It was already August, and Hedebe, who had once been involved in a war, seemed to have finally settled down.
Some people did not escape too far. When they saw that the disaster was over, they returned with their treasures. There are very few people coming back, which at least brings some life to the dead city.
The fortress of Ross's shop was breached, and the bodies of the Ross's who died in the battle were burned to ashes. As for the bodies of the dead gangsters, they were either burned or buried, and many were thrown directly into the sea.
Although the war is over, Stade is still not sure whether any Russians actually escaped along the tunnel. This time he eliminated the largest leader of the local gang. The other small leaders also suffered heavy losses in the war, and each of them became a piece of shit.
He relied on more than a hundred brothers to conquer the city on behalf of the King of Denmark. However, the city has turned into such a horrible state that he really doesn’t know how to report it to the King.
The king will definitely be furious!
Stade needed someone to take the blame. The gray wolf Karl who was killed first was a very good "blame-bearer". His heads and those of his brothers were chopped off, even if they would rot. Emitting a stench can be regarded as giving an explanation to the king.
The second step was to find the fleeing Russian people. Regardless of whether he could find them or not, he did lead the people to search for them with the mentality of giving it a try.
The monastery was flying the flag of Prince Ludwig of the Franks. A cavalryman who did not know what was going on suggested: "This large building is most suitable for Tibetans. We should inspect it."
"No! Searching this place might anger the Franks, and no one wants that." Stad said this, and his heart felt really itchy.
After a lot of psychological struggle, he finally did not intend to cross the line, so he comforted his subordinates: "The xenophobic Franks treat you and me as hunting dogs and never as one of their own. Those Frank priests will never protect those who are not. The Russians who believe in their gods."
When the sea calmed down a little, the fishermen who were surviving in the woods escaped, found their own small fishing boats and continued fishing. They make a living from this, eating fish to survive and then selling fish for daily necessities.
The fish market that had disappeared for a while reopened. Stad noticed this pleasant scene. He restrained his subordinates from looting and instead called for selling fish for money.
Everything seems to be moving in the right direction.
At the same time, the short, stocky King Horik, who was building the new city of Godfrehagen in the north, finally found the energy to gather his army.
Part of the elite stayed behind in the city. He led an army of 1,000 people on fifty dragon-headed longships, and followed the wind from the Arctic to drift southward from the northernmost tip of Jutland along the east coast. .
This is either a long journey or the waves on the sea make everyone bump up and down. They are accustomed to sailing and will not get seasick. The fatigue of traveling and traveling is still rapidly destroying the energy of the soldiers.
Until signs of large-scale human settlements appeared in the narrow fjord, the depressed people raised their heads one after another, and smiled on their faces that were aggrieved by the wind.
HolickWang was in high spirits, holding the raised bow of the ship with one hand and looking around with his sword drawn.
"Haha! We finally returned to Hedeby. Brothers, furl the sails and put down the oars, let's go!"
After receiving the order, the flagship began to take action, and all the flanking ships turned around. The entire fleet rushed to the west, broke through the fjord with an unstoppable attitude, and quickly entered the waterway leading to Hedeby.
Once upon a time, Hedebydu was famous throughout the Danish world for its commercial prosperity. A wide variety of things from distant places could be purchased here, and it was famous for furs, iron tools, gems and slaves.
Horric's capable soldiers have been operating in Frankish Flanders for many years, and they have been somewhat entangled in robbing and exploiting wealthy locals. They are eager to buy something useful in this trading city, and their strong curiosity drives strong desire.
It’s just that the situation is getting more and more wrong...
The huge fleet landed at Hedebe, and only had close contact with the city. No one thought it could be related to the prosperous city. . This is simply a quiet abandoned city, with not a few people running around.
For the time being, Horik can comfort himself. The so-called city residents have fled because they are afraid of this army. He led his brothers to the somewhat deserted shore and went straight to an area of equally empty buildings.
It was at this time that Stade personally held the raven flag to welcome his king.
Seeing this general, Horik could definitely conclude that this was Hedebe, and thousands of questions should be answered by this general.
Horik strides forward. In the Viking world, this noble man is a rare short man. He takes off his iron helmet and his face is quite unattractive. It just so happened that this person had already won the recognition and support of the Danish lords, big and small. Of course, he also paid a heavy price for this. For example, he might have completely broken with Frank's old master because of this. There is nothing he can do. In order to gain the highest power in Denmark, Horik will do whatever it takes.
He met Stad again, looked at the general up and down, and asked calmly: "I remember Hedeby was prosperous, but now all I see is depression. I also smell the smell of blood and stench ..."
"Your Majesty is really smart." Stade hurriedly complimented and said: "The war did break out, and the prosperous city suddenly became like this."
" War? Not necessarily?" Horik narrowed his eyes and realized that there must be a hidden secret. "From what I know about you, you must have been unable to control yourself and launched a plunder here. Flanders has done too much."
