Chapter 543: Rurik Needs Privileges

A cold morning, a tense start.

Although planning to rest, Rurik didn't just lie down with Noren and do nothing.

Thirty Jianyong rowed a long boat and headed straight for the interior of Lake Mälaren. They set out in the early morning to paddle with all their might, trying their best to ensure that they would arrive at Gould Island in the evening to report the news.

As much as 10,000 pounds of wheat was unloaded from the Avlora, and Rurik, who was resting comfortably, stormed to sell the grain field, only for the Russ to lose weight.

The garrisoners of Tombstone Island, even the new Slavic immigrants. They took more or less silver coins or even copper coins and bought the wheat.

Even if they were clansmen, Rurik was not arrogant enough to spread welfare.

Welfare? Now, the greatest welfare is to ensure that the tribe can survive and develop in an environment free from external threats of war and natural disasters.

Allowing them to buy food on a regular basis is already a great benefit. If they have the money, they will buy it.

The food planned for sale was sold out and people were happy.

This scene fooled the Melalen traders who were still stranded on the island. They came up with the idea of ​​second-order traders who bought food from Rurik and brought them back to Melalen for sale. However, they have no qualifications, and can only praise Ross's leader as a good person while scolding secretly.

However, the breach could target the Rus on the island. Raise the purchase price a little more, and they should be able to trade privately. Afterwards, it will bring the wheat to the next spring planting season, and sell it at a high price to those farmers who are short of grain.

Xiao Jiujiu, a small trader, has no intention of taking care of him, and even the black market for grain trading that may pop up, he has no intention or power to stop it.

Rurik's mind was full of rushing into Lake Mälaren, and after seeing Gould and checking the supplies, he went to chat with the new leader Bjorn in person.

On the other hand, the long boat that went all the way to Gould Island, a boat of strong builders, carrying a little labor fee from Lord Rurik, and the pride of doing things for adults, they rowed almost all day. Just after the sun went down, they arrived at Gould Island exhausted, and immediately reported the great good news of Lord Rurik's triumphant return to Gould himself, who was stationed here and was about to return.

The messengers did not know the details of the Rurik expedition. They briefly explained that the lord fought against the Danes, successfully arrived at Balmerk, married the daughter of the local leader, and led the Balmerks to expedition to Britain with a large amount of goods. Victory.

"It's just a dream. Can anyone turn into a bear and a pack of wolves under his command? This kid is really a man. I'm afraid it's not because he helps people fight because he has a crush on the leader's daughter?"

Gould had a steelyard in his heart, and Rurik had an even heavier weight in his heart.

Take the big ship to show off its power and dock at Gould Island, the Avlora and the Gouldot. The two big ships appear at the same time to show their muscles.

Like a strong warrior hanging a gem-studded sword on his belt, it has full deterrent significance, but the sword cannot prove its sharpness until it is drawn.

Messengers deliver really important messages.

Lord Rurik wants to personally visit the new leader Bjorn?

Based on the understanding of his financial master, Gould estimated that Rurik would seek more benefits from these powerful families on the basis of the previous secret agreement.

Gould also immediately organized a messenger, and after weighing it, he simply planned to land in the Melalen Market in person.

Oh no, times have indeed changed.

The name "Merlaren Market" is just a convention. With Bjorn's election as the leader, in order to eliminate the influence of the old forces, the market has been renamed "Birka", which means "Bjorn's Harbor, Chief" ".

Another new day, Rurik once again boarded the Avrora.

Standing on the trestle, he carefully examined the ramming angle of the bow and the scratches on the keel. No one noticed these scars during the voyage, and now it seems that Rurik feels that if she is allowed to go on a rampage, she is afraid that it will soon have to be overhauled.

The big boat hoisted its jib and headed straight for Lake Mälaren. She flew the flag of Ross high, and after almost half the day's trek, she entered the lake area proudly.

Gould, on the other hand, went up to the Birka fair with pride.

Now that Carl has been killed, the rebel army details all its wealth like a carnival. In order to eradicate the roots, the rebellious big family forces not only killed all of Carl's children, but also killed all his wives and concubines.

The old king Olekin never imagined that in just one winter after his death, the power of his family who worked so hard would be overthrown by his brothers of the same tribe.

Of course, big families from all walks of life have reasons to kill people. How can a so-called family that has caused a huge loss of population and wealth to the tribe be qualified to continue to hold power?

Bjorn became the leader, and he made an agreement with the guys, and after everything was done, the blood-stained battle axe divided Carl's entire family wealth.

The fields, grain warehouses, serfs, ships, gold and silver utensils, as well as the ale brewing workshop and the only wine shop in Birka have all had new ownerships after being negotiated by these guys.

The most direct action plan, Bjorn's family got the most spoils.

The serfs and the land were basically divided equally, and Bjorn got additional wine shops and wineries and attached serfs.

