Inside the Duke's study in Eyrie, Greene Kleber, Baron Gryphon, and Scholar Elrin were discussing the political affairs of the Valley.
Scholar Elrin flipped through the note in his hand and said, "My Lord, according to the report from the acting governor of Seagull Town, recently all the operas and dances in Seagull Town have been promoting your prestige and benevolence, and most of those troupes come from the Riverlands."
After glancing at the note in his hand again, he continued, "The acting governor reported that sixteen troupes from the Riverlands have almost booked all the stages in Seagull Town, with performances scheduled every day. Except for the stages watched by nobles, the open-air stages in the squares do not charge the audience a single copper star, and even attract people by distributing free bread. He suspects this is an intentional arrangement, but has not yet investigated the true purpose of those people."
Gryven Huth looked at Scholar Elrin in confusion: "Elrin, has Seagull Town investigated the specific employers?"
Scholar Elrin shook his head slightly and said, "The messenger ravens from Seagull Town have not yet sent other intelligence; for now, we only know that they all come from the Riverlands."
Baron Gryphon pondered for a moment and said, "It could also mean they've already given us the answer; the employers of those troupes are very likely people from the Riverlands."
Greene's calm voice sounded, "It's House Tyrell of the Riverlands."
"Golden Rose?" Baron Gryphon said something redundant in his surprise.
Greene nodded slightly and said, "The Marigold and the Golden Rose have a deep friendship."
The corners of his mouth curved slightly, and he added, "Previously, the Cleber Legion's military provisions mostly came from the generous support of the Golden Rose."
Baron Gryphon was stunned, trying hard to suppress the corners of his mouth from turning up, and said, "My Lord, you and Lord Tyrell…"
Before he could think of what to say, Greene spoke, "Military victory is the most important step."
He tapped the wide armrest with his finger: "Now, with the support of Queen Mother Cersei and King Joffrey in the Red Keep, and the aid from the Duke of Highgarden in the south, no one can shake Kleber's rule in the Valley."
After Greene finished speaking, Baron Gryphon said, "My Lord, you will always be the master of the Valley; the Hersy Family will always be at your command, always loyal to you, as the gods in heaven bear witness."
Scholar Elrin echoed, "You have opened a new chapter in a great history, my Lord."
Greene's eyebrows raised slightly; indeed… compared to the vassals of Crab Claw Peninsula, the vassals of the Valley are more cultured.
He motioned for Brienne to pour wine for the three of them and said, "We are still one piece of paper away from Kleber's legitimate rule."
Scholar Elrin interjected, "Legitimacy acknowledged by the King and the Small Council, this will benefit your rule in the Valley."
"Thank you." Greene picked up the wine glass filled by Brienne, took a sip, and said, "So, we need to help Prime Minister Tywin in the Riverlands, which will make things simpler."
Gryven nodded in agreement, but Scholar Elrin hesitated and said, "My Lord, if you intend to start a war, I suggest you… wait for some time, at least until after the Valley's harvest season ends."
He looked up at the silent Greene, opened his mouth, and continued, "It's best to wait until after the Moon Gate Castle Tournament (Chapter 264) is over; by then, there will be new Valley Knights, loyal to you and belonging to you, serving you."
Licking his somewhat dry lips, he added, "The flatlands of the Riverlands are very suitable for cavalry to gallop."
Baron Gryphon looked at the wrinkled Scholar Elrin, staring, and said, "Scholar, Lord Green is invincible."
Regarding Baron Gryphon's words, Scholar Elrin did not argue; a scholar is a lord's advisor, and he was merely fulfilling his duty.
"The Moon Gate Castle Tournament is very important."
After a pause, Greene continued, "The most important thing for the Valley is stability and recovery. The Cleber Soldiers here will not be moved. I will only take 100 Valley Knights and Klaeber Tribe Soldiers out of the Blood Gate."
Scholar Elrin looked at his lord: "Lord Green, forgive my presumption, but are you planning to… directly mobilize the Clan Soldiers from Crab Claw Peninsula?"
