Chapter 41

When Luo Na Er and the Red Warrior entered the hall, Rui Ka's small episode of being knighted ended. But as a newly knighted, he successfully secured a place in the hall.

The advantage is not having to stand; the disadvantage is being far from Lang Nü, and being the farthest.

After everyone was seated, Lang Nü asked the Earl of Deep Forest Fort to repeat the recent news he had obtained. Thus the Earl of Deep Forest Fort stood up and announced to all.

「Black Fish Knight's letter also mentioned that the Earl of Kahor City Ha Li Ang Ka Shi Ta Ke is currently imprisoned in Female Spring City; I guess this is information leaked by some captive during the Battle of Breaking the Siege. But this is basically beyond doubt; in the Battle of Dusk Valley City, our opponent was Lan Dao Ta Li, who later garrisoned Female Spring City, so it's normal for captives to be held there. However, now Tai Wen is dead, I don't know if he will go to King's Landing. 」

Rui Ka tried to maintain a good posture, but the hall's tables and chairs made him uncomfortable; he always felt the tables looked sticky, with at least a layer of oily wax and dust on them.

"Is that the one whose father was beheaded by Luo Bo?" Luo Na Er asked.

Rui Ka knew that among the foreigners present, only he had a blood debt in Twin River City.

The Earl of Deep Forest Fort glanced at him, but did not answer his question.

"After Lord Rui Ka De Ka Shi Ta Ke was beheaded, his soldiers scattered under the leadership of some officers; most became bandits, and a part went to Bo Dun's side. He himself, like me, was captured in the Battle of Dusk Valley Town."

"That is, regardless of whether his troops participated with Lu Si Bo Dun in the massacre of the North Border army at the wedding, he did not participate and was unaware?" Lang Nü asked.

"Unless he can break out of prison." The Earl of Deep Forest Fort wiped the foreign matter on the table with his glove, "As for whether he knows, this kid is still imprisoned; one can guess that even if he knows, he did not comply."

"Perhaps he complied, but it didn't turn out well. After all, his father killed quite a few Lan Ni Si Te." Earl Tao Ha said.

Earl Tao Ha, named Ben Fu De Tao Ha, became the Earl of Tuo Lun Fang Cheng after He Man Tao Ha died, at only nineteen years old. He is extremely tall, and when speaking he likes to raise his voice; Rui Ka thinks this is merely to gain others' approval and appear confident.

He is the third person in the army to be knighted; in battle, his Ye Jun Tuan performed respectably, and Rui Ka also thinks he is the third person who could possibly marry Lang Nü.

"The Battle of Dusk Valley City is purely Lu Si Bo Dun using Lan Dao Ta Li's hand to eliminate dissidents. Sai Wen, Tao Ha, Huo Wu De, Ka Shi Ta Ke—this is the leech lord's purpose."

"Hmm." Lang Nü pondered briefly and immediately made a decision. "Earl Ha Li Ang Ka Shi Ta Ke was captured while fighting for our army; since he is our captive, there is no reason not to ransom him. After returning to Rushing Flow City, I will put him on the hostage exchange list, ordering Earl Bu Lin Deng to handle it nearby."

"This matter needs to be done as soon as possible." Lao Lun Si Xue Nuo interjected again after Lang Nü gave orders; Rui Ka really wanted to kick him, "Ya Shi and Ji Nie have already decided to ally with Lu Si Bo Dun, while Ha Li Ang, the Earl of Kahor City, has not been released, likely because they have already reached an agreement with Lu Si Bo Dun."

"You brat, you'd better speak clearly." The Earl of Deep Forest Fort shouted.

"What conditions?" Wei Li Si Man De Le asked softly.

"Sir, you think, if Ha Li Ang dies, who will inherit Kahor City?" Lao Lun Si retorted.

Rui Ka felt he didn't have such a good head for thinking and the courage to speak to earls, and of course he wasn't that rude either.

"Of course it's Rui Ka De's daughter. After Lady Kai Te Lin privately released the regicide, Earl Rui Ka De sent out pursuers and promised that whoever captured the regicide would marry his own daughter. I remember it very clearly." Sir Cui Bei Ke said.

"Ya Li Ka Shi Ta Ke. I remember, that lady once came to Winterfell." Lang Nü said.

