Rise of Rurik

In the evening, Otto gathered his men together.

Even those newly married wives fully accepted the leader's orders, and they gathered together to form a mighty army.

They carried shields, all wore leather armor, and some of them also wore chainmail. Their leather helmets were covered with iron, and their huge nose guards covered almost half of their faces.

The people of White Tree Manor were filled with fear when they saw so many Varangians gathered in one place. Ordinary people choose to stay away, only the head of the manor, Rigus and several of his family members, accompany Otto.

The Rus people gathered in one place and immediately started talking. Many people were already speculating that the leader's intention was not simply to go to the largest pine needle manor to collect tribute, but to cut them off!

fighting? That's a really good thing to ask for.

The fighting power of five hundred warriors armed with metal is unimaginable, and Rigus is thankful that he is not against them. He was also quite happy to receive the "praise" of Chief Ross "you are a loyal dog".

He respectfully asked Otto: "Boss, are you really going to attack Pine Needle Manor?"

"Seeing my people, you're scared."

"Yes. I see this is an invincible army."

"Hehe, of course we are invincible." After that, Otto took out his patterned steel sword and walked towards his subordinates.

Otto raised his sword and roared: "Brothers, I heard that some people in Novgorod do not submit to us. I want to lead you to punish such treason, what do you think?"

They are like a dry pile of firewood that can turn into a blaze with just a little spark.

Hundreds of people let out an astonishing roar in response to the leader's agitation.

"I will lead you to crusade against the unfaithful, and I will lead you to loot treasure, grain, cloth, and women! Our goal is the Pine Needle Manor on the upper reaches of the river. Tomorrow morning, I will take you there, and listen to me. Command things!"

Otto felt that he had enough ability to restrain his subordinates. As long as he issued an order, they would execute it well.

Considering that Pine Needle Manor could be a behemoth of 8,000 people, resembling the population size of Roseburg, action had to be planned.

For such a huge target, if it is really going to launch a military attack, Otto really lacks confidence in his heart.

Otto didn't want to kill those people.

If White Tree Manor is a loyal dog, Pine Needle Manor is a fluffy sheep. It was this sheep who seemed to be starting to have ideas of his own and needed to be taught a lesson.

Deterrence by force is a means of maintaining the power of the Rus, and it is not necessary to kill people as a last resort.

Otto gave the order, and his men had already begun preparations for tomorrow's "Pineneedle Manor Parade Deterrent".

There was still a lot of water in the long boat that was pushed ashore, and people shook the water out with water ladle. The bundled sackcloth sails were soaking wet, too, and they were stretched out to dry.

This night, the Rus people ate the newly baked soft brown bread with a sweet and sour taste, and even drank oatmeal.

Except for those who are busy with weddings, other Rus people are instructed to cultivate enough for the whole day, and eat high-starchy foods that are rare on weekdays throughout the day. At night, everyone's stomach swells because they are very full. Their stomach pouches are stuffed with wheat, and the feeling of fullness is so magical that after just one experience, young Rus crave more.

After the formal wedding ceremony, according to the traditional etiquette of Novgorod, the newlywed wife is obliged to upgrade from girl to woman on the first night. Even if the man is shy, the woman should be more proactive.

Lilia tries to do so, but Kawhi refuses.

The bridge of the wife's nose is high and her long tresses are clean and elegant. She is an elegant person, looking into her eyes, Kawei feels that he has forgotten all kinds of troubles in the world.

Without going through the etiquette of the Ross tribe, Kawi, restrained by his strong self-control, still asked his wife to remain pure.

He told his wife the secret of sulphur soap,

She was even asked to wash her hands with a small piece of soap, and Lilia's palms were washed cleanly, and the smell of sulphur exuded completely dispelled her doubts. Kawei may allow her to spy on his steel sword from a distance. The sharp blade can easily cut the hardwood of the bed. Looking at the falling wood chips, Lilia's surprised eyes are also filled with a trace of fear.

Even through the translation of the tribe, his husband's self-proclaimed blacksmith is very different from a warrior.

different? Really?

In Lilia's view, any Varyag with an axe and a sword is the same warrior. Isn't it absurd now that a warrior with a sword calls himself a blacksmith and not a warrior?

I heard that they will go to Pine Needle Manor tomorrow to fight infidelity.

This is the only thing that makes Lilia feel somber.

He is already married, and it is best never to let her husband Kawi know about the past.

