Otto naturally regarded hydraulic forging as a manifestation of miracles, so the Iron Squirrel tribe's ability to produce a large number of iron tools must have shown the gods' favor for the Russian people. He became more confident and in a very happy mood.
The axes and spearheads were sorted and packed a second time, and began to be thrown onto the ship one after another.
When he came to this former camping ground again, he was eager to take a closer look at some "famous scenic spots", such as riding on a two-wheeled cart pulled by reindeer and traveling on the dirt road cut out by the tribesmen with axes. Go straight to the mine not far away.
Of course Rurik was also one of the visitors, including almost all of his mercenaries.
The forest was extremely quiet in early winter. At this time, Yevluo was carrying a short wooden bow, with an arrow always on the bowstring.
In contrast to Jevlo's nervousness, Otto treated everything that followed with a rather lazy look. He just sat cross-legged on the car, not caring about the bumps beneath him.
It is already the third day of arrival. As long as we stand on the top of the mine again, recall the battles in the past, and overlook the world that is not yet covered with snow, the trip will come to an end.
"Don't be too nervous. Are you still worried about bears?" Otto said casually.
He didn't dare to let go of Jevlo's arrow, "Big leader, there are many bears here, and we may encounter wolves, so we'd better be careful."
"That's ridiculous, those bears should run away when they see us. Oh, they better show up so I can eat bear meat tonight."
"It's better to be careful." Jevro's vigilance did not diminish at all. "Those brown bears will attack any prey in order to hibernate. They are just animals and don't know how powerful we are."
Otto shrugged, not wanting to talk nonsense. But for a mercenary to be so alert, it really puts his master at ease.
This dirt road only cut down the trees and dug out some of the roots. How do they clear all the tree stumps from the roads, given the small population of the entire Ironburgh population? What’s even more amazing is that some seemingly dead tree stumps actually sprouted new branches.
Otto felt that his buttocks were quite uncomfortable, and the swaying feeling made him fall asleep.
No, Rurik was already wrapped in a deerskin blanket, snuggled up next to Otto, and took a nap with his head on his legs.
Jevro was worried about encountering a bear, so he looked at the short wooden bow in his hand and used this simple weapon to hunt a snowshoe rabbit. The best way to hunt bears is still a spear and a crossbow.
The armed group was indeed not afraid of bears, but they were stunned when they encountered strange pedestrians.
Yes, this road is not exclusive to Otto's team today.
There are two reindeer carts, each pulled by a deer. The charioteer is not a bad old man, but a kid in thick leather clothes. The cart was pulling a large number of shiny black stones, which were obviously ores.
The child saw a group of people armed with weapons and stayed on the spot, subconsciously shaking nervously.
"Why are children pulling ore?" Otto muttered and ordered his men not to give them any trouble.
The team gradually faded away, and Otto's ears were filled with the chatter of his men.
Otto turned his head curiously and saw the two cars driving quickly through the rugged road. Even though the cars were pulling heavy loads of mines, this incident fully proved that even though they were children, they were also a group of veterans.
The mine is just ahead! All the trees blocking the view disappeared. Otto saw the mountain and a small mountain fortress suddenly standing under the mountain.
Rurik was woken up by his father: "Don't sleep, we are here."
"Oh, we've arrived at their cemetery hill fort." Rurik rubbed his eyes, and the noun he mentioned attracted Otto's strong attention.
"Huh? Tomb? Hill castle?"
"Yes, that's the name of this settlement. They...are the enemies we killed last year. They are members of the Gray Squirrel tribe. I built a cemetery for them under the hill."
"You...you are so boring." Otto really couldn't say anything, but when he really arrived at the place and saw the attitude of the locals, Otto discovered something.
The woman named Porla, who was good at dressing up as an owl, was the only priestess of the entire tribe.
Otto was a little curious, why did he just see Mechasta kneeling down? Their priest turned out to be here to preside over the women and children mining.
He originally thought that the abilities of women and children were poor. Only when he actually stood on the hill and saw the traces of excavation everywhere, Otto had to admire this group of people.
Those tribal women were holding hammers or axes to hammer and hit big rocks.
A group of children dressed like little bears lay on the ground one after another. Their knees were sewn with thick leather pads, and their hands were covered with simple gloves. They picked up the stones crushed by the women and threw them into the pain basket. In the end, they were basically The child carries the basket down the hill.
Otto didn't think this was something to admire, and Rurik didn't think there was anything wrong with it now.
This era is such an era. In any tribe or tribe, a child, even if he is only five years old, must help his family with housework and material production. The pressure to pay tribute is on every ordinary member of the Iron Squirrel tribe, and everyone, even a child, has to fight for it.
Just because they are children, we must not ignore that they are also a kind of labor force.
It was the women and children of the tribe who were responsible for the mining and transportation of ore. This naturally made Otto think a lot.
These children who passed by him and carried rattan baskets full of ores on their backs suddenly saw the shadow of Kawei in his youth.
That is an outstanding young blacksmith, and perhaps the most promising blacksmith in the entire Ross tribe now and in the future. When he was still very young, his father took him into the mountains near Fort Ross. The child started by carrying stones and gradually became a good blacksmith today.
