Compared with last year, the Russians' voyage to Sorgon was obviously delayed a lot this time.
This time, the Ross people did not just ask for more tribute. The reason for delaying the delay was because they had to spend time and energy to prepare materials to support the construction of New Ross Fort.
Otto never thought that Gould would bring enough food from the south to feed the entire tribe for a period of time, part of which would be used for funding.
The autumn wind was really bleak on September 15th. The cool breeze of the vast season always flowed into the fjord, and the surrounding oak trees kept losing their dead leaves. Only the dark green pine trees were still completely alive.
The climate is creating a chilly atmosphere, and no one likes this.
In fact, no one likes winter. It is not beautiful at all, but if you are not careful, it can make mortals freeze into lumps of ice. In winter, humans also live like groundhogs, staying indoors as much as possible to survive the long winter.
Of course, except on the day of the winter solstice, the whole tribe will go crazy.
There are boats everywhere on the beach and sails on the fjord.
In particular, the pier built by the Gould family was strengthened and the number of berths available for docking was increased by four.
Autumn has arrived after all, and some traveling merchants sold their belongings and set sail back to their hometowns in the south. In the end, those who didn't leave were the fur traders who stayed. They either decided to do the winter hunting themselves, or simply bought the results of Ross's hunters. In a sense, they came here because of the ferret’s fur, which is as white as snow and extremely silky.
Some strong men carried sacks full of grain on their shoulders and carried them to the large transport ships.
Now that things have happened, Gould, who has transformed into a Russian, naturally wants to get a share of the Sorgon voyage.
This time, Gould provided the best transport ship, and only with his help, the Russians were able to load more supplies without using too many ships.
In the fall, those tribesmen who intend to immigrate to New Roseburg will not take risks in this dangerous season.
Because of Rurik's suggestion, the tribe had 50,000 pounds of oats to transport, and more than a thousand pounds of carrots.
Their total weight is actually up to four tons!
The Ross tribe's own transport ship, it is really risky to expect two or three ships to transport them. Especially in autumn, if the sea is too rough, the boat will be destroyed, people will be killed, and the materials will feed the fish.
The Russians needed Gould's help. Not only did the two large transport ships perfectly load the cargo, there was still considerable space left for carrying passengers.
It is completely different from the Russian rowing boats. When a boat is big enough, is rowing still the best way to drive it? Gould raised a group of professional sailors. Although they often play the role of porters, they are now very good sailors.
There are grains, vegetables, and the latest batch of production tools.
At the beginning, Otto, in line with his responsibility as a big leader, really thought about funding his own people from his own pocket.
His mentality has changed.
Why should we provide free funding? The property and food transported belong to the chief family, and the immigrants must pay for it.
Otto followed Rurik's advice and had already made plans to collect taxes next year.
Grain is both ration and planting grain, and the brand-new curved shaft plow is a weapon for reclaiming wasteland. As for Otto, the livestock that was previously given to the settlers for breeding can be ignored. The food and tools can be "given" to them by themselves. As for the reward, it will be one-tenth of the harvest they will get from reclaiming the land next year! This tax will continue forever.
Yes, Rurik proposed the concept of "tithe tax" to his father Otto, which itself was also a tax model used in ancient Rome.
Can this tax model also be used in Novgorod?
Otto goes into this trip with multiple intentions, and this fall’s move is huge!
At noon, the old Viglia set up an altar on the beach.
A sheep purchased from a merchant was sacrificed, and Rumia was also entrusted with important tasks in the sacrifice.
This deer herder girl has never been afraid of bloody things, because in her life, any child must live like a hunter. Because that’s how deer farmers live.
She slaughtered the sheep very decisively, and under the guidance of Vilia, took out the hot sheep liver.
Villa announced that this year's voyage would be calm and smooth. Of course, no matter what the arrangement of blood vessels in the liver of a sheep or other animal is, Vilia always declares good luck. In fact, this was just a formality. Otto knew the secrets involved, but her announcement was crucial to the ordinary people involved in the operation.
Because of the slow sailing, what everyone longs for is peace.
An old voice with a slightly hoarse voice announced good luck, and soon, the entire beach fell into a roaring carnival.
The tribesmen were so enthusiastic, and Otto was moved by them.
Otto, who was wearing leather armor and a shaved beard, was already standing on the bow of his flagship. He stroked the "dragon head" with a horrifying relief and waved his patterned steel sword high.
Everyone on the sandy land was infected by the leader's enthusiasm.
There were even many women holding their children.
"Brothers! Watch your women and your children, don't let them get too bumpy on the sea!"
"Women! When you return to your hometown, tell your relatives that we Russians are powerful and kind. Tell them that only by surrendering to the Russians can we receive rewards and protection."
"Brothers! Escort your women to the ship! The high priest has made a wish to Odin. This time we have a safe journey! Let us go!"
A group of young and strong men seemed to have taken a shot. They began to push the boat into the sea, and the onlookers raised their hands and cheered.
Some women even gathered together and sang ancient songs of the Rus tribe.
