Chapter 691 Paper Deed

When the fire tower turns into warm ashes, the new year has arrived.

The daylight hours are increasing rapidly. Although the whole world is covered with snow, the Slavs must take action because spring plowing is coming soon.

Winter is still going on, and the people in Novgorod are busy in winter for the first time.

The work of craftsmen is a supplement to daily life. The basic foundation of people's lives is still farming. Once spring plowing begins, all male and female laborers have to work in the fields.

In the first month of the new year, young Regraf is growing up rapidly. The chosen wet nurse will become prosperous because of this child, and her family will also ascend to heaven like chickens and dogs.

But he is not the eldest son.

Mary is deceased, and sometimes Rurik misses her tenderness. She is indeed a woman who knows how to play tricks on men. In the past, this was her way of surviving in the Mercian court. Later, his love for her came from the bottom of his heart.

But she still died, which was her fate in a sense. From any angle, she was an adult when she was alive. If her pelvis were wider, she should have been able to avoid difficult labor, and she should still be bouncing around now.

Prince Mary is a captured slave after all, and Rurik’s many wives and concubines have different attitudes towards her.

She gave birth to a baby boy at the cost of her life. The vigilant woman sensed a crisis.

The wives and concubines had a job, and they were busy making paper.

Now that the papermaking work is on track, a group of local people have been enthusiastically involved in the related processes, which has resulted in thousands of big trees losing their bark. Birch bark is best, but fir bark is also acceptable. Add some linen and hemp rope to it. The pulp made in this way will make the paper softer.

Rurik intends to build a paper mill in Novgorod. Since there are no chemical bleaching or pickling agents, there will be no ecological harm if the papermaking wastewater is poured into the Volkhov River at will.

How to create more surplus wealth if local people are just busy farming.

The Principality of Rus can make a fortune through the paper industry, and the people should also enjoy sufficient benefits. Of course, the bulk of it must be taken by the Duke.

This matter should be considered in the long term. What Rurik needs most now is a large amount of spare paper, so the wives and concubines work quickly.

He always stayed in the house to inspect and supervise, chat with his wives and concubines, and listen to their chatter.

It was a pity that Mary passed away. Everyone remained silent and became more afraid of giving birth.

Only Carlotta.

When others didn’t want to mention this, Carlotta stopped what she was doing and whispered something into Rurik’s ear: “You have to fulfill our agreement. God will never test me all the time. "

"Then come tonight. I will prepare a small room..."

This night, there were gasps in the warm house. She was pressed on the blanket by Rurik, and she was saying: "I'm not afraid! I'm not afraid of anything."Afraid. I want a boy, even if I die because of it, everything is worth it..."

Compared to Rurik, Carlotta is the one who falls into the ultimate joy. She is older than Rurik, In a biological sense, she has become an adult. Coupled with the dream of reviving the tribe, she really desires a son more than ever before.

“I want a son! I don’t want territory but I also want a son. As long as I give birth to a son and let my people live in peace, it’s worth sacrificing my life for this! Freya! Give me a reward..." After that, he was hemming and hawing, and his spirit was in a trance.

Rurik had a dull face. He was not only enjoying the excitement, but also completing the task.

Carlotta's physical fitness is very good, she is not young, but...

If this continues this month, it is just because she is a little tired, and if she is still unable to conceive, then it is not a matter of timing. It's her body that suffers from that rare infertility, which is simply the biggest disaster for a woman in this era.

My son and Carlotta have been extremely close to each other recently. The Duke is deepening his affection, which is basically a normal relationship between husband and wife. Otto hopes to have more grandchildren. If the Duchess of Ostara finally has one, it will be a great joy.

Otto boasted that he also noticed another meaning: his son was venting his sorrow.

Everyone has their own destiny, Velika and Reglaf, their mothers each have their own misfortune. All the children are growing vigorously, and children with the blood of "God's Son" will definitely avoid disasters.

