According to previous years’ experience, in winter, you can take the frozen Volkhov River to Novorossberg on the Neva River, and it can take up to a week of continuous travel to get there.
Perhaps horses are not suitable for advancing on the cold winter glaciers, just like Batu Khan gave up his plan to attack the Novgorod Republic due to the cold weather. But whether it was Batu or Subotai, an important means of attacking Eastern Europe was to advance quickly along the frozen rivers. They even deliberately chose the glacier because it was the smoothest passage for horses in the forest area.
Although the times were different, was the march that Rurik decided to carry out fundamentally different from that of Batu and Subotai?
It was wise for the latter to give up. They had to fight from the forest-steppe junction in the south to Novgorod in winter. The total force of 20,000 cavalry would not be possible unless they could plunder a large amount of food along the way. The war horses of the large army must be killed suddenly on a large scale!
The pressure Rurik faces is much less. Although he is now in the city of Novgorod on the shores of Lake Ilmen, the surrounding environment is covered with snow that can be eaten by reindeer. The need for pasture can be ignored. He has a large amount of wheat resources and can directly feed high-energy oats to reindeer and horses, not to mention that there are only a small number of large animals to serve.
Rurik's principality cavalry and Pecheneg cavalry all gathered together. Including Rurik, Kagan, Arik and other nobles, there were just over 130 horsemen.
Generally speaking, even if the frozen lakes and rivers provide convenient routes for mail delivery, the extremely cold weather forces ordinary people to be reluctant to run around. Even those crazy people who hunt in winter, they sweep away small animals in their own designated hunting areas, and they will not be on the traffic road in vain.
The prince will go to New Roseburg to participate in Hanukkah worship!
This news was released early.
The ordinary people of Novgorod naturally hope that the prince himself can spend the festive season in Novgorod. Obviously, the prince's heart is in the real royal city.
It was rare that the prince organized a mail team, and a small group of local Slavic merchants also planned to take advantage of this opportunity to transport the purchased linen and honey to New Roseburg in the hope of selling it at a high price.
The people of Ostara also organized a small caravan of reindeer under Carlotta's instruction, just to make a fortune by selling a batch of the latest hard cheese and blocks of butter. .
Even the boyars of those traditional farms, when they discovered the business opportunities, they spontaneously organized micro missions after receiving the news, transporting a batch of honey to earn excellent iron tools for production and living.
They didn’t have to go in a big group, because the journey was full of challenges, and only hundreds of people traveling together could eliminate risks.
Many people poured into the city of Novgorod, and the noise became more and more intense.
As departure was approaching, Rurik personally chatted with the gathered Ragnar troops, and also noticed the gathered local businessmen dressed like brown bears, and even Boyar's envoys.
“You guys, pleasePeople from White Tree Manor borrow reindeer? You pay for your own travel expenses, I have nothing to do with it. ”
Complaints are made, but Rurik himself will organize a huge sled team.
This winter, the down-and-out Danish Stonewall tribe, who are engaged in all kinds of work, survived the war. The men and women of the group have earned a fortune through their labor, and their enthusiastic expressions clearly indicate that they want to continue working. They are also ordinary people. Once they get used to a stable life, they may no longer be too obsessed with licking blood. Revenge?
It would be nice for Rurik to take this opportunity to chat with Ragnar.
The Danes of the Stonewall tribe now welcome the prince of Ross as their leader. The human Ragnar now regards Rurik as a close relative.
The warm house is full of people, and Rurik and Ragnar meet and talk.
p>
"Brother, I know that you are going to the north to participate in the Illuminati Meeting. Regarding this matter, of course I want to go. This time, I plan to bring all the men there, and leave any physical work to me..."
What Ragnar said was very misleading, and there was no conspiracy in his eyes. His purpose was quite different. It’s also clear – take advantage of the festival to make more money.
Rurik smiled frankly: “Why bring everyone with you? Your men are always working, and if not necessary they spend holidays in Novgorod. Don't mind, the local Slavs celebrate the same day as us Vikings. "
"Oh, I still want to do more to help you. "
"Just bring your brothers from the logging team with you. You can send twenty or thirty brothers. When you get to New Roseburg, I will arrange for you to go to the shipyard to have a look. "
"What do you mean? "Ragnar's keen nerves were provoked.
