Jon found that the Northern Army had always used the same old tactics for mutinies, coups, and enthronements.
He did have a plan to seize power, but not now; there was still a lot of time before Stannis attacked King's Landing, which was the Battle of the Blackwater.
And many variables could occur during this period.
Because he prevented Robb from becoming king, Robb no longer trusted him as before, and Roose Bolton might even reclaim the military power with a single letter.
What Jon wanted was to seize military power at the right time, and then, while everyone was still reacting, immediately lead the army to King's Landing.
Moreover, with the Northern Army assisting in the capture of King's Landing, Stannis was unlikely to declare war on Winterfell in the short term, giving him time to maneuver.
However, since he had the idea of a mutiny, Jon could not oppose it with the same intense attitude as last time; he gestured with his hand to quiet the crowd.
"My Lords, I am but a junior who has just stepped onto the battlefield for the first time, not comparable to Lord Bolton's experienced generalship, and Lord Bolton has never made any mistakes in military matters, and he is also the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Army, personally appointed by Robb.
I don't think you would want to defy your liege lord's orders, would you?" Jon said, and without waiting for them to speak, he left the crowd.
"Jon!"
"Lord Jon!"
"Jon..."
Seeing Jon leave, the others couldn't stop him, but Wendell spoke up: "Jon seems much gentler than last time; perhaps if we try a little harder, he can become our Eastern Army Commander!"
After Wendell's reminder, everyone looked enlightened.
Compared to last time when Jon drew his sword to intimidate them, this time he actually started reasoning, so it seemed their 'efforts' were effective...
On the other side, Jon, accompanied by Martin, went to Roose Bolton's camp.
And Martin became particularly nervous as soon as he stepped into the vicinity of Bolton's camp.
The surrounding House Bolton soldiers looked at the two with ill intent; they deliberately sharpened their weapons and polished their armor by the roadside, and some even slaughtered a wild boar in front of Jon.
The wild boar's shrill screams seemed to tear people's eardrums, and hot, black-red pig's blood splattered everywhere.
"My Lord."
Martin unconsciously swallowed, only to find his mouth completely dry.
"Just a bluff," Jon said, reassuring him.
Old Walder dared to conspire with Bolton for the 'Red Wedding' because they had secured a new patron; now, although the Northern Army couldn't be said to have secured victory, it could be said to have a firm upper hand.
Roose Bolton wouldn't be so foolish as to make a move against him here.
Jon guessed that his soldiers' posture was probably because Harrion and the others' incitement for him to seize power had alarmed him, or it was a private decision by his retainers and confidants.
Soon, Jon arrived at Roose Bolton's tent, and he received Jon with the highest standards.
Inside the tent, the flayed man banner of Dreadfort and Jon's white wolf banner were hung separately.
This was treating the other as an equal.
However, Jon, through Gods Perspective, noticed that Roose Bolton seemed to have hidden about twenty fully armed soldiers behind his tent.
All of them were on high alert, seemingly waiting for some signal.
'Is he really going to do something like smashing a cup as a signal?' This made Jon a little indecisive for a moment.
Roose Bolton might be evil, but he was certainly not stupid; why would he do such a thing at this time?
Jon looked into the tent where Roose Bolton was already seated behind a table, a faint smile on his face.
His retainer, Polliver, stood expressionlessly beside him.
"Jon, you're here? Please, sit down," Roose Bolton said, looking at Jon and Martin with a rare smile.
Martin was wary, but Jon's expression was normal; after acquiring The Mountain's strength trait, he believed no one in the Northern Army was his match.
At this moment, the two were only a dozen steps apart, and Jon didn't pay any mind to just Polliver.
Dare to smash a cup? Smash it, and he'd send you flying!
Although Jon didn't believe he could defeat those twenty-odd fully armed soldiers, he was confident he could cut off Roose Bolton's head at such a distance.
If he really dared to make a move against him now, he was confident he could take him hostage and immediately seize command.
Later, if Robb asked, he would have acted in self-defense.
Seeing Roose Bolton beckon him, Jon also smiled and quickly walked to Roose Bolton's side to sit down, while Martin stood behind Jon.
At this point, the distance between the two was no more than three steps.
And seeing Jon quickly approach him, Roose Bolton instinctively leaned his body to the side, like a reed bent by the wind.
Deep apprehension flashed in his dark eyes.
'He's afraid of me?' Realizing Roose Bolton's true intention, Jon breathed a sigh of relief.
The Northern Lords had more than once incited Jon to take command of the army, and the latest battle report showed that Jon had personally killed The Mountain.
His powerful prestige, strength, and personal martial prowess made Roose Bolton extremely wary.
He worried that Jon might suddenly attack, which was why he had arranged a large number of bodyguards for himself.
Putting himself in Roose Bolton's position, Jon thought he probably wouldn't sleep soundly either; with this thought, Jon relaxed.
Jon, now relaxed, turned his attention to the dining table.
Although the dishes on the table were simple, they were plentiful enough.
Especially in the very center, there was even a roasted suckling pig with an apple in its mouth.
"Honey-roasted suckling pig, made the Dreadfort way, Jon, you can try it."
Looking at the roasted suckling pig on the table, Jon thought of the commoners displaced by the war.
This little suckling pig was most likely 'requisitioned' by Lord Bolton from some commoner's home.
If that were the case, Jon couldn't bring himself to eat it, so he said in a joking tone: "Lord Bolton, in times of war, this is a bit excessive."
Roose Bolton paused slightly and said, "It seems our Duke has also taught you the virtue of frugality."
After some pleasantries, Roose Bolton explained the purpose of his invitation.
"Before long, Tywin will inevitably retreat west to his old lair, Casterly Rock; now his supply lines are cut, not only have we won two victories here, but Stannis and Renly also despise him.
I think we should take this opportunity to consider capturing Harrenhal, completely separating the Western Army and the Crownlands!"
Jon sniffed the aroma of the food and looked at Roose Bolton with a smiling gaze.
In an instant, Roose Bolton felt as if he was completely seen through, as if he were naked before Jon.
"Lord Bolton, why don't you speak more plainly? I am not as wise as my father."
"Uh—" Roose Bolton's mouth twitched; he now had a strong feeling that the one advising Robb in Winterfell was definitely him.
And he dared to say that even Eddard Stark definitely didn't have these two tricks.
After a moment of hesitation, Roose Bolton spoke again: "I was thinking that your army has just achieved a great victory, so why not take advantage of the high morale to capture Harrenhal in one fell swoop? Of course, I will have the entire Northern Army cooperate with you."
'Oh, to be cannon fodder,' Jon chuckled inwardly.
This Roose Bolton, playing the 'borrowed knife to kill' game, was almost path-dependent.
Didn't he think his intentions were too obvious?