Although it is winter, the market in Roseburg is bustling with activity.
It was a cold morning, and the sun had just cast its first rays of morning light onto the frozen bay.
The ice floes in most of the Gulf of Bothnia have become one piece, and Rossburg is located to the north. The ice in the fjord is now enough to support strong men walking around.
Five thousand people gathered on the frozen shore lined with boats, all of whom had been notified and were bringing their money and linen bags with them to rejoice that the Duke's public auction was now for sale.
Behold, a great number of linen sacks were already standing on the ice.
Many people saw people pulling sleds, and the sleds were piled with sacks.
Soon, the long-awaited sales finally began. The Russians were organized into regular teams and began to buy this month's grain.
Many people are very surprised because the wheat sold this month, October, is different. It should be wheat, but it looks much shorter and thicker than oats.
It is said that this is wheat, a brand new term, and an important trophy obtained by the army's expedition.
But its price is not pleasing. The official guide price set by Rurik is nine pounds for one silver coin.
Unfortunately, the Duke is selling this this month, so everyone has no choice but to accept it reluctantly.
Until they bought this month's wheat home according to the prescribed quota and cooked it in pottery pots. The wheat had a soft and glutinous texture that was different from oats. Everyone understood why it was expensive.
Only when people are absolutely poor will they be hungry. Now that Russians generally have a lot of wealth, they are increasingly pursuing taste when it comes to eating.
There are also women who grind the purchased wheat into coarse powder using traditional stone grinding rods and small stone slabs. They all plan to make oat cakes that are less sticky and very shelf-stable like processed oats, so that they can be enjoyed slowly during extreme cold periods.
Nowadays, after processing new grains, women are surprised to find that their hands are sticky with paste. The coarse wheat powder is balled up after adding water.
One family after another is in for a surprise because the pancake finally looks like a pancake.
The firewood heats the stone slab, and the wheat flour cake is quickly cooked on the kang. When you eat the noodles in your mouth, the soft and waxy texture is really amazing. If you chew it carefully, there is a sweet aftertaste!
The same thing happened in Rurik's palace.
He actually regretted that he did not dig properly in Tamworth. If the local stone millstones were brought back, he would not have to order the maids to work hard with stone grinding sticks.
Rurik still ate baked pancakes. The processing method was more elaborate than ordinary people. For example, fine flour was sifted through a gauze screen for further processing. Using such flour to make pancakes had a different texture after baking. The concept of naan is not much different. At least it tastes ten times better than boiled oats.
So, what about noodles?
Making noodles is impossible without tools.
The purpose of development is to make the Duke of Ross powerful. She has already risen in the Baltic world surrounded by powerful enemies. She is still far from being able to unify this small world. At least she is enough to make others fear her and avoid her.
The strength of Russia lies in the continuous improvement of the living standards of the people of Russia. As a ruler, they must make a big fuss about the issue of food for the people.
Ross needed multiple mills, whether to process oats or wheat, and there was an urgent need to efficiently utilize the energy contained in these grains.
He had already planned to discuss this matter with the blacksmiths. Perhaps the cost of obtaining materials for rotating stone mills or large stone mills is low, but now that he has mastered pig iron pouring, he feels that making small steel mills is more cost-effective.
It had been some time since Rurik's triumphant victory, and it was also the end of October.
He wants to make Russia's basic industry develop more rapidly. For this purpose, a large number of people must work.
Thinking of wage labor, Roseburg now had a large number of able-bodied people. As for more women, their physical strength is naturally not as strong as that of strong men. However, they have a large population and can make huge contributions with their sheer numbers.
However, hiring this group of people costs your own money.
Make people do corvee service? This was taken for granted in the East, as well as in feudal Frankia and Britain. But Ross's situation is quite special. Even today's tax collection mainly targets indentured farmers, indentured fishermen and businessmen.
There are a large number of ordinary Russians and new immigrants. In order to unite them well, Rurik is convinced that he relies heavily on the power of money.
Only slaves can obtain their labor for free.
But the current situation in Ross is that the slave group’s sense of existence is very weak! This is not Rurik's kindness. In essence, it is a travesty. A ruler who intended to be benevolent, what he did can be called barbaric.
Rurik, who adhered to the principles of Clausewitz's war, may have a view of war that was too advanced for contemporary Europe, because the wars launched by Ross were all prepared wars of annihilation. Almost all the men of the hostile forces were killed in battle, and all the surviving women were absorbed into the wives and concubines of the Russians and allies.
But according to the generally accepted tradition, even if a woman absorbed from a hostile force gives birth to a child to a Russian man, she automatically becomes a Russian woman and enjoys all the rights of a Russian woman, and she should be protected.
As a result, the strength of the principality expanded rapidly, and the general slave group almost did not exist, but there were a large number of servants.
etc! Aren’t the five hundred Tavastian women who were to be given to the Balmoks still unemployed?
Rurik blamed himself for simply forgetting about them. What was even worse was that he did not mention it and no one told him about the living conditions of those women.
