Crusader Kings: Prisoners of War.

Chapter 126 Varangian

"We can't just drive them away, so let's part ways amicably. I'll ask them to move their camp to a secluded place later, so as to avoid causing trouble. I don't mind if they are willing to stay until the spring, but the Empire cannot provide them with food for free, they have to buy it with their own money."

Tia didn't think there was anything wrong with this handling: "Then I'll leave it to you. I'm not good at dealing with mercenaries or barbarians."

After she finished speaking, she hugged her legs and lay on the bed, with her back to Orville, so that Orville could not see her expression clearly.

"What's wrong? Is there any problem?" Orville knew that the other party's reaction was not right, so he asked.

After a few seconds of silence, Tia finally answered in a low voice: "I have some self-doubt. Is this really right?"

"What do you mean?"

"Everything we did in Gaul was different from what those followers of Palphi did. It seemed that the Gauls were also capable of governing a country normally. We were just imposing our rule on them."

"Let future generations judge right and wrong. We only do what this generation should do. What makes you doubt this? I think your determination should be stronger than mine."

"I am reluctant to call the enemies I defeated at the Battle of Caen soldiers or warriors. They were just a group of peasants and children with empty blood. My warriors and I were not so much engaged in a war as in a massacre. It is difficult for me to associate this with honor and great deeds."

"Only heroes care about honor and great deeds. We are not heroes, and the era of heroes and legends has passed. What we need to do is to complete the tasks and missions entrusted to us by the empire. Maybe those things make you feel uneasy, and I am sure it would be the same for me, but these things will eventually have to be done by someone, and we are just cleaning up the mess left by our predecessors.

We cannot change what has already happened, but we can prevent what is about to happen. As a ruler, you should prevent these things from happening in your country in the future. This is something we can do and can change."

"maybe"

Tia sighed and signaled Orville to leave his tent.
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After a night's rest, Orville came to the Viking camp, ready to negotiate with Ragnar about food supplies.

The other party drank several liters of wine last night, but he looked normal today and his digestive ability is indeed very good.

"Hello, Your Highness. Although I'm not worried, I still want to ask you, are our silvers ready?"

"You will get what you want. You will get at least two hundred thousand dinars. But before that, there is one question that we need to discuss. Do you plan to spend the winter here?"

"That's right. If you have seen the waves and storms of the North Sea, I think you will make the same choice as me. It is very unwise to sail to the depths of the North Sea in winter, so we can only stay for a while, not too long, only about two months."

"Now that the Gauls have surrendered and become subjects of the Empire, I will not allow you to plunder them. Otherwise, I will have to take physical measures against you. I believe no one wants to go to that step, so let's solve the problem in a civilized way. The Empire can provide you with food, but you have to pay for it. This is non-negotiable." I thought Ragnar would be dissatisfied, but he readily agreed: "That's easy, as long as you can provide food."

Orville looked at him meaningfully and asked him to continue talking without keeping him in suspense.

Ragnar's bargaining skills are pretty good. The fact that he accepted the conditions so easily meant that Ragnar still needed his help, so he had no choice but to give in first.

He immediately broke down and looked at Orvel with a smile: “I can’t hide it from you, I do have something else to ask for, but it may not be a bad thing for you.

Some of us yearn for the wealth and prosperity of the empire, and hope to stay here forever as your mercenaries. It should take about ten years, and I hope you can agree to our request. "

"Is there any problem with this matter? It's better if you speak frankly. Otherwise, I am not very interested. The Empire is not short of excellent warriors. We actually have more than enough soldiers."

There seems to be nothing wrong in getting the Varangian Guards in advance. Compared with the Romans, all barbarians have the advantage of being cheap and large. Orville doesn't mind having more soldiers, but it is necessary to lower the price appropriately.

"It's actually like this. One of my subordinates always contradicts me, which makes me a little unhappy with him. Of course, this is easy to say, there are so many people who question my opinions, but the problem is that he is a little young, and I am already aging. In order to ensure that my sons can smoothly inherit my position, I either kill that kid or get him away from me. It's better to use a gentler method, don't you think so?"

There are also differences between practical combat abilities. For example, the abilities of the Vikings simply enhance their combat effectiveness to an extreme degree without any other enhancement effects. The mainstream enhancement of the Romans will slightly increase the lifespan and comprehensive ability of some gifted people. The abilities of some other nations will come with improved eyesight, healing ability, resistance and other miscellaneous things. They are varied and varied.

For Ragnar, who is now in his forties, it is time to consider his funeral arrangements. At the very least, the issue of succession should not be delayed any further, nor should any hidden dangers be left for his descendants.

"Why should I help you solve the problem? It costs more money to support more people. My financial situation is not good right now. Thanks to your commission, I still have to pay for the military expenses out of my own pocket."

"You can raise the price of your grain supply a little bit. I will make them accept it. This is the financial concession I can make. It should be good for you. And you really should take a look at Hrov. As long as you meet him, you will know that it is worth hiring him."

"I'll think about it carefully. How many Viking warriors besides him are willing to stay here?"

"He has about 500 men under his command, which shouldn't be a very large number. If we find that the benefits are good, they may join your army again."

"I understand... Let me meet him in person. If he is qualified, then let's do this. You will also be satisfied, because I don't want my mercenaries to leave easily. They will stay with me and my army for a long time."

Ragnar understood Orwell's subtext and laughed out loud: "Hahaha!! Don't worry, that guy is a good mercenary. You will definitely not be disappointed."

(End of this chapter)