Chapter 1,472 Crossing the River and Parting Ways

A group of strong Ross men walked into the church granary in Hamburg, rented handcarts or carried them with bare hands, and transported sacks of wheat to the Ross camp outside the city.

On the same day, a large number of giant beasts appeared in the Duke's horse farm outside the city. They look like horses but not horses, and they look like deer but not deer. Most of the local Saxons have never seen reindeer since they were born. Today, they are a feast for the eyes to take a look at them.

Rurik was so happy that he wandered outside Duke Liudov's horse farm with his hands behind his back, admiring the foals here and there.

He was accompanied by Baron Essen. Even though she was a woman, because a big deal had just been completed, the Duchess and her daughter took King Ross to visit.

"I didn't expect that Liudov was already actively implementing his horse breeding business." Rurik praised with interest.

"It's a pity that the horse herd is still far from being complete. He took away all the good horses during his expedition. We didn't have many horses in the first place. Now we only have these foals and some mares that have given birth to calves." The Duchess He pursed his lips and shook his head: "We are still too poor."

"It will get better in the future."

"Thank you. I just...I wonder if these reindeer from the east can serve as horses. I mean, can Saxon warriors ride them to fight?"

Hearing this, Rurik stopped for a moment and said, "Madam, you still think too highly of these deer. They look a bit majestic, but after all they are just deer. They can be used for carrying packs and pulling carts, and they can be used as a substitute for war horses. You have nothing to do with matters concerning the war; perhaps it would be more appropriate for your brother to take charge of the defences, in the absence of the Duke himself."

"Okay. Although I really want to share my worries for my husband. Ah..." The Duchess sighed: "Liudov hasn't replied for some days. God will bless him. As for my son and your son Regla Husband, I heard that these brothers have a good future in Tours. It seems that God is really blessing them."

"One is the next generation Duke of Saxony, and the other is the King of Mercia. I have completely let go of Reglaf, and I will no longer give him explicit support. The future happiness and glory all depend on his hard work. So there is no need to worry. , you Bruno need to grow into a real man, and war is the key to making him a hero. Bruno has a noble status and talent, and a large number of soldiers in France will admire his talent and follow him. In this way, your husband and son will be together in two Attack our common enemy on the battlefield, and God will protect them."

The Duchess was deeply moved by these words. When she looked at King Rurik of Rus again, she always felt that he was a young saint. "I never thought I could hear the name of God from your mouth. You don't agree with our faith."

"I don't agree, which does not mean I am completely opposed. Our differences in beliefs will not interfere with our trade and personnel exchanges at all."

"Thank you very much for your tolerance..."

After nightfall that day, the Russian army finally finished moving the grain they traded. At the same time, the Lübeck army also received a "gift" of food from Eskil. Here he provided aid on the pretext of "supporting the Bishop of Ratzeburg", but in fact he gave the Lübeck army an important amount of food.

The Russian army wanted to buy it, and the Lübeck army was given as a gift. Eskil made a small protest in this regard, but no one cared.

It is easier to serve reindeer than horses. Their increasingly thick fur is too thick in Hamburg's not-extreme winter, so that the reindeer feel hot when they are together. Reindeer are ruminants and do not need to be fed refined grains if necessary. They can survive by eating hay.

These reindeer have gone through the test of long journeys. They have been trained to be docile. Each reindeer can be ridden. When put on a saddle, they can be used to pull carts and sleds. They can be used immediately without the need for a second training by Hamburg's horse breeders. Put into use in production and life.

That night, the reindeer purchased by the Principality of Saxony had already begun work - hauling wood from the nearby forest back to the city.

The city of Hamburg was so lively this night. Before dawn, the Danish naturalized people had prepared their boats.

In order to attract business more easily, they rushed to row their boats to the riverside area where the Ross army was stationed.

Rick did not continue to sleep in the Duke's mansion in Hamburg this night. He returned to the camp and summoned all his subordinates in his big tent to give instructions on tomorrow's action plan and details step by step.

Each team received the order, and the reindeer, which had been reduced to 3,500, were also split up, and were led by each cavalry team to manage some, plus the reindeer herders' flag team Wahavaning, and the servant cavalry who came along the way. , the Russian army was divided into six units.

This subdivision is, firstly, to make it easier to organize the river crossing operation, and secondly, to count the number of people and horses so that the boat boss can be paid.

As for all the Oberlidd troops, Rurik didn't bother to care about the river-crossing plan of Mistuy, the ruler of Lübeck, and his vassals.

Before dawn, Ross Camp was awakened by the noise on the riverside.

