The young priests have great trust in their teacher Esquier. It has been more than half a month since the dispute began. As expected, the monastery has always stayed away from the war.
They still have to maintain absolute vigilance. No one can leave the monastery courtyard wall, and someone must keep vigil every night.
Everything happened very suddenly, and it seemed inevitable.
Blue Fox and Vardy hid until the moon was high. Taking advantage of the moonlight and starlight, they were like mice in a dark ditch, avoiding the roving gang soldiers, and successfully touched the territory of the monastery in disgrace.
"Is this here?" Wadi asked cautiously, enduring the pain of hunger and wounds.
"I'll never forget it once I've been here."
Looking up at a torch lit up on the wooden wall of the monastery, Blue Fox boasted that he saw hope.
The two people hurriedly approached the closed wooden door, and then began to knock urgently. The blue fox shouted: "Eskil, I am the Russian Blue Fox, and I want your protection."
He said a lot of similar words, so shocked that the little priest behind the door was too cautious to speak for a while.
Finally, a little priest on guard opened a small gap for them, but unexpectedly, the person behind the door used brute force and got in.
The little priest was speechless. He looked at the panting intruder and was stunned for a moment. He held back his words for a while: "You...are poor lambs?"
"Bah! What a lamb! I am from Russia! Call your master Eskil out."
The little priest is a devout person and is most afraid of violence. A fat man is so rude in front of him that he is frightened. Can nod in agreement.
In fact, all the little priests were ordered by Eskil to respect the Russians, because this is related to the success or failure of the great cause.
"The two adults are... guests of the teacher. The teacher has given instructions to enter the monastery quickly."
Blue Fox and Wadi entered the monastery easily, and it was so smooth. Surprised.
The blue fox used to be very disdainful of this shabby monastery, but now it seems that it is really an excellent refuge.
Esquier, who was already sleeping soundly, was awakened, and the sudden news gave him a headache.
A fat Russian? Who this man was was completely clear from the moment he heard the adjective "fat" from the little priest.
Eskir was completely sleepless, and his witty head was spinning wildly, realizing that this must be an opportunity to spread the sacred faith, or even a breakthrough for a greater cause.
He put on a black robe and asked the priest to light more oil lamps.
He received Blue Fox in the sacred prayer chapel as a local bishop. When he saw the fat man again, he was shocked by the miserable state of this wealthy guy.
Blue Fox's clothes were full of tears, and the clothes of his entourage Wadi were still stained with blood.
Eskir's words were trembling: "Welcome, poor lamb, I am your trustworthy pastor."
"We are not lambs." Blue Fox still emphasized impatiently.
"Okay. Sit down first." After that, he told the little priest: "Bring some water and some bread."
The wandering two people finally settled down Coming down, they felt relieved as soon as they sat down. Blue Fox was in good spirits, and Wadi almost fainted.
Eskil also sat down on a bench casually. He learned some things and still wanted to ask: "I know about the war. Those people are attacking you. It seems that you...have not won?"< /p>
This guy was very careful with his words. The embarrassed Blue Fox laughed at himself casually: "I don't mind if you say I failed. I failed, but not completely. You see, I escaped."
"So, your soldiers..."
"They all died in the battle. I fled along the tunnel. You know, I am a businessman, I have a noble status, Prince Rurik must be told what happened here!”
The blue fox’s whole face was twitching as he spoke, his white and gray face turned red with heat, and he was gnashing his teeth as if he was about to break them. , the whole person became extremely distorted.
The man's rage made Esquier quite afraid, but fortunately he had seen the big world and it was natural.
"You ran away to me, and you just wanted me to help you return to Ross?"
Eskil asked exactly what he was talking about, and the blue fox continued: "You I said I was going to Ross! You must send me back!"
"This..." Esquier's face sank.
"What? Are you going back on your word? Aren't you eager to go to Ross? Can you go without me as a guide?"
Eskil glanced at this down-and-out man who still had blood in his waist. There was a sword inlaid with gold hanging on it, and he couldn't help but take a breath, fearing that he would anger this fat man and cause his own disaster.
Eskil stood up slowly, looking anxious. He kept pacing, boasting that he was honest: "Okay, I want to confess to you. I do plan to go to Ross, and I also need your guidance. I thought you had died in the war, and I had suspended it before. Obviously the Lord is blessing you and allowing you to enter this monastery alive. My plan still has a chance to be implemented."
Blue Fox was so emotional that he couldn't hear the old guy's words for the time being. Still asking how to row a boat to escape.
"Rowing? No chance! The storm destroyed almost all the boats, and the others were occupied by those people. I can't buy a boat..."
"How can this happen? Yes! I must return to Ross! The Ross army will take revenge." Eskil shook his head: "You are too tired, you should take a rest first." No. You have to give me a way!" Lan Hu was also anxious.
After the rain and the storm subsided, Eskil came up with a new idea. Why bother setting sail from Hedeby? It has become unsafe here. Then walk to Hamburg and take a boat from there. leave.
At this moment, the little priest brought a pottery basinThe dinner plates came, and clean water and pieces of black bread were placed in front of the tired two people.
