Rise of Rurik

For business, Gould has his own understanding.

He informed Rurik of his opinion.

"All kinds of merchants come to Roseburg to do business. In fact, everyone thinks that they bring goods from outside to the people of Rose, and at the same time, they can take the goods from Roseburg and sell them to distant places. Most of the businessmen think like this. If Without the merchants, the Rus are completely on their own. So many people feel that they are indebted to the Rus."

"That's it? It's absurd." Rurik has been seeing him for a long time. Could it be that this is the attitude of many guest merchants? Could it be that they feel that if they don't come, the Rus will be poor?

Rurik said angrily: "From my point of view, they are clearly looking at our leather profits, including you. It was we who gave the merchants the possibility of making a profit, so how could it become a unilateral one for us by the merchants? deliver benefits."

Gould shrugged. "Maybe, some people think it's mutually beneficial. Even so, the merchants and the Rus themselves owe nothing to each other."

Are the two really indebted?

Rurik's attitude was naturally a complete denial. He narrowed his eyes and declared that it was not easy.

He asked in a calm and serious manner: "Do you actually think that the tax plan I proposed is unreasonable and redundant? And it will harm the interests of businessmen?"

Gould did not answer hastily, and Rurik understood this silence as a default.

"That's good. In that case, why don't I organize a trade team myself. I can form a caravan that obeys me. Why should I rely on those traveling merchants? I can be a businessman."

Even as a child, he has shown strong action and perseverance over the years. Gould, who was silent, couldn't sit still at all. He spied Rurik's intention to abandon him.

Gould, even with his lofty ambitions, knew that his wealth came from the gift of this child, which was exaggerated, but it was the truth.

The old guy hurriedly stood up and ordered the waiting servants in the council room to leave.

Gould hurriedly explained: "I support any of your decisions. I am already a Russ, how can I not support the leader? I am your loyal servant. It is just that I need to tell you that everyone generally thinks like this."

"I didn't target you." Rurik replied quickly.

hear,

Gould let out a breath.

After all, Gould's words were not temporary nonsense, and Rurik took this opportunity to feel good to think.

Indeed, if a country aspires to become strong, she will naturally find ways to attract investment for the sake of its own economy and strength. Businessmen are all profit-seeking, and collecting business taxes is also an important financial cornerstone for a country's proud and stable operation.

Reducing taxes to zero within three to five years is the key to attracting businessmen to invest. When time passes, taxation is necessary, and with this very considerable taxation, there is a large fiscal surplus, and a country can use this money to better build its national economy and people's livelihood according to its own wishes.

Just now, Gould made a special mention of the mighty Meralen clan, which is also collecting a fortune on a regular basis from all foreign merchants. Specifically, sales points built by other tribes in the "core area" set by the leader must pay a tribute to the leader.

Gould called it a tax, and Rurik would more properly call it rent.

After thinking for a while, Rurik explained: "Even so, I still have to collect taxes. I am completely different from those Melalen people! You have just stated that you are in the core territory of Melalen. To do business, you must pay tribute to that leader. However, you run an island on a lake, and many merchants do the same thing, so you don't have to pay any tribute.

Taxes, as you understand them, are not taxes at all, but rents.

You say that the Russ merchants do not owe each other or mutual benefit. In my opinion, as the leader, I can do things according to the methods of the Mellarens and collect their rent.

We Rus have provided foreign merchants with a stable business environment for many years. The merchants built residential warehouses in my territory, completely occupying our own living space. It stands to reason that I should charge a sum of money to compensate my clansmen.

But I don't take things to extremes. Gould, would you like to hear my in-depth thoughts? "

Gould's interest was completely aroused, and he didn't expect that the child was so witty.

To be honest, this kid is already exercising the power of the leader. If he wants to get money, he can lead a group of warriors and force the merchants to bring money. It's not that the leader of the Melalen tribe has never done such a thing.

Gould, who was once young and weak, could not forget the experience of being raided by that leader.

"Go on," Gould replied eagerly.

"Then listen carefully." Rurik raised his chest: "I will persuade or order all the merchants in my Roseburg guest house to give out a sum of money obediently. Just before this year's trade season, I will There will be a business tax on this. Gould, you are a big businessman and I need your support."

"Yes! My family is always after you."

Rurik pouted and shook his head: "I need your real support, not your verbal approval. You have to support my opinion and really help me do it."

"So, what should I do?"

"Do you know my dream? Yes, you do. I want to make my clan stronger than ever. If you think that it is only a strong military force, with a few thousand warriors, it is a big mistake. wrong.

I want to make the clan really strong, so I need a lot of money.

