Novgorodian Diares #8
Many years have passed in peace by now. This was unexpected in the life of the Republic. Fortress City in Nevel was complete, making the gain of the last war in our hands complitly.
The administration of the land was working on autonomy levels. There was many land in republic that was far away, for many, to far away from the administrative center and the hand of taxes. The construction of roads and harbos were promoted, making use of the rivers land provided us with.
Idea of colonisation did not find so much intrest in the end. Only the wealthies ones were able to send the missions to colonise new land, claiming it for the greater good and profits. On the other hand, expeditions were a total failer. We were unable to clami any land, and most of the team either came back with nothing or was lost on the sea. Either way, there was no profit of it.
Colonisation focus was set on Northern region, after the decision of the Knyaz and the strange rumor of some sort of monk, that called it years before. How did he know, no one knows. But merchants didn't had to wait for they were getting profits and fame from this.
Our spies were all around. In the Swedish land, they were gathering infromations.
In the Lithuania, they were preparing for construction of another spy network, if needed to.
They were scouting lands of the hordes, but not much had been achived.
Knyaz days were boring. Administration work, military drill, talk with nobles or merchants. The arguing in court. The visit of frendly diplomats. He did it every day. He have had enough. He was tired. Same work everyday. Same people. He did not like it. But what can he do?
He knows there are some voices in the republic to bring the monarchy, but he just ordered his soldiers to deal with them. He was not intrested in negociations.
But all good things have to come to an end.
On the blessed day of 20 of April, 1476 Knyaz Rurik III Zhytomyerski, the military leader of Grand Republic passed away.
This day army gave honors to the leader that passed away, making a grand funeral and farewell party.
New military commander was choosen as next Knyaz.
Glory to Aleksandr II Polan! Nothing in court changed. But he was more capable then expected. He was wiser, or at least he seems to be. But in the age of 30, he might make a mistake...
27 of April, 1479 we clamed land of Smolensk as ours.
Those were the words.
"As we must know, the land of Smolensk is an entrence, to the world. Entrence from the East, to the West. We, people of Novgorode, are wise enough to spot, that this land, i will say it once again, THIS LAND, is opprested by nobles of the Lithuania. We are displeased, with this acts of unheard cruelty, and we will come to end them. We clami, as this land, must join our great republic, for we are protecting the simple people, that Grand Duchy of Lithuania, was unable to embrace. We promote the equality of life for simples people. We are the peace givers. And we will show our peacefull ways...by force." - General Overseer of the Republic.
As we prepared, we send a warnings to our allies, that they will be needed on the battlefield.
Army reform was prepared, for we needed the highiest quality of troops and tactics, to win the conflict that was about to happen.
Next claim was send as an continuation of our liberation. It was a nice message, but was written like an open challenge. War was coming.
Many important figures fought in discussion. Who has a better strategy, better plan. Who is a better leader or who should command the units.
And there, on the day 5 of September, 1480, the war was decleared. But the decision was...
One of the lower leaders of the unit asked Knyaz a great question.
"My lord, Why?" We didn't know is he was calling Knyaz or a God. But we were sure of one. This war might be the most important conflict in history of Novgorode. For the Future!