Rurik sat calmly on the fallen tree trunk, and so did Jevro.
It looks like an older brother giving a lesson to his younger brother. Of course, this is not the case, but Rurik is indeed a younger brother in some respects.
"Rurik, you want me to train you? Of course I can. However, I will not show mercy just because you are my master. I hope..." Jevro paused, He was actually a little surprised that he said such a thing. "I hope you don't have any misunderstandings."
"I understand. I understand everything! I am injured now just to avoid bleeding in the future."
Rurik raised his head slightly , thinking about his future. In his heart, there is also the hope of becoming a warrior.
Will it be cool?
But it will definitely convince the tribesmen further.
Yevluo said sincerely: "Since you agree, when will you decide to receive training?"
"Today is over, let's start tomorrow morning. You have learned a lesson My people, I will accept your training with them tomorrow."
Hearing this, Yevlo jumped down from the tree trunk and half-knelt in front of Rurik, "I will. No mercy, that's what you want."
"Yes! If I can't stand the training, I can't be a real leader."
Jevro was ordered to sit next to Rurik again and listen to his wishes.
"Yevlo, what do you think of my people?" Rurik pointed at the boys who were continuing to struggle not far away.
"They are very brave, but they still lack training."
"Is it still training to fight alone?"
"Yes." Yevluo said sincerely Said: "The tactics you invented may be effective. If they can all become masters of fighting alone, your people will be more powerful."
Rurik nodded, Yevro said It has to make sense and conform to your own wishes.
Because of what Rurik knew about the battle that took place this year, the front lines of the Rus’ army overturned the enemy’s lines, and what followed almost became a personal battle for each Rus’ warrior. Formation does have tactical effects, but the battlefield always changes suddenly. A warrior has many skills but is not overwhelmed.
Rurik was in a good mood and continued to point to the other side, where the girls were being trained to walk in line.
"What do you think of me training these girls?"
"Them?" Jevro frowned instantly: "Are you planning to let them go to the battlefield?"
"Them?" p>
"Isn't that bad? I won't despise them just because they are women." Rurik said proudly.
However, his wishes were strongly questioned by Yevluo.
"It's better to give up. It's better for women not to go to the battlefield. Even if you set up the Valkyrie Legion, they are mortals and not real Valkyries. They are just a group of weak women."
p>
Weak? Not necessarily. Rurik wanted to use Carlotta's example to refute, but thinking about it carefully, his quarrel was really meaningless.
A senior mercenary captain and a personal bodyguard who is highly trusted by Gould, he will definitely be able to offer some wise insights.
Rurik emphasized: "I have always had a dream, which is to organize all the women of our tribe. We Russians do not have a large population. If necessary, women can also become warriors. Our strength has increased. Listen, I hire you to ultimately increase the combat effectiveness of our Russians."
Jevro nodded: "Rurik, my master, you are indeed better than me. I know other tribal leaders who are more clever."
"Flattery again?" Rurik deliberately touched his ears with his little finger: "I'm not happy at all. I have heard these words so much that my ears have almost been blocked. Tell me, what insights do you have?"
Yevluo smiled slightly: "Maybe a small number of girls can become. Female warriors, when most girls grow up, their best job is to give birth to more boys for you Russians. You know, some boys can grow into legendary giants, standing here with a huge figure. Can scare many enemies. Female warriors will definitely attract the enemy's attention."
"I understand! They. At least they must learn to pick up weapons to protect themselves."
"If this is the case, then give up the idea of letting them hold swords and shields as soon as possible. It will be difficult for them to have the strength to pick up swords and participate in fierce battles. They will go crazy even when they see bleeding wounds."
"So, what kind of weapons should they be equipped with?" Rurik asked.
Yevluo said righteously without hesitation: "Of course it is a bow. Is there anything better besides this?"
As he spoke, Yevluo looked at the sky. The hands also made a gesture of drawing a bow and shooting an arrow. Rurik noticed that the fingering of this man's right hand was not at all the Mediterranean style commonly used in Europe. Instead, the thumb and index finger formed a special angle, which seemed very strange.
"You... can also shoot arrows?" Rurik asked in surprise.
"Of course." Yevluo didn't take it seriously. "I know this skill, but I'm not perfect. If it's to shoot a rabbit or a turtle dove, I can still do it."
"So, you suggest that I train all the girls in my Valkyrie army to be archers?"
Jevro shrugged: "Of course. If they learn archery, they will be If you don't have to go to the battlefield, you can still shoot a rabbit and take it home. If you can shoot a ferret, you can make a lot of money by skinning it."
