A large number of prisoners were escorted to the muddy square in York.
The black mud here was covered with the blood of the war dead. The horrified people sat trembling on the ground. When they saw a dead body piled up in a corner due to cleaning, they instinctively thought that it was a corpse. own destiny.
The child cried loudly, and the woman cried loudly. The captured men were either sad, angry or frightened.
Standing in front of them was a large group of unkempt savages, many of whom had their upper bodies exposed and displayed horrific tattoos.
The barbarians were Picts?
The captured people had different opinions. In their understanding, only the Picts in the north were scary and tattooed people.
But they are not!
Everyone was surprised to see the queen. The young woman was like a walking corpse, following a man with a bald head and tattoos in a trance.
Although the queen is said to be unclean, she has clearly become a slave now. The people are sighing and worried about their own fate.
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This is not the end yet, a group of barbarians entered the city again.
This group of guys seemed to be decent warriors. They were uniformly dressed in white robes and blue stripes, but it was actually him they were escorting!
Many captured soldiers of the kingdom stood up in shock, unable to believe that His Highness the Prince had been captured.
Rurik, who was standing high up and talking to his father-in-law Magnute about how to deal with this large number of prisoners, noticed the strange movements of the prisoners with a sideways glance.
They were originally silent and became noisy, just because Fraser and the others came back?
Rurik turned around and saw the archery master Frazier, who was not only carrying a crossbow, but also had a short boy wrapped around his waist.
"Is that a nobleman?" he said.
Magnut also turned around, pointed and said: "Your men have caught a prey. I saw a small deer"
"Maybe it is a noble deer "
Fraser and his gang didn't know that they had just waited and caught the first heir to the throne of Northumbria. He was looking for his financial backer, and he was sitting there again. The dejected prisoners everywhere were also shocked and felt that their capture had become meaningless.
He easily found Rurik standing on a high place.
But that place made him feel uncomfortable.
It was a stone platform, probably used as a place to execute prisoners in public. Unexpectedly, the financial owner and Balmok allies would give orders here.
"Sir, I'm back." After saying that, the short boy who was tied up by Jiang was still on the ground, "Look, this is a noble."
Rurik Gou At first glance, this is indeed the case. Compared with ordinary children, this short-haired boy is too pampered.
"Who is he?" Rurik asked.
"I don't know. Maybe it's the prince."
"Wait!" Rurik knelt down, stared at the trembling boy, and then asked in Saxon: "Who are you?"< /p>
"E...Ella."
"Ella? Are you Ella?!"
Rurik stood up suddenly, a smile on his calm face He was satisfied and said to Magnute, "Okay now, we have caught their prince. Children can't lie, right?"
"Is this the kid?" Magnute looked at it with contempt. He glanced at him and said, "You can be my slave."
"Whatever." Rurik shrugged and mentioned the conversation just now, "If you rule here, I will support it. Northumbrian Riya is so weak that I still fantasized about negotiating with them, so I will take away most of the wheat in the city." Magnut. Patting his son-in-law on the shoulder, he was really satisfied with this arrangement.
Because in Magnut’s current understanding, you can survive by eating fish, and there is no need to worry about the gain or loss of a large amount of oats. If the Balmoks had not started the spring plowing next year, there would be no harm in giving all the wheat to Ross.
What he really cares about is the captive population, fields and pastures, cattle and sheep, and the mild climate here. And the most important thing is the softness of gold and silver.
The son-in-law only wants wheat, so he can decide, and he must give other things.
If you act too greedy, the Balmok brothers will criticize you.
He then said, "I'd better give you some other property. I'm not a greedy old guy."
"Ah, thank you very much."
In a moment, Biyongni came in a menacing manner, pinched the zombie-like queen's neck again, and said happily to his father, "This is their queen, and now I have it. Haha, what an honor!"
< p>"You!?" The eldest son's move shocked Magnut, "You actually like this? I still want to...""A very young woman? Forget it. Conquer the King I am very proud of this woman.”
Then Queen Ella suddenly became irritable and her dazed expression became calm. On this platform, which was originally the platform where prisoners on death row were executed, Anna, Ella and her son met.
Anna was not restrained and cried loudly while holding her son. Prince Ella also howled.
