John Sokal has always been a little uneasy lately, and especially today, his uneasiness has been greatly intensified.
Troubled by these unsettling thoughts, Sokal walked up to Torzhok's wooden wall, something he always did when he felt uncomfortable, seeing the sight of his territory made him feel better.
Torzhok is a typical Rus wooden city, but most of the residents here are immigrants from the grasslands. Therefore, in addition to wooden houses, there are also many herders' felt tents in the city, and there are always people who are used to living in tents.
Outside the wooden wall, there are herdsmen's tents and herds of cattle and sheep. The herdsmen drive the herds leisurely. There are also many places where farmland has been opened, and herdsmen who have turned into farmers are cultivating the fields.
This is a harmonious production scene, a scene that is rare to see in the southern grasslands. I heard that a warlord has recently appeared in the southern grasslands to unite everyone. I don’t know where this guy plans to invade next.
.
Seeing this scene, Sokal's mood finally relaxed a little, and his uneasiness was less obvious. As the leader of nearly 80,000 herdsmen, what else does he need to be afraid of?
During these three years, Sokal first married Varu's widow, and then he naturally became the lord of Torzhok and the leader of the Northeastern Rus herder tribe.
Sokal is different from Varu. His method of dealing with opponents is extremely cruel, and it is also such cruelty that he becomes the leader of the herdsmen. These guys from the grassland eat hard but not soft. If they kill a few of them, they will be honest.
Already.
Moreover, Sokal took the prince's order to clean up the tribes that looted and accepted the employment of heretics, and proved his status with bloody heads. Nothing is more useful than death.
Whenever this happens, Sokal can't help but sigh that Varu is too weak. Why would he be in trouble or have any opponents if he is like this?
Instead of compromising with those tribes and negotiating with them, this will only make these guys push their limits and go further and further.
Rostislav was very satisfied with the results of Sokal's operation. He was happy that these herders were integrated instead of harassing his territory and destroying agricultural production in Northeastern Rus. More and more of these herders became farmers.
And most importantly, he was happy to see a man with a Russian face mastering these nomadic cavalry. Torzhok's nomadic cavalry was very important to his strategy.
And Sokal's loyalty to Rostislav also increased. He knew that everything now was given by Rostislav, and because of his mother's blood, he was closer to the Russians, so the Russians in his territory
Quite a few.
Sokal strongly encouraged the Rus', or settled, lifestyle, and more and more herders picked up hoes under his encouragement. He hoped that his tribe would become Rus' as soon as possible.
As for himself, his appearance and accent have been completely Russianized for a long time. On the surface, he looks like a native Russian noble, as if he has been in this land since he was born.
Sokal hopes that he or his descendants will become high-ranking figures in the Moscow court in the future.
As for his stepsons, Sokal sent them to Moscow to work as cupbearers. It was also for their own good to send these children to Moscow for development. After all, Sokal did not guarantee that one day his subordinates would "share the chief's worries" and then kill the children.
die.
Forget about inheritance, just develop your career in the Moscow court. Whether they want to be a lifelong servant or become a nobleman, it all depends on them.
However, in Sokal's opinion, the former is unlikely. They will definitely be appointed as nobles by Rostislav when they reach an age. The prince of Moscow has always been willing to take care of the children of deceased vassals.
In this regard, Moscow just sent someone to inquire and that was it. Rostislav was not interested in intervening in these matters, because this is the case in this era, and it is too normal for orphans and widowed mothers to be bullied.
Rostislav was unwilling to care about such a matter, and since Varu's widow chose to marry Sokal, she must have expected such a situation. Now this is someone else's family matter, and it is not easy for him to interfere.
At first, Sokal's wife, Varu's widow, was still making trouble, but she calmed down after Sokal got her pregnant. This shows that this woman is aware of these unspoken rules, and he has to thank Sokal.
It hasn't been eradicated.
Therefore, Sokal is very puzzled by his current uneasiness. Whether in politics or in terms of future generations, he is moving up to a higher level. Why is he so uneasy?
If there is any bad news, at most it is that some farmers and herdsmen have heard that there seems to be a large army marching in the forests in the west.
But no one could provide evidence, and Varu regarded this as a rumor among farmers.
There are many such things, whether the farmers spread some outrageous rumors, or even a black rider riding a horse in the village in the middle of the night can be spread as a "life-threatening black messenger".
While Varu was thinking, suddenly a group of riders appeared in front of his eyes. This group of travelers were wrapped in cloaks and looked dusty.
Sokald's eyes narrowed because he saw the leading man, whom he happened to know. Isn't this Edward? They fought side by side back then. Why did he return to Northeastern Rus?