"That's not the case."
What's going on?"
The reasons prepared were stated grandly: "The bandits in the Lordless City rejected the king's rule, and the hateful Rus' people. When they learned that the king was going to take over this place, they immediately launched an attack on my army. The bandits attacked the civilians, and the Rus' people attacked me. .The whole city fell into chaos. I resisted desperately and saw gangsters and Ross.People actually got into a ball. ”
“It sounds interesting, but it doesn’t seem true. Horik asked urgently: "What's the result?" "
"My men were only injured but not dead. We won in the end. "
"Really? That's good. I also heard that there are Russian activities in Hedeby, and all the Danish lords want to attack the Russians for revenge. Stade, you are Denmark's new hero, and you are also my loyal subordinate, right? "
These words pierced Stader's heart, as if to imply, "I know you have long been willing to stand on your own."
How could Stade dare to hesitate and hurriedly He gestured with his head and swore: "I am the king's servant. ”
“Very good. Ah...this city is ruined..."
"Rotten trees may sprout new shoots. Wang, some big local businessmen did not leave, and many people who escaped did not go far either. The merchants support your rule, and each of them will pay a tribute of one hundred pounds of silver. Vendors and craftsmen will also come back, and the food market here will soon reopen, and everything will be fine. "
"You are very optimistic, but the army I brought cannot be in vain. The sealed sword needs new blood. I want to establish my authority! Since the gang doesn't support me, is there anyone left alive? I'm going to chop off some heads and sacrifice them to Odin! ”
Seeing this opportunity, Stad hurriedly borrowed the opportunity and said: “There are indeed small gang leaders who surrendered under the pressure of your majesty. They must not be sincere.” "
"Then kill them. I want to kill a wolf, and I can collect the wolf cubs. ”
The reason why Horik wanted to kill people when he landed is definitely not because he is a murderous devil with an abnormal mind. Killing people is to establish his prestige, to be the priest Odin, and to show his belief in Odin to other Danish tribes and military observers. It was to vent the anger of the disappointed soldiers.
Five gang leaders were lured here. They saw that Horik was like a lap dog and asked to join the king's army. What they were waiting for was tied up with ropes.
They were chopped to death on wooden stakes one by one by King Horik, and their blood flowed into Hezeby's original altar. Even if the local priests escaped, the priest Odin could not make too many red tapes. p>
The soldiers vented their suppressed emotions and cheered. Horik once again declared to the observers that he was indeed a warrior of Odin, even though a silver cross was still hanging around his neck and hidden in his clothes. The man made two preparations.
Unable to obtain supplies in Haideby, Horik's people continued to make a living - fishing.
At the beginning of their landing. It did bring great fear to the few people who stayed behind. The blatant killings and sacrifices to gods scared the businessmen who moved back and stayed behind closed doors.
As time went by, the disaster seemed to no longer last, and the big businessmen who returned were so scared. Then he took the money to buy a security promise from King Horik.
Things went beyond his expectations. The ten big businessmen in front of him each took out a hundred pounds of silver coins. Although the silver coins were of varying quality, The total weight is indeed close to a thousand pounds! This is good, he has a real fortune!Real money rewards the army, and spreading a little money buys the stability of the army. He also got a solid amount of capital for development. Looking at the obedient businessmen, aren't they just like a large group of fat sheep whose wool will be cut every year in the future?
Under the appearance of depression, Hedebe still has the essence of wealth. It is really the right decision to come here to pay tribute.
Horrick rode a horse to admire the city that welcomed its master. Stad got his wish and became Earl of Hedeby and also a tax collector. Denmark is a small place, but the internal tribes are very trivial. Horik himself is temporarily lacking in strength and cannot perfectly rule Hedebe, the city closest to Frank. He needs a tax collector to take care of it. What's more, he was worried that he would break with Frank, so he couldn't put the kingdom's center of gravity in the south.
Is the situation in the north better? Not good either.
All tribes say that the strength of the Rus, who split from the Swedes, has grown rapidly in recent years and is already a bully of the sea. Their strength lies in their ability to control a large number of large oarless ships, which can travel long distances quickly. In fact, they are beyond the reach of long ships. of. Horik was unaware of these statements. Considering that his generals annihilated a group of Russians, showed off a group of captured Russian flags, clothes, and even gave himself a magical Russian steel sword, he subjectively He believes that the Russians are obviously no match for the elites who have been practicing in Frank for many years when fighting on land. As for this sword, it is truly a divine weapon!
The depressed situation in the city is indeed improving, and Horik also keenly saw a well-preserved and unique building in the city.
It is actually a monastery? !
Seeing the rough wooden cross on the Gothic roof, Horik raised the corner of his mouth, tightened the reins and asked the riding followers: "There is also a Frankish monastery here. Let's go. ! Let’s see who dares to preach here.”
