Rurik had an extra batch of gems in his warehouse, for which he paid a huge sum of money.
The old Eric family from Denmark did get a considerable amount of wealth. They did gain a lot from this adventure to Roseburg, but they were also restricted in their freedom.
Rurik had no intention of using force against these people, but was worried that they would be killed once the information about the "Danes" was leaked.
Let the tribe know that the Duke actually received the Danes, and the public opinion will not be good.
The Russians and the Gotlanders had a hatred. The other party has completely collapsed, and this hatred has been lifted. There is no hatred between Russia and Denmark, but Denmark and the Kingdom of Sweden are in a state of hostility. This is to force the Russians to be hostile to them. Because of this relationship, openly attacking the Danes was considered justifiable.
Old Eric did not become a guest, they were still under surveillance.
But through this adventure, Rurik came up with some wonderful ideas.
At dawn tomorrow, the "big army" of Beishou will set off. A group of capable men are going to the north for hunting, and Rurik is in urgent need of high-quality timber and important chromite ore from the north.
He had a plan that he urgently needed to discuss with the great businessman Gould. Just before departure, he came to Gould's mansion.
The banquet was a joyous one, and Rurik was not too interested in the sizzling barbecue on the table.
"My old friend, tomorrow my son Snoleva will also go to Ironburg to experience, so tonight you are here to congratulate him..." Gould looked naive, he said to The precious leather trade is very confident this year.
Snoleva, who was as fat as his father, sat cross-legged on the leather cushion. Looking at his posture, he had to hold on to the table to stand up.
Rurik shook his head: "Forget it about experience. Only by becoming thinner can Snoreva possess the basic qualities to become a warrior."
"Then how can I lose weight? ."
Snoleva was indeed dissatisfied with his body, but he was still holding a barbecued lamb leg as he spoke. Rurik could only continue to shake his head: "You can't. "Slim down, this is your destiny. So you can never become a warrior, but you can make a difference in business."
Rurik obviously meant something, and Gould asked hurriedly: "You...are planning to arrange some affairs for him?"
"Yes! It's an adventure. You know, any adventure is dangerous. If you take the biggest risk, the benefits after it is accomplished will be the same." The biggest."
Gould's head tightened: "This has absolutely nothing to do with going to the north?"
Rurik said firmly: "I want him to go to the south."< /p>
"Going to the south? My son is often stationed at Lake Malaren. What kind of experience is this?"
"More south!"
"Harder? Could it be?" Gould was shocked: "Could it be Gotland? You threw the ruins of Visby to the Malaren people?, don’t you like it there? Or maybe I like it again now. No! wrong! You plan to run the small fishing village where we first landed. "
Rurik continued to shake his head with a sullen face: "It's not Slitomo, it's further south. "
Gradually, the two businessmen began to hesitate about a surprising answer.
"Could it be...Denmark? "Gould asked tentatively.
"That's Denmark. "
"Why? ! "As if a steel needle had pierced his tailbone, the fat boy who had struggled to get up was suddenly ejected into the sky. Snoleva stood up, and he asked: "Sir! Why! Oh, I mean, why me? ! "
Rurik was also surprised that the fat boy was really anxious. He twisted his shoulders and asked: "Did the Duke of Ross give you a great and glorious task, and you feel that you are not qualified? Want to pass the buck? "
"Me! I... didn't mean that. "
"You have no right to refuse, Snoleva. Your father is old and you are the eldest son of the family, so you should shoulder the heavy responsibility. When Gould was young, he disguised himself and infiltrated into the Danish territory. You are also young and powerful, so why should you shirk it? Look, if I don't think I can do it, I'll just have to find someone else. I think that Harald is the father of my sister (sister-in-law) Asraqi. After all, this man had a close relationship with the Danish businessman before. "
Gould, who was originally puzzled by Rurik's sudden decision, gave his son a kick directly, causing Snoleva's meat ball to roll to the ground again. He obviously noticed it. The huge threat in Rurik's words, Gould stretched out his arms and scolded: "How stupid! You dare to disobey the order given to you by the Duke. Are you worthy of being the eldest son? Why don't I announce now that my main property will be inherited by my second son. "
Snoreva's head was buzzing, and Rurik waved his hands hurriedly upon seeing this: "Don't be harsh, let Snoreva decide. ”
That Harald was a captured business family leader, and because of his successful marriage, he became related to Rurik himself.
In fact, Rurik still highly trusted Gould. Family, he did not say it out loud. As far as the current situation is concerned, it is obvious that Gould himself is aware of the pressure of the crisis of trust. This is exactly the effect Rurik needs.
