The messenger holding the kingdom's flag moved tremblingly. Even more nervous than him were the two priests behind him.
The priest carried a cross made of black wooden boards and read scriptures while walking to seek God's blessing.
They are very worried that the other party will not appreciate their negotiations.
After all, those guys are barbarians from the sea. They will kill them as soon as they land. I hope they can be sent away by giving them a sum of money. As for his own life...
At this moment, the messenger Jacques blamed himself very much for not making suggestions. Even if he was a messenger, why should he go there himself?
Seeing three seemingly unarmed men approaching the camp, the Vikings, eager for battle, jumped out of the shacks they had built and approached them with various weapons.
Jevro and his brothers were ordered to go first, and they easily controlled the trio of visiting envoys.
It is the shame of a mercenary to let suspicious people approach the financial owner.
He and his brothers first punched the envoy several times, then pushed the three people to the ground and carefully checked whether they had any weapons.
In the end, the three envoys had their hands tied and were escorted to kneel in front of Rurik and others.
Seeing that the church members were beaten into panda eyes and with blood hanging from the corners of their mouths, even though Paul thought he had joined the Viking camp, he was still not shocked by the barbaric behavior of these guys.
“Are you stupid?!” Rurik casually asked Paul who was in a daze.
"No, I'm fine."
"Ask them what their intentions are."
"Yes! Sir."
< p>Of course Paul felt guilty as a traitor. He and the three messengers looked at each other, and the scene was extremely absurd for both parties.There are rebel priests in the enemy camp? A priest betrayed his faith and stood up for barbarians?
The messenger Jacques secretly cursed that this person will go to hell.
However, the messenger came with a mission. Jacques tried his best to remain calm, like a repeater with no emotion, repeating the request of the palace minister John.
Hearing Paul's retelling, Rurik not only pinched his chin with golden hair: "Put out a sum of money to let us retreat? They really think so. Paul, continue to ask them How much money can you spend?"
Originally, the messenger Jacques was not completely sure about spending money to eliminate disasters. He did not expect that this handsome but heroic young boy, who looked like a barbarian leader, would There is a great interest in withdrawing after taking the ransom.
So, how much ransom should be paid?
The palace minister John did not give a specific number. Jacques was bold and tentatively gave what he thought was a very large number.
"Five thousand silver coins. What do you think?"
"Five thousand coins? Just fifty pounds?" Rurik once felt that there was a fallacy in Paul's translation, and he ordered the envoy to read it carefully Explain the numbers and listen carefully to this ancient SaxonyThe vocabulary of the language is correct.
"You just want to send us away with just five thousand silver coins?" Rurik immediately pulled out his bright white steel sword inlaid with gems, and pointed the tip of the sword directly at the messenger's nose.
"Then ten thousand! This is already a very large amount!"
Rurik shook his head, looking extremely impatient. He pouted, and then shouted: "Bring that noble prisoner here."
The messenger didn't know what was going on, but after a while, a man in coarse linen clothes was led by someone The rope pulled.
Along with him was a severely bent long sword with a ruby hilt.
Of course the messenger Jacques had seen King Eynred himself, and now he was shocked by the sight before him. His mouth was wide open, his whole body was twitching as if he was suffering from a disease, and his throat was so whimpering that he didn't know what he wanted to say.
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The real king Eynred was sitting dejectedly. His emotions were extremely complicated. Although he was cruel in his heart, his anger would only cause the wound on his broken arm to ooze blood.
A person like me who suffered a serious arm injury would often die of fever within three or four days, but he had clearly received a more terrible treatment. It had been many days since the battle ended, and he had no chance at all. There are signs of fever, as if this life has been protected by God.
In this case, it is not advisable to allow the disease to take your life. But now there is no trace of the disease.
Eynred stared at the wooden wall of Bamburgh, and then stared into the eyes of the messenger, and for a moment he was speechless.
Rurik carelessly stroked the king's dog head and said arrogantly: "Your people plan to buy peace with 10,000 silver coins. Are you despising me? I didn't plan to attack the city, but in the face of This insult..."
Eynred shook his head suddenly and raised his head to indicate: "There is something strange here. How could anyone issue such an order without my authorization?"
Rurik was also a little surprised: "It's strange? When you sent the crown to this city, didn't your son already succeed him as king?"
