Chapter 907： Rurik's crown reaches the Denmark Strait

The Sperosville is like a drifting fortress. The Ross soldiers standing on the deck are shooting down and shooting recklessly. It seems that this does not want to fight, it is more like free hunting!

There is nothing special about the longships of the Gotalans, the broad and low cabins of the ships are defenseless.

The battle situation was a disaster for the Gotaland people, because they were facing the south, and their sails were not fast enough to take advantage of the southerly wind, and they could only paddle if they wanted to escape quickly.

The contradiction is that if you paddle your body will be completely exposed and become a living target for the enemy to shoot arrows. If you pick up a round shield for defense, not to mention the effect of this shield, you will not be able to paddle quickly to escape.

But the shield is really effective.

Arik and his brothers took the lead and sailed against the wind. They had to take the wind and steer away from the broken line. It was just that the powerful port and starboard sides of the ship took turns to face the enemy, and each time they could hit the effect of ten slingshots at close range.

Only close shots can smash through the bottom of the ship, while long-range shots can only kill the enemy. In order to maximize the results of the battle, Arik is like this, just like a tiger pounces on its prey, although tigers are not good at rushing to kill a large area, but the prey they are staring at will surely die.

One longship after another was sunk, leaking like a fountain, and the men on board held up battle axes in vain, swearing viciously, and then shot dead and wounded with steel-armed crossbows or cheap wooden-armed versions. They fell into the river and even threw their weapons, took off their absorbent coats and jumped into the river for their lives.

Those who fell into the water scrambled to swim to the riverside if they had the ability, they became moving targets, and the Ross warriors hunted with laughter.

"Haha! It's like shooting ducks and geese in a swamp."

Arik didn't care about these shooting actions of the brothers. He greeted the sailors who were manipulating the big and small jibs in the big boat: "Continue to operate, try our best to attack! We must try to chase them!"

Arik is a reckless man, but now he is acting bravely.

The Russ army in the rear lost its assault force, and after defeating the sluggish army's long fleet of Gotaland, they were busy salvaging the prisoners of war.

The harvest of the prisoners of war was so amazing that there were not enough ropes to bind people. In the end, some soldiers on the ships forced the tomahawks to take off their coats and leave only a fig leaf. They sat on the corner of the deck with their heads in their hands to prove that they had no weapons and did not resist. And was under surveillance by Ross warriors.

Now Arik heard it, and the brothers in the back were shouting his name.

"This is to cheer me on!"

What he longs for in life is not endless wealth and power, he longs to be recognized by the soldiers, and what he longs for is the current scene.

But for the elite Jotalan who was defeated and fled in a confused battle, the two leaders tried their best to escape, and they found that there were only 20 or 30 ships after the attempt. The terrifying loss is visible to the naked eye, and the fragments of ships floating on the river tell the story fear.

The Jotalan warriors who were lucky enough to escape to the shore no longer cared about their ships, and they fled to the forest not far away like crazy. They were killed literally, throwing away their armor and armor, and many people fled behind their cumbersome red shells, even with domineering and revealing pictures tattooed on their backs, forming an embarrassing irony with today's embarrassment.

"Bigfoot" Badal and "Broken Tooth" Cedric, they changed their previous self-confidence and controlled their bodies for impatience and panic. The two strongmen are not completely afraid of the pursuit of the foreign fleet. Compared with the brothers who escaped, their minds are clearer.

Badar urged his brother: "Paddle quickly, I will run to the forest when I get ashore, and there is still a chance when I get there."

Even though Cedric had just landed, he shouted from the backs of his brothers, "Don't give up, we still have backup plans!"

Of course they had a backup plan, but it was also the last plan.

Out of 3,000 elites, only 12 out of 10 escaped and landed. This is an unimaginable defeat, but it can also inspire something unimaginable - rage.

The further the lower reaches of the Yota River, the wider the channel, and what appears just south of Arik is not a large estuary, but a large number of small estuaries cut off by island sandbars.

In particular, a huge sandbar overgrown with pine trees, like a screen, blocked the bell mouth of the river into the sea.

Arik still wanted to expand the results of the battle, but he gave up the pursuit of the fleeing enemy because he was afraid of running aground because of the unclear hydrological conditions.

The Rus army was cheering, they were busy making noises and cheering for victory, and they were busy capturing prisoners of war.

It is a pity that a large number of Jotalan warriors who fell into the water were pulled down by their own water-absorbing clothes, and the clothes that absorbed water like lead were not easy to break free when they were in a hurry. Those who were injured did not even have a chance to struggle, suffocating in the river in pain.

After being knocked unconscious, they were engulfed by the Yota River immediately after falling into the river. Such people are lucky. For them, death is equivalent to a momentary event, and anything after that has nothing to do with them.

