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

Chapter 94 Battle on the Islands

Lynn immediately became interested at the mention of gold.

"I'm so desperately missing a golden dragon."

Lynn Cobley's case is rather unique.

He was a knight, not a lord.

Sometimes Sir Lynn was so short of money that he would secretly teach merchants' children swordsmanship in exchange for cash.

He was his elder brother's successor, but the brothers were not on good terms.

During the Battle of the Trident, after Count Cobree was wounded, Leonor escorted his father to the maester's quarters in the rear for treatment.

Meanwhile, his younger brother Lynn Cobley took up his father's sword, Lady Empty, and defeated the Dornish army, killing Prince Leven.

On his deathbed, the old Earl of Cobley left his fiefdom, title, castle, and all his wealth to Leonor, but bequeathed the clan sword, Lady Loneliness, to Lynn.

Count Leonor always felt that his rights had been violated.

"The money isn't here; it's in the Iron Islands," Arthur told Sir Lynn.

"The Iron Islands are so poor they're practically deserted. There is some wealth in the Iron Islands chieftains' vaults. But war isn't a war of genocide. At best, the ransom won't be enough to go around," Sir Lynn said, pursing his lips.

Anyone can be certain that King Robert's suppression of the rebellion was immensely beneficial, both militarily and politically.

However, the Iron Throne will definitely cost money in terms of wealth.

Robert loved to give rewards, to hold tournaments, and to send his army across half the country to land—all of which cost money.

Moreover, the Iron Islands don't yield much profit; they are relatively barren, and the money is in the hands of the leaders.

Furthermore, Robert wasn't the ruthless Tywin Lannister type; his methods were more in line with the traditions of the aristocracy—stopping at the right point.

In this situation, even if the Iron Throne were to defeat the Iron Islands, Robert would not be able to plunder his family and clan, let alone acquire a huge fortune.

"Don't worry," Arthur assured him. "I'll make the arrangements."

"Then I'll wait for your news." Sir Lynn nodded and strode away.

"Others don't know how to make money, but Lord Arthur is different." That was Lynn's thought.

Harrenhal and Whitewall are both renowned for their wealth.

After reviving his family business, Arthur is now a renowned golden boy in Westeros.

"Those riches?" Sir Lucas asked.

"Iron and shipbuilders," Arthur replied.

Tob sparked a brainstorming session in Arthur: Robert wouldn't allow everyone to exterminate the Ironborn and seize the treasury.

Robert had little concept of money and couldn't calculate the economic benefits of war.

In that case, Arthur thought of another track.

"That's a good idea." Sir Lucas's eyes lit up; these things might be even more valuable.

While ordinary people might think of the Iron Islands' wealth only in the Iron Islands' leaders' warehouses, Arthur thought of these skilled technicians.

That day, the royalist army began its river crossing operation.

"Lord Frey, we appreciate your kindness, but war is raging like wildfire," Robert said.

"I understand, Your Majesty." Old Frey dared not force the royalist army to remain.

Count Frey may be rich, but his family's reputation is a mess.

The nobles remained indifferent to him, and Robert had no desire to linger in Lee River.

Robert's heart was already in Seafront, ready to go into battle at any moment.

"Long live King Robert!"

"Long live King Robert!"

Wang Jun's two columns resembled a giant steel snake, winding their way into Donghe City, bypassing the square, passing through the inner city, and onto the arched bridge.

After traversing the same terrain once again, we departed from the castle on the west bank.

King Robert and Duke Eddard rode at the front of the steel serpent, accompanied by Duke Horst, Earl Royce, Ser Barristan, and other dignitaries, as well as Ser Stevieren Frey.

Arthur, Lynn, Big Bear, and Soros of Mil, as the vanguard of the assault, were naturally all at the front of the team.

Behind them were mostly cavalry, including knights, lancers, free riders, and horse archers.

The Iron River departed Lihe City and marched in a mighty procession toward its stronghold, Haijiang City.

After the army arrived at Seafront City and rested briefly, King Robert convened an emergency war council in the Eagle Hall.

