The cargo ship towed the Balmok boat and established a landing camp at the mouth of the Oulu River.
The beach here is full of fine sand and gravel, and there are even some sandbars that suddenly emerge from the sea. Cargo ships with a deeper draft can take advantage of the north wind and rush directly to the east-west river channel. The people in the suit set up tents and lit bonfires on the shore. Thick hemp ropes were removed from the suit and tied to some nearby big trees. The iron spears on the boat were also thrown into the river.
Modgen landed, and he stood on the "Eastern Land".
This place is unfamiliar to him and his brothers, and it is not the same to some of the adventurous seniors in the tribe. It was a pity that those predecessors did not leave a map engraved on the wooden board, so he knew nothing about this place.
The only thing he learned was that the Kovin people lived in the upper reaches of the river, and the Rus people had become their masters.
I have lived in the camp at the mouth of the river for more than two days. The days are getting colder day by day. The thin linen tent is by no means a treasure to keep out the cold. Sleeping in such a place is really a test.
"Damn it, I really have to leave this wild place as soon as possible."
The only thing that comforted him was that the Russians brought some ale, and the alcohol temporarily warmed his body. It cannot change the cold nature of the north wind like a knife. Until one morning, he suddenly saw that some small riverside pools with water began to freeze. So was the entire sea area still far away from freezing?
The surrounding scenery was desolate, and the Balmoks no longer cared about what was on the big island not far away.
That is Hailuoto Island, and there really is nothing to develop on it. It does have an occasional spectacle, which is that in autumn and winter, when the sea ice is still condensing, a large number of "ice eggs" will be born on its beaches. When the sea ice freezes over, not to mention the existence of ice paths from the islands to the river estuaries, the entire Gulf of Bothnia north of the Åland Islands will be frozen by thick sea ice, especially the northernmost sea areas, which will once again be frozen by ice. It's not uncommon for ice lumps ten meters high to pop up after being squeezed.
Everyone wanted to get out of this somber place as soon as possible. Finally, three full days later, the five longships that collected tributes came back.
I heard that the Russians collected a huge tribute of up to 10,000 squirrel skins at once, and Modgen's view of wealth was completely subverted.
Those sacks containing leather were thrown directly into the cargo ship. Modgen just couldn't understand that they didn't take strict care of such valuable items.
The idea of possessing them arises spontaneously!
Reason finally took over Modgen’s mind. He did not dare to commit theft because he and his crew were all on the Russian ship. Besides, he had a mission. The tribe's business has stabilized, and it's obvious who is the main contributor.
The sea water was freezing cold, and both Otto and Rurik noticed the ice forming on the river bank.
The fleet went against the increasingly severe north wind and sailed along the east side of the bay.As the coastline headed north, Otto, who had a new and profound understanding of the local geography, gave important instructions to all his anxious subordinates: "You don't have to worry about anything. When we see a large estuary, that's the Ai River." Long Orava Castle."
The north wind allowed the ship to move quickly against the wind, but it was also like a knife, forcing Rurik to just curl up in the warm deerskin. Saipolava, who was destined to be his woman, was very happy that she was going to see her father and her tribe during this trip, and now it was reasonable for her to hug Rurik for warmth.
Even Otto did not dare to brave the cold. Almost everyone was wearing blankets, except for the sailors who controlled the sails. After drinking ale, they wore leather waistcoats and passed through different Movement affects the Range Rover to ensure its own warmth.
The straight-line distance from the mouth of the Oulu River to the mouth of the Kemi River in Ellenborg is only 70 kilometers. Due to the principle that the wind must take more routes, the fleet travels at an hourly speed of The ship sailed forward in a zigzag line at a speed of about five knots, then docked at night to rest, and drifted on the sea for another two days.
The further north you go, the colder the climate becomes, and the more Rurik understands the importance of repairing the poop of the cargo ship. To put it bluntly, they are trying their best to ensure that the navigators will not freeze to death.
