History Awesome / Jingo

* In the same scene, when the Klatchian ruler (who is [[SmugSnake arrogantly pointing out]] that Vimes wouldn't dare shoot) realize just ''who'' Vimes' own ancestor was: [[IDidWhatIHadToDo the famous - or infamous - city guard captain who killed the insane king of Ankh-Morpork]]. The fact that Vetinari's Klatchian counterpart is visibly shaken at this is just made of win. The scene is made even more badass when you realize that Vimes was ''completely'' bluffing, was scared absolutely witless, and had just been told in no uncertain terms that the Klatchian army would be busy ''killing him'' [[ForWantOfANail if not for a single unwise decision he made days earlier.]] And then Vetinari shows up just in time to [[ArrowCatch steal the bolt out of his crossbow]]. The best part? Vetinari snatching the bolt startles Vimes into pulling the trigger...and the look on Prince Cadram's face will keep him warm on cold nights.

* Vimes and the entirety of the Watch turning in their badges in protest against Lord Rust's rule of Ankh-Morpork. As much as it pains them, neither one of them wants to kowtow to a man like him, nor get themselves involved in a war they're being dragged into against their will. Highlights include Colon telling Rust to stick his promotion where the sun don't shine and Detritus daring anybody in the room to take ''his'' badge, which is carved into his arm. ''Nobody'' even tries.
** Prior to that, Vimes insulting Rust out loud and getting away with it. It helps that Rust has a nasty habit of IRejectYourReality, but it's still pretty ballsy to call the current ruler of the city an "inbred streak of piss" to his face. Even better is that Sybil, Vimes' wife, ''agrees'' with that assessment!

** A bit of extra FridgeBrilliance: In ''Men at Arms,'' Vimes was made Commander of the Watch by Carrot (through Vetinari). And in that same book, Rust learned the identity of the true King of Ankh-Morpok. Which means that ''Vimes pretty much is'' the King's duly appointed representative, as well as actually having been, more or less, knighted by the king. And both of them know that (even if they don't realize the other one knows).

* Vimes (and half the other characters present) at the climax -- he arrests ''two entire armies'' (including his own side) as they stand on the battlefield, charging them with breach of the peace, loitering with intent, [[IncrediblyLamePun loitering within tent]], malicious lingering... oh, and carrying a concealed weapon, simply because he was in the tent, ''[[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments and therefore couldn't see the weapons they were carrying]]''. He also arrests the leader of the opposing army for murder and threatens to shoot the leader of Ankh-Morpork's army. At which point [[ItMakesSenseInContext Captain Carrot organises a football game]].

* Vetinari usually gets these near the ends of m stories he appears in, after orchestrating elaborate {{plan}}s and [[GambitRoulette Roulettes]] that work out to improve Ankh-Morpork for the better. Vetinari is ''badass''.

* Vetinari surrenders the island of Leshp unconditionally to the Klatchians, leading Lord Rust to charge him with treason. Knowing that the island will sink back under the sea in a few days, he manipulates the Prince and General to suggest that the treaty of surrender be signed ''on'' Leshp. Thus, the treaty becomes null and void, the Klatchian leader is disgraced, and, since he didn't sign a treaty to surrender a nonexistent island, all charges against Vetinari are dropped.

* "VENI. VICI. VETINARI." This statement from Vetinari is awesome condensed into three short words. First off, "VENI. VIDI. VICI." comes from Roundworld's Julius Caesar but also exists in-universe attributed to General Tacticus. Second, it acknowledges that there is no real victory except the peace Vetinari brokered. (In Vetinari's own words: "Men marched away, Vimes. And men marched back. How glorious the battles would have been that they never had to fight!"). Third, it shows that Vetinari recognizes even this victory comes at a cost - multiple soldiers died on both sides in the skirmishes on the way to the final battlefield. ("'Bought and sold', you say? Alright. But not, I think, ''needlessly spent''.)

* Sam Vimes works out just what that shifty foreigner Ahmed is up to. He's smarter than he acts, he always seems to show up where there's been trouble, and then he starts asking awkward questions and making everyone around him nervous. Nobody knows better than Sam Vimes that there's a word for people like that. '''Copper'''.

--> '''Prince Cadram:''' Well, Mr Samuel, when I raise my hand, the men behind me will cut you d-

* Vimes shutting down Rust through the very traditions Rust depends on, taking advantage of [[LoopholeAbuse every loophole]] and the ExactWords of this archaic system to ensure that Rust either doesn't have a leg to stand on or would be causing himself fun new problems if he did: for example, if only a king can create a new knighthood, that would also render Lord Downey's title illegitimate; Vimes can freely recruit dwarfs, trolls and golems because "armed soldiers" is species-neutral; and so on. For all the talk in various books about Vimes not being too bright and making up for it through persistence, he manages to parse Ankh-Morpork chivalric law well enough to RulesLawyer it in pretty short order.

