"Don't panic, uncles."
Robb stroked Grey Wind's bristling fur, smoothing it down one by one.
The lords present inexplicably felt their restless hearts calm down with Robb's composed demeanor.
The initial unease upon hearing of their army's defeat and the enemy's strength significantly eased, and some even regained their ability to think calmly.
Seeing everyone settled, Robb slowly began, "Although the Lannister father and son fought beautifully, they are not without weaknesses.
I heard that my father publicly exposed Joffrey as the product of incest between Jaime and Cersei, which is why he was imprisoned.
However, this news has spread throughout the continent, and I am certain that King Robert's two brothers will not allow Joffrey to sit peacefully on the throne."
Former King Robert Baratheon was also one of the seven nobles in Westeros who could inherit a ducal title.
But in the war to depose the Mad King, Ned Stark pulled Kingslayer Jaime from the Iron Throne and pushed Robert onto it.
Therefore, the Baratheon Family's original title was taken by Robert's brother.
Besides him, Robert also had another brother who previously assisted Robert in King's Landing.
According to legal principles, if Joffrey loses his legitimate claim to the throne, both of these men have the right to inherit it.
Moreover, both of them are nominally Grand Dukes: one is the Duke of Storm's End of the Baratheon Family, and the other is the Duke of Dragonstone Island, which was originally ruled by the Mad King's Targaryen Family.
Both have troops and provisions at their disposal, and the law is on their side, so they will undoubtedly contend for that throne.
Therefore, the Lannister supporting King's Landing will soon face multi-front warfare.
Once the chaotic war begins, they will surely not be able to withstand the encirclement of the other four ducal houses.
Time is not on their side.
That is why they exerted all their strength to attack the Tully Family in the Riverlands at the beginning of the war, aiming to quickly reduce the four ducal enemies to three.
The lords present were all nobles, well-versed in this information, and nodded in agreement with Robb's point of view, but they still looked worried.
If the Lannister were not doing well, their own side would not be much better!
Everyone's goal was King's Landing.
Robert's two brothers would not view them as allies, but only as secondary competitors.
The struggle for the throne has always been winner-take-all.
Moreover, the pressure from the current Lannister still remained, and Lord Duke Ned also needed to be rescued.
Time would also not be on the Stark Family's side.
Robb continued to stroke Grey Wind, stating his strategic plan: "I have decided.
Our main force will first go to fight Tywin, but we will not launch a surprise attack before Tywin reacts.
We will cross the swamp and confront Tywin, trapping him in Harrenhal and not allowing him to take a single step out!"
Ah?
Robb has gone mad?!
This was the first thought that popped into the minds of all the nobles present.
This strategy was incredibly absurd.
Not to mention that his uncle's family was in dire straits trying to rescue his father, shouting themselves hoarse, just waiting for him to come to their aid.
Even the act of crossing the swamp to confront Tywin was quite unreasonable!
This was more than just foolish, it was utterly idiotic!
Why abandon such a great geographical advantage like the swamp, only to cross it and block your own retreat?
Why not attack before the enemy reacts?
Tywin could completely clear out all the small nobles in the Riverlands near the King's Road in a very short time, and then hide inside Harrenhal, facing the Northern army from afar.
By then, if Kingslayer Jaime takes Riverrun and destroys the Tully Family, the Northern army will fall into the dangerous situation of being attacked from both front and back!
Even if Robb came to his senses halfway through his madness and turned to fight Jaime, Tywin could calmly emerge from the castle and pursue the Northern army from behind.
Either take down Jaime, or ambush Tywin, or stay in Kalin Bay.
These were three obvious strategies, but our young master Robb chose none of them; he chose to go to his death.
Rickard Karstark wailed, "This way we will lose the war!"
Roose Bolton remained silent, staring intently at Robb, trying to figure out what the young wolf was up to, or if he was simply brave but foolish, a military idiot who loved to give bad commands?
The lesser lords below also discussed animatedly; some supported unconditionally, some were very worried, and some strongly opposed.
Greatjon and Maege from Bear Island, however, showed no abnormality.
Upon hearing Robb's deployment, they immediately cast aside all other chaotic thoughts in their minds, determined to firmly execute Robb's military orders.
Even if they couldn't win, they accepted it; dying for a warrior like Robb was full of honor.
Robb coldly glanced at the lords' reactions below: "This matter is decided.
However, we are not in a hurry to depart.
The Manderly Family's cavalry and the people from Stream Land are on their way.
Once the army is fully assembled, we will set out to punish Tywin!"
Seeing Robb's resolute words, the lords knew there was no room for further discussion and could only accept the outcome.
Robb had already displayed extraordinary leadership in Winterfell, completely subduing several great lords.
His decisions could no longer be opposed by anyone.
Robb then called out to everyone again: "While we wait for the Manderly Family, I hope you will thoroughly train your soldiers to prepare for the coming slaughter."
"Yes!"
"There is one more thing: I need to select a personal guard, numbering around three hundred.
This unit must be entirely cavalry and excellently equipped.
I hope to visit your camps tomorrow to select some warriors."
The lords did not react particularly to this request.
Unlike the five hundred soldiers Robb and Earl Seven had requested, these cavalrymen had very high loyalty to their lords, so there would be no situation where Robb borrowed them and did not return them.
Especially the knights knighted by the lords themselves; they would only be loyal to those they served.
In fact, many nobles wished for such a good thing, because it would allow them to legitimately send their offspring to Robb's side.
Many nobles were waiting for this moment; otherwise, why would Rickard Karstark bring both of his sons, and Maege Cerwyn even brought her daughter?
Now, she wasn't thinking about fighting every day, but rather how to get her almost thirty-year-old daughter into Robb's bed.
Moreover, the commander-in-chief must have a personal guard for protection in any case.
Otherwise, on the battlefield, swords have no eyes, and if the commander falls first, the situation will directly devolve into a rout, which is something no one present wanted to see.
Rickard Karstark's worried expression changed: "Lord Robb, you must choose both of my sons; they are excellent lads."
"My son Little Jon is stronger than both of your sons combined!"
The lords enthusiastically discussed again.
Everyone knew that Robb would be the future Duke of Winterfell.
At this time, being able to foster a relationship on the battlefield meant that their family's offspring would at least have a powerful patron.