The wooden table placed next to the wall was moved back to the hall. Ryuri ordered his mercenaries to retreat and ordered them to scrub their bodies with linen soap before returning to the dormitory to rest.
A box full of silver coins was placed on the table. Under the dim oil lamp, the silver coins reflected an intoxicating silver light.
Nowadays, Otto will not become restless when looking at them. He has actually seen too much and has too much money, and his spirit is a little numb.
"Rurik, where did you get all this money?" he asked quietly.
Rurik looked like flowers were in bloom, and he stood up, holding these Roman and Carolingian silver coins of very good quality in his hands.
"Dad, this is a brand new tax I collected."
"Tax? You..." Otto's mind was spinning crazily, and he thought this scene was absurd. "Those immigrants holding wheat may have just sown. How do you collect taxes? Do you think this is a real tax? Is it a tax for you?!"
"It's just the businessmen!" Rurik said bluntly Don't hesitate.
"Businessman? Tax?"
Looking at his father's suspicious face, Rurik understood in an instant that his father still does not understand what tax is until now. It seems that I still need some explanation of my own?
No! There is no need for too much explanation. Rurik guesses that his father doesn’t have time to listen to his explanation. Anyway, the money is here, and getting the money is the last word.
Business tax must be collected, and not just business tax.
There are also very important tariffs.
The Ross tribe has three major tax systems: agricultural tax, business tax and customs duty. These three very critical taxes must be established.
Of course, Rurik feels that his tribe will only need these three core taxes to support the tribe's finances for a long time in the future. As for the head tax and stamp tax, they are not needed for the time being.
Especially the poll tax, Rurik did not think it was necessary. Even this poll tax, in the eyes of the feudal lords of the Frankish Kingdom, was a legitimate tax and one of the most critical sources of wealth.
For the Ross tribe, which is still in the state of a tribal alliance even with the concept of a feudal country, it must be a little difficult for everyone to accept even the concept of "taxation".
At this stage, Rurik doesn’t dare to ask his native tribesmen to pay any taxes. He doesn’t even think about it. He wants his tribesmen to take money “for no reason”, so he doesn’t even think about it!
A relatively complete tax system must be established. Rurik does not expect his native people to accept it quickly, but those who live there must accept commercial taxes immediately.
Perhaps as Gould said, businessmen are generally very resistant, and may even have a negative impact on the future business of the Russians.
Rurik knew well that those small businessmen who lacked strength would lose. As long as the obedient big businessmen were there, what problems would there be?
Those small businessmen had better cooperate and stay with Rickmer.If they are generally resistant, this requires Otto, as the big leader, to personally lead the soldiers to collect taxes! Especially during this period of ice-freezing, while the sea ice has not melted, small businessmen cannot escape by boating and take advantage of this opportunity to raise taxes.
They understand whether love will come or not. They can run away anyway, and the remaining residence will be taken over by Ross.
Actually, Rurik is also worried about his group of newly promoted servants, such as the "Archer" Terravis who has moved to his new camp of the Gray Squirrel tribe, and those from the Kovin tribe. People still live in tents temporarily. This is inappropriate!
Therefore, the houses left behind by the fleeing merchants are just the temporary dormitories for the new slaves in the future.
Rurik pointed to the suitcase and said bluntly: "This may be regarded as my new invention. I talked a lot with the big businessman Gould today. Starting from this year's trade season, he has done it every year I have to pay a tax. As long as he does business in our Roseburg, he must pay a sum of money every year. Not only Gould, I have decided that starting from this year, all guest merchants must pay! "
"Huh?" At this time, Otto had been the leader for more than ten years, and he really didn't think about it at all.
"You...you actually asked them for money, and you succeeded? You...you are such a genius! Why didn't I think of it!"
Otto The answer also surprised Rurik. etc? Could it be that my father also wanted to make money, and he didn't collect "commercial tax" just because he lacked imagination?
Otto couldn't help but pout, and simply drank the liquor on the table in one gulp.
He banged on the desk with enthusiasm, making the box full of silver coins tremble.
Rurik felt that his father, who had lost a lot of his beard, was as happy today as a monkey grabbing a banana.
But when Otto calmed down a little, he suddenly questioned: "Rurik, you said if we just ask for money like this, they will give it to us?"
Rurik shrugged. , he knew that Otto had given a very clear answer - this business tax must be collected.
"We have to collect money, and they have to pay. If they refuse, dad, you can expel them and let them walk into the ice sea alone. As for whether they will freeze to death, it depends. God's attitude."
"What about God's attitude?" Otto asked cautiously, "Have you noticed any good omen?"