Biyongni was also surprised. He had no mercy and pulled the queen up again.
Anna was crying, begging the Vikings to save her son's life.
Rurik understood these words, and signaled Biyongni not to be rude, and then stepped forward, "You are the queen, I have seen you. You have served Aenred's subordinates , you are an unclean person. If you are not the queen, you will be beheaded here!"
Of course Rurik knew that this high platform was a place of execution, and said to Biyongni: "You keep her! It’s really not interesting.”
“It doesn’t matter. You should ask her where the king is.Here, it would be the greatest honor for me to kill that man with my own hands on the battlefield. . ”
“That’s fine. ”
In order to survive, and for mother and son to depend on each other for life, Queen Anna explained everything Rurik wanted to know. Now she has no need to worry about the heartless King of Han who abandoned his wife and children, and she was even demoted to a monastery to atone for her sins. This incident also reminded her of revenge.
The so-called defending general was Earl Greywulf, who was now missing. She also said that the main force of the royal army was fighting the Mercian army in the south. , causing the capital to be empty. Then he described that the king's army was probably on the way to rescue York.
Is this what happened?
After hearing this, Rurik hurriedly informed Mag. Nut, “Their main force is not here. We occupy York and will probably face a decisive battle. Their king has an army of five thousand men, probably on the way! ”
Magnut didn’t take it seriously, “You mean this?” Could it be that you are afraid? ”
“How is that possible. I just want to remind our coalition forces to stay vigilant. If the soldiers are obsessed with treasure and are emptied by the women here, they may encounter setbacks. We must be vigilant! ”
“It doesn’t matter! Magnute waved his hand and said, "It's time to deal with these prisoners." Yes, I don't want to kill people, but some people must die! "
As soon as Biyongni heard this, he immediately thought of his new female slave. "This queen is already my slave, at least..."
Magnut couldn't be whiter. The son glanced at her and said, "I really didn't expect you to be so good. This woman is not young at all. You keep it as a toy. However, all the warriors wearing the clothes of their kings did not fight to the end, they are traitors! The traitor must die. ”
Rurik naturally didn’t think what Magnute said was wrong, but he didn’t want to witness the killing of prisoners.
Rurik didn’t stop him at all. Due to the special nature of this war, the Russian army did come to plunder. However, the Balmoks planned to immigrate as a whole, just like the ancestors of the Northumbrian people immigrated from Denmark four hundred years ago, killing and expelling them. The local Picts, the most capable men who conquered this territory, and their simple security measures for the new land occupation, are now not qualified to make any criticisms, just because he is here. The Eastern Land did the same thing.
Magnut selected twenty women from the captives and threw them to Rurik, under the pretext of making the brothers happy.
Bah! Is this good?
Rurik didn't think this was a good thing, so he simply called John Ingvar, who was accompanying him, to take care of these women.
Although. They are all barbarians. They look like Russians wearing white robes with blue stripes. At least they are not simple evil people. At least these people know what sacred faith is, but what is the behavior of a young priest mixed with a group of barbarians? < /p>
Women are incomprehensible;But since doing good things can even prevent you from being humiliated, don't resist saving your own life first.
These twenty women directly became cooks, which really solved the problem of eating efficiency for the army for Rurik.
All the trolleys brought by Rurik were put to great use, and a large number of sacks filled with oats were already being moved nervously.
Wheat began to be transported to cargo ships, which was really a huge project.
Under night, the officers and soldiers of the Ross Army camped on the riverside guarding the fleet. Everyone ate cooked wheat around the campfire and shared the joy of victory.
Of course, some people questioned that the Duke was too kind and actually allowed the Balmoks to win the most loot. Some people also called on everyone to be quiet and clamored that so much wheat should be redistributed in Roseburg, so that the whole family could eat for a year or two.
Even the cook was given a large bowl of wheat porridge, sprinkled with a large amount of salt, and stirred in seal oil, which was edible and also lubricated the cable, and ate it.
This was Rurik's reward. He could see how skinny these firewood girls were. It was obvious that the daily life of these peasant girls was really shabby.
High carbohydrate, high fat and high salt content will indeed be a fattening monster for people thousands of years from now, but for the poor people of this era, it is really a delicacy that only nobles can enjoy.
