Is the new leader Bjorn a good leader? The people of Mellaren don't care too much.
After the defeat of the war, the grain harvest failed. The big families with large acres of land were busy selling wheat, and the people's food was also plundered.
Life is not unbearable, but Bjorn is really no better than Karl in collecting taxes.
Gould reported to Rurik on the issue of purchasing grain: "I can make a small profit, and I will never suffer a loss. Only our Ross is the largest grain purchaser, and only we have a large amount of cash. I Negotiate with them that if the harvest fails this year, the purchase price will still be one silver coin and eleven pounds."
This is actually a bet. If there is a good harvest this year, according to the agreement, the Russians cannot change the purchase price.
"The weather is too cold this year, and the bad harvest has been settled since the time of planting. They bet against me, and they have a sense of luck. Facts have proved that we Russians predicted the current situation, and we won."
p>Rurik heard that there was something about grain futures in this?
Wait a minute, the fleet has not returned now mainly because all the supplies have not arrived.
Rurik then asked, "I suspect that some of the leaders who participated have gone back on their word. They are dilly-dallying and don't seem to be planning to hand over the food?"
"Exactly. Speaking of this, Gould was furious and immediately said, "Since our two big ships are here, we can suppress them. You have brought 60 soldiers, and there are more than 50 people on my island." Then organize the others and recruit a hundred men who are short of money on the shore. We can easily organize two hundred people to beg for food."
"No, I have no intention of going to war with them. The premise that I can suppress Bjorn and support him in this matter is that this man helps us collect the food.”
Because the key to this bet is the Melalen tribe. Even though the tribe has experienced huge changes, it is still a huge population in terms of population, making other tribes look like small settlements.
The ones who are dawdling are mainly the big families of Melalen. In this case, things will be easier to handle.
Rurik thought about Gould's proposal for a while, since he planned to use two ships to show off his power. So why not organize hundreds of people to land in mail and cloaks and flags?
The remaining supplies after the war on Gotland Island, a large number of robes sewn with blue patterns were placed on Gould Island as clothing for the local garrison.
There are still a lot of robes in stock, and they are beginning to fully equip the people Rurik brought.
Those Balmok mercenaries suddenly changed their outfits. Even Nolen could not imagine that the people from his hometown were dressed in completely uniform clothes and stood together in uniform, with an aura of majesty rushing towards them.
If they were seen by the enemy, the enemy would be trembling with fear, right?
Rurik actually organized a hundred warriors, who were divided into two large ships waiting to land on Birka.
On the day of the appointment, the fishermen working on the lake, the battle-hardened veteran Aurora and the new leader Gurdot, saw Ross's two large boats heading straight for their market.
They first gathered in curiosity, and then became fearful.
Just because they saw that the decks of the two ships were filled with uniformly dressed warriors! I'm afraid they are not going to attack the Melalen tribe and loot Birka!
A powerful army landed, and the people on the shore immediately avoided it, and then lay on the roofs and walls, watching the movements of the Russians uneasily.
"We have landed. Next, my lord..." Gould smiled again and muttered with laughter, "Look, the Melalen people are almost defenseless. If you intend to start a war, it is true. We can demolish Bjorn's house at once."
"No. I don't want to kill anyone. I just want to show Melalen who is the strong one. Let's go to the market. ."
"Well, I just want you to see the new situation of Birka."
Gould retained something from yesterday's conversation, not that he wanted to cover up. , I just feel that if I say it, it would be disrespectful to Rurik, the "Son of Odin".
Rurik didn’t care either. Gould mentioned the tavern yesterday. Obtaining the ownership of the tavern became one of his goals.
Noren is dressed in fine clothes, and Rurik is also full of heroism.
Wearing blue-striped robes, tightly tied belts with battle axes and swords hanging on them, Rurik's mercenaries are all majestic and frightening.
The small leather drum brought back by Nolen was put to use. Someone was beating the drum, and the sound of the drum as the team moved forward attracted the attention of passers-by.
Most of them held spears nearly three meters high, with blue and white cloth strips tied to the spearheads. In the cramped lanes of Birka Market, the combat significance of these spears is also very narrow. They serve as ceremonial guards.
Jevro honorably served as the flag-bearer, and while holding the flag high, he followed Rurik closely.
Their swagger through the city caused the people of Melalen to whisper in mixed emotions.
Some people are muttering that the Russian people have not finished their business this year, and the Russian people plan to buy some more things...
People with a discerning eye can see that the Russian people are just showing off their power, what are they afraid of? They didn't even do trade, they just showed their strength to the big families who killed Karl, and they were trying to scare Bjorn.
Rurik indeed had no intention of paying attention to the bottles and cans sold by vendors on both sides of the alley, and even the slaves for sale with ropes tied around their necks, he was no longer interested.
