Chapter 718 The King of Denmark in his loyal port of Hazelby
It was already August, and Hedeby, who had once been involved in a war, seemed to have finally settled down.
Some people did not escape too far. When they saw that the disaster was over, they returned with Xinruan. There were very few people who came back, and at least they brought some life to the dead city.
The fortress of Ross's shop was breached, and the corpses of the Ross people who died in the battle were burned to ashes. As for the corpses of the dead gangsters, they were either burned or buried, and many were thrown directly into the sea.
Although the war is over, Stade is still not sure whether any Russians actually escaped along the tunnel. This time he eliminated the largest leader of the local gang, and the other small leaders also suffered heavy losses in the war, and each one became a piece of trivial matter.
Chickens and dogs.
He relied on more than a hundred brothers to conquer the city on behalf of the King of Denmark. However, the city has turned into such a horrible state that he really doesn't know how to report it to the King.
The king will definitely be furious!
Stade needed someone to take the blame. The gray wolf Karl who was killed first was a very good "scapegoat". His head and that of his brothers were all chopped off. Even if they rotted and emitted a stench, they were still considered to be given to the king.
An explanation.
The second step was to find the fleeing Russians. Regardless of whether he could find them or not, he did lead a search with the intention of giving them a try.
The monastery was hoisted with the flag of Prince Ludwig of the Franks. A cavalryman who did not know what was going on suggested: "This large building is most suitable for Tibetans. Let's check it out."
"No! Searching this place might anger the Franks, and no one wants that." Stad said this, and his heart felt really itchy.
After a lot of psychological struggle, he finally did not intend to cross the line, so he comforted his subordinates: "The xenophobic Franks treat you and me as hunting dogs and never as one of their own. Those Frank priests will never protect the Russians who do not believe in their gods."
.”
When the sea calmed down a little, the fishermen who were surviving in the woods escaped, found their own small fishing boats and continued fishing. They made a living by eating fish, and then selling fish for daily necessities.
The fish market that had disappeared for a while reopened. Stade noticed this pleasant scene. He restrained his subordinates from looting and instead called for selling fish for money.
Everything seems to be moving in the right direction.
At the same time, the short, stocky King Horik, who was building the new city of Godfrehagen in the north, finally found the energy to gather his army.
Part of the elite stayed behind in the city, and he led an army of a thousand men on fifty dragon-headed longships, drifting southward from the northernmost tip of Jutland along the east coast along the wind from the Arctic.
Either this was a long journey, or the waves on the sea made everyone bump up and down. They were accustomed to sailing and would not get seasick. The fatigue of traveling and traveling was still rapidly destroying the soldiers' energy.
Until signs of large-scale human settlements appeared in the narrow fjord, the depressed people raised their heads one after another, and smiled on their faces that were aggrieved by the wind.
King Horik was in high spirits, holding the cocked bow of the ship with one hand and looking around with his sword drawn.
"Haha! We finally returned to Hedeby. Brothers, let's put down the sails and oars, let's go!"
The flagship took action after receiving the order, and all the wing ships turned around. The entire fleet rushed to the west, broke into the fjord with an unstoppable attitude, and quickly entered the waterway leading to Hedebe.
Once upon a time, Hedeby was famous throughout the Danish world for its prosperous commerce. Here you could buy all kinds of things from far away places, among which it was famous for furs, iron tools, gems and slaves.
Horik's capable soldiers have been operating in Frankish Flanders for many years, and they have been somewhat entangled in looting and exploiting wealthy locals. They are eager to buy something useful in this trading city, and their strong curiosity drives a strong desire.
It's just that the situation is getting worse...
The huge fleet landed at Hedebe, and only had close contact with the city. No one thought it could be related to the prosperous city. It was simply a quiet abandoned city, and there were not a few people running around as far as the eye could see.
.
For the time being, Horik could comfort himself. The so-called city residents had fled out of fear of this large army. He led his brothers to the somewhat deserted coast and went straight to an equally empty building area.
It was at this time that Stade personally held the raven flag to greet his king.
Seeing this general, Horik could definitely conclude that this was Hedeby, and his numerous questions should be answered by this general.
Horik strides forward. In the Viking world, this noble man is a rare short man. He takes off his iron helmet and his face is quite unattractive. It just so happens that this man has been recognized by the Danish lords.
Of course, he also paid a heavy price for this, for example, he may have completely broken with Frank's old master. There is nothing he can do. In order to obtain the highest power in Denmark, Horik will do whatever it takes.
He saw Stade again, looked at the general up and down, and asked calmly: "I remember Hedeby was prosperous, but now all I see is depression. I also smell the smell of blood and stench..."
"Your Majesty is really smart." Stade quickly complimented him and added: "A war did break out, and the prosperous city suddenly became like this."
