An autumn rain brought a chill, and Youdao was like a fire of aggression. This rain extinguished the fire in the hearts of the Russian soldiers.
They originally wanted to pursue the victory and achieve major results before winter, but the whole world became muddy, and everyone in the wet and cold world quickly lost their fighting spirit.
Everyone was full of desire for the expedition to Karelia, hoping to capture a lot of deer in one battle, but how could this battle have such an anticlimactic result?
No! Things didn't get too bad.
Less than a day after the battle by the lake ended, the sky became hazy, and within three days it started to rain.
When the army basically finished cleaning the battlefield and dug up everything available, the cold autumn rain began.
Both the Suomi and the Vips say that once the autumn rain comes, it may take at least five days or more than fifteen days. No one should expect it to end hastily.
The people of Russia, who know a lot about the Eastern Land and this great lake, are well aware that a world soaked by rain will become muddy. Even if they are chasing the enemy, who would be willing to go north in the mud? Unless the world freezes over.
Over the years, the most traditional Russians have changed their inherent perceptions. Winter does not mean dormancy, it is a new opportunity and a different kind of war season.
Where do the escaped Karelians go? Is it the north? Are there other Karelian tribes in the north?
With the help of the servant Vips, all the speculations became a reality.
Because those people will not run away, they will flee to winter grazing points to accumulate strength.
Since the enemy would spend the winter in a clear location, the Russian army, which was forced to miss out on opponents and loot due to bad weather, was no longer discouraged.
The army began to retreat, and various captured trophies began to be transported to the ship.
Especially the captured women, who were firmly controlled by the Suomi servant army, and the Vips servant army also obtained a small number of female prisoners. There is no need to tie the captives' elbows with ropes. They were slaves in the Karelian community, but their status has improved. Days have to go on, and by moving to the territory of the Suomi people in the west, maybe I can finally live like a normal woman...
The Ross fleet once again formed a long snake formation and gradually retreated from this small lake. , Rurik announced that he would abandon the conquered lakeside camp, a decision that no one opposed.
Why did Ross give up a newly conquered territory? Rather than giving up, this move is an escape.
Before the rain, the Russian army had burned its fallen soldiers, and Rurik even announced in public that the souls of the dead had gone to Valhalla along with the smoke.
Both the Suomi and the Vips suffered losses, and the overall loss was not small. Based on their own beliefs, they buried the war dead on the spot, hoping that their souls would enter the underground sea of souls.
Only the enemy's corpses were still lying in a mess.
Russian Army PrisonersThere was no need to collect the bodies of thousands of Karelians who died in the war. The dead were grouped together with the destroyed tents. The corpses had turned gray and the blood had turned black. The body will rot and stink, become food for jackals, and eventually turn into bones. This place is full of curses and ominousness. In the cold autumn rain, many people claim to hear the wails of resentful spirits at night.
That was actually the cry of a night owl on a rainy night. Ordinary soldiers didn't pay too much attention to it, but Rurik simply didn't want to continue to freeze in the rain, and the whole army began to retreat.
The fleet returned to Bear Festival Town and arrived in the rain at the only outpost of the Principality of Rus on the north shore of Lake Ladoga.
Only more than 20 elderly Russian veterans want to stay. They take a fancy to the local fishery resources and claim to be excellent sentries for Ross.
This place is not far from Suomi’s hometown, and more than a hundred Suomi people decided to stay. This is not just "guarding the frontier for Russia", it is also a way to fish in Lake Ladoga with the Russians, and it is also a way to vent one's hatred. This place is a sacrificial center for the Karelian people! The suppressed Suomi people will one day be able to build their own houses on the territory of their former enemies. This is so refreshing.
It is a good thing that someone is willing to spend the winter in Bear Festival Town, because a group of trophy reindeer cannot be taken away for a while, and they have to stay here to continue gnawing grass.
This time the fleet gave priority to bringing more than 300 deer on board. According to the plan, most of the deer herd will eventually be brought to Novorosberg on the Neva River through ant moving. Try to do it before the lake freezes over.
