Rise of Rurik

After a short and fierce battle, there is no more danger in the sea ahead.

The Avlora passed through the Oresund smoothly. As for the chicken feathers and the impact of the battle, Rurik could only wait for the situation to ferment before he could get information. He didn't need to ask for it himself. The eyeliner he installed in the Danish trade center Heiseby will bring a lot of intelligence back to Roseburg in October.

The time is coming to October of the Julian calendar. At this time, the fleet of Rus people returning from Sorgon in the east will also arrive at their home port far away in the depths of the Gulf of Bothnia.

All the strengths that expand overseas must oppose their hometown seasonally, and Rurik has a little thought, thinking that he can reunite with his own fleet.

Entering the Baltic Sea, the wind direction is now somewhat variable.

The Avrora deftly ate the wind and headed north along the peninsula's coastline.

Although some fishing boats were encountered during the voyage, it was irrelevant whether they were friends or foes.

The voyage to the north will not be suspended in the middle. Taking advantage of the temporary lack of rainfall, the big ship must hurry as soon as possible until it reaches the key relay station - Tombstone Island.

After crossing the Oresund, Rurik continued to sail for eight days!

The people in a boat passed through the slender Öland Island like a cucumber, and passed through the city of Visby on Gotland Island, which had been occupied by Melalen immigrants.

Before entering the Åland Islands, where Tombstone Island is located, the Avlora was discovered by Ross fishermen working nearby.

The Rus people know that three large ships can cruise in this sea area from this year onwards.

The big ship from the southern seas, the gorgeous giant jib has proved its identity, and the flag flying on the mast fully proves that the voyage of Lord Rurik has returned!

All the fishing boats that wished to approach hung up Ross's "paddle flag" and approached the Avlora smoothly, and then led the way.

"It's great! Brothers! We're finally back. On Tombstone Island, we're going home. We all disembark and rest, and everyone rests for two or three days before leaving."

Rurik, who was standing at the bow of the ship, gave the order to take a holiday, and stayed on the ship, as the people in the cage cheered.

An island appeared in front of him, Noren cautiously accompanied his man,

Let the sea breeze blow on your face.

The men were cheering, but she was inexplicably worried because of her nervousness.

"Rurik, is Rosberg in front?"

"No. It's one of my ports. Tombstone Island, where some brave warriors are buried, and their heroic spirits protect the Rus people who come and go. My dear, look east, and look at your west!"

Noren followed Rurik's fingers. In her eyes, the east is the vast sea, and the west is also the same.

Wait a minute, it's not just the sea. Rather, huge bays? !

Noren is not a simple musician who can only play the flute and compose music. As the only daughter favored by the leader of Balmerk, she also learned some knowledge about governing a tribe through her father's ears and eyes. She could imagine the conditions of this sea area, even though she had arrived for the first time in her life, she also realized that Rurik's so-called Tombstone Island was at the center of the crossroads in the sea area.

The Rus people occupy this place, and they already have a great advantage in the vast sea.

So what happened to the Swedes?

She is a visitor, exploring uncharted territory. But she also understands that her identity has become Rose's woman, she is not a visitor, and this time she is going home.

The Avrora was successfully moored in the natural bay of Tombstone Island. She docked smoothly on the platform, the boat dropped the cable, and the people on the shore fixed it.

The word "AVRORA" is hung on the side of the ship. Even if people don't know the Roman alphabet, as long as they see the lines of this unique shape, they will know its true identity.

The rope ladder was lowered, and a large number of people began to disembark.

The soldiers, women and a small number of young children stationed on Tombstone Island were surprised to see an unimaginable number of men disembarking one after another.

Lord Rurik actually put his arms around a little girl, they had the same beautiful blonde hair, swaying in the wind.

People were buzzing about it, and they were all discussing the adult's trip to Balmer for several months, and it was obvious that the gains were not small.

Because, the discerning person has seen the amazing draught that the Avlora is now showing, and there must be a lot of cargo stuffed in the belly of the big ship. With Lord Rurik's love for his people, it is clear that these supplies will eventually benefit everyone.

After four months, Rurik finally stood on the land of the Rus.

He took a deep breath of the air in his hometown. It was autumn and the air was refreshing, and the bleak feeling disappeared. His mind was full of expectations for the outside world.

The mercenary soldiers accompanying the voyage, led by Captain Yevlo, entered the remaining warm wooden huts with wooden planks to rest. Everyone can get warm tea water and boiled wheat, and even the widow of the dead husband will give it to her...

Rurik was too lazy to care about what happened to them. Now that Yevlo was experienced in this area, Rurik, who just wanted to have a good rest, led Noren directly into the mansion he placed on the island.

The itinerant merchants from Lake Mälaren who do business on Tombstone Island, they come by boat, these people are rubbing their eyes hard.

Just because they saw a big ship from the south, the person who disembarked was Rurik of Ross?

Alas! So what happened to the big ship that was left in Lake Mälaren?

Could it be that the Russ still have two big ships?

