Rise of Rurik - Chapter 772

[Chapter 773 Prince Rurik and Pirate Ragnar]

A large area of water appeared ahead, like a brand new sea?

Ragnar, who arrived in the far east for the first time, soon learned that this was a lake as vast as the sea.

The fleet passed through the town of Ladoga and met the men of Autumn Harvest.

Aric stood at the bow of the boat, and his heroic appearance was seen by many fishermen.

Most of the fishermen are soldiers of the First Banner Squad. They took their families by boat to catch bass in Lake Ladoga just after harvesting, and then baked them directly on the shore to dry and hard fish for winter consumption.

As a result, a small fishing village by the lake became prosperous in a short period of time, and the perch, pike, and cod caught were also hung in pieces on the hemp ropes on the shore.

“These are also your people.” Ragnar was surprised when he heard the news of Arik.

“Naturally they are all from Ross, and they are all my brothers.”

“I saw them cheering on you, obviously your prestige is very high.”

“That’s natural, because I’m the flag captain!”

Aric received much attention, and many fishermen rowed over and heard the news about the expedition with their heads held high.

The fishermen also noticed that there were a lot of strange people on those long fleets. They couldn’t all be new immigrants from Lake Mälaren, right?

The general public has seen the migration of a down-and-out Danish tribe, but they don’t know their true identity.

If Ragnar did not take the initiative to reveal his identity, many people would indeed think that a group of new Swedish immigrants had joined Ross. After all, Ross had been poaching Sweden’s corners in the prosperous Lake Mälaren area over the years.

The climate is already late autumn, the first snow may fall at any time, and there is often a week-long autumn rain before the snowfall.

The weather has been pretty good since today, and the most notable manifestation is that the north wind is getting stronger.

This is not a good sign, I am afraid a terrible cold snap is brewing.

The north wind has a great advantage. The fleet entering the Volkhov River no longer needs to paddle, but only needs to control the sails, and it can quickly head south with the wind.

The almost pure north-south direction of the Volkhov River is really conducive to autumn fishing. The boats go to Lake Ladoga to sail and drift immediately, and when they return, they set sail and take advantage of the wind and head southward.

Both sides of the river are already in a state of chilling, and the deciduous forests have lost their leaves in large areas. Only the red pine and spruce still maintain their dark green branches and buds.

The river is quite busy, precisely because of the extensive production of hemp rope nets for fishing tools, whether it is various Viking immigrants or local Slavs, fishing in Lake Ladoga has become profitable.

These fishermen mainly target pike and cod, which are rare in Lake Irmen but widely abundant in Lake Ladoga, and their fat fish oil has great charm.

The environment ahead becomes open, and the forest suddenly disappears, replaced by a large area of bare farmland.

They were indeed farmland, which Ragnar could easily confirm, because the raised ridges divided the farmland into very regular blocks.

The zoning of farmland is justified, otherwise how can two men judge each other’s fields?

These are actually the masterpieces of the Ross people. The ridges established the land as a square of similar size, and they must have some meaning in doing so.

What Ragnar hoped more was to meet the supreme ruler of the Ross people sooner.

In front of it is another large area of walls, and a wharf where a large number of small boats are moored.

“Is that your Novgorod?” he asked.

Arik replied simply: “Exactly. It’s time for you to prepare well, and I will personally announce your arrival. The prince is definitely willing to see you, please wait at the pier with your people.”

“Okay! Hopefully I won’t have to wait too long.”

As far as the level of urban development is concerned, the entire warm district of Novgorod is under construction, causing the city to become a large construction site for a while. The initial chaos has been greatly improved, and the city has become more three-dimensional. Since the grain harvest, Prosperity descended upon the world.

Rurik could finally take a vacation for himself safely, and he stayed in the palace with his important wives and concubines.

The eldest daughter, Verika, has gradually grown, and the real eldest son, Regalaf, has been weaned at the age of one and has learned to walk.

The second son, Karl, born to Carlota, is also thriving.

Rurik hadn’t been to New Rose Fort for several months, and when High Priest Rumia confirmed that she was pregnant again and her belly was obviously growing, the courier also completed the report.

There is no conservative etiquette that binds Rurik to create more members of the royal family. On the contrary, it is time for the legitimate queen of the principality to become a mother.

Rurik’s body is currently fifteen years old, but according to the traditional calculation of the Ross people, after Hanukkah on the winter solstice, he will be sixteen years old.

Even so, his appearance is not much different from that of an adult Nordic burly man, because he eats and drinks very well in life. Although his height does not seem to be two meters high, it is obvious that he will rush to the equivalent of one meter nine.

Not only him, but all the wives and concubines have been eating and drinking very well since they grew up, and their heights are also rapidly approaching the genetic limit.

The fact is that Rurik is not in a hurry to let his first wife Svetlana be the mother of the principality prince or first princess. Her father, old Rigus, and elder brother, Medved, are even more anxious.

Without him, this marriage is full of politics, and it is actually a transaction between the two ethnic groups.

Svetlana was indeed qualified, and Rurik had noticed long ago that when she held the infant Regalaf in her arms, the maternal look in her eyes was obvious.

She is only one year younger than Rurik, and she is still not a mother at her current age, and the Slavic people have already thrown gossip and even unkind remarks.

There are indeed envious people, claiming that the old guy Rigus speculated many years ago, and the so-called his daughter is not as good as his own daughter.

No tongue-bitter dares to claim that she’s a “non-laying hen,” but the claim exists.

The prince and queen are officially married, and the marriage goes straight to the birth of a prince.

While Rurik indulged wantonly with his first wife, he did not forget Norn who played the bone flute.

Even the ten maids appointed by his father for Rurik all received his message that it is your turn next year.

The princely family is expanding the number of family members. Under the influence of the above, the entire principality has entered the most prosperous period of the year after the autumn harvest, and all families are spontaneously giving birth.

This is not only true for humans, but also for the large livestock raised by the Principality.

The herd of reindeer, which has swelled to 30,000 heads and is scattered in several settlements, coincides with the annual mating season. In theory, a large number of newborn deer will be born next summer.

The principality still needs to expand its strength in a special way. The aspect of this expansion is no longer to seize territory frantically, but to spend a huge amount of money for internal construction.

A school for two thousand children is not enough!

Novgorod should use its unique geographical location to become a safe education center and absorb tens of thousands of children to receive basic education.

A large number of handicraft industries need to be further developed, based on practical factors, that is to build more state-owned workshops.

Just like this summer, the Principality has no need for a large-scale expedition. Similarly, there is no expedition plan for the next winter, and there will be no expedition next year.

More wealth created by the people will be invested in construction, especially to further ask the forest for arable land and pastures for grazing, and to further develop shipping and transportation.

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Therefore, in winter, he will not only stay in the palace to personally educate a small group of tomorrow’s elites with higher knowledge, but also arrange and dispatch manpower for winter production.

Now, the expeditionary fleet is back!

After receiving the news, Rurik hurried out of the city to greet him, and the old Ross, including old Otto, also happily gathered at the pier, commenting on the triumph of the youngsters.

The current situation is very subtle, even Rurik has noticed that the group of men and women sitting on the longboat are not his own people.

Rurik frowned and couldn’t help asking himself: “You? Who are you?”

A large number of people came out of the city, and the river bank was full of spectators. Their enthusiastic and smiling faces were like attending a wedding together.

They spontaneously took off their hats and waved them, yelling, and many actions were to welcome the returning heroes.

There were two big ships there, but now there are only gray squirrels left?

Rurik squinted, and the person standing on the deck of the Gray Squirrel was not his cousin Arik?

Standing next to him was a young man with a strange braid and beard, whose appearance was extremely strange.

“Brother! Did you recruit a group of men who surrendered to me halfway? If that’s the case, it’s a good thing.”

Rurik muttered to himself, seeing the ships approaching the shore one after another, he simply shook his neck and called his cronies to come forward and have a look.

At the same time, it was also given to Medved’s spear-wielding warriors who were temporarily in charge of security at the location. They laid all the short spears flat to build a line of defense to prevent the lively people from getting too close.

At the same time, Arik has long seen that among the people coming out of the city to meet him is his lovely younger brother, the real Prince Ross.

Among the many people, Rurik was wrapped in a white fur coat and a white tiger fur hat. His golden ponytail was drooping behind his head. This outfit couldn’t hide it at all.

“That’s Prince Ross! He’s wearing a polar bear fur coat, so striking!” Arik had already identified him to Ragnar.

“Is that Rurik of Rose? Indeed, like a child. Dressed neatly, like a god-man from Asgard.”

Some of Ragnar’s polite flattery came from feeling.

Arik smiled and patted Ragnar on the back: “Brother, Rurik is indeed a man of God from Asgard, and he has really been blessed by Odin. I only have one important piece of advice for you.”

“Speaking.”

“When talking to him, don’t underestimate him just because he is young. There is no one in Ross who is wiser than him.”

“I will abide by this.”

Roth’s Rurik is full of mystery, and it’s fair to say that Ragnar’s first impression of him is fantastic.

The ships docked one after another, and the last people of the ignorant Danish Stonewall tribe landed ignorantly, and immediately stood by for orders.

The big ships put down their seesaws one after another. Arik disembarked with the triumphant warriors enthusiastically. He was the first to rush to his brother, extended his blessings to the family who greeted him, and solemnly declared: “I am the one who crusades against the Franks!” The operation was a major victory.”

Arik rubbed shoulders with his younger brother very affectionately, his rough face smiled like a rough flower blooming in the snow.

If they encountered setbacks, it would be impossible to have the current ecstasy. Rurik can be sure that Arik’s emotions are real, and the victory of the expedition is also real.

So, what price did the expedition pay?

Although it is a bit out of place, Rurik still wants to ask: “Did you pay the price? Did the brothers you brought with you suffer any casualties?”

“No one died, only a few unlucky men injured themselves during the robbery!”

“There is such a perfect victory?”

“Of course!” Arik couldn’t suppress the ecstasy at all. After beating his chest and roaring like a gorilla, he said proudly: “Brother, you never imagined how great a victory we have won. We, don’t Rhyme burned.”

“You?” Rurik’s eyes widened like brass bells. “I ordered you to attack Bremen for revenge. I thought you would withdraw after grabbing a large amount of wheat and wool. You actually attacked the city? After breaking through the city, you still burned it.” out of the city.”

“Even killed five thousand Franks, enough to avenge Hadeby’s brothers.”

“what!”

Suddenly, a huge amount of information flooded in, and Rurik had to announce that a conference should be held for these big events.

There must be a debriefing meeting. Since this is a victorious expedition, the Principality should also write this expedition into a “War of Bremen”, and publish it after printing to show the public the great power of the Principality and boost morale.

Apart from exchanging pleasantries, those ignorant foreign men and women are the most concerned objects of Rurik.

“You brought a group of trust, are they all new immigrants from Mellaren?”

Aric paused for a moment, his joyful face instantly turned into silence, and he said seriously, “They’re all Danes.”

“Ah? Danes? You brought hundreds of Danes here? You…wait a minute.” While Rurik was startled, out of the corner of his eyes he noticed a man with a strange beard and braids, like a sprouting two-year-old Like a child, staring at him with a pair of eyes, which makes people feel extremely uncomfortable.

Rurik simply turned Lian to his side, and the two simply looked at each other, but the man actually started to enjoy himself.

This was a breakthrough to eliminate embarrassment, Arik hurriedly stepped back, and pulled Ragnar, who didn’t know how to open the situation smoothly, to his side, making him face Prince Ross directly.

When it comes to height, Rurik is ten years younger than this Ragnar, so he has an advantage in height.

Rurik heard the news in a slightly arrogant tone, looking down, “You? Who are you? A Danish? These are all your people?”

Ragnar came prepared this time, after all, he knew something about Sweden and Rose.

“Yes, we are all Danes. I know you, Rurik of Ross, the young prince of the Duchy of Ross. You used to be part of Svealand, and I heard that you separated from each other when those guys established their own kingdom. .I tell you frankly that I have fought with you, I have attacked some tribes in Svealand, I have killed many Swedes.”

What this person said really alarmed the people present, and even the old Otto, who was on crutches, could hardly hold back.

Many people think that the sudden appearance of the Dane is provocative, isn’t he afraid of being killed?

“Oh? Is that all you want to tell me? To show off your great achievements?” Rurik asked, frowning.

“Should I hide these achievements? I am an honest person. To be honest, there was a man named Olegin, who was the king of Sweden, and I killed him with my own hands.”

“what?!”

“Don’t believe me? At least I believe that you killed King Hafgen of Denmark with your boat.”

“It was I who killed Hafgen! Rurik of Ross!” Rurik emphasized.

Now that the words have come to this point, according to tradition, the man who kills a famous hero must also establish his own name.

When Ragnar was asked about his name, he called himself without hesitation: “I am Ragnar. Many people say that I am from Langsbrook (hard wool pants).”

Although this obviously strange nickname has already caused many onlookers to cover their mouths and giggle, Rurik’s reaction is completely another extreme.

“What did you say your name was? Ragnar? Langsbrook?”

“it’s me?”

“So, your father’s name is actually Sigurd Hellinger (the Ring)?” Rurik almost blurted out.

“You actually know my father?” While Ragnar was greatly surprised, Rurik was equally surprised.

Did Rurik never expect that the legendary big pirate was standing in front of him?

Maybe it’s just that the names are close, but it’s not at all.

Or is the legendary Ragnar just a legend after all, he can have a realistic character basis, after all, is the relationship between “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” and “Three Kingdoms”?

It seems that the man in front of him is the actual prototype of the legendary great pirate, at least now his name matches his father’s.

If so…

Rurik continued to ask tentatively: “You have multiple sons, the eldest son is named Bjorn, the second is named Uber, and there is another…”

Now, Ragnar has straightened his face: “Please continue.”

“You have a poor son. He is incapable of fighting. But even that does not prevent him from becoming a warrior. His name is Ivar.”

“But Ivar is my eldest son. Bjorn is my second son. If I can have a third son, I can call him Uber.” Ragnar was shocked at first, and his attitude quickly eased: “Look Now you have seen everything. Brother Arik said you have been blessed by Odin? I never knew you, but you actually know my family, and even my poor Ivar.”

“Is boneless Ivar really pitiful? I even want to meet this child. I have a hunch that this child must be a formidable warrior. Then, please continue to talk about your achievements. Apart from killing Olegin, king of Sweden, what other feats?”

“There are many more. I cut off the head of another leader when I was fifteen, and I was wearing these stiff pants. I led the elite to participate in the attack on Sweden, and I killed the leader of the Ostara people. The whole family ! Later, when you attacked Gotland, I beheaded the King of Sweden at the Silver Castle in the south.”

“Wait a minute!” Rurik suddenly realized that there was a major problem in these descriptions.

“What did you say? I know that you Danes conquered Sweden, and the Ostara tribe, an ally of our Ross people, was almost destroyed. You…”

“Does it make you angry? My friend, this is war. It was I! I dueled their chief, and I won, and I won with dignity. You can’t call me mean.”

“Tell me again, it is true that you killed the family of the leader of the Ostara people?”

Although he felt a big abnormality, with the pride of a warrior, Ragnar let out a long breath: “I did it. I saw the two children escape, and I gave orders not to pursue them. Those who don’t fight with me dignifiedly , I don’t bother to kill, at least I personally do.”

In the crowd of onlookers, there were two girls standing all the time. They came to welcome the triumphant warriors as princes’ wives and concubines. Unexpectedly, they heard the outrageous words of a Danish lord who “traveled” to Novgorod.

Because what this person said was enough to arouse the fury of the two girls who wanted to eat their flesh alive.

Rurik suddenly turned his back. He noticed the changes in the expressions of Carlotta and Ella. From the standpoint of his two wives and concubines, Rurik could say that Ragnar did have a grudge against him.

What’s more, the Danes recklessly entered the territory of the Principality of Ross. Their current behavior is illegal in itself. Having Arik as a guarantor just shows that Arik’s awareness is not enough.

“Medved!” Rurik shouted violently in Slavic.

“exist!”

“Take down this Ragnar! Bind it up! All the other Danes should be controlled and imprisoned temporarily!”

“Obey!”

Rurik’s fury came suddenly, and before Ragnar could react, he was under control.

Although the soldiers of the Slavic flag team are relatively short, they have fought many fierce battles over the years and their living conditions have been greatly improved. They have all become extremely strong, and their clothes are also Viking.

More than a dozen people rushed forward, and Ragnar couldn’t escape even if he wanted to.

“Why? Prince Ross, I thought I could form an alliance with you.”

“Alliance? First tie you up and let me vent my anger first. Ragnar, I will have a chat with you tonight. Soldiers, lock him up and take him away!”

All the Danish men and women of the Stonewall tribe were disarmed, and their leader Ragnar became a prisoner in a daze.

However, Ragnar was not tortured, but locked in a dark hut, closely monitored by armed warriors.

Ragnar is a big pirate but not a virtuous person. According to the widely circulated “Icelandic Saga”, this person has been killing people and taking goods all his life, and his children are also big pirates who kill indiscriminately.

Lian Liankan couldn’t say that he was not massacring externally. In terms of killing, he was probably the craziest butcher.

But Ross is different from those pirates. Ross is a normal, fast-growing feudal country. It is creating a better country in Northern Europe and Eastern Europe. All wars have been eliminated in the vast territory, and economic life has entered the fast lane of development.

It would be kind for the noble prince not to kill the pirate leader immediately, not to mention that he really had a grudge against him.

But looking at the current situation of Ragnar and his group, no matter how they look at them, they all look like a group of poor wretches.

Although there is hatred, the hatred here should be resolved in some way.

Locking Ragnar in the dark room is really a way of frustrating his spirit, and it is really a murderous operation. Taking advantage of this time difference, Rurik just got a window period for internal emergency consultations, and there is enough time to make the Carlotta sisters furious Soothe your emotions.

[End of this Chapter]