Naturally, Lynn could not agree to Cersei's demands.
So he simply found an excuse about needing to think it over and dismissed Cersei.
As she left, Cersei's steps were a little unsteady.
She held her back straight, using all her strength to maintain the pride and dignity befitting a queen.
But only she knew what kind of body, still trembling slightly and completely conquered, lay beneath that magnificent disguise.
Cersei dared not look back.
She was afraid of seeing Lynn's calm yet all-knowing eyes.
Those eyes would remind her of everything that had happened in the room just now, of her shameful degradation and submission.
It was only when the heavy oak door closed behind her, cutting off the gaze that both terrified and uncontrollably drew her, that Cersei felt as if all her strength had been drained, and she leaned against the cold wall, gasping for breath.
Her hands unconsciously reached for her chest, but her mind quickly cleared.
She had come with the last pride of House Lannister, attempting to use her body and secrets as bargaining chips for an equal transaction with Lynn.
The result, however, was a one-sided crushing defeat.
Cersei composed herself and headed towards the The Red Keep.
Lynn had no intention of sleeping.
He stood by the window, the night wind dispersing the ambiguous scent of power and desire that had lingered in the room.
Cersei was a smart woman, and a competent gambler.
After realizing she couldn't defeat her opponent, she decisively chose to place her bet.
Using the wealth of the Lannister, the life of His Majesty the King, and the promise of a future heir, to secure a position in the new game.
Lynn was very satisfied.
He needed the grain and ironware from House Lannister to arm his barren fiefdom.
He also needed Cersei as a pawn to stir up trouble for him in the great quagmire of King's Landing.
As for Robert's fate... it had nothing to do with Lynn; he should have exited the stage long ago.
Lynn's gaze fell on longclaw on the table.
The Valyrian steel sword gleamed with a cold light under the moonlight.
The duel in seven days.
The Mountain versus The Hound.
This was not only Petyr Baelish's trial, but also a great gift he was sending to Dorne.
As long as the Mountain died, House Martell of Sunspear would surely feel favorably towards him.
A potential and powerful ally.
Everything was proceeding perfectly according to the script he had written.
Just then.
Knock, knock, knock.
A moderate knocking sound rang out again.
Lynn frowned slightly.
Who could it be, so late?
That little girl Arya?
Or the worried Ned?
"Come in."
The door was gently pushed open, but it wasn't anyone he had expected who walked in.
Leading the way was a thin old woman leaning on a carved walking stick.
She wore a deep green gown, with a budding rose embroidered in gold thread on the hem.
Her silver-grey hair was meticulously combed, and on her wrinkled face, her eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.
The Queen of Thorns, Olenna Tyrell.
The true power behind House Tyrell.
And by her side, followed a young woman as charming and beautiful as a spring rose.
She also wore a green gown, and her long brown curly hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall.
Her features were as exquisite as a painting, and a perfectly poised smile always graced the corners of her lips.
In her brown eyes, there was both the innocence of a young girl and a wisdom and insight beyond her years.
Margaery Tyrell.
The Rose of Highgarden, a woman destined to bloom with the most dazzling light in this game of thrones.
A hint of surprise flashed in Lynn's eyes.
He hadn't expected these two mistresses of Highgarden to visit late at night.
"Forgive us for disturbing you so late, Lord Lynn."
Lady Olenna spoke first.
Her voice was strong and carried the authority of someone long accustomed to power.
Her gaze swiftly swept around the study, finally resting on Lynn.
Those sharp eyes held an undisguised scrutiny.
"No worries."
Lynn nodded, motioning for them to sit down.
"May I ask what brings you two here so late?"
"Young man, let's skip the pleasantries."
Lady Olenna waved her hand, sat down in a chair without waiting, and placed her walking stick to the side.
"We are all sensible people; beating around the bush will only waste everyone's time."
She was direct, almost rude.
"I've come for the sugar."
Lynn smiled.
He knew that small bag of white powder couldn't escape the eyes of the Queen of Thorns.
"Grandma is always so direct."
Margaery's soft voice rang out.
Her voice was like a clear spring, softening the slightly tense atmosphere in the room.
She smiled sweetly at Lynn, a smile that could make any man's heart flutter.
"Lord Lynn, Gift you presented to His Majesty the King has astonished all of Highgarden."
"We have never seen anything so pure, so sweet."
She walked to the table, curiously observing Lynn.
