After a short fierce battle, there was no longer any danger in the sea ahead.
The Avrora passed through the Oresund Strait smoothly. As for the chicken feathers in that place and the impact of the battle, Rurik could only wait for the situation to ferment before he could learn the information. He didn't need to find out for himself. The spy he installed in Hedeby, the Danish trading center, will bring a large amount of intelligence back to Roseburg in October.
The time is approaching October of the Julian calendar. At this time point, the Russian fleet returning from Sorgon in the East will also arrive at its home port far away in the depths of the Gulf of Bothnia.
All the forces that expand overseas have to oppose their hometown seasonally. Rurik had some thoughts and thought about rendezvous with his own fleet.
Entering the Baltic Sea, the wind direction is now a bit changeable.
The Avora skillfully took advantage of the wind and headed north along the coastline of the peninsula.
Although we encountered some fishing boats during the voyage, it doesn't matter whether they are friends or foes.
The voyage to the north will not be suspended midway. Taking advantage of the temporary lack of rainfall, the ship must hurry as quickly as possible until it reaches the key relay station - Tombstone Island.
After crossing the Oresund Strait, Rurik continued sailing for eight days!
A boatload of people passed by the cucumber-like slender island of Öland, and passed the city of Visby on Gotland Island, which was already occupied by the immigrants from Mellaren. The big boat didn't stop all the way, and successfully arrived at Tombstone Island.
Before entering the Åland Islands, where Tombstone Island is located, the Aurora had been discovered by Ross fishermen working nearby.
The Russians know that from this year onwards, three large ships will be cruising in this area.
The big ship from the southern seas, the gorgeous huge triangle sail has proved its identity, and the flag fluttering on the mast completely proves that Lord Rurik has returned from the voyage!
The fishing boats that wanted to approach all hung Ross's "oar flag", successfully approached the Aurora, and then guided it.
"It's great! Brothers! We are finally back. When we land on Tombstone Island, we are going home. We all disembark and rest. Everyone will rest for two or three days before leaving."
Rurik, who was standing at the bow of the ship, issued the order for a holiday, which was cheered by the people on the ship as if they were locked in a cage.
An island appeared in front of him. Nolen cautiously stayed with his man, letting the sea breeze blow on his face.
The men were cheering, but she was nervous and inexplicably worried.
"Rurik, is Fort Ross ahead?"
"No. It's one of my ports. Tombstone Island, where some brave warriors are buried, and their spirits protect the Russians coming and going. My dear, look to the east, and then look to your west!"
Nolen looked along Rurik's finger. In her eyes, the east was a vast sea, and so was the west.
Wait, that's not just the sea. But, a huge bay? !
Nolen is not a simple musician who can only play the flute and compose music. As the only daughter favored by the leader of Balmok, she also gained some knowledge about running a tribe through her father's ears and eyes. She could relate to the conditions in this sea area. Even though it was the first time she had arrived in her life, she also realized that Rurik's so-called Tombstone Island was at the center of the crossroads in the sea.
The Russians occupy this place, and they already have a great advantage in the vast sea area.
So, what's going on with the Swedes?
She is a visitor exploring uncharted territory. But she also understood that her identity had become Ross's woman. She was not a visitor, she was going home this time.
The Aurora successfully anchored in the natural bay of Tombstone Island. She docked smoothly on the platform, and the cable was thrown from the ship, which was fixed by people on the shore.
The words "AVRORA" are hung on the side of the ship. Even if people don't understand Roman letters, they can know its true identity as long as they see the unique shape of the lines.
The rope ladder was lowered and a large number of people began to disembark.
The soldiers, women, and a few young children stationed on Tombstone Island were surprised to see an unimaginable number of men disembarking from the ship.
Lord Rurik was actually holding a little girl in his arms. They had the same beautiful blond hair, swaying in the wind.
There was a buzz of discussion among the people, who had been discussing this trip to Balmok for several months, and it was obvious that they had gained a lot.
Because anyone with a discerning eye can see the astonishing draft displayed by the Aurora, and there must be a lot of cargo stuffed in the belly of the big ship. Based on Lord Rurik's love for his people, it is obvious that these supplies will eventually benefit everyone.
After four months, Rurik finally stood on the land of the Rus.
He took a deep breath of the air in his hometown. It was the crisp autumn air, and the sense of desolation was gone. His mind was filled with expectations for the outside world.
The mercenary warriors accompanying the voyage, led by Captain Yevro, entered the remaining warm wooden houses with wooden boards to rest. Everyone can get warm scented tea and cooked wheat, and even the widow whose husband has died will throw herself into her arms...
Rurik was too lazy to care about what happened to them. Now that Evro was experienced in this area, Rurik, who just wanted to have a good rest, led Nolen directly into his mansion on the island.
The mobile traders from Lake Mälaren who were doing business on Tombstone Island came in rowing boats. These people were all rubbing their eyes hard.
Just because they saw a large ship coming from the south, and the person who disembarked was Rurik from Rus?
Alas! So what happened to the big ship left in Lake Mälaren?
Is it possible that the Russians still have two large ships?
