Although the gold of Casterly Rock has come and gone over the years, some things have accumulated.
Jon ordered all the treasures from the Lannister vaults to be brought out. A rough count estimated there were conservatively over six thousand items!
There were gold crowns encrusted with gemstones, scepters over a foot long, silver tunics adorned with jewels, finely crafted swords with gem-studded hilts, and breastplates that looked like works of art.
The most numerous items were solid gold statues inlaid with gems: lions, dragons, castles, ships, and a pair of twin infants.
Jade, pearls, and other precious stones were too many to count.
It was said that when Tywin's wife gave birth to the twins Jaime and Cersei, even though relations between Aerys and Tywin were already strained, the Mad King still sent gold equal to the weight of the two children as a congratulatory gift.
Thousands of treasures covered the square, leaving everyone present dumbfounded.
Even the Tyrells, whose family was also wealthy, were shocked by the scene before them.
Loras didn't consider himself a vulgar man who loved gold and treasure, but seeing such a magnificent sight, he couldn't help but stare. Under the sunlight, the treasures in the square seemed to emit a radiant glow.
As for the soldiers standing guard, the sound of them gulping down their saliva never stopped.
Jon himself had to marvel at the richness of the Lannister accumulation.
It was just a pity that winter was coming in two years. This winter was destined to be long. These so-called treasures couldn't be eaten or drunk, and due to their poor "liquidity," they would only depreciate in value.
Moreover, Varys had sent Jon news that the Queen's Men intended to seize Casterly Rock's treasury to alleviate Stannis's financial problems.
So Jon decided to go all out and simply "dispose" of all these things.
Of course, not by selling them directly. That would be too slow, and the value of each treasure was hard to estimate, ranging from hundreds to thousands of Gold Dragons.
Just estimating the value would take a long time. Jon chose to "distribute" them directly.
Distributing them to the nobles who participated in the attack on Casterly Rock would serve two purposes: first, to thank them for their help, and second, to exchange these treasures for their resources.
Jon knew that although he might take a small loss in the exchange now, when winter arrived in two years, the "depreciation rate" of these items would be incredibly fast.
This world had experienced winters lasting several years before, but as a transmigrator, he knew this winter wasn't just any winter; it came with the Long Night and the White Walkers. Anything that couldn't be eaten, drunk, or used was no different from garbage.
While these things still held value in the eyes of the world, he would "dump" them all.
Jon looked at Loras, Brynden, Paxter, and the others and said, "My Lords, these are all the items from the Lannister treasury. To thank you for your generosity, I have decided to distribute these among you."
"Distribute?" Paxter turned to look at Jon. He had traveled north and south selling wine and was knowledgeable. He could tell that more than half of these six thousand treasures were rare items!
Such treasures were hard to see ordinarily, and their value was difficult to estimate. He thought that either Jon was generous enough or he didn't know the value of goods; otherwise, he wouldn't make such a decision.
"Lord Duke, House Frey sent troops for the sake of our friendship. We don't need these treasures," Black Walder said.
Although these treasures were indeed tempting, if he took them, House Frey and Jon would be even.
Moreover, Black Walder thought that even if he took some, he couldn't take many—at most thirty to fifty items would be enough to cover the cost of their expedition, with plenty left over.
"Yes, Jon. The West is not yet fully pacified, and money is needed everywhere. We are in no hurry," Brynden also spoke up.
Actually, he was quite anxious. The Riverlands were devastated. Although the Twins were no longer under Riverrun's control, rebuilding the areas around Riverrun would cost a lot of money.
Seeing everyone refusing one by one, Jon said, "My Lords, we are allies. I, Jon Stark, will never enjoy the glory of victory alone. If you are unwilling to take them, I will assume you intend to part ways with me in the future."
Jon picked up a heavy gold lion statue, five or six inches tall, and spoke.
Seeing that Jon seemed sincerely willing to give, Black Walder said, "But Jon, House Frey didn't send many troops this time, and the provisions were provided by House Tyrell. Successfully taking the Golden Tooth and Casterly Rock was all your strategy. We really shouldn't take them!"
"How about this, Lord Duke," Paxter spoke up from the side. "I think at most fifty or sixty treasures can compensate for my lost ship and the cost of the fleet's movement this time. You should keep the rest for yourself."
"Since Lord Redwyne is only taking fifty or sixty items, I'll take twenty," Brynden said.
