Chapter 250 North Hunting Plan

The sun rose lazily and seemed to sink to the horizon in no time.

Every day, night occupies almost all of people's time. Even so, the Rus can continue their winter work at night.

The bravest are sharpening their spearheads, axes and blades.

There are also a group of hunters who did not leave the fjord and entered the frozen sea to catch seals. Instead, they went deeper inland and set up traps to catch ferrets.

The mink hunters always have something to gain. They strip the mink skins and sell them to the stranded merchants as soon as they are brought back to Roseburg, earning a considerable amount of money. The price of ferret skins is still the same, six silver coins per skin. As for the merchants who processed it, brought it to Melalen and sold it for more than fifteen silver coins, it was the Ross Hunter who was too lazy to manage it.

It was the eve of Hanukkah. In the Rus's longhouse, Otto gathered his cronies together to discuss the great actions of the tribe after Hanukkah,

There are more than 20 oil lamps hanging on the wooden wall made of logs.

In the room, more than 30 very prestigious men from the Ross tribe sat cross-legged.

They are clothed in deerskin, cowhide leather, or layers of linen or sweaters hand-knitted with wool threads.

Everyone is still wearing hats, and many of them simply wear a wolf skin, and the furry wolf tail has become a good decoration.

Of course, it is also a very particular guy, and he simply has an arctic fox on his head.

The most lavishly dressed of all was the great businessman Gould. Today, Gould, who is accepted as a member of the Ross tribe, is not only allowed to participate in the key meetings of the Ross tribe because of his strong financial strength, his appeal in the business world, and even his submission to the Ross leader family. , has also become a key role.

Otto rewarded his cronies with some spirits filled with water. Even so, the still spicy wine suffocated his stomach. Everyone was refreshed, and the air in the room was filled with the intoxicating aroma of wine.

The meeting also kicked off with this bowl of wine.

"Brothers, we have achieved great success over the past summer. We will not continue to reminisce about the past glory, I just want to talk about the next arrangement."

In fact, everyone is very happy to talk about the old times. After all, the powerful strength of the Rus people after the end of their dormancy has led to the idea of ​​replacing the Melalen tribe and making the Rus tribe the new leader.

Haruo Zuo Sen asked urgently: "What's the next arrangement? We basically know everything. It's still like last winter, to find the deer breeders and take their deer over."

Otto looked at the guys in front of him, stared into their eager eyes, and said calmly, "That's the plan, I think you've made good preparations. Listen, our purpose is to go to faraway places, to the point where we lack exploration. and take all the deer from those people. We will be very successful, and we can all make a lot of money for it.”

"Make a fortune?" Haruo Zuo Sen smiled and joked: "The deerskin is indeed precious, but it is not worth much. It is not bad to sell a piece of skin for two silver coins. I dare to say that those merchants dare to lower the price. Pressed down to less than a silver coin."

When Harrodsen said this, he obviously did not notice the existence of the businessman Gould.

Gould coughed twice on purpose, raised his fat chest, and made a public statement in a simple and honest voice: "Great leader, and my friends. I am willing to buy unprocessed deerskin for two silver coins. , how much you provide, how much I want. I guarantee my promise with my personality."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was impressed by his rhetoric.

Harrozosen was a little timid: "My friend, please forgive me, I didn't target you. I just wanted to say that instead of catching the deer herds of deer farmers, I think it is better to loot the Gotlanders to really make a fortune. . You know, we've had great success, and the young boys are eager to fight again for great benefits."

Everyone whispered, but soon everyone's comments tended to be unified.

The so-called necessity of war, the nature of the war against the Gotlanders is a kind of revenge, and now the soldiers have a reason to expand the war to avenge the allies of Ostara.

Otto coughed twice to signal everyone to be quiet.

"War is necessary. I know that many young people are eager to be heroes. Now, we should give young people more opportunities to experience."

"Just to go hunting in the north? Maybe..." Haruo Zuo Sen was a little unconcerned.

"No! This situation will be very special. Not only will we be another collective action, I will take my son with me."

"What?!" Harrod Zuo Sen clasped his ears hard to make sure he heard correctly, and the others also widened their eyes.

