Countless merchant ships traveled to and from Tyroshh. Under Wright's orders, the new bankers offered loans to merchants at regulated interest rates, and construction sites were everywhere, marking the rapid development of Tyrosh.
The large construction sites were certainly not suitable for living, so after the auction, the nobles gradually returned to Westeros. Before leaving, Wright met with Robert and Renly to discuss matters, and left a task for the next Hand of the King: to repair the King's Road from King's Landing to Storm's End.
The Stormlands were as their name suggested—frequent strong winds and heavy rains. Half of the year was lucky if it saw any sunny days at all. King's Landing, however, had now become the commercial center of Westeros.
The area of the continent where manufacturing was growing fastest was the Stormlands, as agricultural products and raw minerals from all over the land needed to pass through the region. The manufactured products had to be transported out as well. A large number of heavily loaded carts could only use the King's Road.
Despite being called a road, it was really just a muddy path, nearly 200 years old. On rainy days, carts would get stuck in mud pits and would need to hire nearby farmers to help pull them out. After not going far, the carts would get stuck again. In wider parts of the road, two carts could pass side by side, but due to constant cross traffic, only one cart could go at a time. In narrower sections, the road became clogged and often led to conflicts, with many deaths occurring in recent years. Travelers and merchants all complained bitterly.
The section of the King's Road from King's Landing to Storm's End was about 600 kilometers. The Hand of the King, Mathis Rowan, had already organized a survey of the area. Aside from the section near Storm's End, the rest of the road was relatively flat, and it was possible to build a dual carriageway with four lanes.
The blueprints that Wright had left in King's Landing were designed to replicate the structure of the Valyrian Road from the Eastern Continent, with a base of compacted earth and crushed stone, raised half a foot above the ground, and then treated with Dragonfire to melt and harden the surface rocks. The lava would bind the crushed stone beneath it, and once cooled, it would form a smooth black road that helped with water runoff and snowmelt, requiring no maintenance.
As for thermal expansion and contraction damaging the road, Wright had concluded during his survey that using Dragonfire to construct the road eliminated this issue. The Valyrian Road on the Eastern Continent had stood for nearly 5,000 years, still looking as new as the day it was built.
After the Hand of the King completed the survey, the small council had been debating whether to expand the muddy road or build it to Wright's high standards, with the costs of the two options differing by nearly ten times. After discussing the matter, Robert and Renly decided to make a decision after meeting with Wright in Tyrosh.
Wright: "Robert, Renly, have you considered that if you build this road to high standards, the flow of goods and people will bring more profits? What took you five years to earn 100,000 gold dragons could be done in just two years after the road is completed. And your names will be remembered forever on this continent!"
Robert: "But the royal treasury doesn't have much money!"
Wright: "Didn't you seize the Gold cloaks Commander's assets? Has the money already run out?"
Robert stroked his thick beard: "Recent expenses have been a bit high."
Wright: "Renly, do you have enough money over at Storm's End?"
Renly thought for a moment: "If Storm's End covers all the costs, I'll have to cancel a few raw material purchases this year. And according to the kingdom's laws, the King's Road can't be funded by just one house. After it's repaired, will it still be called the King's Road or the Renly Road?"
Robert didn't respond, lost in thought, wondering where all his money had gone.
Wright: "Here's my suggestion: Robert can contribute money in the name of the crown, and Renly can contribute in his own name. The road will still be called the King's Road. Once the road is completed, you can build toll stations at each entrance, and all carts using the road will have to pay. You'll probably recover the costs in just a few years."
Robert perked up when he heard this: "But what if someone joins the road midway and runs off outside King's Landing without paying? How do we collect the tolls?"
Wright: "You can issue a plaque to every cart using the road. The tolls collected can be used to expand the royal guard, who will patrol the road on horseback and punish anyone using the road without paying."
Renly: "That's right! Even if it takes ten years to recover the costs, won't it just be pure profit for the next few decades?"
Wright: "Such a road requires almost no maintenance. Robert, as king, once you recover the costs, you can decide whether to continue charging tolls, lower the prices to support the patrols, or make it free. It all depends on the kingdom's policy."
Robert thought for a moment: "If we build the road to high standards, we can adjust the tolls according to the kingdom's policies. If the funds are needed for war, then we'll charge tolls; if not, we can lower the prices."
Wright smiled: "Then let's talk about the labor fees for Odahviing."
The agriculture and livestock industries on the Stone Steps Islands hadn't developed yet, and the animals were nearly all eaten by Odahviing. The people were left without meat to eat! Wright didn't plan to leave Tyrosh until the child was born, but the dragon couldn't be kept idle—it had to work to support itself.
Robert: "Don't make it too expensive, the royal treasury doesn't have much left!"
Wright: "It's inevitable. The Valyrian Empire built roads with hundreds of dragons taking turns to breathe fire. We have just one dragon—poor Odahviing is very tired."
Renly: "During the construction, we'll cover its meat costs. Can we waive the other fees?"
Wright pointed outside at the giant dragon sleeping: "You're so stingy. Do you think it'll agree to that?"
Robert remembered the embarrassing situation when Odahviing had demanded 250 sheep as payment: "Then let's add a sheep for every kilometer!"
Wright: "That should work. The area where the dragon sleeps needs to be cleared, and it's best if soldiers are stationed to guard it. I'm not worried anyone will hurt it, but I'm afraid someone will get too close, trying to see the dragon—it will eat them!"
After taking Tyrosh, Odahviing had eaten quite a few people. Many of the dead enemies had ended up in its stomach—at least a few thousand.
Wright: "While the road is under construction, you should start by preparing the foundation. Once the road is completed, put up red flags at both ends. Odahviing will breathe fire on the flags. Only you can communicate with it since you're the only one who speaks Dragon Tongue."
Renly: "No problem."
Wright: "If other nobles want to build roads, they can follow the same model. We'll discuss the investment ratio with the local nobles. Odahviing's fee is for food and lodging, plus one sheep for every kilometer."
After reaching an agreement, Robert and Renly set off for Westeros. Robert went straight to King's Landing, while Renly and Margaery returned to Storm's End to wait for the baby.
Wright had to use persuasion with Odahviing, appealing to reason and emotions. After lowering the standards and agreeing to let it rest four days a month, he finally convinced it.
These days, it could fly to Dragonstone to rest, which, like Skull Island, had volcanoes that were perfect for a dragon's needs.