iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 136 The Villain's Meeting

With a smile on his face, Varys continued: "Duke Stark, you are the Prime Minister, and it is our duty to serve you."

After speaking, he and other imperial ministers sat down in their proper seats.

Because King Robert said that all the royal ministers are cunning people, although Lord Eddard was very tired, he did not relax his vigilance.

He glanced at everyone and frowned: "Why are there only five people in the Imperial Council?"

Varys glanced at Renly and said respectfully: "Master Prime Minister, Lord Stannis has just returned to Dragonstone, and Ser Barristan is accompanying the king."

Grand Maester Pycelle, who had been sitting quietly in his seat, raised his head and said slowly: "Prime Minister Ed, today's royal meeting is about the martial arts tournament. This is to celebrate the new prime minister's appointment. There is no need to summon all the royal ministers. .”

Petyr curled his lips and said, "I don't even remember the last time there were seven people in the room."

Duke Eddard glanced at Petyr and said to Pycelle, "Maester Pycelle, I see you are still in good health. Thank you for your advice."

Pycelle stroked his chest tremblingly and said, "Duke Ed, after all, I am old and get tired easily. I almost fell asleep just now."

Duke Eddard's brows furrowed imperceptibly. He felt that listening to these people was really tiring.

"My lords, let's discuss this tournament first."

Duke Ed listened to everyone's discussion for a while and almost couldn't help but curse.

The total debt of the Iron Throne exceeds 600 million gold dragons? !

Didn't Targaryen leave behind mountains of gold and silver treasures... How could he be reduced to this state!

The tourney is still held in his name. How far will Robert go?Did Robert think he would be honored by this?
The important thing is that this is simply adding insult to injury to the kingdom's finances.

…………

Duke Eddard took a breath and said as calmly as possible: "I will talk to His Majesty Robert. The kingdom cannot afford such an extravagant tourney."

Lord Renly smiled heartily and said: "Ned, you don't know when you will see my brother. King's Landing has already gathered many people participating in the tourney, and more people are already on the way. It’s too late to cancel.”

Varys explained: "Our dear King Robert has too many things to worry about, and he will not come back just for trivial matters."

Lord Renly shrugged his shoulders: "Ned, my brother gets a headache if he hears anything involving finances, harvests, and laws. He put us here just to lighten the burden."

"…………,damned!"

Duke Eddard cursed lowly and looked at the Chancellor of Finance: "Earl Baelish, how do you plan to raise the expenses for the tourney?"

Petyr raised the corners of his lips and said, "Prime Minister Stark, I have prepared the golden dragon."

Seeing the confusion on Lord Eddard's face, he explained with a mocking tone: "Everyone knows that the kingdom's treasury has been empty for many years. Every time we need money, we don't borrow it. Anyway, we already owe Lannister There are more than 300 million gold dragons, so borrowing more for the tournament this time is not a big deal."

Duke Eddard's pupils shrank, already exceeding 300 million golden dragons... Why was Lannister so generous?

Petyr's eyes moved, as if he had read Duke Eddard's thoughts, and he added: "There is a Lannister queen sitting in the Red Keep, so the Lannister family is happy to support, Lord Eddard."

Duke Ed said a little irritably: "This damn tournament, the sooner this farce ends, the sooner I can feel at ease."

Pycelle suddenly spoke up: "Duke Ed, the Commander-in-Chief in the Golden Robe reported the current situation in King's Landing at noon today. He expressed concerns about the security in the city."

Duke Ed leaned back in his chair and said, "Tell me about it."

"Many knights participating in the tourney in King's Landing came one after another, and for every knight who came, there were two free riders, three craftsmen, six soldiers, a dozen merchants, and two dozen women. , as for thieves, there are so many that I can’t even guess.”

"Someone drowned last night, plus there was a tavern riot, three knife fights, a murder, two fires, and countless robberies... I heard that a drunk horse rushed directly to Nuns Street. went."

After Pycelle finished speaking, Varys trembled and said, "This morning a woman's head was found floating in the rainbow pool of the Great Cathedral. No one knows where the head came from or where it came from. No one knew whose head it was, it was so scary.”

Lord Renly said angrily: "If Genos can't even maintain order in the city, I'm afraid the golden robes will have to replace him with a capable person as commander-in-chief."

