Rise of Rurik

Things are going very well.

Otto took a sip of the ale in his glass and was very pleased with the success of Kawhi's marriage.

Lilia is a bit younger, at least she is more elegant than other village girls. She is like a carefully cultivated flower, more fragrant and beautiful than those wild flowers in the wilderness.

Even if this child marries Kawei and becomes the blacksmith's wife, can she still maintain this elegance? I'm afraid it's impossible.

After all, the axes captured by the Winter Operation from the deer breeders allowed Otto to be sure that Kawey's family, at least six generations of blacksmiths, had worked with ore and charcoal for generations.

"My lovely daughter, you will marry him tomorrow. Listen, he is a very rich young man, marrying him will bring you happiness." Kaya continued to comfort her daughter.

In this regard, Lilia could only accept it completely. If one hundred silver coins were used as a dowry gift, her marriage would be taken away by others.

At least the young big brother doesn't look bad.

Otto finished the wine and motioned to the farmer in charge to top up the wine.

Then his eyes fixed on a cute little character - Svetlana.

"Hey, Regus." Otto said casually.

"Yes, chief."

"I didn't expect your little daughter to come. I haven't seen her for half a year. She is even more beautiful."

Rigus looked embarrassed. To be honest, he really didn't want his favorite jewel to appear in the meeting hall. He responded respectfully with strong politeness: "Great leader, maybe when my little daughter grows up, she should also marry a member of your clan."

"Of course! That's exactly what I mean!" Otto knocked on the table, "Regus, you're such a smart guy."

clever? Helpless is more appropriate.

Rigus suppressed the embarrassment and helplessness in his heart, and said tentatively: "She is only six years old, she is too young. Even according to your tradition, she was engaged at the age of twelve. Even...even if it is a special situation, She can marry at twelve. There are still six years before her marriage. Can you, great chief, be impatient?"

"Haha? Regus, do you think I'm going to make a marriage for a child?" Otto shrugged and replied sincerely: "Although it's different from what you understand. Yes! I just want to make a marriage for your Swee Talanna made a marriage."

"what?!"

It happened so suddenly that Rigus was so shocked that he was frightened many times in a day, and he felt that his heart was about to stop suddenly.

The Russ took away their eldest daughter, and at least gave them an astonishing dowry.

This time the big boss Ross is crazy! Are they going to take away all the girls in the manor? What kind of world is this?

The girls' mother was also surprised. Kaya was able to marry this young man named Kawei as her eldest daughter. Marrying a strong and wealthy young blacksmith was also considered the happiness of the eldest daughter.

Regardless of etiquette, she hastily questioned Otto: "Boss, my youngest daughter is really too young."

Peravina hurriedly translated the words to Otto, which made Otto continue to laugh.

"I see, you guys actually think I'm going to arrange for a little girl to marry now? How is that possible?!"

After Peravina translated it in Slavic, Otto used the very few Slavic words he understood, stretched out his bearded head, stumbled and solemnly explained: "Listen! My Rurik, will Marry your Svetlana."

There was no need for an interpreter anymore, Rigus heard it perfectly.

"Rurik? He's only seven years old!" Rigus said.

"Of course. Do you think your Svetlana is going to marry someone much older than she is when she grows up? Regus, do you understand? My only son will be your youngest daughter husband. You must accept this matter."

Rigus, who was tense and aging, stared at his eyes, and after hearing Peravina's clear translation, he could only respond with "obey".

He was flattered in his heart!

The scene suddenly quieted down, and Rigus forced himself to think calmly before he knew what kind of favor this was.

"Great leader, my youngest daughter... She became Rurik's first wife?"

"Yes. His first wife will always be your Svetlana."

"Rurik must also become the leader of your Ross people?!"

"Yes." Otto continued to nod.

Rigus stood up directly, left his low wooden table, ran to Otto regardless of his aging body, and knelt down directly, "Ah! Great favor!"

"Get up, Regus. Go back to your seat and let's talk."

"Yes." Rigus went back obediently, full of gratitude in his heart.

In the meeting hall of the White Tree Manor, all the adult residents of the manor fully understood the meaning of the leader of the Ross people.

