Leader Magnut never dreamed that not only did the Russians come, they also came with a fleet of unprecedented size.
They don't just have one big ship, but as many as twenty!
The towering masts and triangular sails made each ship look huge. In fact, every ship was much larger than the fishing boats cruising on the sea, so the proud dragon-headed warships became sampans.
Deep in Narvik Port, the core settlement of the Balmok people, tens of thousands of people gathered on the shore. Men and women talked and laughed while pointing at the approaching Ross fleet, which was guarded by numerous fishing boats. They believed that one of the large ships would become the property of the entire Balmok this year.
The Ross fleet selected a near-shore anchorage, but the Balmoks' trestle was not very good. The best pier could only accommodate two large ships.
Without it, the Avora and Balmok approached the dock directly, and the other ships immediately anchored at the selected moorings...
Rurik and others stepped off the ship on the wooden plank. At this moment, the Magnut family and most of the Balmok families warmly welcomed the guests from afar.
Magnut opened his arms. He was an old father, and he came to welcome his three sons and the three hundred warriors who had returned from a long journey.
In the eyes of the Magnute family, Rurik became their son when he married their daughter.
There seems to be little difference between the concepts of son-in-law and son, and they have no taboos.
Magnut kissed Rurik's forehead, and then Imbjorg kissed him as if he were holding his own son.
Their real sons also returned, Biyongni and Floki, and they stood before their parents.
"Look at you, you're a man now." Magnut slapped his eldest son on the shoulder hard. "The beard is like mine. It's time to find you another woman."
"Woman? Yes. However, now I long for a great expedition."
"Ah? You guys just came back and talked about war?"
After listening carefully, Rurik wiped his face and said, "Father, this time I came with the strongest fleet of Ross. How could it be that I am just here for trade?"
"You..." Magnute was shocked, but this old guy was not opposed to war, and the noble people standing around all believed that waging war was a shortcut to becoming rich and powerful.
"Who...are you going to hit again?"
"It was still the target of our attack last year." Biyongni patted his chest and said: "Our time of dormant in the fjords should be over! We should expedition to Britain to force the king to fulfill his contract and occupy their land to grow our wheat and graze our sheep."
As soon as he finished speaking, several noble family leaders came over, their eyes blazing with fierce flames.
Magnute looked at the brothers on his left and right and sighed slightly, "You guys just came back and talked about the war. Is it really that urgent?"
"Very urgent." Rurik said coldly.
"Okay then." Magnut forced a smile again, "At least you have to have a good meal first. You have brought so many soldiers here, at least let me treat you as a treat for food."
"That's not necessary." Rurik waved his hand in greeting casually, "Let the fishermen sell their catch. Everyone in the army I brought has copper coins and silver coins in their bags. Soon, I will also set up a market for selling. Let’s start trading now.”
The uniformly dressed Russian soldiers who were landing one after another were really eye-catching. Their helmets were all reflective under the sun. They were all wearing white shirts and had swords hanging from their waists.
These people are not just the Ross army, but capable mercenaries under Rurik, fifty of them are the same race of the locals. They worked hard for the Duke of Ross. When the elders back home saw this, they saw that these young people had made a fortune.
Yes, these fifty people are deliberately showing off their small linen bags, and there is a crisp clanking sound of metal inside. Could it be that they are all silver coins? At least the swords on their waists are bright white and flexible, and they are really expensive magic weapons.
Not only this group of old mercenaries, but also the nearly three hundred Balmok warriors led by Biyongni who returned have also changed their outfits. Not to mention that the guys at hand have been upgraded, and their temperament is far superior to that of their peers.
There was murderous intent in those eyes. After landing, they naturally returned to their homes first and introduced their Eastern war history to their elders and brothers.
They bluntly stated that they had formed an alliance with the Russians, and a decisive battle broke out with 10,000 local terrifying and brave warriors almost at the end of the eastern world.
Some brothers died honorably, and victory ultimately belonged to the coalition. They did not hesitate to praise Rurik of Rus and the beloved son-in-law of the leader Magnute. He was really a natural master of controlling the army.
They added so much detail to their descriptions that the story of the war against the Tavastians became more and more bizarre. This also explains the origin of the one hundred short black-haired warriors who came off the ship. It turns out that these people are the newly conquered Others and now exist as a servant army.
The news of launching a new war first spread from the dock, and then the group of Balmok travelers returned to their hometown after an absence of more than half a year, and truly told the villagers that an expedition against Britain in the autumn was like an arrow that had been set on On the bow.
The goods that will be sold to a Balmok man are being moved one after another. They are a batch of iron tools, and the price is at least cheaper than the Bergen Market in the south.
For example, a hammer made from direct pig iron has a hammer head that weighs four pounds and sells for only one silver coin.