Greene put down his wine glass and said, "My loyal scholar, you don't need to worry about the issue of troops. Kleber's Crab Claw Peninsula territory is quite special; every one of its people there is an excellent warrior. I can mobilize as many Clan Soldiers as I have people."
He shrugged his shoulders as if helpless and continued, "The premise is having enough food."
Since Scholar Elrin joined the "Greene Group," most of his time had been spent writing letters and sending messenger ravens. His understanding of Crab Claw Peninsula mostly came from books he had read, and thus… it could be said he understood very little.
Hearing the content in Greene's words, the scholar's curiosity was immediately piqued. He was about to ask further, but was interrupted by Baron Gryphon.
Baron Gryphon bowed slightly towards Greene and said aloud, "Lord Green, my eldest son, second son, and youngest son are at your command. I ask on their behalf to fight for you; this is the highest honor of the Hersy Family."
Greene's brown eyes seemed to see through people's hearts: "The swords and spears on the battlefield have no eyes. Leanne (Baron Gryphon's eldest son) is very reliable; let him stay in the Valley."
Baron Gryphon was moved; he bowed again: "Thank you for your benevolence, my Lord."
Greene looked at Scholar Elrin: "In a few days, Maester Al from Whispering Fort will arrive at Eyrie. You can learn more about Kleber's Crab Claw Peninsula territory from him."
Greene rose from his chair, and Baron Gryphon and Scholar Elrin also stood up.
Greene slowly walked to Scholar Elrin and said, "Kleber's ruled area is growing larger and larger. As a ruler, I need more scholars to form a Knightly Order of the Mind (Westeros scholars are also called Knights of the Mind) to provide me with your rich knowledge at any time."
After a pause, he continued, "Maester Al will be the Head Scholar, and you will be appointed as my Second Scholar."
Scholar Elrin was somewhat excited; he bowed slightly: "Thank you for your trust; this is the honor of my life, Lord Green."
The Scholar Advisory Group… While Baron Gryphon was weighing the pros and cons in his mind, Greene waved to him and said, "Loyal Gryven, come."
The three of them stood together in front of a long table with a map of the Riverlands spread out. Greene's finger pointed to the location of maidenpool and said, "My Clan Soldiers are already prepared nearby…"
Greene slowly explained his next plan. Westeros had no specific concept of counter-intelligence; this was his differential treatment for those he trusted. Lord Green's "love" for his subordinates… was often full of patience and initiative, and his request was very simple: just don't let down his good intentions.
After finishing the plan, Greene listened to Baron Gryphon's earnest advice. His gaze stopped at a location on the map, west of Crab Claw Peninsula—Rook's Rest.
… … … …
… … … …
Riverlands, Riverrun.
Uh… Robb Stark groaned sullenly.
Inside the slightly dim room, candlelight flickered. After a moment of panting, Robb paused, then climbed off the large wooden bed, reaching for his black robe.
Donning the robe, Robb's blue eyes shifted to Jeyne Westerling, who was lying on the bed.
His gaze slowly swept over Jeyne's curves; he smiled and said, "My Jeyne, if you don't cover yourself, you might just run into another Stark raid."
A pleasant yet somewhat seductive laugh rang out. Jeyne lay on her side, one hand propping up her flushed face. A pair of moist, beautiful eyes lingered on Robb, slowly surveying him from top to bottom. Jeyne's voice was slightly hoarse: "The poor Miss Westerling doesn't believe she'll be raided by a Stark Knight a fourth time today."
Robb grinned, "You'll regret it. This time I plan to change positions, unless you beg for mercy."
Jeyne's gaze fixed on Robb's waist, and she said hoarsely, "Brave Westerling women never beg for mercy."
Robb picked up the leather wineskin. He stared at the "fearless" Jeyne and took a large gulp of Northern strong wine. Casually tossing aside the wineskin, Robb was about to move when there was an urgent knock at the door.
Immediately after, Reynald Westerling's (Jeyne's brother) voice sounded: "Your Majesty, Earl Karstark has killed Martin Lannister (Ser Kevan's third son, currently Robb's captive, Chapter 262)."
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