The people paddling in the hustle and bustle steered the longboat to the trestle. They landed one after another and immediately caught the rope thrown from the Aurora.
There are wooden piles hammered into the mud on the shore, and ropes are constantly entangled here.
Rurik's ship officially docked, and a long seesaw connected to the trestle. After a while, Duke Rus finally stood in his loyal Novgorod.
Otto came over in high spirits. He straightened his head covered with gray beard and looked at it, and he couldn't help but feel mixed in his heart.
"Niya! Where are you hiding with your children?" His cry didn't care about other people's feelings.
Old Rigus, leaning on the coffin staff, could see that Otto was a ruthless and decisive man in his heart, and his son Rurik was even more outrageous.
Otto is calling his old wife to find his granddaughter. Unexpectedly, this old guy actually has such a tender side...
When his call failed, he walked directly towards his son who was greeting his subordinates.
"Where is your mother? Where is your daughter?" he asked.
"They still have some people who will arrive in a month."
"Absurd." In desperation, Otto grabbed his son's neck, "The letter is not sent to my hometown. Didn't they do it? Look at you, you came with a bunch of wives and concubines, and you actually forgot about your mother and your daughter. Do you know how much I want to coax my grandson?"
Teasing his granddaughter is already one of the great joys of Otto's life. He no longer needs to fight in person. He just wants to chat and have fun with his old friends in the warm place here. His granddaughter Velika is indeed a great source of fun for him in his later years.
A father’s intergenerational relationship with his granddaughter? Rurik thought his father had become cute.
"Oh, that's not it..."
Ryurik was about to explain when Otto asked again: "It seems that the crusade against Karelia has been settled. "Did you win?"
"You won, but only partially."
"Why? Tell me what happened?" Tell me that the army has suffered a lot."
Family affairs have to give way to state affairs. Otto intends to retire in Novgorod. All power is transferred to his son, but the honor and disgrace of the principality cannot be ignored.
Rurik frowned and explained: "We killed thousands of them. The enemy fled, and the holy place where they worshiped was occupied by our army. We expelled the Karelia people, and the strategic goal was basically achieved. . As for the losses, our losses are minimal."
Otto sighed slightly, and now he was no longer surprised to hear the statement of "thousands of heads." He looked at the slim girls around his son and suddenly felt soft again.
Noticing the change in his father's attitude, Rurik turned his head and gave some instructions.
The girls wearing hooded burqas took off their hats and showed off their clean faces, showing an indescribable elegance.
They are the first to grow up, and they are the most beautiful youth in life. Including Svetlana inThe eleven girls in it are all Slavs, and this rising city is their hometown.
The local people who were watching cast curious eyes. They were not surprised by Ross's arrogant soldiers. Ross's girl stood here gracefully, just like a fairy descending to earth. It was so fresh and refined that it was difficult to appreciate it on ordinary days. of.
They knew Svetlana somewhat, and the entire Novgorod population witnessed her traditional Slavic wedding to Duke Rurik.
As for the other girls, they are all the Duke’s wives and concubines.
People can’t help but mutter, a noble man can have multiple wives and concubines, but Lord Rurik actually has more than ten?
The whispers gathered together into a roar.
Ryuri ordered the mercenaries to form a shield wall, and soon the noisy figures retreated to make way for a path leading to the city wall.
These are all Slavs, all their own subjects.
Rurik squeezed the excited Svetlana's wrist, and then turned to the old Rigus on crutches and Medved who had something to say: "Let everyone disperse. Come on, don't delay your own affairs. I have to go to the meeting place and I have to announce something important quickly."
"Yes." Medved nodded deeply...
The hustle and bustle at the dock soon ended, and a group of people living a leisurely rural life were reluctant to leave for a long time.
The wheat harvesting work of the most tiring representative has ended. Since the Duke exempted everyone from grain taxes this year, all the farms loyal to Ross have accumulated surplus grain in unprecedented numbers.
People with nothing to do squatted or stood chatting. They looked at the docked and unloaded ships and discussed how much cargo the ship could carry. They also focused on talking about those beautiful girls.
"The Duke is such an excellent boy. He has too many wives. I'm afraid he will be exhausted." One person murmured.
"Is that so? In my opinion, as a hero, he is far beyond ordinary people. He will take good care of those wives and concubines." Someone else agreed, and then laughed indulgently.
"Haha, it's a pity that I only have an old woman with a rotten face. My little daughter is always dirty and completely different from those girls."
"Speaking of which, except Ligus’s daughter, don’t you think some of the other girls look familiar?”
Someone suddenly reminded them, and the people chatting suddenly became vigilant. A bald, skinny old man was pulled out, and someone shouted to him: "Brother, I remember that you sold your little daughter who couldn't feed her to the Russians. It seemed that she was a slave. But I heard from someone who visited relatives last year that the earliest The ten little girls worked as servants for Lord Rurik. They must have lived a good life." midway through the man's words, someone seemed to have discovered a big secret, "Ah! The ship docked. Later, in addition to the young daughter of the old man Ligus, I did see more than ten girls standing next to the Duke."
