A snowstorm hits Fort Ross with an inevitable attitude, and a new arctic cold current pours into the Baltic Sea. It sweeps across the entire Northern Europe, and finally stops in the Alps and...
The snowstorm lasted for a week. Relying on sufficient material preparations, Roseburg experienced the snowstorm safely. However, when the weather cleared, everyone had to bring tools to sweep the snow in front of their door.
The lives of the captured Tavastian women immediately improved after Rurik intervened.
First, they all put on a batch of simple leather and cloth clothes, and their food treatment miraculously reached an average of two pounds of boiled wheat per person per day.
This was really an astonishing amount of food. The hungry women feasted on it, and their physical fitness improved rapidly. Some even started to accumulate fat.
In the extremely cold era, the fat on the body is really a life-saving treasure. After they recovered their physical fitness, they were hit by the cold wave. Fortunately, there were no more deaths during the cold wave.
Another nasty snowstorm!
Rurik stayed in his palace and lived a life that was indeed different from ordinary people. He is surrounded by warblers and swallows, and enjoys the warmth of family.
If the young man John Ingvar was allowed to continue teaching Latin to his wives and concubines, it would be impossible for Rurik to have no taboos. Now Mary, the princess of Mercia, came, and this woman easily became a Latin teacher.
She doesn't need to teach it deliberately. As long as she deliberately speaks more Latin in her daily life, other people's language will automatically improve.
Rurik hopes most that they can develop a sisterhood, even if their natal families are very different. Eating at the same table is a way to enhance friendship, and staying together is another way.
However, he still faced his women in the same way as an emperor turning over brands.
Today, it’s Nolen’s turn.
Under the soft light of the oil lamp, the girl sat casually beside the bed. Because of the fireplace and the thick layer of wood and moss soil, the entire palace is warm, but the outdoor temperature has plummeted to -30°C.
Wearing simple cloth, she had been kept in the palace to escape the extreme cold for many days, and her peaceful face was filled with worry.
Rurik arrived, shirtless and smelling of flowers.
He had just scrubbed his body and soaked his feet in hot water. He felt so refreshed that he should go to bed, but he really didn't feel sleepy.
"You're finally here. Everyone else is asleep, so I won't sing." She said casually.
"Sing to please me? Now is not the time."
After that, Rurik also sat by the bed: "You cleaned your room very clean, cleaner than the boudoir in your hometown. It just so happens that it's time for me to tell you something."
"Is it about my biological father conferring me the title of earl in my hometown?"
"Oh? Have you heard about it? Yes, you should be able to hear about this big news."
"Yes. But I don't quite understand. I am a woman, and many people have gone to Britain to build new homes. Do you want me to be the leader of the old fjord? I have never thought about a woman being the leader."
"That's right. Specifically, your and my children will inherit the title forever."
"That's right." Norun sneered, then lay down and looked like he understood, "Then let's get started."
Rurik was startled.
"Are you so eager? You are still so young..."
Nolen stared straight with trembling eyes and sneered: "It's ridiculous, do you think you are older? The moon god has given me a revelation! My mother (referring to Niya) has long said that I can be a mother. Since My biological father has such a title arrangement, and I can’t let him down, and there are also people from my hometown who don’t want to leave.”
The marriage itself was a political marriage, and Rurik was surprised that Nolen spoke like this. Her words were far beyond her years. Maybe someone taught her? Was it urged by his old mother?
"That's not OK."
"Why!?" Nolen immediately got up: "I've heard that Sister Mary is a few years older than me. I heard that you guys talked almost every day in the past... Do you love her the most? You clearly know that I like you very much."
"That is your destiny, but it won't be suitable for the next three or four years. Wait..."
"But! I need to give birth to a child to inherit the title of Balmok. This is the responsibility of you and me. I am very anxious."
"Let's stop here!" Rurik hesitated unintentionally. He thought that Mary must have learned a lot through Latin. This is easy to understand. If a princess who has lost her country wants to establish her own status in the new world, it is necessary to have a good relationship with this group of female relatives. Besides, although Mary lived like a toy in the old Mercian court, she also passively developed the ability to observe words and emotions, telling a group of simple women how to please men. Mary was really good at this.
Nolen pouted, but she was unhappy...
Rurik only felt ridiculous, and suddenly felt a little bit. On this issue, it was women like them who were too proactive. And unlike men, they have extremely strong purpose.
Suddenly, Rurik really felt like an April stallion.
Rurik lowered his face: "Now that you already know, I will tell you the detailed arrangements for the follow-up. Our child will naturally have the title of Balmok, but you have to pay attention that he is not the earl of the Kingdom of York. He is loyal to me and loyal to Count Balmok of the Duke of Ross. Nolen, you are my woman, your son is my son, and your Balmok compatriots..."
In a daze, Nolen heard a strange meaning.
