From the moment those Uppsala children arrived on Gould Island, a new destiny had already arrived.
The happiness they could once imagine was so cheap that it was simply not being hungry all the time.
On Gould Island, they had the opportunity to eat thick vegetable soup and nibble on fresh grilled fish. They also got an unexpected feast, and Rurik asked Gould to slaughter a sheep and roast it to appease the poor children.
Is the taste of red meat still in your memory?
Boys and girls, they didn’t care that the meat in their hands was only half-cooked. The aroma of the barbecue made them almost lose their minds.
No, on the first night, their shriveled bellies were filled with food for the first time. The bulging bellies and clearly visible ribs formed a sharp contrast.
The things that will subvert their understanding are yet to come.
Each child was given a simply sewn burlap top, pants, and even underwear. Gould actually gave all the children who were collected this new outfit in accordance with Rurik's special request. Due to the cold weather, each child was also given a leather coat.
Before they put on new clothes, each of them had their old, badly damaged clothes torn off. Several old women who took care of some housework were ordered by Gould to bathe the new children.
They were driven in groups into the dark wooden house. As cold water was poured on the hot stones, the whole room soon became damp and hot.
The feeling of warmth and comfort combined with the happy feeling of fullness made them feel happy but not sure what would happen next.
The Finnish sauna was just the beginning. The mud on the children was finally washed away with soap, and their muddy hair was also washed clean.
As they put on new clothes and new leather shoes, the hair of boys and girls was simply tied into a ponytail, and part of the hair that was too long was cut off directly with a knife. The sloppy image was a thing of the past. When they were in a warm wooden house and lying on a warm sleeping nest made of leather, it was only then that everyone realized that the whole day's adventure was not a dream.
The Uppsala children quickly adapted to their new life. Together with the children who had been taken in before, they did what they could on the small Gould Island.
Uppsala? Say goodbye to this identity forever!
Their new status is Rurik's servants. It sounds like this status is slaves, but in fact it is not. The kind of slaves who were exploited to death was definitely not what Rurik wanted. They were human beings first, and as long as they were human beings, they could burst out with strong subjective initiative after correct guidance. They can obviously create wealth, so that when exploiting, they, as the master, can gain greater benefits.
Providing them with food, clothing and housing is only the most basic thing. If you can make them think that being a servant is something they are proud of, then that is what you want.
Rurik is constructing a concept of identity for his servants - servants who submit to the leader's family,Also new to Rus.
Children who have lost their parents, their hometown, and others need a new support. At this time, Rurik stood up and claimed, "I am your supporter."
But Rurik has already made a promise to Carlotta.
No, just as he was waiting for the messenger sent by Gould to return the clear order from the leader, Rurik divided all the children stranded on the island into groups.
As the female leader of Ostara, Carlotta accepted the kneeling ceremony of more than fifty children and swore allegiance, so the Ostara tribe had fifty more tribesmen in name. Rurik separated all the children of Uppsala, and almost all of them saw the scene of violence committed by the leader. For Mellaren, the place of hope they once imagined is now a place of sin.
Who is the great virtuous person? It's from Russia!
More than fifty Uppsala boys and girls were transformed into children of the Rus tribe. They have no father or mother, but they have a trustworthy older brother Rurik.
Life seems to have entered a brief period of tranquility, and tranquility is only the surface of tiny Gould Island.
The world outside the island is becoming increasingly chaotic.
The alliance leader Olegin wanted to exploit all the merchants selling goods in the market again, and he basically succeeded! Considering that the sheep's wool could not be harvested in one go, he did not charge an overly harsh tax.
The tossing of the market lasted for two full days, and as many as 20,000 pounds of silver coins and some copper coins were collected from merchants who landed at the beach and failed to take their goods with them in time to avoid the danger. .
It seems that Olegin has made a lot of money, but what is the reality? The money still didn't satisfy him.
For a long time, the wheat harvest season has been the best time for him to make profits.
The climate is getting colder and colder. The lowest temperature at night around Lake Mälaren is not too bad due to the regulating effect of the big lake.
Wheat production is destined to decrease, and every farmer can evaluate this year's production based on the heading status.
Maybe this year’s wheat production will be reduced by half!
Those families in the Melalen tribe who owned a large number of acres of land, when they sensed a crisis, they also discovered an opportunity.
This year, a group of farmers are bound to go bankrupt due to reduced production. If they want to survive, they must buy survival grain and next year's planting grain from people who have a lot of grain. For this reason, they will sell part of their fields. To survive the difficulties, or to sell themselves into slavery if they really had no other choice.
As the most powerful man, how could Olegin let go of this opportunity to exploit his own people? Exploiting wealth is one of his goals. In addition, by directly controlling a large number of tribesmen, making them complete serfs, relying entirely on their own rewards to live, this way his family's power in the entire tribe can remain at its peak for a long time. By holding tribal power for a long time, one's own family can also control the entire alliance for a long time.
