A land deed has been signed, which means that more than one hundred hectares of land have been distributed by decree.
The land is there, but where do the wheat seeds come from?
As the saying goes, if you want to cut sheep, you must first breed a large flock. To obtain a continuous supply of food, farmers must obtain a large amount of food.
The original grain was a kind of original capital. The terms clearly stated that the grain was provided by the Duke and the source was the "Russian National Granary".
Rurik was not willing to simply throw the grain to them and become a hands-off shopkeeper. Farming is a technical job, and he doesn't believe that a native of Ross who has never planted wheat can become an excellent farmer in an instant.
So were the local Slavs good farmers?
They are all backward!
Rurik didn't do the plowing himself, but this year was different, he had to do it himself.
The duke provided the grain growing, and the method of farming was also provided by the duke. Although he has no experience in farming, Rurik is by no means ignorant of grains. What he knows about farming is mechanized agriculture.
It is naturally impossible to mechanize in this era. It is necessary to produce a batch of advanced human and animal agricultural tools and adopt some orderly sowing, harvesting and distribution. Another example is increasing the input of human and animal excrement to fertilize the fields, and establishing water pumping mechanisms for irrigation.
The ultimate goal of increasing grain production, Rurik believes that what he does will be effective, because the old agricultural technology of local farmers is actually the lower limit of agriculture.
After all, oats are a low-yielding grain. The fact that they are the staple food in the Lake Ilmen region does not mean that they are simply cold-resistant. Rurik estimates that they simply cannot get a large amount of cold-resistant wheat.
Does Ross have this wheat? Of course there is.
Wheat in Britain is a legacy from the Roman era. Local people have cultivated it for thousands of years, so much so that it can even be grown in Scotland.
Britain is naturally warmer than Novgorod, but the frost-free period in Novgorod is much longer than the growth cycle of spring wheat. Especially in summer, the temperature can make people feel a little hot.
The Russian explorer Spyot actually successfully completed last year's tribute to the Kingdom of Northumbria, with a large ship full of cold-resistant spring wheat.
Rurik had already sent a letter to his hometown. The spring wheat arriving was not allowed to be sold to the public, and only oats were allowed to be stored in warehouses.
"I have to send another person to send a message. Then summon the soldiers of the First Flag Troop from Fort New Rose here."
The fathers of the soldiers of the First Banner often served in the Second Banner. The Principality of Rus is essentially the main body of Rus. All the old Rus are soldiers. They are all considered nobles, so the war dividends must be shared with them first.
Some old guys signed the contract on behalf of their sons first, and there were still more than 300 people left. Rurik decided to arrive at New Roseburg quickly and ask them to sign the contract quickly. This is of course a voluntary principle. If they want to be farmers, they should quickly sign the contract. If they want to continue to be hunters and fishermen, they can put the agreement aside for the time being.
Because the cultivated land in Rurik's hands was very large, he had to decentralize the land rights in order to unleash the land's productivity.
Only the old Russians have the right to obtain the use rights and property rights of these mature fields. Old Ross's new son is growing up vigorously, and Rurik is willing to count the fifteen-year-old boys from his hometown and let them work as farmers. These are related to the "Great Immigration" project.
The meat had to be chewed one bite at a time, and since there was relatively plenty of time, Rurik decided to rush to New Roseburg as quickly as possible, and he had already started to take action.
He is a Duke and he can do whatever he wants.
A small horse-drawn sleigh team was formed. The local ponies were harnessed and two horses pulled a sleigh, which could accommodate ten people. Rurik's request was not extreme, so he summoned his guards and recruited local drivers. More than fifty people sat on eight sleighs, carrying some extremely important cargo, and headed north against the frozen Volkhov River.
The Duke left in a hurry to obtain excellent new wheat seeds, so-called wheat from the island in the far west. The local Slavic people all know about wheat, and they have tried to grow it, but unfortunately the results are not good. They subjectively feel that although all wheat is delicious, it is difficult to grow it on their own. In fact, the wheat they bought from Smolensk in the south was not very suitable for the climate of Lake Ilmen.
The team advanced in the vast world, and they marched in a lane made of ice.
"How long will our trip take? This is the first time I have left home in winter." Although Svetlana clung to her husband, her inner fear was clearly revealed.
