The king on the Great Wall

Page 208

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Chapter 586 Pity and "pity"

"Have you seen it?!" Iger was shocked, and his face changed suddenly.

There are advantages to being a younger brother: someone stands in the front wearing the national flag to bear the firepower, and never needs to worry about being targeted by the public or being questioned legally.

And the downside is: a younger brother is a younger brother after all.

Daenerys is the boss and decision-maker of the faction, and she can only be regarded as a chief consultant + executive at best. In this position, she only succeeded in taking the position after killing the two veteran ministers in the front row, Baelish and Varys. , has not yet confirmed the name, just a temporary agent.

And as a subject, there are some things you can do, and some things you can't do.

He can talk loudly and draw big cakes to lure the Queen to have specific ideas; he can provide suggestions with a clear attitude, or express opposition with outspoken advice; impression……

But he must not say to the queen, "You are not allowed to ally with young Aegon" or "Don't meet other forces alone while I am away", even if it means something similar.

Expressing opinions can't be overstated to any extent. Brainwashing the queen and controlling her thoughts is also a personal skill...but it's absolutely not allowed to make decisions on behalf of her!

The latter is said to be superseded at the youngest level, and disobedient and maliciously ostracized at the older level. If it is not a last resort, they can't cross the line at all.

In a word: when, where, and under what circumstances the queen wants to see whom, she has no right to interfere!

His heart was pounding faster, and it took several seconds to accept this reality. He nodded helplessly to express his understanding, and asked casually, hiding his nervousness, "How was the result of the meeting?"

"It's a pity." Nina sighed, "Your Majesty doesn't seem to recognize Prince Aegon's blood relationship status, and the matter of forming an alliance is probably pending."

What a pity?It is clearly great news!

Iger was almost frightened to death by her first half of the sentence, and he almost suppressed his ecstatic expression: Indeed, ordinary people who have never seen a salvo of artillery, do not understand the ambitions of themselves and the Queen, and do not know the plan of the Great King's Land In his eyes, the queen's current advantage is indeed not very great.Losing a possible ally not only means that it will be more difficult to attack King's Landing, but also face new enemies that may appear after defeating Stannis, which is why Nina said it was a pity.

"How was the specific process, were you there at the time?"

"During the days when the queen was granting the land, the envoys sent by Prince Aegon came here to report almost every day. If I didn't agree, I even wanted to live in the industrial park, so he received the news immediately when your majesty came back. The queen rode The dragon went around King's Landing to inspect and demonstrate, and stopped in the industrial park to feed the dragon and rest for a short time, and the little prince took advantage of this opportunity to cross the Heishui River to the military camp and meet His Majesty."

Nina didn't hold back, and told everything she had seen and heard.

"The prince is indeed 'a Targaryen at first sight' as rumored—silver-haired and purple-eyed, so handsome that he hardly looks like a man, and has a humble and polite attitude. Anyway, he generally feels good to the people he sees, but unfortunately I I'm not qualified to participate in the indoor meeting between him and the queen. I only know...they came out to the open space about an hour or two after entering the room, and approached the two dragons that had just finished eating. By the way, Mr. Snapping Turtle was accompanying him at the time. His Majesty, this matter should be told by him."

"The 'Master Griffon' who was accompanying the prince at that time was eager to talk to the queen about the alliance and the joint attack on King's Landing, but His Majesty wanted the little prince to prove that he was Rhaegar's son." The snapping turtle nodded and took the words, Anyway, it's not a secret, so it's okay to say it out, "But for this kind of thing, how can there be any evidence that can be shown. Later, His Majesty had no choice, so he came up with an idea - let the dragon make a judgment."

That's it!

A faint smile floated on Iger's face. He had a psychological shadow of Daenerys' bloodline of the mad king, so he was shocked when he heard that she had received Aegon. Who would have thought that the little queen was not Always a pig teammate, he can already guess what happened next, but it's a pity that the fake prince probably didn't get killed by the dragon, otherwise Nina probably wouldn't just feel sorry but would feel terrible.

"and then?"

