Rise of Rurik

The village of Xuzehausen, abandoned due to the war, eventually became the battlefield of a great war. It was blessed with the characteristics of a small plain among the mountains. It should have been covered with yellow wheat ears this autumn, but now it has become a graveyard for thousands of soldiers and war horses. .

Ludwig had an absolute advantage in strength. Facing the huge infantry coming towards him, the Metz army that continued to hold on faced the fate of death.

With more than 5,000 soldiers from the Count of Metz, led by a group of lower-level nobles, the infantry regiment barely resisted the first round of offensive by Ludwig's Bavarian army.

However, the attackers brought the cavalry with them after victory in the battle. Their momentum was like a rainbow. When the battlefield turned into a cramped situation with infantry people crowded together, whichever side had more people, better physical strength, and stronger morale could win with any advantage. .

The Bavarian army had all three advantages. Under constant squeezing and friendly forces constantly destroying it from the flanks, the Metz army finally collapsed.

Because the most serious attack was being launched by Liudolf, Duke of Saxony himself.

Like a powerful and heavy right hook, the Saxon army deliberately stood on the right side of the battlefield, initially to prevent the enemy's cavalry from charging into the formation, so that they could resist with a wall of spears.

It was precisely because Liu Doufu had participated in too many battles in his life that he realized a piece of trivial knowledge that many nobles might not understand in their entire lives.

It is said that whether cavalry or infantry, the army always moves to the right unconsciously when advancing in war. For no particular reason, even when running, turning to the right is very comfortable, but moving to the left is indescribable discomfort.

An army that has been marching often amplifies this and eventually turns it into a group behavior.

Therefore, the Saxon army on the right side of the array was extremely comfortable in their attack, especially since every soldier knew that he would give the enemy a hard right hook.

A wall of spears gradually approached from the left side of the Metz army's perspective, and its presence forced the Bavarian warriors to vacate their positions in a hurry.

The spear wall was poked and rammed. At first, the soldiers stood in an average of five rows. The positions gradually became more dense, and the width of the spear wall slowly became too wide.

Under the blows of endless spearheads, a large number of Metz warriors had no chance of close combat. In the final analysis, a large number of soldiers were simply armed peasants. Most of them could only rely on a piece of hard leather as armor. Facing the Ross-made steel spears that the Saxons thrust at them, they were unable to fight back and were stabbed with wounds. Hundreds of holes.

More Metz nobles died in the final battle, and their deaths meant the collapse of one knighthood after another.

There is no doubt that this is a civil war in which the nobles of Metz, big and small, are risking everything to intervene with high intensity. Many big nobles have assembled the largest number of troops, and in one night, Kaiserslau is bleeding. Teng, turned into endless corpses.

The Earldom of Metz has ceased to exist in name only! At least the Metz nobility ruled by the family of Adalbert, the authentic line of nobility inherited from the Merovingian dynasty, collapsed.

Even though his eldest son died and he himself died in battle, Adalbert still thought about the fact that his youngest son Oberbach was still guarding the city of Metz.

But what he didn't know at all was that a Russian army named Nassau was actually the Russian Expeditionary Force, carrying the power of sacking Aachen. This gathering of elites and the estuary of the Inn River had attracted some brave and fierce Danes. The other refugees rowed long boats and plunged into the Moselle River again.

Any looting operation is supported by Ludwig, and he even acquiesces to everyone to cause as much killing and destruction as possible. All is to weaken the strength of the "Roman Emperor" and to attract the attention of the nobles to reduce the possibility of marching on the road. The pressure encountered.

It can be said that Frank has never fought such a complicated battle since the founding of the country.

Throughout 842, war was going on in Flanders, the Maas River Basin, the capital Aachen, the Mosel River to the Saar River, and the Palatinate under the jurisdiction of Inland in general. On the surface, these battlefields are not subordinate to each other, but Lothair is not a fool. He can see that such intensive wars must have high-intensity connections with each other.