Rurik wanted to go straight to the tavern to check out the place. He very much hoped to become the owner of the tavern this year after revisiting his old place.
In a trance, he suddenly saw a wooden building being built.
What’s so special about longhouses built in general?
No! It's not ordinary!
It has a wooden spire. Although it is under construction, there is a cross standing on the spire?
Rurik suddenly froze, causing the entire team to stop.
"Ah! Am I dazzled? This is Christchurch?"
"Sir, do you know it?" Gould was also surprised.
Rurik pouted and shook his little head, and some of the old mercenaries around him simply laughed.
"Huh? What are you all laughing at? Sir, since you know it..."
"Of course I know it. Not only do I know it, I am leading the Balmok army in Britain killed three thousand of them! This is a monastery, and I also stole some treasures!" Hearing this, Gould subconsciously felt that his sponsor had hatred for this foreign belief! And lust for plunder?
Rurik thought for a while, his intuition was very absurd.
"It's strange, who would allow missionaries to build a monastery in the territory of the Malaren people?"
"Of course Bjorn."
" He? Did that guy betray the gods and believe in the new one?"
"That's not true. It's just that the missionary came from Frank. This guy was in a hurry. This year, a missionary suddenly appeared. Visit, Bjorn reached an agreement with that guy."
"I really have nothing to say."
"Indeed, I have nothing to say about those guys. Not interested either," Gould said casually.
"No! I want to find the missionary and talk to him."
Hearing this, Gould felt even more ridiculous and frightened, "Sir, you can't be here Do it. Bjorn and those families allowed the Franks to build a monastery here, and they paid tribute. If you kill them, you are breaking the rules."
Rurik frowned, "Who said that? Want to use force? I am somewhat interested in them. I want to see which missionary dares to come to Northern Europe."
The Russian army rushed directly to the hired workers carrying and chopping wood at the monastery's construction site. They hid one after another.
Most of these workers were baptized and took their wives and children to become new Christians, which is really strange in the core area of Odin's faith. But these people all have their own sufferings, and Odin and Freya cannot give them comfort. Now, a missionary comes who claims that "God can save you lambs."
The workers dispersed, except for a bald middle-aged man wearing a black robe, holding a small wooden cross, approaching Rurik very cautiously.
"My lord, he is coming towards you..." Jevro asked cautiously in a low voice, "I am about to draw my sword. Women will affect the speed of my drawing my sword. Please let your Nolen avoid it."
"No need. This man is equivalent to our priest. I know their beliefs. Frankish missionaries cannot use force, let alone kill. Maybe he sees that I have a noble status?"
The fact is just as Rurik guessed, the bold bald missionary saw Rurik’s extraordinaryness at first sight.
In other words, when this person arrived at Lake Malaren by boat, he passed by Gould Island and suddenlySeeing the "giant ship" moored, with "GULDOTTER" spelled out in secular Roman letters on the side of the ship, he was shocked and puzzled. When he saw the flag flying on the wooden fort on the island, he felt a sense of intimacy again.
The missionaries learned that these were the Rus people. They were different from the Mellaren people. They were the northernmost existence in the entire Sweden, and they were also the strongest ones that stood out in recent years.
The missionary’s trip was to boldly go northward, trying to save new lambs further north.
Unexpectedly, the Russians actually came in person.
Look at their equipment. Their majesty is far superior to the armies of the Earl of Hamburg and the Earl of Bremen. I am afraid that only the Frankish King's personal guard can rival them.
Rurik did not panic at all, and even used his right hand to skillfully draw a big cross on his chest and forehead.
It was this dreamy movement that made the missionary freeze on the spot, and then he could not speak incoherently and trembled all over.
What is going on? Jevro felt that his master had used some kind of magic power to cause the approaching person to suffer from convulsions.
The missionary tried his best to regain his energy and walked forward. He stood tremblingly in front of Rurik and spoke to the old Saxon.
This person spoke poor Norse with Saxon emphasis (Old English) and said respectfully: "Welcome to you, Russians. I didn't even know that you are also holy believers."
p>Rurik smiled naturally.
"Saints? No, we are the descendants of Odin."
"Ah! Young child, what you just did..." The missionary felt like he was being poured out. A basin of cold water, and the high mood suddenly dropped.
Rurik immediately changed his words: "I know that you have faith, and I also know that you are from Frankland. I know something about you, and I am also somewhat interested in your faith."
Listening to Ci's words again, it was as if the missionary in an ice cellar was protected by a ball of warmth and suddenly soared to a warm place.
He just felt that even if this noble young man was not a believer, since he was interested, all he needed to become the Lamb of the Lord was a baptism and a confession.
The missionary immediately went on the offensive. The so-called preaching did not require any special venue. He openly and loudly proclaimed the holiness and greatness of the Lord. He also said that after accepting the faith, the souls of the most humble and ordinary people will be dead after death. Can go to heaven.
