According to previous experience, in winter, you can walk on the frozen Volkhov River to Novorosberg on the Neva River, which can take up to a week of continuous travel.
Perhaps horses are not suitable for advancing on the cold winter glaciers, just like Batu Khan gave up his plan to attack the Novgorod Republic due to the cold weather. But whether it was Batu or Subotai, an important means of attacking Eastern Europe was to advance quickly along the frozen rivers. They even deliberately chose the glacier because it was the smoothest passage for horses in the forest area.
Although the times were different, was the march that Rurik decided to carry out fundamentally different from that of Batu and Subotai?
It was wise for the latter to give up. They had to fight from the forest-steppe junction in the south to Novgorod in winter. Unless a total force of 20,000 cavalry could plunder a large amount of food along the way, the large army of war horses would inevitably be massacred. Death suddenly!
The pressure Rurik faces is much less. Although he is now in the city of Novgorod on the shores of Lake Ilmen, and the surrounding environment is so snowy that the grass under the snow that can be eaten by reindeer can be ignored. He has control over it. There are a lot of wheat resources, which can be directly fed to reindeer and horses with high-energy oats, not to mention the small number of large animals to serve.
Rurik's principality cavalry and Pecheneg cavalry all assembled, plus Rurik, Kagan, Arik and other nobles, there were just over 130 horsemen.
Generally speaking, even if the frozen lakes and rivers provide convenient routes for mail delivery, the extremely cold weather forces ordinary people to be reluctant to run around. Even those crazy people who hunt in winter, they sweep away small animals in their own designated hunting areas, and they will not be on the traffic road in vain.
The Maharaja will be traveling to New Roseburg for Hanukkah worship!
This news was released early.
The ordinary people of Novgorod naturally hope that the prince himself can spend the festive season in Novgorod. It is obvious that the prince's heart is in the real royal city.
It was rare that the prince organized a mail team, and a small group of local Slavic merchants also planned to take advantage of this opportunity to transport the purchased linen and honey to New Roseburg in the hope of selling it at a high price.
The people of Ostara also organized a small caravan of reindeer under Carlotta's instruction, just to make a profit from selling a batch of the latest hard cheese and blocks of butter.
Even the boyars of those traditional farms, when they discovered the business opportunities, they spontaneously organized micro missions after receiving the news, transporting a batch of honey to earn excellent iron tools for production and life.
They didn't have to go in a group with great fanfare. In fact, the journey was full of challenges, and only hundreds of people traveling together could eliminate risks.
Many people are pouring into the city of Novgorod, and the noise is getting louder and louder.
Before setting off, Rurik personally chatted with the gathered Ragnar troops, and also noticed the local businessmen who had gathered dressed like brown bears, and even Boyar's envoys.
"You guys, are you borrowing reindeer from the people at White Tree Manor? You pay for your own travel expenses, and I have nothing to do with it."
Complaints are complaints, but Rurik himself will organize a huge sled team.
This winter, the men and women of the down-and-out Danish Stonewall Tribe, who are engaged in various kinds of work, and the war survivors have earned a fortune through their labor. Their enthusiastic expressions clearly indicate that they want to continue doing it. They are also ordinary people. Once they get used to a stable life, maybe they will no longer be too obsessed with revenge?
It would be nice to take advantage of this opportunity to talk to Ragnar.
The Danes of the Stonewall tribe now welcome the prince of Rus, and Ragnar, as the leader, now also regards Rurik as a close relative.
The warm house was crowded with people, and Rurik and Ragnar met and talked.
"Brother, I know you are going to the north to participate in the Illuminati Conference. Of course I want to go. This time, I plan to bring all the men there. Leave any physical work to me..."
What Ragnar said was very misleading, and there was no conspiracy in his eyes. His purpose was clear - to make more money during the festive season.
Rurik smiled frankly: "Why bring everyone with you? Your men have been working, and if not necessary, they will spend the holidays in Novgorod. You don't have to mind, the local Slavs are in the same place as us Vikings It’s a holiday.”
"Oh, I still want to do more to help you."
"Just bring your brothers from the logging team with you. You can send twenty or thirty brothers. When you get to Fort New Rose, I will arrange for you to go to the shipyard to have a look."
