Chapter 825: The Desire of King Bjorn of Sweden and the Desire of the Great White Fox Gouldson

The Principality of Rus finally ushered in a new winter. A blizzard forced the people to hide in warm houses, and even the livestock and poultry were driven into warmer buildings for strict supervision.

In addition to the principality, there are a total of more than 50,000 large and small reindeer wandering around the principality.

Although we faced the blizzard, no one was afraid of its cold terror anymore.

It can be said that the principality's treasury is full of livestock and the animals are prosperous. In winter, the people have no worries about food and drink. Since they are trapped at home by the wind and snow, they naturally want to eat a lot and do active work to bring new children into the family.

Otto's beard was completely gray, and all the white hair on his head had fallen out. His skin is already very loose, and there are some visible brown age spots on his face that is not covered by his beard.

As a warrior, it was difficult for him to accept himself like this.

When he carefully observed his son who had returned from the expedition, his increasingly heroic figure reminded him of the past. I remember that I was so young and powerful back then, but the times did not give me many opportunities. At that time, Rus was still a hunter in the fjords and was ostracized by his Swedish allies. Although Rus was able to go to Novgorod to demand tribute at that time, it was only in the past few years that he ruled here.

Everything has changed, and the old warriors have decayed like dry wood.

According to tradition, after Hanukkah, everyone becomes one year older.

The only son, Rurik, was born in the autumn. Even so, when the festival was over, he could be said to be one year older. The festive season is approaching, and Rurik is about to turn eighteen.

A young prince has achieved unspeakable feats, but the old warriors of Rus are quickly passing away...

Otto is sixty-five years old. He never thought that he could survive until now. Everything must be a gift from the gods.

However, if a veteran warrior had a choice, fighting to the death on the battlefield would be a better destination.

Otto was not afraid of death, and even looked forward to it. He knew that the gods had reserved a place for him in the Hall of Valor, but he must not leave now. He had to witness a great moment.

The clever little girl who was personally selected by herself in the past is now pregnant ten years later. Svetlana is not a Viking, and in recent years she has behaved more and more like a female Viking warrior. She joined the crusade against the Kingdom of Denmark as a pregnant woman. As for whether she killed the enemy with a bow and arrow, this is not a matter of further investigation. The crux of the matter is that Queen Svetlana and her unborn child both participated in the battle, which was to take credit for the unborn child in advance.

Svetlana finally settled down and quietly waited for the birth of her child at her parents' home in Novgorod...

Winter life in the principality is in full swing as the rivers, lakes and seas are completely frozen, and the ice forms roads that allow for rapid movement.

Reindeer sleighs began to move frequently on the ice. The sleighs from the east of Lake Ladoga were unparalleled in transporting stones and yellow sand. Because of the profits, the newly-attached Lüdi people did not hesitate to engage in sand and stone work with their entire family. , relying on the hammers and chisels obtained from the Russians to pound the stones on the shores of Lake Onega, transporting them to their own village on sleds, and selling them on the spot to the Russian merchants who came to transport the goods. In this way, some Russians were not masons, they were just stone movers.

Compared with transporting stone from Gogland Island in the Gulf of Finland, the time cost and travel risk of transporting stone from Eastern Lake Onega are low.

Novorossberg on the Neva River has a very large demand for stones. After all, when people have the right to choose, including ordinary residents, they all hope to use stones to strengthen their houses and use them as a basis to build two or even three floors. 's residence.

Not only the needs of the public, New Roseburg's cement manufacturing workshops also need raw materials. Now only the craftsmen trained by Rurik know the principles of cement setting, and the knowledge is monopolized by the "Blacksmiths' Alliance".

A cement workshop is built in an open space outside the capital, which is surrounded by a wooden wall. There is a fire kiln inside the wall, where the lime transported from his hometown of Roseburg is processed into hydrated lime, and the yellow sand transported from Lake Onega is filtered into fine sand through a wire mesh. The craftsmen here all serve the prince, and they can receive food and salary for their work.

The processed slaked lime and fine sand are always put to use immediately to bind the stones to build solid walls and even lay hardened roads. However, the severe winter forced such construction work to be suspended, and the workers in the workshop completed the production of hydrated lime and fine sand and stored it.

Making slaked lime required a flame, and the local blacksmith needed a more powerful flame.

