king of ros

Chapter 7 Fireworks Winter
On a cold morning with a northerly wind, three hundred tall, burly, fierce-looking soldiers wearing mail armor and armed uniforms came outside Nuo City.

Beside the marching ranks were the weary Wecher (Parliament, Note [-]) militiamen. They had just resisted the abuse of the neighbors and violently pushed all the carriages queuing into and out of the city, just to open a passage for the army entering the city.

"It's Ladoga's army. It seems that they have sent all they can. The sea is becoming more and more chaotic due to the war between Denmark and Norway, but they still sent troops. It is indeed the first city to surrender to Rurik. , this loyalty far surpasses others."

On the city wall, Bishop Luka said beside Rostislav. The old man stroked his beard and looked at the army below indifferently.

Since it was they who violently cleared the city gate, it is not surprising. This is the direct line of the direct line, so it must be treated well.

Ladoga can be said to be the oldest city in Ross, and was once the most prosperous, but now its position has been replaced by the more southern city of Nuo, but it is still a large-scale city.

Ladoga was one of the forces that invited the three Rurik brothers to come to Ross, so this city has always had some unique political meaning in the country of Rurik.

When referring to the war in the Baltic Sea, Rostislav thought of the legendary Norwegian king Harald, his distant relative - he married his grandfather's daughter.

Even if he became a king, this adventurer would not rest in the slightest. He was still keen on war and adventure. Recently, he added another glorious page to his war history - destroying Hedeby, the most prosperous city in Denmark.

Rostislav still remembered that after the destruction of Hedeby, a large number of refugees flowed into Novgorod, and it was a headache to resettle their father.

Moreover, he had to deal with the fluctuations in trade routes brought about by the destruction of Hezeby, an important trade hub in the Baltic Sea. During that time, the life of Nordic City was not easy, which left a deep impression on Rostislav.

The prince looked into the distance, and he could clearly see the Volkhov River. The river runs through the entire city and divides the entire city into two. The river is full of tiny sails that are only small white dots from this distance. Enter or leave the city in an orderly manner.

The Volkhov River is the main artery of the city's development. It can be said that the city relies on it to rise, but then again, which city in the city-state is not like this?
Flowing rivers bring flowing gold and silver, this is a wise saying that is common in Nuocheng and even the entire city-state.

"Who are those people?"

When the prince lowered his gaze, a group of soldiers wearing sealskin cloaks and carrying javelin bags on their backs were walking past the eaves of wooden houses that can be seen everywhere in Nuocheng, and entered the eyes of the prince of Nuocheng, making him turn his thoughts from "the last dimension" Jing Ren" body moved away.

"Lake dwellers of Lake Ladoga."

The Bishop recognized them with just a glance.

"Even they have come, it seems that this is the last batch, and everyone who can come near Novgorod has come."

The city wall of Nuocheng has become a sea of ​​tents, and the boundless snowfield has become a garrison for the army. Nearly 5000 soldiers have gathered here, and even a few small tribes of Chude have moved here. They are like flames in winter. Like, is preparing to burn everything.

The power of the wise man was undoubtedly revealed at this moment. The northerners were happy to respond to Yaroslav's call. Anyway, they would have nothing to do throughout the winter. Joining the war could even subsidize their families through plundering.

"The Grand Duke has already confirmed the date for dispatching troops, tomorrow morning. I really don't know how many people will die in this war. May God bless their souls."

After habitually praying for the souls of the people, the bishop walked towards the streets of Nuocheng, and Rostislav hurriedly followed, followed by four strong men in chain armor, who used to be his father's personal soldiers, but now belonged to him.

The guards rested their palms on the hilt of their swords, scanning the crowd vigilantly, as if they were ready to violently injure someone at any time, while their iron boots stepped on the wooden streets. Ever since he realized that someone might kill him, Rostislav Take a guard with you wherever you go.

Both sides of the street are full of shops and vendors, big and small, and the vendors shout at the loudest voices, while the taverns are always full of soldiers. Whether they are citizens, farmers, or tribesmen, the happiness of alcohol is the same for everyone. No wine and kvass.

The bustling crowds fill the streets, such a grand market no one wants to miss, people buy or sell all kinds of things.

Drunk soldiers and fire-breathing jugglers could be seen in the crowd from time to time. Wecher militiamen ran around wearily, trying to maintain order, but it was a pity that drunkards could always quickly destroy their efforts.

The nobles who owned the Walled City manor passed through the street with their subordinates in a ostentatious way. They had considerable power inside and outside Nuocheng. These strongmen were an important part of Nuocheng's military power.

Nuocheng is like a huge magnet, attracting all the surrounding manpower and resources here. Behind a soldier are several related industry service personnel. The gathering of an army is an opportunity not to be missed for businessmen, and many farmers also Come, this market is an opportunity to exchange agricultural products for some good things. Some Chude tribesmen even moved the entire tribe outside Nuocheng for trading.

The citizens of Nuocheng complained about this, because the whole city was crowded with bumpkins and outsiders, but there were only complaints, after all, Nuocheng itself was able to make a fortune from this.

After calculating all kinds of messy taxes, this is not a small amount of money, and the furs brought by the tribesmen and hunters have always been what Nuocheng needs, and the return on exporting them to the west or south doubles at once.