"No! My son can only be here in It is only legal for York to be crowned king. Besides, I am still alive and I am still the king of Northumbria. You... Vikings, at least give me the courtesy of a king. At least, I am equal to you. ”
Eynred was protesting against Rurik himself. Indeed, in the context of Western Europe, the title of “principle” held by Rurik is equal to the title of “king”. level.
As soon as he finished speaking, Eynred was slapped by Rurik.
"Defeated King, what are you thinking about? Well, Bamburgh's envoy is here, and you will fulfill the agreement immediately."
This was given by the Vikings After being humiliated repeatedly, Eynred vowed to never forget it. As long as he could escape, his heirs would fight tooth and nail to avenge this.Big hatred, but now I still have to pretend to be a grandson to survive.
Eynred suddenly asked the envoy deeply: "Tell me, tell me what's going on in the city!"
The envoy Jacques still kept his mouth open and kept talking.
"Tell me the situation!" Aynred shouted loudly. Although his wound was bleeding again, he couldn't care less now.
The messenger finally came to his senses, hurriedly knelt down and reported: "It is the Prime Minister who ordered me to ask the barbarians how much money they can get to leave."
" Prince Edward? I didn't take him with me when I set out."
"Who appointed him?" /p>
"Yes..." Suddenly, Jacques felt that he had been caught in the huge whirlpool of palace politics. If he said something that he shouldn't say, even if the barbarian didn't chop him with an ax, he would still be killed by the king afterwards. Personally ordered the hanging.
Seeing the cowardice of the messenger, Eynred immediately promised: "Speak boldly, I want to know the truest situation. Don't worry, you will be rewarded with a sum of money afterwards."
< p>"Ah! Yes! It's the knight John Stockwood. The queen appointed him as the minister of the palace and was responsible for the defense of Bamburgh. He gave the orders.""What? It's actually Him? ”
With more detailed questioning, Eynred learned of a series of huge events in the city in extreme shock. Thinking about it, only two or three days after the defeat, the judges within the kingdom jumped out!
The biggest enemy is not outside the country, but right next to you!
Eynred covered Yin Hongbai Linen's left arm, and whispered tremblingly: "I asked you why you are so determined to be the king, but you actually covet my kingship! Anna, you are a dirty whore! John Stockwood, after this matter is resolved, I will execute your family completely!"
Rurik and others have been listening. Although Paul's translation is not very accurate, everyone I've heard pretty much the same thing.
Why should the vikings care about those troublemakers in the kingdom's court?
Of course, as a man, especially as a ruler with wives and concubines that could be counted on one hand, Rurik felt sorry for the cuckold king for a second.
Rurik immediately gathered with several family leaders to discuss new strategies to face the new situation.
Biyongni, who had a lot of say, casually yelled: "It is really unexpected that someone has proclaimed himself a king, and he is going to fight us to the end. Rurik, give up your illusions and prepare to fight."
< p>A family leader yelled: "I didn't expect that the enemy was still bloody. They actually immediately elected a leader to fight us.""Bah! Someone proclaimed themselves king, and a group of cowards actually recognized an ambitious man. Become the king."
...
They all spoke in disdain for the chaos in the enemy camp, but also expressed their vigilance for the battle.
"You make up your mind, Rurik." Biyoni said.
Everyone’s focus was on Rurik, and he did suddenly have a new plan.
Originally, according to the plan, Eynred’s order reached Bamburgh City, and they handed over their property, food, and women as agreed. This Viking expedition should have come to an end, and the brothers should Return home with a full load.
Whether he admits it or not, Rurik is sure that he was indeed involved in the chaos of the Northumbria throne.
What are the low wooden walls in Bamburgh? The siege and ramming can be completed quickly. For example, tomorrow the brothers will arrange the military formation, ram the ram against the wooden wall, and then the army will break through the city.
But wait! Now Eynred's throne has been taken away by a careerist. If he helps this guy regain the throne, he should ask for more wealth.
On the other hand, the messenger Jacques told all the news he knew, and of course there were a lot of embellished things. Eynred had no intention of judging the authenticity and took it all as true. .
