Pycelle is obviously an atypical bachelor who knows how to protect himself wisely and has some kind of admiration complex for Lord Tywin.
His first maester's chain was forged during the reign of the unlucky King Maekar I.
Before Pycelle took office Grand Maester, his predecessors passed away one after another in less than three years, and it was his turn to take office King's Landing Red Keep:
After the eighty-year-old Qarth finished writing his "The Four Kings", he only served the young and energetic Aegon V for less than a year before he died due to the pressure of work that the king especially liked to do against the nobles;
Qarth's successor, Alando, who was 189 years old, also died of stress within a year;
Alandor's successor, Meron, was even worse than his predecessor Qarth. Before he could finish his book "Red Dragon and Black Dragon", he contracted a cold and died on the way to King's Landing's inauguration.
Aegon V, who felt very troubled by this, made his request:
Citadel's Conclave must recommend a "young" cow horse to serve Red Keep, otherwise he will almost set a record, and there is a high probability that he will be dubbed "Aegon who loves to kill the national master" in the future.
It was precisely because of the inability of older men and horses that Pycelle, who was only forty-two years old at the time and had a short working experience, won the first prize and was elected as the new Red Keep Grand Maester.
Titus knew that many of the bachelor's necklaces around the neck of Pycelle, who was sitting opposite, were casually hung because of his identity as Grand Maester. Although his academic level was not weak - otherwise he would not have been elected by Conclave - he might not have mastered so many subjects.
The so-called bachelor's necklace is strung together by links of different materials. They are made of various metals known to mankind, but few bachelors are knowledgeable enough to make all kinds of links.
Each metal represents knowledge in a certain field, and they are proof that Citadel recognizes the bachelor's attainments in this field. If repeated metals appear on the links, it often means that the bachelor has studied the field extremely deeply.
Black iron represents ravenology, bronze represents astronomy and astrology, red copper represents history, gold represents economics and financial accounting, steel represents military science, and silver represents medicine----
Of course, all the Pycelle that need to be maintained in the style of Grand Maester are available, except for the Valyrian steel ring that represents magic and mysticism.
Among a hundred bachelors, only one person may possess the Valyrian steel chain link, but bachelors who study mysticism are easily despised by most bachelors.
As the saying goes, what you can't get is the best. If you can't have it, you will slander it----
In the empty room of Red Keep, candles have already been lit.
Titus is reclining on an armchair covered with black velvet, with a tired, jet-black milk cat version "Balerion the Black Dread" curled up on his knees. The soft hair is trembling gently under his fingertips.
Grand Maester bowed and sat opposite, his eyes unconsciously glanced at the cat under the black Earl palm, then quickly moved away and stopped on the table.
There was a gilt lacquerware the size of a dressing box placed there. The box-shaped delicate lacquerware was not tightly closed, and the mouth of the box was slightly opened toward him, revealing a piece of gold inside.
He didn't know that it was a meeting gift from his nemesis Varys to Mr. Earl.
Pycelle is greedy for money and knows how to protect himself. Even though he still admires Lord Tywin who has been Hand of the King for many years in his heart, he does not dare to be negligent in the slightest when facing the black Earl who now has elite soldiers and is in a high position.
-As far as he knew, not only was he absent from the king's Small Council today, but Warden of the West was also not invited.
Titus slowly picked up the little kitten, running his fingers along the cat's fur.
"I heard before that Grand Maester is knowledgeable and good at identifying the gold coin craftsmanship of the Eastern and Western continents and different eras?"
He suddenly spoke and gently pushed the exquisite lacquer box on the table towards Pycelle.
"A guest just came to visit. I have no use keeping this, so I might as well give it to Grand Maester for study."
Well, black Earl is never wasted.
This trick is called borrowing the eunuch's gold to offer to the bachelor of Red Keep.
"Thank you, Lord Titus, for your love. I'm so ashamed - I dare not accept it."
Pycelle had no idea about the origin of the gold coins in the box. He said he was refusing, but his hand was unconsciously placed on the edge of the wooden box.
Titus chuckled lightly, raised his hand to signal him not to care, and quickly accepted it. "It's just some gadgets, why should you be polite to me."
He pointed to the box on the desk again.
"These are my feelings for Grand Maester. The affairs of the new dynasty are complicated, and the king and I will inevitably trouble you in the future."
When Pycelle heard this, his old face turned into a smile. He completely put aside his hesitation, quickly closed the box and put away Earl's gift.
When he was done, he bowed and thanked him with a smile, "If you have any instructions, I will definitely do my best."
He knew in his heart that the status of Duke Casterly Rock in the new dynasty was still difficult to discern. The actual power of King's Landing was currently in the hands of Robert I--and even the five alliances.
It is wise to rely on the strong.
Titus nodded with satisfaction. The little cat in his arms meowed and yawned, as if complaining, why are you not getting off work today?
