The cavalry rushed downstream along the West Dvina River. No one knew what would happen when they met the guys in the Gulf of Riga.
Fighting is not Fisk's first choice unless the opponent first shows hostility.
In principle, it is possible to loot the villages encountered, but Fisk does not want to waste time on this matter.
The cavalry lined up in columns and strolled through the lush vegetation. The horses had no worries about supplies, and the riders had no worries about food and clothing. However, the brothers hoped that this journey would make them rich. Many people had the idea of plundering, but they had to suppress it because of the boss's request.
.
Ordinary soldiers did not know that the pineapple people described by old Harold were ten large tribes, but they knew one thing. There was a group of Danish immigrants living in the city of Riga.
Even if those northerners have immigrated for a long time, perhaps many of them have integrated with the locals. Those people are worthy of respect, and the Russians may not necessarily have the absolute upper hand in the event of a fight.
After marching for two consecutive days, there was no one on both sides of the river.
But careful people accidentally saw a very large beast suddenly scurrying past. It had yellow fur with many black spots on it.
That's the leopard, which the Polotsk people call lambarta.
It was during the conflict with the Polotsk people that the Russians and Ostara saw the leather of European leopards for the first time. It is much more gorgeous than ordinary animal skins, the fur is smoother, and it is expected to be warmer in winter.
It must be very cool to wear it on your body, but it is a pity that too few were captured from the Polotsk people.
In today's era, wild animals are still prosperous in the vast forests of Northeast Europe. Large creatures such as European bison and European leopards still maintain high numbers. However, expanding humans have been encroaching on the living space of these animals, hunting them for meat and leather.
, and then cut down trees and transform them into fields and pastures.
Even though the population of the Baltic people has always been small, and their weapons and equipment are worse than those of nearby ethnic groups, it is more than enough to hunt these beasts.
European leopards, brown bears, and wild boars will actively attack people and livestock, and even destroy granaries. Therefore, people build stacked walls and wooden fences to prevent wild beasts from invading settlements. People who work outside must also be vigilant to avoid becoming the prey of wild beasts.
A delicious meal, which gave birth to a hunting team, in groups of three or five, carrying spears and bows and arrows, actively looking for wild beasts to kill.
The various Vikings, the various Slavs, and all the Baltic people, including the old Russians, had very similar production and lifestyles before entering farming and settlement. The Vikings had the advantage of navigation technology.
You can choose to settle, and you have the ability to choose your own settlement in the Baltic Sea, which is geographically trivial.
The Danish immigrant community in the Gulf of Riga was born, but the heroes who came to settle here had diverse pasts. Some were simple fishermen, some were traveling businessmen, and even deported criminals.
However, in the past ten years, Riga has not heard of any new Danish immigrants arriving, but the Saaremaa Island outside the harbor has become a big trouble.
Riding horseback all the way to the sea, old Harold found it difficult to relieve his boredom. In the past, he did not dare to ask more questions, but now he boldly asked them.
He tightened his grip on the reins and, having already learned how to ride a horse, looked at Fisk: "Friend, are the people on Saaremaa all your Russians?"
"Exactly. What's so strange about that?"
"It's really strange. Many tribes will expel their criminals, and those criminals will be given a raft to float freely on the sea. This is a kind of punishment. Many criminals drowned directly in the sea, but some people still managed to float to that raft.
Island. Later, Saaremaa became a pirate's nest."
Fisk shrugged. He remembered many things. Since they were both bored, he also talked about some past events.
"Hahaha." Fisk couldn't help laughing.
"why are you laughing."
"Is Saaremaa a cesspit? To be honest, even we Russians punished criminals with exile, and some people simply drifted to that island."
"Ah?!" Old Harold never knew about this.
"Are you surprised?"
"Why not be surprised? It is a holy land for the guilty. They thrive on the island. All the exiles and their descendants are pirates. This group of guys makes the Latvians in Riga very helpless. As long as they go further to the sea, they will be attacked by pirates.
