Duke Mace Tyrell's cheeks puffed out for a moment, then he slowly said, "Rebuilding takes time and effort. I can give command of the Redwyne Fleet in Blackwater Bay to the Small Council, how about that?"
As the Golden Rose finished speaking, Green saw a glint of coldness in Duke Tywin Lannister's eyes, and his lips tightened slightly.
Hand of the King Tywin frowned and retorted, "Generous Lord Mace, are you planning to give the Redwyne ships to the Royal Fleet sailors who are waiting for new ones?"
Lord Mace blurted out, "How can that be?"
Duke Tywin stared at Lord Mace for a while before gritting his teeth and saying, "Then please reconsider my proposal."
Lannister was essentially "half-gifting" the Stormlands to House Tyrell. According to the proposal... once Joffrey and Margaery have a second son, who will inherit the Stormlands, House Tyrell will have ruling power over the Stormlands for nearly twenty years until that child comes of age. This is enough time to cultivate Stormlands nobles who are "close" to Tyrell. Moreover, that child will have half Tyrell blood, and even if he inherits the Stormlands... if handled properly, for example... by having that child marry a House Tyrell lady, House Tyrell's rule in the Stormlands might become unshakeable.
Thinking of this, Lord Mace's heart quickened, and he even felt his breathing become heavier. The supreme leader of the Riverlands immediately suppressed the excitement welling up within him.
But... Lord Mace was still hesitant. Would Lannister truly be so generous? He suspected Lannister might be hiding some conspiracy; he didn't trust Lannister.
Lord Mace's expression was actually well-hidden, but it didn't escape the Old Lion's eyes.
He seemed to see through the Golden Rose's thoughts: "I am for my grandson, and you are for your future grandson. Lannister and Tyrell might actively set aside personal hatred caused by accident, for all enemies of the Iron Throne, esteemed Lord Mace."
The Old Lion was an extremely proud man. Even if the situation required him to actively "reconcile" with the Golden Rose, he couldn't abandon his arrogant demeanor.
But Lord Mace was very satisfied with this. The Old Lion rarely lowered his proud head, which showed him Lannister's sincerity in cutting the cake.
He finally felt a little relieved.
"I accept your proposal, Duke Tywin."
After speaking, Lord Mace laughed heartily and even reached out to pat Duke Tywin's back as a sign of closeness.
His body stiff, the Old Lion's chest and abdomen rose and fell slightly, and he said calmly, "Very good."
"Duke Green."
After a pause, Duke Tywin pointed to a spot on the map, looked at Green, and said, "I want you to deal with this wounded stag, whether he lives or dies."
Looking at the location of Dragonstone on the map, Green's eyebrows raised slightly. Lannister was trying to send the two Dukes away from King's Landing... Was the Old Lion going to "single-handedly" take on the Direwolf to regain his honor? Or, more precisely... did he already have absolute confidence in victory?!
Lord Mace, still in a pleasant mood, saw Duke Tywin's finger pointing at Dragonstone, and his brow couldn't help but furrow slightly. After a pause, he resumed stroking his beard.
The Old Lion's voice sounded again: "Duke Green, after your army breaches Dragonstone, the person you propose will serve as the acting castellan of Dragonstone until the Crown Prince comes of age."
Green's brow had just furrowed when he continued, "Of the warships needed for the Royal Fleet's reconstruction, I can give half to the shipyards in Gulltown."
After a moment of silence, Green extended a finger, pointing to the location of Crab Island: "It should return to the Crab Claw Peninsula (Chapter 188)."
Duke Tywin's light green eyes moved slightly, and he said, "Duke Green, I hope you can serve as the Crown Prince's military tutor."
Hearing this, Duke Green and Duke Tywin looked at each other for a moment, then he shook his head slightly: "I am skilled in charging into battle, but King Joffrey's child..."
He offered a slight smile to the other person: "I think as the heir to the Iron Throne, he is more suited to learning the art of war from his grandfather."
Tonight was a blatant, large-scale transaction; the exchanges between the three Dukes were less subtle.
Glancing at the pleased Inflatable Fish, Duke Tywin calmly announced, "I will, in the King's name, re-examine the treason charges against Lord Ardrian Celtigar."
[The ruler of Crab Island, Lord Celtigar, once served Stannis. After being captured during the Battle of King's Landing, he submitted to King Joffrey (Chapter 267).]
In just a few words, the deal between Lannister and Crabb was struck. The result was that the ancient and noble House Celtigar, originating from the Freehold of Valyria, would completely lose its new ancestral lands—Crab Island—after leaving Valyria.
With Crab Island losing its original ruling family, Crabb could claim sovereignty over it, incorporating its nearly twenty thousand subjects into his domain, with legitimacy derived from the legendary hero of the Crab Claw Peninsula—Clarence Crabb—and with the Red Keep's support, he could legitimately take over House Celtigar's rule.
Green nodded and said, "I will mobilize my fleet as soon as possible."
Lord Mace hesitated, wanting to speak. He had originally wanted to grandly offer the Riverlands Fleet in Blackwater Bay to help, but after thinking about it, he held back... Stannis only had some broken ships left, this was a small matter, and he could ask about it another time.
Watching Green "bargain" with Duke Tywin, Lord Mace couldn't help but sigh, wishing he had another daughter. Perhaps he could also discuss the marriage between the next generation of Tyrell and the next generation of Crabb with Green.
Hmm, Willas's wife candidate must be chosen quickly, that way... the timing would be just right.
With the "cake" cut, Duke Tywin's gaze swept over those present and he said, "Lord Mace, Duke Green, next we will set the time for the military expedition."
..."Next, we will discuss the public trial."
...Stars twinkled like diamonds in the night sky. By the time Green walked out of the Prime Ministers Tower, it was late.
Seeing the person beside him seemed to be lost in thought, Green smiled and said, "Lord Mace, are you satisfied with tonight?"
Hearing Green's voice, Lord Mace's eyes blinked. He came back to himself, laughed heartily, and said, "I'll have to try the fine wine from Crab Island sometime."
"The honor is mine."
After a pause, Lord Mace glanced left and right, then pulled Green aside and said, "Green, don't you think Duke Tywin was too sincere tonight?"
After the initial "move" (moved/touched), Lord Mace's vigilance towards House Lannister once again took over. Some hatreds are hard to extinguish; interests merely suppress them temporarily.
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