** A bit of extra FridgeBrilliance: In ''Men at Arms,'' Vimes was made Commander of the Watch by Carrot (and Vetinari). And in that same book, Rust learned the identity of the true King of Ankh-Morpok. Which means that ''Vimes pretty much is'' the King's duly appointed representative, as well as actually having been, more or less, knighted by the king. And both of them know that (even if they don't realize the other one knows).

* In the same scene, when Vimes points out to the Klatchian ruler (who is [[SmugSnake arrogantly pointing out]] that Vimes wouldn't dare shoot) just who Vimes' own ancestor was: [[IDidWhatIHadToDo the somewhat legendary city guard captain who killed an insane ruler of Ankh-Morpork]]. The fact that Vetinari's Klatchian counterpart is visibly shaken at this is just made of win. The scene is made even more badass when you realize that Vimes was ''completely'' bluffing, was scared absolutely witless, and had just been told in no uncertain terms that the Klatchian army would be busy ''killing him'' if [[ForWantOfANail he hadn't made a single different decision earlier in the book.]] And then Vetinari shows up just in time to [[ArrowCatch steal the bolt out of his crossbow]]. The best part? In sheer reflex of Vetinari snatching the bolt Vimes presses the trigger and notes how the look on said ruler's face will keep him warm on cold nights.

** Also an Awesome Moment for the commander saying this line, as it shows excellent judgment - and a love of peace - on his part.
* Vetinari usually gets these near the ends of most of the stories he appears in, after orchestrating elaborate {{plan}}s and [[GambitRoulette Roulettes]] that work out to improve Ankh-Morpork for the better. Vetinari is ''badass''.

* Vetinari surrenders the island of Leshp unconditionally to the Klatchians, leading Lord Rust to charge him with treason. Knowing that the island will sink back under the sea in a few days, he arranges for the treaty-signing to take place there, by manipulating the opposite site into suggesting it, even. Thus, the treaty becomes null and void, the Klatchian leader is disgraced, and, since he didn't sign a treaty to surrender a nonexistent island, all charges against Vetinari are dropped.

* "VENI. VICI. VETINARI." This statement from Vetinari is awesome in a couple of words. First off, it refers the saying "VENI. VIDI. VICI", which also exists in-universe as a saying from General Tacticus. Second it acknowledges that there is no real victory but only the peace Vetinari had been able to ensure, and even that came at the cost of some lifes. (In Vetinari's own words: "Men marched away, Vimes. And men marched back. How glorious the battles would have been that they never had to fight!"). Third it shows that even this "victory" is something Vetinari at the same time does and does not take pride in.
* Nobby's weapons savviness from ''Literature/MenAtArms'', followed by a ContinuityNod in this book, when Nobby gets his hands on a proto-RPG. HilarityEnsues,
* Sam Vimes works out just what that shifty foreigner Ahmed is up to. He's smarter than he acts, he always seems to show up where there's been trouble, and then he starts asking awkward questions. And nobody knows better than Sam Vimes that there's a word for people like that. '''Copper'''.

* Vimes later recalls arresting Vetinari as being a personal Crowning Moment of Awesome. It doesn't stick, and he never really believed in the charge to begin with, but he realized that if there's to be any law, it has to extend all the way to the top.
** This also counts as a significant Moment of Awesome for Vetinari as well. Vetinari agrees that law should extend all the way to the top, a concession that would have been unthinkable from any previous Patrician or king. Yet Vetinari quite cheerfully encourages Vimes do his duty, even somewhat mischievously prodding him to do it properly (much to Vimes's annoyance). Furthermore, not only does he do so in the way that will most annoy Vimes, he also demonstrates to anyone smart among the upper classes[[note]]Which is, admittedly, not a lot of them.[[/note]] that if the law can be applied thus to him, it can be applied to anyone else.
* Vimes shutting down Rust through the very traditions Rust depends on, taking advantage of [[LoopholeAbuse every loophole]] and the ExactWords of this archaic system to ensure that Rust either doesn't have a leg to stand on or would be causing himself fun new problems if he did: for example, he can't object that only a king can make a knight, because that would also render Lord Downey's position illegitimate, Vimes isn't restricted to only humans because the books say "armed soldiers" without thinking they needed to specify species and so on. For all the talk in various books about Vimes not being too bright and making up for it through persistence, he manages to parse Ankh-Morpork chivalric law well enough to RulesLawyer it in pretty short order.

