Rise of Rurik

The war in 840 was over, and by the spring of 841, the northern world returned to its original peace.

Ludwig, the Lord of the Eastern Kingdom, knew that he had been defeated, but the peace talks after the defeat at least saved him some face.

He even felt that his idea was a complete failure from beginning to end, and he lost many soldiers and generals. What did he get in the end?

Legally, the Saxons did not rebel, and the descendants of the old chiefs eventually received the title of duke and swore allegiance to the Eastern Kingdom.

The Count of Flanders was always wavering. After this war, Earl Baudouin was forced to loyal to the Eastern Kingdom due to the situation.

The Danes, the Rus, and the Swedes, these Normans are no longer the weaklings who could be easily ravaged by their grandfathers. They are already strong. If their grandfather Charlemagne is resurrected and sends troops to conquer, they will also end up defeated.

The situation was actually very bad. What maintained Ludwig's power was his standing army. This army inherited the conscription system from the era of his grandfather the Great. Even though it has been somewhat corrupted to this day, it is still far better than the retinue and retinue of the local nobles. Peasant soldiers.

A large number of military families who have been serving in the army for generations have been lost. After they die in battle, their sons should take up their positions, but are those brats up to the task? There is now a huge manpower gap.

The loss of his army reached 30,000, the elite troops suffered irreparable losses, and the peasant soldiers recruited for the surprise attack also died in large numbers. Many of these peasant soldiers were recruited from the earldom of Ingau, and they all came from the countryside near Mainz, Worms and Frankfurt. These strong laborers went out to fight and were lost, which greatly weakened the tax collection capacity of the county of Leingau.

However, this area was a stalemate between him and his eldest brother Lothair. The main force he left behind had to continue to hold on, and almost all the food and grass he needed had to be taken from local farmers.

After all, this place is not our own territory, and the area on the other side of the Yin River was forced out of the hands of the eldest brother. He doesn't care about the livelihood of local farmers, he only cares about how many strong men can be squeezed from the local area to serve as peasant soldiers. Now, it's a question of whether the region can survive it.

Are peasant soldiers really useful? not necessarily. At least having soldiers is better than having no soldiers.

Ludwig had one thing on his mind - the Norman Joseph Blue Fox who converted to Christianity and his soldiers.

Just like Harald Clark, the dog he raised in the past, the dog got a new one.

Yes, Ludwig regarded the Blue Fox and his Ross armed merchant group as hounds that he could command. He can comfort himself by saying that these ruthless people are extremely rough in their actions because their beliefs are not pure enough. These are the best tool men. You don't have to openly support these guys to do evil, you just need to acquiesce in their robbery.

If the church or other nobles claimed that such evil people existed on the Rhine River, Ludwig could have said: "These are just a group of Norman pirates who came and went without a trace. There is nothing I can do."

At this point, Ludwig feels that he will no longer be able to organize a large army to confront his eldest brother's army for at least a year. He will actively train new soldiers, actively win over the loyalty of the nobles, and even send people to the Western Kingdom to fight with his younger brother Charles, and even Burgundy. Discuss with the third person.

In the spring of 841, a mighty Norman fleet sailed upstream on the Rhine River.

The longship towed the large ship. Blue Fox and his people were the masters of this fleet, while Ludwig from the Eastern Kingdom, a small number of attendants, and some Frankish refugees were very special passengers.

Now, even if the Blue Fox wanted to negotiate with Ludwig, the latter remained silent because he couldn't lose face due to the defeat. He must be planning something. Blue Fox doesn't trust this man very much, but he believes that he will not openly break the treaty. Even if Ludwig returns to his hometown and has thoughts of making a comeback, he should take a look at the situation in front of him! Rus, Denmark and Saxony did not seem to be waging war against the Eastern Kingdom, but King Lothair, who was determined to unify the Franks, had the ability and motivation to kill Ludwig's family.

Blue Fox was more concerned about his goal, Nassau Village. On the boat, he was still able to chat with Henry Nassau, Baron of Nassau and Earl of the Netherlands.

