Chapter 134 Chapter 132 Negotiations before the battle

The safest and most reasonable place is in front of both sides' positions, in the open space. No conspiracy can be spread out in such a place.

There are only three people from both sides attending the meeting, two negotiators, and one security guard. If there are more people, it will be regarded as sabotaging the negotiation, and you can directly draw a knife.

Clay and Robb Stark brought with them Jory Kelso, who had escaped from death. Ed Stark's guard captain was responsible for the quarrel in the past. He was a witness to the Lannister hunt. , has the most say.

After handing over the command of the army to Earl Glover, Clay rode alone toward the middle of the battlefield.

Horse hooves trample the green grass. Although this place is on the front line of the war, it has not been affected by blood and fire. At this time of late summer and early autumn, the environment here is still very good.

But no one standing here has the intention to appreciate these beautiful things. Everyone's eyes are looking at the six people who are close to each other as much as possible. The fate of the West and the North, their fate, Will decide soon.

"Rob, they didn't bring Lord Eddard."

Clay, who first met up with Robb Stark and rode side by side, reminded him in a low voice that there were two possibilities in this situation. The first was that Lannister was not sincere at all, or else, Eddard Smith Tucker's current state is not suitable for meeting at all.

In any case, this was not good news, and Rob quickly understood the meaning of Clay's words.

The young leader of the North nodded. After a sleepless night, his mood calmed down a lot. At least, he had completed the construction in his heart that his father had left him forever.

However, deep down in his heart, he still hopes that his father will stand in front of him healthy, and that he will welcome him back and proudly tell him that he is no longer a child.

But now, from the beginning, things have developed towards a situation that Robb least wants to see.

The Northern Territory is starting to get nervous, and Tywin in the Western Territory is also full of bitterness. During the pursuit, the idiots under his command didn't know Ed Stark's identity at all, and they were also very aggressive. Heavy.

After Ed Stark was recognized and carried back immediately, he was immediately bandaged and rescued. However, the soldier's attack still caused huge trauma to him.

This morning, when Tywin Lannister went to see him again, his face was as pale as a rock, his breathing was weak and almost inaudible, and his body was hot but shivering. This was the Eddard Stark that Tywin saw.

This kind of Eddard Stark is only one step away from death. Duke Tywin is also used to seeing people living and dying on the battlefield. He is very sure that in Eddard Stark's current state, he can go up and kick him. The last kick would probably kill him directly.

He originally wanted to take Ed Stark with him without handing it over to the Northerners and let them confirm that the old wolf was still alive. This would at least ensure that the negotiation could continue, but now, this idea is destined to go bankrupt.

If Ed Stark like this is brought to negotiate, then he is not negotiating. He is clearly intending to intensify conflicts and set the table. When that little wolf cub sees his father like this, why doesn't he just draw his sword?

Therefore, only three people came from the West, Tywin himself, his younger brother Kevan, and a famous villain in the Seven Kingdoms, Gregor Clegane, who also has another name: The Mountain

Tywin brought him here with the intention of taking action directly if there was no negotiation. According to the information he learned, except for one guard who was covered in wounds and escaped death, the other two people from the north were all Young people should not be able to deal with experienced warriors like Magic Mountain.

If something cannot be done and one must take action, and one or all of these two men can be killed on the battlefield, then the northern army will collapse without a fight, and the wolf pack without the leader will become nothing more than a rabble.

However, Duke Tywin would never have thought that Clay Manderly, whom he thought he valued enough, would be no match for him if the swords were to confront him.

This is also the reason why Clay dared to bring a seriously injured Jory Kelso with no fighting ability. He did not believe in the character of these nobles at all. The higher the title, the lower the bottom line. This law has been tried repeatedly.

"Clay, is that big guy the Magic Mountain? I recognize the dog-head family emblem on him."

Rob's voice rang in his ears, not afraid, but full of eagerness to try.

Clay's eyes also stayed on the Magic Mountain, and he repeatedly compared the advantages and disadvantages between himself and the Magic Mountain.

In terms of body shape, the name Magic Mountain is correct. This man, who is estimated to be two meters tall, is wearing heavy armor. Judging from his exposed parts, his brain must be full of muscles.

