One week ago.
Edward was still outside the walls of Lannisport, commanding the prisoners to prepare for the 'siege', awaiting news from Riverrun.
In the evening, Jon brought Robb's order and invited him to the camp's main tent.
Edward lifted the tent flap and found that there were few people inside, but all of them were important figures.
The lowest in rank was Ser Brynden, and the remaining people, apart from Robb Stark, the King, were all Earls and direct heirs of various families, including his adoptive father.
Seeing this scene, Edward instinctively blinked, feeling that something was amiss.
Moreover, most people looked at him eagerly, even Jon Umber.
What's going on?
"Edward Karstark, you're here, sit."
Robb Stark smiled and pointed to the seat beside him.
Edward walked over unceremoniously, sat down, and asked, "Your Majesty, did you call me here because there's news from Harrenhal?"
"Yes, this is the latest news from Golden Town."
Robb handed over a small piece of paper. Edward took it and, by the fading light of dusk, saw a line of small characters: Tywin has left Harrenhal, his army is heading towards Riverrun along the River Road, the plan is going smoothly!
Next to it was the Trout emblem of the Tully Family.
Edward gently put down the note and said with a smile, "This is good news. According to Your Majesty's next plan, we should leave a portion of our forces to continue deceiving the enemy, and most of the cavalry should leave the Westerlands along the Golden Road under the cover of night."
"Did you call me here because there's a task for me?"
"There is indeed one thing I need to trouble you with."
Robb Stark nodded, a hint of anticipation appearing on his face, and said, "Edward Karstark, I've noticed that you seem to have a knack for capturing cities. The arrangements you made outside Lannisport, and the siege engines built by the craftsmen, are all well-designed."
"So, do you have a way to capture Golden Tooth in a short amount of time?"
These days, he had seen Edward's arrangements outside the walls of Lannisport. When he thought about the various operations in detail, he realized that with sufficient manpower, it might indeed be possible to win a siege battle.
So, he decided to try asking.
If it works, it would be a pleasant surprise, increasing the chances of victory for the North.
If not, they would proceed with the original plan.
Ah?!
After hearing this, Edward's expression froze in surprise.
He thought to himself, if I had a way, I would have suggested you attack the city outside Golden Tooth. Why would I have waited eagerly for Grey Wind to find that smuggler's path?
He knew in his heart that capturing Golden Tooth was an extremely important matter for the North and the Riverlands.
Because this castle is both the gateway to the Westerlands and can serve as a shield for the Riverlands. Whoever occupies it gains the initiative in the war.
If it were taken down at this time, the ambush of Tywin would proceed even more smoothly.
When the enemy arrived nearby, the Northern cavalry, charging from above, could catch the enemy off guard, making the originally somewhat difficult decisive battle much simpler.
Afterward, they could also defend the city, truly preventing Lannister from advancing or retreating, trapping them to die near the Red Fork.
It must be said that Robb Stark's strategic vision was excellent.
He was always able to quickly seize opportunities to defeat the enemy, and he was sharp-minded, decisive, and bold, striving for maximum benefit!
But why were all the lords in this tent eagerly depending on him?
Edward, full of doubt, looked up at the many Earls in the tent, raised an eyebrow, and understood what was going on.
He must have performed too well in deceiving Davos and scheming against Tywin.
While the plan was successfully implemented, it also gave these people an unwarranted expectation of him.
The inherent flaw in human nature is like this.
If you are very capable, you will get an endless amount of work.
The better you perform, the more others will rely on you, hoping that you will step forward to solve all difficulties!
Well, he accidentally shot himself in the foot.
Robb Stark watched Edward's constantly changing expression from the side, knowing that this matter was a bit difficult. He turned to look at Ser Brynden, recalling their conversation.
"Robb, this young man from House Karstark possesses both a calm mind and the fearless qualities of a Northerner. You cannot merely rely on a dispensable title and his father's oath to Winterfell to secure such a talent."
"You need to pay a greater price."
Thinking of this, a determined look flashed across Robb's face, and he whispered something in Edward's ear that only the two of them could hear.
"Edward, if this can be accomplished, the captured Golden Tooth can be given to you to manage. If you wish to stay in the North, I can also give you all my support, granting you a territory near Karhold and allowing you to establish a new castle."
"Even Harrenhal in the Riverlands is not out of the question. House Hoare currently has no news, and as King of the Trident, I can discuss it with my uncle and grant it to you."
Ah?!
Are you really going to such lengths?
You've grown, Robb, you know how to entice people with promises to make them work for you!
This was the second time Edward had been surprised today.
Golden Tooth, such a strategically important location, and with a gold mine, could actually be directly granted to him?
As for rebuilding a castle, that was also feasible.
The North is typically vast and sparsely populated. If he found a good spot, and Winterfell and Karhold provided some population support, as long as they could survive the coming winter, it would quickly become a prosperous small place.
As for Harrenhal, that was a hot potato. It looked very appealing, but it wasn't easy to take.
Putting aside the ethereal curse, without sufficient strength and capital, occupying that castle would be a problem even for its repair and defense.
It's too big, don't play with it if you don't have money.
"Your Majesty, please wait a moment, allow me to think carefully!"
Faced with the temptation of directly becoming an Earl, even Edward could not be an exception.
He always had a feeling that once he had a territory, the system would probably have another update.
So he began to rack his brains, pondering over the situation of Golden Tooth and the siege techniques he had acquired through various means, to see if they could be put to use at this moment.
The tent instantly became incredibly quiet.
Most of the people here were brave and fearless rough men, and even Lady Maege, a woman, was someone whose muscles were more developed than her brain, making her useless at this moment.
Professional matters must be left to capable people.
"I've got it!"
After much thought, Edward suddenly remembered the soldiers in the two towers and the city wall at the bottom of the hundred-meter-high cliff.
