Rise of Rurik

The mountains turned white in the north, and a fortified city stood on the bank of the frozen river. Big Luki, but now his official name is still Lukiholm.

The hills to the north of the city are covered with pine trees, which turn into white, and the frozen Lovati River becomes a shining silver strip in the sun.

The whole world is too bright and dazzling, but fortunately a large number of Russian soldiers are equipped with wooden-framed sunglasses, which are of average technical level but extremely suitable for snow operations.

The small copper bells hung by the reindeer jingled all the way, and now the huge team simply moved forward on the frozen river.

The army finally arrived at the upper reaches of the Lovati River. The water flow here is very gentle at all times, and the continuous low temperature has finally made it a special transportation line in the harsh winter.

After marching for several days, Rurik led the army to visit a series of large and small strongholds built along the river in the Principality of Ostara.

Their purpose of existence is currently as a station, and in the future they will be the town center of a new type of city. Rurik undoubtedly stayed there, at most he spoke a few words with the people staying there and then left in a hurry.

A huge army from

Passing by the "Inn", the people staying there watched the army leave with mixed emotions, leaving countless sleigh tracks, hoof prints, and even black reindeer dung and horse dung on the snow by the river.

What is your Majesty doing? A few days ago, the Duchess went crazy and moved all the way north to recruit reinforcements. What kind of enemy was it that frightened the king to gather an army and go south?

The young people among the residents did not know what was going on, and they felt more than itchy in their hearts when they saw the young faces holding sharp knives and going to the south to perform meritorious services.

However, they are not allowed to leave despite the responsibility. The old guys who stayed there gradually lost their former ambition, and witnessed the huge army passing by, with shock and silence intertwined.

They felt very foreign, as if this was not the Rus' army at all. Only the masts hanging high on each sled proved the identity of the Russian army.

after the last

"Inn", as long as you go all the way south, you can reach Velikiy Luki very quickly. What awaits Rurik is an ice road that is basically vertical due south. The army that has been marching for several days is in urgent need of rest. Big Luki is the most critical rest place on the journey, and it is also the only rest place.

At the same time, due to the general mobilization of the Principality of Ostara, the city of Great Lucki, which already had high military attributes, has now completely turned into a military camp.

The general who was ordered to garrison the city was Svalgard, who was from the Glan tribe. This man was originally a duke created by the old Swedish king. Although he gave up his title, he was second only to the duke himself in the Principality of Ostara. Great nobleman.

He still has a strong appeal and intimidation power, and the army in the city completely obeys his orders. In the snowy world, the flags hanging high on the city walls are very eye-catching.

The boys and girls in the city did not dare to delay for a moment. When the wind and snow outside were serious, they were busy polishing and cleaning their swords indoors. When the wind and snow stopped, they hurriedly checked the stables to add fodder for the horses.

The general mobilization was aimed at everyone. Those Slavic girls from Lake Ilmen who were forced to immigrate were obliged to take up arms as long as they were not pregnant or raising children. Whether they participated in the war was another matter.

At least, when most of the male warriors left, Great Luki City still needed some people to garrison. Soldiers standing on guard on the solid wooden walls of the city patrol every day and clean the wooden platform surrounding the wall. It has no snow at all and is not slippery at all, which is in sharp contrast to the sight of the outer wall being blown white by snow.

A huge team appeared for the first time. The soldiers on duty shivered, and then they blew the horns they carried with them.

"It's reinforcements! They've finally arrived." The excitement spread throughout the fortress in an instant, and the door was completely opened. The male and female soldiers rushed out and looked into the distance, and kept signaling with trumpets and drums.

Svalgard clenched the hilt of his sword and stood happily at the city gate.

"You're finally here..." he said to himself. How many reinforcements should there be? He made some assumptions, thinking that after all, it was Ross's military stronghold that was attacked, and the king would definitely send a strong army to support it.

It's just... the support is a bit too strong. The current number of troops stationed in Velikiy Luki is extremely limited. They stood together and watched the reinforcements gradually stop on the ice of the river outside the city.

The strength of the reinforcements far exceeded everyone's estimates. Not only were the troops and animals huge, but the soldiers were gorgeously dressed and well-equipped. They even took the trouble to hang flags and distinctive red cloth strips on each sled.

A sleigh like a house became the most prominent presence. It was not only dressed up but also extraordinarily gorgeous.

Svalgard knew what it was—the vehicle of Rurik himself. Year after year, the king traveled from Novgorod to the capital to participate in Hanukkah sacrifices. Unless there were special circumstances, he would ride on this house sleigh.

It is a symbol. Once it is deployed, it means that the king attaches great importance to something. A huge camp quickly sprung up outside the city, and the meadows were covered with snow. The huge sled team used the flag team as a large unit and began to set up camps in groups.