In fact, everyone knows that the two daughters of the head of the manor, like other girls in the manor, have almost no possibility of being in charge of their own lives.

Girls' marriages are all controlled by their parents. It is really normal to hand over a daughter's marriage for some food and some fur goods. Because Novgorod is not rich here, the man will not provide much dowry in marriage, and the woman's parents will not ask for much dowry.

Because the status quo of the two families is always highly similar, everyone is a farmer who cultivates some wheat fields. As a result, many manor families are actually exchanging marriages with each other.

In the wealthiest families of manor heads, the daughters of manor heads are basically married to the sons of other manor heads. There are indeed individual cases where a manor head without a male heir will marry a daughter to recruit a son-in-law, who will then inherit the position.

In the memory of the Novgorod people, there has never been a record of the daughter of the manor chief marrying a Varyag! Not to mention, the record that the daughter actually married the son of the Varyag leader.

grace! Huge boon!

As long as this marriage is successful, even if the White Tree Manor pays tribute, it will become willing. Because of this marriage, White Tree Manor will definitely get a strong security guarantee from the Ross people.

In this way, the White Tree Manor, whose population is originally at a disadvantage, can use the power of the Ross people to resist the threat of the most powerful Pine Needle Manor.

It was cold and wet outside, and the barns on stilts remained dry. A large number of Ross youths who paddled all day fell asleep hastily after eating black bread. They knew that they were going to marry a local girl as their wife, and the chief had personally discussed this matter with the locals.

The barn is warm, and the atmosphere in the meeting hall is even more fiery.

Otto wanted to arrange the marriage of his only son Rurik on this rainy night. Everyone from Ross and White Tree Manor present had smiles on their faces.

It was this matter that made the person concerned Svetlana puzzled.

She opened her beautiful eyes wide, looked at her father for a while, then at the leader of the Ross people, and at her sister with complicated complexion.

The way she looks left and right is very cute, and it seems to indicate that she still doesn't know what happened.

Otto simply waved his thick hands and called, "Svetlana, come!"

The little girl immediately turned her head deftly, and the brown braid on the back of her head was also tossed.

"Come! Come to me."

Otto showed a kind expression from the bottom of his heart. Facing a cute little thing, even a rough person would often show affection.

Adults always think that the Ross people must not be provoked, otherwise they will go crazy and be a thousand times more terrifying than black bears and wild boars.

But where does the little girl know?

Even if you hear the adults say that the Ross people are dangerous. It was not the first time Svetlana had seen the Rus people. Since she could remember, there was no memory of the Rus people using violence in her mind.

Over the years, when the Ross people came to collect tributes, they basically took the tributes and left quickly. The two sides are generally very harmonious.

The young Svetlana didn't feel that Otto was a dangerous person at all, seeing the smiling face in the other's bushy beard. Wary? It doesn't exist at all.

She is innocent, and as the apple of her eye, she is very well protected, and she doesn't know the complexity of the world.

She jumped up and down in front of Otto, and out of childish mischief, she directly grabbed Otto's beard and braids.

"It's so strange, uncle, does your hair grow on your neck too?"

"I also have a lot of braids on my chin, but it's not as long as mine."

...

She mischievously pulled her beard in front of Otto, and this move really frightened Rigus at a loss: "Ah! Chief, she didn't do it on purpose. She is still a child."

After apologizing, Rigus hurriedly yelled: "Lana! Don't be presumptuous."

The little girl was taken aback, she quickly let go of the beard in her hand, and sat obediently beside Otto. She still turned her head slightly, glanced at her small mouth, and still watched Otto's beard out of the corner of her eye.

So, how does Otto feel?

angry?

"Hahaha! Regus, you are too harsh on your daughter! She is still a child." Not only did Otto not mind, but he was quite happy in his heart.

Rigus hastily continued to apologize: "Great leader, I am guilty, I should further educate her on etiquette."

"Learning some manners is necessary. She will be my son's wife, and since it is the girl I have chosen, I have now considered her my child."

"Oh, that's really her luck." Regus let out a sigh of relief, but calmed down, he still felt a little aggrieved in his heart.

"Haha, you don't know, my Rurik doesn't like to grab my beard. He always thinks my beard is dirty, and his clothes are not clean. He has great talent, it's not like A child! I tell the truth, if my son had been seventeen instead of seven, I could have given him the headship."