Although there is no rigorous theory to support hisAs a person, he is indeed using economic means to continuously strengthen his comprehensive strength. Being able to support a fully independent private army of 500 people is an important manifestation of strength.
Since Rurik returned to Gould Island, he has been staying there for four days! Rurik wanted to see the craftsmen who Gould called the big ships, and he also wanted to see the clothes-making master Vodegen who claimed to want to immigrate to Rossburg.
However, none of them came, and there were even fewer boats on the lake these days.
Finally, the messenger sent by Gould every day, after being rejected for four consecutive days, finally met the leader Olegin and reported to him the visit of the two sons of the leader of Ross, bringing him With a large amount of silver coins eager to buy new wheat.
Olegin did not mean to neglect Gould's messenger. He actually had his own things to do.
What he lacks most now is silver coins. This is definitely not his greed, but entirely practical reasons, forcing him to need a lot of cash.
No, a nobleman came with a real large sum of silver coins. Although Olegin wanted to see Otto, the leader of Rus, in person, the man's two sons came to meet him. Olegin I feel that my dignity has been respected.
Permission to visit has been granted! Just tomorrow!
At night, the meeting hall on Gould Island.
The dim room was filled with the aroma of barbecue as usual, and the sizzling and oily roast lamb exuded a charming aroma. Now Rurik did not have any particularly strong food to take a bite.
Gould also maintained great restraint for the first time, completely worrying about tomorrow's big event.
There were only four people sitting in the huge room, namely Gould and his son, and the two brothers Rurik and Arik.
"Although it took a lot of time, that guy Olegin finally didn't keep us waiting in vain. This is the news. We must go to see him tomorrow. This is a very important matter facing you two. Please do a good job for the Ross tribe." Gould said this from the bottom of his heart.
Rurik was all ears, but Arik still looked contemptuous.
Gould looked at Arik's unruly look, and he couldn't let go of the stone in his heart.
"No matter what happened the past few days, it was actually you who offended the alliance leader. I am most afraid that he will care about these things, which will be detrimental to you two in the end. I think that when we meet tomorrow, you will You two should... salute and apologize."
Gould lacked confidence when he said this, and he kept paying attention to Arik's emotional changes from the corner of his eyes.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he finished speaking, Arik roared; "Apologise?! Why?!"
"Ah! My hero, listen to my advice and ask that Apologizing is the right decision."
"But that makes me embarrassed."
"No." Gould sighed slightly. The person who came here tried to persuade him: "You two,When you step into Oregin's mansion, your identity is not yourselves. You are the embodiment of the entire Ross tribe! ”
“Then there’s no way to apologize! "Arik sat up straight. He looked at Gould with a murderous look. "What's the crime of our proud Ross tribe? It was obviously Olegin who provoked me. "
"Ah... for the benefit of the Russian people, I just suggest that surrendering at a special moment is not really surrendering. If you can gain a lot of benefits by pretending to surrender, we can do so. ”
“Is it to be a slave? Why? ! And you, why are you ordering me? "
What kind of "being a slave" is going on here and there? Gould secretly scolded Arik for his recklessness, but he didn't dare to say it. He had no choice but to continue to persuade him with sincerity. He saw Rurik, who was silent for a moment, frowned, presumably the child could understand his good intentions.
Gould immediately turned his face and said sincerely: "Rurik, I hope you can understand. I mean. "
"Well, if you apologize to that person, you can get a lot of benefits, so that's okay.
Hearing this, Gould was overjoyed, but Arik simply stood up, looked at his stupid brother and asked: "Rurik, are you crazy?" Why should we give in to that guy? Weren't you so angry that you wanted to stab that person to death with your own hands? "
"Brother! Don't be impulsive! "Rurik raised his head and shouted with firm eyes.
Arik sat down again, clasping his hands together like an angry toad: "I just don't obey him. Olegin, that's a fool, if we were against each other I would chop his head off on the battlefield. ”
Did the cousin say something angry? Rurik didn’t think so. As far as his own emotions were concerned, the past interactions between the Russians and the Melalen people were limited to the spontaneous actions of some businessmen. The exchanges at the official level have long been severed.
The Russians have gone through many hardships over the years, and a large number of young warriors have gained great experience in killing enemies. They are unruly and want everyone to truly admit that they have never met. Why should the guy he met be the most distinguished leader?
I’m afraid it’s because Olekin is the leader of the alliance.
Ryurik doesn’t care about Arik’s words. Motivated, he knew that even if his father Otto was present, he would not dare to rashly destroy the inherent political ecology of the alliance. As long as the Russians were still gathering strength, they had to strategically submit to Arik.
