No one dares to stop Aric's triumphal fleet!
The big ships were in a wedge-shaped array in front, defending the longships in the rear. When they passed the Bornholm Sea, they all ran towards the due north.
Just to the west, a large stretch of coastline looms, and people who are extremely sensitive to navigation are full of curiosity about it.
At this time, Ragnar stayed on the current flagship Gray Squirrel, chatting and laughing with his comrade Arik.
No doubt the western coastline attracted his attention.
The cool north wind blew his beard and hair around. The wind on the bow deck was very strong, and his ears were full of rumbling sounds, so much so that he had to roar when he spoke.
"That's Scandinavia over there?!" he yelled.
"It's Gotland! A big island."
"It's Gotland? Is it the Gotland that you killed?"
"Exactly!" Arik held on to the wooden railing, looking extremely proud. As long as he is given time, he will be able to talk about his record of the Gotland War for three days and three nights.
Arik has already said a lot, which aroused Ragna's curiosity and even envy.
He clearly understood the crazy armament of the Russian army. The Frank cavalry became a sacrifice to Odin under the astonishing arrow fire, but the close combat ability of the Russian people should not be underestimated.
Ragnar was with the Ross army this time, and was able to observe its weapons and equipment at close range, and even personally operated the torsion slingshot. He also noticed the two swords of Arik, the general, and the bow made of iron. The swords of the Russians will not bend and deform. They are very elastic. The only problem is that they may chip, but they will never curl.
"As long as you are willing to spend a pound of silver coins, you can order a good sword inlaid with gems. When you get to Ross, you can find the blacksmith alliance and come up with the order and deposit, and you will have a result within ten days. "He kept Arik's description in mind. While he was full of yearning for Ross, he was also full of interest in Gotland.
Because, even if the Stonewall Tribe was so depressed that there were only three hundred men who dared to fight, they were not so depraved that they needed to obey others. If the tribe is really cowardly, and they themselves are really cowardly, they will not angrily fight back against the lackeys of the Frankish Kingdom and the Frankish Kingdom itself.
Even the Principality of Rus cannot become the suzerain of the tribe.
However, there is no problem in calling the Russians brothers.
"Have you occupied this island now?" Ragna on the deck asked another soul question.
Aric thought for a while, and it was really difficult to answer this matter: "Occupied, but not fully occupied. Some Swedes occupied Visby, and there seemed to be no settlements in other parts of the island. Perhaps, Our fishermen will come here, but the settlement has not been built."
Aric felt a little ashamed when talking about this. Originally, according to the principality's plan, Ross was to develop a fishing village on the east coast of the island. Slitomo became a stronghold and the result was thatThe matter was directly affected by the subsequent development of events. Without him, Gotland is far away from Saaremaa and Tombstone Island in the Åland Islands, and the entire Gotland is at the forefront of Danish influence. The Russians are now vigorously developing the island and economically There is not much bargain to be gained from it, and the stronghold may still be a liability militarily.
Hearing such a description, Ragnar couldn't help but sigh: "What a pity, you don't want the good stuff."
Aric shrugged helplessly: "At least you can't ask for it now."
"Oh? Since you don't want it, how about I take someone to get it?" Ragnar said clearly with a straight face, and the desire in his heart was evident.
"It's not possible, but..."
"How about it? Aren't we brothers? I'm in trouble, you help me, and we will continue to fight side by side in the future, wouldn't it be beautiful? ?”
After all, Arik does not have the highest power, and his current status is just the governor of Mstisk. According to his simple idea, the newly adopted group of brothers all moved to Mstisk and everyone lived together. This way, not only would there be more troops, but it would also be easier to coordinate when fighting in the future.
But judging from Ragnar's attitude, this group of lonely Danes just want to develop freely, and they just want to guard a fishing village and continue to live a happy life on the sea.
"So, you are serious. You want to finally settle down in Gotland?"
"What's wrong?"
"This It is still up to the prince to decide."
"Your brother? You can't decide?" Ragnar was still surprised, and then said with a dull face: "Since Gotland is in the west, since It's a deserted land. I'll get off the boat and float over with my brothers. You can't stop me from doing this, but we are still allies who have fought together."
"Then. No." Arik's attitude also changed drastically, and his calm face showed a fierce look, and he threatened: "Gotland is not a land without one, you remember, you are a Dane! , and the current residents on the island are the old king's old subordinates. Without the authorization of our Prince of Ross, you are provoking a war by waiting for settlement! "
The nature of the matter is that you can't leave. So serious? Ragnar, who had become a lost dog, quickly softened his mind and explained casually that he did not mean to offend, but there was still a sense of disdain in his heart.
Ragnar does not want to cause a dispute. What he really needs is a safe enough living space. The nearby area must be safe enough, adjacent to the ocean and rich in seafood. He also needs the principal of Ross as an ally to back him up. .
He needs to establish an alliance with the young King of Rus, but it is only an alliance.
The triumphal fleet arrived at Tombstone Island successfully, and their return immediately caused a sensation across the island.
Except for Si Puyut and his people who went to Britain to claim tribute, all the ships that returned had a lot of gains!
