Rise of Rurik

The first battle was really anticlimactic for the Smolensk Army.

Vadim never thought that he was almost killed inexplicably. The Russians were still sharp, and the bad memories in his mind surfaced, causing even deeper anger.

He staggered back and sat on the ground in shock.

Now the whole army saw the great leader's embarrassment.

The soldiers did not flee again, nor did they show much disappointment. Continuous march finally stood outside the enemy's fortress, now awaiting further orders from the big leader.

People are chatting secretly...

"It's already evening, do you still want to continue attacking? We can't charge randomly anymore, we have to find a way."

"But... what does this have to do with us? Vadim will figure it out on his own."

"Oh. He almost died...the enemy is so sharp. May God help him find a way..."

Vadim sat cross-legged on the ground, holding his chest and saying nothing. He estimated that if he died suddenly, the army would disperse.

"Chief." A soldier dismounted and asked, "It's dark. Night attack? Rest?"

"Rest, let me be quiet."

Vadim decided to set up camp and occupy the fortress with absolute force. However, his abilities have limits, because it is impossible for the army to be stationed in the West Dvina River, and it is impossible to enter the nearby swamps.

The army continued to stare eagerly at the east gate of the fort.

Vadim could estimate that the enemy was capable of evacuating through other doors, but he could not block their escape route.

"Will you run away? If you believe in Odin, will you be cowardly and run away?" Vadim objectively completed the siege of the three fortresses, but he did not want the enemy to escape, he just wanted to burn down the entire fortress.

, kill all the defenders to vent their anger.

The people of Smolensk also believe in the fire god Peron. Maybe there is no need to take prisoners of war to the big altar and burn the fortress together. Wouldn't it be a good sacrifice?

The premise is, of course, to break the city in the same way.

"I can't rush in all directions. I have to find a way to cross the ditch and break through the door. Maybe... forcefully break it open?" He asked his subordinates to stay quiet, while he still sat on the ground and thought about the other side.

He thought of the lumberyard, and his eyes gradually glanced towards the forest in the dark night. "Yes, cut down wood to build a small bridge, and use wood to break open their doors. If that doesn't work, pile up the oily pine wood and burn the wooden wall together! Even if it's a waste of time."

Vitebsk, on the other hand, became a closed door.

"Tell me! Who are you? What is your purpose?" A soldier was punching and kicking an injured prisoner of war.

The perpetrators were actually civilians from Polotsk, and they were still in a dangerous situation. They also had to take up arms to protect themselves and fight alongside the Varyags.

After beating with sticks, the foul-mouthed prisoner was finally subdued.

"Smolensk..."

"What did you say?"

"We are Smolenskians... Our leader, with his brave men... will kill all of you Rus gangsters." The prisoner spoke while coughing up blood.

"You want to kill us?! Look at me killing you now!" That's all, the violent warrior pulled out the hand ax issued to him.

"Wait a minute!" Yellinger, who had just checked the basic city defenses, walked over holding the hilt of his sword.

….

"Boss..."

"What did the prisoner say?"

"As expected, they are from Smolensk. They want to... kill us all."

"Them? You

? Yelinger frowned, "You are obviously a Polotsk man. These guys actually..."

"I'm probably going to kill him too. Boss, why don't you let me kill him to avoid future troubles."

Yelinger shook his head: "It's too hasty. At least you Polotsk people understand that the current situation can only survive if we work together. Continue the investigation! Find out more things."

"As commanded."

The war forced all Polotsk civilians to give up their illusions. At first they

They were forced to wear the helmets of the Russian army. Ordinary farmers actually wore riveted plate armor with leather and iron plates, holding hair and axes. This outfit was like an elite soldier.

They were reluctant to fight, but their mentality changed after they witnessed everyone working together to win the first defensive battle in extreme fear.

The Rus-Ostara army treated everyone who fought hard. After the war, everyone ate stewed oats in pottery jars together. Since we don’t know how long we can hold on, it’s better for everyone to fill their stomachs quickly while there is plenty of food now.

The citizens of Polotsk, the visiting Danish merchants, and the garrison soldiers were all allowed to eat until they could eat no more, and would remain so for the rest of the war.

There were three prisoners, and the leather armor they were wearing was stripped off, and the secret of the armor was immediately exposed.

