While the siege of Kashin was still in progress and the Prince of Moscow was waiting in the woods, a team gathered in the wilderness of Suzdal. They were about to fight a battle that was related but not related to the great war.
"Can such an army really fight a war?"
Seeing the peasants in front of them all wrapped in furs and holding slightly tempered weapons, Yang subconsciously felt a headache.
He was somewhat mentally prepared for the disadvantages of an army composed of farmers, but looking at this scene, he still couldn't help but say these words that he shouldn't have said.
Only a handful of farmers have iron armor, and they are either tribal chiefs or rich farmers in the village.
The only thing that distinguishes these people from ordinary farmers is their armor. Their words and deeds are still the same as ordinary farmers.
The Rus and Merians talk and brag together like brothers. Years of getting along have made the two peoples understand each other's language, and there is no problem in communication.
For them, it is a joy to meet and meet in so many villages.
But for Young, he felt nothing but trouble. This was the first time since he started his horseback career that he had commanded such an inferior army.
Their camp was as chaotic as that one, and without any fortifications. Yang doubted that he and his soldiers could defeat these farmers with a night attack.
"This is all the strength we can use. We will be marching in a while. It is impossible to change, and there is no time to change. Sir from Moscow, please be patient and patient."
The old man who was worshiped by the God of the Earth and the Underworld, and whom the people always called the Master in awe, heard his words and answered simply.
There was no resentment in his tone. If they were inferior to others, they would be inferior to others. If they could defeat Olaf's henchman, there would be no need to act like this or bring in the power of the prince.
Although he is old, Lev is still as strong as some young people. He is following Yang closely without any difficulty.
"No, Lord Lev, I understand the current situation. These are just minor complaints."
Yang, who understood that he had said something wrong, immediately replied that what he just said was just subconscious. In fact, he had no emotions. These people were just helpers, and they were already very qualified as helpers.
The two of them continued to move forward silently. There were resting soldiers everywhere along the way, sitting or lying down.
Many people greeted Lev enthusiastically, with gratitude in their emotions. Lev had saved the lives of many people here, and everyone came here because of his kindness and appeal.
As for Yang, except for Yang's subordinates, the farmers were very cold and even hostile to him. In the eyes of some people, Christians were evil people.
The relationship between the soldiers on both sides is quite harmonious. Everyone knows that the other is the next comrade. As for the future, we will talk about it later.
Over the past few days, Yang has learned a lot about Lev. This pagan warlock travels to various villages in Northeastern Rus all year round, using his knowledge of herbal medicine to help people for free. He is also willing to spread everything he knows and save people.
Saved many lives.
This is why people promoted him as the leader of the resistance, because that prestige can lead everyone.
It's just that although Lev has high moral character and quick thinking, it is obvious that he is not a general, otherwise he would not have more than fifty soldiers to beat his two hundred people everywhere.
Soon, the two came to the big table. It was called a table, but it was actually a flat stone with various signs painted on it, representing each city and village.
This was the place where they discussed the situation. Although it was simple, it was enough to recreate the situation. Over the past few days, the two of them had been recreating everything they knew on the map to make a judgment on the next situation.
"As we expected, Olaf has already used all his strength, Lord Yang."
Lev got straight to the point and talked about the reason why he was summoned. Their common enemy, Olaf, finally started his betrayal.
After the meeting that day, Lev and Jan reached an agreement, an agreement that was beneficial to both parties. Everyone needed to fight against the wanton Olaf.
Lev wanted to preserve the freedom of many village communities, and Young needed that guy's head. It can be said that the two sides hit it off, and now their interests are aligned.
"These days, he has gathered a large number of men in the walled city. Now they finally attack. My scouts are following him closely. His main force numbers nearly a thousand, but most of them are farmers who were forced by him. Normally, this power is nothing.
, the prince can easily suppress it, but now..."
"It may cause extremely bad effects now. When we see groups of Russians defecting to the enemy, the prince's army will inevitably waver."
Listening to Yang's words, Lev's old fingers continued to trace the traces of paintings on the stone table, pointing out the enemy's advance route to the adults from Moscow, while Yang was also mentally calculating the speed and time of the march.
"So we can't let him succeed. Let's set off now and intercept them in three days. Although the force is not as strong as Olaf, the surprise attack is enough."
"Indeed, as you said, enough is enough."
Lev's fingers were pointing and drawing on it at the same time. Following his fingers, Yang saw the sign of a walled city.
"Their target is a Bulgar stronghold, and according to our traveling speed, they may ambush relatively close to the Bulgar stronghold."
"You're saying that the Bulgars might come to help then?"
Facing Yang's question, Lev nodded silently. He was also a little annoyed in his heart. If he had not had to hide his existence, he would not have received the news that Olaf's team was dispatched and then attacked.
"Then let him come. War is so uncontrollable. I have already made the decision to pay the casualties, even if I am unprepared, I think you will be too."
Yang was not surprised by this. Although he had been working on horseback for less than two years, he was already very aware of the uncontrollable nature of war. If war comes, let it come. Only the brave will survive.
Lev nodded subconsciously. He was a little surprised that Yang would say such words, which made his evaluation of this noble son rise a lot.
"Although you are not very old, you are indeed a real warrior. Master Yang, I am a little curious about what kind of person Rostislav is who you follow, so that a warrior like you can be loyal to you."
"You will know when the time comes and you will be surprised."
