The Last Frontier of Fire and Sword

Kiev has a history of more than 1,000 years. It is the oldest city established by the Eastern Slavs. It is located on a plateau with a height of about 90 meters on the right bank of the Dnieper River, facing steep cliffs on three sides, and the situation is precarious. Kiev was founded in the second half of the 5th century. It was the capital and center of Kievan Rus in the 9th to 13th centuries, and was known as the "Mother of the Rus City". The earliest chronicle of the Eastern Slavs, "The Chronicles of the Past", records the origin of the "Kiev City": the three brothers of the Polyan tribe chiefs-Kei, Seck and Khorif together "built the castle, named after the eldest brother "Kiev" was at the turn of the 6th and 7th centuries. This is the core of the later Kiev city.

Kiev is also the economic center of Ukraine. It is at the intersection of three important trade routes. A "Varyag to Greek road" through the Dnieper River connects the Baltic Sea area with the Black Sea from the waterway. The other major commercial road runs from east to west: starting from the Black Sea, via Kiev, Krakow, and Prague, it connects the Arab world with Western Europe. The third commercial road started from the Caspian Sea and reached the Baltic Sea through Kiev, connecting the Arab world with Northern Europe.

In 988, Kievan Rus converted to the Orthodox Church. In the next two centuries, Kiev gradually prospered through Eurasian trade, and was called the "city of kings" on the Dnieper River. In 1240, Batu, the grandson of Genghis Khan, and the Western Expeditionary Army of the Mongol Empire captured Kiev, which later became an important city of the Chincha Khanate; in 1362, the Principality of Lithuania invaded and occupied it, and 1569 after the merger of Lublin In 1999, Kiev became a territory of the Republic of Poland.

When the delegation came to the city of Kiev, the grandeur and prosperity that Cheerchen saw in Kiev had long since disappeared. Even the towering stone walls that protected the city in the past have disappeared without a trace, replaced by them. It is a temporary, simple wooden wall. The wall of the wall is full of bullet holes and cannon holes, making the city look more like a military fortress.

In recent years, Kiev has not suffered less military disasters. Poles, Cossacks, and Tatars, the entry and departure of every group of people will bring indelible damage to the city-the stone wall is the Tatar who feared that the wall would become the next when they withdrew. The second comeback hindered and demolished.

At this time, there was no one in front of the city gate, no messenger, no welcoming team, and even the city gate was still closed. Kiev seemed to welcome the delegation from Poland in this manner.

Seeing this, even Cheerchen showed a trace of anger on his face, not to mention the arrogant Duke Konitzki.

The prince who got his wish and became the deputy envoy came to the carriage, and he spoke loudly to the old Stanislaw Potocki in the carriage, as if he was afraid that others would not be able to hear it.

"Master Potocki, the Cossacks are so rude. This is an insult to you and to the King and the Republic. I suggest that we return home immediately."

Stanislaw Potocki in the car did not speak, and no one knew what the old man was thinking.

At this time, Blair was also a little embarrassed. He had already sent someone to inform that the Polish mission was entering the city today, but he didn't expect something went wrong.

Blair, who was conscious of his lack of light on his face, slid his horse into his belly. He hurried to the bottom of the city gate and shouted at the city head: "Who is the **** who is watching the gate today!"

As soon as the words came out, the city gate opened slowly.

I saw two riders standing in the city gate cave. They were not dressed as Cossacks or Ukrainians, but Russians.

Chechen's eyes were sharp, and he recognized that one of them was actually Potemkin, the messenger of Tsarist Russia he had seen in Polotsk.

Potemkin obviously saw Chechen too, and he showed a smile as an acquaintance met.

And the other with a bearskin top hat and a big beard, Cheerchen doesn’t know who it is, but seeing Potemkin deliberately lagging behind this person by a horse’s head, you can also see that this person’s status is inevitable. Is higher than Potemkin.

"Who are you?" Blair asked dissatisfiedly. He could see that the closing of the city gate must be the hands and feet of these two. This makes Blair very dissatisfied-when, the Russians can already intervene in Kiev's defense.