The owners of those boats spoke the Norse language that the soldiers were all too familiar with, and happily asked the early people: "I heard that you want to rent a boat to cross the river, please rent ours."

As a result, Rurik's clear dream was interrupted, and she had to get up early in response to the good news.

The sky in the east began to turn dark blue, and now it was freezing cold. A large number of bonfires were deliberately lit in the riverside area, clearly illuminating the longships that were deliberately half-stranded.

And these smart Danes have already lit some bonfires in the area across the river.

In addition, there are a few boats floating on the calm Elbe River, and the people on the boats holding up torches are particularly conspicuous.

"It's still dark, so it seems like the river crossing operation can start early."

The disorganization Rurik feared was certainly present, but it could easily be controlled.

The source of the confusion also lies in the fact that the Danes did not know Rurik's organizational plan for a while. Whether they had a leader or not, there was a farce of competing for business.

With all six units of the Rus' army assigned to a similar number of longships, the number of people, horses and reindeer in each unit is also similar. Although there are still differences between each other, the ship owners cannot accuse each other of some people eating ugly and themselves. Eat too little.

The sky was getting brighter and brighter, and the morning fog was gradually rising. Under the light of the bonfire, the Russian army did not bother to eat breakfast, and the river crossing operation began at dawn.

“Cross the river and then eat!”

It became the slogan for everyone to strive for progress.

These naturalized Danes, such as the Saxon Danes, are generally descendants of small Danish tribes who converted to God in the early years. At first, Liudolf, as the Count of Westphalia, was ordered to enter Jutland to attack the Danish troops who still believed in Odin after expelling "Agent Horik". His arrival not only won the welcome of the local Saxon residents, but also attracted the vassalage of the local Danes who converted to Christianity.

The end of the war was the victory of the Russian-Danish-Swedish coalition. After the war, Liudov led the rebellion, and then formed a stronger coalition of the Northern Alliance and the Saxon Army to fight against the more powerful Frankish crusade.

The war lasted for a whole year, and the changes in the war situation were extremely magical. What remained unchanged was the brutal destruction of the local people. Some Danish lords led their people to convert to God. During the One Year War, the population suffered heavy losses, and some tribes also existed in name only. Jutland is no longer a place to settle down, and Hamburg has become their first choice for immigration.

The Great Wall of Schleswig became the national border between Denmark and Saxony, and the two sides kept jumping to establish a peaceful situation. The city of Schleswig became a border port city under Danish rule. There was complete freedom of belief in the city. Not only could there be a monastery, There can also be stone ship altars or even a local feature - the Sirius Temple.

After converting to God, their lifestyle still has a lot of Danish characteristics. They still speak Norse and shout the same chant when rowing.

The Russian army naturally had a common language with these people. When the young warriors boarded these people's boats, they decisively picked up their spare oars and joined hands to cross the river quickly.

The six units began to scramble to take action, and they began to compete with each other, although there was no reward for being the first to get there.

Then when the first ray of sunlight shone through the morning mist, most of the Russian army had already appeared on the south bank of the Elbe River.

When Baron and Countess Essen came to visit, they found that Ross flags were flying everywhere on the other side of the river.

The aroma of wheat drifted from the other side of the river. With the help of a bonfire lit by the Danish boat owner, the Russian army unloaded the iron pot on the spot and filled it with river water to cook the wheat on the spot. No one expected to finish crossing the river at dawn, and the teams were so excited that they invited the boat bosses and their crews to have a sumptuous breakfast.

Breakfast must be given, and remuneration is also indispensable.

The captains of each team delivered the agreed silver coins, which were all of good quality and engraved with Charlemagne's face.

Baron Essen and the Duchess arrived belatedly. If they had not seen people coming from Hamburg, Rurik, who personally supervised the crossing, would have taken the last boat to the other side of the river.

"King Ross! Why are you in such a hurry? We almost couldn't see him off." Baron Essen dismounted and hurried over, his attitude very urgent.

"It's almost true. But...I really shouldn't stay for a long time."

"You are still too anxious. At least, my daughter also wants to say goodbye to you." The Duchess said, pushing the sleepy little Alice to her side, and then ordered: "Go and say goodbye to your other father. "

The little girl was once very shy, but now she wears the huge amber necklace given by Rurik and her mentality has improved a lot. She and her fiancé Reglaf were already good playmates, and she learned the true age of her biological father through his mouth.

Calling father to a very young king is very challenging for a little girl who has just entered puberty.

