Rise of Rurik

The prince will finally become Khan, and Kagan's shoulders will bear the responsibility of the entire clan.

It was in the interests of both parties to build a relay station called Luki on the road between Rus' and Pecheneg, and Kagan strongly supported this.

Carlotta had said what she wanted to say, and now it was Kagan's turn to express what was in her heart.

"You... sunk the power of Ross early. And I can finally get my power. You are the Khan of Ross, and I am the Khan of Pecheneg. But... when I got the power, I almost I can no longer meet you as freely as I do now."

Kagan had spoken as implicitly as possible, but a sense of loss actually filled the house.

Rurik nodded: "I can understand. You are a free horseman, until you get the sweat rights, it is like being put in shackles. But you never want to lose it! Don't worry, you are the only Peche I recognize Negg Khan.”

"Thank you. Ah... I wish we two brothers could drink until we were drunk before I left."

"A banquet? Yes, I can arrange it immediately."

Ross has good wine that is as clear as water, really strong and flammable, and has the ability to produce it in large quantities. There are a large number of strange little things to satisfy the preferences of the nobles, and there are also large quantities of materials to meet the daily needs of the prairie people.

Kagan was full of expectations for a farewell banquet, but now he wanted to take advantage of his clear mind to inform Rurik of his strategic arrangements after leaving.

"Our trade routes passed through grasslands, rivers and endless forests. Our communication always faced challenges, which required maintaining large trading groups to trade."

Kagan's words seemed to have a profound meaning. Rurik thought for a while: "Could it be that you want me to organize a caravan and go directly to your residence for trade?"

"Of course, you must have this ability. You also have a lot of horses and cavalry that have won great victories in the far west. Brother Rurik, you know that. We Pechenegs and those Kiev people, everyone Constantly facing sneak attacks by the Khazar cavalry, the southern steppe route is not really safe.”

"That's true. I know those people." Rurik replied while pinching his beard, feeling more and more that something was wrong.

Kagan continued his speech, and his words became more and more high-pitched: "There is a very fertile grassland in the southern coastal area. The Khazars occupied it to graze cattle and sheep. We Pechenegs are eager to get it. In the past, we were unable to do so. Now with your weapons input, this is no longer a luxury.”

"The grassland on the southern coast?"

"Exactly," Kagan added.

Rurik had a map in his mind and he knew the concept of "Khazar Khanate".

The Khazars are the Khazar tribe of the Western Turks. The Turks were forced to move westward under the military attack of the Tang Empire. This escape was all the way west along the vast grassland, riding horses and driving cattle and sheep all the way to the Carpathians. Qianshan. The Pechenegs are related to the Khazars, but even so they still fight over the pastures for grazing.

The Khazars were the forerunners and the Pechenegs were the latecomers. In the future, the Kipchaks, Oghuz and other ethnic groups with similar blood will rush towards the rich grasslands of Southeast Europe on horseback.

The macro-historical development is like this, and it is not that a certain king can change it as he pleases based on his personal will.

Rurik indeed felt that since he made friends with the distant Pecheneg and transported important iron and salt to it, it was like stepping on the accelerator of a historical car.

The Pechenegs are also from the Western Turks. The area at the mouth of the Volga River was originally an area controlled by the Khazar Khanate. After they captured it through war, they continued to expand. That is to say, the Pechenegs regard the fertile grassland area on the banks of the Volga River from Volgograd to Astrakhan as the core control area, and several major tribes are arranged like a star chain. They expanded to the Donbas Basin to the west and actively tried to seize control of the Donbas River.

At least they had carved a trade line through the territory controlled by the Khazar Khanate.

Place names are all given by people. Kagan's own description only gave it a description of "communication lines", but Rurik had a special understanding of the so-called "communication lines".

There is the huge Kursk salient area during World War II, itself a flat steppe with many rivers. Pecheneg's cavalry always crossed here, and then headed due west from about Mokharkiv to the residence of the Kiev people.

In this era, even the population of the so-called powerful Khazar Khanate was too small, and even the once-powerful Eastern Roman Empire did not turn around after its population plummeted after the ravages of two great plagues. The Eastern European world has huge forests, lakes and grasslands, but the active population is very small. There is no concept of national borders in the grassland area, and this situation also fully applies to the Kingdom of Rus sitting in the north.

Theoretically, the Kingdom of Rus only had borders with Denmark, Saxony, and East Francia, which were established through the treaty of 840. Territories are bounded by natural rivers or special landmarks, and are recognized by each ruler.

In Eastern Europe, Russia only has areas of control and spheres of influence, but no national borders.

Ross's tentacles can directly control the Valdai Lake area to the east, and to the south, the Lukiholm stronghold can be established in the Everglades this year. Could it be said that further east or south is not within the control area? of course not. As long as there is no force that prevents the explorers from advancing and is unable to conquer, Rurik can claim that the endless east is "the territory given to Rus by the gods."

The same applies to Pecheneg.

The Lower Volga River Valley is now their core area. As long as their cavalry is strong enough, it is theoretically possible for the Pecheneg Khanate to continue to expand and replace the Khazar Khanate.

