The Mountain of Ice and Fire

The Mountain said, "Jon Connington, why didn't Daenerys take you with her? You were once the Hand of Gold, and the Prime Minister of Aegon VI. After Tyrion was judged a traitor, Daenerys needed a new Prime Minister. Your past has always been in service to the Targaryen family. Prince Rhaegar was your close friend, Aegon VI Targaryen was your king and your adopted son, and Daenerys is the new head of the Targaryen family, the newly rising Queen. You should have served her and become her Prime Minister."

"I refused Daenerys' invitation," Jon Connington said calmly.

"Oh?!" The Mountain's eyes were probing.

Because of Bran Stark's lesson, the Mountain now had an extra layer of defense against killing. It was the same with the blacksmith king as it was with Jon. However, his defense, on the surface, was rough. He asked directly. Crude and straightforward, revealing everything, perhaps this was a higher level of wisdom.

Jon said lightly, "Prime Minister, if you hadn't come to persuade me, I would already be dead. For a dead man, wealth, royal power, and knightly honor are no longer attractive. My greatest wish now is to personally write Aegon VI's deeds into the royal annals. Prime Minister, can you allow me to be a court chronicler?"

"No problem, Jon. After you and Lord Petyr Baelish return to King's Landing, I hope you can help me deliver a message to the Grand Alchemist of the Guild of Alchemists."

"Please command, Prime Minister." Jon was a rare person with both a resolute appearance and temperament, but his aura was not apparent in front of the Mountain.

"I want the Guild of Alchemists to manufacture wildfire bombs that can be shot out on arrows. Once the wildfire bomb receives a strong impact, it will burn violently, but because it is completely sealed in an iron ball, it will explode."

"Seal the wildfire substance in an iron ball?"

"Yes, or a wooden ball is fine, but it must be ensured that it will not spontaneously combust due to vibration during sealing and transportation. No matter how much wildfire bombs are piled together without being thrown and collided, they must not burn and explode. Earl Jon, you are both civil and military, I want you to cooperate with the Grand Alchemist to manufacture wildfire bombs. At the same time, you have obtained another identity: Court Chronicler."

"...Thank you, Prime Minister, I will assist the Grand Alchemist in manufacturing wildfire bombs that can be used for launching and throwing..." Jon Connington said, but he was skeptical in his heart.

The wildfire substance is extremely unstable, and it will spontaneously ignite with slight collision and vibration; however, the alchemists seem to have already known how to control the stability of the wildfire substance, it is said that it is because the return of the dragons triggered the magical power of the wildfire spells.

"Wildfire bombs only need to be the size of a child's fist, or they can be made larger or smaller depending on the actual situation. Tell the Grand Alchemist, the sooner the better, I need them urgently."

"Yes, Prime Minister."

"Also, tell the Grand Alchemist to have the alchemists manufacture a large amount of wildfire substance. When the small wildfire bomb experiment is successful, I want to manufacture a large number of larger wildfire bombs."

"As you command, Prime Minister," Jon said respectfully.

"Lord Petyr," The Mountain looked at Littlefinger, "A word in private."

"Yes." Littlefinger lowered his head slightly, his waist slightly hunched, and his tone was humble.

The Mountain calling him aside alone gave Littlefinger a sense of importance. This made his relationship with the Prime Minister seem closer.

The two came outside the tent, the sheep thief stood in the night, towering like a mountain, dragon eyes dazzling with light, huge head ferocious, like a fierce beast from ancient times.

"Petyr, when you were in the North, you privately advised me to kill Bran, I did not agree."

"............" Littlefinger listened respectfully, feeling smug and pleased.

"I don't want to make the same mistake a second time. When you return to King's Landing, tell Gendry Clegane to concentrate on studying blacksmithing skills and inherit the skills of weapons master Tobho Mott. The prime minister and the important ministers of the court will take care of the affairs of the country."

"As you command, Prime Minister... uh... one thing... on my first night back in King's Landing, I went to find Gendry Clegane..."

"Oh, what did you say to him?"