So many people are unwilling to go to sea."
"Is there such a thing?" Fisk pinched his beard and thought about it. What this old man said was true. In the past, I heard the "great explorer" Spuyut boast that he was a Russian who accidentally drifted to Saaremaa Island.
He fought a battle with local pirates. If not for this conflict, Ross would not have encountered his fellow tribesmen and their descendants who were exiled in the past.
"Absolutely true."
"But aren't there a lot of Danes in Riga? You know, we can be merchants or pirates on the sea. Why don't you Danes organize yourself to attack Saaremaa? You could have done that tomorrow."
"Why?" Old Harold asked, directly stopping Fisk.
Yes. Why?
"Why on earth? Of course you are not cowards. There is a story in this."
Old Harold shrugged the same way, and the answer was very counter-intuitive: "Why can we only go through the dangerous ocean? Young Fisk, how are you sure that we came from Denmark by rowing? Can't we go overland? Otherwise, you
Why do you think I know so many tribes over there?"
"There is actually a land passage?"
"Of course." Old Harold held the reins with his left hand and started gesticulating with his right hand. "We just live in Riga, and we don't want to have conflicts with people outside. It doesn't mean we know nothing. I heard that Denmark changed its size.
The leader is someone from the Stonewall tribe who has become the new leader. Since you said that this leader has made a contract with your king of Ross, this is a good thing for everyone."
"Yes."
"Then, we start from Denmark, row eastward along the coastline of the Pomeranian territory, turn into some rivers and reach the depths. We will meet the locals, and we can tow our boat and continue
Xiangdong. You know this kind of thing best." As he said that, Old Harold cast a strange look.
Fisk thought about it again and found it to be true. Boating on dry land is not a big deal at all, especially for Ross's man-made large ships. In the past, the trick was to build the ship on land and then use the combined efforts of everyone to tow it.
To the sea.
He had a very limited understanding of the European world south of the sea. He only knew the general geographical structure and coastline direction from the "sacred map" provided by Rurik. As for the various types of people living there, he still needed to see it in person.
Old Harold's experience makes him a guide, and the new information revealed by the old guy's chatting along the way is also a source of entertainment.
The so-called "some rivers" actually refer to the Vistula River and the Neman River. If you take the Vistula River, you must pass through the territory of the ancient Prussians. If you take the Neman River, you must pass by the Zemet people and Okshtet.
And the territory of the Utvin (Lithuania) people. There is no problem in doing business with these people. Their territory also has tributary waterways that flow into the West Dvina River. On the one hand, these tribes do business, exchanging Nordic iron and salt for the local people.
The leather was then transported by inland river to the Danish community in Riga, and then back up the West Dvina River to the upper reaches of the marshes. Then it reached the Dnieper River and headed towards the Roman Kherson.
The Danes who settled in Riga will definitely not die if they do not do business. Their simple pursuit is to live a prosperous life. Business is a means to achieve their goals. Of course, farming with peace of mind and offshore fishing are also means.
Harold Sr. pointed out two trade routes starting from Denmark and eventually leading to Rome:
First: Jutland Peninsula → Pomeranian Coast → Vistula River Estuary → Prussian Territory → Bug River Territory of Polish Tribes → Drigovic Territory of Pripet River → Kriwicz
The territory of the Kievians and the Derevlians → along the Dnieper River directly to the Roman city of Kherson in Crimea.
Second: Jutland Peninsula → Pomeranian Coast → Prussian Coast → Niemen River Estuary → Okshtet Tribe → Semigalian Tribe → Riga of Latvian Tribe → Source of West Dvina River
Land→Smolensk→Follow the Dnieper River directly to Kherson in Rome.
Old Harold spoke so many nouns that Fisk's head was buzzing.
"You'd better stop talking. I know that you know two new lines, which is unheard of by us Russians. So you are very useful. When you have the opportunity, report it to our king yourself! Maybe only the king can easily understand you."