The melody is beautiful, and Rurik can hear his wife's hope for her husband's victory in this ballad. There is no trace of sadness in it, simply because everyone believes that any form of expedition by the Ross tribe will only result in victory.
This time Rurik was standing on the shore, in front of his father's flagship.
The young strong man pushed the flagship hard and left a trace of the keel on the sand and gravel.
Just like his father had been holding his sword, Rurik also drew his short sword.
"Dad! Remember our agreement, our tribe will be stronger because of it."
"I know! Rurik, stay in your hometown. When I come back, you'd better come up with some new tricks for me." Otto yelled.
It seemed like it was just a farewell from the leader and his son. No one knew what the "new trick" meant.
At the same time, what pleased Otto was the two girls standing next to his son. Carlotta and Ella, how they shouted "Goodbye, daddy" with all their strength, really made Otto feel a little dazed. It was as if they had indeed inherited their own bloodline.
A fleet of fifty ships rushed toward the east.
This time Otto brought an army of more than 500 people.
If it was just to collect tribute, why did you bring so many people with you? To put it bluntly, Otto was still wary of the Novgorod people.
Baishu Manor is willing to be a loyal dog because it knows that cooperation will have great benefits. Besides, Baishu Manor itself was crowded out by other local manors, so they naturally needed a strong backer.
In addition, their cooperation with the Novgorod Manor was based on the strong military deterrence of the Russians.
Among them, the most populous Pine Needle Estate must be further weakened. Otto felt that the only way to effectively control Novgorod was to support the white trees, attack the pine needles, and fight against each other.
As for the kind treatment described by his son Rurik, giving them some useful tools, they will readily surrender to this kind of conjecture, this kind of thinking is really naive.
Of course, those tools for plowing and turning the soil must be handed over to loyal dogs. Such good things are currently only available to White Tree Manor.
Not only for his own strategic purposes, but also because the eldest lady of Baishu Manor was sitting on his flagship with a slightly bulging belly. Most of the women carried by the fleet are also from White Tree Manor.
Otto could feel that the relationship between the two groups had never been so close as it is today.
The fleet gradually disappeared from sight, but the people on the shore still did not retreat.
There was much chatter about the future prospects, and many began to discuss the possibility of immigrating to New Roseburg.
After all, New Roseburg was warmer anyway, because the previous rumors of sea monsters had been destroyed by the public display of the curved shaft plow. It turned out that this thing was a farming machine invented by Rurik.
This shows what?
The tribesmen are almost all illiterate, which does not mean they have no life experience. The leader's family began to study farming equipment, which just shows that there is a future in the land where wasteland can be reclaimed.
Reality also forced the tribesmen to have the idea of immigrating. The territory of Roseburg was indeed too crowded. If you don’t want to live on a hill near a beach, then you have no choice but to immigrate.
The cool breeze dried Niya's tears, and she felt a little sad that her husband had gone on a long journey again. Although there is absolutely no danger in her husband as a leader's voyage with his strong men, she is old and her mind is full of worries.
The only thing that makes her happy now is that her son is still with her. Now, there are two more girls around.
The crowd gradually dispersed, and Rurik returned to his home.
Suddenly a strong man who loved drinking was missing. Niya prepared dinner as usual, but felt a little empty in her heart.
"Mom, are you worried about something?" Rurik noticed something strange about his mother.
"No, it's nothing." Niya squeezed out a smile on her numb face. She subconsciously stroked her son's little head and said, "Eat quickly. After eating, go to bed early."
"But my Rumia hasn't come back yet."
"Her? She has performed well this year. Maybe the high priest will continue to teach her some lessons."
Rurik had to admire the decisiveness of his head maid, and he even felt panicked.
Rurik was very nervous when he stabbed the sacrificial deer to death. However, what Rurik witnessed today was that Rumia cut the sheep's neck in a very calm manner, and cut open the sheep's belly while the sheep was still trembling slightly. So skilled, just like a real butcher.
During the sacrifice, Rurik and Otto both knelt on one knee by the altar on the beach. Rurik was fully aware of everything that happened.
Rurik ate some meat, and the meat in this earthenware bowl was the cooked sheep that was sacrificed at noon. Not to mention, the boiled mutton sprinkled with sea salt has a tangy smell. If this smell is paired with sea salt, it will be simply salty and delicious.
At this time, Rumia suddenly came back.
As if she had returned to her own home, she continued to wear her linen robe, smelling the aroma of the food, and subconsciously moved closer to Rurik's position. She adjusted her robe, sat down cross-legged, and then took off her hood, revealing her clean little face and the braids on the back of her head.
"You're back, I thought Villa kept you late again and asked you some complicated prayers."
Rumia smiled: "She praised me and said I really looked like a high priest."
"Are you the one who killed this sheep?" As he said this, Rurik pointed at the meat in the bowl.
Rumia laughed out loud: "Yes."
"You are so decisive, as if you...are an expert."
