Chapter 719 Merchant Blue Fox, Saint Eskil and King Horrick
The group of priests in the monastery would definitely not know how to use weapons. The unarmed King Horik of Denmark had no worries and was even quite cheerful.
He put on the disguise of a believer and followed Eskil's footsteps into the so-called confession room. He stood through the wooden window and faced the old guy Eskil opposite.
Maybe he is sincerely repentant, or maybe he is just pretending.
Esquier followed the script: "Son, tell me what you have done, and the Lord will forgive you."
Looking at Horik again, instead of feeling guilty, he looked contented.
"I killed many people in Flanders, men, women and children, and I made a fortune. I came to Denmark to inherit the throne at the request of the prince, and all the lords who opposed me were killed. I personally killed him in Hedebe
Killed five gang leaders. I am now the King of Denmark..."
Horik regarded killing as an absolute great achievement and robbery as a merit. Some of the horrific descriptions made Eskil tremble on the other side of the wooden window!
"So, do you realize you did something wrong?"
"Yes. I was wrong, so I hope to be forgiven by the Lord." After saying that, Horik still had that weird smile on his face, raised his head and stared at Eskil who was caught off guard.
In Frank's territory, those pious people were killed one after another by this gangster leader. Even so, this man was still a mercenary of Prince Ludwig?! Esquier secretly cursed in his heart how such a villain could be forgiven. After death, he must
It's going to hell, but...
Eskil heard an extremely crucial piece of information from the words. Even though this man was a veritable murderous maniac, he came to Denmark to obtain the royal power only under the instructions of Prince Ludwig. Since this man has always carried the cross in his
On the body, maybe the situation is not so bad.
An idea flashed in his mind: "My son, will you carry out the Lord's way? Your sin of killing is very serious, but if you can lead the lambs in Denmark to convert, the Lord will definitely forgive your sins. At least the Holy One of Rome
I will forgive you and crown you King of Denmark."
Horik had never been to Rome at all. He had been active in Flanders for many years with his brothers and never went south. His understanding of the Roman Pope was limited to hearsay, and he had no idea how brilliant and great those clergy were.
So he didn't care about Eskil's "Pope's coronation" at all.
As for the weirdness in Denmark, this question gets to the point.
Indeed, Horik, the new king of Denmark, must make a painful choice, either choose the Lord or Odin.
Faced with Eskil's question, he chose to be vague.
"Are you still doubting? You should implement the sacred faith and give up the barbaric gods of your homeland. Odin does not exist, and the Lord is the only one." At least Eskil's belief is extremely firm, and he is eager to preach again.
, forcing King Horik to obey completely. "Just like Harald Clark, just like this relative of yours, be a loyal servant of the Lord. This is the most correct way. As long as you follow through, Cardinal Lance will definitely
Support you and your throne will be stable."
In Horik's view, what the old man Eskil said was all correct nonsense. He was not a fool, but it was not a matter of which god he believed in, and he had no so-called freedom in this regard.
He simply stood up and forcibly interrupted the meaningless "confession".
"That's enough!"
"No! You can't leave yet!" Eskil was shocked.
"It doesn't matter. If the Lord hates me, he will rain down thunder and strike me to death. I have told the Lord what I have done, and the rest depends on the Lord's will."
Eskil was very speechless. He stood in front of Horik with a face as blue as a constipation and said coldly: "The Lord is just. Your blasphemy will bring disaster. Since you don't care,
, there is nothing I can do. I can only advise you to take care of yourself..."
"Oh? Are you trying to persuade me to leave?!"
Horik had retreated to the chapel. He looked around and tried to detect the gold and silver utensils inside. There were indeed precious metal utensils, but there were only a few silver candlesticks, silver plates and a small gold cross at the minaret.
In addition, there were a large number of old wooden utensils. He saw that the few benches were full of signs of wear and tear. It was obvious that this man was preaching in the north and did not attract many believers after all.
These details solidified Horik's perception that Frankish and Roman beliefs were unpopular in Denmark.
Eskil's constipated expression remained unchanged, this face really deserves a beating.
Horik knew that the old priest had issued an expulsion order, but he could not say it clearly due to his identity. He must have been a heretic and a blasphemer in his heart, and his reputation might soon spread to the Frankish mainland.
