"Jon, Robb sent me to find you. He has something he wants to discuss with us."
Theon said expressionlessly, looking a bit like a punching bag.
He used to love provocatively teasing Jon.
After being 'goaded' by Jon, he went to Robb and offered to go to the Iron Islands, believing he might be able to bring back an army for him.
But Maester Luwin vetoed his proposal behind the scenes.
Theon's status was that of a 'hostage.' If he were allowed to return, Balon would have no qualms in his actions.
Who knew what those mad pirates would do?
Without a chance to 'show off,' Theon's mood grew increasingly sour.
Now, hearing that Robb wanted to discuss something with him, he was incredibly excited, so the two went together to Robb's study.
At this moment, Robb was talking to Maester Luwin, his expression showing some impatience.
Robb had now become the de facto Lord of Winterfell, but it seemed this lordship was not easy to bear.
"Don't worry, Robb. These vassals are still loyal to Stark and to Winterfell. They are just..."
Maester Luwin was halfway through his sentence when Jon and Theon arrived at the study.
"Jon, Theon." Robb composed himself slightly and then said, "I need your help with some advice."
Robb spoke with some helplessness, while Luwin recounted the difficulties the young Wolf Lord had recently encountered.
As Jon had predicted, the pampered and fierce generals of the North did not fully accept their young liege lord.
For example, some thought Robb was too young to order them around. One even wanted to marry his granddaughter to Robb.
For a vassal to interfere with his liege's marriage was utterly rebellious.
To appease them, Robb dared not use overly aggressive methods and could only dismiss them for the time being.
Others hoped to seize the opportunity to gain some benefits.
He kept sending gifts to Robb and Bran, seemingly asking for nothing in return.
But this fellow also had his own calculations; he hoped to obtain hunting rights in a certain area.
Among them, the most noteworthy was Roose Bolton, whom Jon had been concerned about from the very beginning.
This fellow directly approached Robb, stating that he should be appointed commander of the entire army.
Although Robb dismissed them one by one, it was clear that those dismissed lords only realized that this young lord was not easily fooled and had not given up their intentions.
Jon knew that Robb would soon have his first moment of glory—having his wolf bite off Greatjon's fingers.
Greatjon would then completely submit to Robb.
However, this was also the bad consequence of Robb's initial inability to suppress them effectively.
A vassal daring to openly threaten his liege in a meeting, saying he would withdraw his army, Robb had no choice but to resort to such a measure.
Fortunately, Greatjon had an M-trait; he lost two fingers but offered his loyalty.
It would be hard to say for anyone else.
Originally, Robb had no one to consult, but now that Jon had returned from the Wall, he poured out his troubles to his bastard brother.
But before Jon could speak, Theon, standing by, impatiently said:
"In the Iron Islands, we deal with disobedient vassals very simply: we fight, or we duel!
Just kill a few people, and the others will listen."
After being provoked by Jon's 'you're thinking too Westerosi' comment, Theon began to ponder how to make himself look like a true 'Ironborn.'
He even asked Maester Luwin for some books about the Iron Islands.
Of course, this also aroused Maester Luwin's vigilance, but he still lent him the books.
Maester Luwin, standing nearby, spoke, "Theon, relying solely on violence to assert power will only lose people's hearts. The situation in Westeros is far more complex than in the Iron Islands."
Seeing Maester Luwin say this, Theon found it hard to continue speaking.
He glanced sideways at Jon, not believing this bastard had any good ideas.
The profound change in Jon when he returned from the Wall that day had left a deep impression on him.
Yet, as soon as he returned, he just knew how to practice his sword with grunts and groans, no different from before.
Unexpectedly, Jon smiled and said:
"This is a good thing."
"What?" Everyone looked at him.
A good thing?
What did he mean? How could Robb being troubled by his vassals be a good thing?
Theon thought with a scoff.
Maester Luwin, too, didn't understand what Jon meant.
"This is a good thing!" Jon repeated. "Good horses have strong tempers, but once tamed, they become an excellent asset for a knight.
Although these vassals are constantly making things difficult for you, once they are tamed, their strength will be at your disposal, and we will have more confidence in rescuing Father!"
Seeing Jon say this, Maester Luwin's eyes lit up.
He quite liked this analogy and also appreciated Jon's optimistic attitude.
"Then what do you think Robb should do?" Maester Luwin asked, leaning slightly forward, his tone filled with curiosity and anticipation.
Robb also looked at him expectantly.
Theon finally turned his head.
Seeing everyone's gaze focused on him, Jon calmed his emotions slightly and said:
"In fact, it's about adding a few more steps to Theon's suggestion. Violence is also authority, but it cannot be used alone. So, what if it's combined with benevolence?"
Jon suggested that Robb give him a contingent of men and have him patrol the camps of the various lords.
Anyone found breaking the rules would be dealt with by military law directly. Soldiers breaking rules would be flogged; nobles breaking rules would be flogged.
First, beat one or two of the most outspoken ones to make them apprehensive.
"At that time, they will surely come to you to complain about my heavy-handedness. You just need to punish me along with them.
This way, they will experience the authority of military law and also feel your benevolence, naturally pledging their loyalty to you, or at least not daring to test you carelessly."
As Jon spoke, Maester Luwin's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
This was indeed a good method, essentially meaning Jon would bear the bad reputation, and Robb would reap the benefits.
It had to be close brothers; otherwise, such a degree of cooperation wouldn't be possible.
Maester Luwin looked at him with admiration, wondering why he had never noticed Jon possessed such cunning before.
Robb also thought this was a good method, but it was too unfair to Jon.
"Jon, this... this won't do. This isn't fair to you, I..."
Robb was halfway through his sentence when Jon interrupted him.
"Enough, Robb. I just want to rescue Father and my sisters now. Nothing else matters to me."
"Jon..."
Robb suddenly felt a pang in his nose, and after a moment of thought, he said, "How about this, Jon? When we march south, I'll give you a contingent of men and let you lead your own army!"
Receiving Robb's promise, Jon was secretly pleased.
Being just a foot soldier had too low a ceiling; with an army, it was different.
Even if there were only eight hundred men, if the timing was right, they could completely overturn an army of one hundred thousand!
It was normal to act as a henchman for others when he had no foundation or power himself.
Didn't a certain trio of brothers in history personally go down and deal with a certain adoptive father/wholesaler?
However, Robb's decision made Theon, standing by, a bit anxious.
Winterfell's total military strength was only around six thousand men.
If some were given to Jon, then the remaining could not be further divided.
'No! I can't let Jon steal my opportunity!'
Theon anxiously spoke, "But what if you can't beat them? Those nobles always have sworn swords with them, and their martial arts aren't low. If you are defeated instead, wouldn't that be an embarrassment to Robb?"