It was a typical Nordic style shrine, with several mottled old logs forming a platform-shaped frame, and a stone slab inlaid inside. On the polished stone slab was a giant tree spreading up and down.
And there are dragon snakes and one-legged crows coiled under the trees.
As one of the few large stone buildings in Rotterdam, the hall that was originally filled with various decorations, cabinets, and desks was cleared away, leaving only a few old-looking tapestries on the wall. The tapestries are no longer bright.
The pattern seems to depict some kind of epic battle scene.
From the heroes fighting giant sea beasts in the stormy waves, to the groups of warriors wrestling and drinking in the high halls; to even the flying Pegasus chariots and armored women holding spears above the battlefield filled with swords and corpses on pillows. Then,
The figure kneeling in front of the shrine turned around and stood up.
Compared with the stoutness of most Britons, he is not too tall. His facial features are deep and angular, and he has a short beard, but there are no British paint lines on his face.
The armor is the first impression Jiang Tian has when he sees it.
"Who are you?" However, the other party suddenly crossed the British sword in his hand, stared at Jiang Tian with his gray eyes and asked coldly: "I have done business with the Chamber of Commerce many times, and they hide their identities.
It’s not enough, let alone asking around the city.”
"Of course he is the exclusive trading representative re-designated by the Chamber of Commerce!" At this time, the yellow-haired mercenary spoke first: "The previous transactions were just attempts to verify each other's credit; now that the Chamber of Commerce has decided to deepen cooperation, it must be re-evaluated.
Your ability to close the deal."
"Okay!" The British leader put down his sword without much entanglement: "I need one million pounds of fine iron ingots, which must be Avignon iron produced in the south of the Kingdom of Zealand, or
Bram iron from Bohemia; I can pay in gold or silver."
"No, we can't fulfill your request." The yellow-haired mercenary also shook his head and said: "The Chamber of Commerce does not have so much transportation capacity, let alone the territory of the Kingdom and the Netherlands. Do you know how many checkpoints you have to pass during this period?
, how much unexpected risks and expenses will be added?”
"Then I will adjust the requirements. I need 30,000 farm tools and the same number of iron tools." The gray-eyed British leader added: "But it must be high-quality cast iron produced by the kingdom, not those made of wood and
Brittle pig iron, an inferior product from the Netherlands;"
"I'm sorry, but this is also beyond the risk scope of the Chamber of Commerce." The yellow-haired mercenary shook his head again and said matter-of-factly: "The Chamber of Commerce can provide up to 10,000 units of iron tools, including picks, hoes and shovels. No
Pitchforks and rakes, and trade in batches throughout the month.”
"In this case, I can first provide five hundred pounds of silver as a deposit." The gray-eyed leader asked again: "But I need information from the Kingdom of Zealand, especially the movements of the Kingdom's First Army in the Netherlands.
I also need a guarantee from the Chamber of Commerce."
"In that case, I can give you a free message about this." At this time, Jiang Tian, who had been watching with cold eyes, suddenly said: "At the same time as we came, the army of the Sealand Kingdom had already pacified Beini.
The disputes in Teresa were invited into the Low Countries."
"So, I am here on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and need to confirm the most basic question. In this case, how can the British people ensure their own survival, and how can they ensure the long-term value of continuing to cooperate with the Chamber of Commerce? The Chamber of Commerce will not be just a mere
The Britons have offended the kingdom!"
"You are really a frank gentleman. You are different from those businessmen I have seen who are full of fancy words and empty promises!" After hearing this, the British leader laughed: "I am from Bei.
Uhtred of Genburg, I wonder what you should call me."
"Lucien Debreck, from Strasbourg, Alemannia;" Jiang Tian also reported his identity as the person he was replacing. "He is also the plenipotentiary representative of the Lowland Netherlands region of the Chamber of Commerce. It is precisely because there are people in the Chamber of Commerce
I have doubts, so I will judge whether your cooperation is still valuable."
"You are actually a naturalized German. I really can't tell." Utred, the British leader, twitched the scar on his face and smiled: "Judging from your accent and posture, I almost thought you were
Is he an authentic citizen of the Sealand Kingdom?"
The so-called Alemannia region is located in the south of the Principality of Saxony. In ancient times, it was one of the large Germanic tribes around the Black Forest. However, compared to the predecessor of the Principality of Saxony, the leaders and princes of Alemannia,
But it surrendered to the Frankish Kingdom earlier.
As a vassal, it gained relatively high autonomy. However, the good times did not last long. Later, Carloman, the brother of King Charlemagne and a contender for the throne, held a banquet in Canstatt (today's Stuttgart, Germany).
The princes and nobles who planned to kill almost all the Alemanni.
It is known in history as the "Canstat" Massacre. Not long after it was re-incorporated into the territory of the Frankish Kingdom, the Crusades to revive the empire began. Historically, they had invaded the Roman Empire and also followed the "Scourge of God" Atti
Alemannia of La has become a simple geographical term.
The Roman Empire's re-emergence movement, also known as the Crusade to the West, eventually shattered the Frankish Kingdom, which almost swept across most of the Western Continent; it also created the current structure of the Western Continent's countries; therefore, on the remains of Frank
The Kingdom of Zealand is not the only one that is rising.
