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Alfred stared at a letter in his hand, which was sent by Isaac from Mercia. He told Alfred that based on his own observation, Mercia's military power had been basically destroyed. Of course, the most terrifying thing was not The most dangerous thing about this was that the confidence of the Mercian nobles was shattered by the Vikings.
"Well." Alfred frowned. He knew that Mercia had suffered heavy losses, but he did not expect that the situation was so dangerous. In other words, except for Wessex, no country can cope with the Viking army. , and suddenly felt the pressure doubled.
"Your Majesty, the scholars are here." At this time, an attendant walked in and reported to Alfred.
"Okay, I'll be right over." Alfred stood up quickly. As a king, he not only focused on military affairs, but also on culture and technology, inviting and hiring scholars from various places and countries.
This time, many scholars came from the Mediterranean. They were a group of Greek scholars who were very proficient in Latin and oceanography. They were standing in this palace converted from the ancient Roman city hall.
"This sculpture is from the orthodox Roman period." Jacob looked at the white marble bust sculpture next to the wall and among the hanging vines, and couldn't help but marveled.
After the fall of the great Roman Empire, even many of Rome's precious sculptures from the Roman Empire were incomplete. They did not expect to see such great sculptures in this remote country of Britain, which made these scholars feel that it was worthwhile. OK.
"His Majesty the King of Wessex has arrived." The attendant stood at the arched side door and shouted to the scholars.
Alfred walked in wearing a crown and the attire of the Angsa people, and a gold cross pendant around his neck. The scholars looked at him one after another, and saw this handsome man with a handsome face and a combed beard. The neatly groomed young monarch, with a gleam of wisdom in his eyes, was walking towards them.
"Your Majesty." The scholars bowed to Alfred one after another. They had learned the language of Wessex before coming.
"Thank you for coming all the way and welcome you." Alfred sat down with a smile. He valued these scholars very much. He once made a pilgrimage to Rome and understood that culture and technology are the truly powerful things.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Jacob and others quickly replied.
"Fellow scholars, you all come from a place with prosperous culture, and we Wessex is a remote country far away from Rome, and because of the will of the Lord, we are always subject to Viking invasions. This trial makes my people It's very painful. In order to alleviate this pain, I hope you can help me." Alfred was not polite, he said to the scholars straight to the point.
"Dear Your Majesty the King, I don't know what we can do. We know nothing about military affairs." Jacob looked at a loss. He looked at the other scholars, knowing that most of them were in Latin language, animal husbandry and architecture. Expert, but knows nothing about military operations.
"Hahaha, I don't want you to help me fight, I just want you to spread knowledge throughout my country." Alfred knew that the scholars had misunderstood, and he quickly waved his hand and explained.
"That's it!" Jacob and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
Alfred introduced to the scholars that due to the invasion of the Vikings, a large number of British monasteries were destroyed, causing catastrophe to the cultural classics preserved in the monasteries. Alfred was different from his military-focused Brother, he realized that if culture could not be reestablished, the Ansa people would become barbarians in the long run.
"What your Majesty said is true. We will do our best to help reconstruct the cultural classics." Jacob nodded slightly and said to the wise king.
"Well, I want to appoint you as the principal of the palace school. First of all, spread culture and knowledge here." Alfred saw that Jacob was a knowledgeable person, and he said to Jacob with a smile.
"Thank you, Your Majesty the King." Jacob was surprised and thanked Alfred again.
Just when Alfred was chatting happily with everyone, a knight holding a homing pigeon in his hand and wearing chainmail hurriedly walked in. He came to Alfred's side, panting, and took the pigeon. He took out a letter from the iron ring on his leg and handed it to Alfred.
"Huh?" Alfred opened the letter and his brows knitted into a knot. There was spy information on it.
"Gutzlen's Viking army is moving toward the sea, and the longships are preparing."
This few lines contained a lot of information, and Alfred keenly captured the intelligence inside, that is, Guzlen would have a major military operation.
"Your Majesty the King, what happened?" Jacob saw Alfred's solemn face and couldn't help asking.
"It's the Vikings, they may attack us." Alfred handed the letter to Jacob, who had already regarded the scholar from Greece as a courtier.
"Oh, the seaside. If it is the seaside, the seawater flows northward at this time. It will take at least half a month to wait for a new wave of tide." Jacob has actually studied the knowledge of the ocean systematically. He quickly made an estimate based on the currents in the English Channel when he arrived and the speed of sea water flow, and then said to Alfred.
"Oh, do you know when they can go to sea?" Alfred was immediately pleasantly surprised. He didn't expect to find a treasure this time. You must know that these Vikings came and went without a trace, relying on long ships and Ocean transmission capacity.
