Game of Thrones: King of Harrenhal, starting with a blue hand stat panel

Chapter 87 The Great Victory at Haijiang City, Renowned Throughout the Seven Kingdoms

The defeat at Haijiang City has tolled the death knell for the Balon Rebellion.

While Baron can gain a local advantage through surprise attacks, he is no match for the Iron Throne at its peak.

Inside the Eagle Hall of the Sea Frontier Castle, eagle and bat banners hang on the stone wall behind the hall.

Earl Jason and Sir Arthur Hogan, along with Sir Lucas, began to discuss their plans for the next wave of battle around the stone table.

Earl Jason Merison is worth recruiting; he's one of Horstmore's capable trio.

Melissant, Brecken, Blackwood.

People in Sanhe say that the Merissant family values ​​honor and etiquette, and is very generous.

In fact, based on Arthur's understanding, this person also possessed the cunning and slippery qualities typical of the Riverlands.

Just like in the original story, during the Battle of Riverrun where Edmure was captured, the main force of House Tully did not include the Seafront army.

Both Haijiang City and Lihe City were AFK (away from keyboard), with Haijiang City only joining forces when the Northern Army appeared.

Add to that the cunning and rude Earl of Brecken, and perhaps only the Earl of Raventree, Tettos, is a true Tully.

Arthur's knights were like a steel jungle, their presence from the war giving them a solemn air of blood and fire.

Sir Patrick was also among them, but he looked like a complete greenhorn.

"After taking stock, we have killed Rodrik, Maren Greyjoy, and Horace Harlow, along with twenty-six longship captains. The rest of the longship captains escaped," Ser Patrick excitedly announced the statistics.

This is undoubtedly a great victory.

"The Battle of Seafront City has already dampened Baron's spirits; we can only land after we have wiped out the naval fleet," Sir Lucas said.

"Once news of the great victory at Seafront reaches King's Landing, the Iron Throne will surely recruit vassals. The king will summon lords and knights to Seafront and Lannisport, and mobilize the royal fleet, the Redwyn fleet, and the Oldtown fleet," Earl Jason analyzed.

Robert was a burly man who loved war more than anything, and Baron was truly asking for trouble for daring to provoke him.

Since neither Seafront City nor Lannisport currently has a large fleet, the Iron Throne's strategy is to advance by both land and sea.

The royal fleet was to bypass the Dorne Sea and rendezvous with the Redwyn fleet, while the two army groups recruited by the Iron Throne were to gather on the coastline and wait.

"Baron is doomed to lose." Everyone was certain of this.

The Iron Fleet only destroyed the Lannisport Fleet, but the other large fleets remained.

"Raven's Eye" does not summon sea monsters, and the Iron Fleet's strength on paper is no match for the Redwin Fleet plus the Royal Fleet.

"I need to go to King's Landing first. I need to forge a new longsword, and there's just enough time," Arthur said.

He couldn't wait to change the Nightfall in his hand to his preferred "Dark Messenger".

"If Lord Ed sends troops, then there's enough time." Earl Jason tapped his fingers on the stone table. "Don't forget the spoils, Arthur."

Earl Jason was referring to those heads, the heads of the captains of the Iron Island longships, which were the best gift to present to the King.

These heads are proof of war achievements.

As for Nightfall, he was Arthur's private property.

"Alright. In the meantime, Sea Frontier City still needs to strengthen its defenses," Arthur said to Earl Jason.

"Don't worry," Earl Jason said confidently. "I made it very clear in the Raven's message that Seafront City requested aid from the Riverlands, but in the end only Hellenburg's reinforcements arrived."

Arthur and Earl Jason also had a great understanding.

This matter is entirely based on justice, and no one can find fault with it.

King's Landing, the Red Keep.

Today, King Robert Baratheon was finally present at the council table.

Robert's favorite pastimes were drinking, hunting, watching tournaments, and finding women; he disliked meddling in politics and counting coins.

But when war broke out, the violent genes hidden in Robert's bloodline were revived.

He loved war, loved the feeling of blood and fire.

The meeting consisted of the following components:

King Robert.

Prime Minister and Justice Secretary Jon Snow.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Petyr Baelish, the financial prodigy recently promoted by Jon Arryn.

Intelligence Minister Varys.

Secretary of the Navy Stannis.

White Knight Captain Barristan.

Grand Secretary Paisell.

Reeking of alcohol and perfume, Robert slammed his fist on the council table. "Well, you all know now, that idiot Baron dared to rebel. I'm going to smash his head in."

Actually, Robert didn't have any prejudice against Baron.

After all, during the War of the Usurper, King Balon's father, Coron, also launched a surprise attack on the Royalist Reach after Rhaegar's death, thus siding with Robert.