With a slight glance at the corner of Otto's mouth, he could estimate the surprise of the guys: "I've made up my mind. Rurik has to grow, he has to go through training."

"But he's too young." Harrodsen questioned.

"You're too young to explore? He's destined to be my successor, and he'll be your new leader. Can you accept a leader who lacks merit?"

At this time, someone raised their fists to indicate: "Then let him participate in the action and let Rurik get trained! We need this Rurik to lead the future Ross."

Immediately afterwards, everyone expressed the same opinion.

In this state, everyone's words did not hide the fact that Otto was present. Rurik took over as leader, which meant that the current leader Otto was dead.

Otto covered his smile under his thick beard. He was not afraid of death at all, but was eager to teach his son his life experience before he reached the end of his life.

It can be said that no one questioned the key core of Otto's decision, and everyone only expressed their opinions in the details.

In the president's room, Otto formulated a whole set of action procedures.

Regarding the geographical environment of Roseburg and the surrounding area, Roseburg is naturally located in the Gulf of Bothnia, a fjord at about 65° north latitude. There are rocky hills around it. A river originating from the foothills of Norway will be pure and clean. Water pours into Roseburg Fjord.

In the warm season, there are a number of small islands off the coast of the fjords, which are seriously lacking in economic value, even though these islands have no fresh water.

The fishermen of the Rus people are even more aware that if they want to catch more fish, they must enter the waters in the south. The waters north of Roseburg are still very unfamiliar, there is obviously a serious lack of fishing, that is, the nearby land, those areas that lack exploration, should be able to catch many ferrets and foxes.

This time, Otto's purpose is to lead the tribe to the north along the frozen coastline. The route planned is different from last winter.

It is best to be able to find deer breeders and a large number of deer, and if he can't find them, he doesn't worry about the team's failure to harvest. Unknown forests are equivalent to unexplored geomantic treasures, because all hunters know that if you want to get the best fur, you have to go north, even to the legendary sea at the end of the world, to the edge of the human world, You can even spy on the unknown outside the world tree.

To put it bluntly, it is best to catch a large number of deer. If you can't catch deer, you will definitely catch some ferrets. Generally speaking, everyone believes that they are sure to make a profit.

Winter hunting is like this. Once upon a time, the hunters of the Ross tribe were willing to risk freezing to death by pulling sleds to winter hunting.

Although it is obviously more beneficial to start a war and grab the spoils, everyone is still interested in winter capture.

Otto set the time of the action to be the first day of January in the Julian calendar, which is the fourth day after the so-called Hanukkah, and the first day of 830 in the Julian calendar.

After the grand festival, those who decide to go have the last three days to prepare.

The meeting was over soon, and he returned to his warm home, sitting on the leather cushion on the wooden board, while Otto sipped a bottle of spirits, reminiscing about the meeting, and was also waiting for the return of his son and his maid.

Now, with the hours of the day almost gone, Rurik had to suspend all his children's military training, and instead, he had more time to teach his girls about culture.

Although there is no clock, Rurik learned the trick of judging the time by the Big Dipper through the high priest Willia.

There is naturally no cultural phenomenon of the "Big Dipper" in the Rus. The priests call those stars as members of the Valkyrie, or some gods. Although they say different things, they are the most reliable night time judgments for the Rus. Tool of.

Rurik came back with three girls by his side.

Rumia is in a good mood, she is very happy that she can serve as the key priest of the Ross Tribe's Winter Solstice sacrifice, and she is also excited about Rurik's reuse.

When the group came back, they were supposed to rest after having something to eat. When they got home, they clearly realized that something was wrong.

Just as Rurik opened the wooden door, he saw his father sitting quietly.

"You're back, come to me soon." Otto waved his hand.

"You three go back to the house to rest first, I..."

Before Rurik finished speaking, he only heard Otto's big finger: "Rumia, come here too."

"Me?" The girl was a little surprised, wondering what the old leader ordered.

Rurik and Rumia sat obediently in front of Otto, listening intently to what was going on with this winter's hunt.

Finally, Otto opened his mouth and talked about Rurik himself.

