Chapter 907 Rurik’s Royal Power Arrives at the Denmark Strait

The Sperosvilia was like a floating fortress. The Russian soldiers standing on the deck were shooting from a high position. It seemed that they did not want to fight, but more like free hunting!

There is nothing special about the Ghotallan longships, their broad, low cabins offering no defense.

The battle situation was a disaster for the Jotalans, because they were facing the south, and their sails could not sail very fast using the south wind. If they wanted to escape quickly, they could only paddle.

The contradiction is that if you paddle, your body will be completely exposed and you will become a living target for the enemy's arrows. If you pick up a round shield for defense, let alone the effectiveness of the shield, you will not be able to paddle to escape quickly.

But the shield is really not very effective.

Arik and his brothers took the lead in sailing against the wind. They had to fight against the wind and take a zigzag line. It was precisely this way that the ship's powerful port and starboard sides faced the enemy in turns. Each time, they could fire a salvo of ten slingshots at close range.

Only close-range shots can break through the bottom of the ship, while long-range shots can only kill enemies. In order to maximize the results of the battle, Arik is like this, just like a vicious tiger pounces on its prey. Although tigers are not good at rushing and killing a large area, the prey that is targeted will definitely die.

Longship after longship was sunk, leaking like a fountain, and the men on board held up their battle axes in vain and cursed viciously before being shot to death or wounded by steel-armed crossbows or cheap wooden-armed versions. They fell into the river, even threw away their weapons and took off their water-absorbent coats and jumped into the river to escape.

Those who fell into the water rushed to swim to the river if they could. They became moving targets, and the Russian soldiers hunted them in laughter.

"Haha! It's like shooting ducks and geese in the swamp."

Arik didn't care about the shooting actions of his brothers. He called to the sailors who were manipulating the large and small triangular sails in the big ship: "Continue to operate and attack as hard as possible! We must try our best to pursue them!"

Arik is a reckless man, but his current actions are extremely brave.

The Rus' army in the rear lost its assault power, and after defeating the Jotalan longship fleet that was lagging behind the army, they were busy salvaging prisoners of war.

The harvest of prisoners of war was so amazing that the ropes used to bind them were not enough. Finally, some soldiers on the ship were forced to take off their coats and leave only a fig leaf. They sat in a corner of the deck with their heads in their hands to prove that they had no weapons and would not resist. and was monitored by Ross warriors.

Now Arik heard it, and the brothers behind him were shouting his name.

"This is to cheer me up!"

What he desires in life is not endless wealth and power, he desires to be recognized by the soldiers, and what he desires is the current scene.

But for the Yotalan elite who were defeated and fled after a confused battle, the two leaders tried their best to escape, but were shocked to find that there were only twenty or thirty boats behind them. The horrific losses were visible to the naked eye, and the fragments of boats floating on the river told the story. fear.

The Jotalan warriors who luckily escaped to the shore no longer cared about their own ship. They fled like crazy towards the forest not far away. They were literally killed and their armor was thrown away. Many of them abandoned their red shells and fled, even though they still had domineering and revealing pictures tattooed on their backs, which formed an embarrassing irony with today's embarrassment.

"Bigfoot" Badal and "Broken Tooth" Cedric, they lost their previous confidence and were dominated by impatience and panic. The two strong men were not completely afraid of being chased by the foreign fleet. Compared to the brothers who were fleeing for their lives, the two men were more clear-headed.

Badal urged his brother: "Paddle quickly. Once I get to the shore, I will run to the forest. There will be a chance when I get there."

Even though Cedric had just landed, he was still shouting at the backs of his brothers: "Don't give up, we have a backup plan!"

Of course they have a backup plan, but it is also the last plan.

Of the three thousand elite soldiers who went out to fight, only 12 out of 10 managed to escape ashore. This was an unimaginable defeat, but it could also inspire something unimaginable - rage.

