After some conversation, Green gained a deeper understanding of Davos Seaworth.
Davos was a very serious person.
Because of his character, the sons who grew up under Davos's tutelage were all talented individuals in the Royal Fleet.
Moreover, Davos deeply admired Duke Stannis; it was something that surpassed loyalty, coming from his very core.
Green listened to Davos with a gentle expression, his mind turning.
Davos himself was currently out of reach, so Green was setting his sights on Davos's sons.
Petyr Baelish had arranged three ships and sailors for him, and Green would give them due trust, but Green would not entrust everything to someone who had just pledged allegiance.
The sea was not land, and trust was not indulgence; excessive indulgence would only breed ambition for no reason.
Although the fleet was small, it still needed proper mutual checks and balances to establish a certain equilibrium and maintain loyalty to House Clebber.
The original crew was definitely not enough, and Green still needed to recruit enough sailors for three ships.
Sailors could be supplemented from Mermaid Port, and besides sailors, Green also needed to arrange a trustworthy "Deputy Commander" for the fleet.
If he wanted to achieve his goal, Green would need to maneuver a bit.
Green nodded slightly and said, "Ser Davos, I am honored to receive an invitation from Duke Stannis. In about ten days, due to the Red Keep's affairs, I will be heading to Essos. At that time, if I were to visit Duke Stannis on Dragonstone, would the timing permit?"
Davos's tone was calm: "Count Green, Duke Stannis is diligent; aside from inspecting the fleet, he always presides over affairs at Dragonstone. Duke Stannis has just finished his inspection, and Dragonstone welcomes your arrival at any time."
Green first placed a hand on his chest in thanks, then said, "My Mermaid Port is about to establish an escort fleet, and this is a good opportunity to seek more advice from Duke Stannis."
The dutiful Davos asked, "Oh? Are you for merchant convoy escort?"
"Yes, Ser. The Royal Fleet is in Blackwater Bay, so we never worry about the safety of merchant ships. I am preparing in advance for trade in Essos."
Davos agreed, "The presence of the Royal Fleet there would be quite sensitive; merchant ships need their own fleet escort."
Green shrugged and said, "Only after delving into it did I realize how difficult it is to establish a fleet. If it weren't for Lord Petyr's help, I would have almost given up."
Davos's heart stirred, and he said, "The Master of Coin?"
Green nodded slightly and said, "Yes, with his assistance, I will incorporate a small-scale Sellsword fleet. My three warships can finally sail out of the harbor."
Davos's tone was sincere: "The sea is different from the land; separated by the sea, you need to have enough patience."
Green nodded: "Indeed, the sea is full of distrust. Thank you for your good words, Ser. I can only be patient now."
After a pause, Green added, "Precisely because it is full of distrust, I believe my sincerity will eventually lead me to a reliable fleet commander."
Davos nodded and said, "The Gods will bless every sincere person!"
Green then humbly consulted Davos on some fleet-related issues, and Davos patiently answered Green's questions.
Green also revealed a somewhat ambitious fleet plan—a House Clebber fleet of ten warships.
Unbeknownst to them, night had fallen deeply.
Davos stood up and bid Green farewell.
For those he admired, Green never stinted on his praise: "Ser Davos, tonight was very pleasant. Your good words have given me much insight, your abilities are admirable, and your character earns my even greater respect."
Davos maintained his usual humility: "Count Green, I am just an illiterate captain."
Green reluctantly saw Davos off, and they agreed that Green would visit Davos again in three months to continue consulting on fleet matters.
Davos reciprocated Green's enthusiasm, offering to show Green his pride—the black bess warship—at that time.
After seeing Davos off, Green returned to the small hall.
Green liked the wide view from the small hall; although it lacked privacy, his Clan Soldiers were the best protective wall.
Green sat down at the table and instructed the maid to light a few more candles.
Green spread out the finely cut parchment on the table and picked up his quill.
The candlelight flickered, and Green began to write.
Today, Queen Cersei Lannister's final attitude was finally confirmed, and Green could confidently write to the Duke of Highgarden.
If today's outcome had been a rupture in the relationship with Queen Cersei, Green would have had to find another way to continue promoting Duke Mace Tyrell's path to becoming Prime Minister.
At that time, Boss Cersei would no longer care what Green had promised Highgarden, or what consequences or impacts it might bring.
She would kill but not bury; if Cersei could think of these things, she wouldn't be Cersei.
The ever-growing Golden Rose was a very united family.