But what use does this have for Rurik?
Rurik immediately interrupted the man. He had no intention of refuting with the argument that Valhalla was far better than heaven, and he did not want to engage in any theological speculation.
"What's your name? What are you doing in Mälaren from Frankland? When do you plan to leave?"
Three simple philosophical questions, which made everyone confused. The missionary was confused.
"My name is John Paul St. William Esquier. I accept the invitation of the Bishop of Reims, as well as the invitation of the former King of Denmark, to preach the Holy Faith in your territory."
The last name is Eskil?
Rurik was naturally unfamiliar with this name, but he never imagined that when the wheel of history rolled to this point in time, he could lead the Russians to influence the course of history, but the general trend of history was inevitable. avoid.
Eskil came, and the Christian transformation of Sweden, especially the Lake Mälaren area, began with the permission of the local chief Bjorn.
Rurik vaguely felt that he was on the front line of the changes of the times. He already had a problem with Odin's belief. It was said that only the bravest warriors could go to Valhalla, but what about ordinary people?
He ordered to kill the old priest class of Rus, and established new priests and a new priestly culture. While worshiping Odin, other major gods also erected statues, and even the dead Vilia Conferring the title of God, all actions are intended to take care of all men, women, old and children in the tribe and stabilize the hearts of the people.
But all his actions are patching up the fragmented mythological beliefs of Northern Europe.
The messenger from the Roman Pope in the south is here. It is a new and very complete set of theological ideas!
Although Rurik did not know who Eskil was and what his possible historical status was, he knew very well that the Christian faith was spread among the lowest group of people in the society of the Roman Empire from the beginning.
Poor helpless people and people living in poverty, they are warmed by this new faith and believe that their piety and kindness can earn them the qualification to enter heaven.
Isn’t it?
Rurik saw that the people who built the houses were the most ordinary Melalen people. He keenly saw that these people who were wary of others had wooden cross pendants hanging on their chests.
Rurik looked at the building again and said deliberately: "Christchurch, when will you finish building it? How many lambs have you influenced here?"
Hearing the young man's words again, Eskil was trembling with excitement and couldn't wait to pull him into the room, and then pressed him into the water to be baptized. He even felt that this young man had read great scriptures.
"What? No answer?" Rurik asked again.
"My child, I think...you...you have been called by the Lord. You can..."
"No! I will not accept your faith, at least Not now."
"Then it will happen in the future?" Eskil looked a little aggressive.
Rurik, who knew he was talkative, immediately changed his tone, "I know about your beliefs and am also interested in you. There are a group of slaves in my hometown, and I allow them to maintain their beliefs. Even..."
"You..."
"I am a great nobleman of the Principality of Rus. You! Missionary Esquier, I want to know everything about Frank. I want to invite you to go to the north on my big ship, and I will allow you to build a monastery so that our slaves can have a safe place to worship. Only when they feel at ease can they do a good job for me."
This is undoubtedly true. yesAn olive branch from heaven!
While Eskil was ecstatic, he was still using words to encourage him. The so-called interest means liking, and liking can make him a believer.
"You are a noble and beautiful young man. You must have been gifted by the Lord. You should become a saint and go on pilgrimage to Rome..."
"Shut up!" Rurik held his forehead and shouted sharply, "You stay here and continue construction. If you want to go to Ross, row to my island before October 5th, recognize the flag of our Ross, and don't go to the wrong island." Listen, I want to have a good chat with you when I come to Ross."
"Oh! My lord, that is my honor." Esquier bowed.
Rurik turned and left with his brothers. Gould had been silent just now, but now he finally spoke.
"My lord, maybe your behavior...is inappropriate."
"It's nothing. People like him are the men in black in Rome that Villa said. We, Ross, are in charge. The sixty-year-old parchment is actually a scripture! We have had a relationship with them for a long time."
"So, you invite him?"
"Of course. The faith they uphold can comfort the poorest and humblest people, but the farmers will, and so will the mothers who have lost their children, and the women who have lost their husbands. I can use this, so that I can still be with you. Some big southern countries, such as the Franks and the Eastern Romans, were doing business smoothly."
Rurik had a set of ideas. The so-called theological belief itself was neutral, and it was better for the Roman Pope to control its interpretation. It is up to the Ross people, especially the Duke of Ross, to get the right to explain.
This is like the actions of King Henry VIII of England and Luther the German.
Rurik's great idea Gould was unable to think about.
Gould is a fat old man who is getting old. All he thinks about is that his family can have more wealth, his life can continue, and he can enjoy wealth and glory in his later years.
Of course, this old guy felt that Rurik had extremely practical considerations behind his high-sounding words, otherwise he would invite that Eskil after he was full.
Rurik then stated clearly and simply, "He knows Latin and Saxon. I want to learn it."