"The Andals will never allow anyone to rob our people."
"Kill them!"
"A loser in Westeros, you still want to come back and fight for territory?"
The news from Volantis did not excite this group of nobles, and their reaction to the Golden Company was beyond Arthur's expectations.
However, it is also understandable that neither the Andals nor the culture of the Seven Gods will allow slaves to exist.
What's more, most of the officers of the Golden Company are landless nobles, illegitimate sons, and members of rebel families in Westeros. The orthodox people on the Western Continent are naturally extremely hostile to them.
"Quiet!" After stopping the noise of the vassals again, King Arthur I announced: "After we expel the Ironborn and capture the West, most families will send troops to the Stormlands to completely eliminate the Golden Company.
Dog, and then the Stepped Stone Islands will be in our hands."
The Stepstones are a series of islands in the Narrow Sea, stretching from eastern Dorne to the Disputed Lands. Only two of the islands have names: Bloodstone and Gray Gallows. Tyrosh, one of the Free Cities, is also located in
There.
"If Volantis dares to interfere in our internal affairs, the Targaryen family will lead all the armored soldiers of the Western Continent to capture the disputed land and fight all the way to the mouth of the Rhoyne, causing all Volantis slaves to lose their
shackles and regain personal freedom."
Volantis is the strongest free trade city-state. In the "Bleeding Century" (one hundred years before the conquest) after the destruction of the Valyrian Free Fortress, the city-state run by the Tiger Party launched a war to regain the Free Fortress.
, attacked three city-states including Lys, Tyrosh, and Myr at the same time, and occupied the island of Lys and Myr for two generations.
Later, with the intervention of the Storm King Algira Durandon, the Targaryen family on Dragonstone, the Sea King Braavos, Tyrosh, Pentos and other forces, as well as the rebellions in Lys and Myr
Due to multiple factors, Volantis withdrew its troops from the two city-states and has been ruled by the moderate Elephant Party ever since.
To sum up Volantis in one sentence, the only true overlord in the southwest of Essos, a ruthless character who can stand alone against the four surrounding city-states.
If the Golden Company had only supported Aegon VI, then Arthur would really have no reason to send troops to the Stepstone Islands, and there would be no need for the nobles of the Western Continent to fight against the wealthy merchants of Volantis.
But if the forces from the Eastern Continent intervene in the Stormlands and snatch the farmers away as slaves, then the lords and governors will not be able to bear it.
The king's statement greatly inspired the lords who were determined to abolish slavery. Many nobles, such as Matus Rowan and Clermont Piper, expressed their support for the royal family's policy of sending troops on the spot.
Since the trade between Pentos and Maidenpool continued, King Arthur I ordered Earl William Mouton to continue to pay attention to various news in the Eastern Continent, especially to see whether the Volantis Consul had any decree to expand the army.
The third message, "Myr's request for help," is somewhat related to the second message.
The city-state is located on the west coast of the Essos continent and is protected by a huge and calm bay-the Myr Sea. A section of the Valyrian Highway extends from Myr.
Trade is the lifeblood of Mill's economy, and its handicrafts are world-famous, producing lace, carpets, glass, glasses and green mead, as well as various processed products. One of the inventions produced in Mill is the telescope, and the carpets and lace produced here
Very expensive. Myr is collectively ruled by a council of governors, who are mainly local wealthy merchants and nobles.
The Golden Company originally served as a defense force for Myr, but were later bribed by Illyrio at a large price and fought for Aegon VI.
Most of the nine Free Trade Cities do not have their own army. For example, Qohor relies on its own mercenaries and Unsullied Legion to resist the Dothraki attack in the east.
Another example is Myr, who has established contracts with well-known mercenary groups such as the Second Sons, the Windblown, the Lancers, the Crows, and the Golden Company all year round, so that the mercenaries will be wary of attacks by Volantis and the nomads.
After Captain Harry Strickland broke the treaty, Myr's military strength was not as good as before.
The civil war between Tyrosh and Lys is about to break out, and both want to win over Myr as a potential ally.
Unfortunately, news of the Golden Company's breach of contract spread, and a newly-rising Khal Pono came with his Khalasar (a large tribe of Dothraki) to fight against the Autumn Wind.
Khal Pono was once the Kou of the horselord Khal Drogo - Daenerys's first husband, now deceased - and the commander of Khas (a small group under Khalasar).
After the death of the Horse King, Bono gathered about 30,000 Dothraki people to become the new Khal, and took his khalasa to the source area of the Saihoru River, preparing to blackmail a certain free trade city-state.
.
