The snow on the house melted rapidly in the sun, flowing like a stream, and gradually froze at night, becoming an exaggerated icicle that could be seen early in the morning, and continued to disappear rapidly.
The snow cover visible to the naked eye is disappearing, and the whole world is becoming wet.
This is only February, and the current scene will not be seen in the hometown of the Russians until April, and even in Novgorod it will not be seen until March.
On the Elbe River, the ice that once supported the bloody battle of ten thousand people has now completely shattered.
The ice flow has begun, and the ice layer has melted no longer enough to maintain a stable structure. The spring flood has begun, and the ice discharge process of the entire basin is now.
Countless pieces of ice drifted rapidly towards the sea, and they continuously hit the wooden floating body of the pontoon, hitting and squeezing it with huge mass.
The situation of the iceberg had already been taken into account when the bridge was built. The iceberg could not destroy the bridge, nor could it destroy the anchored Ross fleet.
The thousands of soldiers waiting to return home were in a restless spirit. Almost all of them were willing to stay by the riverside and watch the ice cubes floating towards the ocean as far as the eye could see, and discuss the specific date of their departure.
Theoretically, the current situation will not affect the drifting of ships down the river. When the Gulf of Bothnia thaws on a large scale in the north, longships can travel in the ocean of endless broken ice, not to mention that the flowing ice in the Elbe River is small and easy to move.
Shattered without any threat.
There are people discussing their plans to go home everywhere, and there are packed bags everywhere.
Rurik himself was also in a very restless mood. A long expedition was over and it was time to go home.
Before going home, there are still some things that need to be resolved.
The Russian-Danish coalition has been living in the Saxony area for half a year, and has made a very detailed investigation of the hydrological data, offshore sea conditions, and land conditions here. Being a pirate is definitely not everyone’s original intention. If there is a warm land that can be captured for farming
To open up wasteland, everyone is willing to seize it and settle it.
The area near Hamburg is already very attractive to Ragnar's Danish army. They saw with their own eyes that the Elbe River was flowing on a large scale in February. Wouldn't it be possible to sow seeds when the snow melts away? Or even
This past winter was quite freezing, and most years the river didn't freeze at all.
Therefore, the salt boiling ground opened by the Russian army at the mouth of the Elbe River has become a small fishing village, and it will become reasonable for a large number of Danes to visit and stay nearby in the future.
Although Duke Liudolf of Saxony was a little unhappy about this, he could only admit it.
Saxony still needs the protection of all the Normans for a period of time, and Liudolf needs to maintain a humble attitude.
Rurik, the king of Rus, intended to hold another dinner party and take the opportunity to discuss some matters. Taking this opportunity, Liudov just stated some other demands of his.
The stone interior is brightly lit, and the fire of the matrix of oil lamps dispels the dampness and coldness of the melting snow period. There are grilled fish and ale, as well as scones and wheat porridge.
Rurik will never treat himself badly when it comes to food, and he must eat "delicacies from mountains and seas" whenever he has the opportunity.
No noble is naturally willing to eat simple food. Once they come into contact with real delicacies, the desire deep in their souls will be aroused. Even the northern archbishop Aisi Hungry, who has always flaunted himself as an ascetic, has deep in his heart the desire for food.
The craving for barbecue also burst out tonight.
The land belonged to Liudov, and the cook and ingredients were all provided by Rurik.
All the kings, nobles and archbishops from the north gathered here.
The archbishop of the archdiocese actually sat down to have dinner with the "Norman chiefs". The scene was so ungodly that those who felt uncomfortable had no choice but to join in.
No, Eskil and Hadbold, as two archbishops, insist on grabbing food with their bare hands. Even if this makes their hands extremely greasy, they can also recite a prayer before eating, claiming that this delicious meal is
A gift from God.
Rurik understood these Latin words, but he ignored them.
Real military nobles all use knives as their main tableware, supplemented by spoons and forks. It seems inappropriate to really grab food with bare hands.
Because King Rus was flexibly manipulating two walrus ivory sticks, skillfully grabbing food and stuffing it into his mouth. The nobles were not surprised, but for this dinner, even his eldest son Regraf also came. This little boy is as skillful as his father
Use "stick".
Rurik, King of Rus, Ragnar, King of Denmark, Joseph Bluefox, Count of Gothenburg, Javro, Count of Finland, Medvet, Governor of Novgorod, Spuut, Count of Saaremaa.
King Aenred of Northumbria and his crown prince Ella, Viking King Biyoni Magnutson of York, Viking Earl of Lindsey Floki Magnutson, King Reglaf of Mercia
.
Duke Liudolf of Saxony and his son Bruno, Count Henry of the Netherlands, Count Robert of Hamburg, and Count Baudouin of Flanders.
King Ludwig of East Francia, Archbishop Eskil of the North, Archbishop Hardebold of Cologne.
The stone room restaurant was crowded with nobles. There were ruthless people with tattoos on their faces, well-dressed nobles, simple priests, and young nobles with immature faces.
This is a historic dinner. If there is photography technology to capture it, it will become a testament to history.
