Chapter 736 The Earl of Hamburg and the Northern Apostle Eskil

The Elbe River flows calmly, and she slowly flows westward into the Atlantic Ocean.

A small city exists along the river. The wooden walls, towers and even the three gates reinforced with stones prove that the city is actually a military stronghold.

Morning fog filled the river, forest and farmland, and the whole world was gray. The soldiers who had been standing guard all night handed over tasks to the men who took over, and then took off the coarse cloth hoods to keep out the cold and removed the riveted iron skins. A, retreat to your barracks to rest.

For the city of Hamburg, today is another ordinary day after autumn.

Earl Robert is still sleeping soundly. He does not need to worry too much about his work. The servants will take care of everything.

When the morning fog gradually dissipated, a small number of merchants in the city's "commercial streets" set up stalls one after another.

The curfew has ended. After the city gate is opened, the vegetable farmers pulling the carts pay a city entry tax to the soldiers guarding the gate, then settle down in the open space of the market, openly selling their vegetables and surplus grain. .

Cabbage is the largest vegetable sold here, and the buyers targeted by the vegetable farmers are the soldiers in the city, as well as the craftsmen, servants, and horse slaves who serve the Earl.

Of course there are also people who sell meat and leather. They are professional hunters or livestock herders, but the transaction volume in this area is not large.

The count and his family are all Franks, and more than a dozen of his closest bodyguards are also Franks. Apart from this, the entire city is inhabited by Saxons.

Hamburg was originally a riverside village of the Saxons in the past. After the entire area was conquered by Charlemagne, the Saxon tribes who surrendered to the Franks all converted to God and recognized the newly arrived Frankish nobles as their lords. After some turmoil, It's nothing more than worshiping a new god and paying taxes to a new lord.

The Principality of Saxony, which was formed spontaneously by the Saxons, has disappeared for thirty years. Thirty years is enough to dull people’s memories. Not many Saxons fled into Denmark and joined it, and a large number of people still live in their hometown. They forgot their old place, they only knew their lord, they knew the taxes they had to pay every year, and they knew the days when they went to the monastery to worship.

Life is so monotonous and boring. Farmers live peacefully day after day. The lords, apart from being extremely active in collecting taxes and hunting, spend the rest of their days with boredom.

Earl Robert has long had enough of his wretched wife. The old woman is getting older and older, but their divorce must be approved by the Holy See, and divorce is only a theoretical possibility.

Some things were done secretly because of his own honor. The milking maid he kept was actually his concubine. He could not let the priest know his behavior. He had to do things secretly. As for that Even if a maid gives birth to a child, she will definitely not accept him as the heir to the title. The boy will be trained as a page and he will find a reason to be knighted in the future. If it is easier for a girl, he will be sent directly to a convent to become a nun. He felt that his actions were very benevolent.

If there is anything else that can cheer up the earl,, that is, wearing a full set of armor and fencing with his subordinates.

In recent years, the territory has been peaceful and the farmers are living a comfortable life. This is reflected in the fact that the agricultural tax is paid properly every autumn.

The harvested agricultural taxes and grains were stuffed into warehouses. These were the survival materials for noble families, servants, and craftsmen. Part of the grain will also be transferred as tribute to Prince Ludwig's residence in Regensburg, Bavaria.

The original meaning of Regensburg is the "City of the Roman Legions". The city was the location of the Third Legion before the fall of the Western Roman Empire. It evolved from a large military camp into a city, and now it is Ludwig In the core control area, one thousand of his most capable soldiers are also stationed here. If his territory were to gain formal independence from the Franks, Regensburg would become a state capital.

Given the current traffic conditions, taking the overland road from Hamburg to Regensburg is really a bumpy road.

Fortunately, the Elbe River has a long history. Going upstream to reach the upper reaches, and then taking the overland road to Regensburg, the journey time is greatly shortened.

