Rise of Rurik

In general, the Rus and the servants live in extremely cold places near the Arctic Circle. Due to the cold climate, everyone rarely sweats. In addition, there are a lot of sea fish in the food, and a little sea salt is always eaten into the stomach when cooking fish. On the whole, the Rus did not suffer from salt shortages at all, and they were completely different from the inland farming inhabitants.

The people of Balmerk know this too, so Mordgen's plan is to sell the salt to the Kovins in the interior, and then pull a large amount of leather back to the narrow and barren hills of Narvik to sell it to them. own people to make a fortune.

As long as they do not engage in intense physical exertion for a long period of time, the inhabitants of the northern coastal areas will not suffer from a lack of salt, regardless of the age.

Mordegen realized that his big buyer was also a hero at sea. How could they have a strong interest in salt?

He asked cautiously: "Perhaps, you are not very short of salt."

"Yes, we are not short of salt. But boiling salt is a hassle. If you can provide a lot of salt, why should I divide my hands to cook salt? Just like you and me, you cook salt, and I buy salt with leather. Wouldn’t it be beautiful for everyone to get what they need.”

When Mordegen heard this explanation, he couldn't help but smile awkwardly.

Rurik sucked his fingers clean, and from the salt alone, he reckoned that the Balmerks not only got their salt by boiling the Atlantic sea, which is much saltier than the Baltic Sea, but that they must have some skill in boiling salt.

The taste of this salt is really good, and Rurik feels that their ability to control the temperature of the salt precipitation is also good, and the bitter taste from magnesium chloride can hardly be felt in the mouth. You know, the taste of the purest sodium chloride, when perceived by the human tongue, will give birth to a particularly pleasant feeling. If processing does not remove bitter impurities, the taste will be bad.

Rurik clapped his hands and said proudly: "I want all your salt. Don't you want furs? I have many kinds of leather here! I'll exchange the leather for all the salt with you."

Mordegen was overjoyed, he didn't expect the other party to be so happy.

"You guys, what else do you have?" Rurik continued. "If it's something interesting, I'll have it all."

"And...and some iron, I think you're the only one who doesn't need this."

"Iron? Well, we are not short of iron." Rurik returned to his seat: "Let's continue to talk about the salt. You bid, how much leather I would need to exchange all your salt."

In fact, Mordgen has always been a little worried,

There are some Rusian warriors with swords around him. Shuangfeng is doing business. He always feels a sense of spiritual oppression. In order to leave the Russ fortress with goods safely, Mordegen But he didn't dare to open his mouth, and he was even willing to give a lower price for the transaction to go smoothly.

Mordgen looked at the bear skin sitting under him and the bear head on the wall: "If you want, I'm willing to exchange a pound of salt for your... two of your bear skins."

"That's it?"

"Why? You don't want to." Mordgen said hurriedly, "Our expedition used to exchange one pound of salt for as many as fifty squirrel skins from the Kowens. Although bear skins are more difficult to obtain, our salt is also very precious. ."

Rurik sensed that the other party had misinterpreted his meaning. According to Rurik's idea, the price they offered was actually much lower than their psychological expectations, as if they were deliberately showing weakness.

In fact, this is purely Rurik's overthinking. In the port of Narvik, the cost of cooking salt for the locals is much lower than that of the Rus because of the higher salt water in the Atlantic Ocean.

Due to the long trade routes and poor transportation, one pound of salt is exchanged for two bearskins, which does not actually mean who wins and who loses. The transaction between the two sides is actually difficult to measure by the weight of silver coins. In the final analysis, the Rus people exist in In the trade system of the Thinker Tribe Alliance, Russ talents have come into contact with the Balmers since this year.

"Okay." Rurik said no more: "Since you are willing to buy my bearskins at this price, let's trade like this. I traded sixty bearskins for your salt, but I'm worried that you don't have the strength at all. Take them back to their hometown."

Mordegan smiled: "It's okay, we're strong people. Oh, I'd be happy if you'd sell me some slaves (referring to the Cowens) to help us carry the goods."

"That won't work." Rurik shook his head: "I also hope you can bring some slaves. You know, we Russ need a lot of slaves."

"Slave? Maybe, if we can catch it." Mordgen pinched his beard and didn't say any more.

At this point, Rurik didn't want to make a big fuss about slaves, even though he needed a lot of labor. Instead of letting business partners capture unknown people as slaves, why not develop the local labor force in Novgorod? I am afraid that as long as a little favor is given, many people will rush to become servants later. Or renting a little metal farming tools can induce a large number of Novgorods to reclaim the land and become "tax residents".

Rurik continued to ask: "You seem to have brought other goods?"

"It's some iron. Your lord, if you're willing to buy them."

"Let me see."

Mordgen immediately motioned his subordinates to open another sackcloth pocket, only to see axe without wooden handles. He took out all the axes one by one and showed them to everyone present.

