Chapter 623 Two Wisps of Smoke on the Sea

King's Landing, Red Keep vestibule.

Rhaegar walked quickly and said in a brisk tone: "I heard that Volantis's ships are full of docks?"

"The mud door is still a bit small."

Darren followed beside him, joking seriously.

Nephew Mekar returned to King's Landing, bringing with him a dozen large ships of Essos mainland specialties, and was moving the goods at the dock.

Darren was young and brave, and suddenly asked: "I heard what happened to Lord Leonor."

That was a prime minister who did his job, but failed to be protected.

Rega was silent for a moment and nodded gently: "Lord Leonor's efforts will be rewarded."

The eldest son was attacked, and several dukes and earls loyal to the royal family were killed.

Even if the eldest son plans to take revenge personally, he still has to recover some interest in advance.

The only question is who is behind the scenes.

Iron Islands, Bluffs or Remnant of the Three Kingdoms?

Seeing that his elder brother had lost his smile, Darren realized that he had said the wrong thing and changed the subject: "It is not necessarily a bad thing for Lord Leonor to retire and return to his hometown. Although his two sons are dead, Sir Harwin left him Three lovely grandchildren.”

"Oh, that's good."

Rhaegar was a little stunned and asked confusedly: "When did Harwin get married?"

The dignified commander of the capital garrison, I never heard that he is married.

"It's a marriage with the daughter of a little noble in the Western Region. The wedding was only held in Shili City."

Darren read a lot and said with a smile: "I also heard that Lord Leonor named a blond grandson Laris in memory of his crooked-footed youngest son."

Rega was also happy, and suddenly asked: "Blonde?"

The Strong family's appearance features brown hair, lion noses, and surprisingly tough caste characteristics.

"Yes, the three grandsons are all blond and blue-eyed, and their high nose bridges make them look very handsome."

Darren continued to ramble.

Hearing this, Rhaegar suddenly fell silent.

Could it be that a marriage in name only created a miracle of changing caste characteristics.

"What's wrong, brother?"

Darren realized it later, and then fell silent.

He lowered his head helplessly and picked at the thin skin on his fingernails.

Damn it for all those years of reading in vain!

As they walked, Rhaegar couldn't bear it anymore and asked in a low voice: "Where did Aemond go?"

No matter who the real culprit is behind the scenes, let’s start with the Ironborn of the Iron Islands.

If you don't kill me and bleed like a river, I'm sorry for my loyal and honest minister.

"Aemond ran to Storm's End as soon as he got off the battlefield."

Darren looked embarrassed.

Looking at that resigned look, you knew there was something fishy.

Rhaegar's eyes narrowed and he said displeasedly: "Why is he still going to Storm's End since his marriage to Cassandra has been cancelled?"

He was not welcome in the Stormlands.

Darren's expression was hard to explain, and he said slowly: "Um, Mrs. Elena..."

Further down, I really can’t say anything.

Rhaegar frowned, secretly wondering why he mentioned the widow of Duke Boros.

"He, they both..."

Darren's face turned red with shame, and he gritted his teeth: "Emond abandoned Lady Celine and got together with Lady Elena."

"ah?"

When Lei Jia heard this, his eyes darkened.

"He! How dare you?"

Rhaegar almost stumbled and lost his balance, gritting his teeth in secret hatred.

She was the widow of the Duke of the First Realm and the half-powerful regent of Storm's End.

Even in terms of age, he is not younger than Allison!

"Brother, don't be angry first."

Darren looked serious: "Eamond didn't cause any trouble, he just didn't behave well in his private life."

"More than indiscreet!!"

Rhaegar couldn't hold himself any longer.

As far as he knew, the late Cassandra and the unmarried Floris had relations with Emond.

Isn't this enough? Do you have to go straight to the nest?

"How does Allison teach children!"

Rhaegar rolled his eyes, waved his hand and walked forward: "Send a message to the raven of Storm's End and ask Aemond to ride a dragon to attack the Iron Islands. You must teach the ironborn a profound lesson."

You still have to use it.

After leaving him so much mess, he still wanted to mess it up like Aegon?

Can't!

…

The next day, a royal meeting was held.

