Just as the Northern Allied Forces crossed the Green Fork River and launched a surprise attack on Riverrun, in the Western Army camp on the other side of the Blood Gate Gorge in the Southern Valley, Kevan Lannister looked at his nephew, Tyrion Lannister, who was wolfing down food, then at the Savage Tribes leaders gnawing on roasted lamb and pork, and felt a headache coming on.
"Half-man, although the food you brought out is delicious, your promises must still be kept, not a single bit can be changed!" Shagga, the leader of the Mountain Tribe, tore off a piece of roasted lamb with force, chewing it as he spoke.
Tyrion used the wine in his cup to wash down the food in his mouth, then said confidently, "Of course, Lannister always pays his debts. Since I promised you money and equipment, I will absolutely not break my word. I will arrange it for you shortly. But before that, let my uncle and I discuss something privately."
The Savage Tribes looked at each other, nodded, and Shagga said, "I won't go far, just outside the tent. Don't think about escaping."
After speaking, he and the other Savage Tribes leaders walked out of the tent, found a spot on the open ground outside, and continued eating what they held.
"Your father misses you very much..." Kevan picked up the wine jug, poured some into Tyrion's cup, and said.
"Cough, cough!" Tyrion coughed repeatedly as if he had choked, interrupting Kevan's words. He then picked up the freshly filled wine cup, drained it in one gulp, let out a long sigh, and then said to Kevan, "Uncle Kevan, don't scare me. Do you really believe it when you say my father misses me?"
Kevan showed a hint of embarrassment and said, "Anyway, it's good that you're back safely. I will help you fulfill the promises you made to those Savage Tribes. You should go to Harrenhal and rendezvous with your father later."
"Wait, and my gold dragons." At this moment, Bronn, who was beside them, interjected to emphasize.
Tyrion turned his head and glared at Bronn, saying, "Your gold dragons won't be forgotten. You promised to deliver me to my father, and I haven't seen my father yet!" Then, he turned back to Kevan and said, "I don't want to go to Harrenhal yet. I want to stay here and help you take the Valley."
"Take the Valley?" Kevan frowned and said, "When did I say I was going to take the Valley? My father's mission for me is just to guard the key passes to prevent the Valley from interfering in the Riverlands war."
"I know." Tyrion nodded, his fingers habitually tapping the table, and said, "But if you had the chance to take Blood Gate, disrupt the Valley, and prevent them from sending out any troops, would you seize that opportunity?"
Kevan paused, then asked, "You have a way to take Blood Gate?"
"Uncle Kevan, have you forgotten how I returned?" Tyrion said, pointing to the Savage Tribes outside the door, "Those Savage Tribes are very familiar with the Moon Mountains. They know a secret path suitable for an army to pass, which can bypass Blood Gate and directly enter the Valley."
Kevan's expression also became serious upon hearing this.
Tyrion continued, "You only need to let these Savage Tribes lead the way, send out a detachment of troops to bypass Blood Gate, and then ambush behind Blood Gate. At the agreed time, you lead the main army in a feigned attack on Blood Gate from the front, attracting the attention of the Blood Gate garrison. That detachment can then seize the opportunity to launch a surprise attack from behind, and we can definitely take Blood Gate in one fell swoop."
Kevan fell into deep thought.
Tyrion said very seriously, "As long as Blood Gate is taken, the Valley will be completely open before us. At that time, we don't need to do anything ourselves; we just need to arm those Savage Tribes and let them plunder the Valley. The garrisons of the various Valley territories will inevitably be exhausted, let alone sending troops to intervene in the Riverlands war; it's uncertain if they can even protect their own territories."
Kevan seriously considered Tyrion's suggestion and said, "Currently, the Valley has no intention of intervening in our war with the North."
"No intention now, but what about later?" Tyrion looked at Kevan and said, "Uncle Kevan, don't forget, Lysa Tully is currently in power in the Valley. She is the daughter of the Duke of Riverrun, and she also claimed that Jaime and Cersei poisoned Jon Arryn, the Duke of Eyrie. Do you really think the people of the Valley will just be bystanders?"
Kevan also remained silent for a moment, then said, "I agree to this plan, but this plan must be commanded by someone I trust."
As he spoke, he looked at Tyrion.
Tyrion, however, was completely stunned. He looked left and right, pointed at his own nose, and said, "Uncle Kevan, you're not referring to me, are you?"
Kevan nodded and said, "Since the plan was proposed by you, it is most appropriate for you to execute it."
Tyrion excitedly jumped off his chair, then spun around in front of Kevan, saying, "Do I look like a knight who can lead troops into battle?"
"Fighting doesn't necessarily require personally killing the enemy. Haven't you often said that wisdom is mightier than the sword?" Kevan retorted to Tyrion, then, without allowing Tyrion to argue further, made a decision: "That's settled! I will allocate a thousand skilled men to you shortly. You will lead them and the Savage Tribes to bypass Blood Gate. I will begin attacking Blood Gate two nights from now. At that time, you will launch a surprise attack from behind. However, if you don't find an opportunity, do not force the attack; you can just return the way you came."
After speaking, he stood up and left the tent to arrange for personnel. Tyrion stood there stunned, taking a long time to recover.
Bronn took a sip of wine from his cup, then tapped Tyrion's arm with his sword sheath and said, "You'd better give me what you owe me today, lest you get killed on the battlefield two days from now and I don't get paid."
"No! We agreed that you would deliver me to my father. How can you change the terms in advance?" Tyrion quickly argued, "So you must protect my life two days from now, otherwise you won't get a single copper star." As he spoke, he took small steps towards the outside, muttering, "No, I need to give those Savage Tribes the best equipment, so there won't be any mishaps due to equipment."
Bronn directly picked up several bottles of expensive Arbor wine from the table, followed behind, and walked out of the tent.
As the Northern Allied Forces entered the Riverlands, the war in the Riverlands became more complicated.
After occupying a vast area south of the Trident River, the Western Allied Forces began to plunder the wealth and population of the Riverlands. Whether they were nobles in castles or farmers in farmsteads outside the cities, all without exception were captured by the Western Allied Forces and forced into the army as auxiliary troops. Those who escaped capture fled frantically south, crossing the Blackwater River and seeking refuge in Summerhall territory.
In less than ten days, the entire Riverlands became a desolate land with nine out of ten houses empty. Only a band of bandits known as the Brotherhood Without Banners roamed tirelessly in the Riverlands, attacking Western garrisons or supply convoys throughout the Riverlands, causing considerable trouble for the Western Allied Forces.
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