"Dad, are you serious?"
"Yes, I am serious." Gould continued to emphasize, "Our family must leave."
Snoleva's mind was very confused. He held his head in his hands and closed his eyes as if to meditate.
"Actually, you still don't want to leave?" Gould asked.
"No. Things are a little sudden..."
Gould shook his head and said comfortingly: "Oh, silly boy. Even if we leave Onkras, we will still be there. Melalen sells our products. Trust me now. Are there any rumors about the market? There are rumors that the Rus attacked the Gotlanders."
Snoleva couldn't hide his excitement when he mentioned this. He groaned, "At least in terms of fighting, I admire the Russians very much. The merchants in the market are saying that the great leader of the Russians is more courageous than the leader of Melalen."
"You dare to attack because of the Russians?"
"Yes, they dare to attack. However, the leader of Melalen is only defensive. In my opinion, it is best for Melalen to organize an attack We will send an army to attack the Danes, the masters of the Gotlanders. In this way, we can sell our goods to the marching troops. Believe me, dad, we will make a profit."
Now, Gould, who was sipping sweet and viscous red wine from a delicate glass, was very happy to see his son say such insightful words.
He sighed happily: "You are very smart, you already know the good time to do business. Haha, if the Melalen people are willing to organize an army, of course we will take the opportunity to sell goods. They will be very I'm happy with the leather we sent."
Snoleva's face was still flushed, and he continued: "That is, the leader has no intention of gathering an army yet. You know, the merchants are looking forward to it. Waiting for that day to come."
"Really?" Gould quickly drank the glass of wine and suddenly said seriously: "Maybe, they will."< /p>
"Dad, what's wrong with you."
"I...I'm worried about one thing. I suspect that the Danes will stand up to the Gotlanders, and war may be imminent. "
"Oh! Really? That's really a good thing."
Snoleva looked forward to the war, Gould saw it on his eldest son's face. There is only the desire to make war fortune, but completely forgotten that maybe Mellaren may become a war front.
Gould said seriously: "Who will the Danes attack? The Russians? No, that's too far. If the Danes want to fight back, they also want to attack the Melalens. They must know that the Melalens There is a lot of wealth here, and it is also very close to the Danes’ home base. The Danes will either do nothing or attack here.”
Snoleva’s face became a little embarrassed, and he reluctantly muttered: "In this way, we canSell all the leather to them. We can raise the price and they will buy it. "
"What you said makes sense, but as a big businessman, you must know that if your life is gone, how can you enjoy your wealth? We need a strong backer to prepare a way for us to escape with wealth. In my opinion, the only option is to go to the Russians, to the far north. According to my understanding of the Rus' people, they will often attack the Gotlanders after they have the first advantage. Sooner or later, the Danes will launch a large-scale counterattack, and by then, I don't want you to still be here. "
"Huh? ! Could it be, dad! You even have your island..."
"Bah! It's just a charity given to us by the leader named Olegin. Speaking of his own experience, Gould was not happy: "That guy claimed that all the land on land belongs to his tribe, and we can only build shops on small islands like this." Of course we can open a store on the shore, but we have to pay them. Why! Do you really like this island? "
Snoreva smiled honestly: "Actually... I really like it a little bit. "
"Look at your future! "
"Oh, Dad, it's my fault. Snoleva quickly surrendered: "Thank you for your teaching, I understand." If we face danger, retreat with all our strength. ”
“Oh, that’s right! I have a good agreement with the Rus people, they are much more generous than the Melalen people! We can set up shops in the territory of the Rus, import their specialty goods, transport them here and sell them for huge profits. The child named Rurik, who attaches great importance to contracts, will inherit the position of leader of Rus. Remember, he will be the backer of our family from now on. You must remember that you are my eldest son and you will inherit most of my family property. "
"Then...where are my brothers? "When this matter was mentioned, Snoreva's heart started beating fast, and his questioning attitude was full of caution.
