Rise of Rurik

The transparent glass was filled with dark brown liquid, its color was similar to the color of ale brewed from burnt oats, and its smell was extremely unique.

But the cup was still full of weirdness, Rurik was very interested, and his female relatives expressed doubts.

"Is it the sweet and sour wine brewed by people from the east?" Otto asked casually.

"It was made by Peravina." Asraki lifted the pottery urn herself, and asked Otto if he wanted to taste it.

"The people of Novgorod make this strange wine. Well, this sweet and sour wine is better than the bitter wine."

Rurik was a little surprised. The kvass he was surprised by was not a rare thing for old Otto.

Thinking about it again, it is not surprising that Otto frequented Novgorod in the old days and knew and drank kvass.

In fact, the idea of ​​adding oat flour to wheat flour has existed since ancient times. In this era of too rough agriculture, it is almost inevitable to mix two kinds of wheat. It is common for people to pursue delicious food. The combination of sticky wheat flour and less sticky oat flour, baked bread is a beneficial compromise. Even a minority of wheat flour can allow a majority of oat flour to appear in shaped bread.

This kind of bread can be firm, even if it is like eating wood when eating, its extremely shelf-stable and albeit edible characteristics make it a perfect convenience food for this era.

As for it being made into kvass after being left alone for too long...

This is a good idea of ​​the East Slavs. Perhaps after they knew how to make bread, kvass technology was invented. In contrast, the Ross and other Viking tribes have been fishermen since ancient times, and the cultivation of oats is only a matter of the last few hundred years. Moreover, the Ross people who have never left the fjords are unable to plant at all, and a large number of professional farmers have begun to appear in the Ross people, but it is only in the past five years.

Otto drank it deliciously, and Rurik tasted it carefully.

At this time, the bread that Asuraki carefully baked was cut into thin slices and shared with everyone sitting around the long table, especially the girls.

There were bread slices on the glass dinner plate, and Rurik, who had eaten a bowl of lo mein, didn't mind having some more bread.

He smelled the strong smell of wheat, and under the matrix of oil lamps, the almost pure white, fluffy and porous appearance of the bread slices really made him feel that the time was a bit out of place again.

"You baked this?" Rurik looked up at Asuraki again.

"Yes. I've always been good at this."

"Huh? Why didn't I know this in Gotland? Is this your secret?"

Asuragi smiled, she actually wanted to say a lot.

Otto was no exception. The old guy was very excited after drinking some wine. He really fell in love with this wonderful way of eating lo mein for many days. He also had some unique oriental drinks and interesting slices of bread. , Life is boundless.

But this piece of bread directly refreshed his understanding of bread.

A large piece of bread is as soft as a lamb's fur. It has a strong aroma of wheat and an indescribably burnt, sweet and greasy feeling. An extremely strong desire to eat takes control of the mind.

He opened his mouth wide, stuffed the fluffy slice of bread into his mouth with just two strokes, and chewed it deliciously, the sweetness immediately filled the whole mouth.

Otto swallowed, patted his chest vigorously and drank the remaining half cup of kvass, Meimei burped sourly.

He pointed with his big hand: "Asraki, you! Did you use honey water?"

"It's honey." She answered politely.

"Are you really willing?!"

"I am willing to let the Duke eat well."

These were flattering words, and Otto laughed happily, and Rurik naturally heard the deep meaning in them.

At this moment, Arik has become an outsider instead. He is fully aware of his wife's intentions, but he doesn't know how to join them. It was really embarrassing for a big man to stand here, and Rurik was so sorry to see it, he simply left his seat, and even if it was crowded, he had to drag his cousin to the dining table.

Before, this was very normal.

But old Otto has already completed the raising of Arik based on tradition. My nephew has already married and established a business, and is already a hero of the Principality. While he is on his own, he will treat him as a guest when he comes to the Duke's family. Also because of the change of status, Aric had to remain humble and respectful in the face of the noblest duke family.

Many times, the young and promising Arik felt that his relationship with his uncle was inevitably being alienated. Uncle's life is coming to an end. Although he loves his younger brother, his younger brother is a duke after all, and is called the "Son of God" by everyone.

Even if he has made great achievements, compared with Rurik's achievements, these military achievements are like the stars and the sun. Although they are all twinkling existences, the younger brother is the most shining and extremely warm existence.

Arik has a low self-esteem. On the other hand, Asuraki, because she came with a purpose, her behavior is more generous.

A glass bottle with a wooden block was placed on the table by Otto, and then pushed in front of Arik: "Drink! Our father and son drank it!"

spirits?

Then drink it.

Unexpectedly, Otto, who was full of interest, quickly ordered his servants to bring more spirits.

"Father, do you want to get drunk with Arik?" Rurik frowned and couldn't help being nervous, "There is only one bottle a day as agreed."

"Forget it, brat. You have forgotten your father for the sake of Rose's great cause. I am very happy today, you two brothers have become heroes, but I am old. Drink it! Alas..." Old Otto thought Some past events, the tears could not help falling, and then turned into the wail of an old man.

