The expedition fleet finally returned to its home port, and nearly ten thousand people gathered at the dock.
The people were cheering, and the soldiers on the ship were cheering even more.
The dock pier was quickly cleared, and a large number of small boats that had borrowed berths were towed away. Each berth was vacated, and large ships began to fit into it. Well-trained sailors dropped cables to catch and tie up the people waiting on the shore.
Wooden piles prepared on the pier.
Care must be taken in this job. The displacement of a large ship has reached 400 tons. Even if she docks at the port as fast as a tortoise, her strong inertial force can crush the trestle.
Those who caught the cable felt the powerful force of the ship. Since the port is at the mouth of the Neva River, they had to overcome the interference of the river and avoid the ship yaw. In the end, all operations were successful, except for part of the trestle.
Everything is normal except for being slightly tilted.
The big ship threw down the rope net, and the eager warriors carried their various trophies on their backs, like carrying extremely heavy turtle shells, and staggered onto the land of their hometown.
All the onlookers saw it! The victorious warriors had an incredible amount of loot, and they made a fortune!
Soldiers will spend immediately, and everyone doing business in New Roseburg will have the opportunity to enjoy the war dividends.
The warship has its own berth, sandwiched between the bow and the middle deck between the stern and stern. It is estimated that the middle deck is designed to be lower, and the safety wooden rails on one side can also be removed. The wooden rails are removed and replaced by extremely long rockers.
Rurik's noble body was not suitable for climbing the rope net to get off the ship. It would be unsightly and not domineering!
On the flagship alone, he had already noticed the most prominent figures of the priests among the many cheering crowds.
Rumia was standing at the port, with a huge antlered helmet on her head, a jeweled wooden staff in her hand, her flat face with tears in her eyes.
One of her hands was holding a little girl. The child had her straight brown ponytail draped in front of her body, her face seemed a little confused.
Then, the child suddenly laughed and jumped up and down, waving and hooting enthusiastically.
"Velica..."
She is the eldest daughter of the kingdom, and she is very cute now. She is already eight years old, but according to the old Russian calculation method, this child is already nine years old.
She has the tallness and precocity of Northern Europeans, and the flatter face of North Asians. The combination of the two just fits Rurik's aesthetic point.
The eldest daughter is here and has her first woman.
"Lumia Velika." He subconsciously muttered their names, and then saw the dense cheering crowd. Now Rurik knew exactly what he should do.
Everyone wants to see the king's gorgeous clothes and majestic image. People need a great hero, so give the people a great hero.
Rurik suddenly drew his sword, pointing straight at the blue sky.
This performance art actually overwhelmed the entire audience. The astonishing noise that roared like a tsunami and mudslide suddenly weakened, and those with keen ears heard the king's brief speech.
"Victory belongs to me! Rurik Ottoson! Victory belongs to Rus! Odin protects Rus!"
He kept shouting the words "victory" and "glory", and continued to raise his sword in a high-profile manner, stepping off the seesaw and standing on the trestle.
Behind him is a bear-headed berserker that is both domineering and terrifying. The ferocious bear's upper jaw becomes a visor, and its exaggerated fangs are the most powerful decoration.
The happy people spontaneously made a way for the king. Men, women, the elderly and even children lined the streets to welcome their king and spontaneously shouted inspiring chants.
The governor of New Roseburg, Cornuson Sr., was here. He was pleased to see his son, Cornuson Jr., return safely. More familiar faces were also looking at him, and he couldn't help but feel relieved.
For example, "Two Swords" Arik, the king's cousin, imitated the king's performance art. He kept holding up the two swords and playing with them to show off his flexible hands, but he did not cheer for the people.
However, Arik's play with the two swords immediately caught the eye of a woman holding a child.
She is Aslaqi, a businesswoman who owns most of the property rights of the water mill in New Roseburg, and she is also the wife of "Two Swords" Arik.
