Soon, Varin's team advanced on the road built by Rostislav.
Although the dirt road built by Rostislav is simple, it is enough to easily connect the cities in the northeast.
And it is by relying on these roads that the people scattered across the vast land of Northeastern Rus can find their way to Moscow.
Everyone was in high spirits. This was their first time away from their hometown, and everything around them was full of newness and freshness to them.
Along the way, many scattered farmers joined their team. Most of these people came from independent villages in the forest, and their goal was naturally Moscow.
People on the march even sang songs from their hometown. Most of these songs were warrior songs, written by warriors who fought in all directions, and they also represented the values of the Russian people.
If they were walking on a country road, these people would definitely not be so bold, because they would be marking their position to possible attackers.
But these roads are different. They are "official roads" prescribed by Rostislav. From time to time, you can see villages that are entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining public security on the road.
The lords of nearby castles sometimes patrol the roads with the support of their subordinates.
Moreover, the rallies in nearby villages are all held on these roads. Every market day, the roads are full of people.
There are so many people and armed forces on these roads. Naturally, no robbers dare to move and "do business" on these roads. To commit crimes here is to seek death.
Valin listened to these warrior songs. Although everyone's singing skills were very poor, and many people were even tone-deaf, songs such as warrior songs did not have high requirements. Anyway, singing the tune was enough, and the louder the sound, the better.
good.
The values conveyed in the Song of the Strong are full of problems in the eyes of later generations.
It is full of the weak and the strong, and people are encouraged to use force to obtain wealth, but this is such an era, this era is the era of force.
Just like what Valin is hearing now:
"The young man robbed the house.
Save souls now.”
The meaning of this warrior song is very simple. When you were young, you robbed and killed in pursuit of wealth, but when you grow old, you should naturally sacrifice your soul to God in order to obtain salvation.
It is said that this song came from the Moscow court, which is very popular with Varin. Now he is a devout Christian and has ideas about his old life.
He planned to stay until he could no longer move, then donate a large sum of money to a church or monastery, and then go there and practice cultivation until his death. In order to atone for his sins, he would accept the strict rules and regulations until his death.
While Valin was thinking about the future, the team came to a fork in the road, where people stopped singing because a team appeared on the other road, and another fully armed team appeared.
Everyone knows that it is safe on the road, but when faced with the appearance of a team of weapons that are no less numerous than our own, everyone can't help but put their hands on their weapons. After all, this is Northeastern Russia, and you can't be too naive when walking in the wild.
Led by a group of horseback warriors wrapped in iron armor, they all wore blouses on top of the armor, looking like Westerners in Valin's impression.
Seeing this scene, Valin also understood who was coming. In the land of Northeastern Rus, only that man and his men would dress like this.
Meshko.
He had heard of Mieszko's reputation for a long time. In the war ballads with the theme of the Bulgar invasion, this brave Pole played an important supporting role.
"Master Meshko, it's great to meet you. I am Varin, and I am heading to Moscow with the troops in my territory."
Quite naturally, Varin shouted Mieszko's name.
If Valin had just arrived in the land behind the forest not long ago, he could only be respectful to Mieszko, but now that Valin is also a lord, he can naturally treat him as an equal.
"It turns out to be Mr. Valin. As you can see, I am also heading to Moscow."
Meshko was confused at first, then he understood what the other person meant, and then he said in a friendly manner.
This young Pole has changed a lot compared to before. If it were before, then now he would just have a bad face and put on a very disgusting look.
The two of them then exchanged a few polite words, after all, they were colleagues, and then talked about their backgrounds.
When he learned about the origins of the peasants outside Wallinkiev, Mieszko did not show any contempt. Due to Sicech's influence, the Poles had long since lost their contempt and contempt for the civilians.
In the end, the two parties naturally reached the same agreement, which was to go to Moscow together.
This made both sides breathe a sigh of relief. After all, in Northeastern Rus', the city lords never said strange things when they had a quarrel. Even though Rostislav tried his best to suppress these things, they still happened from time to time.