"Presumably, you must have mastered its source or its production method, right?"
"Something like that." Lynn was noncommittal.
He looked at the old woman and the young woman before him.
They played off each other, perfectly coordinated.
One was aggressive, the other gentle as water.
The Rose of Highgarden, indeed lived up to its reputation.
"Highgarden is the most fertile land in the Seven Kingdoms."
Lady Olenna took over the conversation again, her fingers tapping lightly on the armrest, making a rhythmic sound.
"We have endless food, endless fine wine, and an army capable of making any lord take notice."
Her tone carried an undeniable pride.
"And your North, your Gift, is very cold and very poor."
"Your wildling subjects need to eat, your Unsullied army needs equipment."
"All of this requires money, a lot of money."
"House Lannister is very rich, but their money carries the stench of lions."
Lady Olenna's lips curled into a sneer.
"Moreover, their grain cannot feed your hundreds of thousands of hungry mouths."
Lynn's eyebrows raised slightly.
This old lady, with one sentence, pointed out his biggest current predicament and accurately hit House Lannister's weak spot.
Casterly Rock openly had gold mines, but not enough farmland.
And what he, Lynn, lacked most, was grain.
"So?"
Lynn looked at her, asking with interest.
"So, we've come to discuss a business deal."
Lady Olenna's eyes gleamed with shrewdness.
"House Tyrell is willing to be your sole partner for the sugar business in Westeros."
"Sole?"
Lynn repeated the word, the smile on his face growing wider.
"Lady, you should know, His Majesty the King is also very interested in my sugar."
"Robert?" Lady Olenna scoffed.
"He's only interested in wine and women."
"That bag of sugar, once in his hands, would be eaten as a snack within three days."
"He's a warrior, not a merchant."
"As for the Lannister..."
She glanced at Lynn.
"That foolish woman Cersei is probably thinking about how to swallow you whole, skin and bones; would she cooperate with you?"
"Don't be ridiculous."
Lynn didn't refute.
He knew the Queen of Thorns was speaking the truth.
At least, in everyone's eyes, it was the truth.
"Then what can House Tyrell offer me?"
Lynn threw the question back.
"Anything you desire."
This time, it was Margaery who spoke.
She stepped forward, her beautiful brown eyes intently focused on Lynn.
"Grain. We can supply your Gift with all the grain, fruit, and vegetables you need for the entire upcoming Winter, at a price thirty percent below market value, with unlimited supply."
"And trade routes."
"House Tyrell controls all the ports and merchant ships in the Reach; we can open a golden shipping route for you directly from Oldtown to Eastwatch-by-the-Sea."
"This route will be free from any constraints from King's Landing or the Lannister."
"The last point is allies."
Margaery's voice lowered a few tones, carrying an astonishing allure.
"Highgarden will always stand behind you."
"Whether in the Small Council or on future battlefields."
"Of course, this is limited to you, and has nothing to do with the entire North."
"Your enemies are the enemies of all Highgarden."
What a grand gesture.
Grain, trade routes, an army.
House Tyrell had practically laid all its core resources on the gambling table.
In comparison, the "alliance" Cersei had bought with her body and a blank check seemed rather petty.
"What are the conditions?"
Lynn asked in a deep voice.
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
"We want full agency for Astapor sugar in Westeros."
Lady Olenna said decisively.
"All sugar must pass through Highgarden to be sold throughout the Seven Kingdoms."
"As for profit, we take seven, you take three."
A lion's share.
Lynn smiled.
"Lady, have you forgotten?"
Lynn leaned back in his chair, watching her at his leisure.
"The sugar is mine."
"Production and transport are also mine."
"You just talk, and you want to take seventy percent of the profit?"
"Young man, that's not how business is calculated."
Lady Olenna shook her head.
"You have sugar, but you don't have distribution channels."
"You have an army, but your army is far away in the North, beyond reach."
"And we have a network of connections throughout the Seven Kingdoms, and wealth that rivals any in the world."
"We can turn your sugar into real gold dragons in the shortest possible time."
"Sounds fair."
Lynn nodded, but then his tone suddenly shifted.
"But what if I already have a partner?"
Lady Olenna and Margaery's expressions changed slightly at the same time.
"Lannister?"
Lady Olenna frowned.
"No."
Lynn shook his head.
He stood up, walked to the large map of Westeros, and lightly tapped his finger on the location of Pentos.
"It's the Magister of Pentos, Illyrio Mopatis."
