Rise of Rurik

"Semigalia? You...want to conquer those people?" Ostan was suddenly startled.

The drastic change in his mood immediately attracted the attention of the three people.

Fisk pinched his beard in a leisurely manner and asked: "How about it? Do you think the powerful Ross will face some troubles in easily attacking those people?"

"It's hard to say. Because they are very brave, and..."

"Anything else to hide?"

"It's not a secret." Osten relaxed a little: "They are not easy to mess with! I am a poor businessman. I don't have a suitable boat to go along the coast to Riga, so I have to use the safest inland river route. In this way we can It must pass through their territory, and if you want to pass smoothly, you must pay a tribute."

Fisk nodded: "There's nothing strange about that."

"Not only that." Osten's eyes glanced at Stekander sitting in front of him: "Don't you guard against their attacks year after year? If your army kills them, they will definitely fight back with all their strength. of."

"Counterattack." The words instantly aroused Fisk's fighting spirit: "We are not afraid of war. Do they dare to fight back? That's fine! Then kill them."

"Huh? Are you really planning to take action?!"

"Otherwise why would I summon you?"

Fiske put it lightly, but Osten stood his ground and felt that coming to Riga to do business this year was a mistake. There were more than 20 merchants with their families and their families. They were armed purely to protect against wild beasts during the journey. Also, if the Semigalians were dissatisfied with the tribute and launched an attack, everyone could resist for a while and run away quickly.

Austen and his party are looking for a living, not

Some warriors also regard killing as the true meaning of life, and they reject fighting.

Fisk then stroked his bald head, looked at Ostan with beast-like eyes with strong murderous intent, and growled: "You actually have no choice. Now be our guide and help Ross attack Semiga." Leah. Ross is fair! You will be rewarded for your service in leading the way. If you lead us to a strange place, we will kill you."

Just now it was a release of goodwill, but now it has become coercion.

Maybe the Russians would give them a reward, but if they were misled, wouldn't their whole family be killed?

That's what Ostan thought. Fisk added: "All the women and children of your merchants will stay in Riga, and we will seize all the goods first. You! Organize all the men in the caravan who can handle weapons to join the army, You all serve us as guides. After the war, you are all entitled to the spoils of war. But! I repeat, you must lead the way honestly. Once you lead the wrong route, you will all die."

The curls were already wet, and Osten's wrinkled forehead was soaked with sweat.

"Do you want to do it or not?!" Fisk asked sharply.

"this……"

"What? Are you cowards?" Sipuyut, who had been watching the show for a while, spoke up. After all, the other party can be regarded as an explorer, and he can travel to distant places to explore in order to obtain wealth. For this kind of person, the already old Spuyut can't help but have some sympathy. "Real businessmen are not afraid of risks. They are all people who speak Norse. With such an opportunity to make a fortune, what kind of coward would refuse? Or do you actually not want to work for Ross?"

Austen realizes himself

Just like walking on thin ice or approaching an abyss, if you make one wrong move, you will die.

Based on his understanding of Ross, he at least knew that these people were really cruel. Because there were some Gotlanders in Cherbourg (today's Jeripaya) where he was born. Although those people had left the big island long ago, they also knew that ten years ago, the Russian army swept across the island and killed them without restraint, and the prosperous Visby Port degenerated into a small fishing village controlled by the Swedish Mälaren people.

Working with this group of people, even if they make a series of promises, are they really the right partners? I always feel like I am trying to gain skin from a tiger.

"Hurry up!" Fisk yelled.

Finally, Osten had to make the most radical choice: "I'll do it! I'll lead the way for you and help you attack Semigallia."

"Oh, that's right." Fisk turned away from his fierce look, and his ferocious face became kind again.

Although Stekander, who has been living in Riga, has never been to the place where the Semigalians live, based on the information obtained over the years, and even the confessions of prisoners of war captured many years ago, Riga and the entire Latvian tribe, The Danish community can estimate that the enemy is a tribal alliance that controls a large area.

Fisk is well-informed, and even the powerful Frank "overcame" him. Isn't it normal to quickly defeat new enemies? If the problem can be solved quickly through war, there is no need to spend time talking nonsense with those people.

Fifteen years have passed since the Ross tribe started its army. If we look closely, Ross is one of the few who rely on negotiation to resolve international issues. The kingdom has always used war as a shortcut to deal with things. History has proven that this system has excellent results. Although Fisker is young, he has fought on the battlefield for more than ten years.

Years ago, he naturally fell into a mindset - anyone who did not take the initiative to surrender and pay tribute was an enemy and could be killed.

"Since you are really willing to cooperate, then tell me a little about yourself." Fisk asked.

"say what."

"Tell me how many Semigalian villages and cities you encountered along the way. In this way, I will know which ones must be conquered. This way!" Fisk straightened up: "I will be able to determine the right path and help my The past arrives safely at your hometown.”

