Chapter 907 Rurik's Kingship Arrives in the Denmark Strait
The Sperosvilia is like a floating fortress. The Russian soldiers standing on the deck shoot from a high position and wantonly shoot. It seems that they don't want to fight, but more like free hunting!
There is nothing special about the Ghotalan longships; their wide, low cabins offer no defense at all.
The battle situation was a disaster for the Jotalans, because they were facing the south, and their sails could not sail very fast using the south wind. If they wanted to escape quickly, they could only paddle.
The contradiction is that if you paddle, your body will be completely exposed and you will become a living target for the enemy's arrows. If you pick up a round shield for defense, let alone the effectiveness of the shield, you will not be able to paddle to escape quickly.
But the shield is really not very effective.
Arik and his brothers took the lead and sailed against the wind. They had to fight against the wind and take a zigzag line. Just like this, the ship's powerful port and starboard sides took turns facing the enemy. Each time, it could fire a volley of ten slingshots at close range.
Only shooting at close range can break through the bottom of the ship, and you can only shoot the enemy from a long distance. In order to maximize the results of the battle, Arik is like this, just like a tiger pounces on its prey. Although the tiger is not good at rushing and killing a large area, it can be targeted
The prey will surely die.
Longboat after longboat was sunk, water leaked like a spring, and the men on board held up their battle axes in vain and cursed viciously before being shot to death or wounded by steel-armed crossbows or cheap wooden-armed versions. They fell into the river, and even
He threw away his weapon, took off his water-absorbent coat, and jumped into the river to escape.
Those who fell into the water rushed to swim to the river if they could. They became moving targets, and the Russian soldiers hunted them in laughter.
"Haha! It's like shooting ducks and geese in the swamp."
Arik didn't care about the shooting actions of his brothers. He called to the sailors who were manipulating the large and small triangular sails in the big ship: "Keep operating and attack as hard as possible! We must try our best to pursue them!"
Arik is a reckless man, but his current actions are extremely brave.
The Rus' army in the rear lost its assault power and after defeating the long fleet of Jotalan which was lagging behind the army, they were busy salvaging prisoners of war.
The harvest of prisoners of war was so amazing that the ropes used to bind them were not enough. Finally, some soldiers on the ship were forced to take off their coats and leave only a fig leaf. They sat in a corner of the deck with their heads in their hands to prove that they had no weapons and would not resist.
and was monitored by Rus warriors.
Now Arik heard it, and the brothers behind him were shouting his name.
"This is to cheer me up!"
What he longs for in life is not endless wealth and power, he longs to be recognized by the soldiers, and what he longs for is the current scene.
But for the Yotalan elite who were defeated and fled after a confused battle, the two leaders tried their best to escape, but surprisingly found that there were only twenty or thirty boats behind them. The horrific losses were visible to the naked eye, and the fragments of boats floating on the river told the story.
fear.
The Jotalan warriors who were lucky enough to escape to the shore could no longer care about their ship. They fled like crazy towards the forest not far away. They were killed and literally abandoned their armor. Many of them abandoned their red shells and fled, even though
There is also a domineering and revealing picture tattooed on his back, which is an embarrassing irony with today's embarrassment.
"Bigfoot" Badar and "Broken Tooth" Cedric changed their previous self-confidence and were dominated by impatience and panic. The two strong men were not completely afraid of the pursuit of the foreign fleet. Compared with the brothers who were fleeing for their lives, the two strong men
People's minds are clearer.
Badal urged his brother: "Paddle quickly. Once I get to the shore, I will run to the forest. There will be a chance when I get there."
Even though Cedric had just landed, he was still shouting at the backs of his brothers: "Don't give up, we have a backup plan!"
Of course they have a backup plan, but it is also the last plan.
Of the three thousand elite soldiers who went out to fight, only 10/20 managed to escape ashore. This was an unimaginable defeat, but it also inspired something unimaginable - rage.
