Riverlands, Riverrun.
Robb Stark, with the support of his uncle Edmure Tully and the allegiance of Riverlands families such as House Blackwood, House Bracken, House Mallister, House Frey, House Darry, House Mooton, House Piper, House Ryger, House Vance, and House Lynderly, proclaimed himself King of the North and King of the Trident.
Subsequently, King Robb prepared to personally lead his army into the Westerlands.
King Robb's objective was to force Tywin Lannister's army to return to the Westerlands, allowing Stannis Baratheon to successfully capture King's Landing, which would be without Lannister reinforcements.
His plan was to trap Tywin Lannister in the Westerlands until King's Landing was taken.
King Robb had specifically learned about Stannis; after the city fell… he believed Stannis would never forgive the sinners in the Red Keep, and Stannis would complete the revenge for House Stark.
… … … …
On the eve of the army's departure, Robb Stark, wearing a crown of bronze and black iron swords, was reading a newly arrived letter, which he recognized at first glance as his father's personal handwriting.
Father was not killed by the Lannister…
Father had safely returned to Winterfell with Sansa and Arya…
Reading this, Robb couldn't help but shed tears; it was truly wonderful! Thank the Old Gods for their blessing!
Theon Greyjoy, whom he regarded as a brother, had actually betrayed him… Why would he do such a thing?! King Robb couldn't help but clench his fists.
After finishing the letter, King Robb fell into a long silence.
He slowly exhaled and commanded, "Go and invite Edmure, tell him… I have something important."
… … … …
After a good while, Edmure Tully slowly made his way over.
"What's the matter, Robb, looking for me so late?"
The smell of alcohol emanating from him made King Robb frown, and he corrected, "It's King, My Uncle."
Edmure shrugged, "I'll get used to it soon."
King Robb said with a serious expression, "Edmure, I hope you can get used to it immediately, otherwise others might mistakenly think you are denying that I am your King."
Edmure's face showed a hint of embarrassment as he reined in his smile; Catelyn's son was becoming more and more like a true King.
He cleared his throat and said, "I certainly support you, Robb… Your Majesty…"
King Robb took out the letter sent by the Winterfell raven, and as he handed it to Edmure, he said, "Uncle Edmure, you are my family, you need to see this letter."
Edmure looked at King Robb with some confusion, then lowered his eyes to read the letter, and after a moment, he exclaimed happily, "Oh, Ned is fine?! Thank the Gods!"
He paced back and forth excitedly, "We must let Catelyn know this good news as soon as possible…"
As he spoke, his footsteps suddenly paused, and he said, "By the way, when will Catelyn be back…"
"Two days ago, we received a letter from my mother, Uncle Edmure."
"Oh? Oh! Look at me, I'm just too happy! I… I'll send a raven to the Eyrie first thing tomorrow morning, I must let Catelyn receive this good news as soon as possible!"
Robb: "…"
"Oh, and we must inform the Lords of the North about this as soon as possible! Hmm… should we just hold a celebratory feast… it's just a bit late for that…"
Robb: "…"
"Oh, I'm already impatient to drink and celebrate! What do you think?"
Seeing Robb remain silent, Edmure thought he hadn't heard and called out, "Robb? Robb? Ro…"
King Robb corrected him coolly, "It's King, Edmure."
"My apologies…"
Edmure, immersed in joy, then noticed that his nephew's expression seemed off, and he asked with concern, "What's wrong with you?"
Robb looked at Edmure and said, "My Uncle, regarding the news of my father… we need to keep it hidden for now."
Edmure looked at Robb in surprise, then suddenly smiled slightly and said, "Are you also overjoyed like me?"
"Edmure, I am discussing this matter with you very seriously."
Edmure's smile vanished, and he said earnestly, "What happened? If there's anything difficult, just hand it directly to me, I am at your disposal, My King."
Since being a Lannister captive once, the heir to Riverrun was eager to do something to restore his honor.
Edmure was also eager to show his nephew, the King, his capabilities.