Rurik had his own way. Afterwards, he used charcoal to roughly draw the aristocratic seats for this dinner on hard paper to lay the foundation for future generations' artistic development. But this is a story later.
They drank ale happily, and Rurik also took out the last bottles of spirits.
He covered his beard and drank the burning liquor to show off, which completely relieved the tense atmosphere.
"It's magic! Is this magic?!" Hardbold was so surprised that his eyes widened.
Not surprised, Eskil glanced at his fellow believer and just smiled without saying a word.
The priest had not drunk any wine, but the nobles drank a lot. The young nobles needed to prove that they were real men, so Reglaf drank a large glass of ale in public.
This is like a petition. As Rurik's eldest son Reglaf is barely ten years old, he can be invited to this dinner by his father Rurik simply because he is an important character.
Taking advantage of the drunkenness, Rurik introduced his son in a high-profile manner: "Reglaf, my eldest son! He is not a warrior of Odin. He has converted to your God. This is his innate destiny.
.I want him to stay in Hamburg. Liudolf! Duke of Saxony Liudolf! You are his second father! Oh no, he marries your daughter, and you are his father. Reglaf wants to live here
, until he really grows up. When the time comes... take back his Kingdom of Mercia."
Liudov had already learned about it at this time, and now Rurik himself said that the matter was obviously dead.
Reglaf is like a hostage, but an extremely noble hostage.
The tipsy Liudov also made a high-profile announcement: "When Reglaf turns twelve, we will arrange for him to marry my daughter! Our two families are already engaged. On the wedding day, the Northern Church will definitely bless them in a high-profile manner.
."
In response, Eskil stood up with his aging body enthusiastically: "This is what we all support! I will personally bless them, this is my honor."
The atmosphere was lively and lively, but now that the local nobles of Mercia were vying for power, King Aynred of Northumbria had to cool down the lively atmosphere.
"But Mercia is in a civil war! Many local nobles have become kings. Wessex has been coveting Mercia for a long time. As long as they are willing, the entire Mercia will be annexed. At that time, should we use troops against Wessex?
?”
"Then fight!" Rurik slapped the table resolutely. Everyone could see that the noble king was getting more and more agitated due to drunkenness, and his words were also extremely brutal: "London! Winchester! Canterbury! Let's go plunder.
, to make a fortune! If they dare to attack my son’s Mercia, I will send troops to fight them. And you! If you can, send troops to make the people of Wessex suffer!"
He really spoke the truth while drunk, and the drunken Ragnar was so arrogant that he knocked on the wooden table: "According to the treaty, we Danes can't rob Saxony in the future, and we can't attack Flanders. If we rob Frank, it's a long way to go, and then we'll rob Wesek."
Si. Haha! Very close!”
The ruthless people with Viking blood present slapped the table one after another, and everyone yelled and cheered, clearly expressing their desire for wealth on the table.
It has a clear reason. In order to avoid Mercia being annexed by Wessex, Viking longships can attack frequently with good reason.
Eskil knew he was powerless to stop such a crazy thing and had to remain silent, while Hardbold was completely frightened by the barbaric scene.
So if these ruthless Normans are really going to rob Wessex in the future, where will they divide the spoils?
Although Baudouin, who has been a thief since ancient times, did not directly express his position, his intriguing eyes towards Rurik already implicitly stated his attitude - my Flanders can still help you sell the stolen goods.
It is not okay to openly support plundering, but the plundering of the Vikings will give wealth to Northumbria, Flanders, the Netherlands and Saxony. To hell with those beautiful creeds! Several parties have experienced the devastation of war,
There is an urgent need to plunder wealth from the outside to make up for their own losses. Piracy cannot be just a patent of the Vikings. The Flemish and Saxons can be the accomplices of pirates, just for wealth.
Of course, this kind of thing is also highly praised by Ludwig. If the Norman army suddenly sets its sights on the British Isles in the west, it means that in the future, at least they will not unilaterally tear up the contract and encroach on the Eastern Kingdom.
Ludwig had no diplomatic relations with Wessex, and he was happy to divert trouble from the west to the south.
They took advantage of their drunkenness to express their inner desires. The northerners would not leave once they came. The mouths of the Elbe River and the Rhine River would be built as Viking strongholds in 841, becoming trading ports and expedition bases. From this base,
A sneak attack on Wessex became easy, and the unsuspecting opponent had no naval power (Northumbria's intelligence).
Everyone drank up the last of the liquor in Rurik's inventory, and the ale stored in Hamburg was almost finished.
People have extraordinary prospects for the future. Although Ludwig was a complete loser, he was not mentally humiliated here. Although he was defeated tragically, the bitter ending is still acceptable today.
The nobles gathered in this room are about to go their separate ways and start a new life.
Rurik finally set a day to leave, and the soldiers were so excited that they lit bonfires.
He needed to make a sacrifice for the voyage in accordance with northern customs, so he spent money to buy ten cows from the local Saxons, intending to sacrifice their blood to the god of rivers and seas to ensure a safe return voyage.