The face of the bearded Russian twitched. He may want to laugh, or he may want to get angry, but because of the beard covering it, Cheorchen can't tell.

"Hello, brother Cossacks. I am Tubrin, the ambassador sent by the Almighty Tsar to Kiev. This is my adjutant Potemkin. We are here to welcome my Polish friend Stanislaw Potocki. As for the matter of closing the city gate, it was my good friend Ivan Shirko, the team leader who was afraid that I was in the wind at the gate, so it was temporarily closed. Please don’t mind. Please also my old friend not I think too much, you see, when you arrive, I will open the gate of the city?"

The Russian ambassador Tubrlin had a very loud voice, or he had deliberately raised his voice and said it to Stanislaw Potocki in the mission. In short, everyone in the mission heard clearly.

As soon as Tubrlin's voice fell, Stanislaw Potocki walked out of the carriage. After getting out of the car, he straightened his clothes again, then raised his head slightly, raised his voice and said, "It turned out to be Vasily Tubulin. We haven't seen each other for a long time. This time you came here to welcome me at the gate of Kiev. , Next time I will come to the gate of Kiev to see you off."

After speaking, Stanislaw Potocki opened his hand and made the gesture of embracing Tubullin.

Tublin's face stiffened. Stanislaw Potocki's words clearly meant that he would be in vain to come to Kiev. But Tublin quickly put on a smiling face. He jumped off his horse and greeted him with open arms.

The two ambassadors hugged at the center of the Polish mission at the gate of the city, because they were the closest partners. At this time, no one can see that the countries they represent each other are still at war.

Potemkin also dismounted and walked to Cheerchen's side. He greeted Cheerchen, "Alvar, it's been a long time."

Chechen got off his horse and replied: "Yes, Potemkin. It has been a long time since Polotsk said goodbye. Didn't you work under Yakov? Why did you vote for the Tubullin ambassador again? Is under his command?"

Potemkin gave a wry smile.

"You can't get along with General Yakov. You also know that General Yakov is not a good waiter." He spread his hand.

"Where is Yakov now? Is he dead or alive?"

Potemkin was taken aback when he heard the words. Cheerchen's question is too straightforward. However, he told Chechen truthfully that General Yakov is alive and is now in Pskov.

Cheerchen breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this~www.readwn.com~ He is now looking forward to Yakov's disease-free, disaster-free, and long-lived life, so that he will be able to take care of him again.

This is, Potemkin suddenly took a step forward, and then said in a voice that only he and Cheerchen could hear: "But Alvar, you really made a big name in Crimea, and you have also disturbed our country. South Xinjiang is not peaceful, I really didn’t expect that an ordinary mercenary captain would have this ability. Do you think it’s not, Alvarbey."

After speaking, Potemkin patted Cheerchen on the shoulder.

Chechen was shocked at first when he heard this. He didn't expect Potemkin to know exactly what he was doing in Crimea. However, when he thought about it, he was relieved that he had been in Crimea for many years, and it was impossible to know his identity through the intelligence network of Tsarist Russia. Moreover, his own mercenary group returned home from the Holy Roman Empire in mighty force. As long as the interested person pays a little attention and speculates one or two, it is easy to associate himself with the Alvarbei of Crimea.

As soon as he thought of this, Cheer Chen felt calm.

"Each is his own." He said to Potemkin.

"It's true that each is the master." Potemkin repeated.

At this time, the pesky Duke of Konitzki stepped forward. He dissatisfied and said to Chechen: "Alvar Chechen, I am the deputy envoy of the mission. It should be me who talks to the deputy of the Tsarist Russian ambassador. This is in line with the principle of reciprocity."

Obviously, the Duke of Konitzki was jealous and robbed himself of the limelight.

"Feel sorry,"

Seeing that the Duke of Konitzki declared himself, Potemkin hurriedly apologized, and then said: "I think Ambassador Tubrin and your Stanislaw Potocki are talking about it. I don’t seem to have anything to discuss with your Excellency."

Potemkin did not give the Duke of Konitzki any face.