They unloaded the supporting wooden poles from the sled, kicked off the bundled canvas, dug holes in the snow to fix the wooden poles, tied them with twine to complete the tent frame, and finally wrapped the canvas, which was enough for ten people to sleep together. The simple tapered tent is now constructed.

Rurik did not have to worry about the army camping. This was one of the military training items. Even the young soldiers who entered the battlefield for the first time had learned how to camp at the training ground in Novgorod.

The thick leather curtain was opened by Carlotta herself. She looked excited: "Rurik, go out and take a good look at the Lukiholm you want me to build."

"Okay. I've seen it through the glass window. It's really a great fortress city."

"You're too polite. You'd better see it for yourself! It's as hard as iron, no enemy can attack it!"

"I believe you." After saying that, Rurik stood up and walked out of the sled with a bow, glanced at the city wall that seemed to be frozen in ice, and said casually: "Great Lukiholm, I hope Vitebsk will also Just as solid.”

"May Odin bless you, if Vitebsk is really strong, we... will fight Vadim outside the city," Carlotta added.

"That's best. I hope our army can resolve the battle quickly. Now, let's go see Svalgard..." Rurik not only knew Svalgard, but also knew that he was really a fierce general.

If this person had a serious background in the Old Ross tribe, he would have to be a flag captain, and he would not be authorized to participate in a series of bloody battles.

It's a pity that this man is a man who voluntarily gave up his title. To be fair, the Gran tribe he came from has never been qualified and powerful to serve as a principality. Now that the Gran tribe has completely dissolved, it has become a core component of the Ostara Principality. Existence, those big and small

"The Station," as well as the central figures of the two southern forts, all have Gran figures. There is no point in dwelling on bloodline issues now, Svalgard will end his stay and the man will have to participate in military operations as General of Ostara.

After all, the Ross Army's stall is too large, which is an unprecedented challenge to its own military command capabilities.

A large number of troops is not necessarily a good thing. In order to make military management smoother, Rurik must allocate some power to generals.

So, just outside the city gate, Rurik saw Svalgard, who had been in the southern region for two years.

After a brief exchange of greetings, Rurik finally entered the large southern stronghold that he personally ordered to build - Bolshoi Luki.

From now on, Rurik is officially added before the city name

The prefix "great" officially made the name of Lucky the Great. The soldiers who continued to march set up cooking stoves in their respective camps. After all, the camp was a meadow area by the river. No matter how large it was, it was just a meadow. People followed the nearby forest to selectively cut down small trees with lots of resin, and brought them with them. The charcoal blocks and grass balls were quickly drilled out with a bow drill under the auspices of soil saltpeter. The pine branches were ignited. Soon, the Ross army camp was filled with smoke, and the air was filled with the choking rosin smoke. People feel uncomfortable.

The sacks were cut open, and the endless wheat was thrown directly into the iron pot. The soldiers boiled the snow into water, and when the wheat was half boiled, they added chopped salted fish meat, dried mushrooms, frozen peas, and other weird and delicious foods. Throw things in.

They were all cooking porridge, and after each person filled a large bowl, they added pieces of butter, dried fruits, and even honey to taste according to personal preference.

Everyone was able to have a hearty meal, and after the reindeer were unsaddled, they began their most natural eating of snow and grass in this meadow, which seemed like a different kind of winter grazing.

War horses need special care. Some cauldrons only boil oats. When they are half cooked, the hot water is discarded, and when they are warm, they are sent directly to the horses' mouths.

This night, all the elites of the Russian army gathered in the largest building in Velikiy Lucki. The warm house is filled with a chilling atmosphere. Take off your hat, and under the dim oil lamp, you will see faces full of vicissitudes of life and blood.

As a king, Rurik deliberately took out the golden laurel crown from the exquisitely decorated wooden box and put it on his head not only to show his nobility to everyone, but also to swear to them the determination of the king.

Everyone can have a hot meal comfortably here. Before that, Rurik must know the strength of the city and even further learn the enemy's intelligence.

"Svalgard, how many troops do you have?"

"Putting all the men and women together, I can send two hundred troops. And... they are all cavalry."

"And there are female soldiers? No. They don't have to participate in the battle. Since you can provide two hundred cavalry, don't you also have two hundred war horses?"

"So." Hearing this, Rurik's eyes were trembling, and his beard couldn't hide the joy.

"Very good, you can send a hundred troops. I want the strongest one hundred! Take away all of Big Luki's horses except the pregnant mare."

"Yes." Svalgard answered decisively. He had already estimated all the king's requirements so far, so he had no objection.

Rurik cleared his throat again: "Although our army is pressed for time, the long march is a huge test for everyone. I plan! Our army will rest in Velikiy Luki for a whole day. Tomorrow everyone's task is to sleep. Our Japanese troops are setting out! You all have something to say..." Rurik paused again and said, "Send me any suggestions." Everyone looked at each other. The captains of each flag were too lazy to make suggestions based on their own identities, not to mention that they really had no suggestions. .

