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Seeing Janos Slynt's confusion, the Imp's expression turned exaggeratedly dramatic.
"Oh~ my apologies! I forgot that you can't read. How terribly rude of me!"
Tyrion's "explanation" was the spark that ignited the powder keg. Janos Slynt shot up from his chair instantly.
"My Lord! What is the meaning of this?"
The Commander, having clawed his way up from the muck of Flea Bottom, finally realized something was very wrong. But all he got in return was the Imp's serene, mocking smile.
"Don't be so sensitive, my dear Commander. Oh, I forgot to tell you—these are letters of accusation from your own captains. They detail evidence of your corruption, bribery, and even slandering the Queen... So, where are the guards?"
As the Imp's voice trailed off, the red-cloaked guards who had been standing silently by the walls suddenly swarmed forward, pinning Janos face-down onto the table.
Before the fat man could struggle up, his hand was seized by Jon. The Baron dipped Janos's finger in ink and forcibly pressed it onto the parchment, completing a messy signature.
By this time, the screaming Janos was hauled up by the Lannister guards, cursing loudly at the two conspirators.
"What are you doing?! I am the Commander of the City Watch! I know many powerful lords in court! Don't think you can play tricks on m—"
"No, no, no. You have already voluntarily resigned from your post as Commander and recommended Lord Jon to the Small Council as your successor. This letter right here is your handwritten resignation."
---
With Commander Janos Slynt "sent to Essos for recuperation" due to "poor health" by order of the Small Council, the Gold Cloaks suddenly became very obedient.
Especially after the new Commander, Jon Stark, took office, the morale and discipline of the entire City Watch underwent a complete transformation.
Of course, the catalyst for this change was a new decree issued by the Small Council:
Any Gold Cloak found engaging in extortion or blackmail will be immediately dismissed. Furthermore, anyone who reports such misconduct with verified evidence will be promoted to replace the offender's position within the City Watch!
The moment this rule was announced, the entire city of King's Landing went into an uproar.
While starvation is a cruel tactic, Jon's "promotion by reporting" scheme was beyond anyone's imagination. It turned every soldier into a potential watchdog against his peers.
After wielding the stick, the new Commander showed his benevolent side. Using his authority as the "Shadow Hand," Jon rolled out the carrot—a "buy one, get three free" package to win hearts and minds.
First, Jon fully legitimized the "gate tax" (the tithe).
Any merchant entering King's Landing had to pay a 10% tax based on the assessed value of their goods, which went directly to the treasury.
However, as the frontline enforcers, the Gold Cloaks were now legally entitled to keep 10% of the collected tax as a performance bonus.
This single transparent measure might not have been enough to satisfy everyone accustomed to unchecked graft.
So, the Shadow Hand introduced the second measure: Fixed Salaries!
His argument to the Small Council was simple: Since Gold Cloaks were full-time soldiers who didn't produce food or goods, receiving a full, reliable salary was crucial for their survival and the city's stability.
Furthermore, the practice of soldiers having to buy their own weapons and armor—common under Janos's tenure—was abolished. From now on, the City would provide standardized equipment. As for food expenses, soldiers were given a stipend to choose their own meals rather than being forced to eat the Commander's slop.
Third, and most radically, the Acting Hand introduced a concept he called a "Pension Fund," funded initially out of his own pocket.
Of course, if it were just handing out money, anyone—even a Lannister—could buy loyalty.
But Jon's genius lay in deferring the payment, establishing a long-term bond.
The "pension" Jon proposed was directly linked to a soldier's years of service.
Starting now, every Gold Cloak would accrue a "service annuity." Once they reached the age of fifty (or retired due to injury), they could collect a lump sum reward based on their years of service to the King—calculated at one Gold Dragon per year.
Even if a Gold Cloak died in the line of duty, their family or designated heir could claim this pension without any bureaucratic hurdles.
With the implementation of this final measure, the new Commander of the City Watch instantly became the most beloved man among the Gold Cloaks.
The feedback from these three policies propelled Jon to unimaginable heights in the eyes of the soldiers. They began to eagerly anticipate what else the Shadow Hand would do for them.
Under Janos Slynt, that bastard would have flayed them for a copper.
In contrast, the new Commander's policies made every soldier, who usually lived day-to-day, understand who was truly worth dying for.
For a time, Jon's reputation even eclipsed the King's. Rumors of his generosity spread so far that even the sailors of the Royal Fleet on Dragonstone began to grow restless with envy.
---
Meanwhile, after inviting the Imp to help execute this major coup, Jon—with Cersei's support—arranged a new title for Tyrion: Master of Administrative Affairs for the Capital.
To facilitate Tyrion's work, the Acting Hand set up an independent office for him right next to the Small Council chamber.
As for the Imp's duties, they were simple. In two words: Make Money.
In this regard, Jon admitted he was far inferior to his friend.
Jon couldn't bring himself to propose something as shameless as a "Brothel Tax." But Tyrion, being a dwarf who frequented such establishments, had no such image to maintain. He had been passionately pitching this proposal to Jon even before his appointment.
So, when Jon presented the proposal on Tyrion's behalf, at least two votes in the Small Council were in favor. One naturally came from the proposer (Jon), and the other came from Littlefinger's support.
Varys, the Spider, was clearly prepared for the sudden tacit understanding between Jon and Littlefinger.
Although suspicious, Varys didn't object.
From the Master of Whisperers' perspective, collecting more taxes could alleviate the crown's financial crisis. Conversely, failing to collect revenue would lead to a catastrophic deadlock.
Thus, the proposal passed with a 3:1 vote (Grand Maester Pycelle abstaining or being ignored).
The reason for the streamlined voting was simple: Stannis Baratheon, the Master of Ships, still refused to return to King's Landing, as if the city harbored some terrible monster.
Renly Baratheon, the Master of Laws, was accompanying the King on his tour of the Stormlands.
As a result, the Small Council, usually a balanced tug-of-war, had become Jon's personal stage. The absence of the key ministers made the Acting Hand's rule incredibly efficient.
After that, Tyrion, armed with his new plenary powers, began to fulfill his duties. His "unconventional operations" soon made everyone sit up and take notice.