Rise of Rurik

Tombstone Island stronghold, this is determined.

One fine morning, Harozov and Arik took most of the fleet on their final journey home.

The sky is clear, and even the wind direction has changed significantly.

Most of the time they were immersed in mild southerly winds, only occasionally encountering a weak northerly air current. They raised their sails, especially the dragon-headed warship at the head of the team, and hung sails printed with tribal oar totems to symbolize their identity.

Times have changed.

They paddled again with the help of the wind, and people sang old songs, fantasizing about the possibility of returning to their homeland in just two days.

However, they actually met the fishermen of their hometown early in the open sea.

Two larger flat-headed fishing boats worked together to tow a huge hemp net made by women.

This net was thrown into the sea, it was 200 meters wide, such a large net was towed by two boats, and more than 30 fishermen on the boat swept the water through the fishing net with the help of wind and paddles. more than ten meters below the area.

In the era of no sonar fish detection, early trawlers could only rely on the experience of the owner and the luck bestowed by the so-called sea god to fish like a chance in the vast sea.

With such a simple method, don't think about how much fishing efficiency can be achieved. But fishermen can still get good catches as long as they fish long enough.

The two fishing boats focus on catching the larger herring and let the smaller ones go. This is not the reason why they understand that they are fishing when they are exhausted.

But because of this, the traditional net made of hemp rope is easy to break when dragged in the sea. If the net is too finely woven, the strong resistance will often make it difficult for the trawler to move.

They mainly fish for herring, which is longer than a man's slap, and occasionally catch some cruising cod.

The two boats had already headed to the southern waters far from Roseburg. They put the fish they caught in a basket made of vines for at most one night before they had to return.

Although the fish meat has deteriorated a little, the Rus people are indifferent.

Food that can be eaten is at a premium at all times. Not to mention that it has deteriorated, as long as it is grilled on the fire, the charred smell of fish oil will completely cover up the odor. People's food requirements are not as demanding as later generations.

The two fishing boats saw the fleet in the distance, and they were instinctively alert at first.

The two ship bosses immediately completed the communication. First, they urgently closed the network, and then they were ready to return to the north.

After all, in this vast sea, any ship encountered may be an enemy. Even their own fishing boats have put a lot of axes and short spears, which can be sharp weapons for whaling, self-defense, and weapons for looting the weak.

It is always good to avoid the limelight when a mighty fleet appears.

However, when the fishermen made an emergency operation, they all saw the sails of the distant fleet - their own people.

"It's our people, maybe the big boss. Brothers, let's take a good look!"

The plan of a ship boss is supported by all,

After all, the sail pattern is so reassuring.

The fishing boat adjusted its direction and headed straight for the convoy, and both Harozov and Arik spotted the approaching boat.

"Is that one of our allies?" Arik asked.

"It should be from Melalen."

Harozov, from his own experience, took it for granted that it was an ally's ship.

As the fleet drew closer, Harozov's experience found that the fishermen were all of their own race, and even recognized themselves.

"Grovergen! What are you?" Harozov asked to a strangely shaped old man with a pale beard tied into two braids on a fishing boat.

"Harozov? I thought it was the big boss back. You...you seem to be victorious?!"

"Haha, it's a big win!"

"Oh! I can't believe that we would meet your fleet here." Fisherman Grovegan said excitedly.

"I think the same, I never thought you guys would go to such a far place? What are you doing? Fishing?"

"Certainly. Because of our Rurik, that boy is in desperate need of a catch right now."

"My brother?" The smart Arik heard these words, and he dropped the oar and rushed to the bow. "What's wrong with my brother?"

"Haha! It's Arik, your brother is very serious now. I can't explain it in a few words. Let's stop fishing. Let us be guides and lead you home!"

What the hell did my brother do? Hearing the fisherman's words, Arik initially learned a crazy thing.

Is brother Rurik showing mercy?

That kid actually gave at least one pound of cooked fish every day to more than a hundred young men of the same age. For this reason, some fishermen venture farther into the ocean.

In the vast Gulf of Bothnia, Baltic herring is always the most caught cold-water fish.

That is, its growth is generally slow, and it takes five years to grow to about 20 centimeters. So far, the fish will basically not continue to grow. After the herring has been decapitated and gutted, only three can make up a pound. In this way, if Rurik served his subordinates with herring every day, he would have eaten 900 giant herrings a day!

For Rosburg, where the population of natives and foreigners is only 7,000 to 8,000 floating, the demand for fish has suddenly increased a lot. And Rurik is indeed the most stable buyer for the fishermen. This kid's honesty and trustworthiness and absolute cash on delivery are admired by everyone.

In any case, Rurik, an engineering student, is also a science student in essence. He is proficient in calculations, so he did a good calculation for himself, and the conclusion he came to was his plan for a "one-pound meal" works.