"When my Aurora is launched, I can stay in the cabin and even light some charcoal fires to keep warm."
The cold made Rurik faint. He was about to sleep, but suddenly he got out of the deerskin. He was stimulated by the air-conditioning and became energetic again.
The journey is finally coming to an end?
He found that the people on the cargo ship were restless, and the sailors were also cheering.
Putting on his thick leather hat, Rurik lay on the side of the boat and squinted his eyes, seeing the bay in the distance.
Looking closer, something different from the natural landscape appeared on the coast.
"Haha! Saipolava, come and see!"
The girl endured the cold and leaned close to Rurik: "Are you at your destination?"
"Look! That's the Iron Olava Castle, your people are all there." Rurik pointed to the wooden wall. Saipolava, who had a very deep understanding of the mountain fort, recognized it at a glance. The architectural style here is based on what the tribesmen did.
What surprised her was that the wooden wall of the mountain fort was too long, right? !
Otto was also surprised. His aging eyes still maintained good power. He had long known from his son that Fort Ironon had a wall as long as New Roseburg, and today it turned out that it was well-deserved. He couldn't help but think about how much effort the people of the gray squirrel tribe put in to build this wall.
More importantly, Otto sensed a hint of danger almost instinctively.
Yes, if this group of Covin people really rebelled, then what a terrible price the Russians would pay for breaking this giant mountain fortress. Could it be like Arik said, holding a big piece of wood and knocking the wall open? I'm afraid it's not that simple.
Fortunately, Otto thought of another thing, that is, some tribesmen had alreadyHaving settled here in the summer, the Rus and the Kovans live in a mixed state. Hopefully, under the supervision of the Rus, the Mechasta will remain respectful.
This association of Otto's is completely unfounded. The canonized city lord Mechasta has essentially entered the core of power of the Ross tribe.
Today, Fort Ross has a tendency to be upgraded to a city-state, but during this upgrade process, a number of colonies have emerged. The power structure of the Ross tribe is already very loose and unclear. In addition to a tribal leader with the highest authority, the second authority is the "War Chief", who is only responsible for the responsibilities of the battlefield commander. The invention of the concept of the city lord, the so-called "settlement chief", was already a huge innovation.
Even so, the relationship between each settlement and the mother city of Roseburg, the hierarchy of superiority and inferiority is still very vague.
What Otto saw at first was a huge wall. However, when the fleet rushed into the Elon-Olava River (also known as the Kemi River), he suddenly discovered that there were not only cargo ships docking here, but Not far from the permanent pier, there are actually some things that are rotated rapidly by the north wind.
When he got closer, he saw the Ailon Orava Fort. Not only did it have tall wooden walls, but there were also protruding towers at regular intervals. As expected, all of these were the workmanship of the Kovin people.
Could it be that in terms of settlement construction, the Russians were actually outperformed by the weak Kovin people?
No! This matter is not simple!
A Russian fleet suddenly arrived at Iron Castle in early winter. Mechasta, who stayed in the castle and just wanted to survive the winter safely, clearly realized that his fate was now.
The Rus are coming, or Rurik is coming with Sorgon’s army.
He has nothing to worry about, because the task assigned by Rurik was not only successfully completed, but the tribesmen, both men and women, old and young, went into battle together. Until now, the smelting and blacksmithing work is still going on, and even the previous Rainfall has little effect on work.
Is the cold a resistance? The big ax dug a path leading to the mine in the forest, and then a small mountain fortress built at the foot of the mountain also rose from the ground. The wooden wall of the mountain fort is relatively short. It only provides a place for mining people to sleep peacefully at night to prevent sneak attacks by polar bears or wolves.
A wooden house is filled with finished axes and spearheads, especially the axes. They have installed ax handles made of pine wood. The ax head and the spearhead are not actually carburized. The essence is that this process is not time-consuming in order to meet the construction deadline. Even so, ferrochrome is naturally hard, and with the quenching surface hardening process, it becomes even harder. Although it is hard, the finished tool is not brittle. Ordinary wrought iron products will naturally have dents when struck by a chromium-iron axe, while the damage to the chromium-iron ax itself is minimal.
