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#255 - Chapter 29: Autonomy of the North

Tywin: "The Small Council is always open to you. Managing such a large country is a busy job."

Joffrey: "Yes, very busy, but none of you are ever in the Small Council chambers. I heard you moved the Small Council to the Tower of the Hand."

Tywin: "Yes, I work in the Tower of the Hand. Running back and forth is a waste of time. The time saved can be used to handle more important matters."

Joffrey: "So, if I want to attend the Small Council, I have to climb the stairs of the Tower of the Hand?"

Tywin: "We can have people carry you up. There's an important matter to discuss today, and it would be best if His Majesty could attend. I assure you that from today onward, I'll inform you of all important matters, if necessary."

In the Tower of the Hand's meeting room, Joffrey looked displeased. He had been carried up, and he realized that Tywin's words carried more weight than his own in the Red Keep.

When Varys delivered the latest intelligence, the faces of everyone present turned grim. Tywin's face was especially dark because the reversal had come too quickly. They had received a letter from the Twins, written by old Walder Frey, which vaguely stated that they would make a move against Robb and the Northern lords at the wedding that night.

Less than four hours later, a second letter arrived. It was indeed written by Robb, claiming that he had quelled the rebellion and the Frey family was finished. He also attached a truce agreement with rather harsh demands. The most important of these was guaranteeing the independence of the North, a complete withdrawal of troops from the Riverlands, and substantial compensation. If Tywin didn't agree, then he could consider negotiating with Viserys.

Joffrey immediately flew into a rage, loudly denouncing Robb's shamelessness and the Frey family's incompetence.

Tywin: "Your Majesty, you'd better calm down. The terms are still negotiable."

Joffrey raged: "What is there to negotiate? Am I supposed to compromise with that traitor? And then what? Should I change my title to Ruler of the Six Kingdoms?"

Cersei looked at his hand and soothed: "Darling, you should listen to your grandfather and the other councilors more."

Joffrey shook off her hand and said: "I am the King, they should all listen to me."

Tywin said indifferently: "Anyone who constantly says 'I am the King' will never become a true king. Once I quell this war for you, you will understand."

Joffrey slammed the table heavily and said: "My father won a real war. He killed Prince Rhaegar and seized the throne, while you were hiding in Casterly Rock."

Tywin stared at him, his eyes growing colder and colder. His imposing aura frightened everyone into silence. He said softly: "Our King is tired. Ser Meryn, take him back to his chambers to rest. Grand Maester, perhaps sweet dreams can aid His Majesty's sleep." Cersei quickly got up, took Joffrey's hand, and walked him out.

"I'm not tired, I don't need sleep," Joffrey's voice faded away, and everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief.

Tyrion asked: "It seems Father intends to agree to Stark's demands. Then why did you call us here?"

Tywin said: "Among all the rebels, only Robb has no designs on the Iron Throne. Moreover, the North is the weakest, sparsely populated, and has a harsh climate. Winterfell is in ruins, and with the Ironborn invasion, Robb won't be able to march south for at least ten years."

Tyrion: "You mean, stabilize him first, and then deal with the North after we quell the rebellions of Viserys and Stannis. So, how do you plan to deal with Ser Jialong?"

Varys: "I must remind the Hand that, according to my intelligence, Ser Jialong and the supreme commander of the most famous Sun and Moon Legion in the East Continent are the same person. That is to say, in addition to the ten thousand or so people who appeared in Highgarden, he has more than thirty thousand troops in the East Continent."

Duke Tywin's face darkened: "Grand Maester Pycelle, draft a document. Confer the title of Marquis of Highgarden upon Jialong Morningstar, granting him the land south of Harrenhal, east of the Gods Eye, and up to the Kingsroad. Also, send a letter to Robb Stark. The independence of the North is impossible, but I will allow them to have a high degree of autonomy. From now on, the North can follow the Dornish model, and his title will change from Lord of Winterfell to Prince of the North. The Tully family remains the Warden of the Trident, and will not have to pay taxes to the Iron Throne for the next five years. This is the biggest concession I can make. If you don't agree, then we continue the war."

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The Twins, Robb put the letter from King's Landing on the table. Pointing to it, he said: "Take a look, everyone!"

After everyone passed it around, those who couldn't read naturally had someone explain it to them. The lords all felt it was acceptable, and even the usually irritable Earl Amber did not object. The lords had had enough of more than a year of war. Moreover, the Ironborn invasion and the Bolton family's rebellion had threatened the safety of their homes.

Catelyn said: "This is also the best condition we can strive for at present. Tywin needs peaceful space to restore his strength. But we need time even more, and the affairs of the North are urgent."

Robb looked at everyone and said: "Okay, since everyone has no objections, it's decided! Accept the Iron Throne's peace agreement, we... go home!"

"Go home! Go home!" The lords' cheers spread outside, and the soldiers followed suit when they heard it.

"Go home! Go home!"

"Go home! Go home!"

"Go home! Go home!"

"Go home! Go home!"

Listening to the cheers outside, Liu Yuan also shook the paper in his hand. He said to Bick: "Tywin has more courage than I imagined. Such a large piece of land, he just gave it away. I guarantee that this old boy definitely has no good intentions, maybe he is thinking of giving me another Rain of Castamere. But with this, it will be much easier. Send someone to notify the lords in this area and let them report to Highgarden. From now on, I will be their liege. Also, tomorrow you will lead the troops back to Highgarden."

"Yes, my lord, I will arrange for someone to go. My lord, where are you going? Will Master Rickon return with me?" Bick said.

Liu Yuan: "I'll go ask Rickon later. As for me, I'll be leaving for a while. Our spies in the Night's Watch reported that Bran is approaching the Wall. I'm going to visit an old friend in the north."

A shocking message spread like wildfire to every corner of Westeros, leaving countless people stunned - the North actually reached a truce with the Iron Throne!