At first, Ludwig was quite doubtful about the enemy's capture of a group of Frankish civilians. Now that he saw the hundreds of people who had been rescued, that doubt did not disappear, but instantly turned into another kind of doubt.
Why?! Why did the Normans and traitors free the prisoners?
Are they not even planning to ask for ransom? Or...
Ludwig suspected that there was some kind of trickery involved, and he ordered the army to check these people.
The soldiers suffered a defeat and encountered a heavy snowstorm. Although they persisted until now, the morale of the army was not high, but they did not have a serious mood of defeat.
After all, the war situation is like this. Whether marching or evacuating, everyone has to face endless snow. Even if a lot of military rations are lost, the remaining food for the entire army can last for a while. Everyone does not have to worry much until the food is exhausted.
The soldiers used rude methods to order the rescued people to explain everything they had experienced with the enemy. Many soldiers denounced them as traitors and even betrayed their faith.
The rescued people shouted their wishes one after another, swearing not to betray their faith, and at the same time begging for the same thing: there are still a large number of people in the hands of the enemy.
Soldiers always press people into the snow and force them to admit betrayal.
Some soldiers even targeted those women.
It was unrealistic for the Frankish army to easily believe that they had not betrayed. The army also took the opportunity to vent its grievances with rough "questioning" towards these released people.
Things were made a mess, but Ludwig stayed in the warm safe house, looking indifferent to the actions of his subordinates.
Finally, the Archbishop of Cologne couldn't stand it anymore.
The priests carrying dark wooden crosses ordered the soldiers to spare all the rescued people. Those people saw in disbelief that the Archbishop of Cologne was actually here, and they all came over to beg the Archbishop for salvation.
"You... are all lost lambs. You are guilty. However, you can repent to me and God will redeem your souls."
Ludwig had no time to pay attention to the rescued prisoners for the time being. The snowfall had stopped, the Elbe River was completely frozen, and a favorable opportunity for war suddenly appeared in front of him.
He invited his generals, soldiers and nobles to his safe house, and was busy planning the next combat operation.
Everything was guessed by Rurik, Liudov and others. Ludwig still had a huge force. It was not easy for him to assemble the troops, and it was even more difficult to find an opportunity for a decisive battle.
Although the demands of the released persons have not yet been taken seriously by Ludwig, he already has the "letter of war" in his hand.
The Normans and the traitors desire a decisive battle, so let’s fight!
Although it is strange to launch a decisive battle in a snowy world, despite the excitement of the generals, a very real problem is before everyone - there is not much time to support the military rations.
Ludwig looked into the eyes of all the generals and said seriously: "We must resolve this war before Christmas. We have encountered many setbacks in the past because the enemy has the advantage of ships. Now that the river is frozen, our horses can be free.
Galloping, cavalry and infantry can all pass directly through the Elbe River. We were worried that the river would not freeze this winter. Now, God is helping us! Just like Moses’ prayer caused God to part the Red Sea, now God freezes the river for us. God is on our side.
!The whole army must seize the time to prepare. I will give you three days. After three days we will launch a general attack."
The rolling Red Sea and the surging Elbe River are both fatal natural chasms on the road.
The generals and nobles did not know what the "parting of the Red Sea" scene described in the scriptures was like. Their understanding of the "Red Sea" was the literal meaning. In short, they were all miracles of God.
Now, after Ludwig's enlightenment, they believe that the frozen Elbe River is also a miracle.
The generals and nobles have unified their thinking. Three days later will be the day when the army will set off, and ice and snow will no longer be an obstacle.
It was not until Ludwig's order was issued that Archbishop Hardbold came to see the king who decided to war.
The safe house was still warm and pleasant, but it was just a private house. A king lived here, and Ludwig felt that it was too low of status.
The Archbishop of Cologne even felt that the current situation of the army was terrible. He would think of the poor life he lived as a trainee priest when he was young, and never imagined that he would have to freeze in an unknown village as he got older.
"It's the Bishop, you're here." Seeing the Archbishop standing alone in the room, Ludwig was respectful.
"Yes."
"Do you have any teachings for me?"
"I don't dare..." The Archbishop was still frightened: "It's those people who were rescued. I listened to all their confessions, and I guarantee with my soul that they did not voluntarily work for the Norman pirates and Saxon traitors."
"Oh?" Ludwig was surprised, "So they were forced to do things? Sure enough, they are guilty."
"We all share original sin. They did not betray the faith, they did not commit new sins. They told me a lot about the Normans, which may be beneficial to you."
"Say it."
Therefore, the Archbishop of Cologne relied on his own memory and reported selectively. He did not mention anything that was detrimental to the church.
The Normans had strong troops and many ships. The Saxons all recognized the Earl of Westphalia as the Duke of Saxony. The heavy cavalry they had sent before were completely wiped out and their war horses were also eaten...
