Culture Is a Good Thing
A column of soldiers clad in gleaming armor, like a serpent in motion, wound its way through the rugged mountain paths of the Iron Islands. The only banner flying in the column was a black White Wolf Banner — Jon's banner.
Euron originally planned to attack one fleet to lure the rest of the fleet to their aid, then wipe them out with a storm summoned by sacrifice. However, he did not expect that the other fleets had no intention of coming to the rescue, and instead, most of the Iron Islands Fleet was entangled by Paxter and unable to break free.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the rest of the fleet advanced at full speed, delivering more than three thousand elite "behind-enemy-lines" troops under Jon's command to Harlaw Island, the largest and most populous island in the Iron Islands. As planned, the fleet left behind its men and enough provisions to last a month before withdrawing in different directions.
This is nothing short of a calculated scheme. Euron possesses the Sacrificial Magic, but it can only be used to its fullest effect during a decisive battle. Jon, however, has no intention of engaging in a decisive battle, rendering his magic useless. If he dares to cast a spell on a particular fleet, the remaining fleets will immediately surround and annihilate him after the storm.
After landing, Jon led his army to camp in a rocky hilly area, build fortifications, and rest for the time being. He then prepared to destroy the plantations scattered across Harlaw Island.
On a high, open hillside, Jon convened a war council with over a hundred officers. Although he had absolute control over the army, the soldiers were inevitably anxious as they ventured deep behind enemy lines. Jon also wanted to use this opportunity to unify their thinking and boost morale.
At the meeting, opinions were divided. Some advocated holding the mountainous terrain to tie down the enemy; others suggested taking the Ten Towers, the core castle of House Harlaw. Jon noticed that those who offered the most opinions were often the bastards and second sons from various families; though few in number, they were the most active.
In contrast, the warriors of the Mountain Clans, the veterans of Jon's Heavy Armor Battalion, and the cadets accompanying the army were mostly taciturn. The tribal warriors were simple and loyal— Jon gave them land, houses, and a tax-free life, and they were willing to give their lives for him. For example, Haken's eyes would glaze over and he would yawn incessantly at the mere mention of the word "plan."
The officers of the Heavy Armor Battalion were already staunch supporters of Jon. They held a status and estate comparable to knights, and had followed Jon relentlessly from the ambush on the Mountain to the fall of Casterly Rock, winning every battle. For them, Jon's orders were to be followed at will, and even if they died in battle, they would receive generous compensation, so they had few concerns.
Only the bastard sons and second sons, eager to make a name for themselves, were most zealous, some even discussing tactics with such fervor that they seemed to want to take command themselves. However, Jon's position was secure, and his command was unshakeable; even if he were absent, it should be Rickard, not someone else, who took over.
"This place we're in is called Ironborn Mountain," Jon's voice boomed, cutting through the murmurs. "There are four plantations around here, one large and three small. In two days, we'll raid the largest one Hall Plantation."
Jon's gaze swept over the bastards and second sons. Since these people were more concerned with his plans, he might as well convey his orders in a tone they preferred.
His gaze swept over the crowd, and he clearly issued the orders. "Three objectives: First, burn all crops; second, execute the plantation managers; third, seize the granary—take everything you can carry, and burn everything you can't!"
Jon knew that the concept of "operations behind enemy lines" was still ahead of its time and difficult for many to understand. But that didn't matter—he would demonstrate it himself.
After assigning the tasks, he ordered everyone to go back and rest. After nightfall, Jon, accompanied by Sandor, inspected the camp and caves one by one.
In fact, Sandor didn't care about how the fight went; all he could do now was get the battle going quickly, charge forward, and kill as many people as possible to repay Jon for his concern.
So the lord and his vassal arrived at the tribal warriors' camp. The atmosphere there was surprisingly relaxed; the warriors were munching on raisins, chatting and farting in small groups.
Upon Jon's arrival, the tribal warriors who had settled in New York Town treated him with great respect.
When Jon asked them how they were feeling, someone laughed and said, "My lord, it's very nice here, just like our home in the Moon Mountains."