It was already November, and Rurik remembered this and asked his father.
Otto laughed at one point: "I don't think many of those women died. In the past few months, your Rumia has been guiding them to do something..." Otto actually didn't want to talk more, those women couldn't become Russians, why should you care?
Rurik felt unhappy after hearing this.
How many people didn't die? Aren’t there still people dying for various reasons? This... is a serious waste of labor and a disgrace.
Since Rumia was familiar with her, Rurik asked about her and successfully learned what had happened to the Tavastia woman in the past few months.
Originally, the labor force of those people had already been utilized, but they were a group of women who had subjugated their country. It might be a bit reluctant to expect them to work for the conquerors with peace of mind.
Rumia directed them to do simple tasks such as sorting furs and beating hemp poles. When the materials to be processed were processed, there was nothing left for them to do.
They were to be handed over to the prisoners of the Balmok people, and it was not appropriate for them to do too many things. What's more, if they were given sharp tools to do some delicate work, who could guarantee that they would not cause trouble with the sharp tools at hand?
When Rurik was there, many Russians would not object to his arrangements for these women.
The most elite Russian army began a new expedition. Later, Rumia was busy with her own affairs. People with the right to speak simply left these prisoners alone on the grounds that Rurik was not around and Otto went to the east to collect tribute. .
During that period, it was unrealistic for the old guy Harozosson, who was ordered to manage the Roseburg area, to expect him to treat a group of prisoners who were to be given to the allies well.
When Rurik comes back, it will be up to him to decide how to settle them. This is Harozosson's idea.
Therefore, during that time, they were not even allowed to do simple tasks. They were like birds and beasts in a cage, and those who tried to escape were driven back. When the weather turned cold, they all huddled in the warehouse, not knowing how long such meaningless days would last.
What a waste of labor! Gould, who came back with goods, or Fordgen, who raised many slaves and essentially opened a "garment processing factory", both hope to make use of these idle people. Unfortunately, they were not legally under Ross's control. Their temporary owner, Rurik, had not returned yet. Harozzoson was laughing, and Otto, who had returned earlier, had no intention of interfering. Others were wise enough not to wade into the muddy waters.
Rumia felt pity for those women, but after all, she was only the high priest, and she couldn't do anything other than do things for others. The various sacrificial work of the Rus and taking care of her daughter had already filled her time, and she was powerless to think about improving the lives of the captives.
Although there is still a small group of Tavastian women who have become the wives and concubines of the Russians, they are interested in helping these sisters of the same race. However, the sisters are locked up in a tightly guarded granary area. Many of them are pregnant, which further limits their ability to walk.
Of course there is also a large group of Suomi women who have entered Rus' society through normal means. They just want to live their own lives and have little regard for the affairs of the once hostile Tavastian captives.
It wasn't until he heard Rumia's rather regretful description that Rurik realized that he had set up a meaningless prison for them.
What's worse is that although they were finally reduced to being sheep in a pen, he has been providing them with food. There is not much food every day, but the accumulated expenses of feeding 500 idle people for more than three months are really not small.
It is said that the expenses are not small, and their life is not easy.
Rurik and his men hurried to the big barn in the granary area where the prisoners lived. As they approached the barn, a bad premonition came to mind.
Because this area is the small mound where Rurik used to train his children, and the high terrain here makes it an excellent granary.
But this is not a traditional residential area. Many buildings have risen from the ground. Unfortunately, it is destined to not be lively.
It's too quiet here.
He casually said to his follower Jevro: "Rosberg is obviously very noisy, but it's terrifyingly quiet here."
"It's understandable that the Granary District is quiet. Sir, are there really people living in that big barn? I also feel that there is a lack of life here. What I saw before is not like this at all."
"They must be hiding in the house. I don't blame them. I ordered them not to wander around."
This place has always been guarded by armed old warriors. When they saw the Duke coming, they also stepped forward to compliment him.
"Sir, have you finally come to see these women?" an old man with a white beard and a face full of age spots greeted them respectfully.
"How are they doing?"
"It should still satisfy you."
But Rurik heard sobs coming from the old guard's quarters.
"Let's go and have a look." Rurik shook his neck and hurried away with Yevro and others.
The old guards looked stunned, and someone shouted: "Sir, there is nothing good to see in my house."
However, Rurik still saw the black-haired woman who was locked up. Seeing his appearance, he subconsciously curled up into the soft deerskin blanket.
"What's going on?" Rurik asked casually.
The old guard who lives here hesitates and talks for a long time.
"I understand. As slaves for your enjoyment? These women are the trophies of Balmok's allies. You..."
"Sir, I..." the old guard said bravely, "I am old, my wife has died long ago, and my son died in the expedition to the east. Thank you, sir, for giving me this job, but I still hope to leave behind a Heirs."
"So, then..." Rurik was really surprised, but then he thought about it, this old guy also had a reason.
He smiled and said, "You are really good at choosing. This woman is quite pretty. That's your purpose, so why lock her up?"
