Any ruler with a vision will realize the important strategic value of Gogland Island.
Her geographical location is in the middle of the Gulf of Finland. Historically, she was one of the hot spots for competition between the Russian Czarist State and the Kingdom of Sweden.
The ancestors of the Finns once built small settlements on the islands. As the climate changes, there is more and more water in the Gulf of Finland, and the islands become too far away from the mainland. Those Finns who currently only know how to make canoes , Estonians, they can no longer afford to go to places too far from the coast, and there is no need to take risks.
Historically, it was the Vikings who discovered the island of Gogland. Specifically, it was a Dane who believed in God. His name was the character Gog in the Bible quoted, so a small amount of Danish immigrants established a small fishing village on the island and named it Gognd after the first settler.
Shortly after the Russians, who were also Vikings, established Kievan Rus, under the governance of the "Saint" Grand Duke Yaroslav, the Russian army actively expanded its power in Estonia and collected taxes. From then on, the Gulf of Finland Islands of strategic value began to be controlled by Kievan Rus.
If all this is a historical necessity, then when Otto led a tired fleet to land on Gogeland Island in the late autumn of 830, he made a historic conquest.
Perhaps at first Otto just wanted to find a place for his uncomfortable men to rest. On the vast sea, she can be used as a place to land and rest, and is remembered by all Russians.
The Russians have long known about the existence of this island, and they also know that it is a barren place.
Only when the Rus really unite the Slavs to establish a huge country can they realize how important this barren island is to the control of the Gulf of Finland.
Now, the Russians are not interested in it. At most, it is used as a temporary safe place. In previous years, Otto also brought his fleet to dock here. They only spent one night on the pebbly beach in the south of the island, and were driven away by the irritating stones.
The Russians did not explore the island at all. In fact, everyone felt that there was no need to explore it. Four hills covered with rocks dominate the island. A small number of pine and birch trees struggle to survive, so the forest is also sparse.
People who landed wanted to find a soft beach, but there were only a lot of pebbles.
Everyone was so frustrated that they brought shovels, dug and pounded, and after leveling a piece of land for themselves, they spread the leather and lay down to rest their tired bodies.
The bonfires were burning one after another, and the fuel was some cut down pine trees that were rich in oil.
Those women and children were ordered by Otto to burn fire and cook wheat for the tired warriors. In return, they would get enough wheat porridge to fill their stomachs.
For the rare meal, they work diligently. Especially these Novgorod women who are about to get married. They know very well that getting on the Russian ship means that they will be separated from everything in the past.Make the cut. Even if there are endless connections between the manors, they are all women who were abandoned by their parents and the manor. What they can hope for now is that the future Russian husband will treat his wife as kindly as the legend says.
These women are incredibly skilled at cooking wheat. If they could have a clay oven, they could put some effort into making big lobster that could last for ten days and a half.
The tired people all hoped to find a piece of natural sandy land as their shelter tonight. They had to flatten some pebbles, eat the wheat cooked by the woman and lie down to sleep.
They think stones are extremely unnecessary, but in Rurik’s eyes, isn’t that what he dreams of?
"The beach is actually full of pebbles that are weathered and eroded by the sea? Then isn't the hinterland of the island..."
Otto was sitting by the bonfire, shaving the gaps between his teeth with resin shredded fish meat. The warriors under his command looked really exhausted, and he himself even felt a little guilty.
Otto decided to rest for a whole day on this rocky island.
As for the next voyage, he discussed it with his nephew Arik. The next anchorage was at the place where Arik led his troops to spend the night, which is the so-called Naisal Island.
Perhaps after a day’s rest, everyone’s energy and physical strength can be well restored?
Rurik was a little tired, but after realizing the island's huge stone resources, that fatigue disappeared.
He approached his father holding a half-eaten wooden bowl of porridge.
"Didn't those women lay out blankets for you? Your brother is already asleep, and you should rest too." Otto glanced and said.
"Everyone is sleepy." Rurik sat next to his father, put down the wooden bowl and picked up the pebbles on the ground. This island seems to be full of rocks. "
"So what? ”
“I have an idea. "
"Tell me about it. "Otto threw the branch, wanting to hear his son's opinion.
