The Klavasen family was proud of their latest masterpiece, Otto was shocked by the new weapon's ability to "smash through fishing boats", and ordinary tribesmen lamented Rurik's intelligence and their luck as a Russian.
Rurik also inadvertently showed off his muscles to the visiting businessmen.
At this very special juncture, Rurik actually openly tested his new weapon. It was not one torsion slingshot, but six! It is rumored that Ross Blacksmith will make more, and it will be the standard equipment of Ross warships in the future.
A group of businessmen had to be afraid. They felt that this was a silent threat from Chief Ross, as if to say: "You all have seen the power of the new weapons, which can easily destroy your ships. Only those who pay their taxes can Avoid punishment.”
The sea is about to resume sailing. According to the agreement, Otto will organize a team this time. It will no longer go to Novgorod, but go straight to Mälaren. It is precisely this fleet that will serve as the leader, leading a huge commercial fleet composed of ships of all kinds to sail to Lake Mälaren.
At least for those aboard, they will have unprecedented security heading south this year.
Rurik did not want to spend too much time testing the weapons. After completing the tests, all the torsion slingshots began to be shipped to the ship.
Based on current technology, he had no choice but to install all six slingshots on the forecastle, which is the top deck of the so-called "captain's lounge".
The poop is actually located higher, but the rudder is installed inside. During future voyages, it will also become a sailor's lounge or even a small storage room.
The loyalty of the entire ship is actually relatively thick. This is because the winch responsible for raising and lowering the sail is installed on the deck of the poop, and because the rudder itself has a lot of weight. Another major problem with the Avrora is its sturdy body and shallow draft. Although this body has an extremely impressive cargo capacity, it requires ballast to lower the center of gravity and ensure the relative balance between the bow and stern.
The top deck of the forecastle is a larger space. The deck is nearly five meters high from the keel, and the length of the platform is also more than five meters.
Rurik simply installed all the torsion slingshots in three seats on both sides of the ship in a very compact manner. In this way, the side firepower is three, and the frontal firepower is two.
Naturally, this arrangement cannot bring out the maximum effectiveness of the torsion slingshot. Rurik knew that he was fully capable of erecting three wooden piles on the ship and connecting two torsion slingshots in parallel, just like a cruiser with three twin turrets. The six torsion slingshots can have their launch ports facing the same side. Even if they only fire six cast-iron "chisels", they can dig multiple holes into enemy ships to a great extent.
Rurik did not do this entirely because if it were converted into a three-seat parallel torsion slingshot, it would have to be installed entirely on the central axis of the hull. After all, the "tail" of the torsion slingshot is 1.5 meters, and the stretched arm of the torsion crossbow is also about 1.2 meters. For this small boat with a deck of only 5 meters, it really takes up too much space.
In fact, if it is only installed on the side, it still takes up a lot of space, forcing people who board the forecastle to move only along the relatively spacious central axis.
But no one would complain that they were in the way, because on the sea, when faced with sneak attacks by fishermen who turned into pirates, or even Danish and Gotlandic ships that ventured north to plunder, people always complained that their weapons were too weak.
A series of tests proved the strength of the torsion slingshot.
In fact, for people in this era, their acceptance of long-range weapons is very low. Basically, as long as an arrow can be fired a hundred meters away, it is a good bow. Although they all have good eyesight, but the distance between the two combatants reaches one hundred meters, long-range weapons basically become probabilistic attacks.
The steel-arm crossbow controlled by the Russians was just beginning to change people's stereotypes. It was a torque slingshot that could hit a short spear a hundred meters away and still cut a hole in a pine board. Everyone was very satisfied.
The ship will soon be launched into the water. Even though the Avora is still sitting peacefully on the shore on a large number of sleepers, she is already the flagship of the Ross tribe, and it has become a flagship only enjoyed by the leader, right?
She stopped on the shore, and anyone standing high up could see her huge figure. Especially for foreign merchants, the big ship under construction is like a giant sword embedded in the stone, which is a strong threat.
Besides, the time is coming soon, and the merchants are actively counting the silver coins they earned this year, and even the large quantities of goods they purchased. They hoped to go to the Melalen Market to make a lot of money and share some money, waiting for Chief Ross to knock on the door with his men. Because this money is the business tax they must pay.