For the Steel Squirrel Tribe, it is already a magical weapon that was never imagined before.
Is there anything else to worry about now?
The river shows signs of freezing, the water flow has also weakened, and the hydraulic forging has been affected to a certain extent, but it can continue to work for a while.
In fact, the most worrying thing about living in such a cold place all year round is the lack of food.
Originally, Mechasta was worried that the whole family would live in this area. If they really did not rely on the material resources of the Russian people, the future wintering would be a severe test.
Is the food problem solved by fishing? There was indeed a lake upstream, and the Russians who immigrated here caught some, but they were not willing to share it with the Kovin people. Through hunting, the Iron Squirrel tribe hunts down beasts of all sizes, and any meat after skinning is key food.
When Mechasta planned to endure the winter and complain to Rurik, their food crisis ended because of an incredible good thing.
"What a huge mountain fortress!" Otto on the boat opened his mouth. He saw that some people had gathered on the shore. It was obvious that his previous worries were completely stupid.
Rurik took it for granted that his father’s exclamation was a question about him, so he leaned over and asked: “What do you think of my results? I ordered them to build the wall, and I think they did it. Very good."
"Is it you? Of course it is you. Only you can do such a great thing, but you don't know what's going on inside the wooden wall?" Haha, you will be surprised. Because, mother...she has been here." "Niya? She?" If his son didn't tell him, Otto wouldn't know about it at all. Since my wife said this place is wonderful, it must be true.
Otto quickly saw clearly that there were some roads mostly paved with wooden planks, extending from the open wooden door not far away to the trestle of the pier, and some people were walking out of the mountain fortress.
A man who is in a hurry is Mechasta. Even though he wears thick clothes, he is still recognized by his woman from a distance.
At this moment, the disembarkation planks from the cargo ship have been set up on the trestle. It is certainly not the first time that the cargo ship sailors have visited, and they know best how this settlement came to be. They had participated in the task of transporting people and escorting materials. This time was obviously a return visit to their hometown during the cold period. Of course, they really wanted to finish loading and unloading everything and return to Roseburg to spend the winter safely in the last minute before the sea froze.
Otto and others started to get off the boat. He stepped on the hard trestle and actually jumped a few times subconsciously.
"Dad, don't you think you are funny?" Rurik complained deliberately.
Otto jumped a few more times like a child: "Hey, this trestle is very strong."
"Of course it is strong, you can understand it just by looking at its wooden piles. "
"It's really thick." Otto straightened his twisted neck and quickly stepped on the boardwalk on the shore.
The last time he came here was almost exactly a year ago. The former campsite had turned into a solid settlement. Standing under the wooden wall so close, he felt that he was in trouble.Ke wants to build Ironburg as big as New Roseburg.
A very familiar figure hurriedly walked over and took off his hat in front of Otto.
"Big leader, you are here?!" Mechasta looked at Rurik again and said: "I have completed all those axes and spearheads."
"Well done." A stone fell from Rurik's heart.
Mechasta was canonized as the Lord of Ironburg. This matter was directly authorized by Otto. Otto was in a great mood. He was just about to ask some questions, but a girl couldn't bear it. , rushed up directly.
It was Saipolava. She screamed for her father in the language of the Kovin people, jumped directly into Mechasta's arms, and then twisted her little head hard like a little squirrel of her relatives. behave in a spoiled manner.
"You...you are actually here."
The sudden appearance of his little daughter subconsciously made Mechasta think that his son Taravis was also visiting relatives. His inquiry Rurik immediately denied it.
Mechasta let go of her delighted daughter and formally welcomed her master from afar.
"Big Chief, and Rurik, welcome to the Iron Olav Castle."
The man's flattering look was not threatening at all, Otto nodded. : "It's too cold outside, take me inside the wooden wall and have a look. My brothers and I are going to live here tonight, and you must provide excellent accommodation."
