Chapter 220 The plan was perfect, but the first step was leaked

The princes looked at each other.

Your Majesty, please be more reserved.

Darren smiled and lightly drew a few words on the ground: "Everyone, I trust you, so I will reveal to you the preliminary plan of this expedition." He glanced at Prince Aemon beside him, this handsome but taciturn knight. Taking a step forward, he is also a knight who has recently gained fame. In Dragon's Nest City, Ringol held a tourney to celebrate Igor's name day. Prince Aemon even defeated the elderly Earl Aslan Rondel and Hoffa Law Bearer took the crown of champion.

This young knight, praised by the people as the "Dragon Knight", collected more than 20 championship laurels in just a few years, making people admire his bravery, and Aemon's humility and handsomeness made him become the Seventh Knight. A Chinese girl’s dream lover.

Although Aemon has officially married his beloved Princess Nelysh.

"His Majesty the King is fully prepared." Prince Aemon took the branch from Daeron's hand. He needed to tell these key nobles that it was profitable to send out all the troops.

"The biggest problem in the disputed land is that the distribution of forces there is very complex."

Dan quietly retreated behind Jakaris, asking his tall brother to block his gaze, while he quickly recalled the information Ringol had given them in his mind.

"Seven large mercenary groups with at least 10,000 soldiers occupy the northern part of the disputed land. The fertile plains of the disputed land are divided between five large warlords and hundreds of small warlords. The mercenary groups, Rika... Raklon is the most important seaside city in the Disputed Land. Three different forces control this city. In the northeast of the Disputed Land, a khalasar with 40,000 cavalry is facing the largest nomad. The enemies are those Dothraki barbarians." Aemon bowed slightly to Jakaris with some apology: "I didn't mean to offend Asulakao."

"Asule" Jakaris smiled: "He won't mind."

At least five of the seven large mercenary groups have Braavos standing behind them. The Iron Bank continuously provides them with gold and weapons. The remaining two are ostensibly backed by Lys and Volantis. In fact, it also has an intricate relationship with the Iron Bank.

Dan quickly sorted out the intelligence of these seven mercenary groups. The important flow of loans from the Iron Bank was to the warlords in the disputed areas. They would support the tyrants and warlords who ruled the vast territories. They would also support the warlords when they were unable to repay. When lending money, support another tyrant or warlord, or suggest mercenary groups to rob those who do not pay back the money.

Braavos

Dan narrowed his eyes.

"Behind the Golden Hammer Regiment and the Storm Crow Regiment is Reese. Lord Rogar promised to hire these two mercenary groups to participate in our expedition to the disputed land. These two mercenary groups can provide us with 20,000 There are five thousand well-trained warriors, including at least six thousand cavalry, and the Golden Hammer Regiment even raises twenty war elephants."

"Prince Aemon, you also said that they were mercenaries." Duke Cregan Stark said coldly. The Guardian of the North is still as cold and majestic as when he went south to King's Landing when he was young. Winter added to him a lot of the seriousness unique to the northern nobles.

"Since when do we have to rely on mercenaries to fight wars?"

The Winter Wolf Army brought great fame to the North. The charge of two thousand gray-bearded wolves shattered the defense line of the Western Army, making Westeros once again pay attention to these descendants of the ancestors living in the north.

"Mercenaries can join us because of gold and power, or they can betray us at any time." Cregan looked at Darren. "Your Majesty, mercenaries are not your reason to convince us, nor are dragons. What you need to occupy the land are soldiers and people."

Several Dukes nodded in agreement.

"The armies of the King's Territory and Old Town will set off first as the vanguard." Daeron said without a trace of hesitation. Prince Aemon took over the king's words and continued: "The army of Old Town is led by my brother Aerion. We Four thousand armored warriors were gathered, ready to fight on horseback."

"The king's army is led by Ser Will Hunt, Captain of the Kingsguard." Daeron's eyes fell on Lord Joffrey. "The Earl of Marseille and the Earl of Darklin have begun to gather the army. The royal army will have 3,000 royal troops as its core, and the royal nobles can gather 20,000 people."

"Twenty thousand people are the fighting troops that the king can only recruit with all his strength, Your Majesty." Duke Xiu Fu Aylin said solemnly: "Your Majesty, we cannot recruit all the young people. This is not a life-and-death war. We We need to leave people to work on the land.”

"Winter is coming, especially in the north and the valley. We will not place our hopes on summer never ending, Your Majesty." Duke Cregan's voice was still so cold.

"The Baratheon family will stand under His Majesty's three-headed dragon banner." Duke Royce Baratheon's loud voice was not so loud now. "But Your Majesty, you also know very well that the Baratheon family is powerless. Six thousand people is the limit of the Stormlands, but I can assure you that these six thousand people are all veterans who have been to the Stepstone Islands. ”

Daeron smiled and nodded to Duke Royce.

"I know, everyone, so I will convince you with my current plan." The king said calmly, and Prince Aemon seemed to be Daeron's other hand, writing and drawing on the ground with a weirwood stick.