The blue fox originally disdained black bread, which was inferior bread with a strong sour taste. His taste has been cultivated to become more sophisticated, but now he is like a pig, arching his head and trying to swallow the black bread.
The little priest hurriedly took away the food and water, and Eskil also stood up to block it.
"What? It's not for me?"
"Yes! There is a condition."
"What condition?" Blue Fox asked anxiously, suppressing his anger. .
"Because this meal is not given to you by me, it is a gift from the Lord. You two are lost lambs. Only after you have converted to our faith and experienced baptism can you have the right to eat and drink this holy meal. This holy water."
"It's the same thing again..." Blue Fox seemed to be resisting, but his heart was already wavering in order to fill his stomach.
Esquier pursued the victory: "You experienced a defeat. Why? Because you did not believe in the Lord, you were attacked by barbarians. If you had converted earlier, how could they dare to attack?"< /p>
"Is this really so? It's ridiculous."
"That's the fact. Have those people ever attacked the servants of the Lord? They dare not, because the power of faith is infinite..." Then there was another boring lecture.
Esquier relied on opening his mouth to develop believers, and the power of preaching and persuasion was still too limited. He actually knew that, for example, Charlemagne’s forceful methods made the Saxons accept the faith on a large scale, which was as efficient as preaching. Ten thousand times stronger!
When discussing faith with businessmen, other priests would not be willing to get involved. Priests in the ninth century were very ascetic, and merchants generally represented the pursuit of luxury, which made priests generally disdainful of talking to merchants.
Eskir also has a plan in this regard, but the Blue Fox is the breakthrough. Since he is a businessman, he should be aware of his interests.
"My monastery will survive the war. Behind me is the support of Frank. The monastery itself is also funded by Prince Ludwig of Frank. I have also investigated the guy who attacked you. He is Lu Prince Derwig's mercenary."
"Is it Frank who is attacking us? There is one more enemy!" Blue Fox said simply, his mind even more confused.
"No! You misunderstood! Let me tell you, Prince Ludwig's letter proves that he is interested in Ross. How could the prince attack your shop? It must be the unauthorized behavior of those mercenaries , the prince still intends to do business with you."
"Business?" Blue Fox calmed down a little, "I want to eat now."
"Ace. Keir emphasized with an old face.
"Is it necessary?"
"This is the principle! You are standing in the sacred church and you will be expelled if you do not accept faith. You...you yourself are not believed in any god. After experiencing this You have to believe in something if there is a disaster. Your business god cannot guarantee your life, but the Lord can grant a good future to the devout, not to mention that you have the right after conversion.Go to Hamburg and Bremen for business. "
When Eskil said this, Blue Fox finally became decisive.
"If we can get greater business opportunities. I wash it! ”
Eskil’s sullen old face beamed with joy. As the baptizer himself, he performed the crucial baptism for the two fleeing lambs.
The blue fox took off his dirty clothes, The large wooden barrel full of clean water was completely soaked. Although the conditions were relatively simple, Esquier was presiding here, holding a manuscript of the gospel in one hand and pressing down the blue fox's head rhythmically with the other hand. As a rule, when you turn the pages of the book, the first character name that appears will be the Christian name of Blue Fox.
The same operation was done when it came to the injured Vardy, but the injured person was in a daze and accepted it in a daze. After being baptized, at least his body did not refuse the ceremony and remained voluntary.
Wadi's wound was also seen by Esquier. After the baptism, he applied the sacred and fragrant rose essential oil to the wound, and then applied it to the wound. It's just a bandage. Whether this young man can be immune to the fever after the injury depends on the Lord's will.
In fact, rose essential oil has a certain effect in protecting the wound and accelerating its healing, and the wound will become softer after being cleaned. Clean.
Blue Fox and Vardy finally had something to eat, and they also put on a simple coarse white cloth robe, which is the normal uniform of the little priest.
After they had eaten and drank well, you gave them wooden cross pendants and wore them with your own hands.
After all, this was his first successful sermon among the Russians in so many years. Baptizing a big shot of the Russian people was a wonderful start.
When the blue fox was full, he didn't feel that he was much special now.
He continued. Ask Eskil: "How on earth do you send me back to Rus. I'm talking about Ross in the East. "
"Now...I can tell you without reservation, my child..."
Eskil said a lot, and the blue fox finally understood Eskil The new plan is to walk to Hamburg and then find a boat to leave.
Although Hamburg is a city in the former Principality of Saxony that was conquered by Charlemagne, it is really a natural trading port because it is built on the inland water. p>
How big is the difference between believing in the Lord and believing in Odin or Frey or Frigga? Blue Fox doesn't think the so-called Lord is very wise now, but the opportunity to make a fortune has made him put aside the war he has experienced. On one side.
It was one thing to report the disaster to Prince Rurik, and another to go to the Frankish hinterland to find opportunities for fortune.
He and Wadi stayed in the monastery and slept all night. , and the next day, the two of them had to eat a simple and shabby "Holy Breakfast" during boring morning prayers like little priests.
