In the evening, Otto gathered his men.
Even those who have newly married wives fully accept the orders of the leader, and they gather together to form a mighty army.
They carry shields on their backs, all of them wear leather armor, and some of them also wear chainmail. Their leather helmets were covered with iron sheets, and their huge nose guards almost covered half of their faces.
Those people in White Tree Manor were filled with fear when they saw so many Varangians gathered together. Ordinary people chose to stay away from him. Only the manor director Rigus and several of his family members stayed with Otto.
The Ross people gathered together and immediately started chatting. Many people were already speculating that the leader’s intention was not just to collect tribute from the largest Pine Needle Manor, but to kill them!
Fight? That's really a good thing that can't be wished for.
The combat effectiveness of five hundred metal-armed warriors was unimaginable, and Rigus was glad that he was not against them. He was quite happy to receive the "praise" from Chief Ross that "you are a loyal dog".
He asked Otto respectfully: "Chief, are you really going to attack Pine Needle Manor?"
"You are scared when you see my people."
"Yes. I saw that this is an invincible army."
"Haha, of course we are invincible." After saying that, Otto took out his patterned steel Sword, walked towards his subordinates.
Otto raised his sword and shouted: "Brothers, I heard that some people in Novgorod did not surrender to us. I want to lead you to punish such rebellion. What do you think? ? ”
They are like a pile of dry firewood, which can turn into a huge fire with just a spark.
Hundreds of people responded to the leader's instigation with startling roars.
"I will lead you to attack the disloyal people. I will lead you to plunder treasures, food, cloth, and women! Our goal is the Pine Needle Manor upstream of the river. Early tomorrow morning, I will take the You go and obey my orders!"
Otto felt that he had enough ability to restrain his subordinates. As long as he gave orders, they would execute them well.
Considering that Pine Needles Manor may be a behemoth with a population of eight thousand people, which is similar to the population size of Roseburg, actions must be planned.
For such a huge target, Otto really lacked confidence if he really wanted to launch a military attack.
Otto did not want to kill those people.
If White Tree Manor is a loyal dog, Pine Needle Manor is a fluffy sheep. It's this sheep that seems to be starting to have a mind of its own and needs to be taught a lesson.
Force deterrence is a means to maintain the power of the Russians, and killings should not be carried out unless absolutely necessary.
Otto issued the order, and his men have begun preparing for tomorrow's "Pine Needles Manor Parade Deterrence."
The longboat pushed ashore still containedA lot of water came in, and people used ladles to shake the water out. The bundled linen sails were also soaked, and they were stretched out to dry.
On this night, the Russians ate the newly baked soft black bread with a sweet and sour taste, and even drank oatmeal.
Except for those who were busy with weddings, other Russians were ordered to cultivate themselves for the whole day. They ate rare high-starch foods throughout the day. At night, everyone's stomach was full because of the food. And drum up. Their stomachs were filled with wheat, and the feeling of fullness was so miraculous that as long as they experienced it once, the young Russians were eager for more.
After the formal wedding ceremony, according to the traditional etiquette of Novgorod, the newlywed wife is obliged to upgrade from a girl to a woman on the first night. Even if the man is shy, the woman should be more proactive.
Lilia tried to do this, but was rejected by Kawei.
My wife’s nose is high and her long braids are clean and elegant. She is an elegant person. Looking into her eyes, Kawei feels that he has forgotten all the troubles in the world.
Having not gone through the etiquette of the Ross tribe, Kawei still required his wife to remain pure under the restraint of his strong self-control.
He told his wife the secret of sulfur soap, and even asked her to wash her hands with a small piece of soap. Lilia's palms were washed clean, and the smell of sulfur completely relieved her doubts. Kawei might allow her to spy on his steel sword at close range. The sharp blade could easily cut the hard wood of the bed. Looking at the fallen wood chips, Lilia's surprised eyes also contained a hint of fear.
Even through the translation of the tribe, there is a huge difference between his husband calling himself a blacksmith and a warrior.
Different? Really?
In Lilia's opinion, any Varangian with an ax and a sword is the same warrior. Isn't it ridiculous for a sword-wielding warrior to claim that he is a blacksmith and not a warrior?
I heard that they will go to Pine Needle Manor tomorrow to fight against disloyalty.
This is the only thing that makes Lilia secretly happy.
I am already married, so it is best not to let my husband Kawei know about the past.
Who would have thought that the current rickety manor director Ligus was quite handsome when he was young. He married a beautiful girl from another manor and gave birth to daughters who inherited their mother's inheritance. Her beauty is as beautiful as her father's when he was young.
