A group of people gathered at the Novgorod pier. It was not surprising that the Ostara people entered the city. Men and women watched with wide eyes as they were accompanied by ten tall horses.
Carlotta, who had a big belly, stepped ashore slightly tremblingly with the help of her entourage, and then walked to Rurik's palace in the city.
Makesakei and his group didn’t know what was going on. They were surprised by the hugeness of the city. When they saw the noble woman advancing, they led their horses and walked inward, ignoring the pointing fingers of the onlookers. go.
Because of the construction of schools in the city, a group of workers are always coming in and out with wood. This city is a society of acquaintances, and the city gate guards will not stop them at all when they see a large number of familiar faces. When they see the noble Duchess Carlotta of Ostara, they bow to indicate the meeting.
Only the horse riders and horses were stopped directly.
"Hey? What does this mean?"
The gatekeeper is also a Slav, and he said casually: "Looking at your faces, you are not locals. It's very suspicious that you came with a horse." "
"We...we want to see your prince."
It was this description that made the gatekeeper even more vigilant. Six people gathered together holding whistle sticks. The leader said bluntly: "How can you, the prince, see you casually? Explain your identity, why you are here, and your horses... Could it be that you want to sell the horses?" ”
The gatekeeper guessed pretty well. The horseman nodded hurriedly and took out a silver coin from his pocket.
The leader of the gatekeepers looked at them, then at his men, with a straight face and said nothing.
"Oh, the money is too little." Sakhi hurriedly took out ten coins and gave them to the obvious leader, jokingly saying: "Please tell me, please."
When it was, Carlotta in front saw that the fake behind did not follow up. When she turned around, she saw that the horse was being pestered by the guard. She said casually: "They are my guests, come with me to see the prince, let them come in."
With the guarantee of Duchess of Ostara, the gatekeeper let them in, of course ten silver coins A whole group of people were taken away.
"Why are the Russians here like Smolensk, and they have to pay for crossing their territory? Well, ten horses will be sold for a big price, and I will make back everything I lost." Key was obviously reluctant to hand over the money.
But as he really entered the city and saw the prosperity inside, he gradually understood the reason for collecting money in an instant.
Completely different from the chaos of the Smolensk people or the settlements in their hometown of Kiev, the interior of this city called Novgorod is quite neat.
There is a lot of snow outside the city, but not only very little snow inside the city. There are straight roads here, and the amazing thing is that the roads are not muddy. Just the lack of mud was enough to give them a huge shock.
It turns out that major cities in the Principality such as Novgorod follow a basic principle in the construction of internal roads. Naturally, the road needs to be pounded with stone piers to keep it flat. After the land is compacted, it can withstand a certain amount of rain erosion, which is still insufficient in the long run. CityMuddy roads can be a nightmare. Not only do roads need to be kept dry in special ways, but water stagnant in the city must be dispatched quickly.
Look at these roads. Due to the lack of stone, Novgorod roads were replaced with a large number of pottery blocks. It is actually a kind of fired clay brick. Since it is only used for paving roads, there is no particularly high requirement in terms of shape. The only requirement is to ensure that it is hard enough.
The main roads are densely paved with bricks, and the rest of the roads are simply paved with gravel and broken pottery.
Today’s vehicles are structurally unable to transport too much cargo, so Rurik is not worried that the road he spent money to repair will be damaged in a short period of time. He can completely build cement roads. The Principality of Ross has indeed mastered this technology, but the production capacity has limited the paving plan. Cement roads will be built in New Ross Fort, and currently only a small number of roads can be paved.
Brick pavement is an excess, even if it has done a lot to save city residents from spring mud.
The Eastern European world must be faced with an extremely muddy nightmare during the snow melting period. Some outdoor paths made by human feet will be covered with knee-deep mud in some sections. Even if spring plowing could theoretically begin now, no one wants to sow in muddy fields.
Almost all urban residents belong to the White Tree Manor. Fortunately, the brick pavement is strong and dry, and a group of residents rest their farm tools on the public road.
Smooth and hard large areas did not exist in the past era. They openly repaired shovels and hoes, and inspected the plow with columbine. They took some of the grain from their homes and dried it in the sun.
Some women also took out the stone grinding rods and small millstones at home, then put a piece of linen cloth on the brick road and sat down in the light outdoors, and carefully ground the wheat grains into powder.
Even children are using stone mortars to pound the dried and stored thyme leaves into powder.
There are also markets in the city, with a batch of seabass hanging on wooden shelves, and fishmongers selling them.
There are also vendors selling live rabbits and chickens, which are put into wooden cages. At the market, there are also many women carrying rattan baskets and wearing headscarves sitting down and chatting. They are all selling eggs. During the free period of trading, they chat with each other to pass the time.
What Maksakye saw was a neat city with no smell of human and animal excrement in the air. The roads here are clean and tidy, and small trees are deliberately planted on both sides of the road, which is obviously a main road. There are ditches on both sides of the path, and the flowing water in them is actually running water.