Pycelle nodded and said: "This is also a solution, Lord Renly."

Duke Eddard asked, "Has he thought of a solution?"

"Genos hopes that the council will approve his increase in manpower."

After Pycelle answered, Petyr sneered.

Increase manpower?Duke Eddard then thought of Green's soldiers, but shook his head secretly.

After a moment of silence, Duke Eddard said: "I will allocate twenty people from my guards to Janos, and then ask him to hire another 50 people. As for the money..."

He turned his head to look at Petyr and continued: "Let Lord Baelish handle it."

Petyr was stunned for a moment and said, "Shall I solve it?"

"You heard that right. Since you can even raise golden dragons for the tournament quickly, it won't be a problem to get a few more bronze stars to maintain order in King's Landing."

Petyr's expression was helpless and bitter. He shrugged and said, "I am happy to serve you, Lord Eddard."

"The remaining matters will be discussed another day..."

Lord Eddard realized that the tone of his words was not very good, and reminded himself that this was not Winterfell.

He softened his tone and continued: "My lords, I am really tired. Let's stop here today and continue when I feel better."

Duke Eddard did not wait for anyone else to respond. After speaking, he stood up, nodded to everyone present, and strode out of the throne room.

…………

The restaurant in the Prime Minister's Tower is a long and narrow room with a tall dome, and more than 200 people can be seated on the benches.

Stark and his party were having dinner. There were only about 50 of them in total, so the benches seemed empty.

After the first course of dinner was taken off the table, Arya saw her father walk in. She could see that his father seemed not to be in a good mood.

Duke Eddard stopped and motioned for everyone who stood up to salute to sit down.

After the guard captain Jory sat down, he said: "Sir, everyone outside is talking about the tournament. It is said that knights from the seven countries will come to fight for your honor and celebrate the new prime minister."

Sansa's eyes lit up: "That must be a grand tourney! Father, can we go?"

Arya noticed that her father's face was even worse. She turned to her excited sister and said, "Sansa, don't you like wielding knives and guns the most? Don't be frightened and cry then. Why don't you stay in the room and play with them?" Your favorite embroidery.”

Sansa raised her head and said, "Arya, you have to stay in the room. Father told us to stay in the room, but you sneaked out."

"You're complaining again, you're a traitor!" "I'm not a traitor, you did something wrong!"

"I hate you the most!"

"Humph, I didn't say I liked you either!"

…………

"enough!"

Duke Eddard's face was full of anger: "I am already annoyed to death by the endless quarrels between you two. After all, you are all sisters. I hope you love each other like sisters, do you understand?"

Sansa bit her lip and nodded. Arya lowered her head and stared at the plate in front of her unhappily. The only sound around was the sound of knives and forks touching the plate.

Duke Ed looked at his two daughters and sighed secretly, and said, "I will help you two arrange seats at the stadium."

After saying that, he stood up with a tired look and said, "I'm sorry, I don't have much appetite tonight, please eat more."

This stupid thing was clearly Robert's idea. Not only did he help organize it, but he also had to pretend to be flattered. Lord Eddard didn't like this feeling very much.

After her father left, Arya noticed that Sansa immediately started whispering excitedly to others. Everyone was also talking and laughing, and the atmosphere in the restaurant quickly became lively.

When they were in Winterfell, they often ate in the castle hall.My father always said that as a lord, you need to dine with your subordinates often, so as to keep their hearts; he also said that as a lord, you must not only understand your subordinates, but you must also let them understand their lord, because the subordinates do not know their lord. Would sacrifice one's life for a stranger.

In Winterfell, her father would always set aside a special seat at his dining table, and invite different people every night to listen to what different people had to say or suggest. At that time, Arya liked to sit at the table and listen to them talk the most. .

Arya glared at her "hypocritical" sister and quietly slipped out of the busy restaurant while others were not paying attention.

…………

Maegor's Tower.

Green is having dinner with Cersei and Jaime. The main course tonight is pumpkin sweet soup and roasted ribs.

Lord Greene was very busy. He dined with Baratheon and Stark at noon, and dined with Lannister in the evening.

Green picked up the wine glass, took a sip, and said, "Sir James, are you satisfied with my gift?"

Green couldn't think of a good gift, so he gave James a cloak with the words "Guardian of the East" embroidered on it as a congratulatory gift.

