Rurik had long expected that the alliance leaders and even the Mellaren people had a large demand for leather. If they knew where to get the best leather, adventurers would come in droves. Although driven by huge benefits, risk-takers will unconsciously ignore risks. Rurik still had to put uglification first, so to speak, by outlining a terrifying picture of bear hunting to scare away those who would covet it.
In fact, as long as you look carefully, the leader can find strange holes in the bear skin. That was none other than the result of the crossbow's crossbow arrows.
The old way of hunting bears, in which warriors swarmed and wielded spears and javelins, was no longer effective.
Nowadays, the Russians use steel-armed crossbows to accurately aim at the vital points of bears and fire pointed cone-shaped arrows to easily kill them. Even the Kovin people, who are generally short in stature and weak in physical fitness, can control the winch to wind the crossbow, and can also use ambush and other methods to complete bear hunting at an unprecedented "long distance".
The situation was just as Rurik expected. Olegin's expression clearly expressed that the man's thoughts about personally sending people to hunt bears were suddenly extinguished.
Rurik continued to strike while the iron was hot: "Great leader, I can say that almost every bear skin shipped to Melalen has the death of a warrior behind it. The two skins you own, It was obtained by us Rus people at the cost of blood. My father gave it to Carlotta just in exchange for your recognition of Ostara."
"It's this again, no need. Besides, I have acknowledged Carlotta’s identity. Rurik, maybe the matter we are talking about requires your father to be personally involved.”
“Is that necessary?” Rurik asked.
"Maybe it's not necessary, unless you get your father's authorization. Listen, this is a trade between our two tribes, and I need someone who keeps his word. You...you are honest and honest. Do you believe me?"
"Leader, are you doubting me?" Rurik simply looked at the high ceiling and swore: "The gods are watching, I have the sincerity to do business! The leader of Ross authorized long-term trade with the Melalen people. I will not, let alone dare to, cut off our trade because of some silly things."
This is not so much a vow as it is a reservation. Rick hit Olegin with words.
Olegin nodded; "In this case, our business can continue. Listen, in the past, it was just businessmen doing business spontaneously. This time it is a union of our two tribes. It is me. family, do business directly with your family.”
Rurik’s eyes were very determined. He knew that if both Melalen and the Rus were promoted to city-states, in fact, they would develop economically and politically. Above, all have entered the city-state era. The transaction between the two parties is a kind of official trade. This bilateral trade is of great significance. For the Baltic world that relies heavily on trade, stable bilateral trade is the key to the rise and fall of a tribe or city-state. Even for tribes like Melalen, which have begun to make self-sufficient changes, some key materialsResources are also extremely dependent on imports. The largest supplier of leather has long been the Ross tribe. Rurik learned that now they are also in great need of new iron weapons. With this powerful trump card, Rurik's tough statement just now relied on it as a strong base.
This is especially true for the Ross tribe, especially now. In order to satisfy the great promise of giving tribal residents to eat wheat every month, before harvesting a large amount of wheat in the eastern region, the tribe is in great need of importing wheat from Melalen. , and even greater plunder from Novgorod.
"Let's continue talking about the leather issue." Olegin put down the bear skin: "If you get more white bear skins, what price are you willing to pay?"
< p>"This..." Rurik was stunned for a moment. When it comes to money issues, it's really hard to say the price.A problem that has troubled everyone for a long time is the price of various commodities. Since all kinds of currencies are in circulation, these precious metal currencies come in all kinds of colors, forcing businessmen to become math masters.
One bargaining strategy is to make yourself the final decision-maker and leave the trouble of indecision to the other party.
Rurik asked back; "You Mellaren people are the buyers of these goods. Leader, please set a price, but I must tell you that behind most of the bear skins, there is a The life of a bear hunting warrior."
"Oh, are you asking about the price of human life? If it were me, I would train some slaves to hunt bears, after all, so are those British slaves. Not bad. They die when they die. A male slave usually costs fifty silver coins. So, if you bring a new bear skin, it will cost you fifty silver coins."
"Huh? Rick was taken aback and immediately retorted; "How can we compare slaves with warriors?"
"But some slaves can become brave warriors when they are promised their freedom. Rurik, You may not be able to understand this when you are young.”
Rurik doesn’t understand? No! He actually knew it very well and trained his men according to this routine. Most of those young children are servants and slaves, those who eat Rurik and wear Rurik. They must work hard for their masters.
