"Ser Ronald, have you ever heard the saying, 'We Do Not Sow'?"
Ronald nodded, indicating he certainly knew.
This saying was the famous House Greyjoy's motto, the ruling family of the Iron Islands rebels who were currently rebelling against the kingdom.
Lord Suleiman spoke slowly, his gaze sweeping across the tent ceiling, as if seeing the scene from that day in Sea Dragon Point.
On a certain stretch of coast in Sea Dragon Point.
"The Ironborn longships surged onto the shallows, propelled by the waves, and over a hundred Ironborn roared as they leapt into waist-deep water, their blades and axes glinting in the interplay of sea and sunlight. They formed no ranks, not even any discernible formation, but merely spread out, shouting loudly, charging towards our neatly arrayed formation of over five hundred men."
"In their eyes, it was as if they faced not a battle formation of dense spears and tight shield walls, but a group of beautiful women who had stripped naked and spread themselves out to await them."
"They sought gaps in our lines, roaring, cursing, and intimidating our soldiers. Then, seizing opportunities, they leaped one by one directly into our army formation, one after another, wielding weapons with terrifying roars, biting through our necks with their teeth, quenching their thirst with our blood, and using our severed limbs and guts as decorations."
"There were screams everywhere, cries of pain everywhere, and what followed was the collapse and flight of our army formations, one after another."
"No matter how hoarsely the leaders in the rear shouted or cursed, the rout formed like a tide, unstoppable."
Lord Raymon Dayne and Ser Ronald listened in silence to Lord Suleiman's account; neither of them spoke.
Lord Suleiman watched them silently and continued, speaking slowly, "They are not afraid of death; they even crave it."
"Their god is the Drowned God, and they believe that those who die in battle enter the Drowned God's halls. Those who die in battle will enjoy endless feasts in the Drowned God's watery palace, and all their wishes will be granted by mermaids."
"The people of the Iron Islands never carry any money, because they only pay the iron price, which is not bought with money or goods, but taken from fallen enemies."
"They slaughter the people on the green lands, plunder their wealth, rape their wives and daughters. To them, this is the Ironborn way of life."
"They need no orders, no encouragement; they are born for battle and plunder."
His voice was not loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet tent.
Lord Raymon and Ser Ronald had to admit that Lord Suleiman was an excellent storyteller.
"And the soldiers of Castle Darry," Lord Suleiman said with a smile, looking at Raymon Dayne and Ser Ronald.
His tone held no mockery, merely stating to them: "They all seem like very capable young men, their clothes neat, their weapons polished. They know how to drill, how to form ranks, how to obey commands."
"But they are farmers, craftsmen, town dwellers."
"Most of them have never experienced war, having only been conscripted by their lord to fulfill their duty, and some even provide their own equipment."
"They have homes, land, wives, and children."
"They are afraid of getting injured, afraid of losing limbs, and being unable to work and support their families when they return."
"They are afraid of death, because their land would be taken, and their families would starve."
"They know how to fight enemies similar to themselves."
"But they absolutely do not know how to fight a group of warriors born for plunder, for battle, for risking their lives."
Lord Suleiman paused, his gaze turning to Ser Ronald: "Now, do you still think your soldiers are as brave and willing to die as them?"
Ser Ronald wanted to retort, but the scene Lord Suleiman described was completely different from the traditional Westeros war images in his mind.
For a moment, he didn't know how to speak.
The soldiers he had always trained were for dealing with other lords' armies, those frontal battles with infantry formations, archer suppression, and knight charges.
He could indeed guarantee that the knights and the soldiers of House Dayne were brave and willing to die, but he truly couldn't guarantee that the conscripted soldiers were brave and willing to die.
Raymon Dayne listened to Lord Suleiman's description, a thoughtful expression appearing on his young face.
He had never participated in battle, and his understanding of war mostly came from books and the accounts of elders.
Lord Suleiman's words, though cruel, carried a sense of reality he had never heard before.
He remembered his brothers, who died at the Trident River, in a large-scale battle.
Raymon Dayne asked, "So, what should be done?"
His question showed his interest in Lord Suleiman's military strategy.