"But I don't think my people like it. Bows and arrows. Many hunters set traps. There are less than thirty hunters in our tribe."
"Is that really bad? , the whole thoughtIt seems that the various tribes in the Via Alliance don't like to use bows very much. It's a little different from where I'm from. "
"Your hometown? Rurik immediately turned his head and looked at Jevro's glasses: "Yes, you are a Finn." ”
“Yes! I'm Finnish. You want to know more about me? I would love to share my story with you. But now, I have to tell you about the bow. ”
“Okay. Do the people in your hometown love to use bows? "
"Of course. We are different from you. The people in our hometown do not know how to smelt metal tools. In order to hunt animals, we must make bows and arrows. ”
Jevlo’s words illustrate a reality.
The Finns, specifically the Finn-Ugl ethnic group, crossed the Ural Mountains from Asia into Europe.< /p>
Perhaps since the beginning of civilization, the East has naturally had a strong archery culture, and the Fenugl ethnic group from Siberia also naturally possess this ability.
It’s true. Nowadays, as the attacking Slavs continue to squeeze their living space, the Finns who have escaped to modern Finland, and even the Sami people who have fled further north, still have to make wooden bows and arrows to hunt and protect their territory. Safe.
But they really lack metal tools, and it is really difficult to rely on obsidian and bone-polished arrow clusters to shoot Varyag attackers wearing leather armor or even chain mail.
In a sense, the weapons and equipment of the Finns are naturally inferior. Even though there are many warriors among them, they are still constantly harassed by Slavs and Varyag attackers, and their space for movement continues to shrink.
Jevro’s words are a good reminder for Rurik, because in his plan, the Ross tribe must be equipped with a large number of bows? Not just bows, but crossbows too! Equipment.
After all, Rurik has an oriental mind, and the oriental archery traditions cannot be lost.
But it is very realistic to fight with brute force alone! The era is finally coming to an end. Even if it is a brute force battle, the two sides must use their killing moves to protect themselves to the greatest extent and destroy the enemy. If you can use some kind of weapon to achieve the goal of victory, why bother to fight in person?
Bows, crossbows, and even gunpowder weapons were created for this purpose.
Thanks to them, the intensity of the war continued to increase.
Rurik asked strongly: "Yevlo, you mean, you can make a bow? "
"Of course, this is not difficult. ”
“That’s great! Rurik slapped his thighs happily: "I want you to make me a bow, and I want you to teach my girls archery." No! And my boys. "
For a while, Yevro was a little confused by Rurik's whim.
"My master, didn't I agree to train you in swordsmanship tomorrow? "
Rurik smiled awkwardly: "Of course we have to train. Do you have a bow in your hand?It is a pity that all the bow-wielding hunters in our tribe were taken away by my father. ”
“Of course there is. Gould's family holds the bow. You know, as mercenaries, we are not berserkers who only know how to fight with brute force. We all have other combat skills. Some are good at throwing spears, some are good at throwing axes, and most people can shoot arrows. ”
“Okay! What about my other mercenaries? Are they as powerful as you said? Why do I think they are better suited to be lumberjacks? ”
Jevro’s expression was immediately awkward: “My master, because of Gould, he cannot transfer the entire mercenary team to you.” Many of your mercenaries still need time to train. In my opinion, their current situation is no better than your boys. ”
When he said this, Rurik somewhat understood the intention of his father’s actions. Although there is a factor of distrust here, his father Otto must also have read the order. Those so-called mercenaries are not real mercenaries. Warriors. The work of cutting wood with an ax has many benefits. For example, the tribe’s large-scale construction projects now require a large amount of wood. While they cut wood to provide building materials, they also exercise their own physical fitness.
Rurik basically understood: " Very good. Bring me five bows and some arrows tomorrow. Or, I will go to Gould with you in person later and ask for some wooden bows. ”
A group of fair-skinned girls with blond hair and blue eyes, holding wooden bows and shooting arrows constantly.
Rurik felt that if they had pointed ears, they would be even more dreamy.
Maybe the Valkyrie Legion can be completely transformed into archers. Of course, they must also learn some hand-to-hand combat skills. Archers who don't know how to fight in close combat are not good archers.
They are like this, and boys should be like this even more.
In the afternoon, Rurik Zhen and Jevro arrived at Gould’s mansion somewhat unexpectedly. Gould had already taken on a lot of responsibility. While doing large-scale civil engineering work for the Ross tribe, he was also expanding his "mansion". Now that the leader's family has lived in a special longhouse with wooden floors that imitates Novgorod's architectural style, Gould followed suit. Construction began.
