The Mountain of Ice and Fire

According to regulations, the King must attend the Small Council meetings, with all the ministers deferring to him.

However, after Robert Baratheon became King, he was completely occupied with hunting, whoring, drinking, and enjoying himself, leaving him with no time for court. Gradually, the Small Council's rules evolved into a Prime Minister system, where the Prime Minister presided over matters large and small, with senior officials voting. In cases of deadlock, the Prime Minister had the final say.

The King's absence from meetings throughout the year also meant the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard couldn't attend, as he had to protect the King at all times, resulting in the loss of two votes. Furthermore, when the King went boar hunting or bear baiting, the Kingsguard's manpower was clearly insufficient, requiring the use of the City Watch, whose commander had to accompany him, resulting in the loss of three votes.

In the end, the King, the Kingsguard, and the Commander of the City Watch basically stopped participating in the Small Council meetings. King Robert's entertainment career was truly astonishing and highly successful, as evidenced by his transformation from an extraordinary warrior into a massive fat man who could no longer wear armor, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to the entertainment industry.

The Small Council was left with only the Prime Minister, Master of Whisperers, Master of Coin, Master of Laws, and Master of Ships. Consequently, the rule was established that any national matter could be decided with a simple majority of three votes.

After King Robert passed away, having completed the mission the Seven Gods had entrusted to him, the throne passed to Joffrey Baratheon.

After several upheavals in King's Landing, Joffrey, who was eager to emulate his father Robert as a hands-off king, was forced to participate in meetings multiple times, feeling deeply uncomfortable about failing to successfully inherit his father's entertainment legacy. When House Tyrell and House Martell of Dorne became involved in the high levels of power in King's Landing, the old 'three-vote majority' system of the Small Council faced challenges, and it was wisely changed to require that more than half of the senior officials attend the meeting, and that more than half of those present vote in favor for a decision to pass.

According to the laws of the Seven Kingdoms, Prime Minister Tywin had committed a capital offense, but even in the Black Cells, he still managed to secure the most voting power in the council: Master of Whisperers Kevan Lannister, Commander of the City Watch Bronn, King Joffrey (an unstable factor), Queen Mother Cersei, and if Tyrion Lannister still had his own mind and hadn't become the Mountain's puppet, then the Lannister family would have five votes.

Currently, there are a total of eleven votes in the Small Council!

Cersei has a confidant: Maester Qyburn, which secures the victory.

Littlefinger Petyr Baelish is someone who sells his services to the highest bidder, giving them seven votes.

The remaining three forces: Dragonstone's Ser Gregor, plus Master of Ships of Crackclaw Point, Wagstaff, only have two votes.

The Reach's House Tyrell, the Master of Laws and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, still have two votes.

Dorne's House Martell sent Oberyn Martell, who holds the position of Master of Justice, with one vote.

Even if the Mountain and House Tyrell join forces with House Martell, they would only have five votes in total, less than half.

Moreover, the Mountain and House Martell cannot stand together; what the Mountain supports, the Red Viper will inevitably oppose.

According to the strategy Tywin taught Cersei in the dungeon, controlling the voting rights in the council would naturally control all the power. He was the mastermind behind the 'Red Wedding', and only needed a short time to wait for the 'Red Wedding' plan to completely crush the North, after which the Riverlands would be won without a fight. With the Vale of Arryn left, Littlefinger would be sent to marry Lysa Tully, and the kingdom would be unified.

Lord Tywin served as Prime Minister to the 'Mad King' Aerys Targaryen for twenty years. As a close friend of the Mad King, he was granted the title of 'Prime Minister for Life' and was also known as the 'True Ruler' by the people of the Seven Kingdoms. His strategies were unmatched, but King Joffrey, though a Lannister, was a child with a vivid imagination.

In the vote initiated by the Mountain, he cast the 'fatal' vote.

His Majesty the King inherently possesses supreme royal power; he is a weather vane. Often, many courtiers with differing opinions, succumbing to royal power, would change their original intentions. Others prioritize royal power, voting as the King votes, so that the King takes the blame if things go wrong, and they all share the fruits of success if things go right.

When His Majesty the King votes on a matter, he usually votes last. If he has a particular political agenda, he will vote first.

However, Joffrey was neither the first nor the last. He helped the Mountain out when he was stuck, casting his vote for him.

The situation in the Small Council suddenly became delicate and tense.

Tyrion, having been 'framed' by the Mountain, recently acquired the glorious title of 'Lannister Traitor'. He felt 'mixed feelings' towards the Mountain, in a 'love-hate' phase of being in love and killing each other. The Mountain was striving to go to the Westerlands, and he felt that it would be fraught with danger. At the very least, those 'Lannister branch family soldiers' who participated in the massacre of Clegane's lands would not escape slaughter.

