Chapter 88 Imperial Council (Part 2)

"ah?"

Duke Jon called out several times, and the Grand Maester Pycelle woke up like a dream.

He raised his head blankly and looked at the faces of his colleagues for a long time before he seemed to remember where he was.

"Sorry, my lords." Pycelle looked old-fashioned, "I'm old, I get tired easily, and I accidentally fell asleep. I'm really sorry."

Duke Jon sighed, and it was not good to criticize the other party.

After all, Pycelle is older than him. He has served the Iron Throne for nearly fifty years, and he has experienced four kings. This qualification is truly incomparable.

However, "Octospider" Varys pulled a mocking smile from the corner of his mouth. He learned from a little bird that this grand maester who now looks like he has half stepped into the grave is lying on the bed. When checking up on the maids, they were very energetic.

"Master Paicell, we are discussing the dispute between the Reach and Dorne. What's your opinion on this?" Duke Jon asked patiently again.

"Hewan and Dorne..." Pai Sear stroked his snow-white beard, pondered for a long time, and then said slowly,

"These two families have been fighting for thousands of years, and it hasn't stopped. It's really a headache! As subjects of the Iron Throne, what can't be discussed? They have to fight back and forth, so that innocent soldiers He and the farmer died in vain. When Aegon V was on the throne, he wanted to promote a marriage between the two families to ease the conflict, but unfortunately, the marriage failed. Later, Jaehaerys II..."

The old bachelor rambled on for a long time, but the result was all nonsense, and several people present showed impatient expressions.

Hearing that Pycelle actually mentioned the former king, Duke Stannis finally couldn't help but interrupted:

"I think the Iron Throne should send an envoy south to end this dispute."

Well, finally someone gave advice on how to deal with it.

Pycelle closed his mouth resolutely, his eyes were sleepy, as if he had fallen asleep again.

Duke Jon looked at the Duke of Dragonstone sitting on his right hand, who looked like a cold stone, and suddenly felt that although this person had a bad temper, compared with the other slippery guys, he seemed a Very cute.

"I agree." Duke Jon agreed, not planning to waste too much time on this matter.

"I agree."

"Me too."

The rest of the people also expressed their views.

"Okay." Duke Jon nodded in satisfaction, and asked again, "Who do you think is the most suitable candidate for the envoy?"

The chamber suddenly fell silent again.

After a while, "Littlefinger" Petyr said: "If you want Hewan and Dorne to sit down and negotiate calmly, the person who goes there must have enough prestige. In fact, it's best for His Majesty to go there in person..."

The rest of the people shook their heads secretly when they heard this.

That king didn't even bother to attend the imperial meeting, and he was expected to mediate the dispute between River Bend and Dorne?

Duke Jon coughed lightly, and said, "Your Majesty is busy with affairs after all..."

Speaking of this, the old duke's face turned red, but he continued:

"Let's send someone else."

Petyr shrugged and suggested: "If His Majesty cannot go in person, it is best to send a member of the royal family."

Hearing this, Stannis Baratheon, Duke of Dragonstone Island, broke his mouth and said:

"I can go there."

Duke Jon pondered for a moment, then smiled at Stannis:

"Lord Stannis is willing to go, I am sure I have no objection. However, the kingdom's maritime affairs still need you to preside over it, it might not be good to leave rashly..."

Hearing this, Duke Stannis jumped up suddenly, and said stiffly:

"In this case, then I will go to the 'maritime affairs'. My lords, please continue to discuss."

After speaking, he strode out of the meeting hall.

Everyone looked at his back, not knowing what to say for a while.

Duke Jon sighed, knowing that the reasons for his refusal were really far-fetched. But he can't help it.

With regard to Stannis' bad temper, he still mediates disputes, so it would be good not to intensify the conflicts.

Moreover, during the War of the Reavers, the Reach army besieged Storm's End for more than a year, almost starving Stannis to death in the city. If he was sent there, if the two sides turned up the old score, they might have to start a new one. something.

"Ahem, do you have any other candidates?" Duke Jon only felt his head start to hurt again, and he couldn't help raising his hand to press the center of his brows and knead.

Petyr smiled slightly, and proposed again:

"Why don't you send Duke Renly to go? He just happens to be on vacation by the Sunset Sea, which is not far from there."

Duke Jon frowned again, and seemed to be even more displeased with the young and impetuous Renly, shaking his head and saying:

"Duke Renly is on vacation, so don't bother him."

Petyr was not discouraged, and proposed another person:

"What about Prince Joffrey?"

