Just as Liudov declared his sovereignty in Hamburg, Rurik also arrived in the northernmost part of Jutland.
Now, after nearly half a year of war, Sweden's Allied forces have truly reached the limit of their campaign.
Duke Bjorn of the Mellaren tribe led his troops to rob the homeland of Robard in Denmark, leading his tribe to vent their grudges over the past few decades. The other Swedish tribes behaved exactly the same. They were busy looting, destroying, and completely
Ignore Rurik's continued war strategy.
To this day, each tribe has basically distinguished who is the enemy and who is the friend. With a new Danish war that is friendly to Sweden, there is no reason to continue to use troops against Denmark.
As for continuing the war to attack the Frankish Kingdom? Forget it!
As for the Jutland Peninsula, it is bounded by the Isthmus of Lindholm, and the peninsula area north of the isthmus is a free plundering zone. Whatever the external Swedish army and Götaland army do, it will be controlled by the various Danish lords.
Especially the new Danish King Ragnar who acquiesced.
They killed people, stole goods, and even took away the pots and pans very carefully.
Especially the Jotaland people from the Jota River Basin, they plundered the women in this area and started transshipment work spontaneously.
It's really a turn of events. Once upon a time, the armies of the Robard tribe crossed the strait and entered the mouth of the Göta River in Scandinavia, plundering the local Götalanders as slaves. Now they are on the offensive.
The once very powerful Robard tribe, its star-chain-like villages and wooden forts were uprooted one after another. They collapsed under the combined stranglehold of the Northern Allied Forces, and all their glory was reduced to ashes.
In the end, there are only a large number of tombs like cone-shaped mounds, silently recording the glory that this place once had.
The climate is getting colder, and a large number of captives and trophies are being transported to the other side of the strait by sea.
For example, Count Gorm of Wienerenstad, who was canonized as an earl, has not yet adapted to his current noble status. He organized his own fleet as before and greedily brought the looted materials back to the north.
In principle, Blue Fox is the Earl of Gothenburg, and he also has an army composed of local Götalans.
Although the residents of the lower reaches of the Göta River had basically not suffered any losses in the war, the army composed of these people used a small political entity that had spontaneously formed in their hometown to plunder the northern end of Jutland.
When Rurik's main fleet and Ragnar's army arrived in the north of Jutland, what they saw was still a chaotic scene of robbery.
It cannot be said that the public security here has collapsed, it can only be said that bandits are everywhere.
Of course, many Danish lords are happy to see this kind of chaos. Because the Robard tribe is already a traitor to all Denmark, when they choose to bind themselves to the power of the trespasser Horik, they should have the consciousness to welcome the current collapse.
There were densely packed ships floating on the sea, and a large number of Russian ships were flying with flags.
The leading nobles of the Swedish and Götaland armies, who were busy distributing the spoils of war, suspended their "work" at hand and gathered at the initial landing site, waiting for the arrival of the King of Rus and the King of Denmark.
It was in a dimly lit longhouse at the initial landing site that many nobles gathered together.
These nobles were dressed in leather and furry, and many of them were really unscrupulous in their dressing. They wore captured clothes and armors, which overall had no aesthetic appeal. But they were willing to do this to show their respect for the losers.
conquer.
This was a thorough "spoils-sharing" meeting. Rurik and Ragnar gave instructions with the same meaning. The so-called Swedish and Götaland armies must immediately leave the Jutland Peninsula with the spoils. After that, in addition to normal commercial exchanges,
Troops are not allowed to enter the Danish world without permission.
This is the so-called expulsion order! Fortunately, neither party has any intention of spending the winter in Denmark for Hanukkah.
Similarly, this is Rurik's order to withdraw troops from his loyal army.
"I know you think this year's war is enough. I invite you to attack the Robard tribe as your last ditch effort. It's enough now. Next, I will lead the Ross army to challenge the powerful Frankish army. You lack
I am prepared to fight a vicious war, but I am also afraid of the cold winter. I am very satisfied with your contribution this year. You can go back to your hometown for the winter. I do not blame you. However, I still implore you to be brave enough to continue to follow me south. We can
Try to defeat the Frankish army and gain great glory."