The old guard smiled shamefully again, "These women are like a pack of forest she-wolves, hard to control."
"It's ridiculous! Maybe she can't stand you, an old bull. Just tell the truth." Rurik added: "I heard that some women died. What is this? I can't say that they were killed by you." ? If something like this happens, you are all to blame."
At this moment, Rurik's entourage escorted the so-called "rescued" prisoners to him.
It was obvious that the old guys who were ordered to guard had taken control of a "mate", and no matter what their reasons, they were illegally taking possession of someone else's loot.
This is a matter of principle!
Rurik raised his head and said sternly: "I won't punish you, but these women must be released. You have no right to these women! According to our tradition, those who rob friends of their things should be chopped off and expelled!"
"Ah! Sir, you can't do this." An old guy hurriedly knelt down on one knee.
"Everyone, get up. After all, your son has made meritorious deeds for Ross. You were all elite soldiers when you were young. Your merits have offset the crime. Now I give you a chance. If you spend money, you will get a new partner legally. "
Is there such a good thing? Not only is there no punishment, but there is also a reward? Continuous warrior ceremony for the old guys.
As for what kind of women to give them, Rurik also thought about it. Because the grain officer Paul was a Northumbrian, his men were just such a group of old guys from Ross.
Paul belongs to the technocrats, and the true identity of these old guys is already the actual grain officials. Taking care of a group of prisoners was an additional task. Rurik recruited these old guys, essentially relying on their strength to prevent possible food theft.
Let an outsider manage them, so Paul will definitely stand on the duke's side because of his weak power. It is undeniable that he himself is not easy to coordinate this group of subordinates.
For example, they were confident enough to find a captive wife from among the women locked in the Granary District. This showed that they did not think that Paul had any privileges at all, and that he was just the Duke's dog.
If the wives of these old guys were Northumbrian women, the situation might change. By chance, a group of captured cooks arrive in Ross, and they must have a clear identity to continue living.
But they still had to pay a price, which was a pound of silver coins to obtain a legal wife. Their work was a reward from the Duke. In previous times, people like them who were about to lose their labor power would have starved to death. They lack the ability to be self-reliant. Besides receiving a meager salary, how can they come up with so much money?
Coincidentally, Rurik no longer planned to give them any silver or copper coins. The so-called salary was a fixed monthly share of wheat.
They had no choice but to agree.
"That's how I arranged it. You'd better not tell me that because of your negligence, those prisoners hiding in the barn became corpses."
"That's not possible. Even their situation is not good at all." An honest old guard said.
When the wooden door was opened, the listless prisoners poked their heads in. Rurik smelled a sour smell, followed by warmth.
After all, the complaint is about heating. The solid wood and airtight house basically locks in the warmth.
But looking at their condition up close, Liu suddenly thought of many bad things.
Many captives stretched out their thin hands, chanted about food in the Old Finnish dialect, and approached Rurik to beg for a meal.
"They are so skinny! What did I say? Give them enough food every day! You guys are derelict in your duties!"
Rurik cursed loudly, which shocked the followers and shocked the guards. He was actually scolding himself, because after opening the wooden door, he took a quick inspection and saw many people still wearing thin cloth clothes. Under the single clothes were one after another emaciated bodies caused by chronic hunger.
It's no wonder I haven't heard anything from them these days since I returned. Isn't it true that a large group of people gathered together to stay warm while dressed like this? Wouldn't it be suicide to run outside when you are so weak?
Those who died probably died of cold and illness, or indeed committed suicide by hanging out in the cold.
"Their situation is a bit miserable." Jevro couldn't bear to look directly at them.
"Someone is responsible for this!" Rurik bared his teeth.
"It's Harozolson." An old guy said casually, "He said that these prisoners do nothing except eating. In this case, it is enough to give them very little food so that they will not starve to death."
"Did he give the order? Did I ask him to do this?"
This group of old guards were of the same age as Harozosson, and they were all old acquaintances. They saw that the guy was prospering in his later years. How could the old guys be praised if their lives were so bleak?
They described Harozosun as a miser, but Rurik could still tell that Harozosun had to do things for a reason.
After all, it was the Duke's treasury that paid for the various expenses of these captives. The Russians naturally despise those who get something for nothing, and Harozolson himself and even Otto, deep down, regard these captives as despicable slaves, or the very strange kind of slaves of others who cannot work for the Russians.
They didn't say it to their faces, but they took action.
After all, it was impossible for these captives to turn into Rose's women, and Rurik didn't want to pursue it any further.
"Damn it. I plan to use their labor force and have to take them to Balmok on the ice road. Damn it, damn it! You! Find them all, and I will arrange to change them into winter clothes. In the next week, I will give them plenty of food to replenish their bodies,” he ordered.
"Sir, they are just prisoners given to allies. You still have to spend further money." Jevro also kindly reminded.
"No! They must pay the price. I want them to be strong and work for me. After they create enough wealth for me, I will let them all leave."
