Rise of Rurik

More than 800 heads were sprinkled with lime, and they were collectively packaged into eight wooden boxes. In order to prevent the stench from spreading, a large amount of lime was sprinkled inside, which made the gray-white heads even paler.

As the Countess Sophia Nassau, if she is a timid woman, it is inevitable that she will be frightened and insane when she sees her fiancé destroying the enemy's corpse in this way.

She is not a cowardly and cowardly nobleman, which the black fox thinks is true.

In other words, one of the elite under her command was all Normans, and she was passively made to look like a Norman woman.

She was dolled up, with gold, silver and amber adorning the fast-growing maiden. After all, she has gone through a large-scale war, and she is nominally the commander of the victorious side. Sophia's innocent days ended two years ago, and now her eyes are full of vigilance and caution.

After all, she is a hereditary nobleman under the Frankish system, even if she is a girl.

The maid dressed her in a truncated Churnik robe, girdled with a delicate belt, covered her head with a white gauze scarf and adorned a gold, silver and amber headdress.

Concealed by the gown were her Rose-style high-top leather boots, wrapped in soft linen, for quick and easy walking.

It is also a plain white cloak and shawl, fastened with a gold-plated brooch. This robe is very unusual, with a large number of blue cloth strips sewn on it.

He was dressed in blue and white, and his brown hair was tied behind his head. Fair cheeks with slight freckles have a pair of dark blue eyes, these eyes are unusual, always showing a hint of vigilance inadvertently, even...a hint of murderous intent.

Just like hanging on her leather bag is a dagger, the hilt is inlaid with huge rubies, and the silver-plated scabbard is patterned with intricate gold patterns.

To a large extent, Earl Sophia Narrand's dress today is to imitate the Russian noblewoman as much as possible on the basis of retaining the traditional Frankish noblewoman's dress.

After all, the elite under her command are all Ross warriors, and the soldiers still have the Ross flag tattooed on their clothes—interlaced blue cloth strips sewn on white robes.

She is the countess, and it is the black fox who really exercises the power of the count.

This is not a problem, even though the two have not yet married in accordance with the Frankish law, the two have already acted together and even launched a military operation. This time, they will bring a "special gift" to meet Ludwig stationed in Mainz king.

She was busy dressing up in the boudoir, and Heihu intentionally led the brothers to wait outdoors.

When she walked out of the house and presented a new image, no one dared to question that she was not decent enough.

"How about me?" Her eyes were fixed on her young but fat husband, Heihu.

"Good. Even like a fighter, I like it."

"Really? But I've never actually been in a fight."

"There will be a chance, maybe you are willing. I heard that Rose's queen has participated in combat when she was twelve years old, and even the Duchess of Ostara, at your age, has also experienced war..."

The names mentioned by the husband were all unfamiliar. Those women were all noblewomen of Rose. Although they had never met them, maybe it was just that they had no chance to meet them now.

Sophia took a deep breath, straightened her chest inadvertently, and tried to suppress the tension and timidity in her heart: "It seems that you want me to be the Valkyrie you call me? You really think highly of me. Let's go, let's go to Mainz."

"Then let's go." Heihu patted his belly, he was very happy that his fiancée was becoming more and more feminine, and now he finally had the taste of a female warrior. He took Sophia's hand: "I really don't know what will happen to that Ludwig when he sees us. Maybe, he will be frightened."

"Perhaps. But he's a savage man like you."

"Barbaric? How is it considered barbaric?"

"Killing, endless killing..."

"That's how war is. Don't say any more, you are the Countess after all, and the world will only remember that it was the nobles of Nassau who defeated the Frankish army in Coblenz."

Sophia nodded slightly to confirm that the implication was that she, as a Nassau nobleman, was responsible for the 800 severed heads. This kind of thing is simply unreasonable.

She wasn't scared out of her wits, thinking Ludwig would only be surprised for a moment, that's all.

Of course, some people were stunned by this matter. That was Conrad, the priest of Nassau Monastery. As a clergyman, he went to Mainz this time not just as a foil for the nobility.

What does it mean for Nassau to swallow Leingau? It means that the ownership of the entire old Diocese of Laingau will be changed, and it will be moved to the Diocese of Cologne as a whole, thus breaking away from the Diocese of Worms (Mainz). In this way, Conrad will become the new regional bishop. He needs to be recognized by Worms, and even more so by Cologne in the future.

