The large Balmok delegation arrived in Rossburg, and tens of thousands of Russians were cheered.
It was said that the Balmoks who were allied with our side were also a powerful force, but now it turned out to be true.
Travelers in Balmok jumped off their sleds and stepped onto the frozen beach, marveling at the towering wooden walls and the large number of moored ships.
Rurik knew that they would come to visit in the winter, but he did not expect that they would come in such a large number.
A horde of hungry guys arriving in Roseburg? As a landowner, they should be entertained, but Rurik was not happy whether he would be feasted on by them for a long time.
Fortunately, the situation was not bad. These people were all armed travelers, carrying silver and copper coins with them. With their money, they could buy fresh seal meat and cod meat caught in the winter in Fort Ross, and Rurik was also willing to sell them a batch of wheat at a fair price.
All the Balmok family leaders sent envoys, all of whom were their sons.
After all, they were all comrades who fought side by side in Britain a year ago. Rurik immediately entertained this large group of allies who came from afar in the conference hall on the first floor of his palace.
The Principality of Rus has a state banquet, and Rurik is naturally particular about eating.
Rurik sat at the core, while Otto, Harozosson, Arik and others sat in the secondary seats.
All the messengers were sitting on both sides.
In front of them was a crystal-clear die-cast glass dinner plate with oily roasted seal meat, honey ale, and a small amount of dried raspberries. There is also a pottery bowl here, which contains a thick soup made of yellow carrots, cabbage, and onions. The most important thing is the cake baked with fine oat flour sifted through a twine sieve.
The delicious meal was fragrant, and everyone was holding glasses and drinking wine.
It would be a bit monotonous to just share meals. When everyone was shocked, Nolen led the sisters with a smile and held musical instruments.
The sound of flutes and drums came from the warm hall, and Nolen's eyes occasionally glanced at his two brothers. It was obvious that this girl was living a good life in Ross.
After another round of praise and courtesy, the tired people had this extremely luxurious meal, and their souls were purified by the music. Everyone relaxed and their fatigue seemed to disappear.
Otto and a group of other old Russians were already familiar with Yongni, and the other envoys must have followed this man's orders.
Otto still blessed and must be vigilant. Deluririk said bluntly, "Now that everyone is full, Biyoni, you brought an expeditionary army to our territory. I'm afraid you not only bring goodwill, but also the ability to fight." need."
Biyongni hurriedly raised his head and complimented: "You have the eyes of an eagle. Yes, I carry the request of the Balmok leader."
"Fight? Who?" Rurik also raised his chest and glanced at the corner of his mouth: "Let me guess, we must still attack Britain. After you tasted the sweetness, you invited us to fight together. I remember we did this last year agreement."
The sudden joyful expressions on Biyongni's and the envoys' faces said it all.
"Indeed." Biyongni simply stood up. "Russ is very powerful. Let's form a coalition and attack Northumbria. Didn't the king say that he would give us a territory, and we will get it this year."
"So you need more than that."
"Of course." Biyongni paced around, his blue eyes covered with bloodshot eyes, and a ball of fire ignited in his pupils. "I heard that their core is York, so we will go and play York."
In fact, Rurik felt it was a bit inappropriate. Did the Balmok people really become arrogant after winning a battle? Of course it is possible to attack York, but will such a reckless advance fail?
It is better to be as cautious as possible in matters such as war. After all, this is not about defending one's own territory, but actively invading others.
But the strong men of Rus, who are brave, warlike and even hungry for battle, need a new battle! Young men also need a victory as proof of their manhood.
Rurik glanced at his father and exchanged glances with Otto.
His father's attitude has been very clear. Rurik should be responsible for the government affairs of Ross. He coughed twice and said solemnly, "It's okay to attack Northumbria again. But our army may not send many troops, and the current Danish problem It’s also complicated.”
"Are you worried about the Danes? Those guys are terrible!" Biyongni showed his contempt again.
"Denmark needs to be taken seriously, but I encountered their leader when I returned last year. The strongest man in Denmark was killed by me!"
"Killed by you? Did you chop off that man's head with a sword?" Biyongni showed an incredible expression again.
"It was turned into fish and fodder by my big ship. Now Denmark is in chaos, so rather than expedition to Britain, I am more interested in grabbing profits in Denmark."
"This... brother. I still want to attack Britain."
Rurik raised his right hand, "Let's stop here for now. I will send troops, but this is a matter of war, and we should all be cautious. We, Rus, are going to discuss it, and you and your friends will be entertained. But Your followers..."