The Göta River becomes wider as it goes downstream. What appears directly south of Arik is not a wide estuary, but a large number of small estuaries cut off by island sandbanks.
In particular, there is a huge sandbar covered with pine trees, blocking the mouth of the river where it flows into the sea like a screen.
Arik still wanted to expand the victory, but due to the unclear hydrological conditions of the area, he gave up the pursuit of the enemy who had landed and fled for fear of being stranded.
The Russian army was cheering. They were busy making noises to cheer for their victory, and they were even more busy capturing prisoners of war.
Unfortunately, a large number of Jotalan warriors who fell into the water were pulled down by their own water-absorbent clothes. In the emergency, the water-absorbent clothes were as heavy as lead and it was difficult to break free. When they were exhausted, they tragically went against the current. Those who were injured did not even have a chance to struggle.
No, he suffocated painfully in the river.
People who are knocked unconscious and fall into the river are swallowed up by the Göta River immediately. Such people are lucky. For them, death is a matter of seconds, and anything after that has nothing to do with them.
Ross's various large ships arrayed in front of the array were like fishing for seals, pulling up struggling prisoners of war who fell into the water. Each ship had a harvest, including Rurik's flagship, which also pulled up twenty people.
Kill them? Torture them? Or enslave them?
No. Sometimes the living are ten thousand times more useful than the dead.
More than twenty prisoners of war were squeezed under the central mast with their hands tied, squirming like big beasts that had been captured alive, their bodies wet and unable to escape with their wings.
Rurik walked down the wooden stairs with satisfaction and stood beside them proudly.
His noble appearance attracted people's attention, and the prisoners did not even dare to look at this tall and strong young man. They lowered their heads and closed their eyes to await the terrible fate.
"Are you afraid? Why should you be afraid? Now I'll give you a chance to live. Tell me about you, and I will let you all go in the end." Rurik emphasized again: "I have no intention of attacking you at all.
It is clear that you were the first to launch the attack. We Russians are not like killing you..."
Rurik declared his identity, and the rumors sounded true to the captives.
The intruder was indeed Rus, or maybe Rus coerced other Swedish tribes to join forces to launch the attack. The captives did not have time to ask about the details. They were just ordinary hunters, fishermen and loggers, living the most ordinary and quite miserable lives.
In these days, just to support myself, my wife and my children is to do my best, and there is no need to know too many things.
Hearing that they could survive if they explained their situation well, the prisoners rushed to reveal their identities, pointed out the number of villages in the area, the strength of the soldiers who went out to the expedition, and even the ambush they left on the shore.
They actually have an ambush?!
Rurik was shocked. Could it be that the number of ambushes was really 10,000? The prisoners were probably lying, because Gorm, who had surrendered before, did not introduce this situation.
Is it possible that the southern region can gather another 10,000 armed villagers? Considering the situation faced by the conscription of Weisinger, maybe the people here can indeed mobilize another 10,000 people, including but not limited to forcing a group of women and children.
Join the team, pick up weapons and fight.
After being unable to talk to a group of ordinary prisoners of war, Rurik learned key information. It turned out that the locals had three big bosses. Whether the people in the lower reaches of the Göta River were at war or at peace largely depended on the strength of these three people.
determination.
At this time, Rurik did not know that Erik the Archer had been captured. As he landed on the river beach owned by the southern village group, he learned of this situation.
Eric "Archer", the name mentioned in the battle uniform.
Along with the huge number of Kingdom troops disembarking, there were also an equally astonishing number of prisoners. One prisoner of war loudly shouted about his noble status.
It happened that the noise of this prisoner of war was heard by the Blue Fox who landed.
A mortal would never boast about being a brave man, so he must not be just talking nonsense.
For this land, the blue fox was very excited at the thought that it would be his fiefdom. These captured people will be pardoned, even if the king has not yet given the order. They will return to their past life, but a brand new city of Gothenburg will
Rising from the ground, the released prisoners of war will continue to pay tribute and taxes to themselves as the Earl of Gothenburg.
