Rise of Rurik

The name Jönköping comes from the fact that the settlement is adjacent to a small river. "Jönköping" means "trade", hence the city's name.

It is originally a natural fishing village, but the hydrological resources in this area of ​​the lake are not as good as that of Wizinger Island. Towns built on the mounds have to beware of landslides.

A group of merchants and craftsmen entered here, and the town gradually prospered. However, the upper limit of the city's development was once restricted by "Crazy Bear" Karl who demanded tribute every year. Now the city is suffering from military disasters.

Hundreds of people were killed, and a group of women and children were to be taken away.

A town is a spontaneous gathering of people. It definitely does not start from a blood clan. Even if the Russian army kills and takes away many people, Jönköping will continue to develop as long as this node is needed for the trade route.

Rurik killed Karl the "Crazy Bear" in public, announcing that the source of all evil was gone, and what was left was that the entire Lake Vettern would be merged into the rule of Ross for the first time in its history and would forever be.

The corpses were collected and the locals dug a large pit, filled it in, and built a mound of earth into a large tomb.

Those who surrendered sacrificed their property and daughters in order to survive. The smart people did not realize that they were at a huge loss. If their business could be promised by the conqueror to enter the huge kingdom of Rus, what they would do now was to submit a certificate of honor.

These prominent figures saw that the king was the most important, and they were "invited" to the meeting hall in the city, where Rurik wanted to make a good statement on some policies.

Everyone saw the face of King Rurik clearly. He was young and handsome, with domineering eyes. The businessmen, craftsmen, and landowners were trembling, and they prayed in their hearts that the king would never ask for treasures or anything else.

"Those of you who surrender to me are all smart! In this case, I will not go into details."

After saying that, Rurik clapped his hands, and the merchant Hagrid walked into the longhouse.

They all knew Hagrid and knew about his wealth and ability. In the previous period, Hagrid's assets were neither high nor low in Jönköping. However, this guy had a good-looking daughter, which he kept hidden in order to catch a rich husband. Now everyone knows that in order to survive, this guy gave his daughter to the conqueror's general - "Bald" Fisk on horseback.

At first, they were shocked that the Russian conquerors rode "forest beasts" to kill without restraint. It took only two or three days for them to see the horses clearly and realized that these large animals were not much different from cattle and sheep. They all eat grass. The beast can only be ridden and run wildly.

"He used his daughter as a gift in exchange for the conqueror's trust." Most of the businessmen had this attitude. They began to worry that this guy would replace Karl's rule and become the conqueror's loyal dog and help the tiger.

Rurik held his chest high and solemnly announced: "I know your situation! There is no leader in the entire Jönköping, so I appointed this Hagharalson as your leader."

Everyone had guessed this, but they are still surprised when they hear it.

Seeing their surprised expressions, Rurik also knew what they were worried about: "Don't worry too much. You can continue your past life, and you can still discuss matters in this house in the future. Only this Hagrid has the right to report things to me. From now on, I This Hagrid is also responsible for raising the annual tribute. Don’t worry, I am a kind king. I also know how Karl asked you for tribute before, and now I only want one-third of the original..."

Rurik based on their rather generous treatment, and for these people, they are thin and really don’t want to hang out a lot of oil and water, but the city of Jönköping is just stuck at the intersection of land trade and waterway trade in the Götaland region. The commercial value of the city is above all else.

It is not necessary to collect too much silver coins and taxes in kind from local merchants. The business portal in this region is absolutely open. If Ross wants to seek wealth, he only needs to transport goods from the East. By monopolizing the market here through commerce, Ross will not only seize big profits but also win. Good reputation.

The merchant Hagrid was appointed as the governor. The merchants, craftsmen and landowners present had the right to participate in the city council. If they left the town, they would lose their parliamentary abilities. The traditional Viking Nordic culture will continue. In a sense, Rurik implemented a policy of restraint on this place that is out of reach.

The huge Russian army numbered ten thousand people! This is how Rurik promoted it. How could such a large army mobilize so many troops just to annihilate Karl?

People present have learned that the Ross army has gathered all the forces in the north to capture Jotaland in one fell swoop. Killing is not the original intention, but conquest is the goal.

