He recalled that in the history of the Stone Steps there were several figures who claimed to be the "Kings of the Narrow Sea and the Stone Steps", such as Daemon Targaryen and Recharino Rendon.
But these kings of the narrow sea ruled only for a short time in the Stonestep Islands.
After that, the Shijie Islands fell into a long period of chaos.
It is not only a pirate's den, a paradise for smugglers, but also a battlefield for free trade city-states to secretly wrestle.
He couldn't help but think that the reason why these so-called kings of the narrow sea ruled so short was because the Stone Steps Islands did not exist as a nation at all.
A country needs population, land, food, and a stable order.
The Stone Steps are sparsely populated, with only a few fishermen on a few islands such as Bloodstone Island, Grey Gallows Island, and Broken Spear Island.
In addition, the land here is barren, and when Liu Qian landed on Bloodstone Island, he found that the land here was only covered with a thin layer of soil, and soil erosion was serious, making it impossible to grow crops such as barley, oats and rye.
Therefore, the rations needed for pirate life in the Stonestep Islands were either imported from both sides of the narrow sea or relied on pickled sea fish for food.
More importantly, the Stone Steps have always been the place where the Iron Throne and free trade city-states clash.
From the perspective of the Iron Throne, the Stone Steps are a springboard for the invasion of Westeros and must be guarded against.
From the perspective of the three daughters of Tellosi, Mir and Reese, the Stone Steps Islands are regarded as their sphere of influence.
Liu Qian's unification of the Shijie Islands at this time will inevitably bring attention and fear to the forces on both sides of the narrow sea.
However, these attention is exactly what Liu Qian wants.
If he were to establish a kingdom, he would have to acquire land for that kingdom that could truly support its population and army.
Where is the population and land? The answer is self-explanatory.
Before him was not the question of whether he should be king, but the question of declaring war on Westeros or the free trade city-state first.
Liu Qian fell into deep thought.
Westeros?
No, there is no point in his invasion now.
Liu Qian was familiar with the future events of Westeros, so he wanted to use this information for his own benefit.
At present, Liu Qian already has a preliminary idea in his heart, he will not stupidly wait for the plot to start, what he has to do is to fuel the wave, completely muddy the water, let Westeros fall into a more chaotic situation than the original, and finally sit down and collect the fisherman.
It is different in the face of the nine free trade city-states.
The military strength of these city-states is completely incomparable to that of the Seven Kingdoms.
During the time he laid out the Seven Kingdoms and provoked strife, he could have cleaned up these city-states first.
Of course, Liu Qian's strategy of first east and then west is also because he has another consideration.
Regarding the ghost legion outside the Great Wall, Liu Qian was a little confused.
After all, the book was not over when he traveled back in his previous life, and he didn't know what the legion of strange ghosts was, and did they really have ice spiders, mammoths, ghouls, demons, and even ice dragons?
He planned to go outside the Great Wall in the future to investigate the situation and decide to conquer Westeros.
If the ghost is really accompanied by all kinds of powerful monsters written in the book, he will not sacrifice himself to be good for everyone.
After all, I am not working as a savior for the Westeros people, and I want to let the believers of the Seven Gods, the King of Light and the Old Gods first see what the strength of this group of "gods" is.
The idea was set, and Liu Qian's gaze became firm again.
He looked at Rollo and Howl:
"Salado occupies just two islands and dares to call himself 'Prince', I now control the entire Stone Steps Islands, and I really deserve a higher title, which is not only an honor, but also a declaration of our existence and strength to both sides of the Narrow Sea, Rollo, Howl, the coronation ceremony will be prepared by you, the location is on this Bloodstone Island, choose a suitable day, to be grand, to be seen by everyone."
Liu Qian continued, "But before the coronation, I will leave for a few days and go to the old town." "
"Old town?"
When Jelena heard this, she immediately took a step forward, her eyebrows frowning slightly, and her face was full of worry: "My lord, that's the important town of Westeros, do you have to go in person?" Send a messenger or..."
Liu Qian nodded, his tone unquestionable: "I must go in person, the person I am looking for is very special and important, and it is related to the foundation of our future." "
He was referring to Dr. Malwyn, the occult-obsessed "magician" with a withdrawn and arrogant personality.
Magic is the core of Liu's potential system and the key to fighting unknown threats in the future.
To impress Malwyn, ordinary means will not work, he must personally step in.
He looked at Jelena and explained: "At present, the war has just ended, and all forces are still shocked and digesting the news, this is our rare strategic buffer period, I must seize this time window, otherwise when all parties react, trouble will follow." "
Jelena understood the urgency of the matter, but her worries remained undiminished: "Are you saying that we will soon face challenges from free trade city-states?" "
"It's not 'soon', it's 'inevitable'."
