Having said that, Roseburg's winter supplies and a large number of small items for daily use were transported by southern merchants. In recent years, the older son has successfully won over the Gould family, and the material transportation situation has become official.
Otto smiled and asked: "Rurik, how much supplies, especially grain, will Gould transport this year?!"
Obtaining a huge amount of food was what Rurik was most proud of. It was time to tell his father a shocking number.
Yes, every autumn, a large number of southern merchant ships carry goods to the north for sale. This spontaneous migratory bird-like trade by merchants year after year has become more and more prosperous in the past two years. What about Otto?
Not sure? The most striking feature is that oats, once very precious to the Russians, have become common. Oats from the south are transported to the north by sea, and it has essentially become a "national strategic project." It was perfectly natural for Otto to mention this directly.
In this regard, Rurik boasted that he had made great contributions to the tribe. He proudly stretched out his hands, showing three fingers on each side: "Six hundred thousand pounds! Six hundred thousand pounds of oats have been shipped to Roseburg."
surprise! What a surprise!
Otto was the oldest and bearded, and his wrinkled face clearly showed that he was frightened.
Since it was his son who said it, he had no doubts, but the data was too shocking!
"Six hundred thousand pounds is really too much." Otto's mouth was trembling with excitement, and he had no doubts about the number.
Rurik took advantage of the situation and said: "Dad, you went to Novgorod and got a lot of food. I remember that the Ilmen Lake area has a large population of residents, so we must have the tributes we get..."
"It's two hundred thousand pounds." Comparing the number mentioned by his son, Otto showed unprecedented timidity when he spoke.
"I remember last year, 160,000 pounds were shipped from the east. This year, the weather is bad, and the harvests in many places have failed. How did you get 200,000 pounds?"
"Hmph. This is their mission. No matter what the weather is like, if they can't complete it, someone will die. My child, your memory is still so good."
Otto's attitude was very firm, and Rurik couldn't help but take a breath.
Now, Otto immediately asked: "You also know that it is too cold this year. Hehe, six hundred thousand pounds, I am surprised that the people of Malaren are so rich? Or are they not suffering from disasters?"
"It was literally six hundred thousand pounds, and they were really hit."
"Huh? From what you say, it's not difficult to buy so much. Did Gould really buy so much grain? Wait, they can still sell grain after being hit by a disaster? Are they stupid?" Otto was originally He had no intention of questioning his son, but the news was too unbelievable, "Rurik, did something happen to your people in Mälaren?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Otto looked at the eager faces of his son and nephew and confirmed his judgment.
Otto put on an old face: "Rurik, tell the truth, did you go to Mälaren behind my back?"
"Yes, I have been."
"Huh? You can't be personally involved in getting food, right?"
"That's me." Rurik puffed up his chest, "I personally organized the transportation of the 600,000 pounds of wheat. We stopped at Tombstone Island. No, let's come to New Roseburg to see it."
In his son's few words, Otto had already sketched his son's voyage in his mind. He lamented that his only son was only nine years old, but he already dared to swim in the sea.
Feeling emotional, he was also a little worried that his second son, who had already died, died in a sailing accident at sea.
Otto sighed deeply: "I remember that leader's name was Olegin, a stingy man. I can't believe that those farmers in Mälaren are still selling food even in the year of disaster."
"Yes, that's Olegin, I saw him."
"Huh? You actually..." Otto immediately straightened his head. He wanted to ask something, then sat upright and stroked his beard, "I never thought that guy would meet a child."
"Because I brought money, dad, and you know no one will refuse silver coins."
"That's true, wait!" Otto suddenly realized a serious problem, "Silver coins? I don't like that Olegin. No matter how beautiful you are, he won't give you food. You spent a huge sum of money to buy it , say! How much?"
Rurik spoke without thinking, and told the truth: "Forty-five thousand silver coins, I bought them at eleven pounds per silver coin."
"Ah? There are so many, are you crazy? You..." Otto felt like he could hardly breathe. What he immediately thought of was the loss of a huge sum of money, and secondly, the huge sum of money fell into the hands of the Mälaren people. , which is twice as painful. He regained his consciousness with the help of others, pointed his big finger at Rurik, and called him a prodigal son three times.
Ross and Melalen have long had normal commercial exchanges among the people, but Otto does not really respect the same leader. Since there is no tribute system, Otto recognized the hereditary status of the leader of the Melalen tribe a long time ago. No one will break this system for no reason. Therefore, it does not matter as long as the leader is from the Melalen tribe and he is a cat or a dog.
Now Otto's attitude towards Olegin comes from limited contacts. That guy treated himself, who had just become the leader of Ross, with inferior wine and meat. The result of this malicious neglect was of course Otto not coming to Mälaren for ten years.
At first, Otto was angry, but as time went by, he had no idea about Mellaren. Anyway, businessmen from the south would come every year, and the news they conveyed was enough to prevent him from really asking questions. Now, because Mellaren did not rescue Ostara, in Otto's heart, that Olegin has added the attribute of "vicious and vicious".
Otto was anxious to find out what his son had said and done to the guy.
