The shovel dug the pit, and the two-man saw cut off the large cedar tree. The trunk was processed and inserted into the pit to become the foundation pillar of the wall.
The White Tree Manor was transformed into the city of Novgorod, and the city wall construction project was put on the fast track.
Medvet served as the governor of Novgorod. He seemed to have great power, but in fact he was restricted in many aspects. The use rights of large tracts of farmland will be handed over to various Varyag immigrants. Although Grand Duke Rurik has determined in the form of law that everyone is a Russian, the Russians are different from the Russians.
The real Varangians are the real Rus, and the Rus tribe population is the most noble.
A large-scale immigration operation is gaining momentum, and there will soon be a large number of Norse-speaking people in the lake area.
Maybe this is a good thing. Intermarriage between Varangians and Slavs has been practiced for many years. I am afraid that many years later...
Medved didn't bother to think about it.
The counterinsurgency war ended in June. It is now the end of June, and the Slavic Summer Festival is approaching.
It's a good thing that the war can end at this point in time.
The departing estate owners immediately announced the peace promised by the conquerors of Rus upon their return home. People's panic was alleviated a lot. When the people knew that they could plunder the population and wealth of the five estates that followed Vadim's rebellion, they rushed to launch a partition operation.
After all, they were all neighbors living in the Lake District. They hurriedly forced the woman whose husband and son had died to join their manor.
For a time, those manors were in a state of panic. Within three days, the manors were demolished, including the private houses because the wooden beams were coveted.
The once bustling farms became quiet as if they had experienced war. They were abandoned, and only a few people fled aimlessly with a small amount of belongings.
Although it is not the autumn harvest, the faces of the people in each manor are filled with the joy of harvest.
The situation after the war was so strange. Anyone who did not follow Vadim to overturn Ross's manor would receive a material reward.
Of course, Baishu Manor gained the most, with the number of acres owned by Cow Calf and Fisherman Manor directly doubled.
Each manor is busy organizing its own summer festivals. They will perform traditional rituals on the summer solstice to pray for a good harvest this year.
They were all in a hurry and thought that this year's summer festival would not be grand.
In fact, this is not the case. Just outside the wall under construction in Novgorod, on the banks of the Volkhov River, a batch of fir, pine and flower trees that have been sawn into roughly the same specifications are being rapidly stacked into wooden towers.
The wooden tower will turn into a torch. The biggest thing in common among the Rus, Balmoks, Ostaras, Melalens, Kovins, and Slavs who make up the Rus army is the worship of fire.
Fire is the symbol of Odin's power, the god of fire of the Finnish tribes, and the incarnation of the Slavic god-king Peron.
People will sing and dance in front of the fire tower, throw sacrifices to the fire tower, and complete various rituals.
The Pine Needle Manor was turned into powder, and the White Tree Manor, which was pushed to the banks of the Volkhov River, became the new core of the Ilmen Lake District. She is Novgorod, and the military and civilian population currently living, staying and stationed here is close to 10,000.
There are large boats moored on the river, and fishermen are working on the lake.
Walls, towers, the Governor's Palace, the "Russ Duma" of the District Council Chamber, new granaries, and warehouses are all under construction.
Most of the builders were local Slavs, and they were almost all men and women of the White Tree Manor. They built the city of Novgorod under the leadership of Medvet.
Ryuri ordered his subordinates to provide some help, such as logging work, but nothing else.
Because after the army rested for a few days, each flag team began training again.
The Russians lost some soldiers in the past wars, and the casualties all occurred in the final chaos. Even entering the farm to kill actually turned into a street fight, and some Russian soldiers died in the sneak attack.
There were only twenty soldiers killed in the entire army, but as many as fifty were injured. An organized and combat-experienced army annihilated ten thousand enemies with this small loss! However, not many people think this is glorious. Killing cowardly enemies and defenseless people is not a commendable achievement.
The fallen were cremated, and their swords were handed over to their heirs. The children of the deceased continued to be raised by the prince, and the widow inherited the wealth of her late husband.
As for the injured, regular cleaning of wounds with spirits is more effective and safer than plant ashes. The threat of septicemia was no longer present, and their bodies recovered quickly, which the local Slavs regarded as a blessing from the gods.
It was the Romans who formulated a calendar that everyone learned from, but the calendar was not revised after the decline of the empire.