"No, fifty silver coins is too little."
Olegin forced out a faint smile: "Let's do this, the bear's head will be counted separately, I will pay twenty silver coins, as long as If you make it look like it can be put on your head, I will pay you this price.”
Rurik pursed his lips. In fact, the price was already higher than what he expected. In order to gain more profits, Rurik deliberately said: "Great leader, are you stingy? The price you gave is too low. My warriors do not dare to take risks! They would rather catch ferrets everywhere. The mink skin is sold for six and seven silver coins, and if you catch ten ferrets, at least the bears will not be killed..."
"And your price?"
< p>"One hundred silver coins! Just one hundred. I know you have enough money to pay. "Rurik said tentatively.Olegin is short of money, but buying some rare goods does not hurt him.
"This price... ”
“Still think it’s expensive? Look at all the hard work we went through to get it. ”
“Then it’s settled like this, a white bear skin with a bear head attached. You send one set and I’ll buy a set.” "
Hearing this made Rurik feel happy. On the surface, he deliberately showed a bit embarrassed and helpless, and "reluctantly" accepted the price.
However, the question was not over yet, Olegin put forward a very realistic condition: "Listen, since you are the ones going to hunt bears, you are taking risks. I admire the courage of your warriors, so the bearskins you brought can only have one buyer, and that's me! In the name of the alliance leader, I order you not to sell bearskins to other tribes in the alliance, or to sell them to a certain big family. ”
Rurik didn’t even hesitate and nodded hurriedly in agreement.
Is Olegin worthy of trust? Rurik believed that this person would not overdraw his money just for some bear skins. My own credit. A piece of polar bear skin with a bear head costs as much as one pound of silver. The price is really extreme. I proposed it and got support from Olegin. If it were anyone else, the other party would definitely cut it off. The price is high, and ordinary families simply don’t have the financial resources to expect to own it.
Rurik’s determination satisfied Olegin, and he pinched his beard and thought about something.
After all, the Melalen tribe needs a lot of furs. The allies in the south, as well as the tribe’s cattle and sheep breeders, provide a relatively large range of common leathers, such as deerskin, fox fur, ferret fur, and even Nowadays, the Ross tribe monopolizes most of the supply of polar bear skins.
Through his conversation with Rurik, Olegin learned that the Ross people went to Sorgon in the east to open up new territories. The source of leather. Let the Rus do the hardest work, and the Melalen people spend money to buy excellent leather from far away.
Olegin knows his people too well, and the tribe has entered a long period of peace. Everyone has been living in peace for a long time, and the brave people have begun to become slack. The disaster of the Ostara tribe has dealt a heavy blow to the tribe, and only then did everyone realize that they need to be prepared for danger in times of peace. This is also based on this. For one reason, he began to reorganize his troops.
These measures made the Melalen tribe further restrained.
Olegin actually wanted to send people to follow the Russian fleet to the Eastern World. Taking a share of the pie and considering the risks involved, he gave up as soon as he thought of it. If he lost some men in the unknown world because of this decision, it would mean that his strength was damaged. How could he control the hegemony of the tribe and even the hegemony of the entire alliance? ?
Seemingly possessing supreme power, he is under a lot of pressure. Perhaps, seeing all his private soldiers wearing chainmail and holding the best swords provided by the Russians, it’s like this Only when he is full of martial virtue can he really feel at ease.
Ole.Jin then changed the subject and talked about a very critical practical issue, which also aroused his strong curiosity.
“Every year, a large number of merchants from my tribe drag their families to your extremely cold Fort Ross. Isn’t that an extremely cold world? You attract them with some treasures. You can't hide your treasure from me."
Rurik didn't know what kind of medicine this man was selling, so he begged the leader to continue talking.
“The merchants who came back told me some news. You Russians can make the best swords, spears, and axes. Needless to say, there is a lot of leather. You have been selling a lot of leather in the past two years. Where did you get soap, flammable spirits, and even a lot of precious glassware? Could it be from the place in the east that you call Novgorod?”
ah! Is this guy still coveting the east side?
For a moment, Rurik didn’t know what to say, and he smiled helplessly.
"Don't pretend to be stupid for me. The merchant told me that these were all made by you. Rurik!" Olegin suddenly became serious.
