Even the most fortified and strategically important city needs to be garrisoned; otherwise, it's just a difficult road to travel.
Casterly Rock was the case in this situation. Jon used a false order to draw away most of the garrison at Casterly Rock, and then ordered 20,000 troops to launch a surprise attack, which resulted in its successful capture.
As dawn broke, Jon entered the city. There was only sporadic resistance left. With a numerical advantage, he launched a fierce attack. In addition, more than half of Casterly Rock's defenders were untrained miners, who had no reason to fight to the death.
In the firelight, these emaciated miners looked like skeletons, which made Jon realize that Tywin really didn't treat people like human beings.
They receive no preferential treatment in peacetime, and naturally, they have no loyalty to speak of in wartime.
When Jon gave the condition that they could save their lives by laying down their weapons, these people, who had spent almost their entire lives sifting and working in the Gold Mine, threw down their weapons without hesitation, as if those weapons were burning their hands.
When Jon found Daven, he was already surrounded by Martin's Heavy Armor Battalion. He and the few remaining Soldiers stood back to back, looking at the enemy forces around them with panic.
With the defending general in dire straits, the outcome of this battle was no longer in doubt.
They were huddled in a corner of a tower, with moss-covered walls behind them. The morning sun shone on them, as if it were the last bit of pity the world was giving them.
"Go ask him if he's willing to surrender," Jon said to his servant Robb Frey.
Robb Frey, who had become much stronger than Jon, came to Daven and conveyed Jon's message.
However, Daven sneered and shouted at Jon, " Jon, you, you're just like that Stannis who seized the throne through treachery, treachery! You had that Red Woman replace Lord Tywin's orders, you, you despicable bastard!!!"
By this time, Daven had been hit by several arrows, and because he had spent a long time comforting Mrs. Lefred the night before, Qi was clearly exhausted and panting heavily.
Seeing his attitude, Jon lost interest in engaging in any verbal sparring.
Even Jaime could be taken prisoner, yet this guy showed absolutely no intention of surrendering.
Just as Jon was about to order Daven to be shot, a figure with white hair and beard ran out – it was Rickard.
" Jon, let me kill him!" Rickard, carrying his broadsword, approached Daven.
He was still unable to get over the deaths of his two youngest sons, and only more Lannister blood could appease the elderly father's anger.
" Jaime killed my two sons, so I must at least kill two Lannisters to atone for my sons' deaths!" Rickard said in a deep voice. A gust of wind blew his snow-white hair and beard, making him look somewhat like the "Winter Sun" banner of House Karstark under the night sky.
Jon saw no need to stop them, and instead ordered the Soldiers to quickly secure the area around Casterly Rock, while he stayed behind to keep an eye on Rickard in case anything went wrong.
After all, House Karstark had contributed a thousand men to his army, and even though he was the Commander-in-Chief, he still had to show him some respect.
Rickard's appearance made Daven feel a fire burning in his chest. Seeing his father's killer right in front of him, he drew his sword and went to meet him. The two strong men swung their swords at each other, and the sound of metal clashing tormented everyone's eardrums.
Daven was young, and his spinning slash was powerful and heavy. Fortunately, Rickard was experienced and blocked it with his sword in time. However, Daven reacted even faster and kicked Rickard in the stomach.
The distance between the two widened considerably. Just as Rickard was about to fall, one of them quickly steadied him by supporting him from behind, but was met with a barrage of curses from Rickard: "Get out of here!"
Rickard, having regained his footing, became somewhat enraged and slammed his helmet to the ground, launching another attack. Daven roared and charged forward once more.
Seeing what was happening, Jon took advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, turned around and took a bow and arrow from an archer, ready to make his move at any moment.
Perhaps realizing that he was doomed to die today, he calmed down and even made considerable progress in his martial arts skills, defending Rickard's attacks with impenetrable defense.
Finally, Rickard was caught off guard again. His sword was deflected by Daven, who then slammed Rickard to the ground with his shoulder. The nearly sixty-year-old Rickard could hardly withstand the impact of a strong man, and coupled with his heavy armor, he was unable to get up.
Daven finally seized the opportunity, his eyes flashing with the excitement of revenge, and swung a horizontal slash straight at Rickard's face.
Rickard was too old. When he followed Robb south to support him, he thought it might be his last campaign.
Even if they manage to return alive, they will die in the endless winter that is about to break in the North.
Those around tried to stop him, but it seemed too late. Daven swung his sword, but missed. An arrow had somehow appeared on his wrist, and the fletching was even trembling slightly.
Before Daven could react, another arrow pierced his face. His burly body stiffened for a second before he fell straight down.
Enze came to Rickard's side and reached out to help him up.
Inside the castle hall, Loras still couldn't believe that Jon had managed to get Daven to move his army away from Casterly Rock simply by "performing. "
His entire worldview seemed to have been greatly impacted. He placed his sword across his lap and stared blankly at the ornate scabbard.
