The one who is most surprised by all this is naturally Petrov. In the past few years of traveling with Rostislav, although he has learned that Rostislav’s identity is the ruler of Kiev, he always
It's unbelievable.
But now, he was standing behind the Golden Gate of Kiev and among the huge retinue of the Grand Duke of Rus. No matter what, he could only believe what he saw in front of him.
Fortunately, Rostislav still remembered this old friend who traveled with him, and gave him the treatment of a nobleman, allowing him to mix with the poets and cultural figures of Kiev, which was the best cultural group in the entire Russia.
But after all, Petrov's incident was just a small episode. What's important right now is the upcoming expedition to the south.
After a full year and a half of planning, news about the expedition to the south had already spread everywhere, so when Rostislav returned to Kiev to send out the news, the whole of Russia was mobilized.
Today, outside the city walls of Kiev, it has become a sea of mushroom-like tents. Dialects from all over Russia are gathered here. A full 50,000 soldiers have gathered at the Rurik Trident, St. George Slaying the Dragon and
Under the Virgin.
In the initial expectation, everyone thought that 40,000 soldiers would be enough, but due to Rostislav's reputation, 10,000 more soldiers ended up being sent.
Although the build-up of military strength was far beyond imagination, Kiev still managed to support these 50,000 people and was able to sustain their upcoming expedition.
The efforts of the past year and a half were not in vain. The rulers headed by Rurik vigorously purchased food from home and abroad, and also launched a hunting and gathering movement in Russia, purchasing large quantities of prey and various collected items from the people.
Zhurostislavich also personally led their soldiers to carry out large-scale hunting, reducing the number of animals in many areas to a level that would take decades to recover.
Such a large number of people gathered in Kiev, which naturally attracted countless practitioners from all walks of life for this huge market. Now the total number of troops gathered in Kiev and the population they serve is almost the same as the population of Kiev.
However, these huge armies did not just stay in Kiev and do nothing. In fact, the Rostislavichs had been organizing hunts for these soldiers to participate.
This is why Rostislav is not worried about the waste of the army, not to mention that the military situation in Transcaucasia is worse than his side. Once Monomakh dies, there will be no one there who can convince the public.
On the one hand, large-scale hunting can provide supplies for the army, and on the other hand, it can train these soldiers from all directions, so hunting can be said to be carried out every now and then.
Now Kiev has become like a grand banquet, with countless people gathering here, and every day is like a festival, consuming countless food and resources.
Of course, it is impossible for the Grand Duke of Russia to watch Kiev from the tower of Vladimir Palace every day. In fact, he needs to meet many people every day. These people are nobles and warriors from all over Russia, many of whom are newly grown people.
The rising generation saw Rostislav for the first time and were therefore eager to meet him.
In the past, the world's awe of Rus was mostly directed at Rostislav himself, but now that they see the emergence of such a large army, their evaluation of Kievan Rus's war potential will also change.
Now that I have returned to Kiev, I have to compile these things into a book, revise and summarize them, and use them as a reference for my descendants to understand the customs and customs of various parts of Russia. Rostislav has already thought of a name for this book, so
It's "Russian Customs".
Due to the continuous hunting, the royal hunting grounds belonging to the Rurik family were completely wiped out. There used to be many large wild livestock herds here, but now there is nothing left. Its status as a royal hunting ground will also change after the hunting is over.
Cancel.
In the past few years of wandering around Russia, Rostislav has conducted a field survey throughout Russia. While experiencing various things, he also learned about the customs and habits of various places in Russia, and he recorded them all.
, stored in his own big bag.
However, Rostislav didn't have any idea about what to write after completing "Russian Customs". Now that he had the inspiration, he didn't know how to write. This was ironic enough. In the end, he decided to put it aside for the time being and wait.
After settling the matter in Transcaucasia, it is not too late to think about it again.
As long as the army can be controlled and then successfully reach the battlefield, the problem will be solved. This is the case in this era. As long as the army reaches the battlefield, other problems will not be a problem.
However, the biggest gain for Rostislav from this journey was not the summary of customs, but the various events he saw. These events from the people greatly supplemented the knowledge that Rostislav once had.
