There are many rumors about the Russians, and their ambitions can certainly be felt. Fo Degen actually came here today to have a look. Until now, he has not explained his ultimate purpose. He was still probing, but he didn't expect that Gould had already named the business secret of "the Russians need a large population".
Because population is a commodity!
Even if everyone is opposed to selling allied people as slaves, what is the reality? Some bankrupt people do not want to commit suicide. They want their families to continue to live, so they have no choice but to make sacrifices and become slaves to the wealthy.
The most powerful Melalen tribe recognizes this special tradition and has no customary laws to restrict it.
Selling the people of allies is indeed a bad reputation. Having said that, as a businessman, what you seek is wealth. As long as the merchants do not challenge the authority of the tribal leader and undermine the interests of the leader's family, then no one will care what they do.
"Forget it, I'm not here to reminisce and chat with you. I've heard some things about the Russians, and I've also heard that you sell a lot of magical things called soupa, which can wash away even the most irritated people. Dirty thing. You have made a fortune, but I have lost a lot this year. I am here just to ask you for one thing."
"You can still plead with me?" Gould said unkindly. smiled.
Fordgen nodded: "Maybe you will be interested in my request, and there is some good news..." He looked at the girl next to Gould again: "Carlotta, maybe you will too Happy."
"I will be happy?" The girl said with a forced smile: "The only thing I can be happy about is this."
"Ah! That's what I'm talking about." Gould blurted out this slap on the thigh, and Carlotta was surprised again.
"Fo Degen, are you telling the truth? My people."
"I am your master. Do you really think that I sold out those allies? How is that possible?"
"What happened to them?" Carlotta stood up completely.
"They are all good. Women, children, those people I took away, they are all on my island. Haha, Gould, you can't say that I am a bad person now. I and You are a kind man, too."
Gould shrugged. He felt that the words coming out of Fo Degen's mouth were very ridiculous. Then he asked: "It's really strange. I heard that you gathered a hundred Ostara people. Why did you take them in?"
"Of course they are working for me. You know that I I’ve saved so many people, I can’t give them food for free. I’m not a real saint.”
“So you mean they will all work for you in the future?” De asked deliberately.
"How is that possible! They are only temporary jobs. I still have to let these people... let them leave my island."
Gould shook his head: "Then Shouldn't you just sell it?"
Referring to "selling" thisWords are like a knife in language, stabbing Carlotta's heart crazily.
She held on to the wooden table and shouted: "No! We can't sell them. They are my people."
Fordgen is indeed afraid of Carlotta's identity. , but he will not be afraid of a child. "Carlotta, those people are in my hands. Many of them have expressed their willingness to work for me and be my servants. Your leader is dead. I am the only one helping them for the time being, and only I can decide their fate. Destiny."
"No! You can't!"
"You?" Fodegen calmed down for a moment, then laughed. laugh.
Of course, he was the only one laughing wildly in the entire scene. He laughed for a while and found that the atmosphere was very unusual. He quickly calmed down in embarrassment and asked quickly: "Gould, this kid can also be the leader? The Ostara tribe has been destroyed."
Gulder De shook his head: "No, Ostara has not been destroyed. Maybe I should introduce you specially. This is the new leader of Ostara, Mrs. Carlotta."
Gould In order to reflect the girl's noble status, the Norse word for "Mrs." is specially used.
"Absurd! She is a child, who would admit it?"
"I admit it." Gould said without changing his expression.
"You? You are just a businessman, nothing more."
"No. I am a businessman that the Russians respect, and the Russians will also recognize Carlotta's identity."
"What nonsense." Fodegen shook his head, "It doesn't matter, I am a businessman after all. Since you admit that she is a rare female leader, are you willing to do something for her?"
"Of course." Gould's answer without hesitation: "As long as it's not too much."
"Then, buy the Ostara refugees from me, Are you willing?"
"Buy them?" Gould hesitated.
Carlotta suddenly turned her head and pleaded with all her strength with a pitiful look: "Sir, you must save my people." Seeing that Gould was still hesitating, she said loudly: " Please save them, we Ostarians will never forget your kindness."
Gould was hesitant, but when he heard the girl's plea, he decided. His mentality immediately changed.
As a businessman, what you seek is to maximize your profits.
"Okay, I'll save your people." Gould didn't look at the girl's pleased face. He asked Fo Degen: "How many people do you have in your hands."
"There were a lot of people, one hundred and ten in total. Forty of them were women, and the rest were children."