"The coast of the disputed area is covered with large mangroves. A mercenary group with many ships, the Mangrove Group, has considerable influence there. It is also one of the rulers of Rika Laklon. I will work with Yi Mon, Rhaegar, and Aerion followed the vanguard to land on Rika Lachlon and occupy the city as an outpost for the attack on the disputed land."

"Where are the supplies? Your Majesty, and where is Prince Aegon? Prince Aegon and Prince Viserys also have dragons. Aren't they going to participate in the expedition?" Duke Cregen's question was still as sharp as ever.

But Duke Cregan did not ask another question: Where is the Varese family?

"Uncle Wang is in poor health. He will stay in Westeros to collect supplies for us and guard the rear." Daeron said calmly: "Cousin Aegon will go to Braavos as an envoy, and Syrax will send The people of Braavos know the value of peace."

His eyes unconsciously drifted towards Jakaris, who had been wandering in his mind, and Dan, who didn't know what he was thinking.

"Dream Fire, Haiyan and Womax are all adult dragons, and the horn tide is enough to intimidate ordinary people. The four dragons are enough for us to sweep across the coast."

"Your Majesty." Dalton Greyjoy, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke. The old pirate slowly walked up to the king and glanced coldly at Duke Rolyon Lannister and Duke Leonor Tyrell. But when looking at Duke Cregan, Duke Tully and Jakaris, respect was restored.

"My iron fleet once swept the mangrove coast, where there was almost no defense." The red sea monster calmly recounted his feat of almost destroying the Kingdom of the Third Daughter: "With the exception of Rika Lachlon, the guys who ruled it will This ancient city is built stronger than steel, and it is not an easy bone to chew.”

The red sea monster suddenly licked his tongue: "However, my iron fleet is still willing to serve you. Your Majesty, give me two months, and I can summon a thousand longships for you, and ten thousand axes as hard as your head. man."

"I just need to satisfy your ancient ways, right, sea monster." Duke Luo Lien glanced at the red sea monster. "Your Majesty, as for the navy, the royal fleet, Earl Redwin's fleet, and the silver fleet are enough to destroy all resistance on the mangrove coast. We don't need it."

"Chief Dalton, I am grateful for your help." Darren raised his hand to stop Duke Rolyon from continuing. "The kingdom needs every ax, every piece of armor, every sword."

Duke Leonor Tyrell is helpless. Over the years, the revival of Oldtown has made the River Bend seem to have returned to its former feeling. If it were not for the relationship with the Fossoway family, the Rowan family, the Redwyne family, and the Maery Weiss With the great marriage between families, I am afraid that the Tyrell family will gradually be overshadowed by the Targaryen family in Old Town.

He couldn't refuse King's Landing's arrangement. After House Baratheon and House Greyjoy, House Tyrell became the third guardian house to actively provide support.

"Earl Redwyne will provide the fleet." Duke Leonor said: "Your Majesty, the River Bend will gather fifteen thousand armored warriors in three months and raise food and fodder for the army."

"The kingdom can allow the Iron Islands to implement ancient routes on the mangrove coast and the coast of Sothothros." Daeron said calmly. He needed the bloody plunder of the ironmen to deter the warlords in the disputed lands.

It would be best if you can scare them into retreat. If not, it would be good to unite them and catch them all in one fell swoop.

"After capturing Rika Lachlon, the mangrove coast is completely open to us." Darren then analyzed: "We will march along the coast after supplies and reinforcements arrive. Aemon and I will lead the main force first. To conquer the warlords in the south, Rhaegar will stay in Riga Raklon and sit in command, while Aerion will lead Womax to guard the north to prevent northern interference. After the scattered sand in the south is resolved, we will deal with those big servants. The Legion and the Dothraki Barbarians."

"It seems that His Majesty has a detailed plan." Kermit Tully smiled: "The Riverlands will prepare food and grass, as well as eight thousand armored warriors. They are all well-trained, and everyone is good at long swords. The longbows, lances, and maces are the second, third, and youngest sons of the nobles, as well as the sergeants who have made great achievements in battle. Your Majesty, I can guarantee that there is no more elite army than this."

"The Western Territory will provide military expenses." Duke Luo Lien saw that the dukes all recognized Daeron's plan, and also gave what he could. In addition to a sufficient amount of gold.

There were also five thousand warriors wearing helmets and armor.

It can be said that, except for the 10,000 raiders claimed by the Iron Islands, the troops currently provided by the Stormlands, the Reach, the Riverlands, and the West are all nobles and sergeants with full armor. Most of them only need to obtain War horses can even become cavalry or mounted heavy infantry at any time.

Duke Cregen stared at Daeron and suddenly smiled: "Your Majesty, the north will also send troops. However, the north is not as rich as the south. We still need to accumulate strength and prepare for winter. I will send four thousand well-equipped warriors. , the ancient gods are as fierce as the gray beards of the Winter Wolf Army. "

"If your Majesty's plan can succeed, we will all benefit from it, so why not do it?" Duke Shuf Arryn said with a smile: "The valley will send nine hundred knights and two thousand cavalry."

Darren nodded, then looked at Jakaris and Dan.

