The Mountain of Ice and Fire

Infantry General Jock Locke was of noble birth, the new generation heir of the Locke family of the West. His knowledge was different from that of other generals who came from the streets. Jock Locke was very calm: "Lord Mountain, the Prime Minister will listen to one person's advice: the Witch."

The Witch was the grandmother of Mountain's wife, Jeyne Westerling, a famous warlock in Lannisport, and Duke Tywin's most trusted 'military advisor'. When the Westlands, the Riverlands, and the North went to war, Duke Tywin respectfully invited the Witch to join the army and participate in some very important military plans. Duke Tywin needed the Witch's prophetic abilities.

"After the Northmen withdrew from the West, the Witch felt unwell and has returned to the West," Mountain said.

"Then we still have another way," Jock Locke said.

"What way?"

"Trial by combat."

Trial by combat is an ancient tradition, a law above all laws. The Faith of the Seven believes that if you are guilty, the Seven Gods will help the other party win; if you are innocent, the Seven Gods will help you win.

"Trial by combat? The Knight of Flowers's lance skills have defeated Jaime Lannister twice in a row," Mountain said, looking at Brienne.

Individual combat is different from group battles. The Knight of Flowers's lance skills are exquisite, famous throughout the Seven Kingdoms, and extraordinary. His ranking has always been in the top three.

"I accept trial by combat," Brienne said.

"If you lose the trial by combat, it will shame me and all the generals here," Mountain said. "I have vouched for your innocence and loyalty in the name of the Old Gods and the New and the honor of House Clegane. Brienne, trial by combat is no longer just your own matter."

"Lord Mountain, I can defeat Loras Tyrell."

"I want to be absolutely sure."

Jock Locke already understood Mountain's intention. He looked at Brienne, who obviously hadn't understood yet. This woman was brave and good at fighting, but her mind was too simple: "Brienne, if there is a trial by combat, you must let Lord Mountain represent you. Lord Mountain will be your champion."

Brienne was stunned!

Mountain said in a deep voice, "Brienne, your matter is inextricably linked to the honor of House Clegane." He pointed to Anguy, "This is General Anguy Clegane, the divine archer. In last year's Prime Minister's tournament, no archer in the Seven Kingdoms could match him. Ser Baron Swynn of Stonehelm is unmatched in swordsmanship, lances, and archery, but he still lost to Anguy in archery." He pointed to Chiswyck, "My infantry general Chiswyck Clegane." He changed direction, pointing to Jory, Sweetmouth, the Artist, and the Executioner, "This is my adopted daughter Jory Clegane, cavalry captain Rafford Clegane, cavalry lieutenant Dunsen, whose swordsmanship is particularly exquisite and stronger than other generals; cavalry lieutenant Polliver Clegane. Your matter is linked to the honor and dignity of us Cleganes."

Brienne was touched. She was an honest person, but honesty was not stupidity.

She naturally knew the weight of Mountain vouching for her in the name of the Old Gods and the New and the honor of his family. Now Mountain wanted to represent her in battle to ensure absolute certainty. This kindness made her heart surge.

"Lord Mountain, if you represent me in battle, the Prime Minister will…"

"In trial by combat, we follow the rules of the gods. No one, whether the Prime Minister or the King, the Queen Mother or Duke Tyrell, no one in the entire court of officials and generals, will question the fairness. If I win the trial by combat, from then on, no one in the Seven Kingdoms will ever question your honor and loyalty."

Brienne was so excited that she could not control herself. She dismounted, knelt on one knee, choked as she drew the real sword that the guard gave her, held it with both hands, and raised it above her head: "Old Gods and New, Brienne of Tarth voluntarily follows Lord Gregor Clegane, joins the Clegane Legion, executes the Lord's decisions, strictly abides by Clegane's military discipline, is loyal to the Lord, no matter how difficult, how humble, how dangerous in the future, always fights bravely, does not disgrace the mission, and if necessary, gives her life for the Lord, and never breaks her oath."

The sonorous oath pointed directly to the heart!

All the generals were solemn!

Mountain dismounted, stood in front of Brienne, slowly drew the Ice Greatsword from his back, pointed the sword tip to the sky, his face solemn, his words sonorous: "Brienne of Tarth, I, Gregor Clegane of the West, swear to you in the name of the Old Gods and the New and the honor of House Clegane, from this moment on, your family is my family, your enemies are my enemies; in the long summer, if I have wine, you must have a drink. In the winter, if I have a stove, you must have warmth. In spring and autumn, if I have good fields, you must enjoy the sweetness of melons and fruits. No matter how difficult the future is, no matter how powerful the enemy is, I will be with you, defend your honor, protect what you love, never ask you to do anything against your will, live and die together, the gods are witnesses."