At the dock, old Gould happily welcomed his second son. Now it seems that the second son is blue.Fox is already the bravest of all the children.
It was a rare occasion for the entire fleet to resupply on Tombstone Island. Under the gaze of the islanders and businessmen, a large group of men in somewhat shabby clothing disembarked from the ship.
A news spread instantly - the foreigners who landed on the island were all Danes!
Whether it is Russia or Sweden, ordinary people are highly wary of Danes unless they can prove that they are friendly.
After hearing the news, a group of Danes landed on the island with their families. All the towers of the Tombstone Island fortress aimed their torsion slingshots at the dock to guard. The armed men spontaneously surrounded this group of uninvited guests. The time made the situation extremely embarrassing.
Ragnar had long been frightened out of PTSD by the war. When others threatened him with force, he would lead his troops and draw swords to confront them. Until Arik personally stepped forward to mediate, the entire Tombstone Island people immediately held a meeting in Rosduma on the island. The prominent figures unified their attitude: this group of Danes could trade, but they were not allowed to possess any weapons, including daggers.
What else can Ragnar do? He entered the Rus Duma in the island's inner fort alone with Arik's recommendation, and explained his situation to the Rus' people and allied merchants who were on high alert in this large parliamentary court.
The misunderstanding was not completely resolved, but things became more complicated. The two sides hurriedly negotiated and negotiated, and finally the Danes allowed to camp on the small island next to Tombstone Island, where they could open up a market to sell the spoils of war against the Franks.
At this moment, Ragnar fully understood what kind of existence the Russian Tombstone Island was. She is the base for the Russians to intimidate the southern seas, a central port for trade in the North Baltic Sea, and a place where Swedes, Russians and Finns live together. Everyone was wary of Denmark, so Ragnar was naturally in a bad mood, but the development of the situation soon made him happy.
In business, as long as you can make money safely, it doesn’t matter who you trade with.
The greatest wealth owned by Merlaren merchants is wheat. It just so happens that the powerful Rus Principality recognizes that wheat has monetary properties.
Ragnar is selling the excess metal tools he looted. He is exchanging them for the wealth of his tribe for the winter. The captured metals are actually being sold at low prices. This is the key to attracting merchants.
The two sides hit it off immediately.
The entire fleet will stay on Tombstone Island for many days, and Ragnar's headquarters, which has been wandering for more than several months, finally settled down temporarily. They fished on the spot and set up the pottery urns they carried to boil salt on the spot.
The Danes seem to be plundering the resources of the Principality of Rus? At present, their behavior is not excessive. Although the islanders feel unhappy about it, considering that they will leave soon, they simply tolerate it.
Ragnar just wanted to rest peacefully for a few days. He had no idea how much real Rus people enjoyed on Tombstone Island. Until his family was brought back to Tombstone Island by Arik.
As brothers who have killed people on the battlefield together, we bathe with soap together, go to the sauna together, and drink together.High-alcohol spirits, low-alcohol kvass, and big bites of wheat pancakes that are burnt on the outside and tender on the inside. Everything is an incomparable pleasure. Arik spoke the truth after drinking and talked about the comrades-in-arms experienced on the battlefield. He really regarded Ragnar as his half-brother.
A slovenly man with a sour fish smell completely changed his appearance. Ragnar had never enjoyed it so much and truly fell in love with the life here.
It was an eye-opener for him. He was most willing to soak in a big wooden barrel after taking a sauna.
He enjoyed all this at the Gould family's Tombstone Island mansion. As a big businessman with a lot of wealth, it was only appropriate for him to enjoy some extreme enjoyment.
He, Arik and Lan Hu enjoyed the bathing days, and not only did they enjoy the female slaves provided by the big businessmen, but there was more good news afterwards. The so-called ownership of the female slaves had been given to him, and he did not even have to pay for it. cost.
Why is this?
The witty Gould knew that his fate was over soon. He himself had no hatred for the Danish Alliance, but was angry at the foolish methods of expelling foreign merchants by those in power in the past. Since this group of down-and-out Danes wanted to form an alliance with the prince of Rus, Aric was his guarantee and his second son fought alongside them. So for the sake of family business activities, wooing this young and down-and-out Danish lord now will help the family continue to gain business interests in Denmark in the future.
The comfortable days were like a dream. Ragnar even fell in love with the island, imagining that the good days could last.
But this is just a small island after all. In Arik's description, New Rossburg in the east is a big city, and Novgorod in the east is full of Russians.
On the island, Ragnar bought a small jar of honey, some dried raspberries, and sweet snacks to please his two sons and his wife. He also took his new slave girl with him. Nearby, his family needed a helper, and now the problem was solved. There is still a big problem for the entire tribe - the absolute lack of women.
It was all because of the war that the Stonewall tribe lost a large number of women and children. The men failed to protect their wives and children. The subsequent revenge against Frank, especially the burning of Bremen, can be regarded as violent revenge, but The population is still absolutely insufficient.