Svetlana showed off her beauty at a young age, and Lilia was exactly the same.
When Lilia was only ten years old, the manor of Pine Needle Manor, Brudne, ran to White Tree Manor, intending to make a marriage contract for his eldest son, and his target was Lilia.
Asking for the marriage of a ten-year-old child? This thing was so ridiculous that Rigus immediately refused.
Ligus' attitude was very resolute. He didn't appreciate any of the benefits of Brudne's release, so he had to leave angrily.
Brudne's eldest son is already married, and he really remembers Baishu Manor's lack of cooperation.
In a huge area with 200,000 people gathered, a king will gradually form.
After all, the Russians are outsiders who have established themselves. For decades, they only came to collect some tributes. After that, they were still dominated by the strong locals.
Lilia doesn’t like those people at all, even if they are part of the so-called Novgorod people.
Who is the relative? Of course, White Tree Manor is the relative. Now, I have another Russian husband.
It would be great if the Ross people could teach Pine Needle Manor a lesson.
Even her newly married husband had to follow his leader and participate in the crusade. As a first-time wife, even if she didn't understand the language, her concern for her husband's safety was written on her face.
She still said nothing, waiting for the situation to change.
The next day, a fresh start.
The haze has passed, the golden light of the morning sun shines on the earth, and the huge Lake Ilmen immediately evaporates the graceful morning mist.
The fog enveloped the entire White Tree Manor, and the breeze rustled the birch forest. People could even see the floating fog clearly with the naked eye.
The sun has risen a lot, the fog has gradually faded, and this sunlight has penetrated through the gaps in the woods, causing a large number of holy light curtains to appear in the woodland around the manor.
With this situation, Otto couldn't help but think of the altar in his hometown.
High Priest Vilia claimed that the light curtain of the forest was also a hint from the god of the forest to the bright future of the prayers.
Otto was in a great mood. His men had eaten black bread and oatmeal porridge early in the morning. Not only were they in a good mood, but their bodies were also full of strength.
A large number of people began to gather on the river beach, and Otto had already arrived here early. He slapped his shield with a wooden stick and shouted: "Brothers, stop dawdling, push the boat into the water. Quick!"
A large number of Viking longships began to enter the water, and the young warriors They jumped to the deck one after another, ignoring the fog that had not yet dissipated. Five hundred people sat on twenty boats and began to paddle against the current.
During a thunderstorm, Lake Ilmen received a large amount of water, and the flow of the Volkhov River became obviously somewhat turbulent.
The young people who have eaten a lot of starchy food are eager to have some physical exercise, and paddling is perfect for it.
On the shore, Rigus was hunched over and leaning on a cane, watching the Ross army temporarily retreat in the mist.
Lilia stood beside her father, looking dreamily at the ships going away. At this moment, her heart belonged to her husband.
“I can’t believe that you are still a girl.” Ligus was a little displeased, “You have obviously gone through the wedding.”
“Dad, Kawei has his own principles. ."
"Principles? Weird principles, Lilia, you should know your own.Mission, give birth to a boy for your husband and goad him into getting us more metal utensils. "
"Oh. "Lilia lowered her head slightly. Now she has to accept the reality that she is a tool.
Isn't marriage just a kind of transaction? Lilia's eyes glanced at the person being clicked by her mother. Yala held her little sister Svetlana. Although this child is only six years old, she is also a tool for White Tree Manor - a tool that can ensure the absolute safety of the people of the manor.
Rigus muttered. : "They are gone, let's go, children, let's go home. Lilia. "
"Yes. "
"Be prepared, you will be leaving home soon. As a father, I can give you some gifts from my hometown. When you get to your husband's house remember to listen to them and be a good woman. "
Leaving her hometown and living a life of eating fish and seal meat every day, her sister Peravina from the same ethnic group explained that such a life was not bad. She held her heart in fear and tightened her grip. Following his father, he went back.
The people of Baishu Manor continue to work in their fields. For them, only a few festivals throughout the year can be called rest days. They spend their time trying to get as much food as possible.
Some men in the manor envied the life of the Russians, as if they could rob the weak and live without having to work as long as they were strong enough. A life without worries about food and clothing.
Of course, they don't have strong muscles, and they lack metal weapons.
What they see is only a narrow surface, and they don't know that a warrior is there. The process of growth is full of dangers, and death may come suddenly.
