Rise of Rurik

In order to entertain the visiting Robert family, Blue Fox prepared a sumptuous banquet.

According to the tradition of the Gould family, a roast lamb dinner is the most important hard dish. It is a wonderful thing for diners to bring their own knives to cut the lamb to their personal preference for dinner.

After all, this is not the past when supplies were scarce, and it is no longer appropriate to simply roast a whole lamb to show off the wealth of a businessman.

The businessman was upgraded to a nobleman. As the Earl of Gothenburg, Blue Fox had great strength. He could have continued to show off his power and power in order to coerce the down-and-out Robert, but he did not continue to do so after all.

The wheat is crushed and cooked into iron pancakes, which are even more delicious with the addition of butter and eggs.

Nassau's specialty wine is indispensable, and the grape jam that has just been put into oak barrels is a sweet ingredient in itself, and it is made into a sauce for spreading greasy scones.

Newly picked spores in autumn are boiled into mushroom soup with butter and condensed milk. Cabbage is cooked with peas and onions into vegetable soup.

Blue Fox asked his men to spend some time cooking a good meal. After that, he invited Robert's family of three to dine in the attic living room of the old Baron Nassau residence.

This is a purely aristocratic dinner.

The newly made pine dining table has been polished to be quite smooth, but the pine resin on the table has not yet dissipated.

By the time all the food was served, a roasted lamb was twisting and sizzling on a huge wooden plate. Various soups in pottery urns were exuding intoxicating aromas, and the aroma of wine had already permeated the entire house.

The waiters were all local village women, and they were all asked to leave by Blue Fox as they waited for others.

The Robert family has been living in poverty since they were released at the beginning of the year. The wealthy countess Al has a thin face, Robert himself is not looking well, and their son Robert Jr. is also sallow, thin and not energetic. Now, even with the steady supply of rough bread in the Nassau monastery, the ascetic life is still a torment.

In complete contrast, the black fox has a fat face and belly, his fiancée Sofia's cheeks are beginning to bulge, and the blue fox is slightly chubby but absolutely capable and powerful.

It is clear who is rich and who is poor.

It was afternoon, and the autumn sunlight shone through the open loft into the entire living room. The aroma filled the air, and the table of food and drinks made the Robert family look forward to it.

It was completely beyond the expectations of Countess Eyre, who had admired some aspects of the Normans and was completely overwhelmed by the sight of a fine meal. barbarian? No. Nassau was originally a poor mountain barony, and they couldn't make any good food. The current situation was completely created by the invading Normans, and only these outsiders came up with tricks in terms of eating.

Because there is a very serious principle - even female nobles must avoid dining and banquets dominated by men.

The Normans seemed to be unfussy, and since the little girl Sophia, the real Baroness, was present, there was no embarrassment in her presence.

Countess Al's hunger is swaying her mind, and to hell with those commandments! I have never had the opportunity to eat and drink in half a year, so I can’t pass up the opportunity. She patted her son's little head, put his face close to him and whispered, "I'm going to eat mutton until I can't eat any more."

At first, the scene was slightly awkward.

Here is a tripartite meeting between the Earl of Gothenburg, the Baron of Nassau, and the Earl of Leiingau, and the daughter of the Earl of Tours-Alsace is also present.

Countess Al can represent the identity of her natal family. After all, Al has negotiated with her husband Robert to evacuate to the Western Kingdom, and her father, Earl of Tours, has a fiefdom in the Western Kingdom.

The solution to embarrassment is a nice glass of wine.

The blue fox held up the glass mug, "I heard that wine is interpreted as holy blood. I converted not long ago, so I don't know much about this. Forget it. Let's toast to friendship."

The blue fox looked dignified and generous, while the black fox raised the wine glass high, and even Sofia symbolically held the slightly heavy glass with both hands.

The transparent glass is really a treasure, and the Robert family still wants to fill their stomachs as soon as possible to replenish their depleted oil and water.

Holding the wine glass in both hands, Robert drank it quickly and unpreferably. He couldn't help but widen his eyes, because it was definitely filled with honey, it was a little too sweet.

"How is it? This honey wine is really delicious. I love it so much, and I think you do too." Blue Fox wiped his lips and smiled.

"What an amazing experience, I haven't felt this good in a year. Thank you so much."

Robert was in a much better mood. He completely ignored the fact that a year ago they were mortal enemies.

"Let's have a few more drinks." Blue Fox said again.

"Okay, okay. But, don't we have to talk about something important? If so, I want to discuss it with you."

"It doesn't matter if we have a few more drinks. At least, we have to make friends. You must know that in the past, our hostility was just because we were each our own masters. There was no conflict between you and me. I am a subject of King Rus, and you are a subject of Ludwig." The king ordered us to fight, and we have to fight. Now...hehe."

"You and I really have no reason to be hostile." The other party gave him enough face. Robert was overjoyed and even extremely grateful for this respect. "Then have a good drink."