Because as glassware began to be manufactured on a small scale, in a short period of time, the blacksmith Kravason had completed forty sets of "tea sets".

The so-called "tea set" is a long-necked glass pot and a thick-walled and thick-bottomed glass. Even though it is not pure clean because of the nature of lead glass, the whole body is slightly dark.

Due to the original but correct annealing process, the strong stress of glass cooling is greatly weakened.

Rurik had tested it himself. The cup was poured into hot boiling water, and neither the pot nor the cup cracked.

And this trick has really become its major selling point, because the majority of residents simply cannot imagine seeing the details of the water inside through the wall of the cup. Isn't it an unprecedented visual experience?

Therefore, all the tribesmen who saw it exclaimed that it was a crystal! Its birth has made people's life lacking entertainment have the latest interesting talk, that is, its high price marked, so that everyone is discouraged.

No one has bothered to find out how it was made, and the fact is that some merchants still in Roseburg have happily paid a premium for one for themselves.

Rurik sold five sets, and the five furry merchants who gathered a lot of wealth all took out twenty gold coins to buy them. From then on, they could happily drink water from "crystal cups".

As for the toxicity of lead glass, I and the blacksmith would not use such glass anyway.

Just poison the heads of those big families! They have money anyway.

Good things are of course self-enjoyment, since alkali metals are the key to making glass. Rurik and Kravassen made potash glassware according to the new requirements. Although the process of pressing and forming is obviously difficult, it is not difficult to beat Klaverson, who has been iron all his life and has bursting muscles in his upper limbs.

In this way, Rurik bought three absolutely harmless glasses, which really shocked Niya at the miracle of his son.

But what surprised this woman even more was that her son suddenly earned ninety gold coins!

The amber and gemstone necklace Niya has been wearing was originally a gift from her husband, but now it also contains a gift from her son. The necklace was strung with gold rings, which were made of melted gold coins.

He was getting richer, and Rurik knew that his father was coming back soon.

Before that, on a languid evening, a fleet had entered the fjords of Roseburg.

There are already fishing boats returning early to report that the warriors who conquered Gotland have triumphed!

For a time, women and children left behind in their hometown flocked to the beach.

The fishermen reported very wonderful news, and this time they won a big victory, and the fleet had a shocking harvest. Especially those families with males involved in the action, they are the most excited. Only because of the latest provisions of the clan's negotiation, the gains of future military operations are basically shared by the participants alone.

Of course, the priests are also just around the corner. Still the latest agreement, the priest group will receive 30 of the spoils.

Rurik and his mother, along with the excited crowd, gathered at the beach and waited.

There was news that Arik killed many enemies in the crusade, and he made great achievements.

Rurik was happy about it, and he was even more happy because according to the rumors, this army looted at least 100,000 silver coins!

What a wonderful rumor this is? ! If it's true, wouldn't the money shortage problem that Roseburg may be facing has suddenly eased.

Rurik was indeed proud of his eldest brother's victory, but he was acutely aware that the pile of glasses he might have produced did not have to wait for the return of the great merchant Gould to be distributed by him on a large scale.

Of course it's a lead glass, but selling it to a clan member who suddenly became rich, wouldn't it be an extremely fast business? Of course, it is a poisonous lead glass, considering that even if it is not such a glass, they will find a way to make a bronze glass because of their wealth. Bronze, there's more lead in there than lead glass!

Thinking of this, Rurik's guilt vanished.

"It's good for you to come back. I will definitely earn your money into my hands reasonably."

The soft light of the setting sun on the white sails of the fleet made the world really peaceful.

People on the coast raised their hands and cheered enthusiastically, and some older men stood in the shallow water, waiting for the boat to dock and tow the cable to fix it.

The ship began to wash the beach, the full cargo ship, its hard oak keel, cut deep into the shallow sand. All because of the weight of the cargo, they were stranded in knee-deep water and could no longer move.

People jumped off the boat, and dozens of people dragged the ropes, trying to pull the boat ashore.

Numerous women went to the beach in search of their husbands or sons.

However, some women also received bad news of their son's death. At this point, the excitement fell to the bottom in an instant. There are quite a few women like this, and it seems that this noisy and happy scene has nothing to do with them.

They were confused, but fortunately, someone hurriedly told them that even if it was the dead, their bodies were not abandoned, and their families would get the spoils of war that belonged to them.

Hearing such news, their sorrowful hearts miraculously improved. Because these women generally do not have only one child.

Even if their only son was killed in battle, they could still obtain an amazing wealth, enough to spend the rest of their lives without working hard.

A large number of heavy wooden boxes were carried down, and the boxes were escorted by fully armed warriors. There was no doubt that the boxes were definitely full of money.

Another group of women were escorted off the boat, a few adult women and many apparently little girls.

Even though most of the captives had already confessed their fate, in order to show the glory of the victor, Harozov still ordered his men to tie the captive's hands again, like a bull and a sheep, and lead him ashore.

Rurik keenly noticed this. He asked his mother, "Is that a prisoner?"

"It should be. Where did your brother go to, where did he bring a woman?"

"Oh. It looks like there are still children, which is pathetic."

Rurik's casual remarks undoubtedly deeply hurt the heart of his maid Rumia.

Rumia grabbed Rurik's robe subconsciously, attracting Rurik's attention.

"Rumia, what's wrong with you?"

"No...nothing. I'm a little cold."

"Okay, we'll go back in a while."

Rumia didn't say much, she knew that the so-called carnival of the Rus people had nothing to do with her. As for those poor captives, although they reminded her of her own experience, how much do these captives have to do with her?

Rurik deliberately stood in a more conspicuous place, and Arik quickly found his lovely brother.

just cute? The child was happy to keep himself clean, and was indeed prettier than the others.

Leaving aside those who were already rambunctious and eager to distribute the spoils, Arik approached his younger brother and his aunt Nia in high spirits.

Arik still has the smiles of children, after all, he himself is just an adult.

But the saber in his waist has experienced the test of blood and fire, and Arik has grown into a real man.

Arik did not hesitate to declare his merits on the battlefield, "Mom, I have killed at least twenty enemies, and even a fighting master. I killed the strongest enemy, and they all said that I was a great enemy. hero."

Niya was happy for him, and patted him on the shoulder excitedly: "Good boy, you did a good job. Just like your father, like your grandfather."

After all, Nia, who had lived under the same roof for a long time, had lost two sons, and had long regarded her nephew as her own.

Here, Arik, who has never had a mother since childhood, also regards Niya as his mother.

Arik rubbed his younger brother's little face deliberately: "Rurik, I heard something from the fishermen. You are so good, you can continue to make a lot of money."

"Of course." Rurik's face was twisted so hard by his cousin that he couldn't speak, "I heard that you robbed the enemy of 100,000 silver coins? Is this true?"

"Of course! This is absolutely true." At this point, Arik really wanted to show off. "I am a hero who has made great achievements. I can get a thousand silver coins and a hundred gold coins! I am very rich now, and I have no worries in life in the future."

Niya was taken aback: "Wow! So much money?!"

"Of course! Mom. Uncle will be proud of me too. That said, it's not as rich as my brother." Arik rubbed his brother's face again.

Who doesn't like cute things, because Rurik pays special attention to personal hygiene, he insists on washing his face and hair with soap, and his clothes are also carefully washed. His hair was quite smooth, and his white face had no freckles at all. This child was even cleaner than many girls, how could it not be loved by Arik.

Niya was very happy that her nephew could treat her brother so intimately. In a trance, she felt that these two were her own sons.

Arik kneaded for a while and then let go of his hand: "I heard, you give your friends a free meal every day now? Oh, you're so generous. That's how you earn your hard-earned money. It's exhausted."

Rurik answered in the affirmative, but he didn't feel that it was hard work to make a lot of money. It was purely a huge amount of wealth earned from his noble status, science and technology, and clear contracts signed with partners.

He has always believed in one thing: a person's hard work is a necessary virtue, but simple hard work can at most make a person have a good life and a small wealth. If you make a lot of money, you need a keen eye to grasp the fleeting opportunities in fate, including your own talents.

Rurik already understood what the daily living expenses of an ordinary Rus should be.

It has to be said that if, as Arik said, one action was a hero, and the spoils equivalent to 2,000 silver coins were obtained, the Arik family could indeed have a happy life for a lifetime.

In fact, Arik also intends to make some comparisons with his younger brother. With this success, Arik even estimates that if the army can assemble on the Tombstone Island built in the future, the enemies who loot Gotland Island in the future will be normalized, and he will make new contributions and become richer. .

Will personal wealth soon surpass that of the younger brother?

Arik couldn't help asking: "Brother, how much money do you have now? I advise you not to be so generous. Although you and those children are brothers, they are not poor enough to need you to support them."

"It doesn't matter, I promised them. Follow me and have meat! That's what I gave them."

"Haha? You really look like a leader." Arik said with satisfaction.

Rurik's mouth curled slightly: "Brother, don't worry about me. Even if I reward them with meat every day, my wealth is still growing. Because I have created a brand new wonderful baby, wait a moment, you come to me Take a seat at home, and I'll show it to you? No! I'll just give you one."

"Your gift? Good!" Arik was in a good mood today, and his heart was even more excited when he learned that his brother was going to give him a baby.