Chapter 129

The watchtower wasn’t particularly tall, but with the surrounding land flat and no taller structures nearby, their view was almost completely unobstructed. Even from this vantage point, the farthest reaches of the fenced perimeter to the west were barely visible, just a faint line on the horizon.

“How much land did you enclose?” Aegor asked.

“As much as the Hand approved,” Tyrion replied with a shrug. “I drew the boundary up to the edge of inhabited areas—couldn’t very well fence in people’s homes, could I? The enclosed area is about five or six times the size of the Red Keep. It might seem large now, but if progress continues, I’m worried even this won’t be enough.”

Aegor scanned the perimeter again, his eyes drifting to the first factory. If the buildings were placed closer together, it felt like the fenced area could accommodate dozens more factories of that size.

Tyrion continued, “During the Vale campaign, when the six kingdoms’ armies gathered at the Bloody Gate, our books sold like hotcakes. The workers were toiling from dawn to dusk and still couldn’t keep up with orders. Now that the war is over, the surge in demand has slowed. Once the second factory is operational, the pressure on paper and printing production will ease significantly.

“And since those involved in the rebellion—nobles and soldiers alike—bought cheap books from our army camp, they’ll take them back to their hometowns. Soon enough, clever merchants will come knocking, looking to buy books in bulk to sell in areas beyond the Crownlands.”

“That’s something I’ve already considered,” Aegor said with a nod. “But high transport costs make long-distance sales less viable. It won’t be our primary channel.”

Tyrion, leaning over the railing, pointed to a patch of land by the river, west of the second factory’s construction site. “That area is reserved for a final paper and printing facility, once investments come through. After that, we’re done with this industry. I’ve run the numbers—even if we factor in exporting books to distant markets, three factories should suffice. Any further expansion would require entering the other kingdoms’ markets.”

It made sense. The market was limited by the low productivity of the time and the lack of wealth among the population. Except for nobles and lords, most people were poor. Even with lower paper and book prices, the majority still couldn’t afford them. And among the poor, literacy rates were dismal. Chasing customers who wouldn’t buy anyway would be a fool’s errand.

“To expand, we’d need cooperation from the great lords of the Seven Kingdoms,” Aegor mused. “We’d provide the technology, manpower, and startup funds, while they’d offer local support and market access. But what if they refuse to cooperate, jealous of the profits, and try to steal the technology for themselves? I wouldn’t put it past someone like Margaery Tyrell—she’s already tried to pry information about our papermaking and printing methods from me.”

“Margaery? That girl’s not much older than Nina, and she’s already that cunning?” Tyrion said, raising an eyebrow. “Well, there’s no helping it. Not everyone’s a fool, and papermaking isn’t exactly rocket science. You can’t expect to monopolize this industry forever. That’s why I set up the entrepreneurial loans and funding for new inventions—to diversify.”

He gestured to the vast, leveled land within the perimeter. “All of this is ready for use. How we allocate it is entirely up to us. The riverfront area is reserved for projects that require waterpower, while the rest is yours to develop as you see fit. For now, we don’t have enough workers to attract merchants or vendors, but once we grow further and persuade some workers to settle near the fences, the situation will improve.”

Aegor stared at Tyrion in disbelief. “You’re planning to turn this into a satellite town for King’s Landing?”

“Why not?” Tyrion replied. “Look at how many people already live outside the city walls. They’re a source of cheap labor, and once they start earning wages, they’ll become wealthier than the average farmer. Why shouldn’t we take their silver stags and gold dragons?”

He pulled back from the railing. “Of course, that’s just an ideal. Reality won’t be so smooth. We’ll adapt as things progress. Right now, what we really need to discuss is people.”

Aegor nodded, recalling the group Tyrion had introduced earlier. By modern standards, they were ordinary individuals, but in this world, they were competent enough to serve as middle management. For higher positions, though, their abilities would need careful evaluation.

“Take Geros, for example,” Tyrion began. “He used to be an officer in the City Watch but quit due to dissatisfaction with corruption. I brought him in on a recommendation and got to know him a bit. He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, but he’s reliable and capable of managing a few dozen men.”

“No need to defend him,” Aegor interrupted. “Do I look like someone who holds grudges over minor issues?”

Tyrion smirked. “Fair enough. Just keep it in mind. I’ve been picky about the management hires—better to leave a position vacant than fill it with the wrong person. Anyone I recommend, you can trust.”

Leaning on the railing, Tyrion glanced down at the clearing below. Most of the industry’s managers had already left after being dismissed, leaving only Arya, Nina, and Kacey waiting for their conversation to end. Arya and Nina were chatting animatedly, while Kacey stood silently nearby, keeping watch.

...

“What do you think of Nina?” Tyrion asked abruptly.

Aegor blinked, surprised by the sudden question. “I was going to ask you the same. Why is she at the office instead of working on industrial processes?”

“When you left, I temporarily took over your role and needed an assistant, so I brought her in. I quickly realized she’s a fast learner and decided to train her. Her brother and the other workers are capable of handling the technical improvements, so I took her as my apprentice. She’s exceeded my expectations—she’s already managing the office independently. Are you still not satisfied?”

“You took her as your apprentice?” Aegor asked incredulously.

“Why not? Can only you take on apprentices?” Tyrion shot him an irritated look. “I’m telling you, she’s smarter than anyone in the industry aside from us. Finding someone like her is pure luck.”

Aegor wasn’t entirely convinced but decided not to argue. “Office management requires more than being smart and good with numbers. She needs to handle clients, too—and she could barely speak to me without stammering. How will she manage visitors?”

“Stammering? She’s never done that around me. She’s confident, assertive, and meticulous—won’t tolerate a speck of dust. She even dares to argue with me when she’s upset. Ask the office staff; they’re half in love with her and half terrified of her.”

Tyrion’s assessment made Aegor reconsider. Perhaps Nina had been nervous about his sudden return. But if she lacked the composure to handle surprises, was she truly reliable?

Tyrion chuckled, reading his expression. “It’s obvious—you’re her weakness. She likes you. You really didn’t notice? She’s been asking me when you’d return ever since you left for the Vale. And earlier, while you were giving orders, the way she looked at you... full of stars in her eyes.”

Aegor sighed, exasperated. “I have no intention of complicating things. Subordinates are subordinates; mixing work and personal relationships is a bad idea.”

“That depends on how you see it,” Tyrion said. “I won’t beat around the bush. She likes you, and I hope you’ll reciprocate, partly because I care about her, but mostly for practical reasons.”

He leaned closer, his tone serious. “If I leave for Casterly Rock tomorrow, she’s the only one who can partially fill my role. Our organization is growing too fast, and our management structure has gaps—especially at the mid and senior levels. Loyalty isn’t guaranteed by contracts or wages, especially for women. Emotional investment drives them. Right now, she’s dedicated to you and the industry, but that passion won’t last forever without reinforcement.”

Aegor frowned. “I get your point. You’re saying that unless she’s fully committed to me, she could eventually be swayed by others.”

“Exactly. And let’s not forget how marriage works in Westeros—once a woman marries, her priorities shift to her husband and his family. If she marries someone else, her loyalty won’t be ours anymore.”

“Understood.” Aegor finally relented.

“Good. Just think it over. Now, tell me about your trip to the Vale. Besides Margaery Tyrell trying to extract trade secrets, did anything noteworthy happen?”

...