House Tarly, whose sigil is the Striding Huntsman, is a martial family that has ruled the Horn Hill region with hundreds of thousands of people for generations. They are one of the most powerful lords in the Reach.
The current Earl Tarly, Randyll Tarly, is truly the foremost warrior in the Reach, and a prominent figure in the Seven Kingdoms.
Despite this, Joffrey still faithfully played his role.
(Of course, Prince Joffrey, who is arrogant and ignorant, wouldn't care who others are.)
"First round of the joust, Eleventh match, Ser Loras Tyrell versus Sandor Clegane!"
Joffrey glanced at the arena, then continued to engage with Randyll Tarly.
"What do you think, Earl Tarly?"
Several matches had passed since Prince Joffrey stated his intentions, but Randyll Tarly was still a bit bewildered.
Without any warning, Prince Joffrey suddenly rushed over and said he wanted his eldest son to come to King's Landing to apprentice under Grand Maester Pycelle.
He was naturally quite surprised.
Before the other courtiers and nobles at the table left, Randyll was certain he saw pity in their eyes.
This made him feel humiliated and angry.
But after a moment's thought, understanding what this meant, a difficult-to-suppress glee arose in his heart.
Earl Randyll had to admit that the last emotion took precedence.
He knew he shouldn't think this way.
House Tarly indeed revered bravery and were warriors born for war.
But they were also lords and vassals.
While the blood of a warrior was important, the understanding and rules between lords could not be underestimated.
Primogeniture was an ancient tradition and legal system spanning thousands of years, which all families should uphold.
This was precisely why Earl Randyll detested his eldest son Samwell Tarly's weakness, yet had been slow to send him to the Citadel or the Faith.
Depriving the eldest son of his inheritance, even if it was a family decision, would inevitably cause discussion and affect the family's reputation and honor.
If an outsider interfered, it would be an even more unbearable disgrace.
But what if this outsider was the royal family?
Earl Randyll felt as if he had pushed open a new door.
Cheers and boos simultaneously grew louder, "The Hound" Sandor Clegane won.
Earl Randyll was still lost in his thoughts.
Originally, he had made up his mind to force Sam to join the Night's Watch on The Wall and give up his inheritance as soon as he returned to Horn Hill this time.
After all, the Night's Watch was a place for warriors, and it was far in the northernmost part of the North, much farther from home than the Citadel, which would also prevent Sam from continuing to tarnish the family's name in the Reach.
Although the family's reputation would still suffer some losses, and it would also affect the family's internal unity.
He had thought there was nothing he could do.
But now, there was an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone right in front of him.
Earl Randyll looked up and asked again, "Your Highness, are you sure you are serious?"
Joffrey was helpless; he had already confirmed it many times, how many more times did he need to say it?
But he also understood that this wasn't Randyll Tarly being forgetful, but rather struggling. Struggling, in itself, represented a certain attitude.
Joffrey wasn't worried about being rejected.
Sam's fate in the plot was enough to prove that Earl Tarly could no longer tolerate his eldest son's weakness.
The option he was offering now was beneficial to everyone.
"Lord Randyll, I am very serious."
He slightly broke through the limitations of his persona.
"Isn't this great? House Tarly can have a more suitable heir, your eldest son who loves knowledge can focus on his studies, and Grand Maester Pycelle can have another apprentice. Everyone is happy."
Randyll Tarly remained silent. Sam, why couldn't you be a little braver? Don't blame me.
Joffrey waited for a while, but there was still no movement.
Gradually, he had a guess.
"Lord Randyll, what is there to hesitate about? What's wrong with being a Grand Maester's apprentice? This is for his own good!"
Earl Tarly still didn't say a word. He had to make a decision now.
Joffrey was somewhat certain.
He stood up and issued the final ultimatum.
"Earl Tarly, in the name of Joffrey Baratheon, heir to the Iron Throne and Crown Prince, I command you to obey. Will you defy me?"
The people around them all looked over.
Randyll Tarly suddenly stood up, his eyes wide, looking as if he was suppressing his anger.
The two stared at each other, neither willing to back down.
Just as Joffrey couldn't help but doubt his own judgment, the Earl of Tarly finally spoke.
"I will obey His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's command and entrust my eldest son, Samwell Tarly, to Grand Maester Pycelle for instruction. However,"
Randyll Tarly was quite insistent.
"I must emphasize that this is not my intention, nor is it the decision of House Tarly!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Earl of Tarly turned and strode away.
The atmosphere instantly cooled.
Looking at the quiet and unassuming crowd, Joffrey could guess what they were thinking at this moment.
Randyll Tarly, truly an old fox!
Joffrey knew he hadn't guessed wrong just now.
This was exactly what the man meant: House Tarly is stable and united, its image undamaged, and it has successors; all the bad things were done by Joffrey (the royal family).
And given King Robert's temperament, upon learning of this matter, he would surely feel indebted to House Tarly.
It was simply all benefit and no harm.
However, it was precisely these extra benefits that made the Earl of Tarly choose King's Landing over the Wall for Samwell.
As for Joffrey, he merely sacrificed his already poor reputation, at most receiving a few scoldings from the King.
A negligible price to exchange for a connection with House Tarly and a knowledgeable, capable talent with a clear background.
Samwell Tarly.
In the plot, he was always Jon Snow's top assistant, one of the main forces against the Others, and an absolutely positive character.
Kind-natured, quick-witted, intelligent and learned, without ambition.
Although his presence wasn't as strong as the main protagonists, as the author's favorite son, he was absolutely not to be underestimated. At the very least, he had the potential to be a minister capable of holding his own.
If he had a dozen more talents like this, he could barely support the political structure Joffrey envisioned.
And the more, the better.
Joffrey wanted to collect more than just a dozen characters.
After all, one of the main advantages of knowing the plot is a deep understanding of the characters who appear.
In reality, who can truly see through a person?
The time cost, risk cost, and mutual trust cost involved are simply immeasurable.
As a transmigrator, of course, he should seize this opportunity to recruit talents, utilize those who can be utilized, and plant ticking time bombs for his enemies.
With Tyrion, the Hound, and Sam, the small team was initially formed, only lacking start-up capital.
Joffrey looked towards a simple tent outside the tourney grounds.
It's up to you.
The Hound.
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