Not long ago, The Loyalists were mocking Petyr. The Queens Party courtiers all looked constipated, as if they couldn't quite digest this crazy idea.
Some people, because they didn't even dare to think about it, instinctively wanted to refute it, but when they opened their mouths, they couldn't say anything.
Logically speaking, it does make sense.
Davos was also taken aback by Petyr's suggestion. He was indeed happy to see Jon become Stannis's right-hand man, but now he worried that such a reward might be a bit too much.
It's not impossible for someone to be duke for turning the tide of a battle, and he certainly believes Jon deserves such a reward.
The problem is, what kind of place is the Westerlands? It's a place that the Lannisters have ruled for thousands of years. The Lannisters are to the Westerlands what the Stark are to the North.
Lannister's ancestor, Lann, founded Lannister there during the Age of Heroes. Family.
After that, whether the Andals invaded or the Dragon King swept through the Seven Kingdoms, Lannister remained standing.
Should Jon be made Lord of Casterly Rock?
Davos believes Robb can make it into the West, so can Jon, but what about Casterly Rock?
The Great Wall, which is eighty feet high, already deters countless people, but Casterly Rock is a fortress carved into a two-hundred-foot-high rocky mountain! It blends seamlessly with the entire rocky mountain.
Steep and rugged, yet indestructible.
No matter how much he used his imagination, he couldn't figure out how Jon would conquer Casterly Rock.
Despite the duke's prestigious title, acquiring it was far too risky; Jon might very well lose his life in the West.
Davos looked at Stannis nervously, not wanting him to accept Petyr's suggestion.
Meanwhile, Petyr, clutching his severed wrist, gasped for breath while cautiously observing everyone's reactions.
Stannis remained expressionless and unmoved, while Selyse beside him seemed restless. It was said that Alliser, who had been imprisoned, was also pondering Petyr's proposal.
At that moment, Petyr saw Melisandre, his grey-green eyes lingering on her beautiful, almost painted face for a couple of seconds.
The woman was indeed beautiful and possessed a very special quality, but Petyr, being a prostitute, had enough self-control to quickly look away.
He then took advantage of the crowd's contemplation and spoke again, saying, " Your Majesty, back then, Aegon the Conqueror defeated the combined forces of King Gardener and King Casterly Rock in the Battle of the Wildfire. King Gardener died on the battlefield, and Aegon the Conqueror bestowed House Gardener's castle, Highgarden, upon House Tyrell. From then on, House Tyrell became the ruler of the Reach. However, House Tyrell was merely a steward's family of House Gardener." Other families more closely related to House Gardener were unwilling to submit, so House Tyrell could only pledge more loyalty to King Dragon. Even during King Robert's rebellion, they steadfastly protected the Loyalists. Now, how similar is Jon's situation to House Tyrell's? He also has no foundation in the Westerlands. All his legitimacy and power come from you. Once Jon conquers the Westerlands, you will gain a powerful and wealthy vassal. Petyr cited numerous sources in an attempt to persuade Stannis to make a decision.
At this moment, Alliser, who hadn't said much until now, was also ready to speak.
He had just been thrown into prison that day when he heard that King's Landing had been restored, and for a moment he felt like he was dreaming.
At the same time, Alliser regretted his actions. If he had written to Lannister two days later, he wouldn't have ended up like this, and even dragged his family down with him.
So now, like Petyr, he needs to improve his image in Stannis's eyes.
He was born in House Florent, which is the family Petyr mentioned who was closer to House Gardener in terms of bloodline.
" Your Majesty." Alliser approached Stannis and said, "I think Ser Petyr's proposal is good. Granting the West and Casterly Rock to Jon is not only worthy of his achievements, but also beneficial to us regardless of whether Jon ultimately succeeds in conquering the West."
Alliser stated that if Jon succeeds, the West will be at peace, Jon can suppress the Riverlands to the east and restrain The Reach to the south, and the Iron Throne will essentially gain a powerful vassal. If he fails, Jon's military talent will allow him to weaken the West as much as possible, which is a win-win situation.
As for Jon's potential cooperation with the North, he has already publicly opposed Robb's ascension to the throne, making cooperation impossible. If Jon were to show even the slightest inclination in this direction, Stannis could immediately revoke his legitimacy, and the Westerlands would swarm in with opposition.
However, his proposal was met with dissatisfaction from Davos: "Your Excellency, Jon has just rendered such a great service to Your Majesty. Can't Dao give him a reward commensurate with his loyalty? He is just a child who has just come of age."