Many messages showed that the enemy was powerful. Ludwig was so angry that he slapped his thigh and said, "That's enough! Are you talking and doing things for them? Are they so strong?"
The archbishop hurriedly took a step back, trying his best to hide his timidity: "I was just repeating it. And those people also brought up a strange news."
"what news?"
"It is Count Baudouin of Flanders."
"That guy? What's wrong?"
"Although I can't believe it, those people pointed out that Baudouin has been captured in Hamburg. Moreover, the county of Flanders was attacked not long ago. The Normans destroyed Antwerp, northern Frisian
The Lan area has been occupied by the Normans!"
"This..." Ludwig, who was standing, couldn't stop swaying: "This is ridiculous. Could it be that Baudouin also rebelled? I can't trust that guy, but I didn't expect that he would betray my faith?! What if?
It’s true, I…must have this war.”
"Of course there is a decisive battle, but Baudouin was only captured, and there is no evidence that he defected to the Normans. There are still a large number of our prisoners in Hamburg, and the families of those people are controlled by the enemy. I beg God to save those people
Therefore, Lamb, God entrusts you with this glorious mission. Save them and you... will become their patron saint.”
"Patron saint?" Hearing this word, Ludwig couldn't help but feel excited.
"Yes. You will succeed, and I will apply to Rome for you. You will be the guardian of the faith and have reason to be the patron saint."
Ludwig never thought about obtaining the title of "Emperor of the All Roman People". He did not dare to compare with his grandfather Charlemagne. The fundamental reason for launching the civil war now is to resist the eldest brother's reduction of the vassal state. As long as the eldest brother agrees to abolish the vassal reduction, he agrees.
Three-thirds of the kingdom, his East Francia will immediately withdraw their troops and cease the war.
All this boils down to internal strife between brothers, but with the title "sant" in front of his name, everything becomes wonderful.
Ludwig was completely moved and he longed to become a saint.
The two parties seemed to have made a deal, but even Ludwig, the party involved, did not know the inside story of some of the transactions.
Because the Bishop of Utrecht and the Archbishop of the North, whether out of security concerns or simply participating in the rebellion, the nobles of the lands where their dioceses were located became rebels.
In particular, Archbishop Eskil of the North is the patron saint, and he protects "until the end of the northern world". Archbishop Hardbold of Cologne is equivalent to his status and level.
Therefore, the area involved in the rebellion coincided with the geography of the entire northern diocese. Could it be said that the northern saints joined the war to betray the Franks? This is indeed the case, because the rebellious Saxons did not betray their faith.
In principle, it can be said that this war has involved the entire Holy See. Out of rational considerations, the Archbishop of Cologne did not want the Holy See to be forced to mediate and make the matter very embarrassing.
After all, none of these grandsons of Charlemagne are cheap, especially this Ludwig. He imprisoned his father Louis, who was still alive, three years ago. The Vatican asked for his release, but Ludwig turned a deaf ear. Only his father was oily.
It was a crime to release him only after the lamp had dried up. It was a pity that the Holy See could not judge the Frankish king who was the "Emperor of the People of All Rome".
Because the other party involved in the incident is the current legal king Lothair, who especially maintains the noble title of emperor, his troops can capture Cologne within three days if necessary.
The Archbishop of Cologne cannot afford to offend these ruthless people. In order to ensure that the Diocese of Cologne continues to retain its power in all aspects, and also to ensure the face of the Holy See, the Archbishop is in great need of a decisive battle. As long as Ludwig's Frankish army wins, the rebellious
No matter how the matter is settled in the future, it is just an internal fight between the noble lords and has nothing to do with the Holy See.
In this way, things will continue as usual for the Diocese of Utrecht and the Diocese of the North.
The army was eager for a decisive battle for revenge, and the released people were eager to rescue their relatives after a decisive battle. The priests should have avoided the war, but this time the Archbishop of Cologne became a determined leader. His change surprised and greatly appreciated Ludwig.
The Frankish army camp was completely united in thinking, and the decisive battle was about to break out.
Ludwig will lead the entire army to attack in order to decide the outcome in one battle.
He didn't even want to leave a way out for himself.
Therefore, the Frankish army assembled on the day before the agreed departure.
All the soldiers from each camp gathered towards the forward camp, so the land under the snow-covered pine forest was trampled solid, and wandering soldiers could be seen everywhere.
They each brought weapons and equipment, and many of them were also dressed in bulk. They used more cloth to keep out the cold, and even tore up a batch of linen tents.
Ludwig knew all this. He had made certain preparations to keep out the cold, but when he was actually attacked by the university, he realized that he was still poorly prepared.
Even though he suffered a lot of losses in a defeat on the banks of the Elbe River, according to reports from various generals and nobles, he still has 14,000 men who can fight in the decisive battle.