The industrial areas of New Roseburg are located together. They are all close to the frozen Neva River. On weekdays, you can take advantage of the convenient transportation of the waterway. If there is a fire, you can also get water on the spot to put out the fire.

Because a group of trophy longships from Denmark were towed to New Roseburg and Tombstone Island, the ships were immediately sold and the proceeds went into the treasury. The new ships had an impact on shipbuilding throughout Russia, but had little impact on the workshops that built large ships.

Large shipbuilding workshops in Rosberg, Novorosberg and Novgorod still build standard cargo ships on shore. So far, some orders for cargo ships come from princes, but the other half of the orders come from simple merchants.

Merchants from all walks of life certainly have the right to purchase a cargo ship that can hang a triangular sail. Because it is jointly monopolized by the Hortra family and Prince Rurik's family, the price is priced at one hundred pounds of silver coins by Rurik with a wave of his hand. Or a hundred thousand pounds of wheat.

Are traditional cargo ships inferior to it? And indeed it is.

Rurik's expedition to Bornholm Island consisted of twenty standard cargo ships that were both troop carriers and cargo ships, and also trawlers that crazily exploited the wealth of the ocean.

A great white shark cruises the ocean, always followed by a few seal fish. Ross's ocean expeditionary force was also followed by a group of Swedes, among whom naturally there were fishermen, who were indeed spies serving King Bjorn of Sweden.

Before the Russian navy planned to attack the Danish capital, a large number of Swedes evacuated with their catch.

King Bjorn of Sweden knew about the ship. Although this general talker elected by many nobles is the master of Birka Port and the King of Sweden, his real strength is limited to the Mellaren tribe. In the past ten years, he has witnessed the expansion of the strength of the Russians and the decline of the Swedish tribes. This must be fate. Sweden's attempt to defeat Denmark and seize hegemony failed miserably, and the victory over Denmark came from Ross.

Especially the nobles of the Melalen tribe are thinking hard. They don't think that their warriors are inferior to others. I am afraid that the main difference is that their ships are not good enough.

The Rus had a shop in Birka, and because of the alliance treaty, Sweden could not charge even one copper coin in tax for this huge shop.

The fat Russian White Fox (Snoleva) Gouldson has long been ordered by the Prince of Russia to manage the shops on the shore and the completely fortressed Gould Island on the lake. These areas were lawless areas relative to the Kingdom of Sweden.

For general inner lake trade, it is enough to rely on traditional rowing long boats and traditional sailing cargo ships based on the expansion of long boats. However, Bjorn has always felt that the inner lake trade rights of Lake Malaren are declining. Every year A lot of wealth was taken away by the Russians through peaceful trade methods.

Life can't be said to be poor. The spies came to report that the so-called Prince of Rus was actually inviting Swedish fishermen from all walks of life to fish in the South Baltic Sea. In addition, the area around Lake Mälaren has been a grain-producing area since ancient times, and a group of Mälaren tribe members immigrated there. Gotland, and even now the Russians have not claimed complete ownership of the territory of Gotland.

Life can neither be said to be poor nor rich. For the common people in Sweden, life has improved to a certain extent due to the overall peaceful environment, but for the nobles, they find that they do not have the ability to accumulate wealth quickly.

Snow and wind swept across Northern Europe, and the meeting in the council court of the Melalen tribe was in full swing.

The nobles first discussed the matter of purchasing a large ship from the Ross people. After the discussion, they agreed to go to Tombstone Island to invite the big businessman from Ross. For this reason, White Fox himself also traveled from Tombstone Island in the Åland Islands, where he was stationed in winter, on a sled across the ice sea to participate in this Swedish meeting.

After all, this is foreign-related trade, and even if the trade object is a traditional ally, the matter must be taken very seriously.

The fat white fox returned to the principality's shop in Birka Port first, and the people who stayed behind were all upset when they saw the boss' sudden return.

He listened to his subordinates' chatter and walked into an independent hut. When he opened the door, he saw some boys sitting inside.

"Are they slaves?"

"None of them. They came to us on their own initiative." said the man who stayed behind.

"People who were kicked out of their families?"

"Maybe. Each of them is a poor boy, and each one is very thin. Since the prince wants to collect such cubs, we act according to the order, and you will definitely get the prince's reward." The speaker's words were flattering, and the white fox shrugged and left the door. close.

