Rise of Rurik - Chapter 732

[Chapter 733 The New Servant of Saaremaa Island]

It was a complete accident that one of my subordinates could run into the islanders of Saaremaa, but life is always one accident after another.

Rurik meant what he said, and held a banquet in the palace for the heroes of the expedition.

Since the envoys from Saaremaa Island came with the purpose of surrender, they naturally also have the right to participate.

Tralang, whose name means “very long log,” is an allusion to the keel of the ship.

The largest settlement he has seen in his more than 20 years of life is the village on the island. In addition, he and his buddies rowed boats to sneak attack on the villages of Pomeranians and Prussians, and also looked at the Danish villages from a distance. village.

It seems that all villages are the same, wooden pillars build walls, covered with a lot of thatch and soil, such wooden houses gather together to form a village.

What is the “largest settlement” of the Rus people?

They actually built the wall with a lot of huge logs?

Although some people on the island are from Ross, their description of Ross is not surprising, it seems to be just a big village ten times larger than the village on the island.

Is New Roseburg a village?

It is densely populated and there are as many as three rows of intentionally stranded rowboats moored along the river.

Although the messenger regained his senses from the surprise of seeing and riding the big ship “Salmon Chief” at the beginning, now he saw the entire fleet composed of big ships berthed, staring at them all the time, just like looking at gems.

Rurik noticed the expressions of this group of ragged messengers, and as expected, Rose’s prosperity greatly shocked them.

But these guys are too dirty!

No one wants to live with fleas and lice, and these nasty parasites have not been easy to get rid of in the past.

And things improved a lot, sharper knives allowed people to shave their hair more effectively, spirits were an excellent antiseptic, and sulfur soap cleansed the body and washed the clothes.

Once the residents of New Roseburg get used to it, they can’t go back. They can’t bear the sloppy past.

However, a huge beard is considered a symbol of “manhood”, so that some men imitate the Balmorks to shave their hair, only the beard is deliberately kept.

Telalan, who entered the city, was cautious. He was a vulgar person, and he was amazed at the prosperity of the city, especially the hard sand and gravel ground.

Those uniformly dressed Ross warriors with shields and armor are unspeakable. If there is any disrespect, they will be stabbed to death by them.

The key to being a pirate is to pick the weak to fight, and when you encounter the strong, you must either run for your life or obey.

Now Tralang and his friends are as obedient as a herd of sheep.

The dusty Spueut and his guys finally had a good bath. They first talked about their journey with a group of old guys who also enjoyed the sauna in the city’s public steam room, and then enjoyed a special experience. One by one, they jumped into the warm tub to take a bath.

How did Tralang and his people enjoy this?

They are special visitors and are naturally treated differently.

Rurik wanted to invite these ten people to the appointment, but he couldn’t easily trust them. Their rags were confiscated first, and they were all burned on the grounds that they were full of parasites. The weapons they were carrying were also temporarily confiscated by Governor Konusson.

Apart from their beards, a lot of their hair was deliberately shaved, and then sulfur soap was scratched all over their bodies, and they were thrown on burlap to make them scrape off the dirt.

This seems to be a very arrogant dismount. The words of the soldiers who carried out the orders of the prince and the governor are indeed very arrogant, but they also make sense: “You are like earthworms drilled out of mud, you are covered with dirt! If you want to submit to our prince You must keep clean, if you are still covered in mud, you will be beheaded!”

How dare they not follow?

A lot of hair has been cut off, and Telalang, who has turned into short hair, is sitting in the tub, not to mention the feeling is really comfortable now.

In the dim bathroom, he couldn’t help but sigh with emotion: “Has the Ross people been clean like this since ancient times? Those soldiers spoke a little harshly, and I feel pretty good now.”

Someone yelled in doubt: “My grandfather never said that Ross is like this.”

“Your grandfather is from Ross. This is also from Ross. What’s going on with them?”

“How do I know?” The speaking descendant of Ross regretted that he knew nothing.

He has only one feeling: “I feel that Chief Ross is not malicious. I feel that I am clean now, as if I have just been born.”

They claimed that after washing they were comfortable, someone would send you soft fine linen clothes, including a top and trousers, except for a set of fluffy sweater and trousers made of thick woolen thread.

That’s not all, they are wrapped in a layer of buckskin coats, and the buckskin has bronze buckle belts around the waist.

A pair of feet wrapped in linen bindings, stepped into brand new moccasin boots.

They also got a hat. The fluffy brown tail on the back of the head proves that it is squirrel fur. The strange thing is that there are extra leather pads sewn on both sides of the hat, which are obviously tied on the top of the head at ordinary times, and can be removed when it is cold. Cover ears and cheeks just right.

They never imagined that they could still enjoy such warm and comfortable new clothes, and the emotions of surprise and joy outweighed their gratitude for the prince’s reward.

After all, if you just put on this outfit and go back, stand in the village of Saaremaa Island and show it to the people, you will definitely get all kinds of praise and become a famous person.

The foreign envoys changed into good clothes, and the local Rus, Slavs, Melaren, Suomi, and people from various tribes could not help but comment on them, and even had some excessive tongue-twisting.

