Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Tyrion

Janos Slynt's father was a pig butcher, and he laughed like a butcher. "More?" Tyrion asked him. "I have no objection," said Earl Janos, handing out the wine glass. He was built like a large wine barrel and could hold as much alcohol as the barrel. "Of course I don't object. This is really the best red wine, from Qingting Island?" "Dorne's," Tyrion gestured, and the servant stepped forward to pour the wine.Except for a few servants, it was just him and Count Janos in the small hall.A candle was burning on the table, and it was dark all around. "It's hard to find, and Dornish wine is usually not so strong."

"Aromatic." The frog-faced Jonos Slynt took another gulp.The man never drank lightly, and Tyrion had noticed it the moment he met him. "Yes, Fragrant, that's the word I'm going to say, that's exactly the word. I'm not bragging, Lord Tyrion, you have a knack for words. Your stories are even more funny, yes, It's just ridiculous." "I'm glad you think so...but I'm not a grown man to compare to you. Lord Janos, you can call me Tyrion." "Okay." He took another gulp, spilling the liquor on the chest of the black brocade forging coat.He wore a half cloak woven of gold thread and fastened it with a small gun with a red-glazed tip, and he was already very drunk at this time.

Tyrion put his hand over his mouth and belched softly.He doesn't drink as much as Earl Janos, but eats a lot.After moving into the Prime Minister's Tower, the first thing he did was to find the number one chef in the city and take her under his door.Their dinner that day was oxtail soup; summer vegetables mixed with walnuts, grapes, red fennel and grated cheese; hot crab pie, spiced boiled pumpkin, and creamy quail, and each dish had a corresponding wine pairing.Lord Janos said he had never had such a good meal in all his life. "When you are at Harrenhal, it will be the order of the day," said Tyrion.

"That is. Maybe I should abduct you, the cook, to cook for me, what do you say?" "Such trivial things as trivial as this are used as an excuse to go to war." After speaking, the two laughed. "You have the guts to choose Harrenhal as your base. The place is eerie and huge...it will cost a lot of money to maintain. Not to mention the rumors that it is cursed." "What's so scary about a pile of rocks?" he whistled. "You say I've got guts? Yes, a man had to have guts to get where I am today. What's wrong with Harrenhal? Very good Lie! From my point of view, you are also a courageous guy, although you are a bit small in stature, you are quite courageous!"

"You are very kind. Another drink?" "Oh, no, no, I can't do it, I... hey, fuck it, just have another drink. Anyone who dares to drink to his heart's content!" "That's right," Tyrion poured Earl Slynt's glass to the brim. "Before, I looked at your list of nominations for the successor of the Commander of the City Watch." "The six of them are very suitable, you can choose any one you want, but if it were me, I would choose Aral Dim, he is my right and left arm, a first-class player, loyal, and you will never choose him." I will regret it. Of course, I have to get His Majesty's consent first."

"Yes," Tyrion said, taking a sip to himself. "I've considered Ser Jacelyn Bywater, who has been captain of the Mudgate for three years and was knighted by King Robert himself at Pyke for his valor in the pacification of Balon Greyjoy. .Unfortunately, his name is not on your list." Lord Janos Slynt took a sip of his wine, swishing it in his mouth for a long time before swallowing it. "Bywater? Hey, he's very brave, I have nothing to say about that, but... this guy is old-fashioned, with a bad temper, and the people below don't like him. He is still disabled, and he was missing when he was fighting in Pike One hand, he was knighted for this. It doesn't matter if you change your hand to a knighthood." He smiled, "I think Sir Jacelyn cares too much about his reputation, you'd better let him Stay where you are, Great—Tyrion. Aral Dim is the man you want."

"But I heard that the people in the city don't like him very much." "Others are afraid of him, so it's easy to do things." "What else did I hear? That he got into trouble in a brothel?" "Well, it wasn't his fault, Big-Tyrion, it wasn't his fault. He never intended to kill the woman, she asked for it, and he warned her to step aside and let him Perform official duties." "That's what you say... But after all, mother and child are so affectionate, he should have expected that she would not let go of the child." Tyrion smiled, "Come on, try this cheese again, it's nothing compared to wine. Tell me , why did you choose Dim on this wretched errand?"