Seeing the soldiers kicking the prisoner of war, Blue Fox went back to stop him, and hearing a self-proclaimed noble man's confession, Blue Fox decisively escorted him to Rurik himself.
A man's hands were tied, and his upper body was exposed. The tattoos on his body were extremely flamboyant, and the golden heart-protecting hair on his chest was also quite exaggerated.
Blue Fox first complimented: "Thanks to the king's wisdom, we won easily."
"Don't sing random hymns. Blue Fox, this place is your fiefdom. If you have any demands, you can speak frankly. And this prisoner..." Rurik glanced at him.
"This man said that he is very important and is the leader of the local people."
"Oh? Do you believe it?"
"I believe it. I believe it very much. After all, if he talks nonsense, your kindness will not cover him."
Rurik nodded and immediately asked the prisoner's name, receiving a very straightforward answer.
For a moment, Rurik's peaceful face frowned, and he suddenly ordered: "Quick! Untie this man quickly! Bring me my new shirt."
The knife cut the rope, and "Archer" Eric lost all his restraints. He was allowed to stand up and talk properly, and was surprised when the noble man in front of him personally handed him a plain white and exquisite shirt.
In the eastern part of the Kingdom of Rus, the handmade textile industry is not only rapidly expanding in scale, but the textile technology is also improving. The finely processed linen cloth is cut into several pieces and sewn by women by hand, and its quality is no less than the craftsmanship of thousands of years later. After all,
There is no difference in the essence of sewing between a sewing machine or human handwork. The difference is that the sewing machine greatly improves efficiency.
Rurik handed over the new clothes and gave special instructions: "I heard about your identity. The surrenders in the north said that there are some strong men in the south, and one of them is you. As a king, I can't see a warrior in despair."
Rurik's words were tactful and respectful, not to mention that this dress was the best that Erik the Archer had ever seen. It was finely sewn and felt soft, so he put it on.
"You...are? The leader of the Ross people?" Eric asked weakly after changing his clothes.
"Exactly. I am the king of Russia and the king of Sweden. Now, I will also be your king."
"Ah? What...are you going to do with me and my people?"
Eric asked very simply, and Rurik didn't talk nonsense. As a king, Rurik not only had a noble status, he was a tall and strong man, even taller and stronger than his biological father Otto when he was young and victorious.
"I am the conqueror of the north, the conqueror of the east, and the conqueror of Norway. In my army are Russians, Swedes, and Norwegians, as well as armies from the east and the far east. They were defeated by me.
This is your honor, and although you bravely faced me, although no one in our army was injured, your behavior is admirable. Therefore, I will pardon you and your people. You will not be slaves."
Will not become a slave? Will not be killed?
What is the purpose of the young conqueror who came from afar? To have fun?
Eric asked again: "Thank you for your kindness, but we will definitely pay some price."
"Of course you surrender to me. Now! Kneel down!"
Rurik ordered boldly, and a group of berserker warriors wearing bear heads gathered around him. Under the noon sun, there were warriors with reflective armor everywhere. The situation did not allow Eric to dawdle.
So the blue fox happily stood beside his king to witness a special canonization.
At first, Eric was subconsciously frightened when he heard the buzzing sound of the sword wind, but in the end, the beautiful sword was just resting on his shoulders and forehead.
The words narrated by the King of Rus were very wonderful, and he was eventually canonized as a hereditary low-level noble.
"Archer" Eric was the leader of the warriors in the village. If he took a group of brothers out to sea, he would transform into a standard Viking pirate. He did not do this, firstly because he was afraid of Danish pirates, and secondly because he could not let go of his wife.
My friends.
Eric is not a reckless man. He made a very correct decision under the current situation - surrendering to Ross on behalf of the captured people.
