Game of Thrones: I became a crown prince for a day.

Chapter 661 North to the Great Wall
a few days later.

An army of 5,000 Unsullied left King's Landing, carrying a large number of wagons and horses to move to Harrenhal.

Two scarlet dragons circled in the air, and their sharp roars echoed throughout Blackwater Bay.

……

Harrenhal, farmland in the countryside.

"Hurry! Before summer is over!"

"Cut down all the trees and don't leave any manure pits for manure..."

The farmers bent over the fields, wielding sickles to harvest the summer wheat.

Not only wheat, but also soybeans, beets, potatoes...

All crops that can be eaten and stored are added to the list of crops to be harvested early.

Finally, it was transported to Harrenhal, the largest castle in the Seven Kingdoms.

creak-

A tall pine tree fell to the ground with a loud bang, and several raftsmen dodged while shouting.

Whether it is pine or poplar, they all fell by the shore of Shenyan Lake.

clang! clang!
Rhaegar stepped into the mud by the lake, chopping down the thick tree trunks slowly and methodically with an axe in hand.

The sun is shining brightly overhead and the temperature is still like early summer.

Rhaegar buried his head in his work, immersed in his own world.

Winter is approaching, and food and firewood are top priorities.

Harrenhal occupies a large area of ​​fertile land, and a dense forest grows around the Gods Eye Lake.

All of them became reserves for the cellar under the widow's tower.

Light footsteps came into my ears.

Rhaenyra was wearing an ordinary black dress, with a basket hanging from her arm. She smiled as she walked, "Take a break, it's time for lunch."

Moving from King's Landing to Harrenhal, it seemed as if everything in the past had changed quietly.

The rustic farmlands and muddy trails offer a different kind of experience at this time.

“Have the farmers eaten all of it?”

Rhaegar dropped his axe and grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat off his face.

"I've eaten it. I've eaten it all."

Rhaenyra shook her head helplessly, opened the basket and took out the food: "Tens of thousands of farmers have devoted themselves to your service because of your words, of course we can't let them starve."

Harrenhal covers a large area and has the largest population among the riverlands.

The Mushroom Market under its jurisdiction is one of the main trading places, where large quantities of mulberry, hemp, sweet wine and sugar are circulated.

In addition, as king, Rhaegar has been openly and secretly supporting Harrenhal to relocate homeless people and orphans over the years.

Today, Harrenhal is so prosperous that it can be called the first castle in the Seven Kingdoms.

If it were not for the lack of external ports, the five major port cities including Old Town would be far superior.

Rhaegar smiled, picked up the bread and brushed it with bacon sauce, and said with emotion: "You don't know how many people there are in the Seven Kingdoms in recent years."

Land and population have always been the main pillars of a kingdom.

"Otto once did a census, but was kicked out by the lord of the riverlands."

Rhaenyra poured him a glass of honey water and shook her head.

Population is wealth, and every lord does not like outsiders peeking.

During Otto's tenure as Minister of Civil Affairs, he was instigated by Rhaegar to conduct a thorough investigation, which exacerbated his reputation as the "Minister of Shit and Piss".

"About 120 million!"

Rhaegar took a big bite of the food and gave a shocking number.

"I always thought that 20 or 30 million people would be a lot."

Rhaenyra paused as she brushed the meat sauce on the bread and couldn't help but wonder.

Hundreds of millions do not match the backward productivity of Westeros.

"But it is so."

Rhaegar also found it hard to believe, but after years of shadowing the Seven Kingdoms, he was certain of the news: "The combined population of the Riverlands and the Reach alone exceeds 50 million."

This is not just fabricated talk, but has been clearly verified.

During the reign of great-grandfather Jaehaerys, the total population of Westeros was basically over 100 million.

This is very clear, as my great-grandfather and great-grandmother found out by riding dragons across the continent and exploring it themselves.

Later, during the reign of his father Viserys, population growth stagnated briefly.

After Rega came to power, the population first dropped by millions.