But he also knew that some people might be good at identifying problems but not at solving them.
So Raymon Dayne held no hope for this; he thought of discussing this issue at the next vassal and knight council.
Ser Ronald's face darkened even further upon seeing his lord asking a sixteen-year-old boy for military strategy.
Lord Suleiman did not answer immediately.
He quickly calculated in his mind.
He knew he couldn't say too much, nor could he appear to be a military expert, as this would not align with his age and expected knowledge.
After all, his family couldn't even afford a maester, so he couldn't explain the source of this knowledge. The matters of the Ironborn could perhaps be explained as something he heard others discuss while fighting in the Sea Dragon Point region.
Most of his knowledge came from history, games, and novels from before he transmigrated.
He had to carefully give advice, making it useful but not exposing himself.
Lord Suleiman weighed his words.
"My Lord."
"I do not have Ser Ronald's extensive experience. What I speak of is merely what I have seen and felt."
He first humbled himself to alleviate Ser Ronald's hostility.
Lord Suleiman touched his head.
"If I had to say, I think the key is not to give the Ironborn a chance to leverage their advantages."
"The Ironborn are excellent swimmers and are not afraid of drowning; they can even move on the sea in heavy armor as if on flat ground."
"They are skilled at surprise attacks, prefer close-quarters combat, profit from chaos, and employ swift guerrilla tactics when plundering."
"They rely on their savagery and fanaticism. Our soldiers, if drawn into that kind of close-quarters melee, would suffer heavy losses."
"However, I believe that once the Ironborn encounter elite soldier formations, as long as the formation can be maintained and no weaknesses are shown, the Ironborn are absolutely no match."
He paused, organizing his next thoughts.
But if using Castle Darry's army as an example...
"My idea is to avoid fighting them in that manner."
"If we are forced to face them, perhaps we should choose terrain advantageous to us and find a way to disrupt their rhythm."
The core idea was "avoiding their strengths and playing to our own," but Lord Suleiman spoke somewhat vaguely.
Ser Ronald, upon hearing this, although still dissatisfied with Lord Suleiman's opening remarks, felt that what this young man said seemed to genuinely show some understanding, not entirely nonsense.
But he still found it somewhat surprising that a child could say such things.
Raymon Dayne nodded thoughtfully. Although Lord Suleiman's words were simple, they indeed pinpointed the core of the problem.
Castle Darry's army was not accustomed to the Ironborn's fighting style; they must avoid getting drawn into that kind of chaotic melee.
Raymon Dayne looked at Lord Suleiman, as if seeing himself.
Two equally young nobles: one lost his closest kin without experiencing war, and the other witnessed the death of his closest kin at sixteen.
"Ser Ronald," Raymon Dayne suddenly said.
"You have heard Lord Suleiman's views. Take his advice into consideration."
"During the upcoming march, strengthen reconnaissance, especially near coastlines or rivers."
"When choosing campsites, be even more cautious, and ensure the encampment is fortified."
"As you command, My Lord." Ser Ronald glanced at Lord Suleiman, his expression complex.
Raymon Dayne looked at Lord Suleiman, his eyes gentle: "Ser Suleiman, thank you for your advice."
This was meant to be the end of the conversation.
"Thank you, My Lord." Giving useful advice to Castle Darry was also a way to repay Raymon Dayne for his hospitality.
During his days in the camp, he observed that from the lowest-ranking soldiers to the knights, officers, and noble vassals, everyone greatly underestimated the Ironborn.
In their perception, the Ironborn seemed to be pirate beggars wearing ragged armor, wielding broken copper and iron, or even wooden sticks.
He hoped Lord Raymon Dayne would have good luck.
Lord Suleiman silently offered a blessing in his heart, then turned and walked out of the tent.
Suddenly.
"Wait," Raymon Dayne called out, stopping him.
Lord Suleiman wondered why.
Raymon Dayne looked at him and said, "I hope you and your two guards can share your experiences of fighting the Ironborn with my soldiers."
Lord Suleiman turned back: "Will there be pay?"
Raymon Dayne smiled at him and said, "Of course, Ser Suleiman!"