The king on the Great Wall

Page 211

The two camps that were several miles apart were dismantled and moved closer to each other. It seemed a coincidence, but it was also possible that they were deliberately set up for demonstrations. Finally, they merged into a new camp on the opposite bank of the river facing the Night Watchman Industrial Park, with 4 people. The banners of many armies merged into a colorful ocean, and you can feel its hugeness and vitality across the Heishui River.

The Dorne army camp further south has not yet moved, because the negotiations and negotiations have not yet concluded-the Martel family has not made a clear statement on who they will support for the time being.

In this regard, the two "Targaryen" camps are well aware: whoever offers a high price, they will support him.

……

In the cold wind, Iger stood at the south gate of the Black Wall Fort. With the help of Myrcella, he adjusted his cuffs and collar, and prepared to go to the entrance of the camp to meet his old friends.

He can easily defeat the more than 4 people across the water, but under the nose of Stannis, it is impossible to free up his hands to completely annihilate them, let alone prevent them from wandering far outside and looking for opportunities after being beaten back harassed.Snoring was not allowed on the side of the couch. In order to be able to attack the city with peace of mind, although the combat effectiveness of the ten thousand spearmen in Dorne was hard to judge, they were the helpers that had to be recruited.

In this regard, he has a well-thought-out plan.

Little Aegon will inevitably offer a high price to win Martell, but because the Reach is his number one ally and the reason for the power of his wife's family, he can't offer a price higher than himself.

"My lord commander, it's here! The Dornish envoy's boat has crossed the river and docked at the pier!" The sentinel who acted as an eyeliner rushed back to report, "But it's not Prince Oberyn, but a woman, someone heard the attendant call She's a 'princess'!"

"Not Oberyn?"

Iger was really caught off guard. He had inquired and confirmed that the commander of the Dornish army was the Red Viper Oberyn Martell, and the negotiations were all based on the premise that Prince Oberyn was the target. After making preparations, it turned out to be a princess she didn't know?what does that mean?

"There is only one person in Dorne with the title of princess, Arianne Martell, the eldest daughter of Prince Doran." Myrcella immediately reminded Aiger, "According to the law of Dorne, she will take over after her father dies." She has become the ruler of Dorne with great power, so she can be called the third person in the Martell family after Doran and Oberyn-she will be equally effective, my lord need not worry."

It turned out to be the case.

Iger nodded, although he was a little relieved, but after all he felt a little uncomfortable.

No. [-] is certainly important, but after all, it is under No. [-]. What's more, Iger and Oberyn are acquaintances and old friends, but they have never met Arianne?But apart from the astonishment of "welcoming an old friend but finally waiting for a stranger", what is even more troubling is a lingering thought: Oberyn is clearly leading the army but he doesn't come. Could it be that he and his niece are visiting and negotiating at the same time? It's just that he went to the big camp in the Reach, and Arianne came to him?

"Forget it, since we're all here, we'll treat him as Prince Oberyn." Iger calmed down and walked towards the gate, "How much do you know about this Princess of Dorne, talk while walking, hurry up Time simply tell me something."

"Yeah." Myrcella quickly followed, her beautiful blue eyes sparkled with a search for memory, and she quickly recalled all the information about this princess: "Although according to the law of Dorne, Arianne will be the future." Undoubtedly, but for some reason, Prince Doran sent her younger brother Quentin to the home of Lord Anders Yronwood as an adopted son when he was a child-this lord is amazing, he is a nobleman of blood , Guardian of the Stone Road, the most powerful prince in Dorne. For this reason, the most common discussion I heard in the Red Keep when I was a child was: Prince Doran probably intends to abandon the tradition of Dorne and let the eldest son... The non-eldest daughter as heir."

"What follows is my personal speculation and analysis... Although Prince Quentyn died in an accident in Meereen, it is impossible to compete with his sister for the position of power, but the influence of that rumor is still lingering. In the case of a younger brother, Princess Arianne may still feel that her position is unstable, and this sense of insecurity can be exploited by adults." She took a breath and continued, "If Her Majesty the Queen can win , then she will become the first woman to hold power in Westeros history. Since the Seven Kingdoms can accept a woman as king, it will be logical for another Dorne female prince to come—if Daenerys Queen Silk thinks that she has the right to inherit the Iron Throne before Prince Aegon, so she must admit that Princess Arianne's right to inherit the Iron Throne is before her younger brother. In this regard, Princess Arianne will naturally be inclined to us Fang—this is one.”

