Chapter 1,368: New Roseburg Preparing for War and the High Priest’s Decision

When the ice in the north broke and the drifting came to an end, those merchants who had stored supplies for the whole winter and were eager to transport them to the capital for sale decisively started commercial activities.

This year’s Novgorod Spring Caravan is small compared to past years.

In previous years, ships could cover the Volkhov River, so much so that people on each ship would have to stand high up to watch other ships to avoid running into them. But collisions are unavoidable, so these long ships have also wrapped sheepskin balloons on both sides of the bow. The sheepskins are stuffed with hay, which serves as a cushion to protect the ship when a collision occurs.

This small-scale vessel drifted smoothly into Lake Ladoga together with a large amount of broken ice. They did not even stop at the fishing village at the mouth of the lake and continued towards the Neva River.

In this not-so-long river, they sailed at a speed beyond the reach of paddling along with the last stream of Lake Ladoga. It was very risky to do so, but considering that by acting first and being able to make a time difference to sell the goods at a high price in the capital, all the risks were worth it.

The current capital, New Roseburg, has also begun their spring plowing. The few farmlands in the area are mostly planted with oats. The locals are still opening up wasteland, with the goal of claiming living space from the forests in the south.

This is really a virtuous cycle. The felled red pine and spruce are mostly used as construction and shipbuilding materials, and the remaining bits and pieces are made into furniture, tableware, and firewood.

In addition to the huge restrictions on building new houses in walled urban areas, new houses are also not allowed to go to important areas such as markets, shipyards, altars, and cemeteries outside the city. In principle, houses can be built in other places.

Finnish Su

A community of "migrant workers" dominated by Omi people sprang up and continued to expand. They not only came to the capital to work, but also actively began to open up new fields.

The roots of those unlucky big trees were uprooted in various ways. If a piece of acidic wasteland was not necessary for building houses, it was divided between the Suomi and the Slavs, and then they began to cultivate the wasteland.

Objectively speaking, the capital's increasing food self-sufficiency rate has improved the economic environment here. However, all industrial and commercial operations in the capital still require a large amount of imported food as a backing.

The urban population of Novorosberg is much larger than that of Novgorod, and the fishing industry cannot support so many people. In the end, the traditional grain purchasing work of Lake Mälaren in Sweden has become the key to avoiding famine in the capital.

In addition, there is the grain transport fleet from Novgorod.

A group of armed cargo ships and smaller Kirk ships were parked at the Novgorod dock. They were the main force of grain transport ships, and the grain that Rurik unloaded from the large granary was piled inside. However, considering the special nature of this year, many large ships were vacated, and the war horses were packed in as much as possible while ensuring safety.

"As soon as the wandering ends, the southern merchant ships should arrive."

The main wealth of the kingdom is in the capital city, and the royal family's "big treasury" is in the capital palace.

The people in the capital possess a large amount of property and look forward to buying it when the caravan arrives. Businessmen from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Götaland who live there are waiting for goods here, especially the top products for sale: leather shoes and ready-made clothes.

These merchants have already stocked up a batch of goods, waiting for the arrival of textiles from the south. After purchasing, they returned home, even though they knew that the King of Rus planned to conquer the country in person this year.

In the hope of the people,

The southern caravan floated over quickly with flags flying high. They mainly used traditional rowing long boats. As they approached, the people waiting eagerly at the pier gradually realized that something was wrong.

What about the big ship? What about those grain ships?

The size of this year's caravan... is this?

The long ships are docking one after another. Although each ship has lifted its tarpaulin to display a variety of goods, it is really miserable compared to last year.

"Hey! That's all you have here? Is there a large army behind you?" The resident businessman who was anxious to find out the reason asked, and the confused people immediately got the news.

"The king organized an expeditionary force in Novgorod. This year's main supplies have been purchased and most of the ships have been requisitioned! Don't wait any longer. What we have in our hands now is this year's new goods..."

If a ship boss said this or it was a lie, all the merchant ships arriving had this statement, so it was true.

Suddenly, the joyful atmosphere at the dock gradually turned into collective disappointment.

Even so, the cargo of arriving merchant ships was still in demand, and due to limited supply, these merchants made a fortune.

Those who do not believe in evil are still waiting at the port, hoping that large caravans will arrive in the future. However, despite waiting for many people, only scattered merchant ships have arrived, and there are even ships transporting bear skins from the north of Ladoga. The scale is just small.

What else can the remaining merchants do? Some go back home with their existing goods, while others are still willing to wait. Since there is a saying that "the King of Rus will march in person", it is better to wait for the king to return and try his luck.

Today, the weather is fine, and the warm southerly wind makes the capital drier. Once covered with snow, it became a solid

Bing Harvest Square has restored its original flat appearance.

A large area is paved with cement, but the quality control of the Portland cement manufactured by Ross at this stage is not good.

Continuously trampled on, exposed to rain, snow, and even daily exposure to the sun, it becomes increasingly rough, with powder flying when the wind blows.

However, it is still a rare large area of ​​flat land.