The Koblenz refugees have been diverted, and a group of people headed to the plain wasteland at the Limburg Ferry on the upper reaches of the Lahn River. The fishing village of Landstein has now become a large settlement, and the pier here has also been urgently expanded.

Whether it is the Koblenz people or the Nassau people, or all the Norman and Utrecht immigrants, after the war, Sophia issued a tax exemption order to the entire county according to her husband's request.

In fact, it was the Black Fox's decision to give the post-war people a three-year tax exemption after research and judgment, which meant that the most critical eleventh tax would be collected in the autumn of 845. This is an imitation of the Ross Kingdom's decree. The so-called post-war period gave the people time to recuperate. After three years, the people will surely accumulate a lot of wealth, and they may be able to collect more taxes when they collect taxes.

This is a benevolent government, and the people find this move incredible. The original one-year tax exemption has now been extended to three years. The nobles have indeed fulfilled their pre-war promises.

But for lower-level nobles and priests, if they do this, how will their money come from? Could it be that everyone has to live as an ascetic monk for three years?

It is not.

Black Fox is full of confidence in trade. He feels that he can earn a lot of money just by selling wine to the north, or even just the initial fermented grape juice. In summer, nobles and priests only need to share some trade dividends. They get cash and buy surplus grain from farmers with cash. There is no problem at this stage.

What's more, in the midst of the Frankish Civil War, the Earl of Nassau has a small but powerful army, and can rely on "legal looting" to directly reap huge war benefits.

So for the black fox, he brought 800 heads to see Ludwig, and these heads were simply a kind of honor.

All parties have demands, and the focus is on Mainz.

Ten long boats sailed upstream, and the black fox fleet consisted of 200 men. The longboat with oars was dragging the longboat that was only used to transport goods. Apart from the 800 heads, there were 500 iron helmets and a batch of damaged armor.

It would be bad if Ludwig thought that there was a possibility of committing crimes, then the man would have no doubts when he saw a pile of torn armor and helmets.

Anyway, Nassau's militia has a bad feeling about these helmets. It is strange to say that the militiamen stripped off the enemy's clothes, leather boots, belts, etc., washed the blood and took them for themselves, but ignored the helmets.

The militia felt unlucky, and the Ross soldiers felt that there was no need to keep it for themselves. These scrap iron could be used as an invitation for credit, and they might be able to make some money by selling them to Ludwig.

After the fleet passed Shipai Ferry, where the current was relatively turbulent, the continuing journey entered an absolute quiet and stable state.

All the long ships furled their sails, and the flag of Ross was blatantly hung on the only mast. The round shields of the Ross people were hung on both sides of the ship, and the large oars were sliding rhythmically. Outsiders must think that they were a group of pirates invading the inner river.

In fact, it is not the case. For Mainz, only long ships flying the Ross flag are not enemies. What's more, some of the ships here specially hang the black cross flag on a white background.

Not far away is the city of Mainz. Father Konrad is wearing a black robe, holding a huge black cross tied with intentionally carbonized wooden strips in his arms. He stands like this on the bow of a long boat, just to let the viewers realize Until there are clergymen on board, all fears are put to rest.

But when they did arrive in Mainz, the situation in the city was very different.

"What's the matter? There are people on both sides of the strait? No! There are actually a lot of tents?" The black fox squinted his eyes and muttered to himself, casually asking Wadi, who was busy paddling, for his opinion.

Although Vardy is a baron, since the fief of Limburg is now managed by Father Bachbert of Koblenz, he and his brothers don't have to bother there.

He is an old soldier. He looked around and said casually: "Last year I heard that Ludwig was going to increase his troops. It seems that he is really doing so."

"I also saw some boats floating on the river. What are they doing?"

"What are you doing?!" Wadi took a closer look and found that the people on the boat had obvious metal reflections: "Maybe they are transporting troops? I heard that his brother wanted to lift heavy soldiers to kill him. He added troops to protect himself."

"Maybe. Hehe." Heihu suddenly thought of something, and yelled loudly and vulgarly: "Brothers came too timely. If we help him fight the war, it will be a great favor. Even if my second brother Lanhu is not here this year, I would rather He is almost there, mainly because you have experienced many battles. Brothers still find a rich place to plunder. Haha, we will make a fortune."