Just two years ago, Tombstone Island was just a nautical relay station that was defined as a "future-proof", and now it is turning into a seaport city with a fortress and a trade base.

In other words, the geographical location of the Åland Islands determines that a trade stronghold will inevitably appear in this group of islands.

In another plane, this trading post is called Mariehamn. In this plane, Rurik's Rus is called Tombstone Island Harbor.

The population of Tombstone Island was suddenly complicated by the events of the War of 831.

The most distinguished young grand duke came to Tombstone Island, and all the people with high morals on the island gathered in a warm court.

Last summer, the brothers in this wooden longhouse negotiated a final battle against the Gotlanders.

Rurik remained seated in the noble seat reserved for a duke, receiving the attentive glances of his admirers, listening to them describe what had happened on the island over the past few months.

It turned out that more than 100 pioneers from Novgorod were divided into 40 families. They turned away from their manor and followed the Sorgon fleet that returned to Tombstone Island in the summer.

They built their own wooden houses, dug wells for direct access to fresh water, opened up some fields to grow a small amount of fast-ripening onions, and even built some wooden fences to keep more livestock in the future. It has to be said that these Slavic immigrants from societies with a higher level of agriculture have improved the living conditions of the local Rus in some aspects.

Therefore, there are also Slav faces participating in this "reporting meeting".

The Slavs who attended the meeting directly called the island "Stanislavsk", calling it their home.

Rurik, at times he spoke Norse, at times Cyrillic. He responded fluently with all the visitors, and they were all very satisfied.

As the Duke's woman, Noren was naturally obliged to listen to this meeting by Rurik's side.

"Rurik, your position in Ross is far better than that of my father in Balmerk..."

Noren kept quiet and listened, she didn't say a word, but she didn't know that her presence aroused everyone's curiosity.

Here, Rurik highly praised the feat of Slavic immigrants joining Rus and pioneering the prosperity of Rus, and also assured him that after paying the agricultural tax in accordance with the regulations, they are the designated new Rus, and men and women are obliged to serve. Ross fights and has the right to share the war dividends.

In a cheerful atmosphere, someone asked, "Lord Rurik, the woman beside you seems to be the new wife and concubine you brought back from Balmerk."

"Oh. Of course, this is Noren, my wife."

Noble people have many wives and concubines, just like the god-king Odin has more than ten wives. The Russ believed in such legends and understood that Lord Rurik was imitating the god-king Odin.

This Balmer girl named Noren will become one of his official wives. As for the ten personal maids, they naturally play the role of Valkyrie under the king of God.

Another smiled and reminded: "My lord, our Duke Otto, his fleet is coming back soon, maybe on its way back. Our Speros is serving as the flagship of Eastern Sorgon this year."

Rurik was reminded: "What? My father, shouldn't he be back sooner?"

"Not yet. The weather is cold this year, and the wheat in the whole world is ripening late. The Duke will come back later. Besides, everyone knows that the wife he has chosen for you will come back with the ship this year."

"Huh? That Svetlana?"

"Yes."

"Okay! Okay..." Rurik complained silently, this was his own destiny, and he couldn't escape the fate of his wives and concubines. This winter, his house will be full of women's chatter, which must be very happy.

After all, it was exhausted by boat and car, and Rurik couldn't help but stretched his waist and shouted casually: "You can boil me some hot water, and I want to soak in the hot water to relax." After that, Rurik was making a fuss. Lun, the girl immediately hooked her head out of shyness.

Rurik didn't want to get tired of it, and asked again: "Is there any news about our big businessman Gould? He routinely buys food in Melalen, how is the situation? Has the task been completed?"

Many people responded immediately.

Someone shouted loudest, "Sir, something big happened to Melalen."

"What's the matter?" Rurik stretched out his arms to signal others to be quiet. "It's not going to be a failure of the wheat harvest, and Gould's unfortunate work? Well, fortunately, I brought back a load of wheat, and the situation wasn't too bad."

"No! My lord. Gould is doing a good job. He asked someone to bring back the news the other day. Even if the wheat harvest in the Lake Melaren area this year is as bad as it was two years ago, the situation will not be too bad. The tribes We still have a million pounds of wheat to sell, and we have no problem getting through the cold winter. Our fleet is still at Melalen, waiting for the seller to deliver all the wheat and other supplies. He plans the fifth of October. Day off."

"It's not bad, it exceeded my expectations." Rurik nodded gratified. To be able to get so much wheat in a disaster, this is the embodiment of the banknote's ability! As for the suffering of the people on the shores of Lake Mälaren, what does this have to do with the people of Rus?

One million pounds of wheat is enough for the Rus to get through the winter on nothing but wheat. And now the Russ' access to wheat is not only the supply from Novgorod, but also the crazy plunder from Northumbria this year.

Perhaps the clansmen who stayed on Tombstone Island regretted that they got less wheat this year?