I have no intention of caring only about my own pleasure, my money is for the whole tribe after all.

My father Otto is older, he is more willing to chat with those old uncles, and he is more addicted to wine. He asked me to do many things and promised that he would ratify what I did. I am now the leader of the tribe! Even without going through the final ritual.

Do you know my dream in the end?

I hope that in my tribe, all the boys and girls in Ross will not starve and freeze to death. All men can have at least one wife, and all women can be protected by their husbands. All families will have enough food and clothing so that they will not maliciously abandon their daughters and grudgingly raise their sons.

The Rus people will continue to conquer, those who surrender to me, I will give them enough food and clothing, I will let them live in peace, so that they will not rebel.

The Russ will continue to take revenge, and I will need more good weapons, more warriors, and better ships.

In order to achieve my dream, I need a lot of money, a lot of materials! "

Although Rurik was eloquent, his childish voice could be described as pure and pure, and it was these words that were truly shocking.

Gould marveled at Rurik's dream, and Yevro couldn't believe a Rus could say such a thing.

Because of his surprise, Gould was sweating all over his body. He was quiet for a while before slowly responding: "Your words remind me of Goddess Freya. She is the most merciful goddess, the mother of all, she It's the embodiment of love and care."

"You... mean I'm like Freya? I'm a man."

Gould shook his head and smiled, letting the serious atmosphere relax a little more: "But you can't deny that you were a very beautiful boy before you grew a beard. Listen, since you can get Odin's blessing, you How can I be sure that I have not received Freya's blessing?

Your great ideal is like the ideal of a goddess.

Do not! I even think that you may also have Frey's blessing. I can be sure that you have already received Thor's blessing. "

What is flattery? This is flattery!

Rus people believe in a variety of gods. Most men believe in Odin, and most women feel that it is beneficial for them to believe in goddesses like Freya and Frigga.

Gould smiled and said, "Rurik, if you put on the priest's plain white gown, you stretch your hair and put on a wreath. You stand at the altar, and no one will think you are a boy.

But you are indeed a boy, a merciful, great, brave boy, beloved by all the gods of Asgard. Yes, you will be a very good leader, but your dreams do need a lot of money to support. "

"I don't want to listen to your flattery." Rurik continued, in a good mood: "I'm just trying to earn a fortune, and I'd rather have a lot of grain, leather, flax, and iron ore than silver coins. I don't earn silver coins by melting them to make cutlery, silver coins are useless when I'm extremely hungry. I earn silver coins in exchange for more supplies to make my people stronger and better. So merchants have to take money Come!"

"Then go for it! This is my true word, I will do everything I can to help you realize your dreams, maybe only in this way can my soul get closer to God. So let's discuss a reality, how much do you want to charge? Taxes? I have to smear it up front, if the businessmen feel that most of the money they make is taxed, they won't come to Roseburg. If the taxation is too low, I don't think you will be satisfied."

Rurik replied readily: "Don't worry about this, I have already thought of it. Those merchants, each household has to pay me fifty silver coins. I think this tax is appropriate."

Gould was stunned for a moment. He actually wanted to say that it was a bit more than the tax. After all, a large number of businessmen were small businesses, and they followed the big businessmen to eat the leftovers for so many years. How much profit can those people make?

Rurik also paused and emphasized: "Only you! Gould, you have to pay a tax of 10,000 silver coins this year."

"Ah?!" Gould was really surprised: "So many? Am I your sheep?! You..."

Rurik turned his face on the spot and put on a threatening look: "Too much? You are from Rus, you must obey my leader. You should understand that you are different! We Rus lack professional businessmen. , Now, you are a big businessman I trust. Compared with those traveling merchants, it is as if you are a warrior in chainmail, and those people are just idiots with only a fig leaf."

Gould began to falter, no one knew what he was talking about, and Rurik knew that this guy must be upset.

Yes, how can a businessman be willing to let a big businessman pay a heavy tax? What's more, they will rebel against each other, and more will pack up and run away.

Rurik then pointed out the benefits: "Listen, the huge wealth you have earned now, and you have become a billionaire, is it all your own ability? Don't be stupid! You are relying on me to become rich, without us Ross tribe, how much more do you have?!

I need you badly right now, and I will always need an obedient Gould family. "

Now, cold sweat was protruding from Gould's forehead again, this time he was no longer surprised, but through Rurik's eyes, Gould saw the fierce look. Those are the eyes of murder, the eyes of those who have experienced battles.

Gould perceives two meanings.

If he refuses or hesitates to cooperate, he will no longer be reused, and Rurik will immediately raise new merchants to replace him as a dealer of various commodities.