Bjorn not only inherited the taxation policies that Carl's family had implemented against merchants and farmers before, but he made major adjustments. For as many as 20 large families who fought together, not only are all tax exempt, but the tax burden collected is also shared through negotiation.

The assassination of one king meant that the power of the tribal chief was shared by twenty families, and Bjorn became the new chief whose power was reduced.

Under such a power structure, Bjorn claimed to be the king of Sweden, and none of the allied tribes recognized him.

Under the calm Lake Melaron surging undercurrents, the attitude of those tribal leaders is really subtle. Carl is dead, they don't support or oppose it, they don't even say anything.

But Biyonni convened an alliance of allied tribes in the name of the King of Sweden, and for the first time no one came. The commercial trade continued, and the leaders of the allied tribes simply opposed it silently!

Gould can estimate that Rurik will make some new decisions once he learns of the great change in Melalen. According to his own understanding, he went straight to Bjorn's mansion with the task.

Ross' big businessman is here! There is actually something to discuss.

Bjorn hurriedly entertained the distinguished guest, and without any polite words, he couldn't wait to use the technique of wooing him.

"I want to see your leader, and I want to talk to Duke Ross. Now that I have succeeded, Duke Ross should act according to the secret agreement. Gould, you can bring my words back to Ross."

Gould deliberately buckled his fat ears, pretending to be unhappy, "You have been repeating these words for months. You want us Rus to support you, I am just a businessman, am I qualified to call the shots?"

"Of course. You have to report for me. After the matter is completed, I will give Ross more benefits."

"Benefits? Do you mean gifting some slaves? I'm still powerless in this matter."

Bjorn sighed, suddenly thinking that this Gould was the uninvited guest, did he ask for anything?

"Okay. What are you here for?"

"As you hoped, my master Rurik is about to arrive in your Birka. Rurik is the real Duke of Ross, and he has signed a secret contract with you. I am here to tell you that he will visit you in person! "

"Wow! It's a great thing." Bjorn stood up excitedly, "He! Will support me according to the agreement."

"Maybe. My lord, I don't know. But, you know, maybe you have to pay a price."

"The price?" Bjorn thought for a while, "I gave him my daughter to be his wife and concubine?"

"Forget it. He has no shortage of women." Gould shook his head.

"Oh, maybe he doesn't like it."

Gould knew that Bjorn's youngest daughter, who was a child, was not destined to be a beauty. As a political marriage, what can Melalen Hede be today?

Gould really despised the current Melalen in his heart. It was this Bjorn who would do anything to get support, and even allowed that thing...

But this old guy only believes in wealth. A new god and a new belief appear in the Birka market. Maybe those warriors will be angry, but he doesn't care.

What did Rurik like to get? Of course the population! The ultimate purpose of obtaining a large amount of food is to make the population of Rus explode.

"I have a suggestion for you," Gould said quietly.

"Friend, tell me."

"You got a group of serfs from Carl's house and gave them all to Rurik as gifts."

"Ah this..." Bjorn looked reluctant.

Gould is not in a hurry, what he is doing now is clearly an extra minister. To gain benefits for Ross is to gain benefits for his own family.

Gould deliberately kept silent, and suddenly said slowly in a low voice: "Accept the conditions I put forward, Lord Rurik, and you will try to support the conditions he put forward. What are those big families who rebelled? You killed Carl. , you are not afraid to follow in your own footsteps.”

With that being said, Bjorn suddenly felt that Rumang was chilling all over his back.

"Don't you want to be the real king of Sweden?"

Bjorn, who was still nervous and cautious, looked at Gould, the old wild boar, and his attitude became ambiguous.

Yes, once I have the support of Duke Ross himself, everything will be stable! In order to get this, pay the short-term benefits and thus get the long-term benefits, this is a good deal!

Bjorn sent Gould away, and he began to associate. "What am I supposed to buy for that kid's support? Would a hundred or two hundred serfs be enough?"

Gould left happily and returned to his island to wait for the visit of the gold master.

In the evening, a brand-new big boat broke into the calm lake of Melalen. The fishermen were dumbfounded and watched the two big boats moored on Gould Island controlled by the Ross people.

At this time, the berth on Gould Island was already full of cargo ships waiting to sail away. If there were still a lot of goods that had not arrived at the logistics warehouse on the island, Gould would have led the fleet home long ago.

Arriving at this island is like coming home! Rurik took his brothers and climbed the rope ladder to get off the boat. Those new mercenaries from Balmerk stood in the huge wooden castle in the road and felt their insignificance and even the strength of the gold master.

Gould was dressed in full costume, surrounded by more than 20 warriors in blue and white robes, and warmly received his master.

He saw that Rurik was accompanied by a beautiful maiden, what the messenger called the "princess" of the Balmerks.

After some polite greetings, Gould welcomed him back to the inner hall.

In the warm church, Gould entertained his adults with roast lamb.

He deliberately waited for Rurik to be half full, drank half a glass of wine in his glass, and talked about what he knew...

