Ice and Fire: Conquering the World Starting from the Wall

Lynn was moved by Mance's story, so he asked seriously, "Before I came, I heard you wanted to redesign the camp?"

"No, that's just an excuse. No matter how ingenious the plan, it can't control soldiers who don't obey orders. What I really want to talk about is the future of free people."

As Mans spoke, he took out a map drawn on a piece of parchment from the side, which depicted some mountains, terrain and castle markings.

"To be honest, conquering the Great Wall wasn't the biggest problem; the real challenge was what followed."

"In the borderlands, the free people survived through gathering, fishing, and hunting, though it was a hard life. But once they went south... there was very little prey, and it was a pipe dream to get the free people to learn farming."

As Raymond spoke, he traced the mountains, forests, and rivers on the map with his finger.

"They will rob and kill, but they will never learn to wield a hoe. The North is vast and desolate. They will starve to death in the wild with the farmers, or turn into mud under the high walls of the castle."

"Free men may be able to cross the poorly defended Great Wall, which is too long, too empty, too sparsely guarded, and full of holes, but it is difficult to conquer a castle with soldiers and ample supplies."

A bitter look appeared on Mans's face.

"I lied to them before, gave them hope, and told them the castle was vulnerable, but they won't say that after they've actually seen those stone walls."

"Perhaps only a few will survive in the end. I have only taken them from the hell of ice and snow to the hell of hunger."

Lynn said slowly:

"You should discuss these things with your advisors, not with me, an outsider."

Mans said self-deprecatingly:

"It seems I forgot to say something before: 'I am my own warrior, my own jester, my own musician.' Now I must add: 'I am also my own strategist.'"

"Free people find it difficult to calm down and think things through on such important matters. They are more adept at acting recklessly according to their own ideas, even if they know that it will make a mess of things, and their leaders are often the ones who are best at this."

"But you are different. I have heard some clans praising your justice. On the way here, you managed a group very well."

Lynn said modestly:

"That was thanks to the warriors of Thane; I merely offered a suggestion."

"That's the problem!" Mans suddenly raised his voice: "Disciplined soldiers, plus a clever mind, that's how the Southerners operate, so they take the best land and drive us into the freezing cold."

"After all this talk, what's your plan? Do you want me to be your Hand of the King, to advise you and manage your subjects?"

Lynn's tone was mocking.

"No! I want you to lead the free people."

Lynn showed surprise for the first time in front of the wildlings. He had thought that Mans was trying to win him over because he was afraid of his dragons and his influence over the Thern people, so as to prevent the wildling alliance from splitting.

Unexpectedly, he actually intended to give up the position of King of the Frontier. Lynn was certain that the other party was not testing him, because Mans' expression did not seem fake, and there was absolutely no need for it.

"That's unrealistic, and I..."

Mans raised his hand to stop Lynn from saying anything more: "Listen to what I have to say before you refuse."

Lynn nodded.

"I don't deny that I once had the idea of ​​emulating 'Redbeard' Raymond, 'Bard' Bell, Jandel and Gorn, as well as the ancient Longhorn King and Joman, who were the kings of the frontier before me, who led the free people to conquer the south and try to sweep away the Seven Kingdoms."

"However, after the White Walkers appeared and Dana became pregnant, my thoughts changed. I just wanted to find a place like the frontier where I could freely choose the color of my cloak and live a quiet life."

Mans smiled slightly, his gaze softening as he looked at Dana's pregnant belly before turning stern again.

"As winter comes, the White Walkers approach the Wall, and there is no way to survive beyond the Wall. Even after they cross the Wall, the Free People will not fare well. The North cannot feed everyone, and the armies that go to war will one day return."

History has proven that undisciplined free men are no match for a lord's army; what awaits us is ultimately a feast of death.

"And I..."

Mans pointed to his chest.

"As the King of the North, the culprit who caused the calamity to the people of the North, I will inevitably suffer cruel blows and reprisals from the nobles. My wife and children will also suffer as a result, and may even lose their lives."

"But your arrival has given me hope. Lynn, the 'Star Child,' perhaps you really are sent by the gods to save us."

"You have brought the dragon, a symbol of conquerors, and those who kneel fear it. It is small now, but it will grow. Free men can fight for you, whether by conquest or negotiation, as long as those lords stop and leave us a place to live."

Mans's view on dragons was surprisingly similar to Kuna's.

Lynn thought to himself.

The two also have something in common: they both lived near or south of the Great Wall.

"I originally thought you were a Targaryen descendant who came to the frontier with some purpose, but now that you say you're not, that's even better."

A slight smile appeared on Mans's lips.

"You understand respect and kindness better than those noble lords, and you are willing to listen to the thoughts of free people and bring them fair judgments."

Lynn felt somewhat ashamed after what was said.

"They are just some trivial rulings, which any person with a conscience could make."

"Perhaps so," Mans nodded, "but conscience is a rare thing these days."

"Besides, your story is also very well told, more moving than my harp. Don't think this is a small matter; free people admire knowledge and wisdom more than you think, because they lack them."

Where do you think those folk songs came from?

Lynn hadn't thought about any of that.

"In short, you have legends, fame, the Thane people, dragons, and even a shapeshifter, while I have only sweet talk and a poor imitation of 'The Bard' Bell. In every respect, you are more like a king beyond the Great Wall than I am."

This was undoubtedly a humble statement, after all, the fact that those savage leaders obeyed Mans so readily was something that not everyone could do.

"If you are willing, I will help you become the king of the free people. They will obey you, support you, fight for you, offer you gifts, compose songs for you, and sing your praises for generations to come."

Mans finished outlining the benefits first, and then, staring into Lynn's eyes, slowly said:

"There's only one thing: don't make them kneel."

This wasn't even a condition for Lynn.

As things stand now, if any lord or king were to demand that Lynn kneel, he would simply politely tell them to get lost.

“In my hometown…” Lynn pointed to the top of the tent: “I never earn respect by forcing others to kneel.”