The war is no longer a battlefield. The two armies gather tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands, and then a great battle breaks out that can end in one to two days, thus ending all wars. There will be no major wars for many years. It is war, manifested as nothing more than a gang fight on an amplified scale. Nowadays, the wars on multiple fronts have forced Lothair and his imperial nobles to run for their lives, and the concept of war has been redefined.

The Battle of Xuesehausen was only a small part of the Frankish Civil War in 842, and the Blue Fox and Black Fox sneak attacks on Metz were also only a small part.

In fact, after Ludwig regained Kaiserslautern, he could have turned west along the Roman Avenue. Today, he almost killed the entire Metz army. In the next step, the army can attack the city of Metz and all the surrounding areas. Take it.

But he was unwilling to do so, just because getting Metz seemed to be a bargain, but he also lost the strategic window to defeat his elder brother.

Strasbourg! It was this city that he missed. She is not only a city, but also represents the entire narrow Rhine Valley region!

The wealthy core of the diocese of Worms is there, along with all of Alsace.

Directly east of it is the wide Rhine River, and on the other side of the river is the huge Württemberg Mountains, which is basically uninhabited.

If his eldest brother Lothair had a whim, even if he used a large number of small boats to cross the Inn River, and an army suddenly arrived at the outskirts of the Württemberg Mountains, the army could bypass the endless mountainous areas and launch an active attack from the north to the east. .

Because there is only a very wide gap between the Württemberg Mountains and the Badden Mountain Area, which is not far from Strasbourg. Lothair has not implemented this kind of surprise attack plan so far in the civil war. Ludwig does not believe that his eldest brother does not have this idea. Maybe he has forgotten, maybe he is preparing to take action.

After all, there really is a large army in Strasbourg, and the eldest brother's whole family is there. Does he really just want to capture Mainz?

"If it were me, I would definitely launch a surprise attack across the river and directly attack Regensburg." That's what Ludwig thought, so he wanted to re-enter Strasbourg, the most important city in the kingdom.

Wherever the Roman emperor was, the local city was the most important place.

There is a shortcut, even a thoroughfare, to Strasbourg. It's just that the Roman Avenue is quite special. The ancient Romans built this road by digging it into the mountain.

The most special feature of the Metz-Strasbourg Avenue is that the road simply and roughly crosses the weakest point of the Northern Vosges Mountains, allowing the Roman Empire to connect the Paris Plain and the Rhine Valley in a shortcut.

Besides, the Diocese of Strasbourg in the Rhine Valley basically overlaps with the Count of Alsace, and that territory is not Lothair's fiefdom. He obviously snatched it from the Count of Tours and his father-in-law, Hugo III, and now owns it.

This was not Lothair's first act after inheriting the title of Roman Emperor. Coblenz was the only fiefdom of "Charlie the Bald", and it was also taken by Lothair as his own. Such constant encroachment on the fiefdoms of other nobles, even his own father-in-law and brother, eventually evolved into today's war.

The black mud mixed with green grass was soaked in the blood of the soldiers, and the Lauter River turned bright red.

Any ordinary peasant who witnessed this tragic scene would almost faint from fear. Even if they won the battle, most of the recruited militiamen survived because of the favorable wind, but after witnessing the tragic scene, even if they sat down to rest, the hands of the soldiers could not help but tremble. .

Only the old soldiers are numb to all this and have an ordinary attitude.

The army pursued the fleeing enemy, and the cavalry ruthlessly slashed at the backs of the fugitives. Thousands of Metz soldiers were needlessly killed and left lying on the grass.

They pursued them all the way to the mountain pass, and the narrow but flat Roman road in the col was crowded with fleeing people.

"Fight to the end! Follow me!" Ludwig raised his arms and shouted. His cavalry did not care about the violent breathing of the horses, let alone the dried blood on their faces.

As the Duke of Bavaria, he did not intend to rule the Earl of Metz, because it was not just a large-scale noble territory, but an important part of the "Imperial" noble alliance.

Ludwig completely ignored the dim sunset and personally led the team to hunt until the sun went down.

Until the soldier reminded in a loud voice: "Sir! We can't fight at night, let's go back quickly."