After all, the girl was shorter than Iger, so she was a little out of breath as she followed closely while talking for a long time. After the latter realized this, he slowed down his pace so that the little princess could easily follow.

"The second point is that Your Majesty is not yet married. As long as you let go of your mouth on purpose and say that the Queen is willing to consider a boy from the Dorne family as her husband, then the threat of Arianne's younger brother to her succession will immediately increase. To alleviate... After all, it is impossible to serve as the ruler of Dorne after becoming a king. It is not for adults to lie, you just need to speak skillfully and mislead her to feel this way."

"Understood." Iger nodded, these are very useful information, "Anything else, what about personality?"

"In terms of personality, I don't know each other so I don't dare to talk nonsense, but there is one thing..." Myrcella's tone suddenly became a little hesitant, but fortunately she didn't do the kind of intentional half-talking that forced others to ask questions. He only paused for a moment to get the man mentally prepared for such a boring thing, and then continued, "I heard...just heard! Dorne women are unrestrained by nature, and Princess Arianne is not very strict about her private life... …very well-behaved and will often do whatever it takes to get what she wants. She may try to seduce an adult and make you her lover and political resource, thereby gaining an advantage in the inheritance competition with her younger brother. If this something really happened..."

She wanted to say, "Your Excellency, you must be vigilant and don't be fooled", but after thinking about it, who knows if Lord Iger wants to be "fooled" for such a thing of your choice.

After thinking about it for a while, the final words came out: "Sir, you can weigh the pros and cons yourself, and just make the choice that is most beneficial to you."

It turned out to be this woman!

After listening to Myrcella's introduction, Iger actually remembered it himself.Dawn does have such a No. [-] person. Although it is not an absolutely reliable way to know a person through the mouth of a third party, but a little understanding and psychological preparation are better than touching chickens without a head.

He began to be a little thankful for allowing Myrcella to be by his side—as long as a smart person can provide advice and suggestions, but the background information, stories, and personalities of the nobles, such as Bachelor Qyburn, Nina, and Neil No matter how smart and capable a person is, it is absolutely impossible for him to be so casual like the little princess.

"How old is she now, is she still married?"

……

Facts have proved that it was the right choice to deliberately slow down and listen to Myrcella's introduction. The question-and-answer dialogue and discussion between the two ended in less than half a minute before they walked to the south gate of the industrial park near the port and greeted a large number of people who came to negotiate. benefactor.

In front of the banner of the golden spear waving in the wind, and several Dornish warriors holding spears and carrying round shields on their shoulders, the gorgeously dressed and conspicuously decorated young woman caught Iger's attention.Princess Arianne has black eyes and black hair, plump but not fat, smooth olive skin full of health, full of exotic style, for some reason reminds Iger of the world before crossing the earth - the story of Aladdin's magic lamp Princess Jasmine.

"They all say 'Dorn's strong men are as dense as sand'. I don't think I've finished. Dawn has more beauties than Sha. Today I am honored to meet one of them." Iger greeted him with a hearty smile, "It's a pleasure to meet you , Princess Arianne, I am Igger West, Commander-in-Chief of the Night Watch. Her Majesty Queen Daenerys has learned that the Martell army has also come to help from Dorne, and has sent me here to represent her and you. Discuss relevant alliance details."

"I've also heard that the Commander-in-Chief is extraordinary in martial arts. When I saw him today, he really deserves his reputation." Princess Arianne is 1.6 meters tall, and her head is lower than Iger. She showed a charming smile at the man, and said a skillful After the polite exchanging, they complained, "Oh my God, it's so cold in the north, can we go inside and talk?"

-

Chapter 595

The people outside the Great Wall think that the Land Grant and the Northern Territory are the south, but the Dornish people say that the Stormlands and King's Landing are too north. Isn't this a true manifestation of cultural and cognitive diversity?

Iger laughed, and quickly turned around: "Of course, please allow Black Wall Castle to entertain you."

The queen needs the help of the Dorne army, while Arianne hopes that Daenerys and Iger will support her succession. The party surrounded them and walked towards the Blackwall Castle.

