Modgen did not want to stay in his hometown. He simply did not want to immigrate to Britain and work for the Russians to gain personal wealth. This was his purpose.
He knew that he would be reused by the Duke of Ross, and he tried his best to express himself in the crowd during today's assembly. He watched helplessly as old Bryn Goethe, the immortal old man, also pushed out his youngest son. , look at this formation, I am afraid that this son will be entrusted with important tasks by Rurik of Rus. He desperately wanted to get Rurik's attention, but fortunately his efforts were not in vain.
It’s just that the situation has become too subtle.
Modgen stood at attention, like a wooden stake stuck in the snow.
He is neither tall nor short among many men, so as a man, a short adult man is probably not suitable to be a brave and fierce warrior. Of course, some short madmen are not excluded here. Rick hopes to organize a team whose members are as similar in size as possible, so he can only use this strategy for the time being.
Those people took off their leather helmets and stood shoulder to shoulder with the slightly embarrassed Modgen.
"Hey! Don't stand on your tiptoes."
"You are so short, wait until you grow taller in a few years!"
A rare interesting thing, the onlookers Just blend in with a bunch of hecklers.
Of course, there are also ruthless people with big muscles and round waists who stand up. For such talents, it is natural that Rurik himself will appoint them.
The personnel selection process took an entire afternoon, and young people who were interested in joining the army were rejected because they were obviously too weak.
Of course, the boy's weakness is only compared to the warriors of various Viking forces.
They still have an advantage over the temporarily recruited farmers from Britain and Frank.
Under the sunset, Rurik boasted that he had achieved his goal, and the speed of implementation was surprising.
He basically recruited the number of infantrymen that would make up a standard corps.
How many people should be in a flag team? Rurik established a standard very early on, that is, ten people are a "group", three "groups" are a "ship", and three "ships" are a "hundred-man team".
Each "centurion" can organize a solid shield wall, and four "centurions" can organize a square array.
It is beneficial for the Nordic region to learn to imitate the infantry formations of old Rome, but Rurik is not a simple imitator.
The combatants of an infantry flag team should be four centuries, three dedicated to fighting, and one dedicated to long-range arrows.
The flag captain and guards of the flag team also form a command center. As a result, the flag team, which is equivalent to a battalion-level combat unit, is fully staffed.
Rurik counted the number of people and selected four hundred and fifty people using explorer Modgen as a benchmark.
Although it was less than the full force of 500 men, its strength satisfied Rurik.
It’s just that these people are still complete barbarians after all, and they want to learn Ross’s fighting style!
Rurik has a veryA very simple method, just because there are ready-made veterans in front of us.
The men who brought their own weapons believed that if they fought with the Russians, they would be able to make a lot of money. However, the team needed a commander, and everyone was curious. Unexpectedly, Lord Rurik recruited the brothers and even more surprisingly split the team into smaller units.
Is this necessary?
The small market set up by Rurik began to sell in-demand daily necessities from Ross in the afternoon. They were not in large quantities and were quickly snapped up.
Buyers used salt as currency to buy something pleasant. Even now, even in the evening, many people were still watching with interest Rurik, Duke of Rus, ordering troops.
A thin boy is giving orders? This scene is really interesting.
"You must fight like the Rus!" Rurik said with all his strength, "So you must form a flag team. I have now chosen Modgen to be the flag captain of all of you!"
Rurik’s announcement immediately caused an uproar.
During the election, a strong man stood up and asked with a suspicious face: "Sir, Modgen is good at hiking but not good at logging. He is definitely not a good fighter. Even in our fighting competitions, he always Failure."
Some people say this, and there are many followers.
Rurik stretched out his right hand to signal them to shut up, then turned to ask Modgen, who was in a complicated mood: "Will you be willing to give you the opportunity to be the flag captain?"
" I..." Modgen was really hesitant because he himself did not have the charm to convince others.
"Forget it. I gave you a chance and you failed!" Rurik thought of old Bryn Goethe's third son again. This young man reminded him of his cousin Ali in terms of spirit. gram.