The large square that was already paved in sections is now being repaired in sections. The damaged areas are all smashed, and new cement is laid, smoothed and left to dry.

Ross Dumari from the capital always got along with the city's leaders, and everyone held a small meeting to discuss and pass the road construction proposal. After all, money is taken from the treasury of the Governor's Palace to do things. People rarely take money personally during meetings. As long as Governor Cornuson is doing his job happily, repairing the city's road system will start quickly.

Roads and squares need to be repaired in sections, so as not to affect people's daily lives, and ultimately, this year's autumn harvest will not affect people sunbathing in the square.

As for little Conuson, he did not dare to neglect the capital's infrastructure.

Fort New Ross is the face of the king, the window to the Western world, the intersection of the continent and the ocean, and the kingdom's first trade center.

There will be another expedition to Frank soon. Considering that the king will definitely win, the triumphal army will also have a grand triumphal ceremony around the city. If the road conditions and surrounding buildings are in dilapidated condition, wouldn't it be a humiliation to the king?

Every spring, every household will repair their houses, take the opportunity to build roads, dredge city sewers, repair and update port equipment, all of which are important tasks of the Governor's Mansion.

But this year is extremely special, and the responsibility that falls on the shoulders of Konuson is huge.

.

The weather is sunny today. In the Governor's Mansion, in addition to the confident Governor Konuson, there are also Blue Fox and Jevlo who have been staying for several months.

They got together to drink some wine and discuss the current issues.

"Now the situation has become complicated. I can't figure it out. Since the king is going to go on an expedition to the Franks, he also found time to conduct a winter southern expedition. The king should have returned around Hanukkah (winter solstice). It's almost summer now, and the king is still here. Novgorod?" After saying that, he drank another glass of red wine.

"Are you complaining?" Blue Fox asked.

"No, I'm just... worried that the king's expedition will delay the time."

"Indeed, I am also a little worried." Blue Fox suppressed his worries with a smile and continued hastily: "The news from the dock has come. The army organized by the king is still in Novgorod, and he is in the south We have raised a lot of manpower and material resources, and we estimate that we will start the expedition immediately after arriving in the capital?"

"You... don't have the confidence in your heart, right?" Little Konuson shook his head and continued to look at the blue fox's face: "It's you! You, the commander of the expeditionary force, left the army in the Netherlands, and now the sea has thawed. You should go back and continue commanding as soon as possible."

"There is no need to worry yet. I have organized a group of warriors in my fief, and I will at least bring them to support. Besides, going back by myself will disappoint the expeditionary force, so it is better to wait for the king."

Little Konuson nodded and asked Javlo again: "What about you? Brother, you are not allowed to bring your Finnish army to help this time?"

"Me? Let me forget it. But if the king is interested, I can send another group of elite longbowmen." After saying that, Jevluo gritted his teeth and said, "Take all the arrows in my hand."

Hand it over. "

"Arrows? This is not a problem. I am in charge of this aspect, so I don't dare to neglect the task that the king has already assigned."

"Oh?" Blue Fox raised his head: "Have you completed all the logistical work that the king has asked you to do?"

"That's natural. I'm just waiting for the king to come to deal with me. But it's you, Lan Hu, you've gained some weight."

Blue Fox shook his head, then lowered his head and smiled slightly: "It's just like this without fighting. I will lose weight soon when I go to Frank."

"By the way, how is your woman... going to tell the king? She won't really report it truthfully?"

"Little Conuson, why do you need to mention this?"

"I think it's better to report it truthfully. We all know this secret, but the king must know it. That girl is so intimate with Verica that she sleeps in the same bed. Alas..." Little Cornuson can't bear to understand something. , two girls of the same age are inseparable and have an excessively close relationship, even if they are biological sisters, they shouldn’t be like this!

That was the future high priest and the eldest princess of the kingdom. Little Conuson did not dare to make irresponsible remarks. As for the other heroine, she had a very distinguished status, and he, who was highly politically sensitive, had no choice but to use his drunkenness to insinuate the blue fox.

"It doesn't matter." Blue Fox drank another drink: "I'm surprised that Blackbird has gotten used to life now. She is happy and I am happy too. As for whether she belongs to me, it really needs the king's decision. And..."

"How?" asked little Cornuson.

"After all, she is a descendant of Charlemagne. Maybe the king will make a fuss about her. What a poor girl."

The news has spread throughout the city. It is precisely because of King Rus's active preparations for the war that the goods that were supposed to arrive in the capital were

All goods sold are collected and purchased as military supplies.

The capital originally took half a year to prepare, and they were reflected in the sufficient weapons and equipment. What made little Konuson proud was the complete forging of breastplates, plus the large amount of trophies "bright lead" brought back by the blue fox. , this unprecedented new metal is used to gilt the armor, and the style of the armor becomes magical. Viewers call it "the holy armor from Asgard".

Weapons and equipment, military rations, and new clothes, each of the three major sectors has its own person in charge, and the Governor-General's Office serves as a scheduler and supervisor to urge them to implement their tasks.

If your Majesty gathered the resources of Novgorod and combined them with the resources of the capital, what a huge strategic material reserve would this be?

