The Balmoks had no doubts about the victory of their expedition. Now that the brave Biyonni had returned, messengers sent back by the heads of various families brought with them the gold and silver vessels plundered from Britain as tokens. As soon as they got off the ship, they Magnut’s call to announce a great victory and even be promoted to king.
The Balmok people all dream of a warm land. They were not born wild warriors, but were forced by the harsh living environment and had to rely on their barbaric bodies to survive. But the cost is very huge. A large number of babies die every year, forcing women to keep giving birth, and many women die from dystocia.
They couldn't compete with the people of Bergen, so they settled in the fjords further north. The chance to leave this ghost place finally came!
The entire fjord fell into joy. Britain was described by the returnees as a land filled with fragrance, claiming that the wild pastures could support sheep as big as cattle. In order to highlight the wealth of Britain, the describer's boasts became more and more bizarre. Not only did the people not doubt , but their minds have flown directly to Britain following the describer's mouth.
Geiger of Washobi also returned. As soon as this boy arrived at the farm, he immediately summoned all the people, men, women, old and young, to gather together. Even the women taken from Northumbria in last year's war.
In the world of the Vikings, these women are indeed not hungry. They have all given birth and started agricultural work similar to their life in their hometown. However, they still retain their faith, and they are surprised that their Viking "husbands" "I don't object.
Magdalene actually became the Valkyrie? A new god was born here at Washoeby Farm. It is said that these Northumbrian women always prayed for the blessing of Magdalene when giving birth, and thanked the Virgin afterwards. The overly simple Vikings took it for granted that this god was definitely not as noble as Freya. She must also be a Valkyrie who blessed women. Belief in her could ensure safe childbirth for women, so this belief became very necessary.
The women were ecstatic to learn that the entire farm was going to emigrate to Britain, not to Northumbria. The hatred of the Vikings in many women's hearts disappeared in an instant, and was replaced by longing for their homeland in Northumbria. Look at these Vikings again. They will no longer be strangers.
But they had no idea that the large-scale immigration that the Balmoks were about to launch was not to integrate into Northumbria, but to replace them there. They didn't even know that tens of thousands of people died in Britain in the war that just ended.
On only the third day after the ship returned, the Washobi packed up their belongings, took more than a hundred sheep and some reserved meat, and boarded twelve long ships to embark on a risk-all immigration voyage.
They were accompanied by more than a hundred boats. This wave of nearly 3,000 Balmok men, women, and children took advantage of the autumn sea breeze and rushed due south.
And this is just the beginning.
Rurik stayed in the territory of the Balmoks for five days. Since many people wanted to immigrate, she couldn't take a batch of soft goods with her, so she took advantage of the situation and purchased a batch of useful items at a low price.
Maybe their large-scale immigration operation was not a good thing for Ross. The departure of a group of capable laborers directly led to the shortage of people in Balmok's hometown? To make matters worse, the political core of Balmok has moved to York, and the people stranded there lack a commander!
Rurik saw this clearly, so it didn't matter, he started to make some arrangements.
Rurik could have retreated as soon as he arrived, but he spent a little more time to make a key call.
Not everyone wants to leave their homeland, they want to stay for various reasons. Rurik paid attention to such a group of people. He worried a group of men and announced an obvious fact to them.
"King York, your old leader Magnute has appointed Nolen, my wife is the Countess Balmok, and our children will inherit this title. People who are willing to stay, don't worry, we Russians I will always be your brother, and I will be your trustworthy supporter. You will continue to make salt, and we Russians will continue to provide you with wheat and other supplies. I promise you that this winter, I will come back with Nolen, a cross The trade routes in the mountains will be stabilized and we will exchange what we need."
In fact, they don't really need a lord. They generally admire Rurik, the young hero of Rus. They showed great enthusiasm, and many men who decided to stay in the local area announced that if the Duke of Ross mobilized for war, they would take up arms to help the Ross people fight. No! In other words, fighting for common interests.
They do not need to rule their own lords, but they need a hero and a strong backer to guarantee their own safety.
After large numbers of people leave the fjords, who can be sure that the Bergen people will not covet the north? Despite the alliance with Rus, a large number of people immigrated to Britain, and the remaining people may no longer be safe.
Unless the Ross people are really willing to run the decluttering business.
Rurik did not hide his desire to rule at all, and Biyongni not only did not question this, but also strongly supported him.
This is his half-brother, his sister's husband, and he swore an oath to Odin together.