"So many?!" Gould really ate a meal. shock.
"There are indeed many, because I collected some refugees from other channels. Now many refugees live in Hjärmalen in the south. I also found out about the Gran people, who became YermaNeighbors of the Lun people. Most of the refugees have integrated into the new tribe, and I don't think Carlotta can call them back. "
"Then you can't..." Carlotta just muttered and was interrupted.
"Naive! "Fordgen scolded sternly: "Carlotta, do you really think everyone recognizes your identity? You are just a child, can you give food to your people? "
Hearing this, the girl shut her mouth.
Fordgen looked at Gould again: "Friend, I am very short of money. "
"Are you short of money? Because of feeding those refugees? "Gould didn't really believe it.
"I still have the ability to provide some food. The main reason is that business has basically declined this year. "
Gould's eyes noticed the sword in Ford's waist and asked deliberately: "What? Are you planning to return the sword to me in exchange for money? "
"Sword? Forget it. This Russian sword is good and beautiful, and I want to pass it on to my descendants. I am indeed short of money, so I will give you all the Ostara refugees I have. You have to give me money. ”
“Give you money?” Like buying a slave? "Gould asked deliberately.
"Forget it, my friend. Carlotta is here and she doesn't want to hear the word slave. The problem now is simple. Anyway, the people of Mälaren probably don’t want them. What about your hometown of Enclas? Do the people of Uppsala want it? If you don't take them, I guess there will always be someone who wants them. "
"Then I want it, they are Ostara people, I can't treat the female leader of Ostara badly. ”
At this moment, Carlotta looked at the businessman beside her with a pair of red eyes. Not only was there gratitude in her eyes, but Gould could see that there was also an urgency to repay the favor.
Fordgen shrugged: "What a happy decision! Okay, let’s talk about the price. ”
“Say it, friend. "
"Forty women, fifty silver coins each, seventy children, twenty silver coins each. The total is thirty-four hundred silver coins. In addition to the food expenses I provided, the expenses for accommodation, the expenses for transporting them to a safe area, and even the expenses for buying food during the trip. All added up, you give me four thousand silver coins. "
Gould, who was very compassionate, also grimaced at this time: "Are you crazy? You know those Brythonic women in the market? Only the most beautiful ones are twenty silver coins. "
Fo Degen straightened his back: "So I am not selling slaves. Where can slaves be sold at such a high price. "
"So, you are a more cunning guy than a slave trader. "Gould sneered.
"No, I just want money. ”
“I think you want to recover this year’s losses from me. You are smart and cunning. "
Fo Degen laughed out loud: "Haha, you are really an expert. But I don't think you are a good person. You sold the soupa for twenty silver coins a piece. "
"Forget it, please don't ridicule me. "Gould straightened his head and suddenly put on a serious look: "I will take Carlotta and Ella to the Ross people. I know the Ross people very well. They are the most friendly tribe. On the contrary, Melalen People are very hypocritical. What would you do if the leader of Ross knew that a businessman actually sold hundreds of his allies as slaves? Do you think the Ross people would believe you if you said you were not a slave trader? I don’t want to live anymore.”
Gould’s words were a threat, and Fo Degen did feel guilty. "But, I want at least a benefit."
"Do you want a benefit?" Carlotta suddenly said harshly with red eyes: "I have three ambers, they are our treasures, they are you Take it away. Each one is worth a pound of gold."
"No, I only took two of yours. That was my reward for saving your life. Besides, how can amber be so expensive?" Fo Degen refuted the girl's fallacy.
Gould was of course standing on the girl's side at this moment. He saw his old friend's mentality wavering, so it was the opportunity to pursue him and fight hard. He deliberately said: "Carlotta is the leader of Ostara. You blackmailed a leader. This crime is enough to bring you death."
Carlotta continued to follow up: "Yes. Ah! You did save us, you can also get the amber, but you can't ask for more. You have to return the people to me, so that you will have a good reputation. I will tell you when I get to the Rus. Chief Ross, you are a good person. If you insist on such a high price, I can only tell them that you are an evil person." Gould completely understood what the girl was saying, and he secretly admired the girl as well. He is a little person, but he is too young and still naively believes that the world is black and white. But I have to say that this girl is already benefiting herself, and she wants to help.
Fordgen was really shaken, and he still wanted to get more benefits for himself: "Your people need to eat, and I also asked witch doctors to treat the patients among them. All the refugees under my control, They don't have any deaths, they live well. I have done a lot of good things, I must at least get some reward."