Among the many merchants, the Gould family unintentionally borne the heaviest taxes.
When a businessman makes a big business, ordinary taxes no longer matter to them. The situation this year is very good. Soap, iron tools, iron weapons, various types of leather, a small amount of glassware, and a small amount of flammable spirits are the main products of the Gould family. He himself essentially became the "trade minister" of the Ross leader. Now, simple gold, silver or gems can no longer meet the needs of the Gould family. They hope to have some power.
Of all the goods that will be transported, a considerable part is Rurik's goods. Gould is going to sell it for the leader of Ross with an official position, so that he can always enjoy the most favorable purchase price for all kinds of goods.
But he is not the "Minister of Trade". In essence, he is still a big businessman entrusted with important tasks by Rurik and other Rus' rulers, and he is just a tool man. The Gould family is self-aware, and at this stage they can only continue to be a good tool to gain political capital for the family's future. Therefore, Gould himself was not willing to let go of any opportunity to perform, and also urged his children to perform well. As long as it was for the benefit of Chief Ross, it was okay to suffer a little loss.
"Maybe this year will be the same as last year?" Gould prepared a hundred pounds of silver coins as the business tax that needed to be paid this year, and he waited for Chief Ross to come in person.
No, the leader is here!
Otto began to preside over this year's tax collection. At first, he just announced the matter to all merchants living in the city and ordered them to prepare silver coins and copper coins within three days. If they did not have cash, prepare a batch of goods of equal value. He also issued a stern warning that once tax evaders were caught, all their property would be confiscated, and their entire family would be demoted as logging slaves and sent to distant places.
The formal tax collection was scheduled for three days after the news was released. Before that, Otto and Rurik, the father and son, plotted something, and took the decision after discussion to the ancient city where they were ready to pay taxes. De Mansion, because the father and son need the richest businessman in the entire tribe to set an excellent example.
The father and son came in simple clothes. For Gould, an old friend, they did not need to show any authority.
The two were dressed simply and appropriately. Otto looked vicissitudes of life, depth and strength, while Rurik looked beautiful, calm and potential.
In comparison, Gould and his several sons who came to see the world competed like seals in winter, that is, they were simply fat.
They sat cross-legged on the comfortable leather cushions. Today they just talked about things, and Gould only prepared some wine and food.
There were some red raspberry preserves on a glass plate next to him, and Rurik had no intention of eating them.
He saw Gould's cheerful face, and without any politeness, he directly stated his purpose: "You should know the reason why we are here, so let's get straight to the point."
"It's taxes." Gould said kindly: "The one hundred pounds of silver coins are ready. As long as the leader is willing, I can now send people to move the box to the priest."
"Huh? Very good, but these one hundred pounds...isn't it..." Rurik lowered his head slightly and picked at the gaps between his already clean nails.
Whoever Gould was, he immediately understood the implications.
"Ah? Adding some new taxes? That's... not a problem."
"You are very interesting." Rurik raised his head, glanced at his father who was looking happy, and then continued to look sullen, stretched out his right hand and made a "scissor hand". "This year we made a difficult decision to double the taxes for all merchants. As for you, Gould, the tax was actually targeted at all external merchants. You joined us, but..."
"I understand! I completely understand." In order to show his loyalty, Gould not only grabbed the conversation, but also continued: "Perhaps there are still many Russians who have some doubts about my identity. If actively paying taxes can dispel this concern , I will be happy to take the money. Two hundred pounds of silver, I can give it now."
It can be said that if you have money, you will be strong-willed. After all, Gould himself bought a batch of grain with his own money in Mälaren, and now the grain has basically been sold out. Since Chief Ross ordered that grain prices not be raised, the Gould family did not make any money from the grain trade, but they also had no losses. He used it as food payment to pay taxes. After all, his business foundation was based on leather.
"I'm touched by your positivity, but we still need to discuss this matter further." As he spoke, Rurik straightened his back and looked left and right: "There are a lot of people here."
"Huh?" Gould smiled and was at a loss.
"Let your son leave. Next, there will be a secret conversation between the three of us, between the Ross chief family and yourself. I don't want the fourth person to know about it."
