Jon's arrival was like pouring cold water into an already simmering pot.
The fervent enthusiasm was abruptly interrupted.
Greatjon, left standing there, grumbled discontentedly, "Stannis is nothing!" He turned to face the lords of the North and Riverlands, "We've only just marched south and we've already won two victories. Do our victories cease to exist just because Renly declared himself king?"
Although the battle of Green Fork couldn't be counted as a victory, it wasn't a defeat either, which didn't stop Greatjon from saying so.
His words immediately drew agreement from many.
Robb's green eyes couldn't hide his excitement, while Catelyn stared intently at Jon, praying he could persuade the lords.
Brynden observed in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to speak.
Jon ignored the clamoring lords and instead looked at Greatjon, speaking in a questioning tone:
"Stannis is unworthy? If Lord Eddard were here, would you dare say that?
If King Robert were here, would he willingly see a fractured kingdom?!"
Considering Jon's influence wasn't great enough, he could only bring out these two good friends to support him.
After all, they were the greatest common denominator for everyone present.
Seeing him speak like this, Greatjon opened his mouth, then fell silent, looking like a lost bear with his towering physique.
He said, somewhat unwillingly:
"Jon, I think you're a good young man. Why are you hindering us!"
Greatjon was at a loss for words and could only mumble to himself.
Jon didn't press the attack either, as someone else quickly stepped forward to retort.
Rickard, whose snow-white beard was meticulously groomed, approached Jon and said:
"Northmen should never meddle in the affairs of Southmen. Lord Rickard, Brandon, they are all cautionary tales!
We were forcibly brought together by the Dragon Kings.
Now that the dragons are gone, why should we continue to bow to that Iron Throne, especially since even the Dragon Kings have long since vanished?"
Compared to the 'emotional' faction like Greatjon and Lady Mormont, Rickard was clearly more pragmatic.
After independence, everyone could pay less taxes, and if Robb became king, everyone could become a lord or something similar. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Although it was impossible for all earls to become dukes, his House Karstark would certainly be elevated to a duchy.
"Will the Southmen you speak of just stand by and watch the North declare independence? The Dragon Kings have already forged Seven Kingdoms together with iron and blood.
Doesn't Riverlands blood flow in Robb's veins? Even I was brought back from the South by Lord Eddard, wasn't I?"
"That's different!" Rickard said stubbornly.
"Different? Fine! Even if it's different, our enemies are still there and haven't been dealt with. Why should we create more enemies for ourselves?"
"We Northmen are not afraid!"
"Right! We're not afraid!"
Greatjon and Mormont shouted again.
"We are not afraid of Southmen!" Rickard emphasized.
"But this means more wars, more battles to fight. Are you all tired of having too many sons?!"
Jon's voice carried a reprimand, which made Rickard somewhat enraged.
He knew that his son, Harrion, had been saved by Jon on an already lost battlefield.
But the pain of losing two younger sons made him disregard such things.
He drew his sword and pointed it directly at Jon, fuming, "You little bastard! Say one more word, I dare you!"
The cold glint from Rickard's sword reflected on Jon's face, startling Catelyn, but his grey eyes showed no fear.
Although she had always disliked, even hated, Jon, now that they were on the same side, she didn't want Jon to be hurt.
Robb sat up straight, ready to end the conflict at any moment.
But Jon seemed to have no intention of backing down. He turned to Rickard and said:
"Come on, kill the man who saved your son's life! Come on!!!"
Rickard clearly couldn't do it and could only freeze there.
"Jon!" Brynden interjected, scolding him.
He had been observing Jon and had come to a conclusion.
Although Jon resembled Eddard in appearance, his temperament was more like Eddard's brother, Brandon!
Eloquent, confident, and brave, he was practically Brandon reborn.
'Blackfish' Brynden stood between Jon and Rickard, separating the old and the young.
"Lord Rickard, the young man is a bit impulsive. Please don't take him seriously."
