For the sake of the giant ship Sea Monarch, the Ross Navy must expand its forces.
The specific matters of military expansion were left to the "Marine War Chief" Goldlund.
He was originally appointed as the first person to manage naval affairs. Out of trust, Rurik had full authority over the military expansion affairs to this person. Rurik retained the final power of interpretation and authorization.
But to serve as a navy, in the eyes of the world, is essentially to serve as a royal sailor for the king.
Who is this Goedelund? He used to be Old Gould's subordinate, but now he has become a big shot.
Real Russians don't think there is anything noble about the navy, or they don't recognize Goedelund's military exploits. After all, Rurik himself commanded many naval battles in the past, and so did the sons of the Gould family.
There was no formal navy at that time, and the sailors in the navy were only responsible for operating ships. When the war really started, the troops who focused on land warfare took part in naval warfare.
Apart from King Rurik, who is the master of navigation in Rus? The world is more willing to recognize the explorer Spyut who was named Count of Saaremaa.
If you want to be a soldier, you should be the king's standing army! Either infantry or cavalry. Only by being an army can you make a fortune in future wars. After all the wars, people have reached a consensus.
As for the navy? That is a large group of armed sailors. They only bring weapons ashore unless needed in wartime. They can control ships very well, and there is no point in fighting in formation on the shore. In this way, there is basically no chance of getting loot.
Perhaps we can use the power of battleships to carry out plunder at sea?
Piracy was not uncommon in the past, but it is now a serious crime.
Because King Rus promised to all those who surrendered to him, King Rus would be the protector of maritime security. The task of catching pirates was entrusted to Count Saaremaa. The patrolling ships often cruised in the South Baltic Sea, which was full of murderous people in the past, and punished them with force.
sin.
It would be a good thing if that were all true.
The world also knows what Count Saaremaa's men are. They are a large group of pirates who have been recruited, and there are even descendants of deported criminals. This group of people will act as a maritime security patrol force, and they will not take the opportunity to take advantage of the enemy.
want?
The descendants of the old Rus are generally resistant to this. They trust their king very much and have some grudges about becoming a navy before the navy truly achieves great achievements.
When it comes to recruiting troops, Goethelund has no shortage of soldiers.
In the Harvest Square, you shouted at the top of your lungs to recruit new sailors, promising to be paid for taking care of the food, so that young idlers or guys with debts at home would come to try their luck.
He quickly recruited a group of young people and made statistics on their identities.
Most of these people come from Lake Mälaren. They are young immigrants from various Swedish tribes. At that time, they came across the ocean with their parents as children. Now in Neurosberg, they often appear as proletarians.
New Roseburg can provide them with many labor opportunities. These young blond people appear in various workshops, especially leather workshops.
Tanning leather has to endure the stench of inevitable animal decay and face alkaline substances. But tanning leather has been an industry in Russia since ancient times, and they must endure it in order to make money. Young people have no ability to bargain with their employers, so they basically
There are no rest days, and during busy periods, workers have to endure the short light of severe winter and work even with oil lamps lit. If the season falls, workers have to find another job.
Selling logging, selling fish, and even going to the quarries in the East to work with the group of exiled criminals, just to earn wages.
Hunt and capture rare small animals, or form a bear hunting team and station in the Bear Altar Town in the northeast. Young people have a low status in the team, and the income depends entirely on the number of hunts, and the final dividends are not much.
Another reason why they don't make much is competition from Finns.
In the past era, the Finnish Suomi Tribe Alliance had a large population but lived a rough life. Their life was very bad, but because there were no forests and lakes to block their vision, they did not feel that they were really bad, until the whole tribe was merged into the Rus' system.
New Roseburg needed labor, so the Suomi people came in large numbers in canoes and formed a large Finnish shantytown outside the capital. They were more able to endure hardships and were more easily satisfied because they felt that most Suomi people were shorter in stature.
, they don’t seem to be good warriors who go into battle to kill. They are self-aware in this regard and are generally willing to be stable laborers.
The Suomi people naturally entered the large and small leather workshops in Russia and became cheap hired workers. Swedish immigrants who were willing to work in this industry also had to endure high prices.
