Rise of Rurik - Chapter 1419

[Chapter 1518: The torrent of Luxembourg garrison in action]

Ambushing the troops in the valleys of Luxembourg, thousands of warriors had no idea that the cavalry chasing the Russians had been severely defeated.

They are extremely devout in their faith and firmly believe in the propaganda of Archbishop Hatgar.

The cavalry has achieved a great victory!

The brave Gilbert led the elite cavalry to attack the stolen Coblenz!

Countless Ross gangsters were executed, and countless traitors were punished by justice!

The souls of these evildoers will be tormented in hellfire forever.

The militia fighters fell into a collective frenzy. When everyone said “we will win,” they were convinced of victory.

Hunting spears, javelins, harpoons, scythes and flails, all agricultural tools that could be used as weapons were taken out.

Most of the men in the valley garrison and nearby villagers who have taken refuge have been armed. The archbishop has said that killing is an evil deed that will lead to hell. However, all Normans are Satan, nothing more than the big Satan and the little Satan and the little one. Devil, kill all these monsters and everyone’s original sin will be cancelled.

It is said that if one man from a family serves as a soldier, as long as he kills a gangster, the souls of the whole family can be purified.

is this real?

Since the Archbishop said so, it should be true.

Therefore, based on the intelligence provided by the captured Gilbert, Rurik was worried that the group of sad soldiers in Luxembourg was a tough one.

The number of warriors occupying Luxembourg has nominally reached 10,000!

The only ones who can really fight here are the expeditionary force coming from the northwest and the local garrison that has existed since ancient times. The five thousand people recruited can be said to be farmers who make up the numbers.

What about the power of improvised peasant armies?

The nobles did not think highly of them, thinking that they were just scrapers who could fight smoothly.

Now the temporary militia is also excited and has strong morale.

Everyone looked forward to Easter Mass, and no one worried about the huge risks of the winter war.

The situation was further boiled down by the good news that the sick Eberhard had finally recovered.

In the hillside monastery, Eberhard, who once suffered from vomiting and diarrhea and suffered from a malignant fever, gradually recovered with the help of strange potions provided by the archbishop.

He has been drinking those holy oils these days, and it is said that he has received the divine blessing of the archangel, and the curse of the barbarians has been cleansed.

“It’s very noisy outside. I heard that you have summoned some more soldiers in the past few days. Regarding the expedition starting at Easter… I still feel that it is a bit risky.”

“My child, God will bless us. This is a war against the devil.” The archbishop personally held a silver bowl filled with holy oil, “drink it again. God bless you, you are healed. In the new war We need your command.”

“Okay.” Eberhard took the Archbishop’s bowl and drank it all.

Soon, Count Eberhard of Jülichgau, who had been living in seclusion in the monastery for a long time, reappeared.

Before he appeared, the archbishop had already created a publicity for the count’s efforts.

After hearing the news, a large number of militiamen rushed to the monastery at the foot of the hillside, and saw a nobleman on horseback and armor reappearing.

Eberhard didn’t wear a helmet just so his soldiers could see his face clearly.

Although he had lost almost all of his noble troops, he could now rely on thousands of armed peasants.

At least they were farmers from near the imperial capital and had more property. Although they were farmers, there were quite a few warriors wearing chainmail, even if the armor was mostly rusty.

The militiamen had polished the spearheads of their spears and polished their rusty swords and axes.

Eberhard tightened his reins and approached the army. The soldiers looked up to their count and subconsciously reached out to touch his horse.

The crowd made a way, and now even Archbishop Hatega led the junior priests to follow behind the war horse. This move completely elevated Eberhard’s status.

Count Jülichgau seemed to have become a king.

Since then, Count Eberhard has been unable to dismount. All the soldiers stationed in the river valley are now under his command. The archbishop is leading the winter war scheduled to start at Easter with the phased goal of recovering Trier. The glory of victory belongs to him. , if defeated… it will be a disaster.

