Regarding the birth of the third generation, Rostislav was overjoyed when he received the news, but after the joy, he felt a sense of loss. He was also going to be a grandfather.
Although he was very sad about the passage of time, it did not affect him from holding a celebration in Kiev to make everyone happy for the news. Rostislav now knows more and more about using celebrations to gain fame and support.
While Kiev is living its happy daily life, in Constantinople in the south, another round of war is about to begin.
"What? Why? Why are you in charge?"
In the Varangian Guard barracks, the shouts from the captain of the guard and above were very noticeable, but most people just raised their heads and glanced at it before continuing their work. Their captain of the guard was always doing things in a hurry, and he didn't
I know what happened this time.
"Volorida, do you still need to ask why? Of course it's because of your performance. Why did you kill so many of our children from the north so quickly?"
Vasiliko looked at his brother quite speechlessly, really, it was preventing him from doing what he liked.
"Isn't that just what war is like? Casualties and casualties are normal."
Volorida said confidently, and Vasiliko did not continue to argue with him. He just shook his head and said nothing more. Anyway, there is no point in continuing to discuss this topic.
And Vasiliko knew that even though Volorida was so resistant here, he actually accepted his elder brother's arrangement in his heart. He just said that this guy had to make trouble no matter what, so he didn't bother to argue on this issue.
what.
"I don't know if the emperor can succeed this time. He has failed three times facing the Normans."
Vasiliko looked at the high tower of Brecher Palace - which is now the new royal palace of the empire - Alexios was probably working hard for his empire somewhere inside.
"It's hard to say. I can only say it's hard to say. God knows whether Alexios has figured out the correct way to fight. The Greek army can't stop the Norman charge at all. Only my people can resist one or two, but what's the use of that?
?If other troops are also destroyed, they will still have to run with them, causing heavy casualties to my people."
Volorida's tone was full of resentment. Those huge losses were caused in this process. Many times, whether they were forced or voluntary, the Varangians had to act as defenders, and ended up falling behind again and again.
Troop losses also increased.
"What do you think of the level of the Norman cavalry? I have only heard about it from other people's mouths, but you have actually seen it."
Vasiliko thought he needed to know something about his enemies. This was his first time fighting these Western enemies, and the information he had was still too little.
Volorida pondered slightly because of this question, and then gave her own answer, "I feel that the level of closeness is just a little worse than that of my father."
And Vasiliko paid more attention to it because of this. His father's personal entourage only numbered four hundred now. It was already the most elite cavalry team in the entire Ross. The level of the Norman cavalry was actually better than that of his father.
Almost like a follow-up?
"Otherwise the Greeks wouldn't have fought so many defeats." Volorida shrugged, feeling helpless in this situation, "Anyway, I can only hope that Alexios will come up with a serious solution this time instead of
It was the same chore as the previous two times. Speaking of those two times, I really laughed to death. He arranged carriages and caltrops in front of the formation. As a result, the Normans went directly around to both sides to attack, and then there was a rout.
Already."
Vasiliko couldn't help but smile when he heard this. The performance of Alexios in these two battles has become a joke circulating in Constantinople. You know, he was not the one who was called the fox.
Robert Guiscard, but his illegitimate son Bohemond.
The citizens of Constantinople have always been bold in mocking their monarchs. Alexios suffered so many defeats that he was almost called a "constant loser". However, because of the emperor's strong skills and the ability to lead the army,
He has always done things personally, so his throne is still very stable.
"Then I hope our Majesty's expedition will not turn into a joke."
Vasilko said, and Volorida shrugged, God knows how the battle will turn out.
The opportunity to let them know where to go came quickly. The emperor set off after regrouping his troops. Their target was Larissa. This city had been surrounded by Norman invaders for a long time. If it fell there, the Norman army would take over.
Once down, he can advance further, and he must go to rescue there.
When the Greek army came to Larissa, the Norman army on the opposite side was not surprised. They had surrounded the city for so long and knew that the Greek army would come sooner or later. Then the Normans showed great contempt for the Greeks.
Just watching the Greeks arrayed in front of them, doing nothing.
Because judging from their experience during this period, no matter what kind of front the Greeks put up, facing their lance charge will only collapse in the end. So they watched the Greeks move leisurely, no matter what the Greeks did,
No matter what you do, you are bound to die.
During this time, the Normans defeated countless Greek armies, and Bohemond's military camp was filled with all kinds of trophies. In their view, they would definitely conquer Constantinople and become the leader of that city.
Owner.
As an illegitimate son, Bohemond had strong ambitions in this matter. If he could capture Constantinople before his father returned, then he, the illegitimate son, would definitely inherit this large area of conquered land.
However, due to the constant victory, Bohemond did not pay much attention to the Greeks. He even moved a small bench to sit in front of the battle, looking for Alexios' whereabouts, so as to plan a mad pursuit after the Greek army collapsed.
The Greek emperor escaped three times last time, but he must succeed this time.
The Russians took this time to do one thing on the battlefield - dig soil and dig trenches in front of them. The Varangian Guards were given the task of holding their position this time, so Volorida and Vasilko worked together.
In summary, I think that instead of just waiting for death, it is better to build some pits around them to slow down the impact of the Norman knights.
Next, another battle began. The Varangian Guards completed their mission brilliantly. The Varangian troops arrayed at the forefront of everyone blocked the fiercest attack of the Normans.
After taking advantage of Varangi, the Normans' performance changed quickly. They immediately left some people to besiege Varangi and focused on holding them back, while the others went to attack the Greeks.
The performance of the Greeks was once again disappointing. They showed little resistance to the Norman attack and were quickly torn into pieces by the Norman knights.
Then came another much-loved defeat. The Greeks retreated directly towards the rear. This made the Varangian Guards curse their mothers inwardly. Damn it, the Greeks sold them out again.
Generally speaking, according to the experience of the last three times, after encountering such a situation, the Varangian Guards will start to retreat, but their behavior this time is different. The northern warriors continue to hold on to the battle line.
The reason for this is that Alexios had a special order for them before, requiring the Varangian Guards to persist for a period of time when the entire army was defeated. For mercenaries, the employer's requirements naturally come first.
So there was no other way, Varangi could only try to hold on.
After Bohemond discovered that Varanghi was still resisting on the battlefield, he decisively ordered some people to stay and surround Varangi. As for the others, they pursued the Greek deserters with all their strength. The valuable guys were all over there.
!
"Volorida, do you often find yourself in situations like this?"
Vasiliko panicked and took the crossbow handed over by Vladimir, then used it to penetrate the helmet of a Norman knight not far away, and then took another one.
"That's right. After fighting for that emperor, I have experienced this kind of scene a lot."
Volorida just raised his shield and blocked the incoming arrow.
In front of them, rounds of Norman knights were pouring into the Russian shield wall, and under such rounds of blows, the shield wall began to speak but stopped talking!