There are many rumors about the Russians, and their ambitions can certainly be felt by Fordegen. Fo Degen actually came here today to have a look. Until now, he has not explained his ultimate purpose. He was still probing, but he didn't expect that Gould had already named the business secret of "Russians need a large population".
Because population is a commodity!
Even if everyone is opposed to selling allied people as slaves, what is the reality? Some bankrupt people do not want to commit suicide. They want their families to continue to live, so they have no choice but to make sacrifices and become slaves to the wealthy.
The most powerful Melalen tribe recognizes this special tradition and has no customary laws to restrict it.
Selling the people of your allies really has a bad reputation. Having said that, as a businessman, what you seek is wealth. As long as the merchants do not challenge the authority of the tribal leader and undermine the interests of the leader's family, then no one will care what they do.
"Forget it, I'm not here to reminisce and chat with you. I've heard some things about the Russians, and I've also heard that you sell a lot of magical things called soapa, which can wash away the dirtiest things. You're making a fortune Sorry, it’s a pity that I lost a lot this year. I’m here just to ask you one thing.”
"You can still plead with me?" Gould smiled unkindly.
Fordgen nodded: "Maybe you will be interested in my request, and there is some good news..." He looked at the girl next to Gould again: "Carlotta, maybe you will be happy too."
"Would I be happy?" The girl said with a forced smile: "I would be happy if all my people were still alive. The only thing I can be happy about is this."
"Ah! That's what I'm talking about." Gould blurted out this slap on the thigh, and Carlotta was surprised again.
"Fo Degen, are you telling the truth? My people."
"You are your master. Do you really think that I sold those allies? How is that possible?"
"What happened to them?" With that said, Carlotta stood up completely.
"They are all good. Women, children, those people I took away, they are all on my island. Haha, Gould, now you can't say that I am a bad person. I am as good as you. man."
Gould shrugged. He felt that the words coming out of Fordegen's mouth were very ridiculous. Then he asked: "It's really strange. I heard that you gathered a hundred Ostara people. What is your purpose in taking them in?"
"Of course you work for me. You know my job. I have saved so many people, I can't give them food for free. I'm not a real saint."
"So you mean, they will all work for you in the future?" Gould asked deliberately.
"How is that possible! They are only temporary jobs. I still have to get these people... to get them off my island."
Gould shook his head: "Then don't we still sell it?"
When the word "sell" is mentioned, it is like a knife in language, stabbing Carlotta's heart crazily.
She held on to the wooden table and shouted loudly: "No! We can't sell them. They are my tribe."
Fordgen is indeed afraid of Carlotta's identity, but he will not be afraid of a child. "Carlotta, those people are in my hands. Many of them have expressed their willingness to work for me and be my servants. Your leader is dead. I am the only one helping them for the time being, and only I can decide their fate. destiny."
"No! You can't! Because I am already the new leader of Ostara."
"You?" Fo Degen calmed down for a while, then laughed.
Of course, he was the only one laughing wildly in the entire scene. He laughed for a while and found that the atmosphere was very unusual. He quickly calmed down in embarrassment and asked quickly: "Gould, can this kid be the leader? The Ostara tribe has been destroyed."
Gould shook his head: "No, Ostara has not been destroyed. Maybe I should introduce you to the new leader of Ostara, Mrs. Carlotta."
In order to reflect the girl's noble status, Gould specifically used the Norse word for "Mrs."
"Ridiculous! She is a child, who would admit it?"
"I admit it." Gould said without changing his expression.
"You? You are just a businessman, that's all."
"No. I am a businessman that the Russians respect, and the Russians will also recognize Carlotta's identity."
"What nonsense." Fordegen shook his head, "It doesn't matter, I am a businessman after all. Since you admit that she is a rare female leader, are you willing to do something for her?"
"Of course." Gould's answer was without hesitation: "As long as it's not too much."
"Then, are you willing to buy the Ostara refugees from me?"
"Buy them?" Gould hesitated.
Carlotta suddenly turned her head and begged with a pitiful look: "Sir, you must save my people." Seeing that Gould was still hesitating, she said loudly: "Please save them. We in Ostara will never forget your kindness in the future.”
Gould, who was originally hesitant, changed his mind immediately when he heard that the girl had such a request.
As a businessman, what you seek is to maximize your profits.
"Okay, I'm here to save your people." Gould didn't look at the girl's pleased face. He asked Fo Degen: "How many people do you have in your hands?"
"There are a lot of people, one hundred and ten in total. Forty of them are women, and the rest are children."
