The envoy from Saaremaa had never eaten roasted reindeer, let alone wheat scones.
Rurik allowed them to have a feast, which was said to be a preferential treatment given to those who surrendered. They ate like a drum, drank a lot of wine, and became drunk.
The people of Telalang have never experienced such enjoyment. It must be that the legendary life in Asgard is nothing like this.
They were dragged away. When everyone woke up, they realized that it was already dawn. The place that seemed to be a warehouse was the accommodation for everyone. Although they all slept on the ground, the wooden floor was covered with leather blankets.
It's also covered in leather. Prince Rus' kindness is still shown here?
Naturally, people should be treated with courtesy when they come with a servant attitude. Rurik's approach was a bit too much. Governor Konuson lost his temper and found a secret opportunity to inform the princes and brothers of their displeasure.
"They are just servants from a dirty and messy island village. The men, women, and children in them are all pirates. You shouldn't give these people too much courtesy, even if they have descendants of our Rus."
"You don't understand! I still need their strength to deal with the Danes. In the future, Saaremaa Island will also become our frontline against the Danes." Rurik had this explanation, and then he also found out
He gave a more convincing reason: "If the Danes take revenge, they will take the lead in storming Saaremaa. These servants who accepted my reward cannot defeat the Danish army. They will die for our interests. For such people, they should be alive
Give him some good meals and clothes when he comes."
After hearing this, Konuson stopped asking...
Telalang is still an outsider, and their lives will be strictly guarded for the rest of their lives, and every move will be monitored.
Because they are always doing the business of pirates. Pirates are the most unfaithful. They always want to maximize their own interests at all times and may even kill each other.
Rurik despises pirates, which is actually different from the attitude of many people. Tralan and his gang have surrendered, but it is still open to question whether the entire Saaremaa residents will surrender as a whole.
There is another possibility, although the probability is not high. Is it possible that there is some meticulous work by the Danes? How could it happen that the ocean-going sailing ship transporting grain ran aground on Saaremaa Island and quickly met the locals? Why did the locals
You must be determined to surrender to Ross.
Rurik was worried that Denmark was trying to find out what Ross was and what he was doing. The more he thought about it, the more likely it was that he felt it was very possible. Since the new Danish king could destroy the Ross shop in Hedeby, those guys were definitely not fools and they must know the consequences of doing so.
.Who can guarantee that the Danes will not take the initiative to attack? They are almost Vikings in the narrow sense. If they gather their troops to attack a little, the Russians will suffer.
So is there any flaw in the Principality of Ross?
The flaw is obvious, that is, the principality has expanded from a corner of the fjord to its current level. In the tribal era, there were only a few men and troops had to be divided to guard each large settlement. It also had to rely on the servants of the local Slavs and Finns.
.Although groups of children are growing and being born, it will take time for them to grow into warriors.
Most of the men in Ross's headquarters are farming in Novgorod and Mstisk on the shores of Lake Ilmen. If Fort Novoros at the mouth of the Neva River is attacked by Denmark, the new troops in the rear will be frightened from the moment they get the news to the time when they come to kill them.
There are ten days.
Trarang and his men were not allowed to see the entire city of New Roseburg!
Rurik "imprisoned" these people in the house. Although they were provided with good food and drink, it was impossible to go out without the permission of the prince, and the soldiers on guard would not open the door on their own initiative.
He had been "imprisoned" for three full days. Although he had delicious meals every day, Tralan felt like a hedgehog in a wooden box and a turtle dove in a rattan cage.
Some people muttered in disgust: "In fact, Prince Rus still can't trust us."
One stone stirred up a thousand waves, and the voices of complaints became more and more frequent.
"Since Prince Rus recognizes our identity, he should treat us as members of his tribe."
"Hey, you think... maybe the prince just can't trust us and will find an excuse to get rid of us in the end."
"Ah?! That's not it! We all swore to Odin that we would serve him well. Besides, the prince also asked us to attack the Danes."
"Didn't you see their rows of big ships? Karl, I dare say they will kill us, and then the fleet will attack our island. Prince Rus has said that even if we don't choose to surrender, Saaremaa Island is under his government
In the plan..."
The discussion became more and more exaggerated. Trarang ordered all the guys to shut up and angrily said: "It's too late to say anything now. What can we do? We can only stay here and let him have his way."
“Then don’t we become the sheep that stay?”
"Karl, what do you want?" Tralan asked excitedly.
"Why don't we just run away? We can't just sit here and wait to die. Did you realize that your life was in danger only when the ax was pressed against your neck?"
These words actually moved Tralan's heart. The more he thought about it, the more he felt it made sense. "Okay! Let's run away. Grab a boat and leave here..."
Tralan could not predict the consequences of doing so, but the time was not ripe yet, so he did not dare to take action yet.
They continued to be placed under house arrest in a very warm house. They had wheat cakes and barbecue every day, and everyone was also given some ale. And this house actually had independent compartments! There was actually a squat toilet inside!