"Okay!" Rurik interrupted and said, "It seems that the rumors of Tombstone Island are basically true. I didn't expect Carl to die like this."

"Are you surprised?" Gould asked, licking his fat pig face.

"Accidental. Not unexpected. A defeated family still wants to be king. How can he be? Odin no longer supports him. Karl either announces his withdrawal from the core of power or commits suicide to apologize."

"You're going to be the king of Sweden?" Gould asked tentatively again: "You know the current situation, Bjorn claims to be the king, and no leader supports him. We Ross are not what they used to be, you are young and promising. Full of possibilities, you conquered the whole island of Gotland with your brothers, and you proved your strength to all the tribes."

"Do I have to be the king of Sweden?" Rurik's rhetorical question caused Gould to choke for a moment.

"Why? It's a big opportunity."

"Bah! What is the king of Sweden? I'm the man who wants to be Augustus."

"Then, about Bjorn becoming king, you..."

"Of course I support him!" Rurik replied happily, and within five seconds, he lowered his head and muttered: "Bjorn finally started. I intended to support him two years ago, as for whether to continue to support him now. He needs to pay some more."

"Price? Money? Slaves? Or..."

"It's a privilege."

"Privilege? What privilege?"

"For example, going ashore to open a shop will never pay taxes, and opening up wasteland will not pay taxes. In short, we Rus people will not give any force a copper coin when they are active in Lake Mälaren. If our people commit crimes, they should also pay taxes. Leave it to me. Our activities must be absolutely free. Only with this infinite freedom can I support Bjorn. Otherwise, I also support his throne!"

Rurik already knew what he wanted: extraterritoriality, economic privileges and tax exemptions. With these privileges, the Rus can unscrupulously dump goods in the Lake Mälaren area, and can arbitrarily "fudge" the local people, and go to remote places as new Rus.

He said this with high spirits and high fighting spirit, and Gould heard it with a half-baked understanding.

It seems to be a lot of key privileges. Gould had to accompany a smile and mention: "I'll be honest. I already told Bjorn about your arrival at the Great Lakes."

"Oh? What's the attitude of that man?"

"He! If you are in a hurry to ask him for more benefits. That guy can't wait to see the Duke of Ross to talk about admitting him to be the king. He specifically mentioned the secret contract with you. I hope you can It's implemented! By the way, he also prepared a hundred serfs for you as a gift. These slaves belonged to the Carl family, just as our New Roseburg pioneers."

"For me slaves? I'd like to get five hundred people from the Meralen clan to open up the land for me. Bjorn is very practical, I like it."

Is Bjorn's attitude so urgent? Since the two sides hit it off, Rurik estimated that he would be able to seek new interests. He really doesn't want to and can't afford to take the time and effort to govern Sweden personally. In this region with a very mature political ecology, if Ross wants to directly stabilize his rule, he must destroy all the real power aristocrats and directly rule all the small people.

It is not impossible to destroy all the nobles, and the price must be that Ross is tossed into serious injuries, which is not worth the loss.

Continuing to compromise with the landlords and aristocrats if they cannot rule directly, the price will naturally be unstable foundations. The so-called King of Sweden is only a king in name.

Perhaps the smartest means for this region is economic control.

After several years of operation, the situation of economic control has matured, and it will not end with the sudden death of a "Supreme".

"I'm going to see Bjorn tomorrow. Listen, Gould, I'm going on the Avlora, with the Gouldot, our two big ships off the seaside of the fair. Oh, that place now. It's called Birka? Interesting. It's also good! It seems that Bjorn is a little arrogant, and we just show off Ross's force."

"As ordered, I will go with you."

Rurik nodded, "Now, tell me more about your work in Melalen. Tell me about your annual trade balance and the total amount of goods you plan to transport. Also, tell me Karl The full details of the family's destruction, who will divide the family estate afterward. And the attitude of the dukes who refuse to recognize Bjorn as king."

"Yes. If you think it's okay to be tired, I'll report it."

"Speak! It's important for tomorrow. I..." Rurik patted his chest. "Olegin is dead, and Karl's inheritance has collapsed. I have to at least share some benefits, and I can't let all the fat go. Those big greedy families eat it."

Rurik's remarks were nothing but constructive remarks, and Gould's listeners were interested: "Sir! That! If you can, please take it back."

"what is that?"

"That tavern, its ownership is in Bjorn's hands. Let's take it over, and you can entrust me to run it. In this way, we can sell our fine wine in the most prosperous part of the market. This is a huge profit. ."

"That's it!" Rurik slapped his thigh violently, not only looking at the circle of candles hanging from the ceiling, but also looking at the flames, which reminded one after another of wonderful pictures.

Yes, there is a serious shortage of beverages in this era. Ordinary ale is the best brew, and the ale with hops is the best brew. As for the extreme distilled liquor "Burning Ross Vodka", that is a fairy thing only in Asgard.