Game of Thrones: Digger of the Dreadfort

"Yes, Count Matus' defeat has proved this very well..."

The group of people then began to discuss in a lively manner, and they kept talking about Count Matus' previous defeat.

Count Matus' face was pale and ashen, and he felt like he was being roasted on the fire.

"In that case, do we have a way to defeat Domeric Bolton?"

Renly Baratheon had to face reality.

He looked at Count Landau, who had been silent, expecting this famous general from the Seven Kingdoms to show him the way.

Other nobles also looked at Randyll Tully.

After a period of silence, Earl Landau raised a finger and spoke slowly:

"The first thing we have to do is avoid its edge!

The Northern Army led by Domeric is extremely brave and powerful. Although our numbers are large, we may not be able to withstand its edge.

So the only way we can defeat them is with one word: procrastination!

Spent their energy, stretched their supplies, and did everything possible to delay!

Until they are exhausted and in a dilemma.

By that time, it will be time for us to launch a counterattack and decide the outcome in one fell swoop..."

…………

End of the meeting.

The night is dark,

"Knight of Flowers" Loras helped Renly Baratheon, who was physically and mentally exhausted, back to the bedroom.

Sitting by the window, looking at the military camp reflecting the starlight and flames outside the castle, Renly was in a daze.

At this time, he completely lost his original high spirits and looked very worried.

"Ser Loras, what do you think?" Renly said suddenly.

Loras stepped forward and poured him a glass of wine, then poured himself a glass and said:

"Your Majesty is talking about Earl Landau's suggestion?

I didn't think so before, but now it seems that it does make sense..."

At the meeting just now, Lord Randyll Tarly said bluntly that the Allied Forces in the Stormlands were no match for the enemy.

The defeat of Count Matus Rowan also directly proved this point.

This clearly shook Renly Baratheon's confidence.

These remarks were as devastating to Renly as he was when he was assassinated during the confrontation with Stannis at Storm's End.

"Yes." Renly took a sip of wine, rubbed the glass, and fell into deep thought...

…………

After King Robert's death, Renly proclaimed himself king.

Although his brother Stannis is higher in the line of succession, Renly relies on his personal charm to win the support of most houses in the Stormlands.

At the same time, because of his romantic relationship with Loras, the "Knight of Flowers", he won the support of the Tyrell family and its vassals by marrying Margaery Tyrell, the "Rose of Highgarden".

So, Renly gathered the armies of both realms and marched slowly towards King's Landing along the Rose Road.

While waiting for the best opportunity to attack, he tried his best to win the support of more people.

When Lord Tywin Lannister of the Westerlands and Domeric's King's Landing were fighting to the death.

Renly adopted the strategic approach of "sitting on a mountain and watching the fight between tigers and tigers" and stood still.

He wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to gain the greatest benefit when both sides suffered losses.

However, this plan went awry.

Domeric Bolton did not suffer a loss in the battle with Lord Tywin, but grew stronger.

And his damn brother Stannis took advantage of the situation to surround Storm's End, and Renly had to send troops to rescue him.

During the confrontation with Stannis, Renly was attacked by the "Shadow Killer" and was seriously injured, almost losing his life.

Many families who were originally loyal to him changed their families...

Today, Storm's End is still under siege by Stannis, and Domeric Bolton of King's Landing takes the opportunity to lead an army to attack.

Thinking of this, Renly Baratheon felt extremely depressed.

This feeling is very frustrating!

Just like at the card table, he is clearly the one with the good cards, but his opponents are two cheating guys.

"Your Majesty, no matter what happens, I will always be by your side."

Seeing Renly's sad look, "Knight of Flowers" Loras felt very distressed. He stepped forward and hooked his arms around his neck, whispered into his ear, and then started hesitating.

Renly came in in response and forced a smile at Loras:

"To protect the king, you gave up your life, your land and title, and your hope of getting married and having children... Do you regret it?"

"The Tyrell family will live on through my brothers."

Loras raised his head and said warmly, "There is no need for the third son to reproduce."

"Even if we can't reproduce, it doesn't affect us from enjoying more pleasure..." Renly took advantage of the opportunity and found another way.

