Rise of Rurik

Is Hamburg now very important to Liudov and the Frankish Kingdom?

The prisoner of war in front of him, Liudov, begged the Russian army not to attack Hamburg. Needless to say, there must be a hidden reason behind it. However, according to the intelligence provided by Blue Fox a few years ago, it was pointed out that Hamburg was just a tiny fortress by the river and had certain commercial value. Otherwise nothing special.

Of course, this is completely different from Rurik's concept of burger.

What is the Imperial Free City? Hamburg can be described as the star of the Hanseatic League.

Rurik didn't rush to ask Liudof. He described his knowledge of Hamburg as if it didn't matter: "It's just a small city, nothing special. There is no gold or silver, but at most there are some fields. But those wheat fields caused a stir. got my attention."

These words were incomprehensible. Liudov was really puzzled, but he still wanted to emphasize: "I implore you not to attack Hamburg. Since it is so barren, there is no point in attacking it with your army."

"Is it really barren?" Rurik rolled his eyes at him, "I said it. My army is large and needs a lot of food to satisfy their appetite. I will not rob the Danish fields, but hamburgers are what I can The closest supply point I saw.”

"So, you have to fight?"

"Yes! But no." Rurik poked his head at this time and asked slowly: "You... do you care about the people there? You hope that I will not kill? If so, you are really a kind person."

"Am I really so kind?"

"Maybe. I noticed that you are obviously an outsider, but you have a lot of support from the locals. It's incredible. Maybe you are born with the ability to command."

"I don't deserve the praise of you Normans." Liu Doufu said forcefully, but he felt a little happy in his heart.

"Let's tell the truth, shall we? Are there any of your friends there?"

"He is a friend. At least he supports me. He is the Count of Hamburg and his name is Robert."

"Him?!" Rurik slapped his thigh and stood upright, because this name was not unfamiliar.

"What? You... know this man."

"It's considered known. My subordinates had a deep conversation with this person. It's a long story..."

"Then, let's talk about it." What happened surprised Liu Doufu. He didn't believe that this was Rurik's trick, but the thing was indeed too bizarre. How could that old guy Robert have ever had the experience of chatting and laughing with the Rus among the Normans?

It was a long night. Rurik planned to use one mouth to argue his interests with the "bare veteran" Liudov, and then instigate him to rebel. This would at least ensure that this person would not become an enemy of Ross and Denmark. Almost anything that comes close cannot be let go.

Rurik deliberately said more, but the unknown things really made Liudov couldn't believe it. Think about it again, who is Robert, Count of Hamburg? A pure Frank was appointed as a local governor in the homeland of the barbarian Principality of Saxony. If this man was not a well-rounded man, the local Saxons would have resisted again and ganged up to kill his whole family.

On the contrary, the local conquered Saxon people did not oppose the foreign lord.

Earl Robert may not be smart, but he is definitely not stupid.

Robert actually had secret discussions with Ross businessman Blue Fox on business issues? ! Robert has secretly contacted the Russians many years ago behind the backs of all the nobles?

And this is even more puzzling.

"Since you... have had contact with the Count of Hamburg, and have even discussed business issues. Why do you need to attack your business partner? There is no need at all. You can have a good talk with Robert from Hamburg."

"Indeed." Rurik shrugged, "But my army needs food supplies. You know!" Suddenly, Rurik showed a threatening look: "When people are hungry, they turn into beasts. I need food. And I know that there are a lot of fields in the Elbe River Basin where Hamburg is located. It’s your wheat harvest time soon, and this year’s new wheat is mine.”

"Ah! So barbaric. You...you can't."

Liudov looked embarrassed. He was already stammering. He wanted to organize Rurik but was unable to do anything.

Rurik did not embarrass this man. After all, "looting new wheat in the Hamburg area" was not really necessary. As a very particular king, it would be a failure if the army was reduced to relying on plundering on the spot to solve the imminent food shortage problem. On the contrary, the Russian army's food reserves before the war were enough to feed an army of 10,000 people for five months, and now everything is fine.

This is a tactic of extreme pressure. Rurik turned his face to the side and pretended to be arrogant: "It's not impossible not to fight hamburgers, unless you tell me where there is more food. My army cannot come to Frank in vain. , If you can't get gold and silver, you take away a lot of food."

"..." Liu Duofu fell silent. He lowered his head but his eyes kept trembling.

What does this mean? He was just hesitant because he had already thought of a lot in his mind.

Thinking that the condom was already at this point and real men no longer had to dawdle, Rurik felt that when the time came, he took out the prepared king bomb.