"Tyrion, a good commander is a good commander. Some people are suitable for this, some are suitable for that. Killing a baby who is not weaned is not as easy as it looks. Although the other party is just a rotten bitch And her wild species, not everyone can do it." "I suppose so," replied Tyrion, but all he could hear was "a rotten whore," and he thought of Shae, and Tessa from ages ago, and all the money that had been taken from him to keep him in him. Woman planting seeds. Slynt continued unconsciously: "All the hard work must be handed over to a fool like Dim. He, what is his name, will do as he is told, without asking a word afterward." He cut a piece of cheese . "It's a good thing indeed, and it tastes good. Why, give me a sharp dagger and a cheese that's good enough, and I'll be content."

Tyrion shrugged, "Enjoy yourselves as much as you can. The riverlands are constantly fighting, and Renly is king in Highgarden. I'm afraid the good cheese will be gone soon. Who sent you to kill that rotten cheese?" Bitch of a bitch?" Lord Janos gave Tyrion a wary look, then smiled, waving a piece of cheese at him. "Tyrion, you cunning fellow, trying to get me out, eh? I tell you, it's not enough wine and cheese for me, Janos Slynt, to say things I shouldn't. Ah, I am most proud of not asking anything after receiving the order, and not saying a word afterward.”

"Same as Dim?" "Exactly. When I get to Harrenhal, you'll let him take over from me, and you'll be satisfied." Tyrion took a bite of the cheese. It was really good cheese mixed with good wine, and it tasted really bad. "No matter who your Majesty appoints to take over, I am afraid it will not be as good as you. After all, Lord Mormont is also facing the same problem." Earl Janos looked puzzled. "I thought she was a woman. Isn't this Mormont the guy who took a bear as his lover?" "I'm talking about her brother, the current Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Jeor Mormont. When I visited the Wall a while ago, he was worried that he couldn't find a suitable person to take his place. These days, the black shirts are more and more It's getting harder to find talent." Tyrion chuckled, "He'd sleep better if he had someone as strong as you, or our valiant Aral Dim."