Speaking of getting rich, everyone is excited, so that the power of paddling is stronger.

For the troops on both sides of Mainz, those who stayed in the tents came out one after another. Although they were not wearing armor, anyone with a discerning eye could tell that they were soldiers.

The Ross Fleet appeared completely uninvited. The troops of the Eastern Kingdom remained vigilant, but the attitudes of the soldiers on the left and right banks were different. In other words, the soldiers on the north bank are on high alert, while the guards on the south bank are lax.

Because there are a large number of troops directly under Ludwig entrenched on the south bank. They came from Bavaria in various ways. The new army chatted with the veterans stationed in Mainz, and they knew more or less about the Ross people.

The one on the north bank is different, because it is Thakurf's army, Marquis of Thuringia, who is camping now. In terms of attire, it is indeed different from Ludwig's standing army.

The main city of Mainz is on the south bank. The black fox came here with his brother last year, and this time he landed on the beach directly from the old place.

Both sides maintained a tacit understanding. The soldiers on the shore saw that they were Ross people. Not only did they relieve their guard, but they also went to catch the thrown cables in person, and then pulled the boat a little to the shore, and finally fixed it.

This scene made the black fox think that he jumped down a little clumsily on his stomach, helped his straight white fox hat, and then put his hands on Sophia to hug him down.

The Ross army formed a team at the landing site, and Father Conrad, who was still holding the huge black cross, took off his burqa and looked around. He hoped to see some local clergymen hanging around, at least chatting a few words to avoid the embarrassment of his situation.

A centurion came after hearing the news. He was wearing a full set of military uniform, but unfortunately the chain mail was a little rusted, and the helmet also had a lot of scratches. Such attire looks like a veteran of many battles, but in fact he is too lazy to spend money to repair his stomach.

He was a little bit of a team, no matter what the comparison was, it was not as glamorous as those uniformly dressed Ross people.

He stared at the most gorgeously dressed fat man, even though he looked younger. There have long been rumors in the army that the king had neglected a very fat envoy of Ross, and some unnecessary wars broke out afterwards, so the meeting last year became a treat, and the relationship between the two sides is not bad.

Maybe... that fat emissary again?

"Who are you? Rose? You... don't come here for nothing."

After all, it is someone else's territory. The black fox maintained restraint and said respectfully: "It is said that the king of the East is here. We came from Nassau, and this time we brought a big gift to meet the king."

"Our king? This matter...let me report it."

In fact, there is no need to report. When the longboats on the river were visible to the naked eye, some soldiers rushed to the city on horseback. When the black fox and his party arrived, Ludwig already knew that the Ross people were coming. He just couldn't confirm whether it was the blue fox guy who came again, but they were different now, they could be discussed and used.

Ludwig's attitude towards the Ross people was very contradictory. He couldn't forget his humiliation of defeat in the Elbe River, and now he continued to hate but couldn't hate it. In fact, he somewhat welcomes these guys to Mainz, and just uses them as thugs to do things that he should not do.

No, a centurion had to order Cai to wait at the pier, and the contact was not accidental.

Because on the city wall, Ludwig in a armored stomach stood relatively low-key on a high place, and he mixed with the soldiers on duty on the city wall to cover his whereabouts.

When he reappears, he completely changes his clothes and looks.

The earth was shaking, because a cavalry team walked out of the main gate of the city very arrogantly. The leader of the team was none other than Ludwig himself who put on his most gorgeous clothes. Instead of a helmet, he wears a golden crown. The cavalry and horses behind them were all in armor, their chain mail and helmets had been polished to a shine, their horses' manes had been combed smooth, and even their hooves were new.

This is not a ceremonial ceremony deliberately done by Ludwig, but because the cavalry has indeed changed their weapons, and it is really preparing for this year's large-scale battle.

Objectively speaking, these heavy cavalry mobilized from Bavaria gave him strong self-confidence. Even if these elites had to be slowly transported over the Inn River in small boats, he still had to worry about the danger of the ship's frivolous horses falling into the water.

Thinking that the blue fox came in person, Ludwig, who was riding a tall horse, took a look in person, and was surprised to find that it was the guy's younger brother.

"I remember you! You are Paul." Ludwig pointed with the whip in his hand, while controlling the restless horse's hooves to walk and sway left and right.

The black fox raised his head and squinted his eyes facing the sunlight, making his eyes, which were small due to obesity, almost lost the city.

"I'm Paul, Paul Black Fox."

"Sure enough. You! Why are you not polite when you see this king?"

After being sent to the army, the black fox didn't change his face: "But I'm not your vassal yet. However, some people should salute you."

No, a gorgeously dressed girl stepped out. Ludwig had spotted her a long time ago, subconsciously thinking that she was a nobleman from the Kingdom of Ross, maybe it was a relative like Rurik's sister or something.

As a result, the girl's first words surprised him.

"You? You're actually the youngest daughter of the Nassau family. What did you call yourself just now? Earl?"

Sophia, who had just completed the female nobleman's etiquette, was really embarrassed to face the aloof king. She tried her best to suppress her timidity and insisted on explaining her new identity: "I am the Earl of Nassau-Koblenz-Leingau."

"You? Are you sure? I don't remember when I canonized a new earl? Especially a woman." No, Ludwig stared directly at the black fox standing beside him: "What's going on? What's the matter with this girl?"

The black fox regained his composure and replied solemnly: "We are here today as the Earl of Nassau's army. Sophia is indeed the Countess. If you feel puzzled, then admit our identities now."

"It's just inexplicable. You? The arrogant Ross. Unexpectedly, you are more arrogant than your brother? Are you teaching me how to do things?! Are you worthy?"

"If you read the gift we presented, you will have a deeper understanding of us."

"Gift?" Ludwig put away his horsewhip, then looked around and laughed: "Gift. My soldiers, you all heard it. A Norman wants to give me a gift."

These elite heavy cavalry are only loyal to Ludwig, and they can be called the most elite personal soldiers. The king is laughing, and the personal soldiers are also happy.

"Okay!" Ludwig poked his head out again: "Show me your presents! I hope you can please me."

"You...will be pleased." The blue fox smiled meaningfully, clapped his hands, and ordered his people to approach the large number of wooden boxes that had already been brought ashore.

Ludwig approached the wooden boxes as if leading a team on horseback. He was full of curiosity, imagining that there were gold and silver in them. What he needs most now is cash for military expenses, and he simply completely ignores the faint smell that began to permeate the air.

"Please remain calm." After speaking, the black fox gestured to his subordinates.

Some held crowbars ready to open the box, while others took Sophia Nassau away to avoid it. Even Father Conrad turned his back and kept making the sign of the sign of the cross over his chest, and no one noticed his abnormal behavior.

Ludwig and his soldiers were expecting a big gift from the Ross people, but when the box was opened with a crowbar, heads rolled out one by one along with a lot of white lime.

"What is this?!" Ludwig was taken aback, his wide eyes almost popping out of their sockets. He yanked on the reins, and the horse, which had received the wrong command, hung high, almost throwing her off.

The entire cavalry team was deeply shocked, even though they were battlefield veterans, they couldn't help trembling when they saw their heads rolling.

"What's going on here? You guys?! Threatening me?" Ludwig had already drawn his sword, which happened to be the steel sword that Rurik gave him.

So the black fox naturally recognized this sword. After all, this sword was originally custom-made by his old father, and it finally fell into the hands of this guy after changing hands several times.

Heihu was also surprised by his overreaction, but the gift was more than just rolling heads.

More wooden boxes open ~www.readwn.com~ which are full of broken armor and trampled Frankish style iron helmets.

This fact needs no verbal explanation.

"It's all...all soldiers' relics? So these heads..."

"That's right." The squinting black fox said sullenly, "This is your elder brother Lothair's army. It is said that they are members of the 20th Banner Squad, and some armed civilians from Metz."

"You Ross intercepted them? When did you launch a military operation? Didn't you tell me?!"

"Don't I tell you now? Here are 800 heads, including the heads of their commanders. We wiped out the 800 elites of Lothar for you. Isn't this a great achievement? Isn't this what you most want to see?" gift?"

Ludwig had to calm down his emotions: "If this is true, you are indeed meritorious. Well, I accept these horrific gifts. I allow you to enter the city, and your army has the right to enter the city. You! Paul Black Fox! And you, Sophia Nassau. I need to have a good chat with you two, and I allow you to discuss it in detail in my palace."