With the completion of the surrender ceremony, the chilling atmosphere in this plain suddenly disappeared.
Later, it was gradually replaced by the hustle and bustle called "harvest".
The more than 20,000 southern border troops led by Earl, Allister and Matus, laid down their weapons without any resistance and cooperated very well, and completely handed over the original camp to the hands of the Southern Expeditionary Army.
After taking over the camp of the Southern Border Army, Titus and the others were pleasantly surprised to find that a huge amount of logistical supplies were stored here.
In terms of food, it can be described as abundant:
Large and small stacks of grain and grass stood like hills. A variety of basic rations, wheat cakes, bacon and wine were sufficient to keep the entire army occupied for several months.
The tents that serve as military depots are filled with unopened quivers and quivers, filled with all kinds of arrows, from special shovel-head arrows to three clusters of armor-piercing arrows... everything is available, all of which are high-priced and top-notch goods made by the master craftsmen of Highgarden or Oldtown.
There were also an extremely large number of newly polished weapons and half-body plate armor with bright appearance; larger objects also included battering rams, trebuchets, and improvised wooden ladder trucks... With so many siege weapons, the Reach people did not use them at all, but chose to simply besiege the city.
This made Titus very speechless.
What pleased him most was that Captain Wenda also found a thousand crossbows.
This is a crank crossbow device that can launch special short arrows. The excellent mechanical winch structure can help Archer complete the winding without using bare hands.
It is not too difficult or strenuous to operate.
It is said that Narrow Sea, the most exquisite crossbow on the other side, Myr, can fire three crossbow arrows at once.
The crossbows found by the captain of the guard also have a continuous fire function, but they seem to be able to only load two crossbow arrows, and their model and size are also smaller than the hard crossbows.
In Titus's opinion, it looks more like a cavalry crossbow.
Surprises appear one after another.
In the camps of some captured lords, the search team of the Southern Expedition also found many heavy boxes of gold and silver coins, which seemed to be currency reserves specially prepared by the original owners and planned to be distributed as rewards.
Even if most of them are "gold hand coins" circulating within the Reach, the value of which is only half of the golden dragon. Adding them all together is still an eye-catching windfall.
Your Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief, has made a golden statement, and the promises he made to the the North people, Vale people, and Stormlands people are being fulfilled one by one.
After all baggage and supplies have been counted, the Commander-in-Chief will fairly distribute the spoils of the Southern Expedition among the lords, knights and soldiers under his command, based on their strength and merit.
By that time, apart from Lord Dornish Marches and Canyon Knight, who have seen some of the market, the North people who account for a larger proportion among the army will definitely be happy.
Those northern lords who chose excuses to avoid conscription or did not send a large number of soldiers south because the newly ascended Duke Winterfell was young and unfamiliar will definitely regret it...
They personally missed the opportunity to make a fortune.
At noon that day, a little later.
Lord of Highgarden That luxurious and luxurious tent has been redecorated by the current number one figure in the Southern Border Army - Allister Florent Earl.
This became the venue for the celebration banquet.
The floor inside the tent was covered with luxurious carpets from Myr City and Lys Island; expensive incense was re-lit on the gilt candlesticks, trying to completely dispel the smell of gunpowder smoke in the battlefield with indulgence.
The leaders of the Southern Expedition sat together with the Reach noble "survivors" headed by Alister and Matus. The table was filled with delicacies collected from the baggage here:
Roasted golden swan meat, figs drizzled with honey... Aged Arbor gold wine, Dorne exquisitely brewed special summer red... All kinds of dishes are endless, and there is a dazzling array of fine wines from all over the world.
Comparable to the Highgarden feast.
--In fact, those who organized the banquet today were indeed the chefs brought by Mace·Tyrell from Highgarden.
Under the watchful eyes of the Earl guards, these masters carefully displayed their best craftsmanship.
Commander Titus is sitting on the seat that originally belonged to Lord of Highgarden as the Lord of the South. Wenda and Dodge stand behind him, making him even more majestic.
On the left hand side of the lower position are Roose Bolton, Gulian Shiwen and others, and on the right side are Allister Florent and Matus Rowan.
He was chatting with Allister, and they were having a good time.
"Sir, I have sent a fast ship to the sea."
Allister picked up the wine glass and respectfully signaled to the Earl of Star Shuttle City. Titus drank a glass of golden wine with him.
"Arbor has always been aware of current affairs. After learning that Mace has been captured and the southern border army has surrendered, Master Paxter will immediately put down Redwyne Fleet, land on land, and come to surrender."
"Very good."
Titus took another sip of the wine, his tone seemed very satisfied.
"Your previous reply helped me a lot. The specific formation of the Southern Border Army, the conflicts between the generals... and the information from Coach Highgarden all made this battle a lot easier."
Matus Earl, who was sitting slightly outside, heard some fragments of words and took a sip of wine, thinking that Brightwater Keep's old the Fox was really cunning.
Titus's praise of Allister was completely sincere.
Mace·Tyrell is also unlucky.