Rhaegar sat on the throne, with his father Viserys and his uncle Daemon on either side.

The remaining imperial ministers lined up left and right.

Across the conference table, Aemon and Mekar sat side by side, facing their father who looked majestic.

Boom!

"My lords, Qohor has won the battle, what will happen next?"

Rhaegar knocked on the stone ball with green patterns on a black background and looked around.

"Of course, fight it!"

Aemon was excited and was the first to raise his hand to speak.

Meka's little face was tense, and her little hands secretly pulled her brother's sleeves to signal him to be quiet.

Rega glanced at the two little ones and selectively ignored them: "Who can tell?"

The eldest son is not in King's Landing, and the second son and third son are also the future princes of the city, so it is necessary to gain access to rights in advance.

But, they don’t have the right to speak.

The scene was a little deserted. Damon leaned back in his chair and said casually: "I agree with my grandnephew's suggestion. Foreigners are dishonest if they don't fight."

"That's right."

Eamonn smiled and was very motivated.

"Quiet!" Rhaegar shouted, interrupting the second son's nonsense.

Compared to the eldest son and the third son, even the fourth son with a weak personality, this kid is a thorn in the side.

After being taught a lesson, Aemon withered like a blade of grass.

Immediately, Rega looked sideways at his good uncle and said seriously: "Tell me what you think, the Four Cities Alliance is not broken yet."

In the ten-year long summer, the prophecy of the conqueror loomed.

As a matter of urgency, the kingdom has two major things to do!

1. Strengthen centralization of power and recruit an army strong enough to resist at any time before disaster strikes.

2. Defeat threats outside the mainland, led by the Four Cities Alliance, the Iron Islands, and the Basilisk Islands.

Only after these two things are resolved can we have the capital to overcome all difficulties.

Damon had never heard of the prophecy of "A Song of Ice and Fire", so he had his own considerations: "With Qohor as a nail, the family will truly gain a foothold in the continent of Essos."

After a pause, he pulled out a map covering two continents from the conference table and pointed at the location of Novos: "The Four Cities Alliance will have geographical, military, and financial advantages, but they cannot be in one place and have greater strength. discount."

Damon pointed out the enemy's loopholes and accurately grasped it: "As long as the defense line of Novus is destroyed, the Four Cities Alliance will not be able to cross Novos Mountain. One man will be able to block the barrier and no one can open it."

Rega frowned slightly and then lowered his gaze.

The northern mountains of the eastern continent of Essos are criss-crossed, and the most famous one is the Noss Mountains, which spans four directions: east, west, north and south.

With the advantage of the dragon, if it can be captured, the other three city-states will not be able to join forces.

Even within the mainland, there is no way to have an impact on Qohor.

"That's a good idea."

Viserys rubbed his chin and hesitated: "But after this battle, the treasury's money has been greatly depleted. Continuing the war is not conducive to capital turnover."

Most of the treasury's revenue comes from the three city-states on the other side of the strait.

If the war continues for a long time, maritime trade will also be suspended.

"Father, we don't have much time, we must solve this problem as soon as possible."

Rhaegar reminded in a low voice, worried about the situation in the north.

Just a few days ago, he received news from the Great Wall again.

The savages outside the Great Wall gathered together and approached in a mighty manner.

There are rumors that giants and mammoths appear among the savage army.

This is unusual and goes against common sense.

Viserys said melancholy: "You know, war requires money."

"Yes, the treasury cannot provide that kind of money."

Lin Man's eyes were dim and he said slowly and logically: "The income of the three city-states was invested in the construction of fortifications on the Stone Step Islands. Some time ago, they also allocated funds to the Green Blood River, which cost a lot."

As a qualified finance minister and treasury manager, even the king would not want to spend a golden dragon indiscriminately.

Living beyond one's means is a taboo for harming the country.

Before Rhaegar could retort, Damon took the lead and retorted: "Lord Linman, do you know how fierce the war is across the sea? It's more troublesome than sitting in a pile of money counting money."

Not only was he sarcastic, but he also spoke in a weird manner.

Lin Man blew his beard angrily and glared at his age: "Prince, no one forced you to go to war. The children and grandchildren of my family have also sacrificed their lives for the country."

