Renly's declaration of war and the Royal Family's recruitment order had spread throughout King's Landing.
Some scoffed, some were indifferent, some were worried, some were in disbelief, and some were panicked.
And some smelled a wonderful opportunity.
In short, King's Landing was already restless. Just like every Smithy on Steel Street, the clang of hammers never stopped from day to night, announcing the extraordinary nature of the day.
The Smithy on Visenya's Hilltop was the loudest.
It had the most furnaces and anvils, the most Smiths and Smith apprentices, and a master craftsman who was said to be the most skilled.
Although they had only been disturbed for five nights so far, the clanging sound from this shop had become an inescapable nightmare for the nearby residents. People didn't dare to imagine what it would be like in half a month or even half a year.
However, Hot Pie didn't care about any of this, he only cared about his good brother.
"Hey, Gendry, don't worry about these hot red irons. Let's hurry up and get moving, you don't know, people over there are fighting tooth and nail, it'll be too late if we wait any longer!"
Hot Pie was pacing anxiously, but he couldn't even see his good brother's face, only a well-defined, sweat-soaked, shiny back in front of him.
He was good material for a Smith. But Hot Pie had better plans for his brother.
Gendry still hadn't put down his work, "Fatty, there are so many people participating in the recruitment, you're quite confident in yourself."
Hot Pie kept wiping the sweat from his forehead. It was noisy in the shop, and the air was even hotter, like being in a bread oven.
"I'm confident in you. As for me, a baker's apprentice, they're recruiting over ten thousand people this time, they'll definitely need a lot of cooks."
Hot Pie leaned in closer, with a mysterious look on his face.
"I've inquired. Those who join the Gold Cloaks and the Ministry of War are provided with food and lodging, and after completing recruit training, they're even paid seven Silver Stags a month! Seven Silver Stags!"
"How long would it take for us to earn that much money?"
The iron material in front of Gendry was still regularly splashing out orange-red sparks.
"Master Tobho Mott is a good person." Hot Pie quietly glanced around, no one was paying attention to them, "But even if you become a master, you're still just a Smith, and you still have to watch the Gold Cloaks' expressions."
Gendry didn't speak, continuing to swing the hammer in his hand.
"You saw it during His Majesty's coronation, right? What a great Miracle! I can't believe you didn't have any reaction at all?" Hot Pie shook his head in surprise.
Gendry dipped the iron material into the water bucket, splashing out a large amount of water and steam, which then gradually subsided.
"That has nothing to do with us. A Smith's apprentice only needs to think about how to be a good Smith. A baker's apprentice," he looked back at Hot Pie, "Your bread and pies are well made, they'll definitely be very popular in the future."
Hot Pie didn't think so, "That was before. Haven't you seen it yet? Everything has changed. The Gods bestowed Divine Power upon His Majesty because of The Long Night and Doomsday. By then, what use is delicious bread?"
"Divine Grace is priceless!"
Hot Pie's eyes were filled with fanaticism, "His Majesty will share the Gods' favor with us, and those who join the army have the highest priority! That's Divine Grace!"
Gendry put the finished product onto the shelf with satisfaction, then sat down next to Hot Pie to rest.
"How come I heard that Divine Grace requires people to dedicate a tenth of their wealth, and it's extremely rare? Did I remember incorrectly?"
Hot Pie waved his hand, "That's outdated news. Just yesterday, a hundred Gold Cloaks were bestowed with Divine Grace, I saw it with my own eyes, not a single copper coin was asked for."
Gendry was thoughtful, "Then why didn't you sign up yesterday?"
Hot Pie chuckled, "I was thinking of you, my good brother, we'll go in together, so we can look out for each other."
Gendry remained unmoved.
He didn't have high expectations for his life. Just keep working steadily in his master's Smithy, at least he wouldn't have to worry about food and drink.
For a bastard who didn't know who his parents were, what more could he ask for?
Hot Pie curiously picked up an iron helmet.
"Hey," Gendry frowned, and immediately reached out to snatch it back, "Don't touch that."
Hot Pie glanced at Gendry and the bull-shaped helmet in his hand, and instead laughed, "Good brother, you still say you just want to be a Smith? Which Smith would specially forge a helmet for himself, and treasure it so much?"
Gendry retorted loudly, "Who says there isn't? Lots of people do that, the one in front of you is too."
Hot Pie directly pulled Gendry's arm, "Don't hesitate, even if you just come and see, just for half a day, you can come back if you don't like it."
For some reason, Gendry couldn't break free from the chubby boy's hand.
...
Just like the past few days, the Gold Cloaks headquarters next to Cobbler's Square was crowded with new recruits.
Rows and columns of long spears divided the camp into many squares, and the newcomers moved slowly and rationally along the safe passages towards the long tables in front.
Hot Pie whispered in Gendry's ear, "The Gold Cloaks are on the left, the Ministry of War is on the right, where do we go?"
Gendry wasn't completely ignorant of these things.
The head of the so-called Ministry of War was the Kingslayer, and Gendry, like many people, detested him. Would this man's subordinates be good people?
But the Gold Cloaks...
Gendry had only seen them finding fault everywhere in the shops, their purpose being to extort money.
Hot Pie said again, "Let's choose the Gold Cloaks, the Gold Cloaks have it so easy normally. The Ministry of War sounds like they have to go out and fight. Renly definitely can't win, but people will still die."
Gendry glanced at him, "Don't worry, you're a cook, it won't be your turn to lose your life. Go to the right."
Hot Pie shrugged, "Yeah, that's true."
After queuing for a long time, Hot Pie voluntarily stood behind Gendry, letting his good brother go first.
Gendry stepped up to the table.
The recorder wore a black ball around his neck, exactly like the one from the coronation.
The recorder seemed to recognize him, "Gendry, what is your opinion on Renly Baratheon's rebellion?"
Gendry repeated the previous person's answer, "I will defend the Throne with my life. May the Gods bless His Majesty, the one true king. Light is eternal!"
"What position are you interested in?"
Hot Pie nudged him several times from behind, and Gendry said, "Warrior bless, Gendry is willing to kill enemies for His Majesty."
The recorder held the black ball and waited silently. After a few breaths, he looked at Gendry with surprise, then took out a small silver square plate with a chain attached.
"Do you see the lord over there wearing the Hound's helmet? Show him this, he will be your superior."
Gendry took the silver plate and walked out a few steps, then stopped in confusion. I'm The Hound's subordinate? Isn't The Hound the Commander of the Gold Cloaks?
Soon after, Hot Pie walked over with a mournful face, "What's the Security Bureau? Never heard of it."
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