The Jota River gets wider as it goes downstream. What appears directly south of Arik is not a wide estuary, but a large number of small estuaries cut off by island sandbars.

In particular, there is a huge sandbar covered with pine trees, blocking the mouth of the river where it flows into the sea like a screen.

Arik still wanted to expand the victory, but due to the unclear hydrological conditions of the area, he gave up the pursuit of the enemy who had landed and fled for fear of being stranded.

The Russian army was cheering. They were busy making noises to cheer for their victory, and they were even more busy capturing prisoners of war.

Unfortunately, a large number of Jotalan warriors who fell into the water were pulled down by their own water-absorbent clothes. In a hurry, the water-absorbent clothes were as heavy as lead and it was difficult to break free. When they were exhausted, they tragically fell against the current. Those who were injured did not even have a chance to struggle, and suffocated painfully in the river.

People who were knocked unconscious and fell into the river were swallowed up by the Göta River immediately. Such people were lucky. For them, death was a matter of seconds, and anything after that had nothing to do with them.

Ross's various large ships arranged in front of the array were like fishing for fish and hunting seals, pulling up the struggling prisoners of war who had fallen into the water. Every ship has gained a harvest, including Rurik's flagship, which also pulled up a total of twenty people.

Kill them? Abuse them? Or enslave them?

No. Sometimes the living are ten thousand times more useful than the dead.

More than twenty prisoners of war were squeezed under the central mast with their hands tied, squirming like big beasts that were captured alive, their bodies wet and unable to escape with their wings.

Rurik walked down the wooden stairs with satisfaction and stood beside them proudly.

His noble appearance attracted people's attention, and the prisoners did not even dare to look at this tall and strong young man. They lowered their heads and closed their eyes to await the terrible fate.

"Are you afraid? Why should you be afraid? Now I'll give you a chance to live. Tell me about you, and I will let you all go in the end." Rurik emphasized again: "I have no intention of attacking you. It is clear that you were the first to launch the attack. We Russians are not trying to kill you..."

Rurik declared his identity, and the rumors sounded true to the captives.

The invader was indeed Rus, or maybe Rus coerced other Swedish tribes into joining forces to attack. The captives didn't have time to ask about the details. They were just ordinary hunters, fishermen and loggers. They lived the most ordinary and quite miserable lives. They just worked hard to support themselves, their wives and children. There was no need to know too much. matter.

Hearing that they could survive if they explained their situation well, the prisoners rushed to reveal their identities, pointing out the number of villages in the area, the strength of the soldiers who went out on the expedition, and even the ambushes they left on the shore.

They actually have an ambush? !

Rurik was shocked. Could it be that the number of ambushes was really 10,000? The prisoners were probably lying, because Gorm, who had surrendered before, did not introduce this situation.

Could it be that the southern region can gather another 10,000 armed villagers? Considering the situation faced by the conscription of Weisinger, maybe the people here can indeed mobilize another 10,000 people, including but not limited to forcing a group of women and children. Join the team, pick up weapons and fight.

After asking no more questions than a group of ordinary prisoners of war, Rurik learned key information. It turned out that the locals had three big bosses. Whether the people in the lower reaches of the Göta River fight or make peace depends largely on the determination of these three people.

At this time, Rurik did not know that Erik the Archer had been captured, but he learned this as he landed on the river beach owned by the southern village group.

Eric "Archer", the name mentioned in the battle uniform.

Along with the huge number of Kingdom troops disembarking, there were also an equally astonishing number of prisoners. One prisoner of war loudly shouted about his noble status.

It happened that the noise of this prisoner of war was heard by the landing Blue Fox.

A mortal would never boast about being a brave man, so this person must not be just talking nonsense.

For this land, the blue fox was very excited when he thought that it would be his fiefdom. These prisoners will be pardoned, even if the king has not yet given the order. They will return to their old life, but a brand new city of Gothenburg will rise from the ground, and the released prisoners of war will continue to pay tribute and taxes to themselves as the Earl of Gothenburg.

