The ten travelers from the Balmok tribe arrived in Fort Ross during the warm period of summer. It was already October.
Do we have to walk back to our hometowns on ice and snow in winter?
Mordgen, the leader of the travelers, encouraged his brothers and friends to cross the mountains with their boats, risking huge risks in an attempt to trade furs with the Kovin people, and has made a fortune in his hometown. If it was just the fur trade, this operation really made a good profit.
Visiting the homeland of the Rus is truly an adventure on the road to travel.
At first, Modgen was pleasantly surprised by the hospitality of the Ross people, and even more shocked by the construction of their homeland by the Ross people, and the ambition of the Ross leader.
After completing the trade of exchanging salt for leather, due to Rurik's request, they were treated as guests of the leader and were able to stay in Fort Ross, and their daily living expenses were essentially the stay. Rick paid for it out of his own pocket.
They maintained absolute awe at the beginning of the period, knowing that they were in unknown territory and must remain cautious for their own benefit.
However, they did live with the Rus.
"You are not fundamentally different from us."
Modgen is more capable than the Russians. They have many large cargo ships, and fishing ships frequently enter and exit the fjords. On sunny days, the sandy beach will be crowded with fishermen sifting through the nets. The shipbuilders are building ships in their small workshops, and the loggers always carry small trees on their own hands through the twists and turns of the settlement...
There are also some in the Balmok tribe. Similar scenes, everyone's lifestyle is very similar, and there is no communication barrier in the language they speak, the strangeness at the beginning is quickly disappearing.
"Perhaps we have a common ancestor, and our ancestors also crossed the mountains and entered the fjords in the west from here?"
Until the Russians began to show some incredible black technology, especially It is the casting of molten iron in blast furnaces, mass-produced steel swords, the making of various soaps, and even the manufacturing of glassware.
"Ah, we have the same soul, but we are not really the same. Your way of life is really more wonderful."
Modgen fantasized, if he brought it with him A lot of silver coins should be enough to buy some rare things in Fort Ross. It should be smaller and easier to transport, and its value is much higher than leather. However, I am really poor. The original purpose of crossing the mountains is to pursue wealth.
While he was living in Fort Ross, he learned about the past of many local people, even some ancient legends, and even recent heroic stories.
For example, Rurik, who was blessed by Odin for his wisdom, and Arik, who made the Gotlanders fearful, conquered Otto, the leader of Eastern Novgorod.
These three people are all real heroes. Since they have the most contact with Rurik, Modgen is completely convinced that this child has received the favor of God.
But what about that woman?
DepartmentVilia, the high priest of the tribe, is said to have lived to be eighty years old! Some Russians gossiped that Vilya had died long ago and that someone else had been hiding in the longhouse of the priests for a long time. In other words, the aging skin is still Vilia, and the soul inside is already a Valkyrie.
Ordinary people have no right to enter the longhouse of the priests. Who knows what it is like inside?
Many people are willing to believe that gods have come to the world, just because everyone hopes to be favored by gods and their lives can become better.
......
Perhaps in September, Modgen should return to his hometown with his already restless brothers and the leather they exchanged.
The leader of the Ross people and the huge fleet have not returned yet, and even the familiar Rurik has gone to Melalen, the core area of their Siiya tribe alliance.
"Maybe I need to choose a time to try my luck with the legendary Melalen tribe. Oh, if I meet other Norwegians there, will they recognize us Balmoks?" A Big dreams were brewing in Modgen's heart. He firmly believed that no one else in the entire tribe could run farther than his expedition team.
If your team can conduct an in-depth investigation, then how many treasures you can bring back to your hometown will become secondary. If you sell the expedition information to the leader, wouldn’t you make a lot of money?
Modgen made up his mind that if it snowed in October, the team would rather stay in Roseburg and wait until the ice melts next spring to return. This is what he thought, but the brothers didn't want to stay in the Russian territory any longer.
After all, they are not Rus people, or even people from the Siiya Tribe Alliance.
Do you want to celebrate Hanukkah in a foreign land? If we can't go back early, will the people in our hometown think that the ten brothers have died on the other side of the mountain?
