The Klavasen family is proud of their latest masterpiece, Otto is shocked by the new weapon's ability to "smash through fishing boats", and ordinary tribesmen lament Rurik's intelligence and their luck as a Russian.
Rurik also inadvertently showed off his muscles to the visiting businessmen.
At this very special juncture, Rurik actually openly tested his new weapon. It was not one torsion slingshot, but six! It is rumored that Ross Blacksmith will make more, and it will be the standard equipment of Ross warships in the future.
A group of businessmen had to be afraid. They felt that this was a silent threat from the Ross leader, as if to say: "You have all seen the power of the new weapons, which can easily destroy your ships. Only by Only those who pay the taxes can avoid punishment."
The sea is about to resume sailing. According to the agreement, Otto will organize a team this time. It will no longer run to Novgorod, but. Head straight to Mälaren. It is precisely this fleet that will serve as the leader, leading a huge commercial fleet composed of ships of all kinds to sail to Lake Mälaren.
At least for those aboard, this year's trip south will have unprecedented security.
Rurik did not want to spend too much time testing the weapon. After completing the test, all the torsion slingshots began to be shipped to the ship.
Based on current technology, he had no choice but to install all six slingshots on the forecastle, which is the top deck of the so-called "captain's lounge".
The poop is actually located higher, but the rudder is placed inside. During future voyages, it will also become a sailor's lounge or even a small storage room.
The loyalty of the entire ship is actually relatively thick. This is because the winch responsible for raising and lowering the sail is installed on the deck of the poop, and because the rudder itself has a lot of weight. Another major problem with the Avora is that its sturdy body has a shallow draft. Although this body has an extremely impressive cargo capacity, it requires ballast to lower the center of gravity and ensure the relative balance between the bow and stern.
The top deck of the forecastle is a larger space. The deck is nearly five meters high from the keel, and the length of the platform is also more than five meters.
Rurik simply installed three torsion slingshots on both sides of the ship in a very compact manner. In this way, the side firepower is three, and the frontal firepower is two.
This arrangement naturally cannot bring out the maximum effectiveness of the torsion slingshot. Rurik knew that he was fully capable of erecting three wooden piles on the ship and connecting two torsion slingshots in parallel, just like a ship with three For a cruiser with twin turrets, all six torsion slingshots can have their firing ports facing the same side. Even if only six cast-iron "chisels" are fired, they can drill multiple holes into enemy ships to a great extent.
Rurik did not do this entirely because if it were converted into a three-seat parallel torsion slingshot, it would have to be installed entirely on the central axis of the hull. After all, the "tail" of the torque slingshot is 1.5 meters, and the stretched arm of the torque crossbow is also about 1.2 meters., for this small boat with a deck of only five meters, it really takes up too much space.
In fact, if it is only installed on the side, it still takes up a lot of space, forcing people who board the forecastle to move only along the relatively spacious central axis.
No one will complain about them being in the way, because on the sea, when faced with sneak attacks by fishermen who turn into pirates, or even Danish and Gotlandic ships that venture north to plunder, people always complain about themselves The weapons are too weak.
A series of tests proved the strength of the torsion slingshot.
In fact, for people in this era, their acceptance of long-range weapons is very low. Basically, as long as an arrow can be fired a hundred meters away, it is a good bow. Although they all have good eyesight, but the distance between the two combatants reaches one hundred meters, long-range weapons basically become probabilistic attacks.
The steel-arm crossbow controlled by the Russians has just begun to change people's stereotypes. It can hit a short spear a hundred meters away and can still dig a hole in a pine board. Everyone is very satisfied with it. .
The ship will be launched soon. Even though the Avora is still sitting peacefully on the shore on a large number of sleepers, she is already the flagship of the Ross tribe, and it has become a flagship only enjoyed by the leader. Isn't it?
She stopped on the shore, and anyone standing high up could see her huge figure. Especially for foreign merchants, the big ship under construction is like a giant sword embedded in the stone, which is a strong threat.
Besides, the time is coming soon, and merchants are actively counting the silver coins they earned this year, and even the large quantities of goods they purchased. They hoped to go to the Melalen Market to make a lot of money and share some money, waiting for Chief Ross to knock on the door with his men. Because this money is the business tax they must pay.
