Rurik had long expected that the alliance leaders and even the Mellaren people would have a large demand for leather. If they knew where to get the best leather, adventurers would come in droves. Although driven by huge benefits, risk-takers will unconsciously ignore risks. Rurik still had to put uglification first, so to speak, by outlining a terrifying picture of bear hunting to scare off the coveted ones.
In fact, as long as you look carefully, the leader can find strange holes in the bear skin. That was none other than the result of the crossbow's crossbow arrows.
The old bear-hunting method of warriors swarming in and wielding spears and javelins was no longer effective.
Nowadays, the Russians use steel-armed crossbows to accurately aim at the vital points of bears and fire pointed cone-shaped arrows to easily kill them. Even the Kovin people, who are generally short in stature and weak in physical fitness, can control the winch to wind the crossbow, and can also use ambush and other methods to complete bear hunting at an unprecedented "long distance".
The situation was just as Rurik expected. Olegin's expression clearly expressed that the man's thoughts about personally sending people to hunt bears were suddenly extinguished.
Rurik continued to strike while the iron was hot: "Great leader, I can say that behind almost every bear skin shipped to Mälaren is the death of a warrior. The two skins you own are the blood of us Rus people. Gained at a price, my father gave it to Carlotta in exchange for your recognition of Ostara.”
"It's this matter again. Needless to say, I have acknowledged Carlotta's identity. Rurik, maybe the matter we are talking about now requires your father to personally take charge."
"Is that necessary?" Rurik asked.
"Perhaps not necessary, unless you have your father's authorization. Listen, this is a trade only seen between our two tribes, and I need someone who keeps his word. Are you...are you an honest and trustworthy person?"
"Leader, are you doubting me?" Rurik simply looked at the high ceiling and swore: "The gods are watching, I have the sincerity to do business! I have been authorized by the leader of Ross to conduct long-term trade with the Melalen people , I will not, let alone dare, to cut off trade with each other because of some boring things."
Rather than saying this was an oath, it was better to say that it was Rurik's words to hit Olegin.
Olegin nodded; "In this case, our business can continue. Listen, in the past, it was just businessmen doing business spontaneously. This time it is the union of our two tribes. It is my family and your family." Just do business."
Rurik's eyes were very determined. He knew that if both Melalen and the Rus were promoted to city-states, of course, in fact, both of them would have entered the city-state era in terms of economic and political development. The transaction between the two parties is a kind of official trade. This bilateral trade is of great significance. For the Baltic world that relies heavily on trade, stable bilateral trade is the key to the rise and fall of a tribe or city-state. Even tribes like Melalen, which have begun to transform into self-sufficiency, are extremely dependent on imports for some key materials. The largest supplier of leather has long been the Ross tribe. Rurik learned that now they are also in great need of new iron weapons. With this powerful trump card, Rurik's tough statement just now relied on it as a strong base.
This is especially true for the Rus tribe, especially now. In order to fulfill the great promise of giving tribal residents to eat wheat every month, before harvesting a large amount of wheat in the eastern region, the tribe is in great need of importing wheat from Melalen and from Novgorod. Germany's larger-scale plunder.
"Let's continue talking about the leather issue." Olegin put down the bear skin: "If you get more white bear skins, what price are you willing to pay?"
"This..." Rurik was stunned for a moment. When it comes to money, the price is really hard to say.
A problem that has troubled everyone for a long time is the price of various commodities. Since all kinds of currencies are in circulation, these precious metal currencies come in all kinds of colors, forcing businessmen to become math masters.
One bargaining strategy is to make yourself the final decision-maker and leave the trouble of indecision to the other party.
Rurik asked back; "You Mellaren people are the buyers of these goods. Leader, please set a price, but I must tell you that behind most of the bear skins is the life of a bear hunting warrior."
"Oh, are you asking about the price of human life? If it were me, I would train some slaves to hunt bears. After all, they are slaves, and those British male slaves are also good. They will die when they die, just like a male slave Fifty silver coins. Well, if you bring a new bearskin, it will be fifty silver coins."
"Ah?" Rurik was surprised and immediately retorted; "How can we compare slaves with warriors?"
"But some slaves can become brave warriors when they are promised their freedom. Rurik, you may not be able to understand this when you are young."
