Vadim came back, and his embarrassed appearance really surprised Brudny.
"What's going on? You are a brave person, why have you become a coward now? Forget it, you are still a child after all. Tell me, what is going on outside?!"
"It's the Russians!" Vadim, who was supposed to be flexible in his speech, suddenly became stammering: "They are coming! They are all outside, at least three hundred people! No... four hundred people, five hundred people. They They are burning houses and robbing. And that nasty savage is ready to chop down our wooden walls like a forest."
"Is this true?"
"It's absolutely true! They are setting fires." Vadim stared with big eyes and said with a terrifying face: "Dad, if we don't take some action, maybe they will burn down all the houses in our manor."
p>"Oh! It's crazy! Crazy." At this point, Brudne could no longer sit still. The situation must be brought under control, otherwise Pine Needle Manor will be really defenseless and will be burned to ashes by the Russians in humiliation. How can that be done?
He urgently ordered his old wife: "Take your daughters and hide in the bedroom. Vadim, you come with me to meet the Russians. And you."
p>
Brudny immediately pointed to the eldest son who was very willing to hide: "Your wife is avoiding it. As for you, you come with me."
"Dad, those Russians are too scary "
"Oh." Brudne stomped his feet angrily, "Follow me, otherwise you, a coward, don't think about being the new head of the manor. Remember, everyone doesn't want the head of the manor. He's a fool."
Under the strongest threat, the eldest son Boyke had no choice but to stand up.
The three of them wanted to meet the Russians, but now, even the brave Vadim was beating the drum in his heart.
So, brave Vadim?
No!
The ten-year-old had short brown hair. His scalp was numb at the moment, and the short hair looked even more fluffy, like a ball of fluffy golden wool growing on his scalp. He didn't have time to change clothes, and there was a piece of mud on the robe tied with a rope, which was still on his back.
Could it be that he fell because he was afraid of something? How could he have such stains on his body?
On the other hand, Brudne quickly learned about the mystery of his servant's disappearance.
He gathered more than a dozen servants who had not escaped. After asking about the situation, he could only stamp his feet and scold a man for raising a bunch of losers.
"Damn, maybe I should recruit a group of more loyal people. Should I find out if those Varyag merchants can be my guards? They are all Varyags, maybe they have Ability to drive away the Russians." Brudne buried his thoughts in his heart. First, he still had to face the very difficult problem at the moment.
He straightened his leather hat and looked at his two sons: "Children, follow me."
How to face the leader of the Russians? LuDenie realized that she had another suitable method.
Just pretend to be respectful. They came here to ask for food and cloth. Although they caused serious damage this time, as long as they were given supplies that could satisfy them, they would leave on their own.
The nervous servants followed their master with their short spears.
Then, under the instruction of the master, they lifted down all the crossbars used as door bolts.
The thick wooden door was gradually opened, and Brudne cautiously leaned out, only to see Otto, the leader of Rus, holding the hilt of the sword stuck in the soil, his eyes like a torch. Look at yourself.
"Brudne, do I have to burn down your manor and kill all your people before you can go out to see me?!"
Now, behind Otto Hundreds of strong men stood there! They all used wooden shields to protect most of their bodies, and the helmets that covered half of their faces could not cover the warriors' ferocious teeth.
If Brudne was frightened by this formation, he would have been beaten down by his tribe long ago and would no longer be able to be the head of the manor.
He was not intimidated by this battle. He also had his father's protection. The young Vadim just leaned a little closer to his father's lapel.
On the other hand, Vadim's eldest brother Boyk, this cowardly man, was so shocked that he backed away and simply hid behind the wooden door without wanting to come out.
Only a few brave servants followed Brudne, and these people supported him a little bit. It was the servant's uncontrollably trembling legs that clearly proved their fear, causing many Russians to snicker secretly.
Brudne tried his best to remain calm, and he walked away with the arrogance of a noble person in his figure.
As a result, he just approached Otto, and Otto kicked him unceremoniously, knocking him to the ground.
How could Brudne have imagined that such an encounter would happen again? ! Everything happened so suddenly.
His heart suddenly fell into panic, and he staggered to his knees on the ground, covering his head that was covered with mud as he knocked it on the muddy ground.
Had Vadim ever seen his father humiliated?
In an instant, the young man's blood boiled over and he burst out with extraordinary courage.
Vadim lost his mind and directly complemented Otto. With a ferocious face, he recklessly launched a purposeless charge towards a man who was countless times taller and stronger than himself.
Otto said nothing, picked up the shield and pushed it hard. The shield hit Vadim's head, knocking the reckless child to the ground.
There was blood at the corner of Vadim’s mouth, and there were obvious scars on his forehead.
The child got up unyieldingly, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve, and continued to stare at Otto with sharp eyes.
