arryn despised such sneaky dealings, so the merchant extinguished the idea of sending a few Lyseni girls to Rhaegar.
Moreover, if King Aerys II Targaryen found out, it would be a capital offense.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 40+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics