Chapter 460 The general mobilization of Gotland and the strategic blockade of the Ross fleet
Some sneaky people were always observing in secret. They were spies sent by the merchants. Haken noticed their presence when he went to redeem people. He had no intention of caring about these guys, and the spies were afraid of being exposed.
The spies were always hiding. They saw the king's failure from a distance in shock and fear, as well as the ferocity and cunning of the Russians.
The Russians withdrew, leaving behind the corpses of Gotland warriors, as well as a large number of arrows stuck on the corpses and shields.
The eldest son is dead. Even if the eldest son is still alive, he is now a useless person with his hands broken. Such a person has no right to inherit power. Haken put the eldest son's body aside, enduring the grief and anger in his heart, and squatted down to inspect the confiscated Ross.
Human arrows.
"Russians, have you ever used iron arrow clusters? This arrow cluster..."
There is no doubt that these are all iron arrow clusters, but why is their color so different from half the iron?
The confiscated arrow clusters are very long. They can easily penetrate the iron ring of the chain mail like a chisel, and persecute the armor ring very simply. After such an impact, the arrow clusters are still sharp and straight, without any bends.
sign.
The short and thick crossbow arrows were meaningless to the Gotlanders. Only its arrow clusters could be removed and made into long arrows.
As for those lightweight long arrows, they can be used immediately after being captured.
The Gotlanders failed again, and the prospects for a future decisive battle became even bleaker.
Haken directed his mercenaries to dig holes and bury the corpses on the spot. The mercenaries were frightened. Thinking of the future decisive battle in which they had to fight such a barbaric enemy and most likely die in battle, they began to complain and finally forced
Haken paid more and reluctantly started digging holes.
Only the body of the eldest son Siegfast will be taken back and he will be buried in Haken's family cemetery. Of course, this burial is secret, Haken does not want others to see his embarrassment.
At least for Siegfast, his tragic experience came to an abrupt end, and he no longer had to worry about the horrors of the future.
It takes time to bury a large number of bodies, and Haken has been keeping watch under the hills while dealing with the mess.
The spies fled back to Visby with terrible news. They claimed that they had seen terrible things, and they spread the news with embarrassment, as if King Harkon had been killed.
Is the news reliable?
Merchants believed very much in what the spies they sent out saw and heard, because they were all worthy of belief.
In addition to Heken's family, the heads of eleven large merchant families gathered in the meeting hall, and all the village leaders came in droves, just asking for the latest news.
"Hakon, who proclaimed himself king, is dead! There is no king now, and we should be free to consider our own affairs! I want to leave with my family, and I advise you to leave quickly."
"Leave? It's okay, but I still have a lot of money and a lot of backlog of goods, which can't be taken away by just a few ships."
"Are you stupid?! Those Russians are coming to kill, and no one can resist them. This is a life-or-death moment, and we will die if we take one step at night. How about throwing down some belongings in exchange for life?"
"That's not possible. Without money and goods, what are we? How are we different from those fleeing pirates? I would rather stay and fight the Russians."
"But do we really have the courage to fight decisively now? The Russians haven't come over yet, and we are already fighting among ourselves. Friends, maybe we should elect a new king." The person who said this was a member of the Khrolev family.
Harald.
As soon as this statement came out, some fellow businessmen on the spot ridiculed: "Forget it! You are a tailor who weaves woolen clothes. You obviously want your brothers to elect you as king. Then what? Be dominant and prosperous?"
Some people opened their mouths and taunted: "You become the king? That's fine. We don't have to fight with them. You give your daughter Aslaqi to the leader of Ross. Maybe they can get your fairy and get some money."
You can leave. In this way, we will praise you as a good person who brings peace."
Harald of Hrolev, who in a fit of rage drew his defensive dagger.
The other merchants were unmoved. When the atmosphere was tense, a peacemaker stood up and said, "Brothers, have you forgotten the oath we made at the altar? We have an alliance of merchants, and brothers should not be at war with each other."
That being said, because Haken broke the rules by calling him queen, it was tantamount to saying that the former alliance between the merchants was broken.
