Ser Brynden nodded and added, "Yes, Edmure Tully couldn't resist the adults' pleas and let them go, but he never understood that the more the enemy wants us to do something, the less we should let them have their way."
"Moreover, I intercepted a message that Tywin, the old lion, has arranged for Stafford Lannister to train new troops in the Westerlands. This is a good opportunity for us. As long as we lead troops into the Westerlands, we can eliminate this new army while they are still undertrained."
"At that time, the entire Westerlands will only be able to defend, and we will be free to attack wherever we want."
After speaking, Ser Brynden looked at Eddard, clearly inviting him to speak.
Eddard understood and applauded, "Hmm, good plan."
Then he looked at Robb Stark and asked, "Your Majesty, are you planning to maneuver with Tywin within the Westerlands to prevent him from focusing on King's Landing, or are you preparing to use the speed of horses to make a long-distance raid from the Westerlands back to the Riverlands, then find a good place near Golden Tooth to ambush and heavily defeat the Lannisters?"
Robb was momentarily stunned, as if recalling something, then fell into thought.
"The first one."
Seeing Robb start thinking, Ser Brynden continued to explain the plan.
"We plan to let Tywin chase us into the Westerlands, happily chasing for a while, all the way to the coast, while we leave earlier via the Golden Road further south, then occupy the advantageous terrain we've already found, waiting for the enemy to attack."
"If they fight, they will suffer heavy losses. If they don't, they can only be dragged into the Westerlands by us, wasting resources and watching the Baratheon army capture King's Landing."
Eddard looked at the King and the knight with sincere praise: "I have to say, this plan is quite brilliant."
He then asked, "Since Your Majesty summoned me to discuss, I will speak without reservation. I ask the two sirs to allow me to finish."
The young King nodded, "Karstark, speak freely. This is my promise."
At this time, Robb's opinion of House Karstark was still good.
Toren Karstark died fighting to protect him.
Count Rickard bowed in public for his father and sister, abandoning his demand to kill Jaime Lannister.
Eddard Karstark offered advice and struck hard at the enemy.
If this wasn't loyalty, what was?
"Your Majesty, I have no doubt you can lead the army into the Westerlands. When Duke Tywin receives the news, in order to rush back quickly, he will lead a large army straight to Golden Tooth along the River Road."
"I wonder, have you considered Edmure Tully and the other Riverlands nobles' reactions?"
Robb nodded.
"I've thought about it. I will order my uncle to hold Riverrun to the death and not interfere with the Lannisters' march."
Indeed, like in the original, he didn't plan to tell Edmure anything.
If he did, when Tywin died, Tywin wouldn't be able to return to the Westerlands.
Eddard shook his head. "If that's all, then this plan is likely to fail."
Ser Brynden was about to retort, but Robb stopped him with a look.
He had promised Eddard could speak freely.
Eddard smiled nonchalantly. "During my time in Riverrun, I heard Edmure Tully is kind-hearted—no, exceptionally kind to the point he can't bear seeing commoners harmed."
"When Riverrun was under siege, he took in many refugees, adding to the castle's food burden. Not long ago, he even released other lords to reclaim lost lands."
Eddard looked at the two puzzled men. "Your Majesty, Ser Brynden, think about it: with Edmure's nature, will he obey orders if he knows nothing?"
"Most likely, he will gather the Riverlands lords and choose a defensible place to fight a decisive battle with the old lion."
Ser Brynden's eyes filled with anger. "Eddard Karstark! Edmure has already led the Riverlands lords to pledge allegiance to Robb as King. How could he defy orders because he can't bear to see commoners suffer?"
"You shouldn't speak nonsense just because you have a little cleverness."
The "Blackfish" was stubborn and ruthless. He would not hesitate to drive away any irrelevant people defending the city.
He also was extremely loyal and responsible.
Robb frowned deeply but seemed to understand a little.
Previously, Stark had suffered a great change.
Ultimately, his father couldn't bear the pleas of King Robert and died at Joffrey's hands because of that.
If he had been more ruthless and selfish then, the outcome would be different.
At least he wouldn't bear the burden of the North and Riverlands like this.
Robb looked at Eddard with surprise.
Why did this man, only a few years older, think so far ahead?
When making the plan, he hadn't even considered his uncle's character might ruin it.
Ser Brynden refuted Eddard's statement sharply, but Eddard only shrugged and said:
"When the Kingslayer led his army to attack the Riverlands, Edmure gathered vassals to fight but lost and was captured."
