Chapter 13 Changing Strategies

Of course Margaery knew that the "Paxter" that her grandmother spoke of was the Lord Paxter Redwyne, Lord of Arbor Island.

This person was leading the Arbor Island fleet to block Storm's End from the sea.

Now she no longer had any doubts, and suddenly said: "No wonder 'Onion Knight' Davos was able to drive his smuggling boat into the harbor of Storm's End. It turned out that Earl Paxter did it on purpose..."

"That's right." Madam Olenna confirmed her granddaughter's guess, and said, "Back when Storm's End could not be captured for a long time, Lando Tarly advised your father to leave a small army to continue the siege and lead the main force of the Riverbend Army. Go north to meet Wang Jun and fight against the rebels together.

But the stupid "Master Inflatable Fish" doesn't know if he really has that much confidence in the king's army, or if he is not willing to let his army face the front of the rebel army. Rivalry.

Not long after that, news came that Prince Rhaegar was killed by Robert with a hammer on the banks of the Trident River, and the situation of the entire war was thus reversed.

At this time, your father is still not awakened, and he is still attacking Storm's End. Landau had no choice but to write that seemingly inexplicable letter to me.

If it weren't for this letter, Robert's two younger brothers would have starved to death in Storm's End.

Hehe, if this is the case, do you think that after Robert Baratheon successfully overthrew the Targaryen dynasty, he would easily accept the surrender of the Royalist nobles of the Riverbend so easily? "

Margaery nodded thoughtfully: "So, at the beginning, Randyll Tarly didn't want to make things go away, so as to leave room for negotiation."

"Yes. All the nobles of the Reach should thank Landau Tarly, he was the one who stayed sober in that war. And, you should be able to understand why Landau didn't go to Paxter himself, but Are you writing to me?"

Margaery nodded.

I understand that Landau is doing this out of caution, and he doesn't want to leave any clues of "collaborating with the rebels".

He wrote that inexplicable letter because he believed that Mrs. Olenna could understand his intentions, and that the old lady could see the situation clearly.

Moreover, Mrs. Olenna is the aunt and mother-in-law of Earl Paxter, the commander of the Qingting Island fleet. With these two relationships, it will be safer and more effective for her to persuade Earl Paxter to release the rebels.

"Do you still think Randyll Tarly is a no-brainer?"

Margaery stuck out her cute little tongue: "I never thought that there would be such a secret in the Siege of Storm's End back then. From this point of view, Lando Tarly is indeed very politically minded."

Lady Olenna said with emotion: "You should be thankful that Horn Hill is not a wealthy territory, and the Tarly family doesn't have enough influence in the Reach, so Randyll has never shown ambition.

If he was born in a family like Hightower, or Florens, heh, then I will definitely advise your father to get rid of this person as soon as possible! "

Margaery was taken aback by the cold light in her grandmother's eyes.

But soon, Mrs. Olenna returned to her benevolent look, as if what she just said was just a joke.

Margaret collected herself and asked:

"Grandmother, since that's the case, how could Earl Landau not see the bright spots in Samwell? Do you want to deprive him of his inheritance?"

"This is what I can't figure out. It may also be that after being abandoned by the family this time, Samwell woke up and changed his temperament drastically."

It was the first time that Margaery saw her grandmother so confused, and she couldn't help laughing inwardly.

After laughing, she pointed to the letter in her hand and asked:

"Grandma, you haven't told me how to deal with Samwell? Do you really want to continue giving him money?"

"Why not? Apart from roses, the Tyrell family needs money the most." Mrs. Olenna said without hesitation, "Rando himself doesn't cherish such a good son, why don't we win him over?" come over?"

Thinking of Carter's death, Margaret hesitated and said, "But grandma, aren't you worried that Samwell will get out of control?"

Mrs. Olenna laughed when she heard this:

"A pioneering knight who doesn't even have a territory, no matter how much he jumps, can he still jump out of our control? Moreover, how to control the vassals so that they are willing to charge for us is also a science. Since Samwell is your own handbook The knight, then leave it to you to practice your hands."

"I'm not qualified to be a knight, I'm just acting on behalf of my father..." Margaery murmured a little guiltyly, then shook Mrs. Olenna's arm, and said coquettishly, "Grandmother, teach me, if Samwell This blackmail is successful, what should I do if it intensifies later? I can't keep sending him money, can I?

"So you have to set the rules instead of being led by him."

"How to set the rules?"

"To make it simpler, no matter how much he wants, you only give him a certain amount of money every month. To make it more complicated, you can also set reward and punishment rules, such as giving him a monetary reward if the territory development progress reaches a certain level, but If the progress is unfavorable, then deduct the money. In short, the initiative must be in your own hands, not every time he writes to ask for money, you will give it."

"I see." Margaret nodded again and again, "Grandmother, how did you plan to arrange Samwell?"

"At first I thought that Samwell was a cowardly person who could be controlled by strong means. But now it seems that this method is no longer feasible. However, you don't have to worry, just like flowers and plants will grow towards the sun, people, there will always be Move closer to the interests. If you grasp the line of interests, you can control anyone, especially an ambitious and smart person like Samwell."

Margaret's eyes were full of eagerness to try, but she was also a little apprehensive in addition to being excited:

"Grandma, why did you let Samwell go there to develop? I only guessed that you were trying to deal with Dawn, but I couldn't figure out the specific method. So... I'm a little worried that your plan will be ruined."

"How to deal with Don, haven't you figured it out?"

Margery shook her head.

Madame Olenna said persuasively: "Then think about it, how did the Iron Throne make Dorne submit?"

"By marriage."

"Marriage is only the result, not the reason. If you can conquer a country by marrying a woman, why would you need an army? Without King Daeron I conquering Sunspear and shattering the dream of independence for the Dornish people, how could the Martell family be able to survive?" Are you willing to marry Princess Mia to King's Landing?

Think about it carefully, Aegon the Conqueror failed to conquer Dorne when he rode three giant dragons. Why did Daeron I accomplish this feat after the dragons became extinct? "

Margaret fell into deep thought when she heard the words, and after a while, she said in an uncertain tone:

"River?"

"That's right! With the barrier of the Crimson Mountains, it is almost impossible to conquer Dorne from land. And the river is the key to open the gate of Dorne."

Margaret seemed to be a little puzzled: "No wonder you suggested to Samwell that the development site is near the mouth of the Turbulent River, but grandma, what should I do?"

"Don't be impatient. The most important quality of a good gardener is patience. After planting the seeds in the right place, just water and fertilize. Time will give you the answer." Mrs. Olenna said leisurely, "And trust me De told me that Samwell actually said that he can start a serious business in a barren land like the Crimson Mountains, and I am looking forward to him giving me a surprise."

(end of this chapter)