"Could they be from a few years ago..."
p>People continued to whisper to each other, and saw that the bald old man had stood up and hurriedlyran away.
At this moment Rurik has entered his palace in Novgorod, which is also Otto's current residence and is part of the old residence of the Rigus family.
This is a collection of wooden ridges of different sizes. The houses are connected by boardwalks, and some of the boardwalks have continuous rain shelters. There are also low walls and some outbuildings here.
The main body of the building complex has remained unchanged for decades, and Otto has long been accustomed to living here and enjoying himself.
Of course, a brand new palace is under construction. The foundation of the wooden pile matrix has been built. Not only have the large wooden poles that build the main frame of the house been built, but the most important central beam has also been built recently.
Rurik sees all this. According to general rationality, the Slavs here have reached the limit of their abilities in building houses. However, compared to their hometown in Rossburg, where masons, carpenters and other partnerships Construction, already know how to build multi-story buildings.
Building magnificent and tall houses can reflect the majesty of the nobility, the city can become three-dimensional, and life can be more interesting.
When Novgorod’s population expands to a certain level, core residents will spontaneously want to build high-rise buildings.
Rurik sat casually in the large wood-carved house used for discussion. The chimney made of clay bricks was smoking, and the fireplace stirred up the dancing flame to warm everyone.
A group of girls sat quietly sideways on the soft deerskin cushions with the Duke they shared. Svetlana was in her natal family’s old house. Among the many girls, she was undoubtedly the most relaxed. open.
Can girls also participate in discussions? Both Rigus and Otto were a little confused. Except for Carlotta, the Duchess of Ostara, other girls should be avoided even if they were wives and concubines.
At this meeting, all girls present will officially accept their tasks.
"I see you are building cities at a high speed, which is good. Russia needs several famous cities, and Novgorod must be among them..."
After some polite words , Rurik stopped nagging. He knocked on the ground and officially announced: "I will start the measurement of farmland tomorrow. I will survey the total area of farmland around Ilmen Lake before plowing next spring, and survey the fields owned by each manor. , Investigate the fields owned by ordinary farmers and boyars!"
Rurik had already revealed this, and Ligus sighed: "My lord, this will finally begin. Can you really complete this very complicated task?"
"What? Are you questioning me?"
"No, no, I don't dare." , scratched his old face again, "However, I have lived here all my life, and I don't even know how many acres of Baishu Manor fell to the ground." He glanced at Otto again and said bluntly: "Over the years, Lord Otto has asked us We will pay whatever tribute is required."
"That's true, but this is not appropriate. I will set a new rule that the tithe tax on the land must be paid. This has nothing to do with the population. How many fields can produce as much output?, I will take one tenth of the output as tax. In this way, whoever has more farmland will pay higher taxes. I have said this, and now I want to implement it. I have given you enough time to adjust your mentality. "
"This..." Rigus was speechless for a moment, and he weighed the pros and cons.
They all had ambiguous attitudes. After all, this taxation model had only been introduced in New Rus' recently. It should be a good thing that Rurik is so determined to implement the old Russogon uniform and implement the new system in the huge agricultural area of Novgorod.
The farmland is the Rus Principality. The most important means of production at present, those boyars are the local big landowners. For Ligus, this policy is a kind of plunder for his family.
Since the old guy pretends to be confused, Rurik looked at him deliberately and made Governor Medvet listen.
"On the issue of taxation, you do not enjoy privileges. Your nobility is given by me and must be fulfilled. my order. When it comes to tax issues, you are exactly the same as ordinary people, no matter how much farmland your family has, for example, you pay a proportional tithe tax. As for how many arable acres your family has, what you report will not count. I will send my trusted associates to investigate, and I will personally participate in the calculation. "
Ligus looked at his son Medvet, swallowed deeply and then looked at Rurik, "My lord...my lord's decision is wise and powerful. So, have you found all your capable people? I will firmly cooperate with you, and if there is insufficient staff, I will provide it immediately. ”
“Very good, you are very smart. See the girl here? Including your little daughter, they are all talents trained by me personally. They will visit all the farmland, draw what the fields look like, record whose farmland it is, calculate the area of the farmland, and mark the proportion of grain that should be paid each year. "
After some rather professional speeches, the Rigus and his son understood part of it, and Medved complained in his heart. After all, according to this new strategy, his family cannot be greedy.
p>The Rigus family has always controlled the manor, relying on its accumulated property and its decades-long relationship with the Ross conquerors. Of course, who will pay tribute to the White Tree Manor? The owner of the manor pretended to pay tribute, but when it came time to pay the tribute, his share was stuffed back into the warehouse.
In the past, Rigus was just the tax collector of the White Tree Manor that Otto canonized, but it was not official. Documents to confirm.