"For a duke's heir, this is a humiliation he urgently needs to wash away."
"So, if Edmure knows nothing and sees Tywin invading Riverrun again with enough strength to fight, will he stay obediently and watch the enemy triumph?"
"You should understand, right?"
Ser Brynden fell silent.
He knew Edmure would never miss this chance.
Once the Riverlands lords gather to block Tywin, Robb's plan will be disrupted and likely fail.
Eddard then suggested, "My lords, if you want the plan to succeed, perhaps Edmure should accompany Your Majesty to the Westerlands."
"Wouldn't it be better to change the commander at Riverrun? I think Ser Brynden is very suitable."
"No," Ser Brynden shook his head. "I will not take power in Riverrun unless absolutely necessary."
His eyes became friendlier, no longer distrustful.
"Isn't this exactly such a time? The Lannisters are eyeing us, and the Riverlands and North are in danger."
Eddard tried to persuade him, but Ser Brynden refused.
Robb then said, "You two don't need to argue. I'm going to change the plan."
"Change it?"
Brynden and Eddard asked in unison.
Brynden thought changing the plan easily was childish.
Eddard was surprised at how quickly Robb was influenced.
After all, Lady Catelyn had not yet released the Kingslayer, and the Ironborn hadn't harmed Robb's brothers in Winterfell.
Robb looked confident. "The initial plan to lure the enemy out remains, but what Karstark said reminded me."
"We don't need to tie them down at the Golden Road; we can try another approach."
He pointed to Harrenhal: "According to Lord Bolton's intelligence, the old lion holds the castle with at least 20,000 men. We can't attack by force."
"But if we lure them out, the situation changes."
Then he pointed to Riverrun: "We can gather 11,000 infantry and 9,000 cavalry, almost matching the enemy."
"Ser Brynden and I will follow the original plan, leaving with most cavalry, breaking into the Westerlands from Golden Tooth to eliminate the new recruits, then attack Lannisport to force Tywin back."
Previously, his foster brother Theon had suggested an alliance between the North and Iron Islands.
Robb believed Northern cavalry and Iron Islands fleet could take Lannisport.
This was why he planned to attack the Westerlands.
His finger traced the River Road from Harrenhal to Golden Tooth.
"Once Tywin leads troops toward Golden Tooth, my uncle will send word by raven and prepare for battle."
"When we receive the news, we will leave the Westerlands along the Golden Road, head north through Stone Sept and Red Pink City, and ambush near Golden Tooth."
"If possible, we'll surprise and rout them in one blow. If not, after meeting with Riverrun forces, we will be strong enough to confront the enemy."
"If we stop Tywin and prevent him from reinforcing King's Landing, the plan will succeed, and my uncle can wash away his shame."
Eddard studied the map and Robb thoughtfully.
He had thought of this plan and contributed to it.
In the original, Ser Foeller's remnants numbered over 5,000, influencing the battle.
Now, without them, Golden Tooth's garrison has lost offensive capability.
Even with these threats gone, the plan had issues.
From Casterly Rock to Golden Tooth, Northern cavalry would travel at least three times Tywin's distance.
Even if all cavalry, could they arrive in time?
Even if they did, would they be fit to fight after such a long journey?
Even if successful, they wouldn't have a numerical advantage. Wouldn't they risk being defeated one by one?
And Roose Bolton still held Karin Bay with 10,000 men.
If Tywin left Harrenhal, what would he do there? Just watch?
That would ruin the Northern soldiers, including Karstark's 2,000 infantry.
Eddard voiced these concerns and casually mentioned Bolton's army to let Robb consider.
As a strategist, a nanny, he was here to do this.
Robb wasn't angry; he recognized Karstark's ability and welcomed advice.
His father had taught him to listen to vassals and make choices.
Now King, he understood.
Robb refined the plan.
"Karstark, thank you for reminding me the Lord of Dreadfort still has 10,000 warriors."
"If Tywin leaves Harrenhal, Karin Bay won't need defense."
"Once we depart, we'll send word to Roose Bolton to move toward Twin River City. If the plan works, he'll reach Riverrun in time."
"Once Tywin passes Riverrun, Northern and Riverlands forces head south. After joining us, we will have 30,000 men, outnumbering the old lion."
"Even if we can't do more, we can force Tywin back, giving Baratheon time to capture King's Landing."
"If all goes well, the war should end."