There is a pottery urn under the hole in the toilet, and there is a lot of filth inside. The hole is not big enough, and it seems that it can be expanded with bare hands. It is disgusting, and the hole is at least connected to the outdoors. They have not known what is happening outside for many days.
I just thought I could escape through this hole.
But something is quietly changing outdoors...
The snow finally fell, and there was no storm, so no one felt its harshness.
At first it was just snowflakes, then tiny flakes, and finally it was densely packed together like lint.
The whole world was extremely quiet and extremely dark. Tralan and his gang, who were hiding in the closed house, had no idea about this situation. However, those who went to the toilet felt a hint of coolness outside. This was not surprising, after all, winter was coming.
Everyone felt that their time was running out, and everyone was waiting for Tralan to make up his mind to escape.
On the other hand, in the winter palace of Prince Rus, a special meeting was taking place.
Rurik dismissed everyone and invited the explorer Spyut into the inner room to talk.
The oil lamp illuminated the room brightly, and Rurik sat cross-legged quite casually this time.
Seeing Si Puyute coming, he waved: "No need to be formal, just sit down wherever you want."
Having said that, Sipuyut still performed the warrior salute and then sat down calmly: "Sir, what is the big matter that requires you and me to discuss it in secret?" After saying that, he took a furtive look at the room: "
No one should eavesdrop on our confidential conversations."
Rurik shrugged and went straight to the point: "You told me your long-cherished wish last year. You long to travel to distant places and see this vast world with your own eyes. You hope to set foot further than the Russians of all generations. You have to do it.
The best explorer. So, you need me to provide you with a big ship."
The prince actually mentioned this matter?!
Si Puyut's slightly slumped back instantly straightened up, and his leisurely expression instantly turned into excitement: "Sir, do you really give your permission?"
"Of course. I invited you here to focus on explaining this matter."
"You are so wise!" After saying that, Sipuyut knelt down on one knee and saluted.
"Why bother to salute again? We still need to explain this matter carefully, and you and I also need to make a contract."
"Yes, I dare not violate the prince's contract."
"Very good." Rurik paused and said, "You are very good at operating the Salmon Chief, but it is not your property. In the past two years, you have completed the task of transporting tribute to Britain. You are already the best in Russia.
A good seaman's ship."
"I am indeed the strongest!" Sipuyut liked this compliment very much, and his voice was also very loud.
"Good! You are very energetic! Your route must pass through the waters controlled by the Danes. Now I will give you a more difficult task besides the British Tribute mission every autumn. I want you to control the big ship to actively attack the Danish ships."
When Rurik said his last words, the situation became serious. Spuyut thought of a lot of news he had heard. It was said that Ross had encountered disaster in Denmark and that Ross was planning a large-scale retaliatory military action against Denmark.
He couldn't help but speculate: "I heard something. Our Russian army is going to go on an expedition to Denmark. Do you want me to be a pioneer to find out the enemy's true identity and wait for opportunities to kill like crazy and create fear? I remember that you control the Aurora.
Have done this kind of thing."
"You are very smart!" Rurik slapped his thigh suddenly, with a proud face: "You are going to wreak havoc in the Danish waters! I will enhance the armament of the Salmon Chief, with more torsion slingshots and more
A crossbow, and a stronger bronze bulbous ram. I want you to ram every ship you come across. Don't worry, attack when you find one! You can capture anyone who falls overboard. If you ask, it's a Dane or a Bornhall.
Just kill the Mu people directly. Don’t leave any survivors alive, and sink the ships you encounter.”
Like other Ross natives, Spuyut basically participated in all the major wars that Ross fought. He had no psychological burden if he went on a killing spree, but he was just confused as to why the prince needed to kill everyone.
"There are also people among the Danes who can be used by us. For example, that Grund, isn't he also appointed by you to work as a guard? We can bring back some prisoners, and it would be good to be a slave in logging for the first time."
Rurik shook his head decisively: "They were the first to attack and kill wildly, so don't blame me for retaliating in equal measure. Spuyut, put away your rationality? Don't I know that slaves can be used to cut wood and cut stones? I just want to retaliate against Denmark.
Kingdom, let their fishing boats and merchant ships never come back. Moreover, you sank the ships and killed the fishermen. Without witnesses, your identity cannot be exposed. Presumably those people are more willing to believe that it was Kraken's terrifying tentacles that destroyed the ships. In this way
You can attack like crazy and spread terror to the Danes, I am very willing. Are you... willing?"
When the prince described it like this, Si Puyut found it really refreshing.
Some things are indeed very novel to people of this era, such as Rurik's decision to engage in "breaking the war".
"I do."
"Very good. When the sea ice thaws next year, you will organize a group of brothers to kill ruthlessly in the Danish waters. Your only focus is to collect treasures. The ship is my weapon and it is mine. I don't want much, you
I want half of all the loot. When your ship is full, rush to Tombstone Island to unload it, where you can sell it immediately."
"Ah! Isn't this an opportunity for you to give me a chance to make a fortune?"
"Exactly. You and your guys will become rich. You are the only pirates I recognize. Your actions are part of the war!"
Rurik continued to describe a wonderful scene to Spyut. A group of warriors operating a large ship were rampaging on the sea. The top of the mast was hung with a flag painted black with a skull pattern, and even the sails were painted with obvious black stripes.
It would be best if there were no witnesses when the ship committed the crime. It would also be good if there were, because it would leave the impression of a "black monster" to the Danes.
In fact, the Russians will still be exposed. Who has a big ship in this sea and who has a triangular Latin sail?
The Denmark Strait in a broad sense is not vast. It is densely populated with islands of various sizes, which is very suitable for a ship to hide and for sudden attacks.
Spruit also has a secret weapon - information advantage. The map of Denmark drawn by Rurik from memory is naturally not accurate, but some of the most important islands and the entire Jutland Peninsula are clearly marked. They can use the big islands as reference
When performing tasks, mark newly discovered islands on the map based on actual conditions.
They also have another mission, which is to go to Saaremaa Island to declare the rule of the Prince of Rus and use the island as a forward base for the war against Denmark. The island will first become the anchorage of Spuyut, and the human resources on the island
They are also extremely important, as they can support the destruction of supplies and personnel losses in battles.
It can be said that Rurik intends to cultivate Spuyut into a royal pirate king, and with a group of Saaremaa islanders he has recruited, he will first severely hit the Danish economy before the Russian-Denmark war. It seems that one ship cannot
It plays many roles, but in reality it does not, and the terrifying atmosphere it brings is more meaningful.
Siput happily accepted the order. Although he probably couldn't become the flag captain, being a "Royal Pirate" given by the emperor was quite good.
In terms of feelings, he actually likes the Saaremaa islanders, especially since there is no tribal leader there at all. Maybe...
He took the opportunity to make a request to Rurik: "I can be the war chief (chief) of the Saaremaa islanders, so that I can better mobilize human resources."
Rurik did not hesitate. He appointed Spuyut as the governor of the island in accordance with the existing management. Spuyut was the unequivocal leader of the entire Saaremaa Island. The governor represented the will of the prince and had full power.
It was a reward from the prince. In theory, this power could be taken back at any time. For his own benefit, he vowed to do everything well.
A brave explorer is poised to become the Baltic Sea's most dangerous pirate king!
Si Puyut confirmed that the opportunity for him to make a great contribution had come. He was authorized to choose his own crew members. Apart from the old friends who were still alive who traveled with him, he thought of the islanders Telalang and his group.
Facts have proved that the people of this island have indeed never seen the world. They are quick to learn and they were already doing some auxiliary work on their final journey home.
Then on the second night of the meeting, something terrible and embarrassing happened.
Tralan and his gang felt that the time was ripe for escape. They used brute force to open the hole in the toilet, which was actually lifting the wooden board. The snowy night was very quiet, but the noise still shocked the servants who were not afraid of the snow at night.
soldiers.
After all, this is the capital of a country! Even if it is not a particularly huge city, basic city defense measures already exist, such as soldiers patrolling at night and rotating guards on the city walls.
Some unlucky guy knocked over the manure tank and immediately became covered in filth and stench. Everyone didn't care too much and scrambled to climb out of the wooden hole. They were dumbfounded when they saw the white sky outside under the snowy night. When they started to run away, they were
The patrolmen who heard the news captured it on the spot.
Because of the special nature of the times, there is a curfew at night in New Roseburg. This is very reasonable. Even professional hunters would not dare to run around outdoors at this time of night for fear of being frozen alive.
die.
The patrols were mostly soldiers or mercenaries, and they were covered in thick polar bear hides, which was a perfect camouflage. This frightened the Tralan gang, and they thought it was a group of intruding white bears that had used the brothers as food.
As a result, these "bears" showed their halberds and swords and killed everyone in one fell swoop.
The next day, all ten people were escorted to Rurik.
The incident left people speechless, and Rurik wanted to hear their explanation with a sullen face.
Telalang was also stupid and knelt on the ground and said bluntly: "We are just afraid that you want to chop off our heads, so we are thinking of running away."
"Absurd!" Rurik slapped himself in the face, "You actually think you are sheep to be slaughtered? You are confused! Look at this snowy field, as well as the frozen rivers and seas. You are not the bravest hunters. Now
We don’t even have weapons or food. If you escape, you will freeze to death! When the snow melts, your bodies will be eaten up by foxes looking for food, leaving only the bones. I keep you in the house to protect you."
"Ah?! That's actually like this?!" Tralan believed it, claiming that it was a stupid misunderstanding. But others felt that things were still a little strange.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Rurik grandly introduced Spuyut, who had a new position: "He will serve as the leader (governor) of Saaremaa Island and manage you on my behalf. You are all my soldiers, how can I
Are you stupid enough to harm my subjects? Follow Spuyut and work well from now on, and you will all make a fortune while robbing the Danes!"
Now Telalang suddenly became smarter and immediately supported Spuyut, causing others to agree that he was the boss.
At least Telalang could trust Si Puyut. If his brother-in-law couldn't trust him, would he still be a human being?