Carlotta is not just begging for a child now. When Rurik lay on his back panting, she He leaned over with a smile and blew the wind on his pillow.

“Rurik, I heard that spring comes early in this place. I saw that the Slavs were already preparing for spring plowing. We..."

"It's...a matter of surveying and mapping the fields. Do it! We also need to prepare. ”

“It’s not just this. "

"What else? Your belly must be getting bigger. You know, your other sisters will be jealous seeing us like this. ”

“That’s not the case either. "She continued to smile.

"What is going on? "

"I...I have a big decision, I just need your approval. "

Rurik was a little impatient: "Speak quickly, I support all reasonable requests. "

Carlotta rested her head on Rurik's shoulder and stroked the soft beard of her beloved man with one hand. "Okay. I...I really don't care about territory. I am your woman, and all my people are your subjects. "

Rurik suddenly felt less sleepy after she said this. What she said had nothing to do with love words. It was clearly the most important matter.

"You... want to how? "

"When the glacier thaws, I plan to move all the people here. I think all the Ostara people will settle in this lake area. The scenery here is so similar to my hometown, it is also warmer here and further away from disputes. "

"You..."

"I don't want territory. If you insist on territory, I only want a small piece of land. I will farm and raise cattle there, and I will pay your taxes. How wonderful this is! There is no point in Ostara being a principality, and I am not worthy of being a duchess. I have a title granted by the King of Sweden. If you don't recognize the new king Bjorn now, there is no reason for me to be a duke. "

"Are you serious? "Ruririk asked with a sullen face at night.

"Seriously. ”

“Indeed, your title is just a product of compromise between all parties. Olegin united everyone under the banner of Ostara's revenge, but unfortunately he was defeated. Now all of Sweden knows that you are my woman, and Ostara no longer exists in Sweden. "

"So, will you agree that the people of Ostara are all your subjects? "

"Yes! Neither. Because they are all Russians. "

This sentence explained everything, Carlotta continued to smile: "I have also inquired about some things these days. I learned that there is a large swamp area to the south of this lake, and the nearby farms were destroyed by you for rebellion. Give that land to me. I want the farmland there for farming and the swampland for grazing cattle. Do you... agree? I will pay the tithe. I'm not a duke, I'm just your boyar. "

Rurik didn't expect that she would make this decision. She must have said this not on a whim, but on a decision made after some thought.

"Okay! I agreed. "Rurik said it very casually.

"Are you perfunctory with me? ”

“I understand everything. Let all the Ostara people from New Roseburg move here? Can. If you take the title of Duke, that won't work! "

"But..."

"Come again. Rurik suddenly turned over: "I am not an ordinary Duke, I am Augustus, a nobler existence than a Duke." Of course I have to consecrate a new duke to guard it for me. Come on, keep going. I want to give the new Duke of Ostara a good place. Carlotta, the world is big and we need to continue to expand. ”

Rurik really needed to think carefully about Carlotta’s plan afterwards. Is it simply an immigration of Ostara people? No! It’s time to call on the people in his hometown to start a large-scale immigration!

January is the coldest month of the year, and two more snowfalls fell on Lake Ilmen.

As time passes quietly into February, everyone begins to feel an indescribable feeling. Warm, because the wind is no longer cold.

Rurik has been thinking about the "Great Immigration" for more than ten days, and he finally made his final decision. Her husband was already one month old, and he was well taken care of. His golden hair was the most striking feature. Ottonia was boasting that the child resembled his father in infancy.

However, the child did not receive God’s approval. Taking care of him, Otto could tell that Reglaf was just an ordinary child, with indescribable innocence in his eyes rather than infinite wisdom.

Entering February, Rurik's close relationship with the others in Carlotta Musha was suspended. An indescribable feeling took possession of her mind. Carlotta longed for a child more intensely than ever.

It was a quiet noon. Rurik took advantage of the opportunity to eat and, without leaving his chopsticks, explained his decision to his father Otto.