The warrior who spoke had a loud voice, clearly indicating that he came from the Howling Mountain Tribe.
Some were also concerned about whether their children were learning to read diligently— Jon had decreed that "future officers must be literate," these soldiers became some of the earliest fathers in Westeros to value education.
Reassured, Jon left and headed towards the barracks of the bastard sons and the second sons' officers. These men were highly skilled and educated, and their presence in danger naturally made them more thoughtful. Jon understood that he needed to communicate thoroughly with them; once they grasped the strategy, they could exert considerable initiative.
Sure enough, the atmosphere here was completely different. The soldiers were either practicing their martial arts, or rehearsing tactics, and some even brought in novice maesters to tell stories to pass the time, appearing both focused and refined. Jon thought to himself that if the entire army were of this quality, it would be enough to crush the Iron Islands army head-on; if there were 30,000 such soldiers, it would be enough to sweep through Westeros.
Upon Jon's arrival, the crowd immediately rose to their feet, bowing and addressing him as Duke. Jon gestured in acknowledgment, then revealed his deeper intention. "We have come to the Iron Islands not to conquer or annihilate the enemy—we are liberators."
"Liberators?" The crowd looked at each other, unfamiliar with the term.
"How could the Iron Islands, such a small place, wreak havoc on the Sunset Sea? With longships? With tens of thousands of soldiers clad in sealskin?"
"No, they rely on enslaved and plundered people. The Iron Islands employ a strategy of 'plundering to support plundering.'" Jon's tone grew stronger. "Harlaw Island has hundreds of plantations, imprisoning the largest population. We must destroy these plantations, execute the administrators, and when the time is right, take all the enslaved people away with our fleet, leaving behind only a sky island."
"We attack from all sides, yet we do not covet an inch of land."
While everyone was still processing what was happening, a lazy voice rang out. "Does the master mean to starve these pirates to death?" The speaker, dressed in a light green shirt and appearing to be in his twenties, was "Lazy Man" Leo Lefford, from a branch of the House Tyrell, a full-fledged scholar, not an apprentice.
Jon looked at him approvingly and said, "That's a good summary, but not precise enough. To be precise, we also need to do the same things as the Ironborn on the island: destroy plantations and seize granaries for military supplies."
"I understand!" Leo Lefford's eyes lit up. "The Iron Islands have limited forces. If they mobilize their elite troops to encircle and annihilate us, their naval power will be weakened; if they are left unchecked, the plantations will be wiped out one by one by us. This is the true meaning of 'advanced by land and sea, adults'!" He spoke excitedly, spittle flying onto the face of the apprentice beside him.
This interpretation made many officers realize the truth and they all marveled at Jon's brilliant strategy.
Jon also noticed this lazy man, "Leo Lefford." It seems that some people aren't lazy; they just haven't found a place to use their talents.
Perhaps this Leo Lefford will become his right-hand man in the future.
"That's right," Jon affirmed. "Even if we can't get enough food, it's alright—our fleet has an overwhelming advantage and can deliver supplies at any time. You don't need to worry about logistics."
The officers were all very intelligent. After Jon's explanation, their initial anxiety about "going deep into danger" turned into a sense of exhilaration at "burrowing into the enemy's heartland." With a generous reward promised before the battle and now a consensus reached at the strategic level, Jon believed that with just one successful demonstration, capable individuals would emerge from among them.
At that time, three thousand people will spread like wildfire across Harlaw Island. Within three or four months at most, the Ironborn forces on the island will be wiped out, paving the way for Jon's future rule.
Finally, Jon walked toward the camp of the apprentice squires. Surprisingly, these young men were full of enthusiasm for the war. Upon inquiring, he learned that many of them harbored dreams of knighthood, but their families could not afford armor.
They chose the Citadel for its warhorses and training. Now Jon has equipped them with gear, and the opportunity to experience the battlefield firsthand excites them.
Although their imagination of war was still idealistic, Jon was not worried that a real battle would make them mature quickly.
As night deepened, Jon finished his patrol. Two days later, the raid was about to begin, and the fire ignited behind enemy lines would eventually spread like wildfire.