"Many people are unwilling to leave that fjord, and they are my people. The Balmoks who are unwilling to leave are all my people! I am their duke! The entire Narvik Fjord will always be Ross territory.”
"This... is a merger?" Nolen was shocked.
"Exactly! It's true that the Balmoks have emigrated as a whole family. They established the huge Kingdom of York in Britain. Your brother Biyongni said that those who don't want to leave are cowards. Yes, your biological father and brother, and Those noble family leaders abandoned their old places and the people who didn't want to leave. I don't think so. I like those who stay. I also promised them that I will take the ice and snow road to Balmok this winter. No. Lun!"
"Um."
"You and I must go together. I will organize a large expedition after Hanukkah, cross the snowy mountains and enter Balmok, and then officially declare your and my rule. This is what I want to tell you, what do you think?"
"Okay! I have no idea about Britain. Ross is the greatest. If my fellow countrymen became New Ross people, their lives would be better." Nolen was quite shocked in his heart, but this girl Showed a sense of joy. She regarded all this as fate. To be fair, if the people in her hometown were really taken in by Rurik, their lives would definitely get better.
"Indeed. Harsh ice and snow are a problem. As long as everyone lives a prosperous life, ice and snow will no longer be a problem. Go to sleep, Nolen. When the snow stops, I want to see the military band you organized."
"Okay! You will definitely be satisfied."
Of course Nolen hopes to become a mother soon, but with her current physical condition, she would be seeking death if she became a mother. As a rational person with extremely advanced knowledge, Rurik certainly knew the terrifying risks in this regard, even if she was a pure Nordic.
However, during the long wind and snow period, what is there to do when every household is hiding in a warm cave?
The wind and snow outside and the accumulation of blood concealed the movement of people. Rurik could think with his toes that the next baby boom in the Principality of Ross would be in August next year. Not bad, at least it was thick and warm at that time, and the delicate baby would hardly die suddenly.
So as a monarch, Rurik has no doubt about the strength of Russian women. I am afraid that it will be no problem for one woman to give birth to eight people at once, just like the situation in Britain in the early industrial era. In order for the further expansion of the population to survive, expansion is the simplest and crudest method to open up living space.
Fortunately, the geographical space in this era was extremely huge, and the wild and rich world was in urgent need of opening up by the Russians.
The next step was to open the overland trade route from Rossburg → Ironburg → Fiskburg → Balmok, so that the Russians officially had the Atlantic Ocean outlet in 834, and it was a frost-free port.
When the wind and snow stopped, people who were hiding in the area walked out of their homes. The first thing they did was spontaneously pick up tools and sweep the snow in front of their doors. This gradually evolved into a snow plowing project covering the entire city.
Although the servant deer herders brought the property belonging to the Duke, the captured and bred reindeer herd of 3,000 head went north for winter grazing.
There are more than a hundred reindeer in one mile of Roseburg. They are used as sled pullers and are actively transporting snow from the city out of the city.
As a result, a snow-capped mountain by the sea was being "constructed", and a group of children happily used it as a toy. Many children also made snowballs and smashed them around for fun.
Hanukkah is not far away, and the time is approaching December in the Julian calendar.
Because times have changed, many Russians no longer have the qualifications to hide in their homes and survive until the sea thaws.
Because of wealth or the desire to gain glory, they bravely walked out of their warm homes and began special winter production operations.
For example, furnaces in industrial areas cannot be turned off! Even in the polar night, even if they use the soft light of the stars, miners still have to go into the mountains to dig for various ores. Even the roads people tread in the snow are very smooth, and winter is a good time to transport ore.
In recent days, Otto and a group of old Russians have gathered together all day long to talk about the mountains, accompanied by strong wine, bacon and dried fruits.
Sometimes Rurik worries that his father will suddenly die in Valhalla due to drinking too much.
However, Dad's days as leader have passed for many years. He only appeared physically weaker, but in fact the people supported the young duke. For a very simple reason, they support whoever makes them live a good life.
So, let’s take the good days to the next level!
Rurik reduced his large group of cubs.
All boys and girls aged six to twelve in Rossburg are here, and most of the children in the Principality of Ross are currently gathered in the original capital of Rossburg.
They were trained to cut wood, carry materials, and carry water. Although they were very young, they were a very determined workforce.
They even received military training. The first batch of children became "grassroots commanders", and each of them led more than ten people to form one group after another.
There is no need to be too obsessed with grouping in the Rurik Century. Following the tradition of the Rus or Vikings, people will spontaneously gather around the brave.
They form small groups, and easily coalesce into a huge group.
Now, when Rurik counted the heads, he realized that the total number of children who were eating the Duke's food had reached 2,000!
This is really a huge number! Rurik learned of this practical quality and quite understood why the old guy Harozosun neglected the group of Tavastian women.
Just because this group of children is a huge internal drain on the Duke's coffers.
Fortunately, the losses in this area were easily outweighed by taxes, tributes, and plunder.
