Prime Minister's Tower.
Greene, who had just come out of the stairs, was stopped by the Prime Minister's secretary, whom he had met earlier that morning, before he could reach the Prime Minister's study.
"Baron Green, I apologize, Prime Minister has asked you to go to the Prime Minister's bedroom."
Greene did not ask further, merely nodded slightly and said, "Mr. Secretary, please lead the way."
Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister's secretary looked up at Greene, then extended a hand and said, "Baron, please follow me."
Tap, tap, tap, only the footsteps of two people echoed within the quiet Prime Minister's Tower.
After ascending another floor, Greene noticed two Gold Cloaks standing on either side, guarding a room door.
The Prime Minister's secretary stopped, bowed slightly sideways, and extended a hand towards the Gold Cloaks.
"Petyr requests your loyalty."
As Greene stepped past the Prime Minister's secretary, a whisper, audible only to the two of them, entered his ears.
Greene nodded slightly, walked to the door alone, and calmly adjusted the armor on his body.
...
Lancel, shadow, loyalty.
Greene, with his head slightly bowed, imperceptibly curved his lips.
Not long after, Greene, having tidied his attire, straightened his back again, and his brown eyes glanced at the Gold Cloaks.
The Gold Cloaks, without looking sideways, opened the room door for Greene, and Greene stepped inside.
...
Upon entering the Prime Minister's bedroom, Greene first smelled the scent of medicine.
A strong medicinal smell, almost permeating the entire room.
Compared to their last meeting, there were also several attendants silently busy in another part of the room.
Greene's face showed no unusual expression at the pungent medicinal smell. He nodded in greeting to Duke Jon Arryn, who was leaning against the headboard: "Good day, Prime Minister."
Duke Jon's tone was very cordial, saying, "Come, child, I am very happy to see you, sit down and talk."
As he finished speaking, an attendant in the room brought a chair and gently placed it beside the bed.
It was the same old routine again... Facing Duke Jon's kind words, Greene's heart raised its guard, while he couldn't help but roll his eyes.
Greene's eyes moved slightly, and he sat only on a third of the chair's seat, leaning slightly towards Jon, with his hands on his knees.
Greene was doing this to accommodate Duke Jon, who was weak and short of breath, not for... Greene was deliberately making them appear close.
Duke Jon showed no unusual expression at Greene's small gesture. His cloudy eyes stared at Greene and said, "I hear you caused quite a stir in Highgarden this time?"
Greene smiled apologetically and replied, "The Crab Claw Peninsula is short of food. My steward told me that the price of grain in the Riverlands was fair, so I took advantage of the Kingswood Hunting to go to Highgarden."
After a pause, Greene continued, "However, things were not smooth. I didn't have many gold dragons in my pocket, and those merchants weren't even willing to bother with me, a poor lord from the Crownlands who had traveled so far. So..."
Greene stared at Duke Jon with sparkling eyes, saying nothing, which finally caused a slight change in Duke Jon's face: "Cough, and then what?"
Greene's tone contained a hint of excitement: "Since my courtesy couldn't earn me due respect, I set up a challenge arena on the outskirts of Highgarden and spoke to them with the sword in my hand, which I am skilled at. For several days in a row, I consecutively defeated over a hundred challengers from the Riverlands!"
"Cough, very interesting."
"Thank you for your praise. Things went smoothly afterwards, and I managed to negotiate a deal to trade leather from the Crab Claw Peninsula for grain from the Riverlands. This temporarily relieved me. The root cause of the constant warfare in the Crab Claw Peninsula is mostly for survival, for food. Without a stable environment in the territory, the situation will only get worse."
Greene's words, however, inadvertently made Duke Jon think of the matter of heirs. For a great noble, an heir was too important.
Jon Arryn had been married three times.
His first wife was Jeyne Royce, but Jeyne died in childbirth, and the female infant she bore was stillborn.
His second wife was his cousin, Rowena Arryn, who died of a cold illness and bore no children.
Duke Jon had designated many heirs, but one by one they died before Duke Jon.
The first heir was his younger brother Ronnel's youngest son, Elbert Arryn, but he was executed by the Mad King before Robert's Rebellion.
The second heir was Denys, from a branch of the Arryn Family, but he was killed during Robert's Rebellion.
During Robert's Rebellion, Duke Jon married Lysa Tully, the daughter of Duke Brynden. After multiple miscarriages, Lysa Tully finally gave Jon a sickly but legitimate heir, Robert Arryn.
...
