Rise of Rurik

Having said that, the winter supplies in Roseburg, as well as a large number of small items for daily life, were shipped by southern merchants. In recent years, the older son has managed to win over the Gould family, and the situation of material transportation has taken on an official character.

Otto smiled and asked, "Rurik, how much supplies did Gould bring in this year, especially food?!"

Getting a huge amount of food is what Rurik is most proud of, and it's time to tell Dad a shocking figure.

Yes, every autumn, a large number of merchant ships from the south carry goods to the north for sale. This year after year, the spontaneous migratory bird trade of merchants has become more and more prosperous in the past two years. How is Otto?

Not sure? The most striking feature is that oats, once very precious to the Rus, have become common. The oats from the south are transported to the north by sea, which has essentially become a "national strategic project". It was perfectly normal for Otto to mention it directly.

In this regard, Rurik boasted that he had made great contributions to the tribe. He proudly stretched out his hands, showing three fingers each: "600,000 pounds! 600,000 pounds of oats have already arrived in Roseburg."

surprise! What a surprise!

Otto was the largest with a beard, and his wrinkled face was clearly frightened.

The words were spoken by his son, so he didn't have any doubts, but the data was too scary!

"Sixty thousand pounds, that's too much." Otto's mouth was shaking with excitement, and he didn't have the slightest doubt about the number.

Rurik took advantage of the situation and said: "Dad, you went to Novgorod to get a lot of food. I remember that the residents of the Ilmen Lake area have a large population, and the tribute we got must be there..."

"It's 200,000 pounds." Comparing the figure mentioned by his son, Otto showed unprecedented timidity when he spoke.

"I remember last year, the shipment from the east was 160,000 pounds. This year, the weather is bad, and many places have failed to harvest crops. How did you get 200,000 pounds."

"Hmph. It's their job, no matter the weather, and if they don't get it done, someone's going to die. Your memory is still so good, boy."

Otto's attitude was firm, and Rurik couldn't help taking a deep breath.

Now, Otto immediately asked back: "You know it's too cold this year. Hehe, 600,000 pounds, I wonder if the Mellarens are so rich? Or did they not suffer?"

"Really six hundred thousand pounds,

And they did suffer. "

"Huh? Listening to you, it's not difficult to buy so much. Gould really bought so much food? Wait, they are still able to sell food after the disaster? Are they stupid?" Otto was originally I have no intention of questioning my son, but this news is too unbelievable, "Rurik, did something happen to your people in Melalen?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Otto looked at the eager faces of his son and nephew and confirmed his judgment.

Otto put on an old face: "Rurik, to be honest, did you go to Melalen behind my back?"

"Yes, I have been there."

"Huh? You won't be personally involved in getting the food, will you?"

"That's me." Rurik raised his chest. "I personally organized the transportation of the 600,000 pounds of wheat. We stopped at Tombstone Island. No, come to New Roseburg by the way."

In his son's few words, Otto had already outlined his son's voyage in his mind. He was very emotional that his only child was only nine years old, and he had already dared to traverse the sea.

With emotion, he was also a little worried that his second son, who had already died, died in the sea in an accident.

Otto sighed deeply: "I remember that leader as Olegin, a stingy person. I can't believe that those Melalen farmers are still selling food during the disaster year."

"Yes, that is Olegin, I saw him."

"Huh? You actually..." Otto straightened his head immediately, he wanted to ask something, and sat straightening his beard again, "I never thought that guy would meet a child."

"Because I took the money, Dad, you know, no one turns down silver."

"That's true, wait!" Otto suddenly realized a serious problem. "Silver coins? I don't like that Olegin. No matter how beautiful you are, he won't give you food. You paid a lot of money to buy it. , say! How much?"

Rurik didn't have a brain to speak, so he told the truth: "Forty-five thousand silver coins, I bought them for eleven pounds of silver coins."

"Ah? So much, are you crazy? You..." Otto could barely breathe, and he instantly thought of the loss of huge sums of money, followed by the fact that the huge sums of money fell into the hands of the Mellarens , which is twice as painful. With the help of others, he regained his consciousness, pointed at Rurik with his big finger, and said three times a prodigal son.

Ross and Melalen have long had normal business dealings among the people, but Otto didn't really respect an alliance leader. Since there is no tributary system, Otto recognized the hereditary status of the Meralen tribe leader a long time ago, and no one would break this system for no reason, so as long as the leader is from the Melalen tribe, it doesn't matter if he is a cat or a dog.

Now Otto's attitude towards Olegin comes from limited contact. That guy treated himself just as the leader of Ross with inferior wine and meat. Of course, this kind of malicious negligence was exchanged for Otto's ten years in Bremerald.

At first, Otto was angry. After a long time, he didn't have any thoughts about Melalen. Anyway, businessmen from the south would come every year, and the news passed on was enough to keep him from really asking. Now, since Melalen didn't rescue Ostara, in Otto's mind, that Olegin had more "vicious and vicious" attributes.