"Not bad," Lao Lun Si said, slightly excited, "but now the acting city lord is Ya Shi; as long as he promises allegiance to Lu Si Bo Dun, the condition is that he asks the Iron Throne to kill Ha Li Ang, then he can have his son marry the heir Ya Li, thus letting his line control Kahor City!"

"Ke Lei Gen Ka Shi Ta Ke. I also remember him," Lang Nü replied, "he is the son of Ya Shi A Er Fu Ka Shi Ta Ke, but he and Ya Li have both already been engaged, right?"

"Engagements can be broken, and moreover, many people have died in the North Border now, so many engagements cannot be fulfilled." Lao Lun Si answered.

"Ya Li's fiancé is the son of Lady Huo Wu De, Dai Lin En Huo Wu De. My aunt once invited us to attend the engagement ceremony of his son and Ya Li. Alas, it's a pity that Earl Huo Wu De and his son both died in the war." Wei Li Si's voice was calm and low.

Rui Ka felt the atmosphere here was a bit awkward.

If the topic involves Huo Wu De Fort, we must discuss the inheritance of the castle's territory. Lady Huo Wu De has no other children, but the former Earl still has a bastard son, namely Lao Lun Si Xue Nuo.

He has been adopted by the Earl of Deep Forest Fort since childhood; although the earl constantly scolds him, when it comes to the inheritance issue of Huo Wu De Fort, he will naturally fully support his adopted son.

If Lawrence Snow were to inherit Huowude Castle, it would surely arouse the dissatisfaction of House Toha, for according to inheritance law, after Lady Huowude's death, the heir should be Harris Huowude's sister Bella Huowude, who married into House Toha, and Toha is also a supporter of Winterfell. For Lawrence, the harder part is that there is almost no compromise for him to obtain Huowude Castle; Bella Huowude has only a son, no daughter he could marry to solve the inheritance issue.

Whether it is Tuolunfang City or the children of House Toha who inherit Huowude Castle, they must gain the support of White Harbor or Lady Huowude; this does not mean they have the decision-making power, but rather Huowude's territory borders Bolton, and to stand firm there they must have strong external aid.

The original Count Huowude had already made connections with White Harbor through his own efforts, and he also wanted to link via his son's marriage to Karhold, which lies next to the Dreadfort; naturally he intended to harness Karhold's strength to further consolidate the family's territory.

Living between two powerful lords is not that simple.

Raven's food could indeed have reached a deal with Roose Bolton. So you mean, taking advantage of the Iron Throne's current preoccupation, we should quickly settle the prisoner exchange? She broke the calm.

Exactly, that's what I mean. If Hallion could be rescued back, perhaps the Karstarks would return to Winterfell's side. Then the enemies to the north of Winterfell would be cleared out.

Rikka really wanted to mock him. Don't you forget the wildlings beyond the frontier?

Hallion hasn't been released; there are many reasons, I think it's also possible that his father once killed Jaime Lannister's second son. So he may well be unable to be exchanged back. When Jaime sits on the Prime Minister's throne, that will be his day of death. We ought to thank Cersei for handing over the Prime Minister's position—handing it to whom, I wonder?" said Count Toha.

Harris Stannis. He is Jaime's father-in-law." said the She-wolf.

I heard that after Tywin's death, Jaime returned to the West, so the prisoner exchange is still decided by Cersei and her small council. Now that Jaime has suffered a major defeat, King's Landing will surely feel threatened and could recall Jaime at any moment, so the right time for a deal is precisely now!

If we wait for Jaime's return, whether he seeks revenge or wants to control the North, he will not easily let go of Hallion.

I understand your meaning, Sir Laolunsi Xuenuo." She made her decision again. "Before departure, we will use Harrenhal's ravens to signal our willingness to exchange to King's Landing.

She stroked the Valyrian steel sword still lying on the table and sighed, 'What a pity; if Ser Jaime were gone, no matter how we exchanged, they would all agree.'

Rikka could only nod in secret. During the pursuit, they lost a dozen or so warriors, yet still let the kingslayer slip away from their midst, which is truly a pity.

Count, do you want to spill all the news at once? If we discuss like this, we won't be able to leave today. We still have many things to arrange!" Ronald exclaimed impatiently.

Isn't that right? Thinking about having to arrange the transport of Riverrun's gold and grain and fodder makes me feel troubled." said the She-wolf.