Tyrion was firmly opposed to letting the Mountain become the 'Warden of the West', but his opposition was ineffective. Cersei and Kevan, and even Joffrey, reluctantly agreed to first save his bastard grandfather's life. As for the Warden of the West, the King could bestow it and revoke it at any time. To appease the public, a vote could be held, as long as they controlled the council votes. After the situation eased, taking down the Mountain's 'Warden of the West' would be just a word, an order, a show of hands.

After Joffrey raised his hand to vote, he sensed the change in the atmosphere in the council. It was he who caused the change. He flashed a very handsome smile and looked at Qyburn. Like his mother, he believed that Maester Qyburn was his confidant.

Now Qyburn is a pivotal figure: the Grand Maester.

Joffrey's gaze was urging Qyburn to vote.

However, the Queen Mother Cersei's gaze was also speaking, telling Qyburn not to vote.

Kevan's gaze was fixed on the 'Lannister Traitor' Tyrion, and Tyrion returned the gaze with a message: he would not vote.

Kevan was relieved. As long as Cersei could suppress Maester Qyburn from voting, then now there was only one crucial person left: Littlefinger Petyr Baelish.

As long as Littlefinger didn't vote, the Mountain's plan would fail.

They couldn't let the Mountain gain the upper hand in the council right from the start.

It wasn't a good start.

Grand Maester Qyburn lowered his head and took a sip of hot water he had brought, avoiding everyone's gaze.

He made his attitude clear: he would not vote. Joffrey shrugged his shoulders. He knew that his mother was threatening Maester Qyburn, but he didn't really care about the voting results, nor did he really want to help the Mountain. What he really cared about was the sense of accomplishment and joy in causing everyone's surprise.

Qyburn didn't vote under the pressure of the Queen Mother, and Joffrey felt a little unhappy, but he quickly let it go. Facing his mother, he showed a charming smile. He was very handsome, making it impossible for many noble young girls to take their eyes off him. This was undeniable.

Joffrey had already gained pleasure from voting. He felt that this kind of voting was like a child's game, the key was to be unexpected, the best thing was when no one could predict his choice, which was full of accomplishment.

Littlefinger smiled and said, "I am a person who respects the law and has read every law thoroughly."

Cersei, Kevan, and Tyrion's hearts sank.

"At the same time, I am also a person who keeps promises."

Cersei and the others' moods suddenly relaxed. Littlefinger had a deal with Lord Tywin, exchanging Tyrion's 'death' for Tywin's life, a very fair deal.

Cersei already knew about Tyrion's 'Sansa's betrayal', plus Tyrion's 'rebellion' before the army, with the Mountain recruiting the Westerlands army. Tyrion had become an out-and-out 'Lannister Traitor'.

However, now everyone needed the existence of this 'Lannister Traitor': First, Tyrion was still a Lannister, it would be better than having Mace Tyrell as Prime Minister, and it would be a hundred times better than having the Mountain as Prime Minister; Second, the Mountain insisted; Third, if Mace Tyrell couldn't become Prime Minister, the Tyrell family would only accept Tyrion, and wouldn't accept Kevan Lannister.

Littlefinger suddenly revealed his beautiful mischievous smile, his gaze slowly swept across the audience, shrugged his shoulders, and, in full view of everyone, raised his hand!

The Mountain—securing the victory!

There was a brief, suffocating silence in the conference room.

Only Joffrey was unaffected, radiant and beaming.

Cersei's face was very ugly, as if someone had spat in her face; Kevan's face returned to calm after a burst of anger. He thought of his brother, Lord Tywin. If Lord Tywin were here, what would he do? He would definitely be unreadable, expressionless. So, Kevan was expressionless, his eyes calm.

Tyrion stared at Littlefinger. He had always wanted to kill someone, and that was Littlefinger. Among the thousands of courtiers, who absolutely, absolutely, absolutely could not be trusted: Littlefinger.

The Mountain tapped the table with his finger, bringing everyone back to reality from their self-absorption: "Six votes, my proposal is passed. Tomorrow, I will lead the Clegane army to the Westerlands to capture the executioners who massacred innocent civilians." He looked at His Majesty the King, his eyes full of respect, "Your Majesty, we should vote on the next proposal."

Joffrey enjoyed the respect that such a super-powerful man as the Mountain had for him. This was a spiritual food that he lacked very much in his life: "My grandfather, the Duke of Casterly Rock, the Lord of the Westerlands, Lord Tywin, committed the serious crime of killing innocent civilians, a great crime, a capital crime..." Every time he said the word 'crime', it was like a whip lashing at Cersei and Kevan, "According to the law, he should be publicly tried in the Great Sept of Baelor and sentenced to hanging, but in view of the opinions of the ministers, Lord Tywin has contributed to the country..."

In front of Joffrey was a large stack of manuscripts written by the palace director praising Tywin, but he didn't read them, nor had he memorized them beforehand. When talking about Tywin's 'unprecedented, brilliant, unparalleled' achievements, the King chose to skip it: "...I propose that Lord Tywin be imprisoned in Casterly Rock..." Then it would be time to raise hands in agreement, but he couldn't say the sentence.