Rurik held his head high and said: "I also tell you a piece of good news! I have been away for so long. In fact, I led the Balmers on an expedition to the eastern islands. I plundered possibly half a million pounds of wheat in the British Isles. Afu The Lola is full of wheat and stops at the port. Prepare some money to buy it tomorrow, as is the old practice, ten pounds for one silver coin."

Hearing that, all the people present were jumping and cheering.

Rurik was really confused by the sudden excitement: "You are all quiet! Why are you so happy?"

The person who just reported the news jokingly said, "Sir, we can't buy wheat at the Melalen Market. There are a few vendors selling wheat, and the price is only seven pounds for one silver coin."

Rurik was stunned: "Oh? The market price has become like this?"

"Yes, you have given us favors."

This is indeed a favor. Rurik didn’t think he had done anything extraordinary. The purpose of the granary was to store and adjust it. The king hoarded grain in a good year, and then opened a warehouse in a good year to release grain at a preferential price. The stability of the kingdom lies in the heart, and the stability of the heart lies in the stability of food.

Regardless of the year of good or bad, the Rus people have changed from eating wheat rarely to eating a lot of wheat every year in the past few years, all because of a series of policies of Rurik. It has become customary to accept the official price of a silver coin for ten pounds of wheat. Maybe the people in Roseburg don't feel anything, but the residents of Tombstone Island at the forefront know the fluctuations in wheat prices.

In a good year, the settlers of Tombstone Island can spontaneously go to the Melalen market to buy some relatively cheap wheat. Now that they are planning to eat fish to survive in a disaster year, it is unexpected that Lord Rurik will personally come to extend favors.

However, Rurik could never have imagined that the price of wheat on the shores of Lake Mälaren could reach such high prices. In this way, this is extremely terrifying. Could it be that Gould suffered a big loss in buying food this year? Shouldn't be! The new king of Sweden, Carl, isn't this stupid enough to break the hearts of the Rus. Carl's tribe, as the first major grain producer in Melalen, had to give a very favorable price.

Thinking of this, Rurik directly asked the amount of food provided by King Karl and the amount of debt he needed.

The mention of this person Rurik was completely unexpected, and the expressions of this group of guys suddenly changed.

The one who was clearly interrupted in the middle of his speech just now continued to shout: "Lord Rurik! Karl! He is dead!"

"Dead? What? Did I hear it right?" Rurik sat up instantly as if electrocuted.

"Exactly."

"Wait! Let me slow down." Rurik held his head subconsciously, he meditated for a while and then raised his head: "That guy is young and strong, he has an extreme love for women, and many women are tossed by him and scream. Guys, I'm afraid that when you are fighting with ten or twenty wives and concubines, you are as brave as the rams in April, and you end up exhausting yourself to death?"

Everyone burst into laughter, and many people bluntly said that Mr. Rurik was really humorous.

Some people pointed out the reason: "My lord, Carl was assassinated."

"Assassination? Who did it?"

"It was those wealthy families who recruited soldiers to form private soldiers and broke into Carl's mansion to kill him."

"Ah! This... Bjorn!" Rurik suddenly remembered the name, "Bjorn, you still do it. Brothers, is the situation in Melalen in chaos now?"

"The chaos seems to be over. The man named Bjorn calls himself the new head of the Meralen clan, and all the wealthy families support him. It's just..."

"Just what?"

"The other tribes don't seem to support Bjorn as our king."

"In other words, there is no king in Sweden now." Rurik nodded, stroked his hairy chin, and muttered casually, "Maybe I'll be the king?"

Someone heard the muttering and immediately shouted: "Only we Rus can be the king of Sweden. If you become the king, everyone will support it."

Then, many people made similar remarks.

Is it a good thing to be king of Sweden? To tell the truth, Rurik didn't want to go into the muddy waters. Since the situation is very chaotic and people's hearts are complicated, I am afraid that I will not be the target of public criticism if I jump out openly. I really look down on me on the battlefield, but if I am targeted by conspirators and guard against assassins every day, I can't stand it.

Rurik has no intention of listening to what his subordinates report, and most of the news these guys have learned is probably just hearsay. Businessmen from multiple tribes rowed boats to Tombstone Island to sell things. By the way, they shouted what they knew. How much is exaggerated and how much is true?

Rurik thought of an excellent way, that is, take the Avlora and plug it into Lake Mälaren again.

That Bjorn finally couldn't help but jump out and become the leader? Rurik was willing to believe that this fellow was easier to negotiate than Karl.

But the more in this chaotic situation, the Rus people can no longer claim to be kings by themselves, and can no longer stay out of the world.

Since the entire grain-carrying fleet is still waiting at Lake Mälaren for the time to set off, it is reported that the newly launched Gouldot is anchored at Gould Island.

The Avlora entered the Great Lake, and two large ships appeared at the same time!

This is to show muscles to the Swedes in the entire lake area. What inner comprehensive strength is not intuitive enough, two "large weapons of war" appear at the same time, and the phantom is worth a thousand words.

Rurik wanted to let Bjorn know that the Russ are stronger now than they were last year.

The day of departure is the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, let's have a good day off...

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