Rise of Rurik

The poor Baron of Utrecht became a pauper in an instant.

He lost all his wealth and was escorted by the Normans while the city was sacked.

He didn't put up any resistance and became a prisoner in a daze. This didn't mean that he would end well, even if he was a noble.

In the afternoon of that day, large-scale material transportation work was carried out intensively, and the work of fulfilling the promise of distributing food to the civilians was also carried out. First of all, Henry Nassau had no idea of ​​such a tactic to attract people's hearts. Since it was the idea from King Rurik of Rus, he just followed it.

Even more, he must further obey Rurik's arrangements in order to "better rule the Netherlands" in the future.

What is "better rule" is actually to facilitate the control of the Russian people in the future.

This area is very close to the Danish Jutland Peninsula, and Normans from all walks of life can easily drift south as long as they are willing. The overlord of the north is the Russians, and even the Danish king Ragnar wants to recognize the hegemony of the Russians. First an enemy and then an ally, no one understood the strength of the Rus' army and the methods of the Rus' King better than Henry Nassau.

Obeying Ross is nothing more than a means of saving one's life. If you think about it carefully, although Rurik is young, he is not unkind to himself.

A village leader with the title of baron has now become a count, guarding the mouth of the Rhine River, a good place for trade. This place has broad development prospects, enough for the Nassau family to become bigger and stronger.

Just doing this would cut a large piece of flesh off the Earl of Flanders, and he would have to face Ludwig's rage.

If you get on the Norman ship, you can only "complicitly". Since you are still passive, you can continue the war and take the initiative.

The so-called Netherlands is to cut off two regions from the huge Earl of Flanders. Friesland and Utrecht were cut off to form the Netherlands.

Within the county, there was the former Danish colonial town of Durist, even though it is now in ruins.

At night, two unladen armed cargo ships were towed by multiple rowing boats into the upper reaches of the Amstel River, and docked at the Utrecht pier.

The two ships are not big ships. From the perspective of local people, they are undoubtedly huge ships. The big ship was pulled over just to transport the loot more efficiently.

The coalition forces built open-air camps outside the city, where they cooked wheat and grilled herrings brought from the offshore.

The city is filled with fragrance, and the strange fragrance even reaches the nearby villages.

Sitting by the big bonfire, Rurik tasted the delicious food he had plundered, and lamented that fighting to support war was a model that could be put to good use at present.

He was outspoken about his desire to continue plundering: "We don't have time to linger here. I heard that there is Antwerp to the south, and we should capture it."

Ragnar was deeply impressed: "I have heard of Antwerp a long time ago. In the past, the Danes who followed Horik teamed up to rob it. They made a fortune, and finally forced the rulers in the south to spend money to buy peace. "

"Spend money to buy peace." Rurik stroked the corner of his mouth and smiled: "How stupid. So, will our enemy Baudouin still spend money to buy peace?"

After that, Rurik smashed a piece of soil and threw it at Henry Nassau, who was thinking deeply: "Hey, this place is your territory. You don't want to surrender to that Baudouin, do you?"

"What?"

"My point. It's time to think about the next countermeasures. We want to attack Antwerp and completely destroy it. What do you think?"

"destroy?"

"Exactly."

"Wouldn't it be a mass murder?"

Rurik almost laughed out loud: "You...will never refuse war? Or do you just don't want to see us killing? Maybe you are a tolerant and good person."

"No. I have no choice." Henry Nassau suddenly raised his chest. His so-called daze before was just thinking about his position in the entire war.

"I will support you in your fight. If you want to continue going south, I will follow you without hesitation."

Nassau's eyes were quite sincere, but he also seemed to have something to say.

"Do you want to say anything else?"

"I support the attack on Antwerp, and I have one more request." Nassau said cautiously.

"Say it."

"The south is the Rhine River. As long as we go backwards along the river, we will reach...my Nassau village after a while. If possible, I hope to borrow your boat to bring all my people back."

