The fleet evacuating Denmark sailed on the road to escape. No one knew the final outcome of the people stationed at the shops. Almost all of them died in the battle. Maybe the end result was that they all died in the battle.
At least they will never surrender, especially not to the Danes.
Old Eric was very shocked that Blue Fox actually wanted to stay and coexist with the shop. As a calculating businessman, he knew very well that Blue Fox wanted to die in exchange for something special and important. Benefit.
Blue Fox is for his family and for Rose’s interests.
The wooden board is densely engraved with text, which records the crisis the principality encountered in the Hedeby store in Denmark, and the purpose of Blue Fox's decision to stick to it.
This letter will be delivered to Prince Rurik. As an important entruster, Old Eric assumes the task of delivering the letter. He had already guessed that the entire Ross Principality would be furious because of this, and war and revenge would be inevitable.
He hopes that Rose's revenge will be from the perspective of Eric Sr.'s family. Blue Fox is the uncle of his grandchildren. They have a cordial relationship with each other and are not just business partners.
This fleet carried the money and goods seized in Denmark, as well as purchased slaves and a small number of orphans.
The mercenaries who were ordered to guard the fleet were in even more complicated moods. Many of them felt that they were deserters, but it was Lord Blue Fox's last mission to escort supplies and personnel back to Ross.
Some people couldn't stand this de facto escape and shouted: "We can rush to Bernholm Island and attack the islanders' fishing boats. Since they surrendered to the Danes, they must be responsible for their mistakes." You must pay the price for your choice!"
The fleeing fleet was quite powerfully armed. The torsion slingshot on the bow gave everyone a sufficient sense of security, but the mercenaries hoped to use this tactical weapon to actively attack and vent their anger.
After a lot of effort, Old Eric persuaded the angry people not to act rashly.
"I know that the people of Bernholm have always had enmity with the Rus people. I heard that the father of Aric with the double sword was also killed by those villains. We should not take the initiative. I will make it clear to the prince. The Bernholm people have taken the initiative to attack us again. Once the prince takes revenge, these guys will bear the brunt.”
In fact, these words are difficult to convince the public, but Old Eric is the return ship that Blue Fox accepts his fate. Team leader.
The fleet passed by Bernholm like a speeding arrow, and the local islanders rowing their boats felt sick when they saw the fleet of boats with triangular sails in a long snake formation from a distance. , they have long suffered from "spinnaker PTSD". Old Eric's prediction was wrong. He speculated that he would be attacked by the islanders. On the contrary, the islanders just wanted to return to Hong Kong to defend themselves.
The Ross ship is the bully that cruises the Baltic Sea. Only those who have been beaten by them know the truth of retreating when they see the spinnaker.
But the new king of Denmark, Horik Klarsson, and his family members did not know.
The fleet successfully drifted to the Åland Islands at the intersection of the ocean on the first day of August. The fleet docked at Tombstone for replenishment.Well, the bad news from Denmark spread immediately.
Just like every year, even if the fat Gould is older, his business is the hottest time of the year.
The grain harvest season is now around Lake Mälaren in Sweden. The most important commodities for the major tribes in Sweden are oats and flax.
The eldest son Bai Hu inherited the family's main business. Although the center of the Ross Principality moved to the east, the Gould family strengthened its monopoly on the principality's western trade.
On the increasingly prosperous Tombstone Island, the Goulds ate barbecue and drank vodka. They were too old, and even the concubines felt powerless. However, after the white fox's son was born, he was already teasing his grandson. It became his pleasure.
The family seems to have this kind of bloodline, and all the members are fat.
This old businessman has lost his pioneering and enterprising spirit. He feels that his life is complete and that every day he lives in the future is a day's gain.
Although the prince prohibited the family from participating in Eastern trade, the children have expanded in their respective fields. The family's wealth is not only expanding, but its political influence is still increasing rapidly.
The prince now strategically stopped providing a very stable supply of food during the winter to the various craftsmen in his hometown, and the Gould family became the food supplier instead.
There is not much profit in transshipping grain and selling it. Unless the prince is willing to go on a buying spree, as he did in previous years, the Gould family can make a fortune through economies of scale.
Gould is not optimistic about the future grain buying trade. If the principality's eastern farming business achieves great success, I am afraid that the job of buying grain will disappear in the future, and it is not impossible for the principality to become a grain supplier.
At least for now, he is still stocking up on food. A batch of food will be shipped to New Roseburg, along with other payments and this year's family business tax, to the new large warehouse in the principality.
The situation has changed...
The arrival of the Ross fleet from Denmark caused a sensation. Accompanied by his servant, Gould curiously approached the port. Quite unexpectedly Meet old Eric, his in-laws.
He walked away with a kind face, but what he saw was Old Eric’s gloomy face.
"What's wrong with you? What disaster happened?"
