Returning home, the Aurora carries the largest amount of cargo since its launch.
The cabin was filled with food. Rurik estimated that it cost at least 200,000 pounds.
She actually carried nearly 300,000 pounds of wheat. In addition to some of the grain transported by other long ships, the Beijing fleet simply moved all the inventory in the Bamburgh granary.
Hundreds of captured women were forced to squeeze into the cabin. Until night, they had to share the same cabin with the sailors who came down to rest.
Rurik, who lives in the bow lounge, has no intention of caring about what happens in the cabin at night. He only hoped to take this team back to Narvik Port as soon as possible, before the sea became violent, and finally return to Rossburg.
This is an ocean voyage in the ninth century! The voyage itself is a hymn to mankind's courage to move forward, but for the individuals involved in the voyage, the voyage itself is a suffering.
No, when the fleet followed the south wind and arrived in the waters of eastern Scotland, the sea suddenly became violent!
The fleet encountered a sea storm at the end of August. Its size and power were nothing by the standards of a thousand years later, but now it is quite dangerous.
The Aurora, which was extremely bulky when fully loaded with cargo, urgently furled its main sail, leaving only a small triangular sail at the stern to face the incoming cold north wind and move forward in the dark clouds. She rose and fell in the big waves, but had no tendency to capsize.
This Caravel-type sailboat showed great stability in this storm.
However, other longships really suffered this serious crime.
As many as 200 soldiers were lost in the war, and more than 400 women were taken captive on the ship. As the number of people increased, the efficiency of navigation decreased.
Amazingly, five of the total twenty-three long boats capsized in the waves! Nearly two hundred people fell into the sea again. What is very sad is that people in the waves had no time to care for themselves. They could only watch their tribal brothers feed the fish, and secondly, silently pray to the gods to appease their anger.
The entire storm lasted for two days. When the world returned to calmness again, half-dead longships gathered on the Aurora in the vast North Sea.
Looking up at this already very familiar ship again, Biyongni sighed and felt helpless.
He climbed up the lowered rope ladder to the wet deck, and soon all the surviving tribes gathered here.
Such a big thing happened, and the entire fleet was panicked. Rurik himself tried his best to remain calm, but the violence of the North Sea was really not comparable to the calm water of the Baltic Sea.
Biyongni sat down casually and sighed: "Odin is furious! Maybe we should kill the king in Bamberg as a sacrifice."
As soon as this statement came out, a group of people support.
“Kill those Britons!”
“We should have set up an altar and killed at least a hundred slaves to sacrifice to Odin!”
...
Rurik clasped his ears, pouted his lips and yelled, "Stop complaining! This is the sea., the ocean can be violent at any time. You think you have no respect for God and have been shipwrecked, but my ship suffered no loss. "
Rurik's words had no other meaning. Biyoni immediately made a wise interpretation. He slapped his thigh and said, "So, we must buy big ships from the Russians! Not just one, but multiple. With the big ship, it will be really safe for us to visit Northumbria in the future. "
"You're right. Geiger of Washobi said bluntly with a heavy heart, "One of our three ships suddenly lost one. Some brothers and women fell into the water. They were all finished." If there is a big ship, we will be safe. ”
Big ship! There must be a big ship!
The Balmoq people know best the violence of the Atlantic Ocean. People have always expected the storm. If the ship is really destroyed and people are killed, people are helpless. It's better than sadness.
At Rurik's request, the heads of each family reported their losses to each other. The result was shocking and horrific!
In addition, the whole ship capsized and was thrown out. As many as three hundred people fell into the water! Half of the dead were soldiers from the expedition. Another example is the Bergen immigrants in Shetland, who were really unlucky. Nearly a hundred women. These guys were basically providing archery support from the rear during the war. Even though they were once attacked by cavalry, they only lost ten men.
Perhaps their energy was exhausted on the battlefield. , two hundred people crowded into three longships, and one ship sank after a storm, killing seventy people on the spot.
Today's Viking fleet is not as poor and ambitious as it was on the day of the expedition. . They were greatly satisfied, and the full cargo made them suffer.
Today, there was a strong consensus that the tribe should get one or more large ships.
As the brother of Rurik of Rus, Biyongni must comply with the demands of the nobles of the tribe and implement the ship purchase transaction.
Biyongni was anxious, "Rurik. , we robbed a large sum of money. A big ship with two hundred pounds of silver coins. I will give you the money and I will ask for it as soon as possible. "
Looking at the expectant looks from everyone, Rurik had no intention of hesitating.
"This is exactly what I want to suggest to you. This winter, my shipbuilding factory is still building new ships, and I will fulfill that promise. I will personally bring the big ships to your port as early as next year. "
"Just one ship? Biyongni asked again.