Snoreva hurriedly agreed, so-called risking everything. I’m going to do it too.
“Okay. Rurik nodded: "Because I have a great plan, which is related to the future of our Russian people." That Danish businessman, Eric Sr., I want to use this guy. "
"Do you think he can be trusted? "Gould asked cautiously.
"Trust? He is not my friend, so how can I trust him? We just want to use him. When we buy and sell gems, Gould, you are also present. I don't care at all what the character of that family is or whether they turn into informers. But I can see that they are extremely interested in money. They are eager for money, even if it means betraying the interests of the Danish Alliance.. Therefore, I want to insert my power into Denmark. ”
“So you chose me? "Snoreva pointed to his round head.
"Of course! I will arrange for you to go to Hedeby, the largest trading market of the Danes. You are indeed a fat elephant seal and anyone who meets you can be sure that you live a prosperous life and no one will doubt your financial resources. That old Eric will be your guide. In the future, I want you to open a shop in Hedeby and sell our Ross products to make a lot of money. At that time, old Eric's family will be your partners..."
Rurik tried his best to describe a wonderful business picture, but it was so wonderful that Snoleva was very worried. .
“My father also tried it back then, but it didn’t take root in my family. Once I let them know my identity, wouldn't it be..."
"Why would you expose yourself? You can smartly choose to shut up. "
"If that old guy betrays me, the king of Denmark will come and kill me, and then confiscate all the payment. Snoreva continued to be stern.
Rurik grimaced: "This is an adventure. Of course you will die if you fail, and I will lose a lot." What if we succeed? In my opinion, the success rate here is very high, because the guys in Hedeby are not interested in fighting or expanding their territory. They just want to do business and expand their money box. These are all introduced by old Eric. I can't judge whether he is lying. I can only make a bet. Don't worry, Snoleva, if you are really killed, you will be considered dead fighting for the Russians. I will meet Odin in my dream, talk to him, and ask you to go to the Hall of Valor. ”
But Snoleva doesn’t believe in Odin at all, he only believes in money.
Obviously, any retreat is seeking death, and he will lead the entire family to run away. Towards the abyss of shame.
He could only fully agree with Rurik’s decision, and then asked when to leave.
“When spring comes, you and old Eric’s family will run away. To Denmark, you go straight to Hedeby. It is said that local rare leather is in very short supply, and leather from White Bear, for example, can be sold at a higher price. It just so happens that one of my plans this winter is to hunt bears hard in the Ellenborough area. You can take these leathers and make a living in Hedeby. Then, as my spy, I would try my best to investigate all kinds of things about the Danes, and choose the opportunity to quietly pass the information back. Compared with how much money you can make, the information you get is the most valuable. ”
To be honest, placing permanent spies in the heart of the hostile forces is really high-end in today’s Nordic world.
Previously, Olegin died in the war. A few spies were also deployed to find out the news in Fort Ross. It was only a very short-term move. With his own death, the Melalen tribe was in fierce internal fighting this winter, and it was simply inappropriate to send spies again.
Through the confessions of the old Eric family, Rurik learned more about the Danes, especially his birth in this world.In the entire ten years of the current era, he never imagined that the powerful Danes would be fighting fiercely among themselves like the Swedes now.
Every force needs a chief, leader or king at the top of the leadership.
Rurik learned that a Danish chief named Harald Clark had been expelled. He was missing and was rumored to be dead. In the fierce internal fighting among the Danish tribes, the lords who wanted to compete for the leader of the alliance either went to battle in person or sent warriors to rely on "tournaments" to select the winner as the leader of the alliance.
This is nothing more than a smart approach, otherwise in order to compete for hegemony in the region, the various lords would not be able to kill each other with their armies.
A man named Hafgen won the final victory. This man was the mastermind of the subsequent series of events, such as the catastrophe of the Ostara people. Rurik also learned an extremely crucial thing, that is, the Danish leader Hafgen. The so-called attack on Ostara was not the main purpose. That battle was supposed to directly attack the Melalen tribe and directly seize the entire Meilaren tribe. Laren Lake.
The war maniacs among the Danes intend to conquer the entire Svealand Plain!
Even if Old Eric pointed out that many lords felt that this was an adventure and were somewhat resistant to it, the Saxons who fled still wanted to counterattack the Frankish Kingdom and regain the lost territory, and did not want to fight with the guys further north. . The merchants of Hedeby don't fight the war themselves, but fighting means making money! They are willing to resell weapons and armor to make a profit.
Perhaps that Hafgen will be assassinated, or choked to death while eating or drinking.
