With grain, vegetables, flax, and a large population in desperate need of immigration, the small island of Gould has almost reached the limit of what it can carry.
There are a lot of supplies piled up in almost all wooden houses. The number of orphans who have been collected has reached a hundred people.
What Rurik controlled was not just 500,000 pounds of wheat. Because Gould sent people to buy more from other tribes, the total amount of wheat was approaching 600,000 pounds. This is just wheat; more than 300,000 pounds of vegetables need to be transported.
The total amount of numerous personnel and materials has completely exceeded the limit of Gould's ability to organize a fleet.
As early as the time of purchasing food, everyone was sure that there was no possibility of bringing all the supplies back to Rossburg at once. However, when the time came to set off, everyone felt even more pressure.
Neither Rurik nor Gould wanted to delay any more time, because the climate was getting colder day by day, and every day that passed was closer to winter than the previous day.
The only thing that makes everyone feel relieved is that for the time being, the entire region has not been hit by the autumn rain. The Russians, who are holding a large amount of supplies, are facing an extremely critical transportation window.
The planned return date is September 30th.
The day has not yet come, and a large number of ships are already densely packed at Gould Island, the busiest dock. Sailors, mercenaries, and even Ross soldiers all turned into porters and began to move the goods like ants. The sack of oats was thrown into the cabin of the cargo ship.
The cargo ships owned by the Russians are entirely models built by the shipbuilders of Melalen. They have a thick keel that is spliced together, and they also have a sturdy body shape.
According to its design, merchants generally agree that the load capacity is around 8,000 pounds, which is equivalent to a little more than three tons. It can of course be carried more heavily, and for every pound added, the danger of navigation increases.
Excess weight brings a deeper draft, which also weakens the speed and flexibility of the ship.
This is not the most fatal thing. When it drafts too deep, the risk of hitting the rocks is even greater.
All fishermen generally have a fear of the vast sea. Only those who are willing to take risks to hunt whales and form teams to catch herrings will withstand the pressure and rush to the open sea. Merchant ships and fishing boats like to sail along the coastline, and they are happy to shuttle between many islands. It is said that every time they can see land, they feel more at ease. As everyone knows, the more islands there are, the more reefs there are, and overweight ships have been prone to running aground on the rocks since ancient times.
As a shopping mall veteran, Gould didn't know this, but he also knew that he had no choice.
Rurik is basically the owner of all the goods, and Gould's property only accounts for a small part of it. However, his own people have to bear the heavy responsibility of transportation and shoulder huge responsibilities. He wants to take risks, but also to ensure safety, which is a contradiction. He could only hope that Rurik would come up with some plans.
In such a predicament, Gould believed that the best way to escape liability was to ask the owner of the cargo to determine a route. He also intended to listen to the brave Aric's advice. After all, when it came to long-sea navigation, there were few people more experienced than this young man.
Every year before returning home, Gould would routinely rush the main personnel of the returning fleet to gather together for a key meeting.
This year, it takes on added importance thanks to the involvement of two Ross chief figures.
It was a cold evening, and the atmosphere in the Gould Island Assembly Hall was even more fiery amidst the aroma of barbecue.
The most distinguished people are undoubtedly Rurik and Arik. The girl Carlotta has aroused status and sits in a key position, even if she cannot speak.
Some technicians with low social status also came. They are the shipbuilder Hotra and the owner of the tailoring workshop Vodgen. These two people and their families will also form a fleet and join the Russian fleet. in the fleet.
The cheerful atmosphere could not dispel Gould's hatred.
Tonight, all the spirits he had in stock were completely brought out, and soon the entire meeting hall was filled with the aroma of wine.
After eating some meat and drinking a bottle of strong wine, Gould was in high spirits. He slapped the table hard with his thick hands and said, "Everyone is paying attention. Listen to me."
The lively scene paused, including Arik, who was happily munching on a leg of lamb. He also put down the delicious food in his hand and wiped his grease-filled mouth with his sleeve very casually.
"Now, I would like to ask our Rurik, who has been blessed by Odin, to explain to everyone the matter of returning home."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone looked at Rurik, and he was already prepared for this.