"Haha, what a loyal person from generation to generation."

Damon took a sip of wine, with a half-smile on his lips.

How can a minister who has never seen war understand the cruelty of blood and fire.

Seeing the quarrel intensifying, Tailan, who returned casually, spoke cautiously: "Your Majesty, I think it is still necessary to fight, but the direction may be better in Slaver's Bay."

His brother is still in the dungeon in Slaver's Bay.

"Please be quiet first, Lord Tailan."

Rega glanced sideways, a little speechless.

Tailan smiled and huddled up.

The other ministers, bachelors and intelligence chief did not speak.

Minister of Justice Jaspy hesitated and whispered: "Your Majesty, whether there is a war or not, King's Landing needs a qualified prime minister."

"This is the most fruitful proposal!"

Viserys's eyes lit up and he slapped the table in agreement.

Leonor's resignation caused a lot of psychological pressure on him.

Rhaegar looked around. The ministers were not interested in the war, but were very excited about electing a new prime minister.

"well!"

Sighing in his heart, Rega waved his hand casually: "According to what everyone said, are there any good candidates?"

He knew the character of these ministers, including his father, very well.

Fighting internally is an expert, fighting externally is an outsider.

If you don't know anything about important matters, you will pretend to be deaf and mute and shirk responsibility.

They hold on to trivial matters and argue endlessly like shopping for groceries in a busy market.

Without a ruling on the election of the prime minister, they can't even think of discussing a combat strategy.

After saying that, Rega put his forehead with one hand and looked back to the side of his head.

Damon smiled playfully and raised his glass to toast his nephew.

He just couldn't stand the situation of the Imperial Council, so he spent all day hanging out in the Capital Guard and Flea Bottom.

Rega winked, indicating that they would chat privately.

"Uh-huh." Damon drank the wine in a big gulp and held the Dark Sister around his waist.

As the prince of the dragon clan, you should also fulfill your responsibilities.

…

Time flies, three days later.

Shipwreck Cove.

"Hiss!"

An ugly mud dragon flew across the bay, flapping its muddy brown wings.

Ugly, a bit ugly, but better than that because of its huge size.

No matter which direction you look at it, it has a sense of absurdity that is both vicious and ugly at the same time.

"Hurry up, you sheep thief!"

Aemond rides on the back of a dragon. He wears a slim-fitting black blouse and long silver hair.

The one eye glanced at Dorne below, revealing unruly hatred.

One person and one dragon moved quickly and disappeared into the clouds in a blink of an eye.

…

I don’t know how much time passed.

"Hiss!!"

A rapid dragon roar resounded, and a light silver dragon rushed out of the thick clouds.

Near the Stone Steps Islands, several pirate ships from the Three Women Kingdom were running rampant.

boom--

The sea smoke plunged down and sprayed all over the sails and deck.

The pirates were intercepting a cargo ship from the old town, and were instantly submerged in the dragon flame.

After getting rid of the familiar enemy, Haiyan Dragon raised his head and flew back to the sea of ​​clouds with agility.

However, when avoiding the scorpion crossbow, he was a little stiff when he turned sideways.

There was a big hole in the membrane of one dragon wing, which was not healed from the last injury.

Crash...

The waves hit, and the pirate ship gradually sank.

Boom--

A pale shadow crossed the vast sea and rushed into the high clouds.

Careful observation can reveal that there is a bloody hole on the gray and white wing membrane on one side.

The slender and sharp dragon tail swayed, and the tip like a bee sting was infected with a layer of coagulated blood.

Two smoke-colored dragon shadows flashed one after another, and the sea surface returned to calm.

"There is a ship here, look!"

The sunken ship has been extinguished, and a pirate ship of the Three Women's Kingdom is coming leisurely.

Smelling the sulfur smell of the dragon flames nearby, a dozen pirates did not dare to stay any longer and hurriedly looted the half-looted Old Town ship.

"There are people here."

A bearded pirate opened the hatch, and the sunlight shone on a group of sallow-faced slaves.

Facing the light, two silver-haired men hugged each other, their purple eyes showing hope.

"We're saved."