The Nordic world and the Slavic world are all following the old Julian calendar. June 28 is also the summer solstice for all ethnic groups. On this day, people sacrifice to the sun and fire to pray for a good harvest.
This year is clearly the beginning of a new era for White Tree Manor, and the majority of the manor residents are still looking forward to a big event.
One peaceful night, in a spacious house, the old man Rigus solemnly requested a wedding from Rurik.
"Svetlana has become your wife according to Russian etiquette. Just have another Slavic wedding and everyone will be happy."
Rigus didn't need to say anything anymore, his father and brother were also present, including Svetlana with her hair braided like a garland, sitting sideways.
"Then let's hold the wedding according to your etiquette. What should I do..."
Svetlana immediately blushed, even though she already loved clinging to Rurik.
The son-in-law agreed unconditionally, and Rigus immediately became energetic. Looking at Old Otto's expectant eyes again, "I will let my daughter marry Ross in a glorious way."
There is no rush for the crusade against the Karelians for the time being. There are still many matters such as surveying the fields and sending a squadron to Britain to ask for food tribute from King Eynred. Many matters can be carried out after the summer.
The Slavic wedding of Rurik, Duke of Rus, and his first wife will be held on the night of the summer solstice fire festival.
Since he claimed to be willing to marry according to Slavic etiquette, Rurik obeyed and put on a traditional Slavic long patterned linen shirt and Slavic felt and leather boots. His golden ponytail was let down, and his disheveled hair was tied around his head with a leather rope.
His blond hair is as smooth as a woman's. His deep eyes, long golden beard, and fair face without freckles all reflect the handsomeness of a young man.
This is where his extraordinary temperament lies. Even though he dresses like a traditional Slavic and can speak Slavic fluently, he is clearly different from the Slavic.
As for Svetlana, she put on a beautiful patterned gown, and the white tone highlighted the red pattern. This is a long gown with five colors: white, blue, red, yellow and brown. It is also the five kinds of cloth that the local Slavs can dye.
On her head was a huge corolla made of flowers and vines, with several pieces of colored glass hung on it, and around her neck hung a rare pendant made of gold and lapis lazuli.
Another necklace made of amber, glass beads, and rubies is even more special. These necklaces were all gifts from Rurik.
According to Slavic wedding rules, there is also the custom of giving each other tokens, such as a couple giving each other necklaces.
They are purely agricultural people, and they have enough time to study strange rituals and etiquette during their leisure time.
What to do at the wedding Rurik had learned some wonderful etiquette that he already knew from his sister-in-law Lilia.
There are too many women around! Only this Svetlana is the most important. This is a political marriage. Actively participating in the wedding ceremony and showing joy to all the Slavs present is to win over their emotions.
This girl is very beautiful. The sharp chin of a traditional Slavic woman is indeed better than the flat chin of a Viking woman in Rurik's aesthetic sense.
On the summer solstice, in the orange evening, Svetlana, who had disappeared for most of the day, reappeared wearing a huge flower crown.
Accompanied by the flower girl, she slowly walked towards the burning fire tower with a smile.
After all, this was the Slavic wedding of the Prince of Rus. Messengers carrying the news rowed to various farms and ordered the owners of the manors to attend the event in person.
Could it be a conspiracy? Another "Hongmen Banquet"? After they had gained the benefits, the Russians had no reason to use weapons anymore. Since they were attending the prince's wedding, and it happened to be a summer festival wedding, they should bring some gifts on this joyful day.
Fourteen manor owners gathered at White Tree Manor. They experienced the huge Ross fleet anchored on the river and were surprised by the towers under construction and other large buildings with wooden piles being driven. They are building a lot of construction, and a strong fortress is being built. This is the city of Novgorod. Who can rebel in this fortress city?
Or to show their sincerity in flattery, they rushed to offer sacrifices. The so-called sacrifices are just some fresh fish and livestock. They were originally thrown into the flames to sacrifice to God Peron, but now they have achieved the glory of the Prince of Rus.
They could just come in person, what Rurik needed was a large group of powerful boyars to be his witnesses.
Rurik wears traditional Slavic clothes and looks like a traditional Slavic young man.
Tens of thousands of people gathered on the riverside where the fire tower was burning. The fire made everyone's faces blush, and the anchored fleet also shone brightly, echoing the brilliant sunset.
