The sun rose, and another day began. Crow Yoren, as usual, went to Flea Bottom after breakfast to pick up "recruits." Tyrion, uncharacteristically, got up early and went out to find someone to organize the "printing press" he had been thinking about. Only Aegon slept in a little longer, and when the sun was high enough, he slowly got on his horse and set off for the street-facing storefront Eddard Stark had arranged for the Night's Watch.
Seals and signs naturally couldn't be made overnight, and bonds wouldn't be ready for a day or two, but the Night's Watch Office had to open quickly: neither the signing of bonds nor the recruitment work could be done outdoors or in someone else's home—just like how scammers and shell companies often rent an office floor to hire some employees and put on a show, activities involving money give outsiders a great sense of security when conducted in a fixed location.
Jack had already ordered the tables, chairs, cabinets, and other office supplies on his list yesterday and scheduled a delivery time. They would arrive today, and as the applicant for the Night's Watch Office and its future manager, he naturally had to be on site to supervise and direct the renovation of the storefront and the placement of various items. He couldn't not come.
...
The businessmen had good time management. Less than half an hour after opening, both the people and the goods arrived.
After a simple cleaning, Aegon began directing the workers to move the tables, chairs, and cabinets into the storefront, placing them one by one in the intended positions. He had never run a store, but he had played and grown up in his mother's tailor and clothing shop since he was a child, which left a subtle but indelible influence on him. Unconsciously, he arranged the layout according to the structure of his family's shop.
The office was divided into two rooms, inner and outer. On the The Walls of the outer room, one side would eventually display detailed explanations and rules for Night's Watch Bonds, and the other side would display the benefits and requirements for recruitment. Below them, two rows of long benches were already placed for visitors to rest. In the middle of the room was a large table, where the manager of the storefront would sit behind it in the future, communicating and explaining to anyone who came in, whether they were just passing by to take a look or had thoughts about bonds or joining the Night's Watch. If they showed interest, they could be invited into the inner room.
The inner room was Aegon's office, furnished with a row of simple cabinets and wooden shelves. In a few days, facilities like a safe might be added. Facing the window was a slightly smaller office desk than the one in the outer room. In the future, Aegon would conduct more in-depth communication and negotiations with people at this desk, and sign every Night's Watch Bond, as well as the recruitment contracts for joining the Night's Watch.
After a busy spell, Aegon and Jack's clothes were soaked with sweat. They moved chairs to sit outside the door, looking at the empty, not-yet-opened Night's Watch Office, discussing what was still missing.
...
"Will anyone really sign up to join the Night's Watch?" Because it was too hot, Jack had already taken off his Lannister armor, fanning himself while asking doubtfully, "Maybe you're really articulate, but putting on the black... The price is too high. I wouldn't go even if you killed me."
"Indeed, the Night's Watch needs reform now. If we keep clinging to that 'sacred' bullshit oath, we'll soon disappear from the world."
"Reform?"
"That's right, reform."
Aegon smiled with a knowing look. Of course, he wouldn't really send a large number of conventional Night's Watch recruits to The The Wall. Not to mention he didn't have the ability, even if he did, he wouldn't do it. Send people to The The Wall, train them, have them take the oath, and become his lifelong "brothers"? What benefit could he get?
It was true that the more new recruits were sent, the more stable the defense of The The Wall would be, and the less likely he would be forcibly recalled. However, relatively speaking, the more members there were, the greater the power of the Night's Watch... and the more he would be suppressed. He didn't want to return to The The Wall, but he also didn't want to have to rely on others and beg them not to recall him.
Aegon's plan was to pretend to recruit soldiers in King's Landing for a month or two, and then write a letter to the higher-ups of the Night's Watch, complaining that he had gone to great lengths to persuade many people to go North to The The Wall to resist the Wildlings and White Walkers, but when it came to being unable to marry or leave for life, ninety-nine percent of them backed down. If the requirements could be slightly relaxed, allowing people to temporarily go to The The Wall to help for a few years, helping the Night's Watch get through these most dangerous years and then return home, he could quickly get hundreds or even thousands of people to reinforce The The Wall.
The The Wall was currently extremely short of people, and Jeor Mormont would have no choice but to eventually agree to his suggestion.
Then, he could hire people to go North to complete the task – these people would join the Night's Watch through him, receive payment from him, and might ultimately have to rely on him to fulfill the promise of leaving the Night's Watch after a few years and getting the travel expenses to return home... They would form a solid community of interest with him. In a sense, they would be "his people." Imagine how much influence he would gain if a fraction or even half of the Night's Watch members were like this?"
At that time, even if he still had no official position, he would be the second-in-command or even the most powerful person in the Night's Watch. He wasn't leading the Night's Watch in rebellion or seeking independence, and without a stronger force interfering, people like Ser Alliser Thorne or Benjen Stark... anyone who wanted to move against him would have to think twice.
What should this force be called... The Night's Watch Auxiliary Army, The Gift Construction Corps, or The The Wall Provisional City Watch?
He would worry about the name later. He still had plenty of time to refine this plan, but it wasn't something to discuss with Jack. It wasn't that he looked down on Tyrion's attendant, but some things were best kept to himself.
Everything depended on the success of the Night's Watch Bonds. As long as this step went smoothly, everything that followed would not be a problem—a problem that could be solved with money was not a problem.
***
Aegon's confident expression, which suggested everything was under control, made Jack's heart itch with curiosity. Having followed his master for a long time, he had also picked up some of Tyrion's strong thirst for knowledge and curiosity... Just as he was about to press for more, he looked up and saw a big figure: "Damn! Lord Stark, why is he here, Aegon! He seems to be coming this way, is he looking for you?"
His thoughts were interrupted, and the Night's Watch was startled. Looking in the direction the young attendant pointed, he indeed saw the current King's Hand, Eddard Stark, riding down the street with a group of people.
...
Not to mention the Night's Watch Office had just started renovations, even if it were truly open, it would be impossible to invite the Hand of the King of the Seven Kingdoms to grace it with his presence. Eddard Stark was likely just passing by, but since he was passing by, given his level of concern for the Night's Watch, it wasn't impossible for him to stop here to inspect, or even "guide" the work.
The Warden of the North theoretically couldn't command the Night's Watch, but he was the big boss, and his work in King's Landing depended entirely on him not obstructing it and even providing convenience.
...
Soon, the Warden of the North's gaze met that of Aegon, who was conspicuously dressed in black. He said something to the guards riding with him on his horse, and the group lightly reined in their horses and approached, finally stopping at the entrance.
"Lord Stark," Aegon greeted, still neither humble nor arrogant. At this moment, he was playing the role of a loyal Night's Watch Quartermaster, and for that alone, the other party would not make things difficult for him.
—