Ice and Fire: Conquering the World Starting from the Wall

Chapter 82 Decision Making

"To attack Terror Fortress, you must lead your army along King's Road across the River Moor, then turn southeast, around Long Lake, and over Lonely Mountain."

59

He pointed to the map.

"Those places all belong to the Umber family. They know every blade of grass and every tree in the area, and the entire King's Road, stretching for a hundred leagues, lies on the western border of their territory."

If you don't take Last Hearth City first, they will definitely harass your army there.

"Attack and delay relentlessly, just like you did to Stannis in the Ghost Forest."

Before anyone else could start shouting, Lynn confidently replied, "Our men are not Stannis's Southern Army."

If they dare to use this method against the Freemen, then the Nightwalkers and the Hard-Footed People will give them a completely new understanding of death.

Jon realized he had overlooked the wildlings' fighting style and nodded in acknowledgment.

"Alright, then you'll be able to reach Dreadfort."

Jon continued, "But unless your marching speed surpasses that of the ravens and the beacons, the castle will know in advance."

At that point, Rams could easily cut off your retreat, separating you from the Great Wall and cutting off your supplies and escape route.

Amber and Karstark will also attack from behind, leaving you vulnerable on both sides.

Lynn disagreed: "In that case, Bolton's bastard son will have no choice but to abandon the siege of Carlin Bay, and his small force poses no threat to me."

Jon retorted, "No! Carlin Bay will fall before you even reach Dreadfort. Once Roose Bolton joins forces with Ramsay, their strength will likely be more than three times yours."

Colin objected, frowning as he asked Jon, "Do you think Carlin Bay will fall quickly? But I've heard the Ironborn are incredibly powerful, and Carlin Bay has never been conquered in tens of thousands of years."

Jon corrected, "It has never been conquered from the south."

"A small garrison in Carlin Bay could inflict a fatal blow on the troops on the causeway, but the defenses on the east and north sides of the ruins were very weak."

It might take some effort for Rams to take Carlin Bay, but it won't be delayed for too long.

After Jon finished speaking, he turned to Lynn: "Your Majesty, your plan is bold, but it carries a risk—if Roose Bolton's main force traps you at his castle, everything will be irreversible."

Lynn thought for a moment, then said, "War is a gamble, Jon. Hesitation is a cardinal sin in warfare."

"Moreover, even if the food reserves in the last Hearth City and the City of Cahors are plentiful, they will not be enough to supply the free people through the entire winter."

Unless you want to see us disregard the lives of the Northerners, plunder the food from the castles and the farmers' homes, and let them starve to death in place of the Freemen.”

Lynn's words were undoubtedly very realistic.

But Jon had sworn to give the king honest advice, so he forced himself to speak his true thoughts.

"This plan is too risky; it is too demanding, too hastily prepared, and too ambitious."

I know about the Terror Castle; it's a very solidly built stone castle with thick walls and towering towers.

If Your Majesty wishes to capture the castle as soon as possible, you will need sufficient siege equipment: siege towers, catapults, battering rams—”

Lynn stated bluntly, "If we need siege towers, we'll build siege towers; if we need battering rams, we'll cut down trees to make them."

"Jon, don't always lump us together with the Southern soldiers. Remember, death is chasing us."

Of course, if you're certain that Carlin Bay will fall to Ramses, then I'm not some fool who would insist on fighting to the death against tens of thousands of troops at the castle.

Jon said with certainty, "I'm sure Lord Eddard has mentioned this more than once."

This statement was quite convincing, and even Mans nodded subconsciously.

"Alright, let's stick to the original plan and take Hearthstone first to see how the major families in the North react."

Lynn made the final decision.

"If the other forces refuse to come to our aid, then we will defeat them one by one; if reinforcements come to our aid, then we will besiege the city and attack the reinforcements."

"Regardless of the outcome, we must eventually march on the Dreadfort, and the Bolton family's stockpiled food is the key."

It is said that in addition to the food reserves of the Dreadfort itself, Ramsay also transported the reserves of Winterfell, which together would be enough to feed the Free Citizens for more than half a year.

"Furthermore, securing the title of Duke of the North bestowed by this false king is crucial for our control of the North."

Jon knew the food problem was critical, but the harvest season was long over, and he didn't have any good solutions at the moment.

He could only tell Lynn what he knew and what he anticipated might happen, leaving the decision to Lynn.

He didn't care whether others would misunderstand him as a coward.

He has already sworn to give honest advice; what he needs to do next is absolute obedience.

"Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to recruit the mountain clans and Bear Island for you, and then proceed according to your plan."

"No matter how many men I eventually gather, I will arrive at the gates of Dreadfort in two months."

If you do not see the direwolf banner by the appointed time, it means I have already passed away somewhere. At that time, I beg you to rescue my little sister Arya and continue the Stark bloodline.

Jon's words were both loyal and appropriate, and no one could find fault with them.

Lynn patted him on the shoulder approvingly.

"Don't make it sound so tragic, Jon. These are just the worst-case scenarios."

"Maybe once I throw the ghouls into the walls of Last Hearth and Cahor, the people inside will scream and burst through the gates, welcoming me with open arms."

Everyone was amused by this not-so-funny joke.

"Furthermore, the giants have agreed to send twenty men and a corresponding number of mammoths to fight for me. As long as they are armed with enough steel, many things will become simple."

Sufficient steel.

Jon imagined the image of a giant wielding a massive hammer and encased in iron armor, and couldn't help but feel a sense of longing.

He made a rough estimate in his mind.

"The steel consumed to arm one giant could arm at least twenty or thirty elite infantrymen."

Lynn said confidently, "But the armored giants can easily outnumber fifty soldiers, and in terms of sheer force, they can even exceed one hundred."

"When we lead the giants to conquer the south, perhaps there will be no more of those absurd trials of combat in this world."

That makes sense. Who would be foolish enough to fight a duel with a giant's proxy knight?

Even the legendary, towering "Mountain" Gregor Clegane could probably only barely reach the giant's shoulder; in terms of size and strength, they were completely incomparable.

The addition of the Giants is undoubtedly exciting news.

The giants of the past never knew what protection was, nor did they ever learn how to make clothes and armor.

Even in the coldest seasons, they can survive by relying on their own fur, fat, and the body heat of the mammoth.

But things are different now. With the steel reinforcements from the Southerners, if used properly, the Titans will become the most powerful killing machines on the battlefield.

>