Wouldn't it be very appropriate for Biyonni to own the territory of Britain, and for the descendants of Rurik and Noren to own their old lands?
The cool sea breeze sweeps over the low offshore mounds and flows into the fjord from the north.
Three thousand able-bodied men seized the opportunity to start a vigorous immigration operation, and served as navigators with brothers who had been to the Northumbria coast. No one is worried about this voyage, and they will put all their enthusiasm for the good things in their future life into action.
The fjords have also become colder, and the cold conditions will only intensify next year.
Another purpose of Biyongni's return home this time was to pick up his mother. The servants and belongings were also packed into the big ship and taken away.
On a calm night, a large number of oil lamps were lit in the longhouse for the last time.
The old lady Yingbjorg has a kind face. Now that her tribe has won the victory and her husband has become the king, her personal status has also improved.
She praised the war with all kinds of beautiful words, and also praised Rurik of Rus for being really her good son-in-law.
In this room, Biyongni was quite relieved to hear it, but what about the sudden depression.
"Ah, we have to leave this bitter cold place forever. Rurik, if you think there is still value in staying here, then consider it valuable." Biyongni sighed casually.
Rurik did not expect this person to sigh like this, so he deliberately asked: "It is a bitter cold place, don't you miss it?"
"What's there to miss? If we had the chance before, we would have left long ago."
"So decisive?"
"You and I are different." Biyongni turned his face sideways, his face full of determination: "You are also immigrating. Obviously, you can't forget your hometown. We have our own ways of living. You can take this fjord. . You are an excellent leader. If the people who stay here follow you, it will be a blessing for them. However, they are all weak and need your protection."
Weak? Shouldn't it? Some people just love home.
Rurik didn't argue at all, and he was secretly happy.
Yingbjorg cleared his throat: "Hey. The Britain you two are talking about is really warm enough."
"It is very warm and the land is most suitable for growing wheat." Biyongni emphasized.
"That's great." The old woman patted her clothes, and it was clear that she wanted to get on the boat and leave.
Biyongni added: "Three thousand people have left recently, and the Washebi has been abandoned. A group of people who are slow to prepare will also leave with my big ship. Next year, more people will also leave. Maybe there will be some left in the end. There are less than 4,000 people who came down. By the way, there is one thing I can guarantee."
"What is it?"
"About salt. I keep my promise as our brothers. In the bay of Britain, we will trade every year in the future, including wheat, salt, or other goods. I know what you are worried about about salt. , it was never a problem.”
To be honest, Rurik was really worried that this contract would collapse due to the situation. It would be completely unrealistic to obtain two thousand pounds of good salt a year if we only relied on the handful of artificial salt we decided to keep.
"That's great." Rurik nodded calmly, "Same, about those Tevastian women."
"Oh! If you didn't tell me, I would have forgotten! There are still five hundred women I want to bring back."
"Exactly. I intend to bring them back here this winter. Aren't there still a group of people who will immigrate next spring? Don't worry, your ship will just take them away."
Biyongni felt very comfortable and couldn't help but sigh: "You have to trek in the ice and snow, it will be a difficult snowy road."
"Don't worry about this. I plan to take Nolen with me during the winter trip. Brother, those powerful family leaders left with their families, and Nolen became the most noble person in this fjord. Maybe he will stay. The public will not fully support me, and I believe they will all support Nolen."
"So, is she ready to be a mother?" Biyongni breathed a sigh of relief with hope: "I think she's still a few years away."
"That's true."
"You two should hurry up." Yingbjorg urged with a smile: "No one will really support a woman as a leader unless she gives birth to a son who can inherit the career. Just like people worship the Valkyrie, It’s because the Valkyrie is Odin’s attendant. Rurik, you have to take the initiative in this matter.”
"Me? Okay then..." What else could Rurik say, he could only be conciliatory. Just like Nolen, if you want to be a mother, you should wait for three years...
But the time for Mary, the princess of Mercia whom he kidnapped, was basically ripe for her.
Because of that skillful princess, Rurik, as a boy, felt for the first time that his masculinity was in crisis, and he wished he could dig more oysters from Oland Island.
This night was Biyongni's last night in his own home. Until tomorrow, there will be a new wave of immigrants.
By then all the Balmok priests will leave, and after tomorrow, the most elite group of people in the entire fjord will land in Britain in more than ten days.