"He provided me with a fleet and the first batch of supplies, and in exchange, he has exclusive trading rights for sugar on the continent of Essos."
The room fell into a brief silence.
A hint of gravity flashed in Lady Olenna's eyes.
"It seems we all underestimated you, Lord Lynn."
Margaery murmured, looking at Lynn's tall figure, her admiration growing deeper.
This man was even more unfathomable than she had imagined.
"Therefore, a seventy-thirty split is unacceptable to me."
Lynn turned around and sat back down.
The smile on Margaery's face faltered slightly.
And Lady Olenna's sharp eyes narrowed into a slit.
"Young man, greed is not a good quality."
The Queen of Thorns' voice grew cold.
"You may have sugar, but without Highgarden, your sugar will just rot in the warehouse."
"Lady, you misunderstand."
Lynn shook his head.
"Business is never one party's charity to another."
His finger traced an invisible line on the map.
"First, Magister Illyrio of Pentos, he holds the exclusive trade rights for white sugar on the continent of Essos."
"This portion of the profit is used to pay for the fleet and supplies he provides, as well as the costs of opening up the east-west trade route."
Lynn's finger moved, landing on King's Landing.
"Secondly, His Majesty the King Robert."
"His Majesty the King Robert favors me greatly; he not only granted me lands and released me from my vows, but he even intends to marry Princess Myrcella to me."
"In return, I must ensure that House Baratheon receives their rightful share from this business."
"This is both a promise and protection money."
"I think, Lady, you understand this better than I do."
Lady Olenna did not speak, but her tightly furrowed brows said it all.
Lynn's finger finally landed heavily on the vast land north of the Wall, known as Gift.
"Lastly, and most importantly."
"My people."
"Hundreds of thousands of wildlings, they need food, they need clothes, they need weapons to fight against the coming Long Night."
"Most of the profits generated by the white sugar business will be invested here. Used to buy food, reclaim wasteland, and establish towns."
Lynn turned around, meeting Lady Olenna's increasingly solemn eyes.
"Lady, now tell me, how much of this cake, divided three times, is left that is worth House Tyrell of Highgarden staking its entire fortune on?"
"I am thinking for you, Lady."
The room fell into a deathly silence.
Margaery looked at Lynn.
She and her grandmother had only seen the glittering gold mountain behind the white sugar.
But this man before them had already planned the use for every single gold brick of that mountain.
Illyrio was his sword, used to pry open the market of Essos.
His Majesty the King Robert was his shield, used to ward off overt and covert attacks from the Seven Kingdoms.
And he himself was the guardian of Gift, this barren land, using this wealth to cultivate a brand new Northern Kingdom.
"So, everything you just told us was just to toy with us?"
A hint of anger had entered Lady Olenna's voice.
She felt like a self-important merchant who had eagerly come to discuss a big deal, only to find that the other party's shelves were already empty.
And he had been negotiating with her for a long time using non-existent goods.
"No, I never toy with my friends."
Lynn sat down again.
"On the contrary, I have prepared an even greater gift for House Tyrell."
"Oh?"
Lady Olenna raised an eyebrow, the anger on her face replaced by a hint of curiosity.
"Tell me, what gift could be more tempting than white sugar?"
"Of course there is."
A mysterious smile played on Lynn's lips.
"For example, a gift that can change the future of the entire Westeros."
He looked at Olenna, who was full of disbelief, and Margaery, who was deep in thought, and slowly spoke.
"Lady, what do you think is most precious in Westeros?"
"Gold? Power? Or armies?"
"It's food."
Before Olenna could answer, Margaery spoke softly, hitting the nail on the head.
"Exactly." Lynn gave her an approving look.
"Especially when Winter is coming."
"Highgarden is the breadbasket of Westeros, that is beyond doubt."
"But your food is also subject to seasons and climate."
"More importantly, fresh food cannot be stored for a long time."
"Once a Winter lasting several years arrives, even a place as fertile as Highgarden will have to tighten its belt."
"Not to mention other places, everyone will be starving, without exception."
"And I have a way to solve this problem."
Lynn's words stirred up huge waves in the hearts of Olenna and Margaery.
Solving the problem of food storage?
How could this be!
For thousands of years, neither the maesters of The Citadel nor the most experienced farmers had been able to solve this problem.
Drying, pickling, smoking... While these methods could extend the shelf life of food, the taste and nutrition would be greatly compromised.