“Our goal is to get out of the Rossberg Fjord, and now the time is ripe. Dad, I want to order a large-scale immigration of the people this year. This is no longer a small-scale operation, I want most of the people to move. ”

After hearing this, Otto stopped feeding his granddaughter. He handed the spoon to Niya and said with a sullen face: "Have you finally decided?"

"Decided."

"Really decided?"

As expected, Otto did hold back some words.

An old warrior stroked his beard: "Child, now the barren Fort Ross is no longer barren, we are rich and powerful. We have built a lot, especially palaces and temples. There are also iron works there. And the shipyard. Do we have to give up on these?"

"I have thought of it before."

"Then you order a large-scale immigration, and the population of Roseburg will be reduced. Withered. I can't help but think back to the past. Speaking of the Great Immigration, he was the one who presided over the initial immigration project. It should be fully implemented this year, but he felt a little empty after it was implemented. .

Rurik nodded: "I will issue an order. The people of our old tribe, men, women, old and children, will immigrate here. Our people cultivate the land of the old Pine Needle Manor. This is the best land. Everything you plant will produce. "

"Of course, they will carry out your orders. I still have some concerns. Many people have built houses, and you want them to give up their houses?"

"It doesn't matter if those properties are abandoned. At worst, I will buy the properties! Our people must settle in Novorosberg and Novgorod on a large scale. This autumn we can eat home-grown wheat. Hey, the old Pine Needles Manor The fields have been explored and I will distribute the land to the tribe. The price is to pay me a tithe every year."

"It is indeed fair until the end of April. Thaw, the fields here will thaw at the end of February. You need to plow the land quickly, and the land cannot be left to waste," Otto reminded.

"That's natural. There are some veterans of the Second Banner Corps here. They also have their own sons and grandsons. Many of them are actually young people from the First Banner Corps. I will give them priority in allocating land to one family. I will allocate one hectare to them to grow grain first. I will hire local Slavic farmers to plant the land and pay them for their labor. Don’t worry, I don’t dare to miss the farming season.”

My son is clearly confident and has been retired for many years. Trust, his thoughts are all on the child, and the decision about his son is naturally complete.All agreed.

Otto still has great influence. More than a hundred veterans of the Second Banner are currently stranded in Novgorod. They were happily summoned by Otto.

A large group of gray-bearded men wearing deerskin coats gathered together. Their average age was over forty-five, and their prime years were gone. Although they could still continue to fight, they were just gone. The infinite power of youth.

No, there are more than ten widowed veteran soldiers who directly married local widows, and naturally they also have stepsons and stepdaughters. Even veteran soldiers who were widowed and lost children before they were too old actually ushered in a new life in Novgorod.

The Duke is going to announce the issue of farmland distribution. The Duke really respects the old soldiers!

In fact, in traditional Viking society, people who lost their labor force were a burden and deserved to die. This is very cruel and realistic. Limited resources are given priority to men, because it is precisely young men who have the ability to ensure the survival of the tribe.

This is not the case in the agricultural society of Novgorod. The elderly represent wisdom and the most experienced farmers. Young people need to be taught how to farm by the elderly at home. The two groups, differentiated by their methods of production, now merge into one.

Rurik is not a Viking at heart. He is an old warrior who respects his tribe. Because supplies are becoming more and more abundant, he can single-handedly support the livelihood of the entire Ross family.

This is a charity, but the old guy must also contribute to the Duke again.

The scene was a bit messy. These people gathered in a large wooden house. Seeing Rurik, a shining young boy, leave the factory, they all uttered a Viking war cry full of vicissitudes of life in unison with great tacit understanding.

There is a stove indoors and the air is very warm. Rurik simply took off his shirt and showed off his arms with obvious muscle texture.

Master Rurik stretched out his hand to signal for silence. When he spoke, his voice was like an adult, rich and penetrating.

Indeed, Rurik's physiological voice-changing period has come to an end, and his height is astonishing.