Rurik gave an arrangement that sounded good, "Russ is still under construction, and we need a lot of strong men. Your followers will cut wood and transport ore for me, and I will pay you in wheat and silver coins."
Back to Ross, brothers Biyongni and Floki once again took a very comfortable bath and got into the steam room to enjoy the sauna.
Biyongni did not immediately ask about the ship. There was no need to ask about it. The big ship was standing on the beach.
Biyongni rested for three days in a row. There were many newly built houses among them in Ross, and all their entourage had a warm place to live.
A new and reliable workforce has emerged!
Rurik generously gave them a sum of money, and even arranged for these guys to pull sleds and go to the mountains to work as miners.
This group of Balmok men had excellent physical strength, which allowed them to cross the mountains all the way to Ross. Another point is that Rurik needs this group of people to be stronger so that they can have a greater advantage in possible future wars.
Fight Northumbria again? Are you going to rush directly to York and promote that town this year?
Rurik was really naive in the past, but now he also has a desire for this kind of war.
Biyoni has been in Rossburg for nearly half a month, and the three hundred followers he brought have become complete miners. Just giving them money and wheat is not enough. These men have a very simple need, which is to add a better weapon to themselves.
A remarkable steel sword? completely fine. But the price was sixty silver coins, and Rurik refused to bargain.
Even so, these Balmok travelers had no complaints, even if the people who made the swords were a group of young blacksmiths. They just wanted to get a good sword that could cut ordinary iron bars after putting in a lot of effort.
Kamnier and his men are now a group of blacksmiths whose number has expanded to nearly thirty people. They may only look young, but they are already masters in the craft of blacksmithing.
The "Balmok Miners" learned the methods of the Russians, specifically the "thermal expansion and contraction method" that Rurik told Klavasen. They set fire and then melted the snow on the spot and poured ice water to disintegrate the veins. It was highly efficient and not Less mining.
Ore was poured into Roseburg's earthen blast furnace at an unprecedented rate, and even the supply of charcoal blocks became tight.
They really don't know that Rurik actually earns a lot, and that the Balmok travelers are willing to put in a lot of labor for a steel sword. They are actually a cheaper and more efficient labor force.
Kamnier and his guys fully adopted the steel-frying method. After making carbon steel ingots based on experience, they continued to forge them.
Compared with surface carburized swords, these steel swords have better performance and higher production efficiency.
It is also through this method that the number of Russian steel-arm crossbows has been greatly increased.
As far as the Principality of Ross is concerned, orthodox Ross warriors have completely replaced steel weapons, and now many people are eyeing iron armor...
Living with real Russian people, from the initial surprise and envy, they have become more and more accustomed to it.
The Biyonivolki brothers were happy to walk around the wooden walls of Roseburg, swim on the ice, chat with their sister, kneel down and even tease the gilded bronze statues of the gods in the open temple. Let’s take a look at Rurik’s first daughter Velika. In terms of general affection, Biyongni is also the uncle of this girl's half-grandfather and half-grandmother.
Rurik bought all the salt and whale oil he brought over. The former could be transported to Novgorod by the Russians as middlemen and make huge profits, while the latter was an excellent raw material for lubricating ship cables and soap.
Biyonyi is still waiting, hoping that Rurik will give an answer to the question of sending troops.
Just as the time was approaching March, the Russians finally completed their discussions.
A military meeting was held on the first floor of the palace.
This was a private meeting with only Rurik, Otto and Biyony present.
"Now we have discussed it, including the matter of sailing the big ship sold to you to Balmok." Rurik said solemnly.
Throughout the Principality of Rus, the architects of Rurik's military plans, and others had no intention of questioning fundamental issues and only made suggestions on minor issues.
Ross and Balmok are allies. Since there is going to be a war, of course everyone should rush forward together. But there is a question of priority here, and it is not only Ross who participates in the war. Rurik intends to bring the vassals Ostara and Kovin together.
The Russians must receive the highest military command, specifically Rurik as the commander-in-chief.
Ross would dispatch five hundred elite infantrymen, a "Warrior Standard Corps," equipped with the best weapons into battle.
Ross will also organize a shooting flag team composed of Covins, New Ostarans, and elite mercenaries, with a number of about 300 people.
The Russian army includes ship sailors and various types of warriors, with a total number of approximately one thousand people.
"This is my plan. I must serve as the commander-in-chief. As for how many troops the Balmoks will send, I hope you will send more people."
In fact, Biyongni was frightened when he heard the news about dispatching troops.
Biyongni covered his heart and asked, "Brother, these thousand people want to arrive in Balmok first? How do you do it? Is it possible to organize a huge fleet?"
