Rise of Rurik

The extremely large Lake Vernarn welcomes the extremely large Ross Navy.

The lake is as big as the sea, with densely packed islands and sandbanks. For the Rus and Swedes, who first arrived in this region of Götaland, they were surprised by the urgent need for the fleet to head south and break through the Göta River to enter the Denmark Strait.

A brand new, tortuous and very stable inland waterway has been discovered. If you enter the Denmark Strait by water in the future, you will no longer have to go through the unpredictable Eastern Baltic Sea.

After leaving Lake Mälaren, the boat only needs to drift along the coastline for a short distance, then turn into the Old Ostara Fjord (Norrkoping), and enter the large and small lakes like a string of pearls in calm weather. The sea to the west. The Swedish nobles were resistant to continuing the war, but when they learned that the fleet was only one step away from the Denmark Strait, they were all shocked and rekindled their desire to explore.

Naturally, the Ross Navy took the lead in this mixed fleet, and the Swedish Allied Forces were placed in the rear.

Rurik did this intentionally. He was afraid that if these guys were placed in the front line, the warriors with itchy hands would take the initiative to attack, and they would miss the new strategy of defeating the enemy without fighting.

Is it true that wherever the troops of the Principality of Ross arrive, there must be blood dripping from battle axes? The small boat carried the messengers and floated to each fleet, ordering each ship to implement the king's new order. The order was written on the hard paper. Arik glanced at it and folded the paper quickly.

"It's strange that my brother suddenly became merciful. Does he really believe that those Jotalans will surrender?"

The messenger replied hastily: "This is how the king arranged it."

"That's all." Arik waved his hand, "You go back and inform the king, and the First Flag Team will implement the new order. We will restrain our subordinates to maintain absolute restraint and will not disembark rashly."

Rurik sent orders everywhere, and according to his new arrangement, the fleet arrived at the mouth of the Göta River and immediately decided to set up a battle array. They used their huge momentum to frighten their opponents, and then released the prisoners among the fishermen and sent an envoy to persuade them.

So, who is the messenger?

Ahead is the mouth of the Göta River, and an obvious fishing village has appeared. If what the captive said is true, then from now on, the fleet has entered the area called Gothenburg.

The fleet raised a flag, and when the fleet saw this, they reefed their sails and stabilized their ships. The anchors were dropped and fell into the mud at the bottom of the lake. It was from this action that Rurik judged that the lake was very deep.

"After all, it's a huge glacial lake."

A long boat carried a fat man to the Rurik flagship. He climbed up the rope ladder to the deck.

"Your Majesty, I'm here."

"Blue Fox, you are finally here."

"Now, why don't you let me lead the Onkras army to land first to find out what's going on? This is really an honorable thing."

"No." Rurik shook his head and pointed at the prisoners who had changed their clothes. "These are the captured fishermen. I want to put them back. I also need to prepare some gifts. As my envoy, you can bring them back." The fishermen and gifts were all sent over.”

"Appoint me as your envoy?"

"How? You look embarrassed."

Blue Fox smiled and shook his head: "It's nothing. I have been a messenger too many times. I will bring some followers with me. Your Majesty, don't worry about me."

"Yeah. Of course I'm not worried about you. I'm just worried that you will suddenly get angry because of the possible offense and lead your people to kill. Forget it, I will send elite soldiers to follow you. A hundred soldiers will row ashore and prepare four long lines. The ship is ready for action.”

"Okay. I'll go right away."

According to the prisoners, the name of the fishing village in front of them is very simple, which means "Village near Lake Wenarn". It is not a small village. The village has a population of 1,000 people, which is enough to form a city in today's era. It is adjacent to a large lake and has a unique geographical location. Even if it relies on backward technology to catch fish, supplemented by growing wheat and raising cattle and sheep, it is enough to feed such a large population.

"Linhu Village" is only the first large village. It has many neighbors, and the population is close to a thousand people. Because the Göta River is free, the villages living in the northern area of ​​the river naturally take care of each other. They form a group of their own. Naturally, due to economic structure issues, there are certain disputes with the people living in the southern end of the river near the Denmark Strait.

Disputes are just some conflicts naturally caused by geographical location.

Generally speaking, once the entire basin is in danger, everyone will put aside their previous suspicions and deal with the situation unanimously.

For this area, the Russian troops who came from afar only knew its name and knew nothing about its political ecology.

If there is a unified leader in the local area, whether it is war or peace, it can be quickly implemented through negotiation. Based on past experience, a fierce battle will solve the problem.

At present, it seems that we can only take some time to slowly defeat it.