If the tribesmen in their hometown really felt this way, wouldn’t their property be divided among their relatives and friends? This is really unreasonable.
The other brothers made up their mind that it would be best to meet with the leader of the Rus people when he returns, and then brave the frost to return home.
Their waiting was not in vain, no, the great leader of Ross returned in triumph.
When the Otto fleet sailed into the fjord, the sails were raised like fog pressing on the sea. It was an unprecedented sight!
Among the many people standing on the beach watching the triumph, Modgen and his party were also present. They witnessed the spectacular fleet, thinking that this was normal for the Russians, and couldn't help but admire them even more.
Of course, for ordinary Rus people, what they saw was the largest and largest fleet in the history of the tribe.
Finally, they met Otto, a weathered and strong old man. It just so happens that such an old man actually has an extremely beautiful and intelligent son.
They were received by Otto and promised an in-depth conversation.
No, the Ross tribe and BalmokThe tribe's historic, semi-official exchange was finally held at Otto's home!
This was a private meeting. Otto did not want to make the meeting too grand, and he only invited Modgen.
It is already early winter, and every day, the days are shortening rapidly. Since the astronomical autumnal equinox has passed, the daytime is now much shorter than the nighttime.
The lives of many Russians have entered their usual winter state with the return of the Sorgon fleet and the absolute cooling of the climate. They are not "ice and snow warriors" and dare not fish for treasures that can only be obtained in winter, such as large amounts of precious leather. They just want to stay in a warm home like rabbits and survive on the food they have stored until the ice melts.
The cold could not break Otto's will, and he felt that there was still a lot of work to be done.
Go to the Oulu River in the east to collect squirrel leather from the Kovin people, and go to Ironburg in the north to collect the iron tools provided by the Iron Squirrel Tribe. Next, after Hanukkah, we have to organize a hunting team to collect leather from unknown places.
Since the Balmoks are like people who suddenly emerged from the ice sea, separated by a long space, there must be no reason for hostility between the two parties, so the deal between the two parties must be established and made bigger.
In this regard, before the meeting, Otto had already made a self-proclaimed decision.
The charcoal in the fireplace is burning slowly, the thick wooden door is closed, and the warm living room of the leader's house is lit by the wooden chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The light of the matrix of bronze oil lamps illuminates the entire room.
Rurik and Otto are here, father and son, wanting to have a heart-to-heart relationship with Mordgen.
After some polite greetings, Otto basically learned about the general situation of the Balmok tribe.
“A huge tribe with a population of maybe 20,000 people? And everyone speaks the same language as us. Are they equivalent to the second Melalen? We must establish good relations with them!” Otto was surprised, but fortunately the surprise was limited to his heart, and his face was still calm with a little joy.
After listening to Modgen's eloquent introduction, Otto laughed happily: "What a powerful tribe! I didn't know you."
" Greatness is the leader, now you know us. You are the master of the Covin people, so we have a reason to trade with you." Okay! What I and my son want is a trade! Otto straightened his back and asked knowingly: "Tell me, what goods can you provide? I want to hear your list."
"This..." Did the topic suddenly become a purely commercial negotiation? ? Modgen was a little excited, but then he thought about it and worried that this was a temptation from the Russians.
Yes, the Russians are already using "magical magic" to make iron tools at an incredible speed. What kind of things do their own Balmok tribe have that can really attract the Russians?
He thought about it:"There are salt, salted fish, turpentine, and..."
There is nothing special about the things listed.
"Isn't there something we don't have?" Otto deliberately showed disdain, hoping to force out what Modgen might be hiding in his heart.
"Ah! Chief, don't you like this? But Rurik, he said our salt is very good."
Originally, my father asked about the identity of the leader of Ross. Some mutually beneficial agreement with these travelers is a sure thing. I discussed it with my father in advance, and both of them originally wanted to make a distant friend.
Rurik coughed twice: "Your salt is indeed very good, but who in this world doesn't know how to boil salt? It's not a big problem to tolerate poor-quality salt. Modgen, I hope you can Understand, we have supported you and your group as guests until now, not because of what you said. Tell me, what other treasures do you have that we are interested in trading?"
