Chapter 962： Rurik takes Utrecht by chance

From Rurik's perspective, he saw the small city, the only steeple of the wooden church, and a large number of people walking out of the city.

The coalition army also followed at least 2,000 people, almost all of them were villagers who had heard the news, as well as a small number of fief knights and their entourage.

Rurik has not revealed his true identity until now, but when the army arrives in the city, it's time to start!

Thinking of this, Rurik called Henry Nassau to his side again.

"King Ross, you have reached your destination. Are you going to start?" He asked first.

"Yes. My army will besiege the city immediately, but I won't reveal my Norman identity."

"You... do you want to continue the drama?"

"I'm just worried about making those ordinary peasant women turn pale after revealing their identities. Listen, we only need the local nobles to know our identities. For those commoners, we are still playing the role of the Christ Army."

"fair enough."

Soon, the increasingly nervous Baron Groningen was also pushed over.

"Do you want absolute safety?" Rurik asked immediately.

The frowning Baron Victor hurriedly nodded as if suffering from Parkinson's disease.

"Very good. You have identified the nobles and priests in this city for me, and your mission is now complete. I have no reason to hurt you."

It's nothing new for a lower-ranking noble to suddenly change his family. Baron Victor has been disregarding the family's past oath. His entire family has been held in the hands of the Normans.

So, the army went straight to the city, and after a large number of paddle boats arrived at the inland dock, the soldiers quickly disembarked.

Rurik and Ragnar got together, their golden beards were too conspicuous, and the rest of the soldiers also had golden beards. Of course, the Frankish army also had beards per capita, but they rarely had pure golden beards.

The noble priests of Utrecht immediately had doubts, but the other party was well-organized and strong, and dozens of cross flags would never lie.

Also, Baron Martini saw his neighbor.

No, the neighbors have come with three gorgeously dressed senior military nobles.

Martini walked hurriedly, and subconsciously greeted a neighbor he hadn't seen for a long time: "Ah! This is not my friend from the north, Victor van Groningen."

In response, Victor hurriedly whispered to the tall Rurik: "The speaker is the local baron, Martini van Utrecht."

Did the local nobles show up? Rurik asked the black-robed priest with a white beard again: "Who is that noble priest?"

"It's the local bishop. Arbery."

"Oh? How is it that the Northern Saint Esquil is better than this person?"

"Saint Eskil?" Victor was still taken aback: "Eskil is even greater."

Rurik nodded, and immediately ordered the army to stop. Then, in full view, the army began to spread out. In addition to the more than 200 elites of the standing army of the Central Army, the other 100-man teams surrounded the large number of people that appeared in front of them.

Finally, Ragnar's Danish army allies, they stared at the people who followed behind the team.

The army's rapid shifts and alerts immediately aroused the following people on high alert, and they retreated consciously. It was said that even if the new "Count of the Netherlands" promised everyone a reward, ordinary farmers would not dare to get too close to the army.

The people outside stared and watched, and the sudden change also made the six fief knights suddenly wonder what to do.

The knight and his entourage maintained a wait-and-see attitude, waiting for the huge army to complete the siege of Little Utrecht.

They murmured in their hearts, wondering why the Count from outside was very interested in this city. Besides a cathedral, what else is important to this city?

As it is said that they are small local nobles, it is easy for them to know anything about Utrecht. Grain and wool are of course very important, they are the elements of life and nothing more.

They didn't think that the wealth plundered from the peasants, tenant farmers and even serfs had extremely high value, and it was far better than getting more gold, silver and gorgeous cloth.

It was the common wheat and wool they held that was Rurik's serious treasure. He ordered the army to besiege the city, which was equivalent to declaring the occupation of the city's granary.

The local baron and bishop are all here, and the two high-ranking personnel appear together. Isn't it easy to capture them now?

Looking at the current situation, everything is under control.

Rurik gave his captain of the bodyguard Grund a color and made him rush over.

"Your Majesty, what are your orders?"

"Take a brother and walk with me. Detain the old thing in the black robe and the man in the chainmail, remember to act fast!"

"As ordered. That's... the man in the chainmail has a few guards beside him."

"Oh." Rurik paused, "Remember, be quick when you draw your sword."

"I understand."

At this moment, from the perspective of the natives of Utrecht, they were surprised to find themselves surrounded by warriors in gorgeous costumes.

Baron Martini exclaimed in confusion. Since the visitor was familiar with Victor, Baron of Groningen, he hurried over to ask what was going on.

Martini walked quickly with two entourages, and Rurik spread his right hand, allowing Henry Nassau and Baron Victor to make a good move.

A tall man with a big golden beard came over. He also wore a leather helmet with a huge nose guard, and the helmet was decorated with furry fur. To be fair this helmet is very beautiful.

Only extraordinary nobles can dress like this. Martini has never seen such a noble, thinking that it may be a baron from the north. After all, a few counts, for example, would consecrate some Saxon leaders as barons and fief knights. There are quite a few Saxons with pure blond hair and beards.

At this moment, Martini was not on guard. He intends to salute the tall and distinguished guests, and then inquire about their identity and purpose.

Unexpectedly, ten stationary warriors suddenly drew their swords. They attacked without any hesitation, Martini was unprepared, and his two squires were knocked down with several swords.

"Ah! It's the enemy?!" Martini was about to say something, but he was kicked at the knee, the whole person kneeling on the ground in pain, the hand that was trying to draw the sword was also held down, even his head He was also stomped on the ground.

Everything happened so suddenly, the people in the siege saw the terrifying killing and saw their baron grandfather being easily subdued. The woman screamed while holding the head wrapped in the scarf, and the man with the visor hat was as wide as a copper bell and dumbfounded.

No one dared to escape, because the white-robed blue-striped soldier standing on the periphery all drew out their swords, and the sword touched the large round shield.

Until this moment, someone finally shouted out that terrible name.

"Is it a Norman?!"

The Normans also carried the cross flag? This is not surprising. The Norman Danes who once entrenched in the port of Durist, they collectively converted to God, but the result was still pirate habits.

Martini was trampled under his feet with a muddy face. He wanted to say something, but his neck was almost broken.

Rurik strode up and greeted Grund: "It would be bad if you really killed this man. Bind him up."

Well, he went straight to all the black-robed priests who were at a loss, especially the bishop who was said to be called Arbery.

Now Rurik has no entourage by his side, and strides forward with his sword hilt in his hand.

He is a "Nordic giant", and his height is almost two stikas, the so-called equivalent of 195 cm.

Rurik inherited the strong genes of his biological father Otto, and his biological mother Nya was not short. In addition, the standard of living was really high when he was growing up, and he really grew up like a giant. He was directly taller than the many Frisian farmers in front of him, and many of the soldiers under his command were so tall and strong. M.bΙQμGètν.còM

The giant brings a strong sense of coercion, and the friendly forces feel that such a man is the real king, and he brings absolute reliability. For the enemy, it is pure terror.

Having just witnessed the killing, many of those little priests who didn't care about the world were directly diapered, and they were so frightened that they didn't dare to escape.

Could it be that Bishop Arbery II was not afraid?

It is fair to say that he was very afraid. Only by holding on to the cross and constantly meditating on the scriptures in his heart could reassure him.

The bishop looked up at the giant's face with his head raised, and Rurik admired the expression on his face. "Is this person ready to be a martyr? Idiot, it's no use killing you."

Because the Russ-Danish coalition came here mainly for looting, and looting farmers could not get any oil or water, so this time it was targeting nobles and priests with precise looting. If the opponent does not resist, they will not be killed, and the priests, considering that the coalition does not want to destroy the local order, it is necessary to keep the priests.

Rurik suddenly asked in Latin: "Who among you is the bishop? Is that you? Are you Arbery?"

It was actually a Latin question. The words hit the depths of his soul, and the bishop was shocked. He continued to hold the huge wooden cross tightly, and replied in a voice with a sense of vicissitudes: "I! It is the Bishop of Utrecht, Arbery."

So Rurik looked down at the little old man: "In that case, let's talk."

"Let's talk? Are you going to the confessional room to repent? Are you begging the Lord's forgiveness for the killing just now? No. If you are a Christian, your soul is already black and you will be cursed. If you are not, it is too late to convert now."

Is this guy brave or pedantic?

Rurik wanted to laugh, he shook his head and deliberately provoked, "Pada, do you think I still have the qualifications to convert?"

"Yes! Of course there is!" Bishop Arbery raised an old face, posing forcefully like a sculpture. "It's still too late to convert. I don't know who you are, and now let your armies spread out. I'll . . . anoint and baptize you."

"Then you don't have to. You seem more pedantic than your northern saint, Eskil. We are all Normans and have no interest in your gods."

"Norman...Normans? But you...dressed so gorgeously, how is it possible? You! Not that man Horrick." The bishop was even more puzzled in shock.

"Horick? Oh, that man was cut off by me, like a wild boar in a wooden cage. I don't have time to chat with you anymore, I know you have a lot of power as a local bishop, I'll give you two a choice."

"What? What choice?" The bishop narrowed his eyes.

"If you choose to cooperate, take your priests and the people of the whole city, sit down and rest at the place I designate, and show me the location of the granary in the city. If you refuse to cooperate, my army will kill you all immediately. After all! We Normans, it is not a sin to kill you, but to sacrifice our great Odin with your blood."

All utterances are described in standard Latin. It looks like a domineering Norman chief, but this man is tall and gorgeously dressed, and his mouth is full of sacred language. It is absurd that all the elements are intertwined.

As long as he thinks of the Normans, the bishop thinks of robbery. There must be more pirates in the northern world, and Horrick is the only leader who has been recruited.

Obviously, this group of pirates is new, even if they hold the cross flag high, as for their beliefs...

"You! Are you Christians? Why are you flying the flag of the cross?" The bishop asked solemnly again.

"It's all just a disguise, you see, this tricks you all out, saves us from sieging the city and killing. Now surrender! We're just here to rob, and if we can avoid killing people, we don't need to take the initiative. Listen! You should We are fortunate to have met us, and there is no Norman army as good as us. Take your people away and keep you from dying."

The bishop was like eating a mouthful of horse dung. His disgust was really disgusting. He wanted to scold him. Considering the safety of the whole city, he had to accept the arrangement of the robbers.

Therefore, from the perspective of the Rus-Danish coalition, King Rurik seems to be driving the people of Utrecht to the designated "sheepfold" with one mouth, like a shepherd.

Now the gates of the city are completely open, and all the belongings in it are free to loot.

The looting has begun!

The whole city is like a fresh leg of lamb on a chopping board. How to cut it depends on the master's mind.

After the small city of Utrecht was occupied by the coalition forces, everything from the cathedral to the baron's mansion, and even the most common houses, were all targeted by looting.

The usable wooden ware and pottery in the houses were taken away, the chickens in the cages were robbed, and the tethered cows and goats were taken away. This kind of tasteless looting is all done by the Danish army. They can only provide food and clothing in their hometown, and what is worse is that they are very short of daily necessities.

Ragnar himself was naturally not so eager to wait. He took a group of cronies straight to the cathedral, looking for gold and silver utensils everywhere, and indeed found some. Bronze lampshades, bronze plates, and holy vessels cast in gold and silver were taken away. Including the lower clergy's living room, the church's refectory was also ransacked.

Among them were the found sterling silver spoons and bowls. As the king of Denmark, Ragnar naturally took them as his own.

Ragnar is very satisfied with the current harvest. He has gained a lot from the looting of the church. What the Danish army needs is precious metals, and the wishes of the brothers have been somewhat satisfied. There was no Russ army to fight with him, and Ragnar didn't care much about the Russ busy detailing the local warehouse.

In other words, although Ragnar is not a king, he is still a pirate leader and a tribal leader.

With such an identity, it is understandable to loot precious metals in a limited way, and in the end, it is to make his family jewels and improve their lives.

Rurik is otherwise, as the king of Rus, he needs to plunder foreign wealth to satisfy his own people. The warehouses in Utrecht must be emptied, and the looting should not be limited to that.

The granary was next to the baron's mansion, and the swarming Rus army pried open the door of the warehouse and carried away a large number of sacks of grain. The soldiers checked it and found that it was full of oats and rye. We are very disappointed that the wheat that everyone loves to see is not available here.

There is another warehouse, where sacks are stuffed with raw wool. The wool in clumps is mixed with leaves and dead grass, and the overall yellowing proves that it has not been degreased.

The grain and wool have been packed, and the baron's mansion has ready-made carriages and horses.

Does the baron have plans to transport some supplies by land? Where is he going to ship it?

According to Blue Fox's investigation information many years ago, and the report from Hamburg later. Every year, caravans from the counties of Flanders transport wool to the Saxony region.

It is not surprising that there are no sheep in the city. Raising sheep in large numbers is an industry in the nearby village, controlled by the village's fief knights.

There are now at least six fief knights under the control of the Allied forces, who have wisely declared their allegiance to Henry Nassau, Earl of the Netherlands. They also suddenly knew that the so-called mighty Frankish army was Normans. It was too late, they were unable to escape and did not dare to escape, but their allegiance to Henry Nassau would save their lives.

Many villagers fled because of instinctive fear. Rurik knew that Henry Nassau was maintaining order outside the city, and it was up to him how many people he could appeal to not flee. In the end, this area will be classified as the so-called Earl of the Netherlands. Considering the future business, especially the development of this area as a wool production area, Rurik did not intend to kill people, at least in the Utrecht area. For other regions, massacres are really nothing.

The best way to appease those villagers is to distribute food to them. After all, what attracted them to follow was the promise of "free food when you enter Utrecht". Now is the time to fulfill the promise.

Rurik commanded in the city: "Find all the trolleys and move the food outside the city."

"We didn't plan to stay in Utrecht for a long time. Find the grain and wool and take them away! If you find the gold and silver utensils, you will be your own."

"If you find the box containing the money, don't take it personally. It's extremely good to hand it in."

Rurik shouted a lot in public, watching the soldiers go in and out of the baron's mansion and granary.

After a while, Grund and his buddies brought out some prisoners with their hands tied. Specifically, there were several crying female prisoners in robes and scarves.

"Sir. These should be the cooks." He said excitedly.

"Really? Just grabbed it and cooked for us. Take them all out of the city."

"As ordered."

"Also, did you find anyone hiding?"

"Not yet."

Rurik nodded and continued: "Go and search. Remember, if you find it, you will be caught, and if the other party resists, you will be killed."

"As ordered."

It's like a group of piranhas nibbling on a wounded fat duck, and after a while, the duck becomes a skeleton.

Rurik dispatched many "porters", and Utrecht's granary was cleaned before the sun went down. The piles of sacks were already being transported to the longships, and the operation of the large ships of the Ross Fleet down the river to the mouth of the Amstel River began quietly.

A huge "refugee camp" was built outside the city, and a site for food distribution was also designated.

There were twenty sacks on the ground, full of rye from the city.

Rurik didn't like rye unless he had to. Seems the only use is for brewing kvass. For ordinary farmers, it is still cherished food.

The Ross warrior held the hilt of the sword to maintain order, and someone with a temporarily chopped wooden stick beat the chaotic crowd and forced them to form a team.

Henry Nassau, Earl of the Netherlands, was standing at the food distribution site. Those who were waiting to receive the food were the following farmers, including men, women and children.

They reluctantly formed a line, found cloth blocks themselves as cloth pockets, and even used their own cloth robes to carry the wheat.

It is unheard of for nobles to distribute wheat.

A small wooden bowl served as a container, and the wheat was poured into the cloth pockets of the people. When the people received the wheat, they were ordered to say aloud: ""

What they said loudly was "Thanks to the Count of the Netherlands", and everyone was asked to scream, so that the hundreds of daring villagers who stayed behind were rewarded with a bowl of rye for the first time, and the words of thanks were also shouted several times. Hundreds of times, they are all deeply impressed by each other.

Henry Nassau was standing here, and everyone who got the food could see the face of their new earl.

They were further promised that, as the subjects of the count of the Netherlands, because the count cooperated with the Normans, the servants would not be harmed by the Normans.

After they got the wheat, they ran home one after another, explaining their adventures to those who escaped first.

The six fief knights remained outside the city of Utrecht. They were in a situation where they could not get off the pirate ship, because the baron Martini is already in the past, and Utrecht will be the residence of the earl of the Netherlands in the future, and the old baron will no longer exists. For the survival of the family, for the safety of their own villages, and for the future, they pledged allegiance to Henry Nassau. This also means that they maintain cooperation with the powerful Norman army, and they will inevitably encounter the revenge of Baudouin, Count of Flanders.

The fief knights worried about the future when they thought that their actual betrayal would be revenge by the Earl of Flanders. Because the Norman army came and went in a hurry, after the Normans left, could Henry Nassau control this place? Also, does the resumption of the Duchy of Saxony really matter? Is the Earl of the Netherlands actually a feudal state of the Duchy of Saxony?

Of course, on that night, the Innoman chief and the bishop of Utrecht talked a lot in Latin around the bonfire and even talked a lot with the captured Baron Martini.

A deafening news spread like wildfire.

After the Norman army evacuated Utrecht with little bloodshed, they set their sights on the city of Antwerp. How could this be piracy? The Normans are looking for a decisive battle for the main force of the Country of Flanders.

Because along the southern waterway of Utrecht, you can directly reach the ruins of the port of Durist, and continue south to the main channel of the Rhine. Continue south along the waterway to reach Antwerp.

If the Norman army starts to attack Antwerp, the Count of Flanders will definitely lead his troops from Ghent, where his mansion is located. Count Baudouin cannot allow his wealthy Antwerp to be invaded by pirates again.

When the fief knights heard the news, they figured out that this was the new conspiracy of the Normans. However, what does this have to do with your little fief knight? At most, it is to send some troops to prove that he is indeed loyal to the newly-appointed Earl of the Netherlands. As for the real fight, then it's fine to just run away. New provides you with the fastest Rise of Rurik update, Chapter 962 Rurik Takes Utrecht for free reading. https://

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