Although he was doubting in his mind, he did not stop moving his hands. He immediately walked down the city wall and called for his attendants.
Edward was Rostislav's in-laws and a figure in the Moscow court. No matter what the reason for his coming to Northeast Russia, he had to be well received.
"Here we are, we are finally here, Torzhok."
Just when Sokal was leaving the city, Edward looked at the Rosewood City and said, with a sense of relief in his words.
The whole trip was really stressful. I had to dodge Polotsk's scouts on the way, and I was always worried about whether I would be discovered.
Now that he finally entered the territory of Northeastern Ross, Edward immediately felt at ease. No matter how arrogant the people in Polotsk were, they would never come here. They would definitely be safe here.
Moreover, he knew a little about John Sokal. Although he came from the grassland, he had a good reputation. Now he has become the lord of Torzhok, and he is a trustworthy person.
Just as Edward was thinking about the information, Sokal, who he was thinking about, also came towards him. Behind him was a group of steppe cavalry. These steppe cavalry wore pointed helmets and looked more like Ross's warriors.
Sokal dressed up exactly like a Rus nobleman, which was the same as his predecessor Varu, but Sokal did not learn Varu's weakness, so no one dared to ignore him.
When Sokal ran past, both farmers in the fields and pedestrians on the road bowed to him, which shows the authority of this lord.
"Lord Edward Wessex, right? I haven't seen you for a long time. I wonder why you came back to Northeastern Ross?"
The lord of Torzhok skillfully stopped his horse and shouted to Edward.
"It's me, Lord Sokal. I haven't seen you for a long time. I plan to come back and settle down."
Edward also stopped his horse, and only then did Sokal notice the extraordinary Edward's appearance. The lord subconsciously felt that something was wrong, but there was no expression on his face.
"It turns out that you are back. Then there are many people in the Moscow palace... But what happened? Lord Edward, why are you here in such a hurry? Is someone robbing you? Tell me which tribe it is from, and I will teach them a lesson."
Sokal first realized that there were many important people in the Moscow court, and then thought that some tribe had robbed Edward and the others.
Although he has tamed most of the tribes in the territory, it is difficult to prevent things like robbery, after all, it is too easy to destroy the corpses and eliminate traces.
If it is true that his men were unable to attack Edward, then he must deal with it seriously, because this person can speak next to Lord Rostislav, and must have a high position in the Moscow court in the future. His surname and relationship with the Rurik family
He decided that this was inevitable, so he must pay attention to it.
"No, no, it's not an attack. Lord Sokal, the situation is very complicated. Let's talk inside the castle."
Edward said in a serious tone. Seeing this, Sokal also realized that it might be something very important.
Edward had some interactions with him before. Although this nobleman was joking and joking most of the time, when he got serious, it meant that something might really happen.
————————
Of course, Torzhok's castle is also a typical Russian-style fortress, and the interior decoration is even more so.
Edward noticed that there were several landscape paintings hung on the walls of the lord's hall. This was a habit spread in the Moscow court. Naturally, Sokal also used the Moscow court as an example to learn from and got a few paintings for himself.
However, Edward, who had seen the paintings of the Moscow court, found that these paintings were too ugly and could not be compared with the works of the imperial painters. However, these things showed that this nomadic lord had good taste.
At least better than pure barbarians.
Edward first gave Sokal the letter entrusted to him by Thorgil. The ruler of Riga asked him to bring some letters to Edward when he left. Sokal sighed a few words after receiving the letter. He and the ruler of Riga
The relationship between the two is also very good.
But he did not open the letter immediately because Edward had not yet told him his story.
Then, Edward mentioned the main reason why he was so solemn, "Polotsk's army is moving to Novgorod. They are obviously well prepared, and they are large in number and have many troops."
This statement made Sokal stunned, but he obviously did not believe it immediately, and then he asked, "Are you sure? If it is true, then I have to take action."
The reason Sokal said "he must move" is because from the very beginning, the existence of Torzhok and its nearby nomads was for one thing - to enter Novgorod when necessary.
The prince of Moscow has always been very concerned about Novgorod. Rostislav wanted to take back his father's property, so the nomads who migrated to the northeastern Rus' were resettled here, just to be able to make people under the control of Rosti when necessary.
The Slavic army quickly reached Novgorod.
After John Sokal took over Varu's position, Rostislav summoned him to the office for a secret conversation. The content of the conversation was very simple, which was to give Sokal the power to "act on his own initiative."
In other words, if he thinks the opportunity has arrived, he can send troops to Novgorod on his own to capture the city for the Prince of Moscow.
Varu was once given such a responsibility, but it was a pity that he did not wait until the day when he could use this power.