"So many?!" Gould was really surprised.
"Indeed, there are many, because I collected some refugees from other channels. Now many refugees live in Hjärmalen in the south. I also found out about the Gran people, who have become neighbors of Hjärmalen people. . Most of the refugees have integrated into the new tribe, and I don’t think Carlotta can call them back.”
"Then you can't..." Carlotta just muttered, but was interrupted.
"Naive!" Fordgen scolded sternly: "Carlotta, do you really think everyone recognizes your identity? You are just a child, can you give food to your tribe?"
Hearing this, the girl closed her mouth.
Fordegen looked at Gould again: "Friend, I am very short of money."
"Are you short of money? Is it because you feed those refugees?" Gould didn't quite believe it.
"I still have the capital to provide some food. The main reason is that business has basically declined this year."
Gould's eyes noticed the sword in Ford's waist, and he asked deliberately: "What? Are you planning to return the sword to me in exchange for money?"
"Sword? Forget it. This Russian sword is good and beautiful. I want to pass it on to my descendants. I am indeed short of money, so I will give you all the Ostara refugees in my hand. You want it give me money."
"Give you money? Like buying a slave?" Gould asked deliberately.
"Forget it, my friend. Carlotta is here, and she doesn't want to hear the word slave. The question now is simple. The people of Mälaren probably don't want them anyway, what about your hometown of Onkras? Do the people of Uppsala Want them? If you don’t accept them, I guess someone will want them.”
"Then I want it. They are from Ostara. I can't treat the female leader of Ostara badly."
At this moment, Carlotta looked affectionately at the businessman beside her with a pair of red eyes. Not only was there gratitude in her eyes, but Gould could see that there was also an urgency to repay the favor.
Fordgen shrugged: "What a happy decision! Well, let's talk about the price."
"Say it, friend."
"Forty women, fifty silver coins each, seventy children, twenty silver coins each. The total is thirty-four hundred silver coins. Plus the food expenses, accommodation expenses, and transportation I provided The cost for them to get to a safe area, and even the cost for me to buy food on the way. All added up, you give me four thousand silver coins."
Gould, who was full of compassion, also grimaced at this time: "Are you crazy? Do you know those Brython women in the market? Only the most beautiful ones cost twenty silver coins."
Fordegen straightened his back: "So I am not selling slaves. Where can slaves be sold at such a high price?"
"So, you are more treacherous than a slave trader." Gould sneered.
"No, I just want money."
"I think you want to get back this year's losses from me. You are very smart and very cunning."
Fordgen laughed out loud: "Haha, you are really a master. But I don't think you are a good person. You sold the soupa for twenty silver coins a piece."
"Forget it, please don't mock me." Gould straightened his head and suddenly put on a serious look: "I will take Carlotta and Ella to the Ross people. I know the Ross people very well, they They are the tribe that values friendship the most. On the contrary, the Melalen people are very hypocritical. If the leader of Ross knew that a businessman actually sold hundreds of allied people as slaves, what would you do? You said you were not a slave trader. What do you think of the Ross people? Do you believe your lies? I think you don’t want to live anymore.”
Gould's words were a threat, and Fodgen did feel guilty. "But at least I want to get a benefit."
"Do you want benefits?" Carlotta suddenly said harshly with red eyes: "I have three pieces of amber, which are our treasures. You took them away. Each one is worth a pound of gold."
"Three? No, I only took two of yours. That was my reward for saving your life. Besides, how can amber be so expensive?" Fodegen retorted the girl's fallacy.
Gould was of course standing on the girl's side at this moment. When he saw his old friend's mentality wavering, he took the opportunity to pursue her and fight hard. He deliberately said: "Carlotta is the leader of Ostara. You blackmailed a leader. This crime is enough to bring you death."
Carlotta continued to follow up: "Yes! You did save us, and you can also get the amber. Other than that, you can't ask for more. You have to return the people to me, so that you will get a good reputation. Wait. When I get to the Ross people, I will tell the Ross chief that you are a good person. If you insist on such a high price, I can only tell them that you are an evil person."
Gould completely understood what the girl was saying. He secretly admired that this girl was also a villain, but she was too young and naively believed that the world was black and white. But I have to say that this girl is already benefiting herself, and she wants to help.
Fo Degen was really shaken. He still wanted to get more benefits for himself: "Your people need to eat, and I also asked witch doctors to treat the patients among them. All the refugees under my control did not die at all. They Live well. I've done a lot of good things, I should at least get some reward."