On the other hand, the Russians' twenty boats formed a long snake formation and moved forward mightily along the river.
When the fog completely dissipates, everyone can see the open land ahead.
That is the farmland of the populous Pine Needle Manor, and a large number of wooden houses appear further away. < /p>
Otto turned around and faced all the oarsmen in his boat: "Brothers! Pine Needles Manor has arrived. Show your bravery this time and make those fools kneel down in fear when they see you. "
"Chief, will they really kneel down? "One person suddenly asked in a high-pitched voice.
Suddenly another person retorted: "Idiot, if you pull out the sword, which fool will not kneel down. ”
Soon, the longboat was filled with laughter and laughter.
However, contrary to their happiness, the farmers of Pine Needle Manor were frightened on the spot when they saw such a fleet. They had to flee in all directions.
There are indeed 200,000 people living in Novgorod, but the most powerful groups live near Lake Ilmen, and the total population in this area is only more than 30,000. . Most of the estates are hidden in dense forests. They have no access to the gifts of Lake Ilmen, but they can take advantage of the resources of small and large rivers and streams that flow into the lake.
Seventeen thousand people live in remote places. ,heThey form a large number of small estates with hundreds of people in a group.
It is really a troublesome thing to collect tribute from these people.
Otto's time was limited. He knew that there were still a large number of manors that could not receive tribute due to their remote location, so he simply did not expect tribute from those people.
Of course, when collecting tribute, one must target the wealthiest. This year, he is going to blackmail Pine Needle Manor.
The ship began to dock, and the Russians disembarked very skillfully and used cables to push the ship ashore.
Otto, holding a long sword in his hand, pointed the sword directly at the house of the manor leader: "Brothers, follow me! Remember what I said, and act quickly!"
The Russians took off the shields on their backs one after another, carrying the shields in their left hands, and holding their weapons in their right hands.
Look at how well-armed they are, where are they here to collect tribute? He's obviously here to kill someone!
Everything is exactly like what happened in White Tree Manor. The residents of Pine Needle Manor either hid in their homes, or took the whole family and ran to the woods for refuge, regardless of the softness of their homes.
Some people paddled canoes into the big lake with the intention of hiding in the reeds. Wait until the turmoil among the Russians subsides before returning to normal life.
For them, the Russians are the true gods of plague. If they are displeased, the result will be disaster.
Why do they think so? The reason is also very simple.
Pine Needles Manor did not become powerful in an instant. Their development has gone through a long process.
They have no so-called historical records at all, and their past is only passed down by word of mouth.
In fact, Pine Needle Manor has existed since the Slavic people moved eastward two hundred years ago. They entered Lake Ilmen as a large society and used their strong strength to seize their current position, which is the so-called mouth of Ilmen Lake into the Volkhov River.
They have the largest population. Apart from this, only a group of manors living along the lake have a population of more than a thousand people. A large number of small estates always maintained a population of several hundred people.
Pine Needles Manor is fully capable of announcing that they are the king of this area, and in fact they have done so.
As a result, the Russian army came.
Those who experienced the past personally have passed away, but they still leave their descendants with the memory of a terrible war.
Do Novgorodians have to pay tribute? The first thing they chose was to fight. Due to the presence of foreign enemies, many manors united around Pine Needle Manor.
When the ancient Slavs fought, men and women fought together. Their elite men carried bronze or iron weapons, while others used stone spears and hammers.
Although their weapons are crude, their spirit of resisting the invasion is commendable.
It's a pity that Otto's ancestors turned into a huge team of 600 people when they took action. Of course, such a large number of troops are not wandering aimlessly along the river, becauseThe Russian pioneers knew about the existence of Novgorod early. Once they figured out the details of the other party, it became logical for the Russians to launch a war of conquest.
Otto also learned about past wars from his father, who died of old age.
It was a war between the Russians and the Novgorodians. Six hundred warriors fought against an enemy several times their size.
The men and women of Novgorod, who entered the battlefield with their own weapons. Although they were heroic, they were severely unorganized, nothing more than a chaotic bunch of charging madmen, eager to fight alone.
The result is of course cruel.
The Russians, who were tall, strong and all wearing armor, killed at least 500 people from the Novgorod Manor coalition in one battle, and their own losses were minimal.
From that era, the Russians could call themselves the kings of Novgorod.
The Rus never intended to rule here personally, and when Otto became leader, he still had no intention of occupying it.
However, the Russians must maintain their authority. Now Otto has led his own army to attack the manor's home, which is surrounded by a tall wooden fence.