Chapter 1,470 Rurik and the Duchess

At night, the city of Hamburg was calm, and the coalition camp outside the city quickly became quiet.

A large number of tents were set up on the spot, all the war horses unloaded their saddles, the reindeer herds unloaded supplies, and each coalition army selected a place as a camping site.

The soldiers cut down some trees on the spot and lit the bonfire. Now they warmed themselves by the fire. After each cooked some food, they got into the tent and wrapped themselves in blankets and fell asleep.

They were all told that the coalition forces would not stay in Hamburg for long, and that the army was about to start crossing the river. They would not even wait for the fleet that circled the Jutland Peninsula, but would move towards Cologne along the "regional road".

At the same time, Rurik had entered the city of Hamburg with his key entourage and the nobles from Lübeck, and entered the Duke's stone castle, which is also the largest building in the city.

The tall wooden windows of the stone room were closed, and the array of oil lamps hanging from the beams illuminated the entire room.

Rurik walked up the stairs and stood in this stone room in a comfortable mood, and couldn't help but sigh: "This place is still the same as before."

"There is indeed no change. King Ross..." The Duchess took courage and looked at Rurik's face: "This time, are you going to stay in Hamburg for a long time?"

"What? I've just arrived and you're driving me away?" Rurik laughed.

"Don't dare. What I mean is...my husband and the Saxon army are fighting in the south. Alsace, they are fighting fiercely with Lothair's people there. Since your army is going to support the battlefield, your actions should be more... Hurry up."

Rurik sounded like the Duchess was still a bit out of touch with the guests, but it could also be that this elderly woman couldn't speak. But it can be heard from her words that she is very concerned about Liudof's safety.

"Sister, please stop saying these inappropriate words." Baron Essen had to smooth things over for his biological sister at the right time.

"Okay. Welcome to my home. I've prepared some delicious meals to welcome you."

After speaking, the Duchess sat down in the host's seat, and then said: "I meet you on behalf of my husband, the great King of Rus, and...the noble Count Obert Liddit. Please take your seat."

It was this unpleasant title again. Mistuy pretended to be angry and smiled but still sat on the left side of the countess: "Still calling me count? Forget it, I should become a little king after this war. Like…the King of Aquitaine.”

She did not understand this elderly man at all, and the Duchess did not want to talk to him. Thanks to the presence of her own brother, otherwise she would not be able to control the scene where the nobles gathered.

At this moment, she understood for the first time how difficult it was for her husband in this regard - talking about important matters with those tough and brave nobles who exuded strange smells was not something she, a noble lady, could do.

She had full respect for Rurik, so all the nobles from Rus sat on the right side.

Not only that, but his youngest daughter Alice is not qualified to participate in this small meeting in principle, and now she is participating in it.

Based on tradition, the meaning of engagement is the same as marriage. The so-called engagement rather than marriage is mainly due to the fact that one party to the engagement has not reached the appropriate age.

Now little Alice was sent by her mother to sit down next to Rurik.

Even though her uncle, Baron Ordolf of Essen, was sitting next to her, she was full of vigilance and curiosity about Rurik. The complicated emotions entangled the little girl's heart. Now the sight of all the nobles made her even more uneasy. rather.

Rurik couldn't help but look sideways at the girl.

"I have grown a lot taller than three years ago, and I have become more beautiful. Looking at her slender arms and shy and cautious temperament, she is definitely not the material to be a female warrior. On the contrary, she is not bad at being a female noble."

Rurik didn't expect her to be anything special. If she was, then he expected her to have more children for his son Reglaf when she grew up.

Rurik deliberately prepared some amber-based gemstones when he entered the city this time. They were all carved. They were actually finished products exchanged in Palanga and Memel. They were originally purchased by local merchants. Those Polish tribes in Silesia, the source of the Sva River, are now the perfect gift to give to the Saxon noblewoman.

No one expects the Duchess to serve a good meal, and no one expects her to speak in public.

This is indeed the case.

The duchess did not have the ability to handle government affairs personally. When Duke Liudolf went south, all general affairs in Hamburg were taken care of by the church. Originally, the church took over all matters except military matters. This was the tacit agreement between Liudov and Eskil. Now, the church has theoretically taken over military affairs in Hamburg. However, because of Eskil's own attitude, he is counting on him. To carry out any degree of military expansion is to believe that the river will stop flowing.

Except for the small group of armed guards left by Liudoff to guard the castle, the Hamburg area is in a contradictory state of weak military equipment and abundant military morals.

