It was another cold morning. Unlike outdoors, the charcoal fire that had been burning all night gave the residents enough warmth.
After waking up, Rurik got up and patted the sleepy Rumia awake.
"Rumia, get up. Eat something, we have other things to do."
She slowly got out of the warm sleeping nest, rubbed her eyes, and hurriedly Put on a warm sweater.
Even with a bonfire, the warmth in the room is not so hot that it makes you sweat.
In fact, the residents of the tribe do not understand what heat is and what heat stroke is.
Niya cut some dried meat and cooked some porridge with wheat for breakfast.
Rurik used two wooden sticks to pick up some pieces of meat and threw them into the pottery basin in his hand.
I don’t know when, Niya and Otto began to discover that when their son was eating meat, he always used his right hand to flexibly manipulate two branches, and the branches replaced his fingers.
Chopsticks can easily pick out food from boiling water. Orientals have loved cooking since ancient times, so manipulating wooden sticks instead of hands is probably the most suitable method.
Niya didn’t think there was anything special about it, just cut the dried meat and chew it with your hands. Clean and hygienic? Bacterial viruses? These sentiments simply don’t exist. The so-called filth is limited to human and animal excrement, as well as rotten meat and moldy bread.
The only thing she was dissatisfied with was that her son took too much meat, and he even ordered the servants to eat more.
The family has more and more money. Once the meat is not enough, they can go to the seal hunters to buy fresh meat at a higher price. With that in mind she said nothing more.
Rurik was only seven years old after all. After he had eaten quickly, he raised his head and asked his father: "Shall we go to the blacksmith next?"
"Yes. I want to make it for you. An iron sword and your servant’s silver jewelry.”
“Ah, I understand. I hope they can make me a good sword.”
Otto looked at it. The son glanced at it and continued to chew the meat.
He gnawed on the meat and muttered in his heart.
A good sword? Even the best blacksmith cannot make a good sword!
Otto vaguely remembered that his deceased father claimed that the sword "Destroyer" came from a battle of his ancestors and was captured on the battlefield.
The "Destroyer" has a certain degree of flexibility, the blade is extremely sharp, and the blade is covered with patterns.
Rurik had long seen that the sword was made of ancient patterned steel.
It must be made of pig iron and wrought iron that are folded, forged and beaten. The mixed iron block is knocked flat and then folded, and then flattened again and folded twice.
The hammering was repeated until the craftsman felt it was enough, and finally hammered into the shape of a sword.
After the last quenching, the sword body became covered with patterns. Because the carbon content of iron is different, the colors displayed are also different.
Wrought iron, which is almost carbon-free, is soft and easy to bend, while pig iron, which has a lot of carbon, is hard but brittle.
Make twoThe two were combined into one for forging. It was truly a genius invention given the limited technical conditions in ancient times.
Of course there won’t be such trouble in a thousand years.
The ultra-high temperature of the electric furnace directly melts the molten iron, and the more extreme acetylene heat flame completes the gasification instantly.
To turn pure iron into steel, just sprinkle carbon powder directly on the molten iron. In this way, people can accurately and quantitatively control the carbon content of the steel and the specific gravity of other metals.
Problems that were difficult for the ancients to solve using various means will not be a problem at all a thousand years later.
If pure molten iron could be produced using pre-industrial methods, most metal problems would be solved. However, even if the coke is re-coked with high-quality coking coal, the maximum energy it releases cannot allow the furnace to reach 1500 degrees, and pure iron still cannot melt.
But when the temperature exceeds 700 degrees, the red iron becomes soft. When the charcoal is burned to the extreme temperature of 1200 degrees, the silicide in the iron ore becomes a pile of liquid "glass" flowing out of the furnace. He beat the remaining iron-carbon alloy as hard as he could, and finally a piece of pure iron was left.
Rurik did not ask his father about the blacksmith’s details, because he naturally knew a lot.
He is very sure that the Ross tribe cannot rely on their own ability to make steel that can be used as a weapon.
After finishing his meal, Rurik took Rumia and followed his father closely. He carried a stack of silver coins in his pocket, which he used as funds for custom-made swords and, secondly, as raw materials for silver jewelry.
Most people don’t run out of their homes in the cold winter. Most people who go out carry axes and other tools, drag sleds to dig holes in the frozen ocean, or throw fish hooks tied with hemp rope. Go in to fish, or wait for a seal to give it a blow on the head as it emerges to breathe.
The hunters left, and the intricate streets of the tribe returned to silence.
It was so quiet, the cold wind of the Arctic could be heard so clearly, and there was a tinkling sound in the wind.
Is that a blacksmith shop?
Rurik would not wander around the beach even in warm periods, just because there is no demand.
Since he can roam freely without being dragged back by his parents, he is more willing to lead a group of peers to the hills in the west for training.
He rarely has the opportunity to come to the beach. He only sees a large number of strange long houses here, and the sound of ding-ding-dong-dong comes from them.
Rurik casually took his father's hand and pointed to a giant longhouse: "That must be the shipyard. Are they making new ships?"
