Blackstone Pass, after the war, was filled with the excitement and busyness of victory.
The morning sun shone over the land, yet it could not wash away the bloodstains left on the battlefield or the smell of yesterday's gunpowder.
However, for the people of the Blackstone Family, this bloody scent carried a long-lost hope.
Roderick had been awake all night, discussing the battle results and subsequent plans in his study with Rolan, Greg, and Captain Beren.
"In this battle, our side had zero fatalities, three seriously wounded, and several lightly wounded. The enemy had ninety-six killed, one hundred ninety-eight captured, including Erwin Fowler and Gregory Grover, two lords."
Captain Beren's face was covered in blood, yet he could not hide the excitement beneath his fatigue. "We captured about fifty horses, about two hundred sets of various weapons and armor, as well as some food and money. Additionally, there was a batch of supplies in the enemy's accompanying army tents."
Roderick nodded in satisfaction.
A record of zero casualties was nothing short of a miracle.
This was not only due to his precise strategic deployment but also to the superb combat power of the system guards and the well-trained old guards.
"Rolan, immediately inventory the supplies. Collect all usable weapons and armor into the treasury, and melt down and recast the inferior ones. Deposit the food and money into the family's treasury and granary. All wounded soldiers shall receive the best medical treatment and compensation, and be given appropriate rewards according to the severity of their injuries!" Roderick said in a deep voice, "As for the captives..."
He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Interrogate them separately. Find the stubborn elements and those who have committed heinous crimes, and execute them publicly. As for the rest, inform them that if they are willing to pledge allegiance to the Blackstone Family and work for the Blackstone Family for three years, they can gain freedom and land. Those unwilling will be made slaves and sent to the mines."
Rolan and Greg's hearts tightened. My Lord, though young, acted with such decisiveness and severity.
In Westeros, such treatment of captives, though cruel, was a common practice among nobles.
Roderick's move could not only deplete the enemy's living forces but also supplement his own labor, and more importantly, it could deter others with ill intentions.
"As for Erwin Fowler and Gregory Grover." Roderick's eyes were cold. "Imprison them separately and guard them strictly. I need them to sign two documents. One is a formal surrender, acknowledging the Blackstone Family as the victor and ceding a portion of their territory to the Blackstone Family. The other is an appeal for help to the House Tully, admitting they waged war against the Blackstone Family and requesting Duke Tully to arbitrate."
"My Lord... this..." Rolan hesitated. "If we directly annex their territories, Duke Tully might not agree."
"Of course, I know that." Roderick's lips curled slightly. "That's why I want them to appeal to Duke Tully for help and request arbitration. We cannot directly annex, but we can force Duke Tully to make a ruling that is favorable to us, or at least acknowledge our de facto control over a portion of their territories. This both adheres to the laws of Westeros and gives the House Tully a way out, while maximizing our interests."
Rolan suddenly understood.
Such sophisticated political maneuvering could not have been mastered by a young man who had just taken over as lord.
His gaze towards Roderick now held not only awe but also a deeper, hidden admiration.
"Captain Beren, your command in this battle was calm and strong, and all participating soldiers will receive rewards." Roderick turned to Beren. "I have decided to select one hundred of the most promising old guards and new recruits from under your command to form the second 'Blackstone Guard', which you will personally train, with Shadow Guard Number One assisting and guiding. Their equipment will be as excellent as that of the first Blackstone Guard. Furthermore, you will be appointed 'Garrison Commander' of Blackstone Pass, fully responsible for the territory's defense and army training."
"Thank... thank you, My Lord!" Beren's voice trembled with excitement.
This was not only a show of trust but also bestowed upon him immense power and honor.
He could finally pour his ambitions into the family's army building.
"Shadow Guard Number One, your duties remain unchanged, but from now on, you will primarily be responsible for the establishment and early teaching of the 'Junior Military Academy'. I will select a group of talented young people from the guard for you to personally instruct, training them to become future officers and commanders." Roderick looked at Shadow Guard Number One.
Shadow Guard Number One bowed and accepted the order: "Yes, My Lord."
He did not speak much, but a subtle glimmer of anticipation flickered in his eyes.
Subsequently, Roderick showed the blueprint for the Junior Military Academy to Greg.
"Greg, this blueprint is for the construction of a special academy. I hope the academy will be located on a relatively open hillside behind the castle. Build it as quickly as possible. This is the foundation for the future rise of my Blackstone Family!"
Greg took the blueprint, his eyes filled with curiosity and shock.
The architectural structure and internal layout on the blueprint were completely different from any school or training ground he had seen, full of efficiency and practicality.
"Yes! My Lord! Greg will do his utmost!" Greg responded loudly.
Blackstone Pass was immersed in a busy and excited atmosphere.
Ore mining continued without stop, the construction of irrigation canals for farmland was completed, and the construction of the military academy was also on the agenda.
The decisive action and long-term planning displayed by Roderick filled everyone with confidence in the future of the Blackstone Family.
As Roderick expected, his battle report was like a thunderclap, resounding in the western Riverlands.
Riverrun, Winterfell, the Eyrie, and the Iron Islands all received detailed battle reports from Blackstone Pass.
Edmure Tully's face was ashen in the Riverrun council chamber after hearing Holder Rivers' detailed report and Roderick's battle report.
He never expected that Roderick, this mere youth, could achieve such a brilliant victory, and with zero casualties!
