An autumn rain brought a chill, and Youdao was like a fire of aggression. This rain extinguished the fire in the hearts of the Russian soldiers.
They originally wanted to pursue the victory and achieve major results before winter, but the whole world became muddy, and everyone in the wet and cold world quickly lost their fighting spirit.
Everyone was full of desire for the expedition to Karelia, hoping to capture a lot of deer in one battle, but how could this battle have such an anticlimactic result?
No! It didn't get very bad.
Less than a day after the battle at the lake ended, the sky turned hazy, and within three days it started to rain.
When the army basically finished cleaning the battlefield and dug up everything available, the cold autumn rain began.
Both the Suomi and the Vips say that once the autumn rain comes, it may take at least five days or more than fifteen days, and no one should expect it to end hastily.
The people of Russia, who know a lot about the Eastern Land and this great lake, are deeply aware that the world that is fully soaked by rain will become muddy. Even if they are chasing the enemy, who would be willing to go north in the mud? Unless the world freezes.
Over the years, the most traditional Russians have changed their inherent perceptions. Winter does not mean dormancy, it is a new opportunity and an alternative season of war.
Where did the escaped Karelians go back? Is it the north? Are there other Karelian tribes in the north?
The servant Vips gave guidance and made all the speculations come true.
Because those people will not flee randomly, they will flee to winter grazing points to accumulate strength.
Now that the enemy would spend the winter in a clear location, the Rus' army would no longer be discouraged by the spoils of war when bad weather forced them to miss their opponents.
The army began to retreat, and various captured trophies began to be transported to the ships.
Especially the captured women, they were firmly controlled by the Suomi servant army, and the Vips servant army also got a small number of female prisoners. There was no need to tie the captives' elbows with ropes, they were in the Karelian society.
She was a slave in the group, but now her status has improved. She still has to live her life. If she moves to the territory of the Suomi people in the west, maybe she can finally live like a normal woman...
The Ross fleet formed a long snake formation and gradually retreated from the small lake. Rurik announced that he would abandon the conquered lakeside camp. This decision was unopposed.
Why did Ross give up a newly conquered area? Rather than giving up, it was better to say that this was an escape.
Before it rained, the Russian army had burned its fallen soldiers, and Rurik even announced in public that the souls of the dead had gone to Valhalla along with the blue smoke.
Both the Suomi and the Vips suffered losses, and the overall loss was not small. Based on their own beliefs, they buried the war dead on the spot, hoping that their souls would enter the underground sea of souls.
Only the corpses of the enemy were still lying in a mess.
The Russian army had no time to collect the corpses of thousands of Karelians who died in the battle. The dead were grouped together with the destroyed tents. The corpses had turned gray and the blood had turned black. The corpses would rot and stink, and would become food for jackals.
, and finally turned into bones. The place was full of curses and ominousness. In the cold autumn rain, many people claimed to hear the wails of resentful spirits at night.
It was actually the cry of a night owl on a rainy night. Ordinary soldiers didn't pay too much attention to it, but Rurik simply didn't want to continue to freeze in the rain, so the whole army began to retreat.
The fleet returned to Bear Festival Town and arrived in the rain at the only outpost of the Principality of Rus on the north shore of Lake Ladoga.
There are only more than 20 elderly Russian veterans who want to stay. They take a fancy to the local fishery resources and claim to be excellent sentries for Russia.
This place is not far from Suomi's hometown, and more than a hundred Suomi people decided to stay. This is not only "guarding the border for Russia", but also to fish in Lake Ladoga with the Russians, and to vent their own feelings.
Hatred. This place is a sacrificial center for the Karelian people! The suppressed Suomi people will one day be able to build their own houses on the territory of their former enemies. How refreshing it would be.
It's a good thing that someone is willing to spend the winter in Bear Festival Town, because a group of trophy reindeer cannot be taken away for a while, and they have to stay here to continue gnawing grass.
This time, the fleet has given priority to bringing more than 300 deer on board. According to the plan, most of the deer herd will eventually be brought to Novy Rossburg on the Neva River through ant relocation. This should be completed as much as possible before the lake freezes.
.
The existence of Bear Festival Town itself is a mockery of all Karelia people. It is likely to attract a crazy attack from the opponent. This is exactly what the Principality of Ross wants to see most. What is a defeat? If there can be a bait to lure the enemy's main force
Come, catch them all in one sweep and annihilate them all to solve the problem once and for all.
Those who stay include both men and women, and some female prisoners will live with their new men as fishermen. They will continue to build the Bear Festival Town, and at least build a walled city that everyone can hold on to in case of emergencies.
In the continuous autumn rain, the Russian fleet continued to move south along the lake shoreline, and the Vips returned to their hometown with a batch of trophies. They were sent out on orders, and they finally tasted victory this time. They were regarded as scraps by the Russians.
The old iron tools are regarded as treasures by the Vips. A batch of axes, spearheads and iron arrow clusters will quickly improve the lives of the Vips. Life will definitely get better, because although Count Terravis is a young man,
He is trustworthy, and he promised to bring a batch of good things to the village in late autumn. They will be many advanced equipment from the Principality of Rus, as well as the ambition of a young man.
The autumn rain caused Lake Ladoga, which was supposed to have entered the dry season, to swell, and the flow of the Neva River increased slightly. In the rain, the fleet returned to their assembly point, and ships of all sizes were anchored in the port.
The expeditionary army regrouped in New Rossburg. The Rus, Balmoks and other Viking armies were stationed in the city. The Suomi servant army was camped outside the city. The master-servant relationship was clearly demonstrated here.
The rammed earth road could withstand short-term rainwater soaking, but the autumn rain persisted for half a month, and the Harvest Square that Rurik saw where he had been sunbathing had now become muddy.
The continuous rainfall made the residents in the city feel negative, and the cold air even diluted the joy of the harvest. The people and the army stayed in their houses, and no one was willing to go out unless there was something important.
At least Harvest Square was tamped with stones to make it solid enough for the purpose of threshing, growing, and drying. Even if it was muddy, the situation was not that bad.
But other paths in the city are in mixed condition. Nevsky Prospekt, which was built along the Neva River, and the ring road that surrounds the entire city wall, have all been tamped and paved with another layer from Kotlin Island.
The gravel is transported here, so you don’t have to worry about your boots being filled with mud after a long rain.
The condition of the vertical and horizontal roads in the city is even worse. There are pools of water everywhere here, which satisfies all Rurik's bad impressions of village roads.
What Rurik was most worried about when he returned was the granary located in the center of the city. Even though the road was muddy, he made a very careful inspection under the leadership of Governor Konuson.
It was a morning with still lingering autumn rain, and the whole world was in a haze.
Although there is no umbrella that can be easily opened and closed, the local residents made a movable shed out of leather and wooden strips. The four guards worked together to lift the shed, and Rurik stood in it, talking to Duke Konusong, the governor who hurriedly arrived.
Meet in front of the palace.
"You are late."
"Sir, if I hadn't seen the bright light outside, I would have thought it was still night." Conuson defended, and then said, "It has been some time since the army entered the city. I know many people want to leave, but
The weather is really terrible."
"Oh? Are you driving me away?"
Konuson was taken aback and hurriedly explained: "I don't dare. I heard that the old Duke will spend the winter in Novgorod this year. The two chiefs of the principality are stationed in the west and east. New Roseburg is absolutely safe.
."
"It doesn't matter. Many people in the army are indeed leaving, but let me remind you that I will leave with a batch of wheat. This damn rain directly disrupted the rhythm of the expedition. I warn you, if the wheat gets damp, you will
Get punished. Very severe punishment!”
"Yes! I don't dare to neglect. I dare to guarantee with my honor that even a continuous heavy rain will not let the wheat get damp."
Rurik shrugged: "I hope so. But your road construction is not done well. Look at this Harvest Square... Pray that the rain will end before the mud becomes worse."
Cornuson smiled awkwardly: "I will continue to send people to flatten it in the future."
"Of course you have to level the ground, but all the roads in the square and the city will be replaced by stone roads or cement roads. Don't think you are very capable. Only I can do this at the moment. Your biggest responsibility now and in the future is
Keep an eye on the granary and prevent fires. Let me tell you, the granary here is related to the lives of us Russians! If something goes wrong, even if you have a hundred heads, you won't be able to chop them off!"
Rurik's words were very serious. Although Conuson didn't understand it very well, since the Duke said so, there must be some truth in it. Just do your own thing.
Of course, only in managing the granary, Cornuson can really pat his chest and say that he has not let everyone down, and he will not let him down in the future.
This inspection is not just for show. These wooden fence-like ridges, which are very Novgorod-style, make the granary on the high ground in the city even taller. The wheat is either collected from taxes or from Novgorod.
The tributes brought by Rhodes, especially this year's output from the destroyed Pine Needle Manor.
The sacks are stacked like bricks and stones like a city wall, and each sack is stuffed with two hundred pounds of oatmeal, so that the sacks are piled up in all the granaries, and the warehouses that used to be empty are now basically filled.
On the surface, the food seems to be normal, but the air is fragrant with earth, and the air here is a bit humid.
Rurik suddenly pulled out his sword and stabbed at the "grain wall" in front of him.
There are bleeding grooves on both sides of the dagger. Because Ross has advanced forging steel sword technology, the sword highlights the effectiveness of assassination and lacks chopping. The blade is narrow and the bleeding groove is deep, which makes it function as a food spy.
The dagger was pulled out, and the bleeding trough was filled with fully shelled oatmeal grains.
Rurik touched them with his hands, especially the chewing particles.
"Very good, the depths of the sack are dry outside. You have done your duty."
Konusong's expression remained unchanged. After all, this matter could not cause any complications. He flattered, "Congratulations, sir, we have a great harvest this year. Our food is abundant and simple as never before..."
What the Governor said was flattery and true.
Rurik checked all the granaries, and this time he deeply felt the sense of security that hit his soul.
Food is the life of the people and the foundation of the Principality of Rus.
Fence-style wooden buildings can largely insulate against flooding. The roofs are made of leather, and then attached with thatch and wooden tiles. There will be no problem with them within three or four years. However, the permanent granaries will still have to be given over to masonry.
For buildings and roofs, leather can be used to make a waterproof layer, while clay tiles are a must.
New Roseburg must once again set off a construction boom. Buildings in key parts of the city will be improved first. The top priority is to build a better road system, so the biggest problem is who will provide the construction funds. Force the people to build
The so-called corvee service can be done. If the people are paid enough in food, they will work happily. In this way, the importance of granaries and food is higher than anything else.
Rurik was very satisfied with his inspection of the granary, and he could think more deeply about the matter.
The rain continued to fall outdoors, but the Duke's palace was still very lively.
The head wife Svetlana is here, the sisters Carlotta and Ella are here, and the ten maids are also here.
These thirteen people have a common identity - the Duke's wife.
Although they are hierarchical, everyone hopes that Duke Rurik will favor them. But now, only Svetlana has the right to be intimate with Lord Rurik at will.
Tonight was an accident!
No matter how rich and powerful a person is, the place where a person sleeps is just a narrow bed.
It took almost a month for Ella and her ten sisters to arrive at Fort New Rose. After the Duke ordered the natural mission, he led his troops north to fight.
The Duke has been back for many days, and Sister Svetalana was ordered to leave. I will get this opportunity tonight, is it...
She was apprehensive and nervous because she had already experienced a coming-of-age ceremony according to Viking tradition in Roseburg.
She knelt down in front of Rurik and shyly took off her woolen gown. When she was about to get the soft linen lining, she was stopped.
"Sir, I...am I not worthy of being a woman..."
"I guess what you want to do. The time is not yet ripe. It's still a little cold inside. Put on your woolen sweater." Rurik ordered with a smile.
"I am you and your sister, she obviously..."
"You..." Rurik rubbed his head and looked into her eyes: "Ella Historia. The name I gave you is not for you to simply be a noble daughter and give birth to heirs.
Prince Ostara, it is enough to have your sister. You do not need to be shackles to your hometown. I will make you a scribe and will soon take you to investigate the status of the fields in Novgorod. I will give you enough
It’s time to report to me now.”
"Is that just that? You...you can definitely say it in the hall." She pouted with a hint of confusion.
"That's fine. Don't you want to be alone with me?"
"I...I think...I even!"