Seeing the soldiers kicking the prisoner of war, Blue Fox went back to stop him, and hearing a self-proclaimed noble guy's confession, Blue Fox decisively escorted him to Rurik himself.

A man's hands were tied, and his upper body was exposed. The tattoos on his body were extremely flamboyant, and the golden heart-protecting hair on his chest was also quite exaggerated.

Blue Fox first complimented: "Thanks to the king's wisdom, we won easily."

"Don't sing random hymns. Blue Fox, this place is your fiefdom. If you have any demands, you can speak frankly. And this prisoner..." Rurik glanced at him.

"This person said that he is very important and is the leader of the local people."

"Oh? Do you believe it?"

"I believe it. I believe it very much. After all, if he talks nonsense, your kindness will not cover him."

Rurik nodded, and immediately asked the prisoner's name, and received a very straightforward answer.

For a moment, Rurik's peaceful face frowned, and he suddenly ordered: "Quick! Untie this man quickly! Bring me my new shirt."

The knife cut the rope, and "Archer" Eric lost all his restraints. He was allowed to stand up and talk properly, and was surprised when the noble man in front of him personally handed him a plain white and exquisite shirt.

In the eastern part of the Rus' Kingdom, the hand-woven textile industry was not only rapidly expanding in scale, but also improving textile technology. The finely processed linen cloth is cut into several pieces and hand-stitched by women. Its quality is no less than the craftsmanship of thousands of years later. After all, there is no difference in the essence of sewing between a sewing machine and human handwork. The difference is that sewing machines greatly improve efficiency.

Rurik handed over the new clothes and gave special instructions: "I heard about your identity. The surrenderers in the north said that there are some strong men in the south, and one of them is you. As a king, I cannot see a warrior in despair."

Rurik's words were tactful and respectful, not to mention the clothes were the best that Erik the Archer had ever seen. It is finely sewn and feels soft to the touch, making it easy to wear.

"You...are? The leader of the Ross people?" Eric asked weakly after changing his clothes.

"Exactly. This king is the king of Russia and the king of Sweden. Now, I will also be your king."

"Huh? What will you... do with me. And my people."

Eric asked very simply, and Rurik didn't waste any words. As a king, Rurik not only has a noble status, he is a tall and strong man, even taller and stronger than his biological father Otto when he was young and victorious.

"I am the Conqueror of the North, the Conqueror of the East, and the Conqueror of Norway. In my army are the Rus, the Swedes, the Norse, and the armies of the East and beyond. Defeat at my hand This is your honor, and your bravery to fight against me, although no one in our army was injured, is admirable. Therefore, I will pardon you and your people. You will not be slaves."

Won't become a slave? And won't be killed?

What is the purpose of the young conqueror who came from afar? Tu Yile?

Eric asked again: "Thank you for your kindness, but we will definitely pay some price."

"Of course you surrender to me. Now! Kneel down!"

Rurik ordered boldly, and a group of berserker warriors wearing bear heads gathered around him. Under the noon sun, there were warriors with reflective armor everywhere. The situation did not allow Eric to dawdle.

So the blue fox happily stood beside his king to witness a special canonization.

At first, Eric was subconsciously frightened when he heard the buzzing sound of the sword wind, but in the end, the beautiful sword was just resting on his shoulders and forehead.

The words narrated by the King of Rus were wonderful, and he was eventually canonized as a hereditary low-level noble.

"Archer" Eric is the leader of the warriors in the village. If he takes a group of brothers out to sea, he will transform into a standard Viking pirate. He didn't do this, firstly because he was afraid of Danish pirates, and secondly because he couldn't let go of his wife, children and friends.

Eric was not a reckless man. He made a very correct decision in the current situation - surrendering to Ross on behalf of the captured people.

