Rise of Rurik

A nobleman with a distinguished title, even an earl, can he rest easy in his personal life?

Count Robert of Laingau and his family have truly experienced a magical time in the past two years. The powerful family had to choose sides in the civil war between the top Frankish nobles. Robert took Ludwig's side, but instead of bringing prosperity to himself, the entire family was now in decline.

The noble earl even encountered an unprecedented food crisis!

Robert himself is still strong and can lead the remaining followers to hunt in the wild to satisfy their hunger.

He has an entire family and vassals. The so-called Fimilino concept is "the aggregation of noble families and all servants." Robert has many people to support, so he can abandon his servants, but abandoning them in times of crisis will make him more vulnerable. For a crime of moral corruption, he was despised by other nobles and probably lost the chance of turning over again.

It stands to reason that he can collect tithes from the fiefs and villages in the entire earldom. At the end of the official autumn harvest, each village must have sadly plundered surplus grain.

The strange thing is that such a crucial plunder of Robert was not realized, or from a realistic point of view, someone more noble actually deprived him of this power.

count? The new life of the family is not as good as that of the knights...

If life was not unsustainable, who would humbly go to the neighbor's land to beg for food.

With this mentality, Robert brought his wife and children, and under the protection of a small number of entourage, maintained the last ground of the count's status. In this capacity, he arrived at the Baron of Nassau, an old vassal of the Russians' "pirate den" with a "high profile" collar.

Yes, if Nassau had not always existed as a little follower of Lai Yingao, Robert, who was struggling to make ends meet, thought of going here to see the situation.

Some news was being passed among the nobles. Nassau had changed its owner, and a woman was suddenly made a baroness by King Ludwig. This woman's surname is indeed Nassau, and her aristocratic status is unquestionable, but her husband is a genuine Norman Ross noble!

Robert was wearing his most gorgeous clothes - battle armor. His ten mounted entourages were also dressed as cavalry and collectively escorted a small carriage.

The countess and her two children were wrapped in a wool felt and sitting cross-legged in a flat carriage. They were dressed to keep out the cold and kept a low profile.

There are also two unladen small carriages. They are the vehicles Robert planned to transport goods after collecting food.

The scenic Taunus mountainous area in the Hesse region has the main peak nearly 900 meters above sea level. To the southeast of the mountainous area is the plain beside the fertile Main River. It is also the richest fief area ever owned by the Robert family and the entire The source of comprehensive strength of the Earldom of Laingau.

The population and financial resources are highly concentrated in the Main River area from the southeast to the northeast of the mountainous area. To the northwest are the vast mountainous areas, and the agricultural level is equally poor with the limited population.

Due to various reasons, the Robert family actually lost control over the rich areas in their fiefdom. What is even more tragic is that even the control over the villages in the mountainous areas was extremely weak due to the extremely poor traffic conditions.

The Taunus Mountains are lush and lush in summer with birds singing and flowers fragrant, and wild grapevines grow wildly in the gaps between the hills. Such geographical conditions are suitable for the development of a unique winemaking industry, but it is difficult to grow wheat. For ordinary mountainous farmers, making wine is just a supplement to their lives. The most important thing is to produce more wheat in the barren land.

The towering main peak of Taunus served as a barrier for Robert's family. He used the village at the foot of the mountain, a knightly territory that was legally loyal to him, as a place to live in seclusion.

The village of Etiches has been a small military stronghold since Roman times, and is now inhabited by Franks. Adding the place name suffix is ​​a concise pronunciation diagram of the local people, and the village has the name of Edenstein. There is also the nearby village of Taunustein, and the two knights from the two villages are the closest nobles that the Robert family can contact.

The small village will not become glorious at all because of the Earl's stay. The lord knight of the village only has military assistance obligations to his Earl. In fact, the knight did fulfill his obligations.

The old knight had already joined the cavalry force led by Robert himself in the summer of 840 and was defeated by the Elbe River. The new knight is the son of the old knight. The young man is resentful of the Earl who lost his army. Logically speaking, he has no obligation to provide food supplies to the Earl's family, and he is happy to see him in decline. Out of his own conscience, the young knight Still gave some money and food.

It's true that loyalty shows in adversity, but what a pity can a little knight do? The money and food given by the knight were received by the village priest and then handed over to Robert. On the surface, it became a charity from the church, and objectively it also showed the arrogance of the knight.

"It's not tribute, it's pity for me! But, with the surplus food you, a little knight, can sustain my family for a long time? Can it support my hope of revival?"

Living in seclusion in the Taunus Mountains was originally Robert's way of venting his anger. As a count, he "left everything behind" and faced King Ludwig, who was increasingly dominating his own territory and resorting to violence. The civil war continues to escalate in the Earl of Raiingau's fiefdom, and the king is frantically squeezing the manpower and material resources of this rich area.

He saw it with hatred in his heart, imagining that Ludwig was defeated in the civil war, and it would be best to let that militaristic guy experience the feeling of losing power, such as that man losing the title of Duke of Bavaria.