Most of the ships in this fleet have a classic Nordic image, but they all have eye-catching giant crosses on their masts, and the largest armed cargo ship flies Charlemagne's three lions. Who dares to fly Charlemagne's battle flag in such a high profile, only the top nobles are qualified.

It was these flags that made Cologne, who was defeated and paid a large amount of war reparations, no longer afraid. Archbishop Hadbold disembarked from the ship and publicly unloaded the so-called True Cross with a high profile.

The priests who greeted him all knelt before the True Cross, shouting that this was a miracle.

Is it a miracle? Hudbold didn't want to say anything. He was speechless and choked. He just hoped that everything would be over.

But Ludwig was wearing a simple burqa, his crown and gorgeous clothes were put away, and he silently looked at the big city in a very low-key way. No one knew what he was thinking, and no one really cared.

Legally, Henry Nassau was already a vassal of the Duchy of Saxony. In the past, this little baron was a vassal of the Earl of Ingau, but now, the entire Barony of Nassau has been turned into an enclave of the Count of the Netherlands.

Henry Nassau's plan is to return to his hometown, organize the small number of fellow villagers to announce the upgrade of his family, and then make some personnel deployment. In the end, Nassau Village will still retain its current name, but for the people who stay here, everything has changed.

Those who stay behind must support the move-in of some outsiders.

The fleet left Cologne and silently left Bonn.

This is the second time that the blue fox has entered the hinterland of Europe. It has been many years since the last time. The last trip we took was along the Weser River route. After reaching the upper reaches of the river, we turned overland and walked for a while, then turned into the Main River, then arrived at the Rhine River, and then walked again after reaching Lake Reichenau, the water source of the upper reaches. An overland journey reached the Danube River and finally Regensburg. Although the journey was very tortuous, he also clearly saw the customs and customs of the Franks, which immediately made the legends of the past become clear, and provided first-hand information for Ross's 840-year war.

Blue Fox is an open spy. He already knows too much, and he has an army that is really hard to mess with.

Henry Nassau and King Rurik of Rus were strangers to each other, and they miraculously had a very good personal relationship afterwards.

"Just because I'm Baron Nassau. Nassau, Rurik thinks that's a nice name?"

Henry didn't want to think too much. The main force of Ross had left, but a large number of Danes were going to flood into the western coast to build a new Durist and rename it Rotterstad.

His hometown of Nassau was embedded inland and caught in the middle of a war between two powerful powers. He felt that he could not maintain his ancestral homeland, so it was a smart move to immigrate to Friesland, a coastal lowland to escape the land of trouble and trouble. Of course, you can't give up your hometown for no reason. This means that you won't set up a noble to manage it unless you use some strategies.

There were two people standing on the bow of the armed cargo ship. The spring breeze was blowing now, and they were in a good mood.

"We have already passed Bonn, and next is a section of the river that we Russians have never been to." Blue Fox couldn't help but sigh.

Henry Nassau was holding back a thousand words. He first pointed to the river: "This river is the father of the Franks, and there is another river that is their mother."

"Oh? Is there such a thing?"

"The Rhine is the father and the Moselle is the mother. However, we Nassauers are not Franks. My ancestors were forced to do nothing by their rule. Now, at least for us, we should have a better future."

There was something in Henry's words, and Blue Fox seemed to understand a little bit.

"However, if the fleet reaches Mainz, I will be somewhat familiar with it. I have been there and even know the land and water routes that finally reach Regensburg." I have a good mind.

"Oh?" Henry was a little surprised, "I have long heard that you had a problem with Ludwig, and you were rejected by him. Haha, now that man can no longer reject you."

"Haha, he humiliated me, so I don't have to respect him anymore. I think you are the same, and you don't respect him either."

"Ludwig is defeated, maybe...his kingdom will be dismembered by Lothair." Henry still said this deliberately, and his tone was soothing.

"What...what do you want to say?" Blue Fox had to ask cautiously.

"What will we do then? Saxony and my new settlement may face the attack of the Middle Kingdom."

"Don't worry, the warriors of the north will make Lothair cry bitterly." Blue Fox looked unconcerned.