So, who wants to continue going south?
Speaking of the Swedish army, various Swedish nobles mainly focus on the attitude of Bjorn, Duke of Mälaren, who has the largest military force. Bjorn's army currently has a large number of members who come from tenant farmers who owe taxes and rent, and others are simple servants.
Soldiers. They fought mainly to pay off their debts and make a fortune at the same time. Now that the debts have been paid off, those who survived have got some trophies. Essentially, they are eager to go home and use the trophies to immediately improve the lives of themselves and their families.
Because their wives and children at home are still waiting, they really don't want to take any more risks.
This is true of the Mellaren army, and the armies of other Swedish tribes, as well as the Götalans, are similar in this regard.
They are basically a group of tribal soldiers who lack organization. Unlike Rurik's Rus' army, at least they have completed the establishment of citizen soldiers for the old Rus', just like the Roman Kingdom in the city-state era.
This group of allies needs to be coerced and coaxed. When attacking enemies that are very close, these allies are of good use value. But when the front is stretched far south and deep into Frankish territory, these allies continue to follow and become a burden.
The more troops in the army, the better. A group of troops who cannot obey orders very well and are obviously war-weary, if forced to continue fighting, they will definitely not be able to work hard, and they will still be a strong constraint on the main army.
It is better to strengthen your own essence and absorb at most the brave warriors among these allies.
Therefore, Rurik did not absorb almost any heroic individuals here. If it were not for the fact that the control of the Swedish Unclas Army was in the hands of Blue Fox, and the army had joined the land forces and entered outside Hamburg, other Swedish nobles would have one
Counting one and all, they all praised the king's wisdom, and then took the time to enrich themselves with the loot, and ran away faster than their summer breakout speed.
Compared to the Swedish nobles, the Götaland army had already evacuated almost as quickly. When the meeting ended, the last Götaland army withdrew immediately.
Such an obedient withdrawal really made all the Danish lords breathe a sigh of relief. As the saying goes, it is easy to invite foreign troops but not easy to persuade them to leave. The "light speed withdrawal" of these allies also directly attracted a large number of Danish lords to withdraw directly to Zealand where they settled. They called on themselves
King Ragnar, the so-called Danish Restoration War has ended, and the Principality of Saxony has also been restored. With such a buffer state, the Danes do not have to go south again. It is better to live their lives in peace and wait until the warmth returns next year.
It would not be too late to row a boat to the coastal areas of the Frankish Kingdom to rob.
However, Ross and New Denmark had already had a secret agreement.
Rurik and Ragnar did not stay in Jutland. A Russian squadron evacuated first carrying the wounded and loot. The Russian navy, which still had an extremely large number of ships, led Ragnar's thirty long ships and pulled
With a thousand warriors who staunchly supported the new Danish king, and Horik himself, who specially carried a lame fat pig in a cage, they circled the northernmost tip of the peninsula and quickly arrived in Hamburg.
This was Rurik's last move on the Juland Peninsula. The huge navy completed its division with friendly forces in Hamburg on the Elbe River.
Rurik was very happy, and his ally Liudolf, Duke of Saxony, began to implement his promise.
A large number of Franks were taken into custody, and their wealth was completely plundered. These Frank immigrants, who had been forcibly installed by Charlemagne a long time ago, had the first priority to seize the mature fields opened by the Saxon natives, and suppressed Saxony with brutal killings.
Man's revenge suppressed the Saxon people's living space by seizing the best survival resources. Now revenge comes to repay injustice. The fields belonging to the Frankish villages completely returned to the hands of the Saxons. Of course, the ownership of the fields was seized by Duke Liudolf.
In an instant, Liudov became a big landowner. He then distributed the captured Frankish farmland and residences to the Saxon warriors who accompanied him to the country, making them tenant farmers directly responsible to the Duke himself, and immediately controlled a large amount of land.
means of production.
This kind of plundering was welcomed by the Saxon people and was tacitly approved by the local Saxon nobles. After all, Liudov dared to openly persecute the Franks and confiscated their wealth, so he would naturally bear the wrath of the Frankish nobles, especially Ludwig. If it happened later
If the enemy raises an army to attack, it must be against Liudov's rebellion, and it must be Liudov who defeats it.
