Rise of Rurik

People's lives were stuck on both sides of the Neva River due to snowstorms. Thanks to this frozen river, transportation lines remained open.

People opened many channels on both sides of the bank and pushed the snow to both sides of the road, creating a snow slope as high as a person.

No one thinks this snow is very interesting at all. It is a disaster that takes lives. The disaster has frightened the hibernating hunters from hunting far away. No one wanted to walk in the exaggerated thickness of snow, and it was estimated that the little animals were either frozen to death or dormant and refused to come out. There is nothing safer than hiding at home. Thanks to the abundant food stored at home, I also have enough coins.

Will the snowfall continue? The sky is now cloudless, with only a weak north wind blowing across the snow-covered red pine forest.

The snow disaster seems to be over, but subsequent relief work still needs to be carried out.

New Roseburg is a huge city in today's Nordic concept, but by Eastern standards, it is just a small city. People are trying their best to clear the snow from their roofs, and a large number of reindeer sleighs continue to export snow outside the city. Everyone was sweeping the snow in front of their homes. When someone uniformly transported the snow out of the city, the situation in the city quickly improved.

Some large trees were cut down, their branches stripped off, tied to cables, and dragged over the snow to the frozen shore.

The tree trunks were further sawn, stacked on top of each other to form towers, and then covered with branches and carbon blocks.

Not only those who died tragically due to the collapse of their houses will be burned to ashes, but also those who died suddenly of serious illness in the severe cold will also have their bodies brought in and participated in the cremation with the participation of the prince himself.

Three wooden towers were built, and more than two hundred corpses were tightly wrapped in cloth and covered with firewood, waiting for Rurik himself to throw burning torches.

The short day is over, and the sunset is the last ray of light.

As many as four thousand people gathered outside the city. They trampled the snow that had not been shoveled away in the area with their feet. Everyone was wrapped in furs like a standing chest. They covered their faces with linen scarves and exposed their eyes, ignoring the frost on their eyelashes.

The outdoor temperature was even less than minus ten degrees, and people gathered around the fire tower to listen to the condolences sung by a group of priestesses wearing white bear skins.

Rumia wore a huge antlered helmet on her head. She was short in stature. Now she opened her arms, and the antlers accompanied her body, making her look like a deer under the shadow of the setting sun.

Like the incarnation of the forest god.

They sang sad eulogies, and the onlookers shed tears when they saw the deceased who was about to turn into ashes...

But not everyone is grieving.

"This is the punishment of the gods. A man has overstepped his authority and stolen the throne of Sweden."

"Do you know why they died? Since Prince Rus has betrayed Sweden, he has actually betrayed the gods. This is divine punishment."

"The heavy snow is a warning. If Rurik stubbornly insists on claiming the Swedish throne, there will be new disasters."

…

Such complaints were covered up by people's cries, but they were still heard by many people with sharp ears. It seemed that this was just noise during the funeral ceremony, at least Rurik, who was holding a torch in front of the public and looked solemn, didn't know it.

Nolen led the band she trained to play tragic songs on leather drums and bone flutes, matching the condolences of the priests, bringing the pathos of the ceremony to a climax.

Fire salt mixed with grease can be easily ignited. Rurik felt that the time was right, so he held the torch and lit the wooden towers one by one.

Here, giant fire towers were supposed to be built during Hanukkah to honor the gods, and funerals were held before the festive offerings.

The flames exploded, and the faces of the Swedish businessmen who were talking secretly were turned pale. They opened their eyes wide and saw the fireball igniting. They thought that because Rurik occupied the Swedish throne, they would continue to find divine punishment. The so-called flames did not exist at all. Can't burn. On the contrary, the flames were explosive, and the three wooden towers soon burst into flames.

When the fire ignites, people are reluctant to leave for a long time.

Things are getting weird. Onlookers add firewood and charcoal to the fire tower themselves, and then continue to stay by the fire tower. They were clearly not expressing their condolences, they were just trying to keep warm by the fire.

The fire tower burned until dusk the next day, and the embers were still burning slowly, and there were also some clearly visible blackened bones mixed in.

The strong man pounded the ground with a big ax, and then continued pounding with a steel shovel. In the selected public cemetery in the south of the city, the frozen soil was cut through and a large pit was dug. The reindeer sleigh brought all the still-warm bones, along with some unburned charcoal blocks, directly into the pit, and finally covered them with soil to seal them into a mound.

Until now, a unified funeral has truly ended.

The snowstorm has passed for five full days, and people have to adapt to the huge amount of snow this winter is far better than other years.

A large number of hunters returned early to celebrate Hanukkah and luckily escaped the cold and snowstorms. They stayed at home in the city. When they had free time, they walked around the city. They just stayed at home and watched their family members sound asleep.

Will any hunter die outdoors?

Rurik can no longer control too much. Just as he is now unable to know the situation of other settlements, he just wants them to have their own destiny.

