Princess Daenerys used a few words to put these old stubborn scholars of the Citadel on the spot.
However, due to Princess Daenerys's status and the dragons under her command, these people, who were the most eloquent in all of Westeros, despite having countless words they wanted to retort, could only unwillingly shut their mouths.
After all, as the smartest group of people in all of Westeros, although they couldn't see the full picture of what happened to the Hightower Family of the Starry Sept, they knew it was definitely related to Princess Daenerys.
The rise of Holy Flame Island, the dragons in Weirwood Square, and the riots in Oldtown—the connections between these events might not be obvious to outsiders, but as the Maesters of the Citadel, they could roughly guess most of it.
Following the principle of 'who benefits, who schemes,' the cause of the Oldtown riot seemed like an unintentional mistake by the Hightower Family, but in reality, it might very well be the result of Princess Daenerys's manipulation behind the scenes.
However, most of these Maesters focused their primary energy on the pursuit of knowledge and truth, and they were not very interested in the conflicts and rivalries between the Seven Kingdoms.
As long as it didn't affect the Citadel's transcendent status, they were too lazy to interfere.
The Hightower Family's influence in the Citadel was indeed vast, but the Maesters of the Inner Sanctum did not need to act according to their whims at all.
Therefore, during the Oldtown riot, the Citadel immediately unified its voice and chose to protect itself.
They didn't want the Citadel to suffer any unexpected mishaps, so despite their extreme unwillingness, they all managed to keep their mouths shut.
Only Maester Wigg, who had been put forward by them and prided himself on his special status, relying on being an elder to Daenerys and usually being quite caustic in his speech, once again stuck his neck out and said,
"The Citadel's millennia of heritage has its own mature operating methods, and neither the Royal Family nor the Gods have the right to interfere."
Daenerys couldn't help but smile slightly upon hearing this, saying,
"Is that so?"
"Then, as the future patron of the Citadel, do I have the right to make constructive suggestions for the Citadel's development?"
Daenerys's words made everyone look at Earl Hightower.
Especially those Acolytes and Maesters from the Hightower Family and their vassals, who widened their eyes in disbelief.
A tall, thin Maester from the Hightower Family, with eyes full of anger, directly reprimanded Earl Hightower,
"Ormond! The Citadel has always been funded by the Hightower Family; how can we trouble Princess Daenerys to bear these costs?"
Being questioned so directly, Earl Hightower felt extremely ashamed and could only grit his teeth and whisper,
"The Hightower Family has reached an agreement with Princess Daenerys; henceforth, the Citadel's funding will be deducted from the taxes of Old Town Wharf.
The specific implementation has also been handed over to the new Oldtown Guard to oversee."
As the current Archmaester of the Citadel, Vaglam immediately made his stance clear,
"Princess Daenerys, even if you become the largest patron of the Citadel in the future, you cannot interfere with the Citadel's operations.
This is the Citadel's rule, and it is also a tradition of the Seven Kingdoms."
Daenerys, however, disagreed and retorted,
"I naturally will not interfere with the internal operations of the Citadel; I am merely willing to fund the establishment of two branch campuses for you.
As for how you manage them or how you cultivate talent, that is naturally your own choice."
"However, the establishment of new branch campuses is imperative.
As the new guardian of Oldtown and a Princess of the Seven Kingdoms, I will never allow any individual or power to obstruct this decision, which will benefit generations to come."
"All expenses for building the new Citadel branch campuses will be borne by me alone.
You only need to select two branch deans and enough faculty to ensure the smooth operation of the branches."
"If anyone dares to shirk what is originally your duty, or still fails to realize the importance of this matter, then I truly believe the Citadel needs a thorough overhaul.
After all, scholars of true learning are not only found within the Citadel on both continents!"
At this moment, Wigg spoke again with a gloomy face,
"Maegor the Cruel caused great chaos throughout the realm by meddling with the Seven Gods Church.
Daenerys, you are merely a Royal Princess; do you still wish to stir up another bloody storm in the Seven Kingdoms?"
Regarding Wigg's impoliteness, Daenerys walked up to him with a serious expression, then disdainfully said,
"Hmph! As a junior, I am truly not qualified to comment rashly on events from decades ago.
But at least I know that it was only after the Seven Gods Church disbanded its armed forces that the Seven Kingdoms could enjoy decades of peace and stability under the wise rule of King Jaehaerys."
"So, sometimes making the right changes is the wisest course of action!"
Speaking of this, Daenerys paused slightly, but her gaze towards Wigg grew even colder.
She then turned to the majority of the Maesters and said,
"There are many Maesters here who specialize in history.
I believe practice is the sole criterion for testing truth, and you should be clearer about this than a child like me."
"I am the one providing the effort and funds to build the new branch campuses; you are merely continuing to perform your daily duties in a different location.
Unless there is some hidden malicious intent that cannot see the light of day, I truly cannot think of any reason for you to refuse."
"The higher one stands, the farther one can see.
It is said that from the Hightower, one can see The Wall to the north.
I believe that all of you, whose minds are armed with abundant knowledge, must also possess a more far-reaching vision and more foresightful thinking!"
"Didn't the Citadel recently develop a new type of telescope called an astronomical telescope, which can observe greater distances?
I think you should be clearer on how to see higher and farther using the right means, shouldn't you?"
"You know about the astronomical telescope?"
Maester Vaglam, who specialized in astronomy, immediately asked curiously when Daenerys mentioned the telescope.
After all, this was the latest development by him and his team, and it wasn't even an open secret within the Citadel.
But Princess Daenerys knew about it very clearly, which immediately made those smart Maesters realize that this Princess had already extended her reach deep into the Citadel.
Daenerys then whispered mysteriously in his ear,
"Isn't being able to see all the lands of the Seven Kingdoms with one's eyes a necessary skill for all players on this chessboard?"
"I have always wanted to create a telescope that is convenient for use while riding dragons, so I have paid more attention to this area."
"So, Maester Vaglam, could you show me your astronomical telescope?
I am curious whether it sees farther, or if sitting on a dragon allows one to see higher and farther?"
So, Maester Vaglam led Daenerys to a tall tower.
At the top of the tower was a huge astronomical telescope made of a large bronze alloy.
Even the wooden stand of the telescope was crafted from precious hardwood.
Through the adjusted astronomical telescope, Daenerys found that its magnification was quite high, at least sufficient for observing constellations.
Using it to observe the ground was even clearer; Daenerys could see figures on ships dozens of miles away through it.
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