"Your Majesty led the prince to the two dragons and told him: 'The black one is my Drogon. If you can ride the blue one Rhaego and become a dragon knight, I will recognize you as my blood relative' .”

"At that time, half of the people in the industrial park came to watch this good show. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the prince actually had the courage to walk towards the smaller green dragon, and the dragon just watched him helplessly. Approached, let out two heavy snorts, but did not attack until the opponent was within walking distance... Instead, he lowered his head, I don't know if he wanted to take a good look at this villain's appearance, or he wanted to touch him on purpose Recalling the scene at that time, Nina still felt nervous, "The moment he reached out and touched the dragon's nose, everyone thought he was going to be recognized by the dragon! But the green dragon was only touched by him, As if being stabbed by a needle, he raised his head violently. Just when everyone was scared to death, thinking that the boy would be buried in the mouth of the dragon in the next second, Earl Clinton even shouted to attract the dragon's attention and save the prince. Brother, however, did not make any attacking movements, but flew up suddenly after a neighing sound, and left the ground!"

How could this be?

Iger was confused.

The reason why little Aegon dared to ride the dragon was not difficult to guess - because he didn't know that he was a fake, of course he was full of confidence.

But it's a bit strange that he can really get close to the green dragon to this extent.

Is it the fake product launched by Varys and Governor Illyrio that also has quite pure real dragon blood in the body, or... my own judgment and the analysis and guesses of many people on the forum before crossing are all wrong, that child is really Aegon Tan Grian?

No, no, there is no point in thinking about this, as long as he admits that Aegon's Targaryen status is not good for him, then even if he is true, it is also false to him.

What's more worth analyzing is: since the green dragon rejected little Aegon's taming attempts, why didn't he attack the bold person who offended him... just like the hapless Prince Quentyn of Dorne?

Did it sense the real dragon's blood in Aegon's body, or did Daenerys have a way to control the dragon, and deliberately let the boy go to avoid the stigma of "Kinslayer"?

"It's really a pity."

Iger nodded and sighed. On the surface, he was agreeing with Nina's point of view, regretting that the Golden Group failed to become an ally, but in fact it was a pity: If the dragon can swallow little Aegon or burn him to death, even if it is burnt If he is seriously injured, he will face much less trouble in the future.

"It's such a pity. Valyrians with silver hair, purple eyes and good looks are everywhere across the narrow sea. As for being able to get close to dragons, let alone how many dragon king families there were in Valyria, just like Valyrian. The non-dragon king's subordinate family also once produced dragon knights. His appearance and being close to dragons can't prove that he is the queen's blood relative." Melisandre snorted, and with her poor political sensitivity, she obviously couldn't hear it. Out of Iger's real meaning, "I guess the queen's real idea is that if a dragon knight can be added, even if he is fake, he can be regarded as real."

In addition to being an excellent wizard and a good friend, Iger is really annoyed by Melisandre, a magician who doesn't know anything except pretending to be a ghost.But after being taken aback by Euron the Crow's Eye using a hypnotic spell to control Asha last time, he didn't dare to relax anymore, and let the red-robed woman accompany him day and night.

"Okay, this matter is over, let's not speculate on His Majesty's thoughts." He hurriedly stopped the verbal policy that everyone liked to hear, and brought the topic back to the direction he valued: "The queen has already given her a Prince Aegon is not recognized by the dragon and refuses to admit his identity, so where is Dorne at the Reach? Did they come to see the queen with the prince?"

"Oh, I was just about to report this to you, but the three families did not act together. The queen rode her dragon back to Rosby City immediately after her meeting with Prince Aegon, and did not wait to receive people from the River Bend and Dorne. The messenger left an order before leaving, saying that after you come back from the Riverland, Lord Iger, let them negotiate with you, and you can represent her with full authority."

Hey!

Now Iger was completely relieved. The Queen first refused to recognize Little Aegon's identity, and then ordered herself to negotiate with Riverbend Dorn as a representative. This showed that her brainwashing was completely successful. It's planned!

