Rise of Rurik

Two days later, Harvest Square was overcrowded.

It was obviously not a festival, but people gathered here like they were at a fair, fearless of the cold wind sweeping across the world, vying to watch a murderous show.

The people chanted slogans, cursed the conspirators who tied hemp ropes around their necks on the makeshift wooden platform, and cursed their souls to be ravaged by the gods after death. Everyone wants to curse a few words. It seems that if you don't curse, you are disloyal to the Principality of Ross.

The noisy crowd made the whole square too noisy. It was not until Rurik showed off his blond ponytail that he specially wore it to show his kindness. He opened his arms to signal to the people, and the noise of the people slowly subsided.

Meanwhile, another man takes the stage.

King Bjorn of Sweden, holding a large trumpet made of rolled cardboard, shouted to the calm people.

He claimed that he was King Bjorn of Sweden and claimed that he had given way to Rurik. It was stated that Rurik would be crowned king at the All-Swedish General Assembly next spring.

He broke his throat and announced this more than ten times in a row, repeating the words until his mouth went dry.

The people gradually understood, and Bjorn's personal explanation of the matter immediately cleared up the rumors, and the people's bad attitude towards foreign merchants was also eliminated.

But the people are eager to see killing, especially evil people who harm everyone's interests die in front of them.

The warrior began to beat the leather drum, and the sound of the drum became extremely compact.

Thousands of people saw it. As Rurik suddenly pulled out the shining sword, the wooden planks under the prisoners' feet were removed. The nine people began to kick their legs wildly, and finally died...

Those who deceived the public with their evil words were killed, but the matter was not over yet.

Facing the people who had been unwilling to leave for a long time, Rurik announced a great thing in public: "Russians! We encountered a snow disaster! This is not God's punishment! It is God's test for us! You have all suffered the disaster, I sympathize with you What happened to you. I will open a batch of food, and you will all buy it at a lower price."

The first sentence is too high-sounding, but the last sentence is the most important.

Soon, a new notice was posted.

The new notice document is very clear. Each household should have a man. If there is no man, a mistress should be brought. Bring a linen bag and a silver coin, and line up at the door of the granary on the appointed day. This favor is only for families registered in the Principality of Rus, that is, only "Russian citizens" can enjoy the prince's gift package.

But those hunters, merchants, and craftsmen who live there can also get another favor. When the benefits of the Russians are completed, it will be the time to give those people winter benefits.

On the appointed day, there was a huge scene in New Roseburg. Men and women smiled and carried empty sacks, waiting for their turn, and bought fifty pounds of oats for one silver coin. This price is five times cheaper than usual! How is it not a great benefit? The old Russians, immigrants from various Viking tribes, Finnish immigrants and Slavic immigrants came from different sources, and they were all registered personnel, and their family members’ names were all written on the book. Therefore, you have to pay taxes, work hard in wars, and be eligible to receive various economic dividends.

This situation surprised the nobles and envoys of various Swedish tribes who were watching the grand welfare distribution.

The most surprising thing was undoubtedly Bjorn: "Rurik, you actually gave them gifts. There are too many of them, and you don't feel sorry for them. Why bother? Why do you give gifts to ordinary people, just because you want to Be kind?"

"It's mercy, because I am the prince of Rus." Rurik shrugged: "Everything is because of the snow disaster. My people were affected, and your Melalen must also face the snow disaster. What will happen to your people? Their houses It may also collapse on a large scale. I know very well that the houses of ordinary people in your tribe cannot withstand the power of the snow disaster."

These words were unexpected by Bjorn. What Rurik said was very true. Maybe his tribe would really suffer a catastrophe.

"This is fate." Bjorn said helplessly.

"Well, that's fate. But as chief, you and I should do something to help the victims."

"Like what you're doing now?"

"Exactly." Rurik sighed softly: "They suffered a disaster. What do they need most? Hope. What is hope? Food and warmth. I will give them these."

Bjorn had never had the concept of relief and asked, "Are they worthy?"

"Why is it not worthy?" Rurik was also surprised: "Isn't that what the leader needs to do?"

"It is their fate to freeze to death and starve to death. I will not give them anything unless they choose to be my slaves."

"It's better to be nice to them. What you do is your choice. Now I have decided to support my people. You all see it, right? I am kind."