“All the troops are handed over to you. God has blessed you and purified the dark curse on you, so you are not dead. You have been given a sacred mission…” The archbishop’s words lingered in the air. Seeing these cheering warriors again, Ben’s response to the Winter War Even though he was worried, he now has a lot more confidence.

A nobleman blessed by God commanded thousands of troops, and ten thousand militiamen were stationed here. Eberhard never thought that he would be able to lead so many soldiers in his lifetime.

This is completely beyond imagination, and the first thing that bears the brunt is how to command them.

Eberhard has never had this experience. Now that the noble warriors have estimated their losses, where are the officers he can rely on?

The more he learned about this army, the more troubled he became. In desperation, he had to promote the local garrison. Two centurions were asked to command a thousand men.

All the soldiers in the garrison were promoted, and an ordinary swordsman could command ten to twenty infantrymen.

The remaining elites were diluted in this way. Eberhard had his own reason. The so-called without professional soldiers to control the newly recruited militiamen was just a bunch of rabble.

The soldiers firmly believed that the army had achieved a great victory, especially the armed militia of La Mongao. They believed that their count was continuing to win. Based on the agreement between the two counts, they were now under the command of Count Ligao.

Secrets must be strictly guarded. Eberhard also declared victory to the outside world. He knew the real situation best, so he made positive adjustments in his own army based on the current situation.

All hunters were informed that even if the hunting bows in their hands were small in weight and the arrows were of poor quality, it was better than nothing, and the archers were gathered.

Since the Russians are using arrows on a large scale, they should imitate their own example.

Even if it is difficult for our own archers to kill the enemy, as long as they can use projectiles to disrupt the deployment of the Russians, the army can charge through the formation, because some cavalry did break the formation in the last battle, but it is a pity that there are no follow-up troops to steadily expand the results.

“This time, I won’t suffer any more.”

A loud slogan began to circulate in the army: Dedicate Trier to God.

Easter had not yet come, they were still polishing weapons and preparing rations, and the day of departure was approaching.

However, no one realized that the Russian army in Trier was increasing its troops on a large scale, nor did they expect that the army would take the initiative to launch an offensive.

Rurik’s letter of challenge showed that the Russian army would deliberately stand and wait for the Luxembourg garrison to attack.

The latter believed this, and in a sense the war became a tower defense game.

The only variable was the Danish army, and Ragnar and his eleven hundred warriors took action.

The Sauer River Estuary is still a wasteland in the current era. Due to the rising water of the Sauer River in summer, it is difficult for trees to grow here, and the soil of the wasteland is soft and withered grass.

The clumps of reeds were withered and yellow, and the longships were moving in single file.

During the dry season, the width of the Sauer River shrank to only fifty meters. In order to speed up navigation and avoid another ship jam, the Danish army had to form a long snake formation.

The cold wind blew on everyone’s face. The soldiers had unlimited enthusiasm for plunder. It was best to grab gold and silver. If they could plunder a large amount of food, at least the whole army would be guaranteed to survive the winter.

In any case, the soldiers believed that the profit from this robbery must be higher than what they made from fishing in the north.

Raven flags were hoisted on the masts of each ship, and male and female warriors were hidden behind the raised bows. Each of them had tattoos. They obtained a large amount of soap with sulfur from the Russians. Although they became extremely clean, they were also covered in blood. Smells slightly like sulfur.

Like a group of monsters from hell.

Through plundering from Britain, a large number of warriors were equipped with chain mail and single-layer cowhide armor. A batch of carbon steel weapons imported from Rus made them even more powerful.

But the biggest difference from the Russian army is that the Danish army is not equipped with bows and arrows on a large scale. There are only a hundred bow-wielders among a thousand warriors, and the power of the arrows is also very average.

The equipment of spears and long-handled battle axes was huge. Relying on the brute strength of the warriors, the battle axes smashed the infantry array of the Kingdom of Wess*x, and it must have been able to smash the Frank infantry array.

