Chapter 172: The First Fire! A Heavy Blow to House Hightower
Rhaegar, riding three dragons, departed from Volantis. Rhaegar also carried the jewels, gold, and exquisite artifacts gifted by the old Volantene nobility in his ring, sailing upstream along the Rhoyne River. Unfortunately, the Volantenes only offered vulgar gold and silver jewelry, and Rhaegar left in a hurry, so he didn't collect any rare treasures.
Rhaegar still wanted to visit Lys again, but time didn't allow it. He could only go to Lys next time to search for descendants of and the Blackfyres. If 's opportunities didn't change in the future, the Blackfyre descendants were likely in Lys, and Rhaegar asked Lysandro to inquire more diligently.
Rhaegar first returned to the town of Qohor to visit the escaped slaves who had sought refuge with him. After a brief stop, Rhaegar flew back to Pentos, then crossed the to .
Above King's Landing, the Silver Dragon flapped its leathery wings, its sound like thunder. The other two dragons followed suit, roaring in the sky.
Everyone knew that these three magnificent, noble, and domineering dragons were the symbol of Prince .
King's Landing, this dirty, chaotic, and smelly city, was occasionally missed. However, the city was indeed poorly planned, and to make King's Landing great again, it would definitely need to be re-planned.
Rhaegar led the three dragons to circle King's Landing three times in the sky, then slowly descended to the .
Returning with Rhaegar was the Valyrian statue he had abducted from the Velvet Hills, a giant female sphinx statue.
The Pentoshi Council of Magisters also turned a blind eye. After all, if a Khal could abduct it, then a Dragonlord could too. Now that the Dragonlord, even more ferocious than a Khal, wanted to take a statue, they let him go.
"You won't be alone. One day, I will rescue your companions from the stench of the Khals and make a home for you in King's Landing!" Rhaegar said, looking at the female sphinx statue.
The people of King's Landing were very fond of Prince Rhaegar's return. He was a handsome and approachable prince, and he had achieved glorious victories on the battlefield, rivaling those of his predecessors. The sphinx statue Rhaegar brought back earned the prince even more praise. No matter how it was acquired, the people of King's Landing had won again.
Rhaegar came to the council chamber behind the Throne Room. His return was not only as a Prince of , the second in line to the , but also as the temporary Guardian of the Narrow Sea and the Stepstones, a Lord of this region. The Guardian of the Narrow Sea naturally had the privilege and responsibility to observe the situation across the Narrow Sea.
Rhaegar strode into the council chamber. Inside were the core figures of the dynasty's current administration: the frail King , the black-haired and robust , the silver-haired and purple-eyed Crown Prince , and the golden-haired and blue-eyed Master of Coin . There was also , the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, who was responsible for security. Seven is an auspicious number, and for core issues, even fewer councillors are actually needed; the Grand Maester sometimes doesn't even come.
Rhaegar's silver hair was tied back with a black-gold circlet adorned with rubies, and his eyes were filled with determination, as if everything was within his grasp. Rhaegar had changed into the traditional red and black attire of House Targaryen. His black velvet robe was embroidered with a red dragon, and he wore black leather boots, accompanied by the Valyrian steel sword , shining bright and sharp as a sword, unmatched by anyone.
"You've grown taller, and thankfully, you haven't gotten much darker!" King Jaehaerys II said proudly, looking at his grandson, the perfect Targaryen prince. The restoration of Targaryen glory rested on this generation.
"Prince Rhaegar is still as handsome, even more dazzling. I heard that Prince Rhaegar, across the Narrow Sea, had those girls screaming with infatuation. The blue-haired Tyroshi girls, the uninhibited Pentoshi girls, and the arrogant Volantene noblewomen behind the Black Wall," Lord Tywin joked.
"My son has the blood of a true dragon, so it's normal for him to charm those girls," Aerys proudly declared.
"My lord is mocking me!" Rhaegar said, finding a seat further back.
