Game of Thrones: The Bronze and Fire Lord.

Chapter 260 Acquisition of Harrenburg

Upon seeing the Aegon brothers, Earl Hobert smiled and warmly greeted them.

"It is an honor to meet you, sir."

Aegon abandoned his nonchalant attitude and bowed formally.

"Good boy, you've grown up and become strong."

Lord Hobart grabbed Aegon's arms with both hands, squeezed them hard, and then showered him with praise.

Aegon immediately lost his composure, showing off his biceps and boasting, "That's right, I've defeated countless enemies in training."

"The Scarecrow Enemy?"

Imond whispered his grievances.

Aegon's face darkened, and he glared angrily at his little brother.

"Well, I have witnessed the heroic demeanor of the king's eldest son. He truly lives up to the name of conqueror."

Lord Hobart smoothed things over, his enthusiasm for Aegon only growing stronger.

Having gained face, Aegon became even more eager to boast to his great-uncle.

He was unaware that although Lord Hobart did not visit King's Landing often, he had always paid considerable attention to him.

At the Kingsguard hunt on his third name day, he led the chant of "Long live baby Aegon!"

Regardless of whether they smell good or bad, they are all "good children" with the blood of Hightar and the right to inherit the Iron Throne.

In comparison, Imond received far less enthusiasm.

Earl Hobart patted him on the shoulder and said, "You will soon be as strong as your brother and become his most steadfast and loyal helper."

Imond forced a smile, but in his heart, he immediately blacklisted the other person.

The conflict between the two brothers wouldn't allow him to act like a dog.

"Come quickly, I have prepared a sumptuous welcome feast for you, I guarantee it will be a delicacy you can't find in King's Landing."

Count Hobart was unaware that he had angered a petty person who was constantly displaying the profound heritage of the old town of Hightar.

Imond followed absentmindedly.

He was nowhere near as popular as Aegon, and he was always bragging and rambling.

……

Shenyan Lake.

A palace complex of pure white marble buildings sits there, complete with courtyards, pavilions, and towers. Water channels and streams are dug from Shenyan Lake, and artificial hills and flower beds are arranged in the courtyards.

A gray-white stone wall separates the beautiful buildings from the farmland.

"The palace is like this; the area outside is all newly reclaimed land by the orphans of Xintian."

Renilla, dressed in a black off-the-shoulder dress, led Helena and the others through the courtyard garden.

Helena stared blankly, filled with curiosity about the farmland where green shoots were sprouting outside the wall.

How much tax do they pay?

Jenny remains the Duchess of the Eyrie, owning half of the Vale of Arryn, and is exceptionally diligent in managing farmland and collecting taxes.

"I harvest 30% more than ordinary farmers, but I will provide them with seeds and farming tools."

Renilla answered fluently.

King's Landing is a crowded city, teeming with orphans and homeless people. Cultivating new fields under the royal domain is a great act of benevolence.

Taxes are high, but farming is guaranteed.

Countless orphans and widows were willing to pledge their loyalty to Princess Renella, the "Light of the Kingdom".

Jenny understood the general idea and nodded in approval: "The policy is good. As long as it doesn't breed ungrateful wretches, it is indeed a win-win situation for both the Iron Throne and the lower-class vagrants."

She was an aristocrat with high aspirations, and viewed those without land as the "lower class" that the aristocracy contemptuously referred to.

Renilla didn't blame him; instead, she understood the warning in his words.

Don't raise an ungrateful child!

People from the lower classes are not only born into poverty, but also ignorant and easily swayed by public opinion.

"In the end, the nobles call the shots on this continent."

Jenny said meaningfully.

Renilla frowned slightly, sensing the hidden meaning in her words.

But I don't know where it started.

Not far from the courtyard is the main hall of the imperial palace.

Imon stood on the balcony, his hands resting on the railing, gazing at the scenery outside.

"The palace is truly magnificent, Your Highness."

Sir Simon walked slowly with a humble smile.

Inheriting the Strong family motto, "So strong," he was also a valiant warrior in his youth.

Unfortunately, time waits for no one, and as people get older, "Si Zhuang" will become overweight.

Imon was worried that this somewhat lovable old man would work himself to death, so he said helplessly, "What do you think of my suggestion? River Valley can offer the lowest price."

Sir Simon pondered for a moment, then shook his head regretfully: "The treasury of the Burning King Tower does indeed contain a fortune, but it is the savings of generations of the family and cannot be wasted on repairing the castle."

The Strong family was not originally a powerful or famous noble family.

By the grace of His Majesty the King of Renrui, he was granted the largest castle on the continent, Harrenhal.

This is a tremendous honor and a great trust.

Harrenhal's strategic location made it the first line of defense for the Riverlands before King's Landing.

If other places rebel, they will first have to get past the impregnable Harrenhal.

But the possibility is extremely low.

When Aegon the Conqueror breached Harrenhal, it was thanks to Baelorion's dragonfire that he was able to do so.

"OK then."

Imon couldn't force a sale, so he had to give up.

The Strong family is truly poor!
Even though they had money, they dared not spend it. They even reduced the original ten catapults on the battlements to two, and could only make simple repairs to all the damage to the castle.

Take thrift to the extreme.

Sir Simon chuckled and thanked His Highness for his understanding.

However, Imon followed up by saying, "You are Lord Leonor's elder, have you heard that he intends to move out of Harrenhal?"

"Um, forgive me for being old, I didn't understand what you meant."

Simmons was taken aback by what he heard.

Imon got straight to the point: "If the Strang family is willing to transfer ownership, I can buy Harrenburg at a high price and take responsibility for finding a new territory for the Strang family."

"No no no!"