I am afraid that these working boys will become good iron tools, and the entire Elon Olawa Fort will become a real city of blacksmiths.
Otto didn't dare to expect too much about the future. He wanted to live a long life, but he didn't know if God would give him a chance.
Standing on the only commanding height, Otto looked out over the entire world. He squinted his eyes, and under the "scorching sun" that was the only one that brought him a bit of warmth at noon, he saw a huge bay and an increasingly blurred sea horizon.
To the north of the hills, the river named Ellon is still flowing peacefully. Last time, it was still a walkable glacier, so is it starting to freeze? The answer is yes.
Otto no longer wanted to stay any longer. Standing on the top of the hill, he took off his leather hat, revealing his head with sparse hair. He stroked his son's shoulder: "We did not make a mistake. This mine belongs to us. Is it right to let a group of women and children continue to mine?"
Rurik felt a little uncomfortable being pressed by his father. He broke free and helplessly dried his hands: "Then move some people here."
"Let our tribe come?"
"Would they like to come here?"
Rurik's rhetorical question amused Otto: "Yes, with the warmth of New Roseburg, how could they immigrate to the cold here?"
"We still need to migrate some people. That's right!" Rurik suddenly stamped his foot, "Let those deer farmers! Let Rumia's uncle bring all the deer farmers."
"Them? They are slaves? What are you going to do? Keep mining? You really know how to joke. They were forced to mine. You said you would save them, and now you let them mine?"
Rurik was stunned for a moment. He wanted to say this and that, but for a moment he thought of something, something he would definitely do from the perspective of a deer herder.
"Our herd."
"Herd?"
"Yes. Soon, it will be the winter grazing time for deer herders." Rurik pointed to the land in the north. "Dad, you should understand that the winter pasture over there is very important to deer herders."
"Oh, you're going to breed those deer? What do you want me to do?"
"Let them move here with their herds. As for Alsaka, I think it is most appropriate for him and his people to settle in Ironburg. This area is their hometown, and they are familiar with this place."
Otto shook his head and smiled bitterly, feeling unreliable: "Aren't you afraid that they will run away?"
"It doesn't matter, we will detain their children. Those deer farmers' children must be trained by me in Roseburg. I don't believe they will leave their children behind when they run away."
"You!" Otto was stunned. "You kid... are quite ruthless."
Rurik said calmly, "Those children are hostages. I believe they are smart people. If they can pay some tribute, they can live well. They are crazy and want to escape."
Otto also had a dull face. He felt that his son had other plans.
Originally, Otto had set the day of departure for tomorrow. He was worried about a sudden snowfall attack, or the rivers and seas suddenly freezing. He needs to hold a small meeting and summon his cronies to make arrangements. He will leave Ironburg along the cold north before noon tomorrow.
When the sky began to darken, Otto had returned to his warm home.
The leader must have a "palace" in any settlement controlled by the tribe. Since the designers of the chief's mansion in Ironburg and the one in Roseburg were both Rurik himself, the two naturally have extremely striking similarities.
When Otto sat in the hall, he felt that it was not much different from sitting at home. The pile of stuffed bear heads hanging on the wall of the hall fully demonstrated the great achievements of the leader's family, and he wished he could display them in his home in Fort Ross.
Maybe, as long as the people here keep killing a bunch of bears.
Now, Mechasta and Priest Porla were summoned here by Otto. Representatives of a group of Ross fishermen who settled here were also asked to participate in this small meeting.
What will be discussed at the meeting?
Otto made an impromptu speech. In addition to praising the loyalty of the Iron Squirrel tribe, he also gave some encouragement to the settled Russians. It's just that his words lack the power to "draw the pie" like Rurik. They are basically an explanation of established facts.
What did he say? Rurik was also sitting in the venue. He felt that his father's true love was for New Roseburg, and he could use all the beautiful words he knew to describe it. Even for Ironburg, it seems that it is only worthy of being a settlement that produces iron tools.
Otto finally said the most important thing, and he said it specifically to Mechasta. Even though everyone already understood this, Otto still wanted to emphasize it again.
"I saw your warehouse. You have stored a lot of fish. I think you can eat them all with your appetite alone? I will keep my promise and reward you with a precious batch of wheat. But you, Mechasta. Very The winter hunting of us Rus people is about to begin, and hundreds of the most powerful warriors of the tribe will be stationed in your mountain fortress, and you must serve them well."
"Yes!" Mechasta gritted his teeth. He really had no choice but to agree.
Only Mechasta understands the people of the Iron Squirrel tribe best. They are essentially afraid of the Ross warriors. Unless these warriors are the subordinates of the boy Rurik, they will feel at ease. Most of the Russians brought plunder and killing, but Rurik was the only one among them, and he seemed to be the only good and reasonable person.
When Saipolava met her father and her tribe, she told everyone what she had seen in Fort Ross without hesitation.
What results did this bring?
Rurik himself didn't even realize that his reputation in Ironburg was getting better. Given that he and Saipolava have a marriage contract, the tribesmen are willing to treat Rurik as one of their own.
