The Iron Islands and the Arbor were not only separated by a thousand miles, but also in a state of war, with neither side having the time or the channels to ask whether the other had truly surrendered. This was the objective basis that made the double deception possible.
However, the true key to the success of the scheme was that Aegor had not only achieved victory on the front lines, but had also retained and demonstrated the power and willingness to exterminate his enemies completely.
Even if there were clear-headed individuals among the two groups being deceived who saw through this possible trick and guessed that it was likely a tactic used to lower the price in negotiations, they could only keep their mouths shut, obediently pretend to be "terrified," and then submissively descend the steps Aegor had provided, accepting Daenerys's terms to end the war.
After all, resisting to the end would only mean two more "troubles that required some time to deal with" for Aegor, but for the parties involved, it was an important decision concerning the life and death of their families.
With the general terms of the agreement being exemption from being "invited as guests to King's Landing" and the retention of their fiefdoms, property, and titles, while requiring them to dispatch fleets to participate in the war against the slave masters, House Redwyne and the ironborn council successively chose to accept the terms, surrender, change their banners, and join Daenerys's command within two consecutive days.
With the conclusion of these two peace agreements, the final outcome of the entire Western Expeditionary Army became increasingly clear. The Golden Company and the other two southern and northern branches of the Western Expeditionary Army began to mobilize and march rapidly under remote command, preparing to besiege and eliminate the last few stubborn enemies who refused to surrender. In the distant northeast, without waiting for the two super cannons, "Royal Power" and "Truth," to be cast, House Arryn of the Vale, which had always remained neutral and hidden behind the Bloody Gate, also proactively expressed its willingness to submit.
Everything was proceeding according to the script, and as this war of unification entered its final phase, the High Septon in Oldtown, loyal to House Hightower, finally could not hold back and used the power of the Faith of the Seven to make an aggressive move against Aegor.
...
On the sixth day after entering Oldtown, Aegor woke up and washed as usual. While having breakfast, he began listening to the incident reports and immediately noticed that Myrcella's expression was a bit unusual.
"What's wrong? Is there something?"
"Today... or to be precise, starting last night, there has been some chaos in the city. This morning in the market square, a ragged beggar was giving a public speech, spouting nonsense and attacking the Queen as a madwoman born of incest, saying her filthy blood led to her cruel and chaotic temperament and way of doing things... calling her a bastard not tolerated by the Seven." She stammered, "He also accused you, my lord... uh..."
A beggar? It could not be the High Sparrow, could it?
"What about me?" Aegor did not stop eating his breakfast, speaking indistinctly with food in his mouth. "Just say it."
"He said you were a shameful and vile thief, caught and sent to the Wall because you stole eggs from Northmen back then. After surviving, you were not only ungrateful, but also basely incited rebellion, raided the Starks' home, wantonly violated wives and daughters, and committed evil deeds in Winterfell, and would eventually face retribution. Uh... He also said that you and the Queen are adulterous lovers, colluding together, a pair of... scoundrels restoring the Targaryen dynasty, which will surely not last long."
"That's it?"
Seeing Myrcella's flushed face and hesitant expression, he knew the actual words must have been a hundred times more vulgar and obscene than that, perhaps even including real names, so foul and disgusting that a good girl like her did not have the vocabulary to relay them.
However, Aegor scoffed, not even pausing for a moment.
"Anything else? Continue."
"The guards encountered resistance while attempting to disperse them. A conflict broke out, injuring more than ten people. The instigator escaped in the chaos, and only dozens of fanatical believers were apprehended." Myrcella breathed a sigh of relief. The rest of the report was not embarrassing. "There were also scattered small-scale disturbances in other parts of the city. Most involved citizens throwing rotten eggs, spoiled vegetables, and stones at our patrols... This only resulted in minor injuries. The trouble was mainly the insults, and no deaths occurred."
"Very good."
Very good. This was not just an assessment that no one had died, but also praise for Myrcella knowing what he cared about most.
However, Aegor's thoughts were inevitably pulled back to the day he inexplicably entered this world.