There are also some who participated in the Crusades of the past dynasties, and after expelling, annexing or wiping out the remnants of the Franks, they became new lords and vassals in the name of the empire, and were even able to separate various principalities.
vassal powers such as vassal states and lord states.
Therefore, the many religions and secular princes and lords formed after the Crusades were fragmented in this Alemannia region. They were also the first Germanic people who once believed in primitive jungle shamanism/Druid sect.
Areas of acceptance of the Catholic faith and collective proselytizing.
"Whether they are Germans, Normans, or Dutch; what difference does it make before pursuing the common goal of money?" Jiang Tian responded calmly: "But Chief Youde,
You still avoided my question and still failed to clear up my doubts!"
"Let's put it this way, my soldiers and I just wanted to get a piece of land to settle down. Therefore, we needed the support and cooperation of the local people." Utred slowly calmed down after hearing this and said: "And the Earl of Holland
The rule of the country has given us more confidence and evidence.”
"In my hometown, even the most ignorant shepherds know that they need to take good care of their herds and protect them from wild animals in order to ensure the supply of furs, milk, and meat products. But these lords and agents They are more ferocious and greedy than wolves and wild beasts."
"At least among the rulers I have seen, there is no one more harsh and evil than under the rule of the Dutch Count. Therefore, my subordinates just slightly abolished some tax items and confiscated them in accordance with the traditions and practices of the tribe. If you get rid of some corrupt people, you will be welcomed and supported."
"Even the lord's vassals and citizen groups cannot stand his ignorance and cruelty..." When the British leader Utred said this, he suddenly stopped and said: "That's why I can defeat him again and again. He gathered an army and even captured the city."
"Even so, when I look at it as an outsider, you are still too optimistic." Jiang Tian also shook his head and said: "Do you think these local residents will sincerely support and welcome the rule of outsiders? And are you more afraid of the power you have shown?"
"And how do you ensure that those vassals who secretly cooperate with the Dutch Counties are not trying to use the power of the British to get rid of and weaken the constraints of the lords; but to seek greater interests for themselves? In fact, in the Netherlands, The moment the count is killed, you will be useless."
"..." At this moment, the British leader Utred fell silent. Then, Jiang Tian continued: "How many Britons are there under your command, ten thousand, twenty thousand, or thirty thousand? After all the times, After the battle, how many are advanced enough to pick up weapons?"
"In other words, do you think that after just defeating the Earl of Holland and the surrounding vassal lords among the lowland princes, you can continue to use your existing strength to fight alone against the tens of thousands of troops that are about to arrive in the Kingdom of Zealand; as well as those from other countries A combined army of the Dutch princes?"
"Do you think that under such a huge power disparity, the local subjects will continue to support the existence of the British? How many vassals will continue to stand with the British? After all, no matter how stupid the current Earl of the Netherlands is, But you are the foreign invaders!"
"So, I once sent someone to contact the kingdom and asked to become a vassal of the new dynasty. Unfortunately..." The British leader Utred sighed softly: "However, Representative Lucien can have such knowledge and experience. You must be more than just an ordinary member of the Chamber of Commerce."
"To put it this way, I am actually here to ask you and your subordinates to give up their weapons and accept the disposal of the Royal Government." Jiang Tian said lightly: "This is not a negotiation or a negotiation, but an ultimatum. Before You are wandering everywhere and are difficult to eliminate and encircle."
"But you captured the big city of Rotterdam; while obtaining enough supplies and resources in the short term, in order to occupy and control this city, you also concentrated most of your power here. The city of Rotterdam is already enough to become the majority A prison for the British."
"What about you? Do you plan to become a martyr before the war? I also thought about letting you stay and become a special advisor appointed by the Chamber of Commerce in Rotterdam!" Uhtred shook his head slightly with regret and said: The next moment , the side door of the hall, which was originally empty, was slammed open by someone.
A group of guards swarmed in wearing fish scale armor and nose helmets, holding iron-clad bucklers and Viking swords. The leader was a heroic woman with fishbone braids who wielded a hand ax and a short sword. Under her command
, these elite soldiers, who obviously belonged to the leader's guard, surrounded the scene without saying a word.
Among the several people present, except for the two guard knights who took the initiative to cover Jiang Tian's side, and Lieutenant Colonel Migne who calmly drew his weapon, the one who was most surprised and unresponsive was the yellow-haired old mercenary.
Then, he just changed his color and hesitated for a moment before standing next to Jiang Tian.
"I will create opportunities and try to hold the opponent's leader hostage." The next moment, the yellow-haired mercenary said in a low tone: "Then, you will take the opportunity to escort the noble man out; I have observed that as long as you can rush to the street in one go,
If you go up, you will have the opportunity to temporarily hide in a residential area."
"I am willing to swear by the great god Odin." However, the British leader Utred on the opposite side laughed: "For the sake of your providing information and analyzing the situation, I will never harm your life, and I may even
Let your followers go and report the news, as long as you can stay."
"It's totally unnecessary." However, Jiang Tian gently pushed away the other people standing in front of him and said, "Actually, you made a mistake; since you rejected my ultimatum, it's your turn.
Let me tell you: You are all surrounded by me, the only way to survive is to put down your weapons!"
Recommend "Since the Beginning of Accounts: Roman Khanate" again