When thoughtful people such as old Klavasen and his blacksmiths discussed the crazy events that were happening in their old meeting room, they all said bluntly that Rurik was going to Balmok not just to recruit local people. But to organize an army far beyond the expedition to Gotland. Because those slogans were by no means just slogans, Rurik had made his ambitions very clear.
Some people also mentioned that at a certain meeting the year before last, if it hadn't been for last year's unexpected incident, the Principality of Ross would have stopped fighting to recuperate for the entire year.
The purpose of planning the truce was to conduct an expedition this year.
Now, the blacksmiths are willing to believe that an expedition against the Danes is about to begin, and they also believe that the army will take a fleet to attack Britain, which is rich in wheat.
In short, there are many possibilities, and everyone can't come up with a clear result after discussing it for a long time.
But the oppressive feeling of war acted on them, the blacksmiths who were on the front line of weapons manufacturing. In the beginning of 834 AD, the entire principality was trying its best to manufacture weapons. If a person holding a sword and a spear is regarded as a warrior, the Principality of Rus can arm 10,000 people in one year!
Several old blacksmiths and elders of the traditional Russian blacksmithing family completely underestimated Rurik's requirements for fierce warriors.
Because the new generation of Rus warriors are still a group of babies who are good at crying, such thriving teenagers and strong men in their prime, their large number of battle losses still frightened Rurik. The Principality of Rus must adapt to the current era and adopt a strategy of elite troops, and must arm the First and Second Flags of the Warriors and the Malaren Flag into heavy infantry in every sense.
In order to facilitate internal coordination, the Malaren Flag should be renamed the Warriors' Third Flag. When a new Jianyong is recruited from Balmok, it can become the Warriors' Fourth Flag.
They are soldiers as soldiers, and in peacetime they are fishermen, herdsmen, planters, loggers, miners, etc. They are militiamen whose militia strength far exceeds that of the general sense. Basically, the Principality of Ross implements a nearly comprehensive all-army strategy based on the old tradition.
As for the real standing soldiers, of course there are also mercenary troops around Rurik that have expanded to nearly 300 people.
Perhaps it is more appropriate to call this group of people the Guards.
In the real Rome, the Guards were always good at betrayal due to greed, but the Guards were extremely important to the emperor.
Many of them were already married, and as their patron and monarch, Rurik naturally treated (monitored) their families well. In particular, the focus is on Jevlo's wife, Hermi from Suomi, to serve as a benchmark for other mercenaries.
The days are getting longer and longer, and since Rossburg has been working hard to produce weapons and tools-related artifacts, there are a lot of rumors about Ross's new expedition.
People were waiting for Rurik to give a realistic statement, but after waiting for almost a month, nothing happened?
It was not until early February, not far from the crisis of melting ice and snow, that Rurik finally issued a major order-a meeting.
Because Ross Duma, a building that looks like a huge traditional Viking longhouse, is about to be completed. Although it is still quite simple inside, it is suitable as a public meeting hall.
So, in the newly completed huge parliament court, Rurik will really announce an expedition plan?
That must be true, otherwise the whole of Russia wouldn't have the trouble to desperately manufacture steel weapons and warships.
It was a sunny morning, and the construction of Rus Duma with its stone foundation was finally completed.
There is a small empty space at the entrance of this traditional longhouse, where thousands of people gathered to participate in the inauguration ceremony of Rosduma.
After all, it is a large public building and is even more sacred. The gilded statue of Odin in the temple was moved out, and Rumia organized a ceremony wearing an antlered helmet.
A bucket of deer's blood was deliberately spilled on the ground in front of the Rus Douma to give the building a divine character.
Rurik was standing in the crowd, and he was the first to enter the building.
He climbed the wooden steps, pushed open the closed wooden door, and subconsciously raised his head to stare at the hanging plaque.
A piece of carbonized oak board is nailed with thin bronze sheets, which together form the word RUSDUMA.
The wooden door was wide open, and the thick smell of pine resin hit our nostrils.
Rurik subconsciously covered his mouth. He wanted to complain, but he still endured the discomfort and walked in.
For many people, the smell of rosin is actually a kind of fragrance, and those who are good at cutting wood are not taboo at all.
Just like Old Otto and a group of old elites from Russia, they dressed in colorful costumes and entered this new sanctuary blessed by the gods.
Odin represents justice and majesty, and the longhouse of Rosduma will implement this justice and majesty.
"It's a bit empty inside." Old Otto said as he looked left and right, and then complained that the rosin gas was still too strong.
Rurik raised his head and pointed casually: "Do those bronze lamp holders have anointing oil in them?"
Then some followers came with fire, and soon the walls were brightly lit.