Rurik was startled. I wonder if Otto is really superstitious. No matter what, the mouth is on your head anyway, so you have to decide what to say.
"It's a good sign!"
"Really? That's great! When are we going to collect the money?!"
"This..." Lingliuli Ke was very surprised whether it was because his father drank a bottle of strong wine and his mood became very excited and direct. Youdao speaks the truth after drinking. In the final analysis, this old guy loves money!
Actually, everyone loves money and is eager to spend money while lying down.It is best to sleep on a bed made of silver. After death, it is best to lie in a boat-shaped tomb and cover the whole body with silver coins.
Arik wanted to use militaristic means to win strong war dividends and replicate the previous great victory. Otto is more reserved. He is older and is more willing to use relatively peaceful means to make money.
There is no doubt that Rurik’s determination is to invent a new method of making money, and as the maker of rules, this money should naturally be controlled by the chief family.
Otto just told the truth when he was drunk, and he had no intention of lying to his son.
Otto needed time to act, and now the problem was handed back to Rurik.
"You asked me when to act? This matter...maybe..."
"Make up your mind quickly! Our time is very tight, otherwise the ice and snow will melt! ” Otto urged.
"Then two days later!" Rurik stood up with a slap on his thigh, "We have to call all the businessmen first and ask each businessman to send people to a meeting. In order to ensure that they take the money obediently, we The threat of force must be guaranteed. It's best for them to cooperate. If they don't cooperate, force them to cooperate." After saying that, Otto laughed regardless of anything.
Anyway, the purpose of making money is not for the Russians, but for the businessmen who live there. Otto had no doubt whether Rurik's decision would have a bad impact. Anyway, those residents had occupied the territory of Roseburg for so many years, so they had to pay at least some rent.
Early the next morning, Otto, with his son's plan in mind, immediately summoned a meeting of the tribe's main respected people. The issue is no longer about war revenge, the issue is how to make money. Although some people have strong doubts, because most people strongly support this decision, the minority obeys the majority.
I never thought that maybe someone was eavesdropping, or some of the participants were not trustworthy, or maybe the wooden walls of the meeting room were not thick enough.
Even, for various purposes, some of Gould's subordinates revealed that the leader wanted to collect commercial taxes, and revealed that Gould paid 10,000 silver coins.
It was this news of "ten thousand silver coins" that, through the mouth of the disseminator, completely turned into a heavy tax of 10,000 silver coins for all guest merchants in Russia.
Most people didn’t believe it at first, but then three people became a tiger.
For decades, merchants with a disadvantaged population have always felt that they have a very solid alliance with the Russians. We are also in the same tribal alliance. How could it suddenly become like this?
However, the sea was frozen, and the snow on the land was even up to the waist. It was impossible for the ships that were pushed to the shore to sail.
Run away with the goods and cash box? That's crazy!
Of course, there were indeed merchant families who took advantage of the night to pack up valuable items. They pulled sleds and quietly escaped from Roseburg, leaving behind their empty wooden houses and some less valuable things.
BigSome businessmen are reeling from the bad news. Escape? Before selling a large amount of goods, all the silver coins on hand will be gone. The family is just waiting to make a fortune selling the leather obtained by the Russians. If they give up these goods, the family will be on the verge of bankruptcy. Let’s talk about escaping. Risking an escape in the cold winter is inherently dangerous.
When it was almost evening, after hearing these rumors, Otto realized that these merchants obviously had a strong feeling of not wanting to take money.
This sentiment has seriously interfered with the normal transactions between tribesmen and merchants.
Those merchants were accusing Ross of being callous and just winter fishermen who planned to sell fresh seal meat and cod meat to the merchants. They simply stopped doing business after being criticized inexplicably.
Rumors were fermenting, and Rurik and Otto couldn't think of who spread the news about tax collection.
From what the two heard, it was obviously a misinterpretation of tax collection.
"Ten thousand silver coins? If I can squeeze ten thousand silver coins from house to house, I can pile up a big mountain of silver coins!"
Rurik urged his father to send someone to think of the merchant. They publicized the leader's determination. The so-called commercial tax was necessary, but it was not the amount of 10,000 silver coins at all.
Don’t have 10,000 silver coins? That amount is definitely quite a lot. Since the Ross warrior with a sword is personally explaining this matter, it can only mean that the situation is serious.
Some people ran away at night, while others watched in numbness and hesitation. Only a small number of businessmen believed that the leader of Ross was not a coward.
Everyone received an order from the leader.
Tomorrow morning, each businessman needs to send his family members to gather on the now frozen beach to hear the specific matters regarding tax collection.