"You! Liudov. I heard that you Saxons have the legendary hero Widukind. You are a direct descendant of him. Maybe he is your grandfather."

In an instant, Liudov suddenly raised his head as if he was electrocuted. His trembling eyes were as wide as copper bells, staring directly at Rurik's face: "He is my father's father's father. His tomb is in mine." Westphalian fiefdom.”

This is a fact. Widukind was defeated and surrendered and was forced to convert to God. His family was exiled to Lake Reichenau under the Alps. After his death, the family moved to Westphalia with his coffin.

Liudolf was born in the present fiefdom. He could not let go of the past and glory of his ancestors. He was resentful that the title of Duke of Saxony was confiscated by the Frankish king.

"In this case, why did your title become an earl? It's ridiculous. You were originally a duke. Oh, but you are like this now. Even if I let you go, you will suffer a big defeat against the so-called Normans. King of the Franks A decree will definitely be issued to demote you to a baron, or even abolish your title and become a farmer. No, maybe the situation is worse. They may order you to be executed out of anger, and the female members of your family will become slaves."

Rurik's words were frivolous and playful, and his words were like swords, piercing the soft spot in Liudov's heart.

Originally, Liudov's main reason for making amends after his defeat was the political frame-up of his master Ludwig. Everything was a despicable conspiracy!

Unexpectedly, King Rurik of Rus had penetrated his own heart. No! Rurik was not a confidant. Rather, even all the Normans understood this matter, and it was all a conspiracy by the Frankish nobles.

A down-and-out noble suddenly stood up, slapping his thigh, with strong anger on his face, and roared: "They are all damn Franks! They took away our country! Killed my people! Caused me to lose my title! I am the one who The real Duke of Saxony! That Ludwig doesn’t deserve it at all.”

A quarrel suddenly broke out in the tent, which frightened the guards into rushing into the tent with weapons to protect their king.

The guards rushed in, only to see Liu Doufu angry and panting, but also saw that his king was still sitting upright.

"Who let you in?!" Rurik turned his head and heard the news displeased.

"Your Majesty, brothers are worried about you..."

"Everyone, stand down!"

The guards withdrew one after another.

Liu Doufu was still angry. He sat down again and covered his head, and after a while he cried out. He cried and beat his chest: "That's my title! I'm obviously very popular with the Saxons! Why am I not the Duke of Saxony? I still thought about making great achievements in Denmark and gaining the support of a large number of people. Everything is over! Ludwig They won’t return the title to me. What should I do?”

"What else can I do?" Rurik smiled and saw that this guy suddenly became a clown. After hearing his painful confession, he realized that this was an opportunity to exploit every opportunity: "Stupid! Can't you see it? Why do you want to ask for that Luther? Will Vichy return the title to you? If you have an army, you can immediately declare the restoration of the title. If Ludwig disagrees and sends troops to fight you, and you defeat his army, you will be the real Duke of Saxony, and the disappeared Principality of Saxony will be reborn. ”

This statement is as simple and clear as the statement "It only takes three steps to stuff an elephant into the refrigerator", and it is full of comedy and impossibility.

"Defeat Ludwig's army? Is it easy? I can't. As you can see, I don't even have a bodyguard. I'm just your prisoner."

"No. Actually... they can be allies."

"ally?"

"Of course." Everything had been prepared. Rurik raised his head solemnly and looked at Liudov's face with his blue eyes sincerely: "We should consider this matter in the long run. You are worried that you can't defeat Ludwig. My The army goes to fight him. Even if it is not to help you, I want to take revenge on this Frankish prince. And you... you immediately recruit Saxons in Jutland, as many as you can recruit. You immediately establish the title of Duke of Saxony, Declare that you have broken with the Franks, declare that the destroyed Principality of Saxony is resurrected, and it is important to declare that you are a descendant of Widukind."

"Perhaps, this is all I can do. But... I still have a wife and children in Westphalia. I... don't want them to be in danger."

"Huh?" Rurik felt that this was indeed human nature, but those who do great things should not stick to the love between children. "So, are the lives of your wife and children more important than resurrecting the Principality of Saxony and getting rid of Frankish occupation? If you think so, it can only mean that you are a coward. And I, actually saw it wrong. I thought you were A brave real man.”

Therefore, Rurik said something like this: "A daughter-in-law can remarry, and children can have another child. If Ludwig kills your wife and children out of revenge, it can only mean that Ludwig is the real evil person." Behind you are thousands of Saxons, who will sympathize with your plight and support you without hesitation. This is your family's only chance! Otherwise, you won't even be able to keep your title as an earl."

