Baron Green?
Arriving in the garden, Margaery Tyrell, who was looking for her handmaidens, first spotted Greene lying on a bench. Margaery did not approach, merely calling out softly.
"Ah!"
Margaery's handmaidens shrieked, then, holding up their skirts, scurried towards Margaery.
Greene, who was passively eavesdropping, had no choice but to wake up.
Greene got up, yawned, raised his right hand, and waved it from side to side: "Good day, ladies."
Greene's friendly demeanor did not lessen the suspicion in the hearts of Margaery's handmaidens; they all stared at Greene, their gazes very probing.
The handmaidens' unusual behavior did not escape Margaery's eyes. She sighed lightly and said, "You may withdraw."
The handmaidens, feeling guilty, discreetly exchanged glances, then bowed to Margaery and withdrew.
...
Only Greene and Margaery remained in the garden.
Greene spoke first: "Miss Margaery, your handmaidens are both beautiful and lively."
Margaery smiled and said, "I saw their guilt and annoyance. Baron Green, can you tell me what happened between you?"
Greene looked puzzled, thought for a moment, and replied, "I think I heard them talking, and they might have thought I heard them?"
Margaery's beautiful eyes blinked, and she pressed, "Heard what?"
Greene shrugged and said, "I was asleep, so I didn't hear very clearly, but it seemed to be the Master of Laws' name."
Upon hearing "Master of Laws," Margaery, who had a faint smile on her face, slightly flexed her fingers.
Margaery's steps were light as she approached Greene.
Margaery looked up, her small face upturned, her deer-like brown eyes clear and soft: "Baron Green, it seems you've inadvertently overheard an incredible piece of news?"
Greene took half a step back, his tone helpless: "Miss Margaery, your beauty compels me to be frank. Actually, I didn't pay it any mind, because it's no secret to me."
"Such as?"
"I am the Queen's Chief Steward, and I had already noticed some of Duke Renly's actions."
Margaery's brown eyes trembled slightly: "Queen Cersei, is she investigating Duke Renly?"
Greene decisively shook his head in denial: "Our Queen never concerns herself with such matters; it is the duty of us stewards, especially me."
Greene looked at Margaery and continued, "Just as a certain giant of Lannister once said, loyalty to the Queen is the traditional craft of the Crab Claw Peninsula. I am merely taking normal precautions, investigating any unusual incidents that occur around the Queen."
Margaery reminded Greene in a cool tone: "Baron Green, Duke Renly is of noble status; he cannot be offended."
Greene spread his hands: "Although we have been silent for more than ten years, but... Miss Margaery, you, who are familiar with history, should know that the Crab Claw Peninsula only has two people in its eyes: one is the Queen, and the other is everyone else besides the Queen."
Margaery raised an eyebrow and gazed at Greene.
Trying to scare me with those big eyes again? Greene stared back at Margaery.
Before long, Greene sighed lightly, averting Margaery's gaze.
Margaery's smooth chin lifted slightly.
Greene spoke first, his tone sincere: "Miss Margaery, these are actually trivial matters, not worth your concern."
Greene paused, then added: "I have no intention of guessing Duke Renly Baratheon's thoughts, nor am I interested. I only prioritize Queen Cersei's safety.
I have conducted a preliminary investigation and know that Duke Renly and the Knight of Flowers have a deep friendship, but friendship should not be above the interests of the family.
Please believe in our sincerity; I genuinely wish to see my most respected Duke Mace in the position of Hand, governing this kingdom."
Margaery's Rose-like red lips moved slightly.
Margaery wanted to ask, if the Duke Mace, whom Greene spoke of as his most respected, were to come into conflict with Queen Cersei, how would he choose?
Margaery knew that asking such a question would make her seem naive. At this moment, Greene's answer, whatever it might be, would not be a matter of truth or falsehood.
Such questions can only be truly answered when the situation actually occurs.
...
Greene's purpose at this moment was not complex. He knew that great nobles liked to hedge their bets, and he was merely using this pretext to hint at Margaery.