But they are Swedes after all, and have exactly the same ancestry as the old Russians.
As a sailor, with a stable salary, you can, in principle, serve forever, until your beard turns gray and you can no longer work anymore.
Even the king will arrange for the last dignity of old warriors. Retired warriors are assigned some jobs, especially brought to the ordnance factory in the capital, where they polish newly produced metal weapons and install feathers and clusters on new arrows in exchange for daily wages.
Food rations. Even if you die, a kingdom will come to collect your body.
This was the end for some of the veterans of the Second Standard, who had retired, and those who were willing to continue serving the king had been sitting comfortably indoors this winter adding weapons to the royal family.
The salary is not much, but the advantage is that it is very stable.
When there is no war, you have to work as a escort for ocean transportation. You have to endure boredom when you can't go ashore for a long time. The advantage is that you don't have to worry about starvation.
Goldlund recruited 200 people in a short period of time, and they were all briefly selected. These were all the best who passed the test.
The wind is sunny and the snow in Harvest Square has been cleared away, revealing the original cement pavement. However, the quality of the cement is not good. After several years of wind and rain, although there was no serious crushing by heavy objects, the surface layer will inevitably appear.
It disintegrates and the overall texture is very rough.
Even this kind of road surface is known as a "wonderfully hard flat ground". It is still the best place for troops to gather and dry wheat during the harvest season.
No, Goedelund stood in the square with the two hundred new sailors he recruited, waiting for the king's review.
Look at these people. Plain white linen is cut into a robe that barely reaches the knees, and a deerskin belt is tied around the waist. The cloth robe covers the casual clothes inside, and the robe can be sewn with blue cloth strips to highlight their identity.
They all wear a dark brown deerskin hat with a wide brim for sun protection. There are also small metal hooks on it, and the brim turns into a three-cornered hat when folded.
Why was the sun hat deliberately shaped like a three-cornered hat? Goldlund didn't understand. He only knew that this was the king's preference.
"It should be to show the difference between us and those land troops."
He has already done some ideological work for the new recruits.
After all, those young people who are aspiring to kill the enemy and make great achievements and make a fortune, when they hear that the king is recruiting a standing army, rush to sign up even if they don't even eat.
Only when recruiting the navy, they were all a group of honest workers. The whole winter of work made their young faces look old. This is because the tanning of leather operations is coming to an end this winter, and a large number of workers are instantly unemployed. The unemployed Suomi people
I will use the money I earn to buy daily necessities on the spot, planning to return to my hometown in Finland happily with the supplies as the ice melts.
These Swedish ethnic workers really can't refuse the opportunity to work in the navy and get a stable salary, even if their life is not that good.
Before they really taste the benefits, recruits may not be convinced that their profession is glorious, although they can keep saying that "it is an honor to serve the king."
Goldlund took them collectively to the dry dock of the Sea Monarch. This group of people, who had spent a long time in the tanned leather building and been around the stench, were shocked and awed when they saw the huge ship looking like it was about to leave port.
When they learned that they would become sailors on this giant ship, they became even more excited and frightened.
"How can I, an ordinary person, control such a big ship?" People have to doubt themselves.
Goldlund couldn't care too much. He was ordered to do something. Now the ice was melting badly and the voyage was not far away. He had to show the results of his recruitment to the king.
The sun shines on the earth, and even though there is still a north wind, it is no longer biting and biting.
Merchants are preparing for spring trade. It is another warm season, and the capital is also preparing for spring plowing.
Rurik has its own important affairs, and is in urgent need of a thousand warriors for the expedition. They are busy reorganizing their armaments and receiving brand-new weapons.
In the southern world, due to the lack of high-quality large iron ores, the overall price of various iron tools in Frankia is relatively high. There are iron ores in southern Frankia (France), and their grades are low, making smelting costs high. Unlike the northern mines controlled by the Russians, they can
It produces excellent ore with a grade of over 80%. Even so, selling iron is enough to make some southern nobles rich. Objectively speaking, in order to maintain their financial resources, they have reason to avoid being under the control of Lothair, the real power of the Franks.
, which gave them reason to choose "Bald" Charlie, who was not old enough to go bald, as their agent.