The spies came back and reported the news, and the most noble men on Gotland began to quarrel. When night gradually fell, they were still discussing what to do in the future.
Just as the sun was setting, Visby was immersed in lively cheers.
That was the cry of the people, because it is said that the dead King Haken has returned with a group of warriors! At least the king is not dead, and maybe the situation is not too bad.
How ridiculous it is for Haken to hear about his own death!
He kicked down the wooden door of the chamber with his big foot, and then cursed in his mouth: "Which villain cursed me to death?! We fell into the despicable trap of the Russians. Our army fought hard and finally defeated them. Now,
The scoundrels among you actually say that I died in battle!"
"You've beaten the Russians away?!" Harald of Khrolev was overjoyed, "This is really the best news in a while."
Many businessmen cast disdainful glances. In their hearts, they secretly hoped that Haken would die in the battle, and they also despised Harald's words. Isn't it Harald who wanted Haken to die the most?
In any case, the Russians did leave on their own. Although he was very guilty, Haken openly declared his victory over this result.
He knew very well that his old friends, the village leaders who had fled, and the people in the port of Clintheim in the south all needed news of victory.
"You see, the Russians are not invulnerable. I killed... many enemies, and they were all buried. And!" Haken wanted to continue the play, so he recruited a few mercenaries, holding bundles of arrows.
Ya entered the council chamber. "Look, these are captured Russian arrows. They are indeed a strong enemy, and the arrow clusters they use are made of excellent iron. They have an advantage because of their better weapons, but our brother
There are many warriors on Teran Island, and as long as we gather all the warriors, we can successfully defeat them."
Businessmen saw something different from the eyes of the past.
The king is indeed making optimistic remarks, but his eyes are full of grief, anger and grievance, and of course the desire for revenge.
A businessman asked directly: "You go and redeem your son, where is the Sigfast man?"
This was like a sharp knife piercing Haken's heart. He rolled his eyes at the speaker and said angrily: "Killed in battle! He died like a warrior."
"But he is obviously a big businessman you carefully trained. What does he have to do with a warrior?"
"Shut up!" Haken's rage came too suddenly. He suddenly pulled out his sword and threw it out wildly, almost hitting the businessman who was speaking.
Haken was breathing heavily, his eyes bloodshot.
The businessman was so frightened that he trembled all over. After he recovered, he yelled: "Are you going to kill me?" The businessman pulled out his dagger and continued to yell: "You want to be a tyrant? Look, who is really here?
Are you afraid of you? We are businessmen, not docile sheep. We can become soldiers and kill you immediately."
Haken was obviously insane, and the merchants present drew their swords in self-defense.
Harald of Hrolev raised his sword and said bluntly: "Haken, you want to attack us? Then there is no need for the Russians or the Mellarens to attack. If we kill each other, they will occupy Visby without losing a single person."
Everyone’s wealth was easily taken away by them.”
"He's right!" A businessman on the spot made a firm statement: "Haken, brothers support you in the hope that you will defeat the enemy. I didn't expect that your sword was pointed at your brother. I won't accompany you anymore! I want to take my
People evacuate.”
"How dare you!" Haken scolded sternly, never expecting that more businessmen would object.
"Why don't we dare? You want to kill me and rob my family's wealth? Then let's go to war! My warriors versus your warriors, or do you and I just duel here? Can you beat so many people?"
Haken's eyes swayed from side to side, knowing his absolute disadvantage. "Damn it, I don't want things to turn out like this, but we have to fight." He put away his sword and admitted his gaffe, but some businessmen had lost hope for the future.
All hope.
Three merchants are determined to withdraw!
Haken painstakingly authoritatively said: "I learned their demands from the Russians. They indeed chose war. This is part of the huge war of the villains in the north! Don't think that you three families will be safe if you flee now. Melalen in the north is still alive.
There are fleets from other tribes that are already returning, so you will inevitably evacuate southward and meet them! You will all die!"
"That's better than sitting here and waiting to die. Listen, no one wants to die in vain."
Look at the determination of these three families, there is nothing Haken can do. Fortunately, there are still many merchant families who are willing to stay, especially the village leaders who have fled. They do not have the capital to move the village across the sea and flee in an instant, so they can only continue to support
Haken, who had "won the battle", continued to be king.
The three families decided to leave the meeting room, and the people who stayed behind all changed their faces. Everyone shouted Haken's name and vowed to fight the Rus, as if they had never questioned Haken.
Surrounded by this enthusiasm, it was as if a powerful inexplicable force was poured into Haken's decaying body. He seemed twenty years younger, as if he had received the divine power blessed by Odin.
He drew his sword again, tore off the amber necklace he had carved into a human shape, and cut it in pieces.
"You...what are you doing? This is the guardian elf of your luck!" Harald of Hrolev asked.
"That's enough! I don't need this businessman's guardian spirit anymore, it's meaningless! Remember, I'm a warrior now. Belief in Frey is a thing of the past. Now I'm Odin's warrior!"
What is this? A businessman suddenly calls himself a warrior.
Then people realized that Haken was not lying, but actually taking crazy actions!
When the body was buried, it seemed that Haken's business soul was buried with it. It was meaningless to continue to worship Frey. In order to win, Haken decided to risk everything. In order to win the decisive battle, he had done whatever it took.
That night, a bloody incident suddenly took place at the high altar in Visby.
Haken's elite mercenaries swarmed into the altar in the huge long room. They openly resumed slashing the bronze statue representing Frey with their axes with both hands. The priests came to stop them and they were immediately killed. The altar was no longer needed.
Dedicated to Frey, this place will become the place where the priest Odin needs the blood of the sacrifice to promise victory to the sacrificer.
In the decisive battle, human sacrifice is necessary!
When Hakon's second son learned the "bad news" of his elder brother's death, his pain was just an act. He thought his chance had come, but was shocked to find that his father wanted to sacrifice him to Odin!
Although he sacrificed blood to Odin as a warrior, his soul after death visited the Hall of Valor "with a letter of introduction."
Haken's second son cried and yelled, but his mouth was tied with a rope, his hands and feet were tied, and he was finally killed in the altar.
The surviving priests witnessed this illegal sacrifice, and they all chose to shut up, and finally smeared the blood of the sacrifice on their faces painted white with chalk mud. The priests did not say anything but kept their faces numb throughout the process, but they were cursing secretly in their hearts.
Ken has gone crazy. Even if this is a human sacrifice to Odin, the sacrifice must be voluntary. It would be better now...
Besides, this altar has never been a place to worship Odin! You can also worship Odin. People should go to the top of the mound in the south. There is a small temple dedicated to Odin in the pine forest.
King Hakon has turned Frey's altar into an altar to Odin. He finally made a cut on his left hand with his own hands. Blood dripped into the altar. He looked up to the sky and sighed: "Odin! Please accept me.
The sacrifice of God! Give us Gotlanders the strength to defeat the invading Rus! Give us safety!"
The matter is not over yet, or Haken has indeed gone crazy!
He himself publicly announced that he would become a warrior and no longer a businessman, which could be interpreted as a cathartic expression. But when he openly set off to destroy the statue of God Frey, it was tantamount to cutting off his past identity. He no longer had any identity.
The way back.
His wife and concubines were crying bitterly, but Haken still spent all his wealth overnight and rewarded a lot of silver coins to the warriors who were willing to fight. Especially the Danish mercenaries, a group of masters who wanted money but not their lives, came in droves.
They tore up the agreement with the former financial owner and gathered in front of Haken's mansion to collect the money.
There are more than a thousand mercenaries from Denmark in Visby! More than half of the mercenaries have declared their loyalty to Haken.
Many mercenaries believe that Haken used his own children as sacrifices, and he also sacrificed his own blood, which will certainly be appreciated by Odin. Haken must have received Odin's blessing, not to mention that this generous good man is desperately trying to
What about dispersing the wealth? In this way, the brothers get the money first, and there is nothing to fear in the future decisive battle. Odin will watch this decisive battle. Regardless of whether he dies in battle or not, in the end everyone will have the same ending - they will be in the heroic spirit after death.
See you in the palace.
Among the three merchants who decided to evacuate, the big businessman was surprised to find that most of his mercenaries had fled!
They moved their belongings to the dock overnight, transferring items of silver coins, copper coins, and jewelry to cargo ships. A group of long ships also became temporary cargo ships.
But what is very absurd is that a large number of fishermen believe that Hakon, who risked his life, has indeed been blessed by Odin. The grand and crazy sacrifice has been approved by the god, and victory must belong to the Gotlanders.
The vast number of fishermen, who have been tortured by the Russian "sea wolves" for several years, are still fighting to the death with the Russians with all kinds of weapons. Because the businessmen can escape, what about them? At least as autumn comes, the fishermen
The only result of his escape was to freeze to death in a foreign land.
The fishermen, farmers, and shepherds who could not escape, along with their wives, young sons and daughters, all responded to Haken's call and became warriors, even though many of them did not even have decent weapons or even shields.
Their confidence lies in the strength of their numbers and the illusory support of so-called gods.
The merchants who decided to evacuate were unable to recruit rowers and guards, so a large amount of goods could not be protected and had to be abandoned on the spot. The merchants decided to evacuate to the Jutland Peninsula in Denmark, and then all the way south to Heideby in the Schlei Bay.
Settled in the market and relied on ready-made gold, silver and jewelry as start-up capital to make a comeback.
In the early morning of the next day, three merchant families assembled a fleet of four cargo ships and fifteen longships, and began to slowly leave the port of Visby carrying the goods.
No one paid attention to the departure of this group of cowards and traitors, and no one went to sea today! The whole Visby was actively preparing for war, because everyone knew that the letter of challenge issued by the Russians was tomorrow, the 19th day of August in the Julian calendar.
Today is the last day before the decisive battle. Except for the fleeing businessmen, no one else has the right to escape. Everyone who can go to the battlefield is polishing swords and axes. Many people optimistically estimate that Visby has assembled a force of five thousand soldiers.
It is not a problem to reach an army of 6,000 people.
However, as soon as the departing fleet entered the waters outside Visby Port, it met another huge fleet!
Look at those ships coming from the north!
They at least had the bulk of cargo ships, and the huge blue X-shaped stripes on the strangely raised triangular sails proved their identity as Russian ships.
A fat man stood on the bow of the ship. He was dressed gorgeously and did not look like a warrior.
This is Gould, a great businessman in Russia. He took many of his sons to participate in this battle. His fleet used the Avora as its flagship and led as many as twenty empty armed cargo ships, carrying
A small group of elderly warriors and female warriors began to carry out the task of blocking the port ordered by the Duke of Ross.
"Boss, there must be enemies ahead. Look at how slow they look, they are just a group of businessmen." The sailor on the deck shouted loudly.
Gould knew that he had taken a huge advantage in terms of tactics and strength. He couldn't laugh because it was his first time to lead troops in a war.
"Brothers, you all know how to fight. Now charge for me!"
Sailors who have experienced naval battles certainly know how to maneuver the unique Russian ships to fight unique battles.
The Ross fleet also came with the help of the northwest wind. Compared with the fugitives' ships, the Ross army's very wide triangular sail gave the ships extremely strong momentum.
A total of twenty-one large ships simply formed a wall and rushed towards the slow enemy.
This is a very classical collision tactic. It was originally a common tactic used by Greek and Roman rowing boats in the classical era. Because their bows are all equipped with bulbous bows and a wave-riding bow design. The bulbous bow is a piece of hardwood.
, and it is also wrapped with copper. Collision tactics are classical naval warfare magic weapons. In the early days of the ironclad era, any naval gun used to deal with ironclads was just firing iron bombs to dig tiny holes. As a result, the navies of various countries resumed ancient ramming tactics.
It was Rurik who taught the sailors such maritime tactics. In fact, we cannot say that he is too smart. It can only be said that Rurik came up with the ramming tactic because he knew some history in this area, built and modified ships.
Twenty-one ships formed a wall, and there was no way for the Gotlanders to escape from the bottom of their ships!
The bulbous bows of the Ross ships were extremely hard, and the Avora went crazy to install iron sheet reinforcements (which objectively also stabilized the overall center of gravity).
