Rise of Rurik

Otto's fleet really missed the date again, which was of course within his expectation.

A very important batch of oats arrived in New Roseburg, which is under construction, but we haven't seen it for more than three months. The barren land at the beginning has now become a human settlement.

Under the leadership of the old fellow appointed as the local chief, the first Rus settlers not only built settlements, but they even reclaimed a little land.

Immigrants use an axe into a hoe, or simply ram the ground with a forest axe.

They also set fire to the wasteland, creating soft farmland from the pitch-black grass behind the fire. The newly cultivated farmland is not ready for planting at all, but most of the migrants have already prepared some wheat seeds and plan to sow the seeds of spring wheat after the arrival of spring.

A large number of traditional Rus longhouses have been erected. They are naturally made of unfinished tree trunks and then cover the wooden walls with warm soil. Naturally, the roof is also piled with a lot of thatch on wooden boards, and partially fixed with soil.

During this time, immigrants in New Roseburg were not simply building their homes.

They are a group of pioneers who are willing to take the initiative to center their settlements and explore in all directions.

Because of the huge demand for winter food, they must be more adventurous.

So the local leader, Conuson, informed Otto of their adventures during this period of time.

So-called north of the settlement, and even on the northern shore of the huge Lake Ladoga, there are unidentified settlers. Even the fishing boats of the Rus were far on the lake and saw the phantom of the canoes in the distance.

There are strange settlers on the northern frontier, and when Otto arrives at New Roseburg, the battle-hardened old chief insists that those who are not identified are Finns.

Are you going to attack them? Do not. If an attack had to be launched, it was not now.

Otto ordered his subordinates to prohibit all adventurous explorations in the immediate vicinity of winter.

Of course, exploration still needs to be done. After the spring ploughing is completed next year, it will be the so-called exploration season.

And in the entire Baltic world, the traditional trade season, or the so-called war season, also followed. At this moment, Otto took the initiative to conceive the idea of ​​continuing to expand revenge, and he had a perfect reason to organize an army to start a war - to avenge the dead old leader of Ostara.

Of course the young clansmen long for more money,

Even have more female prisoners.

What about Otto? He felt honor was more important. Playing the banner of revenge for allies, it can be said that it is a deliberate act of overreaching against the Melalen tribe, the leader of the alliance.

so what? The brave Mellarens became conservative, and the Rus were no longer a rock to hide in the north.

Otto confided to the settlers in New Roseburg the idea of ​​going to war next year, and gave them a decree that could be described as magical.

"All the food I brought is my property. You can rent my food. In exchange for it, you must hand in a certain amount of food at the beginning of next year's harvest season, and you will always pay."

At the beginning, everyone's order of the big leader was very strange. Everyone was shocked that the leader actually shipped 50,000 pounds of grain! With this batch of food, all migrants no longer have to worry about the problem of insufficient food.

Since there were less than 700 immigrants in total, if everyone could share the food, people could eat for more than three months just by eating wheat.

The leader's food is really helpful, but many people feel that the leader is forcing his family to accept an unequal order.

Seeing the predicament of people's excitement and dissatisfaction intertwined, Otto immediately took out the so-called curved plough and performed what is called high-speed and efficient land reclamation in public! In this era when the Nordics have no concept of farmyard manure, more land can be cultivated, which means more harvests.

Sow one harvest and reap up to five. The Rus people also agree with this principle. Rather than using the stored wheat as grain, some people also plan to reserve more grain for planting. Want to get more? It seems that it is only possible to cultivate more land and spread more crops.

These colonists who left their homeland are mostly people who did not get along well in their homeland, and they are the vulnerable groups of the Ross tribe. In a barren land, it is a bit embarrassing to count on hunting and catching fish to store an amazing amount of food. What's more, these families have to work hard to build their own winter houses.

Building a house and stocking up on food for a long winter is something that few families can do properly.

In fact, everyone hopes that the leader will give some alms.

It's just that everyone didn't expect that the leader did give generous alms, but it was the family's eternal return that would repay the alms.