So on the surface, Fodegen and Carlotta are at odds with each other, see. Gould immediately decided to be a talker.
Gould took the opportunity to propose a solution.
"Let's do this, Fo Degen, I won't pay you any money. I will give you back the two pounds of gold you gave me before. You have suffered a lot of losses this year, and you really need money. . I can give you gold now."
"Oh? That's a good thing. My request is not that demanding. If it is two pounds of gold, I am willing."
Because from the beginning, Fordegen felt that it was just a simple business between himself and Gould. He could not expect too many unexpected events at present, so he could not expect too much. Besides, he already had a bargaining attitude. His bottom line for price was actually only one thousand silver coins, and he deliberately quoted a high price just for bargaining.
Unexpectedly, the generous Gould would give two pounds of gold!
Gould ordered Fo Degen to rest, and he left the table for the time being. After a while, he returned with a linen bag and placed it in front of Fo Degen himself.
"This is..."
"It's gold, open it, friend."
Fo Degen hurriedly opened the rope and saw that it was full of gold. Deng Deng's gold coins couldn't help but be in awe of Gould's generosity.
Gould sat back in his seat in the master's house, looking arrogant: "I will give you a pound of gold first, and the other pound will be given to you soon. I also advise you to do something for the future. Plan. You have helped the Ostara people today. I will bring these refugees to the Ross people. In the future, the Ross people will become an unprecedentedly close alliance with the Ross people. Melalen. People are unreliable. Come with me to emigrate."
"Are you crazy?" Fodegen was shocked.
"I'm not crazy. My friend, you can also take your family and follow me. You will get greater benefits by settling in Ross."
"Really? Forget it. Come on, I don’t have any plans for this yet.” It is true that Ford will not change his economic and industrial layout, as well as his living habits, just because of a word from a friend.
Gould continued to suggest: "I guess you don't want to go to the south to do business now. Go to the north, Rurik of Ross, who is a person favored by God. Because of Rurik, I will The income is equivalent to my total income in the past three years! Rurik will be the new leader, and he needs talents from all aspects. Otto, the current leader of Ross, is very loyal. You have indeed rescued many Ostara people, your feat. I will get praise from the Russian people, and even get their favor."
"No, even so, I can't move easily."
"I didn't ask you to move. , friend. You can bring the goods to sell, the Russians will like it.”
“Really? Forget it!” Fordegen shook his head: “They don’t want cowhide, they just sell it. A businessman who cherishes leather. Besides, Gould, do you allow me to take a share of the leather business?"
Gould was stunned for a while. Indeed, from the perspective of a businessman, he divided the profits. It's really a bit stupid to give it to a friend.
He immediately explained forcefully: "It doesn't matter. Isn't your workshop still producing leather coats? The Russians will need it, so you can give it a try. Also, don't think that selling bulk goods is less profitable, for example If you ship a lot of durable carrots to the Russians, you can get a good profit if you ship enough. I know the Russians will buy them all."
"Oh? It reminds me." Fodegen pinched his chin and thought of the possibility of making leather jackets and selling them in large quantities to the Russians. He asked tentatively: "But, my leather coat is not cheap. At least a decent leather coat for men. I want ten silver coins. Can the Russians afford it? You know, in the whole of Melalen, I am the only one organizing Dedicated manpowerDoors are made into garments. "
"Haha, they must be able to afford it. Gould slapped his thigh: "Have you forgotten that they attacked Gotland?" Even the children of Melalen know this. Can you estimate how many silver coins they robbed? "
"This..."
"Listen to me and do it! ”
Finally, after a strange encounter, Fordegen successfully finalized the “business”.
To be fair, Gould still gave himself a lot of benefits, just in In Gould's meeting hall, the two sides made an agreement.
That is, before Gould's fleet sets sail, all Ostara refugees will still stay under the control of Fodgen. The refugees need to participate in making cowhide clothes and linen fabrics to earn their own food expenses, and they must also continue to benefit Fodgen.
When the fleet sets sail, all the refugees board the ship. Fort Ross. Before that, Fordegen must also tell all the refugees about the last woman in the Ostara chief family and the position of successor leader, which is also recognized by the Ross people. Do people agree? Not only do the Russians agree, but they also declare their support for the reconstruction of Ostara. Only in this way will the refugees be able to work with complete peace of mind and wait for the wheat harvest in August. The agreed date after completion.