“Ah!”
“As the leader of the alliance, I ask you to come up with a method.”
“Ah?!” Rurik was shocked. , I really don’t know how to answer.
Olegin continued to press: "Please give me the method of making these utensils."
Rurik's expression changed instantly. He estimated that if Gould At the scene, that old fox-like guy must be able to use some words to smooth things over.
This is something that cannot be compromised. If the Russians agree, how much technological advantage will the Russians have over other tribes?
But it may be a little unwise to refuse categorically, and it is really stupid to agree with him. What else can be done? Let’s do Tai Chi first.
Rurik finally realized that Olegin was full of aggression by nature, and he did not like simple robbery. His request showed his thirst for technology.
Maybe if this guy controls a particularly warlike tribe, he can conquer a large territory. Fortunately, the will of the Mellaren people cannot be easily changed just because of an alliance leader.
Rurik deliberately said: "If the people of Melalen are willing to learn, of course... you can. However, I think powerful people disdain to do these things, such as making soap. Making glassware is more difficult than tanning leather."
"Well? Let the slaves do it."
"Still. No." Although Rurik felt uncomfortable hearing this, he shook his head: "The so-called slaves are either the stupidest people or cowards on the battlefield. Are these people really reliable? Great leader, all this is like that. The most dangerous work of bear hunting is done by us Russians. You get the best bear skins. We can make high-quality utensils in the worst environments. As long as you have demand, we will produce them in large quantities and supply them to you every year. , you wishOffer us a sum of money that satisfies us. ”
“It’s a lot of money.” "Olegin waved his hand. He could see that Rurik wanted to refuse, but he didn't dare to say it openly. The other party didn't respond, and it was obviously inappropriate for him to force himself. He estimated that the Russians would not do such a thing. Give in.
"Okay, I won't force you. Let me tell you about another instrument that you do not seem to have with you. "
Rurik breathed a sigh of relief. He was glad that Olegin didn't ask further questions, otherwise he would have had to take a tough stance and refuse, and then the scene would be tit-for-tat again. He hurriedly asked: "What is that? "
Olegin smiled and sighed: "A businessman told me that you use iron to make bows, and they are very powerful. The arrows fired can easily penetrate the hull of a ship. ”
“Ah, you mean it?” Great leader, do you really believe it? "Rurik also put on a slight smile, but his heart was already running at high load.
"You ask me if I believe it? I want to believe it, Rurik, I believe you do. ”
Olegin’s slightly stretched head, in Rurik’s opinion, how does it look like a judge?
Any weapon, only the crossbow, is Rurik’s The last thing I want is foreign control. If this type of weapon technology is destined to spread widely, it will have to be monopolized by the Russians for at least half a century. Fortunately, when I was on Gould Island, I was seized. Gould, who got some information, said he had been vaccinated.
Rurik denied it: "It doesn't exist!" Can iron be used to make a bow? Isn't this strange? Until hounds grow wings and fly in the sky, until ships sail without wind and oars, and until men can give birth to children, iron can be made into a bow. "
"Hahaha! "Olegin smiled wildly, and he straightened his body: "Let me just say, the words of those businessmen cannot be trusted. They are businessmen and always like to exaggerate. Rurik, you are the most honest. "
Olegin is laughing. Rurik hasn't figured out the situation yet, so he laughs with him for the time being.
"Why didn't I see it before? You, a kid, can't speak well." taste. You satisfy me more than your brother. Otto really has a good son. ”
“Oh, thank you for the compliment. " Rurik nodded slightly and said, but it was really awkward to hear these words.
"Very good. Listen, you will surrender to me from now on, and you, Carlotta of Ostara, you will all surrender to me, and even more to my son. Karl is destined to inherit my power. I heard, Rurik, you are also going to inherit the power of the Ross tribe? Very good, now you have met my Karl, he will be your alliance leader in the future. ”
Although a son is not a worry, considering the power of the family, Olegin has reason to introduce his only son to various leaders. He needs to get more tribal support for himself, since Ross The successor is here, and during the meeting to discuss trade matters, Olegin stated his hopes.
He dreamed of doing business.The Russian people will support Karl without hesitation for the sake of the overall situation.
However, there were unexpected deviations in his estimate.
It was not the Russians who Olegin misjudged, but Karl who completely miscalculated himself and was really reckless.