The only ones who are most unhappy are the managers of this city. Their work has increased exponentially, and the huge management pressure is on their heads. Witcher even had to summon the militia to increase the number of management personnel, but no one cares. They think.

"The people from Ladoga sent troops as soon as they arrived? Is grandfather in such a hurry?"

The Prince of Noble City was a little surprised at the time when the troops were dispatched. He actually dispatched troops so early. Just when he was surprised, several Ross people wearing leather hats spotted Bishop Luca and greeted him one after another. Luca made a sign of the cross. give them.

When they saw Luca's robe, some soldiers would respectfully salute the bishop.But more people still dismissed it, and continued to be busy with their own affairs. Rostislav noticed that there were some strange crosses on these people, and this was the product of the fusion of crosses and pagan styles.

After all, although Ross is now considered an Orthodox country, in fact, the Christian faith also exists in the cities and suburbs, and the number of dual believers in these places is not small. As for most of the rural areas, it is still the world of paganism.

Bishop Luca understands this truth even more. The missionary work still has a long way to go. Among other things, there are a lot of heretics in this city. Even the conversion back then did not use the cross to preach, but put the sword on the necks of the people. result of persecution.

"Yuriev doesn't have much food in store, so he must dispatch troops as soon as possible."

Bishop Luka talked about something that Rostislav didn't know, and at the same time he climbed some damp wooden steps with some difficulty, Rostislav insisted on stepping forward to help him.

"The grand duke will give you 1000 people, and Veshata will be responsible for assisting you. Work hard and make great achievements."

"Teacher, I understand, I will definitely seize this opportunity."

Luka told his students, his words were full of concern, which warmed the prince's heart. There are only a few people in this city who care about him, and this is one of them.

And Veshata, who assisted him, is another person who treats him sincerely. He can see the help of his father's old comrades-in-arms, and he also sent his son under his command. He is a very energetic young man—more importantly What's more, this means that the Veshatta family is on his side.

At this time, the prince and others happened to pass by a blacksmith's shop. The smithy was full of people clanging hammers. Armed people were clamoring for a spearhead or a fine iron sword. Horses are shoed.

Soldiers can be seen from time to time near the blacksmith shop, and figures with weapons are everywhere. They are either drinking and having fun on the street, or gathering together to chat in twos and threes. For them who are about to go to the battlefield, it is nothing. More important than weapons and armor.

Looking at the soldiers, Bishop Luca thought of more information about the war, "Speaking of this time, the Estonian tribes really ran out of troops, and as far as I know, apart from the Estonian tribes, the Karelian tribes The Germans also crossed the sea to help their kinsmen, and the Norse people from the west (referring to the westernmost part of the Estonian region) also came. I estimate that the total strength of the Chuds is more than the [-] people under the city of Yuriev."

"There are so many? Alar's energy is so great?"

Rostislav was a little surprised by this. This was really unprecedented. Even in the next few hundred years, it was unheard of for the whole of Estonia to unite to launch such a war.

As for Aral, as far as Rostislav knew, he was just a spokesperson for the interests of the Estonian ministries to talk to Ross, but now he can use all the strength of the ministries, which is really surprising.

"Don't worry too much about the same clan and allies of the Chude people. They don't have many people, and the sky is only a few hundred more than the four thousand. It seems that the increase in tribute this time is really inappropriate. To make them jump over the wall in such a hurry, I should have persuaded your father more."

Although Bishop Luka's words were unintentional, it still made Rostislav feel a little feverish. The direct reason for his father's doing so was that he and his father had discussed the situation after his grandfather's death. The final conclusion was that the army must be prepared to prevent accidents.

It's just that Rostislav didn't expect that his father's method of seeking funds for the rectification of the army would be to increase the tribute from the Chude tribe... Sure enough, the Chude tribe soon broke out, and then his father died.

It can be said that part of the reason for this can be attributed to him in the final analysis.

"Teacher, the thing I mentioned last time..."

Rostislav was a little embarrassed, so when he walked to a remote alley, he changed the subject in a low voice, talking about the attack and his speculation.

"Be careful what you say and do, child."

Luka's expression suddenly became tense, his words were full of seriousness, his eyes swept across the alley, and he was relieved after making sure that there were no idlers nearby, but his tone was more serious.

"The information is still too scattered, and there are too many things behind it. I can't find any useful information at all, and I don't dare to openly search for this information."

Hearing this, Rostislav's mood is visibly depressed to the naked eye, and even the teacher can't find the news.

"But don't worry too much."

Seeing his disciple's depression, Luca couldn't help comforting him.

"Don't think of those people too scary. If you are cautious and guarded, they will not find an opportunity. The most important thing for you now is still this war. And remember our creed, as the scriptures say, 'people's Haughtiness will bring him low. He who is humble in heart will be honored.' Do it, my child."

After hearing these words, Rostislav quickly dispelled the depression in his mind. As the teacher said, the most important thing now is the war, and everything else can be put aside.

"is teacher."

--------

Remark [-]: Witcher is the self-governing council of the city people, which exists widely in the city of Ross. Witcher has administrative power, legislative power and other powers as well as its own armed forces. It is a political existence that cannot be ignored by the princes of Ross, and represents the wishes and interests of the city people. .Against the backdrop of the weakening of the Rurik princes' local power during the Rus Civil War after Yaroslav's death, Vicher grew in power.

(End of this chapter)