Because the Danes learned that the enemy’s cavalry had been wiped out, and the greatest threat to their own side was gone.

“We’re here. After turning the first big river mouth, let’s go to the Alzette River.” Ragnar followed Rurik’s rough map based on intelligence, concluded that he had reached the crossroads of the inland river, and called on the entire army to follow him. Flagship big turn.

At this point, people were pleasantly surprised to find that their course was heading all the way south, and the Alzette River had indeed entered the key north-south section as King Ross’ intelligence said.

Ragnar looked at the fleet behind him: “Now pull up the sails and let the brothers behind do the same.”

The rear boat followed the example of the front boat, and there was a string of long and narrow sails across the narrower Alzette River.

Taking advantage of the north wind, they rowed faster. Now there were clearly destroyed villages on both sides of the bank, and the number began to increase. The soldiers became more and more happy.

“Looks like we’re about to reach our destination.”

“Your Majesty, shall we go ashore now?”

The entourage asked questions one after another. Ragnar took stock of the situation and shook his head: “We will continue to move forward until we see a normal village. Inform the soldiers to prepare their weapons. When they see me launching an attack, all soldiers from each ship will land.”

Ragnar planned to adopt the most commonly used beach landing tactic. He didn’t care what the enemy’s strength was. As long as these thousand brothers, who had been with him through life and death, formed a joint force after landing ashore and rushed into the settlement without giving the enemy a chance to form a formation, victory would be basically guaranteed. Hold it in your hand.

He had already estimated that he would kill suddenly and catch the enemy by surprise.

But he ignored that although it had entered the river valley area, the surrounding environment was surprisingly quiet.

Because the militia sentries arranged by Hatega were always on the move, the archbishop was forced to learn war in the war.

The purpose of placing sentries was to find a place to meet the returning cavalry. Although a lot of things happened, the archbishop did not care about the sentries who were placed on the hillside. The sentries continued to camp in the high woodland, and the work was not canceled. The investigation work Have to continue.

Thanks to the Archbishop’s unintentional move, the sentries were shocked to see a fleet of boats miraculously moving forward on the narrow Alzette River.

Then when those ships raise huge sails that are never seen before.

What are they if they are not barbaric Russians?

The running sentries were still running even if they lost their shoes, just to inform the soldiers in the camp earlier.

The soles of their feet were bleeding, and many people fell down. The sentries staggered back to the camp. They shouted to everyone they met: “The Ross gangsters are coming! Satan is coming!”

When someone asked where the enemy was, they pointed directly to the river and said, “Satan’s army is coming.

Originally, the militiamen were extremely sensitive to “Russ”. Once they heard that the enemy was taking the initiative to attack, they became so excited that they rallied spontaneously.

The news quickly reached the ears of Earl Eberhardt and Archbishop Hatgar.

Eberhard Howe did not doubt that the Russians had betrayed their trust and carried out a sneak attack, which was a typical Norman act.

As for the large number of ships in the inland river, it is even more natural. This is how the Normans sneak attacked Aachen along the small waterway.

Because the refugees gathered in the river valley dragging their families with them, the horses used to pull the carts were requisitioned.

The horses pulling the carts have no performance as war horses, so it’s not impossible to make do with them.

After spending all his money, Eberhard gathered a hundred cavalry. As for the combat effectiveness, only God knows.

He led the so-called cavalry to assemble first and patrolled the camp shouting. The soldiers heard the adults’ call and walked out of their barracks with weapons and walked towards the river.

For Ragnar, who was marching at high speed, he gradually heard the noise due to the south and subconsciously sensed that it was danger.

Then the low horn sound resounded through the long snake array.

“All the troops disembark! It’s time for a blood sacrifice to Odin!”

Ragnar twisted his neck hard, his eyes were as ferocious as a hungry wolf, he pulled out a serious Ross steel sword, and pressed the round shield decisively against his chest.

There are more than two hundred elite heavy infantry like this.

The Danes disembarked one after another. For the time being, they could not see the distance due to the obstruction of woods and mist.