He asked Hellafed again: "What if you become the flag captain and command the soldiers in your hometown?"
"Okay! Thank you for your respect, sir." He listened He had to kneel down on one knee and salute again.
However, even with this handsome boy, the men present still had doubts.
Of course there is no shortage of supporters. Dozens of people are neighbors of the old Bryn Goethe family, so they naturally support Hellafeld, who has experienced a lot.
"I don't want to do this, and I don't want to do that. What do you want?" Rurik pretended to be angry and asked, "Do you really need a competition?"
"That's not a bad idea!" The speaker was still Hellafed. Looking at this man's raised head and chest, he really had a solid self-recommendation.
The sea breeze blew on the young man's face, and the braided hair on his head was blown away.
Perhaps, really only a very traditional competition can be used to select a commander?
"Okay!" Rurik drew his sword and pointed it directly at the group of people, "Follow your rules and fight a person who can be recognized by everyone. Now listen to my orders..."
p>In the end, it is still a competition to choose the best one, but this is very Viking.
What makes Rurik happy is that this group of people only has disputes over the selection of flag captains, and it doesn't matter at all when it comes to the arrangements for centurions and lower-ranking officers.
Because the fifty Balmok mercenaries under Rurik's command are all rich and powerful warriors in the eyes of their family members. If you follow these brothers, you can get rich.
A flag team can have forty-eight "groups",
The "group leaders" are all old mercenaries of Rurik.
This evening, Rurik quickly organized them, and all junior officers were in place.
As the Duke of Ross, he wants to recruit them, and what he is most worried about is that they run away. He unexpectedly gave each of these recruits a silver coin as a greeting gift, and also deliberately made them owe a favor.
The Balmoks have their own rules, and they also insist on receiving no rewards for no merit. Since the Duke of Ross is now giving rewards, the brothers should fight well.
Rurik finally announced: "If you win the battle, you will all get good trophies. You will be great heroes when you return to your hometown! Everyone go home and rest. We will all come and see tomorrow. Who is the strongest warrior?"
In an era where entertainment is scarce, watching people fight is important entertainment.
The Russians no longer have competitions to choose their leaders, because no Russian is more noble than Rurik.
The Balmok people are still the same as before. Since the powerful families have disappeared, the remaining people will naturally choose a "boss" recognized by everyone according to the old tradition.
People from various small bay settlements did not care about the cold water and rowed boats in large numbers to the Narvik settlement.
The snow on a flat area has been cleared away, and this is the arena for competition.
Under the spotlight, some men interested in competing for the centurion position came forward. There were only twenty of them.
People cheered or booed, laughing and talking.
Since it is a competition, it is not uncommon to kill people in competition. Although fighting between the same people is prohibited by tradition, only in the arena, both parties must fight until the opponent is convinced. It is reasonable to be accidentally beaten to death.
They had gathered together, and Rurik faced them and made a simple request: "You are not allowed to kill anyone. You are not allowed to use weapons in the fight, just use your fists, legs and feet to compete. No hitting on the head, no Kick in the crotch. If one party surrenders or is thrown out of the circle, it means failure."
There are quite a few rules, and since Rurik made them, everyone will follow them.
They started, and it was Hellafed who stood angrily in the middle of the circle with his upper body exposed, shouting wantonly: "I am strong! If any brother thinks he is stronger, come and beat me." Let's go!"
As soon as this arrogant statement came out, some cheered and some whimpered.
Then a strong man stood up, pointed at his nose and laughed: "I am the one standing here, you should step back."
After a while, the fist fight began. .
This is itIt’s an unlimited fight! Or maybe it's more like boxing in an underground restaurant!
Speaking of which, the sport of boxing itself has its origins with the Vikings, and curling rugby also evolved from their violent competition.
Rurik saw it, Hellafed did not lie, this boy came prepared, and his fists were really punchy.
The opponent was also a strong man, but he was forced to the edge of the circle under the continuous punches, and the last kick kicked him out of the circle.
Khelafed’s first victory was a stormy fight. This kid was a little out of breath, shaking his shoulders with swollen biceps and yelling: "Who else!"
