The War of 840 was over, and by the spring of 841 the northern world was restored to its former peace.

Ludwig, the lord of the Eastern Kingdom, knew that he had been defeated, but the peace talks after the defeat at least saved some of his face.

He even felt that his proposition was a complete failure from the beginning to the end, and he lost a lot of troops. What did he get in the end?

Legally, the Saxons did not rebel, and the descendants of the old chiefs eventually received the title of dukes and swore allegiance to the Eastern Kingdom.

The country of Flanders, which has always been swaying, after this war, Count Baudouin was forced to swear allegiance to the Eastern Kingdom due to the situation.

The Danes, the Rus and the Swedes, these Normans are no longer the weaklings that their grandfather's era can easily ravage, they are already strong, and if the grandfather Charlemagne is resurrected and sent to fight, they will also end in defeat.

The situation is actually very bad. What maintains Ludwig's power is the standing army under his command. This army inherited from the conscription system of the grandfather the Great's time, even if it has continued to the present, it has been somewhat corrupted, but even so, it is far better than the entourage of local nobles, Farmer soldier.

The military households who have served in the army for generations have suffered a lot of damage. After their death, their sons should fill their positions, but are those cubs up to the job? Now there is a huge shortage of troops.

His army lost 30,000, the elite troops were irreparably lost, and the peasant soldiers who were recruited by surprise also died in large numbers. Many of these peasant soldiers were recruited from the Earl of Ingau, all from the countryside around Mainz, Worms and Frankfurt. These able-bodied labors went out and were damaged, which greatly weakened the taxation capacity of the Earl of Lyingau.

However, this area is a stalemate for him and his elder brother Lotaire. The main force left behind must continue to stand, and almost all the food and grass they need will be taken from the local farmers.

After all, this place is not his own territory, and the area on the other side of the Yin River was forcibly beaten out from the hands of the eldest brother. He doesn't care about the livelihood of the local farmers, only how many strong men can be extracted from the local area to serve as peasant soldiers. Now, the question is whether the region can stand it.

Are peasant soldiers really useful? not necessarily. At least soldiers are better than no soldiers.

Ludwig had one thought - Joseph Blue Fox, a Norman convert to God, and his soldiers.

It's like Harald Clark, the dog that was kept in the past, and the dog has been replaced with a new one.

Yes, Ludwig regards the Blue Fox and his Rus Armed Merchant Corps as hunting dogs at his command. He can comfort himself that these ruthless people believe that because they are not pure enough, they are extremely rude when they use their hands. This is the best tool people. You don't have to publicly support these guys to do evil, as long as you acquiesce to their looting.

If the church or other nobles claim that there are such wicked people on the Laine, explaining Ludwig can say: "This is a group of Norman pirates who have come and gone without a trace, and there is nothing I can do."

Up to now, Ludwig feels that he can no longer organize a big army to fight against his elder brother's army for at least a year. He must actively train new recruits, actively win over nobles to allegiance, and even send people to the West Kingdom to meet his younger brother Charles, and even Burgundy. The first person to negotiate.

In the spring of 841, a mighty Norman fleet sailed against the current of the Leine River.

The long ship is dragging the big ship, and the blue fox and his people are the masters of this fleet, and Ludwig of the Eastern Kingdom, a small number of attendants, and some Frankish refugees are very special passengers.

Now, even if Blue Fox wanted to negotiate with Ludwig, the latter kept silent because of the defeat. The man must be planning something. Lanhu doesn't trust this man very much, but believes that this man will not openly tear up the treaty. Even if Ludwig wants to make a comeback when he returns to his hometown, he should take a look at the situation in front of him! Ross, Denmark and Saxony did not seem to be attacking the Eastern Kingdom, and King Lothair, who was determined to unify the Franks, had the ability and motivation to kill Ludwig's family.

Blue Fox is more concerned about his purpose, Nassau Village. On the boat, he can still chat with Henry Nassau, Baron of Nassau and Earl of the Netherlands.