Lack of inspiration.
Speaking of this, when Rostislav planned to go to Constantinople in 1080, he was very worried about the problem of too many newcomers and poor combat experience in the army, and now this problem is even more serious.
Judging from the results of several hunts, the traces of the southern and northern armies of the year have completely disappeared from the Ross army. This is a pure army of newcomers. Although they are well equipped and of high quality, when it comes to how to fight, then
All I can do is spread it out with both hands.
Rostislav, who has changed back to his original clothes, is very satisfied with the busy and crowded scene in Kiev now. This is a scene he was once very familiar with. Crowds from all over the street filled the streets, the sound of bargaining was everywhere, and forever.
The indispensable prostitutes and customers... This reminded him of his youthful years. At that time, he was so high-spirited that he had to immerse himself in the flames of war almost every once in a while to experience such a style.
Ross has not used weapons for nearly thirty years. The new generation grew up in a generally peaceful environment. They don’t even have much experience in village wars. For them, war is like a legend.
A normal journey instead of an awkward fight on the battlefield.
But fortunately, Ross still has a reliable team of generals and officers. The three Rostislavich and their personal troops can be regarded as people who have been tested in battles for a long time, and they are enough to shoulder the task of controlling this army.
As for teasing the grandchildren, it goes without saying that this is something every grandfather always likes to do. Rostislav now has a total of eight grandchildren, plus the illegitimate child of Volorida, the number is eleven.
Regardless of those who have grown up, Rostislav feels a strong sense of happiness every time he is surrounded by these cute little angels.
After all this trouble, the amount of food accumulated reached a very terrifying level, enough to support such a large army in an expedition despite high-intensity losses.
As for the Rostislavichs, it was hard. They were in a hurry to deal with various things in the army. At the same time, they also realized how powerful their father was. His father maintained the situation by himself, and
It took the three of them combined to barely maintain a balance.
The dogs of war (mercenaries) are a group of people who are most sensitive to war, and Rostislav's reputation makes them have no doubt about victory, so they come to Russia like crucian carp crossing the river, and Rostislav is also very
He is happy to hire them, at least he doesn't have to pay pensions when the mercenary dies.
Many people talk about the war as if they are talking about what to eat today. Although this situation has appeared in Rostislav's memory in past battles, it has never been as serious as now.
The stability and prosperity of Russia over the years have certainly brought benefits, but the disadvantages are also quite obvious. The Ross army from back then is no longer there.
Therefore, after meeting young people from all over Russia every day, Rostislav was actually very leisurely, and he spent this leisure time sorting out documents and amusing his grandchildren.
At the same time, he also lamented how good it is to have a son. When he went to the imperial capital, he had to support himself alone. Now, with his sons in front, he only needs to grasp the general direction.
The Russian war machine built by Rostislav finally started to fully activate, and the power it released after it started attracted the attention of all countries.
Rostislav saw many sons of his old friends. Their fathers had either passed away or retired. The generation that originally followed Rostislav in the war had withdrawn from the stage, and a new generation was coming.
After all, in the final analysis, most people are only used to resist the line. Key assaults and various exquisite tactical operations are completed by those elites who receive high salaries and enjoy a privileged life.
With the gathering of Russian troops, the border areas where small-scale conflicts had been constantly stabilized. Whether it was Poland or the grasslands, they no longer dared to act rashly when they saw the huge army assembled in Kiev. If such an army came over like this,
Then they really can't stand it.
The export of salted fish from Ivangorod also stopped for a time, because all the salted fish now has to be sent to Kiev, and due to the demand for pickling huge prey, the salted fish manufacturing industry cannot get as much salt as before.
The children also like their legendary grandfather very much. Over the years, Rostislav has become a key figure in various heroic songs and dramas in Russia. In the eyes of the grandchildren, their grandfather is omnipotent.
After completing this, Rostislav went to accompany Zoe. Zoe was in poor health recently, and anyone with a discerning eye could see that she was old. In comparison, Rostislav was very active all day long. Whenever this time
, Zoe could not help but laugh at herself, and Rostislav was by his side, just like every old couple.
And in this leisurely moment, the Russian army was also ready.