Ice and Fire: Reign of the Dragon.

Chapter 172: Aegon the Lame and Viserys the Enterprising

The Red Keep, Maegor's Holdfast.

Viserys followed behind Aegon. Although today's grand court meeting ended successfully and in an orderly manner, Viserys still felt it necessary to talk to his brother about the problems that emerged at the meeting.

He didn't believe that Aegon couldn't see that the nobles who swore allegiance in the throne room were looking more at Dragonzel who was standing solemnly with his sword beside the jagged thorn of the Iron Throne than at Aegon who was sitting on the Iron Throne.

At least in Viserys's opinion, at the great court, Dragonzel, wearing purple clothes and a bronze crown, looked more like a king than Aegon.

"Viserys, I know what you want to tell me." Aegon shook his head when he saw his brother coming over. When he sat on the particularly uncomfortable iron chair, he realized that his brother would definitely come to him to talk about the royal power again after the grand court meeting.

He felt that his brother's worries were justified, but they were indeed an exaggeration. Not to mention that with the current ruling model of the kingdom, the Vareses family, as a great noble ruling a large territory, would be far more comfortable than sitting on this dangerous iron chair as king. Just looking at Longzel's own attitude towards the Iron Throne, Aegon believed that even if he had ambitions for the royal power, he would not achieve it by usurping the throne.

Since there is no risk of changing dynasties, as a "family", what's wrong with letting the Vareses family hold some power? Anyway, Longzel will only serve as prime minister for five years. After five years, Aegon can continue to follow the path of rule that Longzel has laid out for him. At the same time, he can cultivate his own power on this path.

"His Majesty."

"No need to say more." Aegon shook his head. "I know very well. We have followed our uncle Longzel for so many years and watched Ringol being born and growing up. You and I know what kind of people they are better than anyone else. Viserys, do you really think they will change the dynasty?"

Viserys sighed in his heart. He knew his brother would say that. Indeed, neither Longzel nor Ringol bothered to change the dynasty, but what about their descendants? The Vareses family has now surpassed the Targaryen family in all aspects. The eyes of other nobles are not blind. They know what to do to seek the greatest benefits.

The chaos of changing dynasties is also a step to ascend.

Can the descendants of the Targaryen family really suppress the descendants of the Varese family?

Viserys did not dare to say yes.

"Moreover, Uncle Longzel also allowed our children to go directly to Dragon's Nest to tame Vermax when they are of the right age, instead of taking it for themselves." Aegon continued, "This also proves that he is still willing to support the royal rule."

The problem with Vermax was actually a very serious one. As the dragon of the previous king, it was unwilling to follow the main force back to King's Landing. Even though Stormy Cloud roared for a long time beside its nest, it still failed to persuade Vermax. In the end, they could only leave Vermax in Dragon's Nest.

The question of who will own Vermax is, is it a Varese dragon or a Targaryen dragon? Although the number of Varese dragons far outnumbers the number of family members, what about the future? Diana has proven herself to be fertile, and even after giving birth to three healthy children, she is still healthy and in shape. In the foreseeable future, the women of the Varese family will give birth to offspring.

They need dragons too.

In this situation where the future can be seen at a glance, Longzel is still willing to allow the Targaryen family to reclaim Vermax. In Aegon's view, this is enough to prove that at least during the period when Longzel and Ringol are in charge of the Vareses family, the situation that Viserys worried about will not occur.

"So, there is no need to discuss this matter any further." Aegon smiled. "There are still many matters of the kingdom waiting for us. The renovation of King's Landing must continue, and the royal fleet still needs to be rebuilt. According to the plan, we will also establish a royal cavalry under the White Sword Tower. Viserys, these are more important things now."

Viserys looked at his brother with a smile on his face and could only nod helplessly. He watched his brother walk happily towards the king's bedroom. The prince was left standing alone at the edge of the corridor, quietly watching the servants and nobles coming and going. Viserys could feel the respect these people had for him, but he could also feel that these people's respect for him was essentially respect for the power of the Targaryen family, and if they were facing Longzel or Ringol, they would respect him in the same way.

Rather than royal power.

Viserys closed his eyes and began to think about how to break the deadlock.

It is now impossible to contain the Varese family unless they are willing to divide themselves internally, and thus split internally. But obviously, they did not do that. The core members of the Varese family basically live in Dragon's Nest City, and they all have a nominal "fiefdom". For example, Valar's title is actually "Governor of Silver Crown City", and part of the taxes from Silver Crown City and its surrounding territories is his annual pension. Rey's title is "Governor of Midsummer Hall", and part of the city taxes from Midsummer Hall will also be paid to Rey as an annual pension.

This political model, which is simply unacceptable to the traditional nobles of Westeros, is operated under the absolute authority of Dragonzel within the Vareses family. Furthermore, unlike the Targaryen family, which has scarce land directly under the jurisdiction of the royal family, the Vareses family has a large number of direct fiefs. These fiefs are either inhabited by nomadic Dothraki or by the estates of the Silver Blood Army, where young and middle-aged men serve abroad for a long time. The Vareses family can build towns on them at any time and collect taxes - there is no need to build new towns, and the annuity can be paid directly from the treasury of Dragon's Nest to support future collateral descendants.

Internal division is unlikely, at least as long as Longzel and Ringol are alive, but external threats.

Seven layers of hell, there is no external force that can threaten the Varese family now.
A large piece of land was cut off from the Reach and the Stormlands. It was true that the Tyrells had gotten rid of the threat of the Hightowers, but there were still the Rowans and Florents who had eaten a lot of Hightower's flesh and blood in the Dance with the Dragons. The Rowans, in particular, had replaced the Hightowers in the Reach with their outstanding military exploits in the war. But for some reason, Lord Thaddeus Rowan actually got along very well with the Tyrells, which made it hard not to think of other things.

As for the Stormlands, having lost most of their borderlands, they have actually lost the source of their most valiant warriors. The Baratheon family also suffered heavy losses in the Dance with the Dragons. Even if they wanted to cause trouble, they don't have the ability to do so, especially with Aggo's Khalasar hanging around the border.

Only the Seven know what they are trying to do.

As for the two princes of Dorne?
The backbone of the Martell family was broken, and all they wanted now was for Princess Alexandra to give birth to an heir with dragon blood for Joffrey Velaryon as soon as possible.

Viserys felt that he had to write a letter to his third brother, warning him to be careful that the Dornishmen might take the opportunity to tame dragons.

The incompetent but ambitious prince of the Dayne family died suddenly, and Quinlan, who replaced him, only followed the lead of his adored sister Obara Dayne, who never concealed her close relationship with the Varese family.

Seven Gods, do we have to rely on ourselves?
Viserys thought a lot and finally realized that the key to breaking the deadlock might lie in himself.

Samantha is still young and it will take several years for her brother to give birth to an heir.

But his wife Lara
Viserys sighed. If the Targaryen family wanted to regain its power, it would be necessary to have a large population. What the Targaryen family lacked most now was dragon riders.

It really depends on them.
Viserys made up his mind and turned to go to his and Lara's bedroom.

Sorry everyone, I stayed up too late these few days during the National Day holiday, which caused me to feel a little uncomfortable when I updated yesterday. I had to rest first. I slept for almost the whole day today, but I can guarantee at least two updates a day. The updates I missed these days will be made up in the coming weekend. Everyone should also pay attention to their health and don't stay up too late.



(End of this chapter)