Go to the beach? Of course I want to go. If you don't go, who can guarantee that the Russians won't serve you with an iron fist?
After all, these guys conquered the "Land of the East", and it is said that 300 people killed 800 enemies without any injuries. There are a large number of business veterans in the guest merchants. They have dealt with many warriors and understand that once such warriors fall into mania, they will really disown their relatives. It is ridiculous to negotiate a contract with them. For the sake of their own safety, they can only express submission.
At least the Russians revealed that the purpose of the tax was not to hurt businessmen.
Everyone has some illusions about the Russians. That night, most of the businessmen who decided to stay and watch what happened stayed up all night with their families.
The appointed day has finally arrived.
The cold wind from the Arctic is still pouring into the bay. Even though it is April, the climate is still terrible.
What’s the use of sunny weather? The climate is really cold, and the businessmen who gather on the frozen beach are dressed in gorgeous furs, their furry snow fox hats decorated with gold threads, their feet are dyed wool felt boots, and they are restraining their waists with calfskin belts.
They are dressed gorgeously and decently. Their dressing itself is also normal, just to show that they are businessmen.of financial status.
And these gorgeous clothes made the soldiers who were ordered by Otto to hold short spears and swords look like a large group of fat sheep that could be blackmailed.
The businessmen couldn't help but feel nervous when they saw the large number of soldiers standing on the beach.
Youdao has a sharp weapon and a murderous intention. The businessmen really feel that they have suddenly become lambs to be slaughtered. Who knows what the Russians want to do.
But Otto really had no intention of resorting to violence first.
The idea of collecting commercial taxes was proposed by Rurik. As the destined next generation leader, he was interested in explaining and ordering merchants to pay taxes in public.
The beach was very lively, and a large number of men and women from the tribe gathered to watch a rare show.
Under the attention of all kinds of people, Rurik and Otto had a very dreamy appearance.
More than fifty young warriors, most of whom are just twenty years old.
They were shirtless, and their tendon flesh ignored the arctic wind and cold. They shouted trumpets and pulled fifty ropes, pulling Otto's longboat with the monster's bow carved by himself, and pulled it to the beach, just like a big ship sailing on ice.
Rurik and Otto, the glorious father and son, stood at the bow.
The dragon-head warship carried a strong sense of coercion. It was gliding on the ice and snow, causing the merchants to retreat.
The Russians were cheering and the merchants were silent.
Under the gaze of more than 400 businessmen, Otto finally spoke with a rich yet domineering voice.
Otto was simple and direct in everything he did, and he always asked for money.
“You businessmen have lived in my Roseburg for a long time! Starting from this year, you will have to pay a tax every year. This is the ground rent you must pay, and it is also the ground rent you must pay for your work in Roseburg. The price must be paid for the business. I tell you! Every merchant must give out fifty silver coins! That's the amount.
You will be protected by us Russians this year. If you don’t get the money, don’t think about going home today!”
Things are indeed beyond the businessmen’s expectations. Compared with the tax of 10,000 silver coins! In fact, everyone can afford fifty silver coins. Even if some businessmen cannot come up with the money for a while, there is no obstacle at all in offering goods of equal value to offset the tax.
The businessmen were discussing, and Rurik squinted his eyes to observe. He felt that the clouds on the brows of these well-dressed guys had disappeared.
Rurik still had something to say.
He was picked up directly by Otto and let him ride on his neck.
Rurik is in a very high position, as if sitting on the shoulders of giants.
He roared in a childlike voice: "All merchants! Listen to me! This is the leader's order! Starting from this year, every one of your merchant ships entering our Rossburg will have to pay ten Entry fee for silver coins.
You have no reason to refuse. As long as you do business with us, you must pay this amount again.
As long as you pay ten silver coins to enter the port, your ship will be protected by us Rus people. Anyone who dares to damage your ship will be killed.
Remember, starting from this autumn, commercial ships entering our fjords will have to pay this port entry fee. ”
The so-called port entry fee, Rurik prefers to call it a tariff.
At first Rurik had the idea to explain the purpose of the tax to them, but after all, it was a bit cold outside. Rurik didn't want to waste time. He also felt that it was a waste of words. He needed to be as decisive as his father, so he only gave the businessmen two options: cooperation and protection, or get out now.
But. Rurik still underestimated his father's ability.
Otto raised his arms and ordered: "You need to get the money now, and I will notify your family members to bring silver coins or goods of equivalent value. . You can leave only when I have received the money and goods. "
This...
Why does taxation sound like extortion?! Rurik is a little dizzy. Since his father insists, it seems that this can collect the money very quickly. , then do it! Although it goes against his own ideas
Rurik hoped for a very peaceful way to collect commercial taxes, but Otto agreed that businessmen are tough and need to use it. The iron pliers pulled out the iron feathers. So, why did this happen?
The reason is simple. At least ten merchants ran away overnight, and this incident had a negative impact. , he has completely lost his patience.
As far as the result is concerned, Otto's method is simple and direct!
Even if the trapped businessmen are wearing thick clothes, they are in a continuous cold wind. The beach was blowing, and it was inevitable to feel cold after standing for a long time.
Out of concern and dependence on the head of the family, the merchant's wives followed the messenger's request and brought their own money or tax credits. Goods hurriedly poured into the beach.
The number of residents was 3,000, and the actual number of guest families was less than 500. Most of them were family workshop workers engaged in processing various materials. , they are also businessmen themselves. In a sense, they are mostly "self-employed" and "mom-and-pop shops". Among them, there are many leather processors, but the number of pure second-hand dealers is very small.
The main reason is that a large amount of currency flows into Roseburg. , causing this limited-scale market to rapidly become inflationary.
Once upon a time, it was normal for a guest family to earn a net profit of ten or twenty silver coins in a winter. Now, the income of many families has increased tenfold. !
The Russians are telling you that if you don’t pay the tax immediately, your husband and master will freeze to death, and your property will be confiscated. But if you pay the money, you will be safe and business will be safe. The event will also be perfectly protected.
More than a thousand guests gathered on the beach, almost all of them women, not to mention a wealthy businessman.Finally, first of all, he will dress up his woman. The women were also more well-dressed, and they readily paid money in order to save their family members.
As long as the tax of fifty silver coins is paid, the matter is over.
The Ross warriors who were in a human wall were ordered to open a small opening, and only one person could pass through at a time. The wives paid the money and a businessman was released.
Rurik, who was still standing at the bow of the warship, was paying attention to all this. At this moment, he had to admire his father's methods. Sure enough, the old man was still the best. Of course, those businessmen were eager to get out of the encirclement immediately, and those women would not allow anything to happen to their family members out of dependence. They immediately settled the problem with money, and their ease was unexpected.
On this day alone, the collection of commercial tax was completed in a very efficient manner!
Including tax-deductible goods, there are as many as 430 merchants paying taxes, which is more than 20,000 silver coins and equivalent materials.
A fraction of the tax, Otto, with Rurik's acquiescence, used it as a reward and gave it to all the soldiers who so-called "maintained order."
The remaining 20,000 silver coins and goods of equivalent value were returned to the leader's warehouse.
Could no one stand up and tell the leader that as a member of the Ross tribe, he should get a share of the pie?
No. Absolutely nothing.
The tribesmen were all praising the leader’s family for being really noble and extraordinary, and they actually let the businessmen take out the money easily. Compared with the actions of the chief family, they feel increasingly insignificant. They saw that the soldiers were just standing in a human wall. Afterwards, each of them received a reward of some silver coins.
The tribesmen are more envious of those warriors who get money, that's all.
Ordinary tribesmen don’t have the courage, let alone think about making demands of their leader. They only hope to win the battle with the big leader Otto, or to earn money by working for the future big leader Rurik. money.
It’s fine now, 30,000 silver coins have been credited to the account. This amount of money was actually very large, and Otto was shocked that such a huge amount of wealth could be obtained by collecting taxes. His desire to crusade against the Gotlanders and steal the money suddenly faded a little.
Making money has become such a wasteland! Why risk your life to fight an outsider with the same fighting ability as yourself? Otto knew that the purpose of the war was actually to plunder and take revenge.
Otto asked Rurik what he thought: "How do you want to use this tax?"
Rurik gave his answer without thinking: " I collect taxes for construction. I want to use the money to buy the labor of our people, let them build camps in the northern mines, build our fortresses in the Kovin settlements in the east, and build our new Fort Ross. All will be spent, and our people will earn these 30,000 silver coins. In the end, they will build a stronger settlement for our tribe.
When our people become rich, our The tribe can also be stronger, so that I can collect more taxes and build betterof settlements.
We will become stronger every year, just like rolling a small snowball. Our strength is like this snowball, growing bigger and bigger. ”
Although Otto still doesn’t quite understand, large-scale infrastructure construction will have very long-term benefits for the development of the tribe. He can at least feel the vitality in Rurik’s words.< /p>
Also, Otto knows his people best. The people are fed up with poverty, and it has only been in the past two years that their living conditions have improved. Undoubtedly, this kid Rurik has made a lot of contributions
The tribesmen just want to get more supplies and more silver coins.
They just want more wealth. It would be great if they could sell their labor to make a lot of money.