Compared with the loss of a full 10,000 people before departure, such a loss ratio is too outrageous. Fortunately, the strength of his elite army is particularly strong. The lost troops are either from Sorbian slave soldiers or peasant soldiers. Those soldiers are not capable of fighting bloody battles.
The key to everything is whether your elite can still fight.
Ludwig took a quick inventory and found that his elite troops were indeed elite. The harsh winter had not dampened their spirit. There were still close to 5,000 elite armored soldiers.
"Those Saxons are also armed farmers, and it will take a long time for them to train before they become strong soldiers. The key lies in the Norman army. Their strength is probably not as large as mine. When they completely lose the cover of rivers and ships, my army will
Scatter them away and I will win!"
No one gave Ludwig advice, and he had no advisers around him.
The European aristocratic wars of this era were generally simple and relied on the personal planning of the aristocratic generals. The success or failure was entirely borne by the aristocrats. Ludwig passively became the dictator of military planning, and he did not think this was inappropriate.
, I just felt that I had thought of a simple and crude way to solve the problem.
Now, the ice and snow forest is full of Frankish troops. They are densely gathered, with a total number of up to 14,000 people.
All the men who were rescued were recruited and given weapons to join the battle as militiamen. Ludwig gathered all the men who could fight, and those who suffered from severe frostbite were thrown into the camp as if they were abandoned.
Elite soldiers gathered densely to listen to the final pre-war mobilization of Ludwig, who was wearing a golden crown.
Prior to this, the army had made both material and psychological preparations. Although many people were very worried before the decisive battle, when they thought of the humiliation they had suffered before and what this war meant, most of those worried turned to their fear of death.
Leave it behind.
This is a glorious decisive battle!
Defend the sacred faith! Fight against barbarians and traitors!
The glory belongs to Frank for rescuing his fellow tribesmen who were captured by the barbarians.
…
Ludwig emphasized many slogans, and the soldiers continued to cheer for them.
They didn't run far after their first defeat, but in fact they didn't have the ability to run far.
If the land were not covered by this heather forest, standing on the heights of Hamburg, one could see the Frankish army camp from a distance.
The Frank army was cheering, and the shouts of tens of thousands of people turned into a dull roar, as if the sound came from the earth.
The coalition forces guarding Hamburg could not ignore the rumbling sound, but no one knew what it meant. Some said the sound came from the earth, some said it was muffled thunder in the distance, and some speculated that it was the cry of soldiers.
The coalition forces have already prepared for battle. The five hundred prisoners serving as envoys have been released, and the soldiers have directly entered the final stage of pre-war preparations.
Most of the soldiers have already made spiked shoes, even ordinary Saxon peasant soldiers. They use the dismantled parts of captured Frank armor to make their own spiked shoes. The spiked shoes come in various shapes, and the materials used are also used for whatever purpose. In the end, they are generally guaranteed to be durable.
Can't walk on ice and won't slip easily.
The rumbling sound made Rurik very nervous. He immediately took off his white velvet hat, put on his iron helmet, and first issued the assembly order for the Russian army.
The soldiers who had been prepared for a long time took action immediately. Sword and shield bearers, crossbowmen, spearmen, and heavy weapons troops gathered in full force.
The Russian army acted with great fanfare, and Ragnar's Danish army immediately followed up.
The flag of Russia with a white background and blue stripes is flying, and the flag of Denmark with a white background and black stripes of raven is also flying.
Then, a large number of white cross flags were raised, and the Army of the Principality of Saxony and the Army of the Netherlands also joined in.
There are also some special flags here, the red and yellow checkered King of Northumbria, which appeared at the same time with King Aynred. Aynred and Prince Ella appeared purely as observers, thinking about what will happen next
It was a decisive battle involving more than 10,000 people. This kind of battle was too extreme, and Eynred's inner excitement surpassed everything else.
There is also a blue raven-patterned flag with a unique style, which is the symbol of the Viking Kingdom of York. King Biyongni and his brother Floki appear.
The soldiers began to gather outside the city, looking towards the forest on the south bank of the frozen Elbe River, expecting the enemy to appear.
Liudov hurriedly put on his battle armor and hurried out of the city with his cronies, and soon met Rurik, King of Rus, who was looking far away.
He was breathing heavily, and his breath was filled with thick mist: "The enemy... the enemy is really coming?"
"Coming. Listen! The rumble is their cry."
"Is today the decisive battle day?"
"At least they definitely chose the decisive battle, and everything was in our plan. What to do next is not for me to repeat."
"I understand!" Liudov gritted his teeth and assured: "This is mainly a battle for us Saxons. Thank you for your assistance to our country. In order to survive, we Saxons will never retreat."
Chapter completed!