After a short fierce battle, there is no longer any danger in the sea ahead.
The Avrora passed through the Oresund Strait smoothly. As for the chicken feathers in that place and the impact of the battle, Rurik could only wait for the situation to ferment before he could learn the information. He didn't need to find out for himself. The spy he installed in Hedeby, the Danish trading center, will bring a large amount of intelligence back to Roseburg in October.
The time is approaching October of the Julian calendar. At this time, the Russian fleet returning from Sorgon in the East will also arrive at its home port deep in the Gulf of Bothnia.
All the forces that expand overseas have to oppose their hometown seasonally. Rurik had some thoughts and thought about rendezvous with his own fleet.
Entering the Baltic Sea, the wind direction is now somewhat changeable.
The Avora skillfully took advantage of the wind and headed north along the coastline of the peninsula.
Of course we encountered some fishing boats during the voyage, it doesn't matter whether they are friends or foes.
The voyage to the north will not be suspended midway. Taking advantage of the temporary lack of rainfall, the ship must hurry as quickly as possible until it reaches the key relay station - Tombstone Island.
After crossing the Oresund Strait, Rurik continued sailing for eight days!
A boatload of people passed by the cucumber-like slender island of Öland, and passed the city of Visby on the island of Gotland, which had been occupied by the immigrants from Mälaren. The boat did not stop all the way, and successfully arrived at Tombstone. island.
Before entering the Åland Islands where Tombstone Island is located, the Avora had been discovered by Ross fishermen working nearby.
Russians know that three large ships will be able to cruise in this area from this year.
The gorgeous huge triangular sail of the big ship from the southern sea has proved its identity, and the flag fluttering on the mast completely proves that Lord Rurik has returned from the voyage!
The fishing boats that wanted to approach all hung Ross's "oar flag", successfully approached the Aurora, and then guided it.
"It's great! Brothers! We are finally back. When we land on Tombstone Island, we are going home. We all disembark and rest, and everyone will rest for two or three days before leaving."
Rurik, who was standing at the bow of the ship, issued the order for a holiday, which was held on the ship and cheered by the people on the ship as if they were locked in a cage.
An island appeared in front of him. Nolen cautiously accompanied his man, letting the sea breeze blow on his face.
The men were cheering, but she was nervous and inexplicably worried.
"Rurik, is Fort Ross ahead?"
"No. It's one of my ports. Tombstone Island is where some brave warriors are buried, and their spirits protect the comings and goings. The Russians. My dear, look at the east, and then look at your west!" Nolen looked along Rurik's finger. In her eyes, the east was the vast sea. The same is true in the West.
Wait a minute, that’s not just the sea. But, a huge bay? !
Nolen is notA simple musician who can only play the flute and compose music. As the only daughter favored by the leader of Balmok, she also gained some knowledge about running a tribe through her father's ears and eyes. She could relate to the conditions in this sea area. Although it was the first time she had arrived in her life, she also realized that Rurik's so-called Tombstone Island was at the center of the crossroads in the sea.
The Russians occupy this place, and they already have a great advantage in the vast sea area.
So, what’s going on with the Swedes?
She is a visitor exploring unknown territory. But she also understood that her identity had become Ross's woman. She was not a visitor, she was going home this time.
The Aurora successfully anchored in the natural bay of Tombstone Island. She docked smoothly on the platform, and the cable was thrown from the ship, which was fixed by people on the shore.
The words "AVRORA" are hung on the side of the ship. Even if people don't understand Roman letters, they can know its true identity as long as they see the unique shape of the lines.
The rope ladder was lowered and a large number of people began to disembark.
The soldiers, women and a small number of young children stationed on Tombstone Island were surprised to see an unimaginable number of men disembarking from the ship one after another.
Master Rurik is actually holding a little girl in his arms. They have the same beautiful blond hair, swaying in the wind.
People have been buzzing with discussion, and they have been discussing this trip to Balmok for several months, and it is obvious that they have gained a lot.
Because, those with a discerning eye have seen the astonishing draft shown by the Aurora, and there must be a lot of cargo stuffed in the belly of the big ship. Based on Lord Rurik's love for his people, it is obvious that these supplies will eventually benefit everyone.
After four months, Rurik finally stood on the land of the Russians.
He took a deep breath of the air in his hometown. It was a crisp autumn day, and the sense of desolation was gone. His mind was filled with expectations for the outside world.
The mercenary warriors accompanying the voyage, led by captain Yevro, entered the remaining warm wooden houses with wooden boards to rest. Everyone can get warm scented tea and cooked wheat, and even the widow whose husband has died will throw herself into her arms...
Rurik is too lazy to care about what happens to them. Now that Jevro has rich experience in this area, Rurik, who just wanted to have a good rest, led Nolen directly into his mansion on the island.
The mobile traders from Lake Mälaren who were doing business on Tombstone Island came in rowing boats. These people were all rubbing their eyes hard.
Just because they saw a large ship coming from the south, the person who disembarked was Rurik from Rus?
Hey! So what happened to the big ship left in Lake Mälaren?
