Chapter 135: A Powerhouse of Pure Charisma
If the story of A Song of Ice and Fire were turned into a role-playing game, Margaery Tyrell would be this kind of character: her combat stats are nearly zero, but her Charisma and Intelligence are maxed out. Beyond that, she possesses a passive trait honed under the tutelage of the Queen of Thorns: Iron Will—Immune to Persuasion.
Egger was skilled at laying out facts and reasoning, using a blend of seventy percent truth and thirty percent fabrication to mislead people. However, the reason he usually succeeded in convincing others wasn't because his oratory was peerless, but because, in most cases, he spoke the truth, and the actions he proposed were harmless.
But in the art of haggling, there is no objective truth or falsehood. Furthermore, the item they were trading was intangible! How could he convince a woman whose cunning and intellect were no less than his own that paying an extra four thousand five hundred Gold Dragons was for her own benefit?
If the difficulty of manipulating Robert Baratheon was a 5, tricking Eddard Stark was a 7, and convincing Tyrion Lannister to join a venture was a 9, then the difficulty of getting Margaery to pull an extra four thousand five hundred Gold Dragons from her pocket was a 90.
It was an impossible mission. It wasn't that the Little Rose was stingy; it was simply that the current Egger—and the entire Night's Watch industry—lacked the capital to make House Tyrell feel it was worth a massive price just to build a rapport.
If Egger placed himself in Margaery's position, he wouldn't be able to convince himself either. Forcing a negotiation in this state made the discussion feel like a descent into hell. Every move he made with high expectations felt like punching cotton—low impact and zero feedback. He tried to explain that the value of the technology far exceeded five hundred Dragons; Margaery feigned ignorance. He tried to persuade her through indirect logic; the girl's ability to deflect and reach her own goals via tangents was far superior to his. In terms of both rhetorical level and the quality of their plays, Egger was completely suppressed by this girl ten years his junior.
Normally, in a price negotiation, both parties give a little ground until the gap closes. But this time, after a long bout of verbal sparring, the two sides remained at a total impasse. Margaery pouted aggrievedly, while Egger felt so repulsed his skin crawled.
Had it not been for the sake of the money, he would have found an excuse to leave long ago to find a quiet place to sit in silence.
...
"Master, you promised to accept my challenge!" Arya appeared to have finished her warm-up. Her face was flushed as she gripped her sword, pushing the door open to urge Egger along. "Can we hurry up? It's almost lunchtime!"
"Wait a bit longer, we're almost done!" Realizing logic was getting him nowhere, Egger gritted his teeth and played his final card. "Since Lady Margaery refuses to yield, then five hundred Gold Dragons it is. But that price only buys the written principles of the papermaking technology. I'll have Nina compile them and deliver them to your door. Our cooperation ends here!"
"Since Lord Egger calculates it that way, perhaps we should do exactly as you say." Seeing Egger's feigned expression of exasperation, a playful glint danced in Margaery's eyes. Her face, however, immediately shifted into a mask of trepidation and apology. "The technology itself is worth five hundred Dragons, I agree. Beyond that... five hundred for management and operational methods, and five hundred to provide personnel for assistance and guidance. That's fifteen hundred Gold Dragons in total. My Lord... how does that sound?"
Dammit. A perfect counter-play. Was she just waiting for him to say that?
Looking at Margaery's barely concealed provocative gaze, Egger suddenly realized: throughout this entire negotiation, the girl hadn't been trying to save House Tyrell a mere few hundred or thousand Dragons. She was toying with him—taking revenge for his earlier cold attitude and excessive caution!
Against such an opponent, you either put a blade to her throat or wait until you have grown enough to crush her with sheer momentum. Trying to talk your way through was an exercise in futility.
Women truly are not to be trifled with. Fortunately, Margaery wasn't Cersei; at least she didn't want him dead. Egger sighed deeply in his heart. Hardening his resolve, he made one last attempt. "Add another five hundred! Not because anything is 'worth' that price, but because the Night's Watch industry is a profit-driven organization. As Chief Logistics Officer, I must make money for the Night's Watch! We are constantly expanding our projects, and there will be more profitable channels in the future. Let me make a profit this time, so that we can have a chance for a next collaboration. Can Lady Margaery understand and accept that?"