"So what? Now I am no longer the one who acts based on Ludwig's face." He thought this way.
But if he withdraws now, where does the dignity of the King of Denmark belong? This is obviously his territory, and allowing them to continue to own the monastery is already the greatest kindness!
Horik pinched his waist and said deliberately: "It seems that you are not doing a good job. Where are your followers? Don't tell me that you are the only one in this huge monastery."
"Of course there are many, and the clergy are willing to receive the most devout people."
"You mean I'm not religious enough?" Horik asked knowingly.
Eskil doesn’t accept this trick: “It depends on the Lord’s will.”
"Then let all the people who are hiding come out! Remember, it's everyone! I know that your monastery itself can't hide many people. There are not many buildings and there are no dark rooms or cellars."
"What do you want to do?" Eskil couldn't help but take a step back.
"Are you afraid? Don't worry, I won't cause trouble in this sacred place. I want you to gather the priests and I want to hear them sing hymns. Otherwise, your trip will be in vain."
Eskil didn't want to be entangled anymore, but the opponent's army was at Hedebe, and he still had to meet his undue demands. Fortunately, the day of escape was not far away.
After a while, the hidden priests appeared one after another in black robes, each with their heads lowered, looking solemn and solemn. Blue Fox and Wadi were among them. They were dressed like ordinary priests. This is the image of the fat man Blue Fox.
It’s really eye-catching!
The priests stood in two rows, including the figure of Blue Fox. Just as Horik's arrogant words said, Esquier did not develop many loyal believers here in Hedeby.
"I saw that you have some children here. Yes, you are sheltering orphans. I have heard about this kind of thing. But is the food here good? Did my eyes get dazzled? I actually saw a fat man."
Horik's words were directed at Blue Fox, and Blue Fox immediately raised his head, and the two people's eyes met like this.
This was really unexpected. Horik saw the murderous aura and arrogance in the eyes of this fat boy. He is still a priest with such an aura? How ridiculous! No! There must be a hidden meaning in this.
He then shouted again: "The Russians and my people fought fiercely. Most of the Russians were killed by my people. It seems that some people took advantage of the chaos to escape. Esquier, are there any Russians here who are protected by you?"
?”
Eskil's eyes immediately wandered, and with this expression Horik had basically received a positive answer.
"I only have priests here. I know that the Russians are barbarians who believe in Odin. Heretics cannot enter here!"
"Really? I think that fat man is very suspicious. You are all ascetics, but you can actually raise a fat man? How do you explain this?"
While the two of them were talking, Blue Fox had already thought of a hundred ways to kill this stocky short Horik. The fact was that the new King of Denmark was not tall and burly, and his face had already been captured
Remember. After hearing that all of your subordinates were killed, it stands to reason that there is no point in avenging a group of mercenaries who died in battle. A real businessman does not need to get involved in this aspect, but this humiliation must be ended.
Blue Fox's reason suppressed his impulse. He didn't think he had the strength to kill this person in a duel, not to mention that he had a longer-term plan.
He deliberately stared at Horik's face, showing his disdain and contempt at every turn.
The malicious eyes had always been a mental provocation to Horik. He wanted to kill the fat priest with his own hands, but he couldn't go to such an extreme.
The atmosphere became tense, and Esquier hurriedly came to smooth things over: "Joseph has gained some weight. He is very good at eating."
"A greedy bastard?"
Eskil came up with a quick idea: "There is a reason here, because Joseph is very good at learning Latin. Naturally, there should be more rewards for such a good student. It is not surprising that he eats a lot. The Lord obviously allows this behavior."
So, Eskil was indeed lying, and he was praying in his heart to be forgiven by the Lord.
"You actually know Latin? Great! I want to hear it, even if I don't speak it. I listened to many sermons by pastors in Flanders who were good at using Latin. Of course, the idiot's poor accent cannot deceive me."
How could it be difficult for Blue Fox to be asked by name to recite random passages from the Gospel in Latin?
He read the book aloud and spoke clearly, and now Horik's doubts were gone.
Horik didn't want to get too involved with the priests, and he didn't even want other tribal observers in the army to know that he had visited a Frankish monastery. He could actually leave now, but a major event might be implemented now.
As for how much sense there is in looking for Russian escapees? At least this suspicious fat man is definitely not a Russian. According to Horik's understanding, only priests in this world can learn Latin.
He listened to the psalms as a pretense, just to see Eskil's preaching achievements. The small number of people showed that the power of the Franks was still weak in Hedeby.
"That's enough. Let your priests leave! Eskil, we can take this opportunity to have a good chat."
"As you wish."
Horik smiled and shrugged: "I know you are going to drive me away, and I will leave. Before that, I ask you to promise that you will accomplish something for me."
"What's the matter?"
"I want you to write a letter to Prince Ludwig and tell him that I have obtained the Danish crown. I know you have the authority in this regard, but..."
"so what?"
Horik couldn't help but glance at the cross on the table and sighed: "I was a bound wolf, and now I am free. The Danish kingship is mine, and my Danish kingdom is completely free. Frank and I have a country-to-country relationship.
, I hope that the prince can use the Great Wall of Schleswig as a boundary, and the north of the city is mine. For this reason, I would rather give up Durist. I will maintain an alliance with His Highness the prince. I will not invade Frank, and the prince cannot invade me.
"
After Horik said so much, Esquier basically understood that the shock was really shocking, but as a priest, he should not get involved in this kind of thing. Due to his personal situation, he also resisted, so he said:
"I am an ascetic monk and do not want to participate in worldly affairs. My heart only belongs to the Lord."
"You are teasing me! This is not the first time you have written to the prince. Otherwise, how would I know your identity? If you don't get funding from the prince when you preach in the North, you won't even be able to build this monastery. And I
I have been working under the prince for so many years. You must write a letter. If you don’t agree, I will demolish this place. If you are punished by the Lord, then come!"
The words were so absolute, Eskil was convinced that as long as he didn't obey, this guy would definitely carry out the threat.
He felt a huge threat. This Horik was a hundred times more difficult to deal with than the previous Hafgen! I am afraid that there is no reason to hold on to the stronghold of Hezeby, and it is time to build another monastery.
"Alas... Hedebe has gone through a war, and the weak-willed believers have run away. King of Denmark, although we are pious, we can no longer survive the winter. This depressed city cannot buy supplies. My warehouse
The bread is almost gone.”
"What do you want?"
Eskil looked regretful: "I want to take the priests back to Hamburg. Maybe we will come back in the spring, and you won't refuse me then."
"Wait a minute! You want to go to Hamburg?! Get out of here?"
"Exactly. King of Denmark, why don't you write a letter yourself, just in Frankish. I will personally deliver the letter to the Count of Hamburg, and the letter will be delivered to the prince's mansion soon."
Hearing this, Horik was greatly surprised and quickly turned into joy: "Yes! I'll write it. You must deliver it to the earl in person. So, when will you leave?"
"Of course it's the day after the Mass at St. Mary on August 14th. This will be the last Mass we say in Hedeby this year. Maybe you should get involved."
Horik nodded, neither affirming nor denying, and finally said: "That's enough. It was a pleasure to contact you. I will give the letter to you on the day of mass." He said no more, turned and left.
He approached the gate, pushed it open, and ran towards the wall to meet his subordinates who were waiting quite boredly.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The young priests crossed themselves and lamented that the devil who had betrayed their faith had left.
Eskil stood in the lobby and casually asked Blue Fox, who had not left yet: "Have you recognized the face of the King of Denmark?"
"Yes. I will report the specific appearance of the facial features, body shape, and arrogance of speech to Prince Rurik."
"So, that kid Rurik will really take revenge?"
"inevitable."
"Oh! Lord..." Eskil kept crossing his chest: "I am guilty. Maybe I led a dispute and Hedebe became really dangerous."
On the agreed August 14th, the Mass of St. Mary was held in the monastery. This was a completely private ceremony, and only the "devout lambs" could participate.
King Horik participated in this ceremony with his unique practical actions. He led more than 500 armored warriors and as many as 100 cavalry, and vigorously held more than 50 heads of various sizes.
The raven flag appears outside the monastery's wooden walls.
This is a powerful military deterrent. As long as Horik gives the order, the army will conquer this place in minutes.
