Scandinavian leftovers

10

Two ambassadors from Ireland arrived at the court of Thriomphus, who adopted the name Arvid, they brought gifts from their chieftains. 

''Gentlemen! I'm glad to receive you in my country! What can I do for the Irish?''

''Sir, we want access to the market of Scandinavia. We want to continue the North sea trade with Caledonia and Norway. The North sea trade was halted during the time of Emperor Caligula. We want to revive it. Our leaders have already agreed with the leaders of Caledonia to merge our economies.''

''Caledonia has a similar climate and landscape as Norway. Why including Norway?''

''There's much civil distrust towards our leaders in Ireland. The treaties made withe the governor of Britain is perceived as a betrayal by many among the Irish. We are kin to the Caledonii and there's a strong desire among the population to prevent annexation by Rome. To be frank, our leaders are using the fear of Rome as a tool to perpetrate the current society. They want to prevent mass migration towards South-Britain, which would lead to depopulation of most Celtic towns in Ireland. The Caledonii people are doing the same. The Caledonii are concerned that they might be annexed soon. They want to retain their status quo. We, however, need to have commerce to distract the Irish people. The Caledonii also have the need to increase their domestic income.''

''Gentlemen, Scandinavia's economy is quite fragile. We are not a strong state like Rome. We cannot guarantee any benefit for Ireland if we establish a commercial treaty. Look, I'm glad that at least two Irish chieftains are interested in Scandinavia. But, we all know how politics works. Your chiefdoms are located in the North of Ireland. You are close to the Caledonian islands. If there's a Irish-Caledonian-Scandinavian industry, your homelands will become richer than the south of Ireland. Your senders want to preserve themselves. I will permit you to discuss your proposals with the senates, but I cannot guarantee any approval.''

''Would you be willing to have a private agreement with us?''

''I have to think about that.''

''Sir, would you be willing to send an envoy to Ireland?''

''To be frank, no! Ireland is an island with several small kingdoms that often war with one another. You even admitted that your leaders are using the fear of Rome to sustain the status quo in Ireland. At the same time, my ambassadors in London confirmed that the Irish elite made treaties with the governor of Britain. Also, that soon military camps will be installed throughout Ireland. Ireland has already become a legal client of Roman Britain. Ireland in fact is already under the economic administration of London, due to your sell out leaders. So, it would be useless for me to install an embassy in Ireland. Ireland has no central government, so where would my ambassadors be stationed? If the Irish wish to deal with Scandinavia, they will have to approach my ambassadors in London.''

After this the two envoy leaders were send towards the senate. When they left, letters arrived in which reported revolts in the Roman legions stationed in the Rhine region. They refused to swear allegiance to Galba, who was recently proclaimed Emperor. And there are many other usurpers to the throne in Italy and Spain. There was also news of potential mutiny in the Roman legions in Britain. The news was upsetting for Arvid. He commanded the military messengers to hide this information. Yet, after he relaxed, he realised that there was no reason to worry. If the Roman Empire would have collapsed in Gaul, it would only take several months for the other legions to come and restore order. And if the Roman power in Western Europe would collapse permanently (which was quite unlikely), this would lead to much opportunity for expansion of the Scandinavians in Britain. Anyway, he was far removed from the drama that occurred around the Mediterranean. Nevertheless, he realised that even if the Roman world would continue only in the East, the power vacuum might lead to intense chaos. 

While the Irish were received by the senate, Arvid went to seek Josephine. At this time, the wife was weaving clothes. She was aided by one of her servants. The envoy towards China almost arrived at the Han borders. One artist made a painting of Josephine in order to show the Emperor. This because she was the only queen consort in the West of Chinese origin. At this time, the envoy passed by the Ural mountains. They entered a Mongolian roadway that would lead towards the Great Chinese Wall. The envoy still has 25 days to go before they reach the Han capital. Josephine took a break from her work. Her dress is almost done. She took a grapefruit at the window. While she was sucking the grapefruit pits, she witnessed a homicide. It was a Scandian minister of agriculture. The two assassins were blonde men and they fled towards the bridge. Josephine alarmed the court and soon there was unrest within the capital. 

The next day the whole capital was locked down. Nobody was permitted to leave nor enter without a written and sealed explanation by the senate. Arvid was removed from the the other capital by his guards. The city was surrounded by 400 cavalry troops that guarded the roads towards the town. The 40.000 civilians were ordered to remain inside their homes and to only leave their dwelling places when necessary. The marketplace became abandoned and no commerce could enter or leave the capital. Only the necessary grain and fruits would be supplied to keep the population alive. Two weeks after the state of emergency was declared by the senate, the senate passed a law that forbid any Scandian to move more than 20 km away from their hometown. They divided Scandia in several zones. Nobody was permitted to leave their zone without authorisation. Anyone had to carry amulets of their home region. And with those amulets small documents that identified who they were. Anyone found without their amulets and mini documents would be deported towards one of the concentration camps. Only the children and wives of the noble men were permitted to travel without authorisation. The Scandian population trusted their leaders, even though they should have known better by now! Throughout Scandia the state arrested 62 people (and they looted their properties) who doubted the policy of the Scandian senate. The new policy only permitted commerce that was owned and controlled by the Senators to flourish within Scandia. All merchants and commercial clubs were forced to become partners with the Senate, in exchange for tax relieves. Two months after the assassination of the senator, the senate launched an invasion unto the shores of the Germanic Lemovii and Rugii. They also occupied 80 towns and they established 800 troops in on several places in the forests. The Scandians were not aware of this operation. The occupied teritory was between the end of the rivers Viadrus and Visula. The Burgondiones surrendered unto the Scandinavian troops. With the occupation the Scandian senate also managed the Celtic roads that connect the Baltic Sea with the Danube river near the Alps. These roads were important for the Roman trade with Greater Germany and with the Baltic Sea region. 1 month after the occupation by Scandinavia over 4000 peasants were deported to the new colony. Also, the occupied population was disarmed and much of their silverware was exported to Scandia. The Gothones en Sulenes tribes were terrified of the sudden annexation. They send ambassadors to the Scandian senate with tribute to the Scandian rulers. The Scandians placed another 1000 troops, but these ones were at the Visula river. The annexation was not supported by the senate of Norway. They saw it was a waste of tax money. Nevertheless, many of the nobles in Norway saw opportunities for extended trade routes in the new province. The Oslo and Götaburg senates appointed two colonial governments under two 'generals' in the province. The troops and the colonial government treated the conquered people quite harsh. Five months after the annexation, this is 9 months after the assassination of the Scandian senator, a Chinese envoy entered the harbours of Scandinavia. They were welcomed by the Scandian senate. At the same time, there were guerrilla troops formed in the Scandinavian colony. The people even send messengers to Rome to ask for help against the Scandinavian aggression.