Count Janos yelled: "Hey, he has a good idea!" "Isn't it?" said Tyrion. "But things are unpredictable, my lord. Take Eddard Stark. He probably never dreamed that he would die in the pulpit before the great sept of Baelor." go up." "Who would have expected that?" Earl Janos agreed with a chuckle. Tyrion laughed too. "It's a pity I'm not here, and I missed a good show. Even Varys was taken aback, I hear." Count Janos laughed so hard that his whole body trembled. "That octospider," he said, "does he know everything without being told? Hehe, but he just doesn't know about it!" "How did he know?" Tyrion's tone seeped the first chill, "It was none other than Varys who persuaded my old sister to pardon Stark and only forced him to wear black." "Huh?" Janos Slynt winked at Tyrion in a daze. "My old sister Cersei," Tyrion repeated, a little emphatically, so as not to confuse the fool, "the present Queen Regent." "Ah," Slynt swallowed, "Well, uh... it's an order from the king himself, my lord, it's His Majesty himself." "Your Grace is only thirteen," Tyrion reminded him. "Yes, but he is still the king after all." Slynt frowned, his fat cheeks swaying endlessly, "he is the majestic King of the Seven Kingdoms." "Hey, there's always one or two of the Seven Kingdoms under his control," Tyrion said with a sour smile. "Can you lend me your spear?" "My spear?" Count Genos blinked in confusion. Tyrion pointed. "The hook of your cloak." Earl Janos hesitantly unfastened the ornately carved clasp and handed it to Tyrion. "We Lannisport goldsmiths work better than this," he said. "You don't mind, I think the blood-stained glaze on the gun is too red. Please tell me, my lord, it was you who drove the spear in Are they turning their backs, or are you only in charge of ordering?" "I'm only in charge of ordering, and I'll do it again. The Lord Stark is a traitor," said Slynt, whose bald spot in the middle of his head was red, and his golden half-cloak fell from his shoulders, " This guy wants to buy me!" "But he never dreamed that you would have been bribed." Slynt slammed the wine glass on the table, "Are you drunk? You think I'll sit here obediently and let you ruin my reputation..." "What kind of reputation is this? I have to admit that you are indeed better than Sir Jacelyn. You don't even have to do the murder yourself in the back, and you can get a noble title and a castle." He threw the gold buckle back to Janos Smith Lint.The other party stood up abruptly, the clasp of the hook clattered, and rolled down from his chest to the ground. "I don't like the way you speak, my lord—no, 'little devil.' Tyrion tilted his head. "You know exactly what I am. How many sons have you had?" "How many of my sons do your dwarf shit?" "What?" His anger rose sharply. "You dare to call me a little devil. It's enough to know what is good or bad. I am Tyrion of the Lannister family. If your pig's head can be enlightened, you should have knelt on the ground to thank you." Gods, because you met me, not my father. Let me ask you again, how many sons do you have?" There was fear in Janos Slynt's eyes, "Three... three, my lord, and a daughter. My lord, please—" "Don't ask me." He slid down his chair, "I assure you, they will be fine. Your two youngest sons will be sent to other places as servants, and if they perform well and are loyal, they may be honored one day." Knights, the Lannisters are never ungrateful. As for your eldest son, he shall inherit the title of Lord Slynt, and your dreadful sigil." He kicked the little golden spear and let it roll away. On the ground, "We will help him find a territory where he can build a castle. Although it is not as good as Harrenhal, it is more than enough to handle life. Your daughter's marriage will be arranged by him." Janos Slynt's face turned from red to white, "That-that...then what are you going to...?" His cheeks were shaking like butter lumps. "What are you going to do with you?" Tyrion made the rough man tremble for a while before answering, "There is a merchant ship called 'Summer Dream', and it will go out to sea at high tide tomorrow morning. The captain told me that this ship will pass by Gulltown, the Three Sisters, and Skagos Isle, to Eastwatch. When you see Commander Mormont, send him my regards and tell him that I have been thinking of the needs of the Night's Watch. My lord, I wish you Life is a hundred years old, and the army goes smoothly." When Janos Slynt realized that he had saved his life, his face slowly recovered.He raised his jaw, "Let's wait and see, little devil, dwarf! Maybe it's you who should get on the boat! What do you think? Maybe you're going to the Great Wall!" He laughed dryly, " You are very scary, let's wait and see. Tell you, I am a good friend of His Majesty the King, just wait and see what Joffrey will do, and the reaction of Littlefinger and Her Majesty the Queen, let me tell You: That's right, Janos Slynt has many powerful friends, let's see who wants to take a boat to the Great Wall, I promise you, we'll see!" Slynt