Chapter 15 Encounter
Just past the intersection of the Kingdom Avenue and the east-west River Avenue and the Valley Avenue, it is about 60 kilometers away from Harrenhal. To the north is the Trident River. This is the boundary of the town of Earl Harroway. Ian made judge.
At the end of Ian's field of vision is a small well salt mine. Next to the woods outside the mine is a caravan that is loading goods. The foreman in the mine is directing the workers to move bags of salt onto horse-drawn carts. .
This caravan was exactly the size that Ian remembered well - four old horses, two carts, seven mules, four servants and a lean young businessman.
Although I don’t know why this player would be stupid enough not to change the initial characteristics, it is self-evident what it means for Ian to meet such a caravan here.
"Is fate really wonderful?" Looking at this scene from a distance, Ian's hand holding the sword couldn't help but tighten a little.
The hunting that Ian envisioned was to camp out in advance, figure out the terrain and the opponent's strength, and then deceive and attack in a planned way, rather than engaging in such an unprepared encounter.
But at this moment, he had no choice. He was walking on the King's Road, and naturally he did not hide his figure, so when he discovered this caravan, the other party naturally also discovered him.
If he kept heading north on the highway, he could miss the group without any suspicion, but it would be strange to try to turn back after he was mentally prepared.
If he wanted to approach the merchant player without suspicion, he could only pretend that he was going to the salt mine for business and drive directly there.
Fortunately, my disguise was good enough, so no one would suspect me. Ian glanced at his heraldic sword and regained some confidence.
Ian made up his mind, and he immediately put on the unique arrogance of aristocrats that he often saw in British dramas in his previous life, and rode his horse to the left, leaving the King's Road and walking directly towards the salt mine not far away. .
However, before he had taken a few steps, he felt his heartbeat suddenly speeding up, 'You must not show your timidity! ’ He quickly warned himself in his mind.
Ian realized that he had overestimated himself. Although he could talk about the so-called hunting plan, it was nothing more than a risk-free, no-practice oral pleasure. When it came to talking, he had killed someone in the past. Ian, who is seven in and seven out, does not think he will lose to any keyboard warrior on the Internet.
But when he actually faced this life-and-death adventure, he found that his rationality was somewhat difficult to suppress the tension in his heart. He even couldn't tell for a while whether he was afraid of killing or afraid of death.
In just a few dozen meters, Ian felt like he had walked as long as a century.
"With only four servants who have no fighting power, and no mercenaries by his side, he is defenseless. I only need to approach him without arousing suspicion, and I can chop off his head with a sword and walk away." Ian didn't. He kept giving himself psychological hints, "There is no risk, I don't have to be afraid."
Forcibly suppressing the fear in his heart, Ian drove his horse forward slowly while observing the situation in the mine ahead.
Soon, he discovered the clue.
The salt miners and the merchant's servants loaded the salt onto the carts in an unhurried manner, and no one urged them. This was obviously a problem.
Ian had an idea and thought of a test plan. Then he passed through the gate of the salt farm, bypassed the fleet of carts blocking the gate, and came to the foreman and merchant players.
"Who is the owner of this salt mine?" Looking at the foreman who was facing him, Ian put on an arrogant expression and asked him in a condescending manner.
"It's Earl Lucas Root. He is also the lord of Earl of Harroway, sir." The foreman looked at the sword on Ian's waist. He obviously knew that the other person was extraordinary. He lowered his head and said respectfully.
"What is the current trading situation at your salt mine? Is there a fixed long-term supply contract?"
"No, Sir, all the salt in our mine is sold to passing caravans." The miner explained respectfully on the surface, but in his heart he was cursing, it's none of your business! This is the Riverlands. Don't you Lannister family have too much control?
"Very good, I plan to buy this salt well and show me your mine." This is Ian's plan.
In this way, he can not only wander around to inspect the salt mine and explore the surrounding terrain, but also force the merchant player to take the initiative to deal with him. After all, the other party wants to buy salt, and he is about to become the new owner of the salt mine. .
On the other hand, it would be weird if a arrogant Ser Lannister took the initiative to say hello to a lowly businessman, wouldn't it?
Ian didn't look at the businessman player twice during the whole process. He knew that this would minimize the other party's wariness.
"This" the foreman suddenly looked embarrassed, "the young earl is now Sir Andre Charlton's attendant. He is not in the fief. Everything in the town is taken care of by the mayor, including the salt mine."
"And the mayor is not qualified to decide whether to sell this salt mine?" Ian raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, Sir."
"Then I want all your goods now," Ian said without insisting, "You return their payment to them and have someone move the salt back to me." Ian pointed at the merchant player and A motorcade blocked at the gate of the saltworks.
It doesn't matter if you can't buy this mine, but robbing his goods can still force him to come to me, Ian thought to himself.
"Here" the foreman broke into a cold sweat, "Are you in urgent need of a lot of salt now? We have some left in the warehouse, look."
"Do I need to explain to you?" Ian interrupted the foreman rudely, "You said you are not qualified to make the decision when it comes to buying mines, and you resisted when I bought salt. Do you have any objections to the Lannister family?"
The foreman was immediately frightened and had no choice but to look at the businessman for help.
The lean businessman felt a little at a loss for a moment, and had no choice but to look at the fat follower beside him.
Seeing this scene, Ian immediately narrowed his eyes.
He asked why a businessman dared to come to the salt mine with initial equipment to sweep goods, and the workers in the mine were not in a hurry. It turned out that the guy who was riding the horse had changed his clothes and those of his servants. He was Fishing here!
He knew that the merchant's starting equipment had eye-catching characteristics, so he deliberately exposed this flaw and waited for other players to hunt him.
This is indeed a good place for fishing! Because it is so eye-catching, it is located north of the intersection of King's Road, River Road and Valley Road, and south of the crossing of the Trident River. As long as players enter the Riverlands from the North, Kingland or Vale (or from the River If you go to these three places during your trip), you will definitely pass by here and find him.
But with just such a few rubbish servants, why does he think that he can kill people when he crouched down?