Grain transportation has become a major event in the past two years. In addition to the 200,000 pounds transported by himself, it is obviously a famine year. As many as 800,000 pounds of grain can be supplied to the tribe.
Otto, who calmed down, said: "I used force to force them in the east to hand over their grain. You! You spent a huge sum of money to buy grain. But is the private land of the Olegin family so magical?"
"No, almost all food comes from farmers." Rurik really had something to say about this matter.
He talked eloquently that the so-called acquisition of such food came from the "normal" business transactions between himself and Olegin. "Olegin needed money very much. He even sent people to negotiate with Gould. We also needed a lot of wheat. Dad, while you were still in the East, Arik and I brokered this major deal. Olegin's own fields He also suffered a disaster, but he used the private soldiers he raised to force his people to hand over food."
"Private soldiers? He actually has private soldiers? How many people are there?" Otto interrupted his son decisively.
"At least five hundred of them. They are all strong, wear leather armor, and are very capable of fighting."
At this time, Arik waved his hands with great disdain, and his unruly expression simply showed that he would accept challenges from anyone at any time: "They are all a group of cowards who have their own plans. Is bullying defenseless farmers considered powerful? Really? A warrior lets his sword speak on the battlefield.”
His nephew's words were beautiful, but Otto was still concerned about whether the size of the private army of up to 500 people was reliable. He didn't like Olegin and he couldn't conclude that the man was a fool. In order to consolidate his authority, an alliance leader has to hire a group of ruthless people to work hard, but the strength of 500 people is somewhat astonishing.
Rurik coughed twice: "Many ordinary Melalen people are complaining about their leader. For example, some leatherworkers, shipbuilders, and other craftsmen. When they heard about the promise of our Rus, they decided to immigrate one after another. Be a Russian.”
"A large group of craftsmen?" Otto nodded, "They'd better join sincerely and have to pay taxes. Rossburg is too small. In my opinion, when I go back, I will move all these craftsmen here. New Roseburg!”
"Absolutely, this is also necessary for us to increase our strength." That's all, Rurik continued, "Since Olegin is abusing the people, we must treat our people well, even the surrendered slaves, as long as they really work hard. , we should give a little favor."
In this regard, Otto did not make any statement. If he was allowed to make his own decision and give the slave a mouthful of fish bones, it would be regarded as a favor.
But for those guys in Novgorod, Otto figured out a way to govern, which is to pull one faction to fight against another. Since Pine Needle Manor is the most unruly, then collect more tributes. Baishu Manor has become a loyal dog, so we will exempt him from the burden of tribute on a large scale. The completely different attitude towards the two is to express to the owner of the small manor who is the most suitable to follow.
Many talented people from the Melalen tribe immigrated to Rus, which is a good thing.
Looking at his son again, this kid may have spent all his money to buy food. Even if the son is very kind, he will not be able to distribute food to everyone for free.
"Rurik, I don't blame you for spending money. You have six hundred thousand pounds of wheat. How do you plan to use it?"
"I have already thought about it. My men have wheat to eat every day. Maybe two hundred pounds a day is enough. I will sell a large amount of wheat to our tribe. I have also thought about the price. One silver coin will sell for ten pound."
"Huh? Wait!" Otto suddenly realized, and then laughed, "You, I wronged you. You kid really doesn't suffer."
There was a pound of wheat difference between the purchase price and the home price. Otto estimated that his son would really sell it, and most small Russian families would be able to get enough wheat to last for more than half a year.
The division of labor between tribute and war has changed. Families with more mature men in the family are the biggest beneficiaries of the new regulations. Quite a few tribesmen are still poor, and Otto knows that his kind son has organized a group of poor people to work for them and given them a few silver coins as a reward. Since silver coins can buy a large amount of storable wheat, they will become a huge beneficiary of the grain transportation operation.
Now that his father's attitude had changed, Rurik took advantage of the situation and said bluntly: "Dad, I don't care about those silver coins. What I want is food, cloth and iron. In the cold night, silver coins can't protect you from the cold, let alone eat. They guard a mountain of silver." It is meaningless. It is only useful if it becomes a mountain of food. I have indeed received God's favor, but that does not mean that I have the right to abuse the people and dominate. Since my destiny is to lead Russia to become rich and powerful, I must give favor to all the people of Russia. . I want to reserve a lot of food and clothes, so that when any disaster strikes and the silver coins become useless, the tribe will know that their leader will ensure that everyone does not freeze to death and starve to death, and our rule will be long-lasting."
Otto had a little doubt, but he couldn't say that his son's words were wrong. My son's actions in the past two years have indeed fulfilled the essence of these remarks. When this kid really takes full power, the acts of mercy should be expanded.
Thinking of this, Otto looked at Arik again, "Arik, you heard it all. Your kind brother is not a killing warrior, he is an Asgardian who descended to earth. You must help him well. Those who dare to fight against us Anyone, you have an obligation to help your brother eradicate them."
"I will, just..."
"What's wrong?" Otto asked.
"Maybe I shouldn't say this."
"you say!"