"Okay. Drink wine! Eat meat! No one needs to be formal, including you, Countess. According to the customs of our Russian people, everyone has the right to gather together to dine. I learned that you are also the daughter of a great nobleman, so you are a simple person here. It’s not appropriate to entertain you.”

Countess Al couldn't help but cover her sore nose. He was obviously a Norman who respected her so much. Basically, this guy's Frankish was poor. "Okay, now that you have learned my identity, we can talk more while we have the opportunity."

The dinner is to open up the situation and enhance understanding. The fact is that Robert is only willing to open his heart to the Fox Brothers.

On the other hand, since Nassau had long been a vassal of Leingau, Robert had a certain psychological advantage over this area. Everything has changed so much. The land of Nassau has not changed, and the people who live there have been replaced on a large scale. At least the little girl Sophia sitting here is indeed Henry Nassau's little daughter, and her existence must also represent Yuan Dun Ni. The attitude of Henry of Teresa.

Low-alcohol wine requires some distillation to become dry red, and the complete set of rectifier equipment is in New Roseburg. Nassau does not have the ability to make spirits in this regard.

He was just slightly drunk after drinking too much low-alcohol wine, and it was precisely because he could drink to his heart's content that Robert, who was in a good mood, was willing to express his wishes without reservation.

The roasted lamb had been cut with knives until only the bones were left. Even so, Sophia hugged a lamb rib like a kitten and continued to chew the minced meat. Little Robert, who was sitting on the other side, might as well give in. His little face was already full of oil.

Patting his belly, Robert roared comfortably: "Ah! It's been a year! Today is the happiest day for me. People from Russia! We can really become friends!"

"It seems you want to discuss business?!" Lan Hu asked with a leisurely look.

"Yes. In fact, you can already see that now I have lost most of my power. Our family has become thinner. I don't have many followers, and the situation is not good."

"You are obviously an earl, and you once led three thousand cavalry to attack us. Have you become depressed in just one year?" Blue Fox meant to ask knowingly, but it was still shocking to think of a big nobleman who suddenly fell into poverty.

"Because I lost the battle." Robert's head, which he had just raised, was lowered in pain. His right hand, which was lying on the table, couldn't help but grab a mutton rib and crush it hard. This hatred was shocking. "Ludwig is not a good king. He focuses on war and does not care about the life and death of the people. He imprisoned me, occupied my fief, and directly ordered the knights from all over the country to pay allegiance directly to the king without me. All the knights outside the mountainous area are loyal to the king. He was loyal and sent troops to fight for him. The result..."

"how?"

"Death! Massive death. They fought against King Lothair's army in the south, and the army from Ingau suffered heavy losses. Those knights should be loyal to me, and the peasant soldiers should be organized by me to fight! But I... can only... Sitting in the mountains, because the road is really unchanged, only two knights were not taken away by Ludwig, and only these two knights are loyal to me... If they hadn't provided food, I would have left here long ago."

"Is that so?" Blue Fox was surprised. He looked at his brother Black Fox and signaled to say something.

Black Fox also understood it. After all, this old boy had been talking about it for a long time and was crying about being poor.

The fat little Black Fox asked in his capacity as Baron Nassau: "So, what can I do for you?"

Hitting the point straight to the point, Robert raised his head very pragmatically, without any tears left. His expression was extremely urgent, like a drama: "I want food, a lot of food. I want cash, a lot of cash. After all, it's not just our family, I also have There are many followers to feed, and I am extremely short of food now. Wait until winter..."

"Are you worried that you won't be able to survive the winter?" Black Fox asked again with his arms folded.

"Yes. Young man, at least your future son must be the Baron of Nassau. You should know that this place has been loyal to me since ancient times. Your wife's ancestors and my ancestors have always been friends, and now I am in trouble , you should really help me."

"That's my woman's business. She seems to have only a little spiritual connection with me. So, why. Look at my blond hair, I have nothing to do with you." Black Fox shrugged and looked at his brother, Blue Fox. Eyes.

Blue Fox understood: "I can help you. At what price? I mean, we are not saints, on the contrary, we are pirates, gangsters, and businessmen. We just robbed Trier and made so-called ill-gotten gains." . Even so, you still want money and food from us? Where is your faith? Are you willing to trade with us barbarians?"

"I am loyal to God!" Robert tapped his chest and paused for breath, obviously hesitating. "But...I've figured it out. I'm no longer loyal to Ludwig."

"Ah?" The blue fox was surprised, and so was the black fox. "Are you not a fan of that man?"

"It was yes last year, but not this year. As you can see, I have nothing now. I can't even get a batch of food aid. I will probably freeze to death and starve to death."

"That's not true, you're still making a fool of yourself." Black Fox clicked his tongue.

"He is telling the truth." Countess Al, who couldn't hold it in for a while, spoke.

"Oh, noble woman..."