The neighing of horses is extremely rare in Hedeby, which is not surprising to the priests who have seen horses, but in this depression. When Zicheng heard the neighing, he was undoubtedly not feeling nervous.
Eskir knew that Horik had arrived, so he organized the priests to avoid him for the time being, especially the two Russians who were under his protection.
The monastery was in chaos. Many people did not believe that the barbarians dared to ignore the prince's flag hanging at the door and break in. Eskil still issued an order to prepare for the worst.
How does the still fat blue fox want to leave? He decided to stay and stayed by Eskil's side, saying bluntly: "I won't leave! I want to see what the culprit Horik is, and then tell Prince Rurik the face of the man who must be killed!"
"Confused! You are very fat and don't fit in with the other priests! If they suspect you and arrest you, I won't be able to drag you out."
These words immediately shocked Lan. After the fox stopped talking, he no longer stubbornly followed others' footsteps to avoid them.
Esquier was not sure who the visitor was. The noise caused by the sound of horse hooves trampling on the ground and the neighing of horses outside the wall was very violent. He took two little teachers who were plain-looking and frail.The knights walked together, standing behind the wooden wall and not opening the door for the time being.
At the same time, King Horik was also in trouble.
Someone suggested: "A small wooden wall cannot stop us. There is always some gold and silver in the monastery, and we can plunder it."
Horik shook his head regretfully, Then he pointed to the flag hanging on the wall: "Are you blind? You actually forgot Prince Ludwig's flag? And this one, the flag of the Count of Hamburg."
The soldier said casually again Said: "Your Majesty, haven't we already broken with those guys? We are free now, why do you have to fear the Franks anymore?"
Horik immediately turned his head and glared at the follower who was talking nonsense, and shouted with regret. : "I don't want to anger the Franks and cause unnecessary war, especially Ludwig. If this is the monastery in Prince Lothair's jurisdiction, then rob it, but this is clearly..."
Horik was too lazy to say anything. He told his brothers to dismount and sent someone to call the door.
Eskil arrived late, and he did not hear the chatter of the people outside the door. When someone called the door, he respectfully asked in person and explained his noble status.
"I am the Bishop of the Northland Diocese appointed by the Cardinal of Reims and the next Bishop of Bremen. I am Saint Eskil. You stand with the Duke of Saxony and Bavaria (referring to Ludwig At the gate of the monastery where the prince is sheltering, unbelieving barbarians are not allowed to enter!"
These words were said in Frankish, and it was unexpected for Horik to speak Frankish in this place. Saint Eskilde? After thinking about it, Horik seemed to have heard of this person. He was actually a character, but it was strange to meet him in person in Hedeby.
How to deal with the priests, Horik has his own method. He ordered his subordinates to stay outside, and then some of his followers cautiously warned: "Your Majesty, we are all afraid that they are hiding sharp weapons."
"Confused. These priests are most taboo about using weapons, and they don't even eat. The knife is only used with your hands. You are all staying outside and are not allowed to come in. I will personally see this man who calls himself a bishop." Then, Horik took off his helmet and hurriedly pulled out the cross hiding his clothes. He knocked on the door himself, and with a rare gentle voice said in Frankish: "I am Horik Klarsson, King of Denmark, grandson of Godfrey, and...servant of the Lord. Saint Eskilde, I've heard of you in Frank, now at least open a crack and look at my cross."
Is it really King Horik of Denmark? Of course, Eskil would rather call this person the "Flanders trespasser", "the false Count of Flanders", or even "the prince's loyal dog".
Because he should not use vulgar language, Eskil has long known this person and his dirty deeds, and now he calls himself a "servant of the Lord", how hypocritical and dirty it is. There is no way, this man has an armored army, if he offends them, he will be shattered to pieces.
The wooden door opened a small crack, and Eskil saw aHe is a short, fat man with sharp eyes. He has a big and unkempt beard, and the silver cross displayed on his chest has been polished until it shines. Is this Horik? He's not a strong martial artist? While Eskilde was very surprised, Horik continued to speak with a smile on his face: "I am a lost lamb, Saint Eskilde, and I want to repent. You...you have to give the lamb a chance to repent."
This was a reason that Eskil couldn't refuse. He had no choice but to open the door and put on a kind face to look at King Horik: "My child, come to the confession room. . Only you, unless your...your followers are willing to convert."
"No need. They are all outdoors, I..." Horik also wisely removed all weapons, including those on his body. The carving knife and the hidden dagger stuffed in the leather boot on the right side were also removed. After he finished, he added: "You see, I am indeed pious."
Esquier didn't know what to say. He hoped to complete the business peacefully and safely according to traditional procedures, and then put this guy to the end. When you send it out, you can only say: "Come, the Lord will forgive your sins."