He was canonized as a baron, and his title was "Bjorn". He was the "Bjorn" of Blue Fox Gouldson. Now he swore allegiance to Rurik and at the same time he was also loyal to Earl Blue Fox.
The back of the sword caused a swelling on Eric's head, and the pain stimulated his head. Rurik did this deliberately just to let him understand his warning: "Submission will lead to prosperity, and betrayal will be punished. If you betray, I will be punished."
The king will raise an army to attack, and the result will be your destruction!"
How could Eric, who was kneeling on one knee, dare to object? Out of the emotions of a Viking, they simply expected to follow a strong man. In the harsh natural environment of Northern Europe, a great chief could lead the people through the crisis.
In this way, the people of the lower Göta River elected three leaders, one of whom was Eric.
If we look at it from a grander perspective, the leader elected by the Jotalan people also needs the protection of a stronger force.
The resistance of the Jotalan people failed miserably, and surrendering to the Kingdom of Rus and becoming a hereditary vassal was an unprecedented favor. He was beaten into submission and swore to the gods that he would not betray.
Would this alone convince Rurik of this man's loyalty?
No! This Eric needs a certificate of recognition.
Soon, "Archer" Eric was shocked to see his brother on the north side of the river, the "Broken Bone" Gorm whom he knew. The man was wearing the costume of a Russian warrior and holding a beautiful Russian sword. If it weren't for
After showing his face, Eric didn't recognize this guy at all.
"Broken Bones" Gorm met Eric "Archer" as an earl. Hearing that his title was baron, he did not forget to make some sarcastic remarks. Is it true that the sooner you surrender, the more rewards you will get? Eric regretted that he was
Main battle behavior.
Obviously, the attack of the Yotalan people that has been brewing since yesterday is a complete fool. The Ross army came all the way for a greater purpose and is not willing to sweep and kill both sides of the Yota River. But surrendering to Ross is a destiny, Eri
Ke has understood that it is best for him to surrender peacefully. If he resists, he can only surrender passively.
After all, everyone has to surrender, and it is not too late to surrender peacefully now.
The Russian army camped on the shore, and Rurik drank ale happily with his cousin Arik.
Regarding his elder brother's behavior of taking the lead, Rurik criticized the slightly drunk elder brother for a few words, so as not to ruin the bad atmosphere. Because Arik was extremely happy, people cheered for his bravery and toughness, and he enjoyed it until
Now, it seems that life is all about living this way.
Rurik issued a death order, and the army could only stay in designated campsites, even if they were nearby villages and farmland of the Götaland people. Because the villages and fields already belonged to the Earl of Gothenburg in principle and were the territory of Earl Blue Fox.
.Other nobles led soldiers to plunder this territory. They were robbing the Earl of Gothenburg's wealth, which was enough for the king to activate the crusade mechanism.
The nobles restrained their troops, and the army held a banquet on the spot and ate boiled oats.
Throughout the afternoon, the Ross army completely counted the prisoners of war, and surprisingly found out that the army had captured 1,600 men. Most of the prisoners of war were salvaged by armed cargo ships. They were unchained and given a large amount of cooked oats.
Also because of Eric the Archer's surrender and canonization, most of the prisoners suddenly did not want to escape.
In fact, even those who try to escape cannot escape.
As usual, Rurik set up defenses in the huge camp at the landing site. The Ross army was very densely stationed. At the edge of the camp were the torsion slingshots carried on carts by his subordinates, as well as soldiers holding crossbows and longbows. An arc-shaped defense line was completed that relied on the fleet.
, the Russian army and prisoners of war, which had sufficient food and river water, did not need to leave this comfort zone.
Only a group of people were released, and they were indeed prisoners of war, even capable men.
As many as a hundred people were released. Rurik used the mouths of these people to tell the hiding people that the Russian army had arrived, and asked the other two leaders in hiding to take all the hiding people to come out and surrender.
Or maybe the other side is stubborn and just doesn't want to surrender, which is okay. The Russian army is by the river. If you want to choose a decisive battle over land, then come out of hiding.