What the nobles saw was indeed Rurik selling grain at low prices on a large scale. The prices were ridiculously low. Despite the general principle of limited purchases, the group of Finns living outside the city also bought grain at low prices. When the people get benefits and have food in hand, everyone will be better able to survive the winter.

Seeing that it was already the eve of Hanukkah, Rurik also made arrangements with Swedish nobles and envoys to purchase a ship.

The price of an armed cargo ship was raised to 200 pounds by Rurik, which immediately aroused everyone's surprise.

"If you think it's expensive, why should I think it's too expensive? Worse, my workers are still building ships despite the snowstorm. Do you want to buy it?"

Although the Ross fleet is invincible, as long as his tribe has a few large ships, he can gain an advantage in Lake Malaren.

Even with this exaggerated price, Bjorn gritted his teeth and still ordered five ships. Even if he did not necessarily have to come up with a thousand pounds of silver coins, the Malaren people could raise a million pounds of wheat in exchange, or offer flax stalks at a low price. .

Other tribes did not have such deep financial resources, but Hjärmalen, Onkras and Uppsala all ordered one. As for those micro-tribes, they can only stare. They really can't afford such a huge sum of money.

It was not difficult to get orders for eight armed cargo ships at once and complete them. Rurik also made a promise that all eight ships will be delivered next year, and the ship purchase meeting ended happily...

Sweden's traditional allies will hand over a total of 1.6 million pounds of oats for next year's harvest season, which will put considerable pressure on agriculture in the Lake Malaren region.

Rurik couldn't control their pressure. Even if he became king, he wouldn't bother to rule his hometown personally. In his opinion, the appropriate way to rule at this stage is to establish the "Kalma Alliance" in advance. As long as the Swedish nobles take back their right to go to war, they can live a traditional life.

The Swedish nobles and noble envoys living in New Roseburg were destined to spend the Hanukkah that kicked off the year 839 here.

The position of the stars is the giant clock floating in the sky. The high priest Rumia, who has learned a set of traditional knowledge, is able to calculate the season on a clear day. She also implemented a method of recording time by hand to calibrate the dates of the spring equinox, summer solstice, autumnal equinox and winter solstice, which objectively assisted agricultural production in the area near New Roseburg.

The most eye-catching thing is the construction of the giant tower.

Are Russians so creative in their Hanukkah celebrations?

Bjorn saw that a large amount of pine wood was piled up, and key parts were even tied with hemp rope. They built an extremely high wooden tower, apparently higher than the palace that the Rus princes were still building. It is said that this is a Russian festival tradition.

The dimensions on both sides of the Neva River are just a little lower than Lake Mälaren in Sweden. There is no polar night in Sweden, and naturally there is no such thing here in Neurosberg.

The festive atmosphere is getting stronger. As the snowfall process completely stops, people welcome life with optimism after adapting to the fact of the snow disaster. At least the frozen Neva River is still a reliable pain. Although the forest is full of waist-deep snow, ice seas, glaciers and even glacial lakes, there are no geographical obstacles for people to go to the Gulf of Finland and Lake Ladoga.

Forest hunting this winter is completely suspended due to universities, and people who are free have more time to develop other industries, such as ice fishing.

Now that we are facing a festive season, people are willing to dress up and participate in ritual activities during the festival. They also need to add some new clothes and buy some new items.

No snowstorm will affect the work of handicraft workshops in the city. At the winter market, a group of housewives deliberately set up stalls in the square on the eve of the festival in order to sell their goods at a higher price. They sell self-sewn leather boots, leather gloves, leather hats, practical woodware, rattan baskets, and even simple woodworking sculptures.

These women are all small businessmen. When it comes to selling goods, they can be said to be the "regular army" under Rurik.

Rurik was the monarch and the most powerful industrial owner in Russia. His state-owned handicraft workshop and state-owned blacksmith shop in New Roseburg also took advantage of the festival to launch used iron tools and other supplies.

Because festivals bring people together, Rurik can also take advantage of the opportunity to make a fortune, and everyone can benefit from the transaction.

People are willing to gather together to celebrate the festival, largely because daily life is too boring and monotonous. The prince ordered the construction of giant wooden towers and then burned them down. This is a grand event that is not seen on ordinary days.

