Rise of Rurik

The universal military service system once created by Charlemagne, which continues to the present Civil War era, is fast dying.

When the main enemy of the empire has weakened, so has the very foundation of the rationale for sustaining the system.

The system has been weakened intentionally or unintentionally by various places. After all, the Lombards, Saxons, and Avars either surrendered or lost, and there is no need to force all the Franks to be in a high state of military mobilization after a long period of peace in the empire.

During this period of peace, the power of the clergy gradually increased, and many dioceses held the right to recruit troops themselves. However, the conscripts went to war because of the conflicting church ideas of this era.

Why do we need to fight each other? Facing the stubborn barbarians, just continue to send missionaries to lobby their leaders.

Churches all over the world have this understanding, and they are also delighted that after the reduction of expenditures, more expenditures can be used for religious affairs.

From the death of Charlemagne to the outbreak of the civil war throughout the empire, in the past 30 years, there have been no large-scale wars or disasters in the core areas of the life of the Franks, and the wars were all in the border areas.

Claiming to be in the hinterland of the empire, the Diocese of Maastricht never thought of continuing to implement the military service system. It was only because of the influx of refugees into the city and the deteriorating security environment that the archbishop reluctantly arranged for a thousand people the so-called army.

However, even if the regular Frankish army is attacked by a heavy army of 3,000 to 4,000 without warning, defeat is inevitable.

Those hundreds of people in the Frankish military area who abandoned the city and fled didn't care too much at the critical moment, and a large number of weak people didn't care to take the horses and get away.

They went straight to the south along the road along the Maas River, seemingly going straight to Liege, but in fact they went straight to Herstal, the military camp north of the town of Liege.

Herstal, originally meant to be a barracks.

It is not an ordinary military camp, it is the place where Charlemagne himself was born a full hundred years ago, even though this military camp was not important at one time, it has become extraordinary since the birth of the Emperor of the Empire.

The military camp was fortified, and its south is the town of Liege, so it is no exaggeration to call this military camp the Fortress of Liege.

And the small wooden bridge for the passage of personnel and supplies was also built at the fortress of the military camp.

A hundred cavalry left Maastricht quickly, and the centurion was obliged to report the great disaster in the north to the superiors stationed in the fortress.

And when the "Holy City" is being brutally plundered and killed, Liege is still peaceful, as if every day is the same, it is a calm and warm summer time, people don't need to worry about war, they have to worry It's the possible flooding of the Maas River, as well as annoying mosquitoes.

The cavalry came suddenly, without warning.

There is only one flag team stationed in the fortress, and it is the infantry flag team that no longer enjoys the glory of the past in the empire.

As the saying goes, if soldiers can buy horses at their own expense, they will be incorporated into the cavalry flag team, which is the preferred mobile unit for monarchs and local nobles. Soldiers who have no money are always used as infantry. If it is a standing army, their status is naturally much higher than that of the conscripted militia, but far inferior to their horsemen. They are stationed at key strategic points unless necessary.

Banner captain Pelote de Marcas, led his twenty-third banner in allegiance to the only Roman emperor Lothair. ....

He has no surname, or the vocabulary that can be used as a surname is not worth mentioning. The term "Marcus" has a long history. It was actually the name of the Frankish Palace Guards. Now as an honorary title, Lothair orally awarded it to the banner team stationed in the birthplace of his grandfather the Great. The banner captain also Called himself "Marcus".

Of course, Perrot hopes to be a real nobleman. When he gets older, the emperor will grant him a small fiefdom, and reward him with a baron for his service.

Once, the diocese of Maastricht managed a large area. The diocese split a hundred years ago, and the diocese of Liege was born.

A divided diocese of Maastricht has become two demilitarized zones. Who dares to attack the holy ecclesiastical territory? !

At that time, Frank had not forced Flanders to surrender, and the existence of these two dioceses was a buffer zone.

The people and local nobles of Flanders never wanted to be ruled by the Frankish Kingdom,

But they are not good at stubble, a small uncle country also has the desire to expand. Even under Charlemagne's powerful military attack, Flanders was defeated and the nobles who surrendered were killed, and the local surrendered nobles forcibly assimilated the Frankish nobles who had been placed in the past through marriage.

This was Count Baudouin, who did not stand on the side of the Franks, but led the Flanders army to gather in the border fortress Brussels to confront the Franks.

Banner Captain Perrot is well aware of the military confrontation in the northwest. As the commander of the rear troops, he has been assigned multiple tasks of garrison, logistics, and troop reinforcements by a higher-level "imperial envoy".

The rebellion of the Flanders has existed since ancient times, and now the local Frankish nobles have raised their banners to support Ludwig and no longer recognize Lothair as the only Roman emperor.

The captain of the banner is extremely uneasy about the prospect. The scale of the civil war has expanded rapidly this year. Could it be that the peaceful Liege and Maastricht will also suffer?