War or peace? The nearly 20,000 southern Jotalans who are hiding have no time to choose. Their lives depend on fishing. The fishing boats that cannot be taken away now have been captured by the conquerors. As long as there is no famine in a few days, they will
The meeting will begin, and everyone hiding in the forest can only slowly starve to death.
"What to do? Fight with them?"
"No, it's not necessary. Since Eric surrendered, let's surrender too."
"Do you really believe those Russians?"
"Why don't you believe it? They released many prisoners of war, and there are still more than a thousand people in their hands. Our relatives and friends are detained by them. If we don't surrender, what if..."
"Bigfoot" Badal and "Broken Tooth" Cedric originally planned to follow the second plan and lead the last seven thousand armed militiamen to launch a decisive battle. Now they are considering surrendering again and again, but Jotalan's
The people are already voting with their feet. The so-called risking death and living later, and now the Russians want them to live, why do people who don't want to die continue to fight desperately?
Early in the morning, when the fog dissipated, women took their children to the Russian camp. The women listened to the descriptions of the prisoners of war who were released, and learned that their husbands were alive and well, and that they were alive because of their act of surrender.
At first, only a few women and children left the hiding place, while a large number of people watched from a distance and found that the conquerors showed no hostility, so they walked out spontaneously.
Women and children can look for their husbands on their own, and prisoners of war can look for their wives and children on their own. When they find each other, they hold each other's hands and cry. Finally, they can't find their man's woman for a long time, and they realize helplessly that he has died in the battle.
Morale has collapsed, people's hearts have completely collapsed, and now even the possibility of gathering soldiers has disappeared.
Bigfoot Badar and Cedric Broken Tooth were the only few brothers left around them. They were the survivors of yesterday's fierce battle. They never expected that the monster-like Ross army would be kind enough to entertain the people with cooked wheat.
It is now the spring famine, and the farmland of the Jotalan people has not yet matured. If offshore fishing is stopped during this period, famine will occur in every village. Also, driving cattle and sheep to woodland is not a long-term solution, and cattle and sheep will quickly disappear due to lack of pasture.
starve.
This time Ross brought enough military rations for 10,000 people for five months. The sufficient food reserves were enough for Rurik to carry out another large-scale charity!
The Jotalans were beaten with a big stick and they were trembling. Now it was time to use food to win people's hearts, even if it was just a meal.
"Bigfoot" Badar and "Broken Tooth" Cedric watched helplessly as they lost power. The residents of the village were very honest. They were busy looking for their families and eating free meals from the conquerors.
It had completely forgotten how powerful these conquerors were in battle.
Not daring to lag behind, the two men showed up with great fanfare, but were immediately disarmed by the bear-headed berserker.
As a result, the Earl of Gothenburg gained two more barons. All three local leaders became barons. They were Rurik's vassals and Blue Fox's vassals.
A war that might have resulted in bloodshed and corpses blocking the Göta River did not happen. The locals saw the situation clearly and spontaneously surrendered, regardless of whether they were high or low.
At this point, Rurik has conquered the Pan-Gothenburg area of the Göta River, and half of Götaland has been incorporated into the territory of the Kingdom of Rus in the form of two counties and a governor-controlled municipality. This is the mouth of Götaland, which passes through
Directly south of the sandbank, across the strait is Denmark's Jutland Peninsula!
Rurik's royal power also reached the Denmark Strait for the first time.
He knew very well that across the strait was Denmark's Robard tribe, which was also the most influential Danish tribe. The old Rus and various Swedish tribes had a long-standing grudge against this large Danish tribe. What's more, the life and death of the new Danish king were uncertain.
Horik, if this person does not die, there is a high probability that he will live somewhere in the area controlled by the Robard tribe.
The huge army is not here for a spring outing or summer camp. The strategic conditions for a surprise attack on the Danish mainland have been met, so it is better to do it immediately.