Chapter 634
2021-02-20
Chapter 634 Empress?Watching Illyrio's chubby silhouette disappear outside the door, Daenerys turns her head to the last of her "staff" in the first seat.
"Igor, what do you think?"
"Let's talk about the conclusion first, this Lord Magister's words are well-organized, most of them are not nonsense, but... there is a trap." replied at a moderate pace, "He gave you two options - either give up the Greater Crownlands plan or oppose one of the slave systems, or go to war on both sides, don't Your Majesty feel that's a problem?"
Daenerys frowned and thought for a while, puzzled: "Is there a third option?"
"No, the idea is wrong. We are all adults, why would anyone give two To choose, we have to choose between the two?" Igor shrugged, "Why not both, or neither?"
Both or neither? For a moment, Daenerys felt enlightened, but after thinking about it, he still couldn't grasp the feeling: "But as long as I insist on opposing the slave system, at least seven of the Nine Cities will definitely fight against me in a group. Huh?"
"Yes, but who said 'two battles must be fought at the same time'? Don't forget, there is a narrow sea between the two continents, and the Reach and the Eastern Sea shore are also separated. In the Stormlands, it is impossible for these two distant forces to communicate with each other and agree to cooperate to fight." Igor said with certainty, "When you were in Meereen, you did declare that you would abolish the slave system of the whole world, so slave-masters became It makes sense to unite against you, and I believe that they have organized into a 'city union'. But to say that this union can simultaneously impose military, economic and diplomatic sanctions and suppression on Westeros? They Perhaps so envisioned and expected, but such a highly organized act is difficult for even a unified Westeros kingdom, let alone nine far-flung and independent Free Cities?"
"You mean, Illyrio is scare me?"
"It's a possibility, but we as decision makers must adhere to the 'better take it' principle and not take it lightly in the face of red flags. Let’s just assume that what Mr. Illyrio said is true – in the face of the confrontation strategy of the city alliance, do we have any way to solve it?” Igor pulled out several of the items listed by the wealthy businessman Magister, “The first one, the public opinion war, The enemy trumpets you as an 'anti-slave fighter' - while causing widespread hostility among slave-masters, it also makes slaves around the world aware of your existence and looking forward to you as a liberator, Volantis The surrender of the fleet is the best example. From some aspects, public opinion and exposure not only bring us enemies, but also attract potential allies, the pros and cons... It’s hard to say.”
"As for the trade embargo, it sounds scary, but think about it - what are the Westeros importing from the city-states? Silks, dyes, jewelry, spices, and certain specialties... The quality of these things improves The living standard is not false, so it is true that it is loved by the middle and upper classes, but even if there is a shortage for about a year, it will not have a fundamental impact on the society. On the contrary, Seven Kingdoms will regularly export some food to the other side, although the amount is not large, but it is real Important resources, once trade is interrupted, it is an exaggeration to say that people will die of hunger for thousands of miles. Our method is right, the enemy will use this method of hurting one hundred and one thousand to fight a war of attrition? This is not a quarrel, whoever opens his mouth first has the upper hand! "
"Makes sense. "Dany nodded," but what does that have to do with 'all' or 'neither' you said? ”
“Your Majesty, look, after some analysis, we can find out: any public opinion war and economic suppression are all clouds!” Igor stretched out a finger. "The only thing we're afraid of is that Nine Cities will actually send troops to harass us—to be more precise: Nine Cities will send troops to harass us when we attack Reach." ”
Many people think that Nine Cities are nine cities. In fact, this is a huge misunderstanding. They say they are city-states. Small republics of villages and land - but in these small countries, the republic is not "the people", but a group of slave-masters and merchants. Each of the city-states is close to the size of the land grant, and the population and strength are not inferior Crownlands and Volantis are more than a few, and the total national strength of the Nine Cities combined is really not inferior to the Westeros at this stage.