This remark made the assembled gentlemen laugh loudly. Rikka absurdly felt that as long as they won a battle, anything they said would be appropriate.

The She-wolf retrieved her sword, planted it upright in the ground, and awaited the Count's report.

The Blackfish Knight said, 'They have found the crown left behind by Robb.' He seemed to be suppressing his anger, 'The Frey mongrels placed the crown on a whore's head; before they found the crown, a group of camp followers were fighting over it, each shouting that she was the queen of the whores, and it was because of the noise that the Riverrun soldiers noticed this absurdity.'

At that moment, the cook from the kitchen walked straight in through the main hall's doors, carrying a stack of freshly baked bread. Rikka smelled the aroma, striving to maintain a knight's bearing, absolutely unwilling to show hunger.

This news made the atmosphere tense.

The cook seemed to have noticed something amiss, and actually stood frozen at the doorway.

"Come in!" the She-wolf shouted at him.

Then the cook, like thawing, swiftly lifted the bread and distributed it individually to all the gentlemen. Rikka also received one. Seeing George Keiso still standing behind the She-wolf, Rikka felt a surge of pride.

Mangniu and the other foreigners were the first to tear open the bread and begin to wolf it down.

The She-wolf gestured for the cook to give her portion of bread to Sir Willis.

Damn the Freys; they really ought to be killed again." said Count Toha.

The Freys have their own way to die; as long as we support Count Brynden's hold on Riverrun, that will be the greatest revenge against them.

Speaking of Riverrun, I have always been puzzled as to why we should hand Riverrun over to Brynden, when he has contributed nothing at all to taking it?" said Redbeard.

Rikka glanced at him curiously; in meetings he usually hardly speaks, or when he does he goes off-topic. The She-wolf has reminded him many times.

Then you say who should it be given to? Given to you?

Naturally, whoever contributed the most gets it." Red Beard said, "If you give it to me, I can also guard it for you. Hah, for those women, I can also guard it.

A few people smiled silently, and even fewer laughed out loud.

Then you contributed the most?" the wolf woman teased.

Of course not. But you could clearly order the Red Warriors, Ronald, Gasheer, or anyone to act as castellan; why must you choose a half-old man as count?

Because this old man is from Hejian, and he knows that holding the castle is not for women.

You could appoint him as acting castellan! I'm saying this for your own good—such a fine city, why not keep it for yourself? Do you have to give everything to your brothers?" His voice grew louder. He thought such an old man would have no descendants, and after his death, the castle would go to Brandon.

Rica silently ate the soft braised beef stuffed bun. He knew Red Beard's implication was that they hadn't obtained manors and lands satisfying their own demands; they wanted to stay in Hejian.

If you really care for me, you shouldn't be wasting words here. But to let you clearly understand, my goal has never been a castle." Seeing his hesitant expression, she promptly said, "Alright, alright, stop bothering me—teaching my brothers is already troublesome; I don't want to waste effort teaching idiots.

So he lowered his head, tore open the bun with force, took a hard bite of the middle part, and said nothing more.

Since we just mentioned the crown, I have an unavoidable major matter I need to tell all of you.

Everyone knows that the liege of the various counts, Brandon Stark, now holds the title of Duke of Winterfell, Guardian of the North, not King of the North. I once advised Robb to take the kingly title to gain allies, but he ignored it, ultimately losing two important potential allies, causing the southern campaign to fail.

Of course, this isn't his fault either.

Now the crown has been recovered, and looking across the Seven Kingdoms, only our enemies lack allies; therefore, if you all agree, upon returning to Winterfell this time I will persuade the remaining lords and nobles to crown Brandon.

But I must remind you, Brandon's coronation as king does not mean the tax that the northern lords originally owed to the king will decrease; it will be combined with the tax you pay to your liege.

The Earl of Deepwood Forest showed displeasure, suddenly standing up. 'If the taxes are the same, what use is northern independence?'

Taxes are for waging war, my lord, you should know we still have many wars to fight. Besides, I never said the North would be independent.

If not independent, how can one be called king?

I don't want him to be King of the North. I want him to be King of the Seven Kingdoms.

The atmosphere thickened again.

But she seemed not to notice, picking up her sword and standing up.

Red Beard, now, you say, which castle do I want?