…………

Along the Rose Avenue, Domeric's army moved slowly like a forest of halberds, flags and spears.

Domeric originally thought that the allied forces of the Reach and Stormlands in Bitterbridge would launch a large-scale decisive battle with him to determine the outcome.

However, the situation surprised him!

Under the command of Lord Randyll Tarly, the entire Reach Stormland coalition continued to shrink, and finally huddled at Bitter Bridge, using the natural barrier of the Mander River to build a defense fortifications that stretched for dozens of miles...

Is this the "turtle flow"?

On this day, Domeric personally rode to Bitter Bridge to investigate the enemy's situation.

The banks here are wide and the Mandeb River is deep and fast.

A tall stone arch bridge was erected on both sides of the Mander River, wide enough for two carriages to travel side by side.

The castle of the Caswell family in Bitterbridge stands on the other side of the river.

The castle is not big, made of wood and stone, and the towers are not high. Because it is surrounded by flat and open fields, it appears to be much higher than it actually is.

If the Caswell family follows the example of the Frey family in the Riverlands and builds castles on both sides of the river and sets up iron ropes, then no one can cross the river without their permission.

Then you can probably make a fortune by collecting river crossing tolls.

The premise is that other nobles in the Reach can agree...

Today, a large number of wooden fortresses have been built based on the original castle on the other side of the river. There are guns, swords and large crossbows everywhere. Archers are deployed in the temporary battlements and arrow openings.

There was even a low wall in the middle of the stone arch bridge, making it difficult for not only the cavalry but also the infantry to climb over.

Domeric only needed one glance to see that the fortification in front of him could not be captured quickly.

He looked around and asked, "Have you found any other way to cross the Mandeb River?"

Personal guard Benita shook her head: "The water level here is very high and the current is fast. It is difficult to cross the river at such an upstream place..."

Logistics officer Wilfield added: "Our horses may be able to swim, but they cannot carry fully armed men. We have to build rafts to transport helmets, armors, spears and other weapons, but the nearby forests are blocked. After it was burned down, not only did we have no wood, we also had no tools for building ships..."

"The forest was burned?" Domeric asked strangely.

"Yes, it was the Riverbend Army that did it," Benita replied.

What a move to strengthen the wall and clear the field!

Domeric did not expect to see such military methods in Westeros.

"Sir, maybe we can build a wooden bridge in the shallow water to pass through."

Jon Wright suggested on the side.

"We might as well kill them on a raft at night."

Sandor "The Hound" Clegane spoke his opinion hoarsely.

"I'm afraid it won't work!"

Domeric shook his head. It was obvious that these two had no talent for strategy.

"While you are still building wooden bridges or taking night boats, Randyll Tarly will lead his army and attack halfway across the river. I'm afraid there will be heavy casualties..."

Speaking of which, Lord Randyll Tarly really surprised Domeric.

In the tombs of the Seven Kingdoms, there are many people who are brave but don't know when to bow their heads.

Randyll Tarly, who clearly had the superior military strength, adopted this "turtle style" tactic.

Did he realize that the southern army in Hebend was no match for the northerners?

This self-knowledge alone is a step above most lords and nobles.

Domeric can even guess the opponent's subsequent deployment and plans.

They used the natural barrier of the Mander River to block themselves, and then secretly detached an elite cavalry force to attack their own food supply routes along the way, using harassment tactics such as sparrow warfare.

By the time Domeric's army was in a dilemma, exhausted, and tired of dealing with it.

This shrunken "turtle" will show its fangs, transform into a wealth wolf, and rush towards them to devour their flesh and blood...

This time, Domeric was really stumped.

While the group of them was observing the castle.

A gap was opened in the fortifications on the other side of the Mander River, and a wooden plank bridge was stretched out to cross the Bitter Bridge. A dozen knights came towards them and stopped beside the temporary low wall.

They carried the flag of the Golden Tree on a white background, and their leader was Count Matus Rowan of Golden Tree City.

Only a few days ago he had been defeated at the hands of Domeric, and now he continued to speak on behalf of his king, Renly Baratheon.

Count Matus Rowan glanced at Domeric, his expression looking a little complicated.