Both Igor and Daenerys are well aware: at the same time as these nine small countries If you are an enemy, even if you can win hard, it will seriously affect the recovery of production.
"Neither means - 'against the slave system' and 'implement the big Crownlands plan', you don't have to give up; and The meaning of both is - Reach and the nine Free Cities, we all want it! "Igor made a false grasp of the air and revealed the answer," and the specific method was to use strategic deception to buy time, to separate the timing of the two wars, and to avoid war on the east and west fronts. We can send messengers or trustees to send letters to each city-state, expressing 'willing to respect the traditional customs of each city-state', or claiming that 'there is still room for negotiation on the issue of debt inheritance', thus inviting each city-state to send messengers to King's Landing again for detailed discussions , sign a non-aggression pact. ”
“The interests of the Nine Cities are not completely consistent. When this signal is released, the so-called 'city consortium' formed by them will make it difficult to synchronize actions due to their different thoughts... Both sides of the narrow sea It takes at least a month for the information to come and go. What we have to do is to seize the time difference between the coming and going of the information, quickly resolve the war on Reach, and free up our hands to deal with the dispute between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait! "
That's a good idea, but Daenerys still has his doubts: "Want me to be the first to woo a bunch of slave-masters?" After declaring respect for their traditional customs, would I pressure them to abolish slavery in the future, wouldn't it be perfidy and go back on one's word? "
"Your Majesty is still too good-natured." "What is there to care about the legendary treaty that was specially used to tear up? Igor laughed, "There are too many ways to solve this problem - to give a simple example: when we need to turn our faces, we only need to insist that the slave system is history. The dross is the sinful product of the common anger of human beings and gods. It is not a traditional custom worthy of respect, isn't it enough? He put away his smile. "There is a more fundamental method. I don't know if Your Majesty or the ancestors of Your Majesty have realized it. Eight of the nine Free Cities are the outposts of Freehold's westward expansion. , claiming to be the 'Daughter of Valyria', with the sole exception of Braavos, also built by the slave escapes of your ancestors. "
Isn't this something everyone knows?
Daenerys thought subconsciously, but the next second his eyes widened suddenly: "I can have both Reach and the nine Free Cities... Isn't this a metaphor? "
"Yes, Targaryen, as the ruling family of the Valyria Freehold era: one of the Forty Great Dragon Royal Family, after the demise of the other thirty-nine Great Family, naturally owns the claim of the entire Freehold ancient territory. right. Reconstructor of Freehold, Empress of the Empire of Valyria - Your Majesty Think, does that sound much better than the title of 'Westeros Queen'? "Igor confirmed Daenerys' guess with a smile, "It's a major event to reveal this invisible claim that has been treasured for three hundred years. Once used, it will be life and death, and there is no way out... And the same, the advantage is: once we successfully surrender to all Free Cities make them subject, then whether they continue to implement the slave system is just the internal affairs of the reborn 'Valyria Empire', then you, as the empress, can change the system of the nine Free Cities in the last ages with one order. Wouldn't it be nice to no longer have to fight and bleed like Slaver's Bay? ”
Daenerys opened her mouth slightly, her eyes glittered with a glimmer of longing, and she did not speak for a long time - if the big Crownlands plan is just a little heroic and domineering, at least she is actually thinking and looking forward to it in her heart. If you've tried it or a similar strategy, then restoring the Valyria empire... is the real fantasy story, and she hadn't even conceived a single edge of it in her wildest dreams!