But by that time, this power became a threat to everyone.

"No! The Pechenegs cannot be that powerful! My Rus will become the Rome of the north in advance." Rurik sighed secretly.

In fact, Kagan's meaning was implicit but obvious, which was to invite allies in the north to send troops south to attack the Khazars once the situation changed.

Rurik realized what his sworn brother meant, and he raised his majestic chest and announced loudly and arrogantly: "Brother! I just thought about it and I completely understand what you mean. We really need to determine the lines of communication between our two countries. , I should also send cavalry at the appropriate time to visit your home along your way home. In this way, once you intend to start a war, our Ross can respond quickly and arrive at the battlefield along the road to help you."

"This is exactly what I want." Kagan is happy to have a close brother.

In short, the two sides need to make the alliance closer. Putting aside the bloody fraternity of the two rulers, the economic relationship between the two countries is already very close. The next step is a comprehensive military alliance. Pecheneg is still weak but has a promising future, and they have already embraced Ross. Kagan’s statement today fully proves one thing – Pecheneg is about to embark on an epic expansion.

No, Kagan began to reiterate his request.

"So, among all the Russian goods, we will always need salt and iron. In fact, we can make do with drinking extremely bitter sea water, but now we only have you as an ally that can steadily provide iron. We will always need a large amount of iron armor, Iron spears and clusters of iron arrows. Look, I'm about to officially become a khan. Look, brother..."

Kagan talked a lot, and his brown eyes began to roll frequently.

Rurik suddenly laughed: "Brother, you are asking for a gift from me."

"Why don't you give me some more? Maybe this will displease you, but funding me is good for you. After all, we will have frequent trade in the future, and I will create a larger sphere of influence to ensure that our transportation lines are safer. This will continue Wouldn’t it be great if the prairie horses and slaves were sent to you?”

Judging from what Kagan meant, he wanted to get some iron tools for free.

Logically speaking, Ross shouldn't make a big enemy of this issue. Today, Kagan lowered his attitude and acted like a brother with a friendship, which made Rurik feel itchy. After all, there is an oriental soul residing in his heart, and the Pecheneg people are indeed defeated by the Tang Empire. He has always had a psychological advantage. Besides, Beyathil is here too.

Wait! Isn't it true that Beyasier has become a tool that makes it difficult for him to refuse his hospitality?

Rurik's expression was a little hesitant, and then Beyashil started to make a noise.

"Your Majesty." She poked her little head with trembling eyes: "Didn't we seize some worn-out armor from the West? There are also some iron tools of poor quality. Why don't you give them to my eldest brother?"

"That's right." Kagan hurriedly expressed his stance, "Brother, I don't have high demands. Those things are nothing to you, but they can have very good effects in our hands."

"Haha... Hahaha..." Rurick laughed loudly while stroking his beard, and his face became more scathing: "You are indeed brothers and sisters. It seems that we have agreed upon this."

The brother and sister looked at each other and smiled again. The scene was indeed strange.

"Huh. We are relatives after all." Rurik spoke again: "Do you only want those scraps of copper and scrap metal?"

"If there is a better one, as long as my horses can pull it away, I will... try to pull it away."

"You're very welcome. That's fine."

It was Rurik's oriental temperament that reminded him of the heroic and domineering spirit of the nations coming to court. Is there only intrigue and intrigue between countries? Could it be that they only maintain their relationship based on their common interests and immediately tear up past treaties once their interests conflict with each other? If so, this is truly barbaric behavior.

A Pecheneg who has become stronger but has always maintained an alliance with Rus is very beneficial to the Rus Kingdom at the current historical stage.

Considering the limited transport capacity of the packhorse, even if Rurik suddenly burst out with kindness and wanted to give Kagan a large amount of supplies as a gift to bless him to become Khan, it was not consistent with reality.

How did the Pechenegs or steppe cavalry fight? Unless necessary, the two sides were unwilling to engage in hand-to-hand combat. Instead, they frequently fought with cavalry and archery, and sneak attacks often occurred. Even if the grassland people know how to smelt iron, due to the environment in which they live, it is difficult to find not only iron ore, but even a stone. Iron will rust, and if their consumables are not effectively replenished, the military strength of a grassland tribe will continue to weaken.

Use bone fragments to make arrow clusters. If the arrows are shot from a slightly longer distance, they will not be able to penetrate the leather armor.

Ross's steel-cone armor-piercing arrows can easily penetrate the lock rings of ordinary chain mail, and can also drill holes in iron scale armor.

"The Romance of Fairy Wood"

According to Kagan's past description, the Khazars did frequent business with the Romans, so they had a high rate of leather armor and could also use a large number of iron arrow clusters. The mass of its iron clusters is simply incomparable to Ross's.

The pointed cone-shaped arrow cluster is cast and molded in one step, then fried to lose carbon and transformed into low-carbon steel. Finally, it is violently quenched, and it becomes extremely hard without losing a certain degree of willfulness. It is a treasure that is hard and not easy to break. Because Ross has achieved mass production, the cost of a single arrow cluster has been greatly diluted.

