The council hall in Westeros Fort was a newly constructed building of gray-brown stone. Unlike the council hall in King's Landing's Red Keep, this one was quite simple.
There were no luxury items like Summer Isles wood screens, Myr carpets, or exquisite tapestries from Norvos, Qohor, and Lys; the carpets were just ordinary rush mats.
The only decoration was the black and red three-headed dragon banner hanging on the wall, representing the pride of the ancient Dragon Kings.
Inside the council hall, there was a long wooden table. Viserys sat at the head, surrounded by Ser Roland, Syrio, Umu, and the Andal elders from the villages.
Through the windows of the council hall, one could see the soldiers working enthusiastically.
Whether it was the repair of the inner and outer walls of Westeros Fort, or the renovation and expansion of the sept, training grounds, and stables within Westeros Fort, all required a large number of laborers.
"These soldiers are really motivated," an Andal elder remarked with emotion, recalling that a large number of them were young men from their villages. These captives, after reorganization, were working so diligently even as laborers.
"May I ask why, Your Majesty?" Umu asked.
"With the right methods, these soldiers naturally make quick progress," Viserys said mysteriously.
Many lords simply use soldiers for free labor; if they don't do well, they're whipped. In short, the lord won't let the soldiers be idle, but they also won't pay them.
However, the laborers arranged by Viserys were paid, and this positive feedback naturally gave the soldiers a different feeling.
Rewards were a form of positive incentive, and used well, they could better ignite the soldiers' passion.
As for payment, Viserys gave a portion upfront, and the remaining portion would have to wait until the castle construction was complete.
Besides Westeros Fort, a small dock was also to be built below the Vaesyris Hills, which also required labor. Currently, the small channels of the Rhoyne River were traversed by shallow-draft boats, similar to the ironborn longships.
In addition to the transport capacity of horses, Viserys felt that the transport capacity of the river should also be utilized effectively.
"Truly extraordinary," the Andal elders exclaimed in wonder.
"Elders of the Andal villages, for the construction of the castle and the resurgence of Andas, I will establish a Secret Council and invite you all to be my advisors," Viserys said, striking while the iron was hot, seeing that the atmosphere was just right.
Although the elders of the Andal villages held a somewhat higher status, they were only at the village elder level, and their horizons were limited.
Now, being dazed by the grand title of advisor to Viserys's Secret Council, they lost much of their ability to think.
"Can we make suggestions to your majesty the king?" the elders asked boldly.
"Exactly," Viserys nodded. "The task is difficult, and I need to rely on the wisdom and experience of all you elders."
This was the result of Viserys's careful consideration; to establish himself in Andas, he must unite the Andals.
These local Andal elders were the ones he needed to win over, and besides, they usually had a special skill or two.
Bringing these Andal elders into the Small Council would certainly be overkill. Viserys's Small Council would eventually be used to win over great nobles who pledged allegiance or loyal and shrewd supporters. These Andal elders could also be placed in Viserys's advisory body.
Such regency councils or advisory councils were not uncommon in the history of Westeros, but compared to the Small Council, they were not permanent institutions.
Such councils were meant to unite the strength of supporters. Back then, Olenna Tyrell formed a council of septons and maesters to counter other families' coveting of Highgarden.
Looking to the long term, Viserys wanted to establish an advisory body distinct from the Small Council.
A simple Small Council would certainly not suffice; a two-tiered structure of a Small Council and a Secret Advisory Council could be established. However, these were long-term matters that needed to be taken one step at a time.
"That would truly be our honor," the Andal elders exchanged glances, thought about it, and concluded that these were all good things, with no reason to refuse.
However, this meant that their Andal villages would be completely tied to Viserys's chariot.
"Besides that, there's one more thing," Viserys said to the Andal elders. "I need a group of young Andal Squires to be trained as proper knights in the future. Any of your villages with suitable candidates can put them forward."
"What about the money for this Squire training?" an Andal elder asked curiously.
The cost of training a knight was considerable. Warhorses were expensive, and decent plate and mail armor required selling many fish or apples to acquire.
Not to mention the instructors for training Squires, and the food these boys would need during their training.
"As long as they become Squires of Westeros Fort, these expenses will be covered by the Crown," Viserys said. "Correspondingly, the soldiers and taxes of the villages will also be the responsibility of Westeros Fort."
These Squires Viserys was to train would not only be his personal guards but also serve as a form of hostage, cementing these Andals to his cause.
"What about the safety of our villages, your majesty the king?" an Andal elder inquired.
"That, too, will be my responsibility," Viserys said. "This is also why Westeros Fort needs to train Squires: to organize an efficient force to protect each of our villages."
Actually, Viserys felt that not too many people would remain in the villages. As long as the garrison and Squires were in Westeros Fort, the corresponding commerce and services would also shift to the castle, making it livelier and becoming the core of Andal life.
The Andal elders whispered among themselves for a few moments; they didn't have many objections to this idea.
Viserys could have simply demanded their submission by force, and now, communicating politely was already very gentlemanly. To quibble further would be undignified.
"We have people, your majesty the king."
"Our Grey Swan village will select the most outstanding Squires; we guarantee you will be satisfied."
"Our West River village also agrees to your request."
For this request to screen knight Squires, the Andal elders from the villages were much more enthusiastic. After all, in the chaotic region of Andas, power was still maintained by force.
Many elders understood very well that even if Viserys fell on hard times and was defeated by other forces,
at least they would have gained practical benefits. After this formal knight training, it would surely enhance the combat effectiveness of the village soldiers.
"Elders, since you all agree to your majesty the king's proposal, then we shall devote ourselves to your majesty the king's great cause," Umu suggested.
"Grey Swan village swears by the Seven Gods in Heaven to be His Majesty Viserys's loyal servants..."
"Our White Swan village also makes the same vow..."
"...We pledge loyalty to His Majesty Viserys, to spread His Majesty's decrees and the gospel of the Seven Gods." The other elders rose and swore allegiance.
Viserys watched the elders' reactions, quite satisfied.
Viserys's two-pronged approach of establishing the Secret Council of advisors and recruiting Andal Squires was to fully unleash the war potential of the Andal region.
"Your Majesty," Umu spoke again. "I have also brought in several more remote villages for you, but they are often raided by Tyroshi slavers, so they could not come in person."
"Tyroshi slavers," Viserys murmured the phrase, truly the boldest slave traders.
"Free people should not be driven; this is a trampling of Andal dignity. Andal brothers should unite to eliminate these human traffickers," Viserys declared.
These Tyroshi were quite unlucky; Viserys needed to establish his authority and project a good image, so these few Andal villages had to be saved.
It wasn't that Viserys had a high moral standard; the Andals and Rhoynar would eventually be his subjects, and this was their value contribution.
As for these human traffickers, they had little use, so they had to be dealt with decisively.
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