"You don't have to worry about them. I can give you 80% of the family property, but all of them can only get 20%. ”
Hearing this, Snoreva’s hanging heart suddenly dropped!
For many years, this thirty-year-old young man has been most afraid that his father will no longer like him, and then no longer like him. Divide the main property to himself.
The reason why he thinks so is indeed because of a very simple practical reason. It is the same as the unknown ownership of the family property, which has always made Snoleva a little worried. < /p>
Gould drank another glass of wine, and by the flickering flame of the oil lamp, he couldn't help but look at his two lovely granddaughters.
The two little girls were innocent, and the eldest granddaughter was already there. It's almost time to get engaged. Which boy can be her husband? That boy must be a business partner of this family!
Alas, they are all girls.
Remembering this, Gould gave his eldest daughter-in-law a sharp look, which made her tremble all over.
With this, Gould started to look at her again. He opened his mouth and choked: "IMy son, you are fine anywhere. Even though you are thirty years old, you still have not given birth to a grandson for me. You are my hope for the future, but if you don’t have a son in your life, how will this work? ”
“Oh, Dad. My wife and I will work hard. "
"Your wife? "Gould was already a little drunk, and his speech became arrogant. He no longer cared about his daughter-in-law's feelings, and said bluntly: "If it doesn't work, you can marry another one. You know better than we do that there are many women in the market, many of them beautiful Britons. Instead of giving a discount to other merchants, why not buy a few back for you! You should be like me, let them have children, and once they have sons, be promoted to wives. "
The father's words were too explicit. Snoleva trembled and didn't know what to say for a moment.
Only the eldest daughter-in-law was on pins and needles hearing these words.< /p>
Without letting her husband speak, she left her seat directly, climbed in front of Gould in a humble manner, and said with firm eyes: "Dad, I will work hard. I will definitely give birth to a son. No! It's two, three! And now..." As she said that, she slowly sat up and stroked her belly: "Actually, I already have it. ”
“Oh? What a happy event! "Gould was so excited that he threw the glass in his hand aside, and the half-drunk glass spilled all over the mat.
Gould stood up, dragging his daughter-in-law's chin with his right hand. He has a kind face.
He understands that the eldest son is a rare person among businessmen who has not married another one for so many years. It is because he likes his wife. This woman was the wife he personally selected for his eldest son. . Because of these past experiences, Gould has had feelings for this woman for many years.
The daughter-in-law is more proactive than her son. She is obviously afraid of losing her status.
" I'm like my daughter. Gould rarely showed a tender side: "You have to work hard." I have found a new supporter for your husband's future, and our family has received a guarantee of security. And you, the continuation of the family falls on your shoulders, and your responsibility is very important. ”
“Yes, Dad, I can definitely do it.” ”
After a while, a sizzling roast sheep was finally carried up.
This is a sheep that Snoleva bought from the Mälaren Market There are still more than ten sheep in the sheep pen on the island. Snoleva has no intention of raising the sheep to cut the wool. He just wants to eat them.
In terms of meat, there is no elegance.
As the most noble person, Gould tore up a lamb thigh with his bare hands. This is almost the best part of the roasted lamb.
< p>The family eats one sheep, and here the two men eat the most. It is for this reason that they can eat suet balls.At this time, add newFreshly baked fermented bread, fresh onions to relieve greasiness, and paired with wine, life is delicious.
Only very wealthy families can live such a luxurious life. The Melalen tribe is very rich, but in fact the gap between rich and poor is serious. Those ordinary farmers still live on porridge made from one pound of oats a day. The extra wheat is sold in exchange for various daily necessities and even a series of equipment needed during the war.
Every strong man in the Melalen tribe has the obligation to accept the recruitment of the big leader.
Similarly, the Rus, Uppsalas, and people from all tribes have this obligation.
The only exceptions are those businessmen with large assets.
Don't expect the loyalty of this group of businessmen at all. Although they are part of the alliance, if anyone offers favorable terms, they will run to his territory in large numbers. If the situation changes, the merchants will take their wealth and organize a fleet to run away.