---
He had transmigrated in his pajamas into the wilderness of the North, where the temperature was close to freezing. After discovering a human settlement, he naturally tried to communicate with the villagers and seek their help... According to the typical plot of transmigration novels, there should have been a noble person, a guide for the newcomer, to assist him at this point. However, the place where he landed was a real and remote small village in the North. The villagers there were barely struggling to survive on the poverty line themselves, so how could they help a foreigner who did not speak their language, looked strange, and was possibly an exiled fugitive?
Night gradually fell. Aegor, tormented by hunger and cold, was not accepted by a kind-hearted village girl, nor was he seen and taken in by a passing great noble who could recognize talent. An adult who had been tormented by hypothermia and hunger for most of the day certainly could not sit there and freeze to death on the first night of his transmigration. Taking some inappropriate actions within necessary limits for this purpose, even if judged in a modern court, would absolutely be standard "emergency avoidance" and could not be faulted.
But...
Was he supposed to loudly explain in public that he had not stolen eggs, but had only taken two tattered pieces of clothing and a few potatoes?
Or, more fatally, admit that he had violated a daughter, but firmly deny touching a wife?
Only a fool would duel on a battlefield set up by the enemy, making things worse the more he explained.
---
Using dirt, whether true or false, mixing it with a bit of nonsense and embellishment, then sprinkling it over a full outpouring of emotion, was the most efficient and deadly method of steering public opinion in any era or world.
One could imagine that if he had not immediately rallied the main body of citizens with the promise of "Oldtown autonomy," but had instead allowed the elites and leaders from various industries and the Faith to collude and participate in this preemptive attack by the people against the officials, Aegor would have faced a city full of fanatical heretics and increasingly large, nonstop riots. He would soon have been forced, under pressure, to helplessly release House Hightower from the Hightower, beg them to "control" and "quell" the situation, and then, covered in shame, slink out of Oldtown.
But now, with precautions taken beforehand, the situation was immediately reversed.
The people of Oldtown were not starving like the residents of King's Landing under Queen Cersei in the original timeline, so not many people would be incited except for fanatical believers with poor understanding. The middle-level elites in the city had already been firmly won over by him early on, and not only would they not help the other side, they would even act as his informants. His proxies were also ready...
Aegor tilted his head back, finished the hot soup in the bowl, and after elegantly wiping his mouth, turned to Myrcella.
"First, let me correct a small error in your wording. Those participating in illegal gatherings and throwing things at the Western Expeditionary Army's soldiers are not Oldtown citizens, but rioters and rebels."
This was the official designation. As the source of administrative personnel, she absolutely could not get the terminology wrong. Myrcella immediately understood, nodding and recording it.
"Then order all divisions to enter a state of first-level alert. A city-wide curfew will be enforced tonight. Western Expeditionary Army personnel must avoid unnecessary departures from camp when not on duty. Patrol personnel are not permitted to take excessive confrontational or retaliatory measures without clear instructions, and under no circumstances are they to act alone!"
This was to stabilize the situation. Only by not making mistakes themselves could they calmly launch a counterattack. Whether rioters were killed during the process of dispersal and arrest, or Aegor's soldiers were ambushed or even assassinated in the streets and alleys, the level of trouble and the risk of losing control would explode.
"Notify all Oldtown councilors to come to the Hightower for a meeting this afternoon. I want to hear their explanation."
Hearing their explanation was false. Aegor knew what was happening better than anyone. The real purpose was for this group to ensure the normal operation of production and life in the city, as well as to make them pledge their loyalty, sever their ties with the Faith, and clearly choose a side. Before bringing down a great figure, one must first destroy his social connections. Aegor had learned this from Tyrion back when the Night's Watch industry was clashing with the commander of the City Watch of King's Landing, Janos Slynt.
"Hmm..." He pondered for a moment. After confirming that the defensive measures were mostly covered, a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "That's all for now. Now go invite Lord Mace Tyrell and Lady Margaery over. It is time for them to get to work."
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
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