Chapter 659: The reignited flames of war

The North, Winterfell.

The nobles gathered here were currently full of seriousness.

And sitting in the main seat, Lord Rickard was also looking at Lyanna not far away and announced the wedding date.

Because his wedding with Robert had to be accelerated; otherwise, the things that happened at the last tournament could easily cause problems.

Facing Lord Rickard's words, Lyanna also turned and left in anger.

Watching this scene, Eddard felt a vague sense of unease in his heart, but he didn't say anything.

Ending the banquet, Rickard beckoned, "Luo Sai, come over here!"

"Yes, Lord!"

Hearing Rickard's words, Zhang Cheng walked forward slowly, came before him, and said, "What is the matter, Lord?"

"Pause the things on Skagos Island, I have some bad feelings in my heart!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng, Rickard became serious.

"Are you saying that the war is about to begin?"

Narrowing his eyes, Zhang Cheng looked at Rickard, then immediately hammered his hand against his chest and said, "If that's really the case, the Count Count Celingen family will act as the vanguard to clear all obstacles for you!"

Hearing Zhang Cheng's words, Rickard Stark stared at him and said, "How many troops does the Count Count Celingen family actually have at present?"

"After two years of effort, the Count Count Celingen family now has three thousand soldiers and one thousand cavalry! We can move at any time!"

Looking at Rickard before him, Zhang Cheng smiled.

"You've worked hard, developing the Count Count Celingen family in just two short years!"

Patting Zhang Cheng's shoulder, Rickard Stark couldn't help but feel gratified.

Because as one of the few powerful families in the North, Count Count Celingen had always been a very "reliable" existence!

If it weren't for the disaster back then that nearly cut off their development, perhaps the Count Count Celingen of today could raise ten thousand soldiers!

But doing so would obviously also threaten the Stark family's eight-thousand-year rule!

"It's not hard work, these are all things the Count Count Celingen family should do!"

Speaking to Rickard Stark, Zhang Cheng revealed a smile.

But just after the two had talked for a long time, Zhang Cheng watched Brandon come over and turned to leave.

Watching Zhang Cheng's back, Brandon said seriously, "Father, the strength of the Count Count Celingen family is deeper than we imagined!"

"Now is not the time for infighting. Your sister is too disobedient; doesn't she know what kind of danger accepting the laurel wreath will bring?"

Looking at Brandon angrily, Rickard's eyes were full of seriousness.

Because of Lyanna's matter, the Baratheon family had already clearly expressed their dissatisfaction.

But with the relationship of Prince Rhaegar, everyone hadn't torn their faces apart yet, but once more excessive things appeared, then everyone might not know when they would have conflicts!

Don't ever think that medieval nobles don't care about face; after all, their "circle" is notoriously chaotic!

But if you think that, you would be very wrong.

Because nobles are the people who care most about face; Rhaegar doing this was undoubtedly stepping on Robert's face and rubbing it.

And Lyanna accepting the laurel wreath gave both sides a crisis of trust.

If this matter isn't handled properly, then it won't be the Targaryens fighting two families, it will be the Starks and Baratheons slaughtering each other!

So Rickard warned Lyanna very seriously not to do anything that would insult the family!

Leaving King's Landing, Zhang Cheng rode on his warhorse and couldn't help but look back, his eyes full of mocking expressions.

Two years, a full two years; he had used everything from trickery to even robbing and stealing to make the Count Count Celingen family regain its vitality.

Now this old thing Rickard obviously wanted to use him as a vanguard.

But he had Zhang Liang's strategy, did he not have a ladder to climb over the wall?

"Return to Eagle Castle, have Widow's Watch prepare the ships; I will head to Skagos Island this afternoon!"

Speaking coldly, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but rub his brow.

Because in at most a year, the war would begin; he had to find a way to strengthen the family's power, otherwise, it would be easy to become cannon fodder!

The strength of a family comes from military affairs, as well as the people and food!

The Count Count Celingen of today, although having plundered for two years, was still very lacking in population, because Zhang Cheng's goal was to develop the entire Count Count Celingen into a territory with a population of five hundred thousand within five years!

Although this was a bit of a pipe dream, as long as he conquered Skagos Island, he would have a steady stream of soldiers.

So everything that stood in his way would be crushed flesh buried in the soil!

Eagle Castle, the fully armed Krieg soldiers were lining up. Walking out of the castle, Andrew said, "Lord Count, you don't need to go personally, wouldn't it be fine to wait for the orders below? You should consider your marriage; the Dayne family came here two days ago, why not..."

"The Dayne family, Starfall?"

Asking curiously, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but inquire.

"That's right, it's the Sword of the Morning's sister, Miss Allyria Dayne, I think you..."

But just as Andrew was rambling on, Zhang Cheng said, "Then I'll trouble you to entertain them, Uncle Andrew; the Count Count Celingen family is not at a time to stop now!"

Saying this, Zhang Cheng mounted his horse and had someone open the drawbridge.

Accompanied by the neat and uniform cavalry charging out, Andrew slapped his thigh and roared, "If you don't get married, how will you have a young master? Without a young master, how will the family be passed down!"

Unfortunately, Zhang Cheng didn't hear Andrew's words; his mind was currently entirely on Skagos Island.

In the vast forest, the sounds of slaughter were constantly spreading.

Wearing ill-fitting armor and holding battle axes, the barbarian warriors were constantly roaring.

But facing the soldiers who were like a tide, their clansmen had all fallen.

Looking at the barbarians in the distance, Zhang Cheng said with great interest, "How many of our people did that guy kill?"

"Reporting to Lord Count, he has already killed more than ten of our people!"

【Author's Note: Read every word carefully!】

Speaking to Zhang Cheng beside him, the attendant hurriedly drew his sword and said, "Let me execute him!"

"No need, I'll do it personally!"

Riding his horse forward, the soldiers who had originally surrounded the barbarian gradually retreated.

Looking at Zhang Cheng, who was wearing luxurious armor before him, the barbarian immediately roared, his mouth full of curses.

However, facing his roaring, Zhang Cheng used fluent barbarian language and said, "Will you not surrender?"

"Surrender? We grew up on this land, how could we surrender to you group of foreign Westerosi!"

Speaking angrily, the barbarian immediately scolded, "Our necks will not wear the shackles of slaves, nor will we kneel and bow..."

"Are you not afraid that the entire tribe will be destroyed? Think of your wife, children, and your parents who are unable to hunt; they will all die in the siege..."

Pulling the reins, Zhang Cheng said in a low voice, "Submit to me, I can bring you food, salt, iron..."

"No, we will absolutely not surrender!"

Looking at Zhang Cheng angrily, the barbarian holding the battle axe immediately roared and threw it.

But watching the flying axe come, the surrounding Count Count Celingen soldiers all roared, rushing forward one after another, wanting to block this fatal attack.

But in the next second, Zhang Cheng grabbed the flying axe with one hand and then sighed silently, "I have already abandoned the hatred of my family's destruction, but why can't you be considerate of my 'benevolence'!"

Speaking to this point, Zhang Cheng dropped the axe in his hand and said, "Raze their entire tribe to the ground, all living people are to be treated as slaves and handed over to the Bolton family!"

Turning around coldly, Zhang Cheng couldn't help but roar, "Within half a year, the family must conquer all of Skagos!"

"I am glory!"

Letting out a roar, the soldiers raised their long spears and then constantly moved forward.

Watching the soldiers like a tide, the barbarians fell completely in the bloody battle, watching helplessly as destruction descended.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 660 =====