A question was placed in front of Liudov bloody, and he had three choices.

First, he announced his independence from Frankish rule and established himself as the Duke of Saxony.

Second, commit suicide so that his son Bruno will automatically inherit the title of earl of Westphalia.

Third, Rurik continued to declare his loyalty to Ludwig and asked Ludwig for ransom, so that the latter would know that Liudov was defeated and would most likely vent his anger or take the opportunity to cut down the vassal, thus making Vidukind's descendants completely common people.

One of the political adventures will be a great success if it succeeds. The second choice is safe but restoration of glory is far away. The third is the stupidest choice.

These days were like a ridiculous nightmare. The vicious Normans destroyed the Aleb Fortress and killed nearly ten thousand people. It was these Normans who were terrifying enemies in the morning and became allies by that night.

Do the Normans really have any shame? No, maybe the Norman commander, King Rurik of Rus, all he wanted was profit.

So, Liudov asked: "If, I declare against Ludwig, you help me restore the Principality of Saxony. Is this really good for you? What...what do you want? You know, we Saxons You have given up your belief in the sacred tree (World Tree), but you are still clinging to the gods of the past.”

"I knew you would say that. Give to God what is God's, and give to Caesar what is Caesar's. Whatever god you believe in, but we need real security guarantees. In the far north, the lands you can think of and the lands you have never known are all my Ross The territory of the Kingdom. To the south is the Kingdom of Denmark. We are what you call all the Normans. We actually don’t want to fight the Franks, but it was the Franks who took the lead in provoking the war. I will not submit, the only one The way is to force peace with war, let the Franks know how powerful we are and avoid future wars."

Rurik's grand strategy was indeed this, but why not send a group of royal pirates to raid Frankish towns, rob houses, and seize the capital for the development of the Kingdom of Rus.

From an official standpoint, it is necessary to draw a clear line of defense with the Frankish forces and ask the other party to declare peace with the Viking world. Therefore, it is very reasonable for both sides to have a buffer country between them.

After all, before the "Charlemagne's Conquest", the Principality of Saxony ruled by Widukind was indeed a natural buffer state between the Franks and the Viking world.

"Give to God what is God's, and to Caesar what is Caesar's..." Liudov lowered his head and was silent for a long time. After thinking for a while, he slowly raised his head: "Obviously, I have no reason to hesitate anymore?"

"Make your choice! Horik has been captured by me. When you cross the border, the Frankish power you represent no longer exists. There are still a large number of Saxons in Jutland! I have no intention of killing and robbing them, and the same is true of King Rag of Denmark. Neither will Na. I need you to establish yourself as the Duke of Saxony. As long as you do this, I, the Kingdom of Rus, will be the first to recognize you, and I will also convince Ragnar to recognize you."

"Then do it! I am the Duke of Saxony."

"Okay. I admit you."

Liudov declared his apostasy, or that he was regaining the glory of his ancestors. When he entered Jutland last year, he launched the banner of "The Grandson of Widukind", which immediately won over a large number of Saxons.

This banner is very easy to use, and in fact he is indeed a direct descendant of Vidukind.

His imprisonment lasted only a few hours. When he declared his opposition to Ludwig's independence as Duke of Saxony, he was no longer a prisoner but an ally.

Therefore, when Ragnar was surprised to see the Rurik brothers talking and laughing with the recovered prisoner of war the next morning, it was really incredible.

Because it was Ragna who captured this man alive, but he never expected that his good brother would take special care of him because he said "this man is valuable", but he would actually take care of him like this?

He couldn't imagine a guy who decided to fight to the death, almost to the last man standing. Rurik actually allowed this man to walk around as he pleased without any precautions against him.

Then there was a special meeting in the morning. Ragnar never imagined that the prisoner of war Liudov would participate in the military meeting of the Russian-Danish coalition as a free man.

"You are a despicable prisoner! How can you be here?! Rurik, what are you doing?!"

Ragnar pointed at Liudov's nose and humiliated him. The latter endured his anger and said nothing, but Rurik tried to smooth things over: "Brother Ragnar, the situation has changed. There are no despicable prisoners here, only our allies." .”

"Ally? Could it be this man?"

"Yes. He is now the Duke of Saxony."

At the critical moment, Liudov, who was both brave and flexible, spoke: "Are you the King of Denmark? And I am the Duke of Saxony. We can be friends, let's go back to a few decades ago! Friend, I am no longer Vassal of the Franks, I am Duke of all Saxons. Let us unite against the Franks."