The prince's official identity is the Duke of Bavaria and the Duke of Saxony. Under the current enfeoffment system in East Frankfurt, there is no marquis in the entire Duchy of Saxony, or the titles of marquis and earl are very vague. The Count of Hamburg was directly responsible to the Duke of Saxony, that is, to the prince himself.

It’s just that this area of ​​Saxony was a new land conquered by the late King Charlemagne with iron and blood. Many Saxons died in the area, and the level of development was not as high as that of Bavaria. The prince never expected much tribute from the lords in the north. Their biggest task was actually only one: to prevent the Danes and Pomeranians from encroaching on the kingdom's territory.

However, the earl's financial resources can only support three hundred standing soldiers, and the viscount under his command can support even fewer soldiers. When it comes to the baron level, the baron can only go into battle and kill them in person.

The permanent residents of Hamburg have been maintained at 600 people for a long time. In addition to the stationed soldiers and a few soldiers' families, they are craftsmen such as carpenters, blacksmiths, potters, horse slaves and others who are directly responsible to the count. family. Businessmen certainly existed, but the local political and economic conditions were insufficient to develop a large businessman like Ross's Gould.

In other words, Hamburg and other Frankish cities in this era lacked the soil for big businessmen to exist.

A star city among the cities of the Hanseatic League cannot yet demonstrate its commercial influence. It is just a regional military stronghold in the northern Frankish border area.

The Earl has only this small number of troops on hand, can it be regarded as a garrison of troops?

Frank is no longer Charlemagne’s Frank. Although the three princes fought among themselves and civil war broke out, more areas can be said to have long-lasting peace. The stable days have gone too long, and everyone is pursuing longer-term comfort. In order to increase their income, the soldiers received "salary" from the earl's service. In addition, they also engaged in small industries, cut wood and hunted to supplement their families or enrich their wallets, and then gathered in the only ale pub in the city to taste delicious food.

A seemingly ordinary carriage came from the north. There were many people coming and going on weekdays. The soldier in charge of the gate wanted to stop him and collect the city entry fee as usual, but when the people sitting on the carriage took off their burqas, they An old man showed off the sterling silver cross hanging on his chest, and it was the soldier's turn to stand in awe.

"I am Eskil, the apostle of the north, Eskil. Children, go and inform the people in the monastery, inform the earl that I am back!"

As early as the year before last, in 833, he proposed to Reims to take the Hamburg area from Bremen to establish a new bishopric. Archbishop Sinkmar of Reims not only approved it, but also appointed Eski He became the Bishop of Hamburg, an appointment officially approved by Rome in 834.

It's just that the "Bishop of Hamburg" hopes to influence all Danes in his lifetime. In this way, by making a great contribution to a great cause, doesn't he also help the kingdom solve its border troubles? In the concept of the priests, the war will end after those barbarians disobey God, and Frank and Denmark will complete reconciliation. It is obvious that Denmark will peacefully merge into the rule of the Frankish Kingdom, specifically under the rule of Prince Ludwig.

The daily affairs of the Hamburg monastery are managed by a head priest named Jacob. If nothing else happens, when Eskil goes to Bremen to become the bishop a few years later, the position of the bishop of Hamburg will be This Jacob took over. Even when Eskil stayed in the barbarian territory outside the Great Wall of Schleswig for a whole year to hold on to his Hedebe Abbey, one purpose was to deliberately "play missing" in order to hone Jacob's work ability.

No, Jacob and more than a dozen young priests hurried to the small square of the city to meet with his teacher Esquier.

Both parties were speaking in Saxon, which made it difficult for the watching Blue Fox. Even if they chat in Latin, you can still understand part of it.

Most of the priests lowered their heads, but one fat priest was looking around.

With a sense of business, Lan Hu immediately paid attention to the commercial street in the city. His eyesight was very good, and he saw at a glance that the green things sold there were spherical. of cabbage, and some meat. Nothing else? !