… … … …
Edmure's blue eyes moved, and he added, "Do you want to see your father as soon as possible? That's right, tomorrow you're leading the army to the Westerlands…"
After a moment of thought, he clapped his hands and said, "I've got an idea! You stay, and I'll go to the Westerlands in your place! I promise, I will never lose to the Lannister a second time…"
Before Edmure could finish, Robb interrupted, "My Uncle, I am concerned about the Northern Lords I brought… I worry that once they learn of Father's return to Winterfell, they will demand to return to the North."
Edmure was stunned, then paused and said, "Why would they… Oh, right, they came south with you to avenge Ned…"
Robb nodded with a heavy expression.
Edmure scratched his cheek and said, "We need to defeat the Lannister as soon as possible, if not… then negotiate peace?"
He thought his sudden idea was quite good: "Baratheon is about to attack King's Landing… I think the Lannister would also be willing to negotiate peace with us! Besides, Duke Tywin's eldest son is still in our hands, and we can also make them compensate us for our losses with gold mines in the Westerlands."
Robb frowned, "Negotiating peace now would only bring us a temporary peace. Edmure, if the Lannister defeat Stannis, then their next target will be the Riverlands."
He rose from his chair, "Therefore, our plan cannot be changed; we must defeat the Lannister, only then can we achieve the true peace we need."
After a moment of silence, Edmure spread his hands and said, "I'll listen to you, My King."
Robb smiled, "Guard Riverrun well, My Uncle."
… … … …
After the Lannister Army led by Jaime retreated, Ser Stafford Lannister, Duke Tywin's cousin and brother-in-law, was responsible for gathering the scattered troops.
He camped on a plain behind Golden Tooth, and while reorganizing the remnants, he also trained 5,000 newly recruited Westerlands raw recruits.
Golden Tooth was the only way into the Westerlands, and because the camp's position was behind it, Ser Stafford believed it was very safe, so he did not arrange enough sentries.
However, the House Stark-Tully, led by Robb Stark (primarily cavalry), bypassed the heavily fortified Golden Tooth and entered the Westerlands directly via mountain paths scouted in advance by the Crannogmen.
The unprepared Lannister camp was ambushed by the North-Riverlands army; the Lannister Army, composed of raw recruits and scattered troops, quickly collapsed with little resistance, and Ser Stafford Lannister was killed in battle.
After this battle, Stevron Frey, the heir to the Lord of The Twins in the House Stark-Tully, died of severe injuries.
After this battle, the remaining Lannister Army retreated to Lannisport (located west of Casterly Rock, it is the largest city in the Westerlands), where Davos Lannister, Ser Stafford's son, took them in and reassembled a new army.
… … … …
… … … …
King's Landing.
Tyrion Lannister, under the pretext of inspecting the city's defenses, left the Red Keep with a few men, and stopped his horse when he passed Shoemaker's Square.
"Degenerate, degenerate!" someone shrieked.
Tyrion looked over with some curiosity; there… under a leather canopy, a thin, dark man in a worn wool cloak was delivering a speech on a platform, with a large crowd gathered to listen.
"We have become bloated, filthy, and corrupt! Brother and sister * in the King's bed, and the offspring of * dance to the pipe of the deformed Little Devil in the palace."
Tyrion, one of the listeners, grinned; he truly wished he had the skill to make Joffrey obedient.
"The rotten summer is ending, and the whoring King is punished by heaven! He was disemboweled by a wild boar, a terrible stench rose to the sky, and a thousand snakes crawled out of his belly, hissing and biting!"
"The Gods are shouting, demanding that we purify ourselves, or they will completely wipe us from the world! Bathe in the wine of justice, or be consumed by fire! Consumed by fire!"
"Consumed by fire!" Although some echoed, their voices were drowned out by the waves of laughter from the crowd.
Tyrion nodded slightly, made a gesture, and ordered to continue forward.
Bronn, the captain of the guard, urged his horse to Tyrion's side and said, "My Lord, recently there have been many such people preaching in crowded places; they call themselves prophets."
Tyrion chuckled, "What a nice name…"
Changing his tone, he said seriously, "Don't let my Queen Regent sister know about this."
Bronn paused slightly and said, "My Lord, the Gold Cloaks are worried that the common people of King's Landing will cause trouble under their instigation."
