The Iron Throne of Ice and Fire

"Prime Minister Tywin is calling a special royal council?"

"I think... yes, I'm sure, Lord Green."

"Do you know his purpose?"

"Perhaps..." Grand Maester Pycelle stroked his heavy white beard and said thoughtfully: "The royal family's finances are tight, and the Prime Minister wants to end the chaos in the Seven Kingdoms as soon as possible."

A pair of cloudy eyes secretly glanced at Green sitting at the table, and he added: "As far as I know, the first task of the new finance minister, Tyrion Lannister, after taking office is to prepare for King Joffrey and Tilly. My lady's engagement and wedding. If the Lannisters continue to fund the royal family as usual, he will be very relaxed."

Green raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "What happened?"

"You have a sharp eye, Lord Green."

Grand Maester Pycelle's bachelor's necklace jingled softly. He moved and lowered his voice slightly: "Sir Kevan has been meeting frequently with representatives of the Iron Bank recently. According to my observation, they are discussing the issue of the royal family's debt. The end of the year is An agreed time for repayment of interest and a portion of the debt... There is a saying among the Braavos: The Iron Bank cannot be defaulted."

Green tapped his fingers on the table a few times, paused, and said, "Maester Pycelle, do you think...Prime Minister Tywin wants to stop funding the royal family?"

Grand Maester Pycelle nodded slightly and said: "I think... Duke Tywin has to stop funding. The sweep of the cubs has caused a lot of damage to the Western Territory, which needs to be rebuilt and restored... these are all A large number of golden dragons need to be invested, and the war lasts for nearly a year. Even the Lannister...can't cope with it."

Glancing at Green, he continued: "The wolf cub is the lion's primary enemy. Once the iron bank's debts are defaulted, they will turn into another enemy, an enemy more terrifying than the wolf cub. Therefore, in a situation where there is no spare power, Now, before the cub is dealt with, Duke Tywin has to temporarily stop investing in the royal family."

Green chuckled: "Poor Tyrion, he is a good target."

Archmaester Pycelle smiled with a smile on his face and echoed: "No father would love his dwarf son, but he is a Lannister, evil and despicable at the same time... The wise Lord Tywin is very good at finding a suitable one for everyone. My own errand.”

Seeing Green's eyes moving towards him, he couldn't help but feel a little in his heart. The loyal "Tywin fan" quickly changed his mind: "But... after all, Tyrion is also his son. Duke Tywin's viciousness is beyond belief." Work for him with peace of mind, he has the ruthlessness of a ruler, but he doesn't..."

Green waved his hand and interrupted: "Continue to talk about the imperial meeting."

Archmaester Pycelle coughed a few times and said respectfully: "In addition to the existing royal ministers, Duke Tywin will also invite you and Duke Mace Tyrell to attend the royal meeting in three days. As for Queen Cersei, With King Joffrey... I haven't gotten any accurate information yet."

Green pondered for a moment and asked: "Is there no specific news about Prince Oberyn yet?"

Archmaester Pycelle rarely showed his true feelings. He mocked: "The Dornish people have always behaved strangely. They deliberately avoid the eyes of others. They always think that weird actions can scare the Red Keep. They have always liked this."

Green's brown eyes moved slightly, smiled, and said: "It seems that you have a lot of feelings, Maester Pycelle."

Archmaester Pycelle sighed: "I don't know when it started. Letters from the Dornish people increasingly tend to use vague and uncertain words. This also makes it more difficult for me to fulfill my duties as an advisor. I am not welcome in my crow's nest." Messenger Crow from Dorne."

He sighed again and continued in a helpless tone: "For example, last time... the messenger crow in Sunspear City sent a letter from Prince Oberyn to King's Landing as an envoy from Dorne, but it did not state the specific number of people in the envoy. Instead, he used several other words. Moreover, although the approximate arrival time was stated, the time of the interview was not specified. The letter said that Prince Oberyn would meet with the king and the Prime Minister when necessary (he imitated it a little) Well's accent)...Fortunately, Duke Tywin has a tolerant heart that ordinary people don't have."

As he said that, Grand Maester Pycelle suddenly paused and quickly added: "Duke Tywin must not be patient. Everyone knows...the Lannister family hopes to form an alliance with the Martell family."

Lord Green seemed unaware of Tywin's true nature. He analyzed: "The Martell family's first request is a seat on the Royal Council. This may be the Dornish people's unique negotiation method."

Grand Maester Pycelle was worried: "Duke Tywin, Ser Kevan, Ser Jaime, Tyrion Lannister, plus the two seats promised to the Tyrell family, plus me... on the royal council There are no more seven seats available."

As he said that, he looked at Green, paused, and said cautiously: "Lord Green, I heard that Queen Cersei doesn't like me. Will Duke Tywin use this as an excuse to choose Prince Oberyn to replace me? A seat in the Royal Council?"