After a moment, someone untied the iron chain of the chandelier, and the lamp with sixty-four lamp holders arranged in a radial pattern was lowered, bringing ultimate light to the entire longhouse.
However, in Rurik's view, a 40-watt energy-saving lamp is more reliable than these hot things, and based on this era, there is no need to pursue more.
Otto clapped his hands and applauded: "I saw three chandeliers here! The blacksmith and carpenter's work is so good! Why didn't I think of doing this before?"
Old Clavarson and his old friends were also here, and everyone was very happy to be praised by the old Duke.
Rurik pinched his waist: "Isn't it because we were poor before? This huge meeting room needs to be further renovated. I funded the construction of it. It is the property of the Duke's family."
Everyone deeply agrees with this.
He also publicly said: "However, we have to discuss Rose's future here. That's fine! I think today is the right time! You have long realized that we, Rose, will choose a new target and chop the ax on it. "
People who had been whispering for a long time immediately started talking loudly, and some people simply couldn't hold back their interest and shouted: "Your Majesty, just give the order! Do you want to beat the Danes? My big ax is waiting to drink blood!"
Someone spoke so eloquently that hundreds of people present felt extremely excited. They all opened their coats and showed off their huge muscles, eager to fight.
Old Otto was also immersed in pleasure. He opened his arms to signal everyone to be quiet.
After all, he has been an old leader for more than ten years, and Otto still has a strong voice.
The crowd fell silent, and Otto asked again: "Stop dawdling. Tell me, who should we fight? Is it really Denmark?"
Denmark? No! It is inappropriate to intervene in Denmark now, or there may be no real benefits to be gained by really attacking Denmark's Rus.
He has already understood the public opinion, and the brothers are all talking about attacking Danish forces. But my plan is not to beat them up.
Rurik turned around, called out the names of some senior old guys one by one, and then called the flag captains of the Calvary flag team to Rosduma.
There is even a woman, Jevlo's pregnant wife Hermi.
Why would an ordinary woman come to the Russian meeting place? Wait a minute, is the Duke still interested in the East?
What other enemies could there be in the East? Aren’t all the guys there surrendered?
By the afternoon, more than forty people had gathered in Rosdumari. There were strong men sitting everywhere emitting strong body odor. Fortunately, the smell of pine resin was stronger and the discomfort was washed away.
Hermi sat tremblingly next to her husband Jevlo. She never thought that she, a woman who was regarded as an ordinary person, was qualified to participate here.
Or are women also qualified to participate in men's councils?
She seems to be a small character, and everyone's eyes are still fixed on the current Duke Rurik, who is still trying to hide his secrets.
"Just say it, son! Do you want your father to continue waiting?" Otto had the highest status and expressed his dissatisfaction on behalf of the old guys.
Rurik looked around again, no longer interested in talking nonsense, and said bluntly: "Who to attack? Karelia!"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone who was about to cheer for joy fell silent.
Karelia, what is that?
People had different opinions until Otto suddenly realized: "You said Karelia. Rurik, those guys really exist? Do those guys really need to be targeted? We have been going to Novgorod every year for decades, and I don’t know that there are really Karelians north of that big lake. Even though you keep saying they exist, they are still a threat.”
Rurik was also surprised by his father's reaction: "Dad! Not only do the Karelians exist, they also make other Finns fearful."
"Finns? Even the Suomi and Tavastians, haven't they all surrendered to us?"
"That's right. But Karelia is very strong, and I believe what Chief Suomi said is true, so I invited Hermi here. She is the only daughter of Chief Suomi, and he must know a lot."
"Well, let the woman speak. Hopefully she has learned Norse."
Therefore, poor Hermi was pushed out and faced with a group of tough Varyags. She felt that she was the rabbit among the wolves, pitiful and helpless.
Yes, even her husband Yevlo is urging her to explain what Karelia is.
"Hermi," she finally stammered...
Although she was born in a lake in southern Finland, almost all her understanding of her western neighbors, the Karelians, comes from her own people.
Hermi's Norse language was still stiff, so she subconsciously added some important vocabulary context.
She described the Karelian people as rebellious and tenacious in fighting, and even claimed that they had a large population, but these were the only words she kept repeating.
"Is that all there is to it?" Old Otto blew his beard and stared.
Hermione huddled up in fear, her mouth couldn't help but tremble, but she couldn't say anything.
"Dad, you scared her." Rurik tilted his head for a moment, then turned his head: "Hermi, can you provide more details?"
Hermione raised her head after a while. She seemed to want to say something, but in the end she didn't speak. Her disheveled black hair covered her face again.
This is not because she wants to hide something, but how can a well-protected daughter of the Suomi leader know the details about the Karelia people?