The existence of Bear Festival Town itself is a mockery of all Karelia people. It is likely to attract a crazy attack from the opponent. This is exactly what the Principality of Ross wants to see most. What is a rout? If there can be a bait to lure the enemy's main force, and annihilate them all in one go, the problem can be solved once and for all.
Those who stay include men and women, and some female prisoners will live with their new men as fishermen. They will continue to build Bear Festival Town and at least build a walled city that everyone can hold on to in case of any eventuality.
In the lingering autumn rain, the Ross fleet continued to move south along the lake shoreline, and the Vips returned to their hometown with a batch of loot. They went out to fight under orders, and they finally tasted victory this time without a taste of victory. The old iron tools regarded as scrap by the Rus are regarded as treasures by the Vips. A batch of axes, spearheads and iron arrow clusters will quickly improve the lives of the Vips. Life will definitely get better, because although Count Terravis is a young man, he is trustworthy. He promised to bring a batch of good things to the village in late autumn. That would be a lot of advanced equipment from the Principality of Ross, as well as the ambition of a young man.
Autumn rains caused Lake Ladoga to swell, which was supposed to enter the dry season, and the flow of the Neva River increased slightly. In the rain the fleet returned to their rendezvous, with ships large and small moored in the harbor.
The expeditionary army regrouped in New Rossburg. The Rus, Balmoks and other Viking armies entered the city. The Suomi servant army camped outside the city. The master-servant relationship was expressed here.Very thorough.
The rammed earth road can withstand short-term rain soaking. However, this autumn rain has continued for half a month. The Harvest Square that Rurik saw before was used to sunbathing, and now it has become muddy.
Continuous rains have made residents in the city feel negative, and the cold air has even diluted the joy of the harvest. The people and the army stayed in their houses, and no one wanted to go out unless there was something important.
At least Harvest Square was tamped with stones to make it solid enough for the purpose of threshing, growing, and drying. Even if it was muddy, the situation was not that bad.
The situation of other routes in the city is uneven. Nevsky Prospekt, built along the Neva River, and the ring road surrounding the entire city wall, are all paved and paved with a layer of gravel transported from Kotlin Island. Walking here after continuous rain No need to worry about boots full of mud.
The condition of the vertical and horizontal roads in the city is bad. There are pools of water everywhere, which satisfies all Rurik’s bad impressions of village roads.
What Rurik was most worried about when he returned was the granary located in the center of the city. Even though the road was muddy, he made a very careful inspection under the leadership of Governor Konuson.
It was still a morning of continuous autumn rain, and the whole world was in a haze.
Although there are no umbrellas that can be easily opened and closed, local residents made movable sheds out of leather and wooden strips. The four guards worked together to lift the shed, with Rurik standing in it, and met the hurried Governor Conuson in front of the Duke's palace.
"You're late."
"My lord, if I hadn't seen the light outside, I would have thought it was still night." Konuson defended, and then he Nearly: "It has been a while since the army entered the city. I know many people want to leave, but the weather is really bad."
"Oh? Are you driving me away?"
p>Knusson was taken aback and hurriedly explained: "I don't dare. I heard that the old Duke will spend the winter in Novgorod this year. The two chiefs of the principality are stationed in the west and east, Novoros The fort is absolutely safe."
"It doesn't matter. Many people in the army are indeed leaving, but let me remind you that I will leave with a batch of wheat. If you stop the pace of the expedition, I warn you that if the wheat gets wet, you will be punished very seriously!"
"Yes! I dare not neglect it, even if it rains continuously. It will make the wheat damp."
Rurik shrugged: "I hope so. But your road construction is not good. Look at this Harvest Square... Pray that the rain will turn the mud. It will end before it gets worse."
Knusson smiled awkwardly: "I will continue to send people to flatten it in the future."
"Of course you have to flatten it, but the square will be flattened. All roads in the city will be replaced by stone roads or cement roads. Don't think you have much ability. Only I can do this now and in the future.warehouse to prevent fire. Let me tell you, the granary here is related to the lives of us Russians! If something goes wrong, even if you have a hundred heads, you won't be able to chop them off! ”
Rurik’s words were very serious. Although Konuson didn’t understand it very well, since the Duke said so, there must be truth in it. Just do your own thing.