Even so, winter life is still possible in some workshops. Relying on the wood, ore and other materials prepared in advance, the shipyard and blacksmith shop in New Roseburg can still work. Aslaqi's mill has always done indoor work, and has always ignored the wind and snow. It only needs a steady supply of grain raw materials to keep running.

"Since my people have been affected by the disaster, they must be in panic, right? I have to check the granary first and open it for relief when necessary."

Speaking of which, the core purpose of setting up a national granary is to deal with disasters. I don't know if it is to deal with poor harvests in disaster years, but also to distribute food to the people, such as the snow disaster at the end of this year.

Rurik personally inspected the granary. In the walled-off area at the highest point of the city, the huge barrel-shaped granary building apparently did not suffer any damage. The snow on the roof has been cleared away, and the interior of the granary is still dry and at a constant temperature. Because of the traditional wood-cut corrugated structure of the granary walls, the interlayer in the middle is filled with compacted hay moss, which creates a thermal insulation layer in winter. The granaries arranged in a matrix are all elevated, and although the sunlight is short-lived, they can still be fully illuminated.

Food is absolutely safe!

Rurik ordered this news to be printed as a notice and posted on several bulletin boards in Harvest Square and in other public areas of the city.

Although some Swedish businessmen would directly bring the grain they raised to New Roseburg for sale, so-called using the grain as currency to purchase materials here. After all, the food they transported was not much. If the people in the city were short of food at home, they would prepare money and wait for the king to release food in the granary.

Every month, three major cities, such as Rosberg, Novorosberg and Novgorod, publicly sell grain every month. This is a national act. People have long been accustomed to it. Seeing that Hanukkah is not far away, it is time for the princes to carry out the act of releasing food this month.

The public notice foreshadowed that the prince was about to release grain, and then the people in the Principality of Rus followed the old rules, and one head of each family went to buy the limited-priced grain.

The prince made it clear that the granary was safe, and the content of the notice really gave the people great confidence.

However, some people are more miserable when they see the people being happy and the Russian granaries intact than when they lose a lot of money in business!

Some rumors that had appeared during the funeral spread further, because the missing market in Harvest Square was restored and people continued their winter trade. Rumors that were extremely unfavorable to Rurik began to spread.

In the end, the people of the Prince of Rus are the majority. Although those people have no loyalty to the Principality of Rus, they also know that they have become prosperous through the dividends of the rise of Rus. They are in their own interests and do not want to hear these rumors.

What made those loyal ministers and generals most furious was the most vicious rumor - Rurik usurped the throne of King Bjorn, so the gods sent a snow disaster.

Many people told the soldiers on patrol to maintain security. At first, the soldiers thought it was ridiculous. As more and more people became infected, the news spread not only to the governor's ears, but also to Rurik's ears.

Rurik, who had started preparing for this year's winter solstice sacrifice, was furious when he heard the report from Governor Old Cornuson.

"Who is spreading these news? Is it that guy Bjorn? Damn it. I thought he did it voluntarily, but it seems he is really dissatisfied. Bjorn! I can't defeat it, so I use conspiracy? It's like You stabbed Karl in the back to seize the Swedish throne..." Rurik was furious and without thinking, taking it for granted that Bjorn, who was currently a guest, did it deliberately.

Old Cornuson denied it flatly: "I can guarantee that it is definitely not that man."

"Why? How do you see it?"

"I have been filming the spies and observing secretly. Those nobles and their envoys are all under observation. You know this better than me. If there is a problem, you will already know it."

Rurik patted his head: "Okay, I'm arbitrary. So, who spread the rumor?"

"It's a few businessmen."

"Businessman? Has he been caught?"

"Caught it." As he said that, old Cornuson still smiled.

"Caught?! Great!" Rurik also showed his fangs as he spoke. With one look, old Konuson knew what his little master wanted to do.

Old Cornuson continued: "I sent my son to investigate the matter. In fact, the problem is very simple. When our people went to get the people in person, those Swedish businessmen were still spreading the so-called divine punishment theory everywhere, and the evidence for their arrest was solid. "

"God's punishment? Ridiculous. Do you believe it?" Rurik looked at the old Konuson with a wry smile.

The old guy also hesitated: "How is this possible? It is absolutely true that you were blessed by Odin. In my opinion, those businessmen are jealous, or... there are other conspiracies."

"I'm afraid these rumors have spread all over the city! How can I continue to stay in the palace with my wife and concubines now? If I don't show up and do something publicly, and let this kind of remarks spread, won't I be asking for trouble? "

"Only a fool would believe this." Old Cornuson emphasized hurriedly.

"But there are not many smart people in this city, and there are a large number of immigrants here. Besides, the snowstorm this year is really real, and everyone is in a bad mood. Listen, most of the people who died in the snowstorm are Finns. If they believe this But that’s bad. Have you controlled all those people?”

"I imprisoned them, their wives, concubines, and slaves. I really cannot let these evil people go, so..."