They were all adult men consumed by the war, as well as some women and orphans.

However, after Rehgar protected war widows and orphans, the population grew rapidly under dictatorship and the ten-year long summer.

The most obvious examples are the royal territories and valleys, where the land has been reclaimed to accommodate more homeless people.

Looking at the seven countries, with the Riverlands as the core and radiating to the five southern territories including the River Bay, the Royal Territory, the Valley, and the Stormlands, the total population has exceeded 100 million.

The populations of the North and Dorne are sparse, and can only add a fraction to the huge number.

The Iron Islands were destroyed, and the Ironborn were not counted.

The population in the Western Border and the Stone Steps Archipelago is relatively prosperous, and the economy is relatively better than that in the farming areas.

“So many people, they all trust you.”

Rhaenyra's eyes were soft as she leaned on Rhaegar's shoulder.

Being a queen is not as easy as being a queen consort, and it is difficult for her to rule Rees.

What's more, the continent of Westeros is divided into seven kingdoms and nine major families.

"It's all for survival. A king must fulfill some obligations."

Rhaegar finished his food in a few bites, stood up and clapped his hands.

The crooked tree fell down as the axe was swung.

"Let's go back together."

Rhaegar brushed off the dust and took Rhaenyra with him to Harrenhal.

Trees need to be aired after being cut down, otherwise they will easily become moldy and rot.

There is a special mineral in Norvos that can burn firewood into coal.

Coal is easy to store and burns longer.

All the jungles around Shenyan Lake have been cut down and burned into coal for storage.

……

The next day, the king arrived.

Two green dragons flew across Blackwater Bay from Mudgate to the sky above King's Landing.

Slowly, landing in the dragon's lair.

When the common people in Silk Street and Flea Bottom saw the two giant dragons, many of them cheered, "Long live the crown prince!"

No one noticed the king leading the royal family to move.

The giant dragon in the dragon's lair and the crown prince returning to the capital are both living signals symbolizing peace and stability.

Red Fort, Parliament Hall.

Baeron and Benilla stored the three dragon eggs laid by Moon Dance and convened a royal meeting in the name of the crown prince.

This time, the faces in parliament changed slightly.

Damon looked indifferent as he sat in the seat representing the king.

Aemond sat at the lower left, originally the position of the Prime Minister.

Allison took the Attorney General's chair and sat down quietly and stiffly.

The other ministers took their seats, looking forward to the sudden return of the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, what is the situation in the North?"

Grand Maester Orvel spoke softly.

"Not optimistic."

Baerlon looked at the members of the Imperial Council and asked in astonishment, "Where are my father and grandfather?"

It was strange that his brothers and sisters did not come to greet him. "They are at Harrenhal."

Aemond stared at his nephew with his one eye and deliberately lowered his voice to scare him: "You can go find them."

Baelon: ...

It's boring enough.

Grand Secretary Orwell came forward to explain and gave a clear account of everything that had happened over the past half month.

And why Queen Mother Alisson stayed in King's Landing.

"Harrenhal is cold and damp. I've had enough of it."

Allison shook his head repeatedly, full of fear for the place where he had been imprisoned for several years.

She would rather stay in King's Landing and starve and freeze than go to Harrenhal.

"You said the wildlings are attacking in large numbers and the food supply in the North is running out?"

Damon supported his elbows on the table, his eyes dim and unclear.

Absolutely bad news.

The North is the first line of defense against the cold winter and darkness, and the worse the situation gets, the more dangerous it becomes.

"Why not support some food? We have plenty of it."

Lin Man looked around and slowly came up with a solution.

The national treasury is still quite full. The royal territory, Hejian and Hewan are all major grain-producing areas, which are more than enough to feed the millions of people in the north.

The ten long summers are not to be underestimated, and people in the south live a very comfortable life.

"It's not enough, Master Linman."

When Belron thought of the deadlock in the North, he said solemnly, "Not only food, the North needs all possible assistance."