Hearing this, Old Eric, who couldn't hold himself any longer, burst out and immediately complained with a cry: "Blue Fox! Lord Blue Fox... died in battle!"
"What did you say?"
"Lord Blue Fox, died in battle!"
< p>The first sentence of the in-laws was actually the whole thing? His second son died?Gould was baffled for the first time. With an embarrassed smile, he asked his in-laws to finish the conversation, but what he got was indeed heartbreaking and sad news.
"My son, actually? Dead?"
Suddenly, the world was spinning, and Gould fell into a coma as if he was dead.
Until a bucket of cold water was poured on itThe fat fish-like head and a pair of blue eyes slowly opened.
"This...this is impossible! Help me back, and you!" Gould, who was lying down, pointed at old Eric, "Go tell me the specific situation!"
If he is a warrior and learns that his son died in battle, he can probably comfort himself after a period of pain. "The warrior's soul went to Asgard."
Gould was different. He was a businessman and didn't believe in that at all. He was in a low mood and just wanted to know what happened to his second son. Especially if you want to know how the child died.
Old Eric couldn't explain why. He showed the board of the letter to Gould first, and finally added: "Lord Blue Fox has his own honor, and he will give every last drop of his heart to Rose." Blood. He chose to be a warrior and fight for the prince, and his soul must have gone directly to Valhalla."
Gould did not believe this, and he keenly noticed the letter from his second son. Not to mention that guarding the shop is doomed.
The second son suddenly believed in Odin? A wise son is more like a father. If that child wanted to be a warrior, he would have done it long ago. He could not be a warrior, he would not die bravely but he would not surrender either.
There is no follow-up news, only speculation about death.
Enduring the grief, Gould in the mansion pointed at old Eric and angrily yelled: "You did not see the war process or the death of my son. He may not necessarily be dead. , Maybe he escaped and was trying to escape."
Old Eric felt uncomfortable and could only hope in good faith: "I hope so."
With this. Gould looked at the possibility and became more and more determined about this possibility: "I also went to Denmark for trade when I was young. I was a merchant from Svealand. After my identity was exposed, I was attacked by the local lord. I still managed to escape. ."
Old Eric was overjoyed and immediately agreed to ease the almost suffocating atmosphere: "Blue Fox must have the same luck as you, he should still be alive."
"Yes. Ah...I hope so."
The sober Gould is not sure about the life or death of his second son. He can be sure of one thing, that is, the prince's ambitious business activities in the Danish world will not last long after eating. The sweetness suddenly fell apart.
A new king from a foreign land came to Denmark, and all the rebellious lords surrendered in an instant. The chaos in Denmark suddenly ended, and the Ross Principality's operation to fish in troubled waters suddenly collapsed, and it paid a heavy price.
Old Eric asked again tentatively: "What decision will you make next?"
"You... want to continue to the East?"
"Yes. I want to report the disasters in the East to the prince himself. This is the order given to me by Blue Fox."
Gould raised his head, closed his eyes and sighed: "I will also go to the East. I won't do it. Business, I just want to convince the prince that he must take revenge on the despicable new king of Denmark. If the prince can kill one king, he should kill another."
"We will go together, and our accusation will be obtained. Maharaja's support. ”
That night, Gould felt a splitting headache. As a father, he extremely hoped that his second son could expand his business in new areas. Besides, the second son was also appointed by the prince to be the commercial spokesperson of the principality in Denmark. Denmark The man's actions were a slap in the face of the prince, and all hopes for peaceful trade had become extremely costly wishful thinking.
After morning, Gould's headache was relieved a lot.
He checked the money and goods shipped from Denmark. There was indeed a lot of money to be made in Denmark and the price was high.
Gould was going to the East. This was his first trip to the East in his later years. .
What happened to Novgorod and Novorosberg? He wanted to see the new world of the Russians, and even wanted to encourage the prince to go to war with Denmark.
The fleet was there. Tombstone Island has been docked for three days, and all kinds of news about Denmark have spread through the mouths of sailors and mercenaries.
In less than a week, the current King of Sweden, Bjorn, learned about Denmark. In this situation, a monster emerged from the soil and took possession of the Danish kingship. An army from the Franks transformed into a Danish army.
The traditional landed aristocracy represented by King Bjorn experienced a great defeat. I no longer want to fight with Denmark, but who can guarantee that the Danes will not expand?
The Danish Kingdom is fully motivated to expand, especially to pursue Sweden. As for Denmark, the Russians have already launched a move. The clan moved eastward, and King Bjorn also determined that it would be difficult for him to meet the prince of Rus.
In this ancient time when news was limited, ships carried news from far away to the docking port. , the port people who are endlessly curious about the outside world are happy to over-discuss it. It is not surprising that small negative news can turn into the big disaster described.
What happens in Sweden is beyond the control of the Russians. .