The sunny weather for many consecutive days after the war made people feel good, and the beautiful sunset clearly heralded good weather for many days to come.
The male priests of White Tree Manor smeared their entire hairless heads with chalk mud, and their upper bodies were also pale.
This group of priests suddenly fell into coma for some unknown reason, woke up one after another, and announced in front of the fire tower that God Peron had seen everything.
Rurik was already holding the hand of his wife, and he noticed the head of the Slavic priest who looked like a fat-headed fish.
The fat-headed fish announced in a long voice: "God said! Let the wedding begin!"
That's it? It's that simple?
Rurik also felt that they would have some lengthy prayers, but at present the local Slavs did not have their own writing, and the ritual prayers were just a formality...
In front of the two people, a small bonfire was blazing.
A couple jumps over the fire barefoot, which is the most important part of the wedding ceremony. Other ceremonies are irrelevant.
The locals believe that as long as they join hands and cross it, they will receive Peron's blessing.
Arik watched with a smile, remembering that a few years ago, he and Peravina also had a "fire crossing ceremony", and obviously his younger brother's Slavic wedding was even more grand.
This is a Slavic wedding, but with the presence of thousands of Varangians, it cannot be pure after all.
Weddings are a rare opportunity for gatherings. People who live a boring life always happily run to the wedding site to participate in the carnival, eating and drinking.
The Vikings were making noises, shouting, and spontaneously beating their shields like ten thousand drums rumbling, and the horn holders simply blew the trumpet.
"Let's go." Rurik looked sideways at his beloved wife.
"I am a little scared."
"It's just crossing the flames. Isn't this your tradition?"
"Okay, you have to hold on tight, I'm afraid I'll burn my feet."
Rurik nodded, grabbed Svetlana's two bare feet, and the two jumped almost at the same time, flying across the bonfire. At this moment, everyone cheered...
The most important ceremony ended in a very light way. The newlyweds were tested by fire, which meant that the Prince of Ross received the blessing of God Peron, and the marriage would be peaceful and eternal.
Their feet were not burned, they flew directly over!
Old Ligus and his wife burst into tears with joy. The old couple were afraid that their feet would be burned by the fire, which would be bad luck.
The rest of the ceremony was no longer so exciting. When night fell, the fire tower by the river was crowded with people dancing.
Rurik and Svetlana are the well-deserved protagonists, but according to tradition, the woman should live in the man's house immediately after the wedding.
The grand prince's palace in Novgorod, which is under construction, is still too early to be completed!
In this way, the Aurora, the first ship of the Principality of Rus, is Rurik's residence.
Although she had to live on the boat according to Slavic tradition, the girl, who was so ecstatic that her face was full of tears, readily accepted it.
All the manor owners on the lakeside, the most powerful army in the Principality of Ross, and tens of thousands of people from the entire natal manor were his witnesses.
Svetlana felt that she was the most beautiful woman in the world, and she was blessed by God Peron when she successfully crossed the fire. No! And the blessing of the god Odin.
The two of them stayed in the captain's cabin under the bow of the Aurora.
Svetlana lay down on the leather rug full of expectation. She had already folded her beautiful gown and taken off her jewelry.
The moonlight and the light of the fire tower shone through the wooden portholes, illuminating her fair body.
After the grand wedding in front of thousands of people, according to tradition, she must immediately become a real woman and become a queen.
Rurik was immediately moved when he saw her like this.
"Finally...today is here. Hurry up." She urged with a smile.
"Okay, I have nothing to say now. Lana, have you decided on the name of the child?"
"Oh, you decide."
"Oleg, just call him Oleg."
She covered half of her face and sneered: "What if it's a daughter?"
"My name is Olegya."
"They are all good names..." She said nothing more, just relaxing her body quietly.
Finally, she endured the strange pain and hugged her husband tightly, hugging the great prince Rurik...
The next morning, the morning fog had dissipated, and most of the people who had been partying all night were still sound asleep.
A group of people still gathered by the river, a large group of Slavs led by Rigus, who wanted to witness the results of the marriage.
There are only the newlyweds on this big ship, and no one else has the right to interfere with what they do.
Svetlana held Rurik's arms and stood on the deck. Her legs were a little weak because Rurik acted like a bear last night, but she couldn't stop.