At this point, Fisk had to add: "You will get wealth for your full contribution. Maybe the king will be happy and make you a noble. If you become a noble, you can be like us. You don't want your children." Let’s spend the rest of our lives rowing in wild creeks…”

Some people do not have a particularly strong desire for power and wealth, such as Ostein himself. He is the kind of person who is content with being rich. However, if his life-threatening move can win a good future for his two sons and young grandson, he can give it a try.

The so-called Semigalian Tribal Alliance, these people's territories are large and loose.

The main threat facing the locals in Riga is the group of forces living on the left bank (south bank) of the Daugava River (West Dvina River).

At this time, the city of Jelgava had not yet been established. It was a military stronghold established by the Teutonic Knights during the Great Northern Crusade, from which it developed into a fortress city.

Today's Jelgava is still a low-lying land covered by forest, just like the suffix gava used in its name.

Although this does not mean that the current geographical location is no man's land,

Semigalians already live here, although it is just a small fishing village.

Villagers face the Lielupe River for fishing and cultivate land in the fertile riverside area.

This huge area has a large number of lakes and forests, and the trees are mostly pine trees, making the soil overall acidic. Large-scale logging is something that the Semigalians cannot do. They naturally gather near rivers and lakes, choose areas with stable hydrology to settle and reclaim wasteland, and rely on natural river mud as fertilizer to nourish farmland. They use all their knowledge to maximize planting High yield of oats.

Due to the limitations of the times, the only types of wheat the Semigalians have are oats, rye and buckwheat, and they are most willing to grow the former.

It was precisely because the Rus invaded Britain and plundered a large amount of wheat from the Kingdom of Mercia. Those vital wheats have survived in cold Britain for hundreds of years, and the ones that can be plundered by Ross are all cold-resistant varieties. Ross's ability to extensively plant wheat in the area around Lake Ilmen is truly unusual, especially since the food it attracts will objectively bring a different kind of advantage to the Ross army.

However, there is not much difference between soldiers eating wheat and oats. The biggest difference is the yield.

The terrain where Jelgava is located is too flat, it is closer to the sea, and the local forest resources are too abundant. It is an easy-to-attack and difficult-to-defend place, but it is exactly suitable for the large-scale cavalry operations of the Teutonic Knights.

What the Knights, whose main combat force is cavalry, can't stand is the rugged terrain. Jelgava has always been the main military camp of the Knights, so it relies on the abundant supply of supplies in the Port of Riga and faces the Kingdom of Lithuania in the south.

Today's Lithuania does not exist. The Utvin tribe of its predecessor

This is still developing rapidly in the upper reaches of the Bug River. The Utvin tribe and the Semigalians have the same culture and the same species, and their languages ​​are almost the same. However, the only difference is that they live in different places, which naturally leads to some kind of estrangement.

The Semigalians in the northeast lived in Mezotne, a large settlement that could be called a city.

Based on Ostein's description, the core of the city was a large altar built on a central mound, around which a large number of people built houses and reclaimed wasteland. She also has a pier, and local people rely on the river to do fishing. She also serves as a trading center for the region, liaising with other tribes that also belong to Semigalia.

Large settlements were named because of the tribe's name.

The Semigalians closest to Riga are the Mezot tribe, but the people in Riga are too lazy to distinguish them. Anyway, they are all guys who covet Riga's wealth.

In the past, Latvians in Riga hired a large number of Danish immigrants to serve as bodyguards. Now Riga and Latvia under Rus have changed. That kind of conservative thinking should be put aside!

The three big shots finally have a clear target to attack, so that they won't be confused after raising their troops.

"Then attack Mezotne and clear an obstacle for the Ross army."

Fisk made a grand statement, and he and Spyut reached an agreement. Seeing this, Stekander, who was already the Count of Latvia, had no choice but to agree.

These two old Russians didn't even care about negotiating to resolve the issue of giving way!

Since those west coast merchants who transported amber had to pay tribute to the Semigalians every time they crossed the border, it meant that those people must consider themselves strong and think highly of themselves. with arrogance

conversation? No need to waste your breath.

Besides, isn’t what Riga is facing now an opportunity?

There are times when the huge Ross garrison is absent. If those Semigalians make a sneak attack, Riga will suffer some losses even if it is not a large-scale sneak attack but a wanton harassment by bandits, or a group of mosquitoes wandering around in front of them, making people uncomfortable.

Now the main force of King Rus has not arrived yet. Even if they do come, the cavalry regiment will still go to Cherbourg on the west coast and successfully enter Courland. Taking the inland route was a shortcut, and the only obstacle seemed to be Mezotne.

The three big men then set a clear strategy. They temporarily released the Ostens and their sons, and then sent cavalry to various Latvian villages to announce orders.

After all, the leaders of each village are boyars. They were canonized by the King of Rus himself, not the Earl of Saaremaa or the Earl of Latvia. They are closely cooperating with Stekander and Spyut. When it comes to legal principles, these nobles are directly loyal to Rurik himself.