If you start a fight with such a person, you will definitely not be able to compete with him for strength. Although Clay has experienced the witcher mutation, he is still no match for this muscular monster.

He must use his weakness of poor flexibility to harass. Refer to the example of Oberon bullying the Mountain. Although Oberon killed himself, Clay will not do it. He will never cut off the Mountain's head. give up.

The two sides were finally close. Someone had already set up a simple long table with four chairs in the middle. This was the highest-level negotiation between the North and the West. There were no seats for the guards.

Clay's first impression of Tywin Lannister was not that of the Lord of the West, the aura of a king, but... look there, there is a bald head coming towards him!

He had seen Kevan Lannister before. The Mountain's body shape was easy to identify, so the remaining man on the white horse must be the Lord of the West, Lord Tywin Lannister.

The old lion looked tall, and his height on horseback was slightly shorter than that of the Mountain. Also, his shoulders were very broad, and he might have been a good swordsman when he was young.

Thick golden beard grew on his cheeks, looking like a lion's mane, and his eyes were light green, which was not a flattering color, or so Clay thought.

The two sides stationed their horses twenty steps away from each other, and if they were farther away, they had to speak in a high voice. Obviously, this was not a very decent behavior.

Tywin has never seen Clay and Robb Stark. The two young men are riding on horses in no particular order. If it weren't for the family crest flags placed behind the horses, Tywin really wouldn't be able to tell them apart.

First, he glanced at Robb Stark under the Direwolf banner several times, and then, Tywin's sharp eyes fell on Clay Mandler under the Mermaid banner.

If this battlefield genius hadn't popped up from nowhere to disrupt the situation, his son might have taken Riverrun and dragged that old guy Hoster Tully out of his bed.

Now that he has captured Lao Lang, the situation in the Western Territory is much better now. If he needs to sue for peace, it is possible to directly force the Northern Territory to surrender.

But now, with this unexpected variable, the situation has taken a turn for the worse and turned into what it is now. It is equivalent to being forced to the negotiating table by this kid.

"Are you Clay Manderly, grandson of Lord Wyman?"

Tywin Lannister first asked Clay. He did this on purpose. It had been the same since Kevan visited Clay. Young people rarely see each other and are most likely to accumulate conflicts on such small details.

Now, the cavalry legion in the north is like an unstoppable sharp spear in the hands of Clay Manderly. Tywin must avoid his sharp edge. He must find a way to make this spear disintegrate itself.

Civil strife and distrust are obviously the fastest and easiest way to take effect.

"Yes, but the name doesn't matter. You can call me whatever you want."

Clay felt that his speech was full of Jia Qian's taste, but Clay really thought so. If he relied on the surname Manderly, it would be impossible for him to hold an army and Tywin Lannister in front of the battle line. negotiation.

Respect is not given by others, it is earned by oneself.

"Tywin Lannister, what did you do to my father? I want to see him, otherwise, there is no need for us to continue talking."

After all, Robb Stark was young and energetic, and could not hold his breath at all. He made the situation tense as soon as he opened his mouth, but it was understandable, after all, he was his father.

Tywin certainly had something to say in response to Robb Stark's request. He spoke coldly:

"My father is very nice, but I want to see my son. This is a fair and reciprocal requirement."

The old lion knew very well that Clay would not bring James directly, and by saying this, he was stalling for time. He had already given an order to Grand Maester Pycelle in King's Landing to get here within two days, no matter what medicine he used. , be sure to make Eddard Stark look like a normal person during the handover.

As for how long Eddard Stark can survive after the handover under Pycelle's Tiger Wolf medicine, what does that have to do with Tywin Lannister? The deal is completed, Jaime is back, and the North This dumb guy will definitely suffer the consequences.

The two sides stared at each other for a long time. It was obvious that each of the two sides could fulfill the other's request. So, five minutes later, the four people sat on both sides of the table and remained silent.

"Stark, let's be practical. How about we return Eddard Stark to you, and you return Ser Jaime and the other Lords of the Westerland to us?"

Kevan Lannister broke the silence. He was hopelessly stupid to keep competing over whose eyes were bigger.