Therefore, for these local Saxon nobles who surrendered to the Franks a long time ago, they relied on forbearance, compromise, and even groveling to act as servants of the Frank army for half a century to maintain their power. To this day, they still maintain their power.
Some Saxon nobles led the army to the southern part of East Francia and stationed themselves in Mainz and other places to prove their loyalty to Ludwig with practical actions.
But Ludwig could not completely trust them. The Saxon nobles who stayed in the north welcomed Liudov's restoration of the country, and were afraid that Liudov's defeat would implicate themselves in future wars.
A large number of Saxon nobles were lying, but they did personally attend the grand meeting in Hamburg to support Liudolf as the king, and they indeed began to hand over a large part of the grain from their fiefdoms to Hamburg to express their loyalty.
But! This is a very important point!
Liudov held a ceremony to become a duke in Hamburg. However, the noble northern saint Eskil did not attend the coronation ceremony, and even all the priests did not attend. Because this was illegal, according to tradition, Liudov had to go in person.
A trip to the Holy See, only if the Pope recognized the Principality of Saxony and Liudov's new identity would it be considered legal.
To get to the Holy See, Liudov would have to cross the Frankish Kingdom, which was in the middle of a civil war. This journey would be dangerous and completely unrealistic this year.
It is undeniable that Liudov fulfilled the long-cherished wish of the majority of Saxons. Even if a large number of poor Saxons expressed their desire for revenge, they would still stand by Liudov's side. Especially them, because they persecuted local Frankish immigrants.
The perpetrators of this act will naturally be on the Frankish Army's blacklist.
When Charlemagne punished the hero Widukind for his Saxon uprising, he killed all 4,500 prisoners of war and carried out frantic persecution of their families.
Since the poor people of Saxony who retain painful memories have shed blood, they can only follow Liudof and continue down the road resolutely. They have no possibility of turning back.
Fortunately, the huge Russian-Danish coalition is entrenched in Hamburg, and its military power is reassuring.
Even though these Saxons knew that it was the Russian-Danish coalition that destroyed Bremen many years ago, their brutal killing was exactly the same as that of the Frankish army back then.
This time it was completely different. What can be called a miracle is that the performance of the Ross army was benevolent. The powerful army did not attack any Saxon villages. The army stayed in the designated camps, but they completely occupied the Elbe River.
own, and began large-scale fishing operations.
…
When Rurikon arrived in Hamburg, Liudolf explained to him that "I sent an envoy to Westphalia to bring my family back."
Valley Monk
This surprised Rurik.
The two talked secretly in a stone room in Hamburg, and even intended to talk about a lot of private matters.
The lights were brightly lit outside, and the camp of the Rus-Danish army was bustling with activity. The air was filled with the intoxicating aroma of boiled wheat and grilled fish, making people salivate.
In the stone room high up in the castle, Rurik brought a delicious meal, especially a little boy, to have dinner with Liudov, who was alone for the time being.
This little boy is none other than Rurik's eldest son Reglav.
Rurik actually hugged a boy very intimately, ordered all his followers to leave, and entered the stone room that served as the banquet hall.
"This child?" Liu Doufu was puzzled for a while.
"What? My friend, you don't think this child looks like me."
"You...ah?! Could it be your son?!"
"He is my son." Rurik put down Reglaf, stroked his eldest son's head, and said proudly, "His mother is extraordinary, she is the princess of the Kingdom of Mercia! Liudof, maybe you know
Something happened in Britain."
"Yes. War! And the executor of the war... is you!"
"It's me!" Rurik shrugged, his expression full of arrogance, and added: "He is Reglaf, but not only was he baptized, but his identity was also confirmed by the Pope of Rome. He is the legal king of Mercia.
He also received a Latin education. Listen, my son is a warrior and a wise man. When he grows up, he will successfully inherit the throne of Mercia. Moreover, the northern Kingdom of Northumbria recognizes
My son’s status. My kingdom of York in Britain also recognizes my son’s status. So what do you do? Do you recognize him?”