By smelting pig iron in a blast furnace and combining it with the steel frying method, Ross's smelting costs are much lower than those of its counterparts in the south. What's more, iron ore is easy to obtain and the output is large.
Rurik has hundreds of senior blacksmiths, each with at least two apprentices. It is not a problem for each blacksmith to make three sets of chest plate armor in one winter. After an inspection, Rurik got extremely satisfactory results, because the person in charge Ka
Mne was able to produce five hundred sets of chest plate armor.
Armor should be practical. Look at this armor. The overall chest plate protects the warrior's entire front torso, and the back is a cloth armor made of leather riveted with iron plates and covered with cloth.
The matching "iron skirt" is also made of leather and riveted iron pieces, which can protect the soldiers' thighs.
The arms are still covered with traditional chainmail armor. Veteran warriors all have one or two sets of this type of armor in stock, mostly captured from battles over the past ten years.
Soldiers must wear high-top leather boots with Slavic characteristics. They are mainly made of the most common deerskin. There are a lot of rivets on the soles. They make a lot of noise when they walk. If they march in line at the same rhythm, the rumble will be really powerful and domineering, which is what Ross is used to.
Great boots for armed cruising around the city.
The soldiers' iron helmets were further thickened. In addition to adding an integral plate armor on the forehead, the existing huge iron nose guard was expanded into a "butterfly". It was upgraded to a so-called butterfly helmet, with horizontal iron plates enough to protect the soldiers.
The cheekbones. The helmet still has hooks, just for hanging the ring armor. Multiple rings of ring armor are connected in series by ropes. When needed, they can be hung on the iron helmet. This directly protects all parts below the nose, especially the chest plate armor which cannot be protected.
Protect the neck.
When a soldier puts on this suit, he is truly a new type of heavy infantry who is invulnerable.
Since Rus is very rich in iron weapons, it is only logical to pile up armor like crazy for his standing army.
All members of the First Banner Squadron of the Standing Army, led by veteran General Grund, were equipped with heavy armor, causing the number of "Crazy Bears" that originally numbered only a hundred to soar to as many as five hundred, and the armor became even heavier.
In order to withstand such an armor, the soldiers had to enjoy delicious and delicious special meals. In exchange, they had to strengthen their physical training, especially training their muscles, so that they could truly withstand such an extreme weight of the armor and stomach.
No, when Rurik organized a hundred people with an experimental mentality to dress up in such an extreme way, and they lined up to form a shield wall, at first glance it seemed that removing the shield had no effect.
Stacked armor is so extreme, what's the use of a shield?
Most people hold steel swords and hand axes, but a small number of people don't use shields at all and focus on using a special Nordic forest ax that can thrust.
The new equipment of the Standing Army's First Flag Team, Mu Sha's newly built Seventh Flag Team, the young soldiers saw a large-scale "Iron Man" for the first time. A major question couldn't help but surfaced: "What if I fight against such an enemy?"
Where to kill the enemy?"
I'm afraid that the heavy ax will only scratch the stomach if it is draped on it, let alone the sword.
Rurik has already tested it. The surface hardness of the mild steel breastplate after quenching is astonishing. Even if the steel-arm crossbow is shot at close range and breaks the sharp arrow cluster, it can only hit a small one on the steel plate.
Big dent.
The heavy arrows of the steel-armed crossbow were shot at close range. This was a strategy that Luo Jun had been unhappy with for many battles. Now the strongest arrow was defeated by the strongest armor.
It conforms to the historical process. Real plate armor can basically prevent any missed arrows.
The iron men of the standing army will always be in reserve for the most decisive battle in cruel battles. Blue Fox will send a thousand troops. Although he envies the king's iron army, he does not have the money to build such a fierce army.
What's worse is that because a huge sum of money has to be handed over to Robert, Earl of Raiingau, who sold the land, the money should be provided by the Gould family. Specifically, he lent it to his younger brother Black Fox. His biological brother
The accounts must also be settled clearly. In exchange, the younger brother will use future wine earnings to repay the debt for the land purchase.
After all, this is a matter that only brothers can see. What makes Blue Fox very happy is that King Rurik decided to put the "Iron Army" into the expedition, and he was appointed as the commander. With a strong army in hand, some robberies that he did not dare to do last year were possible.
