The Russian troops who withdrew from Aachen finally returned to the camp. Of course, the major events in Maastricht had kept them on high alert.

The army returned to the riverside camp wearing heavy armor and learned about the war immediately.

"What happened? Can anyone give me an explanation?"

In the complicated atmosphere of the riverside camp, the blue fox was seen roaring while looking left and right. His roar soon attracted Bjorn, who looked embarrassed as if he had been constipated for seven days.

"Bjorn? Why are you here? You... where is your camp?" Although the blue fox had already guessed a lot, he still needed an answer from the person involved.

And forcing him to explain is like rubbing salt into the wound.

Duke Bjorn of Mälaren was in a low spirit. He lost more than half of his warriors. When he reached the other side, he found out that he had withdrawn a mere 150 brothers. As for the others, they must have been killed by the cavalry.

This was the fact, and he couldn't hide anything. After all, as long as the Maylaren Army was gathered together, the severely reduced strength proved everything.

He was not afraid of ridicule, since his abdication was already very embarrassing.

What they encountered now was also a loss of face. Although they occupied the city and lacked defense, the reason for the defeat should not be attributed to this alone. The Malaren army only had 500 people, and the Frank cavalry gave people the impression that it was everywhere.

!Under the circumstances of absolute military suppression and powerful sneak attacks, it was a blessing that he managed to escape.

He clearly explained this situation to Blue Fox, and then looked up to see the Russian troops who attacked Aachen returning with their trophies, and it seemed that their troops had almost no losses, and he couldn't help but feel jealous again.

I have no right to be jealous. After all, I gave up attacking Aachen. Who can I blame if I can't get the spoils?

The current Blue Fox has no intention of ridiculing this loser, nor does he offer any comfort.

Blue Fox was always worried that his actions would be too public and trigger a full-scale counterattack by the Franks. He never expected that the counterattack would be launched in this way.

In any case, the army returned to the riverside camp on the other side of Maastricht, across the river from the Frankish army. The tired soldiers urgently needed to rest and recuperate in the camp, and the war-weariness that many soldiers had developed also made Blue Fox very worried.

So-called, if the Frank army successfully crosses the river through some method, will the Ross coalition still maintain strong morale to fight it?

As the supreme commander, Blue Fox has major choices.

But he is not Rurik himself. If King Rus was here, all parties would support any action, even a direct withdrawal of troops.

The drums were beating loudly, and all the trumpeters blew the horns. All actions were directed by Blue Fox, just to prove their existence to the Frank army on the other side of the river.

In General Tristan's view, the Norman army that was suspected of attacking Aachen suddenly appeared. They had a large number of troops, and suddenly he felt that his absolute strength advantage was lost. He originally thought of using fishing tactics to annihilate the number of people in one fell swoop, but it didn't feel right.

Many Normans now feel that the chances of winning their strategy are not 100%.

It was going to be dark soon. He organized the dismounted soldiers to climb onto the thick walls of the inner city and gave instructions: "Keep an eye on the enemy's movements, keep your ears open, and beware of them launching a night attack."

On the other hand, now that the action plan has been decided and a huge enemy army has appeared on the banks of the Maas River, such an army of evildoers cannot be left alone.

No nobleman, not even the king, could imagine that an extremely large Norman army would appear on the Meuse River. Not to eliminate them would not only be a great shame for the empire, but this group of scourges, burning, killing, looting and evil, their existence itself is a long-lasting.

Worsening sores on healthy people.

Across the Meuse River, both the Russian and Frankish armies were shocked by the other's presence.

No, both sides took advantage of the night window to urgently organize nobles to hold a military meeting.

In the city of Maastricht, the cavalry regiment moved all their camps to the east of the city. They got the granary and lamented that the food was safe. The war horses stopped chewing grass! In order to succeed in the operation tomorrow, the riders and war horses will feast tonight

He especially eats the food from his own city.

A spacious private house was used by Tristan as a temporary command post. All three flag captains, including himself, were gathered in the house, as well as the subordinate centurions of each flag team. Gilbert, as an important nobleman,

, the king's son-in-law, not only has to participate in the meeting, but also becomes a ruthless character in the battle.

Seeing that all the personnel had expired, a group of armored warriors gathered in the building. Their helmets shone under the dim oil lamp, and the light shone on their faces, but there was a hint of gloominess on their faces.

"The enemy's strength suddenly increased. Even so, the plan I made cannot be moved." Tristan put his hand on his chest: "Don't forget our oath to be loyal to the king and defend our faith. No one can sit idly by and watch against the large group of Norman robbers, even if

There are so many of them, we must persist in our attack."

"Roar!"

All the officers demonstrated their courage with deep roars.

Tristan continued: "Tomorrow we will continue to act according to the established plan, and the prisoners will have their stomachs cut open in front of the Normans. I really want to see the bad intentions of these evil people."

"Are you so sure that doing this can really anger them?" Gilbert couldn't help but interjected.

"Otherwise? Of course, I can't completely count on this, but our army can vent its anger."

"Hard to say."

"How? You have a new surprise attack plan."

Although he doubted it, Gilbert really couldn't come up with a better objection.

