NIP #279 - Chapter 13 Tywin's Ambition
#279 - Chapter 13 Tywin's Ambition
Red Keep White Sword Tower, the residence of the Kingsguard and Red Keep garrison, faces King's Landing and is the tallest building within the Red Keep.
Tywin slowly lowered the tightly held Myr lens in his hand, his originally resolute face now appearing unusually gloomy and unsightly. He never imagined that Liu Yuan would actually appear here, and what infuriated him even more was that the other party was so ostentatious and arrogant! This was nothing short of a blatant provocation and contempt for the supreme authority of the Lannister family!
However, even with a raging fire in his heart, Tywin had to forcibly endure it. In the eyes of outsiders, the Lannister family was now at its zenith, enjoying unparalleled glory; but who could truly understand the bitterness within? In reality, he alone knew the difficult situation the family faced. As early as the year before last, the gold mine in Casterly Rock, which had once continuously produced wealth, had quietly dried up, and the Westerlands, which had always relied on gold to maintain its prosperity, was about to fall into an unprecedented crisis. Without the precious mineral resources, this hilly and mountainous western territory would soon become as barren and desolate as the harsh and impoverished North. When that time came, where would the Lannister family go?
Therefore, Tywin knew that he had to do everything possible to maintain the stability of the current situation, even if it meant being forced to accept the secession of the North, or even ceding a large area of fertile land in the Crownlands to Liu Yuan, he would not hesitate.
Because only in this way could he ensure that the Lannister family continued to sit firmly on the Iron Throne, and not be swallowed up and eliminated by other covetous forces...
However, the war in the south was still raging, seemingly never to stop. Both sides had invested enormous troops and resources, but the battle remained deadlocked. In order to maintain this protracted war, Tywin used the name of the Iron Throne to make solemn promises, giving the participants generous rewards and benefits, causing the Reach and Dorne to fall into endless infighting, with blood flowing continuously between them.
Faced with such a situation, people were at a loss. After all, the Reach was vast and rich in resources, the crown jewel of the continent of Westeros. It possessed a large population, fertile fields, and thriving commerce, its wealth astonishing. If measures were not taken to weaken the strength of the South, other regions would be hard-pressed to match it.
Even if the Seven Kingdoms eventually disintegrated again, Tywin knew that as long as he could successfully reduce the strength of the South, he could bring everyone back to the same level. With its own strong foundation, the Lannister family would surely stand out and become the ultimate winner in this game of power.
Tywin was now 68 years old, and he knew that he did not have much time left. At this moment, Cersei accompanied Joffrey up the tower. Tywin looked at his still charming daughter, and a new idea seemed to form in his mind.
Joffrey frowned and asked, "Grandfather, I heard that you ordered that traitor to enter King's Landing."
Tywin: "Your Majesty, there is one thing I need to remind you. After discussion by the Small Council, Marquis Garon has not committed treason, and is of course a lord protected by the laws of the kingdom, so he is free to come to King's Landing."
Joffrey's face was full of anger and unwillingness: "Are we just going to let him go so easily? He dared to openly humiliate me back then!" His voice was full of resentment and hatred.
Tywin turned around, his eyes like torches staring directly into Joffrey's eyes, and sternly questioned, "Then what do you think we should do with him? Kill him or arrest him and put him in prison? But have you considered the consequences of doing so? The northern region, which has only just been barely pacified, will once again be engulfed in a great war. At that time, the number of enemies you will face will be twice or even more than Stannis. So please, my Majesty, what are you prepared to use to resist these powerful enemies?"
Joffrey straightened his body, pointed at himself, and solemnly said word by word: "I... am... the... King! As the ruler of a country, why should I yield and compromise to those hateful traitors? As long as Garon, the traitor, is killed, his subordinates will naturally obediently surrender to me."
However, Tywin was not moved by Joffrey's words, and he retorted mercilessly: "Are you so naive as to think that a crown and a broken throne can give you supreme power? The power of a king comes from the army he possesses, but do you have a real army of your own? Your rule is currently supported by the armies of the Lannister and Tyrell families, and these warriors are now fighting the Targaryen remnants in the south. If you have any brains at all, be honest and don't offend those powerful nobles! Your wedding is in a few days, treat Margaery well, and make the alliance between the Tyrell family and us even closer." After speaking, he ignored Joffrey, whose face was livid, and turned and left.
At night, in the Tower of the Hand's meeting hall, Tywin sat silently in his chair, staring at the candle flame in front of him. As specific news continued to arrive, including Liu Yuan's giant guards and velociraptor cavalry. Cersei sat quietly beside him, her father's attitude towards Joffrey today made her feel worried, the look in his eyes was frighteningly cold.
The door opened, and Jaime and Tyrion walked in. Tywin pointed to the chairs and said, "Sit down! You personally received Garon, what do you want to say?"
Tyrion spread his hands: "My opinion is not to provoke him. You should have gone to see him in person today. I really don't know how he recruited them, the legendary giants! A full fifty of them, each fifteen feet tall, I have to jump to reach their knees."
Tywin looked at Jaime with a serious expression and said, "You saw his army, how does it compare to the rumors? If you were to command, could you defeat them?"
Jaime said, "The three thousand cavalry outside the city are all elite. If I only rely on the King's Landing army, I am not confident. Just Garon's two hundred guards all have the strength of intermediate knights. In my current state, I am dead if I face five at the same time. There are also fifty incredibly powerful giants. Without more than four thousand troops to stop them, they can protect Garon and easily kill their way out of the city."
Tywin pondered for a long time: "In that case, our attitude towards him can be determined. Maintain a friendly attitude during the wedding. Cersei, tell Joffrey not to provoke him."
Cersei: "Should we hold a banquet to entertain Garon, perhaps to show our sincerity!"
Tywin: "There's no need. Until our relationship with him has truly improved, doing these things is meaningless. I never thought that the boy who came to Casterly Rock to sell Valyrian steel swords back then would grow to the point where I have to take him seriously in just over a decade. My children, now is the time for you to contribute to the family."
Tyrion: "Father, I don't understand what you mean."
Tywin stood up and walked to Cersei's side, putting his hand on her shoulder: "Cersei, I plan to marry you to Marquis Garon after the King's wedding."
"Pfft~" Tyrion spat out the wine in his mouth.