Most of the ships in this fleet have a classic Nordic image, but with large, striking crosses hanging from their masts, the largest armed freighter flies Charlemagne's three lions. Who dares to fly the Charlemagne battle flag in such a high-profile manner, only the top nobles are eligible.

It was these flags that made Cologne, who was defeated and paid a large amount of war reparations, no longer feared. Archbishop Hadbold disembarked and publicly unloaded the so-called true cross.

The priests who greeted him all knelt before the True Cross, shouting that it was a miracle.

Is it a miracle? Hadbold didn't want to say anything, he was speechless, he just hoped that everything would pass.

While Ludwig wore a simple burqa, his crown and gorgeous clothes were put away, and he silently looked at the big city in a very low-key way. No one knew what he was thinking, and no one really cared.

Legally, Henry Nassau was already a vassal of the Duchy of Saxony. In the past, this little baron was a vassal of the Earl of Leyingo, but now, the entire Nassau Baron has been turned into an enclave of the Netherlands.

Henry Nassau's plan was to organize the few old folks to announce the upgrade of his family after returning to his hometown, and then make some staff deployment. In the end, Nassau Village will still retain its current name, but for those who stay here, everything has changed.

Those left behind must support the arrival of some foreigners.

The fleet left Cologne and left Bonn in silence.

This is the second time that the blue fox has entered the hinterland of Europe. It has been many years since the last time. The last trip was the Weser River route. After reaching the upper reaches of the river, I turned overland and walked for a while. Then I turned into the Main River, and then arrived at the Lein River. After reaching the upper water source of Lake Reichenau, I walked again. An overland journey to the Danube and finally to Regensburg. Although the journey was very tortuous, it also clearly saw the customs of the Franks, which made the legends of the past become clear immediately, and provided first-hand information to the 840-year war of Rus.

Blue Fox is an open spy, he already knows too much, and it's hard to mess with an army.

Henry Nassau and Rurik, King of Ross, didn't know each other, and they had a wonderful personal friendship after that.

"Just because I'm the Baron of Nassau. Nassau, Rurik thinks that name sounds nice?"

Henry didn't want to think too much, the main force of Ross had left, but a large number of Danes were going to pour into the west coast to build a brand new Durist, renamed Rotterstad.

His hometown, Nassau, was embedded in the interior and caught in the scorching point of the two powers' hegemony. He felt that he could not maintain his ancestral homeland. It was a smart move to immigrate to Friesland, a coastal lowland to escape right and wrong. Of course, the hometown cannot give up without any reason. This is because he will not set up nobles to manage it unless he uses some strategies.

There were two people standing on the bow of the armed cargo ship. It was the spring breeze, and the two were in a good mood.

"It has already passed Bonn, and the next is the river that we Ross people have never been to." Blue Fox couldn't help sighing.

Henry Nassau held back a thousand words. He pointed to the river first: "This river is the father of the Franks, and there is another river, which is their mother."

"Oh? Is there such a thing?"

"The Inn is my father, the Moselle is my mother, but we Nassau are not Franks. My ancestors were forced to be helpless by their rule. Now, at least for us, we should have a better future."

There was something in Henry's words, and the blue fox seemed to understand a little.

"However, if the fleet arrives in Mainz, I am somewhat familiar with it. I have been there and even know the land and water routes that eventually reach Regensburg", I have a good mind.

"Oh?" Henry was a little surprised, "I heard that you had an opinion about Ludwig, and you were rejected by him. Haha, now that man can no longer reject you."

"Hehe, he humiliated me, and I don't have to respect him anymore. I think you are the same, and you don't respect him either."

"Ludwig is defeated, maybe...his kingdom will be dismembered by Lothair." Henry still said that on purpose, his tone was soothing.

"What... what are you trying to say?" Blue Fox had to ask cautiously.

"What shall we do then? Saxony and my new arrival may face an attack from the Middle Kingdom."

"Don't worry, the warriors of the north will make that Lothair cry." Blue Fox didn't care.

"So, what about Nassau? What about the stronghold you're going to build?"