"That's true. We were forced to move to the knight territory at the foot of Taunus Mountain. Even if we were in dire straits, there were still 200 people including guards, attendants, and maids. The local knights couldn't give us enough extra food, and we didn't dare to force the knights to continue to take it. If we have money and food, they will be directly loyal to King Ludwig. At that time, we will really have nothing, and all the entourage will flee due to hunger. In the end, only our family of three will be left to live like savages..." No words. After saying that, the countess's big eyes fell one after another.

Although women can easily show their pain with tears, Blue Fox could see that this female noble was really miserable.

After all, why should they support the Robert family in distress for free? Isn't it because they were defeated in last year's war that they ended up like this?

According to Robert's own detailed account, he lost a huge amount of the Eastern Kingdom's standing heavy cavalry, which caused Ludwig to be furious and launch a heavy northern expedition, triggering the decisive battle in the north in the winter of 840. Robert himself was an extremely key figure. Robert was directly defeated and captured, and then exiled by King Rus himself. If the Ross side had been defeated at that time, Robert would have become famous in an instant. You know, if Robert wins at that time, it means defeating Ross, Denmark, and Saxony. It is equivalent to Count Liyingo replicating Charlemagne's glorious achievements.

What it means to be a winner and loser is clearly reflected in the Robert family.

Robert was still pleading for money and food.

"Of course I can't give it to you for free, and you don't have anything to pay for it." Blue Fox pinched his beard and asked again.

At first, Robert did have reservations, but now he can only implement his sinister plan according to the worst plan.

"I still have a fortune." He grimaced, and so did the Countess.

"What wealth?" The fox brothers both became serious.

"Land. All my fiefdom."

"What?"

Robert then straightened his face and bared his teeth with a serious look: "Land! All the land. The whole of Laingau! It's all yours! I will hand over the whole of Laingau to the Barony of Nassau. From now on, you!"

Robert pointed directly at the little fat Black Fox: "You! Paul Black Fox from Russia! From now on, you can be Baron Nassau-Coblenz-Leingau. No, your title should be Earl."

"Huh? Me?" The black fox was very surprised, and the blue fox looked even more shocked.

The entire restaurant was silent except for the sounds of birdsong, wind and chatter outside.

Blue Fox first calmed down: "Are you serious? The whole coming to Yingao?"

"It's absolutely true. My only wealth now is land. It's my fief and I have the right to control it."

"But aren't you Ludwig's vassal? If you are, will that man support you?"

"I have just said it." Robert said with a serious face, "I am no longer loyal to Ludwig. And you, Nassau is loyal to the Principality of Saxony first, isn't it? A vassal of Saxony is not a vassal of Ludwig. What if one more of you comes to Yingao?"

"This... territorial expansion is of course a good thing. However, your fiefdom is not entirely under Ludwig's control. That's not right!" Blue Fox, who realized that this was clearly a minefield, slowly laughed out loud: "Okay. , you are provoking an internal fight between us and Ludwig."

After saying this, Robert and his wife's expressions changed drastically.

"Haha, you are indeed smart." Blue Fox knocked on the table, "You are also very cunning."

"Oh. Now that you have realized it. How about it? Do you want to come to Yingao or not?"

Blue Fox thought for a moment: "I won't draw any conclusions yet. Let's make some assumptions. I know that Lyingau is very big. If Nassau wants it, where will you go? You and your wife are both great nobles, even if they are in ruins."

"We will go south," the Countess said.

Robert relayed: "That's why we want a sum of money and food."

"South? What do you mean?"

"Because." Robert smiled bitterly: "To be honest, my family has a long history, and many direct family members are actually lords in Aquitaine, Catalonia, and the Pyrenees."

"They are all names I don't know."

"Now they are all loyal to the Western Kingdom." The countess added, "Including my father, Count Tour, whose fiefdom is in the south, and they are all loyal to the Western Kingdom. In fact, my father has a big feud with the Middle Kingdom."

"what for?"

"Just like the Middle Kingdom took away Coblenz, which should belong to the Western Kingdom, King Lothair also took away my father's Alsace fief. It is impossible for our family to be loyal to Lothair or to Ludwig. Hey, our relatives are all in the Western Kingdom and have not gone to the south."

Blue Fox looked at his younger brother Black Fox, he had figured everything out. "Sell us the entire fiefdom of Laingau as goods in exchange for food for the winter and money for travel expenses?"

"Yes! Even." Robert asked in front of him: "Maybe you can provide transportation convenience."

The countess immediately answered: "Because Tours is an area close to the sea in the south. My father is there and all my relatives are there. Aren't you very good at sailing? With your boat, we can go there tomorrow. Even you can too Contact King Charles of the Western Kingdom. No matter what, if the Middle Kingdom is not defeated, all our deals will be useless. The Middle Kingdom is our common enemy."

At this moment, Blue Fox couldn't help but sigh that a countess was the wise man. Why did he think that Robert, a reckless warrior, could not be so wise. funny! If the man had been smart he would not have suffered such a rapid defeat on the banks of the Elbe.