Do we still have to follow the planned expeditionary force of 3,000 people?

This is the first time such a rich battle has taken place.

All kinds of news spread to the ears of the priests as people went to the great temple to worship the gods.

The priests could not ignore the expedition.

Not only did High Priest Rumia guard the capital, but it was also inevitable to hold a grand sacrifice for the army's departure.

The kingdom must organize a team of priests to go with the army. They will give the war dead their final dignity and lead the heroic spirits to Valhalla in their faith. They are also military doctors and will treat the wounded soldiers with Rose's existing medicines.

The daughters of wealthy merchant families and Russian military families were gilded in the Great Temple after passing the test. The girls are by no means weak. Even if they are not female warriors like Valkyrie, they have received basic military training.

But when the news came, Rumia, who had been waiting for a long time, finally became so excited that all the lower priests were anxious, and her speech immediately

Caused an uproar.

The inner hall of the great temple was the meeting place for the priests.

Rumia, who wore a crown of antlers on her head, held the wooden staff inlaid with gems. For a moment, she seemed to be possessed by the soul of the late high priest.

Even the deputy priest Verica had no choice but to stand quietly with her personal companion and listen.

"It's all good! The expedition of the great King Rus is about to begin, and some priests will have the honor to accompany the army! Listen, your parents arranged for you to go to the great temple to serve the gods. I know the hopes of those people, and thought that everything was safe and sound. The experience of serving the gods can marry a good man.

However, your life has never been so stable. You have to advance and retreat with the king's army, and you may die in the war or be captured by the Franks..."

At this point, the topic became extremely serious, and Rumia started talking ugly words. This frightened the girls, and their faces turned haggard.

"What? What are you scared of? Are you scared?!" Rumia emphasized: "You are not afraid of killing deer for sacrifice in normal times. In the future, you will walk on a battlefield littered with corpses! I hope you will still be calm at that time."

She continued talking and suddenly displayed a dagger, which was originally a deer-slaying tool used for sacrifices.

"Remember! The Frankish army has different beliefs than you, and you are all beautiful women! Once caught by them, you will encounter the most miserable persecution. For your own glory, if you encounter the most terrible thing, you will use This self-destruction.

This kind of thing will basically never happen, but you still need to be vigilant. You are about to embark on the battlefield! Now those who heard the name left the team one after another! "

At

Yes, the first person whose name was read was Verika. As the king's eldest daughter and future high priest, how could the expedition be without her?

Verika was not afraid at all. On the contrary, the longer the expedition lasted, the longer her father spent with her. war? Nothing to fear.

She was so, and the blackbird was startled to hear the high priest pronounce "Theresia."

Rumia had just started to read the name when the frightened Blackbird helplessly interrupted: "Why? Why do I still want to go to that cursed country?"

"You?" Rumia rolled her eyes at her: "Because Verica is your master. Your master went to the battlefield, and as her servant you still want to stay in New Roseburg?"

This is indeed an impeccable reason, and of course Blackbird feels that this is what the high priest intended.

Didn't Rumia do it on purpose?

Some things are just a set of words on the surface, but there are complicated hidden reasons behind them. The hidden reasons are never mentioned, but they are the real reasons for their existence. The blackbird is Gisla, and Rumia knows her bloodline identity. She knows very well that it is impossible for such a character to completely separate from Frank.

Unless, death.

Rumia will also join Rurik's army. Blackbird must join the army and join the battle. At that time, he will work as a priest. The relationship between Blackbird and Velika was too close, and Rumia was embarrassed to separate them. She was really worried about her daughter, fearing that this enemy noble would lead her astray in some way.

Blackbird has not behaved strangely so far, but Rumia is still not sure whether she has really betrayed her Frank's father!

After all, a daughter betrays her father

, what else can such a person do?

It would be better to find a way to send this woman to Frank in a reasonable way and watch her performance. If joining Ross was just a temporary measure, this woman would definitely be thinking of escaping when she ran back to Frank. In Rumia's opinion, this was the best. As a mother, she did not want a follower with a suspicious identity around her daughter.

"Theresa, you don't have to go, then you can kill yourself during the expedition and sacrifice your own blood to the gods in order to win our army's victory! Or, you can honestly follow your master on the expedition!" Lu Mia's words were so serious that Verika felt strange looking at such a mother, and there was still a hint of fear in her heart.

Blackbird was stunned, and then muttered mechanically: "I am willing to go."

Legend has it that there are twelve Valkyries under Odin, but Ross has long upgraded the late high priest to Valkyries. Ross has his own explanation for how many there are.

Rumia's standards are simple and crude. Rurik is Odin's spokesperson in the world. He has as many as eighteen wives and concubines, including himself, which is equivalent to eighteen Valkyries.

Verica and Blackbird serve as the official deputies of the priests of the expeditionary force, and there are eighteen beautiful blond girls as followers.

Twenty priests, this is Rumia's gift to the king. Presumably these women coming out of the big temple will give the expeditionary force a huge spiritual boost in the unknown battle.