Her husband is a ruthless man who kills people everywhere, a general of the kingdom, and a die-hard supporter of the king. But Arik is so brave that he often puts himself in dangerous places on the battlefield. As a woman, she is in the big temple full of stained glass. Praying to the seven gods, I just hope that my man will always be safe and sound.
If the husband returns safely, he is destined to bring back a lot of loot.
As the main supplier of food logistics for the Kingdom's army, Asraqi has made a lot of money during the war. She is already the most powerful food processor in New Roseburg, and the only one who can turn it into an industry. The existence of her, shelling wheat, grinding it into powder, and making pancakes, these tasks are all very profitable. She has completed the monopoly, and the accumulation of small profits will lead to quantitative changes and qualitative changes.
A female prostitute can't take revenge like a warrior, and she doesn't dare to take risks like those male merchants. Aslach is quietly making a fortune in a very safe way. After all, the industry she created will be inherited by her eldest son Gustav. .
In principle, Aslaki is Rurik's sister-in-law. Young Gustav's great-grandfather and Rurik's grandfather are the same person. She is a relative of the king, and the lively scene is very interesting as a spectator.
Everyone saw it! The triumphant king waved his sword in greeting to everyone, and saw that the king did not negotiate with the governor immediately, but walked towards the high priest wearing antlers.
This seems to have become a common practice.
Yes, Rurik couldn't ignore his first woman, even though compared to his current body, which was as tall and strong as a bear, Rumia was simply a dwarf.
It was Velika who suddenly broke away from her mother's hand and rushed towards her former father, laughing.
Upon seeing this, the sword was immediately inserted into the ground. Rurik, who opened his powerful arms, hugged his beloved daughter and held her in a happy position as thousands of people watched.
This is just the father's love for his eldest daughter, and it can also be interpreted as the king's emphasis on the next high priest.
King Rurik received Odin's blessing, and the great god often granted him wisdom, and then entrusted him with taking measures to make Rus stronger.
The high priest is the most important servant of the gods in the world, and this Rumia directly received Odin's "not killing" favor.
The king held his daughter in one arm, and then the high priest.
At least 8,000 people were witnesses to this heartwarming scene, and cheers even came from the towering walls.
"Why are you crying?" Looking at Rumia throwing herself in his arms, Rurik could only caress her forehead to comfort her.
Rumia didn't answer anything, she just wanted to hug her tighter.
It's not the case with Velika. She can calmly slaughter a deer in a large-scale sacrifice. Now she can also playfully play with her father's neatly trimmed beard. She hugs her father's neck and rubs her little face against it for a while, showing the naughty nature of a child.
cute.
The arrival of the fleet in the harbor caused a commotion during the day, and until late at night, the entire New Roseburg was still bustling with people.
The open space was filled with lit bonfires, the victorious warriors were very excited, and the city residents were as excited as wolves smelling the smell of blood.
The Waiguocheng market, which had quickly returned to prosperity after the opening ceremony, has become crowded with people as thousands of soldiers poured in.
The returning soldiers had an idea of how much local goods would sell for, and those who kept an eye on their pockets and deliberately increased the prices of silver and copper coins were ignored. The soldiers were not taken advantage of, they had a huge desire to consume, and they just used the large amounts of cash on hand to buy as much as they could.
received a large amount of supplies.
A "sweeping operation" has begun!
Old Russians, various Viking immigrants, Pan-Finns and Slavs, and warriors of various ethnic groups were all caught up in the rush to buy, fearing that they would be late and useful items would be purchased by their companions.
The market is ten times and a hundred times more popular than in previous years. Faced with the grand occasion, buyers and sellers are going crazy. They forget their tiredness at night, and the hustle and bustle continues into the day!
But in the palace, it is extremely quiet.
The Supreme King, the Queen, as well as many wives, concubines, concubines, and members of the royal family are all in Novgorod, so that in the past year, Novorosberg was only the nominal capital, and the entire royal family lived in the east.
This is Rurik's strategic arrangement. Since the Novgorod area has a high probability of facing a large-scale attack by the Smolensk people, the local people are already in a state of borrowing troops. A large number of inferior cast iron spearheads are distributed free of charge to those who are willing to defend their homeland.