"I absolutely disagree," the Mountain said, standing up, glaring angrily. A trace of fear flashed in Joffrey's eyes.

"This is completely inconsistent with the law, which is shocking. Lord Mace, you are the Master of Laws. Tywin killed a large number of innocent civilians for no reason, thousands of civilians, but he can escape criminal law without being sentenced to death. I believe that the people of King's Landing, the people of the Seven Kingdoms, will not agree. Do we need to tell the people of King's Landing the truth? Out of respect for the prestige of the royal family and awe of the law, the Duke must accept a public trial, or a trial by combat."

Cersei's face was cold and hard, her eyes unkind.

The Mountain went back on his word and couldn't tolerate it.

Kevan, who had been keeping an expressionless face like his brother, also changed his face at this time. This was the core price of the entire transaction, and no change was allowed.

Tyrion also didn't expect the Mountain to be determined to put his father to death. Although his father deserved to die, the prior transaction wasn't like this. Where was the Mountain's 'reasonableness'? Was he still the 'brutal and bloodthirsty' Mountain?!

Mace coughed, feeling even more delighted, as if fresh sugar was mixed with honey, sweeter than sweet, and he almost wanted to hum a tune of 'The Rains of Castamere': "Your Majesty, Lord Mountain, in terms of Lord Tywin's great achievements—" Although Joffrey didn't mention a word about his grandfather's achievements, "Lord Tywin will make up for his merits by being confined to Casterly Rock. I have no objection; but in terms of the law proposed by Lord Mountain, I also fully accept sentencing Lord Tywin to hanging, public trial, or trial by combat."

Nonsense!

He accepts both proposals! This slippery fool! Did he still want to marry his daughter to the royal family?!

Tyrion said: "Lord Mountain, things cannot break the rules."

"What is the use of the laws of the Seven Kingdoms if thousands of innocent people are killed and cannot be tried and get away with it?"

Tyrion, who was usually eloquent, suddenly choked.

His father was an evil man, that was certain, but...the transaction was clearly not like this!

Kevan Lannister looked towards the council door. The door was closed, but outside were the Kingsguard.

However, the Mountain's people were also outside the door, the Hound, who had taken off his white robe, was among them, as well as Brienne, Dunsen, and Polliver, a group of fierce men. Outside the throne room, there was also the Mountain's most elite hundred-man group led by Erren and Landon.

The trade routes on Blackwater Bay and the southern grain transport docks were still firmly controlled by the Mountain.

The Mountain now brought a group of 'lackeys' to the throne room for meetings, which Kevan contemptuously believed: this did not match his glory as a great hero in the eyes of the people and soldiers!

"What if we disagree?" Kevan said in a deep voice, staring at the Mountain.

"Then we won't agree either!" the Mountain said coldly. He pushed away the stool and strode away. Master of Ships Wagstaff immediately followed, and glanced at the ministers present, his eyes full of the Crab Claw Peninsula barbarians' murderous intent and recklessness.

Wagstaff craved battle to prove himself, he craved battle!

Negotiations broke down!

It was the Mountain who suddenly tore up the previous 'agreement'.

Burning bridges after crossing the river!

"Lord Mountain, I have an idea. Maybe you should stay and listen," Littlefinger suddenly stood up and said.

The Mountain's burly figure stopped, turned around, and glared at Littlefinger.

"I have an idea that I believe both sides can accept," Littlefinger said.

The Mountain shouted: "Speak!"

Tyrion frowned slightly. He sensed something—had Littlefinger and the Mountain planned this all along? The Mountain put pressure with his rage, Littlefinger came forward to smooth things over, and then they got what they wanted?

Was this a trap? Were they already sitting in this trap?

The Mountain has joined forces with Littlefinger?

But this still needs further confirmation based on their reactions.

He glanced at his sister Cersei. Her expression had relaxed somewhat, and she was giving Littlefinger a 'friendly' look, as if she had grabbed a life-saving straw. Had she decided to believe in Littlefinger's 'loyalty' again?

Littlefinger smiled. "Ser Gregor, please come back and take your seat. We are all here for the good of the realm and its people, so there is nothing that cannot be discussed. I have an idea that you will find satisfactory, and I believe it will also please His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Mother. Come back!"

The Mountain moved!

Tyrion's heart sank: The Mountain and Littlefinger, one is the wolf, and the other is the jackal.

They are the real allies!

He looked at Mace Tyrell with mixed feelings. House Tyrell was sitting on the sidelines, not helping either side. With the Mountain commanding heavy troops outside and Littlefinger, such a shrewd and cunning man, assisting him here, there was no doubt that the Mountain was bound to win this time and had secured the victory.

*

ps: Not sure if there will be more. If not, there will be 10,000 words tomorrow.

Thanks to [浪魁] for the reward support, thank you, handshake!