Liu Qian affirmed, "Controlling the Shijie Islands is equivalent to choking their money bags, and they will not give up, so during my absence, you will have full authority to act as an agent for all affairs of the Shijie Islands." "
Jelena nodded seriously and said, "Yes, my lord." "
Liu Qian changed his mind, "However, you can't stay on Bloodstone Island." "
A trace of doubt flashed in Jerena's eyes: "Not on Bloodstone Island?" "
"Yes. I need you to sit in the Torture Abyss because I will take Janice to the old town. "
He originally planned to travel to Old Town alone, but changed his mind considering Malwyn's eccentric temper and the scholarly exchange he might need.
In the time after escaping from the ruins of Valyria, Janice had a lot of experience in the study of blood magic, and the knowledge she possessed might be a key bargaining chip to impress Malwyn.
As soon as Janice left, there must be absolutely loyal Flame Knights guarding the Torture Abyss, otherwise Liu Qian would not be at ease.
Liu Qian continued: "Chai Yi will assist you to go to the Torture Abyss together, Bloodstone Island can be handed over to Rollo and Hal to sit on, you are one east and one west, Jelena and Chai Yi are guarding the gateway to Essos in the East in the Torture Abyss, and Rollo and the others are staring at the direction of Western Westeros on Bloodstone Island, and they are horns with each other, which is enough to deter this sea area and deal with the initial changes." "
Five days later, the port of Bloodstone Island.
The morning light is slightly dewy, and the sea breeze carries the relaxation after victory and a hint of travel.
A medium-sized galleyboat coming from the direction of Torture Abyss is quietly moored at the pier.
This natural harbor, named "Prince's Port" by Salado, is far from comparable in scale to the small wharf on Split Palate Island.
Liu Qian stood on the pier, looking at the busy scene in front of him.
Craftsmen repair warships, soldiers are training, and surrendered pirates carry supplies under the watchful eye of the Dragon Spirit Guard.
A sense of pleasure in controlling everything arises spontaneously.
A few days ago, it was Sarado's lair, but now it has completely changed hands.
A brisk sound of footsteps came.
Janice stepped down from the springboard, but she was in high spirits.
After not seeing each other for a while, Liu Qian was keenly aware of the girl's changes.
The face faded a little childishly, the figure seemed to be a little taller, and deep in the bright purple eyes, there was a light of concentration and wisdom brought by the study of magic, but the vitality that belonged to the girl was still vigorous.
The long-term tense nerves and constant conquests made Liu Qian seem to ignore Janice's growth.
She chose a tailored men's hunting outfit for Yuanxing, with a purple velvet jacket over her body and black skinny trousers that outlined a straight and powerful leg line.
The long bright silver hair is no longer casually scattered, but neatly tied behind the body.
A sharp sword hung around her waist, adding a bit of heroism to her, and the whole person looked energetic and capable.
"My lord."
Janice voiced the joy of a long-awaited reunion and the excitement of an unknown journey: "Are we really going to the old town of Westeros? "
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Liu Qian looked at the girl who was radiant in front of him, and his slightly heavy mood due to the killing was also a lot more relaxed, and he smiled and nodded: "Yes, Janice, this is the first time we have set foot on the land of Westeros, time is running out, we need to set off as soon as possible." "
Janice almost jumped up with joy, her molten silver hair shining in the sun: "Great, I heard that the old town is the most prosperous city in Westeros, with towering towers and school cities that gather the knowledge of the world, and I really want to see those legendary buildings and books with my own eyes." "
Looking at her childlike joy, Liu Qian couldn't help but smile, with a hint of ridicule from someone who had been there: "Believe me, Janice, after seeing the remains of those spire towers in Valyria that pierce the sky and are engraved with ancient runes, other so-called magnificent buildings in this world will be overshadowed." "
Valyria's glory has long transcended the category of ordinary architecture, it is the pinnacle of magic and power.
The buildings of the school city look like a monster in front of it.
The whereabouts of the two are highly confidential.
Except for Rollo and Hal, who were in charge of preparing for the coronation, the rest of the island, including Jorah Mormont, thought that Liu Qian had returned to Torture Abyss with Jelena's large force.
There are no excessive rituals and farewells.
Liu Qian and Janice boarded the warship.
The sailors untied the cables and plunged their oars neatly into the turquoise blue waters.
The sail rope rises at the sound of the command, and the sails are inflated.
The ship slowly left the port of Prince, which once belonged to Salado, broke through the calm sea, and approached the Summer Sea to the southwest, and began its voyage towards the Old Town, a city famous for its wisdom and lighthouse at the southern end of the continent of Westeros.