Blue Fox sat down and blurted out the question.
"Sir, who is this child..."
"It's my son." Rurik's words were quite indifferent.
The blue fox was taken aback, feeling the absurdity of the atmosphere, and immediately said: "Queen..."
"Of course not my Lanna. Mary is already dead, due to dystocia. Death, only the child survived. Mary is the princess of Mercia, and this child has the right to inherit the throne of Mercia. "Huh? He... is a noble man." Your son is born noble." Having said that, Lan Hu was even more confused and asked again: "Does it have something to do with your recruitment of me?"
"Yes." Ke's eyes were blazing: "Tell me what you saw in Hedeby. I remember you said that a monastery was built there."
He immediately pointed to John Invar's chest: "Like this pendant , their monastery has such a symbol."
"It's a cross, I know. Some Saxons believe in this, and your... that princess also believes in this."
p>Rurik nodded: "Now that you know, things will be easier to handle. Listen!"
"Yes."
"You still have to go back You have to sell a lot of squirrel skins for me when you go to Hedebe."
"Yes, this is my duty."
"The reward will be yours, of course. You should try to sell them at a high price, and then buy slaves and other things locally. You should remember to avoid buying things that are too luxurious, and try to purchase supplies that are beneficial to life. This autumn, do not send these supplies to Roseburg. Send it to me here in the east..."
Rurik described a lot of things, and he didn't believe that the blue fox could write them down very well.
"Don't worry, I will write down whatever I want you to do and what I don't want you to do. You just need to do it according to the requirements of the document."
"It's written in The document on the paper?" Blue Fox's thoughts suddenly popped up and he boldly said, "If we transport the paper to Hedebe, we will make a fortune. I hope you will consider it." p>
"You think I don't understand? I am the only one making this kind of good stuff, and I will not export it to make money before we can use it for ourselves. Don't worry, we will make a fortune from it sooner or later, but not now."< /p>
Rurik breathed another sigh of relief: "You will be able to complete the business affairs very well. This is your formality. In addition, I want you to find the monastery in Hedebe in person."
p>"Huh?! Why? Oh, I understand. You want me to infiltrate, pretend to believe in their gods, and then grab what benefits?"
Blue Fox's description is really confusing. Rick was speechless, but it aroused John Ingvar's interest.
"If possible, would you accept those people's beliefs?" Rurik asked deliberately.
I saw this blue foxHe looked indifferent: "I just believe in money. Who knows after death?"
It was as if an unscrupulous businessman was sitting in front of him. Also, if this guy only cares about money, this person will be easier to control.
"That's fine. You can believe whatever you want, but there is an old friend of mine in that monastery."
"Old friend? Sir, when did you meet those Franks?" Have you ever had a relationship with a monk?"
"Yes!" Rurik smiled and pointed at the people around him: "John Ingvar, I am sure that you saw him in Hedebe Monastery. , the biggest boss is Eskil. This old guy came to Roseburg more than two years ago, and he annoyed me, so I put him under house arrest for half a year. "
Blue Fox suddenly realized: "Oh? You sent me to negotiate with this person and make some secret deals?"
"Yes! No. I want you to bring John Ingvar there, and my The handwritten letter was delivered accurately. It doesn't matter if I tell you the specific content of the letter." Rurik gently shook the child in his arms: "He is Reglaf, the grandson of King Wiglaf of Mercia, and this child is the heir to the throne. I have already been baptized. What I need is for Eskil to be the guarantee and recognize the child's religious status, and then be recognized by some Frank nobles. You must be aware that maybe you see that the old guy is a big shot in appearance.
The blue fox glanced at John Invar and raised his head confidently: "Simply sending this kid there is not a problem. Hedeby is a free port. I have nothing to fear, and there is old Eli." With the help of that guy, I will get things done.”
“Ah!” Rurik sighed inexplicably: “It’s time to adjust our relationship with Denmark. I heard that there is a leader named Horik Klarson."
"Yes." The prince mentioned this name, and the blue fox became nervous instantly: "My lord, although Hedebi is free. . But I heard from locals that if this exiled man comes back, businessmen will no longer have a good life. This man has been spreading news in recent years to regain his position, and this man will definitely take action. There must be Frankish forces behind it, and I'm afraid this will threaten our interests."
"Maybe it will lead to a war. I'm not afraid of this. However, I do hope to make peace with it. Let's negotiate with someone."