Rurik's words were a little cautious, but Rumia was even more proud: "This is normal. I am a deer farmer, and I have killed deer myself. There are even marmots, rabbits and the like."
"This..." The scene was a bit awkward, and Rurik was shocked again. He never thought that Rumia was a "butcher".
Rurik reluctantly asked: "Rumia, how old were you when you executed the first animal, and what tools did you use?"
"I'm about six years old. It's a rabbit. I used a stone knife. I can't remember many things. Oh, I'm so hungry now. Can you reward me with something? Asta?" Rumia's words Becoming gentle was how she suppressed the pain in her heart.
Rumia doesn't hate the Ross people as a group, she hates Otto as a person. And her favorite was Otto's son Rurik.
Although it is very contradictory here, it is also a real reality.
She even hoped that the blood vessels in the sheep's liver would show bad omens. If Otto's fleet capsized, Rurik would naturally take over the position quickly. And by that time, his status will be improved again.
Rumia, who is only eleven years old, has already had the idea of entering a higher power position in her heart, but what is completely different between her and the dead Bona is that she really knows that what she currently has comes from Rurik. reward.
She especially believed in the absoluteness of that oath - if she was unfaithful to Rurik, Odin would send down extreme cold in retaliation.
Rurik realized that Rumia also had a cruel side, and Niya, for the first time, felt that Rumia was dangerous. She didn't want Rumia to share a wooden bed with Rurik. Besides, how could a humble servant be qualified to enjoy such high treatment?
Since he didn't mention his son, Niya couldn't say much. But now she actually found a reason.
"Rurik," Niya said.
"Mother?"
"Your father has gone to the East. You sleep with me tonight."
"This..." Rurik glanced at Rumia and responded hurriedly: "Okay, mom."
It was Rurik's subconscious move that made Niya even more vigilant. As soon as Rumia entered the door, the girl's previous humility and cowardice were gone. Instead, she approached her master very casually, without any attitude of a servant.
Niya accidentally understood the unnaturalness here, but the reason is actually very simple.
Rumia will never forget the ruins of her house on a snowy night, the ferocious face of Otto, the leader of Ross, and the violence of this man binding his hands and feet with hemp ropes. If Otto is not around and there is only one master, Rurik, who cares about him very much, what else is there to be afraid of?
Niya continued: "Before your father comes back, you sleep with me every night, do you understand?"
"Oh fine."
"That's right." Niya smiled happily.
Then, she asked: "Rurik, have you decided what to do? Your father hopes that you will make some new moves, and you have promised."
"yes."
"what exactly is it?!"
Rurik's face calmed down, and he looked at Carlotta and Ella who were sitting quietly eating meat.
He especially looked into Carlotta's eyes: "Carlotta, I think you will never forget the hatred of the destruction of the tribe."
This girl was originally in a calm mood, but her fair face suddenly turned ferocious, and she pouted, revealing the gap between her cracked baby teeth. She hated Xiaoya so much that she gritted her teeth and clenched the two wooden sticks tightly with her little hands (Carlotta was learning to use chopsticks to pick up meat slices).
"I must take revenge! Tooth for tooth!"
She was indeed talking about tit for tat, and Rurik felt that when the words came out of her mouth, a toothless child, it really meant "tit for tat" in a realistic sense.
"Okay." Rurik knocked on the table and said, "I've thought about it, the children of your Ostara tribe are mainly little girls! I want you to organize them, and I want to train them like boys. That way, train them.”
"Ah?! Rurik?!" Carlotta was shocked. "Do you want to train my people to fight? They are all women!"
"Why doubt it? Can't women be warriors?"
"This...if you don't mind that we are women."
"How could it be? I have already decided. No matter what, I will train the girls of our tribe sooner or later. I believe that only excellent women can give birth to excellent men. You Ostarans accept the help of us Rus, Of course you have to obey my command."
There are many legends of female warriors in the Viking world. Although everyone does not want women to enter the battlefield, because the Valkyrie who selects heroic spirits is female, everyone also likes to hear the legends of female warriors on the battlefield.
Rurik did not want the young women of his tribe to become female warriors in the future. They must at least receive certain military training. This training is more about cultivating their obedience and overall discipline.
Rurik continued: "So I need a woman I can trust to serve as my deputy. Carlotta, I think you can do it."
"I?"
"Yes! I will also organize my maids, who are probably the same age as you. In the end, you may command one hundred and fifty girls. You know what I do in the back mountain, and the girls must also Complete such training. When you appear in front of my father with neat steps, even if you Ostara people are just a group of children, you will be praised by us Rus people."
At this point, the only thing the Ostara people can no longer lose is their own glory.
Carlotta agreed wholeheartedly because it would bring new glory.
What about Rurik? He just had to give military training to a group of girls and also had to receive weapons training. Rurik felt that maybe one day he would be able to use the power of women. So that the combat effectiveness of the rebel tribe can no longer be suppressed by the number of men in the Ross tribe.
In critical moments, women must become some kind of reliable fighting force to defend the glory and dignity of the Russian people.