Yes! Of course there are men coming forward.
People cheered, and his father, Bryn Goethe, cheered while reprimanding his eldest son for being a coward.
But this is no longer just a fight for the flag captain, it has become a simple internal competition to see who is the strongest.
Although the new rule that being kicked out of the circle counts as a loss makes losers unwilling, but this is the rule, so they have to admit defeat.
Khelafed was already a little tired. He beat four people away and defeated three people in a row.
He gasped and continued shouting, and his body was soaked with sweat.
Someone stood up again. What was very strange was that this person actually backed down again and directly announced that he would not fight.
If Khelaphid suddenly loses, no one would dare to say that the person who defeated him is ruthless.
He is too tired. Even if we defeat him, we will still be defeated.
However, Rurik saw the man's endurance. As a warrior who fought with strength, Hellafed did have the strength to defeat ten strong Viking men with his bare hands.
The competition came to an end. Hellafed almost collapsed from exhaustion, but he still defeated fifteen strong men who were stronger than him.
Everyone was convinced of the defeat, and the remaining few people all gave up.
Rurik walked into the circle, surrounded by cheering crowds. The cheers were for Hellafed. Unfortunately, this guy was half-kneeling and gasping for air. He also had many bruises on his body, but they were all No big deal.
"You are really a warrior." Rurik half-knelt down sincerely.
"Your Majesty the Duke..."
"Wipe the blood from the corner of your mouth. Don't worry, you are the best flag captain. You remind me of my cousin, you It's really good."
"Your cousin? No, I'm just your soldier." Helafeide thought that was not the case.
"I mean, you are as powerful as my cousin. My cousin led fifty brothers to fight five hundred people, and they won. A true warrior is one against ten." Look at yourself, you defeated fifteen strong men.”
Rurik was exaggerating, but Hellafed was more than heart-warming. The Duke of Ross is indeed too young, but his strength lies almost in his incredible wisdom.
Khelafed said sincerely: "Then, I will be braver than my second brother., can be your warrior. "
Rurik nodded, "Then, I will teach you more powerful fighting techniques until you have the same fighting power as my old subordinates. ”
No one questions Khelaphid anymore.
This is ancient times. Lower-level officers do not need much wisdom, as long as they honestly follow the orders of their superiors to fight. In this case, the general He must be a brave and ruthless person to convince the crowd.
Yes, the commander is a ruthless person who can kill without equal. The brothers see that they have such a fierce teammate, and they only want to follow the "big boss". Victory.
The flag team has been reorganized. Since they have been defined as Russians, Rurik simply gave them a designation.
The current warriors in Russia are the first. The second flag force is composed entirely of Russians.
The people from Lake Mälaren who joined the group are the traditional allies of Ross. The Mälaren flag force composed of them has now been retained. Rick defined it as the "Third Flag Team of the Warriors"
Then the name of this team composed of Balmok people is naturally the "Fourth Flag Team of the Warriors"
Maybe. There are even braver men. At least today, Hellafed Brynn Goldson has defeated all the fjords.
This young talent was simply invited to the chief's residence by Rurik. , having dinner with him.
It was already night, and the longhouse was lit by oil lamps.
Before having dinner together, Rurik took the opportunity after the contest. They gathered together with the prominent figures who came to watch the battle and made some plans for the future of the entire Narvik Fjord and the remaining Balmoks.
“This place will soon be here. It is one of the important harbors in the Principality of Ross. I will start the construction of this fjord as soon as next year. I will arrange for some people to come to this fjord and also encourage your people to move to the distant settlements of Rus. A fleet will be permanently stationed here, and I will build Ross's Atlantic Fleet..."
He also emphasized again: "The Narvik Fjord will always belong to Ross, from now on. We are all Russians. ”
So as a member of the Principality of Rus, should we collect taxes? According to general principles, the people of Narvik Port should pay taxes in kind. However, they are actually allies and become our own people. , I’m afraid it’s too hasty to ask them to pay taxes now.
We are all Vikings, and the brothers are all about fairness. Rurik, the traditional Russian people of the old Rus tribe, does not collect taxes from them now. Naturally, there is no need to collect taxes from the Balmoks.
