The leaders left Olegin's mansion. Before they entered the wooden wall, they were all tribal chiefs. When they stood on the land outdoors again, they all became dukes.
Whether they realize the nobility of this title or not, they at least realize that everything has become different.
The already restless Malaren market became even more lively, especially Duke Oak of Glen, who made and sold ironware. He became the target of inquiries from various "peers", just because of his tribe. Iron smelting has been carried out on a large scale.
Some dukes also tried to get high-quality ironware from the Russians, and the inquirers were also noble dukes. Since Olegin said that everyone is a noble, it is natural to need a gorgeous sword or ax, preferably with gold rim, to be worthy of this dignity.
Otto wanted to personally agree to these special orders, but Rurik refused.
Why give up when you have the opportunity to make big money? What's going on in this kid's mind?
Before the expedition, the Aurora docked at the dock of Mälarenberg. She has become a symbol. People who don’t know the inside story must take it for granted that it belongs to Origen. The latest baby.
Otto, Rurik and even Carlotta took a small boat back to Gould Island. Only the Avora and more than 20 Rus warriors remained on the boat. It is not appropriate to simply place the ship here and let the soldiers take care of it.
Gould’s plan was so thoughtful that he directly used the dock where the Aurora was located as a loading point for supplies between the island and the land. Therefore, in the days to come, there will be Russian ships passing by the Avora every day.
That night, Gould Island.
The atmosphere on the island is far from joyful. Olegkin on the other side has become king. The orders issued by King Olegion to prepare for war make the people on the island who are fully mentally prepared not feel uncomfortable. If anything, if we talk about preparing for war, they started doing it two days ago under the orders of the leader, oh, Duke of Ross.
The Ross soldiers and mercenaries continued their daily patrols for the time being. It was the end of another day, and Gould's men were also stepping up counting the silver coins earned today.
Only in the largest wooden house, all the people, including the mercenaries, and even the most central one, Yevluo, had to temporarily avoid it.
A very low square table stood on the gravel floor in the house, with an oil lamp placed on the table.
The huge room was extremely dark, and the whole scene seemed like a black meeting.
It is indeed a secret meeting related to the future war in which the Russians will participate.
This meeting was suggested by Rurik. After leaving the Origen mansion, he actually had some latest plans that needed to be implemented urgently. He thought in his mind that there was probably enough time.
Otto was actually still brooding over his son's refusal of the order. He suppressed his displeasure and urged: "Okay, if you have anything to say, hurry up. There will be a big sacrifice tomorrow morning. Before the morning mist steams, we must arrive at Mälarenberg and stand on the lakeside to offer sacrifices.near the altar. ”
“Yes, I know everything. Dad, what are you angry about? "
"I... didn't. ”
“Okay. "Rurik paused, because his next plan was really shocking.
He said seriously: "I have a huge question. Could it be that Olegin said we could only send 200 soldiers, and that was just the limit? We can definitely bring more soldiers, such as three hundred, five hundred, or a thousand. "
"Huh? "In the dim light, a figure as huge as a mountain suddenly stood up: "What did you say? The agreement is for two hundred people. If you increase it... But if you really do this, wouldn't the hidden strength of your plan be exposed. My little baby, as your father, I welcome organizing an expedition with thousands of soldiers. You know, your people always love war. "
Rurik shook his head vigorously: "No. I mean, we can certainly send a lot of people. The contract we signed with Olegin is to send two hundred Russian warriors. Please note, it is a warrior! But our Ross people have never had only one Rossburg. "
In an instant, Otto, Gould, and even Carlotta, who was about to turn eleven, all realized that there was a subtle word game here.
" I decided to send some kids on board, who would think they were Ross warriors? They are just sailors on the ship, non-combatants. Although they are children, they can still control crossbows, and the arrows they fire are no worse than adults. They don't need to fight head-on, they are very good warriors in naval battles. "
Rurik had described this before, and Otto recognized this theory: "Okay, do you plan to bring all your men here? Have you changed your mind? "
"No! "Rurik shook his head vigorously and pointed his little finger to the east: "They are still young, and only the best among them can board the ship. I'm talking about the East. This time, we can organize the warriors of Novorosberg and even the people of Novgorod to join the war. Dad, can you say they are not Russians? "
"This..." For a moment, Otto felt that it was not appropriate to refuse directly. He put on a smile and said: "You tell me. "
Rurik's words were unequivocal: "In my opinion, they are Russians. We are not hares nesting in caves, we have ruled many people, and we are essentially no worse than the Mellarens. Olegin organizes a coalition, then we can also organize a coalition. However, our core is the people from Rossburg. Other ethnic groups must fight for us. If we fight, people will die. It is better for them to die, not us. I plan to gather two hundred or even five hundred local men from Novgorod. I think at least the White Tree Manor has this ability. "
"No. Whitetree Manor alone was not enough. Otto thought for a moment. He was surprised and did not object. He responded extremely cautiously, "There are also a group of Novgos in New Roseburg."Rhodes immigrants, you can take them with you. ”
It can be said that Rurik’s initiative is completely innovative. For a long time, Otto has not thought about using the farmers in White Tree Manor as a servant army.