Vadim still wanted to attack, but this time his father Brudne held his neck.
After being kicked hard, Brudne realized how weak he was when he woke up.
Look at the current situation of Pine Needles Manor.
This is a bustling farmIn the village, due to the invasion of the Russians, most of the residents saw the fleet appearing and hurriedly ran away with their rations, leaving behind a large area of empty residences.
Pine Needles Manor, it is no exaggeration to describe it as a city. At this time, all the houses in the Novgorod area were a family living in a wooden house. There were 1,200 such families in Pine Needle Manor, which meant that there were at least 1,200 wooden houses here.
The scale of its construction is comparable to that of Roseburg. What is very different from Roseburg is that all the farmland of the manor is outside the manor.
With the farmland, Pine Needle Manor is a huge monster.
And it also formed the main body of Novgorod.
A large number of wooden houses were burning, and the smoke even obscured the sun.
Brudne knelt down at the enemy and asked sadly: "Why, Russians! We will give you what you want, why do you still burn our houses and hurt our people?" ."
"Why? This is your punishment." Otto said fiercely.
"But, we have always surrendered to you, is it because we have not served you well?"
"Do you still want to be kicked by me again? Or force me to give orders, Let my people kill you?" Otto calmed down and said, "Brudne, it seems that you forgot who your master was when we left. What happened to you? Do you think you are a king? Let me tell you, only we Russians have the right to collect tribute, and you are not worthy!"
"This..." Brudne closed his eyes quickly, his eyes widening. After a few rounds, he immediately denied: "No, there is no such thing at all. How dare I go and collect the tribute?"
"Are you sure?" "
"Yes! Absolutely true. "Brudne continued to press her youngest son's neck and complimented.
Otto naturally didn't believe what Brudne kept saying. After all, compared to Bai, who had already become a loyal dog, Tree Manor, this guy and his Pine Needle Manor still have wolf nature
Even if this guy denies it, Otto has evidence that Pine Needle Manor sent a "strong army" after the Ross people left. Search other manors to make up for the losses caused by the Russian catastrophe.
"Get up. " Otto ordered.
Brudne endured the abdominal pain and stood up. He first wiped the mud off his head and then picked up the leather hat. He continued to pull on his youngest son's clothes to prevent the child from coming again. Doing things to seek death.
Otto looked arrogant and completely like a king: "I have no intention of destroying your manor, as long as you don't force me. You didn't meet me right away. Look at these flames and smoke, it's a punishment for your arrogance. Brudne, do you know you are wrong? ”
“Yes, yes. I am a stupid person to do such a stupid thing. "
Seeing his father's submissive look, Vadim was confused and annoyed. The child only hated himself for being too fragile. If heIf he were stronger and holding an iron dagger, he would have had a chance to assassinate the leader of the Russians in front of him just now.
Perhaps as long as this man is stabbed to death, the Russians will stop causing trouble due to danger. Even if he would die from this, it would be a good thing for the manor.
Vadim, his nature is so simple.
"Look at me head on. Also, let go of your hand and let your little son look at me!"
At this time, Otto untied the belt on the inside of the shield. , taking it away from his left arm, and also put away his steel sword.
Now there is no need for force to deter Brudne and several of his families. As for the sad and angry eyes of a child?
Otto said deliberately: "You are all a group of cowards, but there are also a few brave ones. I really can't believe that your little son dares to resist the authority of our Russians. His name is Vadim "Really?"
"Yes." Brudne said nervously.
"Let him kneel down and crawl in front of me to kiss my boots!"
Different from White Tree Manor, Pine Needle Manor has many lone ranger-like characters. There were many exchanges between Varyag merchants, resulting in some residents knowing a little Norse. Brudne knew a lot about this, and there was no language barrier between him and Otto.
Brudny felt deeply ashamed, but why not Vadim?
"Kneel down, child, and kiss his feet," said Brudne in Slavonic.
"Dad, why. Even if I die, I won't do this."
"Listen, if you want revenge, you need to be patient."
"No, I don't want to be a coward." Vadim's attitude remained firm.
Looking at this situation, Otto’s sheathed sword was pulled out again. He pointed his sword at the child who was unwilling to compromise: "Your name is Vadim, you are a reckless man. Now I order you to crawl over like a dog licking my shoes every day, otherwise, I will destroy your manor ."
Vadim remained stubborn and unmoved.
Otto shook his head: "Brudne, it seems that your children are planning to force me to destroy you. Listen, this is not what you want. Do you also want us to take action?"
p>
If the Russians really want to go on a killing spree, Brudne will indeed fight them to the end at all costs. But the current situation is obviously very unfavorable to Pine Needle Manor!