"Probably. When the ice and snow melt, I will take your uncles and your brother to Novgorod again."
"Sister Peravina will go too?" Liuli. Ke suddenly asked.
"Of course, I have to tell that chief that I treated all Novgorod women well, so they have to give me more tributes." As a father, Otto felt that it was very necessary Tell your son this. He suddenly asked: "Child, if you were me, what would you do?"
"Me? I shouldI have always thought so about becoming the leader of the Novgorod people. "
Otto laughed boldly. He patted his son's thin shoulder and remembered many things his son had said. It seemed that his son was never joking. He really made Rurik the leader. Those idiots in Novgorod actually want to become members of the Rus tribe?
No! Rurik must not have this intention. p>
This kind-hearted child was so kind to the deer herder captives, just like family. When he grew up, he was probably the same to the Novgorod people.
Otto's life. With emotion, he finally patted his son on the back: "Keep going, future leader. Before you can command many people, you must have a good sword. "As he spoke, he glanced at Rumia who was following closely, and gave a stern order: "And you, humble servant. Your master treats you very well. If you dare to do any disobedient behavior in the future, God will punish you. "
Rumia, how dare she disobey?
She followed Rurik closely, and soon, a cloud of black smoke suddenly appeared in the clear sky.
Rurik took a closer look and saw a very rare chimney structure on the roof of a long house with an open wooden door not far away. A large amount of black smoke came from it!
Move forward! After a while, a ding-dong-dong sound came from the door. This building must be a blacksmith shop!
"Interesting, how come I didn't know there was a blacksmith shop hidden here in the past few years?"
p>While Rurik was muttering, Otto pulled him hard and almost carried him away, urging: "Son, let's hurry up. And that servant, follow me. ”
So, who is the best blacksmith in the tribe?
Otto knows best. There are actually only five blacksmith shops in such a large tribe. The recognized professional blacksmith is really It can be counted on one hand.
The population of the tribe's official tribe and all the residents is about seven thousand people. How come there are only one blacksmith for one thousand people?
It must be said. Blacksmithing is really a hard job. They have to find the ore themselves and carry a large amount of ore back. The blacksmiths complete the smelting and forging work themselves.
These professional blacksmiths almost rely on selling their labor in exchange. Food.
It’s really hard work, but the benefits are actually good.
In theory, more people should be willing to be blacksmiths.
There are only so few blacksmiths, and the new blacksmiths are all the sons of old blacksmiths. This job is also passed down from female to male.
The biggest reason in the final analysis is very simple. Blacksmiths will never become warriors, and blacksmiths also know that. There is no interest in becoming a heroic spirit in Valhalla. When a person decides to become a blacksmith or other professional craftsman, they are actually abandoned by the warrior culture of the tribe.
They have faith and desire to become a trustworthy person.
So, people who believe in Odin are willing to take risks and fight, and people who believe in Odin are willing to smelt and forge, and evenGo discover the gems and gold deep in the mountains.
Otto still remembers the seizure of two old axes with inscriptions on them during an attack on deer herders in the north.
A young man named Kawei was ordered by his father Clavason to hunt a deer in order to make the deer skin into a new blower.
Because the original blower is an airbag made of leather. The bag is covered with a wooden board. Manually lifting the wooden board is to suck air, and pressing it is to supply air. Its principle and structure are very simple. It is used throughout Europe. They are all using it, but the efficiency is not as good as that of their counterparts in the East.
Otto's appearance surprised the two blacksmiths in the room.
Similarly, Rurik was even more surprised when he saw an old guy with an even more exaggerated beard than his father.
"Hey, Klavason, I'm here."
"It's the leader! You don't usually come to my place to chat. Once you come, you just want me to make something." You will reward me a lot."
Otto felt very comfortable after hearing this, and then glanced at the forging table made of a large piece of black iron weight. He saw the young man still holding pliers in one hand. , the hammer in his right hand continued to beat, as if he didn't know that he, the leader, was visiting him.
The young man is naturally Kawei. When he sees him and looks at the old Klavasen, Otto is really unhappy with some of the things he has been holding in his stomach.
"Clavason, you are the best blacksmith I know for sure. You are old, and so am I! My son is only seven years old, and your son is already twenty. The last action , I admire his bravery."
Klavasen could understand the leader's polite words, and he pretended to be sorry and muttered: "So I should find a wife for my son, but you know. Our tribe lacks young women, and even girls have masters. Maybe..."
Klavasen's expression suddenly became funny, and he leaned close to Otto and muttered, "After the ice and snow melt, Let my son follow you again and you go to Novgorod. I don't care about the distribution of tributes. I just ask him to find a beautiful Novgorod woman, haha. I will hold my grandson in my arms before the end of my life, and see my grandson starting to become a blacksmith."
Clavason spoke from the bottom of his heart, but suddenly thought of the tragedy that happened to the leader.
Poor leader, if his eldest son had not died, he would have gotten married and had children by now.
