In an instant, New Ostara City gathered all the cavalry power of the Principality of Ross!
Spears were raised to the sky like a dense forest, and the assembled horse team formed an unprecedented behemoth. After the necessary rest, all the horses were fed a large amount of oats, and all the warriors ate their own dry food, and also ate food made by the Ostara people.
cheese and butter.
Carl has learned to walk and calls daddy with milky milk.
The child's eyes were full of confusion. He had just turned one year old and was indeed from a noble family.
Amid the attention of many soldiers, Rurik personally guaranteed his son. Both father and son were riding on horses, cruising around the Ostara wooden wall. The child was very obedient, and his immature legs were not riding saddles at all, but barely sitting on them.
Up there, he doesn't cry or fuss, and seems to have been trained by his mother, Carlotta, so he has no fear of horses.
The intimacy with Carl was ultimately short-lived, and so was the intimacy with Carlotta.
In the city of New Ostara, Rurik is the real supreme ruler. Facing the monarch, Duchess Carlotta threw away her leather shirt as she wished.
Rurik did not bring any wives or concubines with him, nor did he have any female attendants. He lived directly in Carlotta's palace and started doing things that were well known to the people.
Although the title of Duke can only be inherited by one person, it is only reasonable for aristocratic families to have more male and female descendants with the right to inherit.
From a purely political point of view, the people of Ostara need one or more duchess to provide multiple insurance.
For Carlotta herself, she is a woman!
She got what she wanted, and the people knew what happened.
Although she was a bit shaken when walking, Carlotta enjoyed it and visited all the stables with her men, inspecting the two hundred horses allocated to the Ostara people.
The residences of all the horses appear to be quite dense, and the feed for the horses is mostly hay and some oats.
Rurik could see that Carlotta did not feed a lot of feed. This was definitely not her problem, but the grazing habit of the Ostara people since ancient times. The feed fed was almost only hay. Winter was coming to an end.
At present, the amount of hay fed will inevitably decrease due to the depletion of stocks. This is the so-called "lean period". For example, feeding oats in large quantities is a pure unnatural behavior of the rich, and will keep the horses strong all year round.
Naturally, Rurik could only be in active service with the standing army and reserve war horses without investing in high-value feed. He could not reserve an astonishing number of horses, and the principality could not bear the huge consumption.
Carlotta talked about her experience in raising livestock, and pointed out in particular: "When spring comes, all the horses, cattle, deer, sheep and goats are let out of the pens. They will eat the newly grown grass, and the emaciated big animals will be very easy to eat."
Get strong soon. They will start to breed, and the number of domesticated livestock here will increase a lot."
"So if you want to add more pens, you will need more people to take care of the huge herd of livestock?" Rurik smelled deliberately, but his broad right hand couldn't help but caressed Carlotta's belly.
What this means is clear.
Carlotta blushed instantly, looked up at her man's face, and smiled happily from the bottom of her heart.
In order to ensure success, Rurik reluctantly did it a few more times during his stay and rest.
Carlotta herself was satisfied, and she didn't forget to give Rurik what she thought was an important reminder: "Don't forget my sister Ella."
How could Rurik forget Ella? He really couldn't forget any of the seventeen wives and concubines around him.
Perhaps there will be eighteen soon, because Kagan made it very clear that the Pecheneg Khanate intends to strengthen its ties with Rus through political marriage, and Princess Pecheneg may arrive in Rus as soon as next year.
According to Rurik's vision for the Principality of Rus in 839 AD, in principle, Rus would not take the initiative to conquer other countries in this year. The main task of the principality is still to accumulate strength and develop agriculture, shipbuilding and acquisition industries within the territory. The same
The development of farmland and large-scale logging are important events as important as war.
Just like last year, Ross did not want to take the initiative to initiate a national war, and never meant that he was afraid of fighting. Small-scale battles were done. If the enemy came to come, he would change his conservative strategy and issue a mobilization order to gather strong troops.
Conquer it.
The initiative in the war has always been in the Principality of Ross, or in its own hands. Some relatively peaceful external environments have been achieved, and now Ross does not have to worry about being attacked by powerful enemies and destroying the country in a battle.
The country needs cultivation and development, and the royal family should also develop.
Rurik remembered that ten years ago, his father Otto selected ten little girls in this big lake and sent them to him one after another, so...
He took the opportunity to reveal his thoughts to Carlotta very cryptically: "I have long heard people say that I attract too many wives and concubines, just like a bull in April. Anyway, I finished the spring plowing in April this year.
I'll just be a bull."
As for whether Rurik is a bull, Carlotta's answer is naturally yes.
When the huge cavalry force left the city of New Ostara, Carlotta stopped riding to see them off because of her back pain.
The cavalry will continue to patrol and rush to the west bank of Lake Ilmen to show off their power against the native Slavic tribes!
He knew that, except for the Niu Calf and the Fishermen, the two small tribes firmly supported the Principality of Ross. Although the other lakeside farm tribes did not participate in the rebellion, they simply acted as a wait-and-see. They did not support the king's division immediately, and their wait-and-see behavior was inconsistent with the situation.
The difference in rebellion is not very big. They are just a large group of strongheads who do not want to use violent means to gain benefits for themselves, but just want to win.
Since it is a strong-headed grass, it is easy to control. Now we need to show them the cavalry team of the Principality of Ross, so as to deter potential rebels.
The cavalry passed through every native farm, attracting villagers to stop and watch.
The owners of all the farms have sent one of their sons to be cavalry, and they are in the army. When the children pass by their hometown, they have to take off their hats and sunglasses, so as to show their faces and pay tribute to the elders in their hometown. Although they are in the same farm
Children who were born and became cavalry are full of pride, while people who watch the cavalry feel the most awe.
Rurik could clearly see the expressions of those people. Most of them looked at them with serious faces, and some of them stuck their heads in to smile, showing curiosity and worry.
As for the arrival of the cavalry at Fisherman's Farm and Calf Farm, the situation was completely different. Just like the early surrender to White Tree Manor, the correct measures taken by these two manors during the counter-insurgency war allowed them to enjoy more post-war benefits. When the prince wanted to form
During the cavalry period, these two manors also happily selected qualified young men from the few men to contribute to the prince.
Nowadays, the young children have become so powerful and domineering that their parents cannot believe that the warrior riding the horse is their son.
The inspection of Lake Ilmen came to a wonderful end. The cavalry were not yet qualified to go into battle to kill the enemy. Kagan was very fortunate that the Ross boys he trained did not have any horse falls along the way, even though the entire cavalry remained quite safe.
They traveled at a constant speed without any trouble along the way, which fully proves that the young warriors have learned how to control horses.
Rurik went through the rest of New Ostara and took away all the cavalry stationed there.
The cavalry of the Rus' Principality completed their general assembly outside the city of Novgorod. They rode their horses in dense formation on the wall to receive Rurik's victory speech.
"You have successfully completed the patrol of Lake Ilmen. I am very pleased that you have controlled the horses! However, your good days are over here! Next, you will receive real cavalry training, and many people will be injured.
Are you afraid?!" His question was deafening.
The soldiers all replied that they were fearless.
Rurik nodded with a smile and asked loudly: "No momentum! Louder!"
"Fearless!" Everyone said in unison.
"well said!"
That's all. Rurik tightened the reins and rode the horse into Kagan who was watching the theater: "Brother, my people are very impressive. If they want to receive better cavalry training, treat them as your riding slaves and treat them
"Then be strict and do high-intensity training every day. Don't worry, I will give you more rewards."
"No need. We are brothers, training soldiers for you is nothing."
"Just accept it. I will give you some iron horseshoes. As for nailing the horseshoes, you can just take them back to the grassland and do it yourself."
Kagan didn't really want anything. He subjectively wanted to show his generosity as an elder brother. Since Rurik mentioned an iron horse shoe as a reward, the more the better, the better.
As time goes by, the warm period for the Lake Ilmen region has quietly arrived.
Time has finally entered March, and the ice floes on the lake have become thinner. It is already quite dangerous to run a reindeer sleigh on the frozen lake. The ice layer is getting thinner every day, and soon, large and small cracks on the ice surface appear.
now.
Although a spring snow has arrived, the short spring snow is followed by an unpleasant cold and dampness that is not a chill at all.
The whole world has become humid, and the air is extremely humid.
No one thinks this is bad. The majority of farmers are seizing this critical moment to repair their farm tools, inspect their crops, and make final preparations for spring plowing.
Every spring plowing occurs in early April of the Julian calendar. Now Novgorod and surrounding areas have officially entered the annual ice and snow melting season. Now the lowest temperature throughout the day is also above freezing. This can be done by placing it outdoors.
The fact that the water in the bucket does not freeze proves that in principle, such a climate can already be used for sowing, but the extreme muddy farmland will kill wheat seeds.
Everyone was waiting silently, except the cavalry who were still training.
Even though they were only ten years old, they were qualified to become cavalry because their parents donated money, and they had to learn cavalry fighting like Pecheneg slaves.
The Pechenegs are true nomads on horseback. Boys and girls aged five or six are required by their parents to learn to ride horses. Even if they fall off their horses and cry, their parents will force them to ride on horses again. As for the riding of nobles,
Slaves, young slaves are trained even harder. They have no choice. If they don't listen to their masters, they will not only be whipped but also starved. They have to bear the pain of falling from the horse.
Ross has at least one faith buff here.
The Prince of Rus has a great mission blessed by the gods. Becoming a warrior appointed by him is the greatest honor in life. If you are timid during training and even give up, it will be the greatest shame for yourself and your family.
According to the reward system established by the Rurik Assault, in principle, all cavalry soldiers who complete the Ilmen Lake parade can receive a recurve bow as a reward.
However, Kagan only brought a hundred new recurve bows, and other Pecheneg warriors also had their own bows, so Rurik was too embarrassed to ask for them.
There are four hundred new cavalry warriors. Who will get the one hundred bows?
There is nothing better than passing the cavalry exam and being rewarded fairly.
Although the examination system is a wise invention of the Orientals, the Vikings have also had violent competitive games since ancient times, and even bloody fair duels within the tribe to compete for the position of chief.
Rurik knew that the Russians and other Viking tribes who immigrated were really busy in the winter, especially during the Hanukkah period, when they were waiting for the fire tower or the huge bonfire to be lit, and they relied on some competitive games to pass the time.
time.
The bet may be a jar of honey, a barrel of ale, or even some barbecue. What they are keen on is still the game of breaking bottles with their bare hands. Clay pots are easy to break during the fight, so use leather and hay to make a bag.
Just grab this thing. This is the most primitive rugby sport. Men who are good at forcing and collision are considered to be able to become warriors in war.
The Rus and all Viking tribes have this foundation and should carry it forward.
Given this idea, Rurik felt that he could simply make things grander.
At the end of March, some news spread throughout the Ilmen Lake area, and people in various settlements received the news.
The prince wants to hold a provincial capital before spring plowing? He asks everyone who can afford to go to Novgorod to come and see it?
Those who were able did not fear the snowy mud and arrived at the big city, eager to see what entertainment the prince had in store.
All that is seen is a flat wasteland along the Volkhov River that has dried up. Soon it will be covered with grass, and the wasteland will become a pasture for grazing. Wooden poles that resemble fences have been erected on the wasteland, and they are arranged in a line.
At first glance, it appears to form some channels.
A large number of cavalry were wandering outside the field, especially those prairie cavalry wearing armor that were the most eye-catching.