They are all Rurik's slaves. It would be good to take them back to their hometown to serve and provide daily services.
It’s really because the ten little maids that the father selected for him from Novgorod are becoming more and more beautiful. In a few years, they will have to perform their responsibilities, and then they will no longer be able to do it. Any job related to servants.
The Ross army's camp was quite stable. On the contrary, York was occupied by the Balmoqs, and the city fell into madness.
After all, York is the capital of a country, more beautiful than the Narvik Fjord. Magnute deliberately allowed his men to plunder and torment all the captives, and it didn't matter to him even if the men shrank after excessive joy.
Does arrogance inevitably lead to failure? At least not now.
Compared with the Viking army coming from afar, Northumbria's army was still too weak.
In the early morning of the next day, the riverside became lively.
A group of Balmok warriors escorted more than a hundred surrendered soldiers in orange to the banks of the Ouse River. Their eyes were tied with cloth strips, and they knelt down helplessly one after another.
After some commotion, Magnute personally ordered the execution.
These people are the last fighting force among thousands of captives. They did not die for the kingdom, and the Balmoks helped them die honorably.
The dead bodies that fell into the river slowly drifted toward the ocean. What to do with the remaining captives?
Magnut did not hesitate to open a market in the city, and the captives were sold at auction. This is indeed something that Vikings from all walks of life would do, and it even caused a commotion in the Ross army camp.
Rurik had to arrange another order to prohibit his subordinates from getting involved.
The conquered people were put in shackles again, but many of them were actually serfs of the lords and kings. If they just changed their masters, their lives would not get worse.
Those women hold their children, whether they are obedient or not, their fate is connected with the national fate of the entire Northumbria. A new era begins this year.
In the extremely noisy city square, Magnut couldn’t wait to raise his sword and declare himself king.
Although Rurik felt that the situation was strange, he still took part in it with a group of followers, and then publicly announced that the Principality of Rus supported Magnute's move.
According to the locals, he arranged for himself the title of "Konungr" in the Northumbrian language, and "Kuning" in the Saxon language of the Northumbrian people, which is better than "Leader of the Alliance" "A more advanced concept, the so-called "leader of all people."
Most of the ordinary Balmok people support Magnut as king, and there is no problem in letting Biyongni succeed him.
At least, no young man dares to question Biyoni's contribution to the entire Balmok. This man is a great hero among the brothers.
Everyone was happy again.
At this moment, Rurik realized that killing the prisoners of war so early in the morning was actually a sacrificial act that the old guy couldn't wait to become king. He was sacrificing Odin!
The Kingdom of York, established by the Vikings, was born on the wasteland of Northumbria? Like history happened?
Rurik’s level of concern is limited. He is more concerned about filling the cabin with wheat and returning home with a full load.
However, how can the locals support a barbarian becoming king? The real king must be approaching the royal city with a large army. The people who are willing to compromise still have another thought, that is, Eynred will lead the king's army to expel the barbarians and save everyone.
I had to look at the eyes of the locals. Many people’s uncertain eyes were not purely desperate.
The only hope they still have is Eynred's army.
At night, the Russians still stayed outside the city, guarding their fleet and trophies.
The city continued to be noisy, making Arik really nervous.
He threw away the half-eaten grilled fish and angrily muttered to his brother: "That old immortal guy insists on becoming king? Without our support, the Balmoks cannot break the city."< /p>
Rurik's expression was indifferent: "Magnut will not live long."
"Oh? Is he going to die? He looks like he can live for a few more years."
"It depends on Biyongni. Brother, that man is very ambitious now. Only when Magnut dies can he become king. Biyongni's current prestige is not enough, so..."
"Patricide?" Arik was shocked.
"Who knows? Brother, let's prepare first. I'm very worried now."
"Afraid that Biyongni will take action now?"
"No. It's EinreGermany and his army. ”
“There is nothing to worry about. "Arik didn't take it seriously.
Rurik immediately put his head in: "When they see the capital being occupied, they will attack like crazy. Now, I'm afraid there is no point in negotiating with Eynred. Do you crave fun killing? ”
“Oh! I already understand..." Aric laughed slowly, and then laughed loudly.
The situation turned out to be as Rurik expected. Eynred's King Master and Roydis The army of more than 4,000 men under Earl Garfred is approaching York.