She pursed her lips and stumbled upon her mother's urging to say what she had already agreed upon: "Dad, help you... help you win."

"Okay, beautiful girl. You will be even more beautiful. On the day you marry my son, I will give you more gems and beautiful clothes. You will become the most beautiful girl on that day and become a queen."

Never had! Little Alice had never been promised anything like this. She grabbed her mother's skirt with shyness and longing, then exposed half of her face and stared at Rurik's delicate bearded face, her brows showing warmth, gratitude, and...expectation.

"I didn't expect you to be such a gentle person. Unfortunately, I am too old." The duchess also had some awakenings in her mind. After all, it was all delusion.

She also complained: My husband is finally achieving great things, but why didn't he dare when he was young?

"Let's go!" Rurik stepped onto the long boat and sailed away without saying another word.

At the same time, the rulers of Hamburg quietly watched all the Ross army arrive on the other side of the river, and also noticed the belated arrival of the Oberliddite army not far away.

Mistui of Lübeck originally thought that the Russian army would move with him, so that he could continue to borrow those ships to cross the river smoothly.

Unexpectedly, Mistuy saw with his own eyes a large number of so-called Saint Andre flags appearing on the other side of the river.

"It's the Rus! What are Rurik doing? They all camped by the river in the evening. Did they walk across the river overnight? The Elbe River is not frozen at all."

Mistuy quickly understood, and happened to meet the Duchess and Baron Essen who were still wandering by the river. He thought that the siblings were waiting for the noble him, but unexpectedly they had already given King Ross the most courtesy, which seemed to be a good thing. I am full of neglect.

Because of the defeat of the Principality of Saxony that year, part of the territory was taken away by the Nakonid family of Mistuy, which was already under the rule of Lübeck, and the geographical concept of Obertlidit became even larger.

Based on the loss of territory, Baron Essen would not get too close to them, and the Duchess would not be able to greet them well.

After a non-awkward conversation, the Duchess and her entourage returned directly to the city. She then said a very plain sentence: "Those Danes who own boats are willing to continue the ferry business. You can negotiate the price with them to cross the river." Bar."

The words came out of a woman's mouth, which was a strong mental blow to the proud Mistuy.

If it was the sarcasm of the little Baron of Essen on the Elbe, why did it come from the mouth of a woman, the Duchess of Saxony.

"Shame! Saxons, I remember your arrogance!" Mistuy scolded with a stamp of his feet. His army should have crossed the river on the spot and taken the "Hell Road", a Roman road straight to Cologne. This was the smoothest way. of a road.

Mistui now felt offended by three people: the Rus, the Saxons, and the Danes.

The current attitude of these guys completely explains the siege situation faced by the Oberlidit County. It is besieged by these three very powerful families. Normally, it would be fine if there were no core conflicts. If there were conflicts, for example, the Saxons were arguing over the ceded territory, a full-scale war would probably break out.

"Sir, we should talk to the owners of those boats. We need to cross the river quickly, and we can't let the Russians go too far and make us delay." Baron Morn suggested again.

"Bah! That's it."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"I! I won't negotiate with the Danes." Mistuy made a determined decision. In Baron Morne's view, this was a result of boring pride.

"But those Danes have converted to God and are no longer hostile to us. They are the new Saxons."

"It's not necessary. I don't get the respect I deserve in Saxony. Now recall Bishop Adam of Ratzeburg and take the accompanying priests with us. We will move forward according to the alternative plan. My attitude will not change. Our army is preparing to march eastward. Let’s go to Magdeburg instead of Cologne! We’ll take a detour directly to Frankfurt am Main.”

Therefore, although the Russian army on the other side of the river was waving to the Lübeck army that had just arrived on the river, those people actually left in exchange.

"What are they going to do? Can't cross the river?" Fisk frowned and looked away. After hearing the news, Rurik asked for an answer.

"Who knows?" Rurik shrugged.

"The Danish ships have passed by. It's strange that Mistuy's people are still retreating. Your Majesty, do we continue to wait for them? It's time for our brothers to set off after they have eaten."

"Mistui, this guy is probably not going to be a deserter. It doesn't matter. I was mistaken. I thought that guy could be a hero. Maybe the thousand heavy cavalry are just a gorgeous decoration in his eyes. Let's go Let's do it." Rurik spat, turned around with disdain, and then motioned to Fisk: "The 1st Cavalry will open the way, and the rest of the troops will follow. No one is more familiar with the road to hell than you."

"Okay! Let's try to reach the ruins of Bremen as soon as possible. I hope the settlement has been rebuilt there."