Things went very smoothly.
Otto took a sip of the ale in the glass and was very pleased with the success of Kawei's marriage.
Lilia is a bit younger, but at least she has more elegant temperament than other village girls. She is like a carefully cultivated flower, more fragrant and beautiful than those wild flowers in the wilderness.
This child married Kawei and became the wife of a blacksmith. How can she maintain this elegance? I'm afraid it's impossible.
After all, the axes seized from the deer herders during Operation Winter allowed Otto to confirm that Kawei's family, at least six generations of blacksmiths, had been dealing with ore and charcoal for generations.
"My lovely daughter, you and he will get married tomorrow. Listen, he is a very rich young man, and you will be happy if you marry him." Kaya continued to comfort her daughter.
Lilia could only completely accept this. One hundred silver coins were used as a betrothal gift, and her marriage was taken away by others.
At least the young big brother doesn’t look bad.
Otto finished the wine and signaled to the clerk in charge of filling it up to refill the wine.
Then his eyes stared at a cute little character - Svetlana.
"Hey, Rigus." Otto said casually.
"Yes, leader."
"I didn't expect your little daughter to come too. I haven't seen her for half a year, and she is even more beautiful."
Ligus's face showed Embarrassing, to be honest, he really didn't want the apple of his eye to appear in the council chamber. He responded respectfully and with strong politeness: "Great leader, maybe when my little daughter grows up, she should marry one of your tribe."
"Of course! I That's what I meant!" Otto knocked on the table, "Rigus, you are really a smart man."
Smart? Helplessness is more appropriate.
Ligus suppressed the embarrassment and helplessness in his heart and said tentatively: "She is only six years old, which is too young. Even according to your tradition, she was engaged at the age of twelve. Even if... ... Even if it is a special situation, she can get married at the age of twelve. There are still six years left before her marriage. Are you already impatient?"
"Haha, Ligus? Do you think I want to arrange a marriage for a child?" Otto shrugged and replied sincerely: "Although it is different from what you understand! I just want to arrange a marriage for your Svetalana."
“Huh?!”
The thing happened very suddenly. Ligus was so shocked that his whole body tensed up. He was frightened many times in one day, and he felt that his heart was about to stop. .
The Russians took away their eldest daughter, and at least gave her an astonishing betrothal gift.
This time the leader of Ross is crazy! Are they going to take away all the girls in the manor? What kind of world is this?
The girls’ mothers were equally surprised. Kaya was able to marry the young man named Kawei, a strong and wealthy young blacksmith, and it was considered the eldest daughter’s happiness. .
She ignored etiquette and rashly questioned Otto: "Chief, my little daughter is really too young."
Peravina hurriedly translated the words to Otto Tuo, which made Otto continue to laugh.
"I understand, you actually think that I am going to arrange for a little girl to get married now? How is that possible?!"
After Peravina translated it in Slavic, O Using the very few Slavic words he knew, he stretched out his bearded head, stumbled and solemnly explained: "Listen! My Rurik will marry your Svetlana."
No need for translation anymore, Rigus heard everything clearly.
"Rurik? He is only seven years old!" Rigus said.
"Of course. Do you still think that your Svetlana will marry a much older man when she grows up? Rigus, do you understand? My only Your son will be your youngest daughter’s husband. You must accept this.”
The straightened and aging Ligus stared, and after listening to Peravina’s clear translation, he had no choice but to accept it. Respond with a "yes".
He was flattered in his heart!
The scene suddenly became quiet, and Ligus forced himself to think calmly before realizing what a blessing this was.
"The great leader, my little daughter...she became Rurik's first wife?"
"Yes. His first wife will always be your Svetlana ."
"Rurik must also become the leader of your Rus people?"
"Yes." Otto continued to nod.
Ligus stood up directly, left his low wooden table, staggered to Otto regardless of his aging body, and knelt down directly, "Ah! What a great favor!"
p>
"Get up, Rigus. Go back to your seat and let's talk."
"Yes." Rigus went back obediently, feeling grateful in his heart.
In the meeting hall of White Tree Manor, all adult manor residents fully understood the meaning of the leader of the Ross people.
In fact, everyone knows that the two daughters of the manor chief, like other manor girls, have almost no possibility of taking charge of their own lives.