There is no need to give good arrows to allies, but the army returning from the expedition will have arrows that have been used many times.

The core of an arrow is its arrow cluster. The arrows prepared for the Ross expedition suffered a lot of wear and tear. The recovered arrow clusters were installed on makeshift wooden poles, and wild bird feathers were used as tail feathers, and even non-stick feathers were used. . This is like reloading bullets. Of course, reloading bullets can be used, but no matter how optimized the performance is, they cannot keep up with the original bullets.

Rurik said this: "Since you only want arrow clusters, I can provide you with many. They have experienced wars, many arrow clusters have drank blood, and countless Western warriors have died from them. The arrow shafts are no longer usable. The arrow clusters are okay. Just put the arrow clusters in a lot of sacks and go back."

"Okay!" Kagan asked eagerly for the specific amount.

"I can probably give you ten thousand. Anyway, even if I don't give it to you, those arrow clusters will have to be redone."

"Give it to me. I will make another ten thousand arrows when I go back to my hometown." As he spoke, Kagan's heart beat wildly with excitement.

For Rurik, 10,000 arrow clusters are nothing now. The production capacity of Russia's steel industry has been expanding because the people are fully aware of the huge benefits of bows for war and hunting. There is a huge demand for arrows among the people and the army. Two large smelters in the north and blacksmith shops in various settlements were willing to mass-produce it. Similarly, ordinary people are also willing to raise poultry in large numbers and sell their large feathers to make extra profits.

For Kagan, 10,000 arrow clusters are a huge wealth. They are also the so-called "arrow clusters of battles" that have drank blood and are invisibly blessed by powerful mysterious power.

These real munitions were given as Rurik's gift to celebrate Kagan's succession as Khan.

According to Kagan's plan, Pecheneg under his rule has two major national policies. The first is to continue to strengthen the all-round alliance with Rus, and the second is to eat westward the areas controlled by the Khazar Khanate.

"I will choose a good, smart, and respectful clan brother to continue to trade with you on behalf of Pecheneg." Kagan reiterated.

"I hope I am a smart clan brother as you said. Oh, since I am your clan brother, am I not also that person's brother?"

Kagan shrugged: "Brother, you don't have to be like this. You are the noble Khan of the North, and the entire north belongs to you. My brother is not that noble. On the contrary...according to our covenant, my brother is necessary I can follow your orders and join the war."

"In this case, wouldn't it be possible that your commercial cavalry could become my mercenaries?"

"Of course. It would be great if you are willing to pay. It doesn't matter if you don't pay. After all, you are allowed to plunder after victory. We prairie people are good at this."

Everything still disappeared, Rurik felt that he had delivered military supplies to Kagan, and he could also get a cavalry mercenary team if he changed his direction. Since the two sides are a military alliance, there is nothing wrong with this matter.

An alliance must be fulfilled, even if it comes with a price. If Kagan attacks the Khazars, it means that Rus automatically declares war on the Khazar Khanate.

Is there anything else to talk about with the Khazars? The Russians knew nothing about those guys and had no psychological burden in attacking them, and Rurik didn't bother to know too much about those guys.

Kagansui continued the discussion and returned to the matter of establishing a settlement in the swamp at the source of the Lovati River.

In the current round, Carlotta and Kagan sang together, and the two were full of hope for the stronghold of Lukiholm.

Carlotta's heart gradually became as steely as she was nine years old when she was in trouble. Although she is a female, she must act as a leader for the sake of the old tribe and the new people, and be more like a man than a man.

She announced in a high-profile manner: "I don't want my subordinates to establish the Lukiholm stronghold. Anyway, the source of the Lovati River has been discovered, and my subordinates know the location of the Big Bend area. I plan to personally lead troops there to build a fortress. By the way, we are also escorting the Kagan brothers home. Rurik, what do you think?"

"Of course." Rurik replied without even thinking.

"Hehe, I will also bring our Carl. Even if this kid is only four years old, he must see the world. "

"It should be like this. When my princes reach the right age, they should all go out and make a living. Therefore, I arranged for my cousin Arik to go to the East to explore, and many boys over twelve years old also took action." Rurik followed. In other words, this statement seemed like a general echo, but Kagan and Carlotta had no idea what it meant.

No, Rurik pretended to be mysterious and put on an intriguing expression: "Brother Kagan, the core area of ​​your Pecheneg people is close to a big river. I call it the Volga River. I dare say that the upper reaches of this river are right where we are. Due east of the location. You can believe that I will continue to send expeditions to the east, and sooner or later I will find the big river. Finally, I can row the boat directly to your home, which is faster than horses transporting goods."

Such a situation was completely unheard of by Kagan, and it was difficult for him to understand: "You? How do you know?"

"What else can I do?" Rurik pointed at the ceiling with his right hand and said deliberately: "God Odin told me. God didn't tell me the correct location. He only told me in my dream that as long as I keep looking eastward, I can eventually find the correct location. The river. Brother, our gods protect me, just as your gods protect you. Rest for a while in Novgorod, and I will prepare a banquet immediately and have gifts ready for you."