Because he has eaten and drank well, and his body has undergone too much exercise, his whole body has not yet reached the peak of strength. His current condition is already very alarming. Maybe Rurik can't grow into a two-meter giant. I'm afraid it's okay to grow to 1.9 meters.

As long as a Nordic man has enough food and drink to grow up, it is normal for him to grow into a little giant. Let’s look at Ross’s First Flag Troop of Warriors. Their average per capita is more than 185㎜, so their momentum can easily suppress the group of dwarfs in the Karelian Army.

Not only do they eat meat but also bread, and the Russians are even taller! It's just that Rurik doesn't like being too tall, but he does know that young people in Rus are destined to marry Slavic women on a large scale. Of course, the height of their offspring will shrink, but they will not become shorter.

In front of everyone, Rurik first praised the veteran warriors for their efforts in the rise of Ross, and then began to read out his resolution.

He can give impromptu speeches. Today he deliberately took out a piece of paperRead the document you wrote.

He was clearly announcing the decree in person, and a sense of solemnity arose spontaneously. Of course, the old guys are all paying attention to the paper in Rurik's hand. There is indeed a lot of words written on it. It is the legendary "cork board", which is really wonderful and convenient.

Behind more than a hundred old guys are more than a hundred families. Rurik announced that each family will get one hectare (Russian system, equivalent to 980 meters in length and width) of mature land.

Based on Rurik’s investigation, a Swedish farmer can take care of one hectare of farmland. The land is actually not small. Their method is to scatter seeds roughly and randomly. Rurik estimates that if they cultivate it intensively, At times, the wheat output might have exceeded 4,000 Roman pounds.

The scene began to become extremely lively. Everyone knew that the property rights of those lands belonged to the Duke, and now the Duke announced that he had given up his property rights.

Of course it comes with a price, which is the tithe from generation to generation. How difficult is this? The old guys all dream of getting fertile land. They were fishermen when they were young. It’s not that they don’t want to grow wheat because they don’t have the opportunity. Now that they have the opportunity, their children will inherit it from generation to generation.

What’s wrong with the tithe? Everyone can clearly see what the Duke did. Rurik is a saint, and the taxes and tribute collected will eventually benefit everyone. After all, the tax burden turned into labor remuneration, weapons to defend Rus, and a proud fleet.

The hooting couldn’t stop, and Rurik and Otto enjoyed it.

They were happy and satisfied, and Rurik continued to announce some detailed terms. Agriculture will be related to the future of Ross's development. For farmers, Rurik wants to encourage farmers to grow mulberry trees, and all the details are also encouraging.

The so-called detailed rules and so-called clauses, the core is that "the tiller will have his land, and the lazy will not be engaged in production but will still be taxed."

Rurik also encourages everyone to open up wasteland, and no tax will be levied on the land opened up for one year. and other incentives. It's basically the same strategy as New Roseburg.

The contract must be in writing, otherwise it will be empty and anything that goes wrong will weaken the Duke's credibility.

No, everyone was surprised to see Rurik's first wife panting into the room holding a stack of papers. Hundreds of sheets of "kraft paper" stacked together are indeed very heavy.

The runes are written on the paper, and all the old guys understand this traditional Norse writing form. Rurik worked tirelessly to write nearly four hundred copies for this conference. He was so tired that he shouted that movable type printing must be produced quickly.

The paper and the words written on it shocked everyone, and Old Otto was also shocked. It used to be that carriers for writing were rare. Everyone just didn't expect that there were so many pieces of paper, and writing became casual.

Documents are issued one after another, and the documents are also in duplicate. Rurik signed a contract with everyone present, and both parties signed their names, patronyms, and nicknames in rune script.

This is the so-called land title contract, and it is also the earliest paper contract in the Principality of Ross!

Rurik knew that he was making history. The next step was to wait for the snow to melt and take them to demarcate the farmland of each family, so that when their children immigrated, they could immediately start the agricultural life they dreamed of. . The people of Ross himself will live this good life on a large scale, but Ross will not give up on the ocean.