Does little Slitomo have any strategic value?
It does have a clear value - a natural small port facing the vast sea. The Russians could use this port to develop it into a stronghold on Gotland, or a transit point for trade and military transportation.
After landing, Rurik was somewhat aware of its strategic value when sending people to clean up the aftermath of the war.
But now, this small fishing village is just an excellent landing ground for the Russians. Its excellence is beyond imagination.
Although the bay is not big, at least all the ships of the Russians are docked, so that the army has a very stable foothold for the next stage of the offensive.
So who is the next target?
One goal is obvious.
After a night of repairs, the recovered soldiers continued to unload the supplies on the ship.
Russian warriors, the blood stains on their gowns yesterday have now been washed away. Their clothes are clean again, and they want to kill again with their swords.
Those Slavic warriors and Kovin warriors, including a group of children under Rurik's command.
They witnessed the tragic scene after the battle. The dead were not soldiers after all, they were all dead, and the beach was full of Yin Hong. This is war. No matter how you describe it with "glory" or "revenge", everyone is now a part of the battlefield, and they are all standing in Ross's position. They are destined to have a life-and-death battle with the owner of this island.
Will the enemy show mercy? Of course not.
They were responsible for removing the bodies. Some people vomited on the spot and endured strong discomfort to complete the work.
Especially Rurik’s little warriors! Of course there were bloody accidents when they were training in their hometown, but how many of them had killed their enemies? A boy like Fisk, who has a grudge against the Gotlanders for killing his father, is naturally extremely cruel, but...
The young female warriors of the Valkyrie Legion, they are just girls , although they have been forced out of a lot of animalistic nature through training on weekdays, now seeing a large number of corpses, many of them stayed up all night this time.
This is what recruits are like. When they first go to the battlefield and witness death and cruelty, they are either so scared that they wet their pants, or they are so excited that they live and die. In short, their behavior is abnormal.
These situations only need to be experienced a few more battles. They will treat themselves as a stone with no emotion. When facing the enemy, their only instinct is to kill.
Most soldiers don't care about the death of their enemies, and the leader of the team doesn't even care.
The sky has cleared up, the sun is shining brightly, and the gentle wind has blown away the smell of blood, replaced by the smell of grilled fish.
A larger private house became the temporary command post of the Russians.
A woman who knew the situation on the island was pushed into the room.
Rurik was about to discuss matters with everyone, but saw this young woman tilting her head and being submissive.Nuode was pushed in. She staggered a few more steps with her legs crossed, and there was indescribable pain in her brows.
"Maybe this woman is just twenty years old? There are not many wrinkles on her face, and she is definitely not old." Rurik muttered, he had already estimated what the woman went through last night.
At this moment, Arik faced everyone in the room unceremoniously and introduced: "Compared to other women, this woman is the most cooperative. She only begs to spare her daughter."
p>"Of course, those captured by us must be protected. Brothers are always in need of women." Rurik looked at the woman's face again and couldn't help but feel a little compassion, so he ordered: "Woman, Lift your head and look at me!"
The woman continued to raise her head...
Otto shouted: "Lift your head, or throw your daughter into the sea to feed the sharks now!"< /p>
This threat instantly scared the woman to her knees and howled: "Please, I will do anything you want me to do. As long as my child can live..." She raised her head, her eyebrows filled with worry. It's a prayer.
Are any of the men present sympathetic to her at the moment? No, this woman is just a captive, a plaything with special use value.
Rurik asked again: "Tell me your name."
"Yes! I...I am Broda (meaning flower dew), I just ...A fisherman."
"Okay, Broda." Rurik looked down at the kneeling woman: "It seems that your new man loves you very much, which is good. Commander of the Russians, I am here to make a contract. As long as you serve me, we will recognize you as a Russian, and you and your children will be protected by this army."
Being strongly frightened. How could Broda completely believe this? Besides, the words came from a boy's mouth.
She already knew what the Rus people wanted from her, and it seemed that in order to survive, she had no choice but to betray the people in the north.
She gritted her teeth, "I will, I will take you to Baisha Port."
"You are very cooperative." Rurik nodded: "We plan tomorrow Go out, you come as a messenger. We Russians are kind and will take good care of your children in this camp." Broda was shaking all over and her eyes were dull. She understood these Russians. Just use her child as a blackmail.
Before the woman was pushed into the door, the Russians had already made some war plans.
The next target of the attack is not Visby, the largest settlement on the island, but the White Sands Port in the north.
