Someone needs to hurry up and tell Ludwig in East Francia the good news.
Three thousand cavalry put down the Saxon rebellion, but ended up with the entire army annihilated. Ludwig should have known this news as soon as possible.
Rurik's first thought was to exile the captured Count Robert of the Rheingau and let him find his master with a letter. This guy had better describe his defeat vividly and tell Ludwig the so-called terror of Rus and Denmark.
, it is best to induce him to take the main force to go north next year, and through a decisive battle, Ross will have this opportunity to eliminate Frank's power in the northern region in one fell swoop.
He heard that Ludwig was leading the main force in confrontation and friction with the Central Frankish army. Can this guy really fight on two fronts? He could not influence Ludwig's military decision-making and could only find ways to induce him.
Into the "Northern Trap".
Even Count Robert's injury has become a thorny issue. If the Count suddenly dies of scurvy caused by wound infection, who will report the "good news" to Ludwig in the south that the entire army has been annihilated?
On the contrary, the military initiative is in his own hands. Because the geographical distance is too close, Rurik has already made a plan to attack the huge Flanders County before the sea freezes.
In another stone chamber, Count Robert was still in a coma.
He was charging on the battlefield, and his horse was stabbed by multiple spears. He was thrown off and pinned down by his horse. This was a serious fall. If it were not for the protection of his helmet, he would have died on the spot.
He fell unconscious and was spared from witnessing the destruction of his own army, and was spared from being hacked to death by the Ross army after the battle.
His armor and clothing were stripped off, and his upper body was stripped to nothing but flesh. The thick, curly chest hair was a symbol of his pure manliness, but the wound on his left arm had become red and swollen, causing the entire left arm to swell.
Fortunately, he was still unconscious, so he didn't have to drink precious liquor to induce "fragmentation".
The inflamed wound was cut open. It was originally a hole dug by the arrow cluster. Now the muscles inside have begun to die. Black pus and blood gush out in large quantities. When it is basically drained, the rotten muscles are cut away and finally exposed.
Bright red intact tissue. Then the wound is sewn shut like a leather garment, and finally a layer of honey is applied.
This is all the Russians can do. Whether Robert can recover, according to Rurik's words, "I hope the god he believes in can save him."
Will the Virgin Mary save the noble wounded man?
At least after the operation, Eskil, wearing a black burqa, went to pray for him in person.
In the early morning of the next day, Robert, who had been in a coma for nearly a day, finally woke up. His body was very weak, the pain in his left arm was still there, and all the bones in his body seemed to be broken, but he was not dead.
"What a miracle, I didn't die?! But where are my soldiers!?"
He wanted to shout loudly, but unfortunately he was so weak that he simply continued to fall asleep.
Until a new dawn, the guard who was ordered to check the situation noticed something strange about the big-eyed Robert. His eyes were wide open as if he was still staring at death, and then he blinked suddenly, immediately attracting the soldiers to report the news.
Robert finally woke up and could finally have a good chat with him!
A war changed the fate of many people.
For example, the powerful Frankish heavy cavalry suffered a historic defeat on the banks of the Elbe River.
For example, the little-known little Baron Nassau turned into a count loyal to the Principality of Saxony. One day he was an enemy, today he is a vassal. This was a huge challenge to Henry Nassau, and it was also his choice. Compared with gaining greater
opportunity, he mainly didn’t want to die.
Henry Nassau proudly entered Liudolf's "palace" as a count, which was actually a stone tower fortress where the nobles of Hamburg lived.
The banquet hall of the fortress doubles as a reception room, but it is essentially just a small restaurant.
Liudov is sitting here, and Rurik is sitting here like Ragnar. He is just a duke, and sitting on the left and right are the two kings of Rus and Denmark. It is Rurik who gives this guy vanity.
Two other great nobles, Henry of Nassau, who was promoted to earl, and Robert, Count of Hamburg, who was a serious Frankish systemist, were both sitting here.
Nassau was full of guilt for his betrayal. After he declared his allegiance to Liudov last night, Eskil immediately verbally declared that the recognition was legal, and he felt much better.
This time I officially met Robert, Count of Hamburg, and he actually sat here as Liudolf's vassal. The scene was really embarrassing.