They gathered on the right bank of the creek and began to follow Ragnar.

They kept a slow pace, everyone being told that the enemy was probably informed of the surprise attack for some unknown reason.

Surprise attacks were no longer possible, and walking slowly to the battlefield to fight them was inevitable.

“Blood Sacrifice to Odin” is a code word. The so-called battlefield will be turned into an altar, and the enemy will be the sacrifice, which refers to the two armies attacking.

What Ragnar didn’t know was that the highly nervous Luxembourg garrison, led by Count Eberhard, decided to move in full force this time.

Nearly 10,000 soldiers were mobilized, and those who set out first rushed to gather on the riverside, and immediately followed the count and marched north along the river.

There were still a large number of militiamen in action. They did not form formations and did not prioritize. They walked quickly carrying various weapons such as spears, scythes, and harpoons.

They intended to give the invading enemy a head-on blow. Seeing such a large army acting collectively, Eberhard was more excited than ever.

“It can be done! This time we will annihilate the Russians and behead them all!” Eberhart’s smile had become extremely ferocious.

The woods obscured both sides, and finally the Luxembourg garrison was the first to escape from these covers.

The Danish army was mentally prepared for the sudden appearance of the enemy, but some horsemen suddenly appeared and everyone was confused.

“That Gilbert is a liar. They really have cavalry!” Ragnar was shocked and ordered: “Shield wall! All archers gather!”

At the same time, Eberhard also saw those mighty armies.

The strange thing is that these Russians do not have the standard clothing, and the flag they fly is not a high imitation of St. Andrew’s Cross.

“They don’t look like Russians, do they? No matter, if they are not my friendly forces, then they are enemies.” At least Eberhard noticed that there were indeed many ships parked in the river in the distance.

Right here, on this winter afternoon, Eberhard drew his sword and pointed straight ahead with an angry look: “Franks! All attack! Crush the Ross gangsters like a flood!”

If only a few people initiate an attack, most people will hesitate and wait out of fear, and the charge will not be accomplished.

When more than a hundred people were advancing, the entire army fell into a group frenzy and had no scruples.

Spearheads move forward one by one, UU reading www.SonicMTL．

net Eberhardt led the cavalry in a demonstration that successfully caused the infantry to charge without fear of death. The soldiers opened their mouths and shouted to move forward bravely. This momentum was just like their ancestors.

In the past, when the Frankish tribes did not have large-scale cavalry units, they relied on human sea tactics to overwhelm the enemy, throw the battle into chaos, and rely on their absolute numerical superiority to win.

Severely lacking bows and arrows, the Luxembourg garrison carried a large number of javelins and hand axes, which were thrown weapons.

Ragnar thought it would be like what he had experienced in Britain. After both his own side and the enemy lined up, the spearmen and swordsmen kept approaching, and then a battle broke out.

“Why do I see them still charging? Is this crazy?”

The puzzled Ragnar had never fought against a large number of Frankish infantry. Facing the tide of enemies, his heart was shaken, and the confident warrior began to worry.

The Danish army still maintained the shield wall, watching helplessly as the enemy, who had no intention of forming a formation, rushed into the shield wall with their flesh and blood like crazy.

People who are caught up in fighting fever always have a blank mind. “Fear” no longer exists, “courage” does not exist, and only animality remains.

Preceding the flesh-and-blood combat was a slew of axes.

The flying ax crackled against the Danish army’s buckler. This was a method of warfare they had never experienced in Britain.

The ax blade was deeply embedded in the wooden shield, and the buckler suddenly became very heavy.

Although the javelin that came over was not a plum, the Danish army had already suffered losses because of it.

The Danish archers struggled to contain the enemy’s charge, and those casualties struck by arrows were trampled upon by the following militiamen once they fell.

As if there was an invisible force controlling the situation, the militiamen dared to face the Danish army’s sword with their chests, and the hand-to-hand encounter finally broke out.

[End of This Chapter.]