After delivering the Chud warlord's head to his grandfather's hands, Rostislav naturally took the lead in this war. After all, he was the one who took off Alar's head anyway.
As a result, Prince Nuocheng obtained a large amount of trophies, and all of Aral's personal collection became his own.
It's just that the warlord gave away most of the treasures to win people's hearts, and the prince didn't get much.
Among the trophies, the most valuable was the helmet inlaid with a huge ruby, which Rostislav gave to Gvalan.
Faced with this royal gift, the captain of the soldiers who was always silent solemnly accepted the gift. Rostislav looked at him and understood that from then on, he finally became the true master in this man's heart.
The other spoils of war were scattered among his men. Rostislav knew how important a reputation for generosity was to a prince. Northern warriors are always willing to follow generous people, as the Alemannic proverb says: Jewels swing the sword.
Grandfather sent Aral's head to Nuo City, declaring the victory of the war and the end of the war.
After three days of carnival in the mountain fort, the main force of the coalition forces left some of the defenders behind and then set off again, returning to the prosperous city of Novo in a triumphant song, while behind them was the burning land of Estonia.
Estonia suffered heavy losses in this three-month conquest. A large number of Chud people either died or were sold into slavery. The Rus also controlled several key points in this land and strengthened their control over the Chud tribes.
The remaining tribes are still ready to take action, but not against the Rus, but against their compatriots. The coalition destroyed many tribes, and now that they have left, isn't the land still there?
So just a few days after the coalition forces left, the land was filled with battles and killings. The Chude people began to shed blood for the ownership of a hilltop, a valley, or even a thin cow. Everything was no different from usual days. This is
The daily life of these barbarians.
On the way home from the coalition forces, people who had made a lot of money sang war hymns and looked forward to a better life in the future.
The sobbing from time to time in the slave queue was so miserable compared to the joyful atmosphere, but no one cared about them. Who would care about what a group of commodities were thinking. Even Rostislav hardened his heart and ignored all this.
exist.
Taking advantage of a break in the march, Rostislav gave his grandfather the letters he had obtained from the mountain fortress.
However, after reading it, the wise man just put it away without any reaction. He just asked Rostislav to keep the matter secret.
Prince Nuocheng couldn't help but feel disappointed, but that's how things are in the world. The possibility of immediately realizing what he wanted was really low. Moreover, his grandfather knew the true existence of the conspiracy, which was already a great success.
When they arrived in the city of Novo, the returning army enjoyed the welcome of the city. Crowds filled both sides of the streets. Everyone was cheering for the victory. Bishop Luca and the church members sang hymns for the Archduke's victory.
Every expedition member's bag was filled with wealth. The expedition members' families were overjoyed when their father and brother returned home victoriously. They also brought back trophies from far away places, enough for their families to purchase some precious production tools or simply spend some time together.
Good days.
Moreover, the slave market in Nuo City has experienced a sharp drop in prices due to the recent influx of goods. The slightly richer families in Nuo City have several Chude slaves.
The city's powerful people were excited about the Archduke's victory because it meant that more goods that could be sold to the south would flood into the market, and they could earn more.
As for the Grand Duke himself, he had solved the troubles in the north, strengthened the authority of Kiev, and obtained evidence of the conspiracy. He also returned with a full load.
Rostislav gained a lot. He proved himself to the Grand Duke, gained the true loyalty of his father's janissaries, showed his martial virtue in front of the dignitaries of all Russia, and won an honor worthy of being sung in songs.
Prince Nuocheng understood that he was now on the table. Although he was just a small player at the table, he was still on the table after all.
The world will see him not as a prince who can be slaughtered by others, but as a prince who can fight in battles.
It can be said that everyone in today's big northern city is very happy, and everyone has money to spend. Nuo City has once again become a carnival city, immersed in the joy of victory, and the air is exuding joy.
Drunk drunkards can be seen everywhere on the streets, cheering for war.
Several drunkards freeze to death every night, and the body collectors have been very busy recently, but even so, the tavern is still crowded with drinkers from morning to night.
As for Rostislav, even though he squandered a lot of gold and silver, he still made a lot of money. The nobles and businessmen of Nuo City sensed the change in the political atmosphere, and they rushed to send gifts to please this man whom they had not cared about before.
Defeat the prince.
Soon after, Harald decided to leave the city. The war in Estonia was over, the soldiers had rested and their pockets were full, and the king's trophies had been sold into various supplies. It was time to return home.
Yaroslav did not try to retain His Majesty the King, but only sent a large amount of treasures. His son-in-law was originally invited to help him. Since he was leaving, he should send him off properly.
On the beach of the Baltic Sea, everyone sent the "Thunder of the North" away together. The Norwegian King said his final farewell to everyone under the backdrop of many sails. Behind him were fully armed Norse warriors, and the Estonian Norse also stood impressively.
Among other things, this was the king's promise that they could join in the great plunder.
The fleet at sea is ready for battle, and it may encounter the Danish fleet at any time from now on. It will be a fierce battle at sea.
The farewell to the Prince of Nuocheng was the last. Harald gave him an exquisite silver cross. Although it was a cross, the shadow of a hammer could be vaguely seen, which made the Prince of Nuocheng couldn't help but think of the paganism.
Your hammer.
Rostislav knew what was going on. The faith in the north was not as pious as in the south. For most people, the God on the cross was still unfamiliar. In this case, why not make the cross into a more familiar style, and this might be the case.
Seeing this, the pagan gods would still give them protection.
Prince Nuocheng couldn't help but take a deep look at the king, but said nothing - one should not lie about matters of faith.
"Put this thing away. Riga will help you if needed."
With these words behind him, this two-meter-tall giant rowed the boat neatly to the flagship, his actions still full of power.
After the king boarded the ship, with the trumpets blowing one after another, the North fleet across the seas embarked on the journey again.
Rostislav clutched the cross and watched the Norwegian fleet go away under the sun. He couldn't help but feel melancholy. The King of Norway treated him very gently and kindly. His Majesty's advice during the procession helped him a lot, and he couldn't help but think about the future.
His Majesty died in battle in England.
But this emotion only lasted for a while. It turned out that it was still more than ten years before the battle where Harald died, and after he came to this era, it was still a question whether that battle would still exist.