Of course, only in managing the granary, Konuson can really pat his chest and say that he has not let everyone down, and he will not let him down in the future.
This inspection is not just a show, these are very Novus. Gorod-style wooden fences made the granary on the high ground in the city even taller. The wheat was either tax collected or tribute shipped from Novgorod, especially the destroyed Pine Needle Manor. This year’s output.
The sacks are stacked like bricks and stones like a city wall, and each sack is stuffed with two hundred pounds of oatmeal, so that the sacks are piled up in all the granaries, and the warehouses that were empty in the past are now basically filled. .
On the surface, everything seems to be normal, but the air is fragrant with earth, and the air here is a little damp.
Rurik suddenly pulled out his sword and pointed it in front of him. The "grain wall" stabbed.
The dagger has bleeding slots on both sides. Because Ross has advanced forged steel sword technology, the sword highlights the effectiveness of assassination but lacks chopping. The blade is narrow and the bleeding slot is biased. Deep, this has the effect of a grain spy.
The dagger was pulled out, and the blood-letting tank was full of intact oats.
Rurik touched it with his hand. Especially the chewable pellets
“It’s nice and dry inside and out of the sack. You did your part. "
Kanuzon's face remained unchanged. After all, this matter could not cause any problems. He flattered: "Congratulations, sir, we have a great harvest this year, and our food has never been simpler and more abundant..."
What the governor said was flattery but also true.
Rurik inspected all the granaries, and this time he felt the sense of security that struck his soul deeply.
Food is the thing. The people's lives are the roots of the Principality of Ross.
The fence-style wooden buildings can greatly isolate the water. The roofs are made of leather, and then attached with thatch and wooden tiles. Within three or four years, they will be restored. There is no problem. However, the permanent granary must be transferred to masonry buildings, the roof can be made of leather, and the tiles made of clay must be built again.
New Roseburg must be built again. In a construction boom, the buildings in key parts of the city will be improved first, with the top priority being the construction of a better road system, so the biggest question is who will provide the construction funds and the so-called corvee force for construction can be done. , if the peasants are paid enough in grain, they will be happy to work. In this way, the importance of the granary and grain is above all else.
Rurik was very satisfied with the inspection of the granary. , and there is still room for deeper thinking on this matter.
The rain continues to fall outside, and the Duke’s palace is still very lively.
The main wife Svetlana is here., sisters Carlotta and Ella are here, and the ten maids are also here.
These thirteen people have a common identity - the Duke's wife.
Although they are hierarchical, everyone hopes that Duke Rurik will favor them. But now, the only one who has the right to be intimate with Lord Rurik is Svetlana.
Tonight was an accident!
No matter how rich and powerful a person is, the place where a person sleeps is just a narrow bed.
It was almost a month after Ella and her ten sisters arrived at Fort New Rose. After the Duke ordered the natural mission, he led his troops north to fight.
The Duke has been back for many days. Sister Svetalana was ordered to leave. I will get this opportunity tonight. Is it...
She was uneasy and nervous because she was in Roseburg. She had already gone through the rites of passage according to Viking tradition.
She knelt down in front of Rurik and shyly took off her woolen gown. When she was about to get the soft linen lining, she was stopped.
"Sir, I...am I not worthy of being a woman..."
"I guess what you want to do, the time is not yet ripe. It's still a little cold indoors, put your Put on the cardigan," Rurik ordered with a smile.
"I am you and my sister, she obviously..."
"You..." Rurik rubbed his head and looked into her eyes: "Ella He Stolia. The title I gave you is not just for you to be the daughter of a noble. It is enough to have your sister and you don’t have to be shackles to your hometown. Clerk, I will take you to investigate the situation of the fields in Novgorod soon. I will give you enough time to report to me now."
"Is that all? ...You can definitely say it in the hall," she said with a hint of confusion.
"That's fine, don't you want to be alone with me?"
"I...I think. I even!"
"I will in the future Satisfy you. Ella, I like you and your wisdom very much. What I tell you to do is related to the future of the Principality of Ross. Only you can do this."