The good news is that Count Robert of the Rheingau is awake.
So, after being fed a cup of very thick honey water to regain his strength, Robert changed into a simple piece of clothing, was pushed by the elite Ross warriors wearing bear heads, climbed the stairs with difficulty, and finally arrived at the Hamburg Castle.
of heights.
He tried his best to maintain the arrogance of a nobleman, but he was the defeated loser in the battle. The arrogance that was difficult to maintain could not be maintained at all. Just his sore body required a lot of time to cultivate, and barely keeping it from haggard was the limit.
Finally, he climbed to a high place and entered the stone room where the banquet guests were staying, where he also met his enemy up close. And...a traitor.
A layer of leather was spread on the stone floor, and Robert, who was already very tired, sat directly on it.
The kings looked at the haggard defeated man condescendingly and couldn't help but sneer.
"Is this a person who launched a cavalry charge against us yesterday? He is very brave and reckless." Rurik deliberately shouted loudly, holding his neck high and the smile on his face was too arrogant.
Ragnar opened his mouth even more: "He is an idiot! He killed all his cavalry! Haha, we Danes are very grateful. I have to thank this guy for the horse meat he gave us."
"The two kings are right." Liudof immediately raised his head and saw that Robert was so haggard. He was excited and sad at the same time. "How? Robert, you are defeated. I tell you clearly that you
The army was completely wiped out. Do you... have anything to say?"
Robert wanted to try his best to maintain his noble honor, but he was now a prisoner, sitting here like a dog, being laughed at and looked down at by the more powerful people.
He pressed his right hand on the ground, and his left arm tied with linen drooped casually, showing a provocative and unsparing look: "One of my generals has rebelled. A lowly person can cooperate with traitors and devils, but I can't! My family is
Count Charlemagne, it is my failure to be defeated by the despicable maggots. Kill me! I am here."
Liudof became furious when he heard this. He pressed his thigh and was about to get up: "Robert, don't you recognize me? Are you calling me a traitor?! We used to be neighbors."
"Liudov, you are the biggest traitor! And you! Robert! Count of Hamburg, I didn't expect that you also rebelled. And Henry Nassau, my vassal, you are also a little traitor. Be careful of the monarch's revenge on your hometown.
The same race! In addition, there are devils here, and anyone who makes a deal with the devil will die a good death!"
Although the two of them were talking in Frankish, through a translator, Ragnar was furious when he knew the meaning.
Rurik hurriedly stopped the irritable brother: "There is no need to be angry. He must find reasons for his defeat, such as defeat by the devil."
Rurik was not in a hurry. Looking at this man's attitude, it was clear that any attempt to instigate rebellion was unnecessary. That's good, he was so energetic and capable of cursing. It seemed that the injury would not kill him.
After cultivating for a while, he will be exiled.
Liudof looked at the two people around him, especially Rurik, and saw that they were not willing to say more, so he continued to speak with his head raised.
"Robert, my family has never surrendered to Frank. Any surrender is just a drama. Now is the civil war between the three princes, and the opportunity for us Saxons to regain our country has come. What I am telling you is that all those who have been harmed by Frank now
The tribes have united. I have formed an alliance with my friends in the north to fight against the Franks and regain the territory of our ancestors. What is the crime? Charlemagne invaded us and killed us. Now is the opportunity to take revenge."
"So, you also kill the Franks and take revenge? You are a traitor. Any excuse is meaningless."
Liudov shrugged: "It doesn't matter, I tell you clearly, I even look forward to Ludwig leading the army to continue the attack. In this way, we can kill his entire army so that he can never covet the northern land again.
"
"It's really arrogant." Robert still sat sideways with difficulty: "My failure is only because I don't have enough troops. When the monarch's army comes together, you will definitely fail."
"It doesn't matter, we hope this happens soon."
This is because Liu Doufu never expected Robert to be so tough, which is in line with this guy's character.
Valley
Rurik now wears a golden laurel crown on his head, which blends with his beautiful blond hair. He wears a robe made entirely of polar bear skin, which is also dotted with some lapis lazuli jewelry. The whole image is too noble.