To fight the Ross people, it is necessary to gather all the men in the entire estate who can fight early. As long as he has enough time, he can organize an "army" of two thousand farmers. In order to protect their homeland, Brudne believed they would fight to the bitter end.
Now, since it is estimated that the Russians are only here to collect tribute, all the tributes have been placed in a wooden house in advance. The residents fleeing the disaster have already fled after hearing the news, and it is impossible to organize an army.
While the stubborn young son is not paying attention,, Brudne suddenly kicked the younger son's calf, forcing him to kneel down.
He took advantage of the situation and said: "Great leader, he is really a child. Look, he has already knelt down. Can you please stop letting him..."
Otto looked at Vady Looking at Mu's face with a bloodstained forehead, this child's character is indeed very tough and stubborn. He even glanced at his mouth and refused to look at himself at all.
This move indeed made Otto very angry, but after thinking about it, this move really impressed Otto.
People in Novgorod are almost willing to be a group of sheep and contribute their wool to ensure safety. Are there any brave rebels among them? Otto once thought that such people had been killed by the Rus in the ancestors' battles. Unexpectedly, the youngest son of the president of Pine Needle Manor became a rare stubborn person.
Forget it, force a child to kneel down and surrender?
Five hundred of his subordinates were watching, and it seemed that there was really no point in bullying a child.
Otto nodded: "Okay, Brudne. Your son is really reckless, I have taught him a lesson. If he doesn't come to kiss my shoes, just let him kneel. "
"Oh, thank you so much," Brudne quickly complimented.
"It's you now, come here. I'm going to give you some new requirements, and you must fulfill them completely."
Hearing this, Brudne pointed her toes Think about it and you will know what the Russians want to do. The so-called new requirements are nothing more than two things. First, take away more wheat. Second, women.
Since the Russians made trouble last autumn, Brudne believed that the Russians had been eyeing the girls in his manor. Because of his understanding of the Varyag people, he did not believe that the Russians would really treat Novgorod women as wives. They must be asking for a group of slaves in the name of asking for wives.
The facts are completely as expected.
Otto said bluntly: "I know you have prepared a tribute. Now you have to pay the most realistic price for your arrogance! I want you to double the tribute!"
"Ah! Let's...double it?!" Brudne knew that the Russians wanted more money and food, but he didn't expect it to be doubled.
For many years, every time the Russians came, Pine Needle Manor had to pay a tribute of 80,000 pounds of wheat to the Russians. The tribute paid twice a year was 160,000 pounds. The reason why such a high requirement was set was because the population of Pine Needle Manor was four times that of White Tree Manor, so the tribute would of course be increased four times.
Although Pine Needle Manor has a unique geographical location, they have developed a large amount of farmland near the lake. The soil fertility here is better, and the grain-to-grain output of the wheat fields has reached a rare ratio of one to five. Their grain output is still It's embarrassing.
It is only equivalent to one hundred pounds of oats per acre, which is only a little better than Baishu Manor.
The usual tribute share is really a burden for all families.
Now behind the leader of the Russians are a large number of houses with flames and smoke billowing into the sky. The RussiansActually asking for the tribute to be doubled? !
"What, you dare to object?" Otto deliberately showed the sewing blade, and it was obvious that he could cut Brudne's neck with just one swing.
Even with such a threat, Brudne was well aware of the excessiveness of the Russians, and he argued with reason: "Great leader. When the sheep are gathered for shearing in the spring, the herdsmen will not cut even a single hair from the sheep." There is nothing left. Because it is still relatively cold in spring, the sheep that have completely lost their hair will freeze to death. You asked us to double the tribute. I am afraid that my people..."
Said Brudne. He raised his head and looked at the reality of the billowing smoke: "You have burned down many of our houses, and your people have also taken away a lot of food. Isn't this punishment enough?"
"Of course not!" Otto's attitude remained resolute, "Even if the ships I bring cannot take away double your tribute, my order will not change this time. As for how your people will live after paying tribute, whether they will freeze to death or starve to death." "What does it have to do with me?"
"This..." Brudne felt a huge stone weighing on his heart, and he didn't know what to say.
This hesitation made Otto very dissatisfied, so he issued an ultimatum: "Brudney, now you have only two choices. Agree to hand over double tribute, and from now on all tributes will be doubled." , I will guarantee your safety. If you don’t agree, I will completely burn down all your rations and trample your farmland. You will all starve to death.
Objection means death. Brudne had no choice but to say angrily: "I will. I will raise double the tribute you want as soon as possible."
"Very good. Otto nodded and his attitude softened slightly, "I will give you one day, and I will take away all your double tribute tomorrow morning. Since your people have fled for refuge, my people will stay here tonight." Here, I will supervise you to get things done.”
“Yes, I will definitely do it.”