Ai. Erla still didn't understand. She had already made a series of measuring tools during this period, and declared in front of Rurik that the accuracy of the measuring tools, especially the rope ruler, was up to standard.
Among the many female relatives, Ella was appointed by Rurik to supplement her mathematical knowledge. In fact, all the female relatives have learned the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of numbers up to nine digits, and basic algebraic operations. The multiplication formula has quite amazing mental arithmetic abilities. Otherwise, Rurik was already instilling knowledge of extreme thinking and calculus into her.
Is tonight just the coexistence of the Grand Duke and the Concubine? Rurik listened to her report under the covers, and took the opportunity to instill some abstract mathematical knowledge into her. Regardless of whether she understood it or whether it was too advanced, she could do the cramming if she could, and there was a more powerful knowledge supplement waiting for her. . becauseElla was appointed as the first scribe by Rurik, and she must become the founder of the entire civil service system of the Rus Principality.
That night, Rurik gave oral questions and verified Ella’s ability to calculate the area of irregular shapes, which can be perfectly used in calculating the area of farmland.
Rurik is full of endless wisdom. He has grown quickly and now has everything a strong man should have. Ella hugged the man tightly and felt that being a scribe was very good. Although her status was not as good as that of Svetlana, she could at least stay by his side and do things for him.
Ella was very pleased. She left the Duke's bedroom with a smile in the early morning, and happened to be pulled aside by Carlott who had gotten up early and was waiting.
The elder sister forced the younger sister into a secret corner.
"Ella, did he...did he do it?" Carlotta asked cautiously and straightforwardly.
“No.”
“No?! Didn’t I order you? Don’t you dare?!”
“Sister.” Ella frowned He frowned and complained, "I asked you to arrange it, but your lord said I was too young."
"Absurd. Rurik is like a bull in April, well..." Carlotta Looking at her sister's rather flat chest, "Maybe he is right, you are not as attractive as me for the time being."
As if being ridiculed, Ella puffed up her cheeks and said: "Rurik said that I am very important. There are some things that only I can do."
"I want you to measure the acres? Okay, do it well. The revival of the family cannot rely on me alone. It's really It's strange, I've done it with him so many times, why... Ella, listen to me carefully. You and I must give birth to a boy to inherit the position of duke. If I can't do it, you must do it."
She still didn't quite understand her sister's troubles, so she hurriedly turned away her little head and hummed out of shyness without saying anything more.
Nothing is more important than reviving Ostara, and Carlotta can only think about this, giving birth to a boy who will be the beginning of the renaissance. But...
Carlotta began to wonder if God had taken away her ability to have children. She did not dare to give up. If she was such a tragedy, wouldn't her sister also be cursed by God? She didn't want to give up, and even persuaded her sister to take the initiative immediately.
Little Jiujiu Rurik, the sister of these two sisters, has no idea, or in other words, has no intention to figure it out.
What was Rurik thinking about writing? The anticlimactic expedition to Karelia was forced to cease fighting. The time was September, the muddy autumn rainy season in the Eastern European world, so most Sorgon fleets in the past chose to return in October.
"Oops, I have become the German army in September 1941. The damn mud makes it difficult for my army to advance, and I must wait until Lake Ladoga turns into a frozen lake to facilitate the fight..."
Fortunately, the hateful autumn rain has finally stopped, and there is no intention of repeating it in the short term.
When the rain stopped completely, it was already the twentieth day of September in the Julian calendar.
Going through this long experienceThe rainy world has become too cool, and people who get up early can see the white mist they exhale when they exhale. The chimneys of many buildings were already smoking frequently. As soon as the rain stopped, someone took an ax and went outside the city to chop wood to use as fuel for the fireplace to warm the room.
Late autumn has arrived in Eastern Europe, and New Roseburg can only feel the warmth at noon and afternoon, when the sun is shining.
What should you do first after the rain stops?
The army that was forced to rest heard the sound of horns one after another, and the army began to assemble in the Harvest Square, which was dry again, to accept the review of the Duke and all the residents of New Roseburg.