"What do you mean?" Ragnar's keen nerves were provoked.
Rurik calmed down and stared at him with a pair of alert eyes: "Don't you want revenge? Aren't you like the villain who attacked the King of Denmark? I can give you a chance."
"Ah! Can I tell myself a few words?"
"Speaking."
"I still want to think of Gotland, where I established a stronghold, which is a shortcut to attack my Danish enemy."
"Okay." Rurik answered simply.
"so……"
Ragna could feel that the person in front of him was holding back a lot of words.
"I've thought about it." Rurik said, "Just like my Spyut, you can help you organize a powerful fleet. I authorize you to plunder in the name of Ross, and the supplies you grab will be divided into parts." Just give me half.”
"Ah? Can I use your big ship?"
"Yes! No. The shipbuilding factory in New Roseburg is already manufacturing large ships, and I am the owner of the ship. You take your brothers to the war and fight together with the Saaremaa Islanders under Spuyut. The women and children of your tribe and all the people injured in the battle stay here in Novgorod. I! I will help you take care of them."
Ragna's nerves were deeply touched. What is this if not a hostage? According to his plan, he would stay in Ross throughout the winter and evacuate next spring to find a new settlement to build a village. This plan seems to be in ruins?
Rurik had anticipated this smart man's hesitation. This man didn't seem to have been caught and didn't want to be restricted.
But safe haven comes at a price. The development of things could no longer be controlled by this man.
Rurik deliberately showed a smile and whispered seductively: "Don't you want to be the new king of Denmark? A new Denmark that lives in peace and trade with the Principality of Rus and is prosperous, a new king named Ragnar."
Ragnar is ambitious, but his ambition to become king is not yet firm. Rurik took the initiative to mention this, and he was really moved.
An exiled nobleman finally made his choice.
"Okay. It seems there is no better plan than this. I can continue to work for you, but you must help me overthrow Horik's rule of Denmark. I want to pay with blood! There are also Franks who are behind it, I want Further revenge.”
"Can."
In this way, Ragnar himself participating in the festival is to vote for Rurikna. The so-called Hanukkah in New Roseburg is naturally political. Although the principality does not have a general pilgrimage system calendar, Hanukkah has actually become a symbol of various servant forces, An opportunity for local nobles to go on pilgrimage.
Of course, it is very realistic to say that Hanukkah will make the winter market in New Roseburg more lively. Everyone needs a trading base to exchange for daily necessities. However, New Roseburg is a distribution center for materials and an ever-expanding production city. Those who live People who are extremely short of materials can sell large animals, small animals, leather, etc. they raise in exchange for iron tools that are beneficial to production.
Ragnar going there in person is a certain form of surrender.
Therefore, the Pechenegs also rode there, which also showed their respect for the principality.
Who doesn't want to show off? As a prince, if he does not deliberately show his gorgeous side, the people will find it inappropriate.
Rurik knew that he had to set an example and interpret a lifestyle that nobility should have, such as wearing fine clothes, being hygienic, speaking calmly and behaving appropriately, especially having a wise mind.
A rather small reindeer sleigh team has been formed. Except for the ones dedicated to seating people, the largest sled can pull a full load of oats and a small amount of hay.
Old Otto was older and in his final years. Niya's condition is better, and the numerous ravines caused by aging are also etched on her face.
As the prince, Rurik participated in the grand event, and Queen Svetlana, Duchess Carlotta of Ostara, and Countess Nolen of Narvik also had to go. They are all Rurik's wives and concubines, and they are obliged to participate in the event.
They were beautifully dressed, wrapped in white polar bear skins and exuding a hint of dominance.
Svetlana held the three-and-a-half-year-old princess Velika of the principality, and Carlotta held her half-year-old son Karl, even though she could have done otherwise.
The two children were born noble, and it was their duty to participate in the event. Even though Karl was only half a year old, participating in the event took huge risks.
Only the poor two-year-old Reglaf continued to stay in Novgorod, staying with his grandparents, and guarding the grave of his biological mother, spending the third Hanukkah he had experienced, and he was also two years old. Birthday and the anniversary of the death of his biological mother, Queen Mary.