Duke Jon shook his head without thinking, "Your Highness Joffrey is too young."

Petyr spread his hands together: "Then only Her Majesty the Queen is left."

"I agree with Your Majesty the Queen!" Grand Maester Pacelle said as if he was lying.

But unfortunately, his words did not arouse everyone's agreement.

After hearing the queen's name, Duke Jon felt his head swell even more.

That careless woman has been messing around with the Red Castle all day long, and you still expect her to mediate the dispute?

Gods of the Seven!

The old man was a little sad to find that among the royal families that ruled the Seven Kingdoms, they couldn't find a reliable mediator.

In fact, it is more than just the royal family. Who can reassure him of the several important ministers of the kingdom in the imperial meeting?

Varys knows too much and does too little.

Pycelle played dead all day long, and had close contacts with the Lannister family.

Barristan Selmy was rigid and obstinate, oblivious to everything but his oath as a White Knight.

As for "Littlefinger" Petyr Baelish

It stands to reason that this person is his vassal and was promoted by himself, so he should be his confidant.

But every time he gazed into the other person's gray-green eyes, for some reason, Duke Jon always felt that he could not fully trust this person.

A deep sense of powerlessness haunted the old duke, making him even more exhausted, who had already been exhausted by the arduous affairs of the kingdom.

Sometimes he couldn't help but want to leave everything behind and return to Eagle's Nest City with his wife and children to enjoy his old age.

But every time he would immediately hate himself for being weak.

As high as glory. (As High As Honor)

This family language of the Ayrin family has long been engraved in his bones.

When he rebelled with his two adopted sons, Robert Baratheon wanted to take away his wife, Ed Stark wanted to avenge his father and brother, but he, Jon Arryn, was more Want a less crazy king for the Seven Kingdoms.

Unfortunately, although the new king Robert Baratheon is not crazy, he is definitely not wise either.

So, he had to make up for it.

No matter how heavy this burden is, it is an honor that he must stick to.

For this, he can give everything, including life.

"Okay, I'll go there myself." Duke Jon made the final decision, at this moment, he felt that his headache seemed to disappear, "As the Hand of the King, he should act on behalf of the King. After I leave, the affairs of King's Landing will need your lords to take more care of you."

Everyone quickly bowed their heads and said yes.

"Littlefinger" Petyr Baelish bowed particularly low, as if he was afraid that others would see the expression on his face at the moment.

After the imperial meeting ended, Petyr walked out of the meeting room, feeling that the sun outside was exceptionally bright.

"Lord Petyr." The soft voice of Varys the "Octospider" came from behind.

Petyr quickly put away the smile on his face, turned around and said, "What's wrong? Lord Varys?"

Varys walked a few steps quickly, walked side by side with Petyr for a while, and suddenly said:

"You seem to want Lord Jon to visit Dorne himself?"

"Why?" Petyr immediately denied, "Master Jon is old and not in good health, so it is really worrying to travel such a long distance. Besides, you and I both know that all the affairs of the kingdom depend on Lord Jon to preside over them. As soon as he leaves, the imperial meeting may be messed up. Hey, just thinking about it gives me a headache."

Varys chuckled, but mercilessly exposed:

"Don't think I can't see Ni's tricks. You deliberately put all the unsuitable candidates in front of Lord Jon one by one, obviously to force him to mediate in person."

Petyr looked deeply wronged: "Master Varys, what you said really broke my heart. I really think about the stability of the country, but you always wrong me."

Varys smiled, moved closer, and lowered his voice:

"Lord Petyr, a little bird told me that he saw you in Braavos across the Narrow Sea two months ago. What are you doing there?"

"Your little bird must have misunderstood the person. It seems that they are not only stupid, but also blind." Petyr sneered, and then he gave Varys a blank look, and said, "Speaking of the other side of the narrow sea, I Why do I hear that you seem to have a close relationship with a governor named Illyrio..."

The two looked at each other, as if exchanging thousands of thoughts in an instant.

The next moment, Varys covered his mouth with his hand, showing a sweet smile:

"It seems that we are really doing our best for this country."

"Yes." Petyr also showed a characteristic narrow smile, "There are really not many loyal subjects like us."

"Hahaha, Master Petyr, your words are as beautiful as my mockingbird."

"Master Varys, you smell as good as the women in the women's branch."

The editor arranged to put it on the shelves this Friday, which is the day after tomorrow, brothers remember to support Carrot!

Carrots will also explode and give back to everyone!

(end of this chapter)