"Since he is Your Majesty's subject, he should always be loyal to Your Majesty, especially since he is just a bastard, and it was Your Majesty who bestowed upon him the name Stark!" Alliser said shamelessly.
Davos almost laughed out loud. How dare you say such a thing?
Davos's voice trembled slightly when he mentioned "just coming of age." Marcus and Masos, two of his four sons, were not much older than Jon, and Stannis, standing beside him, was also somewhat moved.
Davos also bears some responsibility for the deaths of his four sons; he shouldn't have trusted that fool Imri so much.
Moreover, Davos's point is valid; doing such a thing is indeed inhumane.
Finally, King Your Majesty spoke up: " Ser Petyr's advice is very thoughtful, and Ser Davos's concerns are also very reasonable. This matter is of great importance, and I will speak with Jon personally when we arrive in King's Landing."
Stannis has made his decision, so there's no need for anyone else to argue.
He glanced at Littlefinger, who was bowing his head and remaining silent, and thought that if this guy was indeed smart and could be as loyal as Davos in the future, he could have an easier time.
But Stannis also knew that this was impossible.
He had no liking for this kind of guy who kept changing his mind.
He had once suggested shutting down all the brothels in King's Landing, while Petyr ran the second largest brothel in King's Landing; the two of them were completely at odds.
He planned to expand Petyr's fiefdom slightly and then remove him from the political center.
He has someone else in mind for the position of Minister of Finance.
At the end of the meeting, Stannis once again sent Davos to act as his diplomat.
He sent Davos and Petyr to meet with Mace, who still had troops stationed near the Bridge of Bitterness, to express his agreement with their terms of peace.
And most importantly, that is to propose marriage to Jon.
Whether or not to bestow the title of Lord of Casterly Rock upon Jon is another matter, but marrying Jon to Margaery is certainly the best option.
" Brynden! You bastard!"
Rickard roared at the Tywin remnants of his army as they rode away from Stone Pond Town, his white beard bristling and displaying his fury.
His original plan was for Rickard to pursue Tywin from behind, while Brynden would intercept him in front of Stone Town. However, Brynden only ordered the Soldiers to fire arrows sparsely.
For the galloping cavalry, this damage was nothing, and they easily broke through the encirclement.
Enraged, Rickard abandoned his troops, charged on horseback towards Brynden's army, and roared in a rough voice, " Brynden! Why did you let Tywin go!"
Brynden turned to look at Rickard, whose eyes were bloodshot, and calmly said, "For Robb's crown, for the independence of the Riverlands and the North!"
Despite Brynden's practical reasoning, Rickard simply couldn't accept it, especially considering that his two sons had died at Jaime's hands.
He even wanted to use Tywin's blood to commemorate his son, but Brynden just let him go.
Rickard, panting heavily, strode towards Brynden, grabbing his breastplate and shouting, "Independence! Independence! Independence! Family! Honor! Responsibility! Isn't that your Tully Family motto? Honor! Where is your honor?! How can you face Jon like this?!"
Brynden remained calm as he watched Rickard roar at him, seeing the old lord's saliva stretch into strands and then spray onto his face as it roared out of his throat.
Riverlands brought by Brynden Soldiers stepped forward and tried to pull the two apart, but was driven away by his shout.
" Family, honor, responsibility, Lord Rickard, family comes first to me!" Brynden looked into Rickard's bloodshot eyes, as if he were thinking of his own brother, Duke Tully Horst.
Back then, he refused to marry into the Frey Family and was scolded by Wolf. He even left the Family to become a Bloody Gate Knight in the Vale, calling himself Blackfish to show his ambition.
However, Horst's death made him realize something: in a place like Westeros, there is no individual without a family. He became the Bloody Gate Knight of the Vale not because of his martial prowess or strategy, but because he was a Tully.
He gained Jon Arryn's trust because of his surname, Tully.
Now I need to prioritize Tully's interests.
Despite knowing that Dao's actions were despicable, Brynden still decided to let Tywin go.
As long as Tywin lives, the Westerlands, though broken, can unite, and Stannis will not attack them.
When Rickard saw that Brynden showed absolutely no remorse, he felt that his angry roars were utterly meaningless.
With a powerful swing of his arm, he pushed away the Riverlands that were pulling at him. Soldiers are outmaneuvered.
The North and the Riverlands, which had only recently united, were now showing cracks.