It is the so-called tax, the so-called tax.

Those who really don't have the time and energy to collect more food have to accept Otto's food due to reality. As for returning the food of the leader's family every year in the future? I will talk about this later. The first thing I put in front of me is if I survive the winter that is coming soon.

Otto gave ten sets of curved ploughs, and also gave each family receiving grain some tools necessary for farming. He even instructed people not to sow seeds at will in spring next year, and every seed must be put into the grooves plowed by the iron plow.

All the immigrants actually came from 233 families, and they basically built their own longhouses, so a village in the true sense was formed at the mouth of the Neva River. If there is a lot of farmland nearby, and a low wall is built with wood and soil, it can be said that a city was born.

Almost all immigrant families finally accepted Otto's gift, and 50,000 pounds of grain were distributed to them. On average, one family received 200 pounds. The so-called price is the tax of up to 200 pounds of wheat next year! Every year after that, if the leader has no new resolution, the tax will be paid according to this amount.

As for this tax, the residents of Novgorod are also ordered to pay according to this standard. However, it is completely different. The local manor is responsible for collecting grain from the farmers. In the end, Otto only needs to get the food from the manor. The estate owner is the agent tax collector, and the Rus immigrants are the true homesteaders, small farmers with land.

After all, the rules were proposed by Rurik, and his old father Otto implemented the new rules for his son. New Roseburg has become a test area for the implementation of the tax system.

Rurik did not intend to do business at a loss. His clansmen borrowed their own food, and they had to pay the principal and interest, as well as taxes.

In the end they paid taxes, and Rurik didn't need the wheat to expand his coffers. The wheat must be consumed, and the taxes paid by the Rus will ultimately benefit the children of Rus.

At least the immigrant family got two hundred pounds of wheat. As for tomorrow and next year, the tools are already available, and everything will be discussed next year.

The fleet unloaded a lot of cargo, and the huge transport ships suddenly became very light.

The sailors kept by Gould helped Otto a lot. Especially this time, the sailors on the transport ship relied on the skill of manipulating the sails, so they didn't need rowers to row the boat. And on.

The boat does not need to paddle at all, and it all depends on the wind? Otto originally felt that sailing could not rely entirely on the wind, and he never imagined that a transport ship could have the speed of a rowing warship just by relying on its sails.

On this trip, Gould's large sail transport ship really made the limelight.

"Would it be possible if we had a pure sailing fleet? Rurik, my son, maybe you could do it all."

Otto had an idea of ​​rewarding Gould.

His fleet arrived at White Tree Manor successfully, and the date of arrival was far beyond the local harvest season.

The food for White Tree Manor and even the entire Novgorod region was already harvested in late September. Compared with previous years, the locals welcome a bumper harvest due to the beauty of the harvest season.

Of course, what they call a bumper harvest is that the yield per mu has reached the level of 120 catties.

There are still traces of the bonfire celebrating the harvest, and the White Tree Manor has already completed its own tribe's priesthood of the Slavic god of agriculture and the god of Lake Ilmen.

The owner of the manor, Rigus, after the sacrificial activities, called on people to bring out the tribute to the Varyag people.

In the past years, people were against this, but this time, the joy of the harvest has not faded, and everyone is looking forward to the arrival of the Rus people, and they are looking forward to the Rus people to fulfill their oath.

Otto's fleet entered the Volkhov River, all with sails raised and the strong and cold north wind blowing against the current.

Otto landed at his faithful Whitetree Manor, and a group of warriors in bronze and iron helmets jumped off the boat. They didn't mean any violence, and many young people hugged women, who are the villagers of White Tree Manor.

The long-lost hometown is right in front of you, and it's only been a few months since I haven't seen her. Lilia feels that she has been away from her hometown for many years!

She naturally took her husband Kawi's arm and walked towards his father, who was trembling with excitement.

Yes, when the huge fleet of Rus people appeared, everyone in White Tree Manor happily gathered on the river bank.

