Gryphon Huth couldn't help but wipe the sweat trickling down his forehead, respectfully saying, "The Hersy Family will forever remember your grace."
Gryphon Huth's Hersy Family was the first Vale Noble to voluntarily pledge allegiance to Kleber, and the second was the Egan Family, who provided support from Eyrie.
Subsequently, when the rewards for the Hersy Family and the Egan Family became known, Vale Nobles such as the Crayne Family, Lothston Family, Dutton Family, and Tollett Family all chose to submit to the new liege lord.
The later families subtly took Baron Gryven, who held the highest position (Eyrie Treasurer), as their leader, which fueled his greater ambition for power. Perhaps he could become the "Hand of the King" for the Vale, and after that… perhaps… he didn't dare to think further for now.
The content of his advice to Green was ostensibly a concern that policies might be undermined, but in reality, it was for his own selfish motives.
He had originally intended to use the opportunity of the new liege lord winning over the Vale Nobles to cultivate the influence of the Hersy Family.
But… the tourney and the squire training made him feel "threatened." If it truly proceeded according to the new liege lord's plan… he understood the greed of those lowly people too well. He could guarantee that new Valley Knights loyal to Kleber would soon emerge.
As time passed, those lowly people would become the new nobles of the Vale. What then would become of the honor of them, the old nobles?!
As Baron Gryven thought of this, Green's voice rang out: "The Royce Family, the Waynwood Family, the Hunter Family, the Redfort Family, the Belmore Family, the Templeton Family."
He looked at Gryven: "If not for the Kleber Family, they and the Arryn Family would be the masters of the Vale. Baron, am I right?"
Green's words were like an iron hammer heavily striking Baron Gryven's head. He opened his mouth, as if he had forgotten that before pledging allegiance to Kleber, the Hersy Family was merely a minor noble who used a quill to record the Arryn Family's finances on blank paper. He didn't even have the qualifications to attend higher-level banquets… Hmm, he had once offered a large sum of money to secure a Waynwood Family granddaughter for his eldest son, a granddaughter of Lady Anya… and he had even specifically chosen one who was out of favor and not beautiful… yet he was met with a very direct refusal.
When did he start considering himself a noble family of the Vale?!
When did he start daring to "play with swords" in front of a liege lord known as the Blood Earl?!
As he thought about it… Baron Gryven suddenly burst into tears. He cried.
Green motioned for the attendant to leave the room, letting the old Baron weep, while he himself looked at the flames in the fireplace and took a sip of summer red.
Lord Green had always been patient with his subordinates, especially with "model" vassals like the Hersy Family in the Vale.
Once Baron Gryven had gradually calmed down, Green spoke: "Don't trust your ears too much. Baron Gryphon Huth, you should believe my promise more. That is what makes a good vassal of House Clebber."
"My Lord… I…" Baron Gryven sniffled.
He continued: "I will divide the assessments before the tourney into several regions and assign them to my new vassals to manage."
Green gestured for Baron Gryven to drink, then continued: "Help me keep a close eye on them. You are still the person I trust most, Gryven."
"My Lord Green, I will always be your eyes! I swear it by the Seven Gods!"
...
The nobles in the northern region of the Vale received a plea for help delivered by a raven from Eyrie. Scholar Elrin's personal letter was earnest: he told them that Moon Gate Castle, the gateway to Eyrie, had been occupied by over 200 Cleber Soldiers due to a traitor; he made different promises to each noble family in the name of Duke Robert Arryn, such as… marriages, titles, land, wealth, etc. (Chapter 254); their task was also simple: they were to bring troops to deter and force the Cleber Soldiers in Moon Gate Castle to retreat.
Scholar Elrin, who had served the Vale for nearly forty years, understood the true needs of these families. The Duke of Eyrie's sincere promises… coupled with his quill, successfully awakened their almost dormant sense of honor.
Then, Green received battle reports from the Cleber Legion ambushed in the treacherous terrain. Ravens flew back and forth, bringing new "gains" almost every day.
53 cavalry… 67 cavalry… 125 cavalry… 78 cavalry… 212 cavalry… The last essence of the Valley Knight was being devoured by Kleber, bite by bite.
...
In the study at Eyrie, Lord Green, who had been busy all afternoon, finally put down his quill.
The list of captives to be offered to King Joffrey, compiled by Baron Gryven and others, numbered nearly 2,000 people, most of whom were servants of nobles.
Lord Green only selected over 100 people who absolutely had to be sent, while the remaining people would be stripped of their surnames and escorted to Crab Claw Peninsula. Finally, they would be dispersed into hundreds of Kleber semi-military style farms on Crab Claw Peninsula (Chapter 18).
Although each of Kleber's farms required a vast hunting ground, for the sparsely populated Crab Claw Peninsula, even a rough calculation… could accommodate at least over 3,000 new farms.
However… Crab Claw Peninsula only had a population of over a hundred thousand, so there was no need to rush. The priority was to meet current needs, arranging most of the commoners to live in the new farms and conducting soldier training during leisure time.
Then, when the new farms managed by "retired veterans" received troop mobilization orders from Lord Green, they would be able to send the militarily trained reserve soldiers on time.
Regarding the farms… Lord Green thought of the main problem with the population structure of Crab Claw Peninsula: more women than men.
His fingers gently tapped the table… men.
...
Tap, tap, tap, a knock sounded, and Brienne's voice came from outside the door: "My Lord Green, Scholar Kemon requests an audience."
Upon receiving a response, Scholar Kemon, looking nervous, entered the study.
"Good day, K… Count Kleber."
"Please sit, Scholar Kemon."
After Scholar Kemon was seated, Green spoke: "How is the Lord Arryn's health?"
Scholar Kemon glanced at Green and replied: "Count Kleber, the Duke has been much better lately because he can eat his favorite foods."
He bowed slightly: "I thank you for your kindness on behalf of the Duke."
Green leaned back in his chair and said: "Scholar Kemon, King Joffrey wishes to see Lord Arryn at Red Keep as soon as possible."
Scholar Kemon's Adam's apple bobbed a few times, and he said: "Merciful Count Kleber, actually, the Duke's physical condition might be able to endure the journey to King's Landing, but he desperately needs a long period of recuperation right now."
Kemon's eyes were somewhat evasive, and Green sighed: "King Joffrey's patience will last for one month at most. Scholar Kemon, I will allow you to accompany Lord Arryn on his journey."
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