With the power struggle already clear, Greene did not want it to become messy. The more complex the power struggle, the more likely unexpected events were to occur.
Greene could not change the nature of great nobles; he was simply doing his best and, incidentally, changing the subject.
...
Margaery glanced sideways at Greene, her tone seeming to carry a hint of tartness: "You are quite loyal to Queen Cersei."
Greene bowed, hand on chest: "Miss Margaery, this is my duty, and I am bound to it."
Having finished his humble remarks, Greene suddenly said, "Miss Margaery, I have a suggestion."
Margaery's eyes moved, and she smiled like a flower: "Baron Green, I like your suggestions, and I am willing to listen."
Greene hesitated for a moment, then said, "The time is not yet ripe. At present, I am insignificant. I will offer my advice to you next time we meet."
After speaking, Greene wore a regretful expression.
Margaery's beautiful eyes widened, and she couldn't help but glare at Greene.
...
...
Randyll Tarly had left Horn Hill again.
While his father was away, Samwell Tarly placed the letter renouncing his inheritance on Randyll's desk.
When Samwell left Horn Hill, he was leading an old horse and carried only one book he hadn't finished reading.
For Samwell, a quiet departure was his last shred of dignity.
...
Samwell reached the gate of the Kleber camp, revealing the first smile he had since leaving home.
Leading his old horse, Samwell walked up to the Cleber's Blue Cloaks guarding the gate and said, "Good day, my name is Samwell Tarly, and I have come to see Baron Green."
Samwell's physique was easy to remember, and the guard still had an impression of him: "Good day, Ser Samwell, Lord Green is not in the camp right now."
Samwell opened his mouth, wanting to ask where Greene had gone and when he would return.
But he didn't like to trouble others... Samwell nodded and said, "Then I'll wait."
With that, Samwell walked to the other side, plopped down on the ground, and wiped the sweat from his face.
The guard saw Samwell's old horse trembling as it walked and said, "Ser Samwell, your horse is very tired; I can help you take care of it."
Samwell then noticed his horse, and thinking of his own weight, felt pity. Samwell scratched his head awkwardly: "Then... I'll trouble you, and I'll prepare payment."
Samwell reluctantly glanced at his only book, "I must finish reading it quickly!"
...
...
Eastern Crab Claw Peninsula.
The Cleber Legion's eastward advance officially entered its second phase.
"Cliff Valley Tribe, open your gates! We are here to invite you to join Klaeb Territory!"
"We are all Crab Claw Peninsula people! Crab Claw Peninsula people do not fight Crab Claw Peninsula people!"
"Our lord is a descendant of the legendary hero Clarence Clebber; we were all once one people!"
"We are all descendants of the First Men; we should not let our own people continue to bleed!"
"Join us, and the lord will allocate your own hunting grounds to you, so you no longer have to worry about being encroached upon!"
...
Rena, with her topknot, walked up to Impa, tugged at her collar, and said, "Impa, should we keep shouting? I feel this tribe is very stubborn."
Impa frowned slightly and said, "Keep shouting. If they don't surrender before noon, you arrange for the sisters to fire five volleys of arrows into them."
Rena excitedly took the order: "I don't know if I should praise this tribe of only a hundred or so people for being stubborn. My throat is almost hoarse from shouting, and our soldiers outnumber them several times over, yet they still dare not open their gates and surrender. They're looking for death!"
Impa added, "You must not disobey my orders and engage in battle without permission. Retreat after the volleys. Also, when boiling meat at noon, pay attention to the wind direction and find a good spot."
"Okay, Legion Commander, let's make them drool!"
Impa watched the bouncing Rena and said, "We still have time. After shooting the arrows, continue to persuade them to surrender. The entrance to Cliff Valley Tribe is narrow, making it difficult to maneuver. A frontal assault would result in significant casualties... Try to minimize casualties, Rena, this is the lord's order."
"Alright."
Impa and Rena had been good friends for many years, and she knew Rena very well.
