Game of Thrones: The Bronze and Fire Lord

Chapter 71 Open-pit Coal Mine

Looking west to the mountains.

The group reined in the reins and stopped at a mountain to rest.

There was a clear stream nearby, and Aemon took the white deer to drink from it.

"The northwest is really a remote place."

Aemon looked at the mountains and couldn't help but sigh.

The East Land Corner is like an egg extending from the Mingyue Mountains, making a long circle along the southeast, northwest and northwest.

This also confirms the strength of the Royce family.

The territory of most nobles consists of a castle lord and part of an enclave.

The popular meaning of enclave is territory that is not bordering.

The Royce family has no concept of an enclave and firmly occupies 90% of the land in the eastern corner, compressing Seagull Town, which is also a big noble, into a corner.

The only families that could rival it in terms of territory alone were probably the great nobles of the Riverlands and the Reach.

When it comes to the valley, only the Eagle's Nest that guards the Vale of Arryn is better.

"Do I want to establish a foothold in the southwest?"

Eamonn frowned as he thought of the scenes he had seen along the way.

Large areas and sparsely populated areas mean that there is a lot of land but less cultivation.

And the southwest is after all part of the Runestone City territory, bearing the imprint of the Royce family.

The territory he wants should be truly independent.

To get rid of the Targaryen family, we must also get rid of the Royce family.

Combine the strengths of both families to create your own foundation.

"Yo yo."

Bailu's eyes were gentle, he lowered his head and nuzzled him, then leaned down and motioned to ride up.

"Thank you, Baymax."

Aemon smiled and rubbed Bai Lu's head.

Whatever.

Since the southwest is not possible, then head towards the Mingyue Mountains.

There can always be a terra incognita.

The escort team was also drinking horses. When they saw the prince setting off on a white deer, they all planned to mount their horses.

"No need to bother, I'll follow you."

Gunsor held down the white knight, turned over and mounted the black horse to follow.

His voice was deep and unyielding.

…

Half an hour later.

Aemon rode the white deer and ran to the foot of the mountains.

What is special is that the nearby mountains are all bare, which does not match the green mountains and green waters of the valley.

"It's a little unusual."

Eamonn raised his eyes to look ahead, and pressed closer to the deer's belly as a sign to get closer.

Ahead is a mountain ridge, running north-south across, like a high wall dividing the Eastern Cape and the Arryn Valley.

Click!

The white deer moved forward slowly, crushing an irregular black stone with its hooves.

Aemon glanced casually and couldn't move his eyes away.

"This is...coal!"

Aemon hesitated and couldn't believe it, and quickly jumped off the deer's back to pick up the black gravel.

Once you pinch it, it will break into more dregs.

There were crumbs on my fingertips, and when I wiped them clean, there was still a black ash like dust on the bottom of the pot.

Aemon suddenly smiled and put his hand to the tip of his nose to smell carefully.

"Yes, it smells like kerosene."

Really coal.

Eamonn was so excited that he strode around to search, full of energy.

If there is more coal, it means there is a coal mine here.

Moreover, coal is exposed outside the mountain, proving that it is still an open-pit coal mine.

The climate of Westeros is changeable, and there is no shortage of cold winters.

Especially in the royal territory, the valley, and the northern border, heavy snowfalls often occur year after year.

"If it were really a coal mine, it wouldn't be great."

Aemon's breath shortened, and his face flushed with excitement.

I rummaged around at the foot of the mountain for a while, just like a miner quarrying.

Fortunately, he found a lot of coal.

All were irregularly shaped and were found in small piles buried under stony soil.

"Hush!"

Gunthor arrived quickly, and then saw the prince holding a pair of black stones.

Those purple eyes were shining brightly.

"Come and see if this is coal."

Aemon waved repeatedly, still feeling a little unsure.

Unexpectedly, Gunsor casually picked up a piece, crushed it, put it in his mouth, chewed it for a while, and confirmed, "Yes, it's coal. It has a bitter smell."

After that, he spat it out.

Aemon was stunned when he saw this, and thought to himself that you are really fierce.

But there is more joy.

Coal is coal, and it is called differently in Westeros.

"Prince, there are a lot of these things in Raven Ridge. They can be used to keep warm in winter."

Gunsor frowned and reminded: "But the smoke from this thing is poisonous. Unless there is not enough firewood, no one will use it."

Aemon was even more happy when he heard this.

As long as it can be burned!

Fireplaces are commonly used in Westeros, and wood is burned.

Coal without treatment can indeed cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

No one studies this thing, so naturally no one knows its value.

"Intellectual Property Monopoly!"

Aemon was surprised and delighted, and asked: "Gunthor, you said this is called Raven Hill?"

He suddenly felt that he had found his territory.

Gangsuoer was rough but fine. He raised his hand and pointed to the back of Raven Ridge and said solemnly: "If you want to expand your territory, Raven Ridge can only be used as a barrier. The real territory is inside the mountain."

"Oh, why?"

Aemon was confused, as the other party seemed to be prepared.

"Because it once belonged to the Royce family, and it fits your requirements perfectly."

Gunthor spoke straightforwardly and did not mince words.

Before leaving, Mrs. Leia made an explanation.

If Aemon can reach Ravenhill and intends to open up territory, let Gonthor have full authority to inform him.

The Moon Mountains block the connection between the Arryn Valley and the Eastern Cape.

However, the terrain of the mountain range is complex, forming a mountain valley.

After crossing the natural barrier of Raven Ridge, you can enter this unowned land.

And this rugged path in the river valley in the mountains is the only way for Runestone City to enter the Arryn Valley.

Once upon a time, it was the outpost of the Royce family to rule the Moon Mountains.

After listening to it, Aemon felt a warm current in his heart and chuckled: "Since my mother has already prepared, let's go in and take a look?"

The new territory that is about to be acquired must be carefully surveyed.

Gunthor pondered for a moment, looked at the sky and saw that it was still early, and said: "There are many high mountain clans in the Moon Mountains. We will lead the valley knights to enter, and we can return at night with a distance of fifty miles."

The distance to cross Raven Ridge is fifty miles.

Aemon said: "No need to call all, just call two teams of twenty people."

Traveling lightly, the round trip speed is faster.

Gunthor's brows twisted into a knot, thinking it was not safe.

"Do you think it will be dangerous?"

Aemon smiled slightly and looked up at the sky covered with clouds.

Gunthor said no more and went back to call for help.

The stream was not far away.

In less than ten minutes, the escort team and two teams of Vale knights arrived.

"Prince, there is a letter from King's Landing."

Steve handed over a letter with a serious expression.

It was a raven that came, and it was the messenger raised by Her Royal Highness and the Prince.