"Him?" Looking at Reglaf with a sharp look on his brows and a hint of melancholy, Liudolf couldn't believe it. The fact was that he had listened to Eskil's chatter and searched his own memory to find that there was indeed a child named Rei.
Graf. This name is very particular and refers directly to Wiglaf, the late king of Mercia. Unfortunately, many Frank nobles know that Mercia has entered great chaos.
"Of course I recognize him."
Rurik deliberately touched his son's shoulder again and asked Liudov about extremely private matters: "Do you... have a younger daughter?"
This question was so enlightening that Liu Dofu, who was sitting down, immediately stood up.
"Yes! I sent an envoy to Westphalia to pick him up. If nothing happens, my family will arrive in Hamburg soon, and even the graves of my ancestors. The great Widukind's coffin will be reburied in the monastery in Hamburg.
.I also have children, my son’s name is Bruno, and my daughter’s name is Alice.”
"Alice? What a beautiful name."
"Yes. My daughter is beautiful too."
A father would never criticize his daughter's appearance. Even if Liu Doufu is middle-aged, his daughter is probably already married. No! If Alice is already married, he will point it out.
Rurik asked tentatively: "Your daughter is not young anymore."
"Thank God for allowing my daughter to survive the ordeal. In fact, she is only ten years old."
Hearing this, Rurik's eyes lit up: "In other words, your daughter is actually two years older than my Reglaf? That's great! We are both fathers, so we should get married!"
"Okay, let's get married!"
With that said, Liudof directly approached Reglaf, who was only eight or nine years old but looked at least ten years old.
After all, a boy of Nordic descent who is fully educated and has no worries about food and clothing can grow tall and strong at a young age.
There were many things that did not require Rurik's advice at all. Liudov pinched Reglaf's little face affectionately, which naturally got a strong response from the boy.
Rurik hurriedly corrected him: "Silly boy, he will be your other father from now on."
"That's him?" Reglaf's eyes were full of disdain: "Dad, isn't he your defeated general?"
"I dare not say that. You are going to marry his daughter, and soon a sister named Alice will come here. In the future, you will get married, and you will inherit the throne of Mercia. From now on, Alice will be your queen."
"Is that so? Okay."
Liudov had a very clear understanding of his own situation. The ceremony he held was not recognized by Eskil, so legally he was the Duke of Saxony for his own entertainment. Even in this era, strength was king.
If you are strong, you can lead the army to the city of Rome and use the Pope as a puppet. After all, that is what Charlemagne did back then.
I have no strength in this area, but I can use the army to protect my vested interests.
The restored Principality of Saxony needs recognition from the outside world. First of all, Frankish Prince Ludwig will definitely not recognize it, and Lothair and Charles the Bald will not necessarily not recognize it. What is certain is that the Kingdom of Rus, the Kingdom of New Denmark, and the Kingdom of Britain
The Viking Kingdom of York, in the interest of their alliance, has recognized the Duchy of Saxony.
Unfortunately, they are both barbarian countries that believe in Odin. In this way, by marrying their daughter to this boy, it is equivalent to gaining recognition from the Kingdom of Mercia, which also believes in God. Also due to the subtle differences between Mercia and Northumbria
Due to their own national defense security, Northumbria must also recognize the legitimacy of the Principality of Saxony.
In this way, many countries recognized the political entity of the Principality of Saxony and could not tolerate this country being wiped out by the Franks. Saxony was reduced to a buffer state between the Franks and the Normans. This is not sad, but history returns to its proper path. Because
Since ancient times, the power of the Saxons has been the buffer between the south and the north.
In fact, in terms of blood, Reglaf’s mother, Princess Mary, must be an Anglo, but her bloodline must also be mixed with Saxon blood. It is a fact that a large number of Saxons immigrated to Britain and established many kingdoms. In this way, his daughter marrying Reglaf, not only
It is legal in terms of belief, and even the ancestry of both parties is similar, even though Rurik is a Norman Rus.