"What?" Increased appetite? "
"No! Next year I plan to get a big ship and attack Northumbria again. "
"Huh? Are you so anxious? A sheep has just been shaved. Do you think it can grow another layer of hair instantly? "
Biyongni shook his head, "Are you kind to them? "
"No! "Rurik sat upright and mentioned something that the Balmoks did not need to care about but was very crucial to the Russians, "The purpose of building the big ship is to defend against the Danes' attack. ”
“Danish? Still a problem in your opinion? ”
"Of course. This year I will take your sister back to Roseburg. I will travel through the Danish territory. I am not afraid of war, I am afraid of endless war. I must build a navy of large ships that are not afraid of storms. So. , I can only give you one ship."
"That's...ok." Although Biyongni felt regretful, he couldn't force it.
Although the fleet suffered a shipwreck, the people who survived still had a lot of supplies with them!
Rurik of Rus is a really good guy. All the seized coins were on board the stable Avlora. He did not intend to ask for a single copper coin. All the money belonged to the Balmok tribe!
The brothers can take the money and go to the market in Bergen to purchase, and then wait until the Balmok people's own ship arrives, and the tribe's strength will be greatly enhanced!
People are spontaneously optimistic. The frozen sea in winter and the Danish strait control cannot interfere with the land communication between Balmok and Rus. On the contrary, the freezing winter made the two tribes flow faster.
Bi Yongni has more trade plans. He said bluntly, "We will still organize manpower in winter and take the glacier trade route to reach your Fort Ellen, and by the way, we can also reach Fort Ross. Maybe I You can personally see the entire process of building our big ship."
Rurik was naturally very welcoming: "Very good, take the frozen river, or take a reindeer sleigh from your port to mine. It may only take ten days to reach the Fisk Fort camp, which is faster than sailing by sea. In this way, Nolen will not feel too far away from his hometown."
Biyongni laughed, and everyone laughed. laughing out loud. The east side of the mountains no longer means adventure; climbing over the mountains has a very clear destination. The Russians are allies fighting together, and the brothers can boldly go to the East to make money. Gone are the days of being crowded in the cramped port of Narvik.
When the fleet arrived in the Shetland Islands, the islanders who participated in the expedition completed their voyage.
Rurik has no intention of staying here, and the fleet is heading east!
Sailing across the North Sea is inherently risky. The Viking fleets that attacked Britain every time in history must have suffered huge losses once they encountered storms. In addition, the Danish king's expedition plan to defeat Wessex and regain the Danish area was once forced to be postponed due to the capsize of the fleet.
In the end, the fleet led by Rurik successfully crossed the North Sea. Relying on his understanding of the geography of this area, Rurik took the nearest route to the coast of Scandinavia. .
People move along the coastline, even if such a voyage will inevitably encounter the Bergen people, even if it will inevitably take many detours through the twists and turns of offshore island waterways, in order not to be weighed down by possible storms. Blow, the risk is worth it.
Encounters with Bergen fishing boats and merchant ships are inevitable.
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Rurik refused any form of "sea rules", as if the ships he encountered were air, and the fleet went on its way., even after passing an outlying island at the mouth of the fjord where Bergen is located, they could not get even half a step deeper.
A large number of fishing boats from the Bergen area saw a strange fleet. They seemed to be a fleet of merchant ships, perhaps from Denmark or Flanders. The big ship at the head did not fly any flags, but considering the whereabouts of such a large fleet, it was obvious that they were going to North Port.
Wait! A big ship with a spinnaker?
More than two months ago, a piece of news spread among the fjord society. Later, some Danish businessmen brought even stranger statements.
A large ship from the East passed through the Danes' checkpoint, but the fleet of the Danish chieftain was unable to intercept it.
But the sudden appearance of the fleet passed by in a hurry, and it became a new topic of conversation for the people in the Bergen area, and there seemed to be nothing else.
On its final return, the Balmok Viking fleet faced what may be the last warm southerly wind of summer and moved rapidly northeast along the coastline.
It was just September, and after another light rain near the end, the fleet entered the fjord.
Even if the sea becomes a little violent again, it is no longer a threat.
The expeditionary army is back!
Fishing boats followed this triumphant army. The approaching fishermen saw a large number of women sitting on the open long boat and couldn't help but cheer excitedly.
The anchor released by the Avora, which was fully loaded with cargo, scratched on the seabed for a certain distance before forcing the large ship with strong inertia to stop.
As for the longships carrying prisoners and supplies, they simply rushed directly to their respective territories and washed the beaches.
For example, Geiger of Washoeby, even though he lost many people, this expedition brought back a group of women and a group of very critical production materials. The most important thing was "Northumbria" The good news about Asia is that the climate is good and the land is fertile.” His only two longboats returned to his estate and were welcomed by his hometown people.