Among the many businessmen, the Gould family unintentionally shouldered the heaviest taxes.
When a businessman makes a big business, ordinary taxes no longer matter to them. Things are going very well this year. Soap, iron tools, iron weapons, various types of leather, a small amount of glassware, and a small amount of flammable spirits are the main products of the Gould family. He himself essentially became the "trade minister" of Chief Ross. Now, simple gold, silver or gems can no longer meet the needs of the Gould family. They hope to have some power.
Of all the goods that will be transported, a considerable part is Rurik's goods. Gould wants to take an official position and sell it for the leader of Ross, so that he can always enjoy the rights to all kinds of goods. Best purchase price.
But he is not the "Minister of Trade". In essence, he is still a big businessman entrusted with important tasks by Rurik and other Rus' rulers, and he is a tool man. The Gould family is self-aware. At this stage, they can only continue to be a good tool to gain political capital for the family's future. Therefore, Gould himself was not willing to let go of any opportunity to perform, and also urged his children to perform well. As long as it was for the benefit of Chief Ross, it was okay to suffer a little loss.
"MaybeIs this year the same as last year? "Gould prepared one hundred pounds of silver coins as the business tax that needed to be paid this year, and he was waiting for Chief Ross to come in person.
No, the leader is here!
Oh Tuo began to preside over this year's tax collection. At first, he just announced the matter to all merchants in Hakka and ordered them to prepare silver coins and copper coins within three days. If they did not have cash, he would prepare a batch of goods of equal value. A stern warning was also issued that once a tax evader is caught, all his property will be confiscated, and his family will be demoted as a logging slave and sent to a distant place.
The official tax collection time will be announced later. Three days later, before that, Otto and Rurik, the father and son, plotted something, and took the decision after discussion to the Gould mansion where they were ready to pay taxes, because the father and son needed to The richest businessman in the entire tribe set an excellent example.
The father and son came in simple clothes. For Gould, an old friend, they did not have to show any authority.
The two of them came in simple clothes. The people were dressed simply and decently, Otto looked vicissitudes of life, depth and strength, while Rurik looked beautiful, calm and potential.
In contrast, Gould and his few came to see the world. The sons were racing against each other like seals in winter, that is, they were simply fat.
They sat cross-legged on the comfortable leather cushions. Today they just talked about things, and Gould only prepared some food and wine. < /p>
There were some red raspberry preserves on the glass plate next to him, and Rurik had no intention of eating them.
He saw that Gould had a happy face and was not polite at all. The purpose was directly stated: "You should know the reason why we are here, so let's get straight to the point. ”
“It’s taxes. Gould said kindly: "The one hundred pounds of silver coins are ready. As long as the leader is willing, I can now send people to move the box to the priest." "
"Huh? Very good, but these one hundred pounds... isn't it..." Rurik lowered his head slightly and picked at the cracks between his already clean nails.
Who is Gould? I immediately understood the hint.
"Huh? Add some new taxes? This...is no problem. ”
“You are very sensible. "Rurik raised his head, glanced at his father who was looking happy, and then continued to grimace, stretched out his right hand and made a "scissor hand". "We made a difficult decision this year, all merchants Doubling taxes. As for you, Gould, in fact, the tax was originally targeted at all outside merchants, but you joined us, but..."
"I understand! I totally understand. In order to show his loyalty, Gould not only grabbed the conversation, but also continued: "Perhaps there are still many Russians who have some doubts about my identity." If paying taxes proactively would eliminate this concern, I'd be happy to take the money. I can afford two hundred pounds of silver now. ”
It can be said that if you have money, you can be strong-willed. After all, Gould himself bought a batch of grain with his own money in Mälaren, and now the grain is basically sold.Almost exhausted. Since Chief Ross ordered that grain prices not be raised, the Gould family did not make any money from the grain trade, but they also did not lose anything. He used it as food payment to pay taxes. After all, his business foundation was based on leather.
"I am touched by your positivity, but we still need to discuss this matter further." As he spoke, Rurik straightened his back and looked left and right: "There are a lot of people here."
"Huh?" Gould smiled and was at a loss.