"So , I'm going to try to hold the other side of the narrow sea first, and then go back and deal with the Nine Cities after the establishment of the Great Crownlands, and try to get my hands on Essos? But in such a series of battles, can the logistics and treasury hold up, and will it really be suspected of using military force? "
"It's definitely impossible and all Free Cities go to war. Pulling and beating is the right way. It's better to cut off one of the fingers. As long as we catch the two leading ones and beat them to death, let's see The lingering fears of the play know that they are invincible, and then give them a generous acknowledge allegiance condition. With the personality and courage of slave-masters, how can they fight to the end? "Igor said in a confident tone, ready to change the subject, "This matter can be brought up later, when I will make a detailed feasible plan and present it to Your Majesty for review, and then you will decide... And what we have to do now is to focus on. Pay attention, prepare for the upcoming westward expedition, and complete the final piece of the Greater Crownlands plan! "
With the victories of the war, the "Great Crownlands Project" has gradually become closer from a distant vision drawn on paper in the Queenscrown Lake Tower to the near future. The attractiveness and anticipation of people have dropped greatly... In order to solve this problem, Igor not only offered Daenerys a feasible solution to deal with the "city union", but also drew a bigger cake, the purpose is to attract Queen her attention.
With the yearning and ambition for greater martial arts and dominance, the motherhood and affection for little Aegon faintly discernable in her heart were overwhelmed!
Completed At this step, he can move on to the next topic logically and calmly, and pour a pot of dirty water on someone who just walked out of the door... no, blood.
"By the way, I suddenly thought of a very subtle time details. After giving the Queen a moment to digest the huge round cake, Igor called out as if he suddenly remembered, "Your Majesty, how many days have we taken for King's Landing, and how long is the voyage from Pentos to King's Landing?" sky? No matter what, we should still be under siege when Illyrio boarded the ship and set sail, no, it should be still on the way south, not yet outside the city... In that case, he set out to come here to be in Your Majesty's Waiting for you in the camp, or... something else? "
"en?" Daenerys was a little out of step with the sudden change of topic, and looked blank, "Well, doesn't it seem to be a problem?" My Unsullied and the Freedom Militia are besieging King's Landing, and he's waiting for me where I'm bound to be, rightfully so. "
"Exactly. "Igor nodded again and again, but the deep doubts between his eyebrows did not ease in the slightest," but you heard it, he just admitted that oneself had contact with the prime minister of little Prince Aegon, I am now thinking about a question: he and Jon To what extent is Lord Connington's relationship? Did he bet on both ends and also provide a lot of support and assistance to another Targaryen? Is it because of this that he doesn't want to see the two parties supported by oneself fight each other and reduce his final total income? "
Daenerys didn't speak, she suddenly felt a strange hairy feeling running up the back of her head from the caudal vertebrae.
Illyrio had helped her a lot, so although she knew This person is just a businessman and investor, but he has never doubted his position subconsciously... But if he is indeed not an enemy, but he is not only on the side of oneself?
If That's true, many doubts that were originally in a fog suddenly made sense!
"Well, I was thinking about it, Your Majesty, please forgive me for my randomness. In other words, I should not interfere with your thinking with conjectures without any evidence. Igor shook his head in annoyance, as if throwing distracting thoughts out of his head, "I will send someone to investigate the involvement of Lord Illyrio and little Aegon, and I will report back to you in person when there are definite results and evidence. Until then, keep Your Majesty's energy... on the original plan. ”
Igor is just questioning the purity of Illyrio’s position, and there is no mention of the poisoning case anywhere in his words—something that makes oneself think is the most effective, too obvious reminders and hints Daenerys has not kept asking about the progress of the investigation these days, but such a nasty incident that threatened her rule and safety, with her character, is impossibly relieved and forgotten. Illyrio must have never dreamed of it, poison to death The real culprit of his partner was among the few people in the hall just now, and he personally told the handle and the breakthrough.
......
Just walked out The gate of the Queen's temporary residence was being helped by a servant, and the wealthy businessman Magister, who was trying to get on the sedan chair, suddenly sneezed for no reason. The vague unease became stronger with an inexplicable chill. He suddenly had a premonition that oneself was on the scene. Playing failed to convince Queen to let Aegon go, oneself may have to think of other plans to provide much-needed support and help to oneself's child.
——
( End of this chapter)