He didn't want them that much, but if he started, others could follow.
In the end, everyone only took a few dozen items, not even a fraction. Jon certainly wouldn't allow this situation.
"How about this: we distribute according to the number of troops sent. House Tyrell sent thirty thousand troops, more than all of us combined, and also provided military provisions and supplies. Ser Loras, take half directly!" Jon waved his hand and allocated half of the treasures in the square to House Tyrell.
The others didn't speak, just watching the reaction of the Tyrell brothers.
Garlan was still thinking, but Loras had already spoken to refuse.
"This won't do. Only ten thousand of the Tyrell army participated in the battle; the rest were moving in the south to contain the enemy. This is unfair to the others. And taking half the treasures directly is too much. That Ser Frey was right, Jon; your strategy was the biggest reason for our victory," Loras said seriously, looking at Jon.
The others expressed their agreement after hearing this.
Hearing him say this, Jon casually threw the gold statue in his hand onto the ground, smashing a small white pit.
"Since all the lords believe my contribution is the greatest, then I will distribute these treasures." Jon came to the front of the crowd and said, "These treasures have different values, and counting them in detail is too troublesome. My suggestion is that everyone shouldn't pick and choose; just take them in order. What do you think?"
everyone agreed with Jon's statement. If all these treasures were to be distributed, everyone would get some good ones anyway.
And they were all respectable lords; if they picked and chose here, it would be too undignified.
Seeing that everyone had agreed, Jon spoke, "Ser Garlan, Ser Loras, no matter what, House Tyrell sent thirty thousand troops for this battle and provided a large amount of military provisions and supplies. One thousand treasures, no less!"
"Seven hundred!" Loras bargained in reverse. He didn't want Jon to look down on House Tyrell because one thousand was still too many.
"Nine hundred! It's settled!" Jon said firmly.
After marrying Margaery, the Tyrells would be his staunch allies. He planned to tell the Tyrells when the time was right not to let these treasures gather dust in their own vaults but to sell them to the Free Cities or the Iron Bank.
"Ser Brynden, when we were at the Golden Tooth, Riverrun also sent four thousand soldiers. Although they didn't enter the West, their contribution cannot be ignored. One hundred and fifty treasures, plus Ser Rickard's share, a total of three hundred. Please take them back to him."
"Lord Duke, this is still too much," Brynden said repeatedly, but Jon insisted.
"In addition, the Riverlands are devastated now. I have decided to lend you another two hundred items," Jon waved his hand and said generously.
Jon knew that given the current situation in the Riverlands, they certainly wouldn't put these treasures in the vault to gather dust; they would definitely find a way to sell them, so there was no need to remind them.
And this was also a huge favor. With so many people watching now, if the Tullys went back on their word in the future, they would completely lose their standing.
Moreover, Jon said he was lending them, so they would have to be repaid in the future.
As for whether to repay with grain or gold, it didn't matter; the amount wouldn't be too ridiculous anyway.
After all, these families had been in Westeros for thousands of years, and everyone cared about their reputation; they wouldn't take advantage of Jon in such matters.
"Thank you, Lord Duke!" Brynden bowed. He felt Jon was truly too kind to disregard past grievances like this.
"Ser Walder."
Seeing Jon call him, Black Walder licked his lips somewhat impatiently. Although he had tried hard, the expression on his face still betrayed him.
"Five hundred items!"
"Lord Duke, House Frey only sent two thousand men. This... this is too much," Black Walder said repeatedly. He thought getting around two hundred items would be very good.
"No, no, no, not too much. For the extra part, I want the Twins to help me transport those tribesmen from the Vale, and as you promised me before, to send a group of shipwrights from the Twins. The extra part counts as remuneration. In addition, I also want some grain. Please discuss it with Lord Walder after you return. Consider it a purchase from me." Jon walked up to him and said, picking up a crown from the ground. "This treasure is not included in the five hundred items; consider it a personal gift from me to Lord Walder."
Then he whispered softly, "Also pick a few pieces of jewelry for Miss Roslin on my behalf, as a token of my affection."
Finally, under Jon's enthusiastic offensive, Black Walder accepted this number.
Jon and Old Walder had started calculating against each other from their first meeting, so telling him about the depreciation of treasures was not within Jon's obligations.
In fact, for the sake of that crown, he would have to thank Jon.