"Ah, we still have some iron ore. We are also smelting iron, although the quality is not as good as yours."
"Is there anything else?" Otto continued to ask.
"And...and..."
Being stared at by two distinguished people, one big and one small, Modgen felt really uncomfortable all over.
He thought hard in a panic, and suddenly an idea came to him!
"Where are the slaves? I saw that you are recruiting many foreigners. Maybe you need slaves."
"Do you have slaves?" Otto became slightly interested.
"Yes! Of course there is! Just...in the farther west, on that big island." Modgen tried hard to recall the news about Britain he learned from the adventurers who returned to his hometown. The news that reached his ears was of course embellished. Now, in order to show the strength of the Balmoks, Modgen deliberately said: "There are many Britons in that British island. They are rich but weak. If you need slaves, I can tell our leader about this when I go back. We The Balmoks dare to sail the western sea, how about we capture a group of Britons and sell them all to you?”
After hearing this, Otto thought this was feasible without even thinking about it.
Although Rurik heard it a little awkward, this is the current normal situation in Northern Europe, Western Europe, and even Europe as a whole. Any kingdom, tribe, tribe. They are all trying to use violent means to plunder other ethnic groups' populations, expand their own productivity, and maintain and expand their power.
What Rurik knows is that the British kingdoms in this time and space are still at war, and there are still many tribes in Scotland and Wales that are separated from European civilization. As the owners of the majestic Narvik Port, why don't the Balmoks do this?
Otto actually liked the good salt they made very much, and also because the five Brython slave girls raised at home were really serious about their work, which made Otto appreciate all the salt. The "Brython slaves" all have a good impression.
Otto closed his eyes and meditated for a moment, then opened his eyes and suddenly said: "Modgen, I think about it now, you should understand my attitude. I am willing to have close contact with you. If we If our business cooperation can continue, I even hope to form an alliance with you.”
“Ah?! An alliance?” Modgen never thought of this aspect. “Chief, I’m just flattered.” Ordinary travelers, my brother and I are ordinary people in our hometown. We have no authority to represent the leader of Balmok."
"Of course I know! But you are just ordinary people? Have you ever thought that being able to sit in front of me means that I have received guidance from Odin? My Rurik is sitting here. Are you really ordinary?"
The compliments from Chief Ross made Modgen excited. He also estimated the intention behind Otto's beautiful words.
Modgen asked respectfully: "Big Chief, what can I do for you? Just transport the good salt and Briton slaves you like in the coming years?"
"Of course not! I want to let your leader know that there are us Russians on the other side of the mountains. We are willing to be friends with you, provided that you can transport goods that are useful to us"
< p> "Oh, I will tell my leader exactly what I said. If you don't mind, chief, I will also tell my people exactly what I saw in Fort Ross. If the chief welcomes all Balmok travels Businessmen, I think we can all benefit greatly."Modgen's words are what Otto and Rurik want to hear the most.
"I welcome you to do business! But you should also understand that when we do business here, you have to pay a certain tax."
Mo Degen nodded deeply: " I will also tell my people about this."
"Very good, then when will you leave?"
"If possible, I hope to leave in the next few days. "
Modgen and his party should have returned long ago. After Otto learned the information provided by his son, he had no intention of keeping these Balmoks. If the return journey must be through ice and snow, a true warrior must be able to overcome this. If the Balmok travelers cannot overcome even this trouble, the two sides will not do business in the future.
They were leaving in the next few days and were acting as messengers. Otto had originally intended to give them a ride to help them return to their hometown as soon as possible.
Now that I think about it, since taxes on leather and ironware still need to be collected, my voyage of tribute is not completely over. There is still one last finishing project to be done.
"Then make a date! Three days later, I will organize a fleet and continue to collect the final tribute. You ten people and your boat, I will take them all away. When we arrive After arriving at Ironburg in the north, you begin your final journey."
A blessing, what a blessing.
“Oh! Thank you so much for your hospitality.I will summon the brothers and let them prepare..."