The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Casterly Rock. Lannister Main Keep. Dining Hall.

The meat, vegetables, and bacon soup on the table had been cleared away, leaving only various fruits.

"What does raising a small bird require?" Lord Tywin stared intently at Kevan.

"Water and millet." Kevan knew that his brother had summoned him back because he must have something for him to do.

In front of Kevan was placed a delicate small wooden box, inside which was a pair of chopsticks wrapped in fine silk, tied in the middle with red silk thread.

This was a pair of chopsticks that Kevan had not yet learned to use but were very precious, because they were precious, they were noble.

"What about raising a wolf?"

"Give it meat."

Conversations like this were not uncommon.

But Tywin would repeat them, and Kevan would answer seriously. Tywin hoped that his most loyal and valued younger brother would remember these simple truths.

To control complex people and things, the most effective way is the simplest method and the simplest truth.

"What about raising a vicious dog?"

"Give it bones."

"That's right, so for those who are of great use to you, as long as you give them what they want, they will be used by you and be loyal."

"Yes, my Lord."

"What does Sandor Clegane, the Hound, need most?"

"Honor, my Lord."

"So I gave him the opportunity to be Cersei's personal guard in the royal palace. The Queen's Knight, besides the Kingsguard, there is no more glorious empty title."

"Yes, my Lord."

"What are your thoughts on the changes in Gregor Clegane?"

"Concern, my Lord."

"Concern about what?"

"A vicious dog should not possess human intelligence."

Tywin's expression was like iron, even when he was deliberating with only his younger brother, he never smiled. There was not a trace of human warmth in him. He was stone-hearted.

"Can a vicious dog with wisdom and knowledge surpass the archmaesters in the Citadel of Oldtown?"

"Absolutely impossible!"

"Will the light of the Seven Gods forever favor one person?"

"No, my Lord. But a vicious dog with wisdom is always unsettling."

"What do you want to do?"

"I don't know."

"It's not terrible for a vicious dog to become a little smarter, as long as he is as obedient as before."

"I'm just afraid the dog will turn into a wolf."

"Now is a time of peace, a dog can never become a wolf. Even if he accidentally grows into a wolf, he will be a wolf that bites others, the Lannisters are the eternal lions."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Give this vicious dog what he wants, and he will always be your dog."

"I understand, my Lord."

"It is indeed dangerous for a vicious dog to become a wolf, but what is truly dangerous is the loss of loyalty. Whether your subordinates are rats, cats, dogs, or wolves, or anything else, loyalty is always the top priority. Once you suspect his loyalty, there is no need to waste time figuring out if you are wrong, just kill him. Better to kill the wrong one than to let one go."

"Yes, my Lord."

In fact, Gregor's current strength was pitifully small, not worth Tywin and Kevan's serious discussion, but this was Tywin and Kevan's 'private' style, and also the rule-like habit that Tywin had developed since he took over the Westerlands at the age of nineteen.

Any 'abnormal' people, things, or objects in the Westerlands, regardless of size, the two brothers would close the door and 'envision' the possibilities of the future, and clarify the ways to deal with the deterioration.

*

When Jeyne Westerling and Gregor Clegane walked into the reception hall together, all the welcoming servants, family soldiers, legion centurions, knights, squires, etc., their eyes lit up.

Even beside a giant figure like Gregor, Jeyne's beauty and radiance still attracted everyone's attention.

And Lord Gawen's presence was completely overshadowed by Jeyne and Gregor, no one noticed his noble attire, even though he entered the hall with Jeyne and Gregor. He stood next to Jeyne, and Jeyne's hand was still holding Lord Gawen's arm.

Tywin sat upright on a chair covered with lion skin, his face as hard as iron, stern and imposing. Golden sideburns, a bright bald head, a noble dress woven with gold thread, and the patterns on his boots were also woven with gold thread.

There is a folk saying that the trash that Duke Tywin shits out is gold.

It's just that the knight who jokingly said this popular saying in front of Tywin is still locked in the black dungeon of Casterly Rock, and he will never see the sun in the sky again in his life.