spun around like he used to when he was a guard, and strode across the hall, his boots clattering on the stone floor.He rattled up the steps, slammed the door open... and was confronted by a man in a black breastplate and a golden cloak.The visitor was tall and tall, with a slender chin, and an iron hand was attached to his right wrist. "Ganos," he said, with sunken eyes, a protruding forehead, brown-gray hair, and piercing eyes.The six gold-cloaked guards followed him into the small hall in silence, and Jonos Slynt backed away hurriedly. "Lord Slynt," cried Tyrion, "I suppose you and Ser Jacelyn Bywater - our new Lord Commander of the City Watch - are old friends." "My lord, the sedan chair is waiting for you outside." Sir Jacelyn said to Slynt, "I beg your pardon, but the road to the pier is long and dark, and the streets are not very safe these days. Come!" So the six gold cloaks carried off their former Lord Commander, and Tyrion called Ser Jacelyn to him and handed him a parchment. "It's a long journey, and Lord Slynt needs someone to accompany him. Let these six people go to sea with him on the 'Summer Dream'." Bywater glanced at the list and said with a smile, "Of order." "This one," said Tyrion softly, "Dim, and tell the captain that no one will be offended if this man is swept away by the waves before he reaches Eastwatch." "Yes, my lord, I heard that there have been thunderstorms in the northern ocean recently." Ser Jacelyn bowed and turned away, his cloak fluttering behind him.He stepped on Slynt's gold cloak. Tyrion sat alone at the table, drinking what was left of the Dorn's brew.Servants came and went, clearing the dishes.He bade them keep the wine.After everything was tidied up, Varys slid in lightly, wearing a lavender robe that smelled like lavender. "My dear lord, you are doing very well!" "Then why is my mouth full of bitterness?" He reached out and rubbed his temples, "I told them to throw Aral Dim into the sea, and I really want to throw you in too!" "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed if you do this," Varys replied. "The storm comes and goes, the waves wash over your head, and the big fish eat the little ones, but I'm still paddling in the sea well. Let me also Taste the wine? I think Lord Slynt likes it." Tyrion frowned, and waved at the bottle. Varys poured a glass. "Oh, sweet as summer." He took another sip. "The grapes are singing on my tongue." "I'm still wondering what the noise was. Tell me to be quiet. My head is about to crack. It's my old lady. Even if the 'faithful' Lord Genos refuses to say it, I understand, It was Cersei who sent the golden cloak to the brothel." Varys chuckled nervously.Yes, he already knew. "Why didn't you say so sooner?" Tyrion asked accusingly. "Because she is your own sister." Varys seemed to be greatly wronged, and was on the verge of tears. "My lord, it's hard to talk about such things. I'm just afraid of your reaction. Would you like to Forgive me?" "No!" Tyrion snapped. "Damn you, damn her!" He knew he couldn't move Cersei, not yet—even if he thought so, and he wasn't sure Do you want to or not.However, sitting here, I only get Janos Slynt and Aral Dim, who obey orders, to play a fake show of upholding justice, punishing rape and eradicating evil, while my old sister continues to rule in chaos Zheng, I really get angry when I think about it. "Master Varys, what you know in the future, you must tell me everything, and you are not allowed to hide anything." The eunuch smiled slyly, "My dear lord, I'm afraid it will take a long time. I know quite a lot." "What's the use of knowing more, but it's a pity that I can't save this child." "Well, isn't it? There's actually another illegitimate child, a boy, a little older. I've taken care to make sure he doesn't get into trouble... but I admit, I never dreamed that even a baby would suffer." .It’s just a little girl from a lowly background, under the age of one, and her mother is a prostitute. How can this pose any threat, don’t you think?” "She's Robert's child," Tyrion said bitterly. "That's enough for Cersei." "Yeah, it's really heartbreaking. Speaking of it, it's my fault that made this poor good boy and her mother suffer misfortune. Her mother passed away at a young age, but she loved our former king deeply. what." "Really?" Tyrion didn't know what the girl looked like, but in his mind she was a combination of Shae and Tessa, "I was wondering, can a whore really love someone? No, don't answer, Some things are better not to know." He settled Shae in a spacious wooden and stone mansion, with independent stables, wells and gardens.He gave her many servants at his beck and call, and bought a white bird from the Summer Isles for her company.She has silk and satin, gold and silver jewels, and guards to protect her, but she is still not satisfied.According to her, all she wanted was to be with him, to serve him, to do him a favour. "The place where you can help me the most is on the bed." One night, after the passion, he was lying next