Rurik calmed down and stared at him with a pair of alert eyes: "Don't you want revenge? Not like the villain who attacked the King of Denmark? I can give you a chance. "
"Ah! Can I say a few words about myself. ”
“Please speak. "
"I still want to go to Gotland, where I will set up a stronghold. This is a shortcut to attack my Danish enemies. ”
“Yes. "Rurik answered simply.
"So..."
Ragnar could feel that the person in front of him was holding back a lot of words.
"I Think about it. "Rurik said, "Just like my Spuyut, you can help you organize a powerful fleet. I authorize you to plunder in the name of Ross, and you can give me half of the supplies you grab. "
"Huh? Can I use your big ship? "
"Yes! Neither. The New Roseburg shipyards were already building large ships, of which I was the owner. You take your brothers to the war and fight together with the Saaremaa Islanders under Spuyut. The women and children of your tribe, and all those wounded in the battle, remain here in Novgorod. I! I'll take care of them for you. ”
Ragnar’s nerves were deeply touched. What if this wasn’t a hostage?What? According to his plan, he would stay in Ross throughout the winter and evacuate next spring to find a new settlement to build a village. This plan seems to be in ruins?
Rurik anticipated the hesitation of this smart man. This man did not seem to have been caught and did not want to be restricted.
However, safe haven comes at a price. The development of things could no longer be controlled by this man.
Rurik deliberately showed a smile and whispered: "Don't you want to be the new king of Denmark? A new Denmark that lives in peace with the Principality of Rus and prospers from trade, a man named Ragnar The new king."
Ragnar is ambitious, but his ambition to become king has not yet been determined. Rurik took the initiative to mention this, and he was really moved.
An exiled nobleman finally made his choice.
"Okay. It seems there is no better solution than this. I can continue to work for you, but you must help me overthrow Horik's rule of Denmark. I will pay with blood! And! The Franks behind this, I want to take further revenge."
"Yes."
In this way, Ragnar himself participating in the festival will vote for Rurikna, the so-called New Rus. The Hanukkah festival in the castle is naturally political. Although the principality does not have a pilgrimage system and calendar, the Hanukkah festival has actually become an opportunity for various servant forces and local nobles to perform pilgrimage.
Of course, it is very realistic to say that Hanukkah will make the winter market in New Roseburg more lively. Everyone needs a trading base to exchange for daily necessities, but New Roseburg is a distribution center for supplies and an ever-expanding city. In a production-oriented city, people who are extremely short of living materials can sell large animals, small animals, leather, etc. they raise in exchange for iron tools that are beneficial to production.
Ragnar going there in person is a certain form of surrender.
Therefore, the Pechenegs also rode there, which also showed their respect for the principality.
Who doesn’t want to show off? As a prince, if he does not deliberately show his gorgeous side, the people will find it inappropriate.
Rurik knew that he had to set an example and interpret a lifestyle that nobility should have, such as wearing fine clothes, being hygienic, speaking calmly and behaving appropriately, especially having a wise mind.
A fairly small reindeer sleigh team has been formed. Except for those dedicated to seating people, the largest sled can pull a full load of oats and a small amount of hay.
Old Otto is older, and he is already in his final years. Niya's condition is better, and the numerous ravines caused by aging are also etched on her face.
As the prince, Rurik participated in the grand event, and Queen Svetlana, Duchess Carlotta of Ostara, and Countess Nolen of Narvik also had to go. They are all Rurik's wives and concubines, and they are obliged to participate in the event.
They were beautifully dressed, wrapped in white polar bear skins and exuding a touch of dominance.
Svetlana holds the three-and-a-half-year-old Princess Velika of the principality, and Carlotta holds her half-year-oldSon Carl, even though she could have been otherwise.
The two children were born noble, and it was their duty to participate in the event. Even though Karl was only half a year old, participating in the event took huge risks.
The poor two-year-old Reglaf continued to stay in Novgorod, staying with his grandparents, guarding the grave of his biological mother, and spending the third light he had experienced. Festival is also the second birthday and the death anniversary of his biological mother, Queen Mary.