Of course, Ragnar is also a flexible person. He was willing to sit down and listen to Liudov's self-narration. It was this self-narration that aroused his extraordinary spiritual resonance.

Revenge, if it is just to kill the minions and let the black hands behind them continue to live freely, what kind of revenge is that?

Liudov was not the enemy, Ludwig and the Frankish nobles were the enemies.

At this point in the war, the slogan "restoring the glory of Odin" has changed its flavor. It was quietly replaced by another called "restoring the glory of the ancestors."

Denmark wants to restore the old order, Saxony wants to be restored, and Rus wants to create a stable Baltic trade network.

Leaving aside the Norwegians in the Bergen area who have not yet been involved in the Baltic political circle due to their geographical location, the three strong men who can determine the stable future of the Nordic Pan-Germanic people are sitting together.

Ragnar is self-aware. His own tribe survives by relying on the protection of the Russians. Now as the king of Denmark, his power is not stable.

After all, Liudov has a fiefdom and has a strong appeal in his hometown of Saxony, which is stronger than Ragnar.

No matter what they are like, they are both younger brothers when facing a behemoth like the Kingdom of Ross.

In order to stabilize their respective powers and avoid future revenge from the Franks, the three parties made an oath of alliance here on the Lindholm Isthmus, under the ruins of the Aleb Fortress, regardless of differences in belief.

The three people faced the sun and swore not to fight against each other. When one family was attacked, the others immediately sent troops to help. This is an alliance treaty without a signed written document, but in the Nordic world, written documents are still a new thing, and the lords are more concerned about oral oaths. The oaths have mana benefits, which is enough to make Ragnar change his attitude towards the lonely Liudov.

From then on, the Russian army's attack on Hamburg became illegal.

There is no other reason. According to the territorial scope of the old Principality of Saxony, Hamburg has been Saxony since ancient times.

Therefore, the Ross army still had to enter Hamburg, and use this as a starting point to invade Frankish Ludwig's territory across the Elbe River. At that time, Liudov, as the Duke of Saxony who had restored his title, would not only send troops to help the Russian-Danish revenge coalition, but also provide a batch of food to reward the allies.

Liudov was already having a sweet dream. When he returned to his hometown of Saxony, a large number of surviving civilians would join him. The Saxon barons who had become Frankish subjects would also declare their surrender, and ten thousand peasant soldiers could be organized in an instant.

The big problem now is that the mess on the battlefield needs to be sorted out, and the large number of dead must at least be buried.

The Russian-Danish coalition will continue to move south along the coastline, and the army will advance directly to the Schleswig Stone Wall (built on the Holstein Isthmus), the natural dividing line between Denmark and Saxony since ancient times.

In this way, even if the Kingdom of Denmark regains all its lost territory, it can then turn around and invade Frankish territory.

As long as the army moves south, Liudov will have a huge opportunity. Because there are a large number of Saxon villages as you go south. These villagers have a deep-seated hatred of the Franks, and it will be easy to ask them to surrender. Liudov intended to use these southern villagers to organize an army. He knew that he had no way back. In order to lead the Saxons to restore their country, he began to take action.

A special flag was displayed, which was a cross flag painted with carbon blocks, but in the upper left corner of the flag, the Roman letters "SAKSON" were written with carbon blocks.

And this became the official national flag of the Principality of Saxony, and soon Liudov was no longer alone.

No one could withstand the army from the north, and all the Danish villages in Jutland immediately changed their beliefs and called themselves Odin's warriors again, recognizing Ragnar as their king. The entire Saxon village, without giving up their converted Catholic faith, immediately recognized Liudov as their Duke.

So the northern saint Esquier, who was lying on the carriage and following the army south, looked for Shuyuan www.zhaoshuyuan. com His mood is extremely complicated.

Liudov betrayed the Franks, announced the revival of the Duke of Saxony and actually declared war on the Franks, but he did not give up his holy Catholic faith, which is equivalent to saying that Liudov did not betray the Holy See.

But he actually formed an alliance with the Normans. Does this fall count as betrayal?

Esquier no longer dared to think about it, because there was no precedent for aristocrats who believed in God to form an alliance with barbarians to attack another Catholic country.

He couldn't help but cover his injured leg and run away. Fortunately, Rurik, a barbarian brat, had the conscience to feed himself well. Wait! Maybe……

As a senior missionary, Eskil stubbornly misjudged—maybe this kid Rurik can still be persuaded by me to accept baptism.

After all, he was wise and didn't want to talk at all for the time being. He noticed that the army marching on land and sea was marching south. Maybe Rurik would choose an opportunity to release himself.

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