But now that Baron dared to burn down Robert's father-in-law's port, he has completely offended Robert.

"Have the ravens been sent to all over the country?" Robert asked.

"It has already been sent, Your Majesty." The Grand Secretary nodded.

The people of the North are truly pitiful; they put in the effort but receive no reward, not even a little bit of benefit.

"Alright, I'm about to fight alongside Ed."

"Great!" Robert laughed heartily.

Having not fought for several years, he felt itchy all over; the martial arts arena couldn't compare to the thrill of a real battlefield.

The chief eunuch, Varys, resumed his professional fake smile. "Your Majesty, I bring you the latest good news. Our brave Earl Jason of Seafront and Lord Arthur Hean, heir to Harrenhal, encountered the Ironborn outside Seafront and decimated the Ironborn that surged up the slope below the city walls. The King's loyal servants have achieved a great victory, sirs. The Ironborn casualties numbered approximately a thousand. Lord Arthur personally killed Rodrik Greyjoy, heir to the sea monster Baron, and Horus Harlow, while Lord Jason killed Baron's second son, Maren Greyjoy."

"Hail the gods!" cried Grand Maester Paisell. "A great victory for King Robert!"

"Is that the Bat Boy who shone so brightly on Dragonstone? I never imagined he would be such a sharp sword," Robert exclaimed in amazement.

The results of the martial arts tournament cannot be directly compared to those on the battlefield; they can only be considered as a correlation.

Sword and shield duels and group duels best simulate real combat. Robert had some expectations for Arthur, but Robert was surprised when Arthur started to go on a killing spree as soon as he entered the fray.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Lord Arthur will arrive in King's Landing soon, bringing with him the heads of the sea monsters and the Iron Captains," Varys said happily.

"Good! Let this news fly across the land with the ravens. Let everyone know what a lowly clown Balon is, that the lord of Seafront City easily killed his two sons." Robert laughed heartily, a move that greatly boosted morale.

Only the elderly Jon Arryn looked serious. "As far as I know, the River Anne family sent out troops without waiting for Tully's orders."

"So what? Earl Jason must have sent a plea for help. The Riverlands can't be a bunch of cowards. And that old Frey, who's late, isn't he from the Riverlands too?" King Robert waved his hand dismissively. "This lad and Earl Jason did a good job; I'll reward him handsomely."

“That’s right.” Stannis nodded. “Opportunities are fleeting. If the Riverlands lords keep waiting for Riverrun’s orders, nothing will be saved.”

Jon Arryn was no longer disappointed; he only felt a vague sense of unease about Arthur Hoan.

He knew the situation in Riverrun very well; Horst was sickly and Edmure was beyond help.

The more assertive Harrenhal appeared, the weaker the Tully family seemed.

"I will recruit warriors," King Robert announced. "Lord Tywin will recruit an army to await us at Lannister Harbor."

As for me, I will march towards the Seafront City with Ed, the armies of the Riverlands, and the Vale. Ed will lead the Northerners, and Count Royce will lead the Valemen.

Robert still trusted the Alliance's army more than the Stormlands' forces.

Because Renly was still young, Robert did not mobilize Stormlands this time as a supplement to the royal army.

"Stannis," Robert commanded again. "I appoint you and Paxter Redwyn as commanders-in-chief of the Royal Fleet operations. Both fleets will sweep away the Iron Fleet and create conditions for our army to launch an attack."

"Yes, sir!" Stannis said, bowing.

Although he and Robert had many disagreements, Stannis had to go to war for the sake of peace on the Iron Throne.

"Littlefinger, you're in charge of every penny I spend on this mission. Make sure the soldiers get enough bounty and supplies," Robert commanded.

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Littlefinger said very humbly, much like a newcomer recommended by Jon Snow.

But Littlefinger had secured his position by his ability to count coins and by introducing King Robert to all sorts of women and wines.

"Then, while I, Eddard, Lord Royce, and the others are on campaign, Lord Jon Arryn will continue to be in charge of all affairs in King's Landing," Robert announced his final order.

"The commander of the Riverlands?" Jon Arryn asked.

"If Duke Horst were to go, he would certainly still be the commander-in-chief. But I think the vanguard position can only be held by young Arthur."

"He'an is the most suitable; I'll choose one." Robert made the final decision.

As a result, there were no dissenting voices, and everyone obeyed Robert's orders.

The messages "Great Victory at Seafront City!" and "The Iron Throne is Recruiting Vassal!" will both travel across the country on ravens.

From this moment on, the name Arthur Hoan will be heard throughout the Seven Kingdoms.