A lively sacrificial ceremony was actively being arranged, and the long boats that had been pushed ashore had all been pushed into the river and fixed with cables. Most of the large ships had resumed sailing, but the ships turned into fishing boats and were plundering herrings offshore.
and cod, the catch was roasted on a large scale at the salt boiling camp at the mouth of the sea and made into dried fish, which was the so-called ration for the soldiers when they returned to the sea.
Most of the troops will return to their hometowns. The war that Rurik originally expected to last until 841 will finally end early. Now the expensive expedition can come to an end. A truce is needed this year to build up strength, and piracy can still be done.
Do.
The Russian-Danish coalition forces' military camp along the river in the northwest of Hamburg. The many buildings are much stronger than the large number of residential buildings in the city. The military camp was given to Liudolf. In theory, it can immediately become the second city of Hamburg, which can instantly relieve the stress of nearby Saxony.
people's severe housing needs.
Young Reglaf was destined to stay, and Rurik, as a father, was destined not to be able to give his actual eldest son more pampering.
Only Reglaf will never be Odin's war, so even though he is the eldest son, he will never get involved in the politics of the Kingdom of Rus again in the future. It is also another kind of protection for him.
Reglaf is also a powerful wedge, deeply embedded in the Catholic world. He has received a very crucial cultural education, as well as a military education, and has been fully experienced in the past year's war.
But his father will leave eventually, and if he stays here in Hamburg, I am afraid it will be difficult to meet his father and grandfather in the future. The feeling of loss is written on the face of this ten-year-old child.
"Accept your fate." Rurik patted him on the shoulder, "When I was ten years old, I led thousands of troops on an expedition. You can still do well. Just recruit your cronies in Saxony.
Train them and cultivate them. As a father, I can't help you much. In the future, you will return to Mercia with your own army. When you decide to go to war, I will immediately send troops to help you."
Although her biological father Rurik is about to return, in Saxony, the Duchess is very rare for this son-in-law from the north. The lady's only son Bruno lacks the spirit of bravery, but her son-in-law Reglaf is not only of noble blood, but also knows how to fight. The most important thing is
What is important is that this child understands Latin.
The enthusiasm of the Duchess directly touched Reglaf's heart. He had longed for maternal love since he was a child, and now he has probably found a mother who cares about him.
After Liudov thought about it, he became more and more aware of what it meant for Reglaf to stay in Saxony. He was indeed just a child, but he knew very well how the Russian army fought. "He will make my army
Reborn, he is like a treasure given to me by God. It would be great if he were my biological son..."
A grand sacrificial activity was held by the river.
The cattle were restrained with extremely thick ropes, and Rurik stabbed each of them in the neck with his sword. The cattle struggled violently in pain, and their blood was scattered everywhere. Eventually, most of the blood flowed into the Elbe River.
Thousands of warriors gathered on the riverside beat their shields, chanted "Odin" rhythmically, and lit fires to complete the sailing ceremony.
The beef was then eaten by the soldiers, and in the end only the bones were left, but the big bones were also broken into pieces, and the delicious beef marrow was roasted on the fire and sprinkled with salt, making it an extremely delicious food.
Now, bustling Hamburg will return to its former state, with nobles and armies going their separate ways.
The nobles boarded the big ship built by Ross with different emotions. The ships of the Viking Kingdom of York will carry the Northumbrian prince and his son home, and the Blue Fox squadron will send Henry Nassau, Baudouin, and Ha in one breath.
The four noble men, Debold and Ludwig, went back to their respective homes.
The squadron will cruise the Rhine River, and the number of people in the team will swell to a thousand people. However, this voyage is a peaceful journey for Cologne and the Eastern Kingdom.
However, this fleet will not disappear in the future. After completing the mission of delivering people, it instantly turned into an inland fleet on the Rhine River, and it obeyed the orders of Blue Fox. With the help of this fleet, the Russian army that penetrated deep into the hinterland of Europe then used the Eastern Kingdom's mercenaries
In the form of soldiers, they made sneak attacks on the Middle Kingdom. Ships were to the Russians what horses were to the steppe people.
The journey back home is now. When all the loot has been packed and packed on the ship, what is left is the densely packed troops carrying backpacks of the same style climbing rope ladders and rope nets to board the ship.
On the shore, Rurik kissed Reglaf hard on the forehead, then suddenly took off his dagger and handed it into his son's hand.
"Father……"
"Take it. The Father is with you! Remember, you were broken out of your belly like Caesar, and your destiny is to create something extraordinary."
Regraf nodded, holding the jewel-encrusted sword in his arms, watching his father board the boat, and watching his father slowly float towards Ross's flag-fluttering flagship Sperosvelia...
He has been standing by the river, watching the huge fleet gradually drift towards the sea and gradually disappear into the river covered by the forest.
He looked at the sword gifted by his father again, and subconsciously pulled it out of the scabbard. The bright white steel sword shone on his face, and he could see clearly that his face looked like his father's.
"I'm free..." He sighed secretly, then turned around and looked at the city of Hamburg in the sunset, and the evening bell of Hamburg Abbey began to ring in his ears.