Thousands of people gathered on the banks of the frozen Volkhov River, and the reindeer, sleigh, and horse teams were ready to go. People who live in remote areas also come to watch this wonderful show and admire the heroic appearance of the equestrians.
Otto steeled himself and put on his beloved chainmail, a deerskin draped over his body, a gold-inlaid leather helmet on his gray head, and his white beard fluttered in the north wind. sway. He is aging at an alarming rate. The old soldier who knows that he is dying would rather die on the battlefield. Obviously the gods will not give him such a fate, but spend the last days of his old age in happiness.
He still looked like an old warrior. He did not allow anyone to support him, so he stood on the snow holding his patterned steel sword.
He was like a sculpture, staring at his son who was about to leave, his eyes full of words that no longer need to be elaborated.
Only the old lady Niya carefully caressed her only son Rurik, kept kissing his son's face, and wished him a perfect success in the festival that he participated in and hosted.
"Mom, there is one more thing you should think of." Rurik suddenly mentioned.
"What's the matter?" Niya let go of her hand temporarily.
"It's Rumia. Her second child is about to be born."
"Ah! I remembered it. Time flies so fast, Velika is also going to There is a new brother or sister."
Rurik nodded: "When the ceremony is completed, I will bring her back, and you will still have to help me take care of the child."
p>"That's natural. Having more grandchildren is my happiness..."
This old woman had two sons who died young in a row. She gave all her love to The third son Rurik. Can the pain of losing a child at an early age really be erased by time? The fact is that as we have more and more grandchildren, the pain of the past has really been smoothed away. Niya would rather spend all her old age taking care of her grandchildren. She expected that the youngest of all her son's wives would also give birth to a child. Then it would be an honor for her to leave the human world surrounded by as many as twenty grandchildren. Woolen cloth.
The prince has a close relationship with his wife and mother. Kagan, who is riding a horse, looks at him from the side, feeling envious but also suspicious.
Is it possible that an old couple has a son because of old age? This couple is the original "Khan" of the Russian people. Their Rurik brothers are too young. Is there any hidden secret in this?
Is all that true? Was it a blessing from the gods of the Rus' people, that a boy fell like a meteor and became the new khan of the Rus' people?
Kagan did not dare to belittle himself, he covered his face until it was porcelain,Even his mount was covered with a layer of cloth to keep it as warm as possible. A wool scarf was wrapped around his fox fur hat, and wooden-framed sunglasses covered the last exposed skin around his eyes. The Prince of Pecheneg has truly become a "man in a condom". Not only does his personal means of protecting himself from the cold go to extremes, but his mount and other family members are also similar.
Of course the royal sled of Rurik’s prince was the most outrageously made. It was simply a walking tent, covered with a large amount of leather to form a warm nest. Many wives, concubines and two children accompanied Rurik’s sleigh. The noblest man in the principality avoided the cold all the way.
The last greetings ended here. Amid the cheers of thousands of people, the sled team headed north along the Volkhov Glacier.
Ragnar and his brothers were dressed thickly and sat on the sled, talking about the interesting things they encountered in New Roseburg.
The extremely covered-up Pecheneg warriors, carrying the crossbows and other weapons they had just exchanged, rode on the left and right as the escort of the team.
Rurik’s cavalry team is the most flamboyant. Each person wears extremely thick clothing. At the same time, the coat must be a Ross shirt, and the iconic coat of arms of the principality must be clearly displayed.
Every principal cavalryman carries a spear with a hook on the shaft, which is directly attached to the back end of the saddle. The spear has a carbon steel spearhead with a cold light, and the Ross flag hangs below.
Even each sled has a flag, so that the entire team is filled with Ross's white and blue logo.
This was really a graceful scene that satisfied everyone's need for pomp and circumstance. The Slavs who submitted to the Principality of Rus also felt glorious at this moment.
Obviously, the benefits of planting flags everywhere are huge. Teams can maintain stability by identifying the flags. If they fall behind after hundreds of years, the color of the white world flag is also quite eye-catching, making it easier to return to the team quickly. .
There are as many as four hundred people of all kinds! If it weren't for a group of merchants selling souvenirs from Lake Ilmen, there wouldn't be such a large team.