The various Ross boats lined up in front of the array pulled up the struggling prisoners of war like fishing and hunting seals. All ships have gained, including Rurik's flagship, which has also pulled up a full twenty people.

kill them? abuse them? Or enslave them?

Do not. Sometimes the living are ten thousand times more useful than the dead.

The twenty or so prisoners of war were squeezed under the central mast with their hands tied, squirming and drenched like a captured beast.

Rurik went down the wooden ladder with satisfaction, and stood beside them arrogantly.

His noble appearance was eye-catching, and the prisoners didn't even dare to look directly at the tall young man, and they all lowered their heads and closed their eyes, waiting for the terrible fate.

"Are you afraid? Why are you afraid? Now I'll give you a chance to live. Tell me about you, and I'll let you all go in the end." But Rurik emphasized again: "I didn't intend to attack you at all. You are clearly the one who launched the attack first. We Russ, it is not like killing you..."

Rurik declared his identity, and the rumors were true to the captives.

The invader was indeed Ross, or it was possible that Ross coerced other Swedish tribal partners to launch an attack. The prisoners have no time to ask about the details. They are just ordinary hunters, fishermen and loggers. They live the most mundane and difficult lives on weekdays. Just to support themselves, their wives and children is to go all out. There is no need to know too much. matter.

It was heard that as long as they explained their situation well, they could survive. The prisoners rushed to reveal their identities, pointed out the number of villages in the area, pointed out the strength of the soldiers on the expedition, and even the ambush soldiers they left on the shore.

They even have an ambush? !

Rurik was taken aback. Could it be that the number of soldiers in ambush was really 10,000? The prisoner was afraid that he was lying, because Gorm, who had surrendered before, did not introduce this situation.

Could it be possible to gather another 10,000 armed villagers in the southern region? Considering the situation faced by the expedition of Wisingerser, perhaps the people here can indeed gather another 10,000 people, including but not limited to forcing a group of women and children. Get to the line, pick up your weapon and go hard.

With no more questions to ask from a group of ordinary prisoners of war, Rurik learned key information. It turned out that the locals had three big bosses. The people in the lower reaches of the Yota River are in war or peace, to a large extent depends on the determination of these three people.

Now Rurik doesn't know that Eric "Archer" has been captured, and he learns of it as he ascends the beach owned by the southern village group.

"Archer" Eric, the name mentioned in the battle uniform.

Accompanied by the huge number of the kingdom's army, there were also an equally astonishing number of prisoners, and one prisoner of war shouted about his noble status.

Coincidentally, the noise of this prisoner of war was heard by the blue fox who landed.

A mortal person will never boast that he is a hero, presumably this person is not babbling.

For this piece of land, the thought of it being his own fief made Lanhu's heart excited. These captives will be pardoned, even if the king has not ordered it. They will return to their old lives, but a whole new city of Gothenburg will rise from the ground, and prisoners of war who are released will pay tribute to themselves as Earls of Gothenburg.

Seeing that the soldiers kicked the prisoner of war Blue Fox back to stop it, and hearing a self-proclaimed noble guy speak himself, Blue Fox resolutely took him to Rurik in front of him.

A man with his hands tied, his upper body bare, the tattoos on his body are extremely flamboyant, and the golden heart-guard hair on his chest is also quite exaggerated.

Lanhu first complimented: "Thanks to the great king's wisdom, we won the battle easily."

"Don't sing hymns. Blue Fox, this place is your fief. If you have any demands, you can say it directly. And this prisoner..." Rurik glanced at him.

"This person said he was very important and was the leader of the locals."

"Oh? Do you believe it?"

"I believe it. I believe it very much. After all, if you talk nonsense, your kindness will not cover him."

Rurik nodded, and immediately asked the captive's name, and got a very succinct answer.

For a moment, Rurik's peaceful face frowned, and he ordered: "Quick! Quickly untie this man! Bring my new shirt."

The knife cut the rope, and Eric the "Archer" lost all restraints. He was allowed to stand up and talk, and was surprised that the noble man in front of him personally handed over a delicate white shirt.

In the eastern part of the Rus Kingdom, the handmade textile industry is not only expanding rapidly, but also improving textile technology. The finely processed linen fabric is cut into pieces and sewn by hand by women, and its quality is not inferior to the craftsmanship of a thousand years later. After all, sewing machines or human handwork have no difference in the essence of sewing. The difference is that sewing machines can greatly improve efficiency.

Rurik handed over the new clothes and instructed in particular: "I heard about your identity. The submissives in the north said that there are some strong men in the south, and one of them is you. As a king, I can't see a warrior falling down."

Rurik's words were euphemistic and respectful, not to mention that this dress was the best dress Eric the Archer had ever seen. It's finely stitched and soft to the touch, making it easy on the body.

"You... are you? The leader of the Rus?" Eric asked weakly, who had changed his clothes.

"Exactly. This king is the king of Rus, the king of Sweden. Now, it will also be your king."

"Ah? What are you... going to do with me. And my people."

Eric asked very succinctly, and Rurik simply didn't talk nonsense. As a king, Rurik was not only noble, he was a tall man, even taller than his biological father Otto when he was young and victorious.

"I am the conqueror of the North, the conqueror of the East, and the conqueror of Norway. In my army are the Rus, the Swedes, the Norse, and the armies of the East and the farther east. At my hands This is your honor, and you bravely confronted me. Although no one of our troops was injured, your behavior is admirable. Therefore, I will forgive you and your clan. You will not be slaves. "

Won't be a slave? Not to be killed?

What are the young conquerors coming from afar? Tu Yile?

Eric asked again: "Thank you for your kindness, but we will definitely pay some price."

"Submission to me, of course. Now! Kneel down!"

Rurik ordered abruptly, and a group of berserkers wearing bear heads gathered around him. The noon sun was full of fighters with reflective armors, and the situation could not tolerate Eric dawdling.

So the blue fox stood beside his king happily and witnessed a special canonization.

At first, Eric was subconsciously frightened when he heard the humming of the sword wind, but the beautiful sword was only placed on his shoulders and forehead.

The words narrated by King Ross are wonderful, and eventually he was canonized as a kind of hereditary low-ranking noble.

"Archer" Eric is the leader of the warriors in the village. If he takes a group of brothers to go out to sea, he will be transformed into a standard Viking pirate. He didn't do this because he was afraid of the Danish pirates, and he couldn't let go of his wife, children and friends.

Eric is not a fool, he made a very correct choice in the current situation - surrender to Ross on behalf of the captured people.

He was canonized as a baron, the title is "Bjorn". He was "Bjorn" of Blue Fox Gouldsson, and now he swore allegiance to Rurik as well as to Count Blue Fox.

The back of the sword made Eric's head swollen, and the pain irritated his head. Rurik did it deliberately to make him understand his warning: "Submission will be prosperous, and betrayal will be punished. If you betray, Ben will be punished. The king will raise his troops to attack, and the result will be your destruction!"

How dare Eric, who is kneeling on one knee, dare to object, and out of a Viking emotion, they simply expect to follow a strong man. In the harsh natural environment of northern Europe, a great chief can lead the people through the crisis, so the people of the lower reaches of the Yota River elected three chiefs, one of which is this Eric.

If it is put into a grand perspective, the leaders elected by the Jotarans also need stronger protection.

The struggle of the Jotalans was a fiasco, and it was an unprecedented gift to surrender to the Rus Kingdom to become a hereditary vassal. He was beaten to his heart's content and swore to the gods that he would not betray him.

That alone would convince Rurik of the man's loyalty?

Do not! This Eric needs a nomination.

Soon, "Archer" Eric was shocked that he saw his brother on the north side of the river, the "Bone Broken" Gorm he knew. The man was dressed in the costume of a Rus warrior and held a beautiful sword of the Rus. If he hadn't shown his face, Eric would not have recognized this guy at all.

"Bone Broken" Gorm met Eric "Archer" as an earl, and when he heard that his title was a baron, he didn't forget to say some sarcastic words. Is it really that the sooner you surrender, the more rewards you get? Eric was a little regretful that he was the main battle behavior.

Obviously, the attack of the Gotaland people, which has been brewing since yesterday, is a complete stupidity. The Rus army has come from afar with a greater purpose, and is not willing to sweep and kill both sides of the Gota River. But surrendering to Ross is a fate. Eric has understood that it is best to surrender peacefully. If he resists, he can only surrender passively.

In the end, all must be surrendered, and it is still too late to surrender peacefully.

Rurik and his cousin Arik happily drank ale while the army of Ross camped on the shore.

Rurik criticized the elder brother, who was slightly drunk, for his behavior of taking the lead, so as not to spoil the bad atmosphere. Because of Arik's incomparable happiness, people cheered him for his bravery and sturdiness. He has enjoyed it until now, as if life is pointing to this.

Rurik gave a death order that the army could only stay in the demarcated camps, even if the nearby villages and farms of the Jotalans were. Because the villages and fields already belong to the Earl of Gothenburg in principle, and are the territory of the Earl Blue Fox. The other nobles looted this territory with their soldiers, which was looting the wealth of the Earl of Gothenburg, which was enough for the king to activate the crusade mechanism.

The nobles restrained their army, and the army feasted on the spot and ate boiled oats.

Throughout the afternoon, the Russ army completely counted the prisoners of war and found out that the army had captured 1,600 men. Most of the prisoners of war were salvaged by armed cargo ships. They were released from their restraints and given a lot of cooked oats. Because of the surrender and canonization of "Archer" Eric, most of the prisoners of war suddenly did not want to escape.

In fact, even if there are those who try to escape, they can't escape.

Rurik was stationed at the huge camp on the landing site as usual. The Ross army was very densely stationed. The edge of the camp was even more stationed with torsion slingshots carried by his subordinates on carts, as well as soldiers with crossbow and longbow. An arc-shaped line of defense that relied on the fleet was established, and there was no need to leave this comfort zone with the Russ army and prisoners of war replenished by sufficient food and river water.

Only a group of people were released, and they were indeed prisoners of war, even capable men.

As many as a hundred people were released, and Rurik wanted to use the mouths of these people to tell the people in hiding that the Rus army had arrived, and asked the other two leaders in hiding to come out and surrender with all the people in hiding.

Or the other party is stubborn and just doesn't want to surrender, which is okay. The Ross army is by the river. If you want to choose a decisive battle by land, then go out of the hiding place.

Is it war or peace? The nearly 20,000 southern Gotalandans who were in hiding were given no choice at all. Their lives depended on fishing, and the fishing boats they could not take away were captured by the conquerors. In a few days, famine would begin, and everyone hiding in the forest could only slowly starve to death.

"Do this? Fight with them?"

"No, it's not necessary. Since Eric surrendered, let's surrender too."

"You really believe in those Rus?"

"Why don't you believe it. They released a lot of prisoners of war, and there are more than a thousand people in their hands. Our relatives and friends were detained by them. If we don't surrender, in case..."

"Bigfoot" Badal and "Broken Tooth" Cedric originally planned to launch a decisive battle with the last 7,000 armed militiamen according to the second plan. Now they are thinking twice about surrendering, but the people of Gotaland are already voting with their feet. The so-called life after death, now the Rus people want to let them live, why do people who don't want to die fight so hard?

Early in the morning, when the fog cleared, women and children headed to the Rus' camp. The women listened to the descriptions of the prisoners who were released, and learned that their husbands lived with great regularity, and that they were alive and well because of the act of surrender.

In the beginning, as long as a few women and children left the hiding place, a large number of people watched from a distance, and found that the conquerors did not show hostility, and they came out spontaneously.

Women and children can find their own husbands, and prisoners of war can find their own wives and children. When they found each other, they hugged each other and cried. Finally, they couldn't find their man's woman for a long time, but helplessly realized that he had died in battle.

Morale has collapsed, people's hearts have completely collapsed, and now there is no possibility of even gathering warriors.

"Bigfoot" Badal and "Broken Tooth" Cedric are the few brothers left by their side. They are the survivors of yesterday's fierce battle. They never imagined that the monster-like Rus army would mercifully serve the people with boiled wheat.

Now is the spring famine, and the farmland of the Jotalan people is not yet mature. If the offshore fishing is stopped during this period, each village will suffer from famine. Also, it is not a long-term solution to drive cattle and sheep into woodland, and cattle and sheep will starve to death quickly if there is no pasture.

Ross has brought enough rations for 10,000 people to eat for five months, and the sufficient food reserves are enough for Rurik to give another large-scale charity!

The big sticks for the Jotalan people made them tremble, and now they are buying people's hearts with food, even if it is just a meal.

"Bigfoot" Badar and "Broken Tooth" Cedric watched their own loss of power, the residents of the village were very sincere, they were busy looking for their families, busy eating the conqueror's free meal, Let's forget how powerful these conquerors are.

The two who dared not fall behind showed up with great fanfare, and were immediately disarmed by the bear-headed berserker.

So There are two more barons in the Earl of Gothenburg. All three local leaders became barons, vassals of Rurik and Blue Fox.

A war that might have caused a **** storm and corpses blocked the river of the Yota River did not happen. The locals saw the situation clearly and surrendered spontaneously, regardless of whether they were high or low.

So far, Rurik has conquered the Pan-Gothenburg region of the Gota River, and half of Gotaland has been incorporated into the territory of the Rus Kingdom in the form of two counties and a governorate municipality. This is the mouth of Gotaland, past the sandbar due south, and across the strait is the Danish peninsula of Jutland!

Rurik's kingship also reached the Denmark Strait for the first time.

He knew very well that across the strait was the Robard tribe of Denmark, the most influential Danish tribe, the old Rus and various Swedish tribes, who had a long-standing feud against this big Danish tribe. What's more, the new Danish king Horrick, whose life and death are uncertain, if this person does not die, there is a high probability that he will live somewhere in the Robard tribe's control area.

The huge army did not come to the summer camp for the spring tour. The strategic conditions for a raid on the Danish mainland have been reached, so it is better to do it immediately.