As a monarch in the era of feudal lords, Daenerys really has no good reason to refuse others to come to her door, and she may even have "unconditional" loyalty and support, but she has made up her mind to He was cruel to Hewan underground.Unable to get rid of this face, the queen simply played the game of blindness, and let the planner-- herself become this hated black face.

Iger knows that now he is actually playing Chao Cuo who suggested cutting the feudal clan. If the war of dismembering Hewan and establishing the king's territory goes smoothly, then everyone will be happy, but once they lose and lose the battle, Daenerys may be in a blink of an eye to appease the Seven Kingdoms. Will drive myself back to the Great Wall... or worse.

It's not a good job to be a scapegoat, but considering Daenerys' character of doing unreliable things from time to time, she didn't poke any troubles or agree to any unreasonable conditions when she was absent this time, Iger Already very satisfied.

"There is also a very strange place. Although the Golden Regiment, Hewan, and Dorne are stationed on the south bank of the Blackwater River to attack King's Landing on the surface, they do not actually live in the same military camp, but each establish their own military camp. The camps are several miles away from each other." Nina just answered Iger's question, but the Unsullied Commander Snapping Turtle, as the current deputy commander of the industrial park camp, felt obliged to report relevant military information to Iger, "The Golden Group is Stationed on the other side of the Mud Gate in King's Landing by the Blackwater River, and the Reach Army is a few miles upstream - we set up camp on the opposite side of the river to the southwest, and Dorne is farther away, a little further south between the first two The three barracks are distributed in a triangle, although they are all under the banner of supporting the return of Targaryen, but judging from the posture, it seems that they are still defending each other."

Not only are they defending each other?Even in any one of these three barracks, there are still countless intrigues.

"The detailed military report, I'll take time to listen to it after dinner, and now I'm going to check the saltpeter warehouse." Iger smiled, turned his head, and followed obediently and quietly with a wooden file folder. Myrcella said, "Write it down in my schedule, and then schedule a time. After communicating with Mr. Snapping Turtle and confirming that there is no problem, let him send someone to Yuehewan and Dorne's envoys to come to Black Wall Castle to discuss in detail."

"Yeah, I remember it."

Nina glanced at Myrcella curiously, probably never would have guessed that this kind of cute girl who was doing her own job - arranging Iger's schedule - had a lot of background.Looking away, she remembered another thing: "By the way, Miss Margery came to Castle Blackwall a few days ago and said that she would wait for you here. She is an old friend of the Night Watchman Industry and has many business deals with us. I can't drive her away, so I arranged board and lodging for her, do you want to see her?"

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Chapter 587 Waiting for the Commander

"Margaery Tyrell?" Iger raised his eyebrows and chuckled, "No, let's talk about it when I'm done and free."

Little Rose, can you be a friend?

Judging from the frequency of business cooperation and the amount of capital in and out of her business cooperation with the Night Watchman industry after she left King's Landing and went north to the Great Wall, there is no doubt that it is; but for the Night Watchman Commander who has devoted himself to the Dragon Queen today , but she is definitely not the same person.

Iger had even guessed that she was not acting with the official mission of the River Bend, but sneaked up to find out what happened to him first, but unfortunately, one of the two was a true native nobleman, and the other was supporting the queen The leaders of the new forces breaking the wheel of history are destined not to have a common language and cooperation goals with each other.

……

(Even if the queen is unwilling to recognize Prince Aegon because she is worried that her line of succession will be affected, but the Reach is such a strong support that does not threaten her status, she should work hard to win it, right?)

Nina doesn't quite understand why Iger's attitude is so indifferent, but she at least understands that her man is much stronger than her, and it's best not to meddle in what he thinks and decides to do.

So the jewel in the palm of the Tyrell family was completely ignored. The camp managers surrounded Iger to report to him more about the offensive and defensive situation of King's Landing before his arrival, and accompanied him into Fort Blackwall. The tour started.

