Joffrey turned to Green, raising his chin, and said disdainfully, "Hmph, then they are rebelling. I will personally lead a large army to attack the Eyrie and hang the heads of the rebels at the Blood Gate."
Green felt that children all have their own dreams, and at this time, they should be encouraged, not discouraged.
"Your Royal Highness, you are naturally invincible, there is no doubt about that."
Green paused, then continued, "The people of the Riverlands are cowardly, perhaps they only dare to grumble in secret. We should at least wait and see how they react."
He gripped the hilt of his sword and continued, "If the Riverlands dare to make trouble for Ser Jaime, I will mobilize all the forces of my territory and volunteer myself to Your Royal Highness as the vanguard for the conquest of the Riverlands."
One of Joffrey's hands trembled slightly. He looked at Green, nodded with satisfaction, and said, "Then let's give the Riverlands some time."
After speaking, he turned his head to Sandor and said, "My dog, remember to keep a close eye on the news from over there. If you can't even handle this, I will never forgive you!"
Sandor nodded and said, "You'll be satisfied, Your Highness Joffrey."
Joffrey gave a proud snort, indicating that he would temporarily overlook Sandor's disobedience just now.
Joffrey's various expressions were almost identical to Cersei's.
Leaving aside his personality and just looking at his appearance, he was a smaller version of Jaime.
King Robert was still alive and kicking. Would Jaime panic seeing Joffrey, who looked more and more like him... Green shook his head inwardly. It was normal for a nephew to resemble his uncle, especially since he and Cersei were twins.
Ser Jaime was not panicking at all; he was overthinking it.
....
"Count Green, I heard you're teaching Tommen swordsmanship?"
Joffrey's blue eyes shifted, and he continued, "I appreciate your loyalty. From now on, you and Jaime will be responsible for my sword lessons."
Green placed his hand on his chest and nodded, "Your Royal Highness, it is an honor for the Kleber Family to serve you. I sincerely thank you for your trust."
Joffrey haughtily nodded his chin, "I'll talk to Mother."
After speaking, Joffrey took a step and left.
Sandor first glanced at Green, their gazes met, and then he followed Joffrey.
"Grand Tutor" Green saw Joffrey walking with a swagger, and he suddenly felt like a treacherous minister. He shook his head inwardly, denying it. This must be an illusion.
....
Outside the Red Keep's gate, after mounting his horse, Green looked up at the sky and said, "Martial, go directly to Klay勃 Manor and convey my order. Tomorrow morning, have all Klaeber Tribe Soldiers gather outside the Gate of the Gods."
The Gate of the Gods is the city gate in the northwest direction of King's Landing, closest to the King's Road.
Green remembered that the dignified Duke of Winterfell only brought dozens of cavalry south to King's Landing. Perhaps such an action could show Duke Eddard's trust in King Robert, but it was too risky, with more disadvantages than advantages.
Green rubbed his hair. Could the Direwolf have thought of these things?
Matier Baker couldn't hide the excitement on his face and couldn't help but ask, "Lord Green, are we going to war?"
Green looked at the squire, a descendant of a knightly house, with some disdain: "Squire Martial, execute the order."
"Yes, My Lord!"
Martial secretly glanced at Green before leaving. Seeing Green about to raise the whip in his hand, he immediately spurred his horse away.
The Baker Family had been the Kleber Family's sworn knights for generations, so Green naturally took good care of them. He had originally wanted to keep Martial by his side to temper his character but found the effect unsatisfactory.
Martial had been confined for too long to give birth to his eldest son, making him more impulsive than before.
Rather than block, it's better to divert. Green was not a stubborn person. He planned to transfer Martial to the western front in a while and let Pel Pili train him for some time.
The other sworn knight family of the Kleber Family was the Pili Family, whose head was Ser Pello, the commander of the Survey Corps.
His eldest son died of illness not long after getting married, leaving no legitimate children.
Therefore, his second son, who had been happily out and about, was immediately brought back by Pel and was reportedly still toiling day and night in bed.
The Marigold needed more branches and leaves to consolidate its rule.
The two sworn knight families already had several young ladies of marriageable age, and Green planned to arrange marriages with other nobles on the Crabclaw Peninsula.
In the past, their status would not have been sufficient, but with the rise of the Kleber Family, the status of the sworn family's young ladies was now suitable.
According to Green's own thoughts, eliminating the other nobles on the Crabclaw Peninsula directly would be the simplest, but this was Westeros, and Green couldn't just make them all have accidents.
Green could only use Westerosi political means for now.
Recalling his thoughts, Green pulled on the reins, adjusting the horse's direction.
....
....