After all, he was a reckless man, and Gould could see that Rurik was the wise man. His only hope was that Arik would not cause any unpleasant trouble tomorrow.
Gould continued to suggest. : "Based on what I know about that man, he is a man who loves success. What he needs most in his life is the recognition of his power by the powerful. So, I hope you can provide him with a little precious gift. ”
“A gift? He deserves it too! "Aric interrupted sternly.
Rurik now understood Gould's intention. If that guyHe is really happy about his success. He takes out some valuables to curry favor with him. In terms of the benefits he may gain, a small gift becomes a stepping stone to greater benefits.
What is the greatest benefit? Rurik has already decided that if the Ross tribe wants to continue to develop, expanding business and trade with the Melalen people is a top priority. The two sides can sign some trade agreements, so that the Ross tribe can rely on the alliance leader himself to receive a steady flow of supplies. The most critical thing here is food.
However, Arik still kept talking about stupid things.
Gould really took the trouble and complained: "Arick, do you know what a fool is? If you can't position yourself correctly and think of yourself as strong, you are a fool."
< p>"Ah!" Arick was overjoyed at first and sneered: "I didn't expect you to regard such an alliance leader as a fool? I thought you were afraid of his so-called power."Gould tensed up again. An old face, I don’t want to say anything anymore.
Rurik smiled and said nothing. He looked at Gould and knew that there was something in this guy's words. There was a pun here, but in fact it was mainly criticizing Arik for being a half-hearted and reckless guy.
The person who can listen to his own opinions humbly is Rurik. As for Arik, this young man who is good at fighting again, Gould does not want to offend him.
“Our goal is to do business. This year’s wheat harvest is destined to be a large-scale failure. For the Russians, we must get a large amount of wheat. In order to achieve our goal, we must coax Olegin and let him get the kneeling gift. It's refreshing, we get a lot of wheat. In the end, his people will be hungry next year, and our people will not worry about food. Maybe one day, he will kneel in front of you and beg for food. So those polar bear skins that are ready to be sold..." said. When he said these words, Gould also looked at the change in Arik's expression. Perhaps his words were tactful enough, and the young man's tense face relaxed slightly.
Rurik gritted his teeth: "I understand. All the bearskins I brought were given to him as gifts."
"No need!" Gould waved his hand. , "Giving him two pieces of leather is enough. That guy actually needs our Russian steel swords, steel spears and crossbows. In addition, there is a lot of leather. Whether it is enough to supply him with weapons in exchange for huge benefits, the decision is up to you."
"It's a pity that the time is not ripe. As long as our soldiers are equipped with the best weapons, and then we sell the excess weapons, I think it will work." Rurik was not satisfied with what he said. I think this is necessary. It is also possible to use the "human version" weapons for your own use and sell them to Olegin's "monkey version" weapons to make a big profit.
"Then give him a bear skin and a bear head. Don't give him anything like spirits, glass and soap as gifts. That guy is already a big customer of ours. In my opinion , he was more willing to use a large number of bear heads with big mouths to show his personal bravery," Gould continued.
Rurik patted his forehead and said, "Ah, if I had known better, I would have brought all the bear heads. Those things themselves would be useless.". "
"Don't say that. Gould hurriedly explained the role of the bear heads as specimens, "Rurik, if you can hunt a large number of bears, you can use the bear heads to make a large number of helmets and distribute them to your warriors." Think of hundreds of warriors wearing bear heads. Your army will take on the spirit of a bear and scare the hell out of your enemies before they even engage in battle. "
For a moment, Rurik thought of Hu Ben.
Huh? Could it be that the alliance leader Olegin wanted to turn his private soldiers into "Xiong Ben"?
< p>Everyone's discussion has come to fruition, and Rurik is mentally prepared. If necessary tomorrow, he will not hesitate to kneel on one knee to salute the leader as a warrior. Of course, his true identity will be exposed tomorrow. If the identity of the "Norwegian Traveler" and Olegin were to blame, he would have to continue to salute.There is a bottom line for etiquette. Rurik had already thought about it, if the man was being mean. Being mean, the Russians don't have to be humiliated anymore.
The worst thing is that they break up on bad terms.
It wouldn't be unreasonable for Arik, who already despises Olegin, to cause a scene. Yes, anyway, Arik firmly looked down on Olegin. In his heart, Olegin's image as a despicable coward as a "child killer" could no longer be changed.
Tomorrow's contact is still unknown. Rick desperately hopes that as the leader of Ross, he can sign a series of agreements with Olegin. He believes that falling out over a small matter of etiquette is purely a small probability event.
It is more likely. Yes, Rurik's biggest goal is to sign a relatively equal bilateral trade agreement based on what each side wants.