Although the Ross fleet is very powerful, is the fleet already powerful enough to sail unimpeded on the long Rhine River? Rurik heard Nassau's thoughts and couldn't help but be shocked by what this guy said.

He was not in a hurry to object, because as long as there were waterways, Russian ships could theoretically travel around Europe unimpeded. Only I don't know the current flow rate of the Rhine River. If the flow rate is too fast, this plan can only be in the theoretical stage.

Unless every ship in the entire fleet is equipped with a diesel engine, of course that is a fantasy.

"So, you are actually worried that your tribe will be easily controlled by them and become a handle to control your actions."

"That's right." Nassau said bluntly.

"Unfortunately, the weather is getting colder now. We won't stay here too long and will return to the north to rest for a while. As for what you are most worried about is nothing more than revenge from Ludwig. If..." Liuli Ke suddenly stretched his head: "He killed your tribe, what should you do?"

"He dares!" What Rurik said was what Nassau didn't want to hear the last thing. He gritted his teeth: "Ludwig dares to do this, and I will retaliate against the Franks in equal measure."

"Oh? Isn't your belief taboo against killing people?"

"No. I would rather my soul never come out of purgatory and take revenge. But if possible, I still hope that you can bring my people back." He looked at the two Norman kings sincerely: "Du Although Lister Port is in ruins, you can rebuild it. It will be your territory from now on. I... also need you to station an army to help me maintain my power."

Ragnar nodded: "I am happy that you are so obedient. When I regain Port Durist, I can promise never to attack your territory."

"Thank you very much."

Hearing this, Rurik pinched his beard. He deliberately looked at the middle-aged Henry Nassau, and said jokingly: "There is the biggest problem with your faith. As a man, you cannot marry more than your wife." Your children are all in your hometown, and only if they are dead can you be eligible to remarry. If Ludwig really captures your family, you can't argue and can't marry again. You are in the prime of life, and you can obviously marry in this area. With some women, you can recreate your Nassau family. Unfortunately, you can't..."

King Ross's words were very rude, but they were also a fact.

"That's why I wanted to bring my family over as soon as possible."

Rurik tightened his mouth and shook his head seriously: "I advise you to prepare for the worst. We killed three thousand of his heavy cavalry, and you are a real traitor to him. I even look forward to him killing your whole family. In this way, you can marry locally. Those fief knights need new masters, and the local bishops need a new partner. Only marriage can make them most satisfied with your rule."

Feeling like a huge stone was weighing on his heart, Henry Nassau was very unhappy with Rurik's dark remarks.

"Actually, you have no choice." Rurik continued, "You can't influence Ludwig's choice, and you can't take away your family and tribe. Even without our protection, your Netherlands It's just a reflection in the water. Only by following my way can you maintain a stable rule."

"Yes! I know everything. If you attack Andwerp, I will join the battle. Even if you kill indiscriminately or set fire to the city, I will not deny it. At worst, I will close my eyes and not watch."

"It's not enough." Rurik shook his finger, "You need more proof. There is something important that needs to be done now. If you don't want to do it, I will help you now."

For the time being, Henry Nassau didn't know what Rurik was talking about. After a while, he learned everything in shock.

That was the whole family of Baron Martini of Utrecht. All family members and captured retinues were tied up hand and foot, even the female relatives, and they were placed next to the fire like fat sheep to be slaughtered.

They are about to be executed.

Gu Xiang

There were now as many as fifteen fief knights arriving at the camp. Just because the nearby villages got the news, the local knights were shocked and had to make a choice. The so-called either recognize the rule of the Earl of the Netherlands or be strangled by the army in the future.

They arrived in Utrecht overnight, and after directly witnessing the powerful army, they surrendered.

The fifteen feudal knights all recognized Henry Nassau as the Earl of the Netherlands. As for the high degree of cooperation between the new earl and the Normans, they were actually not surprised. They are quite familiar with the concept of "Denmark". The times have just returned to the past. The Normans will still be entrenched near the Port of Durist, and everyone will still pay tribute to them to buy peace.