"Let your son leave. Next, there will be a secret conversation between the three of us, between the Ross chief family and yourself. I don't want the fourth person to know about it."
The atmosphere suddenly became tense, and Gould's smiling face disappeared. He immediately turned around and ordered his sons to avoid it immediately. Even so, Rurik still felt unsafe.
Otto also felt that his son was too meticulous in doing things, and eventually the three of them discussed the matter in Gould's bedroom.
When he came to Gould's bedroom for the first time, Rurik had nothing to say about the old fat man's taste. This man had a lot of wealth and had started sleeping on a wooden bed in the past year. Hanging on the wooden wall is a stuffed deer head, a shield painted with indigo dye, and two axes. Does this fat man also have a warrior dream in his heart? But he should not expect to be a fighting warrior in this life.
Rurik now sat on Gould's bed, while Otto and Gould were sitting on a low wooden stool.
"It must be quiet enough here, please tell me." Gould said cautiously.
"Actually, the problem is very simple." Rurik stretched out his little head and said with an extremely serious attitude: "Everyone thinks that if you are a big family, you will naturally have to take more money. Just like last year, you submitted the taxes alone. It's equivalent to 200 merchants, and you paid half of the tax burden."
Gould smiled: "Thank you for the compliment. As a New Rossian, I need to make some contributions. This year I will pay two hundred pounds in taxes."
"No, you still have one hundred pounds."
"Hmm?" Now, I can listen quietly. Tuo couldn't sit still at all, because this was different from what the father and son had planned. "Rurik, are you good at making decisions?"
Gould didn't know why, so he kept silent for now.
"Yes, this is a strategy, otherwise I would not have entered this place."
Neither Gould nor Otto understood Rurik's plan. This strategy is a bit "dirty".
"Gould, you must be a Russian. As a leader, how can we tax you according to outsiders' standards? Of course you have to collect taxes. This year's tax is still one hundred pounds. ."
"That...two hundred pounds..."
"That is for outsiders to see! You have also seen what happened this year, in order to build our Afu. I have calculated that it has cost me one hundred and forty pounds to build the Lola. Do I have to pay for it? No! The money has to be paid by the outside merchants. I have to increase taxes. We LuoThe Sri Lankans cannot suffer too much economic losses. "
"You want me to set an example for them? Gould asked nervously.
"Yes, they are all looking at you, a big business owner!" Your two hundred pounds of silver coins will be handed over to me in a public place. I just want those merchants to see what the richest merchants do. I'm just worried that they won't be happy after the tax increase. I have to appease them and make them give up and obediently take out their money. And you! Afterwards, I will return you one hundred pounds of silver coins. "
"Huh? Is this still possible? "Gould fully understood, and also realized that the fourth person should not know about this matter. If the news leaked, those merchants might cause some trouble, such as resisting taxes? That would not be the case. But the credibility of the Ross chief family It will be damaged, which may be detrimental to Rurik’s public opinion who values the contract.
“That’s it. They are just afraid of losing money, they just want an average, and they also want to take advantage. If you publicly give me two hundred pounds of silver coins, of course those people will complain about my tax increase, and they will also comfort themselves. Someone who is suddenly forced to pay an extra hundred pounds of silver coins is even more unlucky than them. Haha, there won't be any trouble. ”
Rurik added: “In the end, the silver coins may not be directly returned to you. It can be replaced by goods.” If you are an important seller of my goods, or I will give you one hundred pounds from the money I earn in the future. "
Gould secretly underestimated, "This kid is really good at playing dirty tricks", and sighed that he had indeed been reused by the Russian people. After thinking about it for a moment, Gould realized that his family's fortune was ultimately a result of cooperation. After boarding the ship of the Russians, the Russians rose, and their own family became prosperous. In this way, the situation would be small if they were obsessed with a mere hundred pounds of silver coins.
Through Rurik's so-called tax increase. The reason is that shipbuilding requires a large part of the tribe's population, and the compensation for each of them is not much. A thousand people add up to a huge scale. It is obvious that Rurik is crazy in the extreme north. He survived for nearly four months, not only to obtain excellent shipbuilding wood, but also to announce to smart people that Chief Ross attaches great importance to building large ships.
This is the fact, Gould thought for a moment. , just reciprocate!