At the meeting venue, Rurik established two offensive targets: "I learned that the largest settlement of your Götalans is in Gothenburg in the west. Some of you are familiar with the waterways, and you can serve as my guides to help our army. If you successfully reach Gothenburg, you will receive a major reward from me. I also learned about the settlement in the south called the Växjö Ten Village Alliance. Some of you are familiar with land transportation. I will also go there and conquer the local area. Those who successfully lead the way will also Get rewarded.”

They are all Götalans, and the area they live in now was also settled by the Swedes a long time ago. Rurik made a big fuss about this, claiming that "we are of the same race", thus winning over these businessmen and inviting them to be the vanguard.

They have no major feelings about Gothenburg and Växjö. The local area has its own ruler, and tribute is required to do business there.

Hear what the new conqueror King Rurik said? Later, Götaland merchants from Jönköping rowed into the Baltic Sea and drifted to Lake Mälaren, where they set up stalls and did business in Stockholm's free trade zone completely tax-free.

This is what the free trade zone means. There are no explicit taxes. You only need to pay low "garbage cleaning fees" and "security fees" and you will be fine.

If this were the benefits of surrender, the merchants quickly forgot about killing.

They enthusiastically supported serving the king and clamored to claim that they were the most loyal servants. Rurik estimated that they not only surrendered to him, they had already surrendered to financial interests. What they wanted was the development of their family's wealth, and their submission to the imaginary community of the Kingdom of Rus was not credible.

Surrender to money? Dare not betray money? Things got easier. Because what Rurik lacks most now is wealth.

Although Hagrid is the governor, everyone will not get together to discuss things in the future, and Hagrid will finally report to the King of Ross. With Ross's support, merchants and landowners no longer even have to raise a large number of private military servants. Each family only needs to raise a small number of armed slaves. They believe that they can definitely get Ross's military protection by paying tributes.

After all, they decided to actively lead the way and help Rus rule the entire Jotaland region, so that all forces would surrender and be more powerful. Those warlords and tyrants would be beheaded, and the merchants would only have to pay tribute to the greatest king, without having to fight against each other. Suspicion, don't worry about strong men passing over the King of Rus and demanding tribute.

The people of Jönköping were beaten into submission, and Rurik was delighted to receive a group of guides who brought their own food, which was far beyond his expectation.

Governor Hagrid has a new task. He must organize some men in Jönköping and bring wooden carts to join the cavalry unit.

No, Rurik specially summoned Fisk and the new wife he kidnapped.

The girl sat on the ground and was submissive. Rurik shook his head: "Fisk, are you really busy catching women during the war?"

But Fisk smiled innocently: "We have captured many women, she is Astrid Hegedot."

"I know who she is."

"She will give birth to a son soon. When the child grows up, he will still serve you, the king."

"Okay." Rurik smiled slightly: "But the women captured by the brothers cannot go with the army."

"Yes. I ordered my brothers to tattoo all the women. If the king wants, they can be taken to the rear or even to Novorosberg and Novgorod. The families of the cavalry will take these women away."

"You?! You actually made it this far? Already divided the slaves? Well..." Rurik patted his forehead. This method of catching slaves and tattooing them with markings can be considered an old tradition of the old Russians. "But you keep this woman of yours."

"Ah? Will you take her on an expedition?" Fisk was overjoyed: "Thanks to the king's love, I will definitely make her bulge early."

"Okay! This woman is a handle. Hagrid will lead you and help you attack Växjö in the south. If he rebels midway, you can kill this woman."

"Huh?!" Fisk was shocked.

At the same time, the obedient Astrid trembled as she listened, pleading with tears in her eyes that she didn't want to be killed.

Rurik shrugged and looked at her indifferently: "Woman! It depends on whether your father is loyal."

Then he looked into Fisk's eyes: "Tell me! If Hagrid really rebels, do you dare to take action?"

Looking at his new woman again, Fisk suddenly felt that he was facing a trial. He gritted his teeth: "I dare! I am only loyal to the king!"

"Very good. I heard that Växjö in the south has a large population and your cavalry is very powerful. But if we really fight against them, you will most likely not have the advantage."