"This kind of leather armor, if you rivet some iron pieces on it, it will become a good plate armor. It's right to attack them with armor-piercing arrow clusters."

Soon, the defending soldiers understood the enemy's exact identity, weaponry and equipment level, approximate troop strength, and an extremely critical piece of information.

Who is the enemy chief?

A man named Vadim, who, according to the prisoners, was nicknamed "The Prince of Revenge."

Why is this surprising?

Weird nickname? The prisoner, who just wanted to avoid being beaten and persecuted, told everything he knew clearly.

The information is unbelievable. I'm afraid this is the most direct fact.

Because Vadim is an old acquaintance of the Kingdom of Rus.

In conjunction with the large river channels and the trenches surrounding the city, the city of Vitebsk has a complete trench defense system. Vadim quickly retreated and found the weak point in the fortress's defense, which was also a point where his army could attack.

The army camped just outside the city, and Vadim himself placed his command post in the occupied Russian logging camp.

He didn't know how to use the captured crossbow, but he took off the bow arms and found a very good recurve hunting bow, so he used it for himself. His old sword was thrown away, and the bright white Ross steel sword became his new treasure.

The Smolensk army has a large number of soldiers, and each soldier carries a batch of supplies on his back. Now he is cutting down wood and stacking firewood on the spot, and densely packed bonfire highlights are spread outside the east gate of the city.

The prisoners' intelligence was compiled, and each piece of intelligence undoubtedly became the core of the discussion at the military meeting in the inner city of Vitebsk tonight.

The shock at the beginning of the battle was gone. In the warm longhouse in the inner city, people couldn't help but think of last year's defense battle.

At that time, the defenders of the defense battle and the joint cavalry of Rus-Ostara-Kiev-Pecheneg won a great victory and rushed all the way to the mouth of the West Dvina River.

….

The warriors from the north were full of arrogance in the face of the local residents, and the battle once again proved that the fortress guarded by the northerners was impregnable.

Karl Eriksson looked confident, feeling that if he and his brothers killed the enemy, he would be able to take over Jeringer's position next year.

"Have all the interrogations been completed?" Old Man Jellinger was the top commander.

Commander, asked the Polotsk civilian soldier who was allowed to participate in the meeting for the first time. He asked in broken Slavic.

The latter already regarded themselves as Varyags.

"It's all over. You Russians! You'll be shocked."

"Say it quickly." Karl pressed.

The intelligence pointed out one thing after another.

The Smolensk army has 5,000 soldiers and 500 cavalry. Everyone has a deep hatred for Rus. The soldiers are equipped with fine food and plan to destroy the city and kill the defenders. Their bigger intention is to go north to Lake Ilmen. Complete the occupation...

Everyone looked at each other, convinced that they had understood the Slavic description correctly, and laughed.

"Just them? A bunch of idiots! Are they going to conquer Ross? Just five thousand people? Who gave them the courage." Even the somewhat dull old man Jellinger couldn't help but smile.

Karl laughed heartily: "If you want to attack Ross, you have to attack Ostara. Our Ostara army can destroy them without the Duke taking action. No! Our brothers don't even need the Duke to send troops to defend Vije." Busque, wear them out."

That's all, in the longhouse

The joyful laughter continued.

"That's enough." Yellinger clapped his hands and stopped everyone: "Let's be more pragmatic. What is their leader's name?"

"Vadim. It is said that he is Vadim who escaped from the north. He is... the Smolensk leader Vadim you are chatting with."

"So it's really that kid?!" Karl couldn't help but poke his head out.

"It should... be him."

"Then it's time to kill him! Me! Brave Karl." Karl slapped his chest: "Karl will kill that Vadim."

"Is that you?" Jellinger made a rare joke, "

Your name is the same as the Duke's son. Could it be Karl who killed Vadim? I am afraid that later people will think that it was the second Duke Karl who killed him. "

"Uncle, are you entertaining me?"

"It's not necessary. Besides...you had the chance to kill him, but you made a mistake."

Karl was really sorry about this. The enemy cavalry that raided was actually led by Vadim himself. I'm afraid that kid would have been shot dead.

"Damn it! If I had known this, I would not have run away. I would have seized the opportunity to kill him and give his head to the Duke! To the king!"