Things became extremely strange. Niya hugged Otto's head to comfort him like a child, but Otto kept crying: Ogier can't enjoy the good life now!

Hearing this, Arik was relieved, he pulled off the bottle cap abruptly, took a sip from the bottle of spirits, and said, "Fortunately, my biological father's grave is still here."

Rurik immediately answered the question: "Then pour the wine on the uncle's grave. You must do this at night, and his heroic spirit will see us in the sky."

"good idea."

Otto's sudden loss of control is certainly due to alcohol intoxication, but the most fundamental reason is his grief over his own aging. A hero gets old and feels powerless to make a difference. He even takes a boat trip to Noo Fugorod felt exhausted, and now he could only stay in his hometown and stick to those old buddies who had not survived much since childhood. Being marginalized is really painful, but this is fate.

He noticed that Asuraki's belly seemed to be starting to swell again, but the eldest niece Peravina's belly was indeed much bigger.

His own son, Rurik, is even more capable. Among the female relatives who are sitting, three of them gave birth to new lives.

Nordic women naturally lose their childishness prematurely. Queen Mary and Duchess Carlota of Australa all puffed out their bellies. As for the high priest Rumia, who is more of North Asian descent, she is almost twenty years old, and she is actually a mature woman in today's concept.

How can bread be baked soft and delicious? Rurik wanted to ask Asraki about this.

He didn't care about his father and his cousin having a good time drinking, he just wanted to figure it out, after all, eating a good meal is an important adjustment in this era of lack of entertainment.

Asuraki simply seized this opportunity: "My lord, actually I have something important to tell you this time."

"Is it really because of a big event?" Rurik raised his vigilance.

"Maybe it's a big deal, maybe it's not. I just have one request."

"Let's talk, as long as it's reasonable, I'll be satisfied."

"Okay. That's it..." Asuragi settled down, "It's your mill. I want to see your golden mill, I want to see its structure and learn. I want to build a mill that belongs to my family , to serve you."

Open a mill? Is this a big deal?

Yes, it is indeed a big deal.

Rurik thought about it carefully, and in today's era, a mill can almost be called a "heavy industry" style.

He glanced at Cousin and Dad, and it would be absurd to say they weren't father and son in the present situation. The two not only drank spirits, but also put a lot of ale on the table. The two of them were really fierce, and fortunately, the current material conditions are much better than before, and the drinks are enough for the two of them to drink to pieces.

Rurik asked his fed female relatives to go back to their rooms to rest, or gather around Mary to review the Latin they were constantly learning.

He only left Asuraki behind: "Visit and study my mill, very good. I probably also guessed how you bake bread. Come with me now, and take you to the mill to have a look."

The time is still March, even if it is coming to April, the frozen sea has begun to show obvious signs of melting, and the whole world is still cold. The thick snow is still there, they crazily reflect the moonlight and starlight, the whole world is not really dark.

The golden millstones of the mill were still creaking and twisting, and the servant who was taking a break to rest hurriedly stood up and turned the millstone when the Duke came.

These servants were all captives from Britain, and their laziness was not a problem. Even Rurik deliberately moved the mill away. The bronze grinding disc is indeed a bit strange, and the sharp sound of metal friction is really an annoying noise in a very quiet night.

"You all avoid, I don't blame you for being lazy." Rurik ordered casually.

Satisfied, Asraki went up and stroked the golden millstone of this work. They are not really gold, but a kind of bronze that looks like gold. She checked the semolina confidently, and the smile on her face gradually faded after taking a closer look.

"What do you think?" Rurik asked.

"It's a wonderful tool. It is much more efficient than the stone mill I used. However, the wheat it grinds is not fine. Can I see the structure under the mill?"

"sure."

Soon, the mercenaries standing guard were called into the mill, and the four of them worked together to unload the upper millstone.

Under the oil lamp, the internal structure of the upper and lower millstones was vividly displayed in front of Asuraki, and she deconstructed its operating mechanism in her mind almost instantly.

She murmured: "With this structure, the wheat grains are ground into powder, which is indeed very different from the method of grinding rods with stones."

"Of course. It's an invention of the Far East, brought here by the Romans. Oh, I hope you understand me."

Rurik was inevitably a little arrogant in this regard, but when he asked Asuraki if he understood the structure, he got an extremely firm affirmative answer.

"Oh? You... really understand?"

"Yes. Look at those grooves, they are indeed the key to grinding wheat grains into powder. Unfortunately, my family's wealth is not enough to make so many bronze millstones."

"Are you obsessed with bronze?" Rurik stepped forward, pointing: "Bronze is not a good thing, it's just a stopgap measure. I need a lot of flour immediately, and I need to make sure I can make a good mill. Now it seems I made it."

Asilaki immediately spoke from the perspective of a businessman: "Indeed, if I use stones, I don't need to spend a lot of money to make stone mills. Many stones are also very hard, enough to grind wheat into powder."

"That's so, what a pity..." Rurik sighed softly: "I'm about to finish the final dry food preparation, and I'm going to Balmerk in a few days. If I don't have these four millstones, I won't be able to process them Too much flour for bread and flatbread."

