Rise of Rurik

A war finally ended in the year 841.

People far away in the south didn't know what was happening in the north. The nobles of the Middle Kingdom only knew that there was some chaos in their north, and they only knew that the king of the Eastern Kingdom led troops to attack.

What does all this have to do with yourself?

A large number of nobles of the Middle Kingdom and the Western Kingdom do not want to fight. It is not because they like peace. Most of them are out of their own interests. They feel that participating in the civil war in the kingdom will not gain any real benefits, but may cost their own lives. .

King Lothair and his army were stationed near Strasbourg. Due to the difficulties of winter, he kept quiet like a hibernating bear.

All nobles kept quiet during the winter. This was the traditional truce season, and the Middle Kingdom had no intention of actively attacking the north.

The entire Rhine basin is not frozen, and even in the middle and upper reaches, the river channel seems too wide. In summer, people who are good swimmers can swim to the other side smoothly, and boating is not a problem. The Rhine River seems very busy in the warm season, but now in the severe winter all trade activities have ceased. The banks of the wide river are full of gray trees and "white blankets". The river water is like ink color, it only flows quietly, and the cold river water is biting and prohibitive.

It was under this extremely harsh situation that a brutal battle broke out on the completely frozen Elbe River.

The scale of the war eventually surpassed Charlemagne's war against Saxony exactly sixty years ago, and Saxony regained its independence during this battle.

Saxony is not really independent, at least legally it is still a great vassal of the Eastern Kingdom.

Because he was still a vassal in law, Duke Liudov did not have to kowtow to Ludwig. He was able to treat his monarch with a very peaceful attitude and did not have to worry about his anger at all, because now the Eastern Kingdom had no way to deal with Saxony.

The Christmas Mass has ended for many days, and the climate has entered the coldest period of the year.

A snowfall has hit the entire Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, and Northwest Europe.

The wind and snow will invade all the way south to the Alps, eventually blocking this tall and majestic mountain, ensuring that northern Italy on the other side of the mountain will still be relatively warm.

Even if some nobles are ready to start a war, they must hide in warm houses to avoid the cold wave in January.

The situation in Saxony was very bad. Even after winning the war, the vast majority of people lost their homes and could only live in simple houses. The people of Saxony were struggling, and Liudov was basically unable to do anything about it.

If it were left to the past war period, Rurik would not hesitate to recruit a group of refugees. He will deliberately gather children, especially girls among them. All the young women who have lost their families must try their best to take them away. There is a kind-hearted side to this move, but the most pragmatic consideration is still to solve the marriage problems of the soldiers who serve for him.

The Principality of Saxony is an ally, and even taking away the Saxon people for various reasons can be interpreted as a betrayal of the alliance. Although Rurik could have many explanations, he was afraid that others would not admit it, so he simply allowed the Saxons to start suffering from mass freezing to death.

A large number of young children could not withstand the cold and died silently during the night. Those elderly people are tortured by the cold and cough and twitch all over. This is just the body's self-protection mechanism against the cold. The muscles of the whole body generate heat through twitching. When this mechanism stops, people will freeze to death.

Simply freezing to death was a problem. Some simple shacks were actually collapsed by the snow, and people were trapped under the rubble, unable to move. Things always happen at night, and no one saves these poor people. Waiting for the short daylight to appear, those who occasionally bravely walk out of the shack to use the toilet see the collapsed house. What can they do? I had no choice but to sign the cross on my chest and lament the impermanence of the world.

The disaster that continued after the war always occurred in the Hamburg area, where as many as 50,000 Saxon war refugees gathered. One-ninth of the entire Saxon population gathered here. The huge population did not lead to rapid post-war prosperity, but a major crisis. They continued to die until the return of spring.

Those Saxon villages that were not affected by the war actually experienced the victory of the war inexplicably. They participated in the war in name only, and in theory they also had a share of the victory.

Everything is normal in these remote villages. Of course, there are cases where houses have collapsed due to snow and people have frozen to death. This is no more surprising than in previous winters.

Every winter is a severe test for the elderly and children in the village. It is not surprising that many people die. After all, the leader of the village and the nobleman who was ennobled as a baron cannot completely guarantee that his children will be safe and sound in any winter.

However, the severe winter poses no visible threat to the Russian army.

Rus was once a fjord tribe, and like these Saxon villages, many children and the elderly would freeze to death every winter. Until Rurik, a fierce man from the sky, began to take control of the tribe's government affairs, the renovation of the building structure alone was a "big reform to keep out the cold."