The top priority is to deal with the expenses for winter and next spring at home, and even make a long-term plan for the future.

At least, he saw in the north that the Ross people, who were once enemies, were by no means unreasonable villains. They were a group of Norman forces that could be reasoned with. The King of Ross had even always flaunted that he was very particular about the spirit of contract.

"Since they are willing to do business, they can have a good talk. Business can be done with anything! I... can use some special chips."

A conspiracy sprouted in Robert's mind. After some calculations, he estimated that as long as he negotiated this deal with the Russians who controlled Nassau, the one who would be unlucky in the future would be the militaristic Ludwig. As for myself, is there anything left to miss?

Along the small dirt road in the gaps between the hills, the small convoy ran towards the Lan River along the valley stream, then wandered and finally arrived at the village of Nassau.

A Russian wooden fortress stands on the riverside, and a dock magically appears.

What once surprised Robert was that although there were extraordinary defense facilities here, and the fortress was obviously flying the Russian flag, where had the Russian people gone? There was only one long boat moored alone at the pier, and there was no trace of the Russians anywhere.

After all, Robert and his entourage came on horseback, holding cross flags to declare their faith and existence.

In the previous attack and annexation of Coblenz, the villagers of Nassau Village objectively participated in the war. Although they were only responsible for waving the flag and shouting, they also had a share of the victory. For the first time, ordinary farmers had the glory of victory. This glory exempted them from this year's tithe tax. The villagers supported their new baron and naturally safeguarded the baron's interests.

The armed farmer approached the suddenly visiting cavalry. When he learned that the visitor turned out to be the Count of Ingol himself, the arrogance of victory disappeared in an instant.

No matter how stupid an ordinary farmer is, he knows that the long-standing nobles in this area are the Robert family who came to Ingau. The farmers retreated, and Father Conrad, with a lot of pressure, pulled Baroness Sophia to see the noble family in person. Lord Count.

But the latter did not have the slightest arrogance. Robert, who had been suffering from the shadow of defeat in his heart, did not dare to exercise power in the area actually controlled by the Russians. Moreover, he had no power to show off now.

Robert quickly dismounted and negotiated with Father Conrad, who rushed over.

"I know that the Russians are building shops in Nassau, and I also learned that they recently took away Coblenz. Now, where are they?"

Conrad answered lightly: "They launched another expedition."

"Expedition? Where to go?"

"It's Trier. I don't know the specifics, but they will be back soon."

Trier is a sacred ancient city. Are the Russians so arrogant that they dare to go deep into the hinterland of the Middle Kingdom? As Conrad revealed that the commander of the Russians who actually fought in this operation was Joseph Blue Fox, Robert was relieved about everything. After all, the man was no stranger, not even a Norman nobleman that King Ludwig himself loved and hated.

The Robert family had to respect the little girl Sophia. She was indeed a baroness, with a nominal status lower than themselves, but her husband was Black Fox, the younger brother of Blue Fox. Behind her was the powerful strength of the Russian people. Now she is asking for help. They had to keep a low profile.

Father Conrad was kind-hearted and was willing to provide food and accommodation for the visiting Robert and his entourage. However, the food was plain bread, and the accommodation was a temporary house found by the monastery. The earl had to live in a shabby room and eat nothing every day.

"The Point Guard Is Here"

Robert was not in a hurry. He silently discovered that the villagers here continued to live their normal lives and did not have the slightest objection to the occupation of the Ross forces. why is that? He quickly understood everything - the Russian occupiers exempted the villagers from taxes and granted certain war dividends, and ordinary farmers supported it.

"Are you being kind? Joseph Blue Fox? If you give them benefits, it means others lose benefits. Your army can only make a living by robbing others to show your kindness in Nassau..." Robert hit the nail on the head. Determine the true intention of the Russians to attack Trier.

In fact, the way for the nobles to make a fortune does not require any intrigues. It often only requires the simplest method, that is, sending troops to rob the enemy completely and living off other people's granaries. Those Normans had no religious concerns. They were just a group of pirates who made a living by robbing. Even if they converted, they would remain wild.

The Robert family waited in the village of Nassau, and then they met Father Bachbert of the Koblenz Abbey who personally escorted the tithe. They chatted with the clergyman and learned about the current situation in the Koblenz area.

After all, across the Rhine River from the Earl of Ingau is Coblenz. Of course, the Robert family intends to expand its territory. The family covets Coblenz, but unfortunately they cannot legally occupy it. The Russians were still using rough methods. Ludwig must have acquiesced in taking Coblenz by force, and they would definitely encounter King Lothair's revenge in the future.

"No, Nassau will also be a place of right and wrong in the future. There are not many Russian troops left here. I am afraid that King Lothair's army will retaliate and the whole of Nassau will be destroyed in the future. I can only use this place for a short time. I have to serve my family. Think long-term! I have to leave this place of right and wrong..." Robert thought silently. He thought that staying in the peak area of ​​the civil war would definitely lead to the destruction of the entire family. For the sake of future prosperity and wealth, it would not be a shame to escape from this place.