Otto is anxious to find out what his son and the guy said and did.

Grain transportation has become a major event in the past two years, plus the 200,000 pounds of food transported by himself.

Otto, who had calmed down, said, "I used force to force them to hand over their grain. You! You buy grain with huge sums of money. But is the Olekin's private field so magical?"

"No, almost all the food comes from farmers." Rurik really has something to say about this.

He talked eloquently, the so-called behind the acquisition of such food, all from his own and Olekin's "normal" business transactions. "Orekin needed money so badly that he even sent people to negotiate with Gould. We also needed a lot of wheat, Dad, while you were still in the East, I brokered this big deal with Aric. Orekin's own fields. He was also devastated, but he used his own private soldiers to force his own people to hand over food."

"Private soldiers? He actually has private soldiers? How many are there?" Otto interrupted his son decisively.

"At least five hundred of them. They are all strong and wear leather armor. They are very effective."

At this time, Arik waved his hand with great disdain, and that rebellious expression simply showed that he accepts the challenge of anyone anytime, anywhere: "They are all a group of cowards. Bullying an unarmed farmer is also considered powerful? Really? The warrior speaks with the sword on the battlefield."

The nephew's words are very beautiful, but Otto is still concerned about the reliability of the number of private soldiers of up to five hundred people. He didn't like Olegin and couldn't think of him as a fool. In order to consolidate his authority, an alliance leader has to hire a group of ruthless people to work hard, and the strength of five hundred people is a bit amazing.

Rurik coughed twice: "Many ordinary Melarens complained about their leaders. For example, some leather craftsmen, boat builders, and other craftsmen, they heard the promise of our Rus people and decided to emigrate. Be a Ross."

"A large group of craftsmen?" Otto nodded, "they'd better join them sincerely, and they have to pay taxes. Roseburg is too small. In my opinion, when I go back, I will move all these craftsmen here. New Roseburg!"

"It's absolutely possible, this is also what we need to strengthen our strength." After all, Rurik continued, "Since Olegin is abusing the people, we must treat our people well, even the submissive slaves, as long as they really give their lives. , we should give a little favor."

In this regard, Otto did not make any statement. If he let him decide for himself and gave the slave a fish bone, it would be considered a favor.

However, for those guys in Novgorod, Otto realized a set of governance methods, that is, pull one faction and fight another faction. Since Pine Needle Manor is the most unruly, it will collect more tributes. White Tree Manor has become a loyal dog, so the burden of tribute will be exempted on a large scale. The completely different attitude towards the two is to express to the owner of the small manor who is the most suitable to follow.

It is a good thing that many talented people from the Meralen tribe immigrated to Ross.

Look at the son again. This kid is afraid that he will use all his resources to buy food. Even if the son is very kind, it is impossible to distribute the food to everyone for free.

"Rurik, I don't blame you for spending money. You have 600,000 pounds of wheat. How are you going to use it?"

"I have already thought about it. My subordinates have wheat to eat every day, and it may be enough to consume 200 pounds a day. I will sell a large amount of wheat to our clansmen. I have also thought about the price. One silver coin sells for ten lb."

"Huh? Wait!" Otto suddenly realized, and then laughed out loud, "You, I'm blaming you wrong. Your kid really doesn't suffer."

There is a pound difference between the purchase price and the keeping of the family. Otto estimates that his son will really sell it. Most small Rus families can get enough wheat for half a year.

The division of labor between Sorgon and the war has changed. Families with many prime-age men are the biggest beneficiaries of the new regulations. Quite a few people were still poor, and Otto knew that the benevolent son had organized a group of poor people to do things for them, and gave a little silver as a reward. Since silver coins can buy large quantities of storable wheat, they will be a huge beneficiary of the grain movement.

Now that Dad's attitude has changed, Rurik said bluntly: "Dad, I don't care about those silver coins, all I want is grain, cloth and iron. On a cold night, silver coins can't keep out the rain, let alone eat them, guarding a silver mountain. It's meaningless, it's only useful if it becomes a mountain of food. I have indeed received God's favor, but it doesn't mean that I have the right to abuse my people. Since my destiny is to lead Rus to become prosperous and strong, I must give favor to all Rus people .I want to store a lot of food and clothes, so that when any disaster strikes and the silver coins become useless, the clansmen know that their leader will ensure that everyone will not freeze to death and starve to death, and our rule will be long.”

Otto was a little skeptical, but couldn't say that his son's words were wrong. The actions of my son in the past two years have indeed fulfilled the essence of this remark. When this kid is really in full power, the act of kindness should expand.

Thinking of this, Otto looked at Arik again, "Arik, you heard it all. Your kind brother is not a slaughtering warrior, he is an Asgardian who descended to earth, you must help him well, those who dare to confront us You are obliged to help your brother eradicate it."

"I will, just..."

"What's wrong?" Otto asked.

"Maybe I shouldn't have said that."

"you say!"