Now, Sokal has also been given, but at the same time Rostislav also gave that warning, and he must confirm the feasibility of the matter before taking action.
If he caused trouble, the Prince of Moscow would not stand up for him, and would even have to give him some symbolic punishment.
So Sokal asked Edward again. He emphasized "if it is true" very strongly, which shows that his mood has been aroused because of this matter. After all, this is a task assigned by Rostislav. If it is completed,
If you are not good, you can improve to a higher level.
"I'm very sure, because I saw everything with my own eyes, lying on the roadside for several hours, and those were the elites of Polotsk. Everyone who came with me can prove it, and they are not already among your subjects.
Is there such a rumor?"
Edward's words were full of categorical meaning. In fact, he also knew Sokal's responsibility. After all, he was considered to be in the prince's circle. That was why he reported the news so solemnly instead of going to Moscow to report to Rostislav.
And on the way here, he also planned to get news from the Torzhok territory. The news that the army was moving was more or less spread out. Such a thing is inevitable after all, even if he takes a small road and kills all the enemies he encounters.
People can't do it either.
"Tsk..."
Sokal was caught in a dilemma. He knew that this was a great achievement in front of him. If he could use this to win Novgorod, then he would be a popular figure in front of Rostislav in the future, and his status in the Moscow court would also be further improved.
promote.
But if this is false, then he will become a pawn thrown out by the prince, and it will be almost impossible for him to enter the Moscow court.
This made him very entangled. Risks and rewards are equal. Depending on what you do, you will either prosper or suffer losses.
Sokal was thinking, but everyone in the hall was silent. Everyone knew that Sokal was thinking, and no one bothered him.
"The kid in Novgorod will definitely not be able to maintain the situation against the army in Polotsk. There is no one who can take charge there. Although I will not go there, I will always have informants there. When the time comes,
The situation in Novgorod will become very interesting... I have decided that I will send troops to Novgorod immediately. No matter what the Polotsk people plan to do, Torzhok's army will be on the side to supervise it.
, and act according to circumstances.”
Sokal finally decided to take action, partly out of his desire for merit, and partly out of his trust in Edward.
Edward has stayed in Ross for so many years and has never had any problems with his hips. Even after so many years, this good reputation still exists.
"Lord Edward, I will send someone to Moscow as soon as possible. I also ask you to come with me to Polotsk."
Sokal was thoughtful and then said to Edward.
Of course, Edward understood that he wanted to share the risk evenly by dragging him along, so that he could avoid some accusations, and a knowing smile appeared on Edward's face.
He originally planned to bring a gift to Rostislav when he came back. Following Sokal to Novgorod was indeed risky, but the gains were also huge. Edward didn't want Rostislav to think that he was here to seek refuge, but
You need to bring some gifts to prove yourself.
For example, the second largest city in Russia? This gift looks very good and qualified.
"Of course there is no problem, Lord Sokal, then we can cooperate happily?"
Edward agreed very simply. This time it was Sokal's turn to be stunned. He didn't expect Edward to be so straightforward and willing to get involved. After being stunned, he quickly held the hand.
"Of course, it's a pleasure to work with you."
Shortly after the two reached an understanding, Torzhok rushed out and sent a group of envoys in all directions. They were going to summon the nomadic tribes from various places.
Sokal issued a general mobilization order, which means that all tribes must bring their strong men with them. This means that a big battle will be fought and a big event will happen.
In Torzhok, the door of the wooden city's armory was opened, and Sokal's own people were the first to gather, and then they continued to take out the weapons and armor from inside.
There are a lot of weapons and armor in the Torzhok armory, because since the Varu era, out of their responsibility as a mobile force, the Lords of Torzhok have been accumulating weapons and armor, and Sokal has naturally inherited this policy.
came down, and now the fruits of this policy can finally be enjoyed.
The nomads moved quickly. Just one day later, the nomad soldiers under Torzhok had gathered together. There were two thousand people who appeared in Torzhok, and each of them carried a
Two or three horses, used for transportation or carrying goods.
Even when they came to Northeastern Rus, these herdsmen still maintained the habit of grazing, and it was this habit that allowed them to maintain the extravagant number of horses that the nomads had.
The core force among the two thousand people is Sokal's 500 people. Each of them is wearing iron armor. Although most of them are scale breastplates, this is iron armor, iron armor. How many of them don't even have a piece of iron skin.
As for other nomads, they are also equipped with a lot of iron weapons, which is indeed the essence of Torzhok.
"Let's go! Our goal is Novgorod!"
In front of the nomadic army, Sokal roared, and he was answered with fanatical war cries, and then this powerful cavalry team began to advance towards Novgorod.