"They dare! Then fight!" Blue Fox now understands that this Henry is going to use his Ross army to help him guard his hometown. He laughed softly: "I can guess what you are worried about."

"Oh? Tell me."

"Just because we are afraid of being savage, we treat your villagers like livestock. Don't worry, I'm different from other northerners. I'm a pure businessman, and as a soldier, it's actually a last resort. Besides, I'm the Earl of Gothenburg, who was conferred by King Ross, go now. The establishment of your stronghold in Nassau is under the order of the king, and the last guardian will be one of my own younger brothers."

Henry nodded: "I know this. So, how is your brother? Is it a kind person, or..."

"They're all young people, and they must have been baptized when they came. Don't worry, their hands have never had blood on their hands."

It can be heard that Henry Nassau is relieved, delighted, and worried, and the three emotions are intertwined.

"So, your brother isn't even married?"

"Yes. Why..." Lanhu turned his face sensitively: "You're not going to arrange a wife for my brother?"

"Why not? Besides, I can make your brother a knight, so that he will have the title of nobility after his conversion, and the whole of Nassau will accept him. This will benefit you and me."

"Really?"

"Why not. I have that power."

The blue fox had to pinch his beard and think. First of all, his family is loyal to the Ross royal family, and the two younger brothers are also the kings who arranged to be placed in the Frankish world as Ross's minions. Could it be that a younger brother will be loyal to other nobles after entering here. But from the point of view of interests, as long as the Russ forces act in this way, they can gain a firm foothold in Nassau, and because of this legal principle, the Eastern Kingdom can have nothing to say. But does this hurt King Ross' feelings? A man cannot be loyal to two masters.

Lanhu neither agreed nor opposed, but said meaningfully: "It's okay for you to arrange a marriage for my brother, if it's good for us to establish a stronghold. As for your plan to canonize it, it's still slow, and everything has to wait for the situation to stabilize. ."

This is perfunctory, and Henry is unwilling to force it.

Lanhu thought about a trick that would not offend, and asked, "Do you have a priest in your village?"

"Naturally there is."

"Then let the pastor take care of all affairs. My people live in your village and live in peace with each other. I will restrain my people. If someone steals in your village, they will chop off their hands. If someone insults women or kills people, they will make it public. Hang. Rest assured, I am courteous to allies and have zero tolerance for harm to allies."

In other words, Henry Nassau was satisfied.

Without talking any further, Henry Nassau deepened his understanding of the blue fox of the Russ. This fat man who knew Latin was indeed better at speaking than those high-ranking nobles.

Maybe this is the businessman.

The fleet continued to move forward, and the channel had obviously narrowed, which meant that they had entered the middle section of the Rhine.

There are many forests in the riverside area, with a large number of tributaries such as the Laine River, and there are no-man's land everywhere.

The forests in the area are still contiguous, the southern part of the river bank is densely populated, and the northern settlements are few. Villages are stars dotted in a sea of forests, connected to each other only by small dirt roads.

Up to the triangular area where the rivers meet ahead, a clearly larger settlement appears.

The blue fox was very alert, pointed to the settlement and asked Henry: "What city is that? Is it your Nassau?"

"No. That's Koblenz."

a brand new noun.

"Koblenz? Shouldn't be yours. That's Ludwig's territory?"

"It's not." Henry Nassau shrugged, looking indifferent: "That's Lothair's territory, the new enemy you identified as Ross."

"Ah?" Lanhu felt incredible, a local city was erected on the river bank.

"And what about your Nassau?"

"It's going to be sailing for a while. Soon!"

"It's so bizarre. You really have a big heart." The more the blue fox looked at the city named Koblenz, the more he felt that he was being put together, and he couldn't help but think of what Henry Nassau said recently.

Now he understands that the so-called wooing is really because Nassau is facing a threat. This Koblenz is like a bear blocking the door of the house. After the establishment of Ross's store, isn't it necessary to face this disgusting existence every day?