Aphrola finally docked at the largest natural berth in the port area, and the boats that surrounded it quickly began to help unload the cargo after it stabilized.
The strong men saw a large number of women climbing down the rope ladder. They looked haggard and spiritless. They were all dressed plainly and wore white scarves on their heads.
Are they all Britons from across the sea? They looked very different from the slaves sold at the Bergen market. Looking at the slave's appearance and hair color, he is very similar to the women of this tribe.
Magnut, the great leader of the Balmok tribe, came with his cronies, especially his little daughter, to welcome the heroes' triumph in person.
A large number of prisoners were unloaded, a large number of iron weapons were moved off the ship, and even a large number of suitcases loaded with coins, and personnel and materials were displayed on the land of the harbor. Magnute almost fainted in ecstasy. .
Byony stepped towards his father like a king, but it seemed that the commander of the fleet, Rurik, was taking second place.
But Rurik has nothingLoss, Noren was wearing a white cloth gown, with a beautiful huge pendant made of mixed gems hanging around her neck. She was wearing a tiara woven with Erica flowers, and she hurriedly threw it towards Rurik. Because she knew that this boy was her great hero.
The heather named Erica has begun to bloom, and the women of Balmok began to use this flower to decorate their beauty. It is also based on the tradition of scrubbing their bodies and bathing their long hair with water soaked in flowers. .
The pink and white flowers combined with Nolen's blond hair make this girl even more charming. She threw herself into his arms, and Rurik put his nose to her and sniffed her long hair, feeling even more relaxed.
She asked bluntly in joy: "You must have achieved a great victory."
"Of course! I led the army to defeat many powerful enemies. Look, these prisoners , These materials are all the wealth of your family."
"That's great."
Nolen gently let go of his hand and walked towards the people accompanied by Rurik. Among the captive female slaves of her own age. She looked at these girls with pride and sympathized with their plight? That is completely absent.
She raised her delicate chin proudly and said casually: "Women! You are all our servants, and this is your destiny. Only by serving us well can you escape the fate of slaves."
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When the words came out of her mouth, the image of an innocent, romantic and kind-hearted girl in Rurik's heart was gone.
But wait, she is the daughter of the top noble in the Balmok tribe. On the European continent, she is equivalent to the princess of a country. She is a pampered and noble person, so it is strange that she cannot say these words.
Rurik stepped forward, easily grabbed the back of her neck, easily pulled her to his side and said casually: "It has nothing to do with you whether they are slaves or wives of warriors. Nolen, you should make some preparations. I want to return before the autumn sea becomes violent. I will leave in a few days and I will take you away."
Although this is. With her own destiny, she was suddenly far away from her hometown, and a trace of desolation suddenly arose in the girl's heart.
She sighed softly and turned around to look up into Rurik's eyes: "Do I want to return to the sea with you alone?"
"Of course... of course, I don't want you to bring any maids. You should know that I am a noble man, a saint blessed by Odin. There are already some wives and concubines living in my home, and I will not allow you to be the most special one."
Facts. Indeed, Nolen sighed again: "Could it be that I really can't be your most beloved woman?"
"At least, you can give birth to many children for me." Rurik did not To answer, I have no intention of making any promises.
Of course, as an emperor, he must face the reality of having many wives and concubines. Rurik knew that he was unable to take care of each of them, but so what? In this era, a woman who is an emperor must have this kind of awareness.
Rurik asked himself that all the marriages he faced had a strong political purpose.The women who married him represented a force behind them. Behind the expansion of the Principality of Ross was the stability brought by marriage to maintain a strong power that could continue to expand.
Which woman is true love? None other than Rumia, the deer herder girl. But now, Rumia has essentially become the spokesperson for the interests of all the deer herders who serve Ross.
She is her first servant, her first woman, and she is also going to give birth to her first child.
Rurik still put his arms around Nolen's neck and made intimate gestures for the leaders Magnute and his wife to see, but his heart had drifted back to Roseburg.
"Rumia, you should already have one... There will be someone to succeed the high priest. If he is a boy, he will become the general, and if he is a girl, he will succeed the high priest!" Rurik currently hopes that Rumia will give birth to a child. The girl thus clearly and legitimately takes over the priestly duties in the future. What to name her?
Rurik looked at Nolen's flower crown again and instantly had an idea.
"Let's call it Virika."
He admired his idea quite a lot. This name has three meanings, one is "Flower Sacrifice", and the other is "Flower Festival" in Slavic. "The Daughter of Wisdom", the third most important point is that this name is the inheritance of the name of the deceased old priest Vilia of Rus.