However, this time it seems that things have really changed.

The Norman kings are here. The kings claim that even if the Normans revive the Port of Durist, they will not demand tribute from the local Frisian civilians or even the small nobles, and everyone can do business safely. In exchange, the local minor noble must become the outsider Earl of Nassau. If his family is overthrown by the locals, it means that all Normans can loot without restraint.

But this does not mean that the Normans suddenly became good-natured people.

The reason why they didn't rob the small lords was because both Rurik and Ragnar felt that they didn't have much to gain. After all, they both saw the poor appearance of the six fief knights who first surrendered, as well as the so-called retinue soldiers. They even saw There were many people walking barefoot.

On the other hand, judging from the clothing of the captured Utrecht people, their living standards are much higher than those in the countryside.

In addition to the baron's family, servants, and retainers, the city residents were a group of craftsmen serving the lord, and a small number of local merchants.

Craftsmen cannot be killed, they transform themselves into serving the new aristocracy of Nassau. As for the local businessmen, of course they had to be looted, and only their lives were saved.

Only Baron Martini and his family must die.

Rurik also felt compassion, after all, the martini confessed everything after a scare. This person clearly identifies the existence of the city of Antwerp, describing its wealth and importance to Count Baudouin. In short, they are diverting trouble to the south, providing high-value information in exchange for the lives of their own family.

Spare your life? If this guy was just a knight and a retinue, his life would be spared.

It just so happened that this guy was Baron Utrecht. Rurik and Ragnar discussed it and decided to exterminate his body to avoid future troubles. Even his whole family is a disaster and should be exterminated.

A large number of Rus warriors gathered around to watch the show. They did not think that killing prisoners in public was a bad thing. On the contrary, they thought it was a blood sacrifice.

"Odin! Odin!"

I don't know who spoke first, but more and more warriors banged their shields and started making noises. They shouted the true name of God Odin, hoping to see the king performing blood sacrifices in person.

Blood sacrifice? Of course.

Fifteen surrendered feudal knights, Baron Victor of Groningen, and Henry of Nassau became important spectators. Rurik wanted to let them see the blood sacrifice. After all, the whole blood sacrifice process could be described as a testimonial. They were all parties present. They did not prevent the horror from happening but just watched silently, which meant that they could not escape responsibility. In this way, they can only go down the road of rebellion with their heads down.

So, Rurik approached Baron Martini, who was lying on his side with his mouth tied with a hemp rope, carrying a steel sword. He kicked him twice and said casually in Latin: "I will give you death. Hate me!" Curse me in hell as you please.”

Then, the sword penetrated deeply.

Martini's eyes widened and he rolled around in unbearable pain beside the campfire. Rurik immediately added another sword, which hit the vital point directly, and the baron died under the sword of the greatest king of Normans.

The blood flows, turning into a stream and flowing towards the flames.

More Rus and Danes gathered around, shouting loudly and spontaneously emitting Viking war cries.

Everyone shouted Odin's name in a rhythmic manner, and the sound wave after wave overwhelmed the wave, and finally turned into a low roar, shocking the surrounding villages that surrendered.

But not scary at all.

No noble has ever cared about the lives of farmers and herdsmen in the territory, or the nobles have no reason to care. That is what the priests are responsible for. The nobles are only responsible for collecting rent and taxes, and are usually ashamed to join the common people, even if they are both Frisians.

After all, more than fifty years have passed since the entire Frisian tribe was defeated and surrendered to the Franks. The ancient clan society has been replaced by the Frankish feudal system. The old military chiefs have transformed into knights and barons, and the strong men have become aristocratic retinues. The aristocrats strongly identify with the foreign hierarchy because it is beneficial to them.