"Do you need me to remind you two? So far in our northern territory, including the regicide, we have captured a total of twelve famous nobles in the western territory. Lannister, don't you think this suggestion of yours is a good idea? Is it too much of an advantage?"

Clay had no expression on his face, crossed his fingers, and asked coldly. On the way here, he asked Rob to stay silent as much as possible, and let him be Rob's mouthpiece.

There was nothing that could be done about it. The little wolf was eager to save his father, so it would be bad if he accidentally agreed directly. Isn’t negotiation just about making a counter-offer after the lion opens his mouth?

"We have Eddard Stark on our hands."

"We still have the regicide in a cage."

"He is the Lord of Winterfell!"

"The regicide is also the heir to Casterly Rock!"

As soon as Clay said these words, Kevan was suppressed. As a younger brother, he understood his brother Tywin's thoughts very well. In Tywin's heart, James was the only heir. He could deny this and said Tilly Is Ang the successor?

Looking at Clay, who had a half-smile but a playful expression on his face, Kevan looked at his brother in desperation.

If I can't handle it, let me do it for you...

"Although Jaime is my eldest son, he is the King's Kingsguard. Do you need me to repeat the laws of the Kingsguard to you, the Manderly boy from White Harbor?"

After a moment of silence, Tywin spoke slowly, his eyes always looking for Clay's, as if he wanted to use this method to suppress Clay.

Tsk, you won’t admit it, right? Clay sneered in his heart. Tywin regarded him as an ignorant country boy. How could he bear this?

"Really? Lord Tywin, I have never heard of a father serving as a Kingsguard for his son. This is the first time in Westeros for three generations of you. I have really learned a lot."

Sure enough, Tywin's eyes suddenly became sharp, and his voice seemed to be mixed with ice and coldness:

"Be careful what you say, Mandalay. It's not your turn to question His Majesty the King's origins!"

How could Clay be afraid of his verbal threats? He was too fashionable to have the nerve to criticize others?

"Really? Maybe you don't know that Ser Jaime and the Queen Mother did a lot of extraordinary things when Robert was stationed in the north. This is something everyone in Winterfell knows. Otherwise, you think Why did Cersei want to kill our King Robert?"

With a bang, Tywin Lannister slapped the table and raised his eyebrows. Despite his self-control, his face was frighteningly dark at this time. Without him, Clay's words just now were too vicious and shocking.

First of all, there is no conclusive evidence in the Seven Kingdoms regarding James and Cersei. They are just rumors. As a Duke, Tywin Lannister can completely ignore the rumors.

But what Clay said is true, that is to say, the North and the courtiers who followed Robert north knew it. Although the two sides are now at odds, this fig leaf is still needed.

Also, the most terrible thing is Clay's last sentence. Robert died under the arrangement of Cersei and the Lannister family. This was a top-secret matter. Even Tywin only knew about it after it happened.

But now, this matter has been mentioned by a noble boy from the north in an understatement, which is a big deal.

Tywin Lannister didn't think this was Clay's guess, and all of a sudden, his mind raced.

Although Joffrey's throne is supported by the Lannister family, legally, his crown is inherited from his father, who is from the Baratheon family. He still doesn't have the surname Lannister, right?

Once the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms know that Joffrey's throne was obtained by murdering his father, then even giving Tywin a hundred thousand troops will not be able to calm the chaos in the Seven Kingdoms.

Rob's eyes widened and he could hardly help but look at Clay, who was there. Where did he hear these exciting news?

The Kingslayer and Cersei are running errands in Winterfell, and there are still screams? How come I don't know about this?

Even though he is still worried about his father, the energetic young man is still good at grasping the key points.

"How about it, Lord Tywin, have you sorted out your emotions? Do you need us to give you some more time? After all, you are old. Since Sir Jaime is not your heir, you have to go see the Seven Gods as soon as possible. , otherwise, your heir, who lies on a woman’s bed every day, might not be able to survive you.”

In Tywin's almost angry eyes, Clay smiled and turned his gaze to Kevan Lannister, who had completely shut up, and said softly:

"At that time, Lord Kevan, you will be able to inherit your brother's title. Well, Duke Kevan, that's a nice name!"