"What about Nassau? What about the stronghold you're trying to establish?"

"They dare! Then fight!" Blue Fox now understood that Henry wanted to use his Ross army to help him defend his hometown. He laughed softly: "I can guess what you are worried about."

"Oh? Tell me."

"We are just afraid that we will treat your villagers like animals because of the barbarism. Don't worry, I am different from other northerners. I am a pure businessman, and I have no choice but to be a warrior. Besides, I am the Earl of Gothenburg conferred by King Rus. Now go Your establishment of a stronghold in Nassau was ordered by the king, and the final defender will be one of my biological brothers."

Henry nodded: "I know this. So, how is your brother? Is he a kind person, or..."

"They are all young people, and they must have been baptized when they came. You don't have to worry, their hands have never been stained with blood."

Listening to it, Henry Nassau was relieved, delighted, and worried, three emotions intertwined together.

"So your brother isn't even married?"

"Yes. How..." Lan Hu turned his face sensitively: "Why don't you arrange a wife for my brother?"

"Why not? Moreover, I can canonize your brother as a knight, so that after he completes his conversion and has a noble title, the whole of Nassau will accept him. This will be beneficial to you and me."

"Really?"

"Why not. I have the power."

Blue Fox had to pinch his beard and think about it. First of all, his family was loyal to the Ross royal family, and the king arranged for his two younger brothers to be placed in the Frankish world as Ross's minions. Could it be that after entering here, one of the younger brothers would be loyal to another noble. But in terms of interests, as long as this is done, the Russian forces can gain a foothold in Nassau, and because of this legal principle, the Eastern Kingdom will have nothing to say. But does this hurt King Rose’s feelings? A man cannot be loyal to two masters.

Lan Hu neither agreed nor objected, but said meaningfully: "It is okay for you to arrange a marriage for my brother, if it is beneficial to us in establishing a stronghold. As for your plan to canonize, please wait until the situation is stable. .”

This was perfunctory, and Henry didn't want to force it.

Blue Fox thought for a while and asked, "Does your village have a priest?"

"Of course there is."

"Then let the priest take charge of all affairs. My people will live in your village and live in peace with each other. I will restrain my people. If someone steals in your village, chop off his hands. If someone insults women or kills people, he will do it openly. Hang. Don’t worry, I am polite to my allies and have zero tolerance for behavior that harms my allies.”

As the saying goes, Henry Nassau was satisfied.

The conversation didn't go on anymore. Henry Nassau deepened his understanding of the Russian Blue Fox. This fat man who knew Latin was indeed better at speaking than those high-ranking nobles.

Maybe, this is a businessman.

As the fleet continued to move forward, the river channel had obviously narrowed, which meant that they had entered the middle section of the Rhine River.

There are many forests in the riverside area, with a large number of tributaries such as the Inn River, and there are no man's lands everywhere.

The area is still forested and densely populated to the south of the river, with few settlements to the north. Villages are stars dotted in a sea of ​​forests, connected only by small dirt roads.

Until the triangle area at the river confluence ahead, there is an obvious larger settlement.

The blue fox was extremely alert and pointed to the settlement and asked Henry: "What city is that? Is it your Nassau?"

"No. That's Koblenz."

A completely new term.

"Coblenz? It shouldn't be yours. Is that Ludwig's territory?"

"No." Henry Nassau shrugged, looking indifferent: "That is Lothair's territory, and it is your new enemy identified by Ross."

"Huh?" Lan Hu felt incredible that a local city was standing majestically on the riverside.

"What about your Nassau?"

"We'll be there after a while of sailing. Soon!"

"It's so bizarre. You are so big-hearted." The more Blue Fox looked at the city called Coblenz, the more he felt that he had been tricked, and he couldn't help but think of what Henry Nassau said recently.

Now he finally understands that the so-called wooing is really because Nassau is facing a threat. This Coblenz is like a bear blocking the door of the house. After the establishment of Ross Shop, won't he have to face this disgusting existence every day?

