When the sled team finally arrived at Ironburg, the long river had basically thawed. There are still a lot of ice floes on both sides of the river, and there is also thick snow on the banks, and the flow of water in the river has decreased a lot.
The wind as cold as a blade is gone, the rising sun is blooming with warmth, the snow is melting rapidly, and the grass seeds under the snow are germinating.
A small trouble faced Rurik. His teams were all on the right bank of the river, and the city of Ironburg was on the left.
One long boat after another acted as a transport ship, and it took some time to transport them, including people, deer, and even the empty sled, to the city on the left side of the river.
Finally, those Balmoks who crossed the mountains and entered the unknown eastern world for the first time finally arrived at Alon-Olava, the northern iron smelting city of Rus.
They were shocked at first, not only by the solid walls of the city and the well-proportioned buildings within the walls, but also by the joy of having a good meal.
People living in Ellenburg have resumed fishing operations, and because of the winter hibernation, the fishermen have stepped up their herring fishing in this area.
The Balmok people ate herring that was different from their hometown. The appearance of the fish was a little different, the size was smaller, and the scales were different, but the grilled fish meat was still sizzling and dripping with intoxicating oil. It tastes really delicious sprinkled with salt.
Because Baltic herring is a subspecies of Atlantic herring.
In today's era, human beings have little ability to control the fishery resources of the North Atlantic. The only efficient trick they can think of is to light oil lamps on fishing boats and use the phototaxis of herring schools to sprinkle large amounts of water when they gather. net, and then continued trawling. The Balmoks can often catch giant herrings that are nearly half a stika in size. In the Gulf of Bothnia, which is said to be the inland sea of the Russians, all they eat are small fish the size of a palm.
But bear meat is a magical delicacy.
Bear meat itself has a bad taste. Fortunately, they are a group of ruthless people who can hold their noses and swallow even the sultry shark meat. They just want to give in to eating roasted bear meat. The salt thing. Eating a ferocious bear reflects the hunter's conquest, and people who learned the truth immediately lamented the strength of the Russians.
When the snow melts, a large number of hunting families pull sleds far away, pulling a large amount of bear skins, heads, claws and meat in triumph.
Rurik arrived at Ironburg at a special time. The warmth of spring and summer was dispelling the cold winter at an extremely fast speed. The Arctic Circle, a land of ice and snow, was rapidly recovering, and the price was a period of time. Extreme mud in time!
Since the establishment of the two northern strongholds of Ironburg and Fiskburg, the hunters in the north have become even crazier.
Russ hunters no longer need to form a hunting team of hundreds of people to cooperate and advance. In the past, everyone had to huddle together to keep warm because there was no base. Now, of course, they rely on their abilities. The husband and wife, young men, and advanced weapons go hunting.
The wooden arm crossbow modified from a short wooden bow is not expensive.Its core is the crossbow assembly. Only it is mass-produced by blacksmiths through bronze casting. All other parts can be copied by Ross's large-scale woodworking.
More and more hunters are buying wooden-arm crossbows. The arrows they shoot are difficult to kill bears, and they are easy to aim at and shoot agile Arctic foxes and sleds. This makes ordinary hunters become hunters in a short time. Become an archery master. As for dealing with bears, hunters are equipped with a large number of short spears and throwing guns. Working together with several hunting families and groups, they can chase and kill bears that appear and wander in the field of vision.
They are not simple hunters. They are warriors. Each man has at least ten lives under his command.
These are the men of the First and Second Flags. They knew before the Northern Hunt that the Duke would lead his brothers to defeat new enemies. They originally planned to sell the leather as soon as it was transported to their hometown. In exchange for the money, they would not only improve the family economy, but also enhance their own military equipment.
Unexpectedly, Lord Rurik came to Ironburg.
The ship from Fort Ross will arrive in a few days.
Since many of the brothers who were eager to go on the expedition happened to be in Ironburg, Rurik, who was supposed to be gathering at Rossburg, simply trained his team here first.