Since Gotland has built some defensive measures in the north of the island, legend has it that it will prevent the landing of warships? After learning the news, Rurik immediately thought of the "Atlantic Wall". The Atlantic Wall was a series of fortifications that defended the Allied landings at Calais, which resulted in the Allies choosing Normandy.
Just like this war, the Rus also landed on the east coast of the remote Gotland. Seize Baisha Port and destroy the enemy's various bases from behind.Plant fortifications (provided they really exist), so that when the army comes to thresh the straw in the future, they can take a shortcut.
There are many considerations for taking down White Sand Castle, namely weakening Visby's strength and guarding against the Gotlanders having reinforcements to stab the Russians in the back when the army attacks Visby.
When Visby was finally isolated, the Russians had no worries during the decisive battle.
With a seemingly reliable guide, there will be one less trouble in future battles.
Rurik discussed with everyone that the army will land on the morning of August 4th. Today is already the fifth day of this month. The task given to the soldiers today is to take a good rest and organize tomorrow. A group of soldiers attacked Baisha Port by land.
This battle was adjusted based on emergencies on the battlefield. Considering that the enemy would not be very strong, the Russian army did not need to mobilize in full force.
The Russians made a plan for this battle, and the only troops sent out were the Warriors' Second Banner, the Malaren Banner, as well as some of Rurik's mercenaries and Coven's crossbowmen.
Rurik divided the army into two, and the number of troops to conquer Baisha Port was 1,500.
Even so, an army of this size is a formidable force on Gotland. Its advantage is not only in numbers. Rurik will personally lead the troops in this battle, and he does not need his father's help at all. He knew that he could never fight a protracted war. The battle must be won quickly. Victory would be won tomorrow, but it would have to be postponed to the seventh day of this month at the latest.
After all, Baisha Port is also a settlement with a large population. What is the enemy's strength? Then let this large group of mercenaries from the Malaren Flag Team try the water! If this group of people feels that the battle is difficult, Rose's main force will press forward. In order to avoid the worst situation, Rurik decided to bring ten prepared torsion slingshots, elite mercenaries and some sailors in this battle, just to control these very powerful weapons. Since they were all installed on the trolley, they were already It has become a heavy weapon that can be deployed and fought quickly.
The day of departure has arrived!
The soldiers did not hesitate, and a large number of soldiers who would not participate in this battle complained a lot. Arik wanted to take his brothers to kill again, but this time the good show was going to be snatched away by the old guy Harold Zuosen.
As usual, Rurik brought his two close assistants Kanuf and Fisk.
The soldiers who are eager to go are already forming a team. They gradually stand in a dense matrix formation with a full set of weapons.
Rurik took a long breath and turned his head slightly: "In the last battle, some people said that Haro Zuosen's son was a little timid. I don't think so, but the rumors do exist."
Kanuf felt aggrieved. His little hand gripped the hilt of the sword tightly: "I will be brave this time."
"What if the enemy charges at you?"
"Then shoot him with a crossbow."
"Oh, I hope you won't cry in fear." Fisk bared his teeth and said mockingly, but it was actually an encouragement. .
Fisk really let Rurik goHeart, this twelve-year-old boy is really a capable general, and he will definitely do greater things, but this time both boys will use steel-armed crossbows to shoot.
The reorganization of the army was basically completed. Soon, Broda, a woman sitting on a makeshift stretcher made of broken fishing nets and wooden sticks, was carried over by two elite mercenaries.
Now she is possessed by a very strong Rus warrior. Rurik knows that the strength of this man is just worthy of the strong silver scale breastplate. Rurik also hopes that this man will be the best in the final battle. When the going gets tough, go slash and slash as an armored berserker.
However, this man is obviously too strong and treats his woman with brute force.
Broda's current condition is indeed painful even when walking. Her condition has not improved and it can only be said that she was forced to serve again yesterday. However, she should be a very reliable guide, but she was not properly protected, and Rurik blamed himself for a mistake. She had to fulfill her role as a good guide, so she enjoyed the service of "sitting in a sedan chair".
Would she feel touched that she was being treated well?
Rurik didn't bother to care at all, he just wanted to end the battle as soon as possible.
According to the information revealed by Broda, it only takes half a day to walk from Slitomo to White Sands Port.
A half-day trip? That's really not far. Rurik just lacked information. The distance from Slitomo to White Sands Port was only about nine kilometers.
"It might be possible to solve the battle in one day. After walking for half a day and then fighting, everyone should not be very tired. Haha, fortunately, I brought some reindeer this time, and they can just carry some things. ”
After saying goodbye to his father, brother, and remaining soldiers, the detachment led by Rurik began the “expedition.”
Rurik is the commander, and under his command are Harozolson, Heriger, Mechasta and Kehas. Yes, two former enemies of the Corvin people now have to fight side by side.
