The Karlbrand expedition provided a new path possibility, which was exactly what Rurik needed so much.
Based on the current human resources, the project of digging the canal may be a severe test, but after calculation, if you want to quickly build a road from the second capital to the agricultural area, the canal can be navigable to connect the two water systems. Ross is accustomed to
Ship shipping can be operated immediately, and the transportation capacity of ships far exceeds that of land transportation.
Rurik's original plan was indeed to determine a straight line between New Roseburg and Nov and Rhodes, and then use an ax saw to forcibly develop a land passage.
Maybe the plan to build roads should not be given up. More roads means more choices.
The top priority is to quickly go to the swamp for an on-site inspection to determine whether the local geographical conditions are conducive to building a canal.
He thought that even if the terrain of the swamp was not good, it would be a good thing to build a rammed earth road along the edge of the swamp area. So the worst result would be to set up two settlements near each other on the two rivers, just like inns.
Generally, ensure that inland waterways can operate.
Rurik was unwilling to wait and even ordered to leave the next day.
Carl and Brand made meritorious contributions, and since they were the organizers of the expedition, all the credit was shared equally between them.
"You have done a great job! For the time being, I will reward each of you with a pound of silver coins, and then give you some barbecue and scones. I will arrange accommodation for all of you tonight, and all the men in the expedition will follow me back to have a look tomorrow."
Even two pounds of silver coins were enough for both of them.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to hold a small meeting at night, they hurriedly took out the proceeds from their expedition.
Huge feathers and extremely long and straight bird bones, these two things are really huge treasures in Rurik's eyes. They are placed here, which fully proves that all the descriptions are true. Dying feathers and inserting them into hats is a way for the rich to decorate themselves.
means, and now it is a strategic material. Ross, who is very fond of arrows, always needs feathers as big as possible.
As for the bird leg bones, they are a good material for making flutes. In principle, there is no problem in making bone arrow clusters from the leg bones, but it is a waste of resources to do so now. The bird bones will be handed over to Nolen. This music-loving noble will make Ross's
Military bands have better quality flutes.
All the supplies that the expedition wanted to sell were essentially what Rurik needed, so he bought them all on the spot.
The entire expedition team and even the ten Savok children were placed in an empty warehouse by Rurik. The environment was not luxurious, but it did have a flat wooden floor, making it easy for everyone to sleep on the ground.
They ate a lot of wheat cakes and grilled fish, and even drank some ale. The women of the expedition team had already brought their travel expenses, and based on the principle of coming when they come, they hurriedly went to the market stall while the evening market was not over yet.
I bought some daily necessities. To be fair, prices in Novgorod are cheaper than in the capital. Selling large and small wooden utensils is one of the ways for local Slavs to make profits. Originally, they were transported to the capital by second-hand dealers and then sold.
, if someone can go to the place of production to buy it, they will naturally pay less.
Although they were building a shop on the floor, the women who returned from shopping bought some homespun cloth and even the latest woolen blankets on sale.
The core of the blanket is felt, and its raw materials come from war seizures. The processed wool is rolled and ironed into felt, and then covered with a layer of fine linen and sewn with hemp thread. This is a wool blanket that can be used as a mattress.
.Although its price is a bit expensive, the old Russians can fully afford it with their financial resources.
That night, Rurik immediately sent guards to report the news to the cavalry camp outside the city.
The messenger walked forward vigorously, not caring about the sound sleep of the cavalry soldiers who were tired from training after a day's rest. He shouted at the top of his voice outside the camp: "The king is coming! Urgent gathering!"
The commotion immediately caused Captain Brody to jump up, put on his coat and stepped on his boots quickly, without even bothering to put on the foot wraps.
He hurriedly rushed to the door of the barracks while holding on to his subordinates.
"Hey! What's going on? Why are you disturbing us?"
The messenger was out of breath, but his attitude was quite kind: "The king has important matters, and he will be here soon. You...get dressed quickly and raise the torch to meet the king."