What angered him even more was that Erwin Fowler and Gregory Grover, two vassals who usually treated his House Tully with utmost respect, had actually voluntarily signed surrender documents to the Blackstone Family and requested the House Tully to arbitrate.
"Damn Roderick Blackstone!" Edmure angrily slammed the battle report onto the table. "He is openly challenging the authority of my House Tully!"
However, anger aside, he had to admit that Roderick Blackstone's displayed military strength and political acumen had made him impossible to ignore.
If he directly sent troops to suppress them, it would not only fail to guarantee victory but also deplete Riverrun's strength, giving the restless House Lannister an opportunity.
"Father, this matter must be handled with caution." Catelyn Tully said calmly. "The Blackstone Family's actions this time were a defensive counterattack, and highly successful. If we rashly send troops, we will lose the moral high ground and make other vassals think we are untrustworthy. Moreover, Blackstone Pass is geographically important; if it can be used by my House Tully, it would serve as a good barrier."
Duke Hoster Tully, though old, was still clear-headed.
He coughed a few times, a shrewd glint flashing in his cloudy eyes: "Catelyn is right. Edmure, the Blackstone Family fought well this time, and it gave us a reminder. However, since he handed Erwin and Gregory over to us for arbitration, then as the suzerain family, we will give him a reasonable ruling."
Ultimately, the House Tully made a ruling favorable to the Blackstone Family.
They acknowledged Roderick Blackstone's right to counterattack against House Vance and House Grover.
The ruling was: Erwin Fowler and Gregory Grover must pay a huge ransom to Roderick Blackstone and formally cede a portion of their respective territories, including pastures, forests, and mines, to the Blackstone Family. Additionally, the remaining territories of the two families would be subject to special supervision by Riverrun and would provide additional labor and material compensation to the Blackstone Family for a long period. The Blackstone Family, in turn, pledged to continue its allegiance to the House Tully.
This arbitration document was sent to Blackstone Pass by Riverrun's ravens.
Roderick glanced at the arbitration document and smiled with satisfaction.
Although there was no complete annexation, this outcome was a huge victory for the Blackstone Family.
It both saved face for the House Tully and brought tangible benefits to the Blackstone Family: land, resources, ransom, and labor.
Most importantly, through this arbitration, the House Tully implicitly acknowledged the strong rise of the Blackstone Family on the western frontier of The Riverlands and regarded it as a new defense line against surrounding threats.
[System Side Quest: Properly handle the results of the first victory, gain recognition from the suzerain family, and achieve legitimate expansion.]
[Quest Complete! Reward: 400 overlord points, unlock "system store" advanced trade module, special reward: 'Junior Civil Officer Academy' construction blueprint.]
"Advanced trade module!" Roderick's eyes lit up. This was exactly what he urgently needed next.
For Blackstone Pass to develop, self-sufficiency was far from enough; he needed foreign trade to earn more money and influence.
And the "Junior Civil Officer Academy" construction blueprint perfectly complemented his talent cultivation plan.
Military and civil officers, both hands grasping, both hands must be strong!
He immediately summoned Rolan and Greg and assigned the new tasks.
"Rolan, we will now have new land and population influx. You will be fully responsible for the integration and management of these areas, planning new villages, and implementing our advanced agricultural techniques. At the same time, I need you to begin preparations for the 'Junior Civil Officer Academy', selecting students from the literate and talented young people in our territory. We need excellent talents who understand management, law, and trade."
Rolan bowed excitedly: "Yes, My Lord!" He knew this was another significant responsibility Roderick entrusted to him.
Roderick also purchased some technical blueprints on "Basic Trade Route Planning" and "Market Insight Analysis" from the system store using overlord points and handed them to Rolan, instructing him to quickly learn and apply them.
"As for Erwin Fowler and Gregory Grover, since the House Tully has already arbitrated, then execute according to the ruling." Roderick's eyes were deep. "Have them pay the ransom. Once the land and resources are received, as for their territories, we will not station troops there for now, but we will send management teams. At the same time, publicly announce that their territories have voluntarily formed a military alliance and economic mutual assistance with Blackstone Pass."
Roderick's move was to legally annex parts of the two families' territories through the House Tully, and indirectly control the remaining parts under the name of "alliance." This was a gentle annexation without declaring war.
By then, the Blackstone Family's territory had expanded by nearly one-third, and its population had increased by about fifteen hundred, including two small iron mines and a fertile pasture.
The ransoms from the two families also greatly alleviated the Blackstone Family's financial pressure.
The true rise of Blackstone Pass was beginning to emerge.
However, Roderick knew this was just the beginning.
The game of thrones in Westeros was just entering its most intense phase.
He stood on the watchtower, gazing at the newly acquired lands under his command.
To the north was the distant Winterfell.
To the east was the House Tully's Riverrun.
To the west was the rich yet greedy Westerlands of the House Lannister.
The great figures who commanded the winds and clouds in the original story—Joffrey, Cersei, Tywin, Daenerys, the Mother of Dragons, the House Stark, and even the Others—would all appear one after another.
Roderick gripped the longsword in his hand, his eyes filled with ambition and determination.
He not only wanted to gain a firm foothold in this grand drama but also to change the script and become the master.
"Winter is coming?" Roderick muttered to himself, "No, my era is coming!"
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