Just two years ago, Tombstone Island was just a navigation relay station with a "promising future". Now it is turning into a seaport city that combines a fortress and a trading stronghold.
In other words, the geographical location of the Åland Islands determines that a trading stronghold will inevitably appear in this island group.
In another dimension, this trading outpost is called Port Mary. In this plane, Rus under Rurik's rule is called Tombstone Island Port.
The population of Tombstone Island suddenly became complicated due to the War of 831.
The most noble young Grand Duke came to Tombstone Island, and all the respected people on the island gathered in the warm forum.
Last summer, the brothers in this wooden longhouse discussed plans for a decisive battle against the Gotlanders.
Rurik was still sitting in the distinguished seat that only a Duke could enjoy, accepting the attentive gazes of his admirers and listening to their introduction to what had happened on the island in the past few months.
It turned out that more than a hundred pioneers from Novgorod, divided into forty families, left their estates and arrived at Tombstone Island following the Sorgon fleet returning in the summer.
They built their own log cabins, dug wells that provided direct access to fresh water, opened some fields to grow small quantities of quickly maturing onions, and even built some wooden fences to prepare for more livestock in the future. It must be said that these Slavic immigrants came from a society with a higher agricultural level, and their construction improved the living conditions of the local Rus in some aspects.
Therefore, there were also Slavic faces participating in this "reporting meeting".
The Slavs attending the meeting directly called the island "Stanislavsk" and called it their home.
Rurik, he sometimes spoke Norse and sometimes Old Slavic. He had fluent conversations with all the visitors, and they were all very satisfied.
As the Duke's woman, Nolen was naturally obliged to follow Rurik and listen to the meeting.
"Rurik, your status in Rus is far better than that of my father in Balmok..."
Nolen stayed quiet and listened. She said nothing, but her presence aroused everyone's curiosity.
Here, Rurik highly praised the Slavic immigrants for joining Russia and pioneering for the prosperity of Russia. He also assured them that after paying agricultural taxes in accordance with regulations, they would be designated as new Russians, and both men and women were obliged to contribute. They fought for Russia and had the right to share in the war dividends.
In the cheerful atmosphere, someone asked: "Lord Rurik, the woman beside you seems to be the new wife and concubine you brought back from Balmok."
"Oh. Of course, this is Nolen, my wife."
A noble person will have many wives and concubines, just like the god-king Odin had more than ten wives. The Russians believe in such legends and understand that Lord Rurik is imitating the God King Odin.
This Balmok girl named Nolen will become one of his official wives. As for the ten personal maids, they will naturally play the role of the Valkyries under the God King.
Someone else reminded with a smile: "Sir, our Duke Otto, his fleet is coming back soon, maybe on its way back. Our Speros is serving as the flagship of Oriental Sorgon this year."
Rurik was reminded: "What? My father, shouldn't he have come back long ago?"
"Not yet. The weather is cold this year, and the wheat in the whole world matures late, so the Duke will come back later. Besides, everyone knows that the wife he has chosen for you will come back with the ship this year."
"Huh? That Svetlana?"
"Yes."
"Okay! Okay..." Rurik complained silently. This was actually his fate. He could not escape the fate of having a group of wives and concubines. This winter, his home would be filled with the chirping of women, and it would be very joyful.
After all, after a long journey, Rurik couldn't help but stretched his waist and shouted casually: "Heat some hot water for me. I want to soak in the hot water and feel comfortable." After that, Rurik just made a promise. Lun, the girl immediately lowered her head due to some shyness.
Rurik asked unintentionally: "Is there any news about our great businessman Gould? He was in Mälaren to buy food on a routine basis. How is the situation? Has the task been completed?"
There were many people answering this question immediately.
Someone shouted the loudest, "Sir, something big happened in Melalen."
"What's the matter?" Rurik stretched out his arms to signal others to be quiet. "It can't be that the wheat harvest is bad and Gould's work is not good. Fortunately, I brought back a boatload of wheat, so the situation is not too bad."
"No! Sir. Gould is doing a good job. He asked someone to bring back the news a few days ago. Even if the wheat harvest in the Lake Malaren area this year is as bad as two years ago, the situation will not be too bad. The tribes The amount of wheat planned to be sold is still as much as one million pounds, and we have no problem getting through the cold winter. Our fleet is still parked in Mälaren waiting for the seller to ship all the wheat and other supplies. He plans to ship the wheat and other supplies on the fifth day of October. Depart from heaven."
"Not bad, exceeded my expectations." Rurik nodded happily. Being able to get so much wheat in a disaster is a reflection of his ability! As for the suffering of the people on the shores of Lake Mälaren, what does this have to do with the Russians?
One million pounds of wheat is enough for the Russians to survive the entire winter simply eating wheat. The Rus's current sources of wheat include not only supplies from Novgorod, but also this year's crazy plundering from Northumbria.
Maybe the people who stayed on Tombstone Island regretted that they didn’t get enough wheat this year?