The height of the wooden towers this year is exactly the same as last year. A giant fir tree in the center is set up in a dug hole like a mast, and all the wood is piled around it.

The wooden pagoda is wrapped in a large amount of oil-containing rosin, and each household is very particular about taking out a bundle of firewood from their own firewood pile and throwing it over, and then perform a sudden prayer.

Similarly, in the corner of Harvest Square, the God’s Noodle with its whole body covered with glass and reflecting orange light in the weak sunlight is really popular!

The lower-level priests served by Rumia and Rurik's wives and concubines stood outdoors in pure white bearskin, and the seven gilded statues of gods were also moved out of the room.

A large wooden box was placed in front of them. People lined up to drop at least one silver coin into the box, and then knelt in front of the statue of the god they worshiped and clasped their hands in prayer.

Is prayer really effective? This is very idealistic.

Some people seek wealth, some long for the strength of men, some hope for good luck, and some long for the safe birth of their children.

The seven gods are the main gods believed in by the Principality of Rus. They cover almost every aspect of daily life. A silver coin is nothing to ordinary families nowadays. Sacrificial activities are endorsed by the princely family. Publicly paying for prayers is better than nothing at all. Do it well.

This situation has never been heard of by Bjorn!

As the King of Sweden who has not officially abdicated, Bjorn's personal belief is of course Odin, and he will also go to the Uppsala Temple in Sweden to worship Odin and then the sun. In the culture of the Mellaren people, Odin is Odin, Umber is the earth god, and Sarah is the sun god. The three gods are different. It seems that among the Russians, these three people can be regarded as equals.

What does that Valkyrie of Sperosvilia mean?

Is this the Ross witch Vilia from back then? A high priest actually transformed into a new Valkyrie?

Bjorn was not convinced, and he had to believe the current scene. The more he thought about it, the more things made sense.

It seems that Odin really loves this tribe. He loved their priests a long time ago, and later poured this love into the boy Rurik.

He was watching from a distance, watching a large group of people dressed as stocky as brown bears lining up to offer sacrifices.

Even his followers were interested.

"King, the Rus people must have their reasons for doing this. If I go to sacrifice, I can also get benefits."

Bjorn sounded a little disgusted and said sternly: "You can go if you want. I will not give it to you if you take the silver coins with you."

The attendant hesitated, then changed his tone: "Perhaps you can also learn to do this in Melalen. Our temple is not as good as the Rus's, and we don't have Rurik's means of making money. You see, the Rus' Principality There are a lot of people. If everyone takes out one silver coin, Rurik can get one hundred pounds of silver coins in one winter. There are tens of thousands of us Mellaren people, why can't you learn from this?"

The attendant's words immediately moved Bjorn. He suddenly looked sideways at the subordinate who made the suggestion, and couldn't help but smile happily.

"You must learn! You must learn this! I will have to spend a lot of money to buy their ship. What I need most now is money. When I go back, I will do this. I will also build a big temple and find some gold to make a statue. Haha. ! I don’t believe those farmers and fishermen don’t come to offer sacrifices.”

Indeed, the "incense money" earned from temple sacrifices during the festival is already very considerable. The priests are all Rurik's wives and concubines. All the donations collected eventually go into the state treasury, and are later returned to the people in the form of wages. In this way, the overall economic activities in the principality are growing steadily. At least up to the present period, the gold, silver and copper coins obtained by the principality through many wars and plunders can fully cope with today's economic scale.

When the worship service came to an end, only the last ray of the setting sun remained in the short day.

No one can sleep tonight, especially at night. Regardless of the cold outside, thousands of bonfire stalls have been lit outside the city. Every household is willing to light a bonfire outside the city, bring prepared meat, other delicious meals, and ale for men and women to drink happily. Even taking advantage of the joyful mood of the festival, they both got into the temporary tent to double the joy.

The inner city within the wall has been turned into an empty city. More than 8,000 people gathered on the riverside outside the city. People stared at the dark wooden tower under the night, waiting for it to turn into a fire dragon soaring into the sky.

Finally, under Rurik's instruction, the Balmok salt merchants from Narvik Port collectively blew the vast horn.

The long sound of the trumpet seemed to be telling history, and then people heard the intensive drumming and Viking war cry.