"War? Not necessarily?" Horik narrowed his eyes and realized that there must be a hidden secret here. "From what I know about you, you and your brothers must have lost control and launched a plunder of this place. You
Did too much in Flanders."
"That's absolutely not the case."
"what happened?!"
Stade explained the prepared reasons in a grand manner: "The bandits in the Lordless City refused the king's rule, and there were also the hateful Rus people. When they learned that the king was going to take over this place, they immediately launched an attack on my army. The bandits attacked civilians,
The Russians attacked me. The whole city fell into chaos. I tried my best to resist, but I also saw the gangsters and the Russians actually fighting together."
"It sounds interesting, but it doesn't seem true." Horik asked urgently, "What's the result?"
"My men were only injured but not killed. We won in the end."
"Really? That's good. I also heard that there are Russian activities in Hedeby. All the Danish lords want to attack the Russians for revenge. Stade, you are Denmark's new hero, and you are also my loyal subordinate.
Is it right?"
These words pierced Stader's heart, as if to imply, "I know you have long wanted to be independent."
Stade didn't dare to hesitate. He hurriedly raised his head and swore: "I am the king's servant."
"Very good. Ah...this city has been ruined..."
"Rotten trees may sprout new shoots. King, some big local businessmen have not left, and many people who have escaped have not gone far. The businessmen all support your rule, and each of them will pay a tribute of one hundred pounds of silver coins. The traders and craftsmen also
Everyone will come back, and the grain market here will soon reopen, and everything will be fine."
"You are very optimistic, but the army I brought cannot be in vain. The sealed sword needs new blood. I want to establish my authority! Since the gangsters do not support me, will anyone survive? I want to chop off some heads to sacrifice to Odin!
"
Seeing this as an opportunity, Stad hurriedly took advantage of the situation and said, "There are indeed small gang leaders who surrendered under the pressure of your majesty. They must not be sincere."
"Then kill them. I want to kill a wolf, and I can collect the wolf cubs."
Horik's decision to kill after landing was definitely not because he was a murderous devil with an abnormal mind. Killing was to establish authority, to be the priest of Odin, to show his belief in Odin to other Danish tribes and observers accompanying the army, and to vent their anger to the disappointed soldiers.
Five gang leaders were lured here. They saw Horik asking to join the king's army like a lap dog, but what they were waiting for was tied up with ropes.
They were chopped to death on wooden stakes one by one by King Horik, and their blood flowed into Hedebe's original altar. Even if the local priests escaped, the priest Odin would not have to go through too many red tapes.
The soldiers vented their suppressed emotions and cheered. Horik once again declared to the observers that he was indeed a warrior of Odin. Even though a silver cross was still hanging around his neck and hidden in his clothes, this man was prepared.
.
Unable to obtain supplies at Haideby, Horik's people continued to make a living by fishing.
At the beginning of their landing, they indeed caused great fear to the few people who stayed behind, and their blatant killings in sacrifice to the gods scared the businessmen who moved back to close their doors.
As time went by, the disaster seemed to no longer last, and the returning businessman took the money to buy a safety promise from King Horik.
Things also exceeded his expectations. The ten big businessmen in front of him each took out a hundred pounds of silver coins. Although the silver coins were of varying quality, the total weight was indeed close to a thousand pounds! This was good, he had a real deal.
He used his money to reward the army, and what he distributed a little money bought was the stability of the army. He also got a solid sum of capital for development. Looking at the obedient businessmen, they are just like a large group of fat sheep, and their wool will not be cut every year in the future.
?
Under the sluggish appearance of Hedeby, there is still a wealth of substance. It is really the right decision to come here to pay tribute.
Horik rode a horse to admire the city that welcomed its master. Stad got his wish and became Earl of Hedebe and also a tax collector. Denmark is a small place, but the tribes inside are very trivial. Horik himself
He was currently not strong enough to perfectly rule Haizeby, the city closest to the Franks. He needed a tax collector to take care of it. Moreover, he was worried that he would break with the Franks, so he could not focus the kingdom in the south.
Could it be that the situation in the north is better? It’s not good either.
All tribes say that the Rus, who split from the Swedes, have rapidly expanded in strength in recent years and are already bullies of the sea. Their strength lies in their ability to control a large number of large oarless ships, which can travel long distances quickly, which is beyond the reach of long ships. These statements Horik
Without knowing it, considering that his generals annihilated a group of Russians, showed off a batch of captured Russian flags, clothes, and even gave him a magical Russian steel sword, he subjectively believed that the Russians were on land.
The fighting skills are obviously no match for the elites he has trained in Frank for many years. As for this sword, it is truly a divine weapon!
The depressed situation in the city was indeed improving, and Horik was keenly aware of a well-preserved and unique building in the city.
It's actually a monastery?!
Seeing the rough wooden cross on the Gothic roof, Horik raised the corners of his mouth, tightened his reins and shouted to his horse-riding entourage: "There is also a Frankish monastery here. Let's go! Let's go and see who is brave.