Because those naturalized Danes continued their militia organization in their hometown in the north, they were loyal to Duke Liudov, and in the absence of the Duke, they were loyal to the Duchess. The latter only has status but is by no means a Valkyrie. The current situation is that no one can point out the naturalized Danes. If there is any external insult, these people will bring weapons and row boats to fight against them. They will not let them Others trampled on the fertile land on the Elbe River that they had finally obtained.

Some dried meat, the usual brown bread, and some sour pickles. This is what the nobles usually eat, and the Duchess doesn't think there's anything wrong with it.

Mistuy stared at the inferior ingredients on the glass plate with dissatisfaction: "A good plate, I look forward to a good meal like something to feed a hound. Duchess, do you despise me?"

He spoke so loudly that the lady was stunned and Alice's hands trembled.

Reluctantly, Baron Essen had no choice but to smooth things over: "After the destruction of the war, we are already very poor here. We are completely inferior to you, the distinguished Count Aubert Liddit."

"Bah. I have thousands of heavy cavalry, you should call me king. Remember! Saxons, without my kindness, your people would have suffered even more casualties."

"You..." Baron Essen was furious. If Liudov was present, he would definitely not let such a man run wild. He held back his anger and said: "You are not at a loss. What else do you want after taking a large piece of our land? Bullying a woman here is not the behavior of a king."

Mistuy didn't take it seriously: "It's better to say that after leaving Liudov, your Hamburg no longer has a formal man in charge. Baron Essen, can you do that?"

"Me?" The baron hesitated again.

"Obviously, you don't have the ability to control the situation." Mistuy shook his head disdainfully, and his words became more offensive: "If Liudov can't do it, my Lübeck can take care of Hamburg. I am kind. Yes, I sheltered you Saxons during the war, and I can still shelter you now."

Rurik kept listening and noticed that the atmosphere between them became more and more intense. In particular, the attitude of Mistui from Lübeck became more and more tough. This toughness seemed inexplicable.

"That's it!" Rurik burst into laughter as he slapped the table: "Mistui! Please stay calm."

"You?" He looked up at Rurik and shook his head: "Why don't you call me uncle?"

"I can call you uncle, but you scared my son's wife and my daughter-in-law's mother. No one can take Hamburg anymore. The nobles here are my relatives. I! I am their strong backer."

Therefore, in the eyes of the helpless duchess, King Ross seemed to have become a majestic giant, but it was a pity that he was too old.

For a moment, Mistuy thought again that if he had stayed quietly in the Ljubice Fortress before, suddenly the whole of Lübeck was surrounded by the Russian army, and the fear of an imminent war still made him frightened.

Then he spread his hands and said: "Since you are willing to come forward, we will listen to you about what happens next?"

"It's not impossible. This matter." Rurik looked at the duchess again: "It still requires the authorization of the lady."

Like a life-saving straw, the Duchess did not hesitate: "I authorize. Now, King Ross! You can call on the resources here on behalf of my husband."

"Is this really okay?"

"Can."

In fact, the duchess had no idea what this transfer of power meant. She just firmly believed that King Rurik of Russia was a good man and that as her daughter's other father (father-in-law), he could treat her and her mother well.

Baron Essen was also surprised by his sister's statement. Considering that King Ross was too powerful, he should not object.

This incident also shocked Mistuy. He cursed in his heart: "King Ross, you also have plans for Hamburg. I was just cautiously testing, but you wanted them all obviously. And this stupid woman, you I have no idea what I promised.”

As a result, this rough night party completely established Rurik's status as temporary leader.

Theoretically, because of this authorization, Rurik could mobilize supplies from Hamburg, especially a batch of grain for military use.

Since this authorization is only verbal, if you want to put it into writing, not only the terms must be clear, but the permission time must also be specified, and the signature of a witness is also required. The trouble of this matter is difficult to explain clearly. The most important thing is that the Duchess does not have full authorization qualifications. She is not a powerful female aristocrat.

There was no need to stay any longer. Mistui felt that Rurik's ambition was embarrassing, so he was so rude that he left with his vassals.

No matter how well they left, now only the most blood relatives and relatives by marriage are left in this stone room in Hamburg Castle.

Several of Rurik's attendees welcomed him as the temporary commander-in-chief of Hamburg, and everyone generally understood that its honorary nature was higher than reality.

Therefore, another secluded stone room was avoided by everyone, and Rurik and the Duchess had a secret meeting here, and by the way, even the little princess Alice entered it.

People waiting outside soon heard the joyful laughter that belonged exclusively to women. When the duchess and her daughter appeared, crystal clear, gentle and soft amber necklaces were already hanging on their necks.