Rurik knew clearly that there was a Danish madman who decided to attack Mälaren. Didn’t King Olegin of Sweden also die in this man’s counterattack? If at first Hafgen simply wanted to expand his hegemony and attacked the north, now Hafgen obviously has too many excuses for war.
Of course Rurik used the Mellarens as a shield and strategic buffer. If they were really defeated in a short time, the Russians would not suffer.
In this way, under the guise of doing business, it is very important for the Russians to place an informant in the trading market of Hedeby. Because any expedition force must be assembled, the news of the expedition will be released before the assembly. At that time, the informants will immediately row desperately to bring back the war warning.
It is best not to have a full-scale war within a few years, but trade with the Danes has long-term prospects.
Rurik points out the strategic value of the secret agent here, and its commercial value is still crucial.
"It turns out that I am Ross's eyes." Snoleva covered her chest, "After listening to your explanation, I finally understood that this is a very important job."
"Not only that, you are still a businessman before reporting the situation. I want you to develop as soon as possible in Denmark, so that local businessmen can see the rise of a new business family. My friends, the Melalen tribe is developing In the midst of internal strife, I no longer dare to hope for their future.After all, there were only 20,000 of them. The main factor that makes the Danes powerful is their large numbers. They have a larger population, produce more materials, and require more goods. We Russians needed a bigger market and had to bring a lot of wonderful goods to Denmark, and Danish merchants would sell them further afield. You are businessmen, so you should be able to understand what I mean. "
After hearing this, Gould completely understood. He looked solemn: "The risk is very high, and my son may die from this. But this is an acceptable risk, no more serious than a storm at sea. ”
“Then do it!” "Rurik once again asked Snoleva: "You will still follow me to the north this winter. I want you to talk to those Eric Sr. guys, you have two young adult daughters, and that Eric Sr. also has very young sons. Marry your daughter to establish an in-law relationship. By the way, I will eventually let that guy keep one of his sons as a hostage in Roseburg. With this kind of concern, I believe that even if Eric Sr. betrays him, he has to consider the future of his children. ”
Rurik is just small in stature and young in age.
But is he really young? Gould simply doesn’t think that such a decision can be made by a child. , it must not have been something Otto could come up with.
This is a wise decision that only a king can make, including secret agents, in-laws, protons, expanding the business market, and very wonderful flexible thinking. >
Soldiers in Gould's concept are often single-minded and will have no bottom line for revenge. They recognize that the Danes are the enemy and will not change their attitude throughout their lives.
Rurik's decision is full of enthusiasm. He became a businessman, because only profits are eternal.
Old Eric’s family was highly supportive of Rurik’s decision. Old Eric just cut his finger with a knife and soaked it with blood. The words "will not tell the truth" are written on the board. His family is relatively ordinary in Heize. It is said that they would venture to the far away east to get lapis lazuli and make a lot of money. He had already done it, but unfortunately he was an unknown person in Denmark. An opportunity presented by God was presented to him. Regardless of whether Rurik's claim to be "the son of Odin" was true or not, he at least gave the family a chance to make a fortune.
Ryurik left after explaining the matter. He only verbally decided to "implement a strategic layout for Denmark", and the actual implementation will not be until the ice melts next spring.
As soon as he left Gould's house, he was "in chaos".
Gould's two chubby children were plucked out of their sleep, and they were shocked by their father and grandfather's decision. /p>
They are women. They live in such a family and cannot influence their marriage at all. Even when they are pampered, they have been taught that when they grow up, they will marry business colleagues. The luckiest thing is to marry someone noble. Warriors.
Now they hope to marry the heroic warriors of Ross. After all, they have settled in Rossburg for so long, and they naturally start to worship their father.Life is hard to come by, so I can only accept this arranged marriage with tears.
On the next day, the two girls put on gorgeous clothes and gold jewelry, and were led by Snoleva and Gould to the place that was closely monitored by the Duke's elite mercenaries. A new home for Eric Sr.'s family.
Old Eric's family has packed their bags, including the servants they brought with them, and are about to head north with the large Russian army.
At this very delicate moment, Old Eric had no idea that the big businessman from Ross would actually bring his daughter to propose marriage.
The two old businessmen had the most in common, and they reached an engagement after a long negotiation. Old Eric's two younger sons married Gould's two younger granddaughters. The wedding was scheduled for next year's spring equinox, and the two parties entered into a business alliance.
Of course, the well-informed old Eric also knew that without the pressure of a powerful force, the big businessman in Ross would not be able to marry his granddaughter if he was full. He already understood that this was the Duke of Ross's plan. In addition to arranging a son to be a long-term hostage, the in-laws added another lock to his family.