"Is this happening?!" Brody was shocked. Looking at everything he had, he was really a sloppy guy who was sleeping in a daze.
"Absolutely true."
"Okay." Brody gritted his teeth, turned around and shouted: "Brothers! Get dressed and line up! Light all the torches in the tent."
An open field outside the city had long been designated as a cavalry training base and a venue for cavalry performances. There were old barracks in the area. Since the Pechenegs had returned to their hometown, Kagan sold his residence to Rurik.
In this way, the cavalry stationed here have a better living space. The space is spacious, and the training is better. It is easier to do some rigorous and cruel training.
Wearing deerskin gloves and clasping polished bronze thumbs on their thumbs, cavalry soldiers frequently dismounted and practiced archery.
They trained with short wooden bows, but this short wooden bow also became a kind of compound bow. Just like the Japanese bow with a strange shape, although it did not use horns, it only used beef tendons to enhance its toughness and elasticity, and it was still a kind of compound bow.
A makeshift composite bow is at least much better than a single piece of wood. The short wooden bow made of oak is chipped with wider arms, and an adhesive mixed with isinglass and pine gum makes the deer tendons stick together, and its performance is indeed better than that of a wooden bow.
The performance of ordinary short wooden bows has been greatly improved.
The best is naturally the recurve bow imported from Pecheneg. It is light, has a large saw, and has a high poundage. It is really the best tool for mounted archery. Actual combat has fully proved that using it to shoot armor-piercing arrows with pointed cones can give
The Frankish heavy cavalry was severely damaged. It was really destructive to deal with those lightly armored or unarmored units in this way.
However, the price of such a good bow is high, and the production speed of the Pecheneg people is not very fast.
Only one-fifth of the newly formed Second Banner of Cavalry had steppe recurve bows, and the rest had these makeshift short wooden bows.
After they were formed, Captain Brody was ordered to train their devils. The selected children had already been proven to have a talent for horseback riding, and this was indeed the case. In just four days of training, the children's riding skills were adequate, but their riding and shooting skills were not enough.
A complete mess.
You can't always ride a horse for horseback shooting training, as this would be torture for the war horses. They were forced by Brody to perform running archery, simulating a horseback shooting environment with violent shaking.
They were ordered to perform high-intensity archery exercises, and when the bow exploded, they would switch to another one. Of course, the training bow was the most common short wooden bow made of a stick, so they would not feel bad if it became useless.
Their arms are always sore. Brody knows how to train Rurik in this way, and even knows what these children need most now.
Of course, being a cavalryman is noble, and their diet contains a high proportion of red meat! Especially now is the time to practice skills. The sore arms come from constantly shooting bows and arrows, and everyone is in urgent need of nourishment. They eat venison and deer blood.
intestines, and a lot of grilled fish. Exercise and a high-protein diet make each child's muscles expand day by day. Although it does not show up at first, after a while, everyone has noticed that their arms are as hard as iron and are expanding.
.
Rurik hurried over on horseback with a small number of guards.
When he arrived at the military camp, he saw that the young soldiers had lined up in two teams, and the torches in the camp were brightly lit, illuminating the faces of the soldiers.
Brody hurriedly went to fetch the king's horse, and Rurik came down immediately.
"Your Majesty, what exactly is..."
"A big thing." Rurik sighed lightly and patted Brody on the shoulder with satisfaction: "You are indeed a war chief, and the title given to you is correct. It has not been five days, and I think the second
The cavalry is ready to go to the battlefield to kill the enemy."
"Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty. We are not ready yet and still need a lot of training."
"That's humility. Humility is a good thing, but it's a pity I don't have more time for you. Brody!"
"exist."
"Isn't it boring to stay at this training ground all the time? I am determined to go to the west of the lake tomorrow to see for myself, and your cavalry team will accompany me! This is a special exercise. You will have to go all together in a few days.