Rurik doesn’t understand? No! He actually knew it very well and trained his men according to this routine. Most of those young children are servants and slaves, those who eat Rurik and wear Rurik. They must work hard for their masters.
"No, fifty silver coins is too little."
Olegin forced a faint smile and said, "Let's do this. The bear's head is not counted. I will pay twenty silver coins. As long as you process it into the current shape and can be put on your head, I will pay you this price."
Rurik pursed his lips. In fact, the price exceeded his expectations. In order to gain more benefits, Rurik deliberately said: "Great leader, are you stingy? The price you gave is too low. My warriors don't dare to take risks! They would rather catch ferrets everywhere. A piece of mink skin can be sold for six or seven silver coins. If you catch ten ferrets, at least you won't be killed by the ferrets. But the bears..."
"And your price?"
"One hundred silver coins! Just one hundred. I know you have enough money to pay." Rurik said tentatively.
Olegin was short of money, but he wanted to buy some rare items. This expenditure was not painful to him.
"this price……"
"Still think it's expensive? See how hard we went through to get it."
"Then let's settle it like this. A white bear skin with a bear head. You send me a set and I'll buy a set."
Hearing this made Rurik feel happy. On the surface, he deliberately looked a little embarrassed and helpless, and accepted the price "reluctantly".
However, the question was not over yet. Olegin put forward a very realistic condition: "Listen, since you are going to hunt bears, you are taking risks. I admire the courage of your warriors, so you can only bring one bear skin." The buyer, that’s me! In the name of the leader of the alliance, I order you not to sell the bearskin to other tribes in the alliance, or to sell it to a certain big family."
Rurik didn't even hesitate and nodded in agreement.
Whether Olegin is worthy of trust, Rurik believes that this person will not overdraw his credit just for some bear skins. A polar bear skin with a bear head on it can cost as much as a pound of silver, so the price is really extreme. The price was proposed by himself and supported by Olegin. If it were another person, the other party would definitely bargain hard, and ordinary families simply do not have the financial resources to expect to own it.
Rurik's decisiveness satisfied Olegin. He pinched his beard and thought about something in his mind.
After all, the Melalen tribe needs a lot of furs. The allies in the south, as well as the tribe's cattle and sheep breeders, all provide common leathers on a relatively large scale, such as deerskin, fox fur, ferret fur, and even now of polar bear skins, with the Ross tribe monopolizing most of the supply.
Through the conversation with Rurik, Olegin realized that the Russians went to Sorgon in the east to open up new sources of leather. The hardest work was left to the Rus, and the Mälarens paid for excellent leathers from far away.
Olegin knew his people too well. The tribe entered a long period of peace. Everyone lived a stable life for a long time, and the brave ones began to become slack. The disaster of the Ostara tribe dealt a heavy blow to the tribe, and only then did everyone realize that they need to be prepared for danger in times of peace. Olegin began to build some defensive facilities. Based on this factor, he began to reorganize his troops.
These measures made the Melalen tribe further restrained.
Olegin actually wanted to send someone to follow the Russian fleet and go to the Eastern world to get a share of the pie. Considering the risks involved, he gave up as soon as he thought about it. If you lose some men in the unknown world because of this decision, it means that your strength is damaged. How can you control the hegemony of the tribe, and even the hegemony of the entire alliance?
Seemingly possessing supreme power, he was under a lot of pressure. Perhaps, seeing that all his private soldiers were wearing chainmail and holding the best swords provided by the Russians, he felt at ease when he was so full of martial virtue. .
Olegin then changed the subject and talked about a very critical and realistic issue, which also aroused his strong curiosity.
"Every year, a large number of merchants from my tribe drag their families to your extremely cold Roseburg. Isn't it an extremely cold world? You attract them with some treasures. Your treasures cannot be hidden from me. "
Rurik didn't know what kind of medicine this man was selling in his gourd, so he begged the leader of the alliance to continue talking.
"The merchants who came back told me some news. You Russians can make the best swords, spears, and axes. Needless to say, there is a lot of leather. In the past two years, you have been selling a lot of soap and flammable spirits. Even a large amount of precious glassware. Where did you get these? Could it be from the place in the east that you call Novgorod?"
ah! Is this guy still coveting the east side?
For a moment, Rurik didn't know what to say, and he smiled helplessly.
"Don't pretend to be stupid for me. The merchant told me that these were made by you. Rurik!" Olegin suddenly became serious.