"Lord… live and die together…" Brienne's eyes were red!

"Get up, Brienne of Tarth!"

Brienne stood up, and Jory was the first to run up and hug her tightly: "Welcome to becoming a Clegane, live and die together!" Jory said.

"Live and die together, my honor," Brienne's eyes flickered with crystal clear things.

The generals dismounted one after another and came forward to congratulate her. The small discord in the previous words disappeared.

"Girl, live and die together!" Chiswyck said.

"Live and die together!"

The two simultaneously reached out to each other, grasped each other's arms, pulled hard, and their bodies tilted, their shoulders bumping together with a bang.

"Brienne, live and die together!" Aylin drew his long sword and slashed at Brienne. Brienne's long sword met it, and with a clang, sparks flew everywhere: "Live and die together, General."

*

Morning, the Throne Room.

King Joffrey sat on the Iron Throne, wearing a crown, with exquisite patterns carved around the crown. On the left was the crowned stag, and on the right was the golden lion. He was dressed in brocade, with a long golden cloak draped over his shoulders, fastened with a ruby pin. On his royal robe, from top to bottom, were also embroidered two rows of family crests, one row was the crowned stag, and one row was the golden lion.

On his right hand side, sat the Queen Mother.

Behind him, on the left, was the Lord Commander of the City Watch, Ilyn Payne.

The fat Master of Coin stood on the second step, not far from the King.

Under the seven steps, stood four members of the Kingsguard, in order: Sandor Clegane, Meryn Trant, Barristan Selmy, and Arys Oakheart.

At the long table of the Royal Council on the right, sat in order: Prime Minister Tywin Lannister, Master of Coin Petyr Baelish, Commander of the City Watch Gregor Clegane, and Grand Maester Qyburn. Missing: Master of Laws, Master of Ships, Master of Whisperers, and High Septon.

The rest of the courtiers and generals were all on the left and right sides of the hall, with a red carpeted avenue in the middle leading directly to the door of the Throne Room.

Joffrey was smug and radiant: "Lords, before the Battle of King's Landing, I overruled all objections and granted Mountain the title of Commander of the City Watch, in charge of military power. The rebel Stannis overestimated himself and brought troops to invade, but Mountain burned the Blackwater River and besieged King's Landing, defeating him greatly. The Seven Gods did not spare the rebel and helped Mountain lead heavy cavalry to raid, killing him and causing him to flee in panic, but Mountain bravely chased after him and cut him into two pieces with one sword, and the body could not be sewn together. Hehe, my grandfather Duke Tywin and Duke Tyrell led troops to save my King's Landing, but it is a pity that you rode your horses slowly and were all late."

Cersei said in a low voice, "Your Majesty…" She gestured to Joffrey with her eyes, telling him not to say such words that humiliated Duke Tywin and Duke Tyrell.

Joffrey looked at the seat of the Royal Council and saw that his grandfather Duke Tywin's face was calm and without the slightest displeasure, which made him feel slightly disappointed.

Joffrey had no good feelings for his grandfather Duke Tywin. Back then, when his father competed with Prince Rhaegar for the throne at the Red Fork River and the war hammer knocked down Rhaegar, his grandfather stayed put in the West, and only came out to take sides after the overall situation of the Seven Kingdoms had been decided. His father Robert had told him this matter countless times when he was alive, leaving a deep impression on Joffrey.

Joffrey said, "Mountain, come out!"

Mountain stood up, walked to the seven steps, and stopped: "Your subject Gregor Clegane listens to the decree and pays respects to the King."

"Mountain, your military achievements are the greatest, and you have protected King's Landing and me. What reward do you want?"

Mountain looked at Duke Tywin. The script was not right. Today was the formal knighting, wasn't it the Prime Minister who was bestowing titles on the generals? Why did King Joffrey suddenly roll up his sleeves and do it himself? Was this something that the King and the Prime Minister had not agreed on beforehand? Or did Joffrey suddenly change his mind and want to enjoy the thrill of bestowing rewards himself?!

Given King Joffrey's character, the possibility of a sudden change of mind was very high! This child was willful and spoiled by Cersei since he was a child!