"I think you worry too much! Lord Tywin, Prince Rhaegar is a man of deep affection!" Ormund Baratheon quickly added.
"Alright, we can stop teasing our little prince now and discuss the important matters of war and peace. Tell us what you know, Rhaegar!" King Jaehaerys said hurriedly.
Yes, Your Majesty!" Rhaegar stood up. Ser Gerold Hightower had already unrolled a map of the known world for everyone.
After Prince Rhaegar went east from the Narrow Sea, he relieved the siege of Tyrosh, helped the pro-Iron Throne Darry family stabilize the situation, acquired the valyrian steel sword orphan maker, and slew the Dothraki Khal at the Pentos feast, striking fear into the dothraki people! The renowned sword was already stained with blood and glory! Even the most discerning and warlike Lords would admire Prince Rhaegar's achievements and bravery. Though young, Rhaegar's words already carried considerable authority.
"My Lords! Although the Five Cities Pact has been signed, it is merely a truce for ten or even five years. I can responsibly say that the clouds of war are still gathering and have not yet dispersed!" Rhaegar pointed to Myr, then to Lys. "This time, the Myrish and Lysene attempts to overthrow the Tyroshi regime failed, leaving them severely weakened, but they will always return and will not stand by as we completely occupy the Stepstones!"
Everyone nodded frequently; the current situation was indeed as he described. The Third Daughter had been an old adversary for so many years; if they weren't fighting among themselves, the two major powers would still be clashing.
"Our strategy is also simple: ally with distant powers to attack nearby ones. This way, every inch of land gained is truly gained, every foot is truly gained; there's no need to aim too high! Currently, Tyrosh is our ally, and we also have reinforcements from Dorne and the Stormlands. We only need to stabilize the situation in Tyrosh and the Stepstones, consolidate our positions, and develop our navy! If the Myrish and Lysene people continue to stir up trouble, then we cannot be blamed for taking action!" Rhaegar drew a circle around the Stepstones, encompassing the Stepstones and parts of Dorne and the Stormlands.
"Prince Rhaegar's idea is good, but if we go to war with Lys and Myr again, there will be a more troublesome issue! Fighting on two fronts, we will be exhausted." Lord Tywin reminded. "The Old Kraken of the Iron Islands grows older each year, and his children are not very stable. Though the Ironborn are few, their fighting strength has always been good, unlike those merchants of the Free Cities, who only fight with gold."
"Indeed, the Iron Islands have always been restless; they are always like this," Lord Mond also said. The Westerlands, Riverlands, and The Reach suffered the most from the Iron Islands, but the Stormlands also knew the habits of the Ironborn.
"This war in the Stepstones, including the coup in Tyrosh, allowed us to capture many good ships from the Two Daughters. We only need to train the Narrow Sea Fleet well, then the fleets of The Reach and the Westerlands can be freed up to prepare defenses against the Iron Islands! The Narrow Sea Fleet will be Westeros's fourth naval power!" Rhaegar had already planned for this.
"That's right, we still have a third force, the Royal Fleet, which hasn't been deployed yet!" Crown Prince Aerys said hurriedly.
"That fleet cannot be easily deployed. We also need to guard against Braavosi intervention and defend the security of King's Landing. I don't want to be surrounded by commoners because the waterways are blocked!" King Jaehaerys said. Once war broke out in the Narrow Sea, they would have to be wary of the Ironborn and Braavos, two maritime troublemakers.
"If only we could threaten Braavos from behind!" King Jaehaerys sighed.
"Your Majesty's idea might not be impossible!" Rhaegar chuckled, then pointed to the location of 葛.多菏. "The ruins of 葛.多菏, but its location is strategically vital. We can act here to revitalize the Andals and the Rhoyne River. We can try to threaten Braavos from behind, giving Braavos a stab in the back!"
"This is too risky!" Tywin frowned. This town was behind Pentos; how to transport manpower and materials would be a problem. Stationing too many troops would be hard to control, and too few would be useless.