"Father asked me and Jay to come here, and this is our attitude." Dan stood in front of Jacaerys again and said with a smile: "Jay and I, as well as our dragons, will go to Tyrosh to assist the army in crossing the sea, and the Silver Fleet will provide cover for His Majesty."

The Dukes tacitly did not mention the army.

The Cendros, Kongyi, and Vareses families have shown great sincerity in providing these two dragons. Although judging from Dan's intention, they are unlikely to charge in the front.

But it is enough.

Aemon and Daeron did not feel anything wrong, and Daeron even said in his heart that the Vareses family was willing to send dragons and fleets, which showed their attitude.

The Silver Dragon supports the Red Dragon's expedition.

That's enough.

It has not even been five days since the Great Council ended.

The news that Westeros was going to take action against the disputed lands spread to Braavos, and even to Volantis soon after.

Although Daeron did not intend to keep it secret, the speed at which the news spread still scared him.

What he didn't know was that after the news came out, the East Continent was almost instantly hit by an "earthquake". Countless messengers set out from all corners of the Disputed Lands to different areas. Even a larger khalasar also went south from near Qohor, preparing to join the khalasar in the Disputed Lands.

Braavos, the secret room of the Iron Bank.

The key holders sat in a circle, looking at each other, and no one spoke.

"The dragon is coming, everyone. After nearly two hundred years, another dragon is going to ravage our land." A key holder whispered.

"No, Aegon stood on our side back then. His dragon sprayed dragon flames at the slave owners of Volantis. He was a friend."

"That's a thing of the past." A key holder who was so old that his age could not be seen tapped the table, and the key made of black iron made a strange sound at his waist. His voice made the entire secret room fall into silence.

"What do the Black and White Houses say?" the old man asked.

"They didn't say anything." A key holder wearing a black and white mask shook his head. "The servants of the Thousand-Faced God will not take risks for things that have not happened."

"But."

"No buts." The old man stood up. "The Disputed Lands are an important source of income for the Iron Bank, and Westeros is also our big customer. In principle, we will not favor either side, but although Westeros has never had a bad debt in the past thirty years, Rogal Bank has taken away a lot of our business."

"So what you mean is..."

"We can't let them get too comfortable." The old man's voice was flat: "The Disputed Lands have never had a master, not two hundred years ago, and not two hundred years later."

"But they have dragons."

The old man's voice stopped abruptly, and the secret room fell into a dead silence.

The silence lasted for a long, long time.

Until the servants of the Sea King interrupted the silence of the secret room.

"The Iron Throne will send a prince as an envoy to Braavos."

"Which prince?" The key holders finally found an opportunity to speak and asked one after another.

"Aegon, Aegon Targaryen, the eldest son of Prince Viserys of Oldtown, the master of Syrax."

The old man stood up instantly and looked at the key holders who also stood up.

Although they were separated by masks, they could feel each other's emotions.

Surprise.

When the upper echelons of Braavos fell into a dead silence, other trading cities that also received the information quickly also began their respective actions one after another.

The remote city-states felt that it was none of their business, so they decisively hung up.

Rees began to mobilize, Myr closed the city gates and hid behind their solid walls, and Pentos happily opened the city gates. They had a good relationship with the Targaryen family and were not worried about their arrival.

And Volantis fell into silence.

But the eldest daughter of Valyria soon moved. Although the Elephant Party advocated peace and contraction, it did not mean that the Elephant Party was a surrender party. For such a thing that threatened the vital interests of Volantis.

Elephants are more ferocious than tigers.

The envoys of Volantis also set out, some of them went to the disputed land, and some sailed to the east - they brought gold.

They will bring back a well-forged army.

Dragon's Nest City.

Longzel lay on the top of the Silver Blood Tower, lazily basking in the sun, Diana sat beside him with a smile, slowly adjusting the drink she had just prepared, and Daenerys held her five-year-old brother and played with him. Sebastian read a book with a bitter face in a sunny place, Osiris and Damion slept in the cradle.

It was a peaceful scene of joy, if we ignore Igor who was dressed as a girl by Daenerys.

The little boy let his sister play with him expressionlessly, and let his sister put on makeup for him without saying a word.

"Father, the letter from Dan and Xiaojie has come back." Lingol tried to restrain his footsteps and slowly walked up to the garden on the top of the tower, and then he frowned.

"Dani, don't bully your brother."

Daenerys stopped immediately and hid the makeup pen behind her: "No, father, I didn't."

"Wow!"

Igor suddenly burst into tears, closed his eyes, kicked his legs, and lay directly on the ground, crying heartbreakingly.

Diana was so frightened that her hands trembled and she almost dropped the stirring stick to the ground.

"Igor, you're like this again!" Daenerys immediately realized what her brother was doing, and stopped pretending to be innocent. She threw away her makeup, put her hands on her hips, and stared at Igor who didn't even shed a tear. "Why don't you shed a few tears! Stupid brother!"

"Hmph!" Seeing that he really couldn't shed any tears, Igor simply stopped pretending and lay down on the ground like a rogue.

Lingol frowned and looked at his two children. Seeing that his father was slow to speak, Daenerys pouted and obediently carried her brother to the side to wash his face.

Lingol nodded and walked towards his father.

This chapter is a two-in-one chapter