The Sehoru River is one of the tributaries of the Rhoyne River. Going south from Pono Khal, you will reach the town of Sehoru, an important town in Volantis. Going east, you will find the jurisdiction of Myr.
Therefore, the wealthy merchants and nobles of Myr sent letters of distress to the surrounding major forces. If nothing unexpected happened, a delegation of envoys would arrive in King's Landing immediately, requesting the nobles of Westeros to send soldiers to help defend against the centaurs or Valan.
The slaves of Tis.
"We will look at this later. If necessary, we can send out soldiers. The salary offered by the wealthy merchants in Myr will not let us down." Arthur concluded.
Although Myr also trades slaves, generally speaking, the relationship with the Western Continent is pretty good.
Moreover, when it comes to garrisoning troops, it is easier to ask God than to send them away.
Arthur himself also has thoughts about the big fat sheep such as Pentos and Myr.
Capturing any medium free trade city-state is enough to solve the food crisis in the Riverlands, King's Landing, and King's Landing, and give the king the wealth to build a large standing army.
Due to the feudal fiefdom system in Westeros, it is quite difficult to centralize power. Even if you set up a larger royal territory, many lords and nobles will resist it.
But Essos is different. Once conquered, it can be directly regarded as the direct territory of the royal family, and troops can be stationed there for a long time.
The fourth message, "The Wavering of Pentos", is also related to the golden regiment.
Due to the influence of Pentos' northern neighbor Braavos, the city-state does not allow slaves to exist.
But in the mansions and courtyards of governors and wealthy merchants, there were many men and women who were called servants but were actually slaves.
Due to Daenerys' disruption, the slave trade in the entire world has been greatly affected. The slave markets in Volantis, Myr and other places are only 10% of their previous size.
And one of the governors of Pentos, Illyrio, had already set an example for his peers.
If the cheesemongers and the peasants plundered by the Golden Company in the Stormlands prove popular with the free folk of Volantis, at least three governors of Pentos will join the slave trade.
They will most likely send their own guards and mercenaries into the Stormlands to participate in slave hunting, and they will also undertake some combat missions assigned by Aegon VI and the Golden Company.
"Yanina Jaskis said that if Illyrio succeeds, he will also participate in the slave trade, but the food trade with Maidenpool will not stop." Earl William Mouton said.
Arthur sat up straight and scolded:
"If he dares to come to the Storm Land, I will fight against Pentos. I am not used to the problems of these merchants."
Due to the fierce movement, the king's pure gold crown was a little off.
Queen Sansa stretched out her hand to straighten her husband's crown.
After Arthur glanced at her, he continued to say to the ministers: "Slave traders are all our enemies. After joining us in the Reach, food is not a big problem for the time being."
The Seven Kingdoms and the Targaryen dynasty combined have not allowed Essos in the east to come to the western continent to snatch slaves for thousands of years. Even the Valyrian Free Fortress at its peak failed to do so.
If a few big businessmen had done this in Arthur's hands, then he wouldn't have to be the king and would have jumped into the God's Eye Lake as soon as possible.
The nobles were very satisfied with Arthur I's attitude, and they expressed that they would obey the king's order to counter the forces in the Western Continent.
In the following period, the relationship between the vassals and the king was not very harmonious.
Someone raised the question of discussing the members of the Royal Council, and Duke Mace Tyrell continued, announcing on the spot that he was the first candidate to be the King's Hand.
"Looking at the Seven Kingdoms, can your Majesty still find a great nobleman like me who is good at governance, rich in strategy, full of martial virtue, and loyal to the Targaryen family? With my intelligence and wisdom, I will definitely make the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms
Everyone is satisfied, and the common people in the countryside and towns praise the wisdom of His Majesty Arthur I..."
The inflatable fish not only boasted about himself, but also praised the future king's son-in-law.
Arthur had no objection to his self-recommendation.
Mace is a very mediocre Duke, and his subordinates Randyll Tarly, Matus Rowan and others are much better than him.
But it was precisely because of his mediocrity that Arthur dared to let him be prime minister with confidence.
If it were a shrewd nobleman from the river bend, the king might not be able to pull it off.
With Arthur's ability, he could just hold the Duke of Metz in his hands.
It was decided that Lord Tyrell would become Prime Minister, but the river nobles had a new proposal.
"Your Majesty, we were the first to support you. No matter what, the Hejian people should at least have two seats in the Imperial Council, right?"
shouted a bold river knight.
Clermont Piper, Aenys Frey, William Mouton and other great nobles agreed.
The big thing that gave Arthur a headache finally came.
By convention, there are usually seven seats in the Royal Council: the Prime Minister, the Lord Chancellor, the Lord of the Sea, the Lord Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Chief of Intelligence, the Captain of the Kingsguard, and the Grand Maester.