Girls' marriages are controlled by their parents. It is perfectly normal to give up their daughters' marriages for some food and some fur goods. Since Novgorod is not rich here, the man will not provide much dowry in marriage, and the woman's parents will not ask for much dowry.
Because the current situation of the two families is always very similar. Everyone is a farmer cultivating some wheat fields. So much so that many manor families actually exchange marriages with each other.
In the richest manor families, the daughters of the manor chiefs basically marry the sons of other manor heads. There are indeed individual cases where a manor head without a male heir will marry his daughter and recruit a son-in-law, who will then inherit the position.
In Nov.In the memory of the Gorod people, there is no record of the daughter of the manor chief marrying a Varyag! Not to mention, there is a record that the daughter actually married the biological son of the Varyag leader.
Grace! A huge favor!
As long as this marriage succeeds, Baishu Manor will be willing to pay tribute. Because of this marriage, White Tree Manor will definitely receive a strong security guarantee from the Ross people.
In this way, White Tree Manor, which has a numerical disadvantage, can use the strength of the Ross people to resist the intimidation of the most powerful Pine Needle Manor.
The outdoors became cold and damp, but the barns built on stilts remained dry. A large number of young people from Ross, who had been paddling for a day, ate their brown bread and fell asleep hastily. They know that they will marry a local girl as their wife, and the big leader has personally discussed this matter with the locals.
The barn is warm, and the atmosphere in the meeting hall is even more fiery.
Otto decided to marry his only son Rurik on this rainy night. The faces of the Ross people and White Tree Manor people present were all filled with smiles.
It was this incident that puzzled the person involved, Svetlana.
She opened her beautiful eyes wide and looked at her father for a while, then at the leader of the Rus people, and at her sister with a complicated face.
The way she looked left and right was very cute, and it seemed to indicate that she still didn’t know what was going on.
Otto simply waved his big, thick hands and called: "Svetlana, come!"
The little girl immediately turned her head deftly, and the little brown-yellow hair on the back of her head The braids were also tossed.
"Come! Come to me."
Otto showed a kind expression from the bottom of his heart. Facing a cute little thing, even a rough man would often show affection. .
Adults always feel that the Russians must not provoke anger, otherwise they will go crazy and be thousands of times more terrifying than black bears and wild boars.
But how did the little girl know?
Even if you listen to what adults say, the Russians are dangerous. This was not the first time Svetlana saw the Russians. From the time she could remember, there was no memory of the Russians using violence in her mind.
Over the years, when the Russians came to collect tributes, they basically took the tributes and left quickly. The two sides were generally very harmonious.
The young Svetlana did not think that Otto was a dangerous person at all, and saw the smiling face in his thick beard. Wary? Doesn't exist at all.
She is innocent and innocent. As the apple of her parents' eye, she is very well protected and does not know the complexity of the world.
She jumped up to Otto, and out of childish naughtiness, she directly grabbed Otto’s beard and braid.
"It's really weird, uncle, does your hair also grow on your neck?"
"There are many braids on your chin, but not as long as mine."
...
She playfully pulled her beard in front of Otto, which really scared Rigus at a loss: "Ah! Chief, she didn't mean it. She is still a child."< /p>
After apologizing, Ligus hurriedly scolded: "Lana! Don't be presumptuous."
The little girl was startled, and quickly let go of the beard in her hand, and sat down obediently. Next to Otto. She still turned her head slightly, glanced at her small mouth, and still noticed Otto's beard out of the corner of her eye.
So, how does Otto feel?
Angry?
"Hahaha! Rigus, you are too harsh on your daughter! She is still a child." Otto not only didn't mind, he was quite happy.
Ligus hurriedly continued to apologize: "Great leader, I am guilty, I should further educate her on etiquette."
"It is necessary to learn some etiquette. She will be my son "My wife, since she is the girl I chose, I now regard her as my child."
"Oh, that's really her luck." Ligus breathed out a sigh of relief. Calm down, but you still feel a little aggrieved inside.
"Haha, actually you don't know, my Rurik doesn't like scratching my beard. He always dislikes my dirty beard and his clothes being unclean. He has Huge talent, just like a child! To be honest, if my son was seventeen instead of seven, I could give him the position of leader."
