Rurik planned to set out on the first day of August in the Julian calendar, and he planned to assemble the army on July 20th.
The initial strength of the army has exceeded a thousand people, and just a few days before departure, several flag teams staying in Rossburg have begun flag-carrying formation training. They were able to move relatively neatly, and everyone knew that when the battle began, they would have to gather with their neighboring comrades, so they needed to maintain their formation even more.
It would be too difficult for them to expect them to really march like an army of clones.
Look at the performance of those Mellaren mercenaries. They are a large army composed of too young and too old people. Although the flag captain Herriger and a few others had experience as private soldiers, they could only lead a group of brothers to gather together, move their short spears forward in unison, shout chants and march in sync with the rhythm.
The soldiers of the Malaren Standard were not entitled to wear blue and white linen jackets, they only wore the cheapest khaki linen clothes.
The most common soldiers in the late Tsarist Russia had gray uniforms. Their troops were huge and their lives were the cheapest. They were officially "grey animals."
For these warriors from the Melalen tribe, Rurik promised to pay them only one-fifth of the market price!
After the war, the surviving soldiers were given two silver coins each and sent away. Whether they resist or not is meaningless. They have no right to refuse this war. Everyone has already been appointed and accepted such a low commission.
Only the most elite warriors have the right to wear the blue and white coat and tunic, which is reserved for Rus' elite warriors.
The white cloth imported by surprise and the cloth kept by the Russians themselves were made into 1,500 sets of gowns in a short period of time. In order to meet the needs of the Russian elite, Rurik also intentionally gave a small number to the Slavic flag force.
He must ensure that the soldiers on the front line have absolutely uniform uniforms when they are arrayed for battle. Looking at the blue and white tones, the enemy's morale will inevitably be affected.
If he had more white cloth, Rurik would definitely provide each combatant with a set of clothes.
"It's really sad. If it weren't for the poor productivity now, my army would be gorgeous."
In this era, military clothing always pursues gorgeousness. The purpose of magnificence is of course to look beautiful, but also to show one's wealth to the enemy. Only a large amount of wealth can ensure that a warrior eats and drinks well. Then such a warrior is bound to have bursts of muscles. Waving the warhammer in his hand is not enough to look like melons on the battlefield. vegetable?
Right at Fort Ross, Rurik gave an order to the captains of each banner.
"Your flag represents your honor. The blue cross stripes at the core of the flag are the emblem of us Russians! Letting the flag fall down or be captured by the enemy is a great shame for a soldier!"
People need honor to live. When humble people have a concept of honor, they will immediately burst out with powerful vitality. They all swore that they would not bring shame to Ross's flag and would lead their brothers to advance and retreat together with their own flag.
Is just the flag of the flag corps enough?
The Principality of Rus must have its own flag, or coat of arms.
Among the local warriors of Rus, the eldest son of the family inherits the weapons of their ancestors from generation to generation, including the oak shield of their ancestors.
Oak is the hardest wood available. It is hard and corrosion-resistant, and mineral dyes are applied to it to depict eagles, wolf heads, bear paws, large fish, or a beautiful word spelled out in runes. It has certain family heraldic attributes, but it is not a symbol shared by the Russians.
The Russians have their own symbol, which is criss-cross blue stripes printed, dyed and sewn on white cloth. Originally, this stripe was a carefully painted rowing oar, but now Rurik just wanted to simply paint it.
If all the sky-blue cloth were made into clothes, indeed only the noble could enjoy it.
Rurik kept some blue cloth for later use, and the remaining large-scale bales were used to depict the symbols of Rus.
Now, Gould was ordered to gather all the cargo ships of his family in the Roseburg Fjord. Together with all the cargo ships of the requisitioned shipbuilder Hotla family, the total number of cargo ships has reached as many as thirty-five.
The repair and refurbishment of cargo ships is also part of the preparations. At this moment, two large ships of the same class as the Avrora are actively building hulls. This project has to be temporarily suspended. A series of excellent woods have been reserved. All used to repair the ship.
For example, the sides of all cargo ships were raised and decks installed, and the straight beams of all masts were removed and replaced with new Latin jibs. The white sails are all made of blue cloth torn into strips, with blue X stripes at the seams.
The top of the mast also raised a small flag, which was a square white cloth with blue cloth sewn on the diagonal lines.
This is basically a replica of the Andrei flag, but the Andrei flag is essentially another Russian flag. What is very fantastic is that the traditional Russian heraldry in this time and space has natural similarities with it. Rurik followed everyone's advice and called the flag "the oar flag."