Without remedy, the Golden Rose, feeling deceived, would never tolerate it, even for the sake of face, and Green would be the first to bear the brunt.
To cope with the worst-case scenario, Green had even considered personally visiting Winterfell in the North.
In short, Green had long prepared various countermeasures.
After writing the letter to Duke Mace, Green leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples.
Fortunately, Queen Cersei was finally appeased today.
Although there were twists and turns, the situation did not become unmanageable. Green would continue to push forward according to the original plan; the first stage was chaos without disorder.
At this moment, Green was thinking about Queen Cersei.
Through today's events, Green discovered that his weight in Cersei's heart was much heavier than she imagined.
Besides the Lannister family, he should be the most trusted outsider by Cersei.
Therefore, Green dared not underestimate Cersei's desire for control even more.
What Green sought was still the initiative to disembark at any time... He felt his armor was already ineffective, and he needed to prepare another shield besides Jaime.
Green reached for another blank parchment, writing the second letter to Little Rose of Highgarden.
Don't let Green be the only one working hard; let everyone get busy!
The next day, Red Keep Hall of Office.
Green met Varys, whose head was as bald as an egg.
Varys was plump, dressed in a loose purple silk robe, covered by a vest sewn with gold thread, and wearing pointed velvet slippers that were wide at the back.
Green smelled lilacs on Varys.
Green placed a hand on his chest in greeting and said, "Good day, Lord Varys. I have not yet thanked you for your assistance. I will always remember your help."
Varys clasped his hands and nodded, "Good day, Count Green. I merely acted on impulse. That you could be entrusted with such an important task by both the King and the Hand also fills me with joy."
Green's tone carried a hint of helplessness: "This kind of important task, I would rather it had not fallen upon me."
Varys claimed to have been born in Lys, one of the nine Free Trade Cities of Essos, and was once a slave.
In Pentos, Varys befriended an assassin named Illyrio Mopatis, and the two started a new business.
[Illyrio Mopatis is the current Magister of Pentos, harboring the Targaryen siblings.]
Varys would steal things from pickpockets, and Illyrio would return them to their owners for a reward.
Varys soon realized that information was worth far more than gold and gems, so he bought some orphans and began training a team specifically for collecting intelligence.
The collection of intelligence made Varys and Illyrio's wealth grow exponentially compared to the past, and Varys became famous for it, or one could say infamous.
Varys's unique talent drifted across the Narrow Sea to the ears of the then-King of Westeros, and this King happened to trust no one.
Varys thus served as the Master of Whisperers in Aerys II (Mad King)'s Red Keep.
After the War of the Usurper, Varys began serving King Robert, continuing as Master of Whisperers on the Small Council.
Varys smiled and said, "Count Green, with the abilities you have shown, three years is more than enough."
Green raised an eyebrow and said, "Lord Varys, I am more suited for the battlefield. As for finding people, everyone knows that no one is better at it than you."
Varys nodded and said, "That is precisely why we are meeting."
"Oh?"
Facing Green's confusion, Varys first gently invited Green to sit down before speaking: "They should be in Pentos now."
Varys's face was serious, and he spoke in a lowered voice.
The transmigrator Green naturally restrained Master of Whisperers Varys; his ambiguous information could not sway Green.
Green naturally chose to maintain his advantage.
Green also lowered his voice and said, "Lord Varys, you are indeed a respected minister, but I want to ask, I noticed you used the word 'should'; do you have a specific indication?"
A smile reappeared on Varys's face, and he nodded slightly, saying, "Count Green, you are sharp enough. Queen Cersei has good reason to trust you. It is certainly good news that I could ascertain the whereabouts of the young dragons when you took on this important task."
Green spread his hands and said, "Good news must be accompanied by bad news, Lord Varys. Please tell me truthfully."
Varys was slightly startled, then chuckled for a while, and said, "It seems the Wise Spring of Crab Claw Point favors you. Perhaps my knowledge is insufficient, but you are a rare person of great wisdom."
Facing Varys's praises, Green humbly expressed his gratitude.
Varys reined in his smile somewhat and suddenly said, "They are currently residing in a mansion provided by the Magister of Pentos and are under his protection."
Green frowned slightly and said, "Magister?"
Varys nodded and said, "Magister Illyrio Mopatis of Pentos. I had a friendship with him, but it has been over a decade since I came to Westeros..."
Saying this, Varys shook his head, sighed, and continued, "The current situation is very difficult. If it were me, I could only wait for the young dragons to leave their sanctuary on their own. After all, that is a Free Trade City."