However, taxation is not simply about giving out physical objects or gold and silver coins. Their labor creates value. As the Duke of Ross, the Duke defines labor. How much value does it have? Then a part of their labor value is taxed, but they have no idea.
Taxation is certainly not used for the enjoyment of the Duke family. At this stage, Rurik knows very well about himself. Where the wealth is invested in large-scale infrastructure construction.In the future, as for now, most of the wealth that I earn through various means every year will be used in infrastructure construction and armaments.
The military armaments are expanding. This matter is to improve Ross's military strength, and then use its strong strength to expand externally to seize war dividends and bridge the internal conflicts in the principality until the internal construction reaches a critical value. , proactive external expansion can be restrained.
These are all common sense, and Rurik has no intention of chatting too much with his generals for the time being. Fortunately, all soldiers simply know that in recent years, Ross has been invincible. Fighting is the fastest way for an ordinary fisherman to make a fortune. Although it is risky, it is really worth taking the risk.
This concept fully applies to the Balmoks, but the bravest group of people seem to have immigrated to Britain. Are most of the remaining guys cowards?
Rurik’s understanding is naturally negative, otherwise he would not value this Hellafide.
The two men were alone face to face, with some snacks placed on a low, makeshift wooden table.
Khelafed was quite weak. He smelled the aroma of cooked wheat on the table and didn't care too much, so he grabbed a wooden spoon and ate it.
Rurik watched helplessly as the man finished the bowl of boiled wheat.
"Wheat! Delicious! Sir, thank you for the reward."
"Hey, your flattery is unnecessary. You can call me Rurik."
"Then...brother Rurik." Hellafed patted his chest, not caring about the bruises, and said confidently: "I will take care of the war. The brothers are all looking forward to following a hero to victory. Oh. , I also heard that you have been blessed by Odin, and you are the son of God."
Rurik nodded: "Indeed, Odin rewarded me with something, but Odin did not explain all this. Maybe, God wants me to build a great cause and make Russia a big country. Maybe, God also wants me to be kind to all people."
"Yes, God exists. The intention is beyond my comprehension as a mortal." Hellafide pretended to be emotional.
The two chatted like this, and taking this opportunity, Rurik learned more about the customs and customs of Balmok. He deliberately got close to people like Hellafed. At least he must maintain his nobility and relax his mind. Such a decision to become brothers becomes very necessary.
Calling each other brothers is a language that everyone can understand.
Although the bruises on his body hurt, with the praise and hospitality from the Duke of Ross himself, Hellafide only felt happy inside. As the third son of the family, he was destined to fight for his own share of the family business. Now that he has become the leader of an army, he no longer has the embarrassment to exercise hard on his own.
However, a soul question suddenly made Hellafide hesitate.
"Have you ever killed an enemy?"
Rurik's eyes were extremely sharp, which represented too many things.
"I..." Khelaphid hesitated,"I have killed deer, wolves, and I even challenged a bear to prove myself. In the end, I killed the bear with a spear."
"But you have never killed anyone." Rurik continued Ask.
"Yes...that's the case."
"I'm different." Rurik said coldly, "The army under my command killed at least 30,000 people! Even some The leader said that I am a ruthless butcher. That may be true, but we must do this. The battlefield is a life-and-death battle. You will soon have a chance to kill the enemy, but you must remember that this is my advice." p>
Khelafed finally nodded to indicate that he was all ears.
“Attention.” Rurik said solemnly: “Real warriors only kill enemies who refuse to surrender. We must be more ferocious than bears on the battlefield, but once the enemy surrenders, we cannot add more killings. . We can't do anything wrong, we must give the enemy a chance. Maybe, we are enemies now and will become comrades in the future. When the station is established, your people must strictly obey my instructions. , if you take the lead in disobeying the order or killing indiscriminately, you will not be entitled to any trophies."
Khelafed wanted to say that he would absolutely comply, but why did he feel like a stone was weighing on his heart. He did not have any grand words, he just raised his head and said: "I will do this and will never disobey orders."