"No." Jeringer shook his head, "You and I are not fools. Thirty brothers facing five hundred cavalry? If you really sit like this, we can only watch your corpses being humiliated on the city wall..."

Now, everyone would rather believe that the troop numbers stated by the prisoners are true.

The intelligence was very clear. The woodcutter who had not had time to escape was not only killed, but his head was actually erected for public display.

What the Smolensk army said was true, and Vadim and the local army had every reason to take revenge on Rus.

The Vitebsk Fortress is at a strategic node. If you want revenge, you must first vent your anger on this fortress.

"Now don't brag about how powerful you are, and don't yell about how you single-handedly cut off Vadim's head." Yelinger hopes that everyone will explore a more pragmatic strategy, and he has already thought of a plan.

….

Linen sacks filled with pieces of black bread and wheat were recovered from the prisoners, and each enemy soldier was said to have carried a large quantity of provisions. They came prepared! And having the ability to attack on foot clearly means they can get supplies from not too far behind.

Vitebsk knew that the Smolensk settlement was not far from them and that the enemy was coming

There were no baggage carriages and they relied on soldiers as pack mules, which must mean that their supply costs were not high.

The defenders are just the opposite! Even though there is plenty of food now.

Jellinger had to explain the huge concerns in this regard.

"But I'm not a coward! No matter how many of them come, they will be killed. The open space outside our fortress is their prepared grave."

Karl's words were inspiring, and the young people present cheered after the rising star.

"Shut up!" Yellinger glanced around and said, "Be prepared for the worst. I'm not convinced that without support from the rear, only 200 of us can defeat 5,000 of them? Besides, how can you defeat them? Are you sure they only have 5,000 people?"

"What if they don't even have 5,000 men? The prisoners are bluffing." Karl deliberately argued.

"It's better to prepare in advance. Karl, have you forgotten what happened when you were a child?"

Yellinger choked Karl's mouth with one sentence.

"It's better to listen to me. Sometimes, there is no shame in finding reinforcements in advance due to the risk of defeat. If the Ostara people could have brought reinforcements quickly, the Gotland army would not have successfully attacked."

Jellinger is from the Gran. The small Gran tribe escaped quickly to avoid annihilation. He is one of the survivors. The Naihe tribe betrayed its alliance with the Ostara people so shamelessly that the conscientious Gran people later felt ashamed.

It is with this in mind that Jellinger intends to serve Duchess Ostara and fulfill the obligations he should have fulfilled thirteen years ago.

Those were Karl's unbearable memories. Both his parents died in the war. What could a little boy do at that time? Naturally, we can only run for our lives...

"I have now

grown up! I am already a father! "Karl suddenly exploded

His face was full of veins.

"Because of this, you cannot die here in vain...and I will live and die with the city of Vitebsk."

"Uncle?!" Hearing the strange words, seeing Yellinger's serious face and empty eyes, Karl stood up suddenly: "You are here to guard to the end, are you questioning me? Or are you planning to ask me to get out?"

"That's right! You have to go."

"Leave? You should just call me a coward. I won't leave."

"You have to go! And it's just you." Yellinger pointed out several names on the spot, including the Danish businessmen who were meeting here.

"I'm sorry, our friend Swinder. As the city lord, you should return to your Riga with the goods as soon as possible."

"Brother, we obviously fought side by side. Besides, since my friend was killed by them, I have reason to help you defend the city. I want revenge."

"Why bother? Of course you have your reasons, but you are a businessman. And I was appointed by the Duke. I must coexist with the city."

"friend……"

Yelinger cleared his throat and showed a fearless attitude: "Many people still have to stay here, and the people in Polotsk can leave. While the ground is not frozen now, the ditches and rivers are still chasms, seize the opportunity to evacuate by boat ! Otherwise, if the river freezes, they will completely defend the city and they won’t be able to evacuate even if they want to.”

….

Most people suddenly realized that they had not considered the impact on combat after the river froze.

Yellinger continued: "It will definitely snow soon. We are not afraid. There is plenty of supplies in the fortress, which will last until next spring. The enemy may not be sure. They may be able to

Surrounding us for a while, once they ran out of food, they were harmed by snowfall. He looked specifically at the Polotsk civilians present, "Do you think the enemy will hide in the snow in the forest?"