In order to avoid a stalemate in the cold, they had to find something to say.

Iger first conveyed the Queen's regret for Prince Quentin's accidental death in Meereen, and then pretended to be concerned about Prince Doran's recent physical condition, and then briefly introduced the information that the industrial park has nothing to do with military deployment, and The production here before the war spread here...

As for the princess, she solemnly introduced her close female companion to the commander-in-chief—another tall beauty with blond hair and blue eyes, one of the illegitimate daughters of Red Viper Oberyn: "Sand Snake" Tyene Shad.

The two Dornish women, one well-proportioned and plump, the other tall and slender, showed unusual familiarity and talkativeness. They chirped and complained about the difficulty and danger of going north from Dorne, through the war zone and wilderness, and brought Out of curiosity, I asked if the land-grant army went south smoothly, why the North also supported the Queen, and how fierce the night watchman was in the process of fighting against the White Walkers, etc... You can't stop talking, from the south of the barracks. In the short distance of a few hundred meters from the door to the Black Wall Fort, they didn't even feel like they had enough pleasantries and gossip. When they entered the castle and walked into the hall and sat down on both sides of the reception table, they looked like old friends for many years acquaintance.

At least on the surface.

"Ahem." Iger sat down in the chair, moved his buttocks and motioned for everyone except Melisandre and Myrcella to go out, and then stopped the irrelevant topic, "Ladies, I am happy to satisfy the two of you." Curiosity, but the story will have time later when we have dinner together, and until then, I suggest we get the main quest done."

"Well, we should hurry up." Tyene Sand raised her face, revealing a section of her snow-white neck, and nodded in agreement somewhat proudly, "My father is drinking with the Tyrells in the camp at the Reach. , if we don’t hurry up, if they finish the negotiation first, our trip will be in vain.”

"What's the hurry!" Arianne glared at her companion reproachfully, and then looked at Iger apologetically, "I'm sorry, she is such a quick-tempered... As long as the Queen sincerely decides to form an alliance with Dorne, even if the agreement is good Things are negotiable."

Um?

Threat?

Still singing oboe?

Iger's heart moved slightly, and he looked at Sand Snake Girl and Princess Dorne who were talking, and suddenly realized.

Arianne insisted on bringing an illegitimate cousin into the alliance negotiations between these forces, not because of the importance, but because: she not only wanted to get the most benefits in the negotiations, but at the same time, in order for Iger to be able to I support her in competing for the position of ruler of Dorne, but I don't want each other to cause unhappiness and affect the goodwill - so I simply pulled a sister over and asked her to say ugly things that I didn't want to say.

The two Dorn girls are very different in body and appearance, but the one with the olive skin is the white face, and the one with the milky skin is the black face... What an interesting arrangement.

These little tricks, compared with Petyr and Varys' methods, are naturally as transparent as the air in the midday sun, and Iger can see through them at a glance.But if you don't see it clearly, the two guests in front of you are different from Margaret, whom he deliberately wanted to piss off. Iger is happy to make them feel complacent and think that the trick has succeeded and they have taken advantage of it.

"There is such a thing? Then it is really time to hurry up, don't talk nonsense, I will directly show the hole card, so as not to waste the time and interest of Her Royal Highness." He nodded very cooperatively, pretending to feel the urgency. Looking around, he beckoned and asked Myrcella to bring up the map that had been prepared, and spread it out on the table.

"Before negotiating the conditions, I want to reveal a secret to the two distinguished guests." Iger said with a mysterious expression, "The Queen's goal this time is not only to win King's Landing, but also to regain the Iron Throne so that everyone in the Seven Kingdoms will recognize it." Her rule also wants to eliminate once and for all the risk of "The Reach is too large and rich, and the ruling family is easy to expand their ambitions and form a big tail". The checks and balances that the former Targaryen dynasty relied on proved to be insufficient insurance, so His Majesty is determined to solve the problem at its root."

