After the Prince's funeral, life in Novgorod returned to its usual rhythm.
The city was excited about the Great Duke's arrival. After all, when Yaroslav was still one of the Princes of Rus', he ruled the north from here.
His subsequent campaign to Kiev also started from here. With the support of the Novgorodians, he defeated the usurper and fratricide, the "Villain" (Note 1), and became the ruler of the Rus' land.
This was also the most talked-about event among the Novgorodians. After all, the "Wise" was able to seize the supreme throne of Rus' thanks to the power of the North. If Novgorod had not given him strong support when he was down and out, he would have long since gone into exile in the North.
Of course, as for the Novgorodians having murdered the Prince's personal guards, and burning the Prince's warships when he was defeated, forcing him to stay and face the Poles and the "Villain"—those things naturally did not exist.
For Yaroslav, perhaps it was precisely because of these unpleasant experiences that he always moved around in this notoriously unruly city surrounded by his personal guards, fearing that the overly active local citizens might suddenly get hot-headed and do something.
And from the throne of Novgorod, the "Wise" issued a series of commands.
He ordered the Rus' people in Rostov to mobilize, strengthen defenses and patrols in the direction facing Bulgar, maintain Rus' control over the upper Volga River, and emphasize Rus' suzerainty over the local Finn tribes.
He ordered increased vigilance along the Baltic Sea coast to prevent all pirate activities—since the Norwegian King, Harald the Ruthless, the Wise's son-in-law, destroyed the famous Danish city of Hedeby, the order in the Baltic Sea had become increasingly chaotic.
He ordered the expansion of Novgorod's port area. Although there was war in the North, peaceful Rus' still attracted merchant ships like a magnet, and this was for the long-term future.
Most importantly, he continued negotiations with the Chud tribes with one hand, and with the other, dispatched troops to clear out the rebellious Chud tribes near Novgorod.
This was the main reason he came to the North. It concerned the stability of Rus' North, and whether through negotiation or war, this problem had to be resolved.
Therefore, during this period, envoys from Chud and Rus' constantly traveled back and forth, and as information was exchanged, the previously tense situation gradually eased.
Under the Great Duke Rostislav's continuous orders, the Novgorodians became active. They repaired roads, cleared river channels, and delivered messages.
Rostislav, on the other hand, was somewhat idle, as his grandfather had not given him any instructions. He could only continue equestrian training with his retainers, practicing archery, spear, and sword techniques on horseback, and training in formation and discipline—all of which would be useful sooner or later.
The number of retainers was not many, only about thirty. Half were children of Novgorod citizens, and the other half came from various parts of Rus', chosen by Rostislav when he was young, and trained with him in horsemanship and warfare at the Prince's residence.
This troop was formed at Rostislav's strong request, approved by his father when he was 8 years old. However, what his father once saw as a playful troop, has now become a cavalry unit showing its initial strength, and its value has been demonstrated in the battles in the suburbs of Novgorod.
Upon learning of this, Yaroslav jokingly called this small troop the Rus' Companion Cavalry, and because of this, Rostislav gained a nickname among his peers and juniors: "Alexander."
Rostislav was actually very eager for war, because only through war could he prove his worth. War was undeniably the main theme of this era. However, what he did not know was that the opportunity he hoped for would soon arrive.
——————
"Yuryev is surrounded by the Chud? Alar actually dared to do this?"
Inside the Novgorod castle, the Great Duke and his court looked at the blood-stained messenger. The Great Duke was very calm, in stark contrast to the surprise of his courtiers.
"The Chud surrounding Yuryev are no less than 4,000, and there are only a thousand defenders in the city, and that includes all the able-bodied men! Great Duke, they have come out in full force this time!"
This explosive news undoubtedly exploded like thunder among the crowds on both sides. Rostislav saw several people whispering there.
The previously eased situation made many people believe that this storm had passed, but now it suddenly erupted again.
Rostislav knew Yuryev. It was located by a river on the shore of Lake Chud, a city built by Yaroslav in Estonia, representing Rus' influence there, and thus becoming a prosperous trading city.
Now that the Chud tribes had come out in full force to besiege it, it undoubtedly showed their goal: to completely drive Rus' forces out of the west of Lake Chud, gain independence, and no longer pay tribute to Rus'.
The besieging force reached 4,000 men; they were giving it their all this time. All the tribes in Estonia combined could only muster that many people, so it seemed they had been planning for a long time.
"It seems they've been plotting for a long time. This is one link after another. All that humility and obedience were just a show."
Yaroslav's face was a bit grim. This time, he had been played by the pagans.
"We should immediately send troops to punish those barbarians!"
Such voices came from the crowd, from Yaroslav's senior personal guards and some Novgorod nobles. Rostislav saw the fanaticism in their eyes: fanaticism for war, desire for glory, and greed for wealth.
"I think we should talk more. If we rush into war, our losses will be too great."
Immediately, someone sang a different tune. A portion of the nobility and merchants, as well as Novgorod's artisans and the Chud people within the city, stood up. They were the ones who least wanted war. For them, war meant the decline of trade, the loss of profits, and the destruction of relationships.
Yes, economics drove them to stand here. These people basically had trade relations or interests in Estonia, and war would destroy their vested interests, so they would naturally oppose war.
The two groups immediately began to argue. Yaroslav, sitting on the main seat, had a fluctuating expression, silently listening to the debate below.
Finally, the Great Duke raised his hand. When he raised his hand, the entire hall fell silent. Everyone awaited his command.
"Since they have started the war, we will accept the challenge."
Yaroslav stood up, drew his sword, and pointed it westward, towards Estonia.
"Let the war begin! Gather the army of Novgorod! We shall surely achieve victory, for God protects us! The Chud shall surely fail!"
"The Chud shall surely fail!"
Immediately, the war cry resounded through the halls of Novgorod.
——————
Note 1: Refers to Sviatopolk, a villain who killed three brothers, and whose lineage was somewhat unclear, hence the nickname "Villain."