Otto took firm steps, his deep eyes, flowing beard, and the posture of holding a sword in chainmail, he was a deep old warrior.

The head of the manor, Rigus, stooped and knelt down with his family on one knee to salute the strong man.

Even that Svetlana knelt down on one knee very rationally.

Seeing the girl's golden braids and her lovely appearance, suddenly, an urge to bring her back to Roseburg and raise her in her own home arises spontaneously. This thought also flashed by, Otto knew that there were too many girls staying at home.

"Get up, all of you! Especially you, Rigus."

Rigus slowly stood up with a cane. He saw that in front of him was the tall and mighty Ross leader, and behind him, a large group of Ross warriors with shields and leather armor and bright white swords.

Rigus even saw the new appearance of his eldest daughter Lilia. She was already dressed as Varyag, and the huge amount of gems she wore on her chest completely subverted Rigus' cognition.

"Leader, we welcome you here, and I'd be happy to do things for you."

Otto opened his arms and said boldly: "I mean what I say, you are the loyal hounds of our Rus, so I will give you wonderful rewards. I want to explain the situation to you, and now tell me that the food is ready. ?"

"It's all set. I'll be happy to help you."

"Very good." Otto shook his neck, indicating that Kawi could bring his wife and face his old husband.

Under the watchful eyes of the residents of White Tree Manor, Lilia rushed towards her old father excitedly, and then hugged her mother, eldest brother, and even her lovely sister.

She stroked her stomach and announced to her family that she was pregnant.

Daughter is pregnant? Isn't that the same as saying that his plan is half completed? Daughter's son, will become the blacksmith of White Tree Manor.

Rigus watched Kawhi come with a sack in his heart.

As the bundled hemp rope was opened, the old guy simply threw his crutches and sat on the grass all at once, his hands shaking frantically.

"It's iron! It's actually iron... Could it be... all gifts to me."

"It's for you." Kawi said softly, "Lilia and I have discussed it, and our leaders are unified. The logging axe in this sack is my personal gift to you."

Kawhi still had a lot to say, Otto stepped forward and put a big hand on Kawhi's shoulder to make him retreat.

"Rigus, Kawi gave you a gift, now, it's my turn to show the gift."

Since most of the people in this manor came to join in the fun and onlookers, Otto simply showed the powerful plowing ability of the Quyuan Plough in public. A large number of ravines appeared in the grassland of the river beach in an instant, and the depth of its reclamation of the land completely subverted the local people's cognition of land reclamation, which was only wood reclamation.

Otto immediately announced that the ten sets of curved ploughs were tools for land reclamation belonging to the White Tree Manor. So based on the concept of the locals, these tools are actually shared by the entire estate.

Rigus, he doesn't have the reason to eat for free. Everyone yearns for these magical iron plows to complete the most thorough transformation of their fields.

This fall, as usual, some Ross youths came to the manor to find a wife. Those who bring their wives to visit relatives are also known as the focus of their wives' maiden families.

They didn't come empty-handed, they kept their word!

Those very poor ordinary families in White Tree Manor, because of marrying their daughters, not only received salt from their son-in-law, but even more tools such as iron axes and daggers.

White Tree Manor became lively in an instant, people started a new carnival, and a large number of bonfires were lit, as if the continuation of the previous harvest festival.

Otto at the welcome banquet naturally became the guest of honor.

He was sitting on the leather cushion, and within reach was Svetlana, this lovely little girl, sitting neatly. Although the child has not yet reached the age of marriage, the marriage agreement between her and Rurik will not change. Because of this relationship, Otto seems to regard her as a daughter in the true sense.

There was also a plate beside Otto with jerky, fluffy brown bread, and slightly sweet and sour kvass.

However, the spirits that Otto took out once again surpassed Rigus' knowledge, and the entire ruling family of White Tree Manor must also accept a miracle.

Under the oil lamp, Otto displayed a batch of glass bottles. He displayed nothing more than a special glass bottle and the spirits in it.

The trick of igniting spirits was magic to Rigus, and Otto had no doubts about it.