Sir Simon was taken aback and took a step back, saying, "The Strong family is loyal and has absolutely no complaints."

The fat old man was almost scared to death.

The Strang family rose from a third-tier noble family to a second-tier noble family that owned Harrenhal.

His nephew Leonor could replace Otto Hightower as Prime Minister.

It's all thanks to the royal family's favor.

Loyalty is the only thing the Strang family can offer in return. Did Prince Imon's sudden statement indicate a doubt in the Strang family's loyalty?

It's worth noting that the previous owners of Harrenhal, the prestigious Harroway family, were wiped out after their loyalty was questioned by the "cruel Mago".

Clearly, he... was right.

Aemon calmly replied, “Harrenhal is the largest castle in the Seven Kingdoms, bearing the heavy responsibility of guarding King’s Landing, but I do not see such a strong giant, only a broken old man.”

Upon hearing this, Sir Simon broke out in a cold sweat.

The walls of Herenberg have collapsed, and the defenses have become lax.

At best, it's a case of the family not valuing martial prowess; at worst, it's a dereliction of duty.

"Please consider this carefully, perhaps you should write a letter to Lord Leonor."

Imon did not press further, saying, "If the Strang family is willing to transfer Harrenburg, I will take care of the subsequent arrangements."

"Yes, Prince."

Simon nervously took his leave.

Imon didn't care and continued to enjoy the scenery.

He willingly came to the Prince's Palace because he was after Harrenhal.

Always remember the constraints of family and how to change them.

"Weaken the nobility and consolidate royal power."

The two regions of River Bend and River Crossing, where the ruler was strong and the ministers were weak, were the main targets of the reform.

There are three enormous things in the river bend; we shouldn't rush things.

Many powerful figures have risen up in the Hejian region, but their average strength is no greater than that of the top-tier nobles.

In particular, Rhaenyra is highly regarded in the Riverlands, and the Tully family of Riverrun and the Blackwood family of Raventree are quite loyal to her.

The royal family's desire to reclaim some power from the Tully family is unlikely to encounter much resistance.

Taking back Harrenhal was the first step in the plan.

This castle is too important.

From a historical perspective, no matter which family is in charge, they will not be able to perfectly help the royal family.

It would be better to take it over to the royal family.

……

Sir Simon's letter was quickly delivered to King's Landing by ravens.

Red Castle.

Viserys had just finished a royal council when the Sea Serpent and Tyran returned from the Stone Steps, bringing news that was neither good nor bad.

Under the patrol of the Valerian fleet, the fjord became relatively calm.

After meeting Prince Coollen, Tyrande postponed the marriage for a while.

"Give me a glass of wine."

Viserys returned to his palace, plopped down in a chair, and just wanted to relax and enjoy a little tipsy time.

Boom boom boom!
Leonor knocked and came in.

"What happened?"

Viserys looked bewildered.

Leonor, with a complicated expression, handed over his uncle Simon's letter.

Viserys frowned deeply after reading it: "What's wrong with this kid? Building a palace on the shore of Lake God's Eye isn't enough, he actually has his eye on Harrenhal?"

"Uncle Simon is panicked, worried that I have made a mistake and His Majesty has misunderstood me."

Leonor said bitterly.

Viserys understood the implication and quickly stood up, saying excitedly, "You have been my loyal minister for many years. During your ten years as prime minister, your opinions have always been wise and selfless, which is unmatched by anyone."

No wonder he was agitated.

After reigning for many years, only Leonor remained loyal to him, always supporting and loving him.

Whether it's the conflict between the Targaryens and the Valerians, or the power struggle between the Black and Green factions within the court.

The other party did not participate at all and obeyed him with unwavering obedience.

How could such a minister possibly break his heart?

"Your Majesty flatters me..."

Leonor had to be cautious.

He took a deep breath and said, "King Renji granted the Strang family the right to live in Harrenhal for generations, but we failed to manage it well. It is indeed my dereliction of duty as Prime Minister."

"If His Majesty approves, I will immediately order my family to begin construction, repairing the city walls and rebuilding the military."

"It doesn't have to be like this."

Viserys said anxiously, "It's not wartime, why waste money on useless things?"

"Of course, this is also to save face for the Strang family."

Leonor cannot refuse.

Seeing this, Viserys could no longer persuade him and could only promise, "I have seen your loyalty, and I will personally refute Aemon's unreasonable demands."

He also believed that his nephew was being unreasonable.

What's the point of Harrenhal?

It was a lifeless, empty shell, haunted by a terrible curse.

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty."

Leonor finally felt relieved and a slight smile appeared on his face.

"Go."

Viserys nodded, giving him ample confidence.

Leonor left the room.

In the blink of an eye, Tylan, with her blonde hair neatly combed, knocked on the door, holding two letters in her hand.

"Your Majesty, there is a letter for you."

Viserys was slightly taken aback; why were there so many things happening today?

As a result, two letters were sent back, one from Raniella and the other from Chancellor of the Exchequer Linman and the other from the High Court.

The contents of Renilla's letter differed slightly from Leonor's account of their talk of trust.

It is specifically mentioned that Duke Grave Tully of Riverrun is getting old and his administration of the Riverlands is becoming increasingly lax.

The Strang family lived in poverty and were unable to afford to repair Harrenhal.

They are willing to invest in acquiring and allocating other territories for resettlement.

Viserys fell into deep thought as he looked at Xiujuan's delicate handwriting on the letter.

The letter was written by the daughter, but the person who instructed her afterwards was definitely her nephew.

Why does he want Harrenburg so much?
Viserys keenly realized that his nephew was up to something again, something serious that he would not allow.

"No matter where you send him, he's never settled down."

Viserys felt a headache coming on and looked at another letter.

(End of this chapter)