Is it possible that the Russians have two more big ships?
Two years ago, Tombstone Island was just a navigation relay station with a "promising future". Now it is turning into a seaport city that combines a fortress and a trading stronghold.
OrIt is said that the geographical location of the Åland Islands determines that a trading stronghold will inevitably appear in this island group.
In another dimension, this trading outpost is called Port Mary. In this plane, Rus under Rurik's rule is called Tombstone Island Port.
The population of Tombstone Island suddenly became complicated due to the War of 831.
The most noble young Grand Duke came to Tombstone Island, and all the respected people on the island gathered in the warm forum.
Last summer, the brothers in this wooden longhouse discussed a plan for a decisive battle against the Gotlanders.
Rurik is still sitting in the distinguished seat that can only be enjoyed by Dukes, accepting the attentive eyes of his admirers and listening to their introductions about what has happened on the island in the past few months.
It turned out that more than a hundred pioneers from Novgorod were divided into forty families. They left their manor and arrived at Tombstone Island following the Sorgon fleet returning in the summer.
They built their own wooden house, dug a well that provided direct access to fresh water, opened some fields to grow a small amount of onions that mature quickly, and even built some wooden fences to prepare for raising more livestock in the future. It must be said that these Slavic immigrants came from a society with a higher agricultural level, and their construction improved the living conditions of the local Rus in some aspects.
So there were also Slavic faces participating in this "reporting meeting".
The Slavs attending the meeting directly called the island "Stanislavsk" and called it their home.
Rurik, he sometimes spoke Norse and sometimes Old Slavic. He had fluent conversations with all the visitors, and they were all very satisfied.
As the Duke's woman, Nolen was naturally obliged to follow Rurik and listen to the meeting.
"Rurik, your status in Rus is far better than that of my father in Balmok..."
Noren remained quiet and listened. She said nothing, but she didn't know Her presence aroused everyone's curiosity.
Here, Rurik highly praised the Slavic immigrants for joining Russia and pioneering for the prosperity of Russia. He also assured them that after paying agricultural taxes in accordance with regulations, they would be designated as new Russians. , men and women are obliged to fight for Russia and have the right to share the dividends of the war.
In the cheerful atmosphere, someone asked: "Lord Rurik, the woman beside you seems to be the new wife and concubine you brought back from Balmok."
< p>"Oh. Of course, this is Nolen, my wife."Noble people will have many wives and concubines, just like the god-king Odin has more than ten wives. The Russians believe in such legends and understand that Lord Rurik is imitating the God King Odin.
This Balmok girl named Nolen will become one of his official wives. As for the ten personal maids, they will naturally play the role of the Valkyrie under the God King.
Someone smiled and reminded: "Sir, our Duke Otto, his fleet is coming back soon.Maybe on the way back. Our Speros is serving as the flagship of Oriental Sorgon this year. "
Rurik was reminded: "What? My father, shouldn't he have come back long ago? "
"Not yet. The weather is cold this year, and the wheat in the whole world matures late, so the Duke will come back later. Besides, everyone knows that the wife he has chosen for you will come back with the ship this year. "
"Huh? That Svetlana? ”
“Yes. "
"Okay! Okay..." Rurik complained silently. This is actually his destiny. He can't escape the fate of having a group of wives and concubines. This winter, his home will be filled with the chirping of women, and it will be very happy.
After all, After a long journey, Rurik couldn't help but stretched his waist and shouted casually: "Heat me some hot water, I want to soak in the hot water and feel comfortable. "After saying that, Rurik teased Nolen, and the girl immediately lowered her head because she was a little shy.
Rurik unintentionally asked again: "There is news about our big businessman Gould. ? How was his routine of buying grain in Mälaren? Has the task been completed? "
Many people immediately responded to this matter.
Someone shouted the loudest, "Sir, something big happened in Melalen. "
"What's the matter? Rurik stretched out his arms to signal others to be quiet, "Could it be that the wheat harvest failed and Gould was unable to do things well?" Anyway, fortunately I brought back a boatload of wheat, so the situation isn't too bad. "
"No! grown ups. Gould is doing a good job. He asked someone to bring back the news a few days ago. Even if the wheat harvest in the Lake Malaren region this year is as bad as it was two years ago, the situation will not be too bad. The tribes still had as much as a million pounds of wheat to sell, and we had no problem getting through the cold winter. Our fleet is still parked in Mälaren, waiting for the seller to deliver all the wheat and other supplies. He plans to set off on the fifth day of October. ”
“Not bad, exceeded my expectations. "Rurik nodded with pleasure. Being able to get so much wheat after a disaster is a manifestation of money's ability! As for the suffering of the people on the shores of Lake Mälaren, what does this have to do with the Russians?
一One million pounds of wheat is enough for the Russians to survive the entire winter simply by eating wheat. The current sources of wheat for the Russians include not only the supply from Novgorod, but also the crazy plundering from Northumbria this year. .
Perhaps the people who stayed on Tombstone Island regretted the lack of wheat this year?
