In fact, Robb had also envisioned turning the tide through a surprise attack. Roose would lead the infantry to feign the entire Northern force to draw Tywin's main army, while he would take most of the Northern cavalry to ambush the Kingslayer.
Roose nodded, "Conservatism is also Tywin's style."
The Lannister forces were well-equipped and numerous. With such advantageous conditions, a frontal assault was sufficient; there was indeed little need for extraordinary tactics.
"Although the Lannister are well-equipped, I also plan to prepare a batch of Myr equipment for the North," Gendry said.
"Is it the black scale plate armor? The beautiful kind?" the Northern Lords asked one after another.
"Yes, but there's no time for that now."
"Tywin's deployment is a conventional one; unless he has an absolute advantage, he certainly won't make a move," Gendry told everyone. "Currently, the Westerlands' military strength is like a snake, with its head near Harrenhal, its body in the Westerlands, and The Three Rivers in between."
"Then we can plunder the Lannister's supplies," Ser Marq said with understanding.
"We can also find a way to encircle this group of soldiers," Robb said. "Preferably in The Three Rivers or the Westerlands."
"If Tywin plays by the book, then we can be unconventional," Gendry said. "As for the direction of our forces, we need a unit on the Green Fork to draw Tywin, while The Three Rivers Lords block the Red Fork. But my main direction of deployment is not King's Landing, nor the Stormlands or Casterly Rock, but the Vale."
"The Vale?" Catelyn, Ser Brynden, and Robb all felt a pang in their hearts. It seemed Lysa's fate was sealed.
Bronze Yohn's expression was calm. This was an expectation many vale men had long held. They had long been deeply disgusted by the cause of Duke Jon's death and the intimacy between Lysa and Littlefinger. An orphaned mother and Child in other Lords' territories would have caused an uproar long ago. The Vale Lords' patience until now was very uncommon, which was also the foundation of House Arryn as an ancient royal family, routinely having an orphaned mother and Child in charge.
"Lysa, she..." Catelyn couldn't help but speak, still wanting her sister to speak up.
"Enough, Catelyn, she must be contained," Ser Brynden said painfully. His brother's letter couldn't be false. Now, by controlling Lysa or Littlefinger, the two who knew the truth, everything would come to light. Ser Brynden had been in the Vale for many years, and he vaguely knew some things.
"My lady, this is war. Women don't understand such matters," Count Rickard also spoke. "We must avenge the King and Lord Eddard."
"Lord Brynden," Gendry looked at Brynden.
"I know," Ser Brynden gave a bitter smile. "If everyone returns to the Vale, how can I not make an appearance?" If Lysa was truly as suspected, to prevent House Tully from becoming a laughingstock, she would have to be cast aside.
"It would be excellent if Ser Brynden could support us. We cannot let personal feelings affect our cause," Gendry said. The weight of the crown meant that great undertakings could not be jeopardized by private affections.
Count Roose's eyes lit up. "If we can go in and win over the Vale, this would be the situation of The late King's rebellion: the Hawk, the Wolf, the Fish, and the Stag all moving together."
The Hawk, Wolf, and Fish, the three Northern kingdoms, moving together was not only the War of the Usurper, but also in the Dance of the Dragons, these three places supported the Blacks until their final victory. With the Vale secured, even if Tywin wasn't immediately defeated, the tide would already have turned.
"That's right, many of us and the Vale Lords are relatives, yet The Eyrie won't let them mobilize, which is holding us back."
Robb looked at these enthusiastic Lords. Almost everyone had an opinion about The Eyrie. Moreover, now was precisely the time to bring in a third party. Aunt Lysa and Littlefinger, if they were truly as suspected, then a forced separation would be necessary.
Everyone looked intently at Ser Brynden, the former Knight of the Bloody Gate, who knew The Bloody Gate best.
"The Vale campaign is imminent," Gendry said.
"If you still need me, I will join in," Ser Brynden nodded.
"Lords, I suggest we still divide our forces," Gendry said. "The North and The Three Rivers, one force by the Red Fork as a cavalry reserve, and I suggest another unit on the Green Fork to draw Tywin, just like a direwolf force, not necessarily too many in number. After all, the coming winter will be extremely harsh."
"winter is coming," Robb murmured to himself, recalling his father's teachings. His father's smile, his father's authority, his father's warning of a harsh winter.
"In that case, we will select the homeless, childless, unmarried, second sons, and elderly from the Northern soldiers to form the direwolf force," Count Rickard loudly declared. "Let this old man lead this army to its demise."
"Me too," Lady Maege also nodded.
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