Western Crabclaw Peninsula.
With the encouragement of Maester Al, Samwell Tarly, accompanied by his guards, confidently arrived at the Kleber Family's western front.
Samwell intended to observe the combat style of the Clayber Longbow directly on the battlefield to study directions for future improvement.
Reality, however, was cruel; he soon wet himself out of fear.
Samwell sat dejectedly in the tent, his thighs bare.
Samwell stared blankly at the discarded robe on the ground, which emitted an unpleasant smell of urine.
Samwell wiped the corner of his eye with the back of his hand, feeling that he had let everyone down.
It was too embarrassing; he felt he had no face to continue staying in Klaeb Territory, eating and drinking for free.
He longed to see his mother, who was far away in Horn Hill.
While he was still in despair, the tent flap was lifted, and the tall Pel walked in.
The scars on Pel's face had faded considerably. He sharply scrutinized Samwell, who sat like a small hill.
Samwell snapped out of it and quickly and clumsily stood up, bowing, "Pe... Ser Pello? Good day..."
Samwell dared not meet Pel's gaze and lowered his head in shame.
After standing up, he immediately felt a chill down below and hastily covered the area with his hand, wishing he could shrink his head into his stomach.
Pel furrowed his brows and remained silent, the atmosphere in the tent was very heavy.
Thump-thump, thump-thump, Samwell could already hear his own heartbeat.
The people of the Crabclaw Peninsula were simple and honest; no one liked a cowardly person.
Pel inwardly couldn't understand why their lord and Maester Al valued the coward before him.
Pel was a pure warrior; if he didn't understand, he wouldn't dwell on it. His loyalty also did not allow him to question his lord's decisions.
Moreover, he greatly trusted the judgment of his lord and the maester.
....
Pel slowly began, "Many new recruits perform worse than you the first time they're on the battlefield."
The unique environment of the Crabclaw Peninsula made almost everyone a qualified warrior.
Pel had only heard about new recruits' poor performance from bards; his words were a benevolent lie.
Pel was unwilling to let someone valued by his lord fall into despair under his watch; he would try to help him regain courage.
Seeing Samwell still hanging his head, Pel shouted, "Samwell, look up, look at me!"
Samwell trembled in fright, not daring to defy Pel's authority. He almost thought it was his most feared father who had suddenly arrived.
Samwell cautiously looked up at the stern-faced Pel, then quickly lowered his head again.
Pel clenched his fist, paused for a moment, then spoke, "When you're like this, think of Lord Green who trusts you."
Samwell shivered. He was terrified of seeing Green's disappointed gaze. He only wanted to escape the Crabclaw Peninsula now.
Pel coldly snorted, as if he had seen through Samwell's thoughts at that moment.
"You should be familiar with the Kleber Family's military regulations. Do you remember what happens to deserters?"
Samwell almost wet himself again. How did Ser Pello know what I was thinking?
Samwell quickly denied, "I... I... won't run away."
He then, in a flash of inspiration, added, "Ser, I am not a soldier..."
Pel's gaze turned chilling. Samwell closed his mouth; he dared not continue speaking.
It was wartime, and Pel was busy with duties; he had no time to waste here.
"Soldier Samwell, I'm in charge here."
After speaking, he turned around and said as he walked, "Starting tomorrow, I will arrange for someone to specially train you."
There would be many Clan Soldiers left in the camp, and Pel planned to select someone to specifically train this coward.
How could someone valued by the lord wet himself out of fear? He would specifically instruct Samwell to sleep next to corpses every night.
He didn't believe it couldn't be "cured"!
He would give Samwell one month. If there was still no effect, he would... Pel tightened his grip on his sword hilt.
Pel stood outside the tent and took a deep breath. Then he would send Samwell to his old friend, to trouble Mason Baker, the commander of the garrison.
....
....
Two days later, at first light.
The first ray of morning sun pierced through the thick clouds, showering King's Landing.
Outside the Gate of the Gods, Green, on horseback, smelled the fresh scent of earth lingering in the air.
120 Clan Soldiers, each wearing neat Blue Cloaks and silver plate armor, rode strong warhorses, appearing majestic.
The morning light fell on the rows of Clan Soldiers, their armor shimmering with a cold metallic luster.
Recalling last year's eastern expedition, Green couldn't help but shed... never mind, seeing the Brun Family's plate armor.
Green slowed his horse, his gaze slowly sweeping over the Clan Soldiers arranged in a rectangular formation.
Green twitched the reins, and the horse beneath him snorted, slowly moving along the front of the formation.
Every Clan Soldier whose gaze met Green's would pound their chest with their fist, showing loyalty to their lord.