Rurik then pointed to the east: "New Roseburg is still using wood to build walls, and a large number of buildings are also made of wood. I think these are Expedient. As you know my plans, I am going to build the walls of New Roseburg out of stone. Conuson said that stones are hard to find. I think this island is our quarry. "
"Huh? Do you want to use this island? ”
“Yes. "
Otto pinched his beard. For building a fence or something, building a wooden fence should be enough. "Rurik, you should know that building a wall with stones is a difficult job. What do you think? Is it necessary? ”
“It is necessary. I just hope that New Roseburg can become a fortified city, and I think it is natural to use any means to strengthen the defense of our future core. Besides, we still have to pave the road with stones. "
Whether it is building stone walls, stone houses or stone roads, Otto does not think they are necessary.
"Maybe, IWe shouldn't rush things. Rurik, I think you are too impatient. Otto reminded kindly. "In my opinion, the rammed earth road is enough. You know, there is no road even in our hometown of Roseburg. Why do you have such high demands?" "
"That's just because you don't care! "Rurik was a little excited.
"Huh? If it's not necessary, why should I care. ”
“But for New Roseburg, we have to care. Oh, just leave this to me. Rurik didn't want to argue anymore: "Dad, what is the name of this island?" "
"Name? Otto shrugged: "A desert island full of rocks also has a name?" ”
“Then call her Stieno.” ”
“That’s fine. "
Rurik picked up his job again: "I have thought about it tomorrow. I will take my mercenaries to the depths of the island to have a look. Stone Island looks very large. It would be great if gold, silver ore could be found, or even iron ore. "
My son actually thinks this way? Otto didn't know whether to be happy or confused. Is this boy born to like discovering ores, or is he too close to the blacksmiths? Rurik is going to make a guest appearance Prospector?
It would be great if you really find something good.
Otto rubbed his son’s smooth little head: “Go ahead, Yevlo. After many battles, you asked him to protect you. You'd better find some good things for me and remember to come back in the evening. ”
With his father’s approval, Rurik prided himself on being an explorer with confidence and boldness.
Those elite veterans from Tombstone Island under Arik’s command, after a long journey The oars made them tired, not to mention the Sorgon army who had been treated in a pampered place in Novgorod for two months and feasted on Novorosberg. They were strong and young now. Their bellies swelled up, and they had a little belly fat like never before.
The privilege of the strong is to eat wheat with open stomachs! Even if oatmeal is a low-sugar food in later generations, it is more of a gimmick. Many young soldiers have accumulated some fat on their bodies. Although this makes them better able to withstand the cold and survive the cold Arctic winter, it also reduces their physical strength.
The sun is rising, and the sunshine is very bright. Get rid of the sea fog quickly.
The beach is full of lazy people, who continue to wrap themselves in blankets and catch up on their sleep. As for the women and children, they continue to obey Otto's orders and seize the time to help the entire fleet. The people grinded the wheat, and then used the stones available everywhere to heat them to bake the wheat cakes. All the pottery jars they brought were filled with fresh water from the previous island, knowing the next stop. Point, not many people really cherish fresh water now. The oats were churning in the pottery jar, and Otto deliberately asked the women to cook it harder. By noon, the soldiers could drink the porridge until it was mushy, and that would be the real delicacy.
The next anchorage is Naisal Island. Since it only takes a short timeOne can reach the mouth of a river by sailing, and obtaining fresh water is naturally extremely simple. Even if the leader did not want to be harassed by the Estonians at the wrong time, Arik volunteered and when he arrived at the next anchorage, he would take his brothers to row a boat to get water. So Otto did not want to interfere with the current water issue.
Yevlo originally refused the unexpected expedition. He also participated in the long paddling. He was physically exhausted and had to obey his master's order to avoid the difficulty of carrying a boat. Armed with an oak bow, he protected his master Rurik as he explored the interior of the island.
Rurik brought all the mercenaries with him on this trip, and he mobilized his troops as if he was going to fight against wild beasts.
On a mere small island, could there be a bird bigger than a turtle dove, or a beast bigger than a mouse?
Ferocious beasts should not and cannot appear here. Rurik himself was in a good mood. He was eager to shoot one or two birds in the woods to become game tonight.
They walked on the pebbly coast, and the entire team went counter-clockwise, all the way north on the eastern beach of the island.
The north wind blew on everyone’s faces, and the sound of sea waves echoed in our ears.
"Sir, you want a lot of stones. I think these stones are enough to build New Roseburg." The bored Jevro suddenly spoke.
"I know, these rocks are very good." Rurik walked forward on the huge rock platform on the beach, "Be careful not to sprain your feet."
"Then Send some people here to mine the stones. My lord, as long as you are willing to pay some money, the brothers are willing to do it."