The Robert family continued to wait until the Russian fleet arrived.

The Fox Brothers made a triumphant return. The longships were about to sink under the weight of the gold, silver, ironware, and grain they plundered from Trier. Thanks to the traditional longships' low draft and the always gentle flow of the Lan River, a tributary of the Inn River, the fleet returned to Trier calmly. Sao Village. Since they had already learned that Earl of Laingau had come uninvited, the black fox was angry and the blue fox was surprised. When the two brothers were about to land, they saw a nobleman wearing a Frankish armor at the dock and looking forward eagerly.

"Damn it. This place is his territory! It's as if we are guests." Black Fox himself is the de jure steward and has the right to exercise all the powers of a baron. He is angry when he sees that a noble has stolen his limelight.

Lan Hu comforted his younger brother: "Boy, this Robert is our defeated general. What is a count? Your brother, I am also a count. I am far stronger than this guy, and even you are much stronger than him. Don't be polite to him for a while. , and don’t be arrogant to him. Remember, let’s listen to what this guy thinks first. I’ll go and meet him first.”

They are all earls, and some earls are more noble.

In principle, the Blue Fox can mobilize the military power of Gothenburg. The local Viking Jotalans are still in a military state. They have a strong desire for sailing and plundering, and they are very much looking forward to a noble leader making a fortune. In fact, Blue Fox has already thought of ways to make a fortune in his own land. After all, Gothenburg is at the mouth of the Göta River. It faces the Strait of Great Denmark. There are some rocky islands at the mouth as barriers, which can protect the port and defend the sea. Tide can indeed be developed into a good trading port. Wine produced in the Nassau region is continuously shipped to the north. Gothenburg can be used as a distribution center, and you can make a lot of money by reselling wine.

Rich and powerful, the blue fox that landed aroused Robert's fear. Of course, only a few of the Russian troops behind him were real Russians. Most of them came from various backgrounds, and even with such a bond, Robert did not dare to underestimate them. Because every soldier in this army is a ruthless person. They participated in the battle on the frozen Elbe River last year and survived, and now they have returned with the wealth they looted from Trier.

To be honest, Robert admires this army that is more ferocious than hungry wolves. If he had such a strong army under his command, I'm afraid his life would not be so miserable.

Blue Fox first looked at the nobleman and said sternly: "Earl Robert, you shouldn't be here! We didn't invite you. I can think of you as threatening us."

Robert was shocked. He had no strength and could only lower his head: "Joseph Blue Fox..."

"Shut up! I am the Count of Gothenburg of the Kingdom of Ross. I have the strength to easily mobilize a Norman army of three thousand people to rush to Nassau by ship. You have no right to call me by my name!"

"Okay. The noble Earl of Gothenburg... I really pose no threat to you. I come with a peaceful attitude."

"That's pretty much it." Blue Fox nodded with satisfaction: "Remember, you are a defeated person. Are you peaceful? Indeed, I have no ill intentions towards you. I knew you were coming in Coblenz. I also know your intentions. I can’t believe that you, who once had the ability to lead three thousand cavalry, are so depressed that you have to borrow food from us to survive. It’s so miserable!”

Joseph Blue Fox is actually sympathetic? No! It's clearly a mockery. Robert gritted his teeth and felt uncomfortable all over. As a man, he couldn't wait to duel with this blue fox. He just considered his family, the ideal of reviving the family, and envisioning revenge against King Ludwig. Now he was facing ridicule. I can only endure it.

"Indeed, I am so poor that I am starving. Where is the real Baron of Nassau? Oh, it must be you." Robert's eyes looked at the young fat man next to Blue Fox.

"It's me. I'm Paul Black Fox." Black Fox curled his lips and looked arrogant. His understanding of Robert was that this guy was the defeated general. Since this guy came uninvited, his first impression of Robert was The first contact felt quite bad.

"Oh! A young and promising nobleman, you will have a great future." Robert could only compliment a young nobleman who was much younger than himself with a wry smile.

It was this humble attitude that made the black fox feel a little better, "Of course I will have a future! I am the Baron of Nassau, even your King Ludwig has to respect me."

"Of course. I have learned that you have plundered Trier, and now even King Lothair fears you. Noble Baron of Nassau, I salute you."

Robert had to say some compliments without conscience. After all, every noble was brave and ambitious when he was young. This black fox was at this barbaric age and was in urgent need of recognition and compliments from others.

The black fox was happy with Robert's cowardice, and the blue fox was also happy with his peacefulness.

"I know you came here to ask for some food." Black Fox pinched his waist and said in a high-key manner like a local owner: "We can have a good chat. Of course I can give you some food, but you still have to pay some price. For example, with Silver coins, leather purchase, transfer some fiefs to me, anything can be discussed, now we admit you as a guest."