Seeing that he couldn't get much information out of the question, Rurik whispered softly and had no intention of making any more inquiries.
He raised his head and looked at everyone: "Although the information is very limited, we can at least confirm two facts. There are many Karelia people, and we need to dispatch a lot of people to defeat them."
But this was almost knowingly asked. The sons of some old guys participated in the war of conquest of the Eastern Land last year. The news they first learned about the Karelia people was nothing more than the "many people and strong strength" from the Suomi people. Discussion.
Whether it was the Tavastians or the Suomis, the Ross army quickly defeated them.
Following this line of thought, someone stood up and expressed his point of view: "Rurik, do you pay too much attention to the Karelia people? If they are strong enough, they should defeat others around them. However, our fishing boats have never fought with them The canoes encountered us directly, but they all ran away when they saw our ships. If they were strong enough, they would defeat the other Finns, and the fact is that we are the conquerors of Finland."
Rurik motioned for the old man to sit down. To be fair, he certainly felt that this view was reasonable.
However, as a commander-in-chief, Rurik intends to develop steadily, especially anything related to war.
The atmosphere in the longhouse has become very obvious. The unruly men regard the new enemy Karelian as an ant, an enemy that can be easily defeated.
I'm afraid their attitude is completely correct, but Rurik still doesn't want to take risks, even if this caution may be a bit too much.
"I know," he said, "you think I am too cautious! Yes, I am cautious! We just want to deal with the Karelia people as Danes, we must conquer them. Only by conquering them can New Roseburg gain Complete security. Only by conquering them can we Russian immigrants have a stable living space."
Arik pursed his lips with murderous intent, and shouted, "Brother, you are too cautious. Why don't you leave the work to me. I will row over with five hundred brothers, and the enemy you are worried about will soon be destroyed." "
Rurik was annoyed by his cousin's preemptive remarks. He opened his eyes angrily and shouted in a rare way: "I am the Duke! Captain of the First Flag, you must accept my arrangement! If you continue to attack without authorization like in the past, you will You are ashamed to be my brother!"
Arik was stunned by such a roar. Not only him, but everyone including Otto was also shocked.
Otto subconsciously stroked his beard again, and his mind couldn't help but think of the time many years ago when this brat held his own sword and deliberately protected Rumia.
"He's brave enough, he's my son." Otto felt extremely happy.
Arik's words were indeed meaningless. Even though it was a meeting hall, everyone present did not dare to say that they were as wise as Rurik, so they all shut up and listened.
An atmosphere came to his mind, and Rurik simply opened the skylight and spoke openly, explaining his terrifying strategy.
He stood up and drew out his dagger, then stabbed it deeply into the wooden floor in front of him, then suddenly sat down cross-legged.
"War! It is not a fight between warriors! War determines the life and death of everyone on both sides. This is a life-and-death war. If Karelia does not die, it will be like a spearhead at our throats all the time! You can say they are weak , but they have the possibility of launching a sneak attack to cause us heavy bleeding.
Either there is no war, or there is a war of annihilation. This time, I took at least a thousand warriors to the east. Not only this army, but also the armies of Suomi's allies. I'm also organizing a new army from Novgorod! We must destroy Karelia in one fight. I have no enmity with them, but they are just north of New Roseburg. They must either surrender and offer tribute and women, or they all die! "
A little bear showed its fangs, and people couldn't help but be afraid of Rurik's aura.
It is said to be a council, and the final decision-maker is Rurik himself.
It was another war of annihilation. Although it was definitely not as exciting as the attack on Jutland in Denmark, it was still a war that attracted everyone's attention.
Someone cried: "Then let's fight! Friends, after all, Karelia threatens our territory, and there is no harm in annihilating them."
"Okay, I support the war too. It would be great if we could seize a lot of leather from them."
"Since they claim to be strong, let our warriors take a look. I bet that our warriors are really brave."
…
Everyone's attitude has been very obvious. Since Duke Rurik is determined to send a large army to conquer, even if this battle requires a sword to kill the enemy and chop off the rat's tail, the brothers can just obey the order.
Otto raised the last question at the right time: "Rurik, when do you plan to take action? You are going to Balmok, aren't you?"
"Exactly. Dad, I plan to launch operations in early May."
"Oh? Isn't it the same time as our spring voyage to Sorgon? No, you still have to come back from Balmok. You are more pressed for time."
"It won't be a problem." Rurik said firmly: "Just in time, you recruit the army in Novgorod first, and I will arrive with the army casually. We will assemble at Novorosberg, and then attack the north shore of the great lake, and find Kare Attack the Leian settlements immediately!”
"That's it!"