"My lord, as you can see, if you are willing to buy these twenty axes."

ax? Rurik stretched out his small head and glanced at it, but after a brief glance, he lost interest.

"These axes of yours are obviously rusted. They seem to be of poor quality."

"This..." Mo Degen was a little unhappy in his heart, but when he was under the eaves, he laughed at himself: "Obviously, our ironmaking skills are not excellent. In your opinion, these axes are very bad, if... …”

"Oh. You mean to sell it to the Kewen people, and you will make another fortune? Say, how many pieces of leather are you planning to exchange for an axe?"

Mordgen didn't hesitate: "An axe is equivalent to a pound of salt, and I'd like to price it like this. If you're willing to buy it, my lord, we speak the same language, and we must all use silver coins. I'd like ten silver coins per axe. the price, and buy them all for you.”

Mordegen proposed a price, which he felt was reasonable, but the Ross warriors on both sides couldn't help sneering.

"What? My pricing is absurd?"

"No!" Rurik stretched out his right hand to stop everyone's ridicule, and then stared into Mordegen's eyes: "Friends from afar, you think too highly of your own products. Your axe is obviously the worst, how dare you price ten silver?!"

"you……"

Mordgen raised his chest. He felt the humiliation of a child. This unprecedented feeling made him resent.

The anger was just in his heart, he tried his best to suppress the tremor of his skin, and said deliberately: "So your axe is better?"

"Of course! You can easily destroy your axe."

"what?!"

"Why, don't you believe it?" Rurik deliberately provoked.

"No! I just..."

"Just what?"

Mordegen guessed what the other party wanted to do, "Sir, the two axes collided, and the blade that was finally polished was damaged. It doesn't matter if my axe is damaged, I'm just worried about hurting your axe."

Hearing that, Rurik was stunned for a moment, then slowly laughed: "Why do I think you're mocking me?"

"No, I never meant that."

"It doesn't matter, the only thing that will be damaged in the end is your axe. Since you are confident in your axe, let's try it. Just in time, we can also show you the axe of our Russ!" Rurik commanded confidently. A mercenary stood up, then grabbed his chrome steel hand axe and approached Mordegen.

A samurai in chain mail stood in front of him, and Mordegen was terrified by the strong coercion.

What surprised him even more was that the axe in the opponent's hand was such a special color.

Darker colors don't look like simple iron.

Rurik asked for the last time, "Your axe will be destroyed, but don't go back."

"Yes, I don't regret it."

"Then let's begin."

Rurik gave the order, and the mercenary with the axe glared furiously. He clenched the handle of the axe tightly with his right hand, and slashed down at the back of one of Mordegen's axe.

After all, they are completely full-time mercenaries. Their daily affairs are not cutting down trees with axes, or doing combat training. They have become very strong beings, especially the strength of their arms is the most amazing.

The chrome steel hand axe chopped down at a great speed, and in a flash of lightning speed, only a slap sound was heard, and an amazing thing happened!

After all, it was a Nordic-style axe. The axe that Mordegen brought had a slender axe back, and now the axe was split into two sections.

The mercenaries were not surprised at all when things became like this. Because most of them smashed their old swords after they got their own chrome steel handaxes for celebration or a kind of sacrifice.

The mercenary was playing with his axe. He checked the axe blade and muttered proudly, "Sure enough, my axe has no scars at all."

At the same time, everyone saw the shocked faces of the outsiders.

Mo Degen just didn't know what happened, his mouth kept shaking, recalling the memories of this life, he had never seen such a miraculous thing.

In his concept, the collision of the two axes will definitely cause a deep dent on both sides of the axe.

The ending completely surpassed his cognition, and the axe of the Russ was safe and sound? !

Everything was as expected by Rurik, and he secretly congratulated: "Your axe must still be processed in the same way."

Based on Rurik's understanding of the current smelting technology in the Nordic world, except for the two regions under the Rus' rule, other parts of Europe not only did not know how to manufacture low carbon steel, they did not even understand the heat treatment process of quenching.

Therefore, although the outsiders know how to smelt iron, their axe is just a piece of wrought iron that has been beaten into an axe in the process of gradually cooling. When it is basically formed, the metal is not hot enough to wake up. They are some naturally cooled pure iron, and their hardness can only be said to be not bad, at least enough for logging, the only trouble is that they need frequent maintenance.

Chrome steel is a completely different existence! Ferrochrome is naturally hard. After the surface layer is infiltrated with carbon, its hardness is further improved. After quenching, its hardness and rigidity have reached a peak. It is used to make swords. It is extremely lacking in ductility and can be easily broken. However, as an axe, it is an indestructible treasure.

Rurik looked proud: "I won this time. Friends from afar, this is the axe of our Russ, what do you think?"

"This... it's just... a magical weapon unique to Asgard, right?!"

Mordgen looked dumbfounded, and the arrogant mercenary announced on behalf of his master: "You guessed it right, this is the axe owned by the people of Asgard. My master did get it. God's blessing, otherwise it would not be possible to create such a tool with the minerals of the human world."

Mordegen was holding his two-section axe, and he realized that the section of his axe was very smooth. It wasn't broken by impact. What a Russ axe did was as easy as a meat-cutting knife severing a fish.

A bold idea immediately came to his mind: "My lord, I have a strong request now!"

"Request? Say it."

Seeing that the other party's attitude had become kinder, Mordgen boldly said: "I am eager to buy one of your axes, and I am also eager for a tool only available in Asgard. I am willing to exchange thirty pounds of salt for one of yours. ax."

Rurik couldn't believe his ears. If the other party had such an attitude, wouldn't he be able to slaughter these businessmen who traveled far and wide? Of course, it is commercial trade. Since ancient times, commerce does not believe in tears, and it does not require too much favor. The other party is willing to sell at a low price, the seller is willing to snap up, and everyone gets what they need.

Rurik still tried it out: "Don't you still want bear skins? Also, why do you ask me if I can exchange all your inferior axes for one of my best axes."

"How is that possible?" Mordegen said humbly. "Compared to your axe, mine is a waste. It's worthless."

In fact, as long as these so-called wastes are smoldered and carburized for one to two days, then forged and quenched again, although they are not as good as chrome steel, they are still magical tools as low carbon steel.

Rurik just couldn't think of it, they went through all the troubles, in order to get a magical axe, they would exchange all the goods at no cost at all?

If the deal is done, they'll lose a lot of money.

Of course, Rurik could finalize this business in one go, and let the other party be benevolent.

But if he did, Rurik couldn't help but worry whether it would be a short-sighted behavior. By default, friends and potential competitors can be stupid and can be deceived. Then, if you have such thoughts, you are stupid!

Now that the Rus and the residents of Narvik have finally started to connect, the two sides must build a better bilateral relationship. Because the geography is far enough, the strength of both sides is not weak, Rurik did not intend to invade them, presumably they saw that they had powerful weapons, and they dared not be ambitious.

Jean Lee? At this time, perhaps giving up a little benefit is to win a potential ally for the Rus. Ah, not an ally, but a trading partner.

Rurik saw the great strategic value of the Balmerks in the port of Narvik at this stage - they could provide the best sea salt.

Rurik cleared his throat and became enthusiastic.

"Friends from afar, you have come from afar to let us know the west of the distant mountains, and there is a friend to make. I would like to make friends with you on behalf of the Rus, and we can trade with each other and make us all stronger."

Mordegen's mind was a little confused, and it seemed that the situation was getting better in general, "Are you willing to accept my trading conditions?"

"No." Rurik shook his finger.

"Oh, do I have to pay a little more?"

"No. You and your men will get an excellent axe from our Russ. The leather trade between you and me was terminated, and ten axes were exchanged for your entire cargo. What do you think?"

Mordegen couldn't believe what he heard: "Sir, are you sure?!"

"I'm sure!"

"Oh! Then you are really a child blessed by God." Mordegen's eyes lit up when he spoke, and his guys felt that they had made a lot of money.

"But there is another condition," Rurik continued.

"What conditions? You can say whatever."

"I invite you to our home city of Roseburg. We are very interested in you Balmers, and we are eager for further trade in the future. I will arrange for you to meet with our real chief to formally discuss your future and mine, Maybe I'll ask you to bring our Rus' greetings to the leader of Balmerk."

"Okay! I also want to meet the world. But, are you really not the leader of the Rus people?" Mordegen said in surprise.

"I am, but I am not."

"Then who are you? Dear friend, I haven't even reported my name since we met. I'm guilty."

The name is probably a code name, and Rurik has no intention of learning more about the names of outsiders whose usefulness to him is relatively unknown.

"Okay. What's your name?" Rurik asked.

"Mordegan."

"Okay, Mordegen." Rurik shrugged, then straightened his back: "I am Rurik, Rurik of Ross, son of the leader Otto, I have received the favor of Odin, and I am the future Ross. Chief. You may have felt that I lacked credibility from the beginning as a child. Now I tell you, I deserve your trust.

I'll buy your full payment at once and give you the axe right now. I also ask that you continue to live in my settlement until a few days before the summer solstice, when we will sail south back to Roseburg.

You will be staying on our territory for a while and you will be well treated. I promise you, I will not break my word. "

It sounded so tempting, Mordegen thought it was incredible: "Oh, what a wonderful favor. But what's the price, my lord?"

"It's a peaceful trade between our two tribes! For example, we sell you leather and the best weapons, you sell us the best salt or whatever. Eventually you will be escorted by us, as mine The messenger is on his way back. You must let your chiefs know of our Ruth presence, our great strength, and our hope for trade."

So far, Mordegen has understood everything. He immediately knelt down halfway and beat his heart with a fist with his right hand: "Sir, we are willing to serve you."