According to what the prisoner said, the "Linhu Village" where he was located had no chief. Just like some Viking tribes, they set up a council, and the leading figures in the village gathered together for meetings when encountering any problems. If there is a war, one or two people who are popular and strong will be recommended to command the warriors composed of the tribesmen to work together to defend against the enemy.

Rurik's fleet was parked at the mouth of the river where it entered and exited the lake. The huge fleet deliberately spread out in a wide array. The fleet completely blocked the river channel, directly blocking all attempts by fishermen to enter Lake Vänern to fish.

There is no doubt that this kind of strong onlookers are an absolute oppression of strength. The masts of the huge fleet are all flying white and blue flags, which reminds witnesses who know some external things.

Because the residents of Gothenburg on the Göta River were forced to temporarily choose to be isolated. If they had the opportunity, they would naturally go out of the river area and swim freely in the Denmark Strait to catch herrings.

Fishermen from three villages near the lake were working as waiters on the lake shore. When they saw the fleet approaching, they quickly fled back to the village.

Especially those fishing boats that fled very fast. After all, they saw their own people being attacked and their lives uncertain. They must have been killed by the attackers. They instinctively fled to the village and called all the young men and women to take up arms to defend themselves.

"Everyone, go to the river and take a look! There are enemies coming!"

The fishermen who escaped back called the brave tribesmen to find out. More people were skeptical and waited for a while. However, more and more people came to tell the news, and the news of the "enemy attack" became more and more evil.

Although there was no chief in Linhu Village, dozens of brave men with weapons took action. They climbed up tall pine trees or stood on the roofs of riverside residences to look toward the lake. Sure enough, they saw a fleet.

At this time of life and death, a brave warrior stepped forward.

Gorm "Broken Bone" Gorm Sidfriksson, a young and powerful man with good appeal, summoned his old friends to take the lead in arming himself. He also judged the identity of the ships and even the fleet based on the flags flying on those strange ships. .

Standing by the lake, he faced the fear and suspicion of the waiters. He raised his arms and shouted: "Brothers, they are actually Russians."

"Russian? Really Russian?" a brother asked, and others became even more confused.

"It's the Russians."

"But why did they appear in the lake. And...there are so many boats? Are they trying to destroy us?"

"I don't know." Strong pressure pressed on Gom's shoulders: "Let's go back and organize as many people as possible now. We have no enmity with the Russians. I heard that they fought with Denmark in the past, maybe..."

Suddenly, Gorm's mind flashed, and in a daze he felt that he understood the purpose of this huge Ross fleet with a clear flag - to invade the Jutland Peninsula of Denmark via the Göta River.

But wait!

Although Gorm didn't know the reason for using the false road to defeat Guo and destroy Yu at the same time, the Götalans near the river were always wary because they had been suppressed by Danish power for a long time. No matter what this group of Russians want to do, they intend to peacefully pass through the Göta River and enter the Denmark Strait, which is almost impossible!

Gorm went to the riverside to find out what was going on, and when he returned to the village he immediately announced his great discovery.

In an instant, people knew the identity of the visitor. Although everyone was surprised, since the other party was a Russian who had no hatred before, maybe the situation was not so bad.

More than a dozen heads of large families in the village gathered together, and several tall and strong men came over carrying battle axes. They gathered temporarily in an open space to discuss quickly, and at the same time, the village was quickly mobilized.

Just like preventing Danish pirates from catching slaves in the past, these people implicitly believed that the Russians had a similar purpose.

All the leaders quickly completed a show of hands vote, and Gorm Sidfriksson was elected as the war chief, commanding the male and female warriors of the entire village to defend against the enemy.

"Since you are so determined, obey me in everything. All men over ten years old took up arms and gathered at the river. The women, armed as much as possible, protected the young children and the elderly and retreated into the forest. Put all the people on the shore. All boats have retreated to the reeds by the river so that we can evacuate if the situation becomes urgent."

It can be said that War Chief Gom has made two preparations. As the saying goes, if he takes a military confrontation and wins everything, he will evacuate quickly if he loses the war.

More people still hope that the guy nicknamed "Broken Bone" will lead his brothers to victory.

However, it is said that his nickname was actually derived from the arm wrestling competition within the village in the past. For a while, the competition was inseparable, and he finally won by breaking his opponent's bones. This is where the name "Broken Bones" comes from, and he is considered a famous ruthless person in the village.

The previous precautionary measures to prevent Danish pirates from sneak attacks were activated again. Due to the cover of the trees, the Ross fleet floating in the lake and river did not know about it.

