Game of Thrones: I became a crown prince for a day.

Chapter 651 Who will be the Prime Minister?
King's Landing.

It was July and the heat was unbearable.

The waves of Blackwater Bay beat hard, but could not wash away the midsummer heat.

Red Keep, Godswood.

The weirwood trees stand tall and majestic, their crowns of lush red leaves like a giant open umbrella, covering the raised ground with exposed roots.

Rhaegar stood at the foot of the tree, his palms pressed against the pale trunk.

His face was calm and he didn't feel anything unusual.

"Your Majesty, you are looking for me."

Darren came in from the back door, his eyes somewhat clear.

"I won't call you Your Majesty in private."

Rhaegar let go of the rough weirwood and chuckled back.

Darren thought about it and smiled, "Brother."

Among the brothers, he is the most gentle and humble.

I don’t have too many bad ideas and I like to follow in my brothers’ footsteps.

Rhaegar chose a thick tree root to sit on and patted his side: "I want to discuss with you the ownership of the Basilisk Islands."

"That's not a good place."

Darren sat down and thought seriously.

“That’s why we need to be vigilant.”

Rhaegar turned serious and proposed, "I would like to appoint you as the Steward of the Summer Sea and Minister of the Basilisk Islands."

The pirates of the Three Women's Kingdom were basically destroyed, and the remaining forces could not cause any trouble.

However, there are still tens of thousands of women, children and slaves left on the Lizard Islands, and the prototypes of three city-states have been built.

If we abandon that place, it will create hidden dangers in the future.

It needs a wise, patient and reliable person to manage it.

Daelon hesitated for a moment and said tactfully: "Brother, the continent of Sothoryos is too desolate."

"I didn't ask you to stay in the Basilisk Islands permanently. Just take care of them."

Rhaegar did not give him a chance to refuse and repeatedly reminded him: "Choose an island to complete the construction of the city-state. Those slaves will be the new residents who will reclaim the wasteland."

They were all low-level slaves, and migrating them to any place would incur a considerable loss.

The best option is to stay in the Lizard Islands and inherit the civilization foundation laid by the Three Women's Kingdom.

Seeing that his brother had made up his mind, Darren nodded helplessly: "I'll try."

His brothers all have fiefs, so it is not impossible for him to govern a relatively desolate snake lizard archipelago.

It's impossible to do anything, the worst that can happen is to ask Aegon for money.

He is known as "Aegon the Generous" and is often taken advantage of.

"Be more alert. The Basilisk Islands also have maritime trade."

Rega rubbed his younger brother's head and brainwashed him bit by bit.

After all, we are managing a territory with ports, arable land and forest resources. No matter how desolate it is, it will eventually develop.

I took advantage of the opportunity of the Three Women's Kingdom and saved myself more than ten years of hard work.

If it weren't for the fact that Rhaena lost her right to inherit Tidepoint Island, Daeron would have moved away from the place where she had lived for several years.

He originally wanted to entrust the Basilisk Islands to Taelan for management and later bring them under the jurisdiction of Volantis.

"Then you have to give me money from the treasury."

Darren, with his hair in disarray, chose to speak for himself.

"No problem, just give it to me if you can get it out of Lin Man's pocket."

"You are the king!"

"..."

The two brothers chatted and laughed, arguing with each other under the weirwood.

……

noon.

Just after lunch, an imperial meeting was held temporarily.

Rhaegar looked gloomy and walked into the council hall, which was already full of people.

"His Majesty!……"

The ministers stood up to greet him, their faces looking quite solemn.

"What happened?"

Rhaegar looked around, focusing on his father Viserys and his uncle Daemon.

The former participates in politics, while the latter is a prince of the dragon clan.

"There's some trouble rebuilding Storm's End."

Grand Secretary Orr was embarrassed and reported truthfully: "It is rumored that there are dead souls crying in the ruins. Not only has it affected the progress, but it has also scared away many craftsmen."

Rega just moved out the chair and couldn't help laughing: "Really?"

The haunting of the dead, what a big name.

"That's what's been rumored, your majesty."

Orvel responded carefully.

"Sit down." Rhaegar waved his hand, not taking it seriously. "I'll recruit some more once the craftsmen leave. I'll ask Aemond to ride a dragon for a spin later."

There are not so many monsters and demons; it’s just that people’s hearts are treacherous.

The living people were burned to death, can the dead still show off their power?

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid something is wrong."

Law Minister Jasper retorted quietly.

"What's wrong, Master Jasper?"

Rega sat down, really wanting to see what the other party had to say.

"The Baratheon family has ruled the Stormlands for more than a hundred years, and their branches and bloodlines continue..."

Jasper paused in the middle of his speech, then tried to probe: "Your rebuilding of the Prince's Palace on Storm's End may backfire."

What this means is that the nobles of Stormland do not want to be directly under the jurisdiction of the crown.

"So, it is indeed difficult?"

Rhaegar looked as if something had suddenly dawned on him.

"Your Majesty is wise." Jasper smiled.

Unexpectedly, Rega changed the subject and his face darkened: "Since it is difficult, then send someone capable to supervise until the prince's palace is completed."

As a territory adjacent to the royal territory, Stormland must be incorporated into the royal territory.

The royal policy of strengthening centralization must also be implemented step by step.

Whoever stands in the way will be killed, no negotiation.

Jasper's face changed slightly, and he smiled awkwardly and shut up.

"Your Majesty, when you mentioned capable people, I thought of an important matter."

Lin Man squinted his dim eyes and said slowly: "Since Lord Leonor stepped down, the position of Prime Minister is still vacant. Please choose another wise one."

The Prime Minister has always been important and serves as an important buffer between the nobility and the king.