Is the prince showing off his wealth?

What a show to a bunch of needy underdogs.

In fact, Rurik learned that apart from the leader Tralangzuwang in Gotland, the other nine members of the envoy were descendants of the Ross people who were exiled in remote times deliberately selected by the islanders.

If there is no such blood bond, of course the rewarding clothes will not be very good, at least they are still decent.

Because he always has an oriental soul deep in his heart, he will naturally reward more for anyone who intends to submit, just like a father who recognizes a godson must give some gifts to declare his fatherhood.

What’s more, they are from Saaremaa!

When they washed the mud and put on new clothes, the feast that Rurik had prepared was ready to be served.

Lake Ilmen is indeed the warmest agricultural area under the control of the Ross people. Although there is not a lot of land, rich resources and good weather, it still fully meets the principality’s current food needs.

In essence, if the grain needs of the Suomi people who were actually enshrined as vassal counties were not counted, the oats, wheat, and rye produced by the Ross people not only met their own needs, but even qualified for export like never before.

For the first time, the people of Ross have the possibility of wasting food, but they have lived a hard life for a long time, and no one really wastes food. To cope with severe winter.

The noodle mill, which received a large amount of wheat supplies, was in full operation. Due to the huge processing volume, Asuraki could only ask her servants and the raised mill reindeer to grind the flour overnight in a non-stop mode.

She is Rurik’s sister-in-law, and they are also economically allied.

Any food made from wheat is delicious. When people find more delicious food, they will naturally reject the staple food in the past.

In just a few years, the oats that were originally sought after by the public have now begun to be marginalized. The public is more willing to buy wheat for food. Even if they pay a little more, they still have to buy the first-tested ones from public shops. Flatbread and bread.

Asraqi processed flour for the prince and made it into delicacies for public sale. She could earn two labor fees, and as far as the current situation was concerned, she had essentially completed a monopoly.

Severe winter is approaching, and a heavy snow is bound to be brewing. The world after the snow is full of opportunities for real hunters. The white snow almost destroys the camouflage of the squirrels. Arik will also take his brothers in a carriage to the unexplored Ladoga Lake forest to plunder leather. resource.

They are not short of money, and they are very willing to store dry food.

Foods such as wheat biscuits are perfect rations. They are extremely durable and full of exaggerated abilities. Even tearing a piece can meet the consumption of a hunter for a day.

Asuraki is frantically baking biscuits, and the biscuits keep piling up in the dry and cold warehouse.

It is inevitable that there will be “rats” who steal food among the hired personnel. This is the crime of theft. Strictly speaking, the stolen property is still the property of the prince.

If the old rules of the Ross people were really followed, the person who stole for the first time would cut off his little finger, and if he stole too many times, he would be expelled by the whole family.

Now that Rurik was in New Roseburg, he made a new rule: the person who stole the wheat bread was punished to log, and he had to cut down a hundred trees in one winter as an apology for his labor.

This was considered an accident, but similar incidents inevitably emerged endlessly in the Principality of Ross.

As a resident group expands, the probability of acts such as theft increases.

In this way, the verbal customary law of the past tribal era obviously does not apply to the needs of the new era. The principality needs a written law and makes it public to set a bottom line requirement for the lives of the people.

There is plenty of time to study the matter of law revision in winter.

Rurik welcomed the triumphant sailing hero and the unexpected messenger.

At night, the spacious palace hall was originally a meeting place, but now it is the best place for banquets.

Rurik followed the oriental ancient way, because the “Hermitage” was situated next to the Neva River and naturally faced south, so he and Rumia sat in the north.

Governor Konusong Konuson and his son sat on the right side with the returned Spuut and his party, while the envoys from Saaremaa Island sat on the left side.

A square pine table was set up in front of everyone and a long table was pieced together, on which exquisite dried raspberries and delicious mead had already been visited first.

Prince Ross is a handsome and brave young man, even the high priest has a flat face.

Rows of polar bear heads are hung on the wooden wall, and the animal heads are placed with bronze lamp holders. The beating flames of nearly a hundred oil lamps not only bring light, but also warm the whole room.

Not only that, the matrix ceiling dropped from the roof is the biggest light source, even though it is night, the house is extremely bright.

It is said that the hard dishes of the night banquet are two roasted deer and a large number of fried pike steaks. People drool when they think of the sizzling meat.

It’s just that in the future, Rurik ordered that no banquets be held, and even the snacks on the table are not allowed to be eaten, so everyone can only wait.

Taking advantage of the last chance he was waiting for, Rurik was the first to start the chatterbox: “Everyone, you have successfully returned from conquering the ocean. Spyut, you are indeed the bravest adventurer in all of Russia. Your stories will always be told. And you… …People from Saaremaa Island. You have to surrender to the Principality of Ross. This is the most correct decision for you. I am Rurik Ottosen, the second prince of the Principality of Ross. I am a person blessed by Odin, Gothic Conqueror of Land, Land of the East, Land of the Far North, and the Slavs. The future is also your master.”

Tralang was intimidated by this series of titles. Not only that, he felt that he was already in a different world, and Rose’s power surpassed his cognition.

