Not long after Hidolf left, a large fleet slowly docked.
Loren disembarked with a group of guards and knights.
The banner of the Lion of the Westerlands flapped in the sea breeze.
After Loren disembarked, a huge cage was carried down by the sailors.
Meanwhile, after Aegon received news of the Westerlands fleet's arrival, he personally went to the dock to greet them, showing how much he valued their arrival.
However, Aegon was stunned as soon as he arrived at the dock; a huge cage covered with a black cloth was being carried down.
"Your Highness!" Loren immediately greeted Aegon upon seeing him.
"You must be Sir Loren. What is this?" Aegon curiously examined the cage covered by the black cloth.
"This is a small gift from the Duke to Your Highness."
Saying this, Loren waved his hand, signaling the sailors to lift the black cloth.
Whoosh—
The black cloth was lifted, and a male lion with a golden mane appeared before Aegon's eyes.
"This is one of the most majestic male lions in the Westerlands, Handsome Boy, and his golden mane is absolutely unique!"
Aegon blinked. Although the lion's mane was indeed beautiful and its physique majestic...
But Aegon's Dragon is the 'golden bright' Sunfyre!
Sunfyre is the most majestic and beautiful Dragon in the history of the Targaryens and the entire world!
However, Aegon's reaction speed was king-level. After a quick glance at the fleet's size, he immediately put on a smile.
"I heard that Duke Jason has two lion-king level male lions, one with a black mane and one with a golden one. This wouldn't happen to be one of them, would it?"
Upon hearing this, a brilliant smile instantly appeared on Loren's face.
"That's right, Handsome Boy is one of them. The Duke believes Handsome Boy's golden mane is a perfect match for Your Highness."
"Duke Jason's gift is truly too generous, and he even arranged fifteen warships to assist. Thank you so much!"
"Your Highness, you are too kind. The Duke specifically instructed that the first batch of twenty large ships that arrived can be given to you for one year.
The subsequent second and third batches are conscripted, so they need to return to House Lannister Port as soon as possible. Please forgive us."
Aegon was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected the Westerlands' support to be so significant!
Every cargo ship has a lifespan. Jason giving him twenty large cargo ships for a year's use was a huge help to Aegon.
Aegon had originally been considering sending warships to Tyrosh Island to pick people up, but unexpectedly, aid from the Westerlands arrived.
"What are you saying? Twenty warships are too important to me."
Aegon chuckled.
"To be honest, the Stepstones are very short on people right now, extremely short!
Vast stretches of wasteland need manpower to cultivate. I plan to 'pluck' from the Triarchy."
"'Pluck' from the Triarchy?" Loren was startled. "They are all merchants, greedy and cunning. Are you sure?"
"Not their free folk, but slaves."
"Slaves?"
For a moment, Loren didn't know what to say.
"Your Highness, buying and selling slaves is illegal. If the Black Party finds out, things will become very troublesome."
"Ha, who said I was going to buy slaves?" Aegon laughed heartily. "I'm just accepting refugees from all over the world."
Aegon recounted the entire story of the Rebel Army on Tyrosh Island, leaving Loren utterly speechless with shock.
Although it sounded far-fetched, why did it somehow make perfect sense?
If slaves revolt, they are no longer slaves; they are the Rebel Army, or one could say, refugees.
Sending ships to pick people up at this time, with no monetary transaction, how can that be called buying and selling slaves?
"I understand. Your Highness's move is truly brilliant. The Lannister Fleet will obey your command!" Loren said with a serious expression.
"No rush, we'll depart in two days. There's still plenty of time. I'll host a welcoming feast for everyone. You can all rest for a day first." Aegon said with a smile.
The combined fleet, led by the Lannister Family, brought a large number of tenant farmers.
In addition, there were large amounts of gold dragons, supplies, and manpower.
Now with the cargo ships, the gold dragons in Aegon's hands finally had a real use.
Evening.
Aegon settled the newly arrived tenant farmers and was preparing the welcoming feast, while also taking stock of the current supplies.
"Your Highness, there is the latest news." Sir Klaken appeared holding a letter.
Taking the letter, Aegon couldn't help but laugh after just a few glances, but he patiently read it to the end.
After finishing, he tossed the letter onto the table.
"It seems the Triarchy aren't all fools after all." Aegon's lips curved upwards.
The content of the letter was simple, containing three main pieces of news.
Just a few days ago, the Triarchy publicly announced that they were officially declaring war on Aegon Targaryen.
Aegon couldn't help but want to laugh when he read this.
The Triarchy publicly announced they were declaring war on Aegon Targaryen, not the Seven Kingdoms. That shows quite a bit of skill.
If the Triarchy had declared war directly on the Seven Kingdoms, Aegon couldn't even imagine what a mess the Seven Kingdoms would be arguing in.
The other pieces of news publicly announced by the Triarchy were also quite interesting.
Aegon was portrayed as the vanguard of House Targaryen's ambition to rebuild the Valyrian Empire.
Meanwhile, the Triarchy became the fearless champions defending Essos, and they formed an Anti-Dragon Alliance, inviting all Free Cities to join.
Finally, the root cause of the slave revolt in Tyrosh was also blamed on Aegon.
Tyrosh's exact words were: Aegon Targaryen secretly supported the slave revolt in Tyrosh and is preparing to completely abolish slavery on the continent of Essos, ultimately ruling all the cities and rebuilding Valyria!
In just three pieces of news, Aegon was saddled with two big accusations.
Although Aegon did indeed harbor such thoughts, he had never publicly announced any similar information.
However, Aegon had already been mentally prepared.
If the Triarchy couldn't even manage these minor tactics, they wouldn't have been able to run rampant in the Stepstones for so long.
They had even extended their reach towards Pentos.
"The news released by the Triarchy is very unfavorable to us, Your Highness."
Sir Klaken advised.
"We must respond to this as quickly as possible to avoid being jointly targeted by the Free Cities."
Once we are jointly targeted by the Free Cities, it will be troublesome.
Especially Volantis, where the slave trade is prevalent, its strength is absolutely no weaker than any Duke in the Seven Kingdoms!
Volantis is located in the eastern part of the Disputed Lands, at the mouth of the Rhoyne River.
It is the Free City closest to Valyria.
It is known as 'Valyria's Eldest Daughter,' 'Queen of the Rhoyne,' and 'Mistress of the Summer Sea.'
"Sir Klaken, even if the Free Cities unite, they don't have Dragons, do they?" Loren said with a smile.
Sir Klaken looked at Loren and said in a deep voice, "Having Dragons can indeed win wars, but it's not a permanent solution.
Your Highness wants a peaceful, prosperous, and thriving territory, not one constantly harassed by endless slave soldiers."
Hearing this, Loren didn't refute but nodded in strong agreement.
If we talk solely about war, having four Dragons certainly means we won't lose.
But given the nature of the Free Cities, they will definitely send large numbers of slave soldiers on ships equipped with catapults and ballistae to the Stepstones to cause trouble.
In any case, slave masters are least short of slaves; they won't feel bad even if they are lost in war.
In contrast, Aegon, although assisted by Dragons, is currently most lacking in population and simply cannot afford losses.
"Sir Klaken is right, but it's not that serious.
If all goes as planned, the Rebel Army on Tyrosh Island will soon become my 'blood transfusion heart'.
At that time, the problem of insufficient manpower will be easily solved, and whether the Free Cities unite or not won't matter."
As long as there is enough manpower, Aegon will quickly be able to raise an army capable of campaigning anywhere in coordination with the Dragons.
He has plenty of ways to deal with those Free Cities that think they are powerful!
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