Because the war cut off the north-south communication route, Iger took a boat south to pick up the nitrate that was the only batch of large-scale supplies provided by the Southern Night Watchman Industrial Park to the Great Wall in the past two years.However, although the transportation was suspended, the communication did not stop. Under his repeated orders, the saltpeter field has maintained a full-speed uninterrupted production until the temperature was too low to start work again. The people who produced this thing did not know about it. What's the use of it, I can only hand it in and hoard it without thinking, and accumulate it until today...

Compared with other civil structures inside and outside the castle, the saltpeter storehouse is small in scale, but it is extraordinarily solid and heavy—it is made of stone from the wall to the top.Because the walls are too thick, the internal space is rather small. On the moisture-proof shelves made of stone slabs and raised from the ground, large jars of purified saltpeter are densely packed as far as the eye can see. This room alone The amount of nitrate stored here is probably more than what the Night Watch Corps used up in the entire war against the White Walkers!

"There have been many accidents in handling and storing this thing, and there have been casualties. Fortunately, after several blood lessons, we have now basically figured out how to store it safely. This building prohibits any unprotected light sources such as torches from entering , and no combustibles are allowed, and the design also laid a ventilation tunnel to cool down—of course, this is only useful in summer, and the eyes can’t see it.” Nina’s brother Neil introduced loudly, and he has been responsible for this matter. "For safety reasons, they cannot be compactly stacked, so each warehouse only stores two hundred cans. And there are two identical warehouses in the Black Wall Fort. I originally planned to build a fourth one, but then I found out that there are too many cans. The dozens of cans that come out can also be put in the temporary warehouse of the nitrate factory, anyway, the production has stopped and there is no need for it, so there is no waste of money."

Those were all insignificant details, and Iger nodded in approval. He approached the shelf, carefully picked up a large clay pot and weighed it a few times.

Even if there are 600 catties of nitrate per can, there are more than [-] cans, that is nearly [-] catties, ten tons.

This is just saltpeter. After being mixed with charcoal and sulfur to make gunpowder, it will expand to several tons.

More than a dozen tons of gunpowder!

Even though he had already estimated the approximate number, Iger couldn't help but get a little excited.

It is true that in the modern world before time travel, this amount is not enough for the people in Iger’s hometown to set off fireworks and firecrackers on the New Year’s Day, but in the era when firearms are just born, these four saltpeter warehouses can be regarded as a short period of time. Inexhaustible gunpowder mine!

Iger doesn't have to worry about whether there is enough gunpowder now, but has to hurry up and make more weapons that can consume gunpowder.

"Cobain, these four warehouses will be handed over to you."

"Leave it on me, my lord." Qyburn still had a kind grandfather's smile, and he didn't look like someone who had just been authorized to take over one of the raw materials for gunpowder in this world.The so-called handing over to him naturally meant that he was required to turn all the nitrate into real gunpowder—just because the gunpowder formula was still kept secret for the time being and could not be stated clearly.

Iger put down the big clay pot and calmed down his excitement: "Okay, let's go to the foundry."

As the second stop of the inspection, the Blackwall Fort Foundry is completely incomparable with the one in Houguan Town, both in terms of scale and staffing - after all, the latter has a clear goal of casting artillery from the moment it started. And planned.The former... is said to be a foundry, but it is actually more like an oversized blacksmith shop. It is mainly responsible for making metal parts for various production equipment in the industrial park, and producing some iron weapons and armor from time to time to supply internal personnel. Just some iron farm implements.

But metal processing is metal processing, and the low level of technology has the advantage of being low-that is: the division of labor in the industry is not so detailed that it is difficult to be compatible and replaced.From the perspective of laymen, casting artillery and forging swords are naturally not the same thing, but in the eyes of insiders, most of the things that should be here are not lacking, as long as the drawings and personnel are provided, and the facilities are slightly modified and some tools are added, In an instant, the same workshop could become a second firearms arsenal for Westeros and the entire world of ice and fire.

It was for this purpose that Iger brought Cobain and the core technicians from the land grant to the South.