"I told him that for a kingdom to be prosperous and peaceful, everyone must do their job: farmers farm, fishermen fish, generals lead troops, ministers handle government affairs, and those with the talent to govern sit on the Iron Throne. Everyone must find their place. If you are a fisherman, don't farm, and if you are a farmer, don't lead troops."

The Mountain stared at Littlefinger, and after a while, he said, "What did Gendry say?"

"At first, he didn't say anything. He just stared at me, breathing rapidly. Finally, he asked me if what I said was the meaning of the Clegane generals or his father. I told him that this was my meaning, and also the meaning of some Clegane generals."

"Do you think he will think that I sent you to say these words?"

"Probably not. The blacksmith boy is an honest person."

"But he is not stupid."

"Yes, Prime Minister. My main concern is... a humble bastard suddenly became king, enjoying the wealth, glory, and power he had never had before. I am afraid that he will become unfamiliar in the future and dislike us old courtiers. He will most likely invite the nobles of the Stormlands into the palace to be privy councilors, which would not be good. The nobles of the Stormlands have been vassals of the Baratheon family for three hundred years, and many nobles are still relatives of the Baratheon family."

The Mountain stared at Littlefinger: "Petyr, you have a big flaw."

"Yes, Prime Minister." Littlefinger lowered his head. He humbly accepted the Mountain's criticism, but of course this was just an appearance. In Petyr's heart, he was proud!

"Duke Petyr, you are sometimes too self-righteous, too clever, and too proud in your heart, not taking others seriously. You take others too simply. Since Gendry asked if what you said was what his father said, no matter how you answer, in Gendry's heart, he has already determined that I sent you to say those words."

Littlefinger, who was superficially fearful but actually inwardly confident and proud, was suddenly shocked! Cold sweat broke out on his back, because he was reminded by the Mountain's words that the Mountain's words were correct! And before that, he was not aware of it, although he had some vague feelings, he could not clearly judge.

Since Gendry asked if it was his father who said it, it means that in Gendry's heart...

"Prime Minister, maybe the honest blacksmith king himself didn't realize what he was thinking in his heart."

"Petyr, even if your speculation is correct, it won't be long before Gendry's heart will make a positive judgment, he will think that I sent you to convey the words."

"Yes, Prime Minister, I was wrong, I... request punishment..."

"You must pay attention next time!" The Mountain said coldly, "Go back and tell Gendry - those words you said earlier, and this time telling him to concentrate on blacksmithing and inherit the skills of Master Tobho - were all sent by me to tell him."

"As you command, Prime Minister." The fear in Littlefinger's heart was replaced by surprise and joy. He sized up the situation, pondered the Mountain's meaning, and did the right thing, which made him very excited.

From ancient times to the present, dynasties have been obtained by the most powerful people - Aegon the Conqueror obtained the kingdom with three giant dragons; Robert obtained the kingdom with a pair of war hammers in his hand; why can't the Mountain obtain this weak kingdom with his Ice Sword, Red Smoke Beast, and giant dragon?

Gendry's supporters are few, and he has no legions or territories of his own. He has no strength or talent for governing the country. His advantages are the war hammer and honesty. In this troubled world, Gendry is not worthy of the Iron Throne. - This is Littlefinger's most true thought. And what the Mountain needs is a title. The Mountain has no title, so create one for him.

"...Prime Minister... if the young blacksmith Gendry sincerely cedes the Iron Throne in the privy council meeting... to the person with the most powerful strength and wisdom to sit on the Iron Throne, then, our kingdom will still need a loyal and resourceful prime minister..."

"A resourceful prime minister? Jon Connington is both civil and military, he is good at both governing the army and governing the people, and he also has experience as a prime minister," The Mountain said lightly.

Littlefinger's smile froze on his face, he gave a dry laugh: "Prime Minister, Jon is both civil and military, he has been the prime minister of the Mad King, and also the prime minister of Aegon VI, but he is not one of us. I am sure of that."

"Hmm!" The Mountain snorted.

Littlefinger gave another dry, ingratiating laugh!

"Tomorrow morning, you will return by boat... if there are no oarsmen, go to the small fishing village to ask people. I saw a large ship in the harbor, did Daenerys deliberately leave it for you?"

"Yes."