As a man, the spear head combined with the wooden pole makes a pretty makeshift spear, thus satisfying the local farmers' most basic self-defense ability.
The attic-style palace in New Roseburg was empty. It was still being cleaned daily, and Governor Cornuson continued to send heavy troops to take charge of its defense. Even though the tall buildings were empty, the money bank was strictly guarded, and the royal family's various daily necessities were
Strict guarding, including gold coins and sword-wielding guards taking turns standing guard at the gate.
The market in Waiguo was too busy and lacked management, so the patrol team ordered by the governor picked up more than ten fights that night and captured twenty thieves.
Although the kingdom does not have a large number of laws written with dense general rules and detailed rules, the basic statutory laws have been formulated and posted in Harvest Square. The governor has the responsibility of a judge and orders his subordinates to act in accordance with the laws.
Most of the thieves are Finns who have settled in Finland, and a few are Slavs. The old Russians would not do such dirty things because of their appearance, and because they have already enjoyed the dividends of the war and are rich, there is no need to test the law.
There is no need to directly kill or hang the thieves. At the moment when human resources are still tight, the thieves are all quickly sentenced. There is only one arrangement waiting for them - to transport the stones to the quarry on the shores of Lake Onega for a year to excavate the stones.
Rurik has no intention of knowing about this kind of thing. As the king, he has many things to pay attention to.
Although I have triumphed, my triumph has just begun.
The triumph should not be a matter of the king returning and everyone enjoying themselves for one night, and the kingdom would not be so poor.
The kingdom must pay attention to pomp, must prove the greatness of the king, prove that the dividends of the war are huge, and must satisfy the people's desire for glory.
Soon after arriving in the inner city, in the huge parliament court of Rus Duma, a ceremony called "Triumph" was immediately mentioned to the king.
The governor also wanted to have a few polite words with the king, thinking that the king would be so happy that he would praise the great achievements of his expedition.
It is clear that the king wants to have fun with all the people.
"I want a triumphal ceremony, and the soldiers will parade around the city in costumes! I have brought back the ashes of those warriors who died as much as I can. The heroes will be buried in Hermon Valhalla, and I will personally dig and fill their graves.
Earth. I also want to hold a grand fire tower sacrifice to announce our victory to the gods. I am short of time. We have to complete all the rituals within three days, and then the soldiers have to continue to Novgorod to start spring plowing...
…”
Rurik made such arrangements, and the old governor was surprised by the king's anxiety and even the great importance he attached to agriculture.
His time was very tight, but on his first night back, he finally enjoyed the long-lost and luxurious peace.
His first woman, Rumia, is nestled in his arms, and his eldest daughter, Velika, is rubbing against her.
There are only three people in the palace on the third floor. At this moment, leaving aside the subjects, soldiers and cronies. As a man, a husband and a father, he finally enjoys complete stability and happiness.
"The wool-cushioned bed from home is still more comfortable..."
This kind of scene also happened to Arik. His little wife's home was his own home, and he didn't feel any discomfort. His father-in-law, Harald, looked old and smiled, and Asraqi took his eldest son Gustav and babbling.
Young son Carl faces the returning hero.
A sumptuous meal was placed on the wooden table, all made by Aslaqi.
"Here is the ale you like, the honey scones you like, and barbecue. Take a good look at your sons, Gustav and Karl." Aslaki seemed to have a lot to say, she tilted her head slightly.
What does it imply?
Arik is not a rough guy who doesn't understand the charm. He feasts and brags about his experiences in distant worlds. Considering that his little wife is a born businessman, it is just because of her status as a female stream that it is not suitable to take risks to extremely remote places. But I still have to say something.
, especially with his two sons present.
"You know the Gould family. Old Gould's life is coming to an end. All four of his sons have been reused by my brother. Is this good? That boy Rurik is too fond of Gould.