Therefore, the cavalry sent by Fisk announced to the nobles that they could not tolerate the slightest refusal: "In the crusade against Mezotne in Semigalia, your village will send at least fifty troops. Immediately start to gather troops and quickly go to Riga to meet with them. .You are fighting for King Rus! Soon the king will go to Riga to accept your results."

These messengers explained a lot, and their tone was often threatening.

In the past, the Latvians were only willing to protect themselves and never had the courage to take the initiative to attack Semigalia. Now the situation is different. Nominally, Latvians also sent troops to join Romania

The Sri Lankan army withstood Smolensk's crazy attack just six months ago. Even if they only sent out less than a hundred soldiers, they basically suffered no losses after the war.

This matter is more about the huge psychological impact!

The feeling of victory is sweeter than honey. For the first time, the Latvian nobles can proudly say that they have won a victory. So why not continue to cooperate with the Russian army to win new victories?

The messenger was simply left in the village, and the boyars of each village decisively called a village meeting, and they selected the men of the village overnight.

The spring plowing in Latvia has just ended, and people who have had a break from farming are looking for something to do to improve their lives.

The few people who participated in the war six months ago all got some spoils of war, which deeply stimulated the villagers - if they can get a lot of wealth from fighting, why should real men farm the land honestly?

There are more than twenty Latvian nobles who have received the title of Boyar, and behind them are the same number of villages. Some villages are actually a union of multiple small villages. It is not an exaggeration to call them villages or small city-states. Such villages often have a population of thousands, and are considered large settlements in today's era.

Naturally, there are also small villages, and it is okay for the local boyars to take out fifty men to fight.

But everyone is bound to face a big problem. Now is the spring famine. How can the food problem be solved after recruiting men to join the army on a large scale?

The only one who really paid great attention to logistics issues was the Russian Army. The Latvians had little experience and could not think too much about it, so they prepared some food and weapons, and met the messenger who had stayed overnight in the village the next day. Soldiers march to Riga

Rally.

Sending at least fifty troops does not mean that only fifty people go to fight. Some large villages know very well that as long as they win, they will get spoils. As long as there are more people, there will be more hands to rob. There is nothing wrong with robbing Semigalians. If you can rob some young women, it will solve the marriage problems of some men in the village.

The boyars encouraged their sons to fight in order to prove in front of the Russian people that they were real men worthy of respect, and it was also a pragmatic consideration. Most of the boyars are old, and it is not easy for an old man to fight in this battle. The son is in the prime of life and can lead the boys of the village to fight as a commander.

A small village can send fifty troops, and a big village that is long can send two hundred troops.

Every village has received the king's order, and they are making local-style arrows. Taking advantage of this trend, they have also made a large number of other weapons, especially the simplest and most easy-to-get spears.

A spear is made by attaching an iron head to a wooden stick. Considering the ease of operation, the spears of Latvians are mostly the length of two adults. They also follow the example of the Russians and Danes, wearing an iron ax in their waists. Even bone axes, carrying bags and a crude wooden shield on their backs, carrying spears, lined up and gathered in Riga.

Such a scene was something Fisker had never expected!

The various boyars gathered in Rosduma, and the warriors they brought with them encamped outside the city.

Fortunately, the military food problem was solved for special reasons. In order to help the future Ross Expeditionary Force solve part of the food problem, the residents of Riga (mostly fishermen) made a large amount of salted fish jerky and bacon. They knew clearly that this was for the future. The Ross Army is the icing on the cake

, because it can make money, everyone will do it.

They were sold to anyone, and this time the city residents sold them to the assembled Latvian noble army. The fish market in Riga is almost all contracted by these people, so there is no need to worry about selling the catch.

The noble army obtained a batch of food by selling the newly made linen in the village. Their cloth was relatively abundant, so every boyar openly displayed the Ross flag. The Ross flag is simple and easy to make by sewing two strips of blue-dyed cloth diagonally on plain white linen.

In Rosduman, everyone was talking to each other, and Fisk, Spuyut and Stekander realized that these Latvian villagers usually hide their secrets? When they camped outside the city, it was difficult to estimate their strength because they were relatively scattered. Now that nobles from all walks of life came forward to explain, the assembled army actually amounted to three thousand people?

Originally, Fisk thought that dispatching about 1,500 peasant soldiers was the limit for these people. It seemed that he underestimated their determination and strength because of his arrogance.

Three thousand troops. With such strength, why did Latvia need to hire Danish mercenaries in the past?

"Maybe this is a group of guys who can only fight with the wind? Well, anyway, they are rowing along the Lielupe River to attack, and they will definitely not go astray. Ah! In this way, wouldn't it be like imitating Rurik and rehearsing it in advance? Advance by water?" Fisk undoubtedly became the commander-in-chief of this military offensive. He was full of confidence in the outcome of the battle and planned to dedicate the victory as a gift to the King of Rus.