Fisk looked determined and slapped his chest: "I'm not afraid of any difficulties! I'm an old Russian and I can't embarrass my brothers."

"Self-confidence is very important, you still have to be well prepared. I! I hope your move south will be gentler."

Fisk was a little surprised when he heard this: "Your Majesty...what do you mean?"

Rurik stepped forward and patted his shoulder gently: "Now you and I both know that the Jotalans are not monolithic. Try your best to negotiate with the Växjians and persuade them to surrender to Rus. Don't do unnecessary killings. I want domination, not dead bodies. Do you understand?"

"I understand."

Rurik let out a long sigh: "The enemies of the Yelmalon people were killed indiscriminately. We don't need to kill other Jotalans wantonly. Do it well. If you find a beautiful unmarried woman in the local area, you can take it and make it yours." I estimate that after the surrender of the Växjö people, there will be no other hostile forces in southern Götaland. Our army may have approached the southern coastline and will come into contact with our Danish allies. You know the map of this small world, you You should understand."

"clear."

"However, you still need to be prepared. If the Växer refuse to surrender, then fight! I will lead the army to solve the problem. Any cavalry is valuable. You cannot act rashly. If the cavalry is lost in vain, I will punish them. "

"As commanded."

"Go down and get ready."

As a result, the Governor's Palace of the Ross Kingdom in Jönköping was opened. Governor Hagrid took his whole family to lead the Ross cavalry. He also gathered a group of people in the city and organized an "auxiliary army" composed of more than thirty men. A mere thirty people were of no use. They converted the ox cart into a horse carriage and headed south with Ross's horse power.

Rurik couldn't help but worry about the 300 cavalrymen alone. He drew some more people from the island, especially Kanuf, the next generation governor of Fort Ross, who came to "brush his resume". Along with it, More than a hundred infantry soldiers.

After all, Kanuf's performance during the battle on the island was not outstanding. As a close confidant, Rurik did not want him to become a soy sauce task. He could not just stare at Fisk when he performed extraordinary feats.

A miscellaneous group of people gathered together to form an army of 500 people. There were ox-carts and horse-drawn carriages, as well as a large number of mounted warriors.

According to the businessman’s experience, carrying leather goods on foot from Jönköping to Växjö Ten Village Union takes four days, and the fastest is three days.

A four-day journey for a traveler would be enough compared to two days for pure cavalry, or even two days of forced march by cavalry.

Rather than maneuvering south to launch an attack, Rurik authorized Fisk to go slowly.

The army must dress gorgeously to show off their power, and then bring some supplies to do business with the local nobles.

Rurik specially prepared a gift, which was a glass and a glass plate for himself to enjoy. He also wrote a surrender letter written in traditional Chinese on paper, pointing out the benefits of surrender and the price of rejection.

Rurik is currently living in Jönköping, and he knows what is happening on Visingser Island. The bodies of the dead were buried, and Arik and other generals were tapping the loot, especially the large number of prisoners.

Those young women and young children were largely controlled by the Kingdom's Rus' Army, and a group of captured male warriors were shackled, including Karl's remaining soldiers, who would be transported to the mines in the north.

The alliance troops each had their own gains. After all, the Melalen tribe sent a thousand troops, and even brought some extra ships to carry the loot. Bjorn, the leader, received nearly five hundred captives of both sexes, as well as other spoils of wool, leather, and a few live animals. Especially the captive population, they will be used as domestic slaves of the Melalen nobles, and the Melalen civilians who were recruited as soldiers will not suffer. They found some iron tools and clothes, which are enough to improve their lives.

Those unambitious nobles only took captives as their own slaves, but this was not the case with Rurik. The captives captured on Vicingse Island would become subjects and continuously pay taxes to the kingdom, and their heirs would also have to fight for Rus. This is considered a very good preferential treatment for prisoners.

As a result, after the Ross army left, the entire Weisinger Island became a no man's land.

There will be a fleet carrying people and loot to retreat in the next few days.

The fleet is not just retreating! Rurik also has a reserve of one thousand Slavs. According to the plan, they have probably set off now and have just arrived at Tombstone Island.