As if he was making a report, Rurik spoke twice, raised his chin with both hands, and sat upright with a serious face.
"Everyone, it stands to reason that there is no need for me to dictate the return route. We can just follow the previous route and lead the huge team of merchants back. But this time is unusual! Last year, we transported 230,000 pounds As for wheat, as many as 600,000 pounds of wheat need to be transported this year alone.
Part of us is still following last year's plan to hire some people who own ships and a group of physically strong people to help us transport various supplies.
But the volume of goods this year is too much, and I don’t have full confidence in those outsiders. I'm afraid that if they transport it, they will steal our Russian wheat. Listen, I plan to arrange this wheat so that every Russian can eat wheat porridge every day for a whole year, 365 days! "
Rurik’s words were sonorous and powerful, and he mainly addressed them to the sailors present. According to common sense, the sailors raised by Gould did not belong to the Ross tribe, and the leader of Ross would not recognize them. Rurik suddenly made a promise that if all of Gould's family members and employees remained loyal, they would be protected by the Rus' people, and if they worked for a few more years, they would be able to officially join the Rus' tribe.
The sailors' eyes were all trembling, and their slight smiles made the ravine-like wrinkles on their faces even more exaggerated.
"The most critical wheat must be transported by our own people, and the rest must be transported by other people's ships. Now, we have a lot of money on hand, with twenty-five cargo ships, thirty ordinary long boats, and my twenty inferior fishing boats. I know you think a cargo ship becomes dangerous if its load exceeds 8,000 pounds. I’m sorry that we have no choice. I now order that the load of all cargo ships be increased to 12,000 pounds.”
Many people actually have a very vague concept of load capacity. They know that the risk becomes greater when they are overweight. No one pays attention to where the critical point of this risk is.
Rurik expected to receive a burst of exclamations, but he really didn't expect that only Hotla, who was good at shipbuilding, raised objections.
"My little master, you are taking a risk!"
"Oh? My craftsman, I know I am taking a risk, but what can I do?"
Huotra has the best say in this matter: "Many of the cargo ships you control now are made by me. No one knows these ships better than me. I have tested its ultimate load, and it basically reaches what you said. Twelve thousand pounds, but it hit a rock and sank while sailing in the lake. Boy, do you want the wheat to become food for herrings?"
Rurik was not angry at all. He stretched his head, and he really didn't expect that this Hotla was very scientific in shipbuilding.
"Even so, I still have to do it. If we are afraid of hitting the rocks, we will go far out to sea."
"The risk is still very high." Hotela said cautiously. "Once there is a storm, because your ship's draft becomes too deep and several big waves hit, the ship will undoubtedly sink."
"But what can I do?" Rurik smiled bitterly: "I hope to transport the supplies twice. For the purpose, I can only do this. Even my inferior fishing boats have to participate in the transportation of supplies. I Now we are using all the ships we can mobilize.”
Hotla managed his old bones: "Since you are short of ships, I can naturally lend you the two cargo ships I have."
"Ah? Really? Why didn't you tell me earlier that you still had a big boat?"
"You never asked me. It's impossible for my family to complete a complete move this fall. My people can go in batches in small boats. Since you need big boats, I will give them to you. Since you insist on overweight, I just May we always have good luck. Oh, it’s best to invite the priestesses of Melalen on the day of departure and kill a cow to be the priest.”
Rurik nodded: "Forget it about the priest, I am the one favored by Odin. Now let's face reality, our problem is that there are too few big ships. Hotla, I also hope to order bigger ships from you, It should be huge. It's nothing to transport 12,000 pounds. I want it to transport 100,000 pounds at a time."
"Ah?! Are you serious? A bigger ship?!" Hotla said in surprise.
"I never break my promise. Listen, next spring at the latest, I want you to build a big ship for me. If possible, your family will come to Roseburg, even in winter, and the shipbuilding work will begin. I have some experience in shipbuilding. You have to build it according to my ideas, and your wealth and status will naturally be yours."
Hotela hurriedly covered his heart: "Oh, that's really my honor. Now in my lifetime, I can personally build a giant ship that can transport one hundred thousand pounds."