Who would have thought that the now rickety head of the manor, Rigus, was quite handsome when he was young. He married a beautiful girl from another manor as his wife, and the daughter he gave birth to inherited the beauty of their mother very well. Even more handsome when his father was young.

Svetlana showed the appearance of a beautiful woman at a young age, and Lilia was exactly the same.

When Lilia was only ten years old, the manor of Pine Needle Manor, Brudenie, ran to White Tree Manor, intending to make a marriage contract for her eldest son, whose goal was Lilia.

Asking for the marriage of a ten-year-old child? It was so absurd that Rigus immediately rejected it.

Regus' attitude was very firm, and he didn't appreciate the benefits of Brudenie's release, so he had to leave in anger.

Brudenie's eldest son was already married, and he really remembered the incompatibility of White Tree Manor.

A huge area with 200,000 people gathered will always gradually form a king.

After all, the Rus people are outsiders of the established system. For decades, they have only come to loot some tributes. After that, they are still dominated by the local powerhouses.

Lilia didn't like those people at all, even if they were part of the so-called Novgorodian group.

Who is the relative, of course, the White Tree Manor is the relative, and now, I have another Russ husband.

It would be great if the Russ could teach Pineneedle Manor a good lesson.

Even her newly-married husband must follow his leader and participate in the crusade. As a first-time wife, even if she doesn't understand the language, her concern for her husband's safety has been written on her face.

She still did not say much, waiting for the situation to change.

The next day, a fresh start.

The haze has passed, the golden light of the rising sun sprinkled on the earth, and the huge Ilmen Lake immediately transpired the graceful morning mist.

Fog shrouded the entire Baishu Manor, the breeze rustled the birch forest, and people could even see the floating fog with the naked eye.

The sun rose a lot, the fog gradually faded, and the sunlight penetrated the gaps in the woods, causing a large number of holy light curtains to appear in the woodlands around the manor.

In this situation, Otto couldn't help but think of the altar in his hometown.

High Priest Veria claimed that the light curtain of the forest was also a hint of the god of the forest for the bright future of the prayers.

Otto was in a great mood. His subordinates ate brown bread and oatmeal again because of the early morning. Not only were they in a good mood, but their bodies were also full of strength.

A large number of people began to gather towards the beach, and Otto had already arrived here early. He slapped his shield with the stick and yelled, "Brothers, stop dawdling and push the boat into the water. Quick!"

A large number of Viking longships began to enter the water, and young warriors jumped to the deck one after another, ignoring the mist that had not yet dissipated. Five hundred people sat on twenty boats and began to row their oars against the current.

After a thunderstorm, Lake Ilmen got a lot of water, and the water flow of the Volkhov River became obviously turbulent.

Young people who have eaten a starchy meal are eager to have some physical exercise, and paddling is perfect.

On the shore, Rigus hunched his back and leaned on a cane, watching the Ross army temporarily go away in the thin mist.

Lilia stood by her father's side, staring at the distant ship. At this moment, her heart belonged to her husband.

"It's unbelievable that you are still a girl." Rigus was a little displeased, "It's obvious that the wedding has already passed."

"Dad, Kawhi has his own principles."

"Principles? Strange principles. Lilia, you should be clear about your mission, give birth to a boy to your husband, and compel him to get us more metal utensils."

"Oh." Lilia gently hooked her head, and now she has to accept the reality that she is a tool person.

Isn't marriage just a transaction? Lilia's eyes glanced at her sister Svetlana, who was being pulled by her mother Kaya. Although this child was only six years old, she was also a tool for White Tree Manor - a tool that could ensure the absolute safety of the people of the manor.

Regus muttered, "They're gone, let's go, boys, let's go home. Lilia."

"Yes."

"You are also ready, and soon you will be leaving home. As a father, I can give you some hometown gifts. When you arrive at your husband's house, remember to listen to them and be a good woman."

Leaving her hometown and living a life of eating fish and seal meat, she heard from sister Peravina, who is from the same clan, that such a life is not bad. With an uneasy heart, she followed behind her father and went back.

The people of White Tree Manor continue to do their field work. For them, only a few festivals throughout the year can be called rest days. The rest of the time is spent trying to get as much food as possible.

Some men in the manor envied the life of the Rus, as if they were strong enough to plunder the weak and live a life without work.

Of course, they don't have strong muscles, and they lack metal weapons.

What they see is only a narrow surface, unaware that the process of a warrior growing up is full of dangers, and death may come suddenly.