"No! Definitely not... Sir, our brothers don't understand what you mean." Representative Minfu sensed a hint of danger.

"What doubts are there? They will enter your Polotsk village and force you to give up your houses to them. Be careful! They are all strong men and will definitely seize your women and take away your food. If you dare to Those who resist will be shot to death."

Jellinger's words were cruel, and his cold face clearly indicated that it was probably the truth.

"No!" Polotsk citizen categorically denied: "We have no hatred against the Smolensk people."

"That's true, but don't forget that Polotsk is now a part of Ostara, and even more so a part of Rus. The flag of the new Polotsk we built is flying, and your girl is now our next generation of duchess. . Since they are seeking revenge, they can definitely destroy it in Polotsk for this reason! Besides, a group of people who are freezing and starving have a huge army and sharp weapons. You Polotsk people can now resist the attack of five thousand enemies. ?Can you still reason with them?"

The civilian husband was left speechless and took it seriously. After hearing the news nervously, he asked, "What should we do?"

"Evacuate immediately and tell the Polotsk people about the disaster in the Vitebsk Fortress. Tell your people to organize a defense immediately. You must fight for your wealth and family, and then wait for reinforcements." After that, Yelinger looked at Denmark again. Businessman: "If Polotsk

If you lose the battle, the Amber Road will be interrupted again, and the expansion of Smolensk will also be a heavy disaster for you. "

"This...is indeed trouble. Anyone who delays our brothers from making money should be punished."

"It is said that your boss has a good relationship with the King of Rus. There should also be Rus naval activities in Riga. I hope you in Riga will organize a team with as many people as possible. I am afraid that only you can solve our troubles really quickly. Of course, I can't I have the right to pay you, and whether you help or not depends entirely on your own free will. I only tell you that the King of Rus is very generous to his friends..." Jellinger did not say anything else, but this was enough, and the Danish businessman in Riga nodded deeply.

As a young talent from Ostara, Karl had a more important task - to report the news to Great Luki at the speed of a dead horse.

More than Big Luki? The news must eventually reach Novgorod as soon as possible, because King Rus is already thinking about Vadim’s behavior.***

manure. Who has the right to kill Vadim? Such an honor would best have been bestowed upon Rurik, king of Rus.

Karl was reluctant, but he couldn't resist Jellinger's fate. He was angry and shouted here that he was executing the order.

"You must remember that I am not a coward who runs away. I will inform the Duke of our disaster as quickly as possible. Soon! Our cavalry will kill the enemy."

….

It was on this night that the fortress defenders quietly opened the city's northern gate, the gate facing the West Dvina River. The fixed longboats had their fixed ropes cut off and the sails uninstalled. Everyone kept their mouths shut and pushed a boat into the river.

The Danish businessman was moved by the defenders' loyalty and gave a batch of supplies to the defenders for their expenses, and took it with him

Polotsk civilians went down the river in the dark. With this departure, the city defenders were reduced by as many as fifty people!

Karl was not idle either. He and his two followers brought all ten horses stationed there. Now that the fortress was to be defended, horses were no longer relevant.

There are three people and ten horses, and the horses can be exchanged for riding. They brought some food, not for their own consumption, but to feed the horses along the way, just so that the horses could travel without interruption.

They marched lightly, wearing no armor but iron helmets with blindfolds. In order to prove their identity, two wooden poles with flying flags were deliberately tied to the saddles.

In order to prove that there was indeed a large-scale enemy attack, evidence items stripped from the corpses of prisoners and enemies were brought along, as well as Jellinger's personal letter written on cardboard.

They soon disappeared into the night, and Jeringer was satisfied that the door was closed again.

He rubbed his hands vigorously and faced the defenders: "People of Ostara! It's our turn to sacrifice blood to Odin. Pay attention, the entire Vitebsk is an altar. Don't go out without authorization and let those idiots come to die! Sambiguity The Sk army is our sacrifice! If we are defeated, we fight to the end and everyone goes to Valhalla to meet! The king will know that one hundred of us resisted their five thousand, and we will be remembered as heroes in the world forever."

That's all, everyone laughed fearlessly, and then the Viking war cry also alerted the Smolensk army outside the city...

The reborn star fruit