Thousands of people gathered on the banks of the frozen Volkhov River, and teams of reindeer sleighs and mixed horse teams were ready to go. People who live in remote areas also come to watch this wonderful show and admire the heroic appearance of the equestrians.
Otto steeled himself and put on his beloved chainmail, a piece of deerskin draped over his body, a leather helmet inlaid with gold on his gray head, and his white beard swaying in the north wind. He is aging at an alarming rate. The old soldier who knows he is dying would rather die on the battlefield. Obviously the gods will not give him such a fate, but spend the last days of his old age in happiness.
He still looked like an old warrior. He didn't allow anyone to support him, so he stood on the snow holding his patterned steel sword.
He was like a sculpture, staring at his son who was about to leave, his eyes full of words that no longer need to be elaborated.
Only the old lady Niya carefully caressed her only son Rurik, kept kissing his son's face, and wished him a perfect success in the festival that he participated in and hosted.
"Mom, there is one more thing you should think of." Rurik suddenly mentioned.
"What's the matter?" Niya let go of her hand temporarily.
"It's Rumia. Her second child is about to be born."
"Ah! I remembered. Time flies so fast. Velica also has a new brother or sister."
Rurik nodded: "After the ceremony is completed, I will bring her back. At that time, you will still have to help me take care of the child."
"That's natural. Having more grandchildren is my happiness..."
This old woman had two sons who died prematurely, and she gave all her love to her third son, Rurik. Can the pain of losing a child at an early age really be erased by time? The fact is that as we have more and more grandchildren, the pain of the past has really been smoothed away. Niya would rather spend all her old age taking care of her grandchildren. She hopes that the youngest of all her son's wives will also give birth to a child. Then it will be an honor for her to leave the human world surrounded by as many as twenty grandchildren. Woolen cloth.
The prince had a close relationship with his wife and mother. Kagan, who was riding a horse, looked at him from the side, feeling envious but also suspicious.
Could it be that an old couple has a child because of old age? This couple is the original "Khan" of the Russian people. Our Rurik brothers are too young. Is there any hidden secret in this?
Could it be that all that is true? Was it a blessing from the gods of the Rus' people that a boy fell like a meteor and became the new khan of the Rus' people?
Kagan did not dare to belittle himself. He covered his face and even covered his mount with a layer of cloth to keep it warm as much as possible. A woolen scarf was wrapped around his fox fur hat, and wooden-framed sunglasses covered the last exposed skin around his eyes. The Prince of Pecheneg has truly become a "man in a condom". Not only does his personal means of protecting himself from the cold go to extremes, but his mount and other family members are also similar.
Naturally, the sleigh used by the prince of Rurik was the most outrageous. It was simply a walking tent, covered with a large amount of leather to form a warm nest. Many wives and concubines and two children accompanied Rurik, the most noble man in the principality. The wind and cold were avoided all the way.
The final greetings ended here, and amid the cheers of thousands of people, the sled team headed north along the Volkhov Glacier.
Ragnar and his brothers sat on the sleigh dressed thickly and talked about the interesting things they encountered in New Roseburg.
The extremely covered-up Pecheneg warriors, carrying the crossbows and other weapons they had just exchanged, rode on the left and right as the team's guards.
Rurik's cavalry team is the most flamboyant. Each person wears extremely thick clothing. At the same time, the coat must be a Ross tabard, and the iconic coat of arms of the principality must be clearly displayed.
Every principal cavalryman carries a spear with a hook on the shaft, which is directly attached to the back end of the saddle. The spear has a carbon steel spearhead with a cold light, and the Ross flag hangs below.
There was even a flag on each sled, so that the entire team was filled with Ross's white and blue markings.
This was truly a graceful scene that satisfied everyone's need for grandeur. The Slavs who submitted to the Principality of Rus also felt glorious at this moment.
Obviously, the benefits of planting flags everywhere are huge. The team can maintain the stability of the team by identifying the flags. If there is a situation of falling behind for hundreds of years, the color of the white world flag is also quite eye-catching, making it easy to return to the team quickly.
There were as many as four hundred people of all kinds! If it weren't for a group of merchants selling souvenirs from Lake Ilmen, there wouldn't be such a large team.