New Roseburg followed me through town."
"As ordered." Brody didn't dare to ask any more questions.
"Tomorrow, you should get up as early as possible to eat, prepare your war horses and wait here. Put on your jerseys and pick up weapons. Remember, this is a drill, treat it as if we are marching to attack the enemy."
"As commanded."
Brody knew nothing about the specific situation. He was very smart and knew not to ask questions that he shouldn't know. The king came and went in a hurry, which aroused confusion. The king's last words were due to his random thoughts. "No way.
Will it really be a crusade against the enemy?"
Rurik, who returned in a hurry, was still in a rage, which made the queen embarrassed.
The so-called palace is actually a large-scale expansion of the main residence of White Tree Manor. Queen Svetlana actually stays in her natal family, which is a good thing. She couldn't sleep, stayed in the palace and got many crane leg bones.
Noren chatted and laughed with him, and also invited Beyathil with him, and wanted to hear stories about the battle.
They have a good relationship with each other, at least for now.
As Rurik returned, the three women immediately surrounded him with smiles and chatter. With Yingying Yanyan by his side, Rurik's heart instantly softened.
"Lana, I thought you were just waiting for me. Why...you actually called them both here?"
Queen Lanna chuckled and said, "It's just to relieve boredom."
"Where's Osborne?"
"The children are all asleep. Don't worry, our joking will not disturb them." Lanna said.
Nolen was very sensible when he saw this: "Since the king is here, Beyathil and I should also avoid it." After that, she was about to leave.
"Wait a minute. Since the three of you are here, I will just arrange things for you."
So, Ryuri ordered the three women to sit down obediently. As if on a whim, he ordered the three of them to put on their shirts early tomorrow morning and ride on their horses as female warriors. He made some explanations, especially to the women he loved.
My own great dream.
"Huh. Is it really feasible to dig swamps and create rivers?" Nolen muttered involuntarily.
"You don't think so?"
"If it's you, you can definitely do it." Her reply was a bit perfunctory.
"I support it." Lanna twisted her neck, "Oh, I have to take Osborne with me for such a good thing. I want to go out for a walk. It would be great if I go hiking on horseback."
"Actually, you want to ride a horse more!" Rurik glanced at the smiling Beyasier: "I knew it..."
Svetalana was never a canary willing to stay in a birdcage. She was lively by nature. Just because she was chosen by Old Otto as Rurik's first wife when she was six years old, a lively and naughty little girl was forced to be
Her parents forced her to be a lady, but now who can really restrain her behavior? As a daughter of the grassland, Beyah Hill took the opportunity to introduce her to the customs and customs of the grassland people. The joy and freedom of galloping on horseback!
None of them are ordinary noble women, each of them has actually participated in battles and killed enemies.
Lana just lacks opportunities.
The next day, Rurik put on his shirt again. Since this operation was just for inspection, he did not wear the load-bearing chain mail and scale armor. Since it was the peak of the warm period, he wore cooler clothes.
It's not noble.
He put on a large-brimmed hat made of felt, which could be called a "Fanyang Li" in terms of style, with dyed feathers inserted into the top of the hat. He also put on wooden-framed sunglasses, a sword hanging from his waist, holding the reins in both hands, and holding his legs
Mengjiama set off with his entourage.
The queen and her two concubines were none other than Lanna, Nolen and Beyathil. They were dressed up to look like male warriors. Their leather helmets were hanging on the saddles, and the three women were also wearing large-brimmed hats to protect them from the sun.
He also carries a bow, arrow and sword, which makes him look really heroic.
The queen is his biological sister. Governor Medved has never seen her riding a horse since she gave birth to the prince. After all, her sister likes exciting things. She can't stop smiling while holding the reins, which shows that riding a horse is really a joy.