Thousands of people gathered together. Rurik stood on a raised platform made of wooden boxes, accepting the admiration of men and women.
He scanned the crowd under the scorching sun, breathing in the warm and humid air, and noticed the dripping water on the eaves from the corner of his eyes.
He raised his arms and said: "Brothers of the First Flag Team, I will take your troops to conquer Karelia. I saw that you hunted a large number of bears in the northern ice fields. This leather is enough for you. Make a fortune. But I know that you are not willing to be just a hunter and a fisherman. You should hurry up and prepare. We will return to Rossburg with the ship. You will only have two or three days to prepare, and then our fleet will be at full strength. Rush to the east!"
The words were spoken in Norse, and both the Rus and Balmoks were fully aware of Rurik's anxiety. They discussed lively, and the quiet scene suddenly became noisy.
Rurik waved his hands again and gradually restored the silence of the scene, and shouted loudly: "Brothers of the First Flag Team, the Balmoks are also Russians now. They are the Fourth Flag Team and your future." Comrades. Take this opportunity to talk as much as possible so that you can take care of each other on the battlefield."
He quickly got off the wooden box.
The men belonging to different flag groups actually knew each other somewhat from the previous battles. The brothers in the first flag group admired the fighting will of the Balmoks very much. They spoke the same language and believed in each other. With Odin, the fighting style is also very similar. Their attitude towards the new group of Balmoks who had just arrived was extremely kind, and what they received in return was naturally the other party's relief.
They mingle together, which Rurik would like to see.
However, the Fourth Flag Team composed of Balmoks is a group of powerful labor force.While waiting for the big ship to dock, this group of fresh troops cannot be allowed to eat every day.
For the time being, the food for this group of people is provided by Rurik. If a large team is supported for a long time, the internal wear and tear will be staggering. When I think about the organized army in the future, it will frantically consume the stored food. Rick couldn't help but worry.
“We must make full use of the labor force of this group of people.”
Rurik ordered the men of the Fourth Flag Team to cut down the trees on the spot, then cut off the pine branches and branches, and carry the chopped trees on their shoulders. The logs arrived at Ironburgh and were handed over to "Governor" Mechasta. The logs would be thrown into charcoal kilns to burn charcoal and then broken into small pieces for iron smelting.
Very suddenly, Ironburg became a densely populated place.
Many very young children here are old enough to run around, and a large number of Kowen women are still holding their young children. On the other hand, some women directly focused on the new Balmok boy who had just arrived, and invited him to their home to continue borrowing seeds.
This is to provide fresh blood for the gray squirrel tribe to quickly regain its strength. Both Mechasta and Rurik are happy to see this situation.
Finally, the fleet from Fort Ross arrived!
The Avora, the naval flagship of the Principality of Rus, has the flag flying on her mast.
Not only it, but six other ships anchored at the mouth of the Iron River. Rurik recognized them clearly from the words nailed to the side of the ship.
There are two new Aurora-class sailing cruisers, the planned fifth ship Gray Squirrel and the sixth ship Salmon Chief. Apparently they were launched perfectly while the ocean was thawing.
The other four ships are smaller, and they are all the first four ships of the planet-class sail destroyers. For example, the first ship Mercury, its propeller bearing is clearly visible.
A group of sailors with bare sleeves and only light linen clothes got off the ship. In addition to the old sailors under the great businessman Gould, they were a group of young people who were new to the industry, but they were not natives of the Ross tribe. people. These people are basically from several ethnic groups around Lake Malaren. Now they have left their hometowns with their families to join Ross. Rurik trusted them, or in other words, they trusted that the Principality of Rus was several times more powerful than the so-called Kingdom of Sweden.
Several leaders among the sailors were also considered acquaintances in Rurik's eyes. He asked these people to report intelligence and learned a lot of key information.