This is the whole family." Arik, who was slightly drunk, spoke without any scruples, and shouted: "Is there anyone who likes my brother more than me? I'm just afraid that those businessmen will not benefit him when they become big. So!"
Arik pointed directly at his little wife and said very directly: "My Peravina gave birth to warriors and war chiefs. You are different! You are the woman I captured from Gotland. You are better than Peravina."
Wei Na knows more about style! I like you more, but..." He shook his head: "To hell with those! Aslaqi, you also have to give birth to four boys for me. Our offspring will be my brother.
Relatives. Only relatives are the most trustworthy people. Our son can continue the business you like. If the king encounters a problem, our son can help him."
Although Aslaqi didn't think so much about it, she is indeed a strong woman with beauty, ability and scheming.
There is no harsh criticism of strong women in this era, but everyone is more willing to talk about female warriors. It is still a bit strange for a woman to be a big businessman.
This meeting was a rare opportunity. Aslaki didn't know if she would be able to give birth to a third child. Arik had already done what a man should do, and all that was left seemed to be to go to the temple to pray to the goddess Freya.
Rurik and Arik, two brothers are loved by their respective wives.
After waiting for a whole year, these women who kept the house faced not only the hardships of life, but also lived with fear.
In the past year, the Gemstone Temple in New Rossburg has been extremely popular. Throw at least one silver coin to get the chance to worship the statue of the golden god. The seven gods can protect everything in the world, and the greatest Odin is the greatest.
Those who are revered, and those who invest a lot of money just to kneel down and worship, almost all pray to the statue of Odin to pray that their husbands or sons in the war will go well.
But war will definitely be accompanied by death, not to mention that a war that lasted for more than a year was the largest war operation ever launched by Ross. Ross gambled on the fate of the country and would rather fight on both fronts than at the risk of being overwhelmed from beginning to end.
Facts have proved that the results of this gamble were extremely exaggerated, and the human losses paid were also the largest in history.
The men who grew up in the tribal era suffered heavy casualties, and the various Vikings who later joined Rus and became the so-called New Rus also suffered huge losses.
Even the sea god Egil secretly intervened in this battle, but if this god was an evil god as the legend said, he raised huge waves and caused the heroes to drown in the water, as if he was jealous of the achievements of these warriors who were loved by Odin.
.
Those who died on land at least kept their ashes, and the deceased were sealed in small boxes with their names engraved on them.
The household registration system that was enforced in the past was used for land allocation, tax collection, and military recruitment. Nowadays, this system can also be used to hand over the ashes of victims to their families.
The war dead from Fort New Rose, their ashes and their share of the loot were given to their parents. They received it all while crying, but the pain would not last. Most of the people who could be recruited at Fort New Rose were
Soldiers of the Second Banner Corps and the Standing Army have multiple children in their families.
Most of those who join the army are not the eldest sons, but the family has a quota to supplement soldiers, so a boy in the family immediately replaces his brother who died in the battle and continues to serve the king and inherit the glory of the sacrifice. Because this family needs the king's salary and their own children.
Get loot on the battlefield.
For those soldiers who died, everything is over.
However, as many as 3,000 people of the Viking race, including the Rus' tribe, died in normal wars. The sacrifice rate of soldiers who were thirty years old in the old Rus' tribe reached 60%. The sinister Rurik always hoped
Clean out the remnants of the Ross tribe era. After all, those old guys may not necessarily have absolute support for themselves as the king.
The younger generation began to grow up and join the army. Most of them were mixed-race people, and they were different from the Russians in the narrow sense in all aspects. This was not a problem. What people paid most attention to was the paternal bloodline. Almost all mixed-race people were
Has an old Russian father.
Rurik sacrificed the past of Rus, and what followed was the era of the latest group of young people.
Then, let’s bury old Ross’s past in Hermon Valhalla, the cemetery in the south of the city.
Three major ceremonies, including a parade around the city in costumes, a fire tower sacrifice in return for Odin, and a burial of the hero in the cemetery, all began amidst the cheers of thousands of people.