Rurik comforted her and stroked her face: "As long as it took us to get here, it will take us as long to return."
"But I'm just afraid. You said the snow is very beautiful, but for the people in our manor, if you enter the snowy forest rashly, you will definitely die if you get lost."
"Oh? Are you afraid of getting lost?" Rurik smiled, laughing in public.
He yelled at his mercenaries: "Haha, she said she was afraid of getting lost and ice and snow. Brothers, what haven't you done? The Russians are never afraid of ice and snow!"
The mercenaries cheered, making the boring march full of fun.
Rurik didn't speak, he just walked along the frozen route. Of course he was also worried about getting lost, so he didn't choose to take a shortcut.
The straight-line distance from Novgorod to Novorosberg at the mouth of the Neva River is equivalent to 160 kilometers, and the prerequisite is naturally to pass through undeveloped dense forests. If you choose the ice route, your journey will nearly double. It is better than having a clear route.
The Slavic people around Lake Ilmen, like the Russians, have always used the Julian calendar. Based on long-term experience, they generally start planting at the end of April. If the climate is warm enough, the fields that have become muddy due to melting snow will become muddy again. Hard, they will also sow early.
Rurik was sure that he had two months to complete the matter. In theory, it would take half a month to go to New Roseburg in tandem, which would be a hardship on the rented horses.
The ponies were all nailed with iron horseshoes, and there was no need for the Russians to teach them this behavior. The unique shape of the horseshoe gives the horse strong friction on the ice surface, and the smooth ice surface also reduces friction. The sleigh can gallop, and the two-horse sleigh is forced to sprint up to 60 kilometers every day under the urging of the whip. In fact, the horses were moving forward by walking, and fortunately they were forced to move throughout the day.
When the team stopped, the horses were fed a large amount of oats. Rurik brought a lot of oats, which were not for people to eat but were actually horse feed. Only these were enough to drive the horses forward.
The team successfully entered the frozen Lake Ladoga. The mercenaries looked at the boundless ice surface, and everyone subconsciously sighed. It is said that this place resembles the Gulf of Bothnia and the frozen Lake Mälaren.
The cramped, frozen lanes are now extremely common, and everyone is beginning to face new problems.
The mercenaries wrapped their bodies in fur coats and tore the cloth they bought from the Slavs into scarves. They wrapped their heads with it, leaving only a pair of eyes.
The cold lake wind seemed to crack one's cheek, Rurik also wrapped his head with cloth like his men, while Svetlana got directly into the large white bear skin blanket, like a little kangaroo getting into the pouch.
What happened to the whole world?
Rurik felt empty, quiet, and desolate. He didn't think there was anything scary. This world was as clean as another planet. The coldness and emptiness could purify people's hearts.
Only these cold-resistant ponies persisted. When the sled team entered the Neva River, the lazy people became excited.
No one would have expected that the Duke would suddenly rush to New Roseburg on this cold day. The tall wooden city wall protects the residents in the city. Outside the wall, it is still very safe, or it has become very lively.
When people have the need to trade, trade bazaars will appear. The market does not appear out of thin air. It can be a dew market at the beginning. As people with trading needs have recognized this place, a market that exists in both cold and summer was born.
The plots within the wall have been divided into their own uses. Although there are a number of open spaces, they are also reserved for large-scale infrastructure.
The population is expanding, and new arrivals are building houses just outside the city. Houses were not allowed to be built indiscriminately, and human and animal excrement was not allowed to be thrown onto the road. Governor Cornuson gave all settlers rigid requirements. Violators, according to the Duke's order, would be slapped with the lightest fine or the most serious.
The appearance of the sled team was too sudden. When people found out that it was Lord Rurik, another large group of people gathered to watch the fun.
Both parties were really watching the excitement of each other, and Rurik noticed the existence of the open-air market right away.
"What's going on? Arik, you and your hunters are already making a deal? It must be so!" he muttered.
The panting horses were finally able to have a good rest. Rurik and his men jumped out of the carriage, and the wooden boxes containing important cargo were also unloaded.
This time he brought two women with him, his wife Svetlana and Duchess Carlotta of Ostara.
