Rise of Rurik - Chapter 679

[Chapter 680 They returned to their hometown]

People paddling in the hustle and bustle steered the longboat to the trestle, and they landed one after another, and immediately caught the rope thrown from the Aurora.

A wooden stake was rammed into the mud on the bank by a sledgehammer, and the rope was constantly entangled here.

Rurik’s ship officially docked, and the long seesaw was connected to the trestle bridge. After a while, Duke Ross finally stood in his loyal Novgorod.

Otto walked over with great interest, and he straightened his head covered with gray beard to examine it, and couldn’t help feeling mixed feelings.

“Niya! Where are you hiding with the child?” He shouted without caring about other people’s feelings.

Old Ligus looked strange with his coffin stick. Otto was a decisive and ruthless man in his heart, and his son Rurik was even more outrageous.

Otto is calling his old wife, looking for his granddaughter.

Unexpectedly, this old guy actually has such a tender side…

When the call failed, he went directly to his son who was calling his subordinates to do business.

“Where’s your mother? Where’s your daughter?” he asked.

“They still have some people who will arrive in a month.”

“Ridiculous.” In desperation, Otto grabbed his son’s neck, “Didn’t the letter be delivered to his hometown? Didn’t they execute it? Look at you, you brought a group of wives and concubines, and you forgot your mother and your family. Daughter. Do you know how much I want to coax my grandson.”

Teasing his granddaughter is already a great joy in Otto’s life. He no longer needs to fight himself. He just wants to chat and have fun with the old guys in this warm place. Granddaughter Verika is actually a great source of fun in his later years.

Father’s intergenerational relationship with granddaughter?

Rurik felt that his father had become cute.

“Oh, that’s not the case…”

Just as Rurik was about to explain, Otto asked again: “It seems that the crusade against Karelia has been completed. Did you win?”

“I won, but only partially.”

“Why? No total victory is a failure. Tell me what happened? Don’t tell me the army lost a lot.”

Family affairs should give way to state affairs. Otto intends to retire in Novgorod, and any power has been handed over to his son, but the honor and disgrace of the principality cannot be ignored.

Rurik frowned and explained: “We killed thousands of them. The enemy fled, and the holy place where they sacrificed was occupied by our army. We expelled the Karelians, and the strategic goal was basically achieved. As for the loss, our loss Insignificant.”

Otto sighed a little, and now he was no longer surprised to hear that “thousands of heads were captured”.

He looked at the group of slim girls beside his son, and his heart softened all of a sudden.

Noticing the change in his father’s attitude, Rurik turned his head and ordered again.

The girls in hooded gowns took off their hats one after another, showing their clean faces, showing an indescribable elegance.

They are young adults, and they are the most beautiful youth in life.

Eleven girls, including Svetlana, are all Slavs, and this rising city is their hometown.

The onlookers of the local people cast curious eyes, and Ross’s arrogant soldiers are no surprise to them. Ross’s girl stands here gracefully, like a fairy descending from the earth, it is really fresh and refined, and it is difficult to appreciate it on weekdays.

They more or less knew Svetlana, the entire population of Novgorod had witnessed her traditional Slavic wedding with Duke Rurik.

As for the other girls, they are probably the duke’s wives and concubines.

People couldn’t stop muttering, a noble man can have many wives and concubines, but Lord Rurik actually has more than ten?

Whispering voices gather together to form a roar.

Rurik ordered the mercenaries to form a shield wall, and soon the noisy figures backed away to make way for the city wall.

Here are all Slavs, all their own subjects.

Rurik clenched the excited Svetlana’s wrist, casually turned to the old Ligus who was on crutches and Medved who had something to say: “Let everyone disperse, don’t delay your own affairs .I’m going to the meeting place, and I have to announce some important things quickly.”

“Of order.” Medved nodded deeply…

The hustle and bustle of the wharf soon ended, and a group of people who lived a leisurely rural life were reluctant to leave for a long time.

The wheat harvesting work of the most exhausted representative has ended, and since the Duke has exempted everyone from this year’s grain tax, all the farms loyal to Ross have accumulated an unprecedented amount of surplus grain.

People with nothing to do either squatted or stood talking on the mountains. They looked at the berthed and unloaded ships and discussed how much cargo the ship could hold, and they focused on talking about those beautiful girls.

“The Duke is really an excellent boy. He has too many wives. I’m afraid he will be exhausted.” One person murmured.

“Is that so? In my opinion, as a hero, he is far beyond ordinary people. He will take good care of those wives and concubines.” Someone else echoed, and then indulged in laughter.

“Haha, it’s a pity that I only have an old woman with a rotten face, and my little daughter is always dirty, which is completely different from those girls.”

“Speaking of which, apart from Rigus’ daughter, don’t you think the other girls look familiar?”

Someone suddenly woke up, and the people chatting suddenly became vigilant.

A bald, skinny old man was pulled out, and someone yelled at him: “Brother, I remember that you sold your little daughter who couldn’t support you to the Ross people. It seems to be a slave, but I heard from someone who visited last year that the Ten little girls in the house served as Lord Rurik’s servants. They must have had a good life.”