Tristan asked back: "How about allowing the army to pass through the bridge in your fiefdom?"

"Forget it. In my opinion, your disgust can still anger them." Gilbert smiled awkwardly, unable to explain anything.

"There is really no better choice now." Tristan looked around again: "We are field cavalry, not a city-defending army. Lord Count Ramengau, your infantry is still collecting the corpses of the dead in Liege. I'm afraid we

We won’t be able to wait for them if we wait any longer.”

Gilbert nodded in confirmation, and he really did not want his infantry to wade into this muddy water. They were all farmers. If a large number of strong farmers died in a fierce battle with the Normans, their own wealth would be severely damaged.

"I am willing to attack with the whole army." Tristan said solemnly: "Maybe our army cannot complete the total annihilation. As long as we severely injure the Normans in large numbers and force them to withdraw, we will truly regain the city. Attacking here is the best option.

Good defense. How about it? Lord Earl, are you willing to take the lead as bravely as you did in the beginning?"

Tristan stared at Gilbert's face, as if he was questioning his personal ability. The displeased Gilbert hammered his chest, causing his armor to jingle: "I dare! My army will lead the way, and we will

Rush in front of you and kill the enemy first."

"Very good. Tomorrow we will all ambush in the north of the city, leaving a small number of people in sheep costumes to defend the city. This is an adventure, and I can't guarantee victory. Now our army can only win by taking risks."

The Frankish army had completely unified their thinking. They were betting that the Norman army would be furious and land on a large scale.

On the other side of the Maas River is the Ross Allied Forces Camp.

It was here that the returning army held a military meeting in full swing throughout the night.

The nobles still need to hear what Bjorn himself has to say, but in his opinion, this is the second time adding salt to the wound.

He was already holding back his anger, and even though he was thick-skinned, he could not withstand being humiliated again and again. Of course, he still had to make amends for his failure. When describing the battle, he particularly emphasized the power of the Frankish cavalry. As for his own side, he was busy eating.

There is no description of drinking and being lazy. It is true that the Mellaren army has been performing normally. As for the loss of 70% of the damage, it is because the enemy is strong.

All the nobles listened attentively, but Bjorn's claim that the Frankish army was powerful was considered extremely ridiculous by most Russians.

"What do you think? The Frankish army is on the other side. What do you think?" Blue Fox deliberately asked everyone for their opinions.

Askard is so happy to have an obedient wife, and he is now in the prime of life.

He spoke arrogantly and directly: "The Franks are nothing. Their capital has been destroyed by us. Killing some enemy troops before returning will make our army more glorious. I think our army should take the initiative to attack and sacrifice Austria with blood."

Man!"

The young man was in a heroic mood, but Ascard did not notice that the attitude of the entire army had quietly changed inadvertently.

The veteran Grund has a high status in the army, and his attitude is extremely critical.

"It is not appropriate to risk an attack." He said: "Attention! These enemies are all cavalry. Do we have the ability to go ashore and actively attack the cavalry? In my opinion, not necessarily."

"We can!" Askard was immediately dissatisfied: "Our army won the battle on the Elbe River?"

"So, what's the price?"

"Didn't it mean that some brothers died in the battle? Because of their heroic performance, their souls have gone to the Hall of Valor and received eternal glory."

"you……"

Askard had a serious face. His still childish face had the courage and fortitude similar to that of his father Eric, but in the eyes of Grund now, he was just mindless and reckless. "Don't you think?

Sacrifice at any time is honorable?”

"The greatest honor for every man is to die on the battlefield. Only in this way can he go to the Hall of Valor."

"Okay. Of course I believe so, but I would rather die in battle with a gray beard. And you!" Grund knew that the boy had to sleep with his captured servant every night, so he had an idea to use his words.

Provoked him: "If you die in the battle, what will happen to your Alicia? Could it be that she will kill herself and be buried for you?"

"This...you actually said that?"

"Or leave it to your brother Gil?"

Askard was just too young, and was completely choked by the old guy Grund's words. He simply said angrily: "Are you afraid that you are going to be a coward? Everyone will die, and so will I. I still have a long life.

Yes, my Alicia will give me a lot of boys."

"Good boy. Ambitious." Grund quickly calmed down the atmosphere and mentioned the Elbe War two years ago again: "As far as I know, the Duke of Saxony said after the war that he lost more than a thousand soldiers. Just that.

In an instant, after experiencing the impact of the cavalry, he suffered such huge losses. And our Russian army also suffered hundreds of casualties. Askard, it’s not like you have never participated in the war. In good conscience, do you think our army

Was it easy to win back then?"

"I think..." After a slight hesitation, the young man stamped his feet: "It's easy! I think it's easy."

"You are just so stubborn."

"No! My father told me that he and his men met Ragnar, the father of the Yinvar brothers, by chance, and the coalition they formed defeated a cavalry force in Bremen."

Grund had heard about this. In essence, Rurik arranged for his eldest brother to attack Bremen. The chance encounter with Ragnar, who was being hunted, was indeed a fateful encounter.

Askard deliberately changed the subject since Ragnar was mentioned, and Yinvar was an eyewitness to the incident at that time.
To be continued...