The former is his assistant, and the latter will take advantage of this great opportunity to convene all Ostara immigrants to hold a historic rally in New Roseburg.
In fact, Carlotta was very jealous of Lanna's girl who had an affair with Rurik along the way. Thinking about it carefully, she was not at a loss, because the good thing she had dreamed of finally happened!
The day when menstruation was supposed to come didn't come. It was Freya's permission and everything really got better.
She and Rurik struggled temporarily in the city, and the two equally noble nobles went about their great careers separately.
That night, the palace of the Duke of Ross (equivalent to the virtual Winter Palace). Although it is night, the spacious house is brightly lit, and although it is cold outside, the matrix of oil lamps and chandeliers illuminating the "circular bear head decorative array" on the wall look quite ferocious, and the room is also quite warm. The people inside are wearing soft linen clothes. Regular use is enough.
Rurik sat in the most distinguished position, and Svetlana sat next to him slightly cautiously. In front of them were grilled fish and honey bread baked by Aslaki. The meal was prepared a little hastily, but it was still delicious.
Here, the gourmet food maker Yaslaqi came, and Arik, who had not seen him for several months, also came, which surprised Rurik.
Governor Cornuson and his son were also present, and they held back their words. They were eager to report all kinds of things about New Roseburg in the winter. They were also curious about how their brothers who were wintering in Novgorod were doing.
Of course, the biggest question is why Duke Rurik suddenly ran back. It seems that something happened in the south.
They chatted casually while eating. Since Konuson asked in person, Rurik said straightforwardly.
The house was filled with the aroma of grilled fish and the sweet aroma of honey bread. After hearing the Duke's description, Cornuson and Arik were not in the mood to eat.
Arik was an upright and loyal man, so he suddenly stood up and laughed happily: "Rurik! You are really my good brother. What brothers want most is to cultivate the land. If you get good land, you will share it with your brothers. You came back specially to fulfill it." Promise, brothers will be so happy!”
Konuson also hurriedly responded: "Sir, since there is still a lot of land over there, it should all belong to us old Russians. I think I have to mobilize the people and let them continue to immigrate."
Looking at the enthusiastic faces of the two, Rurik hesitated and cleared his throat.
"When it comes to immigration, what I want is a big immigration. Let's talk about other things first." He mainly looked at his cousin: "Brother, you didn't lead your young brothers to catch squirrels in the north. What? Did you triumph? "
"Of course it's a triumph." Arik slapped his chest violently, "I'm so happy this winter. You would never imagine that our brothers will still be satisfied. Many people caught five hundred squirrels, and everyone was filled with joy and thinking about making a fortune. It’s a big fortune, but the peeled squirrel skin can’t be sold at all! Oh no, it’s not that it can’t be sold, it’s just that those buyers just want to buy it at a cheaper price. It’s really bad, we are all from the same family, and the price has dropped ten times. The situation is back to the same situation many years ago, or even worse. Who can survive this? The brothers simply came back, and they all planned to wait for the ice to melt and take the leather to Mälaren to sell it."
"Is there such a thing?"
Arik pouted his bearded mouth: "It's absolutely true. Now that you're back, it's good. How about you buy everyone's squirrel skins?"
This is a purely commercial issue. A huge amount of squirrel skins are put into the market, and the supply exceeds demand, which will cause the price to plummet.
Of course, this is a good time to buy the dip.
The cousin was hinting that he would buy it at a price generally accepted by everyone. The so-called one silver coin for a big squirrel skin, no matter how bad it was, it was one coin for three skins. what is this? This goes against the laws of the market.
Rurik shook his head: "I will buy all the leather. If they dare to take out the leather they have hoarded, I will buy it all. However, the price will be as it is now."
"Ah? Now one coin is exchanged for fifteen skins!"
Arik really didn't use his brain when he spoke, and what he said was true, which made Rurik open his mouth in shock.
His mouth immediately closed again, and he immediately covered his face with his sleeves to cover up the smile that could not be hidden at all.
Rurik tried to calm down. He never expected that there would be an unexpected surprise when he came back. He deliberately said: "Brother, why is this happening? Since ancient times, there has never been a situation where one coin was exchanged for fifteen skins."