"Otto did not wait for me, and took some people to the Neva River first. The big merchants were also busy with this year's trade, and took the Gurdot to lead other guest merchants to May. Lake Laren. Fortunately, Otto collected the physical tax and monetary tax before he left." Rurik held the golden hair on his chin and thought about it. Things were indeed going according to plan, but his original intention was to go to the East with Otto. The Sorgon fleet acted in coordination.
I think I have wasted too much time. It is already the middle of May. Indeed, only the area of Fort Ellen still has the lingering sound of winter. It must be the scene of early spring in Roseburg.
People quickly boarded the boat in small boats. Within a day, the first flag teamHunters, Balmoks, and even thirty longbow-wielding Corvin veterans gathered by Rurik gathered in the fleet.
A large amount of leather was naturally thrown into the net bag and was pulled onto the boat and fixed. Even a batch of new ferrochromium weapons produced by Ironburg will actually help in future battles.
The fleet sailed against the south wind. Although these Balmok young people all saw the large sailing ship that in principle belonged to all the Balmok people, now she must have become Magnu who was promoted to the king of the Kingdom of York. Special baby.
That big ship was built by the Russians, and now the pure sail-powered sailing fleet that I ride on is the main force of the Russian navy.
The fleet is so huge that everyone can look at the ordinary longships cruising from a bird's eye view. Wouldn't this be a condescending blow if they encountered an enemy? It's really a huge advantage.
The young people in the Fourth Flag Team heard the boasts of their respective team leaders, all of them saying that the Ross fleet was invincible in the world, and there were also examples of victorious battles that were added to the story.
One battle example in particular was talked about so much that people couldn't help but pay attention to the young man who liked to stand at the bow of the ship.
Rurik, Duke of Rus, this young man killed the king of the Danes during the naval battle!
They arrived at Fort Ross successfully, and all the men of the Fourth Flag Team saw clearly the huge, majestic and fantastic true appearance of Fort Ross.
It is a sunny morning. The snow in the fjord and nearby areas has melted cleanly. The dark green world has not only been restored, but the feeling of new green can also be noticed from a distance. The golden morning sun just shines into this fjord facing the east. Rossburg is immersed in the morning light, and everything is full of hope.
A group of fishing boats have been cruising on the sea for a long time, and some boats have washed up on the sandy beach.
The thawed beaches are bustling with activity, and the morning market in Ross is filled with people buying and selling their catch.
When a fleet arrived, people looked at it enthusiastically. They saw the fleet and knew that Lord Rurik had returned.
The ships of the fleet parked smoothly at their respective berths, and the soldiers disembarked one after another, followed by a large amount of cargo.
A fat man was waiting on the trestle, welcoming the returning Duke with open arms.
"Blue Fox? You weren't on Gould Island and you didn't go to Hedeby, but your father arranged to stay behind?" Rurik said without hesitation.
The second son of the great businessman Gould, nicknamed Blue Fox, is fatter than before and looks like an elephant seal. He fell into the sea because he had too much fat and could not sink.
He said politely: "It was arranged by my father. He said that the Gould family will fully support Ross's new expedition, and if there is any need for the remaining supplies and ships, he ordered me to fully support it." "
"Gould? Your father is really a smart man. My time is very tight. I need to take action immediately."
"Sir, make arrangements for me. Mission?"
" Mission?" Rurik stood up straight and thought for a moment, "Then take out the money first.I bought all the bearskins that arrived at the market price. Notice! It's the market price! I want ready-made silver coins. ”
Blue Fox was a little confused. Since this was the Duke’s order, he completely agreed.
The bearskins are the wealth of the hunters organized in the First Flag Team, Liuli Ke didn't want them to waste their limited time on selling leather in person. They had to turn the bear skins into silver coins as soon as possible. The savings would be time for war preparation.
Rurik was very anxious. He just now. All the young men of the First Flag Team were gathered upon landing.
No, on the afternoon of the fleet's return to port, Arik gathered all the soldiers of the First Flag Team on the beach. >
At the same time, the Fourth Flag Team composed of the Balmoks also gathered.