"Let them rest for a while. I don't have time to take care of them right now. These brats seem to be quite old. Give them fish, meat and wheat, and train me to be thugs who don't have to pay commissions."

“But is such an investment really appropriate?”

"Just do it." Bai Hu emphasized: "This kind of bastard is here to beg for work. If you give us some food, you are willing to work for us. After training the fortress that stays in us, you can dismiss those mercenaries or persuade them to go I want to go east to serve as the prince's subordinate. Now I just want some trustworthy people."

The people left behind didn't know why the boss was so entangled in this. It seemed that the big white fat man was worried about his own danger? Lake Malaren is peaceful and trade is prosperous. Even if there are bandits, they don't dare to get involved in any of the Rus' property. The nobles have a good relationship with the Rus. If this is the case, why should they worry?

There are some things that Baihu doesn't need to discuss with his subordinates, and the center's ideas must be kept secret.

When his subordinates asked him why he came suddenly on a sleigh in winter, he just stated that he wanted to have business dealings with the nobles and stopped talking about it. His subordinates were too sensible to ask.

The King of Sweden sent an envoy to Tombstone Island to clearly disclose the purchase of the cargo ship to Old Gould who lived on the island. The Gould family are all businessmen, specifically a super second-rate businessman, a tool family that collects wealth for Prince Rurik. The Gould family has no right to conclude a bilateral trade agreement with the Swedish nobles, but they have the qualifications and obligations to negotiate with the Swedes in advance for Rurik as a commercial intermediary.

Poor old Gould, due to his indulgence in his later years, his decaying body was no longer able to have sex with the young slave girl he had raised. He felt that he would die if he lived for another year at most. If he died, he had already made up his mind to bury his beloved slave. He has high blood sugar and high blood lipids, the world freezes after a snowstorm, and his head is always troubled by headaches. Old Gould's face is always red. Of course, this has a lot to do with this guy's fondness for the spirit called vodka in glass bottles. Another relationship is because the old boy's symptoms of high blood pressure are already obvious. .

People from the old era are leaving. As the eldest son, Bai Hu will inherit most of the family's property. His younger brothers have no right to compete with him on this matter. As a son, he hopes that his father will have a good time before he dies. It is best to die in the pleasure of a female slave. This is also in line with his father's wishes.

The white fox himself is also getting older. He is already over forty years old, and even his two daughters married to the Danish old Eric family have given birth to children. He has a grandson, and there is no clear distinction between grandson and grandson in the Nordic world, which is equivalent to saying that the Gould family has four generations under one roof. It's just that I'm very unlucky that I still don't have a living son.

Bai Hu has succeeded his father and taken over all the family's trade matters in the western region of the principality, and this year he paid heavy taxes to the principality according to the contract.

It was also after he negotiated with King Bjorn's messenger first that he arrived at the winter port of Birka.

The prosperous ports in the warm period suddenly went into depression, or a large number of Swedes preferred to stay at home and survive until spring. This was completely different from the situation in the Principality of Rus.

The Parliament of the Malaren people welcomed a heavyweight, fat, white man like him, who was really out of place among the lean and bearded Swedish nobles.

Everyone sat on the floor, but the fat white fox had some difficulty sitting on the leather cushion, which reminded the nobles of a seal covered in oil.

The nobles laughed at this naive fat man in their hearts, but did not dare to show a smile.

The nobles had no intention of being polite, but it was White Fox who spoke first: "No need to say anything more. I came here in the winter to take care of your face. Whether you want to buy our Russian ship or not is not up to me."

This big white fat man was a little arrogant when he spoke, and his arrogance was naturally based on Rose's strength.

King Bjorn laughed alone: ​​"We have always been an alliance, and the trade in the past was relatively smooth. I admire your...large cargo ships. It is said that one ship costs one hundred pounds of silver coins? The price is a bit expensive, but I still plan to Buy."

"Alas. This matter is not something I can decide." Blue Fox sighed slightly, feeling as if the price the Swedes were willing to pay was somewhat unsatisfactory.

"Don't you think the money is too little? I can pay more for the big ship."

"Oh? Really?" The white fox stared into King Bjorn's eyes and deliberately talked nonsense: "You are indeed eager to get the Ross ship. This matter is of great importance. You must explain this matter to Prince Rurik personally. Without the prince I don’t have the power to make a decision. Besides, the prince is very busy every day. Even if you are the King of Sweden, you should understand your true identity. Our prince will not easily take time out to meet people, unless..."