to her, with his head resting on the soft breasts, and his lower body felt sweet soreness, he said to her.She didn't answer, but he could tell from her eyes that this was not the answer she expected. Tyrion sighed, reaching for the wine, but remembering about Earl Janos, he pushed the bottle away again, "It seems that my sister is telling the truth, Stark's death is entirely my nephew's fault. bad idea." "King Joffrey gave the order, and Janos Slynt and Ser Ilyn Payne carried it out, and they acted decisively and without hesitation..." "...It seems to have been known. Yes, we have discussed this possibility, but there is no evidence now. But all in all, the whole thing is completely random." "Then my lord, since you have mastered the capital defense team now, you must be able to prevent His Majesty from... messing around? Of course, there is also the Queen Mother's personal guard to consider..." "Red Guards?" Tyrion shrugged, "Don't worry, Villar is a smart man, he knows that the object of his allegiance is Casterly Rock, and I came here because of my father's intention, so Cersei is unlikely to take them. Deal with me... Besides, they only have one hundred people in total, and my own men are one and a half times as many as them. If Bywater is as reliable as you said, then I still have six thousand gold robes to use." "You will find Sir Jacelyn a man of courage, integrity, obedience . . . "Who knows how to repay you?" Tyrion didn't trust Varys, but he couldn't deny his value.Among other things, he did know a lot. "It's you, Lord Varys, why are you so kind to me?" he asked, examining his soft hands, his hairless face, his flattering smile. "You are the former Prime Minister, the ones I serve are not the country, the king and you?" "You served Jon Arryn and Eddard Stark like this?" "I served Lord Arryn and Lord Stark to the best of my ability, and I mourn their untimely death too." "Think about how it feels to me, and I'm going to follow in their footsteps." "Well, I don't think so," said Varys, swirling his drink. "My lord, power is a wonderful thing. Have you ever thought about the riddle I gave you the other day at the inn?" "Think about it once or twice," Tyrion admitted, "kings, monks, and rich men—who dies? Who lives? To whom do the mercenaries listen? It's a riddle with no answer, or rather, too many answers, and everything As far as the man with the sword in his hand." "Yet he is nothing," Varys said, "he has no crown, no gold, silver and jewels, and no favor from the gods, only the sharp sword in his hand." "That sword has the power to decide life and death." "Yeah...but why do we pretend to admit that a king has power when it's the man with the sword who really decides our life and death? Like this strong man with the sword, why must he obey Joffrey? What about the little brat, or his dad, a drunkard and rough guy?" "Because the little Maotou and the drunkard can mobilize other able-bodied people, and they also have swords." "In that case, are these people the real power? Is that true? Where did their swords come from? Who do they listen to?" Varys smiled slightly. "Some say knowledge is power, and some say power It comes from the gods, and some people say that power comes from the law. However, that day, on the steps of the great cathedral of Baelor, our devout archbishop, the legitimate queen regent, and this well-informed public servant in front of you casually A cobbler and a cooper can do nothing. Who do you think killed Eddard Stark? Joffrey who gave the order? Ser Ilyn Payne who executed? Or...someone else?" Tyrion tilted his head. "Are you trying to solve this goddamn mystery, or are you trying to give me a worse headache?" Varys smiled and said: "Didn't I just say that? Power exists in the human heart. What people believe in is power, and whatever is power, no more and no less." "So power is just a trick?" "Power is like a shadow on a wall," murmured Varys, "but shadows can kill. And even small people can cast huge shadows." Tyrion smiled. "Lord Varys, strange to say, I find myself liking you more and more. I might still kill you, but I think I'll feel bad about it." "I take that as the highest compliment." "Then what are you, Varys?" That's what Tyrion really wanted to know. "Some say you're a spider." "My lord, spiders and spies are seldom loved. I just want to be a loyal servant of the country." "Also a eunuch, let's not forget that." "I dare not forget." "People say I'm a half-man, but I guess the gods have been kind to me. I'm small, my feet are stunted, and women aren't interested in me...but I'm still a man. Shae wasn't the first to talk to me. Sleeper, I might marry a wife and have children someday. If the gods are good, my son will have the looks of his uncle and the brains of his father. And you, no such vision to support. Dwarfs are the gods Prank... Eunuchs are mortals. Varys, who castrated you? When did it happen? Why did he do it? And what is your true identity?" The eunuch's smile didn't change at all, but there was a look