"Yes. It was the younger brother who signed more agreements with that Olegin, such as the sword and spear trade. Although this trade will bring us huge benefits, but..."

"There is actually such a deal?" Otto immediately looked at his son and quickly asked why.

A steel spearhead is expected to sell for half a pound of silver, a steel sword for a pound of silver, with the exception of a crossbow.

If this lucrative trade can last, the warehouses of the Rus must not quickly pile up into mountains of gold and silver. Rurik also pointed out that the trade license "wheat, cloth for weapons" does not require physical silver coins as a medium of exchange.

The trade was mutually assured by the credit and honor of the chiefs of Melalen and Roth, and Rurik did it entirely by borrowing his father's authority.

Arik expressed his concern, "Olegin is almost dying, he's aging like a corpse. He has a son named Karl, who is going to be the next generation leader. I despise this guy, this person is worthless He is also extremely lecherous, pretentious to think that the Danes are nothing more than that, and disdain for us Russ."

Otto had long been prejudiced against the distinguished big landowners in Melalen, so he waved his hand, "The occupants of those huge farmlands are the directors of Melalen. Since you mentioned Carl, I remember this person. When this person When I was a child, I already had sex with women."

When Otto said this, he couldn't hide his agitation at all. He looked at his nephew and son, "That Karl can be different. When it comes to reproduction, I admire this kid. Rurik!"

"Um?"

"You already have a lot of women around you. Boy, before I die, I want to hold more grandchildren. And you, Arik, one Peravina is enough? My brother Ogier is dead, and if he lives, so will I ask you to marry more. I only admire Olekin, his family is prospering."

Rurik and Arik were both speechless.

Arik felt that his uncle was complimenting the idiot, so he slapped the table boldly and emphasized, "But Carl is an arrogant guy, I'm afraid that this person will tear up the alliance and attack us when he takes power. And Olegin wants to buy the best weapons, I …”

"You're worried they'll attack us?" Otto waved. "You're looking up to them. Listen, I don't believe they'll betray honor. Anyone who dares to attack our tribe can't go to Valhalla because of your brother. right here."

"Those guys don't believe in the identity of the younger brother at all!" Arik snapped.

"Pay attention to your mood." Otto scolded, and added, "He bought weapons to arm his own private soldiers. If they really intend to attack us, why should they be in the food business, but should interrupt all trade. , can we have a real conflict? Without my fur, they live off sackcloth. They'll all freeze to death."

"But! That Carl blasphemed us."

"A idiot can make you angry, what a proper way to do it." Otto curled his lips without anger, and told his nephew to shut up.

"Stop arguing." Rurik clapped his brows on the table, "Dad, it's the agreement I signed with Olegin. If there is a problem, I will be responsible. I will take the responsibility. If there is a day when the soldiers will meet. , we Rus will surely defeat any enemy. Moreover, Olegin himself has no malice, at least he himself has no malice towards us."

"Hopefully." Arik said disdainfully.

Rurik didn't want to talk nonsense with his cousin anymore and looked into his father's eyes, "Dad, Olegin has admitted Carlota as the female leader of the Ostara tribe, and he has also verbally apologized for not having reinforcements. He has one more decision to make. , that is, to gather all the leaders next spring and go to Melalen for a meeting."

"There is still such a thing? The last meeting was ten years ago." Otto thought about it carefully, that guy who was about to die of old age was going to hold a meeting, and he had to discuss a major event.

"Rurik, what does that Olegin want to do? You... have any news?" Otto asked cautiously.

"I'm afraid, it's a war," Rurik said, taking advantage of his voice.

"Well, is it really possible that he went crazy and attacked us? Then what am I going to do? First, get rid of all the merchants of Melalen." Otto was suddenly a little scared.

"Don't!" Rurik was speechless for a moment, and hurriedly said, "In my opinion, Olegin is guilty, otherwise he would not have recognized Carlota's identity. Many tribes are questioning Meralen, and southern tribes such as Gran The people of Yermalen have formed an alliance by themselves. What does Melalen mean in the long run? I guess Olegin wants revenge on Denmark, and we have to organize a coalition expedition! Oh, maybe I was thinking too much, that old guy just wanted to Chatting with the leaders of the various tribes before they die?"

Having said that, Otto understood the deep meaning of it, and thought about it from another perspective. The alliance has suffered a great humiliation. If the alliance leader does not take revenge, it is better to commit suicide directly, and let those who have the courage to take revenge come.

"If that's the case, we have to sell weapons even more!" Otto slapped his thighs, his nephew was worried, because this is a good thing for both fame and fortune, so much consideration? Don't be smart but be fooled by smart. "Next spring? No problem. Arik!"

"exist."

"Askad will be a year old next year. Take him to Novgorod."

Arik was taken aback: "Huh? Do you want me to organize a servant army?"

"You're thinking too much. I'll let you come to Sorgon, and your brother and I will go to Melalen. I'm the leader. That's all."

"Okay." Arik consciously argued that it was meaningless, and reluctantly hooked his head.