Rereading Broken Throne again, this scene still irks me to this day.
This is the part where the Scarlet Guard, Monfort, and the remaining Silver Elites are gathered to exchange information and updates on their progress in rebuilding Norta after the civil war and attempted invasion of the Lakelands.
Cal's POV in this scene particularly annoyed me because, yes, the Silvers who refused to abdicate had their fortune and assets seized, which are being used as funding, while the remaining Silvers who did abdicate get to keep some of their assets and fortune.
However, progress is slow, and prices of necessities have increased, which is an issue raised in the meeting.
Mare is very vocal about allowing the Reds to finally get properly paid for their labour, and the remaining Silvers should give more of their assets in rebuilding Norta.
Cal does agree but has so many excuses. I get it; you don't want to piss off the small group of people with money and have them run away and join other surrounding territories that still have Silvers ruling over Reds.
Keep in mind, however, that for centuries, the Silver Elites systematically oppressed the Reds and, for generations, kept them in poverty, undereducated, and underpaid. The ones who were able to accumulate wealth are the Silvers. So when a class uprising occurs, those who benefited from the oppressed should pay their due.
Which includes the Silver elites, your people, Cal. Mare, your future wife, who your POV lowkey condescendingly disagrees with at how "demanding" they are, is simply asking for REPARATIONS.
Like Cal, it's not "it can't be done" but more like "you don't wanna piss off the shareholders."
General Farley was spitting facts throughout the meeting, and I LOVE HER.
Side note: I like Cal; he isn't some spineless love interest that only exists to appease and hype Mare. He is what his surroundings made him. Though his writing stagnated when they added more characters to the story, he still had his moments.
I just wanted to point out this scene because it genuinely bugged me, especially since this is the Marecal reunion.