The sunlight was bright, and two little birds on the windowsill were fighting over grains on the stone slab, occasionally letting out crisp chirps.
The bed inside the room was covered with soft and delicate velvet. Joffrey comfortably rested his head on the Maiden's thigh, savoring half a blueberry held between her tender fingertips.
A peaceful and beautiful morning.
"Your Majesty, everyone has arrived and is waiting outside," Hannah suddenly reminded him softly.
A busy morning.
It was time. He swallowed the half blueberry and sat up from the bed. "Tell them to come in."
He put on his outer garment, and footsteps were already approaching.
"What a lovely sun, Your Majesty." The smallest of them, Tyrion, insisted on walking in front. "You must be very pleased."
The clever Tyrion was wearing the least Lannister-colored outfit he owned today, with shades of brown, black, and smoky gray, but notably no gold or red.
The Kingslayer beside him was much more arrogant. His white armor still gleamed, and his gilded longsword sparkled.
"Yes, the sun is nice," Joffrey said with a faint smile.
Tyrion looked around and walked to the long table and the prepared chairs. "Your Majesty is truly thoughtful, to have made such a perfectly sized seat for my small stature. It's truly moving."
Joffrey sat on the high chair at the head of the long table. "Everyone, please sit. From now on, Small Council Meetings will be held here."
A true King could, of course, convene a Small Council Meeting anytime, anywhere.
"I see. Thank you for the seat, Your Majesty." Tyrion sat in his designated place, to the King's right.
The other ministers looked at the long table. It was similar in shape to the original council table, but each chair around it had a unique symbol.
The first chair to the King's left was carved with radiating Eyes. Elin naturally understood.
The second chair to the right was entirely white; it belonged to the Commander of the Kingsguard, Barristan the Bold.
The second one on the left was covered in carvings of swords; the Kingslayer from the Ministry of War claimed it without hesitation.
The third one on the right belonged to the Commander of the King's Landing City Watch, Sandor Clegane, the Hound.
Grand Maester Pycelle tottered towards the third position on the left and slowly sat down, leaning against the padded chair back shaped like a book.
There was also a chair beside the King, where Hannah, the Master of the Household, had already seated herself at some point.
Everyone's gaze was directed towards the King on the sole main seat. Without a doubt, today's meeting had only one protagonist, His Majesty the King.
Joffrey's tone was calm. "Gentlemen, following Lord Tywin, Lord Eddard also left King's Landing yesterday to fulfill more difficult duties in The North."
Eddard had left; half of King's Landing knew.
Some quietly celebrated, some felt the country had completely lost hope, and some believed King's Landing was about to undergo significant changes.
"Undoubtedly, those of us present must bear the responsibility of maintaining the stable operation of the state."
With Tywin serving as Regent and Eddard as Hand of the King both absent from King's Landing, and even Queen Mother Cersei not attending this meeting, it was clear that the young King's "us" referred to himself.
"Renly's rebellion has stirred up dust, and we must clean it up."
Joffrey gently brushed away some dust from the surface of the table. "Gentlemen, don't you think King's Landing is a bit too dirty and messy?"
Tyrion's eyes flickered, lost in thought.
"Dirty and messy?" Grand Maester Pycelle seemed not to have grasped the King's underlying meaning.
"Your Majesty, there are too many people in King's Landing. The Citadel has long conducted research in this area. With the current conditions, there is no better way to deal with the city's garbage and stench. Furthermore..."
Elin interrupted, "The Grand Maester is being too forgetful. His Majesty is a holy King favored by the Gods. How can he be compared to ordinary people from the Citadel?"
Tyrion smiled. "May the Gods bless King's Landing so it loses its stench and the air becomes as fresh as the Kingswood."
Joffrey glanced at Tyrion. "That's exactly where I need your help."
Tyrion immediately felt a sense of foreboding.
Hannah brought a roll of blueprints and spread it out on the long table. "This is a preliminary sketch of the Sewers system, drawn under His Majesty's direct guidance. Once it is successfully constructed, I believe Lord Tyrion, your prayers will come true."
Tyrion pleaded with a bitter face, "Let someone else do it. I can count copper coins, I can read by candlelight, but Sewers are not my specialty."
Joffrey looked at the gleaming armor of Jaime, his gaze seemingly hesitant about whether to replace him.
Thinking of the foul sewage, Jaime immediately betrayed Tyrion. "My good brother, don't say that. Wasn't the cleanliness of Casterly Rock your achievement? Don't refuse; this task is perfect for you."
Tyrion glared at Jaime in disbelief, but in the end, he had no choice but to accept.
"I only hope the people of King's Landing can show a little gratitude and stop giving me strange nicknames," Tyrion said self-mockingly.
Joffrey asked again, "Is that clean enough?"
The Grand Maester did not respond further.
Elin, on the other hand, said with emotion, "On the surface, perhaps it will be clean, but even though I've only been Master of Whisperers for half a month, I've witnessed the filth in people's hearts, which far surpasses a hundred, a thousand Sewers."
Hannah deeply agreed. "It's time to give these fellows a good cleaning."
The Hound also expressed his agreement. "Renly won't even reach the walls of King's Landing, but the rats in the city might quietly sneak into the Red Keep."
The King did not speak, but quietly watched the others.
Tyrion raised his hands high. "I agree. The Sewers are just the most superficial dirt. If we're going to do it, let's do it thoroughly."
Ser Barristan bowed to the King. "As long as Your Majesty requires, the Kingsguard fears no hardship."
Jaime's smile remained bright. "I am also a Kingsguard."
The King and his ministers all turned their gaze to the Grand Maester, the only one who had not yet spoken. Pycelle's beard immediately trembled.
"Respected Your Majesty, if you require the Maesters' counsel, please speak freely."
Pycelle's words were surprisingly clear and fluent, full of emotion.
"Good!" Joffrey seemed to have suddenly made up his mind. "Since everyone is so determined, I naturally will not disagree."
Tyrion silently watched the King issue his commands.
"Elin, Hannah, Pycelle, you are responsible for registering everyone within the city and the Red Keep, categorizing them."
"Tyrion, you are responsible for clearly sorting out all industries within the city."
"The Ministry of War and the King's Landing City Watch will assist in the operation, ensuring the situation within the city remains stable and preventing riots."
"Five days from now, at dawn, the city gates will be sealed, and the entire city will act simultaneously."
"All wandering, suspicious, and dangerous individuals will be imprisoned and assigned to construction projects, supplying the Research Department. All ambiguous, ownerless, and critical industries will be confiscated, supplying the army."
"Remember, the Gods are watching us." The King's expression was devout.
"Yes, Your Majesty." The ministers were all respectful.
Tyrion could not discern the true thoughts of his colleagues, but the questions in his own heart were difficult to dispel:
How to do it?
Words like "all," "entire," and "everyone" cannot simply be spoken into reality.
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