Moreover, the cost was high, making large-scale popularization impossible.
"Are you joking?"
There was an almost imperceptible tremor in Lady Olenna's voice.
If what Lynn said was true, then the significance behind it would far exceed white sugar.
This meant that whoever mastered this technology would control the lifeline of the entire Seven Kingdoms!
Imagine, when everyone else is starving, you produce mountains of food.
Those famished people would satisfy any of your demands!
Even supporting you to ascend the iron throne!
"I never joke about such things."
Lynn took a parchment from his bosom and pushed it to the center of the table.
"This is a brand new method of food preservation."
"I call it... canning."
Margaery picked up the parchment and, with her grandmother, leaned in to examine it carefully.
On the parchment, a container they had never seen before was drawn with simple lines.
A cylindrical can, completely sealed at the top.
Detailed production steps were also noted beside it.
Place the processed food into the can, add high sugar or high salt, then heat to expel the air inside, and finally seal it.
Is it that simple?
"This... can this really work?"
Margaery's tone was full of doubt.
"Air?"
Lady Olenna, however, keenly grasped the key point.
"You mean, it's the air that spoils the food?"
"You could say that."
Lynn nodded.
People of this era did not yet understand what microorganisms were.
Explaining it with air was the simplest and most direct way.
There are usually four methods of sealing.
Water displacement method.
Using water to displace air, for short-term fresh food preservation in modern households, items cannot be afraid of water, so it was first ruled out.
Thermal expansion and contraction method.
Using the thermal expansion and contraction of air, for homemade canned goods and long-term dry goods preservation, there is a risk of burns, and heat-resistant containers are needed.
And the cans and lids cannot be mass-produced, so it cannot be applied in this era and was also ruled out.
Combustion oxygen consumption method.
Reducing air pressure by consuming oxygen through combustion, which produces smoke, potentially contaminating the container, and the vacuum degree is limited by the amount of combustible material and oxygen content.
Also ruled out.
Finally, there is the displacement method.
Displacing air with heavier gases like carbon dioxide, which can be used to preserve grains against oxidation, requires a source of carbon dioxide.
Lynn decided to use the displacement method to seal food.
The principle is that some gases are denser than air, such as carbon dioxide.
Injecting them into a container or a windless deep pit allows the gas to settle at the bottom, pushing the air out from above.
Usually, there are only two common and most efficient methods.
One is baking soda with vinegar.
The second is producing carbon dioxide from dry ice.
But baking soda requires a pure alkali solution to absorb carbon dioxide, which is simply impossible in this era.
So he now needs to prepare rubber, sugar, raisins, apples or blueberries, which are organic fruits with no wax on their skin, flour, clay... Currently, sugar production is no longer a problem.
As long as these things can be obtained on a large scale, sealing grain will not be a problem!
Of course, making canned goods is all for later.
"This kind of canning can extend the shelf life of food to two years, or even longer, enough to preserve it through an entire Winter."
"Stored in a low-temperature environment, its effect can be even better."
"Imagine, ladies."
Lynn's voice held a hint of seduction.
"When the entire Westeros is plunged into a long and cold Winter, and everyone can only gnaw on dry, hard bread and bitter salted meat, your dining tables, however, are laden with fresh and juicy fruits as if just picked in summer, and rich stews made with succulent meat."
"Imagine, when the King's army marches out, and soldiers complain due to insufficient logistical supplies, your army can enjoy steaming hot meat at any time, anywhere."
"This, is the true gold mountain."
"A true gold mountain that is enough to make House Tyrell stand above all other houses."
Lady Olenna's breathing became rapid.
Her wrinkled face flushed unnaturally with extreme excitement.
She stared intently at the parchment.
As if it wasn't just a piece of paper, but the key to the pinnacle of power.
Margaery was equally stunned by the blueprint Lynn described.
She looked up at the calm man before her, her beautiful eyes sparkling with brilliance.
She realized that she had underestimated him.
This man's ambition and wisdom were far more terrifying than the dragons and armies he possessed.
"What do you want?"
After a long pause, Lady Olenna finally found her voice.
Her voice was filled with an unprecedented solemnity.
The price required for this technology, capable of changing the entire situation of the Seven Kingdoms, was absolutely unimaginable.
"I will provide the technology and the market of the North."
Lynn held up two fingers.
"House Tyrell will provide the capital, raw materials, and production workshops in the Reach."
"We will establish a brand new