Tyrion shrugged, "Ignore them for now; no one isn't afraid of war, and the poor commoners need a place to vent."
He paused again, then said, "While I'm glad they're not just cursing me alone, if my good sister and good nephew hear about this, they'll pull out their tongues regardless… That's what's terrifying. Fear will make them silent, and that silence can easily be guided into hatred by those with ulterior motives."
Bronn said somewhat helplessly, "Lord Tyrion, your Queen Regent sister is surrounded by many tongues; it's impossible to hide."
Tyrion narrowed his eyes and whispered, "Loyal Bronn, is there a way to make my Queen Regent sister sleep beautifully and only wake up after the war ends?"
Bronn quickly glanced around, lowering his voice, "My Lord, are you serious?"
Tyrion stared at Bronn for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter and said, "If I really did that, the Lioness would go mad when she woke up."
Bronn showed the lewd smile Tyrion was familiar with and said, "My Lord, I am at your disposal."
Passing through the market square of the Gate of the Gods, Tyrion stopped his horse. Normally, it was crowded with farmers selling vegetables and fruits, but now it was empty.
Tyrion sighed inwardly and asked, "Bronn, how many people petitioned today?"
Bronn pulled on the reins and replied, "More than thirty, I suppose. King Joffrey didn't receive them today, so the Lord Steward had to record their petitions first and send them to the Prime Ministers Tower."
After a moment of silence, Tyrion asked, "Anything 'interesting'?"
"Mostly the same as before, either complaining or asking for something…"
He paused, then Bronn said with a slightly serious tone, "There was a merchant from Braavos who had some legitimate-looking promissory notes and said he wanted to meet the King to discuss the repayment of debts."
Braavos? Tyrion's eyes moved slightly, and he asked, "Who else?"
"There was a Lord from the Riverlands who accused your father's men of burning his castle, * his wife, and killing all his farmers."
Tyrion grinned, "The Lannister's special way of gaining affection is a family craft."
He pinched his chin and added, "Bronn, in Joffrey's name, appease him well, and be generous with the arrangements."
Bronn nodded slightly.
"And then?"
"There was also a large group of bakers, butchers, and greengrocers clamoring to see the King."
"Bronn, until the war ends, we don't have anything extra to give them."
Bronn shook his head slightly and replied, "They came seeking protection. It's said that last night a baker was roasted on his own oven because he sold bread too expensively."
Tyrion was stunned and said, "Roasted a person? They… didn't eat him, did they?"
Bronn spread his hands, "I haven't heard that."
Tyrion mused, "Now I really hope the war comes quickly…"
Bronn asked confusedly, "My Lord, didn't you say we needed more time to strengthen King's Landing's defenses?"
Tyrion sighed, "We'll speed things up… We can't leave the city with a tail, My Captain of the Guard."
… … … …
Inside The Baelish Inn outside King's Landing, Tyrion and his squire walked directly up the stairs.
Reaching the second floor, Tyrion's mismatched eyes, one green and one black, first surveyed the surroundings, then he stepped forward and stopped in front of a door.
"Pod, don't let anyone disturb me."
… … … …
Greene Kleber saw Tyrion push open the door and smiled.
Tyrion carefully closed the door, then limped over and said, "Ha, our envoy, welcome back."
He added, "This is a nice place, very suitable for… Hehehe!"
Greene looked up and smiled, "Please sit, Prime Minister."
After speaking, he picked up the wine jug, poured a glass of wine, and pushed it over.
Tyrion climbed onto the chair, and once seated, he said, "Did you have any wonderful experiences on this trip? Hmm, you know what I mean."
As he spoke, he reached for the wine glass.
Greene smiled and said, "Although time was a bit tight, I think I didn't disappoint the Prime Minister's trust."
Tyrion took a large gulp of wine and said in a "huffy" tone, "Count Greene, let's talk about business first."
Greene's face showed an expression of disdain, and he said, "The House Tyrell ladies are very charming."
Only then did Tyrion nod in satisfaction and say, "After hearing the business… Hmm, now we can talk about some irrelevant things."
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