Houguan Town, a border town at the end of the world, has completed its mission as its birthplace. Although its status as the "Northern Industrial Center" and the base camp of Eiger is still unshakable, at least I will not go back in the short term.The second-generation, third-generation, fourth-generation, larger and more advanced artillery will all be here—the Night Watchman Industrial Park will be the first to develop and produce them, and they will be transported to the battlefield nearby, roaring and smashing the old era!

People with dreams and ambitions have boundless energy. With a large number of subordinates, Iger walked around inside and outside the Black Wall Castle.

He first confirmed the design of converting the foundry and forging workshop into an artillery production base, and then went to visit the newly trained security team in the industrial park in the past two years—in fact, reserve officers, and formulated a plan to integrate them into the land-grant army. Then plan the other two kinds of gunpowder raw materials-the production and preparation area of ​​charcoal and the route of transporting sulfur from Dragonstone Island around King's Landing to Castle Blackwall. In the industrial park, I went to the wilderness not far away to provoke the site selection of the artillery test site. I have been busy and full of tossing until the night fell, and my stomach growled. Then I returned to the Black Wall Fort, ready to have dinner .

"The second-generation artillery will definitely not be able to keep up with the attack on King's Landing. Right now, the industrial park is full of soldiers, which is not conducive to keeping secrets, so don't rush to start work, and make preparations first. After King's Landing is captured and the garrison leaves here, I will Close this area and designate it as a forbidden area, and a separate department will be set up to be responsible for the specific security work."

Even though his mouth was dry, when he stepped into the restaurant of Black Wall Fort, Iger was still eloquently summarizing and explaining his ideas about the renovation of Black Wall Fort... until a slightly familiar Miaoman figure suddenly appeared from the side He came out, interrupting his smooth speech with soft and tactful, with some complaints but no anger.

"Commander-in-Chief, you are so busy, please tell me to wait!"

Margaery Tyrell couldn't wait for Iger's appointment for a long time, so she simply stayed in the high-level staff restaurant where he would definitely come, and came to wait for the commander!

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Chapter 588

Margery has been in a good mood these two days, so good that she didn't lose her temper even when she was left out by Iger.

Because she had a hunch that the 300 years of aggrieved Tyrell's family was coming to an end!

In Westeros, there is a pseudo-"cold knowledge" that is basically not discussed on the table, but everyone knows it-the current ruler of the River Bend, the Rose family, is the original conquered Aegon Steward of the gardener family of the "Kings of the Reach" slain by the Targaryen with dragonfire. . .

The Conqueror promoted such a low-born family to be the guardian of the southern border to be in charge of the river bend, just like in the background introduction, simply because: Did the Tyrell family open the city gate and dedicate the city gate to Highgarden after the battle of "Raging Fire"?

Of course not.

In principle, even the statement that "the Tyrells offered Highgarden" itself is untenable-even if all the male members of the gardener family were burned to death by dragon flames in the war, Highgarden should follow the law of succession. To pass on to other Riverbend nobles whose bloodline is closest to the Gardener family, in order of legal order, the surname Tyrell will not appear in the next thousand.

---It's not your turn, even the lookout thinks you're not qualified.

Since the castle didn't belong to the Tyrells, why did they "dedicate Highgarden"?

But Aegon wanted them to stand up and be masters.

The direct reason for this move is to humiliate the defeated nobles of the River Bend, but the real purpose is to let an unworthy guy overwhelm a large group of princes of the River Bend who claim to be "descendants of the Green Hands". Create balance.

Those ancient families that are at the top of the line of succession are naturally dissatisfied with the superiority of the Tyrell family, but they dare not make mistakes because they have the Targaryen family as their backing. He and his forces all come from the support of the Targaryen family. From now on, they can only hold tightly to the thigh of the Long family, and dare not have half-hearted intentions.

As a result, the Reach has the largest population in the Seven Kingdoms and the strongest comprehensive strength, but it will never be able to get rid of Targaryen's control due to internal friction. The Duke of Tyrell holds the number one position on paper. Data, but he has to obediently be the dog of the Targaryen family from life to life, and he can't turn over for thousands of years!