Otto after all. I drank several glasses of ale. Novgorod wine takes longer to ferment, which accidentally makes the alcohol content higher.
The slightly drunk Otto couldn't help but give his son more praise.
His big hand covered Svetlana’s little head, causing her to turn back suddenly, her eyes widened and she burst out laughing.
"Svetlana, can I introduce you to a brother? He is a little older than you."
Through Peravina's gentle translation, the little girl The answer was very cheerful: "Okay. I also want a playmate."
"Very good. Your sister is getting married. Do you know what getting married means?"
"I know." Svetlana raised her young hand without hesitation and pointed at Kawei who was sitting on the side: "My sister wants to live with that big brother. We women are like this. That's... It's just that I really don't want to be separated from my sister. But..."
Her happy mood suddenly dropped, and then she shook her head and asked in a childish voice; "Uncle, please introduce me. That brother, is he my husband?”
Otto knew the meaning of many nouns in her words.
Otto was pleasantly surprised. He did not expect that this child, who seemed innocent and talkative, really understood important things in life.
"Yes. Are you willing?" Otto asked.
Svetlana curled her lips and turned to look at her biological childThe father said: "If my father agrees, I will agree. Will I not be able to see my sister in the future?"
At this point, the little girl's expression became obviously depressed.
"Silly boy, how could this happen?" It was Peravina who said this, and her existence was to assist.
“Really?”
“Of course. Your husband’s name is Rurik, and he is one year older than you. Look, that big brother (referring to Kawei), He is a good friend of Rurik. You and Rurik are also good friends. After the wedding, you can see your sister at any time in the future. It must be true, Svetlana's depressed mood disappeared.
"Is my future husband called Rurik?" She turned and looked up at Otto.
"Yes, you can also call me daddy from now on."
"Oh? Then I will have two dads."
The girl's words attracted Everyone laughed, and the meeting hall was filled with warmth.
Looking at this situation, Rigus couldn't help but wonder, if the Russians always had such a kind attitude, would their reputation as plunderers still exist? Although they are indeed marauders, at least now they are starting to play by new rules. The new rules are good for the estate.
Svetlana had never seen the violent and terrifying side of Otto, and she naively thought that the bearded uncle was quite kind.
She sat obediently at Otto's feet. To Rigus, it seemed like they were a father and daughter. This scene is both gratifying and sad.
Otto said happily: "I am so happy today, as if I have forgotten all my fatigue. Rigus, your two daughters have agreed to marry us Russians. The cooperation of your manor has made it easier for us." I'm touched."
"Oh, thank you so much, my master."
"No!" Otto raised his hand, "Your daughter is married to me. Son, our relationship is different! You and I should be brothers, now I have a new idea!" As soon as this statement came out, Ligus was frightened again, and he quickly said: "Great. Chief, I will satisfy any request you make. Even if it’s... even if it’s more women, I’ll try my best to provide it.”
“Hey, no need, today we want you to swear an oath. Svetlana must marry my son Rurik."
"Yes!" Rigus replied firmly.
"She is too young. When she reaches the age of twelve, I will bring my Rurik to complete the engagement ceremony." After that, Otto looked at it and wondered. Lilia, who was sitting in the distance, said, "Just like the situation with your eldest daughter. When Svetlana grows to fifteen years old, my Rurik will marry her."
"Yes!"
"Listen." Otto emphasized his voice: "Even if we all die of old age, this marriage must be implemented. Anyone who asks for a marriage from your daughter must refuse. If...if you do Made the wrong decisionIt is a humiliation to us Russians. When the time comes, even if I die of old age, my people will take revenge. "
This is a straightforward threat!