"But there are many waterways in Britain. What if they invade along the waterways?" Another scholar said worriedly.
"Don't worry, I have expected this." Alfred smiled. He told the scholars that in order to prevent the Vikings from invading along the Wessex waterway, he had already ordered the entire kingdom to stay on the river. Build bridges.
"Repair the bridge?" Jacob and other scholars heard this. They didn't understand it at first, but they soon realized it and couldn't help but admire Alfred's wisdom.
"Don't admire me, this is not my idea, but the suggestion of a monk." Alfred shook his head and explained to the scholars.
"Oh, is this wise monk here now?" Jacob asked curiously.
"No, he went to Mercia." Alfred said to Jacob. At that time, faced with the phenomenon of Viking invasion along the waterway, Isaac suggested to Alfred to build a bridge, and there were bridges all over the river. The bridge can not only facilitate residents' transportation, strengthen economic exchanges, but also block the invasion of Viking longships.
"Aqiu~~~." Isaac sneezed and rubbed his nose. At this time, he was patiently waiting for the King of Mercia's summons in Warwick Fortress.
"God, am I sick?" Isaac yawned. He had been here for several days under the introduction of his uncle, but the King of Mercia just avoided seeing him, which made him very frustrated. .
"Envoy of the King of Wessex, Isaac, come in." While he was standing boredly in the corridor, admiring a butterfly flying on a flower, an attendant stood at the door and said to him.
"Yes." Isaac quickly adjusted his monk's robe and followed the attendant into the hall.
The King of Mercia sat on the throne with a haggard face. He looked at the ugly monk in front of him. He suddenly felt unhappy in his heart, and a feeling of being deceived and looked down upon came into his heart.
"Huh." The King of Mercia snorted, and the smart Isaac immediately understood, and he quickly smiled.
"As the envoy of the King of Wessex, if you are too majestic and luxurious, you may be caught by the Vikings and taken hostage on the way. That's why you sent an ugly and simple monk like me." Isaac smiled humbly at Mai. The king of West Asia said.
"Well, if you weren't the nephew of Count Linzi, I wouldn't see you either." Isaac's words softened the expression of the King of Mercia. After being defeated by the Vikings, he paid more and more attention to other people's opinions.
"Your Majesty the King, I am well aware that the Vikings ravaged and terrorized your kingdom, and this was also a test for the British kingdoms." Isaac said to the King of Mercia.
"Of course I know, but my army has been defeated and I was forced to sign a peace agreement with Guzrun." The King of Mercia sighed. He was not a fool. Of course he was aware of the dangers of the Vikings. This was also the reason for his efforts. Reason for taking a chance.
"Your Majesty, the Vikings never abide by their agreements and promises. They can tear up this kind of agreement at any time. The only thing that can save you is to join hands with Wessex and completely defeat the Vikings." Isaac immediately said seriously. said the King of Mercia.
"Hmph, that's very easy to say. Just like the ancient Kate people said, it's easy to be brave behind the city wall. If it weren't for us Mercians resisting at the front, you Wessex could be so leisurely." The King of Mercia said with a sneer. .
"Your Majesty, that's not the case. My Lord, Your Majesty Alfred, both his father and brother were tortured by the Vikings. He always keeps this hatred in mind, prepares his army for war, and waits for the opportunity. This time I heard about your defeat, Your Majesty, I was heartbroken, so I was sent to form an alliance to jointly resist the Viking invasion." Isaac immediately said to the King of Mercia.
"Oh, Alfred really said that?" The King of Mercia suddenly looked solemn. If Alfred really resisted the Vikings' determination, then he would not be unable to join the alliance. After all, if the two kingdoms cooperate, it will always be possible. Much better than fighting alone.
"Yes, my Majesty, please write a covenant reply and let me convey it to His Majesty Alfred." Isaac said solemnly.
"Okay, I will do this." Encouraged by Isaac's sharp tongue, the King of Mercia rekindled his fighting spirit, and he immediately stood up and said.
A wax letter stamped with the royal emblem of the King of Mercia was held in Isaac's hand. He breathed a long sigh of relief. The alliance with Mercia immediately reduced the military pressure on Wessex.
"Shuash~~~." But Isaac was not in a hurry to return with the letter. He lit the candle in his room, took out a blank parchment, and copied the letter from the King of Mercia. One copy, then stamped with a forged badge.
Early the next morning, Isaac took the forged letter and came to a messenger who was washing the horses next to the stables. He handed the letter to him. The messenger picked up the letter without saying a word, mounted his horse and headed towards He ran away outside the castle.