He finally came to his senses, looked at the enemy whose figure was getting more and more blurry and sinking into the darkness, and finally reined in the reins.

"Okay! Let's go. See if Adalbert's body is found."

There were a large number of soldiers stranded on the battlefield, and the victorious army immediately began to clean up the battlefield after a short rest.

This part of the Metz army was already marching with a batch of supplies. All the carriages transporting supplies had their horses unloaded, and countless sacks and barrels were placed on the vehicles.

The Saxons and Thuringians firmly controlled it, and the soldiers' spearheads were once aimed at friendly forces trying to fight for it.

Liudov and Takulv suddenly formed an alliance, and the two had their own reasons.

What else could the angry Bavarian infantry do? They had no choice but to gather outside the village of Xuzehausen for the time being and wait for the return of the Duke who was chasing the enemy.

But they found the body of Adalbert himself. There were many short spears stuck in the deceased's body, and there were deep ax marks on his neck.

The Count died with his eyes open, and his body was dragged like a dead dog.

Many knights intended to share the victory, but it was unknown who directly killed such a powerful enemy.

The sword engraved with Adalbert's parents was inserted next to the corpse, and no one dared to touch the exquisite gold-patterned gemstone belt. It was these objects that proved the identity of the corpse.

Ludwig came back with his victorious cavalry. The soldiers were exhausted and in urgent need of a good rest, but their spirits were extremely high.

He intended to visit the occupied town, but was told by his subordinates that the Saxons had been forced to occupy it.

"Greedy guy..." Ludwig clenched his fists, and he was too embarrassed to say anything else. Even if he goes there now, he can already predict what Liudof will say.

The biggest good news was that Adalbert's body was found, and the good news was instantly overshadowed by the unpleasant news.

"Okay! Let's see what happens to that arrogant guy. Who killed him? I want to give him a reward!"

The bonfire shone on Adalbert's bloody corpse, and many knights stood majestically beside him. They all knelt down and saluted before their monarch arrived.

"Who killed him?"

The knights looked at each other.

"Okay! That means everyone has merit! All knights are rewarded with a hundred pounds of silver!"

The excited Ludwig just said it casually, and no one cared whether, when, and how he would implement it.

His idea was very simple. After victory, he would definitely be rewarded. At this point in his expedition, it was impossible for him to immediately take out the ready-made gold and silver from his hometown and distribute them immediately.

He still thought of Strasbourg, that wealthy city that had to pay huge compensation to the victors for eventual defeat.

To describe the wealth of a city, it is said that "there is a mountain of gold." This is the case in Strasbourg. As long as the gold and silver utensils and coins are collected throughout the city, a huge mountain of gold that is higher than a person can be piled up.

He did not feel that he had fallen into a gangster addicted to looting. Robbery was a necessary evil to maintain the combat effectiveness of the army, and he must also fulfill his promise to the great vassal.

Just as he acquiesced in the possession of a large amount of the enemy's baggage by the Saxons and Thuringians, the benefits of this action were immediately realized the next day.

Three nobles gathered in the village of Xuzehausen, and the arrogant Ludwig walked into a clean private house.

He was dressed in armor and his stomach was trembling as he walked. He grabbed a wooden stool and sat down, glancing at the two smiling nobles.

He got straight to the point: "Are you satisfied? All the supplies of the people of Metz belong to you! I will not hold you accountable."

"Oh! Thank you very much." Liu Duofu said of course, "But this does not count as your past promise."

"Yes." Thakulv immediately added: "I still want food and silver coins, and I will continue to fight for you."

Looking at Takulf again, Ludwig could only think of his clown-like performance on the battlefield.

"Yes, my promise will be fulfilled! But..." He paused for breath: "All the wealth is in Strasbourg. I will not linger here anymore. At most, I will give you today to bury your body during the day. As for The enemy's corpses will rot here, even if the endless stench will pollute Kaiserslautern in the future."

The two nobles were startled.

"You mean, we won't even take a break before continuing to the next battle?" Liudov's eyes widened.