The young priests trembled for their lives, causing the mass to contain fear. Esquier never believed that Horik would really send troops, asserting that this was a deterrent, and that the deterrent was not directed at himself, but at
Against the Frankish Kingdom.
As Horik marched outside the walls, his messenger approached the gate and asked the priests to send someone immediately to receive the important letters.
Who was going to receive the letter? Horik named it and asked the fat priest Joseph to pick it up.
This is another naming of the Blue Fox! Originally, the Blue Fox didn’t want to get involved in a boring ceremony like mass. In terms of ceremony, how can the ceremony be as exciting as the Russians lighting fire towers and slaughtering deer?
He was not afraid of Horik, so he walked towards the wooden wall and opened the door himself, pretending to be respectful.
Horik saw the fat man get off his horse with great interest, and carried a cloth bag with his own hand, which contained a letter written in Frankish on a white cloth.
He stared at the face of the blue fox and stepped forward, with the mighty armored army behind him.
The Blue Fox was not afraid, and even looked at this powerful Danish army, imagining how it would collapse under the attack of Ross's elite army.
Horik personally pushed the cloth bag towards Blue Fox, and did not let go of it when he received it with one hand.
The blue fox was a little surprised, and Horik also said something shocking: "Fat man, put away your disguise. I heard that the commander of your Ross people is a fat man. My people described that there was nothing in the body.
Fatty. Obviously that person is you! You managed to escape!"
Lan Hu is not intimidated. Dare to do business in Haizebi is a life-threatening job. Now that he has killed someone, he has become more courageous.
"You misunderstood, I am Joseph."
"It doesn't matter. Russians, if you believe in the Lord, I won't be able to do anything to you. You'd better leave as soon as possible. My kingdom does not allow Swedes and Russians to exist. If you can return to your Rus, let me tell you
Leader, if you dare to cross to the west of Burgundy Island in the future, any ship will encounter my merciless attack!"
Now that the words have come to this point, Blue Fox simply stopped pretending. The reason why he accepted the letter with one hand was because the other hidden hand was holding a meat-cutting dagger under the cloth, even if Hori
Ke was wearing armor, and the vital points of his neck were open. Horik could guess this from his special posture.
"Okay, King of Denmark. Actually, my Prince Rus wanted to negotiate peacefully with you. The dispute that has lasted for a hundred years should be over. Since you refuse, forget it."
"What? Is this the attitude of the Ross people?" Horik was really shocked. He even felt that he should write a letter to tell the Ross leader that he was actually tired of the disputes.
But are all peace negotiations still possible? He actually killed a group of Russians and even destroyed their shops. Horik's expectation for peace in 'Danluo' is very strange, that is, the two sides should not fight as soon as they meet.
Kill, but Denmark will still reject Russia and Sweden. At most, they promise not to invade on their own initiative, and also ask the other side not to invade, for the sake of "mutual non-aggression." As for cooperative trade, don't even think about it, because it is related to the Danish throne.
stable.
Horik felt as if a stone was weighing on his heart, and he left angrily after the wooden door was closed. He was not afraid of the Russians' revenge, and did not even take it seriously, simply because the primary issue now was to redefine the relationship between Denmark and Frank.
Relationship.
He did not stay any longer, and the army circled the monastery holding a large number of raven flags and left. He used this performance art to clearly show that he was a warrior of Odin, and also to show that he had betrayed Prince Ludwig.
He was very conflicted with Cardinal Reims. First of all, he did not want to be an enemy of Frank because of his faith. Secondly, if Odin was not regained, most of the Danish lords would be angry, and he was afraid that he would be expelled again.
For the sake of power, he must firmly become Odin's warrior!
After this glance at the confrontation, the blue fox finally saw through this King Horik. There is no piety, and he can change his faith at any time as long as there is benefit. For example, this person's behavior is clearly clear-cut and does not want to do anything to that Prince Ludwig.
"Loyal dog", this assertion was precisely because Blue Fox peeked at the letter, and his good memory allowed him to write down the content of the letter. Now this important information was told to Prince Rurik, which was a great achievement.
Blue Fox also asked himself, he was similar to Horik, the cross on his chest was just a safety certificate for activities in Frank, so why not pretend to be a believer all his life in order to do business. As for the world after death, there are various opinions, who knows?