He was canonized as a baron, and his title was "Bjorn". He is "Bjorn" of Blue Fox Gouldson, and now while swearing allegiance to Rurik, he also owes allegiance to Earl Blue Fox.

The back of the sword caused a swelling on Eric's head, and the pain stimulated his head. Rurik deliberately did this just to make him understand his warning: "Submission will lead to prosperity, and betrayal will be punished. If you betray, I will be punished." The king will raise an army to attack, and the result will be your destruction!"

How could Eric, who was kneeling on one knee, dare to object? Out of the emotions of a Viking, they simply expected to follow a strong man. In the harsh natural environment of Northern Europe, a great chief can lead the people through crises, so the people of the lower Göta River elected three chiefs, one of whom was Eric.

If we look at it from a grander perspective, the leader elected by the Jotalan people also needs the protection of a stronger force.

The resistance of the Jotalans failed miserably, and surrendering to the Kingdom of Rus and becoming a hereditary vassal was an unprecedented act of kindness. He was beaten into submission and swore to the gods that he would not betray.

That alone would make Rurik believe in this man's loyalty?

No! This Eric needs a certificate of recognition.

Soon, Eric "Archer" was shocked to see his brother on the north side of the river, Gorm "Broken Bone" whom he knew. The man wore the costume of a Ross warrior and held a beautiful sword from the Ross people. If his face had not been shown, Eric would not have recognized this guy at all.

Gorm "Broken Bone" met Eric "Archer" as an earl, and he didn't forget to make some sarcastic remarks when he heard that his title was baron. Is it true that the sooner you surrender, the greater the reward? Eric regretted that he was the main combatant.

Obviously, the attack of the Jotalan people that was brewing since yesterday is a complete fool. The Ross army came from afar with a greater purpose and was not willing to sweep and kill both sides of the Jota River. But surrendering to Rose is a destiny. Eric has understood that it is best for him to surrender peacefully. If he resists, he can only surrender passively.

After all, everyone has to surrender, and it is not too late to surrender peacefully now.

The Rus army camped on the shore, and Rurik drank ale happily with his cousin Arik.

Regarding his elder brother's behavior of taking the lead, Rurik criticized the slightly drunk elder brother, so as not to ruin the bad atmosphere. Because of Arik's incomparable happiness, people cheered for his bravery and toughness. He enjoys it until now, as if this is what life is all about.

Rurik issued a death order, and the army could only stay in designated campsites, even if they were nearby the villages and farmland of the Jotalans. Because the village and fields already belong to the Earl of Gothenburg in principle and are the territory of Earl Blue Fox. When other nobles led soldiers to plunder this territory, they were robbing the Earl of Gothenburg of his wealth, which was enough for the king to activate the crusade mechanism.

The nobles restrained their troops, and the army held a banquet on the spot and ate boiled oats.

Throughout the afternoon, the Ross army completely counted the prisoners of war, and surprisingly found out that the army had captured 1,600 men. Most of the prisoners of war were salvaged by armed cargo ships. They were released from their bonds and given a large amount of cooked oats. Also, because Eric the Archer surrendered and was canonized, most of the prisoners suddenly did not want to escape.

In fact, even those who try to escape cannot escape.

As usual, Rurik set up defenses in the huge camp at the landing site. The Ross army was very densely stationed. At the edge of the camp, there were torsion slingshots carried on carts by his subordinates, as well as soldiers holding crossbows and longbows. An arc-shaped defense line relying on the fleet was completed. With sufficient food and river water supply, the Ross army and prisoners of war did not need to leave this comfort zone.

Only a group of people were released, and they were indeed prisoners of war, even capable men.

As many as a hundred people were released. Rurik used the mouths of these people to tell the hiding people that the Russian army had arrived, and asked the other two leaders in hiding to take all the hiding people to come out and surrender.

Or it's okay to say that the other party is stubborn and just doesn't want to surrender. The Ross army is by the river. If you want to choose a decisive battle on land, then come out of hiding.