Whichever side the Prime Minister leans towards will benefit.

Therefore, most of the prime ministers are the king's trusted people selected by himself, such as the Conqueror's Prime Minister Orys Baratheon, the Centenarian King's Prime Minister Brother Basil, his son Baelon...

Rhaegar raised an eyebrow and glanced down at his father, who was sitting still.

"You should choose a wise man, from the imperial council or someone you like."

Viserys, a little sleepy, gave prompts as best he could.

If the Prime Minister uses it well, it will be an unstoppable sword.

He had two prime ministers, Otto Hightower and Leonor Strong.

The former is highly capable, idealistic, and selfish.

The latter has mediocre abilities, but fortunately he is a practical man who is fair and respected.

He also carefully selected the two prime ministers.

Otto is a two-dynastic veteran left over from the end of the reign of the centenarian king, representing the old town and the aristocracy.

At that time, the royal family was weak, with Corlys Velaryon harboring resentment from outside and Daemon coveting the position of crown prince from within.

He retained Otto's position to check and balance external and internal risks.

The two had a honeymoon period and cooperated very smoothly in the imperial meetings.

Collis and Daemon were defeated step by step, and they withdrew from King's Landing and went to the Stonehenge Islands to vent their anger.

Later, as the tiger became a threat, Haitar began to get involved in the royal bloodline.

This is how the hereditary Harrenhal was established, and the loyal Leonor Strong took over as Prime Minister, restoring the royal family's voice in the Small Council.

But after he abdicated and made way for someone more capable, Leonor’s ability as prime minister remained stable, which was clearly unsuitable for governing the radical eldest son.

Now that he has voluntarily stepped down, it will be a good thing that will benefit both himself and others.

Rhaegar pursed his lips, hearing the deep meaning in his father's words.

"Your Majesty, do you have a suitable candidate?"

Lin Man wondered.

The king is still young and probably has no reliable people around him.

The ministers in front of the emperor looked at each other tacitly, and some of them were moved.

Even the Minister of the Navy, Corliss, and the Governor of Volantis, Taran, sat up straight and watched the king's expression.

Who doesn’t want to be second to none and above everyone else?

Take Collis for example. He may not think highly of the power of Prime Minister, but the corresponding status is extremely tempting.

Judging from his seniority, he is also qualified to be the prime minister.

Rhaegar's eyes turned and he turned the question back: "What good candidates do you have?"

The king really needs an excellent prime minister, but he is not sure who to choose.

Instead of worrying about it yourself, it is better to worry about others.

Jasper was the first to step forward and said impatiently, "Your Majesty, Storm's End is not easy to handle right now. Why don't you send me there?"

Progress at Storm's End leads to the election of a new Hand.

Getting this done well is the proof of one's ability.

"Master Jasper volunteered, is there anything else?"

Rhaegar smiled and did not object on the spot.

"His Majesty……"

Tailan cleared his throat and stood up calmly.

Before he could finish his words, Rhaegar interrupted: "Please sit down first, Lord Tyran."

Volantis was busy and did not need any foreign officials who would temporarily return to the court to recommend themselves.

"Uh~"

Tailan looked embarrassed and retracted his butt, not knowing what to do.

No foreign minister is as good as the prime minister.

He also wants to make progress.

Lin Man watched calmly and spoke at the right time: "I recommend Lord Collis. He is the Earl of Chaotou Island. His qualifications, reputation, and family strength are all worthy of this honor."

"Thank you, Master Lin Man."

Collis was quite impressed and expressed his gratitude solemnly.

The lost son Lannino was found, and the family power reached a new height.

If he could run for the post of prime minister, he was confident that he would become the most outstanding assistant minister recorded in history books.

Lin Man smoothed the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and smiled, "Ten years earlier, I wouldn't have been so foolish, and I might have run for election."

Rhaegar watched the two of them flatter each other quietly, playing with the parliamentary stone ball absentmindedly.

Collis...

He is capable and resourceful, but unfortunately he is too ambitious, and it is easy for a high-ranking official to trip him up.

"I recommend Prince Daemon."

Tormund, the usually taciturn chief of intelligence, raised his hand and looked to his side with a shy smile.

Damon was watching with great interest, but he didn't expect it to suddenly affect him.

"Uncle."

There was a gleam of light in Rega's eyes, and he was really moved.

To be honest, the uncle and nephew work well together.

"Can he do it?"

Viserys pulled himself together and smiled. "Daemon is a man who cannot be restrained. He is even forced to attend council meetings."

"I don't want to run for election either, brother."

Damon rolled his eyes and started talking like an old hermaphrodite.

The ministers expressed their opinions one after another, except Grand Secretary Orwell who remained silent.

Rhaegar dropped the stone ball and demanded, "What do you think, my maester?"

Ask questions quickly and then disperse.

Orvel hesitated for a moment, then looked at the old king opposite him: "In terms of experience in governing a country, no one here can compare to His Majesty Viserys."

Rega was stunned when he heard this and was attracted by his unique idea.

"No no no."

Viserys waved his hand and refused. "I have retired. I cannot serve as my son's chancellor any longer."

Don’t you care about your face if you tell others about it?

How will history books record it in the future?

Orvel smiled bitterly and shut up decisively.

He just wanted to find an impossible candidate to remove himself.

Rega quickly understood and said, "Everyone has their own candidates. Let me consider carefully before making a decision."

After saying that, he stood up and walked out.

When passing by Jasper who was sitting in the opposite corner, he raised his hand and pressed his shoulder: "Your Excellency is from Stormland, I can rest assured that the reconstruction of Storm's End will be left to you."

What a great sucker, applying for the job yourself.

Jasper's face lit up, and he said loudly, "Don't worry, I will do my best."

(End of this chapter)