Thanks to the large number of reindeer captured by the principality in the past wars, this kind of creature is the only large livestock that can push through the snow and chew grass roots in winter. They are even better at winter migration in the frozen soil. Horses are not. .
At first, the Pecheneg people were very confident, but with the snow all over the world and the cold wind that could be felt like a knife when the back clothes were removed, even Kagan felt that something was wrong.
Kagan didn't know that the Volkhov River ran in a strict north-south direction, and there were tall red pine and spruce forests on both sides of the river. The whole formed a lane, and the cold from the Arctic could traverse it.
Thanks to the measures taken to keep out the cold, the team won't suffer from frostbite.
On the first rest day, the entire team rested close to the forest. The bonfire that was quickly lit gave those who were afraid of the cold strong confidence.
This is the first time in history for the Pecheneg people to go deep into the far north. Kagan is observing carefully and intends to tell his hometown elders on the grassland what he has seen.
Ragnar was also marching on the glacier for the first time. The reindeer sleigh was really new to his people. Now the huge sleigh team of the Prince of Rus was even more novel, not to mention that the team was guarded by cavalry.
The two were delighted to see Rurik implementing his perfect plan. It turned out that the brothers never had to spend the night in the snow. A large number of wooden poles and linen were unloaded on the sled, and a large number of tents suddenly appeared in the forest.
The horses and reindeer ate the oats and then gathered them together, relying on the large trees that could be seen everywhere. They used linen to make windproof curtains to protect the sleeping horses and deer from the wind and cold.
So it was on the first day, and so it was on the second day.
Even though the daylight hours are getting shorter and shorter, and they are approaching the extreme point, as long as there is light, the entire team will form a tight formation and move forward.
It was a dawn march, the team had just moved, and the scraps of firewood in the camp fire that had just been dismantled were still burning slowly.
Kagan was sleepy-eyed and inadvertently saw a large number of green ribbons appearing in the sky.
When he saw it, he cheered loudly, causing all the Pechenegs to raise their heads and scream.
Their unusual behavior caused everyone to look up to the sky. Unlike the fussing Pechenegs, the Russians, Danes, Finns, and Slavs in the team all raised their heads to admire the beautiful scenery.
The surprised Kagan rode up to the prince's tent sleigh and talked with Rurik, who was enjoying the aurora with his wife and concubines.
He pointed his horsewhip to the sky: "Is this a sign from your god? Is it a good omen? Or a bad omen?"
"You!" Rurik wanted to laugh, "Don't you have this in your culture?"
Kagan looked confused.
Rurik shrugged: "Of course it's a good sign. Do you know about the parade of Valkyries? Odin's descendants Valkyrie will parade in winter, and the streamers you see are the traces they leave. They will choose the heroes on the earth. , when a hero dies in battle, his soul can enter the temple, which is endless glory. By the way, let me tell you, the soul of our lost high priest in Russia went to heaven, and she became the new Valkyrie. Her eyes Looking at us!”
Kagan seemed to understand. At least he could understand one thing. The so-called Russian people may also believe that the souls of their deceased relatives can go to heaven and merge with Tengger.
But there was one thing that he was completely convinced of. This was indeed a holy land, and the Russians were truly protected by their gods. The brilliant streamers in the sky were the best proof of this.
Many visitors from foreign countries will think that it is evidence of the gods when they see the aurora in the sky of the far north country. Rurik does not want to expose the scientific principles inside. Not only is it unnecessary, but this matter can also be used by the principality, right?
The country under the aurora is really the Principality of Rus! It is a testament to the glory of the Principality!
Now a group of warriors have rushed to the boundless frozen Lake Ladoga, and have passed the town of Ladoga where winter fishing personnel gather. They met another group of fishermen at the present-day Walnut Fort.
There was no need for any further delay, the team had already entered the frozen channel of the Neva River, and all that was left was the final rush to enter New Rossburg, the real royal city of the Principality of Ross.
They had already seen the towering wooden city walls, and even the forest-like forest of masts that anchored the entire huge fleet frozen on the river.
Rurik was lucky enough to stand in the cold wind. He couldn't help but draw out his sword: "Brothers! We are finally here! Speed up! Back to Fort Ross!"
Horses and deer began a rare gallop on the glacier, with more than 300 flags flying...