The two of them descended the rope ladder to the boat. In this process alone, Rigus was satisfied that she had become a woman.
This is a more important ceremony than a grand wedding! This was another kind of covenant. Ligus had tears in his eyes because his daughter was already the queen. His lifelong plan to marry the Russians was now completely successful. His eldest son also became the governor, and the manor became a city. He had no regrets in this life.
Even though this was a political marriage, Rurik couldn't put it down when he saw Svetlana's beauty, obedience, and sudden bravery.
Only Carlotta is obviously his woman, but...
"This is fate. I am the Duchess of Ostara, I..." Carlotta gently touched her belly and couldn't help but sigh, even a little scared. "Is it possible that I can't do it? I shouldn't! No, I have to..."
No, wait for the fire tower to turn into warm embers, and wait for life in the manor to return to normal.
Carlotta met with Rurik privately on the pretext of discussing secret matters, but this was actually a meaningful secret meeting.
Carlotta was satisfied for the time being, but Rurik also knew that this woman, who was one year older than him, would never give up until she obtained Ostara's heir.
This was a secret meeting in the empty lower cabin of the Aurora. The so-called "meeting" had ended. Carlotta breathed heavily and said quietly: "Is Svetlana that beautiful? It doesn't matter, you don't need to explain, you are a prince, you have seventeen women now. Presumably there will be more in the future."
Rurik breathed a sigh of relief: "This is my destiny."
"Yes. It's your destiny. Almost no other man has such privileges as you."
"Does it only mean many wives and concubines?"
"Exactly."
"Hey." Rurik stared at Carlotta's silly face: "You never want to give birth to only a boy. Just so I have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Soon, I will invite your sister Ella, she will be here soon."
"Ah? You, you want to be with her? You are such a man."
"So what? She has reached the age. If she takes the initiative like you, I have no objection anyway. But I have to give her a task."
"Please be a good person!"
"Are you blaming me? I'm afraid she won't listen to your elder sister's advice then." Rurik shook his head, "I will send a ship to pick her up, as well as my ten maids."
"Ah? Do you want to be with so many people! You..." Carlotta blushed: "You are the bull in April!"
"That would be a good thing. Carlotta, don't be alarmed. They are both wise men and good at calculations. Your sister does not have the right to inherit the Duchy of Ostara. I asked her to be Historia (Recorder). Let her go now Measure the area of farmland in Novgorod and write it down faithfully on a wooden board.”
"What... does this mean?" Carlotta tried to calm down. She really didn't understand the importance of the scribe group to a kingdom.
"It means she will become a female saint and a wise man in the Principality of Rus."
"Okay..." Carlotta stood up and hurriedly changed her clothes: "Let's leave quickly. I will be embarrassed if Lana finds out."
Awkward? Svetlana knew what it meant when she learned what Carlotta's husband was going to say secretly.
After living together for a long time, she really knew what her sister was longing for.
Lana deliberately pretended to be confused and pretended that nothing happened. She knew that she really shouldn't care about these things. It was already July, and she was in awe just looking at the atmosphere in Ross' camp.
The soldiers of the army are sharpening their knives again, including the men from the White Tree Manor. It is obvious that the expedition against the Karelian people in the north is about to begin. After all, without this rebellion, the Russian army would have conquered Karelia.
Probably, that's the case...
But in fact, it's not.
Rurik solemnly announced one thing: the Russian army will receive oats at the end of July and will also conduct a thorough inspection of the fields. As for the war to conquer the Karelia people, it will be postponed in August.
People who were looking forward to the war were quite surprised.
This does not mean that Ross's army will be idle for nearly a month.
The army has to participate in the construction of the Novgorod Wall, fish for food, and military training.
They even organized a raiding reconnaissance team to conduct an armed expedition to the north of Lake Ladoga to investigate the situation of the Karelia people at close range.
No one really has time to relax. If anyone does, it's Old Otto.
The old guy revealed an amazing proposal to Rurik: "This warm place is really nice. I want to bring your mother here to retire, and then bring Velika to help you raise your eldest daughter to live her old age... …”
Although it was strange, Rurik had no objection. Has this old leader who started the Russian people's comprehensive expansion finally chosen Novgorod as his destination? No matter what, Otto's majesty will shock the entire Novgorod.
