Chapter 651 Who will be the Prime Minister?

King's Landing.

It was July and the heat was unbearable.

The waves of Blackwater Bay crash one after another, unable to wash away the heat of midsummer.

Red Keep, Godswood.

The weirwoods stood majestically, their red-leafed canopy like a giant open umbrella covering the raised ground where their roots were exposed.

Rhaegar stood under the tree, his palms pressed against the pale trunk.

His face was calm and he didn't feel anything strange.

"Your Majesty, you are looking for me."

Darren came from the back door, his eyes clear.

"I won't call you Your Majesty in private."

Rhaegar let go of the rough weirwood and looked back with a chuckle.

Darren thought for a while and said with a smile, "Brother."

Among the brothers, he is the most gentle and humble.

He doesn't have many crooked ideas and likes to follow in the footsteps of his brothers.

Rega picked a thick tree root and sat down, patting his side: "I want to discuss with you the ownership of the Basilisk Islands."

"That's not a kind place."

Darren sat over and thought seriously.

"That's why we need to be vigilant."

Rhaegar became serious and suggested: "I would like to appoint you as the steward of the Summer Sea and also as the minister of the Basilisk Islands."

The pirates of the Three Women Kingdom have been basically wiped out, and the remaining forces cannot make waves.

However, there are still tens of thousands of women, children and slaves left on the Basilisk Islands, and three prototype city-states have been built.

If you give up there, it will cause hidden dangers in the future.

It needs to be managed by a reliable person who is full of wisdom and patience.

Dai Lun hesitated for a moment and said politely: "Brother, the continent of Sothoros is too desolate."

"I didn't ask you to stay in the Basilisk Islands permanently, just take good care of it."

Rhaegar did not give him a chance to refuse, and repeatedly urged: "Choose an island to complete the city-state construction, and those slaves will be the new residents to reclaim the wasteland."

They are all low-class slaves, and moving to any place is a huge loss.

Staying in the Basilisk Islands and inheriting the civilized foundation laid by the Three Women Country is the best choice.

Seeing that his brother had made up his mind, Darren nodded helplessly: "I'll give it a try."

Several brothers on the left and right have fiefdoms, and it is not impossible for him to manage a relatively deserted Basilisk Islands.

If nothing can be done, the worst case scenario is asking Aegon to borrow money.

He is known as "Aegon the Generous".

"Be more energetic. There is also maritime trade in the Basilisk Islands."

Rhaegar rubbed his little brother's head, brainwashing him bit by bit.

After all, it is to manage a territory with port, cultivated land, and forest land resources. No matter how desolate it is, it will eventually develop one day.

I picked up the loopholes of the Three Women Kingdom and saved more than ten years of hard work.

If it weren't for the fact that Rhaena lost the right to inherit Tidal Head Island, Darren would also move away from the place where he had lived for several years.

He originally wanted to entrust the Basilisk Islands to Tyran to take care of them, and later put them under the jurisdiction of Volantis.

"Then you have to allocate money to me from the treasury."

Darren, with his hair a mess, chose to speak up for himself.

"No problem, just give it to Lin Man if you can."

"You are the king!"

"..."

The two brothers talked and laughed, arguing with each other under the weirwood tree.

…

At noon.

Just after lunch, the imperial meeting was held at an impromptu meeting.

Rhaegar looked gloomy, and when he walked into the council hall, it was already full of people.

"His Majesty!……"

The ministers stood up to greet him with serious expressions on their faces.

"What happened?"

Rhaegar looked around, focusing on his father Viserys and his uncle Daemon.

The former is involved in politics, and the latter is also the prince of the Dragon Clan.

"There's some trouble rebuilding Storm's End."

Archmaester Orr looked embarrassed and reported truthfully: "There are rumors of souls crying in the ruins, which not only affected the progress, but also scared away many craftsmen."

Rega had just moved out the chair and couldn't help laughing: "Really?"

The ghosts of the dead are causing trouble, what a big name.

"So is the rumor, Your Majesty."

Orville responded carefully.

"Sit down." Rhaegar waved and said without thinking, "When the craftsmen leave, we will recruit a group. After that, I will ask Aemond to ride the dragon for a spin."

There are so many monsters and monsters, it’s just the human heart that is weird.

The living people have been burned to death, how can the dead still show off their power?

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid something is wrong."

Justice Minister Jaspy retorted in a low voice.

"What's wrong, Lord Jaspie?"

Rhaegar sat down, really wanting to see what the other party had to say.

"The Baratheon family has ruled the Stormlands for more than a hundred years, and the branches still have bloodlines..."

Jaspie paused mid-sentence, and then tested: "It might be counterproductive for you to rebuild the prince's palace at Storm's End."

The implication is that the nobles of the Stormlands do not want to be brought under the direct jurisdiction of the king.

"So it's really difficult?"

Rhaegar looked suddenly enlightened.

"Your Majesty is wise." Jaspie smiled.

Unexpectedly, Lei Jia changed the topic and his face darkened: "Since it is difficult, then send capable people to supervise it until the prince's palace is completed."

As a territory adjacent to the royal territory, the Storm Land must be brought under the royal territory.

The royal family’s policy of strengthening centralization must also be implemented step by step.

There is no negotiation as to who will block and kill whom.

Jaspi's face changed slightly, he smiled and shut up.

"Your Majesty, when you mentioned capable people, I thought of something important."

Lin Man squinted his dim eyes and said slowly: "Since Lord Leonor resigned, the post of Prime Minister has been vacant. Please choose someone wiser."

The Prime Minister has always been important as an important buffer zone between the nobles and the king.

Whichever side the Prime Minister favors will benefit.