James coughed dryly, glanced at Cersei beside him, and changed the topic directly: "Have you prepared your armor?"

Cersei had seen the gift from Green, and she seemed to be very satisfied with it. Jaime was afraid that Cersei would ask him to wear that high-profile cloak, so he didn't want to discuss it a word.

Green smiled and said: "It has been arranged. I think there is no problem with the time."

After a while, Queen Cersei put down her knife and fork, and signaled the waiter to exit the restaurant.

Cersei swung the wine glass gently and said, "Earl Green, what's your impression of that girl?"

Green is a person who will not leave any clues easily. He went to meet Stark and his party with Cersei's permission.

After speculating that Sansa Stark might become Joffrey's fiancée, Queen Cersei has been very concerned about this matter.

Green put down the wine glass and said seriously: "Miss Sansa Stark has the red hair and blue eyes of the Tully family. She is a little beauty. Her family protects her very well. She is not deeply involved in the world and has a very innocent character."

Cersei raised the corners of her lips and said leisurely: "It's interesting, isn't it?"

James smiled and said: "Queen Cersei, you seem a little satisfied?"

Cersei glanced at James with a smile, took a sip of summer red, and said, "Joffrey is suitable for well-behaved and obedient girls."

Green blinked slowly. Why did he suddenly feel like he was seeing a meeting of villains? It must be an illusion!
"Your Highness the Queen."

Green gave a simple and direct account of his encounter with Margaery, saying: "Golden Rose keeps making little moves, and I always feel like they are planning something secretly."

James frowned and said, "Is Highgarden going to marry Winterfell? I remember that the heirs of Winterfell, Robb Stark, and Margaery Tyrell are similar in age."

Cersei glanced at Jaime sideways and said coldly: "Jaime, how could a person from the River Bend who thinks so highly of himself like a country bumpkin from the north?"

Did Golden Rose fall in love with that drunkard Robert?Cersei has always been keen on such tactics.

Cersei remembered Witch Girl's words. She snorted coldly and said, "No matter how they plan, the Golden Rose is destined to fail!"

Green's eyes trembled slightly and said: "Your Highness, we have no way of knowing what the Golden Rose will do. I heard that they have a lot of people in King's Landing. I am very worried about your safety. Just in case..."

Green lowered his voice and continued: "Do you need me to send more soldiers from Whispering Castle?"

After a pause, he added: "Sir James is now the Warden of the East. We can legitimately mobilize the army to King's Landing."

Cersei was pondering, and she seemed very moved by Green's proposal.

James's voice interrupted Cersei's thoughts: "Cersei... Queen, everyone is rushing to King's Landing, and everyone's eyes are fixed here. Now is not a good time to mobilize the army, it can easily cause accidents. …”

Green nodded and agreed: "Sir James's concerns are reasonable. Someone with good intentions may slander us to occupy King's Landing."

After finishing speaking, he shrugged, with a look of helplessness on his face.

Cersei's green eyes trembled. She slowly stroked the cup and spoke without hesitation: "Earl Green, how many troops can the Whispering Castle mobilize?"

Green immediately replied: "Your Highness, if you are pressed for time, it will be about two to three thousand soldiers. If you have two or three months, I can mobilize at least [-] soldiers and horses for you."

James, the new guardian of the East, looked at Green, his eyes were a little complicated.

James believed that Green did not lie about his military strength, and there was no need for it. Kleb's army had unknowingly become a force that the king could not ignore.

He recalled the past with Green, and thought carefully, Green had hinted at it many times, or showed off Kleb's military power.

What they are planning in secret is full of dangers, and Casterly Rock is too far away... Now that Cersei's safety is further guaranteed, Jaime actually feels a lot more relaxed, and he feels that the most important thing to be vigilant about is not to let Cersei and Green The two were messing around.

…………

Cersei slightly nodded her chin and said, "Earl Green, your loyalty makes me feel happy. Please wait for my order."

Cersei's beautiful eyes stared at Green, who nodded slightly.

Jaime was secretly relieved. At least Cersei understood that they couldn't make a big fuss about their affairs.

James raised a smile: "Green, this must be your first time participating in a martial arts tournament, right? You have to prepare well, maybe you can win the heart of a certain lady."

(End of this chapter)