After three rounds of wine, five delicious dishes, and a comfortable meal, Gould was lying on his side, with one arm resting on his head. His whole body was like a pile of rotten fat.
Seeing his father enjoying himself so leisurely, Snoleva felt that his reception must have made his father particularly satisfied.
Seeing this, Snoleva asked; "Starting from tomorrow, shall we go to the lively area of the market?"
"Tomorrow? No, let's take a day off."
p>
"That's good, we can just count the goods."
"Our goods do need to be counted again, and there is one more thing." Gould stared into his son's eyes: " You have to prepare at least one hundred pounds of silver."
"Huh? What are you going to do?"
"Go to the market to buy it!" >
"Purchasing?" Snoleva was puzzled when he heard this: "Dad, but those crystal cups have been bought by others. If we go there again, we won't be able to buy any expensive treasures at all. There are only a lot of them there now." It's a big-ticket product, why don't we spend so much money?"
"Really? What do you think I want to buy?" Gould sat up.
"Is it...for example, gems? Oh, those gems are very rare. Besides, amber is not expensive here."
"I want to buy someone." Gould Speak concisely and concisely.
"People? Those are the people who are locked up, those women. Oh, Dad, are you so confident in your body? Mom is here too..."
Snow Leva subconsciously felt that his father was following his hobby again and wanted to recruit more young women to serve him.
Gould smiled stupidly: "Child, you are thinking too much. I know that the Norwegians must have gone to the island in the west to kidnap some women, probably some Briton women. I want to buy a batch and send them all to the Russians. I forgot to tell you that the Russians have given me many tasks this year and promised me huge benefits when they are completed.servants, whether men or women. ”
“Oh? Or is this the case? ! "
"In my opinion, we should buy all the people from the market, even the children, and bring them back to this island. ”
Snoleva was really shocked when he heard his father’s bold words.
The Vikings in the Baltic Sea region have been trading slaves since ancient times.
For example, bankrupt farmers become debt slaves, and creditors are sometimes taken to the market in exchange for a good price to pay off their debts.
In addition, there are many poor people who are tied up with ropes. Just ordinary people from Britain and Frank. In the past fifty years, there have been more and more foreign slaves like this in the Melalen Market, and it can be said that the majority of them are women.
Women are women, Mela. The farmers in London can't control that much. They will try their best to sell the food they grow, accumulate wealth, and then buy a foreign woman from a Norwegian businessman. Their purpose is very simple, which is to make this woman a wife. p>
For example, the chiefs of the Melalen tribe and the powerful and wealthy locals choose the most beautiful ones to stay in their houses as servants.
Gul. De continued to ask: "Son, you should know the prices of those people, are they still the same as before? "
"Yes, the average man still gets twenty silver coins, and the average woman still gets thirty silver coins. A good-looking woman or a strong man can earn up to one pound of silver coins, usually around fifty silver coins. It's just that those Norwegians didn't get any kids. At least I didn't find that this year. "
"What's the use of children! Gould shrugged and couldn't help complaining: "That Rurik, he told me that I must get some children for him, saying that good servants should be trained from an early age." Those Norwegians would not kidnap children. Even if they kidnapped children, they would die on the vast sea. ”
“That’s true. "Snoreva smiled honestly.
"So, there should be many young men in the market who are eager to work as mercenaries for others? Are there many of these people? "
"This...such people always exist, dad, you should understand. If you need more mercenaries, you'd better go to the taverns in Melalen. ”
“Okay. I will recruit some more people and send them all to the Ross people. I am recruiting a group of mercenaries for them at the request of the Ross leader. You see, we're going to get a lot of men and women, and they're going to stay on this island for a while. Children, you have to make preparations to feed them until at least August. "
"Huh? Our island..."