No!
"Perhaps I will have to increase taxes on those merchants this year. And increase the amount of physical tribute from the Suomi people..."
It is a means to make money from war to feed the children who are crying for food. Developing industry and handicrafts and selling products to make money in exchange for supplies is the second method.
And pioneering is the third method. It would be difficult to achieve self-reliance in just a few years by pioneering fields, farming and harvesting wheat.
Then focus on metal smelting, manufacture extremely high value-added iron tools at low cost, and rely on trade methods to do business with swords.
So, what is the current industrial capability of the Russian people?
From this day on, the first day of December in the Julian calendar, people officially look forward to Hanukkah.
Many soldiers turned into hunters, and they took their equipment to Fort Ironon and Fort Fisk in the north. A group of visiting businessmen also went to the north, intending to purchase high-quality and precious leather locally.
A large number of leather craftsmen have also made preparations, preparing a large amount of northern leather for processing immediately upon arrival.
The population of Roseburg has dropped sharply, while the population of Ironburg has increased dramatically, and there are brave people everywhere who want to seek wealth in the land of ice and snow.
Even a family of free deer farmers from afar believed in the promise of the Russians, changed their caution for hundreds of years, and began to trade live deer and leather with the people of Ironburg with their deer in exchange for key iron tools. .
As soon as they started exchanging, they got stainless steel tools - chrome tools.
Rurik still does not know about the fact that the free deer herders, that is, the small settlement of the Sami people in the matrilineal clan, began to trade with the Rus. Because the city had declared its right to rule over all deer herders early, the decree restricted the Rus and Covin people of Ironburg to prohibit plundering free deer herders.
Rurik did not even expect this, or perhaps because of the construction of a number of new buildings, including the "Russ Duma" parliamentary chamber, and new ships, a mighty logging team rushed out on December 1. The reindeer and ponies pulling the sleigh pulled a large amount of wood back to Roseburg. It was just for good luck to arrive at such a date.
This was really an exciting thing. Rurik was happy to see their return, and Otto rarely drank without drinking. He went to admire the logging brothers returning with the giant spruce from the far north.
The more than 500 deer skins purchased from free deer farmers belonged to private individuals. The arrival of new leather gave Roseburg's leather processing industry a shot in the arm.
Rurik and his entourage once again entered the so-called industrial area where the smoke was billowing.
Unlike other areas, this area is still made of hard sand and gravel. Even during a blizzard, the flames in the furnace are still burning, the main area continues to stay hot, and the snow has never been covered.
There was the tinkling tinkling sound everywhere, and that was the sound of many young blacksmiths, who were also so-called slave workers.
In principle, Kamnier and the more than fifty men under his command are directly loyal to the Duke of Ross. Their current and future job is to make various iron tools or other equipment for the Duke.
They all come from poor backgrounds, and they will all become engineers in the future.
Rurik's visit was a bit unexpected. Many people paused their work for a moment and then started again.
Clavarson, who still had a white beard, came to receive him, and a smart and furry little guy rushed over enthusiastically. The white fur looked like a little polar bear.
He is the child of Kuzneslav, whose nickname is Kudya. According to seniority, Rurik was his uncle.
After a while, Lilia also went out. Although she was wearing thick clothes, Rurik was surprised to find that she was pregnant again.
"Sir, you actually have the time to come here when I am here. Oh no, you must have a new idea. Welcome, let's come in and have a chat." Although Klavasen is obviously much older than he was a few months ago, he is still enthusiastic to not fix.
"Indeed, I am here to discuss some important matters with you. It is still a very important matter!" Rurik said casually.
"Oh, please come. Come to our blacksmiths' council room. You can wait a moment while I call the old guys over."
"There is also an independent conference room? How come I didn't know about it before?" Rurik was a little surprised, then calmly said: "I don't want to be idle. Where is Kawei?"
"He...he is supervising the production of the blast furnace. You see, I am old, and now it is difficult to even swing a hammer. If you have any important matters, please tell Kawei, I..." Halfway through the words, this old Clark Wasen called his laughing grandson to his side: "I just want to continue to accompany this boy."
Enjoy a happy family life after living a prosperous life? Klavasen's aging is indeed visible to the naked eye.
Rurik and Lilia looked at each other again, but there was no conversation for the time being. In fact, of course he had many things to ask Lilia. After all, this woman was very unusual. Almost all of Rose's die-cast glassware were made by her. Glassware is also expected to develop rapidly as an industry, and Lilia must be a key figure in this undertaking.
"I'm going to look for Kawei first. Klavasen, just go and call someone. By the way, call this kid Kamni to your council room as well."
"Okay!" Klavason pushed the grandson to his mother. He shook himself and went to notify the heads of the other families who were traveling with the blacksmith with a wooden stick.
Looking at the old man's back, a strong sense of strangeness surged into Rurik's heart.
Klavasen, you are really old, so suddenly...