They were just taking a quick look at the scene, but suddenly someone called them angrily.
It was a soldier patrolling with a sword. When he saw that the man leading the horse did not stop, he simply intercepted him.
"Ah? Did we do something wrong?"
The patrolling soldier drew his sword directly, pointing the sword directly at the horse manure on the road: "You have committed a crime! Dare to pour it on the road Shit, you are under arrest!”
Sakhi wanted to explain, but the soldiers acted directly. All horse riders areThe arrest was so loud that hundreds of people watched, and Carlotta, who was walking in front, was speechless.
Obviously Novgorod is not a very big city, but why are those Kiev horse riders always causing trouble?
It is true that this is not a big city. Rurik was busy in the palace compiling the children's teaching materials. The noise outside attracted him to simply go and see what was going on, so as to change his mood.
Because Sakhi and his group regarded the patrolling soldiers' actions of holding the horses as robbery. What was worse was that when they resisted, they were searched by the soldiers. At this time, they even confiscated the entanglement in the leather jacket and the defensive daggers and daggers hidden in the leather jacket.
The soldiers simply said bluntly: "We have learned that you are businessmen in a foreign land. You must be punished if you do not follow the rules. It is also dangerous for you to carry weapons. This matter should be decided by the Governor."
Things have reached this stage, and the number of men and women watching the show has gathered to 500 people. A large group of children are running around in front of their parents, laughing and joking as they watch the soldiers take people away.
Carlotta gently stroked her forehead and complained: "Can Rurik still do business with these guys?"
Medvedt was the first to be alarmed, and he brought More soldiers arrived to resolve the situation. A soldier rudely dispersed the crowd, calling for everyone to disperse.
Sakye saw a big shot and hurriedly made his intentions clear. The patrol soldiers also hurriedly reported the situation.
"Selling horses? Selling to the prince? Okay. But... you have made a mistake and should be punished. You also have weapons hidden on your body, and you want to see the prince like this? It makes no sense. Those who come, take them first. Lock him up in a cage and wait for the prince to be punished."
As soon as he finished speaking, when Sakhi was at a loss, the distinguished man finally arrived!
"No need to bother, let them explain the truth now."
It was Rurik, walking out of the palace with Svetlana.
Due to various actions in the past, Rurik has always displayed an image that is too friendly to the people. The onlookers cheered the prince's appearance and continued to watch the development of the situation.
At this moment, all the riders were pressed to the ground and had to kneel down. Sakye raised his head and saw a blond young man with a mustache and another noble woman. He really couldn't think of it. I think this is the Russian prince and his wife.
"Sir, these people from far away want to see you, they seem to want to sell horses." Medved spoke on his behalf.
"Selling horses? Merchant? You..." Rurik looked at the horses carefully, and his heart began to beat wildly.
Oh no, it’s a heart-pounding feeling!
Rurik didn't care about the others. He hurried over, stroking the horse's mane with both hands, and gestured at the horse's shoulder height and his own. This comparison didn't matter. He didn't expect that there was no obvious difference between them.
"Ah, these horses are so tall. Are they... all horse sellers?"
"Yes." Medved responded hurriedly.
Rurik’s eyes were fixed on the horse, and he said without looking back: “Let them all go.Bring me to the Rosduma. I bought all these horses. "
"But sir, they are responsible for the horse manure on the ground. "
"So just because of this, you arrested them? ”
“Exactly. "
"Yes, if you dare to leave excrement on the road, you must be punished, even if it is horse dung. Let’s settle this account first. I want to have a good meeting with these businessmen. You shovel the horse manure into the gutters and settle it. "
In this way, the confused Sakye stood up again. He had been completely disarmed and had to admit one thing. The young man with the golden ponytail, He is the supreme ruler of the Principality of Ross.
Rurik has long seen the presence of Carlotta with a big belly. Compared with his own woman, the presence of ten horses is too bright.
p>Carlotta glanced at her mouth slightly, and she just watched silently without bothering to interrupt.
After a while, Rurik came to chat with her in a friendly manner, and of course he also asked some questions. The situation of the second child.
“Everything is fine, your son will be born soon. "She said.
"Everything is indeed fine. Stay with me tonight, and you will stay in Novgorod until the baby is born. "Rurik had good intentions and was sure that Svetlana would fully support her.
Carlotta nodded, pointed to the horsemen and horses and said: "They came from the southern city called Kiev. Come..."
"What? "Rurik was startled, and the sudden change in his expression was startling.
"What's wrong? "
"What city is it? "
"ki~yev~" Carlotta pronounced it carefully. Her pronunciation was very standard. It was because of this that Rurik's expression became even more exaggerated. When he looked at Ma Ke, his attitude became more complicated. .