** A bit of extra FridgeBrilliance: In ''Men at Arms,'' Vimes was made Commander of the Watch by Carrot (and Vetinari). And in that same book, Rust learned the identity of the true King of Ankh-Morpok. Which means that ''Vimes pretty much is'' the King's duly appointed representative. And both of them know that.

* In the same scene, when Vimes points out to the MagnificentBastard Klatchian ruler (who is [[SmugSnake arrogantly pointing out]] that Vimes wouldn't dare shoot) just who Vimes' own ancestor was: [[IDidWhatIHadToDo the somewhat legendary city guard captain who killed an insane ruler of Ankh-Morpork]]. The fact that Vetinari's Klatchian counterpart is visibly shaken at this is just made of win. The scene is made even more badass when you realize that Vimes was ''completely'' bluffing, was scared absolutely witless, and had just been told in no uncertain terms that the Klatchian army would be busy ''killing him'' if [[ForWantOfANail he hadn't made a single different decision earlier in the book.]] And then Vetinari shows up just in time to [[ArrowCatch steal the bolt out of his crossbow]]. The best part? In sheer reflex of Vetinari snatching the bolt Vimes presses the trigger and notes how the look on said ruler's face will keep him warm on cold nights.

** A bit of extra FridgeBrilliance: In ''Men at Arms,'' Vimes was made Commander of the Watch by Carrot (and Vetinari). And in that same book, Rust learned the identity of the true King of Ankh-Morpok. Which means that ''Vimes pretty much is'' the King's duly appointed representative.

** A bit of extra FridgeBrilliance: Given the open secret as to who the last descendant of the king is, and who he reports to, Rust probably knows very well not to push that particular point.

* The knife-juggling stunt, which consisted of Vetinari juggling three melons and three knives at the same time (it is pointed out that this is harder than six of either item, because of the differences in shape and weight). He then goes on to use the knives to cut the melons in half in midair. Furthermore, on the next page, he claims that "Until now, I've never tried it."

* In the same scene, when Vimes points out to the MagnificentBastard Klatchian ruler (who is [[SmugSnake arrogantly pointing out]] that Vimes, being LawfulGood, wouldn't dare shoot) just who Vimes' own ancestor was: [[IDidWhatIHadToDo the somewhat legendary city guard captain who killed an insane ruler of Ankh-Morpork]]. The fact that Vetinari's Klatchian counterpart is visibly shaken at this is just made of win. The scene is made even more badass when you realize that Vimes was ''completely'' bluffing, was scared absolutely witless, and had just been told in no uncertain terms that the Klatchian army would be busy ''killing him'' if [[ForWantOfANail he hadn't made a single different decision earlier in the book.]] And then Vetinari shows up just in time to [[ArrowCatch steal the bolt out of his crossbow]]. The best part? In sheer reflex of Vetinari snatching the bolt Vimes presses the trigger and notes how the look on said ruler's face will keep him warm on cold nights.

'''Narration:''' Rust stopped to think again. He had the look of a lawnmower just after the grass has organized a workers' collective.

** This also counts as a significant Moment of Awesome for Vetinari as well. Vetinari agrees that law should extend all the way to the top, a concession that would have been unthinkable from any previous Patrician or king. Yet Vetinari quite cheerfully encourages Vimes do his duty, even somewhat mischievously prodding him to do it properly (much to Vimes's annoyance). Furthermore, not only does he do so in the way that will most annoy Vimes, he also demonstrates to anyone smart among the upper classes[[note]]Which is, admittedly, not a lot of them.[[/note]] that if the law can be applied thus to him, it can be applied to anyone else.

* "VENI. VICI. VETINARI." This statement from Vetinari is awesome in a couple of words. First off, it referrs the saying "VENI. VIDI. VICI", which also exists in-universe as a saying from General Tacticus. Second it acknowledges that there is no real victory but only the peace Vetinari had been able to ensure, and even that came at the cost of some lifes. (In Vetinari's own words: "Men marched away, Vimes. And men marched back. How glorious the battles would have been that they never had to fight!"). Third it shows that even this "victory" is something Vetinari at the same time does and does not take pride in.
* Nobby's weapons savviness from ''Literature/MenAtArms'', followed by a ContinuityNod in this book, when Nobby gets his hands on a proto-RPG. HilarityEnsues.

* In the same scene when Vimes reasons out that Ahmed is actually also a watchman. He's smarter than he acts, and he always seems to show up where there's been trouble asking awkward questions. There's a word for people like that. Copper.