"What? I'm leaving Roseburg and joining the hunting party?!"

Rurik was very surprised and did not expect that he would leave Rosberg for the first time and participate in official operations.

"Dad, are you serious?"

"I'm serious." Otto urged with a solemn expression; "There is no room for compromise in this matter. You are my son. You must establish a new prestige among the clan through this action."

"Really...I can't believe I'm leaving Roseburg so early."

"What are you mumbling about?" Otto demanded.

At this moment, Rurik raised his chest, with an intriguing smile on his face. Through this smile, Otto was able to realize his son's attitude - he had no resistance, even full of anticipation.

"Dad, I've known your decision for a long time, and I've noticed a lot of warriors touching it during this time. Even Arik is preparing food for the hunt. Do you think I'm old enough to take part in your adults' actions? That's great! I'm so excited to be a part of it."

Otto's dangling heart was completely put down, and he actually discussed it with his wife Nia.

Since his son's attitude was very firm, Otto said comfortably: "I thought you would refuse. If you refuse, I don't force it. After all, you are only eight years old."

The feeling of being looked down upon is unpleasant. "Oh! Is it weak when you are young? I'm not afraid of walking on the snow, and I do need some trials. Dad, all the elites of our tribe are involved in the action, right?"

"Exactly."

"Great. That way I can show how strong I am."

"Your strength? You're still a child." Nia, who was sitting on the side, giggled.

"Niya, don't worry about your son." After reassuring his wife, Otto continued to look Rurik directly in the eyes: "Listen, there is a good chance that we will encounter a group of deer breeders again. We will plunder their deer herd. , we will fight, Rurik, and this may be your first battle."

"Battle?" Rurik was somewhat nervous when he mentioned this word, but he felt that he had lost his previous innocence, and had merged into the environment of the Rus, and he had become as bloody as them.

"Yes! It's fighting. Rurik, you train those children to prepare for future wars, but you never know what fighting is. Deer breeders are weak, you can try them first."

Father's words were so simple and succinct, as if those deer breeders were naturally the prey of the Rus, and they were fat sheep that were slaughtered.

However, through the results of the Ostaran disaster, Rurik fully realized the cruel truth of surviving in this world through the Carlota sisters.

The truth is so simple, even a little dark forest.

The so-called can be kind, not too kind. You may not attack others, but you must believe that others will try to attack you. So if you find weak people, you should take the initiative to conquer them, become your slaves, and prevent them from becoming your enemies one day.

Although there was still a bit of grudge in his heart, Rurik hesitated for a while, and said solemnly: "I will become the military commander sooner or later. Then let's take action and wage war against those people in the north."

Rurik's declaration was very comforting to Otto, but Rumia was stunned by this bold statement.

Because Rumia is a deer breeder. She could not have imagined that the kind master would actually have to use the deer-raiser to operate like his father.

For a moment, Rumia felt that her master was also a bit disgusting. He was obviously such a cute boy, like his own relatives, but it was him...

Rumia was in a trance, like a boulder was pressed against her chest, and she couldn't breathe. She recalled last winter, and tears could not stop flowing.

The girl's dramatic mood changes are noticed by Otto.

"Rumia, don't cry." Otto ordered loudly.

As a result of this order, the troubled Rumia simply burst into tears.

She lay on the ground, crawled to Otto, and cried out her long-cherished wish: "Boss, I have only one request. If you can, don't kill those deer keepers... We just want a quiet life, what? No one wants to provoke... woohoo."

Otto dragged his chin and said impatiently: "You are different from those people. You are Rose's servant, and you are no longer a deer breeder. Those people are not your clan, so why cry for them."

"Boss, I just ask you to bypass them, don't...don't...I beg you not to kill them."

Rumia burst into tears, and her appearance on the wooden floor was even more pitiful.

She was his first servant after all, and Rurik couldn't help thinking of last year. In an instant, Rurik realized that the rhetoric just now might be a bit too much.

Rurik paid attention to his father's attitude, and it was clear that the rugged old guy had no response to Rumia's cry.

After understanding the girl's cry, Rurik felt that this matter needed to be compromised.