Rurik raised his head and said: "Let me tell you some good news! I was away so long that I actually led the Balmoks on an expedition to the eastern islands, and I plundered perhaps half a million pounds of wheat in the British Isles. The Aurora was loaded with wheat and parked in the harbor. Please prepare some money to buy it tomorrow. The old rule is that one silver coin can be exchanged for ten pounds. "
Hearing this, everyone present jumped and cheered.
The sudden excitement made Rurik really confused: "You all be quiet! As for being so highprosper? "
The person who just reported the news said cheerfully: "Sir, we can't buy wheat at the Melalen Market. But there were a few vendors selling wheat, and the price was that one silver coin could only buy seven pounds. "
Rurik was stunned for a moment: "Oh? The market price has become like this? ”
“Yes, you grant us favor. ”
This is indeed a favor. Rurik doesn’t think he has done anything extraordinary. The purpose of the existence of granaries is to reserve and adjust. The king will stock up on grains in good years, and then open granaries in good years. Grain is released at preferential prices. The stability of the kingdom lies in the people's hearts, and the stability of the people's hearts lies in the stability of food.
No matter whether there are good years or bad years, the Russians have gone from rarely eating wheat to eating a lot of wheat every year. , all due to Rurik's series of policies. People have developed a habit of accepting the official price of one silver coin for ten pounds of wheat. Maybe the people in Roseburg don't think it is a big deal, but Tombstone Island is at the forefront. Residents are only aware of the fluctuations in wheat prices.
In good years, the settlers on Tombstone Island can spontaneously go to the Mälaren Market to buy some relatively cheap wheat. Now, in bad years, they are prepared to survive by eating fish. Unexpectedly Lord Rurik came to extend his kindness in person.
However, Rurik never imagined that the price of wheat on the shores of Lake Malaren could reach such a high price. , Could it be that Gould suffered a big loss in buying food this year? Isn’t it possible that the new king of Sweden, Karl, is not stupid enough to break the hearts of the people of Russia? The largest grain producer in London had to give a very favorable price.
Thinking of this, Rurik directly asked King Karl about the amount of grain provided and the required payment.
When this person Rurik was mentioned, the expressions of these guys suddenly changed.
The person just now was interrupted mid-sentence, and now this person continued to shout: "Liuli. Master Ke! Carl! Already dead! "
"Dead? What? Did I hear that right? "Rurik sat upright instantly as if he was electrocuted.
"It's absolutely true. "
"Wait! Let me calm down. Rurik subconsciously held his head. He meditated for a while and then raised his head: "That guy is young and strong, and has an extreme hobby for women. Many women are screamed by him. Isn't that guy as brave as a ram in April when he fought with ten or twenty wives and concubines, and finally exhausted himself to death? "
Everyone burst out laughing, and many people said that Lord Rurik was really funny.
Some people pointed out the reason: "Sir, Karl was assassinated. "
"Assassination? Who did it? "
"It was those wealthy families who recruited soldiers to form private soldiers, broke into Karl's mansion and killed him. "
"Ah! This... Bjorn! Rurik suddenly remembered that name, "Bjorn, you still took action." Brothers, now in MälarenIs the situation in chaos? "
"The chaos appears to be over. A man named Bjorn claimed to be the new leader of the Mellaren tribe, and all the wealthy families supported him. Just..."
"Just what? ”
“Other tribes don’t seem to support Bjorn as our king. ”
“In other words, there is no king in Sweden now. Rurik nodded, touched his furry chin, and muttered casually: "Maybe I will be the king?" ”
Someone heard the muttering and immediately said: “Only we Russians can be the king of Sweden. If you become the king, everyone will support you.” ”
Then, many people made similar remarks.
Is it a good thing to be the king of Sweden? To be honest, Rurik doesn’t want to wade into this muddy water. Since the situation is very chaotic, People's hearts are complicated, and I am afraid that I will not be the target of public criticism. I am really arrogant on the battlefield, but if I am targeted by conspirators, I will not be able to bear it every day.
Rurik Wuxin. Listening to what his subordinates reported, most of the information these guys learned was probably hearsay. Merchants from multiple tribes rowed to Tombstone Island to sell things, and shouted about what they knew. How much of this was exaggeration and how much was true? p>
Rurik came up with an excellent idea, which was to take the Avrora and make another trip to Lake Mälaren.
That Bjorn finally couldn't help but jump. Coming out to be the leader? Rurik wants to believe that this guy is easier to negotiate with than Karl.
But in this chaotic situation, the Russians can no longer stay away from the world. /p>
Since the entire grain transport fleet is still waiting for the opportunity to set off in Lake Mälaren, it is reported that the newly launched Gouldot is anchored at Gould Island.
The Avora entered the big lake, and two large ships appeared at the same time!
This is a show of muscle to the Swedes in the entire lake area. Why is the inherent comprehensive strength not intuitive enough? Two "large war weapons" appeared at the same time! , That phantom is worth a thousand words.
Rurik intends to let Bjorn know that the Ross people are stronger now than they were last year.
The day of departure is tomorrow. , let’s have a good rest...
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