"I will satisfy you in the future. Ella, I like you very much and your wisdom. What I tell you to do is related to the future of the Principality of Ross. Only you can do the measurement of the land."
Ella still didn't understand. She had already made a series of measuring tools during this period, and declared in front of Rurik that the accuracy of the measuring tools, especially the rope ruler, was acceptable.
Among the many female relatives, Ella was assigned by Rurik to supplement her mathematical knowledge. In fact, all the female relatives have learned the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division operations of up to nine digits, basic algebraic operations, and are familiar with multiplication formulas. Amazing mental arithmetic ability. Otherwise, Rurik has been instilling in her knowledge of extreme thinking and calculus.
Is tonight just about the coexistence of the grand duke and the noble concubine? Rurik listened to her report in bed and took the opportunity to instill some abstract mathematical knowledge into her. It didn’t matter whether she understood or whether it was too advanced. Just do the cramming if you can, and wait. She also has a more powerful knowledge tonic. Because Ella was appointed by Rurik as the first scribe, she must become the founder of the entire civil service system of the Rus Principality.
That night, Rurik gave oral questions and verified Ella's ability to calculate the area of irregular shapes, which can be perfectly used in calculating the area of farmland.
Rurik is full of endless wisdom. He has grown up very quickly and now he has begun to possess everything that a strong man should have. Ella hugged this man tightly and felt that being a scribe was very good. Although her status was not as good as Svetlan Na, at least she can stay by his side and do things for him.
Ella was very happy. She left the Duke's bedroom with a smile in the early morning, and happened to be pulled aside by Carllott, who had gotten up early and was waiting.
The elder sister forced the younger sister into a secret corner.
"Ella, did he...did he do it?" Carlotta asked cautiously and straightforwardly.
"No."
"No?! Didn't I order you? Don't you dare?!"
"Sister." Ella frowned and complained, "I asked you to make arrangements, but Sir, he said I was too young."
"Absurd. Rurik is like a bull in April, well..." Carlotta looked at her sister's rather flat chest again, "Maybe he is right, you are not as attractive as me for the time being."
As if she was being ridiculed, Ella puffed up her cheeks and said, "Rurik said that I am very important and that there are some things that only I can do."
"I want you to measure the fields? Okay, do it well. The revival of the family cannot depend on me alone. It's really strange. I have done it with him so many times, why... Ella, listen to me carefully. You and I You must give birth to a boy to inherit the position of Duke. If I can’t do it, you must do it.”
She still didn't quite understand her sister's troubles, so she hurriedly turned away her little head and hummed out of shyness without saying anything more.
There is nothing more important than the revival of Ostara. Carlotta can only think about this. She will give birth to a boy, and this boy will be the beginning of the revival. But...
Carlotta began to wonder if she had been deprived of the ability to have children by God. She did not dare to give up. If she was in such a tragedy, wouldn't her sister also be cursed by God? She did not want to give up, and even persuaded her sister to take the initiative immediately.
Little Jiujiu Rurik of these two sisters has no idea, or in other words, he has no intention to figure it out.
What was Rurik thinking about writing? The anticlimactic expedition to Karelia was forced to cease fighting. The time was September, the muddy autumn rainy season in the Eastern European world, so most of the Sorgon fleets in the past chose to return in October.
"Oops, I have become the German army in September 1941. The damn mud makes it difficult for my army to advance. I have to wait until Lake Ladoga turns into a frozen lake to facilitate the fight..."
Fortunately, the nasty autumn rain has finally stopped, and there is no intention of repeating it in the short term.
When the rain stopped completely, it was already the twentieth day of September in the Julian calendar.
After this long rain, the world has become too cool. People who get up early can see the white mist they exhale when they exhale. The chimneys of many buildings are already smoking frequently. As soon as the rain stops, someone carries an ax to chop outside the city.
Firewood serves as fuel for the fireplace that warms the room.
Late autumn has arrived in Eastern Europe, and New Roseburg can only feel the warmth at noon and afternoon, when the sun is shining.
What’s the first thing to do after the rain stops?
The army that was forced to rest heard the sound of horns one after another, and the army began to assemble in Harvest Square, which was dry again, to accept the review of the Duke and all the residents of New Roseburg.