He gently put the super mini "Balerion the Black Dread" back on his lap, and said in a casual tone to Grand Maester who accepted the box, "Actually, in addition to giving you a small gift and establishing friendship, there is something else I want you to tell Lord Tywin."
Grand Maester felt tense and quickly listened with bated breath.
"Tell Lord Tywin that his precious son who killed the former king is living well here with me, with no worries about food and clothing, and no one dares to bully him."
He paused, with a deep smile on his lips.
"Young people can be impulsive, which can be regarded as merits and demerits. As long as Lord Tywin is sensible, some things may not be without room for negotiation."
Titus pointed out that Jaime·Lannister was in his hands, and also hinted that the problem could be solved through negotiation and allowed him to be free. This not only gave Warden of the West a step down, paralyzing the other party, but also facilitated the subsequent hostage of Tywin.
Grand Maester Pycelle was so shrewd that he instantly understood part of Black Earl's intentions. He quickly nodded and said, "Understood! I will definitely convey the meaning of Lord Titus to Lord Tywin."
Black Earl saw that the intermediary was interested. He picked up the little kitten again and gently scratched its chin with his fingers. "Very good. Red Keep will ask Grand Maester to be more accommodating if there is any important news inside or outside Red Keep in the future."
"That's nature, that's nature."
Grand Maester, who manages Red Keep's crow's nest, agreed repeatedly, with a flattering smile on his old face.
The atmosphere in the room was good, Balerion's snoring mixed with the conversation of the two people, and it actually seemed very harmonious.
Before leaving, Grand Maester carefully carried his wooden box and left happily with brisk steps----
The next day.
Throne Room.
Robert·Baila Theon I is high on top of Iron Throne. He wears a golden crown and a black fur cloak. He looks majestic. From the appearance alone, he is more suitable for that position than Mad King Aerys.
Robert I is holding his first court meeting.
The four leaders who attended the meeting yesterday, including Lord Tywin who came from Westerlands to "Shangluo", the only remaining former imperial minister Pycelle Grand Maester, and the nobles of all sizes who belong to the alliance, Crownlands, Westerlands, are all present.
First, Duke Hand of the King Jon·Arryn issued several royal orders in the name of King Robert I.
For example, yesterday's meeting discussed the announcement of the new territory of Starpike, the candidate for the general commander of the upcoming southward army, the message against the remnants of House Targaryen on Dragonstone, and ordered them to "surrender within seven days, otherwise troops will be sent to conquer." etc.----
Titus·Peake Earl, standing in the front row, naturally received the most attention.
Everyone in the throne room knows that the rise of House Peake is unstoppable.
Black Earl, who single-handedly brought his entire declining family to flight, will soon have his moment of performance.
Titus, wearing black armor and a sword hanging from his waist, walked out of the queue slowly with a fierce aura.
His eyes first glanced at Duke Westerlands, who had a calm face. Titus faced Robert I on Iron Throne, and his voice was sonorous and powerful. "Your Majesty, today I want to expose to you and everyone present a crime that is shameful to Seven and brings shame to the kingdom!"
He half turned around and glanced at the noble representatives under the throne, especially Lord Tywin, whose expression changed slightly, and said seriously, "And the initiators of this evil act are Duke Casterly Rock and Warden of the West Tywin-sama's Clegane family's Gregor knight "!"
"Gregor, is that the Mountain"?"
There was a small group of murmurs among the nobles.
Because of his exaggerated figure, many people know that "Giants as tall as a mountain" Gregor·Clegane from Westerlands was personally canonized as a knight by Rhaegar Crown Prince during his lifetime.
But more people only know that Gregor is tall and brave, but Westerlands people know about his cruel rumors.
Amidst the whispers around him, Lord Tywin's facial expression darkened, and the palms on his sides were quietly clenched.
Black Earl ignored the crowd's commotion and continued, "In Red Keep, in Maegor's Holdfast's nursery, an unbearable scene happened - Rhaegar·Targaryen's infant son was "grabbed with one hand and smashed against the stone wall by Sir Gregor of Westerlands in front of the baby's wet nurse!"
He performed some artistic processing, and his voice suddenly rose to a pitch that seemed a bit angry.
"The baby's plasma was smeared all over the wall. The innocent baby boy left this world without even a cry! And after Gregor killed the youngest son of his former canonized person, Rhaegar, he actually wanted to commit violence against the child's mother, Princess Elia?!"
Everyone was captivated by his narration.
Most of the people present were subordinates of the rebel army. Although they were not saddened by the deaths of the remnants of the previous dynasty, there were also many people with consciences or those who believed in chivalry who strongly despised guys like Gregor who "did the dirty work".
Thinking that he is not worthy of being called "Knight".
Some lords who are good at thinking think more than others:
Black Earl, what do you want to do?
Peake and Lannister----are they finally going to face each other?!
Grand Maester Pycelle: