Rise of Rurik

The furious Count Adalbert of Metz saw his eldest son assassinated in front of him by a despicable enemy.

Freybach, who was killed, was the first heir to the title, and the second son Odobach was too young.

He attached great importance to the eldest son, and it is obvious that even the Roman emperor Lothair took a fancy to this young and vigorous nobleman in his prime, so he was satisfied to have him guard Kaiserslautern again.

However, Freibach was murdered in a most humiliating manner.

The soldiers had never seen the earl so furious like today. They saw that the earl's flushed face was still tear-stained, and he seemed to be crying when he raised his sword and shouted slogans.

The soldiers of the Metz Army all saw a great nobleman being murdered, but do you really want to empathize with the Earl himself? At least those lower-level nobles who accompanied the army, such as knights and accompanying retinues, they could empathize with the earl.

The fact that the earl's eldest son was killed exacerbated the fear of war that was already there. Just because they haven't fought yet, they still stand here with all kinds of weapons.

Now the Earl is finally going to take the initiative to launch an attack!

Even anyone can see that the coalition formed by Metz and many nobles is weak in all aspects.

Dazed by the rage, Adalbert didn't care about anything, and all the horses in the army were collected, even if they were just poor horses that pulled supplies carriages, they were required to be ridden by warriors who knew a little bit of riding skills to fight.

As for the cavalry of Lothair's standing army who retreated after the defeat, as long as the horses are healthy, they still have to ride them to fight again.

The earl forcibly pieced together a cavalry force of more than a thousand cavalry, and the quality is really hard to describe.

The sudden change of the Metz army really disrupted Ludwig's arrangement on the other side of the battlefield.

Ludwig, who returned to the army, was surrounded by the Bavarian cavalry he had brought, and this cavalry was also his last trump card.

"My God! Adalbert is really mad by my actions? How do I see that he seems to be actively attacking me?" He said to himself in amazement at the change.

The personal servant beside him couldn't help but interjected: "My lord, they may want to kill themselves."

"Yes. You..." He looked around again, and asked loudly: "Soldiers! Do you dare to confront their cavalry?"

The soldiers gave a decisive affirmative answer with shouts.

Such words are really a radical method.

After all, in the eyes of these heavy cavalry, they have trampled through various dissatisfied Slavic tribes in the east with iron hoofs, and they have not yet failed.

As for the Duke's failed expedition two years ago, a large number of brothers died in battle. It is true. As for the specific situation, who knows? Based on the principle of seeing is believing, the elite soldiers stationed in the east, because they had never seen it before, dismissed all kinds of news as rumors.

It wasn't until this year's war that they noticed that the Saxons, who were the enemy at the time, had won the victory in a friendly manner, and for the first time realized that the rumors about the "spear wall" two years ago were not false.

However, this part of the cavalry behind Ludwig was indeed undefeated.

Using cavalry against cavalry was a tactic that Charlemagne had used during his expedition to the Avars. The Frankish heavy cavalry had proved its strength. This battle must be repeated, even if the enemy is also of the same race.

Although they are of the same family, the Bavarians do not regard the Metz people as real relatives.

The aggressive Ludwig watched with cold eyes. He slowly drew out his iron sword and ordered solemnly: "Every flag team is ready! The trumpeter blows the trumpet!"

The sharp and piercing sound of the bronze horn quickly attracted the attention of all the soldiers, and the infantry, which was extremely large in strength, was asked to stand by collectively, followed by the battlefield that belonged exclusively to the cavalry.

On one side are 2,500 cavalry from the Bavarian-Saxon-Thuringian coalition.

On one side were thirteen hundred cavalry led by Metz.

The total number of Metz's cavalry is obviously inferior, but a single cavalry is already a very obvious big thing on the battlefield. Thousands of cavalry gather and start to advance, and the accompanying sense of coercion is still very obvious.

Look! The cavalry of the Metz army has begun to advance slowly under the leadership of the count himself! And this is the lead of the final sprint fight.

Although the plan was completely disrupted, the battle turned into a large-scale massacre of cavalry, which instead became a shortcut to quickly resolve today's war.

The "onion peeling" tactic is completely suspended, and the Saxon and Thuringian cavalry remain unchanged as reserves on the battlefield.

Ludwig has arranged a new tactic in a surprise attack, and he has already made the most resolute response to the enemy.

Bavaria's last heavy cavalry regiment is on the attack!

The horses began to jog, and the ground began to tremble, leaving black mud all over the grassland trampled by dense horseshoes.

This little plain in the hills watered by the river was fertile indeed, and soon it would be more fertile, sadly fertile though it was, with the death of many warriors.

No one thinks carefully about the meaning of this war. Both sides have started to kill and annihilate each other.

The difference is that Lothair himself is still staying in the palace in Strasbourg. As the supreme ruler of his camp, he does not behave like a general who knows soldiers.

On the battlefield of the small plain of Schürzehausen, Ludwig was indeed fighting with his own cavalry corps. It's just that he himself didn't charge forward.

Look at the Bavarian army, the cavalry at the front of the battle all wear the hardest armor, and they are the only ones who even wear two pieces of plate armor on their stirrup thighs. A layer of hard cowhide is hung on the chest of the war horse, and a large number of iron pieces are riveted on this skin.

Frank did not establish an Eastern Roman-style heavy cavalry equipped with both men and horses. It is not impossible, but it is actually unnecessary.

Such equipment is enough to deal with the barbarians around the kingdom. Only this time, in order to ensure that the frontal impact can defeat the enemy with one blow, Ludwig temporarily strengthened the defense of the frontal cavalry, but in exchange, the cavalry at the end of the battle formation was left A hard leather jacket protects the body.

The strongest cavalry is right in front of the formation, and they completely cover up the overall disadvantage of the rear-end cavalry.

The Metz army on the other side of the battlefield didn't know this inside story. As they continued to advance, when they saw that the enemy's cavalry was like indestructible steel, it was natural for them to be timid.

Timidity, panic, excitement, or a blank mind, everything is meaningless.

Earl Adalbert still held his sword flat, but at this moment he was furious and gradually calmed down.

Metz's army entered their final phase, and the cavalry group began its final charge.

Similarly, a larger number of Bavarian cavalry also began their sprint.

Finally, the cavalry on both sides inevitably head-to-head.

Even though the horses dodged instinctively, a large number of horses still collided with each other. The powerful force directly cracked the head, broke the neck, and even the broken leg of the horse exposed the red and white leg bones.

The soldier was thrown out directly, and then trampled to death by the horseshoes of the enemy and his own side.

Even if they didn't die in the chaos, the cavalry warrior who staggered up immediately pulled out the ax from his waist and started looking for the enemy to fight on the spot.

The initial collision was the largest collision since the start of the war. The morale of the Metz army, which was condensed because the Earl himself took the lead in the charge, had already been knocked away seven or eight times in this chaotic collision.

A large number of people and horses were lying on the grass in an instant. The horses twisted and wriggled trying to stand up, but the broken legs made all efforts in vain.

Most of the cavalry who fell off their horses because the fertile grass soaked by rivers and streams was extremely soft, and after a bit of mud, they stood up with mud and grass leaves in a daze and went into the fight.

Who to attack? Whoever attacks me will fight back with all my strength.

Even if there might be an oolong, no one will be concerned about being completely caught in a cavalry battle.

While riding horses, the cavalry held swords and spears, and even frequently performed the traditional trick of the Franks-throwing hand axes.

The cavalry who were forced to dismount took their weapons to cut off the horse's legs, or pulled the rider down in depth.

The battlefield seemed to turn into a pot of oatmeal that was stewed badly, and Ludwig himself was still on the periphery. The battle turned out like this, which was really beyond his expectations. The good thing is that he is still on the periphery. If he falls into chaos, how can he organize the army to take further actions?

The thickest armor had an effect. The iron swords of Metz's army were unable to break through the armor when they were smashed, while the swords made of wrought iron were bending rapidly. The hand ax finally became the most suitable weapon, and the gradually chaotic battlefield turned into blunt weapons between the two sides.

The shoulder was broken, the wrist holding the sword was broken, and there were many people who were smashed to the head.

Gradually, the Metz army, which was at a disadvantage in numbers, showed its decline, and what was even worse was that the soldiers could no longer see their Lord Earl!

Could it be that your lord has already died in the rebellion?

Adalbert is just a mortal, even if he is endowed with a noble status, his head can still be chopped off by an ordinary soldier. His existence itself is meaningless, and Ludwig, who is outside the cavalry chaos, just wants to end the chaos as soon as possible.

He immediately gave orders to the Saxon Army and Thuringian Army on standby, so the more than 400 cavalry in reserve joined the battle as a tactical reserve with extremely strong physical strength.

Ax and sword weapons killed the panting enemy. Obviously, this was a smooth battle. Thuringian Houthakulf, who planned to fish to the end, seized the opportunity and suddenly showed "I am also a brave and loyal minister".

Just look at this man! Thakurf stood on the saddle in a very high profile, frantically waving the iron sword in his hand, and shouted "thiuringen", his subordinates were extremely excited by the might of the Marquis.

"Thuringia! Think I can't see you?! Thakurf, are you a bard (referring to an actor)?" Ludwig couldn't ignore the guy who suddenly made a show, even if Thakurf showed his teeth and claws. Like a clown, Thuringia himself did fulfill his vassal duties and went to war in person.

Compared with Thakurf's publicity, Liudov's Saxon "black cavalry" is extremely low-key.

Liudov personally brought his personal guards and half of the guards from his son-in-law, which was enough for 300 cavalry. They are by no means ordinary soldiers. They have extensive living experience in Denmark or are Danes themselves. Not only can they maintain the bravery of the Norman pirates, but the most important thing is that only this part of the army was built by Liudov with huge resources.

The guards from the son-in-law are even more unique. In a sense, this team called "King Mercia's Guard" is essentially built according to the standing army of the Kingdom of Ross, and Rurik himself paid for it. De facto eldest son for the legitimate king of Mercia.

They were armed in great numbers with true springy Ross steel swords, and all clad in plate armor. It is a smart little shield used by Frankish cavalry leggings. Their left leg is a large Viking round shield with a cross mark drawn inside, and their right leg is a commonly used small shield, which pays more attention to protection.

They hacked and stabbed, and the Saxon cavalry quickly hastened the collapse of the Metz cavalry.

The battle seemed to be just a fight between the cavalry, and all the infantry became spectators.

The infantry of the two armies who are passive spectators feel completely different.

Ludwig's army and his two important allies, the soldiers saw their own cavalry pressing down on the opponent, and the cheers of the soldiers turned into a low and penetrating roar. They are eager to try, after all, as soon as the cavalry ends the battle, the infantry's impact will begin.

The cavalry on Metz's side could no longer continue the chaotic battle. More and more soldiers died, and the enemy still had a very obvious advantage in strength.

"Let's go! Back to Strasbourg! It's over here."

Obviously, such shouting is not direct enough.

Until a soldier belonging to Lothair's direct troops suddenly shouted: "The battle is defeated!"

It was just an extremely simple word, which instantly destroyed the last perseverance of the cavalrymen who were struggling hard.

Let the Earl go to hell! The cavalry loyal to the Roman Emperor Lothar, Baron Sargau, and Baron Bristol no longer wanted to serve Earl Metz. Their remnants voted with their feet and turned their horses to charge in the opposite direction.

How did the Metz Army, who was still on standby, feel when they saw cavalry rushing towards their camp? !

The cavalry has clearly been defeated! And the cavalry that this group rushed over were Bavarians! It's the enemy!

Fleeing or retreating without receiving a clear order is a serious crime. The Earl may be dead if he is alive or dead. No one came to this conclusion, the infantry soldiers trembled nervously, but the cavalry who rushed over had no intention of charging, and miraculously rushed over the mountain pass where they came.

"It's not an enemy, it's a defeated ally."

However, the cavalry who charged in the next round would really be the enemy.

Ludwig saw that the time was ripe. Although the development of the battle situation was not as he had originally expected, in terms of the current results, it was ten times better than he expected!

The infantrymen of the Metz army widely used shields to protect their heads, and they stood as still as possible to receive the cavalry impact.

The Bavarian, Saxon, and Thuringian cavalry, who rushed forward and were covered in blood, flitted like eagles in front of the formation. They stabbed the gaps in the shield with swords and spears, and tried to intimidate the huge bodies of the horses to create openings.

The Metz screamed in terror, diapered their pants in fright, and couldn't help but relax their hands holding the axe.

At least they didn't retreat, because there were still people maintaining the minimum order of the army.

Although most of the vassal knights had died in the chaos, they almost brought their heirs (eldest sons) with them when they went out to fight. The son of a knight was born a nobleman, and if the knight died in battle, the eldest son would directly inherit the title by default. Even if a succession ceremony was required, everything would be put on hold on the battlefield.

The father was probably killed in battle, and the young people who are full of blood can't swallow this bad breath. They were already fulfilling their father's duties—loyalty to the earl's family.

Under the constant harassment and attack of the victorious Ludwig army cavalry hovering like vultures, the Metz army infantry could not make any counterattacks, and even if they did, it was just a personal act. They are still struggling to support, but their friendly forces completely collapsed.

There were deserters everywhere, and when the infantry in Saargau and Bristol found that the cavalry fled to the mountain pass had their own people. The brothers have already fled, why are you staying on the battlefield?

The dilapidated houses that stick to the ruins of the village of Schützerhausen can hold on a little longer~www.readwn.com~Only the Metz army is holding on, and all the friendly troops start to flee with their helmets and armor. In order to escape fast enough, many people simply use their bare hands Running wildly on foot, it seems that as long as the mountain pass when escaping back enters the Roman road in the narrow mountain depression, everything will be safe.

Ludwig, who was watching the battle on the front line on a horse, his very existence gave the whole army a strong morale.

He didn't care how many corpses of his own troops were lying on the battlefield, and he had no time to care about the wounded soldiers, and he didn't try to find Adalbert's corpse among the corpses. It doesn't matter whether the earl survives or not. Ludwig keenly noticed that there are still a large number of infantry struggling on the surface of the enemy, and there are moving figures everywhere behind the formation.

"It's all over! Now is the time for the infantry."

He took a deep breath, and ordered the accompanying standard bearers to raise and lower the Three Lions Battle Flag one after another. This flag has striking red and yellow colors, and it is extremely two-eyed in this dark green battlefield as a whole.

The infantry who watched the battle for a long time got the clearest signal!

Ludwig's more than 20,000 infantry, as well as 3,000 Saxon infantry, and 900 Thuringian infantry began to attack...