Rurik raised his head and expressed his position: "Let me tell you some good news! I have been away for so long, but I actually led the Balmoks to expedition to the eastern islands. I plundered maybe half a million pounds of wheat on the British Island. Afu The Lola is loaded with wheat and is parked at the port. Prepare some money to buy it tomorrow. The old rule is that one silver coin can be exchanged for ten pounds."
Hearing this, everyone present jumped and cheered.
The sudden excitement made Rurik really confused: "You all should be quiet! As for being so happy?"
The person who just reported the news said cheerfully: "Sir, we can't buy wheat at the Melalen Market. However, there are a few vendors selling wheat, and the price is only seven pounds for one silver coin."
Rurik was stunned for a moment: "Oh? The market price has become like this?"
"Yes, you grant us favor."
This was indeed a favor. Rurik didn't think he had done anything extraordinary. The purpose of the granary was to store and adjust the grain. The king stocked up grain in abundance in good years, and then opened a granary in good years to release grain at a preferential price. The stability of the kingdom lies in the human heart, and the stability of the human heart lies in the stability of food.
Regardless of good years or bad years, the Russian people have gone from rarely eating wheat to eating a lot of wheat every year in the past few years, all because of Rurik's series of policies. People had fallen into the habit of accepting the official price of one silver coin for ten pounds of wheat. Maybe the people in Roseburg don't think it's a big deal, but the residents of Tombstone Island, who are at the forefront, are aware of the fluctuations in wheat prices.
In good years, the settlers of Tombstone Island could spontaneously go to the Mälaren Market to buy relatively cheap wheat. Now, in the bad years, they were prepared to survive by eating fish. Unexpectedly, Lord Rurik came to extend his kindness in person.
However, Rurik never imagined that the price of wheat on the shores of Lake Mälaren could reach such a high price. If you think about it this way, it’s scary to think about it. Could it be that Gould suffered a big loss in buying grain this year? That shouldn’t be the case! The new king of Sweden, Karl, isn't this guy stupid enough to break the hearts of the Russians? As the largest grain producer in Mellaren, Karl's tribe had to give a very favorable price.
Thinking of this, Rurik directly asked King Karl the amount of food provided and the required debt.
Mentioning this person Rurik was completely unexpected, and the faces of these guys suddenly changed.
The person just now was interrupted mid-sentence, and now he continues to shout: "Lord Rurik! Karl! He's dead!"
"Dead? What? Did I hear that right?" Rurik sat upright instantly as if he was electrocuted.
"Absolutely true."
"Wait! Let me calm down." Rurik held his head subconsciously. He meditated for a while and then raised his head: "That guy is young and powerful, and has an extreme hobby for women. Many women are screamed by him. That guy Guy, are you afraid that when you fight against ten or twenty wives and concubines, you are as brave as a ram in April, and you end up exhausted to death?"
Everyone burst out laughing, and many people said that Sir Rurik was really funny.
Some people pointed out the reason directly: "Sir, Karl was assassinated."
"Assassination? Who did it?"
"It's those wealthy families who recruited soldiers to form private soldiers, broke into Karl's mansion and killed him."
"Ah! This... Bjorn!" Rurik suddenly remembered that name, "Bjorn, you still took action. Brothers, is the situation in Melalen now in chaos?"
"The chaos seems to be over. A man named Bjorn claims to be the new leader of the Melalen tribe, and all the wealthy families support him. It's just..."
"Just what?"
"Other tribes don't seem to support Bjorn becoming our king."
"That is to say, there is no king in Sweden now." Rurik nodded, touched his hairy chin, and muttered casually: "Maybe I will be the king?"
Someone heard the muttering and immediately said: "Only we Russians can be the king of Sweden. If you become the king, everyone will support you."
Then, many people made similar remarks.
Is being the King of Sweden a good thing? To be honest, Rurik didn't want to wade into this muddy water. Since the situation is chaotic and people's hearts are complicated, I am afraid that I will not be the target of public criticism if I jump out openly. I am really arrogant on the battlefield, but if I am targeted by the conspirators, I will not be able to bear it every day to be on guard against assassins.
Rurik had no intention of listening to any more reports from his men. Most of the information these guys learned was probably hearsay. Merchants from multiple tribes rowed boats to Tombstone Island to sell things, shouting about what they knew. How much of this was exaggeration and how much was true?
Rurik thought of an excellent way, which was to take the Aurora and make a trip to Lake Mälaren.
That Bjorn finally couldn't help but jump out and become the leader? Rurik wanted to believe that this guy was easier to negotiate with than Karl.
However, in this chaotic situation, the Russians cannot call themselves kings and can no longer stay away from the world.
Since the entire fleet transporting grain is still waiting for the opportunity to set off in Lake Mälaren, it is reported that the newly launched Gouldot is anchored on Gould Island.
The Aurora entered the big lake, and two large ships appeared at the same time!
This is to show off their muscles to the Swedes in the entire lake area. The inherent comprehensive strength is not intuitive enough. Two "large war weapons" appeared at the same time, and the phantom is worth a thousand words.
Rurik deliberately let Bjorn know that the Russians are stronger today than they were last year.
The day of departure is the day after tomorrow. Let’s have a good rest tomorrow...