Why such an astonishingly low price? In fact, Rurik is still willing to sell his allies a favor. It doesn't matter if he loses a little in this regard. The Balmok people must have prepared a lot of good salt and are waiting for the transaction! The latter is extremely valuable in the eyes of the Russian people. The materials were already being advertised when they were being prepared for sale. It was said that all Ross goods were being sold at low prices for the sake of friendship.
Winning over the most ordinary Balmok and establishing an image of a good guy in the local area is Rurik's conspiracy for the future.
At night, the news of the arrival of the Ross fleet and a powerful expeditionary force further shocked the entire harbor. Although the big shots had not issued orders for the expedition to Britain, in fact, the young people in Balmok felt that there was nothing to worry about, and the war was bound to happen. On the eve of the expedition, everyone should prepare weapons and dry food early, and even check their ships.
The night is very short, but even so, there are still tinkling sounds coming from every house.
The blacksmiths in Balmok hurriedly repaired and made new spearheads and axeheads, and many women and children were also making arrow shafts and wooden sticks to hold the spearheads.
Still in the evening, an urgent and extremely important military meeting was held urgently in Balmok's chamber.
Of course, Magnute wanted to welcome his son-in-law back, and then asked him about his experience in Ross with his two sons, and how his lovely little daughter Nolen was living in Ross.
At least he knew that his daughter's life was good. She had meat and wheat every day, and the tableware she used was made of crystal clear glass.
But he is an alliance leader and the commander-in-chief of the entire Balmok. His marriage to the Duke of Ross is tantamount to further strengthening his family's power. Now the big ship belonging to Balmok has returned. Although the big ship is jointly owned, it is obvious that he, Magnut, now enjoys the unshakable right to use the big ship.
In the public meeting room, all the prominent figures in Balmok came in the evening.
Rurik easily recognized many familiar faces, simply because they had all organized manpower and personally led troops on an expedition to Britain.
The whole bodies of these family leaders were trembling unconsciously, and their faces showed extremely strong pleasure. They are already discussing how much success the brothers will achieve in the so-called new war.
A combination of oil lamps on the wall makes the room warm and bright.
Magnute thought that since Rurik himself landed, there would be no greetings but straight to the point and he would go straight to the target, and he had no intention of saying anything else.
He spoke bluntly: "Rurik, my son. You are determined to attack Britain, and my two sons are also very supportive. After an afternoon, now the whole of Balmok has been inspired by you. Look around you, these All brave men hope for war."
Rurik looked around, then stood up from the leather cushion. He punched his chest with his right fist to build up his momentum.
He said sternly: "This war is our destiny. Odin gave us the opportunity to go on an expedition, and Odin also encouraged us to go on an expedition. It's not just me who plans to attack Britain, but you too!"
As he spoke, Rurik pointed directly at Osten of Vashobi and his son Geiger who were present: "You hope to occupy the warm land in the south and open up new farms. Now the opportunity has come."
A strong young man stood up angrily. Geiger rolled up the sleeves of his leather jacket, flexing his muscles and posing for a fight, "I have long wanted this. In my opinion, this year I can take a group of people to spend the winter in the new British territory. . I remember we made an appointment with that king last year, and a territory was supposed to be in our hands."
"Yes." Rurik followed the words and deliberately narrowed his eyes to make up a story, "But I learned some bad news. The king regretted it. They were expanding their army and preparing for war. They didn't want to give us tribute or cede. land."
"What?! That won't work!" Geiger suddenly became furious and stamped his feet in anger.
The atmosphere in the entire chamber was like a bursting powder keg. No one questioned where Rurik got the news. However, if the Britons decided to resist, everyone would understand the motives of that group of people.
Magnute opened his hands and struggled to suppress the anger of his brothers.
After the council was quiet for a while, he said: "The land in the fjord is limited, and we really have to go out. Since the British are unwilling to fulfill their agreement last year, they must be punished. I have decided to launch a war, and we must seize their territory. , as the new Balmok, what do you think?"
Hearing this, everyone raised their fists and let out Viking war cries. The violent sound could knock down the entire rafters.
Since everyone agreed and hoped for an expedition that would determine the future, the arrangement of war goals and details naturally fell on Rurik's shoulders.
Let a teenager handle this? No one felt inappropriate. After all, the Russian army has a thousand people. Their navy is invincible and they are a powerful force anywhere.
So, how many troops should the Balmoks send? When will the coalition troops set off? How many ships and logistics should be organized? Where is the first battle and main target of the attack?
Rurik already had a plan for many problems, but due to the current situation, he also knew that he could not make too detailed a plan.
The army needs a very clear goal, at least a main direction of attack, so that all forces can be twisted into a hemp rope.
Attack York!