Didn’t this guy Eskil say that Hamburg is a big city in the north? Could it be that there is a huge deviation between my understanding of the city and his?

Soon, the blue fox also saw something disharmonious.

There was a woman holding a wooden basin and pouring something brown. When she looked closely, it turned out to be excrement. What was even more terrifying was that it was splashed directly on the dirt road in the city.

He also saw a man lifting his robe, with his back to the road, and was constipated at the base of the wooden wall.

This explains the faint sour smell that permeates the city. Looking at the slightly muddy ground where my boots have sunk,I guess this mud has nothing to do with rainfall.

“You Franks and Saxons, are you willing to live in such a dirty place? If you were in the Principality of Rus, if you dared to throw excrement on the street, you would be fined to cut down at least a hundred pine trees! " Lan Hu was cursing in his mind. Until now, he was not optimistic about Frank's business atmosphere at all. He was even more worried after witnessing the life of the locals.

He was missing the good old days in Ross, and he really didn’t want to stay in this stinky place for a while.

But where can we go?

Blue Fox is dressed as a priest, but his still fat image has nothing to do with a priest. The way he looked around was noticed by one person, Robert, Count of Hamburg.

When meeting the great "Apostle of the North" and the real Bishop of Hamburg, Eskil, you are not allowed to wear battle clothes. This nobleman knows the tricks of the priests very well, so he put on a rather unique outfit this time. Wearing simple coarse linen clothes, only the sword on his waist and the calfskin boots on his feet show his extraordinaryness.

Even the Slavic Vardy behaved like a priest, but the blue fox's behavior was too frivolous, and the way he looked around made the count wary.

"Soldiers, please listen to my order and seize the fat sheep in black." He said.

The attitude of the soldiers was obviously very nervous. After all, is detaining a young priest a disobedience to the Lord?

The count ordered: "I suspect that the fat man is a Danish craftsman. Everyone, be vigilant and don't let the long days of peace paralyze your brains."

Eskil recognizes the count. My lord, he greeted the local lord with open arms and a smile, and Count Robert greeted him with courtesy.

Unexpectedly, the soldiers who received the order suddenly pushed the fat blue fox to the ground very roughly. Blue Fox struggled instinctively, but was pushed to his knees. The sudden situation confused the person involved, and Eskil was even more shocked.

"Robert, what are you doing?! You can't be rude to the priest! Let go of Joseph." After that, Esquier kept crossing himself.

The Earl was also making the sign of the cross. He had his own way of saying: "Honorable Padra, please forgive me for being rude. If you misunderstand me, I will go to the monastery to repent. But I am the local chief and protect me." The people are my responsibility. Is this appropriate for your priest to look around? I am worried that this person will pose a security risk to my burger."

Eskil heard it. His heart tightened, and he glanced at the speechless Blue Fox, secretly cursing the Russian for not learning the rules of being a priest even though he knew he had entered the heart of Frank.

He continued to smooth things over: "Joseph is a recent convert. All this is the Lord's arrangement. Robert, you can rest assured, he is safe."

"Okay. "The count shrugged and ordered the soldiers to loosen their hands.

The blue fox slowly stood up. It was his protruding fat belly that made the slightly thin uncle stand up.Jue felt extremely strange, and couldn't help but joke: "I have never seen such a fat priest, and I have never seen such a fat man at all. Maybe this is also the will of the Lord. Padra! You are really discovering in the territory of the barbarians. "I found a strange piece of amber."

They all spoke in Saxon, and the blue fox almost became an outsider. He didn't know where to start what he wanted to say.

This place is not suitable for public greetings, and Eskil arrived in Hamburg with a strong purpose. He has returned to his own territory, always shouldering a major mission. He has to go back to the monastery to arrange his daily work, and at the same time listen to the work report of the priest who stayed behind.