All of Rurik's capable mercenaries, a hundred young warriors led by Frazier. .
There were even as many as two hundred sailors (and soldiers when necessary) operating the ships.
This sudden gathering was so huge that the city walls were filled with people. Everyone laughed and commented on Lord Rurik's large number of soldiers.
Due to battle losses, the original 500 soldiers of the First Banner Corps have been reduced to just over 400. Fortunately, the elite are still there. , the brave Arik did not feel that he was outnumbered at all
About Otto and a group of old guys belonging to the Second Flag Team bravely rushed to the Neva River again, Rurik and even Otto. There are not many opportunities to travel such a long distance. Otto has been aging rapidly since the ascension of High Priest Vilia. He continued this route with the same old men, and a feeling of emotion for the passing era emerged in Rurik.
He knew that his father’s trip had many purposes, and everything had been discussed before. He thought that Otto’s prestige would not only cheer the people of New Roseburg, but also allow him to quickly leave the country. Fugorod pulled out a team.
Many old guys no longer know how to evaluate the Rus Principality now governed by Rurik. The principality no longer belongs solely to the Rus tribe, and a surprising number of outsiders have joined. Now, the old Ross people are inevitably a little repulsive, because the Ross now is indeed getting stronger and stranger, and is no longer the Ross in the old guy's mind.
The familiar people are either dead or not. Immigrated to the new settlement in the East. Although Roseburg was so dense that everyone urgently needed the opportunity to immigrate, now many pure Russians have immigrated. The population of Roseburg has become denser with the addition of outsiders. What’s even more amazing is that, The solution to the poor living environment is to build high-rise houses and open up logging land to build houses. However, the new settlers include a large number of people from Lake Malaren. Now there are hundreds of young guys. They took off their hats and showed off their nuggets. The patterned bald heads with braids also prove that they are very different from traditional Russians.
Indeed, due to cultural customs, Balmok men like to shave off a lot of their hair and get tattoos on their heads.
The old guys will die eventually, and when they die, tens of thousands of squealing children will grow up.The age when you can take up arms and fight.
As Rurik focuses on the future, it is even more important to lay a stable external environment foundation for a harmonious future.
He stood on a high place, tearing his throat and shouting to the soldiers the purpose of this war.
Even if his understanding of the Karelian people is quite vague, it seems that they are just a bunch of local chickens and dogs. However, his subordinates cannot think that the Karelia people are weak. The result of underestimating the enemy will be disastrous. He knows that the more than a thousand people in front of him are basically half of the combat strength of the Ross Principality. A disastrous defeat for any reason will be a disaster. It will ruin the strategic opportunity for the rise of the Principality of Rus.
He described the Karelia people with great emotion, deliberately making up some terrible things, and deliberately describing them as terrible and brave enemies.
He understands the attitude of his brothers very well. It is best for the enemy to be brave, so as to stimulate the fighting spirit of the brothers.
But the most important promotion is this!
Rurik drew his sword and pointed to the east: "Brothers! Kill those brave enemies, take their wives and daughters to be your women, and let those women give birth to children for you. Take away Their livestock, their hides, deer skins, bear skins, and mink skins are all yours!”
The warriors raised their fists and cheered, Rurik was happy to see this! Seeing this, he and his brothers made no secret of their desire for plunder.
If it is just to plunder the women and wealth of the Karelia people, the pattern is too small.
As a duke, Rurik not only needs to deal with possible strategic threats from the north in New Roseburg, but also seizes local resources.
He gave everyone a mere three days to prepare, and the army would set off on May 22 of the Julian calendar.
Time is very tight. Rurik has been on the road these days. He is also quite tired but can’t care too much. His plan is more radical, which is to try his best to meet the deadline before June 1st. Arrive at New Roseburg.
The selected soldiers have begun their final preparations, and the entire Rossburg has become extremely lively due to war fever.