Or because Rurik spent some time dispatching envoys, Linhu Village had a lot of time to prepare.

The four longships furled their jibs, and the Ross flags on the masts fluttered in the south wind.

This time Rurik sent out one hundred of his own standing army soldiers. They wore regular uniforms, with a layer of "deerskin riveted iron plate armor" underneath their white robes. Their helmets are all decorated with bear mandibles, and their terrifying tusks show their power.

In terms of combat effectiveness alone, if Blue Fox leads these 100 men to land, if the other party attacks first, the army can withstand several rounds of strong attacks.

The soldiers followed the rope ladder and sat down on the long boat one after another. They rowed large oars to carry the captured fishermen and some gifts that were about to be given to the neighboring village. Then, with the captured fishermen as guides, they floated to the small pier of the village.

The surrounding water and forest were very beautiful, and the blue fox keenly noticed that farmland had been opened up by the lake, and the green things were not weeds but oat seedlings.

"It seems that you Yotalans know how to live well, and you have actually opened up farmland. In this way, you can pay tribute to us in the future." The blue fox flirted with the vigilant fisherman guide.

The fisherman smiled bitterly and did not dare to look at the fat Russian warrior.

"Then it depends on how your tribe chooses. Listen, after we land, I want to see your leader..."

"Ah! But sir, we don't have a leader."

"Then invite the respected people out. You must do this well and there must be no misunderstandings, otherwise... you know the consequences."

"Yes Yes……"

What are the consequences? The result was that the powerful Russian army achieved a crushing victory by relying on its strength advantage that far exceeded the men, women, and children of the village.

How many people are there in Linhu Village? The guide fishermen know this very well.

However, not long after the blue fox drifted, he saw a group of armed men appearing on the shore. This scene shocked him into a rage!

The soldiers of the Ross Standing Army on the ship are all young and strong. Rather than negotiating peacefully, they hope that their opponents will suddenly attack them so that they can defend and counterattack.

Some were rowing, while others were stringing their wooden and steel-arm crossbows.

Blue Fox silently watched the brothers prepare for battle, and then asked the guide: "I saw a large number of armed men. What does this mean? It seems that your tribe is going to fight?"

"Ah! This is a misunderstanding! It's a misunderstanding."

"Maybe. Even your people don't have many troops. How can a little rabbit satisfy the appetite of a bear? I have put the army on alert. Our arrows can easily kill bears, and naturally they can easily kill you. clansman. After landing, please advise your clansmen not to be impulsive, otherwise I will start a war immediately."

The Blue Fox was a straightforward threat. The four long boats gently broke into the reeds on the riverside under the vigilant attention of the armed villagers of Linhu Village. The keel gnawed on the mud, and the ship was slightly washed up on the beach and half aground.

From Lan Hu's point of view, if the villagers only have this small amount of troops, they are totally worth it. Look at these villagers. Although they brought a large number of round shields to form a shield wall, their overall weapons and equipment were far inferior.

The tall and strong Ross standing army disembarked grandly, and each little giant quickly established a landing beachhead, and the formation stretched out into an arc. Sixty people were arranged in a loose shield formation, with warriors holding crossbows standing in the middle. The shooting direction was already aimed at the locals who were constantly approaching but did not dare to take another step forward.

However, in Linhu Village, the war chief Gorm managed to gather more than 400 warriors of varying quality despite his desperate efforts.

There is also an old man with white hair and a boy with a wet nose and sticky face. On the other hand, it was the first time for them to see Ross's army in front of them, including Gorm. Facing the army that used bear heads as terrifying decorations, they first felt awe.

"We have only seen their ships running around in the strait before, and the Danes couldn't stop them. These...are their warriors." Gorm's first distant brother said worriedly.

Another childhood playmate was trembling all over: "Brother. We...really want to fight with these people? They look very strong."

Everyone was paying attention to Gorm's actions. Their mouths were silent and their feet seemed to be glued. If even "Broken Bone" Gorm doesn't dare to strike first, is there any warrior in the village who dares to advance?

Just when the two sides were maintaining a strange stalemate, the Blue Fox's array opened a hole.

The captured fishermen took their wives and children and ran eagerly to their own people.

Linhu Village only has a population of a thousand, and the people living here have been neighbors for generations. In a huge acquaintance society, all the villagers of this small fisherman family recognize each other.

The captured fishermen were freed and ran to their own tribe, where they were immediately questioned by Gom, who was still on guard.

"It was you! Flokin, was it you... who lured the Russians here?"