"Yes. My younger brother signed more agreements with that Olegin, such as the sword and spear trade. Although we will gain huge profits from this trade, but..."
"Is there such a deal?" Otto immediately looked at his son and quickly asked why.
A steel spearhead can be expected to be sold for half a pound of silver, and a steel sword can be sold for one pound of silver, except for crossbows.
If this lucrative trade can last for a long time, the Russians' warehouses will quickly pile up into mountains of gold and silver. Rurik also pointed out that trade permission "wheat and cloth for weapons" does not require physical silver coins as a medium of exchange.
The trade was mutually guaranteed by the credibility and honor of the chiefs of Mellaren and Rus, and Rurik completely borrowed his father's authority to do this.
Arik raised his concerns, "Olegin is almost a dying man. He is as old as a corpse. He has a son named Karl who will be the next generation leader. I despise this guy. This guy has nothing to do with his life." He is extremely lustful, so conceited that he thinks Danes are nothing more than that, and he is also very disdainful of us Russians."
Otto had long been prejudiced against the noble landowners of Melalen, so he waved his hand, "The owners of those huge farmlands are the directors of Melalen. Since you mentioned Karl, I remember this person. When this person Even as a child, he had sex with women."
Otto couldn't hide his restlessness when he said this. He looked at his nephew and son, "That Karl can do a lot of things. When it comes to reproducing descendants, I admire this kid very much. Rurik!"
"Um?"
"There are already many women around you. Boy, before I die, I want to have more grandchildren. And you, Arik, is one Peravina enough? My brother Ogier is dead. If he is alive, he will also I ask you to get married more often. I just admire Olegin, his family is prospering."
Rurik and Arik were speechless.
Arik felt that his uncle was praising that idiot, so he slapped the table and emphasized, "But Karl is an arrogant guy. I'm afraid that if this man takes power, he will tear up the alliance and attack us. And Olegin wants to buy the best weapons. I …”
"Are you worried about them attacking us?" Otto waved his hand, "You think highly of them. Listen, I don't believe they will betray their honor. Anyone who dares to attack our tribe will not be able to go to Valhalla because of your brother. right here."
"Those guys don't believe in my brother's identity at all!" Arik said.
"Watch your emotions." Otto scolded and added, "He bought weapons to arm his own private soldiers. If they really intend to attack us, why bother doing grain business, but should interrupt all trade. Besides, , do we have a real conflict? Without my furs, they will live on sackcloth. They will all freeze to death."
"But! That Karl blasphemed us."
"How can you behave when a fool makes you furious?" Otto curled his lips to show his composure and told his nephew to shut up.
"Stop arguing." Rurikzhou frowned and knocked on the table, "Dad, it was an agreement signed between Olegin and I. If there is a problem, I will be responsible. I will take responsibility. If there is a day when we meet in war , we Russians will definitely defeat any enemy. Moreover, Olegin himself has no ill intentions, at least he himself has no ill intentions towards us."
"I hope so." Arik said disdainfully.
Rurik didn't want to talk nonsense with his cousin anymore and looked into his father's eyes, "Dad, Olegin recognized Carlotta as the female leader of the Ostara tribe, and he also verbally apologized for not having reinforcements. He still has a decision to make. , that is, summon all the leaders to hold a conference in Mälaren next spring.”
"Is there such a thing? The last conference was ten years ago." Otto thought carefully. The guy who was about to die of old age wanted to hold a conference and needed to discuss a major matter.
"Rurik, what does Olegin want to do? Do you... have any news?" Otto asked cautiously.
"I'm afraid, it's a war." Rurik said quietly.
"Well, is it possible that he really went crazy and attacked us? Then what else should I do? Eradicate all the Meralen merchants first." Otto suddenly felt a little scared.
"No!" Rurik was speechless for a moment and said hurriedly, "In my opinion, Olegin is guilty, otherwise he would not recognize Carlotta's identity. Many tribes are questioning Melalen, and the southern tribes such as Gran The Hjelmalen people themselves have formed an alliance. What will Mälaren mean in the long run? I guess Olegin wants to take revenge on Denmark, and we need to organize a coalition expedition! Oh, maybe I am overthinking, that old guy just wants to Reminiscing with the tribal leaders before dying?"
After saying this, Otto understood the profound meaning. He thought about it from his perspective. The alliance had been humiliated and humiliated. If the alliance leader did not want to take revenge, it would be better to just commit suicide and let those who have the courage to take revenge do so.
"If this is really the case, we will sell weapons even more!" Otto slapped his thighs, not worried about his nephew at all, because this is a good thing to gain both fame and fortune, why do you still need to consider so many things? Don't be too clever to be fooled by your cleverness. "Next spring? No big deal. Aric!"
"exist."
"Askard will be one year old next year. Take him to Novgorod."
Arik was surprised: "Huh? Do you want my organization to serve the army forever?"
"You're overthinking. I'll let you come to claim tribute, and your brother and I will go to Mälaren. I'm the leader, so that's it."
"Okay." Arik realized that it was pointless to argue and hung his head helplessly.