Rurik also saw a large number of his maids here, a large group of former beggars from Melalen who had to live together.
His appearance was a bit sudden, but even so, Gould still hosted a banquet to entertain his big benefactor.
In the living room, some dried meat and pieces of bread were placed in front of Rurik's low table as usual. , and even some dried plums.
And the former mercenary captain Yevluo has now become a guest.
“My little one. Master, do you have any orders? I will try my best to complete it. "Gould said politely.
"I have only one purpose. I want a bow. "
"Bow? You...you want to hunt? ”
“Of course. If the enemy is considered prey. I don't want to talk nonsense. Give me five bows and fifty arrows. I know you have these things. ”
Not much GouldHe said, his neckless head nodded as hard as he could: "Okay, I can provide it now, as long as you are satisfied."
Seeing Gould's cooperation, Rurik couldn't help but think more.
"Okay, then can you make more bows and arrows?"
"This..." Gould, who had no doubts at first, had to ask now. The truth. "My master, what exactly do you want to do?"
"Then I will tell you clearly. Gould, I want to train an army that is good at holding bows and archery, but I am very lacking in bows and arrows. I would be very happy if you could wish me to fulfill this long-cherished wish."
"That's it?" To be honest, the wily Gould almost laughed. He felt that what this child said was too ridiculous. Do you expect these people to kill the enemy for a purely bow-wielding team? Is there any stranger decision than this?
Gould did not refute immediately, and sent someone to bring a bow with a wave of his hand. He held it in his hand and stood before Rurik.
As for this bow, it is made from the core of a small oak wood.
It was cut into a rough cylinder, and then went through bow training to form a curved arc.
The bowstring is a twisted hemp rope. There are pockets at both ends of the bowstring, which is hung on the so-called bow tip.
Is this thing really a bow?
When Rurik saw it, he frowned immediately. It looked like a toy.
"Gould, are you kidding me? Is this thing also a bow?"
Gould, who was about to explain, shouted in confusion: "My master, I I dare not let it expire. This is our bow."
"But this thing is too crude."
At this moment, Jevro hurriedly interrupted: "Master, Gur. Master De is indeed not lying. This is the most common bow among us. Even your Ross tribe has this kind of bow. If you think it is simple, you can probably add some gold or gems to it."
Hearing this, Rurik was dumbfounded.
For this thing, where is the oriental tendon compound bow that is interesting?
Gould was very happy that Jevro continued to call himself "Sir". He placed the bow on the table in front of Rurik: "It is not a sharp weapon for killing enemies, but it is definitely good for hunting." Tool. As long as you practice diligently, shooting precious ferrets is not a problem."
"So can it shoot bears?" Rurik asked.
“Forget it.” Gould shrugged, pointing to the bear skin hanging on the wooden wall of his home: “Listen, don’t be afraid of bears, face them bravely. The best way to deal with bears is to The best weapon is the spear. As soon as everyone comes out, the dangerous bear becomes the decoration of my house. The arrow can't even penetrate the bear's skin."
Gould's words seem a little bit. It was an exaggeration, but looking at the style of this bow, Rurik no longer thought it was nonsense.
Rurik stared at the bow. The total length of the bow arms seemed to be only one meter.
This object is obviously a single short bow, which looks almost like a toy.
Rurik stood up, grabbed the bow with his left hand, and began to strum the bowstring with his right hand.
"Strange! I didn't seem to use much effort to pull the bow open?! Is this really a bow?"
At the same time, Yevro saw his master Rurik The movements of the drink are also eye-catching. It is the thumb that plays the bowstring!
Yevlo couldn’t help but ask: "My master, are you... born to be able to shoot?"
"Maybe." Rurik shrugged: "I don’t know. How's your bow strength? Just let me go out and try it, and you can find something for me to use as a target."
Gould was very active in this matter. After a few greetings, a group of people started. The so-called shooting range was arranged to allow his Rurik patron to have a good time.
The fact is that reality, Gould didn’t say anything, he felt that Rurik just came to play with him as a "bow-wielding hunter" today.
As for organizing a team mainly composed of archers, Gould still found it ridiculous. Because the reality lies here. The wooden bow used by mercenaries as an auxiliary tool for hunting and killing enemies is an object that a little boy can draw. How powerful can it be?
Gould thought silently: "Rurik, you should just treat it as a toy."