The last three seats have a special status, and the power to appoint and remove Grand Bachelors is in the hands of the Cardinal Council of the city, and the king cannot intervene yet.
In other words, there are only four seats available, and the King's Hand has been given to the Duke of Metz.
The Redwin fleet occupied Dragonstone Island. Among the forces loyal to Arthur, Lord Paxter Redwin had a strong naval force.
The number of Sea Ministers has also been determined.
As for the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Arthur is prepared to let the calculating Tyrion Lannister take over.
Although Arthur had promised the little devil to be his Hand of the King a long time ago, the situation was very different between that time and now, and Tyrion himself was still in Pentos, so he did not have to abide by this promise.
.
The king plans to appoint Lord Randyll Tarly as the vacant minister of justice. This is also the beginning of his efforts to win over and support the Tarly family.
His Corner Tomb is not far from the south of High Court, which is perfect for a battle with the Rose Family after strengthening it.
The king asked: "Does any of you want to be the intelligence chief?"
After all, the only positions left for the people of the Riverside are Captain of the Kingsguard and Chief of Intelligence.
But the captain of the Kingsguard is related to the personal safety of the royal family, so Arthur is prepared to select carefully and not in a hurry.
The governors of the Hejian family looked at each other, and they were all reluctant to do the job of intelligence chief, which had a very bad reputation.
"Your Majesty, the Commander of King's Landing City Guards has also been in the Royal Council. This is a good position." Sansa reminded in a low voice.
When she was in King's Landing, Queen Cersei had allowed Janos Sterling, the commander of the King's Landing garrison, to enter the royal council, and Queen Stark was somewhat impressed by this.
Arthur also remembered this, so he announced to his vassals: "The commander of the King's Landing City Guards can also be appointed by a noble from the river. Please nominate one!"
These royal council seats with special exchanges are to win the support of the basic base, and Arthur is prepared to let them decide among themselves who will take the throne.
What surprised the king was that the governors selected a count whose family strength was average, and he was not here yet.
Lord Clermont Piper nominated Tristan Legg, and several Dragonite families later supported him.
Arthur thought about it for a second, but it was reasonable.
The Pink City, Traveling City and other forces in the Hedong area were once loyal ministers of the Tully family. They supported Arthur due to various reasons before. They are not the same as the Dragon Party family.
But Tristan Legg and Claremont Piper of Willow City single-handedly contacted the major earls and promoted the establishment of the earlier River Kingdom.
The Laige family is also a Dragon Party family, so the two waves of people unanimously agreed to allow him to enter the Imperial Council as a representative of the river nobles.
As for the Frey family, the most powerful family in the Three Rivers area, they were collectively ignored by this group of people.
"That is Lord Tristan Rygg as Commander of the King's Landing Garrison." Arthur I announced.
After hearing this appointment, the bald Aenys Frey jumped up angrily, "Your Majesty, our Frey family swore an oath to you much earlier than this group of people, right? In..."
With his bald head and red neck, he thought that he, the strongest family in Hejian, would secure a seat in the Royal Council, but to his surprise, no earl nominated him.
"Marquis Frey will serve as Minister of War."
Seeing that the angry bald head was about to reveal some of the past things, Arthur hurriedly mentioned a job title.
"Minister of War, what is that?" the Duke of Metz, standing at the forefront of the crowd, asked in confusion.
Based on his knowledge, he couldn't even remember that there was such a member of the Imperial Council.
Most of the nobles also whispered to discuss whether the king's appointment was in line with tradition.
Arthur had no choice but to explain to these old stubborns: "In the next few years, there will be several wars in the entire kingdom, but I don't have a clone that can go to various battlefields to command operations, so it is very useful to set up a minister of war to help the king fight.
It’s necessary.”
"The power and responsibility of Marquis Inis is to coordinate families from all over the world and prepare for war. If necessary, he can also command a certain army on behalf of the king..."
Arthur spoke intermittently, supplementing the division of labor that he had made up a few minutes ago.
This makeshift royal council did not satisfy the king, and the appointments of members and positions were full of compromises and exchanges.
But there is no way, except for the dragon, Arthur's own military strength and territory are not strong.
That's all it can do.
But fortunately, the notorious position of Chief of Intelligence can be selected by the king himself, and Arthur is ready to do something about it.
Moreover, the Hightower family did not express its attitude. He wanted to use this as an excuse to force the lord of Oldtown to make a concession on the appointment of the Grand Maester.
The cunning and loyal Lannister Pycelle must be replaced, and the simple-minded Qyburn can be brought up.