Just like the earth world where Iger comes from, the sun never sets before, and there is Millikin in the future. The world hegemons of all generations have used offshore balance strategies to maintain their transcendent status on the Eurasian and African continents. The method itself is very simple and can be seen through at a glance, but it is rude To the point that it cannot be deciphered is a real conspiracy.

The descendants of the conquerors, the successive Targaryen kings also understood this truth, and took "not letting the Tyrell family enter the center of power" as a basic national policy, and they have ruled safely for 300 years.

It's no coincidence that the Tyrells don't have a Queen and Hand.

Respectable people don't know how to speak up!

But no matter how well-behaved a dog is, it will still develop ambition after a hundred years.Many generations of Tyrell family members have been going forward and trying to break the iron collar around their necks, but they are forced to watch closely by the Targaryen family, so they dare not be too presumptuous. They can only use some gentle methods to carefully go around Open the clamp of the Targaryen family, save the country with curves.

Speaking of this story, it is another very long and complicated history.

The rise of the Tyrell family can be roughly divided into three stages.

One, try your best to be brave, and hold back.

While obediently obeying the orders of the Targaryen family and being their own watchdogs, the first few generations of Tyrell family leaders faced the indifference and disdain of the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms, shyly gave away their own daughters, and paid a price to marry other girls ... Relying on the same conspiracy of letting family members marry the ruling families and powerful princes of the other six countries, they struggled to get rid of the label of "steward" and gained a firm foothold in the River Bend. Government orders gradually came out of the High Court , no one dares to provoke on the bright side.

Second, add luck to management to widen the gap.

After gaining a firm foothold, the Tyrell family used their clever minds and keen insight to take advantage of their official status as the guardians of the southern border, and began to rack their brains to accumulate all possible wealth and connections.

They pay attention to any changes in this world and even a little bit of technological innovation, keep up with the times, and while collecting grain and taxes normally, they participate in industry and commerce without hesitating their status, and gradually grow from a small family in name only, He has become a wealthy and powerful family whose soft and hard power are comparable to those of the old town of Hightower, Qingting Island Redwyne, Brightwater City Florent, etc., and can finally stand on an equal footing with those top nobles in any field and occasion. Instead of using the Targaryen house as a shield at any time.

Then, by virtue of "wisely" choosing to be neutral in the Dance of the Blood Dragon (in fact, it may be too cowardly to stand in line, but a blind cat meets a dead mouse), the Tyrell family, whose strength has been completely preserved, and other fighters The secondary nobles, who were bloodied but failed to reap the benefits, widened the gap, and finally succeeded in "crushing any single other family with their own strength", and stabilized their position as the boss of the southern border.

Make a lot of money and try to get on stage.

After keeping a low profile for more than 200 years, until the fathers of the current Duke Mace Tyrell, that is, the generation of the Queen of Thorns, the Tyrell family felt that they were finally full-fledged and had waited enough time. They agreed internally: start to try Squeeze into the center of power and strive to reach the top stage of power.

To use a saying within the family: "No matter how slowly the wheels turn, it's time to reach Tyrell's house."

This stage takes the shortest time, but the process is the most bumpy. It can be called a history of ups and downs full of bitterness and tears.

***

Realizing that their "dog" was getting restless, the Targaryen family immediately tightened their chains and began to suppress and control the former with various methods. Margaery's grandparents did not dare to resist openly, so they were never able to find Chance.

When the time came to the War of the Reavers, when Little Rose's father led the army to leave the river and marched towards Storm's End, he felt that he had finally waited for the opportunity: Duke Mace Tyrell gathered an army under the city to besiege Stannis. I don't work hard, but I actually want to raise the thief's self-respect: let the other royalists and the Alliance of Requisitioners fight first and lose both, and when the Mad King and Prince Rhaegar have no other way to ask themselves to lead their troops north to fight the fire, they can take advantage of the situation. Open your mouth and raise conditions, even if you can't book the next queen and prime minister, you will at least have a seat in the imperial meeting... Whether it is the finance minister or the sea minister, at least they have achieved a historic breakthrough.