War or peace? The nearly 20,000 southern Jotalans in hiding were given no time to choose. Their lives depend on fishing, and the fishing boats that cannot be taken away have been captured by the conquerors. Famine will begin in a few days, and everyone hiding in the forest can only slowly starve to death.

"What to do? Fight with them?"

"No, it's not necessary. Since Eric surrendered, let's surrender too."

"Do you really believe those Russians?"

"Why don't you believe it? They released many prisoners of war, and there are still more than a thousand people in their hands. Our relatives and friends are detained by them. If we don't surrender, what if..."

"Bigfoot" Badal and "Broken Tooth" Cedric originally planned to follow the second plan and lead the last seven thousand armed militiamen to launch a decisive battle. Now they are considering surrendering again and again, but the people of Ghotalan are already voting with their feet. The so-called "put yourself to death and survive", now that the Russians want them to live, why do people who don't want to die continue to fight desperately?

Early in the morning, when the fog dissipated, women and children headed to the Russian camp. The women listened to the descriptions of the released prisoners of war and learned that their husbands were alive and well because of their act of surrender.

At first, only a few women and children left the hiding place, while a large number of people watched from a distance and found that the conquerors showed no hostility, so they walked out spontaneously.

Women and children can find their own husbands, and prisoners of war can find their own wives and children. When they found each other, they hugged each other and cried. Finally, the woman who could not find her man for a long time realized helplessly that he had died in the battle.

Morale has collapsed, people's hearts have completely collapsed, and now even the possibility of gathering soldiers has disappeared.

Bigfoot Badar and Cedric Broken Tooth were the only few brothers left around them. They were the survivors of yesterday's fierce battle. They never expected that the monster-like Ross army would be kind enough to entertain the people with cooked wheat.

It is now the time of spring famine, and the farmland of the Yotalan people has not yet matured. If offshore fishing is stopped during this period, every village will suffer from famine. Also, driving cattle and sheep into woodlands is not a long-term solution. Without pasture, cattle and sheep will quickly starve to death.

This time Ross brought enough military rations for 10,000 people for five months. The sufficient food reserves were enough for Rurik to carry out another large-scale charity!

The Jotalan people were beaten with a big stick and they were trembling. Now it was time to use food to win people's hearts, even if it was just a meal.

"Bigfoot" Badal and "Broken Tooth" Cedric watched helplessly as they lost power. The residents of the village were very honest. They were busy looking for their families and eating free meals from the conquerors. Everyone had forgotten how powerful these conquerors were.

Not daring to lag behind, the two men showed up with great fanfare, but were immediately disarmed by the bear-headed berserker.

So, look for Shuyuan www. zhaoshuyuan.com Two more barons have been added to the Earldom of Gothenburg. All three local leaders became barons. They were Rurik's vassals and Blue Fox's vassals.

A war that might have resulted in bloodshed and corpses blocking the Göta River did not happen. The locals saw the situation clearly and spontaneously surrendered, regardless of whether they were high or low.

At this point, Rurik had conquered the Pan-Gothenburg region of the Göta River, and half of Götaland had been incorporated into the territory of the Kingdom of Rus in the form of two counties and a governor-controlled municipality. This is the entrance to the sea of ​​Götaland. After passing the sandbar due south, across the strait is the Jutland Peninsula of Denmark!

Rurik's royal power also reached the Denmark Strait for the first time.

He knew very well that across the strait was the Robard tribe in Denmark, which was also the most influential Danish tribe. The old Rus and various Swedish tribes had a long-standing grudge against this large Danish tribe. What's more, the life and death of the new Danish King Horik is uncertain. If this person does not die, there is a high probability that he will live somewhere in the area controlled by the Robard tribe.

The huge army is not here for spring outings and summer camps. The strategic conditions for a raid on Denmark's mainland have been met, so it is better to do it immediately.

Please remember the first domain name of this book: . :