Robert called a nobleman with such an outfit a "devil" because he just had a bad taste. In fact, he didn't think his monarch, Ludwig, was capable of putting together such an outfit.
Liudov didn't want to say anything anymore. Rurik stood up and pulled off his bearskin coat, revealing a purely ceremonial chainmail plated with gold on the inside.
A noble and tall man stood in front of him. Robert reluctantly raised his head and asked in Frankish: "Who are you?"
"I am the King of Rus, Rurik!"
He spoke in Latin, and Rurik's question deeply shocked the defeated man.
"Barbarian? You can actually speak the sacred language." Robert's reply was still in Frankish, but he understood that it was Latin.
Without Liudov as an interpreter, this conversation would have been difficult to proceed with.
"Now we can have a good chat. Robert, you arrogantly refused to negotiate with us, which prevented a war from happening. It was you who chose to fight, and you lost. Let's talk about it now.
It can only be another topic."
"Yes! I was defeated. You are actually... King of Ross? I have heard of Ross's name a little bit. Could it be that I... was defeated by you?"
"It's me."
"As expected. There is no way I could be defeated by Liu Doufu, but you... are incredible."
"I am indeed the commander of the battle. To be honest, your cavalry caused me some trouble. Unfortunately, in the end, they provided me with a lot of horse meat. I captured three hundred of your soldiers, including you."
When he heard that there were still 300 people captured, Robert was not happy at all, but was deeply frightened.
"Then, will you torture them until they die?" What he said was actually implying that Charlemagne tortured 4,500 Saxon prisoners alive.
Rurik shook his head: "Torturing people and watching them cry will not bring me any happiness. I will release some people, including you."
"You? Want to release me?"
"but not now."
When he heard that it was possible to leave alive, Robert, who was almost weak to death, immediately became nervous, as if his broken bones were restored to their original state. His mind suddenly turned, "Release me? Why? What price will I pay?"
Rurik smiled: "Of course I want the ransom, and you should be able to give it to me, but can you really give it?"
"You...you...want me to betray something?"
"You? Do you have anything else to sell? You have betrayed three thousand cavalry, causing your master to lose half of his elite. You should commit suicide to apologize! Oh, I forgot, according to your beliefs, you cannot
Suicide. Perhaps, your monarch should execute you."
These words may seem ordinary, but Rurik is actually provoking him in disguise.
The problem is that for Robert, if he dies in the hands of the enemy, it will be counted as death in battle, and any military misconduct on his part will not be held accountable.
Unfortunately, since he was exiled, he had no choice but to return to Ludwig to report the news. Whether he wanted to be killed, beheaded or demoted to a monastery as a monk, it all depended on Ludwig's mind. After such a tragic defeat, he was worried that his whole family would be destroyed.
Liquidation. But if he didn't go back, it would be a betrayal of his faith and oath. He was also afraid that his soul would go to hell after death.
Rurik continued: "You won't go back empty-handed. We will write some letters and you will take them to the south and hand them to Ludwig. Listen... we even very much hope for a decisive battle, very much hope and defeat.
Let's talk to Ludwig. It was never our intention to kill you Franks. The King of Rus, the King of Denmark, and the Grand Duke of Saxony are in front of you. This is our territory. You Franks are outsiders. When we
I have regained my territory and I don’t want to fight you anymore. I know that negotiation alone cannot make Ludwig surrender, so let’s have a good fight and we will wait for him here.”
Therefore, he was not defeated by the traitor Liudov and his Saxons, but by the legendary Rus.
Ross is a branch of the Normans, and there has been more and more news about it in recent years. But most of the news points to the civil war between the Normans, and Ross is the rising party in the civil war.
What are the Normans? They are just a bunch of despicable pirates, just idiots who were killed by Charlemagne in the past.
The real Frankish nobles all despised the Normans. After all, Charlemagne was conquering the country, and the Normans were defeated, and their leader Godfrey had to give in.
The nobles' understanding of the Normans was almost limited to Denmark, but the person who knew the most about the Normans and the North in Frank was the "Northern Saint" Eskil.
Eskil's first-hand news was only circulated within a small circle of clergy. Nobles had no access to these letters and reports, and even Ludwig himself did not bother to understand it.