This matter is important, and Otto finally lowered his head to show his caution.
Rurik did not finish his words: "Maybe one day, our Ross tribe... No! It is the Principality of Rus. We can command an army of 10,000 people, and there must be a large number of Novgorod and Kovin people joining us. "
"Them? They are weak and stupid. Well, only Kewen people are braver. Those Novgorod guys, forget it. ”
It is very difficult for Otto to recognize that the Slavic peoples in the east have some fighting capabilities, because all this man has seen in his life are guys who run away after being beaten. He has never seen, He couldn't imagine the Slavs raising troops to resist the Rus. What he saw was the flattery of smart people and their submission after being beaten.
However, in Rurik's concept, maybe they were not. He is really brave and good at fighting, and he is indeed a ruthless character who is willing to fight to the end under certain circumstances.
A reality has always been faced by the Ross tribe. If they cannot take advantage of the Western Viking world. (It seems difficult to compete with Denmark), then we must look for opportunities in the East. In terms of difficulty, it is relatively easy to enter the East.
Rurik said boldly: "Dad, since you give me a choice. I have appointed a Novgorod woman as my main wife. After the wedding, I will be the local ruler! Then wouldn't it be appropriate for me to order them to send people to fight three years in advance? ”
Otto thought for a while, and that was really the case. Even though the contempt in his heart could not subside, the only two things he admitted were that the daughters of those people in the east were very beautiful. , they are also very active in paying tribute.
Rurik actually thinks very long-term: "We need to follow Olegin in organizing a coalition. In the future, our Russian army will be at least composed of Russians and Novgorodians. It is composed of people, civilized people and deer farmers. I want them to send men to this war now! "
Otto was pleased that his son was thinking long-term. Now the question arises again: "Don't you put them in and the team's combat effectiveness will decrease? "
"No! Rurik once again said something shocking: "I thought about it, maybe we really need to organize an army of a thousand people." "
"Huh? "Even in the dim light of the oil lamp, Otto's wrinkles, which were like cracks in the earth, were clearly visible. He became a little anxious: "You...what are you thinking? ”
“I have an idea! Speaking of the mobile department, Rurik burst out in anger: "I don't care what Olegin feels, this is a war." Only a fool would think of making only one plan, and we Russians must think of a second plan for ourselves. ”
No, Rurik began to follow what he said before and explain his plan B.
According to his plan,Tombstone Island will be a strategic rallying point for troops for the first time in the history of the Principality of Ross. It is located near a deep channel in the northeastern Åland Islands at the mouth of Lake Mälaren, which is very close to Gotland, thus reflecting its huge strategic value.
A large number of Russian troops will gather on Tombstone Island. According to Rurik's idea, among the densely packed island groups, after two years of exploration, the Russians are really the only colonial pioneers. Not only do the Russians not have to worry about the leakage of secretly assembled intelligence, the local island groups are also natural gathering points for large troops. It is dangerous for cargo ships with a deeper draft to walk on the shoals there, but ordinary longships are not dangerous. The Russians can gather a large number of troops. Personnel, supplies and warships, these forces are the Russians' tactical reserve.
Besides, the messenger has already spread the letter. The Ross soldiers on Tombstone Island are all veterans. They are eager to have all of them join the battle, but the order is to only select the best among them.
As Otto said, all Russian men, as long as they are healthy and can afford weapons, are eager to participate in the battle. As for dying in battle, when I think of dying in battle for Rurik, "Odin's Blesser", isn't this the same as "the souls of those who died in battle directly enter Valhalla".
Rurik plans to have at least a thousand warriors on Tombstone Island, of which 500 will be Russians and the remaining 500 will be Novgorod Slavs. Each estate needs to send troops The way they participated proved that they were indeed very surrendered to Ross's power.
His son's plan was shocking, and Otto was really frightened when he heard it: "At this rate, our military strength will be almost the same as that of the Malaren Army."
Rurik Shrugging: "In my opinion, those Novgorodians just lack training, lack of eating a lot of meat, and lack of suitable weapons. We can transform them, and we can firmly control all the local areas around Lake Ilmen." Tribe. In this way, we can raise an army of 10,000 people in a short time. Sister Lilia told me that the population there is very large.”
My son’s decisions are definitely not serious. It was a whim, and there was also this careful logic in it. Although there were some things that I really didn't understand, Otto decided to support it unconditionally.
Next, Rurik’s decision shows that his ideas are better than those of the Viking tribes in this time and space.