"Exactly." Rurik also felt that his plan was risky, but once it succeeded, he would have proved that the Ross fleet indeed had strong expeditionary capabilities!
"But you...have a fleet of one thousand people. Are you relying on those big ships?"
"Brother Biyoni, your question is unnecessary." Rurik said with a firm expression, "You want to fight, okay! Since we have formed a coalition, we can't fight in a small way. I know that many Balmok people want to fight. To live on a piece of British land, in order to avoid future troubles, we must conquer Northumbria in one battle. Since we want to fight York, we cannot stick to looting. We will occupy York and make it a space for our brothers to move. "
Hearing this even crazier plan, Biyongni was overjoyed and asked again, "Are you... planning to send all the ships owned by Ross?"
"I will use eight large ships as vessels and at least ten armed cargo ships as attachments. You know, it is very easy for one of my large ships to carry a hundred people on a long voyage. You must also know the purpose of why I want to bring many cargo ships."
Biyongni laughed out loud, "I understand. Transport a batch of goods to my hometown. More ships will be loaded with loot in Britain."
"Exactly. I think you also know the time of the battle. We should suddenly appear when the enemy has just finished harvesting wheat. We don't care whether they live or die. We brothers have to eat the wheat in large quantities, and their farmland and pastures should become ours. of."
Biyongni was really happy, but he didn't know that the purpose behind the sullen expressions of the Rurik brothers in front of him was to annex Balmok as a directly ruling force.
Fighting side by side and the Russian army being the main force, it was Rurik who wanted to attract the attention of ordinary Balmoks through his military prowess.
People in the north worship heroes, and Rurik knows that he wants to provide them with the possibility of making a fortune and making meritorious deeds, so they spontaneously join him.
In other words, the concept of Balmok is meaningless. The 20,000 people who make up the Balmok force and the ice-free port are what Rurik desires.
By leading the Balmoks to another great victory, he could ask all the family leaders for recognition of his supreme power.
All plans have a premise, that is, the Ross expeditionary force can reach Northumbria and kill everyone. As for how many troops the Balmoks would send, Rurik even hoped that they would not take the initiative with too many people. Such glory would belong to Ross and himself.
Biyoni was extremely excited, and Ross fully agreed with the Balmok people's desire to fight. He finally shouted: "We will send at least two thousand troops. We will organize an army of three thousand people, and go to Shetland to recruit local fishermen. Our team The huge army simply destroys Northumbria. We will be the new leader of Northumbria."
Rurik was also very happy to hear this, and took advantage of Biyoni's excitement and shouted: "Okay! You will be Princip of Northumbria. You will lead the warriors to migrate and establish power in the warm territory. In this way, Naomi There are fewer people in Ervik..."
Rurik shrugged again deliberately, "Noren and I's son will have no choice but to inherit the power of his grandfather Magnute and continue to be Princip of the Narvik zone."
Rurik was really testing Biyongni's reaction. The young man actually laughed heartily and said that this proposal was great.
He spoke from the bottom of his heart!
Rurik followed the trend, stuck his head and said: "I know that your family does not have absolute power in Balmok, so you need military exploits to be recognized by everyone. We swear to the sun that our brothers will get extremely high Power. Brother Biyongni, maybe you can have the whole of Britain, and that will be your territory."
Rurik's words directly inspired Biyongni's strong ambition, "Is this... really possible?"
"sure!"
Smiling, Biyony turned his head and looked into Rurik's eyes, "But brother, you are nobler than me. Why don't you want to be the leader of Britain? In my opinion, if you want to, you can absolutely do it."
This question really caught people off guard.
Otto, who was listening, laughed loudly, and covered his son's head with his old big hands, "Byony, you still don't understand my son. We Russians have been chasing the sun since ancient times, and we have been running towards the eastern world."
Rurik immediately said, "Yes. There is a vast sea full of unknowns in the west, and an endless sea-like forest in the east. When we explore in different directions, we will become more prosperous."
Needless to say, Biyongni is now particularly looking forward to the launch of the big ship belonging to the Balmok people. He also expected the Russians to form a huge fleet so that they could see the majestic military power. When he also learned that the Russians would complete the "Eighty-Eight Fleet" plan next year, and they would be able to go out as the "Fourth Fleet" this year, there were some shocks and some surprises here. Unspeakable envy.
It's a pity that the Balmoq people cannot afford to build such a large ship, and they don't have the money to buy it now.
Perhaps the only solution is to loot in Britain, or even expedition to the Franks, and then buy the treasures from the Rus.