"Then build some wooden sheds! Go to the market to buy some food and the fishermen to buy some fish. Remember how much you spent and send me a report in August. Don’t worry about anything. The Russians will eventually return the money to us. ”
In this way, Gould rested for a whole day on his own island, and on June 5th, he finished recharging his energy., tentatively ran towards the mouth of the river where the core of the Melalen tribe was located, towards the most prosperous land market. Because it was just a test, he did not land with his own goods in person.
He is not worried about the sales of his goods at all. Some of his colleagues have already personally gone to the island under his control and brought money to trade. For those people, the eldest son takes charge. After the roast lamb dinner, the eldest son had already witnessed the magic of soap. Gould fully believed that the eldest son would become an excellent salesman. In the coming days, it is estimated that the news that his family is selling a magical washing tool will be revealed in May. Word spread among the Laren tribe.
At that time, a group of wealthy households who have money at home and especially like novelty gadgets will come to their island uninvited.
As for the current situation of commodity trading in the market, his son has already made a good report to himself, so Gould no longer has so much curiosity here.
Gould was still wearing gorgeous clothes, and accompanied by more than a dozen guards headed by Jevlo, he began a revolving door of "shopping."
As expected, most of the things on the market are bulk goods, such as linen, cowhide, sheepskin, wooden daily necessities, and even last year's surplus grain. It is these bulk goods that are the largest commodities.
Still in a familiar corner, this is the so-called human market that has long been dominated by Norwegian businessmen. The poor souls who were taken from Britain in various ways were sold here.
The reality was very different from what Gould had imagined. After some inquiring, he learned that most of the people had already been bought by the wealthy households in Melalen.
A strong Norwegian businessman with a Norwegian forest cat fur hat on his head told Gould bluntly that he drove a carriage with a cage over the mountains and hired fishing boats to transport his " Goods” are shipped here. Gould knew that this man was just eager to make more money.
There are five poor women here who are trembling with fear. Their clothes are completely different from the locals. Even in appearance, there is not much difference in reality.
They are all Briton women, and they even have some beliefs that Gould finds strange, but their beauty does not satisfy him.
Gould especially remembered the two Briton women he bought two years ago. Because of their good looks, in order to get them, he paid the profiteer two pounds of silver and a cordial greeting!
The Norwegian businessman offered a man thirty silver coins. As a result, Gould spent one pound of silver and another forty silver coins to buy the man two unique Norwegian forest cat skins, and bought them two unique Norwegian forest cat skins. Take them all away. Although the Norwegian businessman was unwilling to do so, considering that he had not sold them for many days and had to buy food for nothing, he simply went ahead with the business even though he was suffering a loss.
After all, they were Norwegian merchants who traveled over the mountains. Gould felt that they were either trafficking some foreigners or selling extremely soft and unique cat skins. Other than that, they didn’t seem to have many good things to offer.
Today, Gould was just doing a survey. He even went to a tavern to investigate the prices of the ale and calculated how much craft ale he could bring back to Rurik.
He conducted another survey on young people looking for employers and gained some understanding of the status of this year's "manpower employment market."
Some farmers in Mälaren owed money to their landlords. In order to avoid becoming debt slaves, they had to sell their land to pay off their debts. As a result, such men have only one physical strength left. They need to do manual labor for an employer, or even serve as mercenary bodyguards, to earn some money to support their families and themselves.
Most of Gould's own guards are made of this kind of composition. It's just that Gould selected young people who were alone, so they had no family members and could only be loyal to their sponsors.
Since the agreement between Rurik and himself does not have so many restrictions, there is no problem in hiring people with families and sending them all to Fort Ross.
For the time being, Gould did not make such a decision. He first took the five women he originally bought to his island, removed the shackles of their hands and feet, gave them food, and announced their future. . No one paid attention to their mood, and Gould felt that it was a great kindness for him to reward them with leather blankets for temporary sleep, as well as some fish and wheat porridge.
Indeed, all Gould is responsible for is sending all the people he absorbs safely to Fort Ross.
If Rurik and Otto intend to show greater mercy, that is their business. At that time, they can just pay these people three months' worth of food, which is not much anyway.