Otto gave an order, But this command can be executed very well in an instant.
Mechasta smiled and said nothing, and continued to say: "Please follow me, chief, you will be satisfied."
Everyone gathered together and walked to Under the wooden wall, I curiously approached the inside of the wooden wall.
For a moment, everyone who arrived here, including Otto, felt that they were in another world.
Perhaps this metaphor is too far-fetched, but the fact is that the styles of all wooden buildings within the wooden walls were instructed by Rurik himself. They are all made of Novgorod-style wood carvings. There are some differences between the houses, but if you look at them from a distance, you will be shocked by their neat arrangement.
After all, Rurik instructed his subordinates to build a nearly circular town with a diameter of more than one hundred meters. Civil engineering construction continues to this day, and there are still some carpenters carefully carving house accessories within the wooden walls.
Even if their technological level is lagging behind, they must continue to pursue beauty as long as they have the ability. The carpenter is working on some gorgeous woodware, either to decorate the house, or simply tableware and drinking utensils.
Otto did not tremble in shock at this scene. He felt that all the houses were so familiar.
"I can't believe that you are actually studying the architecture of the Novgorod people in such a cold place. No! You are obviously Kovin people, where did you learn it?"
Mechasta smiled proudly: "These are all Rurik's achievements. It was him and his men who taughtWe built houses and smelted iron. Chief, please look over there. Mechasta pointed to an area of the settlement, especially a group of houses: "Those wooden houses are vacant. They were built on Rurik's order, and now they are finally put to use." "
"Huh? Let my men live there? "As he spoke, Otto slapped the ferret hat on Rurik's head: "You are so thoughtful, kid. ”
Rurik was excited about his identity, and he said calmly: “This is the role of Fort Ailon Orava. In my opinion, when new tribesmen move here, they can live in the vacant wooden houses, but the condition for their residence is to pay a tax, because those wooden houses are my property. ”
Rurik quietly proposed the basic concept of real estate. He said it casually and did not arouse Otto’s great interest. After all, all the men he brought this time had a warm place to live. So, what about yourself?
Otto immediately received a very satisfactory answer, and saw Mechasta pointing to the largest wooden house with a wonderful structure: "That is the house of the leader, the great leader. , now you are its owner. ”
Finally, Otto’s beard began to tremble. He felt that Mechasta was indeed a good hunting dog, his level of flattery was really high, and he was really happy.
At this moment Rurik broke the mystery and asked deliberately: "Dad, that is our home in Ellenburg. I designed the house they built. What do you think?" My mother lived there for at least a while and said it felt like home. ”
“Niya? ah? Rurik, it’s you. Hey, I was thinking that Kewen people shouldn't be so witty, and it turned out to be you. You really know how to please your father. "Otto pinched Rurik's neck happily. He felt that standing in an orderly and tidy town, he was the most noble person, and what he saw now must be actively promoted in New Roseburg. Re-engraving. Oh, actually there is no need to re-enact it.
Otto thought about it, Rurik planned this hill fort, and he also made a detailed plan for the layout of New Roseburg. The orderly place that emerged from the wild land must be even more wonderful in the "harp city"
He walked directly to the leader's residence, and sat down to rest, drink some wine and eat some people. , and then he took his son with him and had a good chat with Mechasta. It was getting late, and Otto made a plan in his mind to collect the tribute tomorrow.
Seeing how strong the construction here is. And neatly, isn't the construction plan of the former "Northern Assembly Point for Winter Hunting" successfully completed?
Ailon Orava Fort can now serve as the best large-scale northern assembly point. The hunt was just around the corner. Otto had planned not to lead the team himself this year, but he didn't expect that Ironburg was so graceful. He was always strong and had this castle as a strong backing. Why not come again?
He would do it again. He wanted to talk to Mechasta about this matter, and Mechasta also had many good things, so he wanted to find a good opportunity to tell his master.