Ice and Fire: Conquering the World Starting from the Wall

Lynn asked:

"How many clans like this are you referring to?"

"Forty of them, some big, some small. Flint, Wood, Norry, Riddle... but you only need to win over old Flint and 'Big Barrel,' and the others will follow."

"A large wine barrel?"

Jon explained, "Lord Warr has the biggest belly and the most men in the mountains."

"The Wort family made their living by fishing in the Frozen Bay, and they liked to warn their children that if they disobeyed, they would be taken away by the Ironborn."

However, to get there, you need to pass through House Norry's lands. That clan is closest to the Gift Lands and has always been a friend of the Night's Watch. Lord Dennis will surely be happy to send a guide for you.

Lynn looked at the map carefully and found that the journey to that mountainous area was not only long but also involved difficult mountain paths.

So he shook his head.

"No, it will take too much time on the road; a round trip would take at least a month."

"The army is barely enough for now. I must lead my troops south and try to open the gates of at least a few castles before the coldest season arrives, so that the food stored inside can sustain the free people."

"No one can predict what will happen at sea, and human nature is even more unpredictable. I can't put all my eggs in one basket with Davos."

"If he doesn't come back, or doesn't come back at all, or comes back late, we'll really have to eat tree bark and cook mud porridge."

Lynn's concerns were shared by everyone.

At this moment, Var spoke up:

"The Free People's reserves were roughly estimated before, and with the captures that Donghaiwang has been sending over, they should last for about a month and a half."

Because of the White Walkers, no one dares to hunt in Ghostwood now; otherwise, the situation would be better.

Mans added:

"After that, we'll have to use the food reserves at Black Castle."

"I have spread the word that Black Castle's food reserves are enough to last for six months in order to stabilize morale, but in reality, they can only sustain the city for another month at most."

This number was about what Lynn had predicted. Time was of the essence, and he had to get moving.

After capturing the Great Wall, the Free People had a buffer and rest period of more than half a month before the planned second phase of operations was about to begin.

Lynn looked at the Duke of Winterfell. Jon Snow was undoubtedly an unplanned variable, and the other variable was Stannis Baratheon.

One of them has already made a huge contribution to Lynn, and the other is still a promising talent.

"These mountain clans are on your way to Bear Island, and I need you to win them over yourself."

He said to Jon.

"They had a pleasant conversation with your father and fought for your brother; I believe they will also be loyal to you."

Jon seemed unsure of this, but Lynn certainly didn't have time to waste trekking over mountains and attending mountain feasts.

Mans joked:

"Perhaps they'll make you marry a mountain girl to form an alliance. Isn't that a common practice among you southerners?"

Lynn also joked:

"If that's the case, I'm sure Ygritte will be heartbroken, though she won't show it—on the way back to Castle Black, she secretly asked me about you."

Their conversation made Jon feel somewhat embarrassed.

He and Ygritte haven't seen each other since Colin exposed him at the First Men's Fist.

Even Jon himself couldn't tell whether the things he said and did were forced upon him to complete a mission or whether he had truly developed feelings for the other person.

Fortunately, the king did not dwell on the matter, which relieved him.

Lynn glanced at the map, then said to Jon:

"I will send you an additional hundred cavalrymen; you can choose them yourself. If you can successfully acquire the mountain people and the soldiers from Bear Island, then—"

He pointed his finger towards the depths of the wolf forest, near the coast.

"There's no need to waste time coming to find us. If you're confident, just go and take Deepwood Castle, and then return it to its original owner. I believe this action will win you the hearts of the people in the North."

After you have driven out the Ironborn, then march on Winterfell.

"After taking the last Hearthstone and Cahors, I will march on the Dreadfort. If all goes well, we will meet at the walls of the Dreadfort."

This plan was something Lynn had discussed with Mance and Colin beforehand, while Jon's actions were made on the spot due to new intelligence.

With the North currently vulnerable and the remaining Northern army blocked by the Ironborn's control of Carlin Bay, it is the perfect time to launch a major offensive.

But Jon seems to have a different opinion.

"You think this plan won't work?"

Jon was a little hesitant, but he still insisted on expressing his opinion.

"The stone walls may not be as tall as the ice walls of the Great Wall, but with a small number of soldiers guarding them, they can become just as deadly as the Great Wall."

On the city walls, one defender is worth ten attackers.

Lynn responded:

"We all agree on this, so we tried to resolve it peacefully, but without a doubt, all these well-intentioned requests were rejected."

Fortunately, Amber and the Karstark don't have many soldiers left. We're willing to suffer some casualties in exchange for life-saving rations.

"I'm not talking about Cahors or Last Hearth, but Dreadfort."

Jon points out:

"Roose Bolton is a treacherous and cunning man. Few in the North like him, but they are forced to submit to him out of fear or because of hostages."

Since he intends to betray us, the soldiers belonging to the Dreadfort should not suffer too many losses. In addition, with the families that have submitted to him, Luce's total force may reach tens of thousands.

Both our attacks will take time, and by the time we converge, it will likely be deep winter, which is usually accompanied by severe cold and blizzards. Attacking a heavily guarded castle during a snowstorm is not a good choice.

Lynn, Mans, and Colin exchanged glances.

"Then let's attack the Dreadfort first."

Lynn said:

"Bolton's bastard son certainly knows he can't stop us on his own, so he will inevitably go to welcome his father and his army back to the North, which means he will have to concentrate his forces to attack Carin Bay first."

"When Roose Bolton returns to the North, he will find his castle, herds, and provisions all in my possession."

As long as I take the Terror Fortress by surprise—”

"You can't do it."

Jon blurted it out.

Mans scoffed, Tormund laughed heartily, and Hamma the Dog-Head cursed under his breath.

Jarl, finding confidence in Jon, said dismissively:

"This Stark has milk flowing from his veins."

Lynn ignored the jeers of the crowd, and he was pleased to see that Jon was not among them either.

"Explain."

He said it simply to Jon.

Where to begin?

Jon walked up to the map and examined it carefully.

The second floor of the King's Tower has no windows, so candles were lit.

At this moment, Candle Town is located at the four corners of the map. To prevent the animal hides from rolling up, a stream of molten wax, like a slowly flowing glacier, squeezes through Seal Bay.