Thanks to the large number of reindeer captured by the principality in the past wars, this kind of creature is the only large livestock that can push aside the snow and chew grass roots in winter. They are even better at carrying out winter work in the frozen soil. A migratory creature, horses are not.
At first, the Pecheneg people were very confident. However, with the snow all over the world and the cold wind that could be felt like a knife after removing the clothes on the back, even Kagan felt that this matter was not easy. Appropriate.
Kagan did not know that the Volkhov River ran in a strict north-south direction, and there were tall red pine and spruce forests on both sides of the river. The whole formed a lane, coming from the Arctic. Cold can cut through it.
Thanks to the measures taken to keep out the cold, the team will not suffer from frostbite.
On the first rest day, the entire team rested close to the forest. The bonfire that was quickly lit gave those who were afraid of the cold strong confidence.
This is the first time in history for the Pecheneg people to go deep into the far north. Kagan is observing carefully and intends to tell what he sees.Hometown elders on the grassland.
Ragna also marched on the glacier for the first time. The reindeer sleigh was really new to his people. Now the huge sleigh team of the Prince of Rus is even more novel, not to mention that the team is also guarded by cavalry. .
The two were delighted to see Rurik implementing his perfect plan. It turned out that the brothers never had to spend the night in the snow. A large number of wooden poles and linen were unloaded on the sled. The tent suddenly appeared in the forest.
The horses and reindeer ate the oats and then gathered them together, relying on the big trees that could be seen everywhere. They used linen to make windproof curtains to shelter the sleeping horses and deer from the wind and cold.
It was like this on the first day, and it will be like this on the second day.
Even if the daylight hours are getting shorter and shorter, and they are approaching the extreme value, as long as there is light, the entire team will form a tight formation and move forward.
It was a dawn march. The team had just taken action, and the scraps of firewood in the camp fire that had just been dismantled were still burning slowly.
Kagan was sleepy-eyed and inadvertently saw a large number of green ribbons appearing in the sky.
When he saw it, he cheered loudly, causing all the Pechenegs to raise their heads and scream.
Their unusual behavior caused everyone to look up to the sky. Unlike the fussing Pechenegs, the Russians, Danes, Finns, and Slavs in the team all raised their heads to admire the beautiful scenery. .
The surprised Kagan rode up to the prince's tent sleigh and talked with Rurik, who was enjoying the aurora with his wife and concubines.
He pointed his horsewhip to the sky: "Is this a sign from your god? Is it a good omen? Or a bad omen?"
"You!" Rurik wanted to laugh, " This doesn’t exist in your culture?”
Kagan looked confused.
Rurik shrugged: "Of course it's a good sign. Do you know about Valkyrie's parade? Odin's descendants Valkyrie will parade in winter, and the streamers you see are even the traces they left behind. . They will choose heroes on earth. When the hero dies in battle, his soul can enter the temple, which is endless glory. By the way, the soul of our lost high priest in Russia has gone to heaven, and she has become a new one. Valkyrie, her eyes are looking at us!”
Kagan seemed to understand. At least he could understand that the so-called Russians may also believe that the souls of their deceased relatives can go to heaven. , integrated with Tengger.
On the one hand, he was completely convinced. The so-called place is indeed a holy land, and the Russians are truly protected by their gods. The brilliant streamers in the sky are the best proof.
Many visitors from foreign countries will think that the aurora in the sky of the far north is evidence of the gods. Rurik does not want to expose the scientific principles inside. Not only is it unnecessary, but this matter can also be used by the principality. Isn't it taking advantage?
The country under the aurora is really the Principality of Rus! It is a testament to the glory of the Principality!
Now a group of warriors have rushed to the boundless Frozen La.Lake Doga has passed the town of Ladoga, where winter fishermen gather. They met another group of fishermen at the present-day Walnut Fort.
There is no need for any further delay. The team has entered the frozen channel of the Neva River. All that is left is the final rush to enter New Rossburg, the real royal city of the Principality of Ross.
They have seen the towering wooden city walls, and even the forest-like forest of masts of the entire huge fleet anchored on the river and frozen by the ice.
Rurik was lucky to stand in the cold wind. He couldn't help but pull out his sword: "Brothers! We are finally here! Speed up! Back to Rossburg!"
The horse and the The deer started a rare run on the glacier, with more than 300 flags flying...