Under the comments of all the members of the imperial court, he boldly proposed: "I suggest gathering an army of 10,000 people and immediately heading north to reinforce."

"You need to inform your father about this matter."

Damon crossed his arms and remained silent with approval.

"Then I will go find him."

Baeron patted his chest, his young face full of determination.

We must not let down Duke Creggan, and we must not let down the Great Wall that blocks the wildlings.

……

Three days later.

The Water Gardens, Harrenhal.

"Hiss-"

The glutton crawled on the cobblestone ground, stretched his neck and roared.

Dozens of giant dragons circled in the air, competing to stir up the thin mist.

In front of the Burning King Tower, an army of five thousand Unsullied gathered.

"Quack quack..."

Hundreds of ravens flew out of the top of the Widow's Tower, their shrill cries flying to all parts of the Seven Kingdoms.

Beneath the calm surface, war is brewing.

Burning King Tower, Hundred Furnaces Hall.

Viserys sat on the highest throne, with most of his family gathered below him.

He is old and has no ideas.

A blanket was draped over his legs as he quietly watched the discussion below.

"Since we are going to the North, I will lead the charge."

The corner of Aemond's mouth curled up, and his one eye was full of confidence.

"Yes, you go first."

Aegon nodded repeatedly and shrank back.

He didn't want to go to the freezing cold North. It was enough for his brothers to suffer.

"You want to go too!"

Rhaegar glanced at him, rejecting the stupid second brother's bad behavior.

There are White Walkers outside the Wall, and dragons are the only opposing force.

Whenever possible, family members should be involved.

Aegon's face fell, like a deflated ball.

Rhaegar looked around and said seriously, "Consider carefully how many dragons and troops to send out."

Ravens flew across the land, summoning armies from all regions to meet.

The number of dragons must also be carefully calculated.

Father Viserys is frail and sickly, and the docile Vermithor must also stay.

Aunt Rhaenys and Laenor can join the battle, with the latter leading the Velaryon fleet from the sea and landing as soon as possible before White Harbor freezes.

Daemon cannot leave. He and Carax are the main forces in King's Landing.

Helena and Darren each have their own responsibilities, and all the adult children have to stay.

Including Baelon and Meka.

"I'll go with you."

Rhaenyra took Rhaegar's large hand, their shoulders pressed together.

She had to go and accompany her brother to face the cold winter together.

Rhaegar hesitated for a moment, then gently touched his forehead to the other's.

The king and the queen, of course, cannot be separated.

"Take us."

Benilla and Rhaena came closer and grabbed their foster mother's skirt.

They are already grown-up girls and don't want to stay with their younger brothers and sisters.

"Your dragon is still young."

Rhaenyra stepped forward to touch the cheeks of her two adopted daughters.

"It's okay, we can accompany you."

Baelor was brave and resolute, her eyes full of hope: "Winterfell is cold and bitter, three dragons are better than one."

"But……"

Rhaenyra's heart softened and she turned to look at Rhaegar inquiringly.

Rhaegar's eyes flashed and he nodded silently.

In this way, the dragons and troops dispatched by the royal family could be counted.

Rhaegar led the team himself, including Rhaenys, Rhaenyra, Aemond, Laenor and the sisters Baelar.

There are eight dragons in total.

The army consisted of five thousand Unsullied, three thousand Fearless, two thousand Gold Cloaks, and the royal fleet that stayed behind in Harrenhal and King's Landing.

The rest depends on how many troops the vassal states can muster.

……

Time flies, and half a month has passed.

Green Fork River, Luanhe City.

An army of more than 10,000 men marched on foot toward the castle that straddled the river.

The Unsullied army in black armor serves as the center.

Two thousand cavalry and archers from Riverrun, Eliwood, Stonehedge and other river areas served as the vanguard.

Three thousand logistical troops gathered in Hejian and Wangling followed behind.

"Hiss!!"

A gorgeous golden dragon flew over the army, chasing after another ugly mud dragon.

Gold and brown are intertwined, beauty and ugliness are opposed.

(End of this chapter)