Maester Burt, and Ser Kevan stood on either side of Tywin's chair.

There were many knights and squires in the hall, but none of them were sitting.

Tywin sat, everyone else had to stand.

"Lord Gawen!" Tywin said.

"Yes, my Lord."

Lord Gawen hurriedly trotted forward and knelt on one knee to perform the vassal salute.

Jeyne also stepped forward gracefully, knelt on one knee beside her father in full view of everyone, and performed the vassal salute.

Tywin remained motionless, accepting Gawen and Jeyne's greetings.

Tywin, who did not smile, made everyone feel suppressed.

Gregor stood to Tywin's right, carrying his sword.

"Was the journey smooth, Lord Gawen?"

"Very smooth, Duke Tywin."

Duke Tywin's conversation with Lord Gawen ended here.

"Jeyne, you are truly beautiful."

"Thank you for your praise, my Lord." Jeyne lowered her head slightly, with a smile on her face, and bent her knees slightly, performing a curtsy.

"Maester, tomorrow, release ravens to declare throughout the Westerlands that I will adopt Jeyne Westerling as my foster daughter, and order the nobles to rush to Casterly Rock within three days. To celebrate, Casterly Rock will celebrate for three days, and after three days, all the nobles and squires of the Westerlands will come to the Sept to be anointed with holy oil and participate in my adoption ceremony."

"Yes, my Lord."

Lord Gawen was incredulous, his face turning red with excitement.

He knew that the gifts from the nobles of the entire Westerlands alone would be enough for House Westerling to reap a great harvest, and there was no need to sell the land at home cheaply to Lord Marbrand.

Lord Gawen never expected Duke Tywin to attach so much importance to adopting Jeyne as his foster daughter, which was a powerful signal for the rise of House Westerling, and also the supreme honor the family had obtained.

Jeyne Westerling could not hide her surprise.

The people in the hall also couldn't believe that Tywin was only taking a foster daughter, and there was no need to alarm the entire Westerlands. This was not reasonable or rational.

Jeyne and her family were not so important in the Westerlands.

Gregor was clear in his heart that Duke Tywin was going to use this to do a few major things: salt, chopsticks, and military whistles.

Gregor looked at Kevan and the Maester, and saw that their expressions were calm and not surprised.

He knew he had guessed right!

Tywin's adoption of a foster daughter and summoning all his vassals to celebrate was originally a real event that shocked the Westerlands, and there were many people in the hall, but no one cheered, no one complimented, and there was no applause.

Only because Tywin did not like these actions.

The huge hall was very quiet. If someone was outside the door of the hall, they would think there was no one in the hall at all.

Tywin looked at Gregor.

He had made a bet with Gregor that if Gregor could get Jeyne to accept the gift Gregor gave, he would do his best to facilitate the marriage between Jeyne and Gregor. Of course, there was a prerequisite that Gregor must not force Jeyne to accept his gift.

What gift to buy was a problem? How to give it was a problem? How to make Jeyne accept it with joy was even more of a problem? This was not simple at all, in fact, with Gregor's notorious reputation, giving gifts was very difficult.

Tywin wanted to test whether Gregor's brain was working well after he had become enlightened. Whether it was petty cleverness or great wisdom, it was all strategy.

A brave general is just a warrior, a general with both courage and strategy is a talented general.

Tywin hoped that Gregor, this dog, could become a talented general under the favor of the Seven Gods, instead of a warrior.

Gregor said: "Lord Tywin, Miss Jeyne likes the gifts I gave very much and has accepted them all."

"How did you give them?".

"Ten miles north of the official road, we welcomed Lord Gawen and Miss Jeyne. I asked my little daughter Julie to do Jeyne's hair, and then I did her makeup in the carriage. After the makeup was done, my little daughter Julie asked Miss Jeyne to accept the silver mirror, rouge, powder, and eyeliner, and Miss Jeyne accepted the gifts with joy!"

"Jeyne, is that so?"

"...Yes, Duke Tywin..." Jeyne smiled, her demeanor elegant, but a bitter taste arose in her mouth.

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