Isn’t that right? The leader was originally his young nephew Arik, but now there is news that that brat’s beautiful Novgorod wife is pregnant.
Seeing these good things, how could Klavasen not be envious?
Clavason was afraid of offending the leader, so he saw the leader bringing his youngest son Rurik, and there was a little girl with him.
"Ouch! Chief! Have you already chosen a wife for your son? It's okay. You can raise her while she's still young, and you can continue to train her to do housework. When the girl grows up, It’s the wife.”
Marriage.In fact, young Kawei is extremely sensitive to issues such as marriage.
A twenty-year-old tribal young man should get married as soon as possible. He does not hate his blacksmith profession. If he has a wife, his life pursuits will basically be enough.
Kawei looked up at the short girl and corrected her directly: "Dad, this girl is a deer herder and the only captive last time. She is a servant."
" Oh? I have heard about this." Klavason realized that it was a bit embarrassing and stopped paying attention to the girl Rumia, and continued to ask the leader, "So what can I do for you? No problem? , I will be the first in line for the leader's order."
"Continue your work. I want you to do something. There is only one thing you need to do. Do it quickly."
"I'm doing it for you."
"Rurik, take care of the silver jewelry first," Otto told his son.
Rurik quickly reached into his linen pocket and took out a stack of ten silver coins.
Clavason and Kawei were shocked when they saw this!
"Ah! Chief, what do you want me to do? Is the reward of ten silver coins inlaid with a few more rubies for that divine sword?"
"That's not true. As for it, we need rubies." After that, Otto patted his son on the shoulder and said, "Tell him."
Rurik nodded and looked up at Klavason with a huge beard. , I can’t help but wonder if this man is burning ore in his small stove, why shouldn’t he burn his beard?
"I am Rurik, and I want to use these silver coins to make some decorations."
"Decorations? Oh? For women?" Klavason asked.
"Of course."
"For your mother? Oh, what a good boy."
Klavason naturally thought so, and never thought of leaving Li Ke makes the most complete denial. Rurik suddenly grabbed Rumia's tiny arm and said, "Make some jewelry for my servant. There needs to be a necklace inlaid with rubies or amber, and a bracelet."
Leave Rick wants to make a set of jewelry for Rumia. Considering that she does not have pierced ears, making earrings is not suitable for the time being.
Ten silver coins actually weighed forty grams. Rurik could feel the weight of ten silver coins. If he wore less of them on Lu Bulu Mia, she would not feel uncomfortable.
"You actually gave it to a servant..." Klavasen looked surprised. He turned to look at Otto: "Chief, you know this?"
"Why, you can't. ?" Rurik asked, "I will give you money, I can even give you a piece of soap. You should know, smart blacksmith. Two silver coins of soap can help you clean up all the stains, which is definitely useful to the blacksmith. "
"Ah! Soap!" Many magical rumors came to Klavason immediately. He learned that Odin gave Rurik wisdom behind the priests' making of soap.
Clavathon believes this to be true, but will Odin's favor be given to Thor's servants?
Soap is a good thing, and silver coins are even better.
Money is money anyway. It is just smelting silver coins to make jewelry, but the jewelry is actually given to the servants.
Clavason couldn’t help but speculate that Rurik really planned to marry this servant in the future, but now the matter must be kept secret. The purpose is simple, it is not a good thing for a master to marry a servant.
Unless Rurik really becomes the leader, it doesn’t matter how many gifts he bestows on his servants.
Clavason tacitly understood that he was not stupid enough to offend the recognized successor to the leader.
"Ten silver coins can be made into necklaces, pendants and bracelets. I can complete them quickly, but the price is more expensive because I will use gemstones."
Rurik is also very generous. He took out ten more silver coins: "How about this reward? It will also include the money to buy your gems."
"Ah, enough! Enough! Even..." Klavasen originally wanted to tell the truth, the so-called joint and several The cost of the gems was less than three silver coins, and he was just jealous of money.
Rurik did not say much and looked very generous: "I keep my word and make jewelry, and the total reward is ten silver coins. There is another thing besides, I want an iron sword, Plate the hilt with silver and, if you can, the blade as well. I heard that a dagger one-third the length of a stika costs three silver coins. I'll give you five silver coins as payment, and of course. Silver-plated money."
Klavasen secretly admired the logic of Rurik's words. Of course, what he admired most was that Rurik actually took out 25 silver coins. What a generous act!
As a blacksmith, I can earn at least ten.
Looking at the child, and then at the leader, he estimated that the money came from the leader.
It means that the leader attaches great importance to himself.
Rurik didn’t say much and put all the silver coins in Klavasen’s calloused hands.
"Blacksmith, you start now. I'll see my servant put on the jewelry quickly."
"Oh! I'll do it right away!" Clavarson said with an evil voice. Roaring meant that this old guy like me had to use all his skills to make a rare piece of jewelry.
Because of the ten delicate tasks of making jewelry, his son Kawei is currently busy making jewelry for the future wife of the future leader. This honor cannot be missed.