"You?" Rurik stopped. He didn't know that Jevro's words were intentional. , or it was purely an unintentional move. "You better forget it. I want you to fight against the enemy, not to be masons. Mining stone is necessary. Maybe we should let a group of Novgorod people come over, or move some Kovin people to dig stone for me. "
"In my opinion, you can go to Melalen to recruit some people."
Maybe a mercenary captain shouldn't talk so much, Rurik was a little uncomfortable at first. Yue, after hearing what Jevluo said, you have to think about it.
What will happen to Mälaren next year? Rurik estimated that many people would be hungry. Fortunately, they were adjacent to a large lake and they would not starve to death if they relied on fishing to satisfy their hunger. That is, are they willing to be poor? Poaching the corners of the Melalen tribe was regarded as a policy by Rurik. After those extremely poor children were collected by him, the next step was to develop the adults and invite them to board the Russian ship to explore the East.
The expedition north along the coast seemed aimless, and Rurik was always paying attention to the rocks everywhere. Look at this island. It must be a boulder that was forcibly lifted from the earth's crust by some geological event. What is completely different from the flat island I experienced before is that this island actually has mountains.
They walked for a while, and something incredible came into view.
"Huh? This island has arrivedHow big is it? Why is there still a stream? "
What was completely different from Rurik's surprise was the excited expressions of the mercenaries.
Jevro pursed his lips: "I thought we were really going to the southern continent. I looked for rivers on the coast to get water, but I didn't expect that there was a stream on this island. "
"Yes, it looks like the leader's plan needs to be revised. After saying that, Rurik shook his neck and said, "Let's trace the source along the stream." "
They walked on the land on both sides of the stream and began to really go deep into the hinterland of the island. After walking just over a kilometer, a small lake came into view.
Nordic Europe The lakes get cold quickly, so they do not support a large number of duckweeds. There are four larger lakes and a small pool on Gogland Island, which are replenished by seasonal precipitation. The one Rurik and the others are seeing now is the largest one.
On both sides of Amber are tall mounds, with clear skies and white clouds to the west.
“It looks like this is the middle part of the island. "The experienced Yevluo judged.
Rurik felt a little tired. He twisted his waist and sat casually on the soft pine needle cushion by the river: "I thought the island was very big. Haha, it was an unexpected surprise to find a small lake. Yevlo, look at the mountains on both sides, there are rocks everywhere. "
Jevro breathed a sigh of relief: "In my opinion, the entire island is just a giant rock. The forest here is not dense either. I have seen a few birds but no wild animals. After saying that, he looked at his bow and said, "I worry too much." "
Rurik shrugged: "If you go exploring some more, you might get something unexpected. Haha, maybe you can even dig up some delicious truffles. ”
People who have nothing to do naturally take a rest and wander around freely. When Yevlo avoided going to the toilet, after shaking himself, he noticed a tree not far away that was completely different from a pine tree. Different trees.
It is so tall and fluffy, and its twisty trunks are completely different from the red pine trees.
There are many such trees by the lake. A special feeling drove him forward. He shook a small tree that was as big as his own forearm, and was surprised to find that the trunk was quite elastic. He cut it down without hesitation, cut off some twigs, and happily carried it away. He walked it closer to his owner.
Rurik, who was eating some wheat cakes to replenish his strength, saw Yevro returning with something strange, and asked casually: "Did you find some treasure? ”
“There is a baby! That's it. "
Jevro showed the branch he got, which made Rurik look confused. "What do you want the branch for? "
"Make a bow! Haha, do you know what kind of tree this is? "
"What is it? ”
“It’s an ash tree. ”
“Ash tree? "Rurik was even more confused. He was not a botanist, and the Old Norse description of the tree was even less clear. "What can it do? ”
“It is the best material for making short hunting bows. Every hunter wants to get it, but it is not easy to find.” People from my hometownYou, and you Russians, are making bows out of oak. In my opinion, the ash tree is the most suitable. "
Yevlo kept mentioning the word "grey". Rurik took a closer look at the chopped down tree. Of course, he could not judge its true identity. Yevlo struggled to bend it. The way the branch rebounded violently made Rurik's head suddenly buzz.
"Ah! This stuff is really good material for making bows. Where did you get it? "
"Right over there. "Jevro pointed to the lake. "Sir, what are your instructions? "
Rurik slapped his thigh and said excitedly: "I just thought that this exploration would be fruitful! We actually found good materials for making bows. Go ahead and cut down all the ash trees on the left and right and take them away. ”