“He is actually a businessman from Kiev, coming from such a distant place. quick! They are all guests! A banquet will be held tonight to welcome distinguished guests. ”
The words are all in Norse, and the conversation with Carlotta is naturally in the language of his hometown. The horsemen can’t understand it, and it seems that the brothers don’t have to worry about being harmed by the Prince of Rus.
p>Carlotta continued to explain, especially those horses. She particularly emphasized the importance of a group of horses to the principality, and even put forward her own outstanding insights: "Strong bulls are widely bred, and they can Get a lot of strong calves. There are two strong stallions here. You control the most horses. Soon you will have a strong horse herd and you will be very powerful. ”
Only a few elites can have this insight. She seems to understand more profound things.
Rurik thought about it and encountered cavalry in the battle against Britain. To carry out a powerful attack, Ross needed a cavalry, but the existing horses were not suitable for riding. The horses brought by the horsemen were surprisingly high at the shoulders. They were clearly born to be war horses. The purpose of the horsemen was indeed not simple. .
Are they still influenced by the Slavs in Kiev?Liang entrusted him to contact Rose?
Carlotta patted Rurik, who was lost in thought, and chuckled: "I didn't expect that you still care more about the horses. Anyway, how about father and mother?"
"Them? Everything is fine, now I am busy teasing the children."
"I'm going to visit them. You...just go about your important business." Then she looked at Svetlana again and said in a friendly tone. : "Sister, I'm finally back. Let's go, let's talk sisters..."
Because according to traditional Nordic customary law, Carlotta is Otto's adopted daughter, and her relationship with Rurik is not Blood siblings, because they are not related by blood, their union is also in line with the rules. With this relationship, Carlotta and Svetlana sisters are compatible and compliant, and because there is no so-called competition for favor between them, the relationship is quite harmonious.
The female relatives left on their own, and Rurik was very pleased with their understanding. In this way, he can negotiate trade with merchants well.
In the parliamentary court of the Rus Duma, Rurik sat on one side and all the riders sat on the other side.
The house is spacious and tidier, and the open wooden windows make the house brighter.
Rurik gave them a glass of ale with honey, and after drinking it, they went directly to the topic.
"Since you are selling horses, tell us your price."
"Ah! Your honorable sir, I didn't even introduce myself." Sakhi said, covering his heart.
"Really? Your accent is a bit strange, but fortunately I can still understand it. Tell me your name."
"I am Sakhi, from Kiev businessman."
"Oh, your name is a raptor, a very brave bird. You come from Kiev."
"Then. , you..."
"I am the Prince of Rus!" Rurik opened his eyes with a smile, "This is my southern city, Novgorod. Our country has a very vast territory and rich products. "My army is very powerful, and I also have a lot of gold and silver coins. So, what is the price of the horses you sell?"
What a sudden change of conversation, Maksakye lamented that he was extremely young. Noble man, he was ordered to continue: "I have ten horses, two males and eight females. They are all very young horses. You can't hide these from your eyes. They are very good horses..."
"Are you hiding something? Tell me your selling price." Rurik narrowed his eyes slightly and urged.
Sakhi still insisted on his words: "We Kiev people bought horses from the Pechenegs in the grassland. After two months and a lot of hardships, we finally gave the horses to Here..."
"So, you are going to pay a high price? What do you mean, Pechenegs? These are actually the grassland horses of the nomadic tribes?" It's true, but..." Sakhi couldn't help but open his eyes, "Actually, you knew from the beginning that these were excellent Pechene.Gema? You are truly a saint. ”
“Excessive praise. Rurik waved his hand, his heart beating wildly, and said, "You talk a lot of nonsense, but you just want to show that the high price makes sense?" You can just tell me a price and we can discuss it carefully. Don't worry, I'm rich and won't be scared. "
"Yes. Sakye swallowed hard: "They are all good horses." A male horse costs five pounds of silver, and a female horse costs ten pounds because of its ability to produce foals. "Compared with the unhappiness caused by the price he initially discussed with Carlotta, he was afraid that the Prince of Ross would be resentful and had to lower the price a little, but it was still an astonishingly high price.
"That's it? "Rurik, who was all ears, was really startled.
"What? Do you think it's too expensive? If you are interested in purchasing, we can talk further. But you also have to think about it. We have gone through too many adventures to send ten horses to you with great difficulty. "
"No matter what, I know your hardships. Rurik said calmly: "Actually, you can just say what price the horses should be sold for." Indeed, this price is astonishingly high for ordinary people. If you are as rich as me, this is no problem. I knew the location of Kiev well and knew something about the Pechenegs. I actually particularly like Kiev, where the land is very warm and fertile, where horses gallop on the grasslands, and the grasslands transformed into farmland are the best black fields, which means high yields of wheat..."
Rurik couldn't help but say At first glance, the horsemen felt that it was certain that they would make a fortune from this adventure, and the Prince of Ross showed great favor, and even claimed that a banquet would be held for the brothers at night to celebrate the success of the horse trading. .
The horsemen are already immersed in the joy of making a fortune.
The horsemen only know this, and they have no idea what Rurik said from the bottom of his heart. The rhetoric is clearly full of ambitions for the Kiev region.