When he thought that this man had a big boat hidden, Rurik immediately turned to look at Fordegen: "Friend, do you have a big boat?"
"Me? I'm sorry, I really don't."
Fo Degen's expression was quite timid. He did not have a cargo ship at hand, but there were many ordinary rowing long boats.
Since the other party did not have a cargo ship, Rurik did not force it. He began to formally explain the return route, and this route was also discussed with his cousin Arik.
"This time, after we left the Great Lake, we did not simply go north. Our entire fleet had to head northeast. There is an archipelago there, which is now the sphere of influence of our Ross people. The settlement of Tombstone Island is there, and the local area is There are hundreds of brothers settled there! Tombstone Island is our frontline base for our future crusade against the Gotlanders. We have to manage it well, and naturally we have to give enough supplies to the brothers who are left behind to help them survive the winter safely.
I decided that this time the fleet would pass through the islands. I don’t care about the danger, because under the leadership of the navigator Arik, we will avoid all the reefs and go straight to Tombstone Island.
I just want to show those brothers our Russian transport fleet. The fleet led by me is not inferior to my father's Sorgon fleet.
I just want to show them that I, Rurik, am indeed a trustworthy person.
Oh, by the way, we can also borrow the boats there to share our load pressure. "
Rurik's previous words were full of indignation, and everyone listened to him with all their strength. By the last sentence, everyone couldn't help but laugh.
Regarding this route, Arik had a great say. He took over what his brother said and said: "Brothers, have you ever known about the islands northeast of Malaren? In my opinion, they were originally inaccessible, but now they are already The settlement of the Rus. Listen, whether you like it or not, this year's fleet must reach the islands first.
This year is not a special case. Every year in the future, our fleet departing from Mälaren must pass through the archipelago, and it is best to rest at Tombstone Island. This is not only what I mean, but also what Rurik means. "
Arik did not go to the root of his words. Rurik simply stood up and said loudly to everyone: "Everyone, for us in Ross, Tombstone Island has an extremely key strategic position. Our settlement has arisen on the inaccessible archipelago. Point, it is our territory! With Tombstone Island, the ships coming out of Lake Mälaren have a resting point, and the fleets going to and from Coward Gorod also have a resting point. Even our fishermen, who go south to fish There is no need to go back to Fort Ross directly. They can rest on Tombstone Island. Also, when we start to take action against the enemy, Tombstone Island is the best gathering point for our Ross soldiers. With it, our soldiers no longer need Continue sailing for four days before launching an attack..."
Everyone present had somewhat understood the importance of Tombstone Island. As for its astonishing strategic value, they could not relate to it, so everyone watched Rurik being filled with indignation while passively expressing their support.
The so-called meeting was, to put it bluntly, an out-and-out report meeting. Others could only agree with Rurik's decision.
Gould, Rurik and Arik had already discussed the details of the entire route.
The only thing that surprised everyone at the meeting was Rurik's regulations on the load of cargo ships. Anyway, the property rights of the ship belong to either Rurik or Gould. Whatever the captain wants to do, others can only do it.
In fact, there is a practical problem that has plagued Tombstone Island under Ross-it is really inaccessible.
The Malaren people are under pressure from competition from Gotland fishermen, and most of them will not risk leaving the lake and entering the sea, even if their leader Olegin has sent people to build several strongholds that function as guard posts on the islands at the mouth of the sea. . Olegin is old and he very much hopes that the alliance under his rule will be stable, so his long-term policy is to passively defend against the enemy. Only now, many internal and external pressures have come, making him intend to make a difference, but not now.
Only a few people dared to enter the sea on a single Malaren fishing boat. They soon saw the strange fishing boat from a distance and thought it was a Gotlander. In fact, it was a Ross fishing boat going south to seize the living space.
As for the Gotland fishing boats, more than forty of them were sunk by Arik! In the huge sea area, the figures of Gotlanders have become rare. Even if they did appear, they would not be operating fishing boats, but armed patrol boats dispatched by the wealthy Gotland family. Even if they were these boats, they would not dare to head north rashly.
