When Samwell got the news of the retreat of the Northern Army, he was a little incredulous.

Although the enemy's offensive has been repeatedly frustrated in the past few days, it is obviously far from the defeat and withdrawal of the army.

Samwell even wondered if it was Tywin's ploy to lure the enemy in.

But that doesn't make sense.

Once the Southern army crossed the river, there was King's Landing in front of them, how could there be a strategy to lure the enemy deep and lead the enemy into their lair?

What's more, doesn't Tywin understand that King's Landing is simply not a city that is meant to hold on for a long time?

Now that this retreat, the Lannisters have almost forced themselves into a Jedi.

Samwell even wondered if Tywin's old fellow had slipped back to the West?

If that's the case, then he really has to admire Tywin's determination.

Of course, no matter what the enemy's intentions were, Samwell didn't really care.

Now his first task is to get the army across the river, and as long as the army is all on the north bank of the Blackwater, no matter what tricks Tywin Lannister plays, it is destined to be of no avail.

This is the upright use of power to suppress people, which can destroy all conspiracies and tricks.

With this in mind, Samwell ignored the news, and only told the sentry to be on guard, and then went back to the camp to continue sleeping.

By daybreak the next day, the patrolling sentinels had sent back news one after another, confirming that the Northern Coalition had indeed withdrawn, and that the direction of retreat was King's Landing.

After receiving the news, Samwell didn't think much about it, but ordered the sentry to continue to keep an eye on the movements of the Northern Coalition and report back at any time, and then ordered the whole army to rest in place while waiting for the army on the south bank to cross the river.

This is clearly not intended to be pursued.

Many nobles who were eager to make contributions felt that the Storm King's decision was too conservative, so they specially came to the door and suggested sending troops to follow, and even looking for an opportunity to fight with the Northern Army in the field.

Samwell rejected all of these proposals.

The more he reached the decisive stage, the more cautious he became.

Of course, these anxious nobles are only a minority, and most of them can still see that they currently have an absolute strategic advantage, and as long as they fight steadily, they can win this war, and there is no need to take risks at all.

Some of the murmurs of a few people were easily suppressed by Samwell.

Just as Samwell was waiting patiently on the banks of the Blackwater River for the rest of the army to cross the river, an unexpected but reasonable visitor appeared in front of him.

"Your name is Wader Frey?"

"Yes, Your Majesty Caesar. I am the Warden of the Riverlands, the second son of Lord Steffron, the Duke of Twin Cities, Lord Wald, and you may also call me Blackward. It was a stocky man with a black beard.

Wade Frey, Lord of the Twin Rivers, married eight wives and gave birth to more than thirty children, as well as hundreds of grandchildren.

In order to please the patriarch, so many Frey were very fond of naming their sons Wade and their daughters Wada.

Therefore, there are so many "Wad Freys" in Twin Rivers that they can almost form a guard.

Samwell couldn't tell which of these Wad Frey was, but he knew what the man was looking for.

Obviously, the Frey family wants to leave a way out for themselves.

Although Samwell disliked the family for some reason, as a worthy monarch, he knew he had to show enough forgiveness at the right time.

After all, the current Frey family is the titular lord of the Riverland.

The Guardian of Riverlands was originally a title for the Tully family of Riverrun, but after Duke Horst Tully fell seriously ill and died, the title was stripped by King Tommen and re-granted to Wald Frey of the Twin Cities as a reward for his defection to the Lannisters.

Wooing the Frey family was of great significance for Samwell to win the support of the Riverlands nobles.

What's more, the Twin River Cities themselves are one of the largest territories in the Riverlands, and the Frey family is strong and worth wooing.

Of course, co-optation is co-optation, but vigilance is also essential.

Although in this world, because Eddard Stark, the Duke of the North, has never died, Wald Frey has not made such a treacherous and angry thing as the "bloody wedding" as in the original book, Samwell knows very well that this Lord of Twin Rivers is a treacherous guy like a fox.

Seeing that Samwell had been staring at him with an inexplicable gaze, Hewald felt apprehensive in his heart, and couldn't help but speak:

"Your Majesty, you must be wondering why Tywin suddenly withdrew his troops."

Samwell came back to his senses and smiled:

"Could it be because of your Frey family?"

"We do have a share of the credit."

"Oh?"

Hawade explains:

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid you don't know, it is precisely because my grandfather secretly contacted the nobles of the Riverlands and asked them to refuse to supply food to King's Landing for various reasons, which caused the Lannisters to run out of food and had to withdraw their troops."

"The Lannisters are out of food?" Samwell was shocked to understand why Tywin had retreated so decisively.

"Yes."

Samwell looked at the slightly arrogant Black Wald, suddenly smiled slightly, and said:

"But how did I hear that it was Brinzon Tully 'Blackfish' who raised the banner against the Lannisters in Riverrun, and that's why the Riverlands fell into chaos and couldn't supply food for King's Landing."

"There is an element to this." "But without the connivance and covert cooperation of our Frey family, a single black fish would not be able to disturb the riverlands. ”

Samwell smiled noncommittally.

There is certainly an exaggeration in Havard's words, but it is undeniable that the Freys do not have the same heart as the Lannisters.

But apparently don't expect them to be of the same mind as Caesar.

"Thank you to the Frey family for everything they do, I will remember it in my heart." Samwell said with a smile.

"That's what we're supposed to do." "Your Majesty, my grandfather has always admired you, and he was forced to bow to Tywin out of desperation, but now that you have come to the north bank of the Blackwater River, we of the Frey family are willing to be your internal response to help you conquer King's Landing and ascend to the Iron Throne." ”

In the face of the Frey's naked loyalty, Samwell was not very happy.

In addition to hating the person of Wald Frey, it is also because the behavior of the Frey family at this moment is too flattering.

Now anyone can see that the Lannisters are gone, and even without the help of the Freys, Samwell is sure to take King's Landing.

It can even be said that the Frey family jumped back at this time, and they were suspected of snatching the fruits of victory.

If Samwell had agreed to Havard's proposal, wouldn't the Freys have been the biggest contributors to the war?

Then after the war, Wald Frey's title of duke will be as secure as Mount Tai.

"I appreciate the kindness of the Frey family." Samwell said with a smile, "However, I'm sure I've conquered King's Landing, so I won't have to risk it." ”

Samwell clearly prefers the Tully family to the Wallgrass Freys.

What's more, the Tully family already had a higher prestige and a better reputation in the Riverlands, and their heir, Edmure Tully, was about to marry Samwell's sister.

Who will be the future guardian of the riverland, Samwell has already made up his mind in his mind.

Hewald obviously didn't expect his proposal to be rejected, and he was stunned for a moment, not knowing what to say.

"All right, Sir Walder, you Frey family can watch the play in peace. The outcome of this war has been decided. ”

Without waiting for Havard to speak again, Samwell called an attendant and commanded,

"This Sir Walder is my honored guest, and you are well treated."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Heiwade was suddenly a little anxious: "Your Majesty, we ......"

"I still have some military business to deal with." Samwell interrupted with a smile, "When the war is over, I will definitely give your grandfather a banquet and thank him in person for all he has done for the Caesar family." ”

With that, he turned and left, ignoring Havard.

(End of chapter)