So on the surface, Fordegen and Carlotta were tit for tat. Seeing this, Gould immediately decided to be the talker.
Gould took the opportunity to propose a solution.
"Let's do it this way, Fordgen. I won't pay you any money. I'll give you back the two pounds of gold you gave me before. You've suffered a lot of losses this year, and you really need money. I can give it to you now. Gold.”
"Oh? That's a good thing. My requirements are not that harsh. If it is two pounds of gold, I...I am willing."
Because from the beginning, Fordegen felt that it was just a simple business between himself and Gould. He couldn't expect too many unexpected events at present, so he couldn't expect too much. Besides, he already had a bargaining attitude. His bottom line for price was actually only one thousand silver coins, and he deliberately quoted a high price just for bargaining.
Unexpectedly, the generous Gould would give two pounds of gold!
Gould ordered Fo Degen to rest, and he left the table for the time being. After a while, he returned with a linen bag and placed it in front of Fo Degen himself.
"This is……"
"It's gold, open it, friend."
Fordgen hurriedly opened the rope and saw the gold coins inside. He couldn't help but be in awe of Gould's generosity.
Gould sat back in the master's house, looking arrogant: "I will give you a pound of gold first, and the other pound will be given to you soon. I also advise you to make some plans for the future. You have helped me today. People of Ostara, I will bring these refugees to the Rus. In the future, Ostara and Rus will become a closer alliance than ever before. The Rus are very good to foreigners, but the Melalen people are unreliable. Friends, follow Let me immigrate with you. Go to the Russians."
"Are you crazy? Gould?!" Fordegen was shocked.
"I'm not crazy. My friend, you can also take your family with me. You will get greater benefits by settling in Ross."
"Really? Forget it, I have no plans for this yet." It is true that Fordgen will not change his economic and industrial layout, as well as his living habits and home, just because of a word from a friend.
Gould continued to suggest: "I guess you don't want to go to the south to do business now. Go to the north, Rurik of Ross, who is a person favored by God. Because of Rurik, my income this year is equivalent to that of my past three years." Years in total! Rurik will be the new leader, and he needs talents from all aspects. Otto, the current leader of Rus, is very loyal. You have indeed rescued many Ostara people, and your feat will be praised by the Rus people. Even received favors from them.”
"No, even so I can't move easily."
"I'm not asking you to move, my friend. You can bring goods to sell, and the Russians will like it."
"Really? Forget it!" Fordegen shook his head: "They don't want cowhide. They are merchants selling precious leather. Besides, Gould, do you allow me to get a share of the leather business?"
Gould was stunned for a while. Indeed, from the perspective of a businessman, it is indeed a bit stupid to distribute profits to friends.
He immediately explained forcefully: "It doesn't matter. Isn't your workshop still producing leather coats? The Russians will need it, so you can try it. Also, don't think that selling bulk goods is less profitable, such as a large number of shelf-stable carrots. You ship it to the Russians, and as long as you ship enough, you can get a good profit. I know the Russians, they will buy it all."
"Oh? This reminds me." Fordegen pinched his chin and thought of the possibility of making leather jackets and selling them in large quantities to the Russians. He asked tentatively: "But, my leather coat is not cheap. At least one leather coat that is decently worn by men. I want ten silver coins. Can the Russians afford it? You know, in the entire Malaren, I am the only one organizing Hands are dedicated to making ready-to-wear garments.”
"Haha, they must be able to afford it." Gould slapped his thigh: "Have you forgotten that they attacked Gotland? Even the children of Melalen know about this. How many silver coins did they steal? Can you estimate it?"
"this……"
"Listen to me and do it!"
Finally, after a strange encounter, Fo Degen successfully finalized the "business".
To be fair, Gould still gave himself a lot of benefits. In Gould's chamber, the two parties made an agreement.
That is, before Gould's fleet set sail, all the Ostara refugees still stayed on the islands controlled by Fodgen. Those refugees need to participate in making cowhide clothes and linen products to earn their own food expenses, and they must also continue to benefit Vodgen.
As the fleet set sail, all the refugees boarded the ships and headed for Fort Ross. Before that, Fodegen must also tell all the refugees about the last woman in the Ostara chief family and the position of successor leader. This position is also recognized by the Rus.
Do the Russians approve? The Russians not only recognized it, but also announced their support for the reconstruction of Ostara. Vodgen must promote it in this way.
Only in this way can those refugees work with complete peace of mind and wait for the appointed day after the wheat harvest is completed in August.
