After nightfall, the small city that had just experienced the baptism of war finally returned to calm.

Samwell was eating dinner while listening to the post-war statistics report.

This battle can be regarded as a complete victory, not only recapturing the outpost, but also annihilating a Western Frontier elite.

At this point, all the south of the Blackwater River was included in Samwell's sphere of influence.

Next, it's time to consider crossing the Blackwater River and making it to King's Landing.

If, as Varys the Octopus says, Braavos is in turmoil and forces Aquaman's fleet to return, then it should not be a problem for the army to cross the river.

Attacking King's Landing was a natural thing to do.

Of course, Samwell would not easily believe the promise of a eunuch who had betrayed him, and he was too far away to confirm whether Braavos was in turmoil, but he would personally confirm whether Aquaman's fleet would leave.

Before that, though, Samwell received another unexpected piece of news.

"There's a letter from Yang Halberd City, and the Iron People didn't attack the empty Riverlands, but came to the Blackwater River, so Count Lucas Dayne, who got the news, has already led the Stormlands fleet back."

When Samwell announced the news at the military council, the nobles looked at each other, apparently surprised.

After a brief silence, Count Leighton Hightower asked:

"Your Majesty, where did Count Lucas hear that the Iron People were coming to the Blackwater?"

"It was from the surviving Redwyn people."

As soon as these words came out, a riverbend nobleman shouted:

"Redwing may not be credible!"

"Redwin may not be credible, but they have a deep grudge against the Iron People, and they shouldn't help the Iron People deceive us at this point."

"But why did Euron Greyjoy abandon the nearby rich bends instead of plundering, and instead of plundering, he came to the Blackwaters?"

"I think it's an alliance with the Lannisters."

"If they had reached an alliance, Euron wouldn't have killed Paxter Redwyn before."

"Youlun is a madman, can you understand the mind of a madman with the thinking of a normal person?"

"Even if he is a madman, there must be a reason for him to come all the way to the Blackwater River."

……

Listening to the arguing of the crowd, Samwell was silent.

He knew very well that what these people, especially the Hewan nobles, were really worried about was their own territory.

Count Lucas decided to lead the fleet back without authorization, and the safety of the riverlands would not be guaranteed, so it seemed that they were arguing about the accuracy of Redwin's information here, but in fact, what they really wanted to discuss was whether Count Lucas's behavior was reasonable.

In Samwell's view, Count Lucas's decision was certainly the right one.

It is in his core interest to give priority to ensuring the crossing of the river by the army.

Even if the information turns out to be wrong and the Riverlands are plundered, as long as King's Landing is captured and the Lannisters are destroyed, it will not matter if a few unsuccessful iron people are in rebellion.

Of course, this is from Samwell's own point of view.

But in the eyes of these river bend nobles, it is obvious that their own territory is more important.

You say that this is short-sighted, regardless of the overall situation, but this is the reality, the objective reality caused by the system of separation.

At this moment, a thought hidden in Samwell's heart became clearer and clearer.

The disgust with the sub-feudal system has also reached a point where it is almost unbearable.

Perhaps this is the natural desire of being a monarch, the desire for centralized power.

But Samwell is also well aware that now is not the time to "cut the domain".

King's Landing has not yet been conquered, the Seven Kingdoms have not yet been unified, and there is still the threat of strange spirits, and now to challenge the feudal system will only lead to the betrayal of his own relatives and the situation is completely out of control.

This matter must be found at the right time, slowly.

Samwell had a small calculation in his heart, but the smile on his face became brighter and brighter.

This scene made the people who were arguing fiercely scratch their heads.

Many of the nobles of the river, who had accused Count Lucas of withdrawing his troops, began to feel apprehensive in their hearts, and some of them did not dare to say anything more.

The chatter in the tent gradually faded down.

"Okay, I know what you're worried about." Samwell finally spoke, "There is something wrong with Earl Lucas's behavior, but it is also excusable. Of course, I know there are concerns about Riverlands. Well, I promise you that if the Iron Folk really plundered your territory, all the losses will be borne by the Caesar family. ”

Samwell knew he had to make a compromise at this point, but the more he conceded to these nobles at the moment, the stronger the desire for centralization of power became in his heart.

"Your Majesty, you are so merciful." The nobles of the river bend opened their mouths to praise, not knowing that the young king in front of them had secretly written down their names in a small notebook.

After stabilizing the nobles of the river, the content of the military discussion finally turned to discussing how to cross the river.

Now that they knew that the Iron People might be coming to the Blackwater River, everyone thought that there was no need to cross the river in a hurry.

It is safest to wait for the Stormland fleet to come and control the course of the Blackwater River and protect the army across the river.

Samwell apparently thought so, so he no longer bothered about whether the Braavos had actually withdrawn.

After deliberating on some of the details of the crossing, Samwell called the meeting closed.

But just as he was about to rest, the guards came to report that the "little bird" of Varys had arrived again.

"Bring him in."

Soon, Marius entered the tent and saluted.

"What's the matter with you?" Samwell asked directly.

"Your Majesty, Lord Varys asked me to remind you that the withdrawal of the Braavos is fraudulent."

"Oh?" Samwell had a playful smile on his face, "Could it be that there is no turmoil in Braavos?" ”

"Nope. There is already turmoil in Braavos, but the news has been intercepted by Duke Tywin, and the withdrawal of Aquaman's fleet is just a show, they want to lure you to lead your army across the river, and then when the army is halfway crossed, suddenly return. ”

Samwell wasn't too alarmed.

After all, he had already decided to wait for the Stormlands fleet to return before crossing the river, and he hadn't pinned all his hopes on the Braavos actually withdrawing.

However, it was Samwell's surprise that Varys sent someone to inform him of the news.

It seems that this "eight-clawed spider" is really determined to take refuge in him.

"Okay, I know, thanks for the reminder from Varys."

Marus leaned over and saluted:

"It's our honor to serve you."

With that, he was ready to leave.

But Samwell stopped him:

"By the way, can you help me deliver a letter to Lord Varys?"

"Absolutely."

"Okay." Samwell returned to the table, picked up a pen and paper, quickly wrote a letter, and handed it to Marius.

Marius took the letter, did not look at it, and then turned away after hiding it carefully.

(End of chapter)