"Huh? You won't go to Hedeby yourself."
Rurik shook his head: "I don't know about Horik Kra. Who is Ersson? If he gets the throne of Denmark, maybe I can cooperate with him. If he doesn't want to cooperate, I will force him to cooperate. Brother Blue Fox, it's no longer possible, and the people have become poor. , it will not be easy for us to make big profits in the future. We need the Danish market to make big money, and the previous state of war must be lifted. We must cooperate with the possible new Danish king. My old Rus people like the benefits generally for the Danes. Repulsive, so I need you."
These words were really enlightening. Anything related to business can deeply stimulate Lan Hu’s spirit. He joked: “If that man also has some business spirit, everything will be easier.”
< p>"I'm afraid that guy is a stubborn warrior, full of war and conquest, just like Hafgen who I killed.""This is the only thing you can rest assured about."< /p>
"Why do you see it?" Rurik asked, puzzled by the blue fox's awkward smile.
“The former Danish leader Harald Clark believed in the gods of the Franks and was expelled by all the Danish leaders. I heard that this Horik Klarsson was his nephew, and he was said to be working under the Frankish king. He has been running his own business in Flanders for many years. This man has the same beliefs as Eskil, but he is not a reckless man bent on war. I am worried that the Danish leaders will still unite. Expel him."
"Then I will help him get the position and then ask for benefits," Rurik said ambitiously.
"If this is the case... Sir, we also have to consider the possibility of civil war in Denmark. At any time, we must protect our business, unless you decide to be the king of Denmark yourself. I think , do you have this strength?"
Become the King of Denmark? What is this? Rurik could hear that this guy was complimenting him, but he never disdained this suggestion. The prince must consider the attitude of his people. People have never been interested in the countless islands in Denmark. How can it be as interesting as Eastern Europe, a land with rich water and grass?
Blue Fox has received his important task. As long as he does these well, his personal achievements can surpass his elder brother. By that time, I am afraid that my wealth will have surpassed the inheritance of my father Gould.
The spring rain lasted for many days. When the sky cleared up again and the extremely warm south wind swept through the green forests, summer began to flourish throughout Northeast Europe at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The growth cycles of oats and spring wheat controlled by the Russians are very short, and they can be harvested in an average of about 110 days from sowing. The area around Lake Ilmen is sown at the end of April in the Julian calendar, so the traditional harvest season is in early August. This time a large amount of wheat was sown late, and the harvest season is destined to be delayed until the end of August or early September.
The situation is not bad, because Lake Mälaren in Sweden harvests at this time every year, and the Russian immigrants are mentally prepared.
They are not only mentally prepared for the harvest, but also prepared for the large-scale immigration.
The women and children who rushed to Novgorod with the ship all described the same fact, that is, the people in Rosberg's hometown were eager to try. People in Rus's headquarters have the right to immigrate, and they generally request to move. Rurik listened to the women's descriptions, and it seemed that as long as he went back with the fleet and his family members boarded the ship with their luggage, the big migration could be easily completed.
Of course things are not that simple. Many people are not allowed to immigrate. Especially in the current era, although Roseburg is not suitable for farming at all and is frozen half of the time every year, it does have a significant economy.Value - Pioneer of Industry.
Rossberg must survive forever and become the iron smelting center of the principality along with Ironburgh in the north. It is also an acceptable shipbuilding base, but the shipbuilding environment is obviously not as good as Novorosberg or even Novgorod at your feet. With the current scientific and technological conditions, it is difficult to create a large spread. To build more Aurora-class sailing ships, it is entirely possible to build a shipbuilding dock in the warmer Lake Ilmen with many trees.
Of course, if too many people immigrate to Eastern Europe, there will be a massive loss of population on the one hand, and a large number of people entering on the other. Too radical immigration will be very harmful to the Principality of Rus.
Rurik wanted to seek stability, so he organized a fleet to return to his hometown.
The rain has stopped, and a key meeting is being held in the city's Rosduma.
There were many people coming to this meeting. Boyar nobles from all the Slavic farms around the lake gathered together, and Carlotta and Arik who were building new homes also arrived. The elites in the region gathered together to listen, first recounting old times and reporting on their respective work, and then listening to Prince Rurik's speech.
There is no need to say more about the plowing time. After the spring plowing was completed, the surveying and mapping team composed of wives and concubines had already taken the boat and continued to work in various manors. They are the prince's women and the daughters of Dahu, and they are protected by mercenary warriors. They represent the authority of the prince. If they are neglected, they will act coquettishly and complain on the prince's bed, and disasters on the farm will follow.