When Konuson started to decapitate, Rurik nodded and signaled: "Don't panic. It's easy to cut off the head with an axe. Now I want to know if there is a mastermind in this matter. Also, send more troops." Keep an eye on King Bjorn of Sweden, listen quietly to what they say, and report any comments that are unfavorable to us immediately."

"As commanded."

"Now take me to see what's going on."

The old Konuson family was from the old Rus. They were bound by interests to Rurik, and they were even more closely related by blood going back. The so-called protection of the interests of the princely family was also the protection of one's own interests. Of course, the city guards recruited by Cornuson and his son included a large number of men from other Viking tribes. These people who took the initiative to join Ross needed a backer, so they were directly tied to the interests of the Governor of New Rossburg.

This is the ruling group of the Rus Principality, so as many as ten Swedish businessmen were arrested, destroying the interests and prestige of the entire ruling group.

Because the evidence was conclusive enough, when Rurik personally came to the wooden house where the prisoners were held, he saw ten poor people with hemp ropes around their mouths and bloody marks on their bodies from whips.

The prisoners' current situation was pitiful, and Rurik didn't bother to look at them seriously.

Little Conuson is here. The skinny boy in the past has become a guaranteed strong Viking in a few years.

He reported to Rurik: "These ten people are all evil people, and they dare to slander His Majesty the Prince. You can give me tasks now, and I will beat them to death now."

"Don't be busy yet." Rurik asked again, "Businessmen always bring their families with them. How are their families?"

"The wives, concubines, children, and slaves of these people were all captured. I did not kill them. It is up to you how to deal with them."

"Continue to be detained for the time being. I... want to hear what these people have to say."

What Little Cornuson said was a fact, but it was not entirely true. He really didn't kill anyone, but the merchant's wives, concubines, and female slaves were used as playthings by the soldiers, and they were even humiliated in front of the arrested merchant. The soldiers had no sense of guilt. After all, the people they were humiliating were not the people of the Principality of Rus. Moreover, the families of these sinners should be punished by sitting together. It was a sign of mercy that they were not stabbed to death with a sword.

A businessman was poured a bucket of cold water on him. He seemed to be still in a state of depression, but he was seen holding a whip and grabbing a little coarse salt and applying it to his wounds.

In this way, the businessman screamed in pain, which also aroused fear in others.

Rurik stepped forward and ordered the yeller: "Do you think I am a fool? Or do you think you are a wise man! Tell me! Who asked you to spread rumors?"

"You are Rurik! A thief, you also want to be the king of Sweden?! You are not worthy."

"I knew you would say that. Our Ross is also from Sweden, so why can't we be the King of Sweden? I allow you to come to my territory to do business, but you actually oppose me. You are really stupid."

"You just don't deserve to be the King of Sweden!" After saying this, the man spat violently.

Rurik wiped his face vigorously, then suddenly drew his sword, stabbed it directly into the man's waist and abdomen, and then twisted it several times before pulling it out.

Just when the man was vomiting blood and dying, Rurik, who was still angry, said this: "You are stupid. It was King Bjorn who gave up the kingship himself, and all the Swedish princes respect me. You continue the snow disaster. Slandering me is asking for death. Tell me! Did Bjorn instruct you?"

How could the other nine people dare to admit it? They successively claimed that there was no such thing. The matter was purely personal and had nothing to do with Bjorn.

"Even if this happened, you wouldn't admit it. I thought you were peaceful businessmen, but you actually did such dirty things behind your back!"

Rurik did not continue. He had no extreme ideas about punishment. The execution of prisoners was either hanging or beheading. Other corporal punishments were unnecessary.

But this time some dexterity had to be used.

The punishment of skin cramps is unnecessary. Since young Cornuson is willing to use the whip, let him continue to whip the prisoner.

He walked out of the house and gave Little Cornuson a mission: "These people must die. I will hold a public execution meeting and make an announcement in advance to explain the cause of the incident to the people. These guys are arrogant. Keep cracking the whip. Remember You can’t beat him to death for the time being.”

"As ordered. And their wives, concubines and children..."

"Save your life first, and find Shuyuan www.zhaoshuyuan.com. You can decide on your own. Whether you want to die in the end, wait for my order." Rurik paused for breath: "You and your people are strong men. You should understand what I mean. But except those slaves, select the slaves and give them to me."

"Special treatment? They are just slaves. Do you really think highly of these laborers?" Little Konuson asked eloquently.

"That's true." Rurik continued with a dull face: "I will go and talk to Bjorn personally. I don't know if that guy is the mastermind, but the slaves have always had no position. They may tell me important situations."

"What a brilliant idea!"

"Go and do things quickly. Bring all the slaves to me."

"Yes..." Little Conuson looked somewhat embarrassed when he learned that he had to execute it immediately.

Rurik was keenly aware of his attitude, so he added: "You have already made your subordinates happy? It doesn't matter, I don't blame you. Hand them over now."

"As commanded."

Please remember the first domain name of this book: . :