Under the cover of night.
Squads of Gold Cloaks flooded the streets, making mass arrests of criminals.
Without specific targets, they burst into residences, gambling dens, and brothels to apprehend hiding suspects.
As the local overlords of King's Landing, they knew better than anyone where the criminals were hiding.
Bang!
The secret door of an underground fighting pit was kicked open; the organizers were all arrested, and the spectators scattered in a panic.
"Over here, there are some children!"
A Gold Cloak opened a barred gate; three emaciated children were huddled in the dim dungeon.
Other Gold Cloaks gathered around.
Someone dragged out a teenage boy and roughly pried open his mouth, revealing a set of teeth filed to sharp points.
The boy's eyes were fierce and predatory; even when thrown back, he neither cried nor made a sound.
"This one's ruined. Check the other two little ones."
The Gold Cloak captain in charge was older and had seen these moneymaking tools bred by such inhumane underground fighting pits.
One could tell from the boy's behavior that he had already killed someone in a match.
Under such cruel experiences, they became more vicious than wild beasts and impossible to discipline.
"These two don't have it."
A Gold Cloak pried open the mouths of another girl and boy; their teeth were unfiled, and their bodies bore only whip marks, no combat wounds.
Most importantly, the eyes of the two children were filled with tears of fear and still retained their individual will.
The Gold Cloak captain waved his hand. "Take these two back to be settled. Throw the big one into Flea Bottom."
Prince Daeron has ordered it.
Female orphans under thirteen and male orphans under eleven are to be taken in; those over the age limit will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Those ruined by the underground fighting pits are to be thrown directly into Flea Bottom.
It might be cruel, but Daeron was no philanthropist.
His territory needed people to fill it.
[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain 101kks.com]
Young orphans haven't experienced too much darkness and can still be raised and educated.
Once they are over thirteen, especially male orphans...
...they aren't children at all, but a reserve force of criminals.
Daeron's purge of King's Landing did not include Flea Bottom, precisely to give those driven to desperation a place to stay.
It corresponds to the saying: Do not drive a dog into a dead-end alley.
The people in Flea Bottom cannot be distinguished as good or bad.
So, they would be handled specially.
"Move, next one!"
After smashing everything, the Gold Cloaks escorted the thugs from the fighting pit away.
At the same time.
Similar scenes were playing out repeatedly.
Spreading out from the City Watch barracks to Cobblers Square and Silk Street, a third of King's Landing was enveloped in gold... dawn broke.
Daeron sat on the base of a statue in Silk Street, his silver-gold hair stained with blood, his eyes fixed with conviction.
Checking the panel.
24th Day of Spring, Wednesday, Sunny, 7:30.
A night of purging, the difficulty was immense.
Daeron looked up silently, watching carriages covered in white cloth, dripping with blood, being driven out of the city.
Splat!
A severed hand fell out, twitching with a nervous reflex.
Alliser entered his field of vision, picked up the severed hand, and stuffed it back into the carriage.
"Prince, the purge of Cobblers Square is complete. The backgrounds of the shops in Silk Street are complex; it will take a little more time."
Daeron seemed not to hear, remaining silent.
Purging King's Landing was a mad plan.
In a single night, over a thousand criminals of various types were arrested, no fewer than a hundred were executed for disobeying the law, and many were beheaded for resisting.
The severed limbs and remains of the executed alone filled six or seven carriages.
"Our family has declined."
Daeron silently closed his eyes.
It is now 280 AC.
One year away from the Harrenhal Tourney and the "False Spring," and two years away from the War of the Usurper.
He needed to collect dragon eggs beforehand and manage a farm afterward.
He didn't have a single moment to waste on the City Watch or on governance like boiling a frog in lukewarm water.
Heavy penalties for troubled times!
House Targaryen had not yet fallen, and his father Aerys was still king.
As long as he secured his father's support and the Small Council's assistance, the consequences of this matter would be of no concern.
"After today, the city's defenses will be in my grasp."
Thoughts whirled in Daeron's mind, comparable to a computer.
By firmly holding the city's defenses, he could complete his transformation from a favored prince to a prince with real power.
Only with increased influence could his subsequent plans be carried out smoothly.
Looking at the silent prince, Alliser said concernedly, "Prince, you haven't slept all night. Rest for a while."
"No need."
Daeron opened his eyes and stood up. "After such a major event last night, the Small Council is likely in an uproar by now."
Soon, someone would summon him.
"Prince, shall I find a squad of skilled men to accompany you back to The Red Keep?"
Alliser's gaze suddenly turned cold and sharp.
Daeron glanced at him and said flatly, "The Seven Kingdoms are still my father's Seven Kingdoms."
Alliser immediately shut his mouth.
"Tell the Gold Cloaks to be careful and not to run wild during the day."
Daeron didn't rebuff him but said calmly, "Go to Lord Manley's side and protect him personally."
The coup of the City Watch and the purge last night...
...were executed with speed, ruthlessness, and precision.
Now the overall situation is settled and cannot be changed.
The only thing to watch out for is ensuring Lord Meryn's personal safety.
If he were to be assassinated, public opinion on the event would spiral out of control.
"Yes, Prince!"
Alliser took his orders and headed straight to Lord Manley's residence in King's Landing.
Once it was quiet around him...
...Daeron took out a fresh, succulent strawberry and took a light bite.
No matter the time or place, no matter the situation...
...never forget to eat breakfast... The Red Keep, the Council Chamber.
Just as Daeron expected, the Grand Maesters who had heard the news early in the morning were already in an uproar.
"Seven hells! Look at what Prince Daeron did last night!"
Lord Symond Staunton, the master of laws, kept a stiff face, barely able to suppress his panic.
He was already quite old.
He was woken up early by a servant and told about the complete overhaul of the City Watch and the overnight purge of criminals in half of King's Landing.
Heaven knows, his heart nearly pounded until it stopped.
Lord Luthor Velaryon, the master of ships, said in a low voice:
"In just one night, the Gold Cloaks executed no fewer than a hundred people. It took seven two-horse carriages to haul the bodies and limbs out of the city."
"It is said that Prince Daeron personally killed three people who dared to resist on the chaotic streets last night."
Damn!!
Does he think he's the "Rogue Prince," Daemon Targaryen, from over a hundred years ago?
Lord Colton, Count Chesd, the master of coin, who was the youngest, had a face clouded with gloom as he said:
"My lords, it is too late for words now."
"His Majesty is not yet aware of this, and the Lord Hand has declined to appear."
"If we cannot suppress this matter, our heads will be on pikes, hanging high on the walls of The Red Keep."
Hearing this, the other two felt as if their heads were about to explode.
Count Chesd looked at the fourth person present and questioned, "Lord Varys, why did you not report such a major event last night?"
The King and the Hand were absent, and the position of Grand Maester was vacant.
The Small Council consisted only of three ministers and one master.
Varys's brow furrowed, but facing the sudden accusation, he replied smoothly, "My lord, Little Birds must rest sometimes. Besides, last night's events were sudden, with no warning whatsoever."
No one is omniscient.
Informing Prince Daeron of the conspiracy was intended to help him seize power quickly and restore good order to King's Landing.
But the prince's actions were so unpredictable that they caught him off guard.
It was like two acquaintances chatting pleasantly one moment, only for one to suddenly pull out a dagger and stab the other the next.
Unpredictable!