He pointed to King's Landing with his finger, and then swiped southwest along the Avenue of Roses, drawing a long and long empty line in the air above the map, until he reached Old Town before stopping: "Your Majesty will walk Aegon again I's road of conquest, from the king's land all the way to the west and through the entire river bend, disintegrated and divided this piece of land, the richest and most populous in the Seven Kingdoms, into a number of aristocratic territories and administrative regions that were smaller than before. The firewood in the fire is like firewood, eliminating the possibility of the problem re-growing from the source. However, this feat is still beyond the reach of the Queen's own Unsullied and the Land Grant Army, even with the help of dragons, so external assistance is needed. It can go hand in hand with the Queen's Army and cooperate with each other."

Seeing the astonished expressions of the two Dorne women, Iger understood that his amazing plan had succeeded again. He smiled and changed the subject: "In order to gain Dorne's support for this huge battle plan, the queen is willing to There are three major rewards for her loyal supporters."

"The first one is to divide up the spoils." Iger pointed to the southern edge of the map, and slowly crossed the long border line of the southern border, "Dorne has always been bordered by the crimson mountain range between the river and the river— —The fertile land on the south side of the mountain range belongs to the river bend, and the desert on the north side belongs to you—this has caused Dorne’s long-term self-sufficiency in food to be quite problematic, and it is easy to get stuck when conflicts arise. This deformed geography, It's time to change it!"

"Your Highness, please look here..."

He tapped three times in a row on the two major passages leading to the Reach from Dorne and a section of the coastline, the Bone Road, the Prince's Pass, and the Western Harbor——slap, slap, and slap: "Dorne has three ways to the outside world. There are two exit passages, I think-the Stormland South Rainforest Peninsula facing the Bone Road, the "Dorne Borderlands" facing the north of the Prince's Pass. In the most southwest corner, the small plain on the south bank of the Mead River where the old town is located can be allocated to Dorne! In this way, the Martell family also has three small and good lands under their rule, and they own It’s your own fine granary, and you don’t have to worry about your people starving anymore!”

Neither Princess Arianne nor Tyene Sand answered the conversation, not because they were dumb, but because they were all dumbfounded.

Such an astonishing loot is actually only the first of the three major rewards? !

Iger withdrew his numb fingers from tapping on the map, satisfied with the frightened expressions of the two women.

That's right, he put the most astonishing benefit on the first one. In fact... he was even very confident: this one alone was enough to win Donne into his team, and it was absolutely impossible for Riverbend to give it to him even if he wanted to break his head. Better conditions - In this social stage where the main means of production is still land, there is no benefit that is more practical than this, and it is impossible for the Tyrell family to give away their land.

"The second, political status." The words were not surprising, and he continued to chase after the victory, "The Reach has publicly declared that it supports the little Aegon who is a mystery, but is definitely not qualified to be king. In the case of the abominable crime of treason, the title of Guardian of the South should be removed from the owner. As long as Dorne can support the Queen's counter-insurgency war, the title of Guardian of the South and the imperial advisor in the Queen's court—these two positions , Dawn chooses one, whichever one he likes picks that!"

A seat in the Imperial Council is a truly valuable political reward, but the disadvantage is that it cannot be hereditary and inherited, while the "Guardian of the Southern Border" is just the opposite.

To be honest, Iger hopes that the Martell family can choose the latter one. The Tyrell family's title of guardian of the southern border will inevitably be given. If everyone wanted a seat in the imperial court, he would not only have to think about which position to reserve or add another position out of thin air. In the future, he would preside over the queen's imperial day, and he might have to listen to more thoughts from the Dornish people.

"Of course it's the Warden of the South—" Tyene Sand blurted out, and she didn't stop until Arianne pinched her thigh under the table, realizing that this was not something she was qualified to decide.

Iger saw this scene in his eyes and secretly smiled. The two Dornish women may be good at wielding knives, guns and drugs, but playing politics?

So tender!

"The third, justice!" He became more and more determined, "At the end of the War of the Reavers, the cruel murder that took place in the Red Keep is well known to the world, although the Lannister family claimed that it was Gregor Magic Mountain and Amorites. Sir Loki's personal behavior, but without someone's secret instruction, how dare the little knight below be violent and murderous to a noble person like the queen? Who should be blamed for the blood debt of Elia Martell? As long as Dorne is willing to support the Queen, His Majesty is willing to put pressure on the West in the name of the Iron Throne, forcing Tywin Lannister to abdicate and put on black clothes, exile himself, and never intervene in the Seven Kingdoms again Business!"