"My Lord is so genuine, I have nothing more to say. Two thousand, then—the extra five hundred Gold Dragons shall be a donation from the Reach to the defenders of the Wall." Even though she had slashed the price by more than half, Margaery insisted on calling it a donation. She flashed a smile of successful mischief and, as if influenced by Arya's presence, suddenly became much easier to talk to. "The money will be sent by my men this afternoon. As for the people and items I require, I must trouble My Lord to gather them as soon as possible. I hope to take them with me when I leave King's Landing in a few days."
Egger breathed a sigh of relief. Although staying with such a calculating girl was a form of torture, the closing price had finally reached his psychological expectation. He was destined never to enter the market of the Reach; being able to quickly liquidate technology for cash was a fine alternative. With his modern knowledge and vision, was he really afraid of not being able to make that capital grow?
"Nina, take note of this and arrange it immediately."
"Yes, My Lord!"
The price negotiation had lasted so long that the pot of drinks Nina brought had been almost entirely finished by Egger and Margaery. Once the price was settled, they didn't bicker over the remaining details, quickly reaching a consensus: Egger had to quickly select and assemble a complete team of technical backbones from his best employees. After brief instructions and training, they would set out with Margaery when she returned to Highgarden in about ten days. The Tyrells would be responsible for the room, board, wages, and bonuses of this group until their mission in the Reach was complete.
"Hmm—I'll take the same deal." Oberyn was blunt, not wasting a single word and directly piggybacking on the Little Rose's hard-won bargaining results. He didn't even blink at the two thousand Gold Dragons, exuding the air of an overbearing Prince.
Although the second workshop hadn't been built yet, Tyrion had long ago ordered the training of workers and grassroots team leaders for several production lines that hadn't started yet. Now... those people waiting for work in the industrial park suddenly had something to do!
Despite the lingering feeling of goosebumps, the outcome was a happy one for everyone. With the negotiation over, it was time for the standard rhythm of bidding farewell and going home for lunch. However, Margaery found a new target. She completed a face-change in half a second, looking curiously at the girl holding a sword and sitting in Nina's seat. The girl was staring at Egger like a hawk—waiting for the man of the Night's Watch to finish his business so she could challenge him.
In a soft, probing tone, Margaery asked: "This... wouldn't happen to be Lady Arya Stark?"
"Yeah." Arya had been practicing swordsmanship at the office for over three months and had been seen by countless customers of the Night's Watch industry; she was long used to people approaching her. She glanced at Margaery, expressionless. "Hello."
"I am Margaery Tyrell. I never expected to meet you here, Lady Stark!" Margaery ignored the girl's coldness and introduced herself with a cheerful tone. "Are you practicing your sword here?"
"I am..." Arya blinked, used to the surprised looks people gave a girl practicing with a blade, and added specifically: "My father allowed it!"
"Heavens, you are so lucky. I've wanted to practice the sword since I was little, but my father wouldn't allow it because I'm a girl!" Margaery said in an exaggeratedly envious tone, then quickly shifted to an expression of frustration. "I've dreamed countless times of dancing with a sword in a dress under the moonlight, but in reality, I've hardly even touched a blade."
Arya was clever, but how could she match the Little Rose's maneuvers? For the first time, she had met a girl who didn't question her, but instead envied her for practicing. She immediately felt that this lady was not only beautiful but also kind and relatable. "You can practice in secret. Your family is back in Highgarden, right? You're in King's Landing now—how would they know what you're doing?"
"But I have my parents' guards with me. they keep a very close eye on me."
"You can come here! My Master and I will cover for you. You can just say you're practicing needlework with me inside!" Arya's eyes darted around, immediately coming up with a plan for her new friend, not even caring what the actual owner of the place thought. "Let my Master keep your guards outside the door, but we'll actually be practicing in the backyard. I'll teach you!"
"Is that really okay?!" Margaery looked at the man of the Night's Watch with an expectant gaze that even Egger found hard to distinguish from the real thing, pitifully seeking the owner's permission. "If it causes trouble, I am willing to pay for the use of the grounds and for lessons..."
Arya jumped up and tugged at Egger's sleeve. "Master, you're the best! I know you'll definitely agree!"
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