"If, you have enough time." Asuraki asked weakly.

Rurik turned his face abruptly, "Of course I don't hesitate to make a large number of stone mills. One hundred or two hundred. In the future, Rose can only get more and more wheat. Grinding flour to make bread is an unstoppable force." Trend. Believe me, people in the tribe no longer like to eat simple boiled wheat grains after eating bread. Everyone’s desire for delicious meals is unstoppable. You said you want to build a mill? I am still worrying about who will arrange such a A job. Asuraki, you are just like your name, fairy of sanctuary."

"You are a noble person. These four bronze mills are really beautiful, shouldn't you be making more?"

Rurik shook his head: "If possible, I would like to try zirconium bronze, or even pure carbon steel, but the cost is too high."

"Does the great duke also worry about the cost? You are clearly the richest person in the world."

"Pull up your flattery! Asuraki, do you think I'm a businessman? You actually talk to me in an attitude of flattering merchants. I am a duke, and my wealth is not only my own, but also the Ross people's. In the future I want to feed tens of thousands of children, and I am embarrassed when they are hungry. Your proposal is very good. If you can build a new mill, it will help me a lot. If your mill is strong enough, the qualification to process food is yours .”

"Ah! It's wonderful."

"If you are interested, build me a large number of mills. I don't care what kind of mill you use, I always need ground flour. If you are successful, these golden millstones will be given to you."

"I...I will! I can make a batch of stone millstones in no time, and even have..."

She retains a curious hesitation alongside her ecstasy.

Rurik immediately asked: "Do you want more rewards? Asraqi, I promise you to process flour for me, and I will naturally reward you."

"I am like this, and I also thought of a tool." She began to describe a possibility: "If there is a huge stone mill that is pushed and rotated to grind wheat, it..."

"Huh?" Rurik was shocked.

"Your Excellency the Duke..."

Rurik blurted out "niantz" in great surprise, referring to the rotating stone roller.

Asuraki danced and described her idea, and Rurik was absolutely sure that she was talking about the stone mill.

Maybe such a heavy tool for processing wheat should not be thought of by a Nordic woman, how could she think of something she had never seen before?

In fact, the prototype of a heavy-duty stone mill is a stone mill rod, which is pushed by heat to crush wheat grains into powder. If it is large enough, it can crush the wheat by its own weight. Today, Asuraki saw a stone mill disc that rotates and grinds wheat grains. Her bright mind diverged for a moment, and she thought of a giant stone mill rod being pushed and rolled around a central axis to grind wheat grains.

The revolving stone mill was originally in Rurik's plan. Since Asuraki proposed this device configuration, he jumped out and said that he had thought of it too. Wouldn't it be an afterthought?

Let's just think it's a good idea that Asuragi came up with.

"You're so clever! What a treasure to us Rose! I'd call you sister."

After receiving such high praise, Asilaki was a little confused. After all, she is a woman who has seen the world, and she knows that this is a business opportunity related to the future of the old Harald family. She must seize it.

Are businessmen just second-hand dealers?

Do not! Although the old Harald family's industry in Gotland collapsed, the family's New Roseburg under the Ross people's rule is slowly recovering. Although it is restored, the successor of the family rests on the shoulders of a young woman.

In Gotland, the family's main industry is the processing of wool and sheepskin. Asuraki noticed that the people of Rus were doing similar work, and the industry had already prospered, so it was uncomfortable for her to try to get involved.

Build a mill to focus on processing flour, and then build a bakery to make a lot of bread to provide high-quality military rations for the future Ross army. This is an absolute emerging industry. If you seize the first-mover advantage, you will get the privilege of the future.

During the more than two years of living in Roseburg, Asuragi felt that she had discovered the secret of the Ross people's victory. The Russian army is well organized, very good at sailing, and has advanced and sophisticated weapons. The most important thing is that they always store a lot of food before the battle, so that they can compete with the enemy for consumption.

Because benefits are eternal. She has no obsession with Gotland itself, she just wants to revive her family, and it doesn't matter where the revival is done.

Asilaki and her family have completely stood on the side of the Ross people. Tonight, they volunteered to build a large number of mills and bake a large number of breads.

This time she not only took out the nomination certificate, but also took out a guarantee.

She assured Rurik: "When you come back from Balmerk, you will see a brand new mill. My first stone mill or stone mill will be processed immediately. I will pay for it from you personally. Buy wheat from here and process it into flour, I hope you will buy all of them when you come back."

This is her condition, and Rurik readily accepted: "Excellent. If so, I will give you a suitable purchase price."

Rurik couldn't come up with a suitable price right away, and the labor fee for Asuraki's mill in the future must be based on the actual situation. His answer was very vague, but Asraki didn't care.

Or it could be said that what Asuragi never focused on was how much he could get paid for working for the Duke. If you think about it this way, the situation is too small.

She hoped that she could get a faster revival because of her full performance.

This is a mother's struggle, a woman warrior's struggle.