What if praying can ensure that the Lord has mercy on them. It's okay to spend some time to protect your own life.
Blue Fox and Wadi followed the prayers, not to mention admiration or resistance, but their obedient performance really made Eskil. Happyhappiness.
After the meal, Eskil, who was in high spirits, met Blue Fox alone in the writing room.
He looked the young fat man up and down: "You seem to be used to it? Obviously the Lord has already given you a calling, and you finally fell into the arms of the Lord."
"I want to do that now. You know when we go to Hamburg."
"We have to wait a little longer. Don't worry, it won't be too far away."
"Well, I want to tell you specifically, Dongfang. The sea area where Ross is located will freeze in November,” Blue Fox warned.
"It doesn't matter. Now that you are a believer, you can go to Frank for trade. Of course, I think the Count of Hamburg would be happy to meet you, even Prince Ludwig. I have a high status in Frank , I can introduce you to the great nobles, and I believe they will be willing to talk to you, a Russian."
"If it is a business matter, I will be happy to talk."
"Very good. But you must learn to be a priest here." Eskil's request was his purpose. It was because Blue Fox felt that he had to temporarily play a role as a priest or monk.
"I'm not a priest."
"Of course you are not! But there must be only priests in this monastery. You... must cut off your beard and cut off a lot of hair , to have a hairstyle like other priests (St. Peter's hairstyle)."
"Is it necessary to shave off my beard? In the north, the bigger the beard is, the more charming and credible it is. Funny hairstyle, my hair has never been so short."
"But being here will make you an alien. I'm worried about those people's raids and arresting you if they break into the monastery. I won't be able to rescue you if you leave."
"It's ridiculous." Lan Hu shook his head, "You said it was safe enough here."
"I'm afraid those gangsters and thugs are determined to do it. You know, they don't believe in the Lord, they are a bunch of savages, like wild boars and thick bears, we must prepare for the worst."
Blue Fox believes that this big man who once lived in Ross. Eskil's words for half a year also convinced him of his ambition to preach to Ross. The latter is not what he cares about. He cares most about his own life now, followed by grabbing benefits that far exceed those of his father.
Blue Fox is still a fat man, but his beard and a lot of hair have disappeared. Now he puts on the black robe of a priest, with a cross hanging on his chest. He is clearly a priest! Who can doubt it as long as he stands quietly? Maybe you still have to be suspicious. Fat priests with fat heads, big ears, and bloated bellies may only exist in Rome, but they definitely don't exist in the North.
His sword was removed and preserved. This bright white steel sword that Frank did not have is a treasure. If you want to negotiate with the Frankish nobles, it can be used as a stepping stone.
After another two days, the Blue Fox thought carefully and decided not to put Hui Rose in the first place for the time being. Now that I have gone to Frank to explore new interests for myself, my family, and Ross, I would just do something big.
These daysWadi's mental condition has been getting better since he was injured. Obviously this is a gift from the Lord!
Wadi has accepted the Holy Faith, but he is just a small character. He needs to rely on his master now and in the future. He happens to have an audience with the Frankish nobles, and the Blue Fox needs a capable follower.
Blue Fox thought through the problem, and just when Eskil was about to leave, he came to explain his proposition again.
The Blue Fox, who has now been given the Christian name Joseph, directly asked Eskil for the opportunity to meet Prince Ludwig. How can this request not be shocking?
"The prince thinks very highly of himself, maybe..." Esquier hesitated for a while.
"Just my sword as a gift, and the Russian people's desire for trade. I don't believe that the leader of a big country would refuse." Blue Fox is ambitious, but Eskil can only see it easily When you get to the Count of Hamburg, you still need to convince the Count of Hamburg to meet the prince.
Esquier did not guarantee it, and honestly claimed that he would try. Then he sighed: "Joseph, you are a crazy businessman. You actually regard disasters as new opportunities."
This is really a compliment to a businessman, and of course Blue Fox will not tolerate it: "A real businessman Of course, my father was almost killed here in Denmark twenty years later. I hope that the great Lord will give me wealth.”
Eskil really didn’t want to refute. , could only laugh and say nothing, and finally pointed out: "You must already know what the priests are talking about. I will say the Mass of St. Mary on the 14th of August. After this festival, we will leave before September. Just arrived in Hamburg. So you have to stay here for a while."
Living in the monastery is like a caged bird, and the blue fox does not dare to leave here, so he has to find something to kill his boredom. Seizing the opportunity, he provided a manuscript copy of the Gospel, although it was very dreamy, and he knew that the fat man could read Latin.
Not to mention, Lan Hu was fascinated by the so-called scriptures, and the stories inside were vivid and interesting. However, rather than confirming his faith, he focused on the various place names and lamented that the world was extremely huge, as well as the gold, gems, etc. described in books.
Many disasters have occurred and many plans have been broken. Now Eskil and Blue Fox have become very urgent to meet the Earl of Hamburg, a great nobleman in the northern Franks.
But before leaving, new trouble arose. A large number of ships appeared on the sea, and the king of the Danes finally sailed by the north wind and came to his loyal Hedeby.