After all, Otto drank several glasses of ale. The Novgorodian wine had a longer fermentation time, which accidentally made the alcohol content higher.

The slightly drunk Otto couldn't help giving his son more praise.

His big hand covered Svetlana's small head, causing her to turn around suddenly, her eyes widened and she burst out laughing.

"Svetlana, can I introduce you to a brother? He's just a little older than you."

Through Peravina's gentle translation, the little girl answered very freely: "Okay. I also want a playmate."

"Very good. Your sister is getting married, do you know what marriage means?"

"I know." Svetlana raised her immature little hand without hesitation, pointing to Kawi who was sitting on the side: "My sister wants to live with that big brother, we women are like this. It's just... just I really don't want to be separated from my sister. But..."

She was originally happy and suddenly depressed, then shook her head and asked in a childish voice: "Uncle, is the brother you introduced to me my husband?"

There were many nouns in what she said, and Otto knew what they meant.

Otto was overwhelmed with surprise. He never thought that this innocent and innocent child really understood the major events in life.

"Yes. Would you like to?" Otto asked with a hook.

Svetlana pursed her mouth and turned her head to look at her biological father, saying, "If my father agrees, I will agree. After that, will I not be able to see my sister?"

Having said that, the little girl's expression became obviously depressed.

"Silly boy, how could it be?" It was Peravina who said this, and her existence was to be ordered to assist.

"real?"

"Of course. Your husband's name is Rurik, and he is a year older than you. You see, that big brother (referring to Kawi), he is a good friend of Rurik. You and Rurik are also good friends. The wedding After that, it's a family. If you want, you can see your sister anytime in the future."

The words of the eldest sister of the same family must be true, and Svetlana's depression has disappeared.

"Is my future husband called Rurik?" She turned and looked up at Otto.

"Yes, you can also call me Dad in the future."

"Oh? Then I have two dads."

The girl's words made everyone laugh, and the meeting hall was filled with warmth.

In this situation, Rigus couldn't help but wonder, if the Ross people always had such a kind attitude, would their notoriety of looters still exist? While they are indeed raiders, at least now they are starting to pay attention to new rules. The new rules are good for the estate.

Svetlana had never seen the violent and terrifying side of Otto, and she naively thought that this bearded uncle was kind.

She sat obediently at Otto's feet, and in Rigus' eyes, they seemed like a father and daughter. This scene is both gratifying and sad.

Otto said happily: "I am so happy today, as if I have forgotten all my fatigue. Regus, both of your daughters have agreed to marry us Ross people. I am moved by the cooperation of your manor."

"Oh, thank you so much for your kind words, my lord."

"No!" Otto raised his hand, "If your daughter marries my son, our relationship will be different! You and I should be brothers, and now I have a new idea!"

As soon as this remark came out, Rigus was frightened again. He hurriedly said: "Great leader, I will satisfy any request you make. Even if it is... even more women, I will try my best to provide it."

"Hey, no need. Today we want you to swear that your Svetlana must marry my son Rurik."

"Yes!" Regus replied firmly.

"She is too young. When she is twelve years old, I will bring my Rurik to complete the engagement ceremony." After that, Otto looked at Lilia who was sitting not far away. , "As in the case of your eldest daughter. When Svetlana turns fifteen, my Rurik will marry her."

"Yes!"

"Listen." Otto said in a more serious voice, "Even if we are all old and dead, this marriage must be implemented. Anyone who asks your daughter for marriage, you must refuse. If... If you make a wrong decision, it is A humiliation to us Ross. At that time, even if I die of old age, my people will take revenge."

This is a straightforward threat!

Riguston straightened up like sitting on pins and needles, and solemnly promised: "We will abide by the marriage contract. My youngest daughter will only marry your son."

Otto nodded in satisfaction, and his attitude became kind again: "Very good, my friend. I can assure you that Svetlana will grow into a beautiful girl, and her beauty may attract the attention of other manors. If someone If you dare to propose marriage, you must categorically refuse it. Tell us about it later. We Ross people will organize an army to suppress such malicious provocations, understand?"

"Yes!"