If a hundred or so elites were arranged to descend by rope under the cover of night, there would be a great chance to directly open the East Gate.
Once the city gate was open, the Northern cavalry could fully charge into the city on horseback and fight the enemy.
After thinking of a crucial breakthrough, the entire plan quickly formed in Edward's mind.
The West Wall could not be idle either; a large number of soldiers would definitely need to be deployed for a feint attack to attract the enemy's attention for the elites fighting for the city gate.
As for Lannisport, it also needed to continue to be deceived, lest the enemy discover an anomaly and gather soldiers to probe their true strength.
"Your Majesty, I've thought of a plan, but the risk is great. If it fails, we will lose the chance to intercept the enemy, and we will have to flee the Westerlands in disgrace. Only after regrouping with Edmure Knight can we continue to contend with Tywin."
Before stating the plan, Edward still brought up the risks for the sake of caution.
After all, this plan only had a chance of success, not absolute success.
By this point, Edward's little wing had already completely messed up the Stark family's storyline.
Robb Stark's eyes lit up, and he said with a smile, "It's fine, just say it. You are only offering advice, and if it's adopted, all consequences should be borne by me, the King who made the choice. Any problems that arise have nothing to do with you."
"Good."
Edward looked at Robb and suddenly realized that he seemed to be less open-minded than this young man. If the King didn't care, why should he worry?
"Gentlemen."
After thinking clearly, Edward said loudly, "Previously, we observed the situation of Golden Tooth. The city walls are strong and the defenses are tight. To attack such a city by force, a large number of siege engines would inevitably need to be built."
"For us, this is not realistic. Therefore, we need to use some unconventional methods, which means clever strategy!"
"Oh, the Karstark boy, no, the King's Hand of the King, just tell us what you need us to do."
Jon Umber said impatiently and boisterously, "In this day and age, any method that can defeat the enemy is a good method!"
Previously, he had many objections to Edward Karstark, believing that a young man who had just grown a beard should not receive such trust from the King.
Now, he was convinced.
Under his schemes, Davos Lannister obediently sent out the raven, and Tywin Lannister recklessly left Harrenhal.
All these things made this rough man understand that there was a great difference between people.
He couldn't help but be impressed.
"Hmm."
Edward looked at Greatjon, a smile on his face, and said, "Do you all remember the mountain path that helped us enter the Westerlands?"
Many lords nodded.
"There's a spot where below is a sheer cliff, and the East Wall of Golden Tooth is built at the bottom of that cliff. So, my plan first requires a hundred brave and fearless warriors to climb down ropes at night and seize the city gate."
"Then, they will continue to lower rope ladders below the city wall to increase the possibility of taking the wall."
As soon as the words fell, the atmosphere in the tent instantly became lively.
"I remember now, there really is."
"Right, right, right, I even saw two soldiers talking with their heads down at the time. Luckily, they didn't look up."
"Yeah, just weave a ladder with ropes and climb down directly under the cover of night, why didn't I think of that!"
Amidst the commotion, Greatjon slammed the table and stood up, shouting, "Let me do it! Every one of us in the Umber Family is a brave man who fears no death. This exciting task must be ours, no one try to snatch it from me!"
"Less talk, our men from Bear Island are not bad either."
"The soldiers of Deepwood Motte operate in the forest all year round, their climbing skills are definitely better than those of the warriors from Bear Island and Hearthall."
"Our House Norrey people live in the mountains themselves, who can be better at climbing cliffs than us?"
"What? Our Karstark warriors can also handle this matter."
Are they all so eager?
Edward looked at the lords spitting and fighting for the task, and once again gained a new understanding of the bravery and fearlessness of the Northerners.
Could it be that they were dizzy from the string of victories?
"Quiet!"
Robb Stark slammed the table heavily. Once everyone quieted down, he looked at Edward, "Who do you think is more suitable for this task?"
Looking at the eager eyes in the tent, Edward smiled and said to Owen Norrey, "Alright, House Norrey will send thirty men. I've observed that most of you are agile and quick, suitable to be the vanguard to climb down the cliff and set up rope ladders."
Owen Norrey's face showed a proud expression. He patted his chest and said in a booming voice, "Don't worry, leave it to us."
"As for the other seventy men, Earl Jon, it will be up to your Umber Family. The warriors of the Umber Family live in cold regions all year round, they are strong and sturdy. Even if they have to climb rope ladders, they should be able to carry weapons and wear armor, right?"
"Of course."
Jon Umber laughed loudly as he stood up, looking exactly like a child who had snatched a toy.
At this moment, the other lords also looked at Edward, even his adoptive father was no exception.
"Gentlemen, this is only the first step. Also, please allow me to finish explaining the entire plan."
Hearing that there were other tasks to be arranged, the many lords quieted down.
Edward then said, "Besides arranging a small group of soldiers to seize the city gate, I also need at least five hundred of the best cavalrymen to return to the Riverlands via the small path the night before the battle begins and wait. Once the city gate is opened, they will charge directly into the city on horseback and fight the enemy."
As soon as he finished speaking, Robb Stark added, "I'll take charge of this. Let the warriors from Karhold, Deepwood Motte, and Bear Island do it."
The cavalry from the three houses combined would be at least over seven hundred men, which was completely sufficient in terms of numbers.
Moreover, each of them was valiant and skilled in battle, the elite of the elite.
The other lords looked left and right, and finally, Titus of Raventree Hall stood up and said in a muffled tone, "What about us then? Are we just going to stay here and play house with the enemy? Waiting for the battle to end?"
He had already plundered most of the villages and towns near Lannisport. Staying here would mean just acting in the camp.
"Of course not, trust me, all of you sirs will receive suitable tasks."
Edward smiled and said reassuringly.