Rise of Rurik

The messenger holding the kingdom's flag moved tremblingly, and even more nervous than him were the two priests behind him.

The priest carried a cross made of black wooden boards and walked all the way, reciting scriptures, for God's blessing.

They are very worried that their negotiators will not appreciate it.

After all, those guys are savages from the sea. They will kill when they land. I hope they can be sent away with a sum of money. As for my own life...

At this moment, the messenger Jacques is very self-blaming that he should not make plans. Even if he is an messenger, why should he go there himself?

Seeing three seemingly unarmed people approaching the camp, the Vikings who were eager to fight jumped out of the built shacks and approached them with various weapons.

Yevro and his brothers were ordered to go first, and they easily controlled the visiting trio of messengers.

It is the shame of mercenaries to let suspicious people approach the gold master.

With his brother, he first gave the messenger a few punches to hit him, then pressed the three people to the ground and carefully checked whether there were any sharp weapons on them.

In the end, the three messengers tied their hands and escorted them to kneel in front of Rurik and others.

Seeing that the church members were beaten into panda eyes and blood hanging from the corners of their mouths, Paul was shocked by the barbaric behavior of these guys even though he voted for the Viking camp.

"Are you stupid?!" Rurik asked casually about Paul, who was in a daze.

"No, I'm fine."

"Ask them what their intentions are."

"Yes! Your lord."

Paul, of course, has a sense of guilt as a traitor, and he and the three messengers have eight eyes facing each other, and the scene is extremely absurd for both sides.

Are there renegade priests in the enemy camp? A priest actually betrayed his beliefs and stood up for the barbarians?

The messenger Jacques cursed in his heart that this man would go to hell.

However, the messenger came with a mission, and Jacques tried his best to keep his composure, like a repeating machine with no emotion, repeating the request of the palace minister John.

Hear Paul's retelling,

Rurik not only pinched his chin with golden fluff: "Take a sum of money and let us retreat? They really think so. Paul, continue to ask how much money they can give?"

Originally, the messenger Jacques had no complete confidence in spending money to eliminate disasters. He could not have imagined that this handsome but heroic young boy, who looked like a barbarian leader, would have a great interest in withdrawing after taking the ransom.

So, how much ransom should be paid?

Palace Prime Minister John did not give a specific number, Jacques boldly gave a very large number tentatively in his opinion.

"Five thousand silver coins. What do you think."

"Five thousand? Fifty pounds?" Rurik once felt that Paul's translation was wrong. He asked the messenger to explain the number in a straight-forward manner. He listened carefully to the old Saxon vocabulary and was sure.

"Just five thousand silver coins, just want to send us?" Rurik immediately drew out his bright white steel sword inlaid with gems, the tip of the sword pointed directly at the messenger's nose.

"Then ten thousand! This is already a very large number!"

Rurik shook his head, looking extremely impatient. He pursed his lips, then called out, "Bring that noble captive here."

The messenger didn't know what was going on, but after a while, a man in burlap clothes was pulled over by a rope.

Along with it came a long sword with a ruby ​​hilt and a badly bent hilt.

The messenger Jacques, of course, had seen King Ernred himself, and now he was stunned by the sight before him. The whole person opened his mouth wide, as if he had contracted a disease, his body twitched, and his throat was so loud that he didn't know what to say.

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The real King Ernred Cui sat dejected. His emotions were extremely complicated. Although he was ruthless in his heart, his anger would only cause blood to ooze from the wound on his severed arm.

A person like himself who suffered a serious arm injury would usually die of a fever within three or four days, but he clearly received even more terrible treatment. It has been many days since the end of the battle, and he has no signs of fever, just like this life was protected by God.

That being the case, it is not advisable to condone the disease to take his own life. But now the shadow of the disease can't be seen.

Ernred stared at the wooden wall of Bamburgh and into the eyes of the messenger, and was speechless for a while.

Rurik casually stroked the king's dog's head and said arrogantly: "Your people are going to buy peace with ten thousand silver coins. Are you despising me? I didn't intend to attack the city, but in the face of this insult..."

Ernred shook his head suddenly, and raised his head to indicate: "There is something strange here. Without my authorization, how could someone give such an order."

Rurik was also a little surprised: "Very strange? You sent the crown to this city, isn't your son already the king?"

"No! My son can only be legally crowned king in York. Besides, I'm still alive, and I'm still king of Northumbria. You... Vikings, at least treat me as king. At least , I'm on the same level as you."

Ernred was protesting against Rurik himself. Indeed, in the context of Western Europe, the title of "principle" and "king" held by Rurik were on the same level.

As soon as the words fell, Ernred was slapped by Rurik.

"The defeated king, what are you thinking? Well, the messenger of Bamburgh is here, and you just happen to fulfill the promise immediately."

Ernred vowed to never forget this repeated humiliation by the Vikings. As long as he can escape, his heirs will try their best to avenge this great revenge, but now he still needs to pretend to be a grandson to survive.

Ernred suddenly asked the messenger deeply: "Tell me about the situation in the city!"

The messenger Jacques still kept his mouth open.

"Tell me about the situation!" Ernred shouted, although his wound was bleeding again, and now he can't care so much.

The messenger finally came to his senses, hurriedly knelt down on his knees, and reported, "It's Lord Chancellor, who ordered me to ask the barbarians how much money they can get to leave."

"Prime Minister?! Prime Minister Edward is in York, and I didn't take him with me when I set out."

"is new."

"New? Who appointed?!"

"Yes..." Suddenly, Jacques felt that he had fallen into a huge vortex of palace politics. If he said something he shouldn't say, even if the barbarian didn't cut himself with an axe, he would have to be hanged by the king himself.

Seeing the cowardice of the messenger, Ernred immediately promised: "You dare to say, I want to know the most real situation. Don't worry, you will be rewarded with a sum of money afterwards."

"Ah! Yes! It's Knight John Stockwood. Her Lady Queen has appointed him Chancellor of the Palace and is in charge of the defense of Bamburgh. He gives all the orders."

"What? It's actually him?!"

Following more detailed inquiries, Ernred was horrified to learn of a series of huge events taking place in the city. Thinking that it was only two or three days after the defeat was over, the judges within the kingdom jumped out!

The biggest enemy is not outside the country, but by his side!

Ernred covered Yin Hong's left arm of white sackcloth, trembling all over and whispered: "I said why you are so resolute and diligent, you are actually coveting my kingship! Anna, you are a dirty prostitute! John Stockwood, When this matter is settled, I will completely execute your family!"

Rurik and others have been listening in. Although Paul's translation is not very accurate, everyone has heard it pretty well.

Why should the vikings at the royal court care?

Of course, as a man, especially as a ruler with a wives and concubines that he can't count today, Rurik felt sorry for the cuckold king for a second.

Rurik immediately gathered with several family leaders to discuss new strategies for facing the new situation.

Biyonny, who has a lot of voice, shouted casually: "I can't think of it. Someone has established himself as a king. This is to fight us to the end. Rurik, give up your fantasy and prepare to fight."

A family leader shouted: "I didn't expect the enemy to be bloody. They immediately chose a leader to fight us."

"Bah! Someone proclaimed himself king, and a group of cowards actually admitted that a careerist was king."

...

They talk a lot, and what they say is either contempt for the chaos of the enemy camp, but also vigilance for battle.

"Make up your mind, Rurik," said Biyonny.

The focus was on Rurik, and he did suddenly have a new plan.

Originally, according to the plan, Ernred's order was passed to the city of Bamburg, and they handed over the property, food and women as agreed. This Viking expedition should be ended, and the brothers should return home with a full load.

Whether he admits it or not, Rurik is sure he has been involved in the turmoil of the Northumbrian throne.

What is the low wooden wall in Bamburgh? The siege and rushing vehicle can be done quickly. For example, tomorrow the brothers rectify the army formation, the rushing vehicle hits the wooden wall, and then the army breaks the city and solves it.

But wait! Now that Ernred's throne has been taken by a careerist, if you help this guy regain the throne, he should ask for more wealth.

On the other hand, the messenger Jacques told all the news he knew, and of course there were a lot of things to add to it. Ernred had no intention of judging the authenticity, and it was completely true.

For example, Queen Anna took the initiative to go to bed with the "pseudo palace minister" John, John decided to defeat the barbarians and then returned to York to be crowned king, John intended to demote Prince Ella to a slave or even kill it, and John also occupied the earl of Bamburgh's wife and maid wantonly Ruined and even occupied the gold and silverware of Bamburgh Abbey.

Jacques himself is a scumbag. Just now he swore to support the future new king John, but now facing the still alive King Ernred, he quickly made a bunch of accusations on John's head.

Ernred finally took over in anger, knowing that things had gotten very tricky.

His aggressive appearance was subconsciously understood by Rurik's mercenaries as assassination, and his men were firmly controlled.

Rurik, who had already thought of some wonderful countermeasures, could see Ernred's sudden rage, which was definitely aimed at a new target.

Rurik pretended to be sarcastic: "King of Northumbria, let me guess! You must be angry, your throne is being overthrown by your men."

"Yes! It really pisses me off! My family, my wealth, and my subjects have all been usurped by that person!"

"So what?" Rurik asked politely.

"I'm taking back what I've lost! I'm the king!"

"Really? But the guy in Bamburgh, he's waiting to hear back from me. We're going to get riches, and if that guy's going to give more, you say, who's the king and who's the fake king?"

"Of course it is me! I am the king of Northumbria! I am the king of Northumbria recognized by the Franks and Roman saints!"

The man was very excited, and Rurik still shook his head: "What does this have to do with me? I only speak to the highest bidder."

Suddenly Ernred understood what he meant, and he hurriedly said: "Help me take back the throne! I will give you more wealth!"

"Really? So, for the sake of money, I'll help you take back the throne?"

"Ah! You... what do you want?"

Rurik thought about it for a while. Actually, he wanted the great king to establish an alliance under the city, for example, to cede a piece of land as a "Viking law area". After all, the entire Northumbria will also be a Dan law area in the future.

This idea is too advanced. The Balmerk Viking army led by him is a pirate rogue no matter what, and there is no plan to expand the territory and colonize this year.

But making Northumbria very cooperative was a bigger price to pay.

Rurik suddenly said: "We must enter the city, and I will promise to protect the lives of those who surrender. We want money, we want wheat, and we don't want to capture slaves. However, we will bring all the young and pure women in Bamburgh with us. Walk."

"Ah! What's the difference between your actions and destroying Bamburgh?!"

Rurik shrugged: "It seems you still haven't figured out what's at stake. I ask you, do you want royal power or Bamburgh?"

Ernred wanted to say all of them, but now there really has to be a trade-off.

He correctly chose the kingship.

Rurik nodded. "Smart decision. Your soldiers are on the run, and we have taken some prisoners. Now that the situation has changed, I plan to rearm your routed troops. That is your kingship, and if you don't fight for it, What's the difference between us helping you and mercenaries? You take your own soldiers to snatch it, and you stand outside the city, calling on the soldiers in the city to kill the usurper, and then open the city gate. We will take what we need. retreat."

At this moment, Ernred knows that he has no power to dawdle, and he can only support it.

As night fell, the captured king was freed from all restraints, and he even changed into a worn leather coat.

The broken king's sword was confiscated. After the ruby ​​on the hilt was dug out, the blade was smashed with a hammer until it was relatively straight, and it was exchanged for him.

Ernred held the sword in his right hand, and under the night, he saw an army of more than forty rout soldiers.

They were in a Viking camp, looking out to the campfire company!

If he hadn't been in it, he would have felt that the enemy's troops were very large. In all fairness, the enemy's troops were indeed very high and their combat effectiveness was indeed very strong.

Facing his subordinates, Ernred couldn't say anything impassioned, he shouted at will: "Tomorrow, I will take you to attack Bamburg. I want to take back my kingship, and the savage Vikings promised not to take them away again. You are slaves, and I hope the defenders of Bamburg will not shoot arrows at us."

This night, the Viking warriors who were hiding in the forest to observe, they were ordered to light a bonfire around the entire city of Bamburgh. The darkness obscured their true strength, as if an army of more than 10,000 people surrounded the small town.

At night, another slow-footed rout was captured from the forest, and they were swept up in front of Ernred. The people who thought they were going to die saw their king unbelievably. Before they could figure out the situation, they learned that the king would attack Bamburg tomorrow. Of course they don't need to know too much, they are just duckweeds in the world, just drifting with the flow.