Rurik said loudly, "Dad, maybe we should think about what Rumia said."

"Need it? Just a servant."

"She is my servant, and I think her cry makes sense." Rurik's remarks immediately caught Rumia's attention, and the crying stopped abruptly. The girl turned her head and looked at her master with a strong look of grievance.

Watching her cry, Rurik's psychology is somewhat unpleasant. Now he can't stand women's crying the most, and he can't cultivate a heart of stone.

Rurik thought of a satisfactory solution.

"Our plan will not change, but when we encounter the deer breeders, we should not try to kill them in the first place, but order them to surrender. I think, we Ross tribe must conquer the world north of Rossburg, where there must be Our territory, where the deer keepers must be our servants. As long as they are willing to be servants, we should not harm them. Maybe someday, those deer keepers will be able to fight for us Rus."

"Expecting them to fight for us?" Otto was refreshing.

"Why not? Now I still have some Finns, and it doesn't matter if I have others. Maybe we have to use the deer breeders we found..." Suddenly you, another beautiful thought comes to Rurik With a slap in his head, he stood up and said loudly: "Dad, I understand! Our action is not to kill them, but to incorporate them. In the future, those deer farmers will only raise deer for us, and every year they have to give us Donate some deer, and in exchange, we keep them safe. They should be our sheep."

Since the idea of ​​taxation has been implemented in Novgorod and Novgorod, Otto also stood up with a slap on the thigh: "Good idea! Let's do it. But..."

"But what?"

Otto asked deliberately, "What if the deer keepers resisted resolutely? Kindness?"

"No!" Rurik categorically refused: "For those who resist, they must be killed. As for those who choose to surrender, we must keep them safe in the years to come. Like... we give Rumia asylum. Those who are willing Those who are our servants will receive preferential treatment. Dad, can you understand what I mean? But for those who are my servants, I will ensure that they will not starve to death and can live safely under my rule."

Otto pouted: "You are still kind, but I like this kind of kindness. I hope that those who surrender are absolutely loyal. If they are traitors, they must be executed." Speaking of this, Otto questioned Lumi, who was still kneeling. Ya: "Rumia, you must follow your master in this operation. Do you know my intention?"

"Oh, great chief, I...I don't know."

Otto frowned: "Are you a fool? I took you to act because I thought you were useful. Rumia, I changed my mind, I can make a promise with you. When we surround the deer breeder's camp, I can Order not to attack first. You! You go and negotiate with the deer breeders and order them to surrender, so that I can forgive everyone. What do you think of my decision?"

Rumia immediately responded with a smile: "That's great. Great leader, you are so kind."

"My kindness?" Otto smiled and said, "Maybe I am kind. For example, to you, I have already regarded you as my clan. I am a little disappointed that you are actually begging for the deer breeder. Thank you. Master. Listen, it was your master's mind that changed my mind."

Rurik responded to Rumia's gratitude with his eyes. Rumia's actions today clearly showed that she has strong feelings for her family. This made Rurik a little puzzled. Those deer farmers, that is, the Lapps, were obviously scattered clans and tribes, and it was not a shadow of a country to form a country. Why does Rumia think about those so-called clansmen?

As everyone knows, Rumia just thinks of the disaster a year ago and feels terrified, and she doesn't want her beloved master to grow into a violent and ruthless character.

However, Rurik eventually became the chief of the tribe, and he must lead his people to meet the challenge. Peace and stability, guarded by sword and shield, and oh, and the brand new steel-armed crossbow.

What Rurik could promise to Rumia was that he would only target the enemies who fought to the death, and that he would not only forgive his servants, but also incorporate them into his clan. After all, the Rus people are now absorbing Novgorod people on a large scale, and it is also a reasonable move to absorb a large group of deer farmers.

What is the use of adopting deer breeders? Raise deer!

Rather than finding and looting the deer breeders by chance, why not relocate those you find to near Roseburg? What's more, Roseburg is the homeland of deer breeders.

Rurik also estimated later that it was Rumia who understood the "history board" held by the priest of Ross, and clearly learned about the past of Rossburg.

Today's prosperous Roseburg is the homeland of the former deer breeders.