Therefore, most prime ministers are close men chosen by the king himself.

Such as Oris Baratheon, Prime Minister of the Conqueror, Brother Bath, Prime Minister of King Renrui, and his son Baerron...

Rhaegar raised his eyebrows and glanced at his father who was sitting firmly down.

"You should choose a wise man, from the Imperial Council or someone you like."

Viserys, a little sleepy, gave as many hints as he could.

When the Prime Minister uses it well, it is an unstoppable sharp blade.

He had two prime ministers, Otto Hightower and Leonor Strong.

The former has excellent abilities, is idealistic in doing things, and has selfish motives.

The latter's ability is mediocre, but fortunately he is a hard worker, fair and respected by others.

He also carefully selected the two prime ministers.

Otto is a senator from two dynasties left over from the end of King Renrui's reign, representing the old town and the aristocracy.

At that time, the royal family was weak, with Corlys Valery harboring resentment on the outside, and Daemon coveting the crown prince position on the inside.

He retained Otto's position to check and balance external and internal dangers.

The two had a honeymoon period, and their cooperation in the imperial meeting went very smoothly.

Corliss and Daemon were defeated one after another, and they successively withdrew from King's Landing and the Stone Steps Islands to vent their anger.

Later, tiger breeding became a problem, and Hightower began to get involved in the royal bloodline.

Only then did the hereditary Harrenhal come into existence, and the loyal Leonor Strong took over as Prime Minister, restoring the royal family's right to speak in the Royal Council.

However, after he abdicated the throne and made way for his successor, Leonor's ability as prime minister remained stable, which was obviously not suitable for the eldest son who was radical in governing.

Now that he is resigning voluntarily, it is a good thing that benefits himself and others.

Rhaegar pursed his lips, hearing the deep meaning in his father's words.

"Your Majesty, do you have a suitable candidate?"

Lin Man wondered.

The king is still young and there should be no reliable people.

The imperial ministers looked at each other tacitly, and they all felt moved.

Even Sea Lord Corliss and Governor Tyran of Volantis sat up straight and paid attention to the king's expression.

Who doesn’t want one person to be inferior to ten thousand people?

Taking Corliss as an example, he may look down upon the power of the Prime Minister, but the status it brings is a great temptation.

In terms of qualifications, he is also known as the Prime Minister.

Rega rolled his eyes and asked the question: "Do you have any good candidates?"

The king really needs a good prime minister, and he is really not sure who to choose.

Instead of worrying about yourself, it's better to learn from others.

Jaspie was the first to stand up and said impatiently: "Your Majesty, Storm's End is not easy to deal with right now, why don't you send me there."

The progress of Storm's End leads to the election of the Hand.

Doing this well just proves your ability.

"Lord Jaspie has volunteered, is there anything else?"

Rega smiled and did not object on the spot.

"His Majesty……"

Tailan cleared her throat and stood up politely.

Before he could finish speaking, Rhaegar interrupted directly: "Sit down first, Lord Tyran."

Volantis is very busy, and there is no need for foreign ministers to come back temporarily to recommend themselves.

"Uh~"

Tailan looked embarrassed and retracted her butt at a loss.

How can a foreign minister be as good as the imperial prime minister?

He also wants to make progress.

Old God Lin Man was watching, and said at the right time: "I recommend Lord Collis. He is the Earl of Chaotou Island. His qualifications, reputation, and family strength are all worthy of this honor."

"Thank you, Lord Linman."

Collis found it quite helpful and thanked him solemnly.

His son Lanino was lost and found, and the family's power rose to new heights.

If he can run for the position of prime minister, he is confident that he will become the best assistant and good minister recorded in history books.

Lin Man smoothed the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and said with a smile: "Ten years earlier, I would not have been so dim, and I might have been able to run for office."

Rhaegar quietly watched the two of them compliment each other and absentmindedly played with the council stone ball.

Collis...

He is capable and skillful, but unfortunately his ambition is too great and his position may easily lead to stumbling.

"I recommend Prince Daemon."

Tormund, the usually taciturn intelligence chief, raised his hand and looked to his side with a shy smile.

Damon was watching it with interest, but he didn't expect it to suddenly hit him.

"Uncle."

There was a glint in Rega's eyes, and he was really moved.

One thing to say, the uncle and nephew cooperate well.

"Can he do it?"

Viserys steeled himself and smiled: "Daemon has an irresistible temper. Even attending the Royal Council is compulsory."

"I don't want to run for office either, brother."

Damon rolled his eyes and spoke like an old hermaphrodite.

The ministers expressed their opinions one after another, and only Grand Bachelor Orville remained silent.

Rhaegar put down the stone ball and asked: "What do you think, my great maester?"

Hurry up and finish asking, hurry up and leave.

Ovel hesitated for a moment and looked at the old king opposite: "In terms of experience in governing the country, none of you here can match His Majesty Viserys."

Rega was stunned when he heard this and was attracted by his strange thoughts.

"No no no."

Viserys waved his hand quickly and refused bluntly: "I have retired and can no longer be my son's chamberlain."

Are you losing face by saying it?

How will it be recorded in history books in the future?

Ovel smiled angrily and shut up decisively.

He just found an impossible candidate to pick himself out.

Rhaegar understood quickly and said, "Everyone has their own candidate. Let me consider carefully before making a decision."

After that, he stood up and walked out.

When he passed by Jaspi who was sitting in the opposite corner, he raised his hand and pressed his shoulder: "You are a Stormlander. I can trust you to rebuild Storm's End."

What a good sucker, applying for the job himself.

Jaspi's face was delighted, and he said loudly: "Don't worry, I will do my best."