On the other hand, the twenty boats of the Rus were arranged in a serpentine formation, marching mightily along the river.

When the fog clears up, everyone can see the open field ahead.

That's the farmland of the populous Pine Needle Manor, and further afield there are numerous log cabins.

Otto twisted to face all the rowers in his boat: "Brothers! Pineneedle Manor is here. Show your bravery this time, and make those idiots kneel when they see you."

"Boss, will they really kneel?" Someone suddenly asked in a high profile.

Suddenly another person retorted: "Idiot, if you pull out your sword, which fool won't kneel."

Soon, the longboat was full of laughter and laughter.

However, contrary to their happiness, the farmers of Pine Needle Manor saw such a fleet and fled in fright on the spot.

It is true that there are 200,000 people living in Novgorod, but the most powerful groups live near Lake Ilmen, and the total population of this area is only more than 30,000. Most of the manors are hidden in the dense forest. They can hardly get the gifts of Lake Ilmen, but they can use the resources of the small rivers and streams that flow into the big lake.

170,000 people live in remote areas, forming small estates of hundreds of people in groups.

It is really a hassle to collect tribute from these people.

Otto's time is limited, and he knows that there are still a lot of manors that are not easy to receive tribute due to their remote location, so he simply doesn't expect tribute from those people.

Of course, when collecting tribute, we must aim at the wealthiest. This year, I have to blackmail the Pine Needle Manor.

The boat began to dock, and the Russ disembarked very skillfully, and then used the cable to push the boat ashore.

Otto, who was holding a long sword, pointed at the house of the manor chief: "Brothers, follow me! Remember what I said and act quickly!"

The Rus people removed the shields from their backs, the shield straps were on their left hands, and their right hands held their weapons.

Look at the way they are fully armed, where is this coming to collect tribute? It's clearly here to kill people!

Everything was exactly like what happened at White Tree Manor. The residents of Pine Needle Manor either hid in their homes, or took their whole family to run to the woods for refuge regardless of their softness.

Others entered the Great Lakes in canoes with the intention of hiding among the reeds. After the turmoil of the Rus people subsides, return to normal life.

For them, the Rus people are the real plague gods, and if they are unhappy, the result must be a disaster.

Why do they think this way? The reason is also very simple.

Pine Needle Manor did not become powerful in an instant, their development has gone through a long process.

They have no so-called historical records at all, and their past is also passed down by word of mouth.

In fact, Pine Needle Manor already existed in the eastward migration of the Slavs two hundred years ago. They entered Lake Ilmen in the form of a large community, and won the current position with great strength, which is the mouth of the so-called Lake Ilmen entering the Volkhov River.

They have the largest population. In addition, only a group of manors living along the lake has a population of more than 1,000 people. A large number of small estates maintain the scale of hundreds of people at all times.

Pine Needle Manor is well-positioned to declare that they are the kings of the area, and in fact they did.

As a result, the army of the Rus came.

Those who have experienced the past have passed away, and they still leave their children and grandchildren a memory of the terrible war.

Did the Novgorods have to pay tribute? They first chose to fight. Due to the existence of foreign enemies, many manors were united around Pine Needle Manor.

In ancient Slavs, men and women fought together. Their elites carried bronze or iron weapons, while others used stone spears and hammers.

Although the weapons are rudimentary, their spirit of resisting the invasion is eloquent.

It's a pity that Otto's ancestors shot a huge team of 600 people. Of course, such a large number of troops did not turn around aimlessly along the river, because the pioneers of the Rus people knew the existence of Novgorod early. When they found out the details of the opponent, the Rus people launched a war of conquest. become logical.

Otto also learned about past wars from his old and dead father.

It was a war between the Rus and the Novgorods, and 600 warriors fought against an enemy several times their own.

Men and women of Novgorod, who went into battle with their weapons. They are heroic, but severely unorganized, just a bunch of rambunctious, charging madmen eager to go it alone.

The results were, of course, brutal.

The tall, strong and armored Rus people killed at least 500 people of the Novgorod Manor coalition in a battle, and their losses were minimal.

From that time on, the Rus could claim to be the king of Novgorod.

The Rus never intended to rule this place themselves, and with Otto as leader, he still has no intention of occupying it.

However, the Rus people must maintain their own authority, and now Otto has brought his own army to raise his army to ask the guilt, and went straight to the manor's home surrounded by tall wooden fences.