"Yes! But that's the thing. The leather is too cheap, so no one is too lazy to go to the woods in the north. But the forest land is really rich, and it reminds me of the legends of our ancestors. I think of the days when we were near the Roseburg Fjord. The same is true in the woodland. You can easily hunt a large number of squirrels and ferrets, but you can't do that now. But New Roseburg is wonderful here."
What my cousin said is absolutely true. The fact is that when an army of human hunters visit a place, local animals will be hunted on a large scale. When the prey can no longer satisfy human appetite, humans invented agriculture and animal husbandry.
The population of New Roseburg is large in this time and space, but as a consumer market it is small. Nearly five hundred young Jianyong from the First Flag Team took advanced crossbows to hunt in undeveloped woodlands. They were all hunters, and now that they had advanced tools, it was ridiculous not to hunt on a large scale.
Five hundred hunters, each caught 500, so that’s 25,000? The price of leather has plummeted to 15 pieces per coin, but I am afraid that my estimate is conservative. I'm afraid they got 30,000 pieces of various leathers, which is a very large number but reasonable.
Nordic red squirrels are very capable of reproducing. They have two litters a year, with a litter of six. New rats can breed in three months, so the so-called rats can see their grandchildren grow up that year. In the local overwhelming red pine forest, the huge amount of pine cones every year can support millions of squirrels in a large area on both sides of the Neva River.
It’s just that the reproduction rate of squirrels can never keep up with the speed at which the Russians hunt with all their strength. In this regard, Rurik has great confidence in his tribe, but this kind of thing is not a good thing. The matter of fishing from the lake seems to be temporarily suspended due to the invisible hand of the market. .
Aric didn't understand why the price was so low. He could understand but it wasn't necessary. His Aslaki was actually very clear about it, and now he just smiled and pretended to be confused.
Rurik deliberately explained: "This is Odin exerting his power. It is a pair of invisible hands fiddling with the price. This is the work of the gods and is not controlled by mortals. Even I You cannot go against the will of the gods.”
"Huh? Is that so?!" Arik straightened his body.
"Of course! Do you still expect Odin to stand in front of you and criticize you personally? Brother, I don't dare to go against God's will. Since the market price is like this, I will buy it at this price. Anyway, I invited them to farm in the south!"
Arik pouted again: "That's fine. I think you will still threaten them with this matter."
"Eh? I don't intend to threaten. I still want to sign a contract with them. They can go to Melalen to buy leather, but don't think about getting a lot of fertile land. There are gains and losses. They can't be too greedy."
"Forget it, you are always wise. Each brother is assigned one hectare of fertile land. Now we can get wheat every year without risking death for robbery." Arik added.
"Is that so?" Rurik's smile seemed to hide a dagger: "You can't go on an expedition if you are hit? Of course war is still necessary, but this aspect is not a matter of gains and losses, I want them all. "
"That's fine. Then, I should gather the team."
"This will be done tomorrow. Let them gather in Harvest Square and then line up to enter this house. I will sign a written contract with each of them here. I will also announce the acquisition of the leather in their hands."
"Written contract?" Arik was quite confused. "Brother, do you want to sign on a large number of wooden boards? I think we have to prepare a large number of wooden boards first."
"Woodboard? Brother, times have changed." Rurik pointed to the south. "I made a major invention in Novgorod. I made a very soft board called paper. I have put them Brought here."
He summoned his subordinates to give instructions, and after a while, two burly mercenaries entered the place pulling a wooden box.
He motioned to Svetlana to open the lid and take out the documents inside. Contract documents copied by more than a dozen wives and concubines together with his own cooperation formed a mountain. The papers had been cut and now they were piled neatly.
"Come and see! My friends, come and see my latest masterpiece." Rurik greeted.
People present stood up one after another and came closer. They saw a thin piece of yellow-brown cloth and wood, with a lot of fair words written in ink on it. The whole body is written in the traditional rune alphabet, and even a reckless man like Aric can spell it, let alone an educated businesswoman like Aslaqi.
Now it is no longer possible to describe them as "surprised", it is more appropriate to describe them as overwhelmed. All the documents were neatly written with the same words and phrases, all contract terms, and there was still a place for signature at the bottom. All this has exceeded their cognition.