Most of the men of the First Flag were unable to hunt due to the snowstorm. They stayed at New Roseburg and turned into fishermen. Now Rurik has chosen a good job for them.

The soldiers lined up in neat lines, beating their shields and walking in front. Behind him, a group of ten-year-old mixed-race Rus boys, dressed as warriors, were also beating the shields tied to their left arms with real short swords.

Behind the armed men were men holding banners, men beating leather drums, and Nolen's entire band playing flutes.

Such a pomp has become an old tradition. The people in the team who were ordered to hold torches lit up the entire team like a fiery dragon.

Rurik himself and his wife Svetlana were in the team.

In theory, Lana will officially become a mother next month. It would be risky to walk a long distance with her belly full now. She has been trained by the times to be a strong woman, and her clothes are thick enough so that no one can see her bulging belly.

The man she loved the most held the hand of another woman, and High Priest Rumia felt a little embarrassed. But Lana is a good woman, and her attitude towards Velika and Oleg is very good.

In the harem of the Principality of Rus, every woman has her own place.

The priestesses around Rumia are essentially Rurik's wives and concubines, and the priestess she personally selected has already gone to the fire tower to stand by.

She wears an antlered helmet on her head and a white bear fur coat decorated with a large number of colored glass beads and amber.

Her right hand is holding a wooden staff inlaid with gems passed down from generations of priests of the Ross tribe.

And her stature was short enough. Seeing her back like this, some elderly Russians suddenly thought of the deceased old priest Vilia.

Willia actually survived?

No. Vilia, who had no heirs of flesh and blood, was not dead. This Rumia had completely inherited the mantle of the old priest. Look, even the way they walk is quite similar.

Everything was a traditional program. Amidst the sound of drums, Rurik personally killed ten reindeer in the stone boat altar by the river.

It is also a traditional project of cutting deer liver, and Rumia announced good luck to the people.

The priests needed singing to continue to brew the atmosphere, and eventually the focus of thousands of people fell on Rurik.

Let’s look at the fire tower that needs to be lit urgently. Once upon a time, most Viking tribes had mastered the art of collecting fire nitrate by obtaining nitrifying bacteria from corrupted things, but they didn’t know the principle and thought it was a gift from the gods. Although the Russians don't understand, there are already official workshops for cultivating nitrifying bacteria under Rurik's guidance. Although it is a by-product of compost, the highly smelly impure fire nitrate is already indispensable for military operations. Light a bonfire.

Cherished things are no longer cherished, so Rurik prepared a large amount of fire salt mixed with fish oil. The boiled fish oil can burn violently, and when combined with fire salt, it will perform a miracle.

"God said to light up the darkness with fire, so let's make a little sun."

Rurik shouted loudly, his words attracting everyone's attention. He threw the torch with all his strength, and when the fire touched the prepared flammable material, it instantly exploded into a fireball, quickly igniting the prepared hay and broken carbon blocks.

People's faces were immediately illuminated by the firelight, and then the flames were seen.

The entire wooden tower is burning at an unstoppable speed, and the deliberately shaped chimney configuration makes perfect use of the rising heat.

King Bjorn witnessed the grand event with his own eyes. His eyes widened and his lips trembled as he sighed: "The Rus blew up the cave? A fire dragon rushed into Asgard?!"

The scene is indeed very dreamy. Find Shuyuan www.zhaoshuyuan.com It is no wonder that thousands of people insisted on staying by the river and braving the cold to watch the show.

No one said it was cold anymore. A fire dragon rushed into the sky. The heat forced Rurik to retreat quickly. The entire Stone Ship Altar was also invaded by the heat wave.

The brave man went into battle shirtless for a while, covered himself with snow, then rushed to the fire tower with the deer carcass, threw the deer over with all his strength, then quickly pulled it back, and threw himself deep into the snow pit to cool down.

People from far away can feel its heat, which is unimaginable happiness in a snowstorm year.

"Look! The earth has been baked dry!" Someone with keen eyes noticed the changes in the land.

The crowd continued to retreat but no one left.

They sat down one after another, letting their bodies be roasted by the flames, enjoying the magical warmth in the harsh winter, and stayed there until the sun rose.

Welcome to year 839!

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