-59- Jon Arryn's Preparation

Just as Hershel had solved the grain issue for the old lands, he was now starting to worry about another matter concerning the territory.

With the growing fame of the Throne Corps, the Spearwives became increasingly fierce in their actions.

Hershel, who also served as the governor of Mermaid Harbor, received reports from the constable that there had been several incidents of Spearwives forcibly taking away men in the harbor.

As Mermaid Harbor operated, the number of outsiders arriving daily increased, and these "assaulted" men were often among them.

Facing the fierce Crabb Spearwives, ordinary men were truly helpless.

The only consolation for Hershel was that the men "assaulted" by the Spearwives were embarrassed to spread word of their experiences, and they voluntarily kept silent, which wouldn't tarnish the reputation of Mermaid Harbor for the time being.

According to the lord's plan, most of the future trade of their territory would be concentrated in Mermaid Harbor.

Therefore, there couldn't be any delay; this issue needed to be addressed promptly, or else Mermaid Harbor would be affected sooner or later.

....

Hershel was not unfamiliar with this act.

Because of this custom, it had always existed within their territory.

According to the knowledge passed down from generation to generation in Hershel's family, in order to "fit in" with the nobility and improve the image of the territory, the former generations of lords had always been deliberately addressing this custom.

However, in their territory at the time, which was now referred to as the old land by the current House Crabb, the territory was vast, the people were scattered, and the ancestors of Crabb were not good at governance, so they only dealt with it superficially, and this custom still prevailed in private.

It wasn't until after the War of the Usurper that Lady Crabb, Gallen's mother, led the house to migrate to the current new land. After the accompanying subjects gathered together, the custom was explicitly prohibited, which marked a thorough improvement.

Under Lady Crabb's governance for more than a decade, this custom had almost disappeared.

Now, with the continuous absorption of wildlings into their territory, there were signs of this custom resurging.

What troubled Hershel was that Lady Crabb only issued a territory decree prohibiting the "forcible abduction of women" but did not prohibit the "forcible abduction of men"!

Thinking of Lady Crabb, Hershel felt it was time to regulate the Spearwives!

The matter of the Spearwives forcibly taking men could only be restrained by the lord's personal order.

Before receiving Gallen's command, Hershel could only urge the constable to strengthen patrols. Hershel, picking up the quill again, added this matter below the content of the letter to Gallen.

....

The long hunting team was slowly heading south along the road.

Just after reporting the general itinerary for the day to Queen Cersei, who seemed more charming than usual, Gallen was now riding side by side with Lancel.

Although not as handsome as Jaime, the handsome Lancel was also very popular among noble ladies and young ladies.

Feeling the territorial discrimination from the noble ladies, Gallen actually felt a little envious and jealous of Lancel.

Lancel had been maintaining a smiling face, "Gallen, I feel like they're secretly sizing me up and deliberately talking to me. It's a strange and wonderful feeling!"

Gallen glanced at Lancel's handsome face. He felt that the noble ladies should really like him.

Wonderful?

Gallen maliciously thought, should I arrange privately and send the innocent Lancel into the mouths of noble ladies to leave an indelible wonderful memory in his life?

Heheheh....

Lancel lowered his voice and said again, "Rest assured, Gallen, I remember your warning, I will keep my distance."

Gallen slightly nodded his head, "I believe you can handle it."

Hearing Gallen's affirmation in his words, Lancel was very happy and nodded heavily.

....

Lancel raised an eyebrow and asked Gallen, "Gallen, how about you? I remember you don't have a fiancée yet, right? Yesterday, I saw you constantly inspecting the team. Did you meet someone who caught your eye?"

Gallen gently adjusted the reins, changing the direction of the horse, "They are not suitable for me. I don't want to waste time."

Lancel's handsome face showed a puzzled expression, "Not suitable?"

Gallen turned his head to look at Lancel, "I have just recovered the family's old lands. My territory won't be stable for a short time."

Lancel nodded slightly, and Gallen continued, "Noble ladies living in the royal territories live as comfortably as sheep. The daughters of sheep cannot adapt to the forests full of beasts."

Lancel agreed very much. Their Lannister family was a pride of lions, and noble ladies in the royal territories were just sheep in front of the Lannisters.

....

Ah, Gallen is right. His father would never agree to him looking for a partner among the sheep.

Lancel felt sorry for Gallen. My sister is too young, otherwise, they would definitely be suitable, and Father would also be very satisfied with Gallen.

Lancel was referring to his own sister, Janei Lannister, who was born just this year.

Thinking about this scenario while riding on the horse, Lancel's face showed various changes in expression, very rich.

Gallen was a bit speechless. He felt that this generation of Lannisters, including Lancel, all had their own unique characteristics.

....

Red Keep, Tower of the Hand.

Jon Arryn looked even more gaunt, leaning against the headboard, appearing increasingly aged.

Standing by the bedside, Lord Petyr Baelish, the Master of Coins, was reporting to Jon Arryn.

"Petyr, has King Robert not returned yet?"

Lord Petyr shook his head slightly, "My lord, the King is on his way back."

Jon Arryn sighed weakly, fell silent for a moment, then spoke, "Taxes... I won't ask about that. I believe you will handle it well, Petyr. I trust you in this matter."

A polite smile appeared on Petyr's face as he nodded in gratitude.

"Petyr, due to my health condition, I have to consider the future in advance. Who do you think would be suitable to succeed me as the Hand of the King?"

Petyr's eyes trembled slightly, "My lord, Maester Pycelle assured me that you will recover soon."

Petyr's words inadvertently comforted Jon Arryn.

Jon Arryn nodded slightly, "Life is unpredictable, like the weather. It's always good to be prepared, so as not to be caught off guard. It is my duty."

Petyr didn't rush to answer Jon Arryn's inquiry but instead asked, "My lord, do you already have someone in mind?"

After pondering for a moment, Jon Arryn spoke, "Ah, there is someone, but it's difficult. I know him, and I don't think he would be willing to take over as the Hand. He doesn't like the atmosphere here, but he is most suitable for King Robert."

Most suitable for King Robert? A thought crossed Petyr's mind, and he already guessed the identity of the person Jon Arryn referred to.

So the wolves are comming...