Chapter 102 Jon Arryn's Plan

In front of the door of the Royal Council Chamber, Jon Arryn paused and sighed helplessly. He knew that Robert would not listen to any advice at this moment, but he still could not give up, because he knew very well what kind of disaster an unnecessary war would bring to the kingdom.

Pushing open the door, a tense and oppressive atmosphere permeated the Royal Council Chamber.

At this time, Robert Baratheon sat on the throne with a gloomy face, and his anger was like a volcano about to erupt. His eyes were fixed on the ministers below, and that look seemed to penetrate everyone's soul.

Ignoring Jon who had just entered the room, King Robert continued, his voice low and powerful, "Gawain, that bastard, actually intends to marry Daenerys. He obviously wants to be king of the Stepstones, and he has the idea of getting his hands on the Iron Throne! He is simply challenging my authority, I will never let him go! And that Daenerys, the remnants of the Targaryen family, they are all traitors and must be punished! I will send troops to attack the Stepstones and tear them into pieces!"

Jon Arryn walked to his seat and sat down, his expression solemn and worried. "Your Majesty, please calm down. We cannot ignore the lessons of history. The Iron Throne has been mired in wars with the Stepstones several times before, and each time it has hurt us. The once powerful Velaryon family has also become sluggish after a battle for the Stepstones. We can't repeat the mistakes of history!"

Robert frowned and looked at Jon Arryn with dissatisfaction. "Are we going to let those two traitors go unpunished? I am the king, where is my dignity?"

At this time, Sea Lord Stannis Baratheon spoke up. "Your Majesty, the current situation of the royal fleet is indeed not optimistic. The ships are seriously aging and there are also shortages of personnel. If we want to go to war, we must repair the ships and replenish the personnel, which will take a lot of time."

The Minister of Finance Petyr Baelish also echoed: "Your Majesty, the current financial situation of the Iron Throne is also very tight. We still owe a large amount of gold dragons to the Iron Vault, the Church and the Lannister family. The current Iron Throne does not have enough funds to support this war."

King Robert snorted and said, "You can go to Tywin to borrow again! Isn't it said that all the shit he poops is gold!"

Jon Arryn quickly advised: "Your Majesty, Duke Tywin Lannister is rich, you should maintain due respect for the Warden of the West. And over-reliance on borrowing is not a long-term solution. It will put us in debt."

King Robert did not comment, his hands tightly grasped the armrests of the throne, as if trying to suppress his inner anger.

The royal meeting fell into a brief silence, and everyone was thinking about the current situation.

At this time, Grand Maester Pycelle said: "Your Majesty, I understand your anger towards the traitors, but we must weigh the pros and cons. War brings not only the consumption of personnel and wealth, but also may cause domestic unrest." Robert was furious after hearing this: "Are we going to do nothing? Gavin's behavior is a direct provocation to my rule. If I don't respond, other lords may think I am weak and incompetent." Jon Arryn thought for a moment and said: "Your Majesty, perhaps we can try to solve the problem through diplomatic means first. Send an envoy to negotiate with Gavin, appoint him as the Prince of the Stepstones and the Guardian of the Narrow Sea, and let him voluntarily hand over Princess Daenerys." Renly Baratheon agreed: "Yes, diplomatic means can sometimes have unexpected results. We can put pressure on the Stepstones to force Gavin to give in and hand over Daenerys." Everyone also agreed. After hearing what the ministers said, Robert was furious and yelled: "You bunch of rubbish, cowardly cowards! What I want is iron-blooded means, not fucking peace talks! You all just know how to talk nonsense here, but you dare not bring that bastard's head back to me! What weighing the pros and cons, what diplomatic means, it's all bullshit!"

Everyone was frightened by Robert's scolding and was afraid to breathe.

After a long time, Robert's anger subsided a little. He panted and glared at everyone fiercely and said: "Listen to me, give that Gavin one last chance, let him hand over Daenerys and confess his guilt himself, otherwise, I will personally lead the army to flatten the Stepstones!"

In the end, the royal meeting ended unhappily in Robert's rage.

Jon Arryn left worriedly, thinking about how to deal with the situation that might happen next. Others also dispersed with their own thoughts, and the whole palace was shrouded in a haze.

Robert returned to his residence angrily, his face as black as the sky before a storm. As soon as he entered the door, he yelled at Lancel Lannister, the servant beside him: "Fool, hurry up and pour me some wine!" Lancel was frightened by the sudden roar and trembled all over. He hurriedly poured Robert a full glass of wine.

Robert sat down on the chair, feeling angry. He thought that after becoming the king, he was constrained by the ministers everywhere. Although he also knew that they were right, he still had no freedom. Thinking of this, he grabbed the wine glass and drank the wine in the glass.

"It's so frustrating!" Robert smashed the wine glass on the table fiercely.

At this time, he said to Barristan beside him: "Get your stuff ready, let's go hunting in the Royal Forest!"

Barristan looked embarrassed and whispered: "Your Majesty, the state affairs are busy now, and you will be in the Royal Forest for more than ten days. I'm afraid it's not appropriate."

After hearing this, Robert became even more angry and cursed loudly: "Fart! I can't fight, so why can't I go hunting? What's the point of being a king!"

Barristan was well aware of Robert's temper and did not dare to say any more. He could only lower his head and respond: "Yes, Your Majesty, I will prepare weapons for you right now."

Robert snorted, his face still terrifyingly gloomy. He sat there panting, looking at the empty wine glass in his hand. Robert scolded Lancel again: "Why are you still standing there? Pour the wine! Do you have to do it every time? Need I remind you? You idiot from Lannister."

Lancel's face turned pale, and his hands were trembling as he quickly refilled Robert's glass of wine. Robert drank again, the wine flowing down the corners of his mouth and soaking his beard.

"This life is really unbearable!" Robert cursed and slammed his hand on the table.

Lancel stood aside, not daring to breathe. Robert sat there, his eyes full of anger and helplessness, and he kept mumbling some complaints.

After a while, Barristan came back and said, "Your Majesty, everything is ready."

Robert stood up suddenly and shouted: "Let's go!"

The group of people set off in the direction of the royal forest. Robert was riding on the horse, still with a scowl on his face.