The series of conditions Iger agreed with Tyrion outside the Golden Tooth City are still a secret between the two of them for the time being, and have not been made public.

Taking old Lord Tywin's curtain call, which is destined to happen, as a bargaining chip and a benefit for others, killing two birds with one stone, and squeezing the value of everything that can be used to the limit, this is a qualified politician. self-cultivation!

"Press? Tsk—" Tyene Shad just made a fool of herself, but this time she played the role of the black face very well, expressing Princess Arianne's question, "That old man Tywin It’s not that you were scared, if he refuses to obey, what can you do!?”

"I swear on the honor of the Night's Watch that he had to choose between wearing black and being decapitated."

This is not talking big, Iger really doesn't want to go to war with Tyrion's family, but if things really come to that point, personal feelings must not affect the overall situation.

"Okay, I have given out all the three major rewards without reservation, and I am full of sincerity, so I don't accept bargaining. If the two of you think it's okay, we can discuss the details, and you can continue to listen to the story of my dealing with the ghosts. You can even stay at night and continue to be guests; and if you feel that this plan is impossible to succeed at all, then I can accept your understanding and send someone to send the two of you to the pier and return to the camp on the South Bank... Princess Arianne, please Let's make a decision."

-

Chapter 596

make a decision?

Princess Arianne pretended to be thinking about it, but her mind was blank and her heart was panicked.

I wanted to step in and share a sip of the soup, but the other party brought the whole pot of stew to me at once.

Instead she was dizzy.

Sunspear and Highgarden have been enemies since ancient times. Centuries of bloody conflicts have drawn a deep gulf between the two places. As long as Dorne is not pulled away from Westeros by the movement of the land plate, the two families still border each other, and there are territorial disputes and disputes, then it is absolutely impossible to have a harmonious relationship by the end of the world.The Martell family will never sit back and watch the cohesion of the already powerful River Bend reach a higher level after the ruling family enters the center of power-and this also means: after little Aegon declined Arianne's overtures and chose From the moment Margaery became queen and the Tyrell family was designated as royal relatives, Dorne's half of his ass was already sitting on Daenerys' side.

She was sent to the north by her father, and her main purpose was to meet Prince Aegon and see if the two could get together.Negotiating with the queen's forces should have been the task of her uncle Oberyn. It was she who acted like a baby and begged desperately to get her uncle to agree to give her a chance to prove her political ability. Appeared before representatives of the Queen's camp.

Arianne had already known how many soldiers and how much strength Dorn could send; and what kind of benefits and benefits should be demanded, her father and uncle had already clearly stated everything that should be exhorted.She came to meet Iger this time and said she was "negotiating on behalf of Dorne", but in fact, she only needs to carry out activities within the rules and regulations drawn by the two adults, Prince Doran and Prince Oberyn. Next, even if there is a discrepancy in the result of the negotiation, it will never be too big.

After the dialogue on behalf of the respective forces is over, socialize with Iger on a personal level, try to impress the number one person in front of the queen, and even establish a relationship if possible... to ensure that I am the first heir of Dorne. Stability is her private thoughts and thoughts besides official business.

First complete the task assigned by the family, and then get close to Iger in private. If you can tease, seduce...and develop him into a lover, it is naturally the best.The reason why she brought Tyene Shad was not only to let her cooperate during the negotiation, but she actually had another thought: If Iger doesn't like her style, then Just change your little sister into battle.

With their completely different bodies and appearances, none of them will be able to catch Iger's eyes, and if he doesn't refuse anyone, a threesome is also acceptable.

She loved her illegitimate cousins ​​so much—she would share a man with them.

Having an affair with such a world-famous hero as "White Ghost Killer" is not only a shame in Dorne's culture, but a great honor.

……

But who would have thought that Iger didn't play cards according to common sense at all.

Whether it is the conditions and benefits he gave, or the requirements and expectations of Dorne, they are far beyond the scope of what the two princes Doran and Oberyn explained to her.Arianne was a little dizzy at the moment, and to sum up her feelings at the moment in a few vulgar words--I just came to seduce you, but why do you want to lure me into a gang to make a big deal?

She and Tyene glanced at each other, seeing confusion in each other's eyes.