Ligus did the same thing, and other boyar nobles did the same.
On the contrary, because of their isolation, those in remote areas. The Slavs live a harmonious life. The so-called native landowners and nobles do not exist. There are no class differences. There are only one or two talkers elected by the people as village chiefs.
The latter. The rural model seems harmonious. If they had been isolated from the world, they could have lived like this for a thousand years and lived their stagnant life in a cramped place forever. But the Russian conquerors have directly ruled this place, using Lake Ilmen.The conquest and expansion of the center in all directions has begun.
A group of girls became scribes, and Ella was the head scribe.
This was the first time Rigus learned this term. Neither he nor Medved understood it, but they were very happy to learn that their little daughter would be a scribe.
Why? The beautiful daughter became a very wise person, indeed nobler than other people.
After hearing Rurik’s next introduction, they began to doubt their own knowledge again.
Look at the ten girls here, are they the dirty little girls who were sent away back then? Rigus was shocked!
After all, Otto asked him to hand over a group of little girls for him to choose from, so-called slaves to be taken back as domestic servants. How could Gus be willing to do this? A group of dirty little girls were pulled out, and Otto selected ten to take away.
"These children, are they? Impossible! They have all become fairies."
Rurik wanted to laugh when he heard this, and said, "This is their fate. They are all from your White Tree Manor. They are loyal to me now and will do anything for me. They are all very smart, but you don’t know it.”
“Oh, that must be God’s will. ." Ligus shouted hurriedly.
Rurik nodded and began to read out their names one by one.
"Anna Ryurikovitch Mednova, Bela Ryurikovitch Mednova..." He read all the way to the tenth-year-old Yulia.
As soon as the name is read, the corresponding girl starts talking. The most powerful person in the Ligus farm in front of him is now as humble as a docile little sheep in front of Lord Rurik.
In contrast, she is Lord Rurik’s woman, she will do things for him, give birth to him, and then become a noble...
She is a humble farmer’s daughter who was sold by her parents, and now What a sight it is to return to your hometown as a noble?
All the girls present must participate in farmland surveying. Liuli ordered them to do their job well and not to be sloppy just because this is their natal farm. He even warned sternly: "If you stop slandering, we will Don't blame me for being ruthless if you manipulate statistics. Anyone who dares to harm my interests will be hanged, even if it is my woman."
They suddenly tensed up in a happy mood. Muscles, Rurik made them swear in public, which means that all girls solemnly declare their absolute loyalty.
With this glance, Rigus felt for the first time that his little daughter had become so strange...
Rurik wanted to give Rigus and Medved a powerful blow to prevent them from being arrogant. Stop being impatient and do everything exactly as the Duke of Ross asks you to do.
This is just the beginning.
"I will hold a general meeting of all boyars here, and the news will soon reach the ears of the farm owners. What I announced today will be preached again. Anyone who dares to disobey will be arrested immediately, and the wealth of his family will be It will be confiscated!"
Rurik is so determined and ruthless. Otto admires his son very much. This boy is better than himself.I am a hundred times more like a man. As for Rigus and Medved, the soles of their feet were already covered in cold sweat...
A burst of noise from outside spread to the inner hall, and Rurik, who had already finished the discussion, noticed the noise.
After a while, someone hurriedly came to report: "Many farmers were standing outside. They have something to ask for."
"Let them all leave and disperse!" Ligus frowned and shouted. .
Rurik signaled: "Ask them what they want to do. I am the Duke and I want to know."
"Yes." Medved stood up and simply went to investigate in person.
Soon he hurried back.
"What's going on?" Rurik asked impatiently: "You are running loudly. What big thing made you so panicked?"
Medved glanced at those The girl looked at Rurik again, "These are the wives and concubines of the adults. They...their biological parents are outside the door, and they want to see their girls."
"Such a thing actually happens. ? How do they know this?" Rurik was suddenly startled, and the girls raised their chests. They didn't speak, but their eyes could speak. They all looked at Rurik.
"Hey, it's human nature, you are all looking forward to it." Rurik thought carefully and waved his hands, "Anna, Bella, Sisia... Yulia." He took pains to be precise. Read the name given to each girl: "Go see your parents and tell them that your life is good. As for whether they ask you to do something, I have to say before, that will not work. You all go." Medved, bring people to maintain order."
"Yes."
The heavy wooden door opened, and a group of fairies walked out under the escort of Slavic warriors who closely imitated the Russian warriors. .
The girls pulled off their burqas and glanced at the farmers and women. They still remembered the faces of their parents and their names in their hometown, and after confirmation, they walked over with tears...
Even if your parents abandon you, maybe this is your fate. They don't hate their parents, or they don't care about hatred anymore, and they don't want to be rootless duckweeds.
The parents hugged their daughter, whom they had not seen for many years. Their tears were sincere at this moment.
However, they are already strangers, and the sincere tears can only be felt at this moment...