Earl Jason of Seafront City personally opened the exquisite hand-drawn map and explained the war situation to important figures such as the King and the Duke.

For centuries, Haijiang City has been a bridgehead for the defense of the Iron Islands in the river region, and it is very familiar with its old adversary.

"The archipelago consists mainly of thirty-one islands, including seven main islands: Pike Island, Great Wake Island, Old Wake Island, Harlow Island, Salt Cliff Island, Black Tide Island, and Oak Island," Earl Jason said. "But if we simply seize control of five of these islands, King Baron will fall. First, take Black Tide Island and Salt Cliff Island; their islands are too small and their strength too weak to warrant a large-scale attack."

Earl Jason then began to explain the five islands: "Pike Island is Baron's stronghold, and its importance is beyond question. There are no safe harbors around Pike City, and anyone wishing to go to the island must first anchor in the nearby Port King."

Old Wick Island has Naga Hills, a sacred site for the Ironborn, where Balon was crowned.

Great Wake Island is the largest island and is rich in mineral resources.

Harlo Island is the closest to the coastline and the richest island, with a dense population. However, the Harlo leader has little fighting spirit and is one of the few opponents.

Oak Isle was formerly the territory of House Greain and House Hall; now it can only be considered a devout supporter of Pyke City.

"Then let's crush them head-on!" Robert put down his glass and said triumphantly.

The situation is now clear: all that remains is to begin the division of labor among the Iron Islands.

To conquer the archipelago, different commanders must be appointed.

Robert began to divide his forces into several groups.

"In the first campaign, Sir Barristan led the royal army to conquer Old Wick Island and seize their ridiculous drowned holy site."

"Yes, sir!" Sir Barristan said generously, for the White Knight was obligated to command in place of the King.

"The second route will be led by my brother Stannis. Once they have cleared the seas, we will attack Great Wake Island together."

No one answered along the way; both naval commanders were adrift at sea.

"The third route, once the Western Frontier army has set out, will have Lord Tywin send men to attack Oak Isle," Robert said.

Robert also received Tywin's reply, but all that was left for Tywin was Oak Isle.

"The fourth route will be led by me, Eddard. Eddard and I, Earl Royce, will lead the warriors of the North, the Vale, and the Riverlands to conquer Harlow Island and Pike Island, and utterly crush that bastard Balon's face," Robert declared decisively.

The Fourth Army was the most powerful force and the core of the entire Iron Islands campaign.

The four vanguards, Arthur Hoan, Lynn Cobry, Jorah Mormont the Bear, and the Red Monk Thoros, are all exceptionally fierce swordsmen wielding swords.

Not to mention the super soldiers Robert and the White Knights overseeing the battle from behind.

"Duke Horst and Sir Frey are both experienced and prudent. You will be responsible for overseeing the main camp in Seafront City and managing the food and logistics for our army."

Robert approved all of these opinions without any problems.

Horst is indeed no longer fit to go to the battlefield.

As for the successor of old Frey, he was already in his fifties or sixties and was not suitable for long journeys.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Duke Horst nodded, a rather gloomy look on his face.

After working for half a day, the task was basically managing logistics.

Horst wasn't really aggrieved, after all, he had seen the sea and then felt it wouldn't work, so it was his own suggestion.

As for Edmure, let him stay in Sea Frontier City as well.

During the War of Usurpation, Horst left his son in Riverrun.

But it was still somewhat comical that Robert said it so casually.

Although Horst was somewhat embarrassed, it was somewhat justifiable that his son-in-law Ed was in charge of the Riverlands army for him.

He is now somewhat disheartened by the lack of a successor.

Everyone longs for their son to be a great knight like Robert, Barristan, or Arthur, but unfortunately, fate is cruel.

"Your Majesty, the greatest honor is to serve you. I have already ordered the felling of large trees for parts of the catapult. We only need to go to Pike Island to assemble the catapult," said Earl Jason.

"Alright. Now we just wait for Stannis's good news."