Political marriage does not mean that there is no love. The more Liudof looks at Reglaf, the more he likes him. Because this boy speaks Latin well and is said to know a lot of knowledge, which is much better than his eldest son Bruno.
!
Therefore, considering that this political marriage is extremely important to Rus, Saxony and Mercia, and considering that Ludwig is likely to persecute Liudov's family after learning the news, he may kill Liudov and kill him.
Time was running out to bring back the family members in Westphalia.
A squadron was ordered to suspend their work of plundering Atlantic cod at the mouth of the Elbe River.
Rurik's half-brother Arik was ordered to lead the remnants of the First Banner and the young men of the Second Banner, along with a group of Saxon troops, to quickly arrive in the ruins of Bremen and take control of the local area.
That stone bridge.
Because it was Arik who set fire to Bremen that year, he was quite familiar with the local situation, and he also knew a stone bridge that was difficult to destroy. It was said to be a stone bridge, but in fact it was a stone pier placed in the river, and the stone exposed on the water was
The piers are laid with timber to form a simple but important bridge.
That bridge is a shortcut for connecting the north and south roads. The bridge is easy to demolish and easy to repair. According to Liudov, the people he sent out rode on horseback and carried axes, but they had to give priority to cutting down the trees and repair the bridge directly to prepare for borrowing.
use.
It is no longer necessary now. The Russian fleet only needs one day to rush from Hamburg on the Elbe River to the ruins of Bremen on the Weser River.
Rurik still trusts his eldest brother Arik. Since the person to take over involves the marriage of his nephew Reglaf, Arik does not dare to neglect. He is more enthusiastic than arranging the marriage for his own son. In fact, Arik's eldest son
Asgard was in the First Flag Team, receiving the necessary training for a man as an ordinary soldier, even though the child was only twelve years old.
For this reason, Arik arrived in Bremen smoothly, and also successfully received the Count of Westphalia who was heading north, that is, Liudov's entire family, including the local priests, and a group of accompanying people.
, especially the coffin of Widukind, which was specially guarded.
Although it is very strange, these people from Westphalia cannot allow them to doubt whether the Russian army is a good person. After all, they stopped to seek death. Considering that there is a Saxon army here and Liudov's token, what about the people?
Regardless, he boarded a Russian ship and arrived in Hamburg in the evening of the next day.
Of course, since the transshipment was a great success, Arik's work as the "transportation captain" cannot stop. Since there are still many Saxons who want to immigrate to the north, the Russian navy has super transportation capabilities and should bring them back as soon as possible. For this reason, Liu Duo
My husband will pay extra.
So Rurik met Liudov's youngest daughter, Alice, who was only ten years old.
She is timid, and although her blond hair is beautiful, she has a lot of freckles on her face. She is clearly the daughter of an earl-level nobleman. She seems to be noble only by her status. Rurik does feel a little regretful about her dress, speech and behavior.
There is no way, Alice is extremely noble to a village girl, but for girls receiving education in the Kingdom of Ross, there is still a huge difference!
It is undeniable that Reglaf is the most elegant boy Alice has ever seen. She does not want to believe that this boy is two years younger than her. Regraf is already taller than Alice, and in addition, she is not willing to believe it.
With that fluent Latin, this boy actually understands the "sacred language". He is simply a dream come true!
She was completely fascinated by her new love, and because of her status as the real crown prince of Mercia, she instantly became greedy for her noble status as queen in the future. After all, her father was an earl, and it was too dreamy for an earl's daughter to become a queen.
She still didn't quite understand what the Principality of Saxony meant, and she even resisted the forced trip away from Westphalia. Alice didn't understand war at all, and just wanted to live a quiet and noble life, just like an ordinary noble.
Women generally live out their lives.
Although it was their first meeting, Reglaf immediately lived with Alice temporarily. Although this was not very etiquette, both fathers of the child needed a tacit understanding. In this way, the relationship between the two children became "unclear."
, so that Rurik and Liudov had no reason to regret the marriage of their children.
Reglaf must marry Alice, and Alice must marry Reglaf. When the two reach the age of marriage, Reglaf will be officially crowned King of Mercia, and Alice will officially become Queen of Mercia.