"Damn it! There is a bear lying on the bed, how unreasonable!" The blue fox has the power to plunder the middle kingdom according to the order, and it is even a treaty obligation.

His eyes were always staring, as if he was planning how to quickly capture the city.

After all, he didn't know much about this place. He still needed Henry Nassau to explain it carefully, and then he would consider whether to attack and capture the city or keep waiting and watching. According to Henry Nassau, although the city is right at the doorstep of Nassau, the local garrison has not harassed Nassau for so many years. Maybe this peaceful relationship can continue?

Blue Fox thought that was impossible. In fact, even though he had always exercised restraint and his subordinates were more rude than each other, even if they converted collectively, none of them would be truly religious. Lan Hu also feels that he does not need to be imprisoned by certain rules. He is a flexible person, and may have various beliefs, or may have no beliefs. The brothers were more anxious than himself. They had to plunder the territory of the Middle Kingdom this year. After all, this was what everyone came here to do, not to mention the acquiescence of the big nobles.

It is possible to seize the opportunity to make a sneak attack on Coblenz to make a fortune, but you need to do some reconnaissance before taking action, and everyone who has just landed must establish a good relationship with the Nassau villagers.

Another top priority is to release the King of the Eastern Kingdom, Ludwig.

Lanzhen, a village at the intersection of the Lanhe River and the Rhine River. Already part of the Barony of Nassau, the village was extremely small and its settlers served Baron Henry Nassau and his family. The task of the villagers is to maintain the boats that transport goods to Nassau Village and ensure that the wool and wine can be safely transported on the Rhine River. After all, all the villages have sampan-level boats with poor transport capacity and poor seaworthiness. If the voyage went awry and the cargo fell into the river, the entire village of Nassau would suffer great losses.

The next joint move between Henry Nassau and Blue Fox was very unreasonable.

"Why. It was agreed that I would be sent to Worms by ship." Ludwig, who was being "unloaded", was filled with anger.

Henry Nassau chose to avoid it, and now it was Blue Fox who deliberately said: "Years ago, I went all the way to Regensburg to see you, but you ruthlessly rejected me and even mocked me a little. You made me suffer a lot! Now, I I just want you to walk back. I know the next route, and you also know it. Even if you use the walking method, I also know how long it will take to reach your Worms (Wiesbaden). You and your entourage will bring dry food with you. Go away, put on your crown and go! Hopefully, you haven't forgotten how to hike."

Ludwig was so angry that he yelled. Facing this incompetent and furious guy, Blue Fox remained calm and said deliberately: "This way our personal grudges will be evened out. I will fulfill my agreement."

Could it be that Ludwig just gave in? So what if you don’t give in? Although he is a king, his strength has indeed been severely weakened. This Joseph Blue Fox is not an ordinary person. Not to mention that he has a close relationship with King Rus, he heard that he has at least 50,000 people under his command. Those Norman men can be warriors, and hearing about battles is as exciting as attending a banquet. Joseph Blue Fox, Count of Gothenburg, this person has the ability to entangle an army of at least 3,000 people and kill them by boat. It would be perfect if...this group of ruthless people attacked the Kingdom.

Of course, Blue Fox does not have such great political energy, but his ability is not weak either. The Götalanders on the Göta River where Gothenburg is located are crazy about getting rich. If necessary, Blue Fox will find a way to make these brothers rich. Therefore, we must first establish a stronghold in Nassau Village, and then "move people" from the rear.

However, Ludwig would not actually walk back to the Worms camp. He would soon arrive at the Count of Leingau, where he could ask some minor nobles to donate horses and then ride back.

Originally, he planned to convict Count Robert of Ingau after winning the battle, and even planned to expel him, take back the earldom of Ingau, and arrange for his relatives to take over.

It seems unnecessary now. After all, he has been defeated even more outrageously. How can he find the right person to blame Robert and his family? On the contrary, now is the time to employ people, and the Robert family wants to appease and use them. Now, Ludwig plans to release Robert when he goes back, apologize to him in private, and then go to the church in Frankfurt to confess.

After that, expand the army and shift to strategic defense!