Hearing this, old Harold just laughed and said nothing.
Because the "Road to Khiva" has existed for thousands of years, it is not an inland transportation line. Ancient ancestors have already explored the route. This is why Baltic Sea amber can be inlaid on the golden mask of the Egyptian Pharaoh.
This was a bygone era. A piece of Nordic gemstone was gradually transported to Greece and Egypt through relay trade by tribes of different origins living in Europe. Each relay would raise the price, but merchants often had no idea about the source of the goods at hand.
Very unfamiliar, only vaguely aware that it comes from the north.
"Road to Khiva" is named after the Varyag people complete one-stop trading services through wholesale, transportation and sales directly from the place of origin. Gems and furs are top commodities!
However, it is now 841 AD. In previous eras, the direct transportation and sales operations of the Norsemen were very small, unless there was a huge power that could control the entire trade line and develop it to make it extremely prosperous.
The responsibility of history falls in Ross's hands, and this is a historical necessity.
Therefore, old Harold described the two western routes of the "Road to Khiva". Now there is also the central road that goes straight south from Novgorod that the Russians have opened up. In the foreseeable future, once the Russians successfully find the legendary
The Volga River channel in the center and a low-cost shortcut to reach it, and the eastern road will be opened immediately.
At least Harold Sr. described how Danish immigrants arrived in Riga, and Fisk tried to keep it in mind.
He thought of another thing: "I took away many gems from you. Is it true that Riga is rich in amber?"
Mentioning this matter undoubtedly hurt Old Harold, but unfortunately it was irreversible. After some self-comfort, he could only treat it as a stolen gem and a sign of surrender.
"Yes. Riga's beaches are sandy and rocky, and you can find amber and beeswax as long as you look carefully. You can even dig up amber from river beaches and the soil under nearby forests."
"Oh! That's great!"
A wonderful idea came to Fisk's mind. He knew very well the psychological feelings of the soldiers. Originally, going south from Novgorod to Lukiholm was considered an expedition, and then building the Vitebsk Fortress was purely a new plan.
Going to Riga this autumn is purely for personal gain.
If the army robs Riga, it will inevitably cause a large-scale resistance among the locals. No! Just the arrival of this cavalry is enough to cause the locals to be on high alert.
The brothers want to make a fortune, and if they ask for tribute from the locals, they are afraid they won't obediently give it. Then they start everyone to go to the beach to find lakes, collect gems based on their skills, bring them to Fort New Rose and sell them, everyone can make a fortune.
Fisk and old Harold got along very well, so when others saw the boss and the guide talking and laughing together, God knows what they were happy about.
The vast number of soldiers have been marching, and it seems unlikely that they will gain anything along the way, not even a chance to hunt. Boredom breeds complaints.
On a brand new ordinary night of boredom, Fisk specially ordered the squad leaders and handed over Svalgard and Pecheneg Getsal.
The two men naturally had some complaints. Fiske could see what they wanted to say, so he took the first step: "Listen to me. I learned that there are a lot of sand and stones on the beach in Riga, which contains a lot of amber and beeswax. We have arrived.
Riga is free to rummage, brothers find gems based on their skills, and the final price they sell for depends on your skills. In this way, we will make a fortune, and the guys in Riga will not embarrass us."
In this way, the two people who complained immediately changed their mentality.
"What else do you want to say?"
"No more." Quetzal said with a smile on his face. He was a grassland man and knew the preciousness of amber, but it seemed that it was everywhere on the beaches in the north.
Svalgard also has a new statement: "The Duchess of Ostara has a huge piece of amber polished into a ball. I'm afraid it was dug out from the coast of Riga? Maybe we can dig it out too.
Got a big guy. May God Frei bless us and make us rich."