Telalang hurriedly introduced himself, stuttering because of fear, and reluctantly repeated what the village elders had told him.

What he said was simply to express an attitude: “The islanders of Saaremaa are willing to submit to the Principality of Ross, and Ross will give the islanders military protection.”

“Military protection?!” Rurik immediately realized that the situation was a little strange when the other party bluntly asked for it.

And this man stutters, I’m afraid there is something hidden in it!

Rurik didn’t talk about this, and said deliberately: “I heard that there are descendants of my Rus among you. Is this true?”

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However, the other nine envoys all put on enthusiastic smiles, but they had nothing to prove. They had to explain some general situation of their hometown Roseburg to prove themselves.

Without exception, the nine of them explained the fjord, the mines that produced copper and iron, the large number of sandbar islets at the outlet of the fjord, and a key freshwater stream.

Even the real names of High Priest Velia’s former high priests, and the names of several of Otto’s previous tribal chiefs.

It is impossible for outsiders to know these things!

Because during that period, the Ross tribe nestled in the fjords, like bears hibernating in a cave, and even lost contact with the traditional allies (not very good allies) of the Mälaren people.

Thanks to the good habit of “recording information”, the former high priest of the Ross people, Velia, was the first person to open the history of the Principality of Ross. Except for the sacrificial prayers engraved on wooden boards, the Ross people have experienced in the past. The memorabilia and important figures are also recorded.

Rurik had carefully read those documents, and now his wife and concubine copied them down on paper.

“I know these things, and your descriptions are completely correct. I can believe that you are indeed descendants of Ross people. However, you are descendants of sinners.”

The faces that were originally happy turned cold again, and the nine people argued one after another that the perpetrators were all ancestors, and their own generation was innocent.

These words touched the backs of some old guys!

Governor Conusson coughed and scolded Hugh for making excuses, which made them all quiet down.

The words of the envoys do have some truth, but bloodline theory is everywhere in Europe, and sinners are always inferior to others, so some Viking warriors fought to the death and did not surrender when they were in danger.

“After you are indeed sinners, this is something that cannot be changed,” Rurik said. “But there are a lot of other people on Saaremaa Island. Especially you! Tralang, you claim to be a descendant of the Gotlands.” Little do you know that my uncle died in a surprise attack by you Gotlanders!”

Tralang was speechless when he heard it. He danced and tried to refute, but he didn’t say anything.

The other party was frightened, afraid of his own thunder wrath?

Of course, Rurik didn’t want to take any revenge. Leaving aside these people, Saaremaa Island has a relatively important strategic position in the Baltic Sea. Especially the current state of war between Russia and Denmark is intensifying, and the significance of the island is even greater.

He threatened: “Even if you don’t take the initiative to send an envoy to surrender, my army will conquer your Saaremaa Island within two years. Your island has long been marked on the map by me. You are all weak, conquer you It has nothing to do with you. I am benevolent, and my purpose is to conquer rather than kill. You also worship Odin, and I am a hero who has been blessed by Odin. Your active surrender is the most correct thing you have done Choose. Look at the clothes you are wearing now, and the wine on the table. Surrender to me, and you should enjoy it.”

The Duke of Ross’s words were very clear, and no matter how hard-headed Tralang was, he understood the prince’s decision.

The envoys all swore allegiance on behalf of the islanders, especially the nine descendants of Ross, who bluntly said that they would serve the prince to wash away the sins of their ancestors.

Rurik smiled with satisfaction, and asked intentionally: “How do you wash away your sins? I heard that you are always doing pirates. You did sneak attack on my ship and killed five Rus! You are fighting each other. , isn’t the crime even greater?”

“Misunderstanding! It’s all a misunderstanding!” Tralang explained, sweating and dancing, “We thought it was a stranded Danish merchant ship…”

“Oh? So you are willing to attack the Danish merchant ship?”

“Yes! If we knew that it was the prince’s ship, how would we dare to sneak attack it. After the misunderstanding was cleared up, we buried the dead and entertained Mr. Spueut, so we have this visit.”

Rurik nodded and asked Spueut: “Is that so?”

“Indeed, as far as I know, these islanders will sneak up on the Danish and Bornholm ships. And the Pomeranians, I don’t know about these people, but the first two are indeed our enemies .”

“Are you actively attacking Danish ships?!” Rurik asked knowingly again.

“Yes!” Tralang said hastily.

“So you are afraid of reprisals from Denmark, so you are asking for my military asylum?”

Tralang hesitated again…

Rurik suddenly regained his spirits and raised his chest. He did not explain the specific situation now, but just as the feast was about to be served, he pointed out the obligations and responsibilities that the Saaremaeans should bear after submitting to Ross: ” You will be accepted as a member of the Principality of Ross, and my people will be free to enter your island. You must continue to attack the Danes actively. I will provide you with a batch of new weapons and new ships. I order you to hunt and kill All Danish ships, kill everyone on board.”

“Ah? Why…” Tralang asked subconsciously in astonishment.

“There is no reason! Because the Principality of Ross and the Kingdom of Denmark are at odds!”

[End of this Chapter]