Gould got on the ship. Since his family's fleet had not yet prepared enough supplies, he took two servants to go to the East.
The fleet went smoothly. Arriving at New Roseburg, this big city is very majestic and surrounded by beautiful pastoral scenes.
Gould didn't want to appreciate it too much. He just wanted to see Rurik as soon as possible. Governor Konuson first came. I was surprised that the big businessman Gould came in early August, and I was even more shocked by the news from Denmark.
The bad news spread throughout New Roseburg in an instant, and people were filled with indignation.
The people in the city are either Russian immigrants or Swedish immigrants from all walks of life. Everyone simply does not like the Danish influence. The prince's expansion of the commercial territory in Denmark involves both interests and risks. This does not seem to have a clear interest in the ordinary people. It has something to do with it. The leather obtained from the squirrels hunted by the Russians can be sold to Denmark for a lot of money, and the Danes do have enough financial resources to buy it.
The people have no time to think about this, nor do they think about the importance of the prince setting up shops in Denmark. Wrong.
The result is that the Danish king shamefully insults the Russians!
Although there are no people!Large-scale armed rallies filled the streets calling for war. Now the public opinion circles in New Roseburg are all demanding war for revenge. Even toddlers are talking about war in childish words.
Gould stayed in New Roseburg for a whole day, and he had a historic meeting with the old Harald family, a big local businessman. The two major merchants responsible for east-west trade in the principality gathered together. They were not jealous of each other, but discussed the possibility of cooperation with each other. They also denounced the sins of the Danes and the rising anger in the city.
"It seems that war is inevitable. I will provide food for the army. Since your son was killed by them, will you also use your wealth to fund the army?" Old Harald asked.
Unexpectedly, Gould’s plan was even more ambitious: “As long as the prince orders war mobilization, I will use the money to recruit Jianyong in Melalen. I will hire a mercenary team, which must be at least four to five hundred. People. I will make them kill wildly to avenge my son and satisfy the hatred in my heart..."
The Ross fleet that escaped from Denmark will dock at any principality port, which will arouse the anger of the people. Accompanying this anger is the desire for wealth, because the people, especially men, have drawn a conclusion based on the wars that Ross has participated in over the years. As long as the army goes out, every soldier will always gain something, and those who make a fortune will Not a minority either.
What’s more, everyone is no longer afraid of the Danish military power, and there is no doubt that conquering Denmark will not bring any wealth like conquering Karelia. Every man hopes to prove himself in a new war, and the women at home also hope that their husbands and sons will go out and rely on war plunder to improve the family situation.
No one considers the risk of war. The people of the Principality of Ross are not afraid of dying in battle because they firmly believe that any warrior who sacrifices his life for the country will be taken care of by the prince and his family. The people are willing to believe that Rurik is indeed the "Son of God". If they believe in him, he will provide key help and even provide cover for the losses caused by the war.
High Priest Rumia, who had just arrived in New Roseburg not long ago, also followed the public opinion and offered sacrifices to the heroes who sacrificed their lives for Rose, announcing that the souls of the soldiers guarding Rose's shop had all entered. to Valhalla.
Old Eric and Gould can already predict the future among the people of New Roseburg.
At least the payment for the goods at Ross's shop was preserved. Blue Fox proved with practical actions that even if he encountered a life and death crisis, he would not damage the property of the prince and the principality. Since New Roseburg was the capital of a country, payment for goods and slaves were offloaded.
The two merchants did not bring any supplies. They only took an armed cargo ship and continued upstream under the tow of two traditional rowing long boats.
After another six days, this tiny fleet finally arrived at Lake Ilmen. Just like what happened before, the bad news from Denmark spread immediately. Otto was furious, and a group of veteran soldiers staying in Novgorod sharpened their swords.
Until they arrived at Mstisk, they informed the elites of the Principality of Rus about the outrageous news.The sharp warrior, especially the blue fox's autographed letter, which was called the masterpiece, was handed into Rurik's hands.
All the wheat experimental fields achieved a bumper harvest that everyone is willing to admit. On the planned rammed earth flats, able-bodied people continued to pound the harvested wheat ears with shackles. The youth city of Tonastad has just begun to be constructed in full swing, and the blacksmith shop and shipbuilding workshop of Mstisk have just laid the thick wooden poles to build the column frame of the large factory building.
Rurik ignored things in the distance for a while. As the two businessmen came to the door in person with the bad news, he was angry, and his subordinates were also angry.
"I had wishful thinking to improve relations with you and do business peacefully with each other. You chose war!"
Rurik had no intention of thinking about whether to choose war. Of course he could choose If you don't fight, you will naturally be criticized by thousands of Russians. He had no choice. "No war" was simply not an option.
He determined the principle of revenge right away, and since it was revenge, he would hammer it down with a sledgehammer without mercy.
As for what kind of retaliatory war to launch, this requires long-term consideration and careful planning...