After all, the march had been planned thoroughly before departure, and the logistical issues that should have been of greatest concern now seemed to have never been a problem. Even the war horses and reindeer were feasting, and the soldiers took no time to eat their stomachs like hard balls.

"Let me talk about it." Seeing that everyone was silent, Svalgard guessed that the brothers who came down from the north were overconfident and wanted to stop talking about everything.

He decided to say something that might be inappropriate: "The road in the future will not have a big river as a reference. Our army can only go all the way south. We will reach the lake at the real source of the Lovaj River, pass through frozen forests and swamps, and continue southward. Vitebsk. My people have a clear feel for various references in the warm season, but now that the world is completely white, I am worried that the old references are no longer accurate..."

"There is indeed a risk. Are you worried that we will get lost?" Rurik asked.

"That's right."

"It doesn't matter." Rurik waved his hand.

"At least we will go all the way south at any time, that's enough. Besides, aren't we going to pass by a group of lakes? They will be particularly eye-catching in the world of white snow, and we will never get lost!" That's all, Rurik continued to look at everyone. : "Gods bless, Odin will grant us victory. There is no need to discuss the march, we...just wait for the wheat porridge to be cooked. We will have a good meal tonight and continue tomorrow. Please return to your respective camps. Finally, let me tell you! Tonight and tomorrow may be our last good days. All warriors, be mentally prepared! Once we arrive in Vitebsk in the south, it is most likely to be a decisive battle with the damn Vadim." Everyone saw the king. With such confidence, everyone said they obeyed... Rurik didn't want to talk much about the march. He was actually a little worried that he was going in the wrong direction. However, the situation was stronger than the people. The army had about 6,000 troops and was entrenched in Dalu. Base City, next there will be no guidance from the Lovati River...

"No, I won't go wrong. Even if there is a possibility of going wrong, I can't go wrong." In another dimension, there was a man named Gorodok on the way from Velikiy Luki to Vitebsk. The key stronghold of , the original meaning of its name is exactly

The "little fortress" is actually a land transportation line between the two places.

"Inn". The Kingdom of Rus has not built this stronghold. As the demand exists and the land transportation line is clarified, Rurik will no longer worry about the possibility of getting lost.

He couldn't care too much at the moment and could only rely on the clearly visible reference points of Summer as much as possible, relying on Ostara's guide, especially Carl Eriksson's leadership.

At least Rurik had plenty of room for error—the entire army had enough food. On the day of rest, the whole army was really ordered to sleep.

The soldiers wrapped reindeer skins around their bodies to form sleeping bags. No matter how cold it was outdoors, with the tents to protect them from the wind, they felt as comfortable as curling up in a cocoon.

During the day, they still feasted and had nothing to do. They gathered together to talk about the future battle. The flag captains asked everyone to remain vigilant and be mentally prepared to fight as soon as they arrive at their destination.

No one is nervous or afraid of this. On the contrary, this is what everyone longs for most. The young warriors listened to their fathers fight and kill.

The story of "pure men", growing up in such an environment, although the soldiers have no experience in killing enemies, they are already bragging

"I will not hesitate to cut the enemy's throat when I face him." There are endless such braggings, as if he is a ruthless man crawling out of the dead.

The day of departure was still sunny. With the sound of horns and drums, the soldiers quickly removed their tents, quickly bundled them and threw them back on the sleds.

After eating the last sumptuous breakfast and leaving the camp in a mess, the army left one after another in units of flag troops.

It is inevitable that the army's march will be uneven, and Rurik cannot force each flag unit to regulate a series of actions as if they were a whole.

He ordered that the flag team that advanced first should not advance at high speed, and that the flag team that started last should catch up with the nearest front team as soon as possible.

The sled tracks and hoof prints were still prominent marks, and the snow unexpectedly helped the Ross army in this regard to be less likely to get lost on a small scale unless the overall direction was changed.

Who shoulders the heavy responsibility? Carl Eriksson, who has always wanted to make meritorious deeds, is the first guide. If he leads the team astray, he will probably have to move his head!

As long as the army successfully reaches Vitebsk, the credit will be immeasurable. As Carl found the marker he had left some time ago, his worries instantly disappeared without a trace.

Karl still did not dare to take it lightly, and he led the entire army to the lake at the source of the Lovaj River, which was already frozen solid, and then went south to the southern lakes, which were frozen solid.

What’s next? Just head all the way south. How to do it exactly due south? And this depends on Rurik's ability.

He sat in the Chinese army's sled and held a bowl of water. The magnetic iron needle floated on the water. He relied on the water-floating compass to constantly correct the direction of the Chinese army's sled, and then led the actions of the entire rear team.

Because Rurik's sled has quickly reached the head of the team, a giant snake is advancing in the forest and snowfield, and the snake's head is Rurik.

For the rear team, all the soldiers had to do was follow the sleigh tracks of thousands of people, and the advance became easier.