Or, he was imprisoned or removed by the Rus, and his wealth was destroyed.

Gould could only think of the worst first, and after weighing it, he decided to agree.

"Okay! 10,000 silver coins, I will take them out."

Rurik could clearly detect the old guy's sigh, and he thought about it too. How could a businessman laugh when a big businessman suddenly spit out 10,000 silver coins?

"Don't be sad, do you think you have lost a lot? I think, now you won't worry about gains and losses because of 10,000 silver coins. You will get more support from me because of your active cooperation."

Gould reluctantly begged for mercy; "Yes, my family is your faithful servant."

"Very good. I want you to take out ten thousand silver coins today. Or, you can pay for it directly with grain. I know you have a lot of grain on hand that hasn't been sold. You don't have to keep trying to drive up the price. The price of grain is still at the usual market price, one silver coin is exchanged for ten pounds. You have prepared one hundred thousand pounds for me now, and I forbid you to sell this grain to anyone."

Gould knew that Rurik also had a lot of food on hand. It was amazing that the child's control over the food on hand was simply distributed to his subordinates. I am afraid that this child has no intention of selling food for profit at all, which is really strange.

Based on this, how did Gould think that the purpose of Rurik's hoarding of food was to support his subordinates. This was to ensure high-calorie grains to maintain the daily calorie consumption of children and mercenaries. Using this as a temptation forced them to rely more and more on the leader's offerings, and in order to be able to eat enough every day, they would remain faithful.

There is also a very special point. Using a bag of dried grains as labor compensation, Rurik gave the clansmen the work of logging, construction and even tailoring. They are very motivated.

After all, according to Rurik's consumption method, the grains he had on hand did not last until the beginning of May. Therefore, during this period, the proportion of fish and seal meat in the children's recipes became larger and larger.

Gould had less than 100,000 pounds of grain on hand, and since Rurik had asked for it, he had to hand over all the stocks immediately, leaving only his family's rations.

Gould promised to hand over the tax immediately, and Rurik immediately gave an uplifting return.

"I desperately need your cooperation, and I desperately need you, the top businessman, to set an example! When I start to collect taxes comprehensively, I will announce to those small businessmen. You! Gould! Your family will take the pays the most taxes, so there is no reason for other businessmen to refuse to pay them.

As a reward to you, I will find more profit space for you, even if you can only get the average profit in the future, you can still make a fortune.

Listen, you're just a big businessman, and a big businessman who rose up on my merits. You have too much money now, but your family is destined to depend on me only. You can be a wealthy person with peace of mind, your family has been living in happiness and prosperity, and don't think about anything else. Your family is fully protected by me, and all risks are borne by me. "

Gould sensed that Rurik was slipping his tongue. It was obvious that Rurik was collecting business taxes. The kid had come up with a novel idea, but he couldn't get the tax amount right.

This child must take half of his profits for tax in the future.

"Okay! If my family has one hundred thousand silver coins in pure profit a year, take half of it. No! Take out sixty-seven thousand to pay taxes. . Now that I pay a lot of taxes, they won't always covet my wealth like the Unkras and the Meralen clans."

Gould is of course clear that as a leader, Rurik can act unreasonably. Obviously, this child's behavior has always been about contracts.

No, Rurik immediately proposed a brand new benefit plan.

"I have some business matters to talk to you about. I'm going to recruit a group of shipbuilding professionals, experts who have the ability to build your large cargo ships! I also want you to find a way to bring that Verdegan who is good at making leather goods. The family invites Roseburg. You will get further preferential treatment from me because of these actions. You must arrange for your sons to do these things, and in the future, the best of your sons will be used by my family forever. "

"You... you want to make a lot of transport ships? Shouldn't it be a war ship?" Gould asked inexplicably.

"I want a transport ship! I want a transport ship that relies entirely on sails. We Rus have expanded our territory a lot. I need time to digest these results. I want to use the resources of the newly conquered territory immediately. Those transport ships, It is used to transport a whole mountain of iron ore. It is the most important achievement of our northern hunting. It is the best ore our blacksmith has ever seen. The transport ship is also used to load a huge amount of oriental fur. , oriental salmon, and other goodies.

I don't trust other big businessmen, I trust you. Who do I rely on to sell those brand new irons and furs? "

Gould, who was shy with a big belly, smiled, and it was obvious that he was a 200-pound fool.

He feels that there is no better word to describe the profit margins here. In comparison, the so-called business tax may be insignificant.

As a big businessman, Gould is not obliged to take care of the life and death of small businessmen. You only need to serve Party A's father well. What's more, this Party A is still a real leader of his own?