All ships, whether freighters or longships, must fly a "paddle flag" on their masts.
Rurik also made some plans. The so-called largest Avlora is the flagship of the Ross fleet now and for a long time to come. She flies the "oar flag" during daily sailing. When a naval battle occurs, she will Hoisting a black flag means ordering war. Rurik had the idea of making a semaphore system. Considering the current situation, he knew that it could not be done overnight.
In the chief's home, Niya took on a special task. He wanted to personally sew a "Prince of Rus' Flag" for the Principality of Rus, especially for the power of his own family.
These are two flags, one will be hung on the flagship, and the other will be carried by Rurik's soldiers as a guard of honor for the powerful.
It still has a blue stripe stitched diagonally, and when it is hung on the side that is worn, a blue stripe is stitched horizontally at the bottom of the flag, giving the entire flag a new meaning: the oar clan conquered sea.
The other flag can be quite particular.
Klavason was ordered to take the time to use the gold coins provided by Rurik to pull them into gold wire. Niya used these gold threads and sewed them on the blue pattern of the flag with steel embroidery needles, making the flag more gorgeous.
Rurik was willing to spend money, and since he had enough gold threads, Niya simply made a real gold border for the front flag.
The flags became gorgeous and the colors became diverse, corresponding to the power of the Duke.
On July 18th of the Julian calendar, with the decorated dragon head fastened on the flagpole, the flag of the Prince of Rus was completed!
Rurik stood on the wooden board at home, carrying the flag with a total length of nearly two and a half meters with some difficulty, and first accepted the scrutiny of his parents, wives and concubines.
"What do you think? This is our symbol."
Otto was serious about his words, but he was actually very happy. He still asked: "We must carry this flag to fight? In my opinion, the beast on your flagpole best symbolizes our strength."
Rurik raised his head, and the so-called dragon head was actually the legendary sea serpent, or the giant python in the world.
"I... still value the flag. You see, it is trimmed with gold. It is truly a gorgeous and noble flag."
"Of course." Niya boasted that she had done a great thing. The woman raised her head and stared at her husband: "Otto, this was sewn by me and it was your son's idea. You should be happy. , there should be no doubt.”
"Am I questioning it?" Otto slowly sat down on the wooden floor and said casually: "Your son's idea is unusual. In the past, only the leader could enjoy the flag, but now it appears on all ships, including the flag flying on the top of the mast."
"Dad, do you think..."
"It doesn't matter!" Otto shook his head: "This is your decision, and I know your intention."
"Therefore, the flag that symbolizes the Duke's power must be more noble." After saying that, Rurik looked at the flag he was carrying, "Next, I think it should be further framed with cinnabar, mud and various gemstones, preferably its Then hang a lot of amber on the edge, um, colored glass beads will also work."
"Is this so? I support it. What do you want to do next? Take people for a walk around the residential area?"
"That's what I meant."
Seeing that the Russians had made a gorgeous flag symbolizing power, Carlotta was so itchy in her heart besides praising her man for being extraordinary!
She is also the Duchess of Ostara after all. Sadly, the former Ostara tribe did not have its own coat of arms or symbols. He must work hard to restore his tribe, and he must also learn from the Russians and make himself a "duke flag."
What kind of symbol should be used?
Carlotta, she thought of drawing a simple sheep head with disc-shaped horns on the white cloth. Because the Ostara tribe has always been good at raising cattle and sheep.
This war is the war of the Russians. The so-called warriors of Ostara are currently children who are in urgent need of growing up. They have all been incorporated into the army. Now they are all holding crossbows and becoming members of the flag-shooting team. . The Ostara people have no right to use their own name, just like Carlotta is Rurik's woman. The entire Ostara people are now completely dependent on the Rus people for survival, so they can't expect too much.
Rurik gathered a group of the strongest mercenaries, as well as those strong men selected by his father. These people totaled exactly one hundred people.
Regarding the production of the silver scale breastplate, the blacksmiths and many apprentices have been working hard to complete the task ahead of schedule. They feel that they are working during the day, and they are simply not getting enough sleep during this time, and their eyes are full of bloodshot eyes. Their hard work had a good result, and the one hundred sets of scale armor Rurik needed were completed.
Since he was going to carry the "Flag of the Prince of Rus" across the city, Rurik knew that he had to bring his selected berserkers with him. He just wants to take this opportunity to promote the symbol of Ross to everyone, and also wants to show his tribe what the strongest warrior is.