Rena was short and slender, yet extremely warlike. This personality had intensified since she joined the Thorn Legion.
Impa's lips curved slightly as she reached out and stroked Rena's little head: "Just consider it a rest. We can't be fighting every day. Ser Mason is resuming cultivation at the new farm, and he needs more laborers."
Rena snorted lightly: "Impa, I don't need comfort. Just as you said, consider it a rest."
Impa patted Reyna again before retracting her hand.
Impa had recently grown fond of stroking Reyna's small head, finding it quite addictive.
...
Reyna's eyes shifted, and she said, "Impa, why bother farming? Our soldiers are growing in number and strength. We should just keep conquering."
Reyna wasn't the only one thinking this; her words actually represented the thoughts of most of the soldiers in Klaeb Territory.
They had battles almost every day, and because they were at war, the food standards naturally increased.
Moreover, in most cases, they outnumbered and outmatched their opponents, and war spoils continuously filled their pockets. The soldiers had never lived such comfortable lives.
The soldiers' sentiments were naturally noticed by the Legion Commanders, and the experienced Knight Pel Pili was certainly capable of handling such a situation.
Impa was also growing through continuous learning.
...
Impa looked at Reyna, her tone serious as she said, "Reyna, haven't you noticed that there have been many unnecessary casualties among our sisters recently? War is like drawing a bow; the bowstring cannot be kept taut indefinitely."
Reyna looked at Impa with sparkling eyes, her voice filled with surprise: "Leopardess, how do you understand such profound principles? You've convinced me immediately!"
Impa's cheeks flushed crimson.
The last time Impa saw Pel, she seized an opportunity to ask him for advice and secretly noted down some phrases she thought were suitable for appeasing the soldiers.
Although Pel was not given to much laughter, he was honest, or perhaps, for him, he would do his best in anything he believed would benefit the Kleber Family.
Pel told Impa that words alone could only soothe the soldiers temporarily, and military laws alone could not boost morale. A Legion Commander also needed to master some methods for boosting and maintaining morale.
Finally, Pel gave some examples from his own experiences and taught some of the techniques he had mastered.
...
Impa cleared her throat and said, "Tell our sisters that the Thorn Legion needs to continue expanding its ranks during this opportunity. If you encounter suitable individuals, remember not to miss them. We don't have much time; Lord Green will have big plans later."
The content revealed in Impa's words made Reyna's eyes light up, and she nodded heavily: "Don't worry, Legion Commander Impa!"
Impa waved her hand as if shooing sheep, saying, "Go arrange it."
Impa's disdain made Reyna feel even closer and happier, as if the bond between the sisters had suddenly warmed.
Reyna bowed respectfully and withdrew, excitedly throwing herself into military affairs.
Impa watched Reyna's retreating back, pinching her chin.
Impa nodded secretly, 'It really works!'
...
...
Kleber Camp, late at night.
When Samwell Tarly left Horn Hill, he didn't even take a copper star.
Samwell felt that since he had chosen to leave Horn Hill, nothing there belonged to him anymore.
The old horse Samwell used for travel and the unfinished books were only borrowed temporarily, and he would arrange for someone to return them.
Perhaps Samwell was, before leaving home, subconsciously rebelling against his terrifying father for once.
...
Samwell, who had been waiting for Green at the camp entrance, was already feeling dizzy from hunger.
Samwell refused the dinner brought by the guards.
The simple-minded Samwell believed that this was a military camp, and since he hadn't officially joined yet, he shouldn't enjoy Kleber's food prematurely.
[Westeros-style Scholarly Integrity]
Samwell shifted his plump body and continued to read the book in his hand by the light of the camp gate's fire.
Books allowed Samwell to forget his inner unease and physical hunger.
...
Tomorrow was departure day. After the banquet, Green left Highgarden Castle with his guards.
Including tonight, Green had helped Duke Mace almost perfect the war theory centered on "contending by not contending."
Green believed that Duke Mace would no longer need his help in the future and could handle most situations with the new theory, continuing to vindicate himself.