Sand Snake couldn't help approaching the princess, and whispered: "Arianne, I think this condition is too good, but it looks like a fraud! I'm afraid we can't make this decision, why don't we go back and discuss it with your father?"

***

Don't blame her for feeling abnormal, anyone would be hesitant to change it.

Iger's willingness to promise part of the land in the river bend to Dawn actually included many considerations.

But although there is scheming in it, there is no conspiracy.

The first is to buy people's hearts-although Iger's statement to the Dornish people so far is that "the queen wants to weaken the power of the river bend", but sooner or later the Great King's Land plan will be carried out in an orderly manner and show signs. In this plan, the King's Land will be Annex the entire Stormland, most of the river bend and part of the riverland at once.For Dorne, the king will suddenly rush in front of him from far away in the sky. Although the original evil neighbor has suffered a great misfortune, he will be replaced by a more terrifying behemoth, which will arouse their instinctive vigilance and disgust.

And to alleviate this hostility and opposition, there is no more direct and better way than "taking a share of their pie".

The southern end of the Stormlands and two small pieces of land at the bend of the river were given to Dorne in exchange for their support for the Great Kingland plan...or at least not opposition.

In addition to this, the more far-reaching purpose is to control Donne.

In the blueprint of the plan, besides the king's land, there are four duchies in the east, west, north, and south. Among them: the northern border, Iger, is going to manage it by supporting the Bolton family to create internal balance; How to ensure that the two places in the south can be ruled by the royal family?

Dorne and the other parts of the Seven Kingdoms are separated by mountains. Once confrontation arises, all you need to do is retreat home and block the two passages of Prince's Pass and Bone Road, making it difficult for outsiders to enter. Zero hid in the desert and fought guerrilla warfare with the royal army—for this reason, even Aegon the Conqueror failed to conquer this land at that time.

Iger analyzed it carefully and felt that this problem can still be summed up in one word: due to geographical factors.

To solve this problem, he referred to the division of provincial-level administrative divisions in the previous Chinese dynasty: try to avoid using mountains, rivers and other natural dangers as the boundaries of provinces.

After allocating two or three pieces of land belonging to the Stormlands and River Bends to Dorne, the area of ​​Dorne has actually only increased by about one-tenth, but it has suddenly shrunk from the southern side of the Crimson Mountains to a riding land. Across its two sides, it is divided into north and south sides by mountains spanning east and west: most of the barren and barren land is on the south side, and a fertile but narrow piece is on the north side—with so few small but fertile land exposed Outside of the protection of the Crimson Mountains, the Dornish people have scruples. They can no longer ignore or resist the orders of the central government like before, barefoot and not afraid of wearing shoes!

This is out of the category of strategy. Even if Varys, Petyr, and Prince Doran came here, it would be difficult to guess the real purpose of Iger's move. Even if they guessed it, they would not be able to resist this temptation.

If surrender and obedience can be exchanged for self-sufficiency in land and food, the Martell family would have changed to the three-headed dragon flag 300 years ago!

***

Tyene's whisper was originally for the sake of Arianne, but who would have thought that the latter would become very upset when she heard it: Why?My majestic princess, the future legal heir of Dorne, can't even make a decision on the spot when negotiating with outsiders. Instead, I have to go home and ask my elders for instructions. If others see this, how will they treat and laugh at me?

In addition to the rebellious psychology, after the initial shock and confusion passed, Arianne, who gradually recovered, also had some strange emotions in her heart.

Everyone has their own little special quirk, and Arianne's fatal "weakness" is that she can't resist the special charm emanating from a man with a dangerous aura, and she can't resist the "destroying and disintegrating". The fatal attraction of such a crazy plan as "The Bend of the River".

She has also read the popular book in the Seven Kingdoms - "The Fantastic Adventure of the Night Watchman", but at that time, like most people with a higher level of knowledge, she would judge the "protagonist" in this book , Most of the stories experienced are fictional or artistically processed.

Who would have thought that when he finally saw the deity now, he would find that the guy in front of him was exactly the same as the wild and bold adventurer in the book, even worse.And these qualities that make her fascinated, combined with the characteristics of power, ability, prestige, and even the military power in his hands, have been deployed into an incredible... monster!

If it is said that when she first entered this room, she still held the usual casual and dissolute mentality of a typical Dornish woman, and regarded Iger as her prey.