As for Helliger and his Mellaren brothers, they know that this is their first battle. For money, honor, and the future, everyone must fight desperately. Rurik also made a promise: "You fight first. After winning, you will have priority to plunder. Except for prisoners and gold and silver, you can plunder freely."
The army was walking in the cracks of the mounds. The terrain of the grassland is very comfortable, there is no discomfort when walking, and the reindeer pulling the cart can also walk smoothly.
If you want armored soldiers to march for a long time, you can only be a competent commander.
Among the large army, only the "Warrior Second Banner" led by Haro Zuosen and Rurik's more than fifty elite mercenaries were equipped with chainmail on a large scale. These armors are currently placed in large numbers on flat-bottomed vehicles. The charioteers are experienced deer herders, and armor-removing warriors guard them on the left and right.
Rurik's army has achieved "mule-horse" to a certain extent. Heavy ordnance and heavy weapons are now dragged by reindeer.
He wanted to get horses, and theoretically he could get them. For example, the farms in the Novgorod area did raise some horses. ThatThese horses are ponies native to Eastern Europe, which are shorter than Mongolian horses.
The packhorse should be available, provided that the Rus must expand the scope of trade and extend their tentacles to the south away from the Baltic Sea, for example, find ways to do business with the Franks.
Without suitable pack horses, we had to make do with reindeer. In addition to being unable to ride, reindeer are indeed very suitable for pulling carts.
The army as a whole marched lightly, and the flat and gentle terrain made it possible that although there were no roads on the ground, it did not affect the march of the team.
How far is the half-day journey? Anyway, the army began to march in full force, and when they reached Broda, they were placed on a reindeer cart. Like Rurik, she was at the head of the team. She determined the direction of the team, and even Rurik had to follow it.
Only some mercenaries acted as scouts. After listening to Broda's general direction, they rushed to investigate lightly.
Soon, a mercenary running ahead ran back and told Rurik who was sitting on the reindeer cart: "Sir, I think we have arrived."
" Really? You saw a lot of houses?”
“Yes, and some low walls?”
Walls? When he thought of walls, Rurik wanted to think of Borgholm's damn wall. "That wall is easy to break through, right?"
Broda did not state this information clearly at first, but now the woman made it clear: "It is just a low wall to prevent sheep from getting lost."
p>They still have sheep? Isn't it there waiting for the Russians to reward the army?
Rurik tried to learn more information, but the scout did not have binoculars. The scouts just claimed that they could not see the people walking around with the naked eye, and it was suspected that the enemy had made some preparations.
"Is this preparation for war? Okay, let's fight them and see. I'm not afraid of how many people come!"
The news of the upcoming war spread quickly, causing Xiaoshan and The soldiers who had some discomfort in their feet quickly regained their spirits. They don't want to fight, they all want to make a fortune as robbers, and their eyes are full of greed.
They continued to move forward and soon saw a low house in the distance.
Rurik took a closer look: "Huh? It is indeed a Viking-style longhouse. There are indeed some earth walls, and they are so low that you can climb over them in one go."
He He stood up quickly, stood on the car and looked around at his soldiers and loudly ordered: "Stay in formation, slowly approach the enemy, force them to show up, and fight them decisively!"
Ross's warrior flag team, The soldiers roared in unison, and the infected Melalen flag team followed suit.
They had left the gap between the mounds, and the ground they stepped on was already the sandy land of sparse meadows, and it was white sand as far as the eye could see.
And their roars did carry with the wind to Baisha Port, where three local families are now holding some fleeing refugees hostage. The news of Ross's army landing has been known to the entire Baisha Port!
Some people learned about the incident from the mouths of refugeesAfter that, they immediately withdrew to Visby with Xinrui, while more people decided to stay.
They must protect their property, but of course they cannot just listen to what the refugees say. How could the Russian army be so large? Ten thousand people? It's crazy! Didn't their army go south to fight against a certain hostile force? They probably fought tooth and nail with the Danes, and everyone knows this. Gotland is a relatively safe place. How can those guys in the north organize an army of 10,000 people to land on the island?
Obviously, some Russians did land on the island, and they were probably there to plunder as they did three years ago. The three families had made some preparations in advance. They were no longer afraid. In addition to sending people to notify their friends in Visby that the Russians had landed, they themselves were also prepared for a head-on battle with the Russian army.
They are very confident. Baisha Port has always been the first line to prevent the northern enemy from invading. Although everyone has suffered heavy losses at sea in recent years, the nearly a thousand men organized for ground combat are very confident. powerful.