Red Lake City's Fotimo Clyne took the ten thousand the Reach people who "traveled south and north" and originally stayed near Goldengrove. Due to the Mander River's emergency, you have received a new chapter update: "E.174 Apple Eaters and Ransom Doubled", read the link. They were transferred back to Highgarden by Queen of Thorns to resist Ironborn.
Otherwise, Titus and the Southern Expeditionary Army may not be able to be so open-minded.
This was the last reason Titus made up his mind as a sign of sincerity when old the Fox responded to the letter and shared the news in a timely manner.
The Tyrell they faced last night was when they were at their weakest.
Allister was secretly happy and replied humbly:
"It is also an honor for me to serve the Commander-in-Chief and the Southern Expeditionary Army. The Reach princes have always been grateful for Iron Throne's kindness. They were misled by Mace·Tyrell before, and that was why they made mistakes.
Fortunately, you have now set things right, cleared away the evil atmosphere in the south, and are so magnanimous and so kind to us... On behalf of the lords of the Southern Territory, I would like to express my stance that I will fully support House Baratheon's actions in the Reach area."
It's really exciting to represent the lords of the Southern Territory.
As one of the leaders of the Southern Territory currently recognized by Iron Throne, Allister Earl is quite happy.
Titus smiled and listened but did not speak, and did not respond to the hints in his words.
Due to practical factors, House Baratheon... and himself included, will not make any bigger moves against the Reach area.
Brightwater Keep Earl I am afraid I will be disappointed.
Old the Fox tried a few words, but seeing that Master Hei Earl still refused to answer, he wisely changed the topic to the captured the Reach nobles.
This time, in addition to Lord of Highgarden, who has the highest status, the Southern Expedition Army also captured many wealthy nobles with strong family backgrounds.
For example, Roose·Baelor·Hightower, the big fat sheep caught by Bolton.
Several southwest lords who had lost this Oldtown "eldest master", as soon as they returned to the rear of the Southern Border Army, repeatedly asked Brightwater Keep Earl to speak for them, hoping that they could pool their money and redeem Baelor as soon as possible.
Allister mentioned it to Titus, but the latter still didn't agree.
There are also Raymond·Fossoway Earl of the Cider Hall, and Sir Jon·Fossoway of New Barrel City.
These two people were really not very lucky. After being exhausted last night, they were easily captured by the Earl guards sent by Titus.
The person who took action was none other than Rosso Brune, who had just been promoted. This Sir who added money became an "Apple eater" again.
In addition, Old Oak's Oakheart Earl and Green Valley City's Plum Dou Earl were also not able to escape. They were also hit by the trick. Tracked by Dodge's hounds, none of them escaped.
Matus Earl put down his wine glass and tentatively spoke:
"Sir Titus, there are indeed a lot of nobles captured this time, especially people like Sir Baelor... who have deep family roots. I wonder what you plan to do with them?"
Titus gently pushed the gold cup on the dining table and replied to him:
"The Reach is rich. These nobles are also rich, so they must follow the rules."
He paused and raised his voice a bit so that the other the Reach lords who were eavesdropping nearby could hear clearly.
"For all captured lords and knights, I will ask for double ransom according to the strength of their families. This is a punishment for their stubbornness and accompanying Tyrell to participate in the battle with the Southern Border Army."
Yes, you have to pay more.
There was silence in the tent.
The nobles of the Southern Territory, who originally liked to "make an uproar" in front of Lord Puff Fish, no longer dared to behave like monsters, and just listened quietly to Titus Earl's words.
Titus saw this, glanced at Allister, and changed the subject again. "However, there are always exceptions to everything."
He looked in the direction of Allister and Matus, with a slight hint in his words:
"Alister Earl, you can go and persuade them. If you are willing to be my "friend", everything will be easy..."
As the saying goes, create a clever name, advocate fairness, win over the wealthy gentry, and pay taxes and donations.
After receiving the money, the gentry's money was returned in full, and the common people's money was divided into 30-70 accounts.
The same goes for Westeros. Nobles are also divided into far and near. Titus wants to try a similar technique.
A lord who dares to betray Highgarden and become a "friend" with him is one of his own, so of course he can be let go.
It's just a show of attitude. It's a rare opportunity to scold Lord of Highgarden in person. It's very simple. Once their family's ransom is handed over, Titus can return it in full, or just let him go without any money.
For example, the "laughing" Baelor has great "united front" value. As long as Oldtown's Hightower doesn't care about their "friendship" being known to Highgarden, Titus will be happy to privately pay the Dreadfort, Karhold, and Stannis to even the accounts.
Of course, House Hightower is not short of this ransom money, so he can also use other means to scare Baelor... Judging from this young man's battlefield performance, it doesn't seem to be of much help.
This is a job that requires two jobs, and Titus still plans to let Allister do it.
Allister was still very positive and immediately responded:
"Your Excellency has a great mind, I will try my best to persuade several lords and knights!"
He was wondering, was Peake helping him establish his authority, or was it further testing Florent's cooperation?
"Of course, Mace and his cronies are not included in this list."
Titus refers to the two families "Red Apple" and "Green Apple". Due to geographical reasons, their two families are almost the same as Highgarden.
Crossbow, Cavalry Crossbow: