Chapter 643 Come to attack the 60-year-old veteran
Otto's guys all have big beards. They all look like old men, and many of them still have strong fighting ability.
Their image makes the people of White Tree Manor in awe, and also makes the people of other manors fearful.
The old guys are different now. They all carry steel swords and are also equipped with some crossbows. Many of them wear chain mail, and some even spend money to hang iron plates on the armor rings, which are called iron fish scales.
Otto is such a person who is extremely defensive. He wears a suit of scale armor modified from mail. For Otto now, its decorative value actually exceeds that of combat, and it has become a symbol of meritorious service.
He is covered in bear fur and armor with thick metallic texture, his gray beard flutters in the wind, and he holds a patterned steel sword punched in the mud in both hands. He really looks like an experienced veteran warrior.
Even, like a god of war, even if he is old.
Even though Otto is old, he has been bringing people here twice a year for more than 20 years. In recent years, his behavior in the Novgorod area has obviously become more outrageous, making the locals even more afraid!
Ordinary farmers don't know much about the situation here. They only know that the Varangros are stronger, and that the tribute they ask for, that is, the burden on their shoulders, has changed from pebbles to boulders.
They have always shown strong forbearance, and it was difficult for native nobles like Borudny to detect this. Only Vadim noticed that this might be a powerful force.
Vadim and his men were busy sharpening their knives, and he quickly formulated a plan to lick blood from the edge of the knife.
More than sixty people gathered in a claustrophobic wooden house sheltered by the woods. The young boys each carried daggers, axes, and even sharpened wooden blades.
Vadim frowned. In full view of everyone, he suddenly pulled out his dagger and slammed it on the wooden floor. The dull sound shocked everyone, making the oppressive atmosphere even more suffocating.
"Brothers, I have already thought about it. This is a hard-working job. Since you all recognize me as your big brother, just do as I say."
The young people looked at each other, they were all close friends, but when it came to risking their lives, it was impossible not to be afraid.
Some people held their heads high and expressed their stance: "Let's do it. My house was burned by them, my father was killed by them, and my sister was taken away by them. I am going to die. If I can kill a Russian, my revenge will be considered successful."
."
Someone starts, and others respond one after another.
Vadim's eyes were still wide with anger, but the brother in front of him could say harsh words now, but would he still have the courage to face the Russians?
"Now listen to my arrangements. My father will receive the Russians at my family's mansion, and the old immortal Otto will definitely come. Don't worry, my father's private soldiers all recognize me as the young master, and they all listen to me. I plan them
During the discussion, we rushed over to assassinate Otto! Kill the Russians in front of us at any cost! After we succeeded, we destroyed their ships. After that, we can publicly state that the children of the God of Lake Ilmen will never be slaves
!”
It seems that as long as Vadim's arrangements are followed, the Russians who came this year are just stupid fools, and everything seems to go smoothly.
Vadim looked at his men again. He noticed the trembling in some people's eyes and knew that it was a sign of cowardice.
"I think there are still cowards among you. You have never killed anyone, not even a sheep. I won't force you, but cowards are not my brothers. Get out now! Cowards are not worthy of fighting with me!"
His words were very harsh, and he behaved like a terrifying Varangian. No matter how frightened everyone in the wooden house was, no one could escape.
Vadim felt that his actions were brave and that he wanted to make the whole Novgorod people angry.
However, the actions of a maximum of a hundred young people should be limited unless more farmers are summoned to revolt.
As for how to summon the farmers, Vadim believed that this was something he could do.
He continued the arrangement: "After you go back, contact your friends and try to persuade the farmers and fishermen to take up weapons, even pick up wooden sticks. Let them be prepared. When we start taking action, let them attack the Russian ships.
.Organize torches and burn the ship! Or just seize their ship!"
This matter is obviously more exciting than assassinating Otto!
Everyone looked at each other and whispered, and after exchanging opinions, they all felt that only by doing this could they defeat the Russians.
Vadim was more cautious: "I will do more than that. I will personally go to those who owe money and make them fight to pay off their debts. I will call them right away and I will organize an army. When we retreat
If you marry the Rus, I will be the prince of Novgorod. You are all my brothers, and it will be beneficial for me to fight for you in the future."
Obviously young Vadim bet success or failure on this battle.
Back then, he was kicked to the ground severely by Otto. The eldest brother who died was a coward, his father had to endure hardships, and his sisters must have been made miserable slaves when they were kidnapped by the Russians.
Over the past few years, he has been sharpening his knife silently, but as he grows older, his sharp knife is no longer aimed at just the Ross people, but also the traitorous White Tree Manor.
And, his appeased father Borudne.
Vadim will also take his place, and finally become the king of Lake Ilmen and Novgorod!
He is indeed not a dreamer. He took his cronies to recruit death squads after just a small meeting.
Everyone in Pine Needle Manor knew that Vadim would succeed as the master of the manor, but this nobleman actually deigned to visit ordinary people and even debtor serfs, and even met him alive!
He gathered a group of debt-ridden serfs and declared decisively: "Your debts are all forgiven! In exchange, take up arms and follow me to fight the Russians."
They were afraid at first, and some suspected that this young man had not taken over his father's responsibility and that his words could not be trusted. Unexpectedly, Vadim was still raising his stakes.
As long as you participate in the war, all debts will be forgiven, you will be rewarded for killing a Russian, and the iron tools ripped from the corpse will be your own.
This is still not the end, Vadim explained all the burdens on ordinary people's heads as the looting of the Russians, and attributed poverty to the sins of the Russians.
"They are afraid of us just because there are so many people in our manors. They plunder our wealth in the hope that we will all be sick and weak, making us unable to resist. My answer is! Fight! For your women and children, for your wealth, and for them
Fight!"
Vadim deliberately preached the same rhetoric around the poor. As a noble, he promised great benefits to the people, which other nobles could not do.
If one armed man is afraid of the Russians, a hundred armed men can cheer each other up and build morale.
So, what about five hundred? Maybe it’s like a flood that can destroy everything.
There is no way, the ordinary life on the shores of Lake Ilmen severely limits the potential of this young warrior. He knows nothing about the real strength of the Ross people!
It is precisely because of this that Vadim has the courage and firmly believes that he has a chance to win.
Ross Otto and his Sorgon fleet will soon enter Lake Ilmenny and enter the so-called urban area of Novgorod, the so-called core area of the Pine Needle Estate.
Vadim did not dare to gather the soldiers too openly. He was sure that his actions would not be noticed by his father. Of course, his time was also very limited.
But, how is that possible?!
Borudne knew that his son was planning something. He actually wanted Vadim to lead his brothers to overthrow the Russian hegemony when he grew up. He just felt that the time was not ripe, and even now the time was still wrong.
He wishfully believed that his son was just accumulating strength, and it would be a few years before he could resist the Russians.
Borudne was busy preparing tributes in the hope of getting rid of the Russians as soon as possible.
He never imagined that Vadim had gathered more than a hundred people from the farm next door. For no other reason than Vadim had his own way, as an in-law, everyone in the farm next door was in danger.
Since the battle is inevitable, it is believed that Vadim can succeed, and the residents of the farm next door will be coerced into Vadim's team.
After all, it is self-evident who will benefit greatly from defeating and eradicating the strength of the Russians, and when Vadim becomes queen on her own.
Nominally, he has a thousand armed men, but it seems that these guys can only fight with the wind.
The key to victory lies in my assassination. Vadim and all eighty young warriors he has gathered with great effort are ready.
Even though they don't look like warriors, their clothes are rudimentary and their weapons are rudimentary. But it's their careless appearance that is the most confusing.
On the other hand, Otto stayed at the White Tree Manor for three days to recharge his batteries. This time he took his two hundred brothers and continued sailing on the Volkhov River. In front of him was the Great Lake Ilmen, and soon there was the pine needles that were the focus of tribute.
manor.
These old guys didn't look very old a few years ago. Otto only brought a few people with him on this trip. He also felt that it was just to collect taxes and that Pine Needle Manor was a bunch of idiots. He and his brothers stood on the shore and watched.
Anyone who sees them will be so scared that they wet their pants.
The old guys are generally around fifty years old, and some of them are still included in the second flag team because they are strong enough.
Rurik felt that the "Sunset Reds" of the Second Banner were no longer able to fight for a few more years. They should all settle down and do what they can, such as teaching some combat skills and life experiences to young children, and doing some
The low-physical work provided Ross with the opportunity to work hard.
Even if they are living in old age, Rurik boasts that he has sufficient financial resources to ensure their daily meals.
But they are warriors, and true warriors cannot bear charity. Many of them would rather die in battle.
This group of friends from their hometown came with the force of the big ship. When the five large sailing ships headed by the Sperosvilia suddenly appeared on the lake, the Slavic canoes all backed away.
Many women took their children to avoid it, and some bold cowherd boys stood on the reed-covered shore, dullly watching the arrival of the Russian ship.
Hearing that the Russians were coming, Borudne hurriedly summoned his cronies and held a banquet in his mansion to entertain Otto.
At the same time, he also sent people to rule the ordinary people. In order to prevent the Russians from suddenly going berserk and causing casualties, men, women, and children should flee into the forest as soon as possible with their belongings.
Ross's big ship deliberately chose a slightly steep spot on the lake shore to anchor, and a group of unshaven old guys disembarked with shields and swords.
Many people were guarding the big ship and setting up a small camp on the shore. There were more than a hundred of them. Their next task was to pick up the carts from Pine Needle Manor and transport the tributes to the ship.
Otto was in a good mood, and he led more than fifty people fully armed to Borudne's mansion.
Because I heard some news from White Tree Manor, Borudne despised White Tree Manor, and his pet dog was despised. Can a dog owner tolerate it?
Otto and his men walked into the empty village community and heard the sporadic barking of dogs and the cooing of chickens.
It's very quiet here, obviously the village name just escaped.
The Russian people have long been accustomed to being unfavorable, because in the past few years many of their houses were demolished due to outbursts. In the following years, when tribute was collected, the villagers ran to the woods to hide.
There is nothing to say to those ordinary Otto, his goal is Borudne.
No, Borudne, who was dressed in furs, was already waiting respectfully with his people.
Otto walked arrogantly. It seemed that only his beard had turned white, but his whole body was still strong.
"Are the tributes ready?" he shouted in Slavic very bluntly.
"That's it. Sir, please come into the room and have a detailed chat."
Borudne's face was submissive, and the faces of the armed followers beside him were livid with fear, as if they had been constipated for many days.
Otto didn't think much, and strode towards the wooden fence with his men. After all, they had entered someone else's territory. The old warriors took off their shields one after another. This was the instinct of a warrior, and they all took certain precautions.
Otto entered the house, and Borudne immediately presented a young woman to his service.
But Otto had long been away from women, so he grabbed Mei Ji by the neck and threw her to Borudne.
"Your wife is dead, and now you have a new love. You'd better play by yourself! I want tribute, and I don't have time to stay here."
Upon hearing this, Borudne was delighted. At least for so many years, the old Otto always kept his word. He was very happy that old Otto took the tribute again this year and patted his clothes and left. The god of plague might easily
Please go.
However, just when Borudne announced that he would immediately go to the warehouse to lift the prepared tributes, Vadim, who was already prepared, took action!
Because there were armed men hiding in those seemingly empty houses, Vadim and his death squads let Otto's team go. Seeing that there were not many of them, they immediately gained confidence.
There is also a group of armed men gathered in the village. Some of them assist Vadim, while others are hiding in the woods near the berth of the Russian ship. After Vadim takes action, they will try to seize the ship.
"Guys, the old man has already gone in. Follow me, we'll go in through the back door!"
Vadim and his brothers acted covertly, and they were surrounded by guards stationed at the back door of their mansion. After all, he was the next owner of the manor, and the guards had no choice but to accept their fate.
No one could stop Vadim's action, and a hundred death squads from the Guard suddenly appeared in Nevadim.
More than a dozen young men armed with daggers and axes suddenly rushed into the hall and charged indiscriminately at the armed Russians who were sitting in silence.
Everything was sudden. Some old soldiers were suddenly stabbed with daggers in their unprotected necks, and blood spurted out. The scene was instantly horrifying.
As the messenger who directed everything, Vadim rushed to the front. When he saw Otto's old face, he rushed towards him with his dagger in both hands.
"Go to hell, old guy!"
His iron sword struck Otto's side, and just when Otto realized it, it was too late.
The dagger hit Otto, but it deflected, causing Vadim to fall aside.
Vadim had no idea that the old immortal actually had a suit of iron armor? He fell to the ground, holding the slightly bent sword in his hand, intending to continue fighting.
Otto had already reacted and blocked Vadim's slash with his scabbard. He picked up his heavy boots and kicked Vadim into the mud again after five years. His head was also buzzing.
The whole hall was in chaos, and Borudne's mind went blank and he screamed.
The fighting young men were also screaming and fighting the Russians, and at the same time, the entire mansion was surrounded by armed men.
Debt serfs began to rush to the old Russian soldiers who were waiting outdoors. As for their fighting skills, they basically had no skills, but their courage was worthy of admiration.
After all, he is a veteran of the Second Flag Team. What the veteran Ross soldier who was attacked by a surprise attack did best in his life is killing and fighting.
A soldier inside died in a sneak attack, and the cramped building made it difficult to carry out the battle. The Russians fell into passivity.
Otto was dragged out of the dangerous room by his brothers. He yelled: "Borudne! You are asking for death!"
Is this asking for death? Of course.
There were corpses of Russians in the hall, as well as the twitching and dying bodies of many young people.
Vadim threw away the bent iron sword and picked up the steel sword of the killed Russian. His mind became clearer and he went into the fight again. He ignored the old face of his father who was defeated like a corpse and continued to shout about killing the red-faced man.
The guys keep slashing.
But in the courtyard, forty Rus' men protected Otto within a circular shield wall.
What is this dangerous situation? Even if he is surrounded by five hundred people, Otto still has a way to escape.
"Brothers, kill any who approach! We retreat to the ships!"
The Slavic warriors approaching the shield wall were always assassinated mercilessly, and the swords of the old Russian warriors were dripping with blood.
However, there are also guys who are not afraid of death. Even if their bodies are pierced by swords, they still hug a Russian and pull them out of the shield wall. They use this kind of sacrifice to go beyond the limit and exchange for one, in exchange for the old Russian warrior who loses protection and is killed by an axe.
, beaten to death with a hammer or other weapon.
The Rus were taking losses, and their evacuation was slowing down. Everyone was getting older, and the guys kept fighting, and Otto was forced to join the fight.
The Russians retreated while fighting, and there were many dead bodies on the ground.
The Slavic warriors suffered a lot of losses. Their trembling hands could no longer hold the short spears steadily. They did not dare to confront the Russians head-on, but under the leadership of Vadim, they pursued them relentlessly.
On the other hand, a group of people suddenly emerged from the woods and attacked Rose's lakeside camp.
Unfortunately, this sneak attack was quickly foiled.
How can the Russians always win if they are always negligent?
Just as Otto's modified mail armor had strong defenses, the Rus on the lakeside easily dodged the Slavs' hidden arrows, and then quickly formed a shield wall to receive the enemy's charge.
Otto saw the melee that was breaking out by the lake. He was not worried about his men, because the old warriors were warriors after all, and the Slavs were being defeated!
The people on the boat used the torque slingshots on the side to shoot, and the crossbows used precise strikes. In conjunction with the soldiers' killing spree, the armed men of Pine Needle Manor retreated to the dense forest for the time being.
This is an opportunity to retreat!
Otto didn't know what the situation was yet. He instinctively judged that this place was dangerous, and the best way was to retreat to the ship and regroup at White Tree Manor to take precautions.
This year, the collection of tributes encountered unprecedented setbacks, and a bloody revenge plan was already brewing in his mind.
The Russians fired arrows to drive back the Slavic pursuers. Fearing that they would be instantly killed by strange flying stones, Vadim, the instigator, had to evade.
"Run away! Otto, you are a coward!" Vadim yelled loudly, but unfortunately his curses were drowned out by the shouts of killing, and Otto, who had already boarded the ship, could no longer hear him.
The big ship raised its triangular sail, and the Russians were unable to recapture the bodies of the dead, but this was nothing! The old soldiers were benevolent, and dying on the battlefield was really the end of the old age.
Since Pine Needle Manor has chosen war, this year's expedition to Karelia must be modified. The army must attack Pine Needle Manor to purge the dissenters.
Otto held his waist and stood at the bow of the ship. In addition to being furious, he also felt emotional about this armor.
“The scale armor made of steel plates and lock rings is really useful! It’s worth the high price!”