Brynden first appeased Rickard, then looked at Jon:
"Jon, everyone has witnessed your achievements in the Battle of the Blackwater, but that is no reason for you to disrespect the lords. Now, apologize to Lord Rickard."
'The reasonable third party.'
Jon thought to himself. He knew that Brynden, who would later be named 'Grand Marshal of the South' by Robb, was his ultimate opponent in this verbal battle.
Moreover, he was also Robb's 'great-uncle,' higher in both seniority and status than himself.
An apology is an apology, then.
"Lord Rickard, I was impatient. I apologize to you."
Jon bowed deeply to Rickard, but Rickard turned away and snorted loudly, almost blowing his beard off.
Brynden continued:
"Jon, Robb's kingship is not just about the North and Riverlands gaining independence; it's about needing to unite people in this current situation.
As you said, Robb has the ice and snow of the North and the rushing rivers of the Riverlands in him.
But they must listen to one mind's command to have enough strength.
Now both the North and Riverlands are willing to listen to him. Only by rallying under one crown can we defend our own lands!"
"Well said!" Greatjon exclaimed, thumping the floor with his sword, wishing he could think of such good words.
Mormont, that tomboy, was naturally no exception.
Rickard nodded slightly, looking at Jon.
The lords of the North and Riverlands also agreed.
Catelyn, however, realized a problem—compared to the lords' power, no one cared about the lives of her two daughters.
At this moment, she was like a drowning person, and Jon was her only lifeline.
Robb, meanwhile, looked as if he had just had a sudden realization.
If at first he was merely driven by emotion, now he had theoretical support.
In other words, his idea of becoming king was even more solidified.
Jon observed Robb out of the corner of his eye. He knew his cousin was determined to become king.
Otherwise, he would have intervened to stop this debate long ago.
But it didn't matter; he had another plan, difficult though it was, that could prevent those innocents from falling into the abyss.
Still, Jon wanted to make one last effort. He spoke:
"The hearts of men are like water, and a crown is like a ship.
Water can carry a ship forward, or it can overturn it.
There are no eternal lieges in this world, only eternal vassals."
Jon intended to subtly remind Robb that just as the Rivermen could oppose the Targaryens, they might well oppose him, the King in the North, in the future.
But his words clearly stung others.
"What do you mean, are you saying we will betray Robb?"
"Bastard! Don't think you're special just because you fought a battle, you bastard!"
"The Rivermen never betray."
'That's hilarious,' Jon thought with a cold sneer. The fickle nature of the Riverlands lords was common knowledge in Seven Kingdoms.
When the Ironborn came, they sided with the Ironborn; when the Dragon Kings came, they sided with the Dragon Kings; when Robert came, they sided with Robert.
To them, changing lieges was like changing clothes.
The saying'stone hits dog and it barks' perfectly described this situation.
Jon turned his head slightly to look at Robb. Seeing that he still had no reaction, and didn't even defend him, Jon knew he was determined to become king.
So, under everyone's gaze, Jon walked up to Robb and drew his sword, holding it horizontally across his chest.
"Robb, I am a bastard who doesn't even know his own mother.
But I grew up in the North, in Winterfell.
Winterfell is my home.
I will still fight for the North, for Winterfell, and for you, but I will not fight for that crown that the Starks lost three hundred years ago."
Having said that, Jon turned and was about to leave the hall.
At this moment, Greatjon stepped forward and blocked him:
"Jon, don't forget, you left the Wall without permission, and Robb spared your life!"
"I will return to the Wall as soon as the war ends. If you can't wait, then cut off my head now!"
Jon said coldly as he walked.
He had already proven his worth.
Even the most foolish of the Northern lords wouldn't do such a thing.
Moreover, Jon had clearly stated that he only disagreed with Robb becoming king, and in the future, they would still be allies on the same front.
So, everyone could only watch him leave the hall, standing with his back to them at the doorway.
Robb said nothing. He only felt that the light outside the hall was very bright, almost blinding.