The atmosphere suddenly became tense, and Gould's smiling face disappeared. He immediately turned around and ordered his sons to avoid it immediately. Even so, Rurik still felt unsafe.
Otto also felt that his son was too meticulous in doing things, and the three of them ended up discussing the matter in Gould's bedroom.
When he came to Gould's bedroom for the first time, Rurik had nothing to say about the taste of this old fat man. This man had a lot of wealth and had started sleeping on a wooden bed in the past year. Hanging on the wooden wall is a stuffed deer head, a shield painted with indigo dye, and two axes. Does this fat man also have a warrior dream in his heart? But he should not expect to be a fighting warrior in this life.
Rurik now sat on Gould's bed, while Otto and Gould were sitting on a low wooden stool.
"It must be quiet enough here, please tell me." Gould said cautiously.
"Actually, the question is very simple." Rurik stretched out his little head and said with an extremely serious attitude: "Everyone thinks that if you are a big family, you will naturally have to pay more. Just like last year, the taxes you submitted alone were worth two hundred Merchant, you pay half of the tax burden.”
Gould smiled: "Thank you for the compliment. As a New Rossian, I need to make some contributions. I will spend 200 pounds in taxes this year."
"No, you're still a hundred pounds."
"Huh?" At this time, Otto, who was able to listen quietly, couldn't sit still at all, because this was different from what the father and son had planned. "Rurik, are you good at making decisions?"
Gould didn't know why, so he kept his mouth shut for now.
"Yes, this is a strategy, otherwise I wouldn't have entered this place."
Neither Gould nor Otto understood Rurik's plan. In fact, this plan was a bit "dirty".
"Gould, you must be a Russian. As a leader, how can we tax you according to outsiders' standards? Of course you have to collect taxes. This year's tax is still one hundred pounds."
"Then...two hundred pounds..."
"That's for outsiders to see! You have also seen what happened this year. In order to build our Aurora, I calculated that I have spent one hundred and forty pounds of silver just to build it so far. Could it be that I have to pay this money? No! The money has to be paid by external merchants. I want to increase taxes. We Russians cannot suffer too much economic losses."
"You want me to set an example for them?" Gould asked nervously.
"Yes, they are all looking at you, a wealthy businessman! Your two hundred pounds of silver coins will be handed over to me in public. I just want those merchants to see what the richest merchants do. I am just worried They are not happy after the tax increase. I have to appease them and make them give up and take out the money. And you! Afterwards, I will return you one hundred pounds of silver coins."
"Huh? How can it still be like this?" Gould fully understood and realized that the fourth person should not know about this matter. If the news leaks, those merchants might cause some trouble, such as resisting taxes? That's not the case. However, the credibility of the Ross chief family will be damaged, which may be detrimental to Rurik, who values contracts, in terms of public opinion.
"That's right. They are just afraid of losing money, they just want an average, and they also want to take advantage. If you openly give me two hundred pounds of silver coins, of course those people will complain about my tax increase, and they will also comfort themselves. Some people are suddenly forced to pay more. If you get a hundred pounds of silver coins, you are even more unlucky than them. Haha, there won't be any trouble."
Rurik added: "In the end, I don't necessarily have to return the silver coins directly to you. It can be replaced by goods. You are an important seller of my goods, or I will give you a hundred pounds of the money I earn in the future. .”
Gould secretly underestimated, "This guy is really good at playing dirty tricks", and sighed that he had indeed been put to good use by the Russians. He thought for a moment and realized that his family's fortune was ultimately due to the Russians. As the Russians rose, his family became prosperous. In this way, if you are obsessed with a mere hundred pounds of silver coins, the situation will be small.
Rurik's so-called reason for raising taxes is that shipbuilding requires a large part of the tribe's population, and the compensation paid to them individually is not much. When a thousand people are added up, it is a huge scale. It is obvious that Rurik lived frantically in the Far North for nearly four months. He was not just trying to get excellent shipbuilding wood, but he was also announcing to smart people that the leader of Rus attached great importance to building large ships.
This is the fact. Gould thought about it for a moment and decided to reciprocate the favor!