Big guys dare to preach here."
The neighing of horses is extremely rare in Hedeby. It is not surprising to the priests who have seen horses, but hearing the neighing in this depressed city is undoubtedly not stressful.
Eskil knew that Horik had arrived, so he organized the priests to stay away for the time being, especially the two Russians who were under his protection.
There was a chaos in the monastery. Many people did not believe that the barbarians dared to break in regardless of the prince's flag hanging at the door. Eskil still issued an order to prepare for the worst.
How could the still fat Blue Fox want to leave? He decided to stay and stayed by Eskil's side, saying bluntly: "I won't leave! I want to see who the culprit Horik is, and then tell Prince Rurik
The face of a man who must be killed!"
"Confused! You are very fat and don't fit in with the other priests! If they suspect you and take you away, I won't be able to drag you out."
These words immediately stopped Lan Hu, and he no longer stubbornly followed others' footsteps to avoid them.
Esquier was not sure who was coming, but it was the sound of horse hooves trampling on the ground outside the wall, and the noise caused by the neighing of the horses was very fierce. He took two little priests with them, who were unattractive and frail, and stood behind the wooden wall.
The door is not open yet.
At the same time, King Horik was also in trouble.
Someone suggested: "A small wooden wall cannot stop us. There is always some gold and silver in the monastery, and we can plunder it."
Horik shook his head regretfully, and then pointed to the flag hanging on the wall: "Are you blind? You actually forgot Prince Ludwig's flag? And this one, the flag of the Count of Hamburg."
The soldier said casually again: "Your Majesty, haven't we already broken with those guys? We are free now, why do you need to fear the Franks anymore?"
Horik immediately turned his head and glared at the attendant who was talking nonsense, and shouted with regret: "I don't want to anger the Franks and cause an unnecessary war, especially to anger Ludwig. If this is the monastery under the jurisdiction of Prince Lothair, then grab it."
Yes, but this is clearly..."
Horik was too lazy to say anything. He called his brothers to dismount and sent someone to call the door.
Eskil arrived late, and he did not hear the chatter of the people outside the door. When someone called the door, he respectfully asked in person, explaining his noble status by the way.
"I am the Bishop of the Northland Diocese appointed by the Cardinal of Reims, the next Bishop of Bremen, and I am Saint Eskilde. You are standing at the door of the monastery where the Duke of Saxony and Bavaria (referring to Prince Ludwig) sheltered,
Unbelieving barbarians are not allowed to enter!"
These words were spoken in Frankish. It was unexpected for Horik to speak Frankish in this place. Saint-Eskilde Horik thought about it and seemed to have heard of this person. In fact, he is a person, but he can be found in this place.
It was amazing that Hedebe met him in person.
Horik had his own way of dealing with the priests. He ordered his subordinates to stay outside, and then some of his followers cautiously warned him: "Your Majesty, we are all afraid that they are hiding sharp weapons."
"Confused. These priests are most taboo about using weapons. They don't use knives to eat but only use their hands. You all stay outside and are not allowed in. I will personally meet this man who calls himself a bishop."
Then, Horik took off his helmet, hurriedly pulled out the cross hiding his clothes, and knocked on the door himself. He rarely used a gentle voice and said in Frankish: "I am Horik Klarsson, King of Denmark, Gaud.
The grandson of Frey and... a servant of the Lord. Saint Eskilde, I have heard of your name in Frank, now at least open a crack in the door and look at my cross. I am not a barbarian."
Is it really King Horik of Denmark? Of course, Eskil would rather call this person "the Flanders tyrant", "the false Earl of Flanders", or even "the prince's loyal dog".
Because he should not use vulgar language, Eskil has long known this man and his dirty deeds, and now he calls himself a "servant of the Lord", how hypocritical and dirty it is. There is no way, this man has an armored army, if he angers
They themselves will be shattered to pieces.
The wooden door opened a small crack, and Eskil saw a short, fat man with sharp eyes. He had a big beard and a silver cross on his chest that had been polished until it was shiny. This was Hori.
Eskil is not a tall warrior? Eskil was very surprised. Horik continued to speak with a smile on his face: "I am a lost lamb, Saint Eskil, and I want to repent. You...you must give the lamb a
Give me a chance to repent.”
This was a reason that Eskil couldn't refuse. He had no choice but to open the door and put on a kind face to look at King Horik: "My child, come to the confessional. You are the only one."
, unless your...your followers are willing to convert."
"No need. They are all outdoors, I..." Horik also wisely took off all the weapons, including the carving knife and the hidden dagger stuffed in the right leather boot. He finished.
: "You see, I am indeed religious."
Esquier didn't know what to say. He hoped to finish the business peacefully and safely according to traditional procedures and send this guy out finally. He could only say: "Come, the Lord will forgive your sins."