Medvet, the governor of Novgorod, commanded this army and awaited new transfer orders. Rurik, who has penetrated deeply into Jotaland, feels that he attaches too much importance to the people here. Conquering them only requires the current military strength. However, the Slavs have all mobilized. It cannot be that military operations have become an exercise for the Slavs. The Liang people and the Finns got a lot of loot, and the Slavs in the kingdom would definitely be dissatisfied.

Medvet's Slavs must remain on standby, why not...

Rurik simply decided to take a gamble!

"Why do I only want the entire Götaland? After crossing the Denmark Strait, I can go straight into Denmark! I now have this strategic opportunity."

Thinking of this made him excited!

It was another quiet night, and Rurik, who was temporarily staying in Jönköping, was accompanied by one of his beloved wives, Bejahir. She seemed to be a petite Pecheneg princess, but what Rurik didn't expect was that she was the one who suggested that the cavalry detour to the rear of Jönköping to launch a dawn surprise attack. If she were a man, she would be a good cavalry commander.

It's not bad now, she is his woman, so she will have to play a big role in breaking away from the cavalry army and continuing southward.

While enjoying the joy of being a woman, she listened to her husband's education: "Both Fisk and Kanuf are a bit reckless. You are the princess of the Pecheneg Khanate and my woman. Your status is higher than They are nobler, and you are wiser than them, so you have to command the cavalry well."

"So...I am a Valkyrie?"

"Forget it! It must be calculated. Give me a son next year, and you will be respected by all the nobles for your military exploits. Our son will be a cavalry officer. Haha! That's great..."

Beyathil also enjoyed it, she felt like she had the King's seed in her belly, and the next battle felt like the King was always by her side. Moreover, he was trusted by the king, and even the two Ross generals wanted to listen to his combat suggestions. It is probably a good thing for a female noble to be trusted by the king because of her military command ability. At least other Pecheneg female nobles cannot have this kind of treatment.

The cavalry troops and the accompanying infantry formed a mule and horse regiment of 500 people.

It is a partial division, but in this era, the armored army of 500 people can be said to be absolutely elite, enough to support the glory of a Frank count.

The strange thing is that Rurik didn't know that while he was expanding aggressively in Northern Europe, in the southern Franks of Europe, the three princes of the Frankish kingdom, Lothair, Ludwig and Charles, were launching a full-scale civil war for power. It is said that after the death of the old King Louis, the eldest Lothair wanted to reduce the vassal, and nobles from all over the country lined up to support the princes. The eldest Lothair faced the east-west attack of his two brothers, which was a two-front battle.

The Frankish Kingdom is experiencing internal strife, and their elite warriors are rapidly withering away, including the expelled former King of Denmark, Harald Clark, who was also dragged into this civil war to fight for Prince Ludwig.

An opportunity to go south to plunder was not only presented to the various Vikings, but even the West Slavic tribes took action against such a good thing.

Many tribes in Denmark have crossed the Schleswig Great Wall to rob, find books in the garden www.zhaoshuyuan.com, or row boats to the west coast to plunder.

This situation cannot be restrained by King Horik of Denmark. He is considered a vassal of Prince Ludwig, but his fellow Danes are robbing his master crazily. Now that Ludwig had no time to take care of the Vikings in the north, Horik simply lay back and ignored them.

But Rurik changed his war goals. He wanted to quickly capture Gothenburg and Växjö. After solving the Götaland problem, he would join forces with the down-and-out Ragnar who had accumulated strength on Bornholm Island. This year the Danish problem is resolved and peace is restored.

So the question is not how quickly the cavalry can capture Växjö, but how quickly they can capture Gothenburg.

The cavalry took a large amount of supplies and began to move south. They were hunting with gorgeous clothes and banners, and their spears shone coldly in the sun. They followed the forest road where fierce battles had taken place, climbed over the hills, entered the hilly area of ​​Götaland, and headed straight for the Växjö Ten-Inch Alliance.

Rurik saw them off for a while, seeing the forest drowning them. He turned around and told his entourage: "Let's go back to the island. The fleet transporting prisoners of war's trophies has also withdrawn. We will set off tomorrow to enter Lake Vänern. Now let's go... "

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