This was exactly what Green hoped to see.
No matter how nominal Duke Mace was, he was still the leader of the Riverlands, and his influence in the Riverlands could not be ignored.
Because it could vindicate him and also increase his prestige, Duke Mace would spare no effort to promote his unique art of war at every occasion.
The ever-flourishing Golden Rose Family would also exert their power in the shadows.
Because the increase in the House Lord's prestige was beneficial to the Golden Rose Family's rule over the Riverlands.
What was Green's goal?
It had been hinted before that after entering the Riverlands, the prosperity of the Riverlands caused the always far-sighted Green to feel concerned.
Green's deepest hidden "hope" was that this set of strategies, centered on "contending by not contending," which he tailored for Duke Mace, would naturally penetrate the hearts of the people of the Riverlands.
In the future, as long as the fire had not yet reached them, the Riverlands should not easily make a move.
...
The more he delved into it, Green felt that under the governance of the ever-flourishing Golden Rose Family, the Riverlands were too strong.
If he were the leader of the Riverlands... Green might use the Riverlands to unify Westeros, and then govern the kingdom with people from the Riverlands. The scale of the Riverlands would be sufficient to digest Westeros after the war.
Among the Seven Kingdoms, only they had the strength to do these things.
The inherited traditions and comfortable life had bound the scale of the Riverlands' ambition.
The far-sighted Green merely built upon this foundation, using an easily accepted new theory to go with the flow, adding an invisible rope to the "stability" of the Riverlands.
The flexible Green thought: Before I grow up, the Golden Rose must maintain its proper demeanor. We must abide by the rules of the game at the table of power and not overturn the table and break the rules.
...
[Camp Gate Oath]
Approaching the camp, Green was the first to spot the broad figure by the brazier at the camp gate.
Samwell? Green's eyes flickered, and he quickened the pace of his horse.
"Samwell, it's good to see you again!"
Green dismounted and walked towards Samwell, his arms outstretched.
When he heard the sound of hooves, Samwell put away the book in his hand and swayed as he stood up.
Samwell saw the smiling Green and felt a slight sigh of relief.
According to normal etiquette, Samwell should have sent a letter in advance and obtained Green's consent before visiting.
Seeing that Green did not mind these things, Samwell felt that he had indeed not misjudged him. Lord Green was a broad-minded person, and she who valued knowledge would surely achieve extraordinary things in the future.
One fat, one thin, two contrasting figures, embraced.
Green smiled, glanced at the book in Samwell's hand, and said, "Samwell, I'm late. Come, let's go in together."
Samwell shyly shook his head.
Seeing Samwell's hesitant expression, Green looked at him with a gentle smile, not moving his feet.
Green's demeanor seemed to silently encourage the nervous Samwell.
After a pause, Samwell finally mustered his courage. He remembered many beautiful phrases he had once read.
Although the idea was beautiful, when Samwell spoke, it went against his wishes, turning into pale and direct words.
"I... I want to serve Lord Green..."
Green's eyebrows raised slightly, his eyes filled with a smile, and the corners of his lips unconsciously curved.
Green felt that at this moment, what Samwell needed was not polite words, but first to allow his uneasy heart to find peace.
Green unfastened the longsword from his waist, held it upright in front of him, gripping it with both hands: "Samwell, I believe you've also noticed that I have always craved your outstanding wisdom. Swear your fealty."
Samwell's eyes reddened, his body swayed, and he clumsily knelt on one knee towards Green: "I, Samwell Tarly, swear fealty to you, to offer you counsel and strategies, and in times of peril, I am willing to give my life for you. From this day until my last, I swear by the new and old gods."
Green nodded slightly, his steady voice carrying a hint of solemnity: "I, Greene Kleber, swear that there will always be a place for you by my hearth, and there will always be meat and wine on my table. I swear never to make you do anything unjust. I swear by the new and old gods."
[Klaeb Territory Intelligence + 1]
Gentlemen, I have been silently working hard to increase the stakes!