He heard some rumors about the so-called Finland in the East, which is the territory of Javlo, where women are very cheap. Yevluo was stationed on one side of Tombstone Island. After communicating with him, Yevluo put forward the conditions directly: "It's not impossible for you to get our women. You must give them money." Parents, you must swear to treat them well. They may not be wives, but they must not be slaves. If I learn of the bad situation, I will take revenge."
The two parties quickly reached a deal, which is Suomi's woman. Even if you marry outside through normal channels, "betrothal wealth" is naturally indispensable. Why did Jevro not need a large amount of supplies? When he personally started to manage the county, he became aware of the troubles involved. His power comes from the appointment of the prince of Rus, and he can beThe full recognition of Mi Ren also lies in his personal Suomi bloodline and the fact that he has a son with the daughter of the leader of the alliance.
You should not hang yourself from a tree. A down-and-out Dane who can win over Ragnar through out-marriage can make a lot of money through out-marriage. When a woman married outside gives birth to children, it is impossible for these children not to have feelings for Finland.
To marry a young Finnish woman, you must spend one pound of silver coins, not even one less!
Yevluo set the conditions very strictly.
Although this price was a bit extreme, Ragnar gritted his teeth and accepted it. As for when the transaction would begin, at least it was not now.
The mixed fleet continues eastward, and the real big city and the nominal capital of a country is right in front of you!
Ragnar was holding his eldest son Ivar with weak legs, his wife was holding her second son Bjorn who was only one year old, and the new slave girl behind her who was not sure whether she was laughing or crying, all faced him. Sighing at the continuous city walls of New Roseburg.
A large number of small boats were parked near Kotlin Island, and there were ships that were obviously transporting sand and gravel and drifted by the fleet. The crew first looked at the fleet, and then glanced at the city.
Since entering the Gulf of Finland, the fleet has always encountered ships, some transporting wood, some carrying rocks and sand, and some materials wrapped in cloth. Standard cargo ships shuttle faster than the fleet.
When the fleet arrived at the dock, in fact, Fort New Ross noticed the flag flying on the mast as early as when it broke into Kotlin Island.
Governor Cornuson learned of the situation and immediately concluded that this was the triumph of the punitive force sent by the prince.
Large ships docked one after another, just like what happened on Tombstone Island. A large number of Danes spent money to buy new clothes on Tombstone Island. Their hairstyles and clothing habits were obviously different from those of the Russians. Once again a cause for alarm.
The Danes were once again forced to stay at the dock waiting for permission to enter the city, while Ragnar walked towards the elderly governor with open arms.
The two sides hugged and greeted each other, and their laughter instantly turned into nervousness after hearing the news.
The governor was on high alert and asked: "When you left, there were five hundred people, but it seems to me that your manpower has become a thousand? Those men are not from our clan at all, where did they come from."
p>"It's a Dane."
"Huh?!" The governor was shocked and took three steps back.
"What's so scary?"
"You! Good boy! Arik...you brought a group of Danish men back?"
"Haha! It's me."
"That's a light answer. Does the prince agree?"
Arik shrugged: "I know what everyone is afraid of. Don't worry, I won't let it happen." They entered the city, and their weapons were temporarily under our care. Uncle Cornuson, this group of brave Danes, attacked Frank with me. We made a huge profit in this battle, and I am very worried that our prince will be happy. I have to roll all over the floor."
The words are quite humorous, and the awkward and tense atmosphere suddenly eases a lot.
Konusong said with a stupefied face: "It's good that you know. Since you are the guarantee, you will be responsible if something goes wrong."
"Where is the prince now? New Roseburg is the capital. , he should be here."
"Not here. The prince is in Novgorod. Depending on the situation, the prince will spend the winter there again."
Hearing this, Arik, who was eager to report his glorious victory to his brother Rurik, was really sorry. Even so, a large amount of supplies had to be unloaded as soon as possible. After all, he had an appointment with his brother, so the seized materials would be split 50-50, and the wool, wheat, etc. that belonged to the prince as national property would be placed in the warehouse in New Roseburg. Without it, the warehouses in Novgorod will definitely be full due to the wheat harvest, and the only remaining large granaries will be the granary area of Novorosberg, unless new ones are built.
Since unloading is involved, a large number of urban laborers gathered at the port, and men and women lined up to sign up as porters, just to get a generous reward.
In this way, Ragnar's tribe, which has been ordered to move to the right bank of the Neva River first, and camp in the wasteland across the Neva River from the Rabbit Island Fortress opposite the Winter Palace, all men and women Admire this huge city and the busy docks.
The power of Rus can be explained by the prosperity and solidity of this city, but it is a pity that everyone is still not allowed to enter the city.
Ragnar understood all of this. Although the brothers fought side by side with Arik's troops and reached mutual trust, the huge people of the Principality of Rus all obeyed the Prince of Rus. Our Danish identity is a source of exclusion. We must obtain immunity from the Prince of Russia and even sign an alliance treaty. According to Ragnar's wish, it would be best if the Stonewall tribe became mercenaries for the Principality of Ross. It is said that many of the prince's own guards are Danes. How can they not do it themselves?
He was looking forward to a perfect meeting.