These one hundred people, the belts of their silver-scale breastplates were deliberately decorated with a number of blue and white cloth strips. The so-called skirts actually made the white and silver-toned armor more gorgeous.
It is undeniable that the silver scale breastplates of these wearers wearing helmets (many wearing helmets and masks) are the ultimate in splendor. Hanging from their waists were steel swords, steel daggers, and two hand axes. Their arms are all wearing chain mail, which is integrated with the scale armor.
However, their exposed calves and feet lacked protection, and only a few of them hung a pile of thin iron sheets on the front of their calves.
Only strong men can put on such heavy armor and swagger through the city. When they spent some time putting on the heavy armor and gathered together, Otto looked at them and couldn't help but take a breath, and even murmured in his heart: "If ten Ogier was dressed like this a few years ago, how could he die in battle?!"
Rurik's wives, concubines, maids, these girls could not imagine that their man could create such an incredible iron army. They gave the maids from Novgorod the most amazing visual impact. Are the people in front of them actually wearing armor made of precious silver?
"Okay, very energetic!" Rurik nodded vigorously, smiled and cheered: "My warriors, look at yourselves! You are indestructible! No weapon can break through your defense, and each of you, They killed a hundred enemies with axes and swords."
Everyone laughed at each other, seemingly ignoring the pressure on their shoulders.
Rurik took another look at Yevluo, who had won the honor of carrying the flag: "Let's go! Let everyone see how powerful we are!"
A silver army marched neatly, and directly in front of the team were the Duke of Ross and his son, as well as a group of girls dressed in simple yet gorgeous clothes.
Jevro carried the flag and shouted as he walked: "This is the Duke's power! This is the Duke's flag! This is the Duke's iron man!"
He kept shouting these three sentences, and soon everyone was infected by these words. Hundreds of people repeated these three sentences, spreading propaganda to the clan members with the power of "brainwashing".
The mighty team attracted the crowds of Ross tribesmen to welcome them. Everyone was shocked that their tribe actually had such an iron army, and they also lamented that the flag was really gorgeous.
Recently, the women of the tribe have been working hard to sew cross-blue stripes on all kinds of white. As a result of this work, the entire tribe has accepted the Ross coat of arms like never before. In fact, everyone did not think that this coat of arms was naturally noble. After seeing Rurik's copy framed with gold wire and even a hundred silver guardians, those who saw it changed their minds.
Since both the Duke and his son think it is absolutely noble, what else should everyone think?
This gorgeous parade happened just before the army set off. The sudden appearance of the Iron Man Army gave the tribe a crucial boost.
The procession finally stopped at the door of the chief priest's house.
Rurik personally carried the flag and entered the longhouse with his father to meet the jealous and aging high priest Vilia.
Rumia wanted to prepare a small sacrifice for the army to set off. She had been working, and she knew that not only would she and many priests have to accompany this expedition, but her own deer herders would also have to participate in it and engage in transportation. material work.
Welia was excited, but her aging body couldn't withstand too much stress.
She was carried out of the inner chamber by the priestess and received the audience of the chief and his son.
Rurik was seen carrying a gorgeous flag, and his face was filled with happiness. It was clear that he was sure of victory.
"Grandma, I'm here." Rurik's kind words hit Vilia's heart directly.
"You... came well..."
The tiredness in Vilia's words really made people feel uneasy, as if she would leave at any time. Otto felt a little uncomfortable. She really hoped that Vilia could live to a hundred years but...
Rurik introduced the flag intentionally. He didn't know if Vilia understood it. At least all her feedback was positive.
Vilia thought a lot about the interlaced blue striped flags, and as he thought about it, two tears actually flowed from his wrinkled face.
Seeing this, Rumia hurriedly walked over and wiped away her tears with a handkerchief.
"This is... a symbol of the leader, and also a symbol of us... Ross. You... Rurik..."
"Grandma..." Rurik hurriedly came over and half-knelt beside the high priest.
"I heard about your plan. We will win this war. You put our symbols on all the ships and warriors. God is also very happy."
Rurik looked up at the meritorious old man sincerely: "I have another one for you to see."
Wei Liya forced out a smile for a long time: "Is there anything else good?"
Villa was wrapped in a sheepskin blanket and was carried to the door of the longhouse. She was the only one in the group. Her aging eyes widened and she couldn't help but poke her head out slightly, not knowing what to say.
Because, she consciously saw a noble silver army, an invincible army, and she had no regrets in this life.