This is the ultimate strategic goal given by Rurik.
He walked in circles in the chamber, accepting the attention of everyone, and explained as he walked: "I married your woman, and now I am also a Balmok. From the standpoint of Balmok, we want to conquer the whole of Nokia." Sembria, but not yet.
Our army has a guide, and we should go up a river and go straight to their capital.
We attacked their richest cities, plundered their treasures, and then ordered their kings to cede northern lands, such as Edinburgh and Bamburgh, to us.
We want to keep a weak Northumbria, just like we keep a sheep, and get a sheep every year.
We also don’t need to take a countermeasure, which is to be mentally prepared for another decisive battle with them. Northumbria had a large population, and they might be able to recruit ten thousand people. Even if it was a large group of ragged farmers, ten thousand people would be a dangerous existence.
We must prepare for war. "
The heads of each family looked at each other and agreed deeply with Rurik's statement.
Some people stood up and said, "That kingdom does have some means. They make good use of cavalry. In last year's war, many of our brothers were smashed through the shield wall by cavalry, and many people died. This time, we must take some precautions."
When it comes to such details, the Balmoks first think of the restraint method of spearmen forming a formation. Prepare a batch of spears, what's the difficulty?
Rurik did have a way to restrain the opponent's cavalry, which was to form a formation of infantry to hold the line, and then order various long-range units to shoot all approaching cavalry.
He determined that Northumbria simply did not have the financial resources to train, train and maintain an armored cavalry. This is probably not even possible. They don't have the ability to make plate armor, nor do they have the ability to make pierced armor. The best they can do is chain mail. Is it just that chain mail is meaningful under the attack of the Russian army's steel-arm crossbow armor-piercing crossbows and even the cast iron conical bullets of the torsion slingshot?
No one thinks that this expedition is risky. Victory is inevitable. It just depends on how much it costs and how long it takes.
In order to achieve a quick victory, how many troops should Balmok send to secure victory? Rurik gave Magnut a hint in his eyes, urging the man with the highest say in Balmok to be as generous as possible for the sake of glory.
The heads of each family are eager to give it a try, thinking about the huge benefits they can reap if they fight here. Will their current power encounter competition? Magnute waved his hand, "We, Balmok, will send 3,000 troops for this expedition! I will also personally lead the expedition with my brothers. I! I am the commander-in-chief of the Balmok army!"
How could Magnute be so ambitious at such a young age? Rurik was surprised, and then he was relieved after thinking about it.
Rurik then complimented: "Father, we Russians also support you to be the commander of Balmok. You are the leader of the alliance, and this honor belongs to you. In the future, the glory of establishing the new Balmok will also be yours."
After being told this, Magnute said happily: "My son, thank you for your praise. When we have a new territory, you are also welcome to visit us. However, I want to know now, what do you personally desire in Britain?" What? Don’t you yearn for land?”
Rurik was a little surprised and blamed himself for looking down on the old leader.
This time Biyongni spoke directly: "Dad, of course the Rurik brothers long for land. The Russians long for the east, and we Balmok should own the west."
"That's true." Rurik said along the way, "What I long for most is the wheat from the West. One day you will occupy Britain, an island rich in wheat, and you are masters at making salt and raising sheep. We Russians They are good at building ships, raising deer, and smelting iron. We need each other, and our two tribes are brothers. So when you have a good harvest in the future, you must sell it to me."
The old guys present loved hearing this flattery.
All fools know that the Russians have a strong military, and seeing that their young and promising Duke is so respectful to everyone, it's not that Balmok is far superior to the Russians, but that this kid Rurik really pays attention to friendship, but also treats them with respect. Mutual business practices are now clear.
After all, brothers also settle accounts openly. One of the major problems that plagues the Balmok people's trade is that the products are too single. Industries such as sheep and horse raising are hampered by the tightness of Narvik Bay and the rugged mountain roads. Even the large oak trees for shipbuilding here are not available. The only salt that is in short supply now has only one big buyer: Ross.
Smart people see through it without telling it. Many village leaders have understood that Ross's support for Balmok's prosperity is for better trade in the future.
Rurik's current words must be true. In the distant future, the two races will avoid competition because of mutual economic complementarity.
Then let’s work together!
Magnut almost shouted, "It's decided! I'm going to mobilize my family! My dependents and relatives! We're going to organize at least 3,000 of the best warriors with the best weapons! Sit here while my son stays Our big ship and at least 200 longships brought by Rick are on an expedition to Britain! Let the women and children get ready, our great migration is about to begin!"
Finally, the meeting ended in an atmosphere as warm as a boiling soup, and the bargaining session that started the next day immediately caused the entire Narvik Port to boil, and the scramble to buy the in-demand commodities shipped by the Russians began.