"Duke Jon?"
Greene's voice awakened Duke Jon, who had fallen into memories.
Greene's face was worried, but his heart stirred.
Although Duke Jon appeared to be in a similar state to their last meeting, Greene could feel that Duke Jon had no chance of recovery.
If the physician could maintain Duke Jon's current condition... a year or two?
Duke Jon, having come to his senses, gazed at Greene with complex eyes for a while.
The future of the kingdom ultimately belongs to the young... The aged Duke Jon sighed inwardly, suddenly feeling that time was the cruelest.
Duke Jon's lament was only momentary; he would not forget the purpose of meeting Greene in person.
Duke Jon praised, "I truly did not misjudge you, Baron Green. Although you are young, your abilities are outstanding."
Duke Jon's praise, however, sounded harsh to Greene.
Greene shook his head slightly and took the initiative to speak: "Duke Jon, I have also learned about some situations through various channels during this period."
"For more than ten years, in order to hunt down the Targaryen hatchlings who fled to the other continent, we have spent 100,000 to 200,000 gold dragons annually on intelligence and hiring assassins, yet we still have no results..."
Speaking of this, Greene stopped and looked at Duke Jon with a puzzled gaze.
The muscles in Duke Jon's cheeks twitched slightly.
"Baron Green, you are exaggerating the difficulties. Before, we were sitting in the Red Keep... if someone could preside over Essos, it would be a different situation..."
Taking advantage of Duke Jon's pause, Greene nodded readily and said, "Duke Jon, then I am relieved. I was just worried about not getting support from the Red Keep.
I have people at my disposal. I have over two thousand Clan Soldiers (Greene deliberately exaggerated the number). They have fought for the Kleber Family for generations. Every one of them is an excellent soldier, very reliable, and worthy of the Red Keep's trust.
I will lead my Clan Soldiers across the sea. We will search every corner of the Essos continent. As long as there is enough time, I will definitely dig out the hidden Targaryen hatchlings.
Of course, back to the beginning, what I need is the support of the Red Keep..."
Duke Jon's lips moved slightly, and after a long pause, he finally said, "I will keep my promise. When you return successfully, you will be the Crab Claw Peninsula Guardian."
Greene couldn't help but be surprised. He opened his mouth and said, "Duke Jon, forgive my impertinence, what about the Red Keep's support?"
A sharp glint flashed in Duke Jon's cloudy eyes: "The Crab Claw Peninsula has never had a Guardian. This is the Red Keep's support."
Greene's tone was very unwilling: "Prime Minister, I don't even have a ship to cross the sea!"
Duke Jon gazed at Greene for a while and then said, "Three years. You don't need to bring so many subordinates. Within three years, as long as you do your best, regardless of the outcome, you will be the Crab Claw Peninsula Guardian."
Greene laughed, rubbing his forehead, his eyes suppressing anger: "My esteemed Prime Minister, I am merely a swordsman. I don't understand what you mean."
Inside the room, the restrained anger of Greene and the calm demeanor of Duke Jon created two completely different atmospheres.
"Baron Green, I know you are very intelligent. You actually understood my meaning long ago."
Duke Jon's eyes stared at Greene and he continued, "Or, you deliberately found a plausible excuse... are you showing pity for the old Targaryen masters?"
Loyalty... Greene suddenly stood up and declared loudly, "Duke Jon, you are insulting my honor with baseless speculation! I absolutely refuse to accept it! I demand a duel with a swordsman who can represent you! I will prove my loyalty to the Kingdom with victory! Immediately!"
The air in the Prime Minister's bedroom seemed to solidify, and everyone present was stunned.
Except for Greene and Jon.
Greene looked murderous.
Greene's actions failed to cause any change in Duke Jon's calm face.
A hint of regret flashed across Duke Jon's eyes, secretly lamenting the lost opportunity.
I, Jon Arryn, am indeed not suited for such schemes!
Duke Jon thought that perhaps this was the gods' pity and blessing, preventing him from losing the honor he had guarded his entire life in his final years.
Duke Jon sighed inwardly, 'Forget it, it's been over ten years, and a poor Crab Claw Peninsula can't stir up big waves anymore.'
My successor will do better than me!
...
"Enough, damn it, I can't listen to this anymore!"
A rough voice sounded from behind the bed.
The mighty King Robert Baratheon strode out from behind.
Greene glanced at Duke Jon on the bed, then nodded in greeting to King Robert: "Good day, My King. Whispering Fort awaits your command."