Rurik raised his chin and announced loudly: "I am about to return to my hometown with my fleet, and two thousand people will arrive here soon! You boyars, many years ago we asked you to hand over a batch of Of course you are very reluctant to have women as wives for us Rus. Now they are about to come back with their children, and they will not leave again when they come back, so I want to build new settlements on the lakeside, except for Mstisk, which is under construction. , and more. So, you need to cut down more big trees and ask for land from the forest.
The newly arrived Rus will mainly hit Novgorod and Mstisk. The population in Pianhu District will become more and more dense, and we will have more farmland.
I will also build a permanent large altar and a golden statue. I will build a bigger granary and a bigger city. , better docks. There are also blacksmith shops, leather workshops and other various workshops..."
In a word, Rurik hopes that the Ilmen Lake District will become far more than the Mälaren Lake District. The economic zone is different from Lake Mälaren. This lake area will be directly ruled by the Prince of Ross, and the internal structure is more orderly.
A few hundred people in a village cannot create much. If more than ten villages form a group, things will start to change. When multiple village groups form a city, the inevitable urban life will prompt a group of outstanding people to create more.
Rurik gave a special order to Governor Medved, and everyone knew about this in advance.
"I heard that there are a large number of villages in the dense forest outside the lake. You boyars are all here. Those who are hiding seem to be very good with you.If you keep in touch, it's obvious that you have a common ancestor. Everything has changed now! Medved, I order you to lead the soldiers to find them! This was an order to force submission of a farm after finding it, to determine its location and the route to the farm, and to bring one of the chief's sons or daughters to Mstisk as a hostage. "
Medweit naturally obliged without hesitation. He actually knew that this radical method might lead to resistance. Resistance? If you resist, strike!
This order was not entirely given to him. , the so-called Medved alone to lead the troops to search the vast forest, it will take forever.
Rurik slightly changed his mind: "All the boyars obey the order, you have them." It's your duty to find the hidden farmstead. Go find them, persuade them to surrender, and bring the hostages back. I will reduce or reduce your taxes during this year's harvest season based on your results. If you do a good job, I will also give you a monetary reward. ”
Is there such a good thing?
Many farm residents dare not go deep into the dense forest. First of all, it is troublesome to find those hidden farms in the dense forest. The biggest problem is that they will encounter wild animals. Attack. They lack experience in hunting bears, and it happens that brown bears in this area regard humans as food.
The prince did not quantify the amount of tax exemptions and bounties, but everyone was sure that the prince would keep his promise. With a visible reward, they are willing to take risks. After all, the farm has passed its busy season. If the men are organized to pick up iron spears and explore together, they will not be killed by the bear. If a bear is killed on the way, everyone will share the bear meat. The Russians can still make a profit by selling their bear heads and large leathers.
They participated in this meeting and brought over some dried squirrel belts they had hunted in the winter. Merchant Blue. Hu decisively made the purchase at a very low price, and both parties were very satisfied with the result.
The boyars beat their chests hard, promising that they would work hard to find the hidden person.
This. The attitude of the group of guys was so firm that Medved had to make a bigger promise.
This currently rare Slavic man with a strong body made a bigger promise: "I will. Find them and move their farm directly to the lake. I want them to open up new farmland near the lake, and the population will be directly controlled by the prince. Since the prince needs manpower, I think this is the best way. If they don't comply, I will use force to coerce them, and if they dare to resist, I will start a war! If killing one or two hiding farmsteads would scare the rest of the hiding into cooperating, I'd do it proactively. ”
Medvedt promised so, and his words sounded like what a real Viking said.
If this is the case, then the method is indeed very crude and is very necessary for the principality. . What the principality needs is a large population that can be directly controlled, and the population must be densely populated to create greater wealth and stronger overall strength.
Rurik thought for a moment and was completely sure. Medved's more radical plan
In this way, find hidden villages and force.Sexual relocation of residents has become a must-do for Novgorod this summer. The strength of the method depends on Medvet's will. If this guy can take the Slavic flag team for a walk in the forest and transform people into living beings, even if it means bringing 10,000 new residents to the lakeside, this group of new subjects will be Rurik. There is also a material basis to support them until next autumn's harvest, and by the way, they will also reap the wealth of their labor.