In other words, Rurik quickly made an economic calculation, estimating how much upfront investment would be needed in the most basic food issue if the war lasted for a month.
Of course, the Melalen people also had to use the huge cabin of the Aurora to prepare some food in advance, but Origen never rationed it.
Rurik had to make careful calculations now. After all, summoning the Novgorod people to fight, and not giving them rations would make the general look retarded.
This has been the case since ancient times. When a monarch recruits an army to go on an expedition, the monarch must use the materials in the treasury and granaries to meet the rations of the personnel and horses. He must pay for the wear and tear of various equipment, and finally pay each soldier.silver. Especially in the Eastern world, "copper" has been equivalent to currency for a long time. At least in the entire early Han Dynasty, copper arrow clusters were the norm, and the so-called arrow clusters were currency.
The Rus’ government is still that of a tribe. Of course Rurik can ask the soldiers to prepare their own food according to the old rules, but this greatly limits the combat effectiveness of the troops and is not suitable for the increasingly large population. The future Principality of Rus.
Rurik decided to acquiesce in this expedition. The various Russian personnel, including the sailors and the children who were forcibly brought in by him for training, were all counted as 1,500 people.
If it were really an army that had to fight at high intensity all day long, each soldier would eat three pounds of oats a day to make up for their caloric losses. Rurik felt that the people on standby were capable, and even the Novgorodians would immediately try to catch fish, so giving them a pound of wheat was probably enough.
Considering the bleak current situation of the remaining grain in the Roseburg warehouse, Rurik really wanted to slap himself a few times as the war approached. "Had I known this, I should have deliberately hoarded a batch of grain for war."
Rurik planned to ration one pound of grain to each person per day, so that it could be cooked into wheat porridge and at least expand to its original size. Twice as much, the feeling of fullness makes one happy.
It seems that food is provided to the soldiers for free, which is far beyond Otto's understanding.
"One pound per person per day? At least for a month?" Not only Otto was stunned, but Gould was also amazed by Rurik's generosity.
“Yes, if I don’t do this, many people will have worries.”
“You! Do you have so much food now? It’s not the harvest season yet.”
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Rurik also gritted his teeth and asked Gould how much wheat he could collect now.
"This..." Gould hesitated.
"Quick! Take out all the wheat you have packed at the bottom of the box. You and your sons are all like seals. You are so fat because you eat too much wheat. Don't eat wheat now, you Go eat minced meat and hand over your rations!" Rurik's roar startled Gould.
Fortunately, the old guy Gould is very self-aware. If he can make the kid Rurik worry like this, the situation must be very serious. If he doesn't donate generously, he will be really not a friend.
Gould gritted his teeth hard and almost squeezed the words out from between his teeth, "Forty thousand pounds, this is my last wheat. I will keep it for my family and my guys until the next harvest season." I still want to make some money in Melalen when food is at its most precious, so I will spend it all now." "You are smart enough," Rurik laughed slowly.
So, that night Rurik formulated a series of preparation plans. He no longer cares about tomorrow's sacrifice. Anyway, it doesn't mean much to go through the motions. It's just a man and a Melalen people's pursuit of gorgeous display.
It is great for the Russians to have such a pragmatic and fighting leader like Rurik.happiness, and this leader is more generous than everyone imagined.
He formally issued a war preparation order to the Russians, which was recognized by Otto and engraved on a wooden board overnight, intending to organize ships to rush out of the lake tomorrow and deliver the latest information at the craziest speed of the Russian oarsmen. Order.
The command is like this.
One: Gather five hundred men from the White Tree Manor in Novgorod as a servant army, and finally arrive at Tombstone Island on the boats of the residents of New Roseburg, where they will set up camp and stand ready. There are no restrictions on the weapons and food you can carry.
Two: Urgently recall Arik and station all the elite troops on Tombstone Island.
Three: Fishermen who rent fishing boats directly under Rurik transport fish to the Tombstone Island seasonal army every two days. Due to this achievement the tribute will be cancelled.
Four: Give all soldiers stationed on Tombstone Island a pound of wheat per person per day for up to thirty days. The average soldier participating in the war received two pounds of wheat per day.
Five: Fort Ross stepped up the production of weapons, especially arrows, followed by a batch of spears and axes.
In addition, there are some minor provisions.
Compared with the initial plan made three days ago, this plan can be said to be more detailed and operational.
Rurik’s mobilization of troops is a great start for the future. This war will become a historical record of the Principality of Loros, allowing future generations of historians to know that on the second day after the Principality of Ross was nominally established, it was the Duke of Ross who formulated a plan to form a "Finnish, Russian, and Slavic" coalition.
Rurik thinks very long-term. He needs the future country to be a stable union, or even to form a brand new nation with an extremely large population.
He cannot identify with a small country with few people, and the cry deep in his soul is that he needs a unified empire.