He rubbed Svitalana's blond little head, and in a trance he felt that it was his son Rurik that he was touching. In the dark, the two of them were already married.

"All of these are Rurik's masterpieces, including those iron plows, and the glassware you see, and more, all of Rurik's creations."

Rigus shivered when he heard it: "Your son Rurik, has really received the favor of your great god?"

"Are you still doubting?" Otto asked, "Look at these objects! Svetlana must be Rurik's wife, and her children will inherit my family's power in the tribe. Regus, you Thanks to Rurik, and to your Svetlana."

Of course, Rigus had to thank him. After the banquet, he didn't even bother to talk to his daughter and son-in-law, but devoted himself to studying the exquisite glassware.

It was only later that he learned from his wife that most of the glassware came from Lilia's hands. But this does not mean that Lilia has divine power, and Rurik is still the god who created all this.

The Rus people did not plan to stay in Novgorod for long, and Otto planned to retreat immediately after receiving the food.

However, Otto never imagined that the abominable Pine Needle Manor would actually play the trick!

dead wife. The daughter was kidnapped, and the surrender of the owner of Pine Needle Manor was superficial.

The reckless Vadim felt that his life had an important meaning, and that was to resist the brutality of the Rus. If Vadim pressed his thirst for revenge to his heart, his father had already acted.

Pine Needle Manor deliberately delayed the delivery of wheat, either because the amount of tribute was too large, or the people did not cooperate.

After some warnings, Pine Needle Manor was still delaying, and Otto resorted to violent means as a last resort.

"You idiots, forget the pain when the scars are healed. Now, some of you are destined to freeze to death in winter."

Otto burned down some houses, expelled some people, and beheaded all the rebels. What's even more crazy is that Otto personally beheaded the manor's newly married concubine, and threatened: "Next year, if you dare to neglect, your eldest son will die."

The Pine Needle Manor finally delivered a huge amount of tribute as scheduled. The Rus people harvested a lot in the area around Lake Ilmen, and all the transport ships were fully loaded.

Yet the Pine Needle Manor conspiracy worked.

A snowfall hit the Lake Ilmen area, and the entire land became covered in silver light. In fact, from the second day after receiving the Quyuan Plough, the people of Baishu Manor have already started to reclaim the land, and the speed of plowing has subverted the local people's cognition. However, the snow has covered the earth. Some villagers are counting on the snowfall to renovate their fields. Now it seems that they must wait until the beginning of spring.

Could the wind and snow affect the Rus?

The stubborn people of Pine Needle Manor believed that the Varyags were eccentrics who emerged from the snow in the north, and they were a group of people who were not afraid of the cold. However, their ships were unable to navigate on ice.

Otto clearly saw this, but he had no time to retaliate against the Pine Needle Manor who insisted on fighting.

The Rus people once again delayed their trip. They came to Novgorod in a mighty manner, put on a grand show, gained enough popularity in White Tree Manor, and left more notoriety in Pine Needle Manor.

The Ross people withdrew, even a little abruptly.

Lilia had told her mother what she had seen, especially about Rurik. Thanks to these apt words, Rigus realized that the Rurik was by no means a god-like existence. That child did have divine powers, but aside from these divine powers, he was a lovely boy. It seems to be much gentler than his father.

Lilia wore a beautiful necklace of glass beads mixed with amber for her sister, and hurriedly boarded the huge fleet of the Russ returning home.

The arduous return journey has become full of dangers. The fleet is riding the waves in the icy sea breeze. The broken ice that begins to appear on the sea can mobilize people's nerves anytime and anywhere.

Otto felt that this was the craziest voyage in his life, and perhaps it was already cold November when he arrived at his hometown. Although the fleet has now broken through the small pieces of ice and moved forward, it is not a big problem to return home safely. But you must be aware that soon after the fleet arrives, the entire sea area will be covered by a thick layer of ice.

The Russ returned with difficulty, and Ottoba had no choice but to go home earlier.

Because of Rurik, some new tricks will be shown.