Halfway through the man’s words, someone seemed to have discovered the big secret, “Ah! After the big ship docked, besides the old man’s little daughter, I saw more than a dozen girls standing beside the Duke.”

“Could it be that they were from a few years ago…”

People continued to whisper, only to see that the bald old man had stood up and hurried away.

At this moment, Rurik has entered his palace in Novgorod, which is also Otto’s current residence, and is even part of the old house of the Rigus family.

This is the sum of some wooden carvings of different sizes. The houses are connected by boardwalks, and some boardwalks also have continuous rain shelters.

There are also low walls and some outbuildings.

The main body of the building complex has remained unchanged for decades, and Otto, who lives here, has long been used to it and is at ease.

Of course, a brand new palace is under construction, the foundation of the matrix of wooden piles has been completed, not only the large wooden poles that form the main frame of the house have been erected, but the most important central beam has also been erected recently.

Rurik saw all this. According to general reason, the Slavs here have reached the limit of their ability to build houses. However, compared with Roseburg’s hometown, stonemasons, carpenters and other partnerships have already known how to build multi-storey buildings. Methods.

Building grand and tall houses can reflect the majesty of the nobility, the city can also become three-dimensional, and life can be more interesting.

When the population of Novgorod expands to a certain level, the core residents will spontaneously want to recruit high-rise buildings.

Rurik sat casually in the large wooden house for discussion, the chimney made of clay bricks was smoking, and the fireplace stirred up the dancing flames to keep everyone warm.

A group of girls quietly sat sideways on the soft deerskin cushions with the duke they shared together. Svetlana was in her natal family’s old house, and she was the most relaxed among the girls.

Can girls also participate in the deliberations?

Both Rigus and Otto were puzzled. Except for Carlota, the Duchess of Ostara, other girls should be avoided even if they were wives and concubines.

However, in this meeting, all the girls present will officially accept their tasks.

“I see that you are building cities at a high speed, which is very good. Rus needs several famous cities, and Novgorod must be among them…”

After some courtesies, Rurik stopped chattering. He knocked on the ground and announced officially: “I will start the survey of the farmland tomorrow. I will survey the total area of the farmland around Lake Ilmen before next year’s spring plowing. The fields owned by the manor, investigate the fields owned by ordinary farmers and boyars!”

Rurik had disclosed this matter long ago, and Rigus sighed: “It’s finally about to start. My lord, this will be a very complicated job, can you really finish it?”

“What? Are you questioning me?”

“No, no, no, I dare not.” The old guy denied it flatly, and scratched his face again, “However, I have lived here all my life, and I don’t even know how many acres there are on the ground in White Tree Manor.” He glanced at Otto again , Said bluntly: “Over the years, Lord Otto has asked us to pay as much tribute, and we will give it out as required.”

“Yes, but this is inappropriate. I will set a new rule. The tenth tax of the field must be paid. This has nothing to do with the size of the population. There can be as much output as there are fields. I will take one-tenth of the output as Taxes. In this way, whoever has more farmland will have higher taxes. I have said this, and now I will implement it. I have given you enough time to adjust your mentality.”

“This…” Rigus was speechless for a while, and he wanted to weigh the pros and cons.

They all have ambiguous attitudes. After all, this tax collection model has only recently been implemented in Novorosburg, abandoning the old Rossorgon uniform and implementing the new system in the huge agricultural region of Novgorod.

It should be a good thing that Rurik is so firm.

Farmland is currently the most important means of production in the Principality of Ross, and those boyars are local big landowners. This policy is a kind of plunder for Regus’s family.

Since the old guy Rigus was pretending to be confused, Rurik looked at him deliberately, which also made Governor Medved listen carefully.

“On the issue of taxation, you do not enjoy privileges. Your nobility is bestowed by me, and you must fulfill my orders. On the issue of taxation, you are exactly the same as ordinary people. No matter how much farmland your family has, such as proportional Pay eleven taxes. As for how many acres of arable land your family has, what you report doesn’t count, I will send my cronies to investigate, and I will personally participate in the calculation.”

Rigus looked at his son Medved, took a deep breath and looked at Rurik again, “My lord… Your lord’s decision is wise and powerful. So, have you found all your capable officers? I will firmly cooperate with your lord. Insufficient staff, I will provide immediately.”

“Very good, you are very smart. Have you seen the girls here? Including your little daughter, they are all talents that I personally cultivated. They will visit all the farmlands, draw the appearance of the fields, and record the appearance of the fields. Whose farmland, calculate the area of the farmland, and mark the proportion of grain that should be paid every year.”

After some rather professional rhetoric, Rigus and his son understood part of it, and Medved complained in his heart. After all, according to this new strategy, his family could not be greedy.

The Rigus family has always held the manor, relying on the accumulated property and the close relationship with the Ross conquerors for decades.

Of course White Tree Manor has to pay tribute.

Who will pay tribute?

Ordinary people paid tribute, but the family of the manor owner pretended to pay tribute, and when it was time to pay the tribute, his share was stuffed back into the warehouse.

In the past, Rigus was the taxpayer of the White Tree Manor enshrined by Otto, but there was no official document to confirm it.