Meanwhile, Garlan, who was beside him, was talking to a cadet from House Tyrell.
"—The garrison at Casterly Rock has been redeployed—we—" Loras knew Dao " Garlan is preparing a battle report for Highgarden," reporting on the battle situation on Jon's side. He couldn't hear clearly, or perhaps he didn't want to hear it.
Not only him, but everyone else was equally puzzled as to why Jon's plan would work.
For example, Brynden, who had never been optimistic about Jon, was quietly tidying up his arm armor. He had always thought that Jon was overthinking things, but now it seemed that he had been overcomplicating things.
"Hmph! I'd like to see how this bastard manages to break through Casterly Rock!" Loras thought somewhat defiantly. Even if Daven was an idiot, Tywin couldn't be that stupid, could he?
That's Tywin!
Loras recalled how Jon had refused his offer to attack the city, and calmed down once more.
He remembered Jon's father, Eddard, when the Mountain ravaged the Riverlands and Jon had asked Eddard for permission to lead troops to capture the Mountain, but Eddard had refused.
At that time, he was very dissatisfied with Qi, but Jon proved himself with victory after victory, leaving Qi speechless.
"It's difficult because I'm a Tyrell, so—" Loras suddenly realized something, but he couldn't quite understand it.
Just as the group was pondering their next move, each lost in their own thoughts, Jon entered the hall, followed by his servant Robb Frey, as well as Rickard, Martin, and others.
Upon entering the hall, he naturally took the seat of honor and then announced his next battle plan.
"Gentlemen, we fought a great battle. We stormed Casterly Rock like lightning. Neither Sarsfield behind Casterly Rock nor Tywin, who was closely monitoring the situation, had time to react. So I plan to let the army rest for half a day, have a good meal, and take five days' worth of rations. Before sunset tomorrow, we will head to Sarsfield and take it as quickly as possible!" Jon said, looking at the crowd.
Brynden stared intently at Jon, feeling that the young man's appetite was both enormous and somewhat terrifying.
Casterly Rock — Sarsfield — Casterly Rock.
Taking down Casterly Rock is like stripping Casterly Rock of its armor, while taking down Sarsfield is like putting a dagger to Tywin's throat.
Brynden believes that now might be the time to establish a foothold in Casterly Rock and seize territory. He still doesn't recognize Dao. How can Jon take down Casterly Rock?
But his successful takeover of Casterly Rock has softened his stance somewhat. There's some anticipation regarding what methods Jon will employ.
Furthermore, while Sarsfield might not be too difficult to beat, a direct attack on Casterly Rock is probably still impossible.
Tywin has definitely amassed a large army in the southern part of the West, and these troops will surely return to reinforce Jon once he arrives at Casterly Rock.
The 20,000-strong army had to face both the returning Western Frontier forces and guard against a sudden attack from Casterly Rock. No matter how you looked at it, a direct attack on Casterly Rock was not a good idea.
Unless Jon can quickly defeat the returning Western Army.
Brynden felt obligated to find an opportunity to remind Jon that conquering a country is different from breaching a city.
Just as Jon finished explaining his battle plan, Loras stood up and said to Dao, "Leave the attack on Sasfil to me, okay?"
Looking at Jon's face, Loras's tone became more inquisitive and probing, rather than the impulsive one that said, "I'll do whatever I want."
Jon looked at Loras for a moment and thought that Sarsfield was just a small castle, and it wouldn't be difficult to conquer it with the advantage of time difference.
However, I'm still not comfortable leaving it to Loras alone; I'll need someone to help him later.
Ultimately, Jon agreed to let Loras participate in the attack on Sarsfield, but did not directly allow him to lead troops alone.
Sir Rickard.
Upon hearing Jon's voice, Rickard immediately stood up.
He almost thought he was going to die when he fought Daven, but Jon saved him. Jon's Archery skills were amazing.
Not to mention that Daven's swiftly cleaving hand was barely visible to the naked eye, and it was nighttime, yet Jon managed to accurately shoot his hand and save his own life.
Sometimes Rickard felt like he was in a dream. When he first met Jon, he was just Robb's henchman, fighting to the death against Roose Bolton's harassment.
It's truly astonishing that he has now grown into a regional warlord.
However, it was precisely because of this that he decided to hand over Karhold to his eldest son, Harrion, ahead of time. After all, Harrion had fought alongside Jon, and Jon should be able to help if any trouble arises in the future.
Even if he doesn't directly intervene militarily, Jon himself has considerable influence. Although Karstark may not encounter any trouble in the North, he still wants to consider things more carefully since he only has one of his three sons left.
Rickard volunteered to work for him to repay a debt of gratitude, but now Jon's debt of gratitude is compounding and it seems impossible to repay.