"Father, news from Jacaerys and Danni," Rhaegor glanced around and whispered to Dragonzel.
"Why are you standing?" Diana tugged at her eldest son's clothes, gesturing for him to sit down.
"Mother, this is official business. I need to handle it immediately after reporting to Father. Mother, please sit comfortably; you don't need to mind me." Rhaegor did not take the seat his mother offered but gently changed her stirring rod.
Dragonzel nodded in satisfaction. With age and increased involvement in territorial affairs, his eldest son had indeed become a suitable heir. At the very least, maintaining the family's stability was no problem, and he handled important matters with ease.
"Tell me, how does Aegon's son, my dear grandson, plan to swallow the Disputed Lands?"
"Almost no plan, Father." Rhaegor shook his head with a bitter smile, "The King hasn't even gathered enough intelligence. He hasn't even figured out the patrons of the major mercenary groups near Lake Mill, nor the relationships between the factions within Redwood Coast, Crying Coast, Stone Forest Hills, and Lake Mill Plain. He also doesn't know about the power struggles within Myr and Lys, or the open and secret struggles between the Rogare family and the Iron Bank."
Dragonzel raised an eyebrow. At this moment, Daenerys also ran back, rubbing against him, holding Igor, whose face had been washed clean. Although Daenerys was mischievous, she knew not to interrupt when her father was reporting to her grandfather, so she obediently placed her brother on the carpet beside Dragonzel and sat down herself, pretending to carefully observe the flowers her grandmother Diana had planted.
But both Rhaegor and Diana knew that the child's mind must be on the military and political affairs Rhaegor was reporting to Dragonzel.
This girl had been interested in these things since she was a child—but only to the extent of being interested. Beyond that, there were no other thoughts or progress. The military and political affairs her father spoke of were like her toy sword to Daenerys: fun things, but not something to persist in learning or doing.
Igor was still a child, and after being tossed around by his sister, he was a bit sleepy. His small body swayed a few times before he collapsed onto the carpet. Diana smiled and pulled a warm blanket from behind Dragonzel to cover the child.
That brat, better at pretending than I am.
Daenerys secretly slanted her eyes and happened to see her brother, also hidden in the blanket, quietly turning his head. The girl looked at her brother with a strange expression that said, "This works too." Compared to her mother, her brother spent more time with her. Daenerys even understood her brother better than her parents did.
This kid definitely wasn't sleeping; he was also eavesdropping.
Of course, this child, not yet five, understood nothing. He simply found his father's voice particularly pleasant when he spoke seriously. And his grandfather's voice, always so pleasant to listen to.
"So, why?" Dragonzel smiled and closed his eyes, continuing to enjoy the midday sunlight.
"Dragon." Rhaegor sighed, "His Majesty is not like his father, nor like King Jacaerys I. Both kings knew that the dragon's role was mostly not to breathe dragonfire and kill enemies, but to deter. However, His Majesty is also not King Maegor I as recorded; he chose to use his dragon to expand the Realm's territory, not to attack his own people."
Rhaegor smiled; he knew well that King Maegor I and historical records were inconsistent. He was indeed mad and tyrannical, but his suppression of the Faith, eradication of the religious armed forces, and rebellious nobles who opposed Targaryen rule indeed laid the foundation for King Jaehaerys I to win hearts and minds and strengthen the royal power.
Who can truly judge right from wrong, merits and demerits?
However, unleashing blood and fire on the East Continent, which could open up more living space for the Realm, was indeed better than consuming strength in civil war.
"His Majesty believes his dragon is sufficient to contend with a thousand armies. Prince Viserys's sons fully support His Majesty's actions, and with Danni and Jacaerys, His Majesty's expeditionary force possesses six adult dragons: Dreamfyre, Seasmoke, Vermax, Horn Tide, Syrax, and Skyfire." Rhaegor stroked his smooth chin; he still wasn't used to growing a beard. But when he listed the names of the six dragons, Rhaegor couldn't help but be surprised, "Since the destruction of Valyria, this is the first time so many dragons have gone to war simultaneously. His Majesty must be full of confidence; he has every right to be."
"Continue." Dragonzel still had his eyes closed, showing no emotional fluctuation.
"Aside from Prince Lucerys Martell and Prince Quentyn Dayne, the other lords promised to send elite troops after the Great Council. At least old soldiers and the younger sons of nobles, they are well-equipped and skilled in combat. With dragons present, they will also maintain discipline. The two princes of Dorne have also begun to gather armies and warships during this time. This war has indeed received the support of the Realm's lords."
"They have no reason to refuse," Dragonzel said calmly.
"His Majesty's plan is to quickly occupy Ricca Lacron on the Redwood Coast, using this city as a base to first eliminate the warlords of the Crying Coast and Lake Mill Plain, and then eliminate the mercenaries of Lake Mill and the Myr-Rhoynar Mountains."
"He has a dragon, he can do this, and even with the continent at his back, my lovely grandson doesn't need to worry about food and supply." Dragonzel opened his eyes, "But this is based on several families with fleets fully supporting him."
"House Redwyne cannot refuse the King's summons." Rhaegor nodded, "The King granted Lord Redwyne's request to exempt wine taxes for five years, in exchange for the entire Redwyne fleet. The Royal Fleet and the Velaryon fleet have already merged, and the Red Sea Monster even proactively offered to provide the Iron Fleet. The Martell family's fleet, if you can call it a fleet, is irrelevant."
"So my lovely grandson doesn't know who the people are in the numerous caves scattered along the Crying Coast?" Dragonzel was too lazy to move, but still raised his hand to stroke his beard. "Or does he think that the Red Sea Monster with the Ironborn can completely clear out those stubborn fellows on the coast? Those fellows are richer and more cunning than the Ironborn. They lost the Stepstones; the Crying Coast is their last stronghold."
Rhaegor shook his head, "His Majesty doesn't know. Even if he did, with six dragons, he would believe those pirates couldn't cause much trouble, especially since the Red Sea Monster promised to send ten thousand Ironborn."
Dragonzel's lips twitched. "Rhaegor, if you were to lead an army to conquer the Disputed Lands, what would you do?"
"I would not fight a war without preparation and certainty." Rhaegor still stood ramrod straight, "Father, our territory has the Silver Blood Army to absorb noble children who cannot inherit land. I have calculated with Lord Hofa and the others, that at least until Igor's grandson, our territory can maintain balance."
"If." Dragonzel smiled. "If you were to organize it, what would you do?"
Rhaegor thought for a moment.
"The way Father made Dorne submit is how I will make the Disputed Lands submit to us."
Dragonzel turned to his son, "Ha, tell me the details?"
Rhaegor thought for a moment and said in a deep voice, "Father, can you tell me if the army I lead will come only from the Borderlands, or from the Realm?"
"It's up to you."
"Whether it's an army composed of the Realm's nobles or our own army, solving war with war is not the best outcome. Before anything begins, I need all intelligence on the Disputed Lands. The warlords there are riddled with conflicts, and those mercenary groups of four or five thousand men harbor deep resentment towards the larger mercenary groups. Several large mercenary groups are even ambitious, and even the Iron Bank has to consider their prestige. Kago Kao's Khalasar is also in that area. Conflicts are deeply rooted; we only need to intensify them, and we can gain a Disputed Lands that can be divided and won over."
Rhaegor seemed to understand his father's meaning.
"Our agents will bleed for us, and the reward will be the land they already possess. If they want to resist afterward."
Rhaegor's eyes suddenly turned cold.
"Dragon and iron will make them obey."
Dragonzel nodded in satisfaction, "How do you guarantee you will restrain your desire to act against those criminals who turn to you, my son?"
"Very simple." Rhaegor smiled, "I am not alone. Danni and Orion are better at dealing with those disgusting maggots than I am."
"So, do you understand what I mean?"
Rhaegor nodded; he naturally understood his father's meaning. It was simple: the Varezes family would not abandon its interests in the Disputed Lands, but Daeron's work was too rough, and Varezes could not clean up after him.
Therefore, being prepared, on standby, but not moving easily, was the Silver Dragon's rhythm in this expedition.
Amidst Daenerys's blank stare and Igor's drowsy yet curious eyes, Rhaegor stepped back a few paces, leaving the garden at the top of the tower.
Leaving behind a scene of continued warmth and joy.
Diana quietly sipped her medicated drink, Dragonzel calmly feigned sleep, and even the most boisterous Daenerys, seeing her brother truly fall asleep after a short while, curled up boredly and dozed off.
Only Sebastian was still reading. Though young, he was the most studious among the children of the three generations; even the recent conversation hadn't disturbed young Sebastian's absorption in his book.
He believed that knowledge was power, and he especially loved his grand-uncle's notes on dragons.
And beneath the massive Dragon Nest City, squadrons of cavalry riding Varezes Silver Blood horses drilled in full armor.
They were ready.
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