"Damn it! There is a bear lying on the couch, what's the point!" The blue fox has the power to loot the Middle Kingdom, and even this is a treaty obligation.

His eyes were always fixed, as if he was trying to figure out how to quickly capture the city.

After all, he didn't know about this place, and he still needed Henry Nassau to talk about it, and then he would decide whether to raid and seize the city, or keep watching. Listening to Henry Nassau's statement, although the city is right in front of Nassau's home, the local garrison has never harassed Nassau for so many years. Maybe this peaceful relationship can continue?

Lanhu felt that it was impossible. In fact, even if he maintained restraint and his subordinates were rude one by one, even if they converted collectively, none of them were truly devout. Lanhu also felt that he did not need to be imprisoned by certain precepts. He was a flexible person, or he had various beliefs, or he had no beliefs. The brothers are more anxious than himself. This year, he has to loot the territory of the Middle Kingdom. After all, everyone is here mainly to do this, not to mention the acquiescence of the great nobles.

It's okay to sneak up on Koblenz to make a fortune, but you need to investigate before you start, and everyone who has just landed must establish a good relationship with the villagers of Nassau.

Another priority is to release Ludwig, the great king of the Eastern Kingdom.

Lan Town, the village where the Lan River flows into the Lai Yin River. This is already the territory of the Baron State of Nassau, the village is extremely small, and the settlers are all in the service of Baron Henry Nassau and his family. The task of the villagers is to maintain the ships that transport the goods to Nassau, and to ensure that the shipped wool and wine can be safely transported on the Inner River. After all, all the villages are sampan-level boats with poor capacity and poor seaworthiness. If the voyage went wrong and the cargo fell into the river, the loss of the whole village of Nassau would be too great.

Next, the partnership between Henry Nassau and Blue Fox was very inappropriate.

"Why. The promise is to send me to Worms by boat." Ludwig, who was "unloaded", was suffocated.

Henry Nassau chose to avoid it, and now it is the blue fox who deliberately said: "Many years ago, I traveled all the way to Regensburg to see you being ruthlessly rejected and mocked, you made me suffer! Now, I Just let you walk back. I know the next route, and you know how long it takes to reach your Worms (Wiesbaden) by walking. You and your entourage bring dry food Go away, put on your crown and go away! I hope you haven't forgotten how to hike."

Ludwig roared in anger. Facing this incompetent and furious guy, the blue fox did not change his face, and deliberately said: "This way our personal grievances will be evened out. I will fulfill the agreement."

Could it be that Ludwig was so shy? What if you don't admit it? Although he is precious as a king, his strength is now seriously frustrated. This Joseph Blue Fox is not an ordinary person, not to mention that he cares deeply about King Ross, he heard that there are at least 50,000 people under his command~www.mtlnovel.com~ Those Norman men can be warriors, listen To have a battle is like attending a banquet. Joseph Blue Fox, Earl of Gothenburg, who has the ability to entangle an army of at least 3,000 people and kill him by boat. It would be better if... these ruthless men attacked the Middle Kingdom.

Of course, the blue fox does not have such great political energy, but his ability is not weak. The Gothalans in the Gota River where Gothenburg is located are crazy about making a fortune. If necessary, the blue fox will find a way to bring this group of brothers to make a fortune. Therefore, we must first establish a stronghold in Nassau Village, and then "shake people" from the rear.

However, Ludwig would not actually walk back to the Worms camp on foot. He would soon arrive at the Earl of Layingau, and he could ask some minor nobles to pay tribute horses from the local area, and then return on horseback.

Originally, he planned to convict Robert, Earl of Leyingo, after winning the battle, and even planned to expel him, take him back to the Earl of Leyingo, and arrange for his relatives to take over.

It doesn't seem necessary now, after all, his defeat is even more outrageous, what is the face of going to the Robert family's handsome pot? On the contrary, now is the time to employ people, and the Robert family wants to appease and use them. Now, Ludwig intends to release Robert when he goes back, apologize to him in private, and then go to the church in Frankfurt to repent.

After that, expand the army and turn to strategic defense!