Duchess Carlotta of Ostara and her sister Ella have as many as three large amber orbs, which are the treasures given to the three siblings by the old leader. Unfortunately, the younger brother died in the war, and the title eventually fell to the eldest daughter Carlo
The amber orb in the hands of the tower became the treasure of the principality. All the people who later joined the principality of Ostara knew this. Since the treasure of the principality is the big amber, it is natural for every citizen to have their own amber ornaments.
Fisk's statement quickly spread throughout the camp.
Go to Riga! Dig for amber!
A new slogan was born. Early the next morning, Fisk no longer saw the decadent expressions of his brothers. Everyone's eyes were burning with fire. Apparently they all felt that if they continued, they would definitely make a fortune.
The cavalry continued to move, and the channel of the West Dvina River became wider.
For many tribes who speak Baltic, they all call it the Daugava River in their own language. Objectively speaking, when the cavalry encountered the first Baltic tribal community, they changed the name of the river to
Daugava River.
A Finnish hillfort that looked exactly like the one in the memory suddenly appeared on Fisk's right hand side. All the cavalrymen looked at the mound in front, where there were large-scale crenellated walls and a large number of thatched houses behind the crenellated walls.
The stacked walls appear to be made of rammed earth, and it’s not surprising that the thatched houses are simpler. There are many fields between the thatched houses.
What is visible to the naked eye is that a mound has been extensively transformed, with residential areas and woods melting away. If you look closely, you can also notice a simple fortress with wooden walls.
Fisk felt that the time had come, and he raised his right fist high at the front to signal the entire army to stop.
He asked Harold Sr., who was obviously nervous: "Is this a city? Who lives here? It's definitely not Riga."
"Are you... planning to attack like this?"
"Unless they attack me. You didn't answer my question."
"Yes. This is the so-called highland. What you see is the fortress of the Selon people. The locals call it selonpails, which means high castle."
The name is concise and concise, but they must be defending something when they built the settlement into a fortress.
Fisk narrowed his eyes and looked at it: "Are they defending against attacks from certain forces? For this reason, why don't they transform the entire mound into a mountain fortress?"
"They have multiple villages, and what you see now is the largest settlement. They want to prevent the Latvians and Semigalians from encroaching on their territory. I heard that they fought each other once a long time ago, and this is what happened.
"
Fisk couldn't help but pursed his lips and thought for a moment: "So the Seron people are the losers?"
"At least I didn't win."
"What a bunch of weaklings. It makes me want to hit them again."
"Ah? These guys are not rich, why waste time? What if there are more casualties..."
"I'm just saying. Indeed, I don't want to waste time." Fisk shook his head, immediately summoned his subordinates, and then quickly spread the news throughout the entire column. There was only one order, which was to prohibit unauthorized attacks on the poor Seron people.
Are they a group of poor people? They have no right to be robbed by the Ross cavalry! People who want to make a fortune digging amber will obey Fisk's orders.
But suddenly a group of cavalry came from upstream. They were very neatly dressed and fluttering flags that were unheard of.
A group of Seron people fished in the riverside area as usual and took care of the fields in the riverside area. The Seron people also completed their autumn harvest. Although the food production was not enough, their population was not large, and the birth rate and death rate were high.
Under this situation, the population maintains a balance, and the living people can make do with enough food and clothing.
In line with the principle of running away if they can't be provoked, they took as much as possible with their belongings and ran away. In a short time, they retreated into the walls and fled into the mounds. The walls were built to block infantry attacks. This move was incompatible with the Finnish mountains.
The fort has a similar effect, and it is obviously also effective against potential cavalry feints.
The Ross cavalry had no intention of attacking the Seron people. Like the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, they passed through this area quickly and were soon obscured by the clusters of woods at the bends of the winding river. The cavalry also began to officially enter the territory of the Latvians. They were now on the river.
The right bank, while the left bank is the territory of Semigaliyare, with only the last two days left to travel to Riga.
(The settlements developed by the Seron people gradually formed the city of Daugavpils, the second largest city in Latvia.)