"This plan is too risky. 葛.多菏 is also near the Rhoyne River, near those crazy Khals. Once this city is established, it will be a flashpoint, coveted by three parties," King Jaehaerys also said.
"How about this: against these three powers, we defend on three sides, striving for a balance of offense and defense. We aim to lull Braavos, observe the Two Daughters and the Iron Islands, and focus our attack on the Two Daughters. We still owe the Iron Bank a lot of money, so Braavos shouldn't be so crazy as to start a war. Currently, it's the Two Daughters and the Iron Islands who are going crazy." Lord Tywin's gaze was still astute.
"Rhaegar, you also went to Pentos and Volantis this time. Can't these two city-states cooperate with us?" King Jaehaerys asked.
"I'm afraid they can't help much. Pentos has been scared witless by Braavos and can only express support after we win first. Volantis is the same; their internal conflicts are too great, and they don't even want to move against the Khals." Rhaegar thought about it; this was the current reality. Pentos had essentially given up, and Volantis was forced to give up.
"Then we will still follow Lord Tywin's strategy, focusing on the Two Daughters. Rhaegar has the Narrow Sea Fleet, can deploy three dragons, and can receive reinforcements from Dorne, the Stormlands, and the Tyroshi people, which is enough to deal with the Two Daughters. Braavos will be defended by the Royal Fleet; Aerys needs to put in more effort. As for that Old Kraken of the Iron Islands, I will maintain communication with him. The royal family can send some gold to appease him first. If that doesn't work, the Westerlands and The Reach fleets will actively prepare for defense." Jaehaerys had a clear strategy.
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
"As you command, Father!"
The King issued his command; this was the final grand strategy.
"Regarding future wars, I have another idea!" Rhaegar said.
Everyone was astonished, wanting to hear what profound insights the prince had.
"I believe we should establish a specialized higher education institution in King's Landing to educate young and middle-aged people, different from The Citadel, and it should be managed by the royal family. It can be called a university. We can start by establishing military schools. Furthermore, the Iron Throne should also consider establishing a bank to avoid our financial dependence on the Iron Bank and to help increase reserves!" Rhaegar said.
Everyone was taken aback, never expecting that the first fire the prince lit upon returning from Essos wasn't aimed at others, but at House Hightower, which had been developing steadily for a long time.
"This idea is too crazy!" Lord Tywin said. "Establishing a school involves The Citadel. Establishing a bank involves the Braavosi Iron Bank and could also affect House Hightower of Oldtown."
"Establish a university!" "Establish a bank!" As soon as these two matters were brought up, regardless of others' interests, the first and foremost impact would be a heavy blow to House Hightower of Oldtown.
"We are not looking at the present, but at the future!" Rhaegar stated emphatically. The world has guilds and banks; why let a group of people monopolize knowledge?
King's Landing and Oldtown have somewhat overlapping ecological niches, both being port cities and commercial cities. But Oldtown has a bank and The Citadel, giving it financial and academic discourse power that should rightfully belong entirely to King's Landing. If not for the High Septon moving to King's Landing, Oldtown would even have religious discourse power now. Rather than ceding great power to the mysterious House Hightower, it would be better to start anew, with King's Landing opening a new establishment. Rhaegar had always distrusted House Hightower, and their family indeed had many dark histories.
"House Hightower has always been loyal, and Lord Leyton Hightower of Oldtown is content with his lot. I believe the Lord will understand the nation's predicament, and besides, this is just a concept for now," King Jaehaerys merely paused this bold proposal, neither approving nor opposing it.
Ser Gerold Hightower's expression became slightly grave for a moment, but then returned to normal. For the White Bull was truly loyal to the White Knight's oath; a White Knight was there to protect the King, not to judge him. Whether one called it foolish loyalty or simple-mindedness, this man was indeed different from those White Knights who came with ulterior motives.
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