A standard Russian house, it imitates the wood carvings of the Ilmenslavs, and uses a lot of common materials in Viking longhouses such as moss soil and dead grass. Solid wood is the main material of the building, and a fireplace made of stone and clay bricks is a featured heating device.

Nowadays, the single-story Ross woodcarving has been improved again. Now it imitates Frankish architecture. It has a solid first floor of masonry structure and becomes a double-story building.

The expeditionary Russian-Danish army had no time to carry out major construction projects. Faced with preparations for a long war, their camp outside Hamburg had to be managed poorly.

The construction method of Ross wood carving is quite rough. After the straight pine trees were cut down and the bark was peeled off, they were repaired with a pair of saws, scrapers, and axes, and then the stacking work began. The wooden floors and wooden walls are extremely thick. Including the roof, a large number of peeled tree trunks are stacked directly and arranged in a herringbone structure.

The Ross Army, which mastered a large number of advanced carpentry tools, took advantage of building houses. The army would eventually go home, so the Ross Army Camp, which could station 5,000 people at once, immediately became a favorite in Liudov's eyes.

Rurik's two wives, Nolen and Bejahir, are now temporarily living with their children in the fortress in the inner city of Hamburg.

This family castle originally belonged to Robert, Count of Hamburg, and was transformed into the residence of many great nobles.

In principle, Rurik could live in his own military camp. His insistence on doing so naturally had political considerations.

There was severe wind and snow outside, but it was quite warm inside the castle after all. Even if some rooms seemed cold due to drafts, it was enough to find a copper basin and light some charcoal fire.

Rurik wanted to live here, so that his living conditions would be seen by Ludwig himself.

The living conditions of Ludwig, the grandson of Charlemagne, who also lost his entire army, can also be seen by Rurik.

In a sense, this is a frank confrontation, which can increase the mutual understanding between the two great nobles.

Because in this era, the only ones who could provoke war were nobles. It was unbelievable and unprecedented for peasant women holding hoes to gather in crowds to rebel against the greedy nobles and priests. Rurik thought from Ludwig's point of view that this man's defeat was almost due to his arrogance and disdain, and he completely underestimated the enemy in the northern world. After being frustrated, he took a big gamble and finally lost completely. If Ludwig had known about the situation of the Ross Army earlier, would the outcome have been the same as the current situation?

Asking himself about his victory, the Russian army swept Scandinavia and the remnants of Jutland and forced its way into Saxony. Relying on the advantages of weapons and the cooperation of the local Saxons, they completed the victory at a high cost. "What gives me the confidence to give it a try? It's Blue Fox's information!"

Real business families are always looking for business opportunities. The exiled Blue Fox looked around in Frankish territory, and the "secret report" he wrote became the source of confidence for the Russian army to dare to fight a fierce battle with tens of thousands of Frankish troops.

It was an ordinary evening. The wind and snow were still blowing outside, making it seem like the daylight hours were very short today. The sun never appeared, and soon night would fall again.

A room on the second floor of the fortress was transformed into a dining room, where the Liudov family ate every day. Now it has become a dining venue for all the nobles temporarily staying in the castle.

There is no shortage of food in the Hamburg Castle. Even the chef Liudolf brought from his hometown can only cook simple food. Using words such as fresh, simple and pious to describe these foods is just a way to cover up shame. After all, we are not ascetics, who would refuse a delicious meal?

It happened that Rurik's two wives needed the elderly maids of Liudov's family to take care of their daily lives and the lives of their babies. As a husband and father, Rurik himself lived in the castle as a matter of course. No one was better at eating than Rurik. Rurik was more thoughtful and pursued delicacies. A large amount of ingredients were delivered to the castle before the snowstorm, so the cook who worked for King Rus also came directly.

There were only five of these cooks, female captives from Mercia and Northumbria. To be fair, Rurik never treated them badly, nor did he deny their faith in God, as far as food and daily living were concerned. They were all in poor shape when they were captured. After so many years, they started a new life in Ross, and each one of them has become fat.

People always change. They have all forgotten their hatred, remarried and had children in Rus, and participated in the large-scale war that lasted for 840 years as non-combatants.

The master’s eldest son is the King of Mercia, and now Northumbria King Aynred and the prince have also come to Europe!

They have unexplainable thoughts in their hearts, and they feel that everything is destiny.