Green pinched his chin and consoled him, "Lord Varys, actually everyone understands your predicament. They are just not good at expressing it, and that includes me."
Green's words deepened Varys's smile.
After a pause, Green asked, "How many soldiers does Pentos have?"
Looking at the somewhat eager Green, Varys's smile stiffened for a moment.
Varys tentatively asked, "Count Green, are you...?"
Green's eyes were shining: "Lord Varys, King has given me enough gold dragons. If you can help me get a map, along with my soldiers, I am confident of a successful raid."
To directly resort to arms? Varys secretly observed; he was not joking.
Although Varys was surprised by Green's response, his mind was stable enough not to show any abnormality.
Varys even thought that perhaps this was why Queen Cersei liked Green.
The original plan needed a slight modification... Varys was someone who lived and breathed schemes and power plays, and he had already prepared countermeasures without batting an eyelid.
Varys sighed, "One must admire the King and the Hand's ability to choose people. Their vision is always sharp; you are worthy of their trust."
Green silently uttered, 'But.'
Varys's tone was sincere: "But, I still want to be selfish for once and consider you first, putting your safety first. I believe that with the combat power of your soldiers, your plan has a high chance of success."
Green's eyes showed confusion, and he said, "Lord Varys, I have always wanted to ask, I can feel your goodwill, and though I am grateful, it also puzzles me."
"Seeing you always reminds me of that great war over a decade ago... Prince Rhaegar had already fallen in battle, and those indebted to Prince Rhaegar were the first to surrender, followed by everyone else choosing to kneel.
Only the silent people of Crab Claw Point still refused to surrender, fighting until the last moment, the last man. They upheld loyalty, and loyalty is honor.
I also failed in my duty. I advised Aerys (Mad King) that the Lannisters could not be trusted, not to open the city gates to them, and as for the result... everyone is now very clear.
Now is the Baratheon Dynasty, and we are all loyal to King Robert. I only regret, this is not about right or wrong, nor about position. For loyal old retainers, because I admire their character, I have always felt sympathy, and sympathy is not pity.
You are their descendant, so I naturally view you differently. Where I can, I am willing to extend the little goodwill I have left, and I ask for nothing in return."
Green's lips moved, his eyes filled with gratitude, and he gazed at Varys for a moment.
Finally, Green's face grew heavy as he lowered his eyes and sighed deeply.
The atmosphere in the room became momentarily solemn.
After a pause, Green composed himself and placed a hand on his chest in thanks to Varys: "Lord Varys, thank you for your kindness. Loyalty is fearless; House Clebber will never forget."
Varys smiled and nodded: "Why is it that in the power games of the great lords, it is always the smallfolk who suffer the most? Count Green, even if you successfully complete the mission of raiding the Magister of Pentos, the great lords, for the sake of the so-called greater good, will ruthlessly sacrifice you. Their reasons will be sufficient; your actions would be tantamount to an undeclared war."
After listening to Varys's words, Green remained silent, his expression still appearing somewhat unwilling.
Was this the real Green?
Varys was also making a judgment in his mind; combining it with the intelligence he had gathered, Green was not an impulsive person.
Which one was the real Green?
Varys was not in a hurry to judge a person; he dealt with all kinds of information every day and was very clear that one should not subjectively prejudge someone first, as this would truly affect his judgment.
The human heart is unpredictable, and everything is in flux; nothing remains eternally fixed.
Green's tone was helpless: "Lord Varys, I can't think of any other good solutions for now. I thought three years would be enough, but I have to admit I underestimated the situation."
Varys patiently said, "Count Green, you actually overlooked the most important problem."
Green raised an eyebrow: "Please speak frankly."
Varys slowly stood up, walked to the window and the door, and naturally surveyed his surroundings.
After sitting down again, Varys stared at Green and said, "Have you ever considered that this is a mission that can never be completed?"
Green frowned slightly, seeming to ponder the meaning of Varys's words.
Varys leaned forward, his voice heavy: "Suppose the Targaryen orphans appeared before you, are you certain your sword could pierce their chests?"
Green froze for a moment, opened his mouth, and lowered his eyes with a complex expression.
Varys's lips curved for a moment, and looking at Green, he said, "I can sense that you are hesitating."
Green stood up and said, "Lord Varys, thank you for meeting me, and thank you even more for your good words."
After speaking, Green nodded his farewell to Varys and turned to leave with large strides.
Varys clasped his hands, nodded slightly, and watched Green's retreating back.