The act of plunder has been committed this year.
I'm afraid there's more than just trust here.
Goedelund's newly recruited sailors still don't know that the king has replaced an entire standard-bearing iron army. If necessary, each of these people can decorate their helmets with bear heads and become "berserkers" among the five hundred.
He was very satisfied with the results of his recruitment. The new sailors had been standing in the early spring sunshine for a while, still trying to keep the team as neat as possible, forming a matrix like wooden piles.
Finally, the king appeared with his golden laurel crown and his entourage.
Rurik was followed by twenty soldiers. They wore iron helmets and put on breastplates over thick woolen coats. The large area of the breastplate was deliberately polished, reflecting a strong light that could not be ignored in the sun, easily attracting the attention of all the new sailors.
Notice.
Naturally, Goethelund was also surprised.
"Your Majesty, everything is fine." His words were somewhat flattering.
Rurik couldn't help stroking his beard with a sullen face. He ordered all his followers to stand at attention and walked around the new sailors in formation.
Pairs of eyes couldn't help but glance at the young king, but their bodies were still as straight as wooden stakes, and they did not dare to be restless even for the sake of a stable salary in the future.
"Not bad." After reviewing it, Rurik looked into Goldlund's eyes: "I thought you would recruit strange people. They are all blond. Is there not many descendants of the old Russians?"
"Hey, actually, almost all of them are from Mellaren."
"Melaren people?"
"There are also people from Yelmalun. They all come to the capital to make a living. When they heard that the king was recruiting troops, they came here to sign up. As for why there are no old Russians, maybe..."
"Maybe what?"
"I just think your salary is too low."
"Ha! There is such a thing." Rurik shrugged and thought it was ridiculous. He didn't want a raise even if the salary he gave was low. "It's just a reason, it doesn't matter. Since they are all from Sweden, how loyal are they?"
?Are they all good at sailing?"
"Loyalty should be no problem, the latter...it's hard to say."
Goldlund was very honest, Rurik nodded, thinking of some plans.
It happened that the new recruits were gathering, and Rurik loudly announced directly in front of them: "If you want to be a standing naval soldier, you must prove your loyalty. Of course you can claim to be loyal, but I don't want to hear what you say, I just want to see you do it!"
Now I give you a chance for war! The elite troops are about to go on an expedition to Frank, and I need some sailors to participate. What do you do? Can you? I give you a chance. Go through the expedition and prove your loyalty."
The king's speech caused an uproar. No one was timid about war. On the contrary, what they wanted was the opportunity to make a fortune by fighting. Unexpectedly, the king himself gave them the opportunity.
"But they are too young. They have never participated in a war before. They have been working as laborers in the capital." Goldlund was really worried about his own people.
"Are they considered young?" Rurik glanced at the corner of his mouth: "I will also order the Seventh Flag to go on an expedition. My nephew is only thirteen years old and will go to the battlefield in person. Aren't they younger?"
"this……"
"Is there any reason?"
"They still lack training."
"It doesn't matter. They can row a boat, so they are good sailors. Since they were laborers in the past, there must be many people who can cut wood and make wooden utensils. We need such talents. As for the lack of training, the top commander appointed by the king this time is Blue Fox.
Gouldson, a member of your old employer’s family. What do you think of him? Training troops is no problem at all.”
"That's true. It's a matter of such a big ship..."
"Hey." Rurik couldn't help but pat the shoulders of these veterans, "You have a huge responsibility! The Sea Monarch is our new flagship, who will be authorized to conduct sea trials? Of course it is you! I will also appoint you as the new flagship.
Captain of the flagship, I want you to select elite sailors who must learn how to operate this big ship this summer. You will conduct sea trials at the Kronstadt anchorage, and I need your results."
To be honest, Goldlund was a little surprised when he heard that the king had intended to sail the big ship directly to the mouth of the Rhine River to show off to the group of Frankish nobles.
The king has changed his mind. It seems that the king is very cautious in this regard.
"As ordered." Goethelund swore, holding his heart in his hands, just to declare that he would definitely implement it. This chapter has been completed!