Lev seemed unconvinced by this, shook his head, and changed the subject.
"Master Yang, what do you think of the power of the prince?"
Hearing this question, Yang straightened his expression. This person is not a good person.
"You ask me what I think about the power of princes? I can only say that this question is very interesting, but let's not be secretive and get straight to the point."
Yang hesitated for a moment, then spoke the words he conceived.
There was a reason why the flag officer chose to be so straightforward. He had already understood how cunning and cunning the pagan warlock in front of him was in the past few days.
If you play that word game with him, you might get more information, so you might as well get straight to the point and limit the topic from the beginning.
The reason why he chose to go straight to the point so decisively was because he had been tricked by this old man several times. He could only be glad that the information he took out was not very important.
And Jan understood what the sorcerer was referring to - Rostislav's policy towards Northeastern Rus'.
"So, Lord Jan, does Lord Rostislav really want to bind the free people of the entire Northeastern Rus' under the control of him and his vassals?"
Lev raised his eyes and said.
"Of course, this is his inherent accusation as a prince. Lord Rostislav has the right to allocate real estate and people to his subjects, and serving the lords is the responsibility of the people, and the prince will protect and promote development. This
It is also a power recognized by God, and everyone will benefit from it.”
"Protection and development are all very good things, but it's a pity that most people can't see them. All they see are soldiers in armor taking away the harvest and forcing them to work. When the enemy attacks, those
Where did the protection go?"
Lev's words were heart-breaking, and they completely exposed Yang's clichés.
And Yang was not upset when he was exposed. There was no hope of deceiving anyone with his words. In the final analysis, the real control over those free people relied on the deterrence of force.
"Lord Lev, your words are very to the point. In that case, I won't tell you those clichés."
Yang confessed very simply that he was also disgusted with the rhetoric Rostislav taught them. Since the person in front of him was not a fool, he should speak openly.
"Power comes from the sword. It is the sword that allows us to do all this. I never think that it is something we are born with. It is just words to strengthen our rule. In the end, everything can only rely on the comrades around us and the weapons in our hands."
Swords, after all, this world is so weak and strong."
The flag officer's words are very straightforward, which is also the philosophy he has always believed in.
"But what we bring is not pure exploitation. We bring civilization worth learning, advanced tools, superior technology, organizational strength and national construction. We will drive away the darkness and barbarism of this land.
.”
But he also remembered what the prince said: everything goes both ways. If you don't take it with you, how will you get it?
Even if this acquisition comes very slowly, it is brought about.
"In that case, then I understand, Master Yang, thank you very much for telling me all this."
The old man's words were a little colder. Although he was prepared, after receiving the expected cold words from Yang's mouth, the old man also made a decision in his heart.
As for the things Yang mentioned, the old man simply dismissed them. It was too difficult for those things to spread to the countryside, and it would take a long time for farmers to achieve these results.
And at that time, new shackles will be imposed.
Rulers are insatiable. This is what the old warlock learned over the years. When he was young, he traveled throughout Eastern Europe and had already seen such a scene.
This made Na leave those lands and return to his hometown. Although there were aristocratic grandfathers here, their power was limited to the towns. They had no interest in the countryside and it still could not affect them.
Lev has traveled between villages for many years, always helping people fight against epidemics, sometimes mediating conflicts between people, sometimes leading people to the future, and people offer food in return for their actions.
He devoted countless efforts to this land, but he never expected that one day he would see the princes begin to spread their power in this free land and put shackles on the people.
The prince talks about responding gently, but in fact, there are people who use cruel methods to kill.
Olaf is a living example. If he hadn't organized forces and wanted to rebel against the prince, how could there have been the men in iron clothes who came to crusade.
Lev knew that nobles in many places were doing things similar to Olaf, but there was no one to manage them or stop them.
It is true that in some places the entry of aristocratic power was quite gentle, even harmonious.
But Lev understood that no matter whether it was good or evil, the arrival of that system meant ruthless oppression of the people. Once they were tricked, the future would be extremely gloomy.
It was these that made Lev, a man who had nothing to do with the world, step out and lead people to fight against the nobles who invaded them. He must do this, otherwise the future of exploitation and oppression will inevitably come.
"This time the matter is over. I think we will meet again in the future, but at that time, I think we will be on opposite sides."
What Lev wants to maintain is the peaceful society of Northeastern Russia today, where people work collectively and share income equally, without nobles or city lords riding on their heads. Although there are sometimes overlords who run rampant in the countryside, that cannot be done after all.
For a long time, peace is still the mainstream in the wilderness, and even the tribute from those big villages is nothing compared to the oppression of the nobles?
The countryside does not need rulers riding on their heads. A hundred years ago, they took care of themselves. The gentlemen came regularly to collect some trivial tributes. Now they should take care of themselves too, instead of being ridden by the prince's dog legs.
, forced to pay taxes and engage in corvee labor.
The old man did not explain what he was thinking, because he knew that the man in front of him was meaningless. His will was very firm, just like the one from the opposite side.
"Then, I'm looking forward to that day."
The two looked at each other, and they both saw the unyielding and determination in their own eyes. They both understood that a few years later, ten years later, or even decades later, they would confront each other again. This is inevitable.
.
But now, they have to stand in the same trench because of the same enemy, and both sides know that it is not the time for conflicts to break out yet.
So soon, both sides suppressed the hostility in their eyes and put on peaceful faces, as if this conversation had not happened.