This is true of Rigus, and the same is true of other boyar nobles.

On the contrary, the farms in remote areas, because they are isolated from the world, those Slavs live a harmonious life together. The so-called native landowners and nobles do not exist there. The person recommended to be the head of the village.

The latter’s rural model seems harmonious. If they have been isolated from the world, they can still live like this for a thousand years, living their stagnant life in a cramped place forever.

But the conquerors of Rus have directly ruled here, and the conquest and expansion in all directions centered on Lake Ilmen has begun.

A group of girls became scribes, and Ella was the head of the scribes.

It was the first time Regus had learned the term, and neither he nor Medved had understood it, but they were delighted to learn that their youngest daughter was going to be a scribe.

why?

The beautiful daughter became a very wise person, indeed nobler than others.

But hearing Rurik’s next introduction, they began to doubt their cognition again.

And look at the ten girls here, are they actually those dirty little girls who were sent out back then?

Regus was taken aback!

After all, Otto asked him to hand over a group of little girls for him to choose, so-called slaves to be brought back to be servants.

How could Rigus be willing to do such a thing?

A group of dirty little girls were pulled out, and Otto chose ten to take away.

“These children are they? Impossible! They have all become fairies.”

Rurik wanted to laugh, and said, “This is their fate. They were all born in your White Tree Manor, and now they are loyal to me and will do anything for me. They are all wise, but you don’t know .”

“Oh, that must be God’s will.” Regus hurriedly laughed.

Rurik nodded and began to pronounce their names one by one.

“Anna Rurikovich Mednova, Bela Rurikovich Mednova…” he read until the tenth Yulia.

As soon as the name is read, the corresponding girl will talk about it.

The most powerful person in the Rigus farm in front of him is now as humble as a docile lamb in front of Lord Rurik.

On the other hand, she is Lord Rurik’s woman, she will serve him, give birth to him, and become a nobleman…

The humble farmer’s daughter who was sold by her parents returned to her hometown as an aristocrat. How wonderful is this?

All the girls present were required to participate in the farmland survey. Rurik ordered them to do a good job and not to be sloppy just because it was his natal farm. Blame me for being ruthless. Anyone who dares to harm my interests will be hanged, even if it is my woman, it is not acceptable to do such a thing!”

Feeling happy, they suddenly tensed their muscles, and Rurik made them swear in public, that is, all the girls solemnly declared their absolute loyalty.

[The book chasing app recommended to me by an old book friend who has known me for ten years, the source app!

It’s really easy to use. I rely on reading and listening to books to pass the time while driving and before going to bed. You can download it here www.huanyuanapp.com 】

At this glance, for the first time, Rigus felt that his little daughter had become so strange…

Rurik wanted to give Rigus and Medved the power to make them guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and act in full accordance with Duke Ross’s requirements.

Things are just beginning.

“I will hold a general meeting of the boyars here, and the news will soon reach the ears of the farm owners. I will preach what I announced today. Anyone who dares to disobey will be arrested immediately, and their family’s wealth will be confiscated!”

Rurik was so determined and ruthless, Otto admired his son very much, this kid was a hundred times more manly than himself.

As for Rigus and Medwait, the soles of their feet are already covered in cold sweat…

A burst of noise from the outside spread into the inner hall, and Rurik, who had already concluded the discussion, noticed the noise.

After a while, someone hurriedly came to report: “There are many farmers standing outside, and they ask for something.”

“Let them all leave, disperse!” Regus frowned and yelled.

Rurik gestured: “Ask them what they want to do. I am the Duke, and I want to know.”

“Yes.” Medved stood up and went to investigate in person.

Soon he ran back in a hurry.

“What’s going on.” Rurik asked impatiently, “You’re running loudly. What’s the big deal that made you panic?”

Medved glanced at the girls, and then at Rurik, “It’s the wives and concubines of the adults. They…their biological parents are right outside the door, and they want to see their girls.”

“There is such a thing? How do they know this?” Rurik was taken aback suddenly, and the girls also raised their chests.

They didn’t speak, their eyes could speak, and they looked at Rurik together.

“Hey, it’s human nature, you are all looking forward to it.” Rurik thought for a while and waved his hands, “Anna, Bella, Cicia… Yulia.” He took the trouble to read accurately that each girl was bestowed Name: “Go and see your parents and tell them you’re doing well. As for whether they beg you to do something, I’ll put it bluntly, that’s not okay. You all go. Medved, bring someone to maintain order.”

“As ordered.”

The heavy wooden door opened, and a group of fairies walked out under the guard of Slavic warriors who highly imitated Ross warriors.

The girls pulled down their burqas and glanced at the farmers and women. They still remembered the faces of their parents and their names in their hometown. After confirming, they walked over with tears…

Even if parents abandon themselves, maybe this is fate.

They don’t hate their parents, or they don’t care about hatred anymore, and they don’t want to be rootless duckweed.

Parents hug their daughter they haven’t seen for many years, and their tears are sincere at this moment.

However, they are already strangers, and the sincere tears are limited to this moment…

[End of this Chapter]