Obviously, his youngest daughter turned out to be the first link between White Tree Manor and the powerful Ross tribe. It was as if Svetlana had become an undefiled relic kept by the Ross people in White Tree Manor.

Otto continued; "Thunder is thrown outside, and the thunder and lightning are the power of God. Our God has witnessed this marriage contract, and it is legal. You can't break the contract, and we can't break the contract. If you break the contract, the Ross army will Come and crusade. If we break the contract, the gods will punish us."

In the age of ignorance, outstanding people from all walks of life generally believed in gods. Signing a written document may not be as effective as an oral oath.

"I'm very touched by your cooperation. I'm very happy today, so why not, I only need half of the 20,000 pounds of wheat you paid as a tribute."

"Ah?" Rigus plucked his ears vigorously: "Really, did I hear correctly?!"

"Yes! Because of your cooperation on the marriage issue, I need to give you further rewards. This spring, you need to pay 10,000 pounds of wheat. As for the missing part, I will ask Pine Needle Manor for it."

Regus and the rest of Whitetree Manor don't like Pine Needle Manor very much.

Rigus immediately stated his position: "Okay, Pine Needle Manor is greedy. Great Ross people, we are happy to give you tribute. But Pine Needle Manor, they also ask us to pay tribute. Ross is our master. Now, Pine Needle Manor Be our master too. Do we need to have two masters?"

"They got worse?!" Otto put on a displeased expression on the spot.

Rigus took advantage of the situation and continued to fan the flames: "Maybe they have long been disobedient."

"I understand." Otto nodded deeply, and he had already figured out an idea in his heart: "They need to pay for their arrogance! They must pay more tribute this year, otherwise when autumn comes, I will organize a thousand people Raze their estates to the ground."

It was not bragging for Chief Ross to say such a thing, and Rigus knew that they could really do it. In all fairness, because of the engagement of his youngest daughter, Rigus is equivalent to saying that because of this marriage, as long as White Tree Manor does not take the initiative to break the marriage contract, he can get the protection of the Ross people. If the Ross people really wiped out the Pine Needle Manor, wouldn't their White Tree Manor become the strongest in Novgorod?

In his heart, he very much hoped that the Ross people would take the initiative to attack, but Regus couldn't say anything about begging them to send troops.

He kept silent on the matter, and his mouth was full of praise for Otto's reduction of half of the wheat tribute.

"Great chief, please rest assured. I believe this rain will only last one night. Tomorrow when the rain stops, I will organize the beautiful girls in the manor. We will do the wedding in the manor according to our ceremony, just like Like last fall."

"Okay." Otto was happy. He and his main subordinates were sleepy, and their inadvertent yawns proved their fatigue.

"I'm tired, and my requirements are not high. It is enough to find us a dry barn."

"No, great leader, I will provide you with comfortable housing. As for that young man." Regus looked at Kawei, "Your name is Kawei. Kawei, why don't you stay with my eldest daughter tonight bedroom."

Hearing this, Kawei was shocked. He was sure that Bai Shu's translator had said nothing wrong, and when he saw his fiancée's shy and hooked head, he immediately stood up like a spring: "Okay! I am very willing .”

Although it is a bit out of the etiquette of marriage, Regus knows that now he must find ways to please the Rus and their leaders, which is due to political considerations on both sides.

Besides, this Kawei is really unusual, this person is a blacksmith, there are so many people in White Tree Manor and there is not a blacksmith!

Rigus has lived such an age that he can see that this Kawhi is obviously different from other Ross people. Don't look at this person dressed as a samurai, the murderous aura of a samurai does not exist at all! So even though such a person is from Ross, he is also the kind who speaks best.

After all, the eldest daughter is her wife, and now that she got his wife ahead of schedule, looking at his beaming face, Kawei is already full of gratitude.

The eldest daughter may be able to get her own happiness, and the manor will definitely get a batch of metal utensils at a very cheap price because of the blacksmith's son-in-law.

Metal farming tools, more possessions will bring happiness to the manor.

Rigus thought calmly, if the marriage contract of the youngest daughter could bring security to White Tree Manor.

Then the eldest daughter's present marriage will bring a lot of metalware, and that will be a guarantee of a good harvest.