The Ross cavalry were also present. They were all wearing leather jackets sewn with white bear skin, and they were all holding slender lances.
People have been lacking in entertainment activities. More than 10,000 people gathered outside Novgorod, making the area seem a bit cramped.
Kagan saw it, and all he could see were people wearing leather clothes, and furry fur hats were swinging everywhere. In fact, Rurik invited Kagan to join him in the cruise around Lake Ilmen, which was also a way for this steppe brother to show off his muscles.
Kagan saw the dense crowd of people and fully understood that the Russians did control sufficient leather goods resources.
So many people came from far and wide to watch the show, making the "Cavalry Examination" too lively. Merchants took the opportunity to make deals, and ordinary farmers' families also set up stalls to sell home-made handicrafts or practical gadgets.
The wooden utensils and the whole scene have the feeling of a temple fair.
The lively scenes attested to the peace and stability under Ross.
Rurik also conducted a set of sacrificial activities. His maids numbered from a to j were all priestesses, and they also completed the spring priesthood in Novgorod on the vernal equinox.
The weather was no longer very cold, and the people saw ten young beauties dressed in plain clothes, with crowns made of newly sprouted red pine branches on their heads, performing a small sacrifice at the examination site under the command of Prince Rurik.
The ceremony made the beginning extremely solemn, as if the gods were looking down from high in the sky.
There is no doubt that King Bjorn of Sweden and other Swedish nobles will not let go of this cavalry test held by the Russians. The Russian cavalry has been showing off for some time. Of course, they are all a bunch of brats. How are the riding skills of these brats?
They also focused on the rituals of the Rus' people. Undoubtedly, King Bjorn was salivating and jealous when he saw the splendid young priestesses. They were priests and they were also the wives and concubines of Rurik, the prince of Rus.
It is said that the Karl of the past was the most beautiful, but wasn't Rurik even more extreme? The beautiful reality is here, which man wouldn't envy her?
While the ceremony was going on, Rurik reiterated the principles of this exam in public: “This is a competition, you will be divided into four groups, and the twenty-five winners of each group will receive excellent recurve bows!
"
The new cavalry still had not received training in riding and archery, even though Kagan and his party were about to go home after the spring plowing in Ross. They were trained in one and only one thing, which was to carry a long spear, charge forward on horseback, and use the spearhead.
Hit the target.
A squirrel-skin-wrapped skin bag was placed on a wooden stake. The young cavalry charged quickly from the starting point. If the spear tip hit the skin bag, it was considered a success.
Amid the sound of bugles and the cheers of the onlookers, the young cavalry charged forward on horseback. People saw the way, and when the spear hit the target, they immediately burst into cheers. Those who failed to hit the target were booed.
The exam, or competition, lasted from early morning to dusk. Among the four groups, the first twenty-five people in each group to complete the stabbing received their reward - a recurve bow.
However, the test lasted for a whole day in multiple track examination rooms, which completely proved that the results of the assault training were not ideal. The horses ran fast, and the spearhead of the riding spear was in front. The young cavalry wielded such a weapon and could accurately stab the smaller ones.
The goal is not easy.
You still need to train! The Polish hussars' spears are six meters long, and the current three-meter-long spears of the Russian cavalry are still too short.
Rurik envisaged that the Russian cavalry would not follow the Frankish cavalry, but would charge with lances and defend the enemy with mounted fire.
However, Kagan is no longer needed for future training. The huge envoys of Pechenegs and Kiev people will return to their hometown. The original eighty cavalrymen of Rus are good coaches, and the other ten belong to Rurik.
The Pecheneg Cavalry slaves serve as coaches. Whether they are cavalry or new soldiers of the Guards, in addition to learning basic cultural knowledge, they will be completely out of work in the future. Their daily life is to learn how to fight and kill the enemy. High
Train intensively for a warm season and everything will be fine.