The garrison in the northern holy city suddenly fled back. Perot was first taken aback, and then jumped up and down anxiously.

He paced around with his sword drawn, yelling, "Norman ships are everywhere! Their soldiers are everywhere! They kill everyone and loot everything. What are they going to do? Are they attacking us?"

The centurion said bluntly with a wooden face: "The holy city cannot be humiliated, we must rescue it."

"Rescue? Rescue!" The sword was placed directly on the shoulder of his subordinate, and the red-faced Perot demanded sharply, "Why don't you rescue? You escaped."

"I... my men are limited."

"You also know that our troops are limited. Do you think our troops will be enough when we reach the fortress?"

"It must be enough." The centurion was convinced of this, and replied solemnly: "As long as our elites are dispatched, everything will be fine. We may not be able to defeat them in the waters, and fight on land. Those of us who have won the glory of Charlemagne The warriors of shelter are invincible."

"You..." The blushing Perot was laughed angrily by this subordinate: "Marcus, you have listened to the archbishop's preaching too much in the Holy City. Think about the current situation of our flag team and expect me to go Is it possible to save?"

"This...if it's not feasible. Let's go ask Lord Tristan."...

"You? Are you teaching me how to do things?"

"I can not."

Perot stomped his feet and sighed: "Forget it. Maybe, that's the only way to go."

The so-called Tristan was born as a general in the standing army directly controlled by Lothair. Although he was a flag captain, he was now authorized to command four cavalry flag teams. This person is not a feudal nobleman, he is only responsible to Lothair himself, and there is no need to doubt his loyalty.

Maastricht suffered a large-scale invasion and looting by the Normans, and hundreds of thousands of refugees began to flee on a large scale.

Perot realized another disaster. The so-called Normans might not have thought about continuing to attack Liege along the Maas River. Tens of thousands of refugees fleeing from the north had blocked the town of Liege.

He is a professional veteran, not an aristocrat who governs a place. He took the initiative to pass the news to the town next door to the fortress, which immediately caused a large-scale panic.

That night, people in the town of Liege and nearby villages began to move, and the narrow bridge gradually gathered people. Or driving horse-drawn carts, donkey carts, or two-wheeled carts, the people began to flee with their clothes. They have more or less heard the legends about the Norman killings, and they are afraid that death will come to them.

However, this is not what Perot wants.

A group of people had fled overnight, but by the next morning, the fortress garrison took the initiative to control the bridge.

The flag captain Perot deliberately set up a cross flag, and neatly dressed Frankish soldiers lined up on the wall, tied mandarin shields to the ground, and threatened the fugitives who tried to break through with swords and spears.

He pointed his sword at the anxious people himself, and said with wide eyes: "The Normans are not devils, they are northern robbers who slaughtered indiscriminately. They are Danes in essence, and the benevolent Charlemagne did not drive them all out. Now these wicked people Start looting..."

However, in a messy environment, how many people can listen to a banner captain's popular science to the Normans?

realize more to say

To no avail, Perrot set a simple rule: "Women, children, old people, take your things across the bridge! All men with long beards and beards that do not turn gray, stay as militiamen!"

The captain of the banner is well known, and in the spring he presides over the conscription in the diocese of Liege.

Conscription is not Latin, it is essentially a limited restoration of the conscription system. The free farmers, the tenant farmers without debt, boasted that they could serve as soldiers if they could. Soldiers will receive military pay and food supplies in the form of silver coins, which is quite attractive to farmers after the busiest spring plowing. Those who are strong enough are absorbed, making the total strength of the fortress garrison reach the scale of a thousand people.

Now, there are 500 elite infantrymen, 500 militiamen, and more than 300 poor-quality old horses.

A thousand soldiers is already an extremely large military force in the eyes of ordinary residents. Could it be that so many troops can't solve the problem of the Norman invasion?

Perrot seeks stability, and secondly, there is a possibility of careful consideration.

What if those Normans had the idea of ​​going to Aachen? They must not be able to hit the city of Aachen, but as long as they exist, it is already a huge disaster.

Thousands of strong men of all ages were captured in one day, and they were forcibly armed. Fortunately, the equipment of these people was much better than that of the Maastricht guards who were blown up. After all, the arsenal of Herstal, the fortress of Liege, is well equipped. A large number of sleeve-type iron spearheads were stored dry. Even after unsealing the wooden box, many of them were found to be rotten, and everything was fine. ....

When the pitchfork for farm work is removed from the wooden fork, the spearhead becomes a short spear. When necessary, these Franks living in Liege will use the old tactic of their ancestors-throwing the short spear as a javelin.

The wooden shields are prepared by themselves, each with a short spear, and the armor and stomach are all based on their own skills.

Is it enough to expand the force to two thousand?

Perot simply sent someone to a nearby village to implement the order to increase troops, and also sent an emissary on horseback to bring his own letter written on parchment to the scene of the military confrontation in Brussels as soon as possible and hand it over to General Tristan.

It was at this time that some refugees who fled from the north began to arrive in Liege one after another.

Perot is still the old method. He organized soldiers to check refugees on the only way. The relief is in charge of the Archbishop of Liege. The duty of the garrison is to implement the orders of King Lothar to ensure that the king's authority is shrouded in Liege and Maastricht on the left bank of the Maas River. If foreign enemies invade, it is an obligation to take the initiative to attack. , unless the enemy is strong.

So the messenger also rushed across the bridge and rode straight to Aachen, just to tell the local defenders that a large number of Norman troops were coming.

The militia is expanding, and the escape of terrified adult men has been stopped.

It's not that they have been inspired by righteousness, just look at the hanged people on the side of the road and dare not disobey.

The defenders of the Liege Fortress expanded at an unprecedented speed, and their strength went straight to 3,000 people.

As for the combat effectiveness of such an army, Perot seriously lacks confidence. The Franks, who have been at peace for a long time, have become farmers with hoes and sickles. Do they still have the bravery of their ancestors?

Perrot's own understanding of ancient times is very limited. In his opinion, unless the heavy cavalry stationed in Brussels come back, the Normans who boldly landed can be wiped out in one fell swoop.

If you count on a large group of militiamen at your disposal, you can protect yourself.

To be fair, the blue fox and his army that occupied Maastricht have long been disenchanted with Frank in everyone's hearts because the victory came too easily and quickly, and the looting was too gratifying. Frank is just mediocre. This is said to be the most important city on the way to the march. She has been breached. Isn't it easy to invade Aachen and rob Jinshan in the next step?

No one realized that not far away in Liege, the local Franks were expanding their army at a very high speed to save themselves.

Inside the Cathedral of the Assumption in Maastricht, the Holy Tomb of the Saint is placed in the very center of a spacious stone chamber. The standing army veterans who broke into it recognized it as a coffin, and they were mad for the gold on the stone.

They peeled off the gold with hand axes and hammers. After the surface gold was scraped off, they hacked with long-handled battle axes used for logging, and the sarcophagus shattered.

The bones of the saint Savatius were fully exposed, and these Ross warriors were not afraid at all. They were delighted to see that there were a large number of gold and silver ornaments and buried gold objects on the bones, which were looted again.

The cellar and library of the monastery were also rummaged, the cash box was moved outdoors, and even a large number of parchment books in the library were transported to the square outside the cathedral.

Of course, Grund knows that the so-called half to himself and half to the king is a big principle. When the king asks for his share of income, he can just hand over the boxes of silver coins he found to the king. As for the robbed gold, the king is often very tacit. Don't ask. ....

This has been the case in wars and looting in the past years, and I think it will be the same this time. Especially the king attached great importance to looting books from the monastery. What's the value of a bunch of messy things? Since the king likes it, then do what he likes.

Grund thought so, and the blue fox almost did the same, not caring that the blue fox would not be as short-sighted as the soldiers. As an aristocrat, Blue Fox needs the honor of military exploits and some imaginary things, even if the spoils of war are not his own, it doesn't matter.

The entire inner city was robbed by the elite Ross army, while the Swedish Mälaren army and the noble armies of Götaland had no choice but to plunder the lower city and slums in the outer Guo area.

Fortunately, for these poor warriors living by the icy lakes and rivers in Scandinavia, they were pleasantly surprised by the harvest of looting the lower city.

After all, the residents who can live in this city have some wealth. They are not priests or directly serve the priests, so of course they can only live in the lower city. Residents who were too late to escape were killed and their property looted. Or they fled quickly, and the property they couldn't take away became the pockets of the northerners.

They are already very satisfied, unless they have seen the results of the elite group of Ross who blocked the gate of the inner city, they may feel jealous.

But Bjorn, Duke of Mälaren, knows everything. He was not angry, after all, it was useless to be angry, he just had a fire in his heart.

Fortunately, he led a group of people to easily take down the camp left by the Frankish garrison~www.readwn.com~ They realized that this place was a military camp, subconsciously thought that they would encounter fierce resistance, but they entered easily. They seized a batch of ordnance, and the armed capabilities of the Swedish army were immediately improved to a certain extent.

Next, Bjorn took control of an area surrounded by wooden walls. When the wooden door was smashed open, the house inside was completely different from other houses.

what is that? It's a granary!

As a big landowner of the Melaren tribe, he is very familiar with all this. Of course, the more gold and silver, the better, but food is the foundation of life.

"It's all grain. If all the houses are full of grain, wouldn't it be enough for my tribe to feed for a year?! No! Two years..."

He was so happy that he murmured to himself, and suddenly ordered: "Control this place, even if the Ross people come, they won't give it to them! The Mellaren people control this place!"

And this is the response I plan to give to the greedy blue fox, the so-called "you rob gold and silver, I rob food, and want to exchange gold for military rations". .

reborn carambola