"Not bad!" Ludwig stroked his sword, "Adalbert is dead, and the Nassau army must have also attacked the city of Metz. Our army has destroyed the Earl of Metz family, and Metz is no longer a threat. If there is Maybe I can support a new one in the future."

He said this deliberately, and seemed to give a hint with his eyes.

Everything was kept in silence, and the two nobles looked at each other as if they understood each other tacitly.

Liudolf coughed lightly: "What do you plan to do with Adalbert's body?"

"Bury him on the spot, at least this man deserves it."

"I thought you would behead him and give his head to Lothair as a grand gift."

"No need." Ludwig waved his hand, "The sword and belt are already in my hands. By then..."

"So... our army will set out tomorrow?" Liu Doufu asked sharply, not wanting to talk nonsense anymore.

"Yes! Our army must be quick. The loss of our army's troops is not serious, but it may still be insufficient. If the group of Russians in Nassau can help me immediately, the chance of winning Strasbourg this year will be much greater." He was still optimistic, but these words hinted at the so-called losses of the Bavarian army.

But he also thought of a possibility: "We are going to pass through Briscoe. The local baron has been killed by us, and a large number of knights have also died. I will forcefully recruit a large number of militiamen from the local area and take away all the adult men passing by the villages and towns."

"But..." Liudof asked, "Do you really expect the farmers over there to fight for you?"

"Yes. Any peasants who fight for me will have their families exempted from all debts, and I will take them to my king's Bavaria after the war."

"It's simply robbing the population."

"No! It just shows my kindness. And it's fair."

In fact, Liudov is not qualified to question this matter. It is precisely his dignified Duke of Saxony who is also using dirty methods to obtain people - from Danish pirates and purchasing prisoners of war captured from the British Kingdom of Saxony in the name of kindness. .

So Adalbert himself and his son's body were buried by the Lauter River.

The entire army was assembled again, and all the wounded soldiers were placed in the city of Kaiserslautern. Ludwig left a batch of supplies. These wounded soldiers were asked to recuperate silently while guarding the city.

The advancing army was reduced to only 25,000 men. None of them were injured, and the soldiers still maintained their combat effectiveness. Because everyone got more or less spoils of war, they rushed into the Baron of Brisgow with the power of two major victories.

The cavalry opened the way to arrest people everywhere, and Ludwig used coercive means to order the soldiers to capture all the men they saw! Even the young man who has just grown a beard and the old man with a gray beard.

What is so attractive about the so-called cancellation of all debts? Ordinary farmers have just finished harvesting wheat, and a large amount of oats still need to be rammed and shelled with flails.

All the strong labor force was taken away, along with key farm tools. If a large number of farmers die in the war, the local area will lose not only its labor force, but also the means of production for next spring farming. As long as Ludwig wins, he doesn't care about the life or death of the people in the places he passes through.

The entire army crossed the Saar River from Schwabrücken (Two Bridges Town), and all male residents of this key town were incorporated into the army.

An army of wailing peasant soldiers of up to five thousand people suddenly appeared. They were driven with the army towards the northern Vosges Mountains and towards the Metz-Strasbourg road that crossed the mountains.

The army with baggage finally experienced a rain, and they continued to advance in the valley according to Ludwig's orders in the gloomy rain.

"Don't wait! After passing the mountain pass, you will see the entire Alsace! It is the wealthy Strasbourg, and all warriors can gain wealth!"

In fact, Ludwig was also shivering from the early autumn rain, and he knew that the only way to stay warm was to move quickly.

】

The army, which had swelled back to 30,000 men, was being weakened by the rain. However, Lothair and his stationed army could not have imagined that a large army was advancing in the rain on the winding road in the Northern Vosges Mountains.

Ludwig gave the most pragmatic statement to the entire army. It was impossible for the army to climb over the mountains and then go straight to the final goal without stopping. The army is in urgent need of revision, and its numbers need to be further expanded.

"Capture Saverna after crossing the mountain! We will camp there and wait for our army to finish resting and fight the enemy. The entire army will spend the winter in Strasbourg this year!"