King Robert stopped in front of Greene: "Damn it, how did I fall asleep? Baron Whispering Fort, you disturbed my sweet dreams.
However, your attitude still pleases me. The Targaryen remnants deserve to die. I only regret that they can only be killed once!
Damn it, who will get me a cup of wine? Where is that Lannister oaf of a servant of mine? Who can tell me where he's hiding again?!"
With a bang, Lancel Lannister, holding a wine glass and a wine jug, pushed the door open in a hurry.
...
As the King's attendant, Lancel could be said to have taken a great risk, specifically hiding near the Prime Minister's Tower to hint at Greene.
Greene remembered the evening before the Royal Forest hunt. Lannister indeed pays his debts!
Greene glanced at Lancel's delicate face, feeling touched... Lancel, for now, I can only sympathize with your plight in my heart.
While Lancel was pouring wine for King Robert, Greene quietly moved to the side, standing silently with his eyes downcast.
Robert raised his cup and drained it, saying, "Be smarter, Lannister. If you dare to delay my wine again, I'll hang you on the city gates!"
King Robert turned to Duke Jon and said, "Jon, you should rest well. Leave these trivial matters to the secretary. As long as my warhammer is still here, no major disaster will befall the Kingdom!"
Jon smiled and said, "My King, I apologize for disturbing your sweet dreams. I'm just not used to it yet. I've entrusted many things to Petyr, and he has always handled them well. I can rest assured."
Robert laughed heartily: "That's good news. If he can put you at ease, let him run more errands. Although I don't like his hypocrisy, he is indeed good at removing trouble."
After speaking, King Robert's gaze moved to Greene, his large eyes staring unblinkingly at Greene.
Facing Robert's imposing aura, Greene was naturally... calm and composed.
...
Not long after, Robert burst into laughter: "Greene Kleber, you're a good young man, a good warrior! I heard about your dragon-removal plan. You're far more reliable than those Master of Coins who spout nonsense all day. They spent so many gold dragons, yet I haven't even seen a single finger! Tell me, how do you want the Red Keep to support your plan?"
Greene looked at Robert, his tone filled with confidence: "My King, I have enough men. I only need the Red Keep to provide 150,000 gold dragons annually!"
Robert's smile froze for a moment, and he cursed, "Damn it, you damn Crownlands vassals, all you do is ask for money when you see me! And only 150,000, and annually? Do you think that iron chair pulls out gold nuggets for me when no one's around at night?!"
Greene, enduring Robert's imposing presence, spoke directly: "My King, Essos is much larger than Westeros. It's like finding a needle in a haystack. My men can't be searching for the target while also begging for food."
King Robert laughed heartily: "Young warrior, you've made me laugh! Hmm, if soldiers fight on empty stomachs, they'll not only curse you but also burn down your tent!"
King Robert looked towards the door: "Someone, go call my Master of Coin!"
Jon spoke up at this moment: "Petyr is in the Prime Minister's study. Go downstairs directly and ask him to come up."
...
Knock, knock, knock. Petyr, dressed immaculately, entered the room and greeted King Robert: "Good day, Your Esteemed King."
Robert nodded and said, "Petyr, are there still gold dragons in the Kingdom's treasury?"
Petyr curved his lips, placed a hand on his chest, and said, "My King, as long as you have a need, Petyr will always have the exact amount of coins stored in the Kingdom's treasury."
King Robert nodded with satisfaction and said solemnly to Greene, "Baron Whispering Fort, I don't like waiting without results."
With a bang, Greene's right hand slapped his chest (Greene was wearing armor), like a warrior about to go to war: "My King, you only need to support me for three years! I only need three years!"
King Robert's plump face showed a hint of satisfaction. He nodded and said to Petyr, who was standing nearby, "Petyr, prepare 150,000 gold dragons for him!"
Petyr placed a hand on his chest and bowed, saying, "As you command, My King."
King Robert's gaze moved back to Greene: "Greene Kleber, this is for three years, and I'm giving it to you all at once!
Damn it, I won't let soldiers fight on empty stomachs, but I won't be so extravagant as to let you fight while eating gold dragons!
Do you know what's most expensive? It's those useless intelligence reports! I will have Varys help you. Remember, I will not tolerate your failure, nor will there be any additional rewards!
Remember, the sooner the better. As long as you succeed, I will allow you to keep the remaining gold dragons in your pocket!"
My King, I am willing to go through fire and water for you... Greene's gaze towards King Robert grew increasingly firm.