Bjorn was not a fool. He could guess what the white fox was implying, so he asked: "So what do you want? A sum of money? How many women?"

Hearing this, the white fox deliberately looked at all the Mellaren nobles present. Their faces were solemn, and no one spoke. Only King Bjorn was present throughout the process.

The white fox patted his body: "I want money, and I am also very interested in women..." At this point, he raised his head and smiled maliciously: "Just like you long for our Ross's big ship, I know you plan to do it What you are doing, since I am stupid, I can guess it, and our prince knows better."

"So... in your opinion, will the Prince of Ross agree?"

"It depends on your sincerity. Moreover, I will also say a lot of good things for you."

There are certain words and situations that the two parties in the conversation know very well but have a tacit understanding that they will not bring them to the table.

Bjorn suddenly said with a serious face: "What... do you want personally?"

Now that things have happened, Bai Hu no longer pretends: "I know you have multiple daughters, and now the youngest daughter can also get married. Marry her to me, and I will try my best to help you complete the boat purchase."

"Ah!?" King Bjorn was really shocked when he heard this. He didn't expect that this big white fat man wanted to ask for his youngest daughter's marriage. Of course, the daughters themselves are also bargaining chips for the exchange of political rights among nobles, and their marriage is destined to be a political marriage, but they have to marry such a guy.

The white fox simply patted his round belly and muttered meaningfully: "My ancestral home is the Angkras tribe, and now my family has become a Rus and has a great status. It's really pitiful. I gave birth to my eldest son a few years ago, but I lost my beloved son to a disease. My wife almost collapsed because of this, and my father also fell ill. Now my father is about to die, and I will inherit the main family business. Who will inherit me in the future? Where is my wealth and status? You know, I am already forty years old. As a man, I have no biological son. How painful it is."

Every word struck Bjorn on the head. In an instant, King Bjorn, who was also forty years old, suddenly understood. He couldn't help feeling that this white fox was indeed a cub of the Gould family. For wealth and status, he not only bet with the Russians, but now also bet with himself. The loyalty of businessmen has always been ridiculous, but for them, There is no doubt about the pursuit of wealth, and the latter can also be exploited.

In fact, Bjorn was more willing to give his youngest daughter as a gift to Prince Rus. After so many years, that handsome boy must have become a brave and strong man, better than the big white fat man in front of him. It's just that his little daughter's appearance is not outstanding. The saying that the Prince of Rus is like a bull in April and has many wives and concubines has long been spread everywhere. Presumably, the boy does not like his daughter.

There is no record of the family marrying a female member to a merchant, but in order to get the big ship, Bjorn was willing to sacrifice his little daughter.

In an instant, King Bjorn had a flash of inspiration.

He asked: "The ocean is frozen. Can I take a sleigh and go straight to your New Roseburg? I want to see your prince in person, and my old friend Otto. I want to negotiate with your nobles in person."

Bjorn's attitude is quite resolute. Although the white fox has no experience of sledding in the severe winter, the Balmoks who sell salt and a group of Finns are good at sledding in the winter in recent years. Sleighs, trade lines already existed over the ice and snow from the port of Narvik in the far north to New Roseburg in the far east.

"I am not afraid of the wind and snow!" Bjorn looked at everyone seriously, appeased everyone's shock, and emphasized: "I will arrive in New Roseburg this year. I am the king of all Sweden, and I have this power. These are two A meeting with a king, no one can stop me from going to the East!"

He deliberately stated this to knock other nobles. The so-called "I am the legal king of Sweden" is to warn others not to think about the moment of his departure and make any move to seize power, even though King Bjorn's power has not been there from the beginning. stable. In fact, it was also the reason for the unstable power, so he needed to buy big ships to support himself, strengthen the support of the Russians, and even buy the support of the largest trader through a marriage.

Bjorn made it clear that he was going to Rus to meet the prince of Rus in an attitude that was actually similar to paying tribute. Indeed, in the current state of Sweden's nominal unification, but in fact all tribes have ideas, King Bjorn cannot yell at Prince Rus from the perspective of strength, and the businessmen who see the prince's popularity must also be respectful.

Naturally, before leaving, Bjorn wanted to hold a wedding for the white fox Gouldson.

Please remember the first domain name of this book: . :