of no smile in his eyes, "My lord, it's very polite of you to ask, but my story is long and sad, and we still have treason to deal with now." Discussing." He drew a parchment from the sleeve of his robes. "The captain of the royal frigate 'White Hart' plans to set sail in three days' time to serve Lord Stannis." Tyrion sighed. "So, we should make an example of him?" "Sir Jacelyn has his own way of making him disappear, but a public trial before the king will surely ensure the other captains' loyalty to the death." At the same time, let my good nephew have no time for him? "As you said, show him Joffrey's 'justice.'" Varys made a note on the paper, "Horace of the Redwynes and Ser Hobber bribed one of the gatekeepers to sneak out of town the night after tomorrow, disguised as oarsmen, aboard the Pentos ship 'Moonchaser' No. 'Leave." "Then let them row for two or three years and see if they like it or not?" He laughed. "No, my sister will go crazy if she loses these two rare guests. Inform Sir Jacelyn and arrest the guards who took bribes." , and explain to him the honor of serving in the Night's Watch. Also, increase security around the Moonseeker, in case the Redwyne Brothers find other doormen who need money." "Everything is as you ordered." Another mark was added on the parchment, "Your subordinate Timothy killed the son of a wine merchant in the casino on Silver Street today, and he accused him of cheating." "Really cheating?" "Oh, it goes without saying." "In that case, the honest people in the city should thank Timett. I'll make sure he gets the king's reward." The eunuch giggled uncomfortably, and made a mark on the paper, "Recently people of all kinds of religions are overcrowded, and the comet in the sky seems to bring all kinds of strange monks, missionaries and false prophets to Introduced cities. They begged in taverns and shops, and talked to passers-by about the end of the world and destruction." Tyrion shrugged. "The only thing I can expect is that the three hundredth anniversary of Aegon's landing is approaching. Well, let them be." "My lord, they are spreading fear." "I thought it was your job." Varys covered his mouth with his hand, "It's really cruel of you to say that. One last thing, Countess Tanda had a small banquet last night. I have the menu and the names of the guests for your reference. When pouring the wine, Mrs. Gayles There was a toast to His Majesty, and Ser Balon Swann was heard saying: "Then we need three cups. ' A lot of people laughed..." Tyrion held up his hand. "That's enough. Ser Balon was only joking. Lord Varys, I am not interested in banquet gossip." "My lord, you are not only wise, but also generous." The piece of paper disappeared into the eunuch's sleeve, "We all have a lot of things to do, so I will take my leave first." After the eunuch left, Tyrion sat for a long time, looking at the candlelight before him.I don't know how my sister reacted to the dismissal of Janos Slynt. Of course, she will never be happy, which is conceivable, but apart from submitting an angry complaint to Lord Tywin in Harrenhal, she probably has nothing to do Method.Now Tyrion has not only mastered the capital defense team, one hundred and fifty fierce mountain people, but also the mercenaries recruited by Bronn, whose number is increasing. No matter how you look at it, he should be safe and sound. Presumably Ed Stark thought so too. The Red Keep was silent and dark when Tyrion left the small hall.Bronn was waiting for him in his study. "Where's Slynt?" he asked. "Lord Janos will set sail for the Wall early tomorrow. Varys would have me believe that I replaced Joffrey's minions with my own, but it seems to me that I replaced Littlefinger's man with Walis." Reese's people, but for the time being." "There's news that Timett killed today—" "Varys told me." The mercenary didn't seem surprised, "The idiot thought that the one-eyed dragon would be easy to deceive, but Timothy pinned his wrist to the table with a dagger, and tore his throat with his bare hands. His trick was very effective, and his fingers—" "Spare the details, I still have a good meal in my belly," said Tyrion. "How is your man?" "Not bad, found three more tonight." "How did you find it?" "Observe first, interrogate them later, and find out their combat experience and lying skills." Bronn smiled. "Finally, if I give them a chance to kill me, they have to give me the same chance." "Did you really kill someone?" "Only bad guys." "What if someone kills you?" "He's the one you need." Tyrion was a little tipsy and terribly tired. "Tell me, Bronn, if I asked you to kill a baby... a girl who was just born and, well, suckling in her mother's arms... what would you do? And ask nothing?" "Don't ask anything? That's not okay," the mercenary rubbed his index finger and thumb, "I have to ask the price first." Lord Slynt, what would I want your Aral Diem to do?Tyrion thought, Are there few men like me under my command?He suddenly wanted to laugh and cry, but what he wanted the most was Shae.