Eskil explained to the count: "Robert, your vision is keen. My Joseph not only has a strange belly, he is indeed a special person. I also have a big belly." I want to inform you of the news and ask you to do something for me, and my Joseph will be very important to you. I still have some necessary work. I will go back to your mansion to visit in person tomorrow. I will have a good talk with you."

Earl Robert was a little confused, but he still said casually: "Okay, please forgive me for being reckless."

"You are a vigilant lord. This is good! This is why His Royal Highness the Prince values ​​you in guarding the North. You must be aware that your work is likely to be difficult in the future."

Eskil used "hard" once in particular, and Robert noticed some indescribable feeling, as if he was walking in the forest and was ambushed by a gangster with a bow, and the arrow cluster was already aimed at him.

Blue Fox felt quite awkward, and the group was walking on the final road back to the monastery.

He complained: "Eskil, that man is the local lord? Is he the Earl of Hamburg you mentioned? He actually targeted me like this."

If the Blue Fox is indeed a subordinate The priest, Eskil will definitely criticize him severely, and will also punish him by confinement and reflection in a separate room.

"You are too public. Joseph, you should keep a low profile."

"Am I too high-profile? I am a Ross merchant. Since that man is a lord, I am very I'm willing to discuss business with him. You know, we Russians need customers to buy our furs."

Esquier wanted to laugh, but he couldn't hold back his laughter after all. He was getting older. His head also shook slightly.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Nothing. Earl Robert has very sharp eyes. You are indeed not a qualified priest, and you cannot be pious."

"But your Lord has blessed me, and the Lord must have His intention. This is what you said." Lan Hu emphasized.

"That's true, so I will keep my promise and give you the opportunity to introduce him, but it depends on the count's attitude. Oh! In fact, tomorrow's matter itself has nothing to do with you, I will find a way to meet the prince , let the prince choose whether to receive you at that time. You should understand that the great nobles do notLike businessmen, Frank is like that. "

" Ridiculous. Don't their great nobles like doing business? Who can have trouble with money? "

Esquier shrugged: "Frank businessmen are always accompanied by mortgages. This is the behavior of the devil. "

"Why not? Isn't it reasonable to lend money to people in need to help complete the work ahead of time, and then the businessman will take a reward afterwards? ”

“This is making a deal with the devil. "Esquier wanted to say that although merchants were important in Frankish society, they were also very lowly. The big lord was unwilling to meet with the merchants for his own sake. However, when Blue Fox asked angrily, Esquier could only point out tactfully. The whole story.

Blue Fox was so angry that he gritted his teeth!

“Damn it! In Rus, we businessmen are highly respected. Our prince is not only a prince, but also a big businessman! Do the Franks think we are despicable? In this case, why should Ross do business with them. "

Hearing this, Eskil stopped with a dull expression, turned to look at Blue Fox and pointed out seriously: "Then, you have to make a choice. In what capacity do you want to meet the count? Priest Joseph? Businessman Blue Fox? Or an envoy from the Prince of Rus? "

This was said so well that the blue fox froze.

"Yes! I am the special envoy of Prince Rus! It was in this capacity that I met with the great Frankish nobles. ”

“Very good! Stop complaining. I will eventually go to Ross to have a good look, and I will need your guidance then. I am old, you have to help me complete the final work of my life, and I will always protect you. All I ask is that you don't do anything outrageous anymore. If it's not necessary, just be a calm priest. Even if you are pretending, at least pretend a little bit like it. ”

The two chatted for a while, and Lan Fox and Eskil finally reached a consensus.

The content of their chat was naturally heard by the little priests around them, and everyone was shocked. Trembling, the little priest who stayed behind waited for the teacher, but unexpectedly the teacher actually communicated with a fat man in Latin.

What is the identity of the fat man?

The most nervous thing is staying behind. Jacob, the chief priest, faced a more talented priest (referring to a Roman who was proficient in using Latin and could be called a resurrection). He was afraid that he would be replaced by this person as the bishop of Hamburg. Jacob had no choice but to ask for help. Lord pray...