It must be God's secret arrangement, so that he will cook dinner for the past monarch and the current monarch, and the work must be done well.

There will be a dinner party tonight, and everyone will avoid it, because the kings will dine here.

The wooden tables were pieced together, and a large number of bronze oil lamps were placed on them in advance, and the flames were already dancing.

A matrix of oil lamps was hung from the ceiling, and the lamp holders on the walls were also lit.

The restaurant was brightly lit, and the nobles were already waiting for tonight's delicious meal.

But eating is just a reason, they need an opportunity to sit with others.

Unlike a real aristocratic dinner party, only a few people can sit here. It's not that their status is absolutely noble, but that this dinner party is all about the parties involved in the winning and losing sides of the war having a heart-to-heart talk.

Because there are only three people here.

In order to show his sincerity, Ludwig came wearing only loose linen clothes and a white bear fur coat (a gift from Rurik). He was unarmed and had only a knife for cutting meat.

The same was true for Duke Liudolf of Saxony, whose tableware was a knife.

Using a knife as a tableware, even when Charlemagne was alive, he cut meat with his own hands and inserted the tip of the knife into his mouth. Even though he was the "Emperor of all Romans", he still used this vulgar way of eating. However, the priests strongly advocate using both hands to grab anything and put it into the mouth. Cleanliness and hygiene are not mentioned here. The priest's explanation is very simple - only eating the Holy Communion with both hands is truly pious.

Rurik also brought a dagger with him this time. He had to be wary of one. If Ludwig suddenly wanted to fight with him in a secret room, a dagger would become extremely necessary.

The three great nobles did not carry their main weapons. Besides carrying meat-cutting daggers, the two wooden sticks Rurik brought seemed too unique.

No, those are not wooden sticks, they are actually two white jade-like chopsticks polished from walrus ivory.

The three of them did not have any attendants here. They were dressed similarly and regarded each other as having no intention of fighting.

They seemed to be friends with each other, as if the fight to the death a month ago did not exist at all.

But who can forget the war? Ludwig had hatred, and regret was ten times greater.

The three of them gathered here today and drove away all outsiders. It was essentially his suggestion.

Now that the delicious meal has not come yet, the situation has fallen into complete embarrassment.

No matter Rurik fiddled with the chopsticks in his hand, he subconsciously fiddled with the chopsticks in the same way as turning his pen, which immediately gave the bored Ludwig an excuse to speak.

"You...have a pair of extremely flexible right hands." He tried his best to start the conversation in Latin.

"Have you noticed?" After turning his chopsticks, Rurik put them down. "Speak slowly. All your thoughts."

"Yes...I will leave when the storm is over."

"Leaving so soon? Why are we in such a hurry? We Normans also have to wait until the ship thaws to leave, which will be at least March."

Rurik spoke a little quickly, but Ludwig finally understood with Liudov's additional translation.

"Are you trying to save me?"

"Why leave in the snow?" Rurik said with the corner of his mouth raised, "I don't want anything to happen to you."

There was something threatening here. Ludwig made a sullen face: "I dare to launch an army to fight in winter. I am not afraid of wind and snow at all."

"Really? In fact, you should thank my cavalry. You were about to die, but my cavalry discovered you and saved you in the end."

"This..." Asking himself, Ludwig had nothing to say.

"You fled with the remaining soldiers, and your fate was to die in the cold. I was once your enemy, but now I can be considered your friend. You can't deny that it was my people who saved your life."

"What else can I say?!" Ludwig helplessly spread his hands, a little impatient in his attitude.

Liu Doufu was afraid that the two kings would suddenly have a duel. After all, it was not as good as that time. When they were facing each other on the ice, the two sides had planned a duel between kings.

He tried to smooth things over: "Those things have passed. There is peace between us. Don't mention the war anymore."

Rurik nodded, then raised his chin and said proudly: "For Liudov's sake, I won't mention it. Ludwig, you are about the same age as my brother, and the same age as King Ragnar of Denmark. I can respectfully call you brother, what do you think of me? Would it be easier to talk to your little brother Charlie?"

"You? Maybe! You are more difficult than my brother, that's what I mean."

"Haha, that's a very appropriate answer."

"But..." Ludwig paused and said, "Since you care about contracts, I hope you will actually keep your word. My two brothers really don't care about contracts, especially Lothair!"

