Chapter 643: Hunting!

Another spring had arrived.

Within the territory where all things were reviving, the villagers were working diligently.

Watching the craftsmen coming and going, putting the forged armor and weapons into the warehouse, Zhang Cheng turned his head: "How is the situation in Skagos? Uncle Andrew!"

"According to the letter from the knights below, they have already expanded to the central part, but the resistance encountered is very intense, especially the goblins; those damn beasts attack the camp every day!"

Explaining to Zhang Cheng, Andrew spoke up.

Hearing this, Zhang Cheng suddenly recalled unpleasant memories and immediately said: "Have the Krieg send a small team of two hundred men to carry out an extermination operation!"

"Understood, My Lord Earl!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Andrew hurriedly went to find the Maester, intending to arrange for someone to send a message.

Returning to the hall to rest, Zhang Cheng was currently thinking about how to deal with the Bolton family's demand for payment.

After all, the money had been borrowed, so how to tactfully refuse was something he had to consider!

Breaking off relations was definitely not an option; after all, he and the other party were still "allies"!

Although this kind of friendly army was not very trustworthy, Zhang Cheng did not want to lose a shield so quickly!

Because the Bolton family was a presence that dared to compete with the Stark family for the King of the North back then!

For such an old family, in terms of influence, it was definitely higher than the Caelingen family; what if they badmouthed him outside?

Zhang Cheng did not want to change his identity now; accumulating grain, building high walls, and delaying the claim to be king was the hard truth!

"My Lord Earl, Butler Andrew asked me to notify you that people from the Stark family and the Baratheon family have arrived; please go down to welcome them."

Speaking to Zhang Cheng, the attendant hurriedly explained.

Hearing this, Zhang Cheng's face showed a puzzled expression, because without any reason, what were the Starks and Baratheons doing, coming to find him?

Was it because he was too close to the Bolton family, and they were coming to warn him? Or was it about his replacement of the territorial nobles?

Thinking of this, the corner of Zhang Cheng's mouth raised a disdainful smile, because the things he had done in the past year were indeed a bit much!

After the former family territory was reclaimed, Zhang Cheng refused the allegiance of the original territorial nobles.

Because in his heart, the families that were loyal to Caelingen back then had all disappeared in the Battle of Eagle Castle.

As for how Zhang Cheng remedied this? That was to find the heirs again from those families that possessed direct bloodlines!

Although this was easy to cause opposition from other nobles, Zhang Cheng did not care; after all, as the Earl of Caelingen, he needed to make compensation for the families that had shed blood back then.

If Zhang Cheng guessed correctly, Stark should be here to warn him.

But this matter was not Stark's place to speak.

After all, the feudal system of the Middle Ages was very strange, that is, the King is not my King!

As the Earl of Caelingen, he possessed jurisdiction over all nobles within the territory, that is, he was the "King" of the other party!

As for Zhang Cheng, he only needed to be loyal to the Stark family!

The other party had no right to bypass Zhang Cheng to interfere in the affairs of the Caelingen family; this was also why they needed to "support" him back as the Earl of Caelingen!

However, this group of people clearly miscalculated, that is, the "young" Zhang Cheng was clearly not someone easy to provoke either!

Arriving before the castle, Zhang Cheng looked at Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon on horseback and immediately smiled: "Welcome both of you to Eagle Castle!"

"Very happy to see you, Luo Sai!"

Getting off his horse, Eddard looked at Zhang Cheng before him and smiled: "I brought my sister and Robert over; you wouldn't mind, would you?"

"Of course not; after all, those who come to Eagle Castle are all guests!"

Saying this, Zhang Cheng waved his hand, having someone offer bread and salt; after all, this was a traditional ritual that everyone needed to follow.

And Zhang Cheng did not disdain to set up a trap; because when he really wanted to deal with someone, let alone the "Guest Right," even if the Seven came down, it would be useless!

Chatting and walking forward, Lyanna ran out: "Luo Sai, we saw many barbarians in shackles on the road; are they slaves you bought?"

"No, to be precise, they were brought back from Skagos!" Opening his mouth with a full smile, Zhang Cheng explained indifferently.

"Skagos? You started a war without authorization?"

Looking at Zhang Cheng in astonishment, Eddard's face showed a solemn expression.

"As an Earl, it is necessary for me to protect the safety of the people, and those barbarians do not understand the teachings of the Seven at all; I am fighting for the gods!"

Looking at Eddard seriously, Zhang Cheng could not help but smile.

Gazing at Zhang Cheng, Eddard hesitated for a long time: "You believe in the Seven?"

"That's right, bathing in the glory of the Seven makes me more valiant!"

Looking at Eddard calmly, Zhang Cheng explained.

But at this time, Robert and Lyanna beside them could not help but be puzzled.

Because as the Caelingen family, their former faith was the Old Gods, just like the Stark family!

But now, as the Earl of Caelingen, Zhang Cheng had actually converted to the Seven?

Although the Seven were the orthodoxy on the Westeros continent, they were not in the North!

Just like the people on the Iron Islands, who all believed in the Drowned God!

However, when Zhang Cheng was talking eloquently, Maester Glyn beside them remained silent.

Because for Zhang Cheng to say this was simply nonsense; after all, whether he believed in the Seven or not, could he, as a Maester, not know?

Never praying, nor pious, it was as if faith to him was just a tool!

Arriving in the hall, the time had reached lunch.

When the maids served delicious roast meat and many ingredients from the Essos continent, Eddard could not help but say: "Do you have merchant ships from Essos arriving here?"

"Of course not, I sent people to Essos to buy them! After all, it only takes a negligible amount of time, right?"

【Note: Content omitted for brevity.】

Looking at Eddard with a full smile, Zhang Cheng cut a piece of roast meat and stuffed it into his mouth.

And just as Eddard maintained his demeanor, Robert beside him had already started inhaling like a whirlwind.

Watching the maids who were almost too busy to keep up, Eddard said embarrassedly: "He must be hungry!"

"I think so too!"

Thinking of the things eaten at the banquet in Winterfell last time, Zhang Cheng's mouth twitched.

Because compared to what they ate, what was eaten at Eagle Castle could be considered food!

Finishing lunch, even Lyanna, the most ladylike, could not help but burp.

"Why don't we go hunting? It just so happens I need to digest a bit!"

Revealing a happy smile, Robert always wanted to find something to do after eating his fill.

Facing Robert's invitation, Zhang Cheng naturally could not refuse; after all, he was the host, and if he did not accompany them, it would appear exceptionally rude.

Even if Zhang Cheng did not want to go, he did not want to be badmouthed by Robert, this big mouth.

After all, this unlucky fellow would eventually become King!

Although the crown was a bit green, who made the other party King!

Robert: You are badmouthing me?

Zhang Cheng: Who doesn't know about the mess in your house!

But just as everyone was packing their things, Zhang Cheng whistled: "Laifu, come out!"

"Roar!"

With a huge roar, a shadow cat was seen leaping down from the castle wall nearby.

But when Robert and the others looked at the shadow cat before them, they were immediately scared out of their wits, gripping their weapons tightly.

But the soldiers did not have any reaction.

And looking at the shadow cat before them, Lyanna said in astonishment: "What did you just call it?"

"Laifu! A very good name, right!"

Petting the shadow cat that was nearly two people tall, Zhang Cheng smiled: "This little guy seems to have eaten a bit too much recently!"

Looking at the shadow cat in astonishment, Robert and Eddard's eyes were full of shock, because this Laifu could tear everyone present to shreds, right?

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 644 =====