This is the mobility and powerful action of the Vikings, which drives them to do things so quickly. Firstly, they are like this. Secondly, if they don't leave tomorrow, they will have to wait until next year. Who wouldn’t want to spend the winter somewhere warm if they could? In terms of climate alone, the environment of Narvik Port, which is adjacent to the Arctic Circle and does not see the sun for a whole month in winter, is too harsh.
Since they want to withdraw, why don't you follow suit?
Rurik thought that his propaganda against the group of people who were determined to stay was over, and he could no longer control how the people discussed it.
Time is here, and he really can't waste it any longer.
The more he thought about this matter, the more worried he became. It was already late September, and the climate this year was still colder than in previous years. If he delayed it for a little longer, when the Aurora finally drifted to Gotland To the north of the island, you will face a continuous sheet of ice.
Even if they set off tomorrow, Rurik is prepared for the worst-case scenario - the Avora will have to dock at Tombstone Island, a crossroads on the sea.
This night, Rurik slept in the leader's longhouse. It was obvious that the ownership of this longhouse would be his in the future.
Since the previous "family conversation" mentioned that Nolen ruled the Balmok people's hometown as a noble, Rurik thought of the poor princess Mary.
This Latin-speaking noblewoman is two to three years older than Rurik, or she herself is slightly vague about her personal birthday. It doesn't matter, Rurik still has an advantage in terms of height, but in other aspects...
Princess Mary dressed deliberately plainly for the sake of keeping a low profile. It was this simplicity that made her look like a slave.
She was pulled into the inner bedroom of the long house, and was immediately pressed onto the soft leather mat by Rurik. She kept yelling that it was too sudden and she was not ready, so...
Rurik spoke while breathing heavily, and his words were quite serious: "You... have a lot of ideas. I knew from the beginning that you wanted to become a mother early, and then take revenge on your father's kingdom with your children. You are really... ...A despicable woman actually killed her own father, even though the man was a defeated villain. I want to teach you a lesson!"
Is this a lesson? Princess Mary's mind was getting more and more confused. She was actually very comfortable, and her mouth was missing a door.
"What kind of princess? I am a lowly woman... I am the product of an affair, so Wiglaf hates me. But if the scandal spreads, Mercia will be disgraced..."
She intended to continue complaining, but Rurik stopped immediately.
It wasn't until then that she realized her stupidity and suddenly became stiff. Rurik even felt the woman's strong fear.
"You? Not the real princess?"
"Ah I……"
"Tell me!" Rurik put his face close to him, and put one hand around his neck and slowly pinched him: "Does anyone else know about this?"
"No...no. Spare my life! Spare me..."
"Does Aynred of Northumbria know? Do other nobles know?"
"They don't know. Wiglaf told me about this before he died. So...I killed him. It turns out that everything I...happened to is the reason, wuwuwu..."
She cried so hard that Rurik shook the tears off his hands.
A strong ox continues to plow the field in vain.
Maybe it's true, maybe it's false. But it has to be fake!
Rurik's intensity became stronger, and he continued to shout in Latin: "It's all Wiglaf's conspiracy. He is forcing you to kill him, and then makes you feel guilty. You are the princess of Mercia, and you will give birth next year." The true king of Mercia. When you return to Ross, you will obey my orders and do not do anything stupid. Otherwise, I will really believe your description."
Princess Mary did not dare to have any disobedience, and she hurriedly said that she would obey her words. But just because of that stupid confession, a stone fell from my heart.
Yes, she herself was not sure whether Wiglaf's words were true or false. The only thing that was credible was that she was lucky not to become a slave now, so what else could she hope for.
Princess Mary, who was suffering from seasickness, had just rested for a few days, and was taught by Rurik that her legs were sore from walking. This can be regarded as a threat to a subjugated noble, making her understand that the days when she can still eat enough food are actually charity from the conqueror.
Rurik didn't say anything, but the way he looked at Mary after she exposed herself did become a little strange. Once he had been sympathetic, but now Mary was indeed just an excellent tool to use. In other words, he is almost a servant who comes to do whatever he wants.
On a new day, a new immigration operation begins again.
The priests of Balmok performed a ceremony on the shore, sacrificed a batch of catch to the sea god, and boarded the sailing ship Balmok with joy.
Rurik did not need to delay, and quickly boarded the Avrora with his entourage. When he saw the immigration group rowing the long boats starting to move, he also ordered the sails to be raised in the strong north wind.
As someone shouted "weigh anchor", the final arduous voyage began.