"Thank you, King Ross. You will achieve great success. Please use this castle as your temporary home. I think my husband will also be very satisfied." The Duchess stroked her new necklace and looked at Ruri with satisfaction. Gram, it seems that I have regained the tenderness of a girl because of this jewelry.

No one knew what happened to them in the stone chamber, and nothing could happen in a short period of time.

Fisk had dinner with Brody and arrived at this familiar fortress again. They knew the Duchess three years ago. At that time, they thought she was an ordinary and elderly lady. The King looked down on this kind of woman, but this kind of woman might be admired by the King who was too handsome and powerful.

Now look at the happy look on the nobleman's face. It may be that out of admiration, he kissed the king's stubbled face in the secret room and accepted the gift happily. In order to gain benefits, the king may have endured it.

The two of them dared to speculate silently, but it would be a lie if they spoke out.

As for what they said and what deals they made in the secret room, everything will be revealed the next day.

At the same time, Archbishop Adam of Ratzeburg, full of grievances, personally carried the cross as a victim and walked into the church in the city together with the priests who were forcibly captured.

It was a quickly built longhouse-style building. Firstly, it could be built quickly with wood. Secondly, it could also reassure the Danes who were converting one after another. Another construction site is being hammered every day, and wood and fired clay bricks are piled in some open spaces in the city. That is the real St. Peter's Cathedral of Hamburg that is being built. According to the plan, Reproduction of the burned St. Peter's Cathedral in Bremen.

Due to the real lack of money in Hamburg, Eskil estimated that he could only spend the rest of his life supervising the completion of the main body of the cathedral, while the interior still needed continuous improvement by future generations.

He is an ascetic person and doesn't care how much gold and silver there is in the church. If there is gold and silver, he can use it as much as possible.

Eskil unexpectedly received the Bishop of Ratzeburg who had come from afar in the temporary bishop's seat, and listened to him pour out his bitterness about his experiences along the way. At the same time, he also reviewed his lack of progress in spreading the gospel.

The two senior priests suffered setbacks in the north at the same time, and both adopted an attitude of rejection and opposition to the war.

However, reality is not something people like them can control.

Speaking of clergy, in principle clergy are prohibited from directly participating in the war, but the Archbishop of Hamburg, the Archbishop of Mainz, the Archbishop of Utrecht, the Archbishop of Liège... the letters exchanged among each other have already sketched out the picture of the Frankish Civil War within the church.

Some priests did not participate in the war in name, but in fact they became vanguards.

Some priests recruit warriors to resist "Satan" in the name of justice and in the name of defending their faith.

The Satan here is a metaphor. It refers to two things. Firstly, it is Ludwig and his Slavic army (this is a malicious ridicule of the imperial aristocrats). Secondly, it is the Vikings and the victors under the banner of Frankish aristocracy. People from Beijing.

"The battlefield war is a disaster. Reims is very dissatisfied with my actions. Master Hinkmar has cut off my funds. But I am a Saxon and I think that local affairs in Hamburg are improving. I insist on the order Those Danes converted, and this achievement was not recognized by Reims..." By chance, Esquier also expressed his bitterness when he met a close friend.

"Papa, what does this mean?" Bishop Adam asked.

"Because Lord Hinkmar actually wants me to persuade the King of Denmark to stop the Danes from plundering the coast and rivers of Neustria, especially to hold the King of Denmark responsible for the plunder of Aachen, and to stop paying tribute to those who rebelled. Frank nobles transport barbarian mercenaries. Is this what I can do? Besides, these things have little to do with the Danish king. This generation of Danish kings are basically savages who believe in barbarian gods."

Eskil would not use dirty words to comment on the Archbishop of Reims, and the implication was that he questioned how little he knew about the great changes in the northern world. Perhaps it is also because the things described in his letters are too many, too bizarre and unbelievable.

"Are you really at your wits' end?" Adam asked again.

"I have no choice. Now... I just hope that King Ross can leave soon and return peace to Hamburg. Of course, after his army leaves, the southern world will turn into purgatory, and I don't know how many people will die."

"Lord! Can you save us?" Adam was so desperate and pessimistic that he crossed himself on his chest.

"Perhaps we have committed a crime, and the Lord just stood by and watched us suffer. Now that the matter has come to this, I will talk to the King of Rus. After all, I have a close relationship with him. It is impossible for me to convince the barbaric King of Denmark, but it is possible Convince King Rus. I can't convince him to convert to God, but I can appeal to him to act in accordance with the treaty and not to destroy it in Hamburg or Cologne. If they go south again, I will have no influence..."