For example, Queen Anna took the initiative to sleep with the "fake prime minister" John, John decided to defeat the barbarians and return to York to be crowned king, John deliberately demoted Prince Ella to a slave and even intentionally killed him, and John also took possession of Ban. The Earl of Fort's wife and maids ravaged and even occupied the gold and silverware of Bamburgh Abbey.
Jacques himself is a loser. Just now he swore to support the future new king John, but now facing the still-living king Aynred, he quickly compiled a bunch of accusations against John. On to safety.
Eynred was finally occupied in anger, and he knew that things had become very difficult.
His menacing appearance was subconsciously interpreted by Rurik's mercenaries as an assassination attempt, and he was firmly controlled.
Rurik, who had already thought of some wonderful countermeasures, could tell that Eynred was suddenly furious. This anger must be directed at a new target.
Rurik pretended to be evil and mocking: "King of Northumbria, let me guess! You must be angry, your throne is being derailed by your men."
p>"Yes! I'm so angry! My family, my wealth, and my subjects were all usurped by that man!"
"So what?" Rurik Ask in a persuasive way.
"I will take back what I have lost! I am the king!"
"Really? But that man in Bamburgh, he is waiting to hear from me. We want Get wealth, if that guy intends to give more, who is the king and who is the false king?"
"Of course it is me! I am the Frank and the Roman! The king of Northumbria recognized by the saints!"
This man spoke very excitedly, Rurik still shook his head: "What does this have to do with me? I only talk to the highest bidder? "
Ernred suddenly understood the meaning, and he hurriedly said: "Help me regain the throne! I will give you more wealth!"
"So?, I will help you regain the throne for the sake of money? "
"Ah! You...what else do you want? ”
Rurik thought about it. In fact, he wanted the king to establish an alliance under the city, for example, ceding a piece of land as a "Viking law zone". After all, the entire Northumbria would also be Danfa in the future. District.
This idea is too forward. The Balmok Viking army he personally leads is a pirate bandit, and there is no plan to expand the territory this year.
< p>But it is necessary for Northumbria to pay a higher price for its cooperation.Rurik suddenly said: "We must enter the city, and I will promise to protect the lives of those who surrender. We want money and wheat, but we don’t want to capture slaves. However, we have to take away all the young and pure women in Bamburgh City. "
"Ah! What is the difference between your move and the destruction of Bamberg? ! "
Rurik shrugged: "It seems that you still haven't figured out the pros and cons. Let me ask you, do you want kingship or Bamburgh? ”
Eynred wanted to say he wanted it all, but now he really has to make a choice.
He chose the royal power correctly.
Rurik Nodding: "Smart decision. Your soldiers are on the run and we have taken some prisoners. Now that things have changed, I plan to rearm your rout. That's your royal power. If you don't fight for it, what's the difference between us helping you and mercenaries? You take your own soldiers to rob, and you stand outside the city, calling on the soldiers in the city to kill the usurper, and then open the city gate. We take what we need and retreat. ”
At this moment, Eynred knew that he had no power to dawdle, so he could only support.
Night fell, and the captured king was released from all restraints. He even put on a worn leather coat.
The broken king's sword was confiscated. After the ruby on the hilt was dug out, the sword was smashed with a hammer until it was relatively flat and was given to him.
Ernred held the sword in his intact right hand, and under the night he saw an army of more than 40 broken soldiers.
They were in the Viking camp. Looking at the Camp Fire Company, he would have thought that the enemy's strength was very large if he were not in it. To be fair, the enemy's strength was indeed very high and their combat effectiveness was indeed very strong.
Facing his men, Eynred could not say any impassioned words. He shouted casually: "Tomorrow, I will lead you to attack Bamburgh. I want to take back my royal power. The barbaric Vikings promise not to take you as slaves again. I hope the defenders of Bamburgh will not shoot arrows at us. ”
This night, the Viking warriors were hiding in the forest to observe. They were ordered to light bonfires around the entire Bamburgh City. The night covered their true strength, as if an army of more than 10,000 The human army surrounded this small town.
At night, more slow-footed soldiers were captured from the forest, and they were turned to Eynred. They thought they would die.The people saw their king in disbelief. Before they could figure out the situation, they learned that the king would attack Bamburgh tomorrow. Of course they don't need to know too much, they are just duckweeds in the world, just drifting with the tide.