He said in a sincere tone: "I am just an old and useless bachelor. I have long lost my desire for power. I no longer have the status of minister of the Royal Council. I am also satisfied with the responsibility of the king's advisor. I just..."

There was a hint of choking in his voice: "I'm just worried...if I leave the Imperial Council, your loyal servant...I won't be able to serve you better and serve you like I am now..."

After saying that, he pitifully wiped the few tears that had overflowed from the corners of his eyes with his wide sleeves.

Very relaxed, Lord Green commented secretly.

After a moment of silence, Green said: "With your achievements sixteen years ago, Prime Minister Tywin should not embarrass you, Maester Pycelle."

Grand Maester Pycelle wiped the corners of his eyes tremblingly again, sniffed, and said: "Yes, Lord Green, all seven countries know that Duke Tywin is just. But I can see that he did not say it clearly. But I understood what he meant. He was very dissatisfied with me because...the ministers of the royal council failed to stop...what he called...King Joffrey's nonsense...he felt that I did not fulfill my duties as a minister of the royal council. responsibilities, so...I can hear the silent order he conveyed to me, he will retain my honor as Grand Bachelor, but I will not be allowed to continue to sit in the chair of the Royal Council...I can understand what he means."

After a moment of silence, Green suddenly said: "Maester Pycelle, I heard that you sympathize with the plight of the nobles in the valley (Chapter 248)?"

As soon as his words fell, Archmaester Pycelle's legs softened and he almost slipped from his chair.

Grand Maester Pycelle, who was trembling when he walked...now knelt down very flexibly: "Master Green, please listen to my explanation, please allow me to explain!"

He wailed: "This was all Duke Tywin's order. At that time...at that time...he wanted to use Princess Myrcella to control the valley...he wanted you to leave the valley..."

He cried bitterly: "Before you left the Red Keep, the task you left for me was to play the role of Duke Tywin's servant. Before I get your new order, I can only follow your order. I don't have time to contact you!"

He shed tears: "I know, I am relieved, because I know that Queen Cersei will not like my advice, she will never like it... I deliberately angered her... She almost beat me to death! That’s why I dare to act according to Duke Tywin’s orders… Lord Green, I am your loyal servant!”

Green's cold voice came from above Pycelle: "There are no secrets in the Red Keep. I know you are not stupid, so you can still kneel in front of me and speak."

Archmaester Pycelle choked with sobs: "I will always be loyal to you. I can swear to the Seven Gods, my Lord Green!"

Green's eyes seemed to be able to see through people's hearts. He stared at Grand Maester Pycelle for a while and said: "That fire (Chapter 226)... As a reward for your loyalty, your seat on the Imperial Council will be retained. Maester Pycelle, continue to play your role and do not let me down."

"Ge...Gege...Master Green, thank you...I will always be your loyal servant..." Grand Maester Pycelle looked up at Green, with tears of gratitude on his old face.

Green nodded slightly, moved his hand, and a blank piece of parchment fell right in front of Grand Maester Pycelle.

"Write well, mainly about... Prime Minister Tywin, whom you admire most."

"Master Green, this... is not necessary... uh! I'll write it right away, right now! Please believe in my loyalty, I can swear to the Seven Gods!"

More than half an hour later, at the door of the bachelor's study.

Maester Pycelle linked his arms, and he kindly told the maid: "Good boy, deliver these letters to Earl Green for me. You can help get these letters."

The little maid took a pile of letters. She first glanced at the young earl who was leaving surrounded by guards, then nodded slightly to Archmaester Pycelle and trotted away.

…………

Outside the bachelor's tower, a thin, black-haired maid who looked to be fifteen or sixteen years old held a silver deer tightly and said, "Thank you for the reward, my lord."

Green smiled gently and said, "Go ahead."

Seeing that she was asked to leave, the little maid was at a loss: "But... but... Bachelor Pycelle asked me to send these letters to you."

Hearing this, Green looked to the other side and said, "Angai, take her to Megta..."

He glanced at the sun and continued: "I'll get her a nice lunch by the way."

"As you command, my lord"

Ange looked at the little maid and gracefully stretched out a hand in the direction of Megta: "Please, I will lead the way for you."

Mengton looked at An Gai and the strange maid who were talking and laughing as they left, and scratched his big head.

Lord Greene is very busy. After meeting Grand Maester Pycelle, he also has to visit the Duke of Metz.

After walking for a while, Green saw a man in silver armor and white robes with flowing blond hair from a distance - Jaime Lannister.

Sir James stood on the road Green must pass through, holding the handle of the sword at his waist with one hand, staring motionlessly... at Green who was getting closer and closer.

As he approached, Ser Jaime gritted his teeth and said, "Good day, Lord Green."

Green smiled: "Good day, White Knight."

He stopped in front of Sir James and said again: "Are you waiting for me?"

Sir James's chest rose and fell, and he said: "I brought you a gift, a gift from me."

He sneered: "I hope you like it."