* In the same scene, when Vimes points out to the MagnificentBastard Klatchian ruler (who is [[SmugSnake arrogantly pointing out]] that Vimes, being LawfulGood, wouldn't dare shoot) just who Vimes' own ancestor was: spoiler:[[IDidWhatIHadToDo the somewhat legendary city guard captain who killed an insane ruler of Ankh-Morpork]]. The fact that Vetinari's Klatchian counterpart is visibly shaken at this is just made of win. The scene is made even more badass when you realize that Vimes was ''completely'' bluffing, was scared absolutely witless, and had just been told in no uncertain terms that the Klatchian army would be busy ''killing him'' if [[ForWantOfANail he hadn't made a single different decision earlier in the book.]] And then Vetinari shows up just in time to [[ArrowCatch steal the bolt out of his crossbow]]. The best part? In sheer reflex of Vetinari snatching the bolt Vimes presses the trigger and notes how the look on said ruler's face will keep him warm on cold nights.

* Vimes (and half the other characters present) at the climax -- [[spoiler: he arrests ''two entire armies'' (including his own side) as they stand on the battlefield, charging them with breach of the peace, loitering with intent, [[IncrediblyLamePun loitering within tent]], malicious lingering... oh, and carrying a concealed weapon, simply because he was in the tent, ''[[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments and therefore couldn't see the weapons they were carrying]]''. He also arrests the leader of the opposing army for murder and threatens to shoot the leader of Ankh-Morpork's army]]. At which point [[ItMakesSenseInContext Captain Carrot organises a football game]].
* In the same scene, when Vimes points out [[spoiler:to the MagnificentBastard ruler]] (who is [[SmugSnake arrogantly pointing out]] that Vimes (being LawfulGood) wouldn't dare shoot) just who Vimes' own ancestor was ([[spoiler:[[IDidWhatIHadToDo the city guard captain who killed an insane ruler of Ankh-Morpork]]]]). The fact that [[spoiler:Vetinari's Klatchian counterpart]] is visibly shaken at this is just made of win. The scene is made even more badass when you realize that Vimes was ''completely'' bluffing, was scared absolutely witless, and had just been told in no uncertain terms that [[spoiler:the Klatchian army would be busy ''killing him'' if [[ForWantOfANail he hadn't made a single different decision earlier in the book.]]]] And then Vetinari shows up just in time to [[ArrowCatch steal the bolt out of his crossbow]]. The best part? [[spoiler: In sheer reflex of Vetinari snatching the bolt Vimes presses the trigger and notes how the look on said ruler's face will keep him warm on cold nights.]]

* A possible, though creepy, case of [[FridgeBrilliance Fridge Badassery]] for Vimes: [[spoiler:In the alternate timeline where Klatch invades Ankh-Morpork, after Detritus (badass troll), Dorfl (badass golem) and Carrot (badass ''incarnate'') die, [[BadassNormal Vimes]] is still the last man to be taken down.]]
** Might also be [[FridgeBrilliance Fridge Heartwarming.]] [[spoiler: Any one of them, or possibly all of them, might have given their lives trying to defend their commander. Which would only make it immeasurably more painful for Vimes, come to think of it.]]
* Props to dimwitted, stupid Colon for [[spoiler: accurately guessing Prince Cadram's plan simply by being TooDumbToFool and not being politically correct like his boss.]]

* Vimes (and half the other characters present) at the climax -- [[spoiler: he arrests ''two entire armies'' (including his own side) as they stand on the battlefield, charging them with breach of the peace, loitering with intent, [[IncrediblyLamePun loitering within tent]], malicious lingering... oh, and carrying a concealed weapon, simply because he was in the tent, ''[[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments and therefore couldn't see the weapons they were carrying]]''. He also arrests the leader of the opposing army for murder and threatens to shoot the leader of Ankh-Morpork's army]]. At which point Captain Carrot organises a football game.

* Nobby's weapons savviness from ''Discworld/MenAtArms'', followed by a ContinuityNod in this book, when Nobby gets his hands on a proto-RPG. HilarityEnsues.

** This also counts as a significant Moment of Awesome for Vetinari as well. Vetinari agrees that law should extend all the way to the top, a concession that would have been unthinkable from any previous Patrician or king. Yet Vetinari quite cheerfully encourages Vimes do his duty, even somewhat mischievously prodding him to do it properly (much to Vimes's annoyance). Furthermore, not only does he do so in the way that will most annoy Vimes, he also demonstrates to anyone smart among the upper classes that if the law can be applied thus to him, it can be applied to anyone else.