Duke Tywin was expressionless, his eyes without focus, and no one could tell what he was thinking.

Mountain said, "It is my duty to serve the country and do my best, and I dare not ask for rewards."

Joffrey laughed: "Mountain, you are not a humble person. How about this, my uncle Stannis was defeated by you, and the great nobles of the Stormlands have surrendered, but Dragonstone has not been recovered. The rebel Onion Knight Davos Seaworth, Earl Alester Florent, Shireen Baratheon, who is also my little cousin, and the so-called Queen Selyse Florent are all still on Dragonstone and have not been brought to justice. I now announce that I am granting you the title of Duke of Dragonstone. From today onwards, cut down trees, build warships, collect merchant ships, recruit captains and sailors who are proficient in naval warfare, and form the Dragonstone naval fleet to recover Dragonstone."

Duke Tywin's face moved almost imperceptibly. He had finally learned Joffrey's 'uncontrollability'. He had clearly discussed it with Cersei and Joffrey last night, and everyone was going to receive a piece of candy, but who knew that just one night later, Joffrey seemed to have forgotten all about last night's decision and suddenly came up with this.

Mountain was his vassal in the West. Joffrey made him the Duke of Dragonstone, which meant that he was no longer a dog of the West. In terms of status, Mountain would belong to the Duke of the Crownlands, directly obeying the King and Queen Mother, and would no longer have any superior-subordinate relationship with Duke Tywin of the West in terms of title, and would be on equal footing from then on.

Cersei was shocked. She had not expected that Joffrey would suddenly come up with this without discussing it.

Cersei was anxious and said in a low voice, "Joffrey, Mountain's title is not like this."

Joffrey laughed: "Prime Minister, please fill out the title decree and hand it to me for signing and sealing."

Duke Tywin calmly said, "Your Majesty, Mountain is a vassal of the West. He has made great military achievements. I have already granted him Casterly Rock in the West and raised his title by one level, making him a Marquis. And Dragonstone is still in the hands of the rebels and has not been recovered. It is not appropriate to reward it to Mountain." The title of Duke had not been bestowed on Mountain, but it was only a temporary change of words due to the situation.

"It's very appropriate!" Joffrey said loudly, looking at Duke Tywin with provocative eyes: "Prime Minister, will you write the decree? If you don't write it, I will write it myself and stamp it with the King's seal!"

The whole place was instantly quiet, and the courtiers and generals were all silent. No one knew what sharp conflicts had occurred within the royal family.

Duke Tywin had only been in King's Landing for a few days, and the government affairs seemed to be unable to proceed.

The young and vigorous king actually dared to go against Duke Tywin, which was unbelievable to any courtier or general.

Mountain was also greatly surprised and could not have imagined that Joffrey would come up with this. He closed his mouth.

If he could become the Duke of Dragonstone, he would get rid of his status as a dog of Duke Tywin and formally join the ranks of the great nobles of the Seven Kingdoms. In terms of title level, he would be in the same position as Eddard Stark of the North, Tywin of the West, Tully of the Riverlands, Arryn of the Vale, Martell of Dorne, Tyrell of the Reach, and Balon of the Iron Islands.

Dragonstone had the convenience of water and had great potential.

As a transmigrated college student, with a civilization imprint that was several levels higher, he knew that in a world where water navigation was more convenient than land, coastal cities, as long as they knew how to trade, were easy to develop. Dragonstone had an excellent geographical location, controlling the King's Landing waters to the west, overlooking the Free Trade City-States of the Narrow Sea to the east, going north to King's Landing, and south to Dorne, which was extremely convenient. Once there was a change, it could guard various choke points and advance and retreat freely.

What's more, Dragonstone had a mine underground: Obsidian!

Duke Tywin's golden-shadowed pupils flickered slightly, and he said lightly, "Your Majesty, he will not accept such a barren land that you are bestowing on Mountain, who has the greatest military achievements. Casterly Rock is a land rich in gold mines, and giving it to Mountain would match his military achievements."

"If I say it's suitable, then it's very suitable," Joffrey said coldly.

Cersei was shocked, her face pale, and she whispered to persuade the arrogant Joffrey.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I cannot sign," the Prime Minister said lightly, a flash of cold light in his eyes.

"I will have the scholar write it and stamp it with the King's seal," Joffrey laughed, "Horace Kevan."

Horace Kevan was the court steward, standing on the second step, as fat as a ball.