But it would be wrong to say that Rostislav's efforts were of no use at all.
Because under the influence of the Moscow prince's ban, although there are still many such private fights, everyone is very careful about propriety and not to cause too many lives, so that they will not be investigated by the prince.
As soon as the queues of both sides merged, the soldiers on both sides quickly started chatting together. They were either exchanging scenes of their hometowns or enjoying the future of getting rich. In short, they were in great harmony.
As they moved forward, there were more and more people on the road, and there were more and more teams. There were even teams marching directly side by side on the road.
All kinds of people appeared one after another, businessmen, tribesmen, farmers... They were carrying large and small bags, and they were all heading towards the same goal.
Moscow, the center of Northeastern Rus'.
And when the figure of Moscow finally appeared clearly in front of everyone's eyes, the farmers and foresters who made up the majority of the crowd and came to Moscow for the first time let out an exclamation.
What they saw was a city that had never existed in their imaginations. The red tower spiers seemed to be shining in the sun, and the towers were connected by log walls.
Behind the city wall were farmlands and houses under protection. There were huge crowds of people on the street that they couldn't see clearly. Black smoke was rising from some houses. That was where the blacksmiths' guild was, attracting everyone's attention.
past.
The innermost part is the city wall made of red bricks. After all, there is also a red tower here. Behind the red brick wall is the palace of the prince.
What's even more surprising is that there is a "city" next to this city.
Although many people say that Moscow is a growing city to express its development, the "city" around it is really "growing".
That is where troops gathered from various places set up camp, and there are already many tents there.
"Young man, we have arrived in Moscow."
Valin announced with a little pride.
Varin and Meshko's troops entered Moscow without causing any disturbance. The most indispensable thing here is various armed people.
Their team might get a lot of attention in normal times, but now it's just an ordinary scene, just a small component of this huge army.
Those in the team who came to Moscow for the first time looked at everything around them in surprise. In their worldview, the market they usually attended was already the most prosperous place, and everything here was far beyond imagination.
Waves of cheers erupted from the racecourse not far away. Although the racecourse was extremely simple, it still did not affect people's enthusiasm. Various cheers came one after another.
The recent turnover of the racecourse is very impressive. After all, so many people have come to Moscow, and everyone loves gambling.
Varin and Meshko left the team outside the city and walked into Moscow through the crowded city gate.
The streets of Moscow were crowded with people and armed soldiers everywhere, as if this was a city of soldiers.
At the moment, they were either eating, bargaining with merchants, or dragging loose women into the alleys.
The two rode their horses onto the crowded streets, and were once so crowded that they could not move. Fortunately, the dedicated Wicher militiamen helped these two people, who looked like nobles at first glance, to pass through and arrive at the Red City.
The captain of the guard in the Red City knew almost all the nobles in Moscow, so he let them in directly.
Compared to the chaos and excitement outside, the situation inside the Red City was much calmer. Servants and soldiers were busy quietly and orderly, stacking various supplies where they should be.
In this busy courtyard, they found the Greek Leo, the commander in the center. Leo was holding a report in his hand and was giving orders to the people around him.
When Varin and Meshko expressed their intention to come, they saw that the Greek took out another report from nowhere as if by magic.
After recording the strength and names of the troops, they were given two nameplates. These nameplates were made of silver and bore the Moscow coat of arms - St. George Slaying the Dragon - as a certificate.
Just when the two were about to leave, a group of heavily armored cavalry entered the Red City, and then shouted at the servants to quickly take away their horses, while Leo frowned.
Looking at these people, Valin couldn't help but ask, are these people the prince's personal soldiers?
But Leo just smiled bitterly.
"Soldiers, indeed, but they belong to his uncles. You two adults, please go back and look after your troops. I already have enough work here, and I don't want any more trouble."
Leodu spoke like this, and Valin and Meshko left very wisely.
However, Valin couldn't help but look at those well-armed soldiers with envy. It would be great if he could have such an army.
After leaving Hongcheng, they naturally parted ways. After all, everyone has his own circle and his own affairs.