They dare not go too fast, entirely because Eynred at least knows how terrifying the Vikings are. He was afraid that his rash attack would lead to a big defeat.
His caution made Count Garfred confused. It was strange to say that when he saw the forest of spears as dense as a forest, Garfrid was stunned. Instead, the fear in his heart disappeared.
Most of the wars in this era were based on the strength of the two sides, at least that was the case for the British rookies.
Eynred advised him not to. From worry to extreme psychological expansion,
Gafrid, who was riding a horse, thought that the king was encouraging him to fight, and threatened: "As long as we launch an attack, a brave assault of four thousand people will annihilate them. ”
Eynred laughed awkwardly and tried not to persuade him, thinking that this earl wanted to make a great contribution.
Yes, when he ordered the charge, Earl Garfred Do you have the courage to charge in person? Bah! Others will die, he will get the honor.
Eynred said deliberately: "Then I will appoint you as the cavalry captain, and you will lead the cavalry charge. If you defeat the enemy, you will be the Prime Minister of the Palace. "
"Ah! This..." Garfred suddenly looked embarrassed and stopped talking randomly.
"Well, maybe you want to get the honor safely. But..."
"No! "Gafred pursed his lips and said again: "I do! With this army, our army will surely win. I will charge with my head raised. ”
“That’s fine. Now obey my orders completely. If I tell you to stand by, you cannot leave. If I tell you to charge, you cannot escape. "
Garfred knew that he was taking a huge gamble with his family. When he was caught in the gamble, all he could think about was the glory after victory, and he directly ignored the horror of the Vikings.
After a long journey, many farmers and soldiers marched barefoot with worn-out boots. They were still complaining, so could the army still have combat effectiveness when they arrived near York?
They gradually discovered that the people were running away. The clean village, and a large number of strange ships parked on the river in the distance, and York!
"It's my York!" "Eynred was so shocked that the hair on his body trembled, and everyone saw the buildings in the royal city.
The strange huge ships can stay here smoothly, and all the big ships have flags flying, which makes people think of The Kingdom of Mercia was destroyed, and a lot of smoke and dust rose from York.
But that was not the flag of King Wiglaf of Mercia
That's the flag of the Russians! Flag of Rus in Vikings.
The army is on the right bank of the Maas River, just across the river from the Ross army's camp outside the city.
"What should we do? Your Majesty." Earl Garfred asked.
"Don't attack yet, we keep approaching, I want to... talk to them. Those are the Rus, the only Vikings who can negotiate."
Einre The German king was obviously panicked. Garfred felt quite disdainful in his heart, but he could not say it openly, so he persuaded him: "Negotiation? Your Majesty, with all due respect, the current situation is that York is clearly occupied by them. Some people must be captured. We want to save them on behalf of God."
"No!" Eynred still asked to remain calm.
But Garfred was still carried away by his meritorious service, and even when he looked at the king again, his eyes became ambiguous. He simply choked, "That unclean queen doesn't matter, but Ella..."
"Ella!" Aynred suddenly woke up, almost breaking his teeth, and his whole body turned red with rage. Head.
"You!" he ordered, "Johanna Gafrid Roydis. With your cavalry, with your warriors, attack them! Destroy their ships! Cross the river! Save my son!"
Only the safety of his son made Eynred, who was once very cautious and had thoughts of appeasement, lose his mind and suddenly become a militant. Because young Ella is the last of his bloodline.
All this was discovered by Rurik, who had made some preparations, and the sun was in the sky. This morning was really suitable for a battle.
The Russians immediately made a loud noise, and the Balmoks in York City lazily got up to find out what happened.
Rurik has no fear, and Arik is sharpening his sword.
“Finally we are here.” Rurik, who was already on the ship, sighed facing the approaching army.
"But they are stupid." Yevluo said.
"No. They are very clever. They seem to want to sabotage our boat and swim across the river."
"But this is even stupider."
"Yes. They are brave, and even more reckless. They are seeking death, and we will help them. I asked the First Flag Team to cross the river and organize a shield wall to engage in battle. We will keep shooting arrows on the boat. You and your brothers are ready Shoot, remember, no mercy"
"Follow your orders"