king of ros

Chapter 447 Challenging the Status Quo
"Lord Rostislav! Do you want to be the king of the Baltics? Do you want to extend your power to all the Baltic cities?"

A reprimanded voice sounded, and the tone was full of anger. Rostislav saw a man wrapped in a gorgeous fur. The Grand Duke of Kyiv knew this person, and he was an envoy from Gotland.

Gotland is an extremely powerful party in the Baltic Sea trade, and its location almost in the center of the Baltic Sea makes it a transit point for the entire trade, and the city can be said to have made a lot of money in it.

Therefore, if Rostislav wants to reshape the order of the Baltic Sea, then this island must be the most affected, and it is normal for them to react so violently.

Rostislav is also aware of this, but this is the alliance preparatory meeting after all, so the superficial appearance still has to continue to act, but acting does not mean showing weakness.

"Your Excellency, this is the reason why I formed the alliance. Under the leadership of Ross and the alliance, the trade environment in the north will only be better, and we will only gain more benefits. No one will suffer as a result."

Although Rostislav's words sound soft, the meaning contained in them is still very sharp. The Grand Duke of Kyiv almost clearly announced his need for hegemony.

Normally, it would be a mistake for Rostislav to do so, but now it is different, Rostislav has actually decided who is a friend and who is an enemy from the very beginning.

Those who can be won over have long been attracted by his words, even those who are not interested will try to remain neutral as much as possible, as for those who cannot be won over and will become enemies with his allies, they can only rely on blood and fire to bring them to their knees.

"Your goal is absolutely impossible to achieve! My lord! We have to leave first, there is no need for us to stay in this place any longer!"

The envoy from Gotland opened the gate and left, followed by some envoys from the Baltic forces, most of whom had close trade relations with Gotland.

The envoy of the King of Denmark also left. As a kingdom guarding the strait, Denmark is really not interested in the trade alliance. After all, they control the strait and can collect taxes no matter what.

"Okay, good, the person who disturbed us has left."

Rostislav lamented that most of the people who left with the Gotland envoy were Norse, and the Norse played an important role in today's Baltic trade, so the number of people on the field was reduced by half.

The reason for them to stay is very simple. Some people are acting for the future outlined by Rostislav, while others want to continue watching, and the last one is because of one person, King Olaf of Norway, who still looks Sitting next to Rostislav calmly, it clearly told everyone that the two of them had made a deal.

The combination of Norway and Ross is enough to make many people decide to take a gamble to see if they can change their position in the Baltic trade and win more benefits.

"Everyone, it seems that you all have your own decisions. Well, let's talk about the details. Oh, don't look at His Majesty Olaf, he has already decided to join us."

Following Rostislav's words, the young Olaf nodded, expressing his support for the Grand Duke of Kyiv, and the King of Norway's affirmation reassured everyone.

Afterwards, everyone talked for several hours. These towns interested in the trade alliance asked about various details, but Rostislav answered them fluently and solved their doubts one by one.

And the final result was gratifying. Rostislav's main target, the emissary from the Hamburg-Bremen diocese, was quite moved. It seemed inevitable that the King of the North of this church would join.

As for those big and small towns, their choices are also different. Some people choose to join the alliance to gamble on the future, while others plan to wait and see. Anyway, the alliance can join at any time, and they can also withdraw at any time.

But in order to make all of this really come true, and let everyone really be in this alliance, in the final analysis, war is still needed, and Rostislav knows this better than anyone else.

After finalizing the first version of the member list, the Free Trade Alliance was also established. Rostislav made a banner for the alliance, which was a black bear and a harpoon, indicating that the most valuable goods that Ross can supply to this trade network are also Ross. manifestation of status.

To celebrate the establishment of the alliance, Ivangorod held a sky-shattering celebration that night, and the whole city was immersed in joy, toasting for the establishment of the Free Trade Alliance.

And while the people were enjoying themselves, the two kings of the city, Rostislav and Olaf, met on the watchtower of Ivangorod Castle.

"Sure enough, as you said, Gotland and Denmark will not join our alliance, but will become our biggest obstacle, and we still need to solve them in the end."

Rostislav sighed to Olaf, but Olaf just said not to care, "Those two are the leaders of the Baltic Sea trade, how could they join any alliance, and I know that many pirates emerged from them."

Compared with his father, Olaf can be said to have only inherited his height. The biggest characteristic of this king of Norway is his rationality and calmness.

And he doesn't like war, and he wants to build Norway, which was messed up because of his father's war, and his violent father is two extremes.

He is obviously more devout to Christ than his father, and he does not carry the hammer-shaped cross with him, but the real cross, and there are obviously more Christians around him than in his father's time.

Seeing him, Rostislav couldn't help but hear Harald's words, an era is passing, and this is especially evident in this king.

Olaf's actions after Harald's death made him known as the peacemaker, because he ended the series of wars in the North Thunder and finally calmed Norway.

As for why he sided with Rostislav, on the one hand, it was because he saw an opportunity, and on the other hand, it was Harald's order to follow Rostislav, and Olaf strictly implemented it. Facts have proved that Rostislav is indeed quite reliable.

"After all, there is still only war. It's okay. This is what I'm best at. Speaking of which, I haven't fought a naval battle yet. It's also good to have experience."

Rostislav's tone was more relaxed than serious, because for Rostislav, he wanted to see the naval battles of this era and experience things that he had never experienced before.

As for naval battles, with the Kirk ship, he never doubted his superiority, and most importantly, he never planned to fight an orthodox naval battle from the beginning. Already got the idea, it just takes practice with children.

"Lord Rostislav, well, then I'm packing up and preparing to go back. I estimate that the war will resume in a few months. This sea will not be calm for long. I must go back and make preparations. At that time, I will have to take the Danes Stay on this side of the strait."

After Olaf made his decision, he acted quite decisively. He stood up and planned to organize the team, which surprised Rostislav a little.

But in this respect, he was indeed like his father, and this was indeed Harald's son.

And Rostislav continued to look at Ivangorod. This city bears his hegemony and is the foundation of his hegemony. center.

Relying on warships, furs and salted fish, Ross will definitely establish hegemony.

Rostislav was full of confidence in his plan and never doubted it. He had arranged and prepared for a long time, and everything would be rewarded sweetly.

The next thing to do is to wait quietly for a few months. In just these few months, everyone will change the situation. At that time, there will be a wonderful show in the Baltic Sea. Rostislav is looking forward to that moment very much.

Because that was when he practiced hegemony.

--------

(End of this chapter)