"Indeed. You Franks are in a civil war. Lothair has his reasons, but he is just trying to kill you and me. I somewhat understand why you insist on going back as soon as possible."

"Yes." Ludwig bared his teeth slightly: "You caused me heavy losses, but I still have the strength. As long as I rush back to organize my troops, I will definitely be able to stop Lothair's summer offensive. Listen!" He raised his head At first, his eyes were trembling violently: "Lotel is very ambitious. He will definitely find out that I have suffered heavy losses, and he will immediately launch an attack. I must organize the army in advance to deal with this situation! I must go back quickly."

"Okay, that's a reason."

"You give me the horse and the sled. I will go back with the Archbishop of Cologne. We have enough people left to ensure that I arrive in Cologne safely. As long as I get to Cologne, everything will be fine."

He was glaring at him with a pleading look on his face. Rurik was unmoved and simply wanted to let Ludwig go back. Of course Rose had his own position.

Rurik flatly rejected: "Please remember that you are the defeated and still my prisoner. I will let you go back, but... you must get on my ship."

"Why bother? I need time."

"Really?" Rurik wanted to laugh loudly, and then settled the accounts for him: "I remember that you arrived in Hamburg from Mainz, and it took you a month! This long journey was replaced by our Russian ship, It can be completed in a week. We are not afraid of sailing against the current. Besides, I will arrange manpower to build a military base in Nassau Village this year. Send you to Mainz and build a base with my people. This is just a way. Because, and it can be done in a short time. Why should you be anxious?"

"It's very different. Lothair will see me coming back in a Norman ship."

"Worried about the negative impact?" Rurik asked.

"Yes."

"You don't have to worry. I'll arrange for Joseph Blue Fox to do it, and I'll hoist your cross on all the ships. And your Three Lions and your fleur-de-lis. They'll be dressed like a Frankish army! Besides, Joseph Blue Fox has converted, so what do you have to worry about? You should also obey my arrangements, you need to prove the contents of the treaty!"

The entire Rhine River was open to the Normans. This was the result of the mediation between Ludwig and the Normans, and it was obviously not something Lothair would recognize. Ludwig realized that this was Rurik's temptation. Since the other party had already made arrangements, any of his arguments seemed feeble.

"No need to worry anymore. Don't you always have Norman mercenaries under you? Harald Clark is too old. I will arrange for him to go to the East to retire. This man was once the king of Denmark, and I will give him a decent old age. I I will first arrange for Joseph Blue Fox's current camp in Nassau Village to be built, and then arrange some garrison troops. I will eventually send trustworthy people to station here, and will deliberately display cross flags to hide people's eyes. My people may make a surprise attack on Lothair. I can guarantee that I will never attack you. You have no right to refuse."

What's the point of this dinner? Ludwig's original intention was to get the winner's permission and leave. Now he could only continue to listen to the arrangements of Rurik. He didn't dare to wink in public, for no other reason than the fact that he didn't have any troops at hand and the kingdom was in serious trouble.

After all, it was the aroma that flowed into the house that cheered up the depressed atmosphere of the dinner. Ludwig's stomach growled, and both Rurik and Liudov raised their heads.

"Very good! My northern feast is about to be served! King Ludwig, you can never say that we Normans are barbaric when it comes to eating! This time I asked my cook to use all her skills to taste it. Hide our Ross dinner!”

So, butter-fried beef, butter-honey pancakes, stewed vegetable soup, grilled cod steak, slow-braised lamb, noodles with salty sauce, steamed egg custard, bacon stir-fried cabbage, honey salad with shredded onions, steamed flour carrot sticks... …

Ale is also indispensable. The barrel is moved to the dining table and poured into three glasses by the cook in turn.

What is Rose's best meal at the bottom of the box? This is tonight. Rurik relied on the ingredients he could get and the stocks he brought from his hometown, and specially made the cook work well.

These delicacies have a rich aroma and are all presented in colored glass plates and bowls. They are truly cherished. While Ludwig and Liudov were eye-opening, they also realized that these fragrant meals obviously could not rely on a knife as tableware. The two saw with their own eyes King Rus playing with a stick carved from walrus ivory to hold the food. Putting it into your mouth skillfully, watching it is like watching a play.

Pure silver forks and spoons were presented, which solved the awkwardness.

Of course, Ludwig was surprised just as much by the fork as by the spoon. He felt that the Ross nobles were so particular about eating, and he had to learn this after returning home.