The Ross ships are getting closer and closer, and the enemy has nowhere to escape!
The first thing to attack was the torsion slingshot on the bow deck. The cast iron projectiles first gave the enemy a stunning blow, and then the collision happened!
The modified cargo ships have become extremely ferocious, and their strings are high enough that the passengers of the longships cannot climb with bare hands, thus avoiding the possibility of the enemy jumping gangs.
The bulbous bow broke the ribs of the longship, and the ship immediately broke into two pieces and sank instantly.
The Avora is the most ferocious. She is the God of War on the sea. The iron bulbous bow directly dug a big hole into the enemy's cargo ship. The ship immediately began to take in water crazily and sank at a speed visible to the naked eye. This is a pity.
!A large amount of gold, silver and jewelry sank into the sea with the ship!
If Gould had known that his enemy was like this, he would certainly not have attacked so bravely. It would have been a huge sum of money.
The tactic of just one collision achieved a decisive success. All the fleeing Gotland merchants were wiped out, and only the Russian ships were left floating on the sea!
The Ross fleet was unscathed, and warriors of different ages and genders began to hold wooden crossbows and short wooden bows, shoot inferior arrows, and strike mercilessly at the people who fell into the water.
This is the Duke's order! The Ross fleet will not take any prisoners, but will sink all enemies trying to escape, kill all those who fall into the water, and bring terror to the people in Visby.
The Russians won a great victory, and the fleeing merchants no longer had to quarrel with Haken. They realized that Haken's warning was so gentle when they encountered a terrorist attack. Unfortunately, it was too late to regret.
No one survived. There was a pile of sawdust floating on the sea. Soon the sea returned to calm...
In the afternoon, a huge fleet suddenly appeared off the coast of Visby, and the residents of Visby were shocked to see those terrifying flags!
That’s the flag of the Rus’ people, with interlaced blue stripes in the white. Aren’t the Rus’ people to the east of the hill? How could they land from the port?
Haken was shocked and led his troops into the harbor bay. He saw that the huge Russian ships were helpless. He did not dare to attack rashly, but gradually discovered that the Russians did not want to land on the beach.
He suddenly understood the dirty intentions of the Russians: "Damn Rurik, you are so vicious! You actually want to block my port. Are you still afraid that I will refuse a decisive battle? Arrogant boy, I will be on the battlefield tomorrow.
The admiral will chop off your head."
Of course, now the problem is complicated. Haken must arrange for a small team to be stationed to prevent the Russians from landing in Visby when Visby is empty. This leads to a reduction in his decisive battle strength. He has no better way, but to force everyone to
People who can afford weapons, including boys and girls as young as ten years old, also go to the battlefield. At least these children, who definitely do not have the ability to fight, have to carry food, water and serve as logistics for the soldiers.
Except for those babies and the old men who have lost all their teeth, everyone else must contribute to the decisive battle. Look! Hakon even armed his own concubine, a slave girl.
As for Harald of the Hrolev family, he had no choice but to give a shield and a sword to his beautiful sixteen-year-old daughter Aslaki: "At least, rely on these to protect yourself."
.Don't fight unless absolutely necessary."
But Aslaqi had her own idea: "Maybe I can conquer the leader of the Rus with my beauty, and finally assassinate him. I will definitely die to end this disaster."
Harald was not moved at all: "No! Your man must be a hero, and you must live in peace."
"Then give me as a gift to the heroes of Denmark. If we fail, only the Danish army can save us."
"What? Are you talking about that stupid tyrant Haken? He deserves it too! Compared to this reckless Danish man, Haken is gentle."
"If only his army can completely defeat the Russians and the enemies in the north, I am willing to..." Aslaqi's attitude was very tough.
Harald did not want to discuss with his daughter anymore, but he admired his daughter's courage under her weak appearance. He ordered the female guards who protected his daughter to be loyal to Aslaki no matter what happened to them. If the Gotland army was defeated, they would
Escort her to escape from the battlefield and flee into the woods on the island to wait for the opportunity to take revenge.1603468144