Game of Thrones: The Red Dragon Lord.

Chapter 102: Jon Arryn's Plot

In front of the door of the Royal Council Chamber, Jon Arryn paused and sighed helplessly. He knew that Robert would not listen to any advice at this moment, but he still could not give up, because he knew very well what kind of disaster an unnecessary war would bring to the kingdom.

As the door was opened, a tense and oppressive atmosphere filled the imperial meeting room.

At this time, Robert Baratheon sat on the throne with a gloomy face, his anger was like a volcano about to erupt. His eyes were fixed on the ministers below, and that gaze seemed to penetrate everyone's soul.

Ignoring Jon who had just entered the room, King Robert continued speaking in a deep and powerful voice, "That bastard Gavin actually planned to marry Daenerys. He obviously wants to be king of the Stepstones, and he has thoughts of getting his hands on the Iron Throne! He is simply challenging my authority, and I will never let him go! And that Daenerys, the remnants of the Targaryen family, they are all traitors and must be punished! I will send troops to attack the Stepstones and tear them into pieces!"

Jon Arryn walked to his seat and sat down, his expression solemn and worried. "Your Majesty, please calm down. We cannot ignore the lessons of history. The Iron Throne has been mired in wars with the Stepstones several times before, and each time it has caused us great pain. The once powerful House Velaryon also became sluggish after a battle for the Stepstones. We cannot repeat the mistakes of history!"

Robert frowned and looked at Jon Arryn with dissatisfaction. "Are we going to let those two traitors go unpunished? I am the king, where is my dignity?"

At this time, Sea Lord Stannis Baratheon spoke up. "Your Majesty, the current situation of the Royal Fleet is indeed not optimistic. The ships are seriously aging and there is a shortage of personnel. If we want to go to war, we must repair the ships and replenish the personnel, which will take a lot of time."

The Minister of Finance Petyr Baelish also echoed: "Your Majesty, the financial situation of the Iron Throne is also very tight. We still owe a large amount of gold dragons to the Iron Bank, the Church and the Lannister family. The Iron Throne does not have enough funds to support this war."

King Robert snorted and said, "We can ask Tywin for more! Isn't it said that all his shit is gold?"

Jon Arryn quickly advised: "Your Majesty, Lord Tywin Lannister is indeed rich, you should maintain due respect for the Warden of the West. Moreover, over-reliance on borrowing is not a long-term solution. This will put us in debt."

King Robert remained silent, his hands tightly gripping the armrests of the throne, as if trying to suppress his inner rage.

The imperial meeting fell into a brief silence, with everyone thinking about the current situation.

At this time, Grand Maester Pycelle said: "Your Majesty, I understand your anger towards the traitors, but we must weigh the pros and cons. War will not only consume personnel and wealth, but may also cause domestic unrest."

Robert was furious when he heard this: "Are we going to do nothing? Gavin's actions are a direct challenge to my rule. If I do not respond, the other lords may think I am weak and incompetent."

Jon Arryn thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, perhaps we can try to solve the problem through diplomatic means first. Send an envoy to negotiate with Gawen, appoint him as the Prince of the Stepstones and the Guardian of the Narrow Sea, and ask him to voluntarily hand over Princess Daenerys."

Renly Baratheon agreed. "Yes, diplomacy can sometimes have unexpected results. We can put pressure on the Stepstones to force Gawain to give in and hand over Daenerys."

Everyone expressed their agreement.

After hearing what the ministers said, Robert was furious and shouted, "You are a bunch of useless people, cowardly bastards! I want iron-blooded means, not fucking peace talks! All of you know how to talk nonsense here, but you dare not bring that bastard's head back to me! What about weighing the pros and cons, what about diplomatic means, it's all bullshit!"

Everyone was frightened by Robert's scolding and was so silent that they dared not even breathe. After a long while, Robert's anger subsided a little. He panted and glared at everyone and said, "Listen to me, give Gavin one last chance, make him hand over Daenerys and confess his crime himself, otherwise, I will personally lead the army to flatten the Stepstones!"

In the end, the royal meeting ended in disharmony amid Robert's rage.

Jon Arryn left worriedly, thinking about how to deal with the situation that might happen next. Others also left with their own thoughts, and the whole palace was shrouded in a haze.

Robert returned to his residence angrily, his face as dark as the sky before a storm. As soon as he entered the door, he yelled at Lancel Lannister, the squire beside him: "Fool, pour me a glass of wine!" Lancel was frightened by the sudden roar and hurriedly poured a full glass of wine for Robert.

Robert sat down on the chair, feeling angry. He thought that after becoming the king, he was constrained by his ministers in every way. Although he knew they were right, he still had no freedom. Thinking of this, he grabbed the wine glass and drank the wine in the glass.

"It's so frustrating!" Robert slammed the wine glass on the table.

At this time, he said to Barristan beside him: "Get your weapons ready, we are going to the Royal Forest to hunt!"

Barristan looked embarrassed and whispered: "Your Majesty, the state affairs are very busy now. I am afraid it is not appropriate for you to be in the Royal Forest for more than ten days."

Robert was furious when he heard this. He shouted, "Bullshit! If I can't fight, can't I go hunting? What's the point of being a king?"

Barristan knew Robert's temper very well, so he didn't dare to say anything more. He could only bow his head and reply, "Yes, Your Majesty. I will go and prepare weapons for you."

Robert snorted coldly, his face still terribly gloomy. He sat there panting and looking at the empty wine glass in his hand. Robert scolded Lancel again: "What are you still standing there for? Pour the wine! Do I need to remind you every time? You idiot from Lannister."

Lancel's face was pale, and his hands were shaking as he quickly filled Robert's glass with wine. Robert drank it all again, and the wine flowed down the corners of his mouth and soaked his beard.

"This life is so unbearable!" Robert cursed and slammed his hand on the table.

Lancel stood aside, not daring to breathe. Robert sat there, his eyes full of anger and helplessness, and he kept muttering some complaints.

After a while, Barristan returned and reported: "Your Majesty, everything is ready."

Robert stood up suddenly and shouted, "Go!"

The group set off in the direction of the Kingsguard, with Robert riding on his horse, his face still full of anger.

(End of this chapter)