The nobles arrogantly despised the Normans. They regarded themselves as the most noble and the true successors of the Roman Empire. Unfortunately, they could not even speak Latin and did not bother to learn it. They only knew some Mass prayers.
Just selected passages.
Then when Robert saw Rurik wearing excessively luxurious clothes, his insult as a "devil barbarian" was no longer tenable.
When he heard that Rurik could speak fluently in Latin, his mentality completely collapsed.
He instantly thought of Caesar.
Now Robert is finally willing to have a good conversation. He and he are willing to serve as messengers. As for his defeat, he should report truthfully and not lie. Because the war is no longer a simple counterinsurgency, but the north of East Francia has fallen into rebellion, and even
Things get tricky every day.
Just because Rurik personally revealed his next plan: "If you recuperate for a few more days, I will let you go back. When you leave on horseback, our army will continue the war. We are about to attack Flanders (today's Netherlands and Belgium
), you'd better act quickly and ask your master to send troops to force us to stop."
The implication is that Rurik hopes to fight a decisive battle as soon as possible.
Recruiting a large army is a time-consuming and labor-intensive matter. Only the Russian Navy has the strength to transport an army of ten thousand people from the far east and north to the Elbe River, and the cost is also a large amount of material consumption.
Rurik would not disclose the secret in this regard. The reason he hoped to fight the decisive battle early was to cover up that he could not afford it this year, and it would be time-consuming and laborious to call for an expedition next year. Therefore, he wanted to use a larger-scale provocation to force Ludwig to go north as soon as possible.
Similarly, by plundering the Flanders region, the trophies were used to satisfy the resentment of the soldiers who had worked hard on expeditions and witnessed the death of their comrades in battle.
In response to Flanders' attack, the Russian army and the Danish army were already drawing off their elite troops to prepare for action.
Even the goals become clear.
Utrecht, the largest town in the Friesland region under the jurisdiction of the Count of Flanders, is also a coastal town located on a bay.
This place name was explained by Liudov, who also pointed out that this place is also the seat of the bishop's church. The bishop of Utrecht is legally at the same level as the northern saint Eskil. Eskil is a "doer" who travels everywhere.
He is really an ascetic alien. But the so-called Bishop of Utrecht himself belongs to the "Benedictine Order", so they are much more stable.
Stability means the ability to accumulate wealth. Places like monasteries must be rich in gold and silver. Rich colonies will also live near monasteries, and they must have a lot of money and food. In particular, Flanders has its own specialty——
wool.
Revealing this information is tantamount to "stirring trouble to the west." Liudov himself has betrayed Frank, and he has no scruples. Anyway, it is not the Saxons that the Normans want to kill, and they will throw the surrendered Nassau over afterwards.
The count came, and in the end Saxony had no losses anyway, and the wealth of Flanders just satisfied the greed of the Normans, so why not. As for faith... Liudov found that his cooperation with the barbarians not only did not encounter God's punishment
, but he won the war and his power became more stable. Obviously, God did not blame himself for being unjust.
But Eskil heard about the Norman plan, especially the young Rurik who wanted to do it without stopping. He was so angry that he became seriously ill and had to stay in the Hamburg monastery to recuperate, so that he could not hold mass on Sundays.
Already.
He did not even have the ability to tell the church members in Utrecht to tell them to evacuate immediately. After all, he could only write a letter to the little priest to report the news, and the speed was far inferior to the speed of the Russian ship.
He could only silently pray for a miracle to happen, such as a sudden storm that would destroy the Russians' new conquest.
Unfortunately, what responded to him was just general cloudy weather. That little rain did bring coldness. It did not cause huge waves that could prevent navigation on the sea. On the contrary, the north wind gave Ross's ship super power to move south quickly. How could a mere drizzle do that?
Stop Rose’s new plan?!
Ross wants more than just attacking Flanders. This year, as in previous years, he can no longer delay sending people to Britain to demand tribute from the Kingdom of Northumbria. By the way, he can also tell us about the restoration of the Principality of Saxony and the war.
The local people, especially the Viking Kingdom of York, told the Viking Kingdom that the so-called brotherly country of Rus was at war with the Franks. It was also possible to invite them to come to Europe to have a look, if they were willing to come.