Otto continued: "All your goods have been loaded on the ship, and we will leave tomorrow. I saw that you are still stocking up on ore. Are you planning to continue smelting in the winter?"
"Yes, Chief. According to our contract with Rurik, we will provide double the tribute next year. In order to provide the tribute earlier, we need to work hard."
"You are very smart, and you will naturally be rewarded for pleasing us. However, you need to prepare now."
"At your service."
Mechasta looked respectful on the outside, but secretly cursed Otto as a bad person in his heart, and was always worried that this person would make some harsh demands.
But what was supposed to come came anyway.
Otto asked the tribesmen to build more wooden houses so that the Ross hunters could live in them during winter hunting. Although Ironburg is the "city of blacksmiths", in the years to come, Ironburg will also be a hunting stronghold for the Russians.
Otto announced a very specific time: "When our Hanukkah is over, when the day of total darkness has passed, I will return with a large number of people, with my Rurik. Before I arrive, you The owner Rurik said that a group of deer herders will arrive in advance to drive their deer. They will also use Ironburg as a starting point for grazing."
Mechasta did not object to those deer herders staying as guests, and it was not like Mechasta did not know the identity of those deer herders? He had a conversation with the leader of the deer herders. Everyone became servants of the Rus people, and the two groups did not have to meet to fight. In this regard, Rurik cleverly mediated, saying "You have similar languages means you have a common ancestor", which completely brought the relationship between the two ethnic groups closer.
In particular, Alsaka, who is very concerned about family relationships, has forgotten that he was enslaved by the Iron Squirrel tribe.
Those deer herders really like to set up tents and fences in the wilderness, all for the convenience of grazing. They have never had economic competition with the Covin people, and the two sides can even trade in furs.
Ross Hunters, they are not hunters at all, they are clearly a terrifying army.
He only hoped that his mountain fortress and his people would not be harassed and violated by Ross warriors.
If you really want to do something, do it openly and openly. For example, Mechasta wished that the women in her tribe whose husbands had died would become pregnant again. Those women have their own will. They are rejecting their own tribe, or they are rejecting incest marriage out of instinct. They also do not want a man to have ten women easily. They wanted a foreign husband in the hope of new births to make up for the tribe's serious population loss.
They don't even care much about the fidelity of their new husband, as long as the man is not hated and feared.
First of all, those Rus warriors who brought misery and ruined all past lives were not considered.
Mechasta was a little anxious about this kind of thing, and he didn't dare to tell Otto. He was actually looking forward to the deer farmers. After all, the two sides had already developed some feelings for each other during the two months they had been living in Fort Ross.
Otto felt that he had made his words very clear. Unexpectedly, Rurik, who seemed to have no intention of speaking, suddenly spoke at the last moment.
"Dad, I have decided that I will not leave until the hunting army led by you arrives."
"Huh?" A sense of absurdity was written all over Otto's old face, "What did you say? Do you want to stay in this cold place?"
"right!"
Rurik's emphasis surprised everyone, and even though he was surprised, Mechasta felt a little secretly happy. He knew that this child must have a new plan, which might be beneficial to the tribe.
No, Mechasta hurriedly expressed his position: "Big Chief, since the master has such an attitude, I will do my best to entertain my master."
Otto gritted his teeth. He really didn't know what his son's sudden whim was about.
Rurik's explanation was even more bizarre: "I want to cut down trees."
"What are you doing cutting wood?"
"Build a big ship."
"Building ships? Isn't the wood from Roseburg good? Don't you trust those Melalen craftsmen?" Otto asked confusedly.
"But the trees are too short and the trunks are too slender."
Upon hearing this, Otto became even more impatient: "Small tree can't satisfy you?"
"It's really not enough. We need more than just a long keel. Dad, this is my decision. I must do this for our big ship. Then please take me to say hello to my mother. I want to I will personally supervise the felling of the big trees here, and all my mercenaries will stay here.”
Otto still found it difficult to understand, but if his son was taken away by force, the boy would definitely be furious. Why does a child's rage matter? It's just how ruthless this kid is that sometimes it's really scary. The more he thought about it, the more Otto thought about how this child, only seven years old, dared to challenge his father with a giant sword in his hand to protect a favored slave.
But that slave is really in trouble now. Rumia, the high priest Vilia regarded her as his granddaughter and used all his experiences to train the new high priest of the tribe.
After much deliberation, my son's refusal was for the benefit of the tribe.
"Okay! Just stay. If you have any other requests, just ask and I will help you."
"You are really an enlightened father." Rurik's tense smile immediately became happy, and he opened his mouth to make a series of requests.
At this time, Otto was a little surprised, because all these requirements were to organize a team, set off north when the sea was frozen and the ground was covered with silver, and then pull 50,000 pounds of grain, as well as Rurik's men All mercenaries, including those recently recruited, must arrive at Fort Ross by December of the Julian calendar. Among them, there must also be deer farmers and deer herds.
Does it take so much effort to cut down a big tree?
Otto didn't want to ask any more questions, and his son's decisions were never just nonsense. Anyway, all he pulls are his food, and all he sends are his men. As the leader, he just gives orders.