Thump, thump, thump, thump... The sound of fists hitting plate armor grew louder and denser.
A Clan Soldier carrying a battle-axe suddenly shouted excitedly, "Long live the Lord!"
This sound ignited the emotions of the crowd. "Long live the Kleber Family!" "Long live Whispering Fort!" ... The Clan Soldiers roared one after another.
Green nodded slightly. He felt he could directly order an attack on King's Landing, cough!
He glanced at the Gate of the Gods in the distance, wondering if the commotion here had alerted the Gold Cloaks guarding the city gate.
Green raised his right hand and pressed down, and the Clan Soldiers' roars gradually subsided, quickly returning to a silent solemnity. The battle-hardened veterans were well-trained.
"Depart!"
....
The commotion caused by a hundred cavalry was quite significant, unintentionally startling many working farmers, so Green divided the Clan Soldiers into several teams and had them advance dispersed.
As they approached the King's Road, Green frowned upon spotting a distant figure.
Margaery? Green's thoughts swirled.
Green made a gesture, and the Clan Soldiers following behind him slowed their horses.
Since Little Rose had been waiting there early in the morning, Green felt it would be rude to pretend not to see her. He rode alone towards Margaery.
Behind Margaery were two handmaidens. All three of them were on horseback. She seemed to have just noticed Green and looked towards him.
"Good day, Lady Margaery."
The sunlight was soft, and Margaery's milky white skin exuded a faint blush.
Margaery's tone held a hint of surprise: "Good day, Count Green, I didn't expect to meet you here."
Green didn't want to guess if Margaery was genuinely happy or pretending, but he knew that if Margaery asked to travel together, he would certainly be with King Robert and Duke Eddard.
Green glanced around and didn't find anyone else. His tone was concerned: "Lady Margaery, your guards?"
Margaery shook her head and said, "I woke up earlier today and really wanted to ride, so I brought my handmaidens and ran out, and as a result..."
She paused, then continued with some embarrassment, "Unconsciously, I ended up here, but luckily I ran into you."
Green smiled and said, "That's the fun of riding. However..."
Changing to a more serious tone, he continued, "Please forgive my presumptuousness, but next time you go out, please don't forget to bring guards. It's difficult to feel at ease outside the city."
Margaery smiled radiantly, "Count Green, thank you for your concern. I will remember it."
Her hair exuded a vibrant golden-red, full of warmth and vitality.
Green smiled. He wondered inwardly if Renly was interfering. There were very few people who could accurately know King Robert's whereabouts.
At least Varys wouldn't casually provide information. If the matter were exposed, King Robert would surely smash his Master of Whisperers with his warhammer at the first opportunity.
So... it was either the Golden Rose's own intelligence channels, or news leaked by Renly.
Margaery's beautiful eyes glanced at the many Cleber's Blue Cloaks not far away, and she laughed clearly, saying, "Count Green, are you also out for a stroll?"
Green shrugged and honestly said, "The Duke of Winterfell has shown great kindness to the Kleber Family. He is expected to arrive in King's Landing soon, and I should go out to meet him as a sign of respect."
Margaery Whispering Fort nodded her chin. In Highgarden, Green had mentioned to her the Duke Stark's kindness to the Kleber Family.
Green slightly lowered his voice, as if relaying a great secret: "Actually, I was traumatized by the former Hand, so I want to go ahead and curry favor with our new Hand."
Was he too honest? Regardless of what she thought internally, Margaery outwardly only seemed amused by Green, her beautiful eyes curving into a pair of crescent moons, appearing incredibly charming.
The understanding Green proactively invited, "I don't think the distance will be too far... Lady Margaery, if you are willing, we can travel together. I would be honored to act as your escort."
Margaery's deer-like eyes blinked, she hesitated for a moment, and then smiled faintly: "Count Green, your kindness is hard to refuse."
Renly had obtained information from somewhere, stating that Margaery greatly resembled Lyanna Stark, whom Robert deeply loved. It was based on this point that Renly had always schemed to have Margaery replace Cersei as queen, weakening the Lannister influence while forming an alliance between the Stormlands and the Riverlands under his leadership.
Leaving aside Renly's political methods, Green had long known that Margaery and Lyanna did not resemble each other in appearance. The upright Duke Eddard would soon tell them the truth.
The ever-flourishing Golden Rose would naturally not sit idly by. They would not simply place all their hopes on Green; he was not surprised by this point.
If it wasn't Renly's interference, but the Golden Rose's own plotting, Green would be even more satisfied.
The struggle between the Golden Lion and the Golden Rose would be easier to promote.
Green smiled and said, "A great honor, Lady Margaery, let us depart."