They do not write history books. More than fifty years are enough for the locals who married early to reproduce for four generations. The oral stories are gradually lost. In addition, the common people are generally short-lived. The common people have forgotten the independent kingdom in the past. The priests constantly instilled in them that their poverty in this life is natural. Only by constantly worshiping God, paying tribute to the lord, going to the monastery to worship, and living strictly according to the scriptures can the soul be saved after death.

Even if they only received one pound of rye, it would be an unprecedented miracle.

Angels can bestow blessings on people, but no one has ever seen an angel.

The Earl of the Netherlands is still in Utrecht, and he is the one who distributed some food to everyone. There is news that the new earl will also significantly reduce taxes. The people who received the wheat cooked it at home and ate it quickly. They still maintained a wait-and-see attitude and stayed at home at night, unaware of the bloody night outside Utrecht.

Rurik had a strong psychological discomfort with the execution of Baron Martini's female family members.

Let Ragna do this kind of thing.

Rurik winked.

"Still kind?" Ragnar asked.

"No……"

Rurik remained silent, and Ragna nodded when he saw it: "Leave the rest to me." Then he drew his sword...

All the sacrifices died, and the ground was covered with blood.

Rurik and Ragnar raised their swords high and raised their heads to face the cloudy sky.

Seeing the two kings acting like this, the coalition soldiers also imitated their actions, raised their swords and shields and faced the sky, collectively chanted Odin's true name, and collectively completed the final performance art of the blood sacrifice. ,

This shocked the bishop so much that his legs became weak and he almost fainted. Fortunately, he was supported by the accompanying little priest.

Although Rurik and Ragnar actually have no enmity with Baron Martini, this is a Viking-style invasion battle!

The Frankish army also invaded Flanders, and the locals were defeated and surrendered. More than fifty years have passed, and now it's just the Viking army coming from the north.

Hatred is an excuse for war. This is what Europe is like now. If you don't want to be annihilated by others, you just have to attack others. Waging war does not even require a reason, or the reason is expansion. Fifty years ago was the era of Frankish expansion, but now the offensive and defensive momentum is different. The Viking expansion has begun in an all-round way, and it is no less ferocious than Charlemagne's expansion.

The whole family of Baron Utrecht was purged, and for other captured city residents, their biggest worry was whether they would also be killed.

However, when Rurik wiped the blood from his sword, he pulled the almost comatose Bishop Arbery and went straight to the city prisoner camp where he was sitting on the ground.

After the bishop saw the horrific killings, his embarrassment disappeared. He would collect the bodies of the slain baron and his family, and scold King Rurik of Rus as a sanctimonious and despicable savage.

There is no point in arguing with this guy. Rurik directly threatened: "If the curse worked, I would have died a long time ago. Stop spitting now, otherwise I will kill you, then kill all the prisoners, and finally burn the whole of Utrecht."

The bishop immediately stopped and had no choice but to obey Rurik's arrangement with trepidation and preach to all the prisoners. Rurik spoke Latin, and Bishop Arbery translated into Frisian. It is these sermons that have profound meaning.

It is said that all the captives will be released soon, and the captives' belongings have been handed over to the Norman army as tribute, which is equivalent to buying lives with money. All captives became subjects of the Netherlands and all were required to pay allegiance to Count Henry of Nassau. Anyone who disobeys will be executed, and so on.

The words came out of the bishop's mouth and became a kind of law.

The captured people could only express their approval, grateful that they were at least still alive.

On a bloody night outside Utrecht, the local nobles had been killed. This is to scare the monkeys, all the knights of the city, and the northernmost Baron Groningen who was forced to partner. They have seen the whole process of the blood sacrifice and have lost the belief in rebellion.

However, they still have to make a significant declaration.

All fifteen feudal knights and the Baron of Groningen had to personally join the so-called Army of the Netherlands and immediately put together a small force to join the attack on Antwerp.

They only have one day to prepare, and the Russian-Danish coalition will only stay under the city of Utrecht for one more day.