Rigus straightened up as if on pins and needles and solemnly promised: "We will abide by our engagement. My younger daughter will only marry your son. "
Otto nodded with satisfaction, and his attitude became kind again: "Very good, my friend. I can tell that Svetlana will grow into a beautiful girl, and her beauty may attract the attention of other estates. If someone dares to propose marriage, you must flatly refuse. Tell us about it later. We Russians will organize an army to combat this malicious provocation, do you understand? "
"Yes! ”
Obviously, his little daughter has become the first link between White Tree Manor and the powerful Ross tribe to establish a close relationship. It is as if Svetlana has become the incompatible person of the Ross people in White Tree Manor. Defiled Holy Relics
Otto continued; "Thunder is thrown outside, and the thunder and lightning are the power of God. Our God has witnessed this engagement and it is legal. You can't breach the contract, and we can't breach the contract either. If you break the contract, the Russian army will come to attack you. If we break the contract, God will punish us. "
In the era of ignorance, people from all walks of life generally believed in gods. Signing a written document may not be as effective as a verbal oath.
"I am very touched by your cooperation. I am very happy today. Just like this, I only want half of the 20,000 pounds of wheat you sent as tribute. "
"Huh? Ligus picked his ears hard and said, "Really, did I hear that right?" ! ”
“Yes! Because of your cooperation on the marriage issue, I need to give you further rewards. This spring, you are required to contribute ten thousand pounds of wheat. As for the missing parts, I will ask for them from Pine Needles Manor. "
Ligus and other members of White Tree Manor, no one likes Pine Needle Manor very much.
Rigus immediately made his position clear: "Okay, Pine Needle Manor is greedy. . Great Rus, we are happy to pay tribute to you. But Pine Needles Estate, they asked us for tribute as well. The Ross people were our masters, and now Pine Needles Manor will be our masters too. Do we need to have two masters. ”
“Have they gotten worse? ! "Otto showed a displeased expression on the spot.
Ligus continued to fan the flames: "Maybe they have been disloyal. ”
“I understand. "Otto nodded deeply, having already figured out an idea in his mind: "They need to pay the price for their arrogance! They must pay more tribute this year, or when autumn comes I will organize a thousand men to raze their estates to the ground. ”
What the leader of Ross said was not bragging at all. Ligus knew that they could really do it. To be fair, Ligus said that because of his youngest daughter’s engagement, it was tantamount to saying that because of this marriage, as long as If White Tree Manor doesn't take the initiative to break the engagement, it can get the blessing of the Ross people.If the Russians really wiped out the Pine Needle Manor, wouldn't their White Tree Manor become the strongest in Novgorod?
In his heart, he very much hoped that the Russians would take the initiative to attack. Even if he asked them to send troops, Ligus couldn't say anything at all.
He remained silent on the matter and was full of praise for Otto's reduction of half of the wheat tribute.
"Great leader, please rest assured. I believe this rain will only fall overnight. If it stops raining tomorrow, I will organize the beautiful girls in the manor, and we will follow our rituals in the manor. Let's prepare the wedding just like last autumn." "Okay." Otto was very happy. He and his main men were sleepy, and their inadvertent yawns proved their fatigue.
"I am tired. My request is not high. It is enough to find us a dry barn."
"No, great leader, I will give it to you." Provide comfortable housing. "As for that young man," Ligus looked at Kawei, "Your name is Kawei. You might as well stay in my eldest daughter's bedroom tonight."
Hearing this, Kawei was cheered up. After making sure that Bai Shu's translator had said nothing wrong, and seeing his fiancée's shy and bowed head, he immediately stood up like a spring: "Okay! I'm very willing. . ”
Although it is somewhat inconsistent with the etiquette of marriage, Rigus knows that he must now find ways to please the Rus and their leader. This is due to political considerations on both sides.
Besides, this Kawei is indeed unusual. He is a blacksmith. There is no blacksmith among so many people in White Tree Manor!
Ligus has lived for such a long time, and he can see that this Kawi is obviously different from other Russians. Don't look at this man's warrior attire. The murderous aura of a warrior does not exist at all! So even though such a person is from Russia, he is also the kind who talks best.
After all, the eldest daughter is her wife. Now that he has obtained his wife in advance, looking at his beaming face, Kawei is already full of gratitude.
The eldest daughter may be able to find her own happiness, and the manor will definitely get a batch of metal tools at a very cheap price because of this blacksmith son-in-law.
More metal farm tools will bring happiness to the manor.
Ligus thought calmly, if the engagement of his youngest daughter could bring security to the White Tree Manor.
The eldest daughter’s current marriage will bring a lot of metalware, which will be a guarantee of a good harvest.