"ah!"
"As the leader of the alliance, I ask you to come up with a method."
"Ah?!" Rurik was shocked and really didn't know how to answer.
Olegin continued to press: "Please give me the method of making these utensils."
Rurik's expression changed instantly. He estimated that if Gould was present, the old fox-like guy would be able to smooth things over with some words.
This is something that cannot be compromised. If the Russians agree, how much technological advantage will the Russians have over other tribes?
But it might be a little unwise to refuse outright, and it would be downright stupid to agree with him. What else can be done? Let’s do Tai Chi first.
Rurik finally realized that this Olegin was full of aggression by nature, and this person did not like simple robbery. His request showed his thirst for technology.
Maybe this guy controls a particularly warlike tribe and can conquer a large territory. Fortunately, the will of the Mellaren people cannot be easily changed just because of an alliance leader.
Rurik deliberately said: "If the people of Melalen are willing to learn, of course... you can. However, I think powerful people don't bother to do these things, such as making soap and making glassware. He is better than Tanning leather is even harder.”
"Huh? Then let the slave do it. If the slave dies, he will die."
"It still doesn't work." Although Rurik heard it awkwardly, he shook his head: "The so-called slaves are either the stupidest people or cowards on the battlefield. Can such people really be trusted? Great leader, all of this is For example, in bear hunting, the most threatening work is done by us Russians, and you get the best bear skins. We can make high-quality utensils in the worst environments. As long as you have demand, we will produce and supply them to you in large quantities every year. .As long as you are willing to pay a sum of money that we are satisfied with."
"It's a lot of money." Olegin waved his hand. He could see that Rurik wanted to refuse, but he didn't dare to say it openly. The other party didn't respond, and it was obviously inappropriate for him to force himself. He estimated that the Russians would not give in in such a matter.
"Okay, I won't force you. Then let's talk about another instrument. It seems that you don't have it with you."
Rurik let out a sigh of relief. He was glad that Olegin didn't ask further questions, otherwise he would have had to take a tough stance and refuse, and the situation would be tit-for-tat again. He hurriedly asked: "What is that?"
Olegin smiled and sighed: "A businessman told me that you use iron to make bows, and they are very powerful. The arrows fired can easily penetrate the hull of a ship."
"Ah, are you talking about it? Great leader, do you really believe it?" Rurik also put on a slight smile, but his heart was already running at high load.
"You ask me if I believe it? I want to believe it, Rurik, I believe you do."
Olegin's slightly stretched head, in Rurik's opinion, looked a bit like a judge?
Of any weapon, except the crossbow, Rurik least wanted foreigners to control it. If this type of weapon technology was destined to spread widely, it would have to be monopolized by the Russians for at least half a century. Fortunately, regarding this matter, when I was on Gould Island, I was vaccinated against it by Gould who had obtained some information.
Rurik denied: "It doesn't exist! Iron can make a bow? Isn't it strange? Unless hounds grow wings and fly in the sky, unless ships sail without wind and oars, and unless men can also give birth to children, iron can be made bow."
"Hahaha!" Olegin smiled wildly and straightened his body: "Let me just say, the words of those businessmen cannot be trusted. They are businessmen and always like to exaggerate. Rurik, you are the most honest."
Olegin was laughing. Rurik hadn't figured out the situation yet, so he laughed with him for the time being.
"Why didn't I see it before? Your child's words are somewhat interesting. You satisfy me more than your brother. Otto really has a good son."
"Oh, thank you for the compliment." Rurik said with a slight bow of his head, but this was really awkward to hear.
"Very good. Listen, you will surrender to me from now on, and you, Carlotta of Ostara, you will all surrender to me, and even more to my son. Karl is destined to inherit my power, and I I heard, Rurik, you also want to inherit the power of the Ross tribe? Very good, now you have met my Karl, he will be your alliance leader in the future."
Although a son is not a worry, considering the power of the family, Olegin has reason to introduce his only son to various leaders. He needed to get the support of more tribes on his own. Since the successor of Rus was here, Olegin stated his hopes during the meeting to discuss trade matters.
He imagined that the Russian people who were eager to do business would support Karl without hesitation for the sake of the overall situation.
However, his estimate went astray.
It was not the Russians who Olegin misjudged, but Karl who completely miscalculated himself and was really reckless.