Medved still had a task. He rode a horse to escort the carriage behind him. Karl, Brand and the other three, all five old Russians, really didn't know how to ride a horse. Today, they actually saw the king, queen and even the prince riding together.
The scene of the ride was really eye-opening.
The attendants on horseback held high the Russian flag, and Rurik swaggered towards the cavalry camp.
At this moment, Brody gathered all the troops to line up and wait for the king's review. They had all moved outside the camp and formed neat lines according to each team.
From time to time, some war horses lowered their heads to nibble on some grass roots, and some horses moved their hooves as if they were impatient.
Rurik saw them from a distance and quickly met them.
"This is the style of the cavalry?! It's so majestic. Ah? Why do they all have children's faces?" Karl was surprised.
Brand, who was riding in the same carriage, teased him: "Brother, this is the King's newly trained Second Flag Team. Look at that man, Brody. You should recognize him."
"Him? His father's name is Harald or Harald, oops. I just know that his father broke a front tooth."
"I know too. This guy is a member of our clan and he is doing well now."
The five old guys from Old Ross commented and lamented that the younger generation was terrible, and lamented that they were getting old.
Times have indeed changed! Karl can deeply feel that the Rose of today is completely different from the Rose of ten years ago. It seems that the only thing that remains unchanged is everyone's respect for Odin, and the old leader Otto who is still alive. Oh.
No, now the old guys have to affectionately call the big brother of the tribe "the Supreme King".
The cavalry team has a heroic appearance. Although the riders are young, everyone is dressed exactly the same. They are white bear skin waistcoats with blue cloth strips sewn on them. Everyone has a summer hat with a big brim and blue feathers on each top.
They also wore helmets hanging on the saddles, and they all carried quivers and bows, as well as swords on their waists.
The cavalry spear is different from the infantry spear. It is much shorter, with a spike at the top and a counterweight at the end. The spear shaft is made of soft wood, and there is no operation of painting and soaking it with rosin to make it hard. The so-called spear head spur
If the enemy's strength is too great, it will break directly. The purpose is to protect the cavalry from being dismounted.
The spears stand upright like a forest, and each spear is hung with a blue and white cloth strip.
As far as a single ceremonial guard is concerned, they are extremely dishonest, but they have not been tested in actual combat. In the short term, Rurik will not let the 2nd Cavalry participate in actual combat. Outsiders think that their brilliance means strong combat effectiveness. This is an illusion. They are actually a bunch of showy people now.
As a new recruit, it is absolutely forbidden to go to war, so going on a parade with him is just right.
Rurik simply carried Prince Osborne into his saddle. The child's eyes were completely attracted by the gorgeous cavalry.
It is a blessing that the king and the prince review the second cavalry together.
"I saw a powerful cavalry! I know you will make great achievements for me and Ross in the future. Prove yourself now! Follow me! I will take you on a parade!"
"Ula~Ula~Ula~"
They made three special Viking war cries in a row. Only the elite elite troops of close confidants were allowed to shout "Ula", but everyone didn't know its deeper meaning. It probably meant "glory" or something like that.
This is just Rurik's bad taste, but once you get familiar with it, you won't feel embarrassed at all.
After finishing his final lecture, Rurik suddenly pulled out his sword, and the sound of the sword buzzed in the prince's ears. The young Osborne was not afraid and subconsciously extended his right hand to imitate.
or father.
Rurik tilted his head slightly and couldn't help but smile knowingly when he saw this scene.
You said: "Second Cavalry! Follow me! Go to Balotavo on the western swamp and see our new western territory!"
Balotawo is an unfamiliar term. After all, the king mentioned the "new western territory", and the rising enthusiasm of the young warriors became even stronger.
A mighty cavalry team, with warriors' horses in saddles, looked like a marching forest. The Ross flag fluttered in the south wind, and the strips of the riding spears were blown away. They rushed towards Calf Manor,
Immediately, the people of the manor came out to watch the show, including the ten people who drifted back from the smear campaign last night...