"After you return to King's Landing, manage the palace affairs on my behalf, arrange the guards of the Red Keep, the Tower of the Hand, and Maegor's Holdfast, and all the captains and knights in charge must be from the Clegane Legion."

"Yes, sir." Littlefinger was respectful and serious, but in his heart, he was surprised and delighted. He was in charge of managing government affairs on behalf of the Prime Minister.

"Prime Minister, are you not returning with us?"

"I'm going to see where Daenerys' fleet has gone."

"Aren't you afraid that Bran Stark will kill the hostages? He is a Green Prophet. Brynden Rivers has a thousand and one eyes."

"He is a prophet, and I am a demigod," The Mountain said lightly, "How does Bran compare to the Night King's power? The dragon is here, and Bran's Three-Eyed Raven dares not spy. He used to be an ally, and the Three-Eyed Raven could approach my dragon, but now he is my enemy, and the Three-Eyed Raven dares to show even a shadow, and the sheep thief will chase after it and burn it to ashes."

"Prime Minister, burning the Three-Eyed Raven will also burn Bran's soul."

"That is Bloodraven's soul, he will definitely escape when he realizes that something is wrong. At sea, he takes great risks. Once he cannot find a suitable host, he will die quickly."

"Prime Minister, do you understand the secret of warging?"

"Sixskins Varamyr can simultaneously warg and command six beasts, he told me some secrets of wargs. The better thing about Bran than wargs is that he can go back to the past to spy on secrets, and he can also see some things that will happen in the future."

"Prime Minister, maybe it would be more appropriate to let Arianne Martell scout first."

"No need, Bran Stark must not be in the main fleet, I cannot judge the direction he is going, nor can I judge his destination. I just need to chase Daenerys' fleet and I won't be wrong."

"But I am still a little worried, four very cruel people have suddenly appeared around Bran Stark, Roose Bolton and Ramsay Bolton from the North; and Tyene Sand and Alysanne Sand from Dorne."

"Roose Bolton?" The Mountain's voice was louder.

"Yes. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Roose Bolton."

"Hehe, for the sake of royal power, Bran has even gathered Roose Bolton, who has a blood feud with the Stark family. As for Tyene of Dorne, she has mostly left Dorne and taken a path that she prefers to take."

"Tyene by Bran's side doesn't mean Dorne has betrayed?"

"Dorne is the territory of the Martell family, how could it be controlled by a bastard Ellaria Sand, unless she kills Prince Doran in the Water Gardens, and then kills Princess Arianne Martell by my side. It is possible that the Tyene sisters, who hate me for killing their father Oberyn, were persuaded by Bloodraven with some kind of magical power to come to Dragonstone to follow him. As for Dorne, as long as there are still legitimate Martell family members in line, it will never be controlled by Ellaria," The Mountain said lightly, "However, Arianne should also ride a dragon back, when the white dragon and Arianne appear above Sunspear in Dorne, her prestige will reach its peak."

*

Thousands of oars dipped into the sea, making a rustling, uniform splashing sound.

People rest, but the oars will not disappear. Three shifts rotate, and nearly two thousand warships sail blackly towards the free trade city-state of Pentos on the other side of the Narrow Sea.

It was already dawn, and the eastern sky was filled with rosy clouds, which were beautiful!

The sun rose little by little from the horizon, and the last jump brought it above the sea. The red light shone on the jumping waves, drawing out golden-red sparkling waves.

The black dragon Drogon, standing on the top of the mast of the flagship Queen, suddenly stretched his neck and looked at the bright blue sky.

On the bow deck of the flagship, the bronze dragon Rhaegal, who was dozing with his eyes closed, also suddenly opened his eyes, raised his long neck, and looked at the high sky.

Two shadows flew in the sky, one large and one small. The large one was golden-red armor, and the small one was a pure white.

Kyu!

With a dragon roar, Rhaegal and Drogon flapped their wings and flew high, welcoming them to the sky.

Two thousand warships were rowing forward in a phalanx. Because it was still early, many generals and courtiers, and most of the soldiers, were still sleeping early.

And the Mountain and his dragon were coming!

Thank you [Moon's Backside Crater] [Oath of the Devourer] for the reward, thank you, handshake!