"Ah! Gorm, you are now..." The fisherman's name is Flokin, and he only wants to be a fisherman. His name is not worth mentioning. "You have become a war chief?"

"answer me."

"Okay. They are Rus, just like the Rus who float across the channel every year. Their leader wanted to order us to surrender, so he didn't kill me, even."

"What's wrong?"

Fisherman Flokin proudly took off the heavy cloth bag tied to the waistband of his hemp rope trousers, opened it, and presented it in front of Gom.

Under the direct sunlight, the only dazzling thing Gorm saw was a silver coin. He picked up another coin and looked at it. He was surprised that it was a fine Frank silver coin, as if it had been minted recently.

"Where did you get so many silver coins?"

"It was rewarded by the leader of Ross, and now it all belongs to me." When he said this, the fisherman Frogin was quite proud, and said: "The leader of Ross sent one of his war chiefs. They said that they actually didn't want to fight, and they became He also gave some gifts to our village.”

"There are gifts? Wait a minute..." Gorm held his head and thought for a moment. He was baffled that such a situation could still happen. But now that the Rus people mentioned giving gifts, for a moment, the strong vigilance in Gom's heart calmed down a little.

He immediately asked a key question: "Flokin, are all the Russian troops floating on the lake? How many people are they? What do they want to do?"

"They...the young leader asked the entire Gyota River to surrender to them. The Rus have ten thousand troops! Their leader said that if we refuse to surrender, we will go to war directly."

"Ah!? What else did they say?"

"Their leader made a metaphor. If you surrender to him, you will get a reward. If you refuse to surrender, you will start a war. He also said that we will be protected by them in the future. If the Russians have a mouthful of meat, we will have a mouthful of soup."

Are there really 10,000 Russians? Simply "one thousand" is already a huge numerical word, and ten thousand is "ten" one thousand. Such an order of magnitude is already unimaginable to Gorm.

On the other hand, I tried my best to mobilize only four to five hundred people. He couldn't control other villages, but the Ross people really chose to go to war. The 500 people in Linhu Village couldn't stop the 10,000 Ross people anyway.

A Russian war chief and his men were uniformly dressed and had bears' heads on their heads. They looked extremely frightened. If a war breaks out, Gorm doesn't even have the confidence to defeat the Russians in front of him. Even if he wins, it will definitely be a miserable defeat, right? The result is still village collapse.

Surrender is of course possible, as long as the Russians are not evil people who demand excessive amounts of money and seize slaves wantonly.

Gorm simply put away his weapon, took off his shield, and then took off his helmet. He opened his arms and drove away without any armor.

He walked towards the direction of the Ross army and Blue Fox, shouting as he walked: "I have seen your ships in the southern channel! You are Ross people! We Jotalans have no enmity against you. I am from the village. War Chief Gorm Sigfrixon. War Chief of Rus, we should have a chat.”

Seeing this, Blue Fox also took off his helmet and walked out of the military formation. He also opened his arms and introduced himself to his family: "Now that you know us, everything is easy to talk about. We are a coalition of Russians and Swedes, and I am Gouldson the Blue Fox. I am a warrior and a businessman." We really should have a peaceful chat."

As Lan Fox said, he is a businessman first. To complete a business, he must first consider the seller's feelings. This idea is completely different from that of many warriors. He could see that his opponent was extremely frightened and noticed a group of trembling people.

The Russian army took off their round shields and put them on their legs, and put their steel swords into their sheaths. The crossbow was still charged, and the shooting chute pounded the ground.

It was the Blue Fox who first expressed their sincerity in negotiating, and Gorm relaxed his vigilance again. Find Shuyuan www.zhaoshuyuan． com

The two men stood together, and there was no trace of fear on Lan Hu's face, nor was there any intimidation from Yisiding. He continued to open his arms: "As you can see, I, Blue Fox Gouldson, have no ill intentions. I am the envoy of King Ross. Since you are the local leader, we should have a good talk."

"Okay. You are guests, and I heard about your leader's request. Actually... surrender is okay. As long as you don't be too harsh."

Hearing this, Blue Fox was overjoyed: "You just called yourself Gorm? You are a smart Gorm. Why do you doubt that my king is harsh? My monarch specially prepared a hundred pounds of oats, a jar of honey, and a bottle of honey for you. Only a crystal cup. Since you are the leader of this village."

The blue fox opens his pocket to reveal the gift glass.

Looking at this precious Gorm is a sight to behold.

"Do you want it? I'll give it to you. Remember, this is the reward given to you by our King of Rus. Disarm your army, and I will disarm my people. You gather the leading tasks in the village, and we Let’s talk about surrender.”

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