"Your subject is here!"

"Issue the knighting order that I signed and stamped with the King's seal to Lord Gregor Clegane."

"As you command, Your Majesty."

Everyone was shocked.

Cersei and Tywin were both stunned.

Joffrey had already written the government order, bypassing the Prime Minister and stamping it with the King's seal.

Looking at his mother's pale face, her purple lips, and looking at Duke Tywin's stiff face, who thought he was very great, Joffrey felt very happy, and the child King laughed loudly: "Mountain, according to the kingdom's laws, you are now the Duke of Dragonstone, shouldn't you thank me for the title?"

Mountain's mind was racing, weighing the pros and cons, and he bowed and said: "Your subject thanks the King for the title!"

The court steward delivered the writ of government, personally written and sealed by the king, to the Mountain's hand, and announced in a singsong voice, "In the 2nd year of Aegon's reign, Ser Gregor Clegane defended King's Landing with outstanding military achievements. Joffrey Baratheon I hereby bestows upon Gregor Clegane, Earl of the Westerlands, the title of Duke of Dragonstone. Dragonstone shall be his family's hereditary land, witnessed by the Seven Gods, effective immediately."

Lord Tywin Lannister stared at the Mountain, signaling him to refuse.

However, regrettably, the Mountain, bowing before the Iron Throne, did not see Lord Tywin's gaze. "Your subject thanks His Majesty for bestowing the title. I will immediately begin felling trees to build ships, recruit captains and sailors, and assemble the Clegane navy to seize Dragonstone as soon as possible, and bring the rebel on Dragonstone before His Majesty, to be dealt with at His Majesty's pleasure."

Lord Tywin's face turned extremely ugly, as if he had been slapped hard.

Joffrey smiled without saying a word, as if this amusing game was not yet over.

As expected, after a while, when Court Steward Horas Kettleblack returned to his position, Joffrey sat up straight and said, "Ser Mountain, what about my Royal Navy fleet?"

"Your Majesty, the Royal Navy fleet was completely annihilated in the battle against the rebel Stannis's vast naval fleet."

"Completely annihilated? Do you intend to simply wash your hands of it?"

"Your subject does not understand His Majesty's meaning."

"Mountain, you must compensate me with an even more powerful Royal Navy fleet."

"............"

Joffrey swept his gaze across the room, inwardly pleased with the astonished expressions on the courtiers and generals' faces. This was the surprising effect he wanted. He looked at the expressionless Lord Tywin, thinking that this old man had no ability, yet he arranged all the title bestowals and personnel arrangements as soon as he arrived. The Kingsguard, the small council, all were arranged according to his wishes, without his consent. Even his mother did not dare to argue and accepted everything.

Hmph, who the hell is the king? Does he have no respect for me? The Hand? The Hand is also the king's vassal, the king's dog. This country, this great land, was won by my father Robert Baratheon's warhammer, not by my grandfather and mother.

"Mountain, the battle for King's Landing is over. I hereby revoke your title of Protector of King's Landing. However, the position of Master of Ships on the small council is vacant, and Dragonstone needs the Royal Navy fleet to recover it." The boy king looked serious, stood up, and faced the courtiers and generals in the hall with pride. "In the name of Joffrey I of the House Baratheon, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, I hereby declare Gregor Clegane as Master of Ships on the small council, to rebuild the Royal Navy fleet, patrol the mouth of the Blackwater Rush, combat pirates in the outer sea and the Blackwater Rush area, and protect King's Landing's trade and maritime security." He did not ask whether the Mountain accepted or not, nor did he ask whether the Hand signed or not, and directly ordered, "Court Steward Horas Kettleblack, issue the writ of appointment as Master of Ships to Ser Gregor Clegane."

"As Your Majesty commands."

Thus, in the silence of the throne room, Court Steward Horas Kettleblack once again walked down the steps, came before the Mountain, issued the decree of appointment, and announced it to all the courtiers and generals in a singsong voice.

Lord Tywin's face finally turned ashen, while Queen Cersei's forehead was covered in beads of sweat, and she kept changing her sitting posture.

Generally speaking, the Lord of Dragonstone, due to its geographical convenience of controlling King's Landing's trade routes, mostly held the position of Master of Ships. The previous Master of Ships was Duke Stannis Baratheon of Dragonstone.

The Mountain scored twice in a row, gaining promotions and titles: first as Duke of Dragonstone, and then as Master of Ships on the small council.

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