At first, Rurik just thought that the priests simply wanted to have a good rest after receiving the gifts of trophies from the soldiers. As a result, their rest ended up being idle for three days.
Specifically, they are no longer interested in boiling oil and making soap.
Rurik still chose time in the afternoon to enter the priest's longhouse and continue to review the knowledge on the wooden boards.
As for the agreements and contracts he signed with the blacksmith, such as the blacksmithing and glass agreements, he wanted to believe that because of his father's absolute prestige in the tribe, the old guy Klavasen should not and could not have any frivolous ideas. It's just that the man had something different.
The idea, at least now, is absolutely impossible.
But for some people, their ideological essence has undergone tremendous changes!
Klavason was old, and he only thought about his son returning with a beautiful wife, and then inheriting the incredible wealth created thanks to Rurik's "miracle".
Money can corrupt people's hearts.
Even the so-called noble people are not pure saints and are inevitably corrupted.
Undoubtedly, Priest Bona was originally competitive, and she always had a desire for power in her heart. Now it is not just power, but also this huge amount of disposable wealth.
The weather is getting warmer, and the old Viglia feels that he spends most of his time resting every day, but he still feels tired after waking up.
She is already seventy-three years old, and this summer, she has a very bad premonition in her heart.
Everyone has to face death, and he must finally face it.
One warm afternoon, Rurik changed into a new linen coat that he bought from a tribal tailor at his home.
Because some commercial boats from the south arrived in Fort Ross, the owners of the boats were all small-scale traders, and most of the goods they sold were daily necessities.
Such as flax, such as salt.
The traders were shocked that the Russians were richer than in the past, and their excited energy just proved one thing.
Regarding the destruction of a certain settlement on Gotland Island, the Siiya Tribe Alliance is quite happy about this. Of course, the hostile forces should suffer heavy losses, the better! But who is the initiator of the war?
Many small and medium-sized tribes suspect that the Melalen tribe is responsible.
The people of Mälaren immediately denied that the matter was none of their business, but also expressed their support for this just move.
Yes, attacking the Gotlanders is the right thing everyone likes to see.
There are various indications that it was the Russians in the north who won the battle, so there is a legend that the victorious Russians obtained a large amount of gold and silver coins. Could such good news attract some businessmen who are willing to take risks?
Rurik was very happy that he bought some new clothes, washed them with soap and then dried them. Everything looked so familiar.
What's more, the styles of new clothes are very close to those a thousand years later. Rurik can't help but sigh that for Westerners in this time and space, clothing styles and work labor needs have basically reached an optimal solution.
Rurik put on a fitted linen long-sleeved robe, and he did wear trousers on his lower body.
It’s not surprising that trousers are something that the women of the Ross tribe are skilled in tailoring. Women all wear skirts, and a group of men are also happy to wear robes. In fact, there are not many men who wear trousers all day long. It’s just because of an embarrassing incident.
It bothers everyone - going to the toilet is not as convenient as wearing a robe.
If Rurik had to make a choice, he would still choose trousers. Not only that, he also had linen underwear inside his outer trousers. If there was no elastic band, he would cut holes in the trousers and then put on soft hemp rope to make the trousers.
belt.
His clothes were printed with moss to produce some dim patterns, and the overall color was still grayish-white and slightly yellow.
Paired with Rurik's golden ponytail that can be kept on the back of the head.
It can be said that his clean and beautiful appearance fully embodies a unique temperament, which is exactly worthy of his noble status.
Such a noble man once again entered the longhouse of the priests determined to continue his studies.
After waking up, Vilia was confused. She no longer wanted to ask about many things.
Against her will, Bona had already started her activities as a high priest in advance. Vilia was powerless. She only criticized her slightly, and it seemed that she would no longer express any opinions, but this was not the case.
Because of the sudden appearance of huge wealth, Villa suddenly became excited.
Or because of this wealth, the priests became obviously lazy.
Bona, she is already performing the work of the high priest, but it is obvious that she does not want to work hard now.
Rurik came again. This time, he ran to the cubicle full of wooden boards as usual, lit the oil lamp and continued to read the documents. It was precisely because of his understanding of the documents that he was able to communicate with the Uppsala businessman very naturally.
We were chatting and laughing. The amount of information in all the wooden boards was not exaggerated, and Rurik came up with a plan to recite it completely.
He has already started to do this.
A sound of footsteps gradually approached, and Rurik subconsciously paused his study.
"Are you here to refill the oil lamp?"
"It's me." Poona held on to the wooden frame and continued: "Rurik, there is something I want to discuss with you."
"You? And me? Okay."
Rurik completely put down his plank. He very much welcomed Bona to discuss certain things with him, because Rurik now also had opinions about this woman.
"You have something to do, and I also have something to do. You choose a place and we can have a good chat."
There was a hint of displeasure in Rurik's tone, and he didn't say anything at the moment. The surprised Bona thought about it, and she had already guessed it.
Because, both of them are probably because of the same thing.
Villa did not take any rest this afternoon. She sat cross-legged on the leather mat in the hall of the longhouse.
All the young priests gradually gathered around Vilia, and they also sat cross-legged on both sides of Vilia.
Rurik followed Bona. He returned to the hall and saw a serious scene.
"Hey? Discussing important matters?"
Rurik still had a dull face, and then sat casually on a leather cushion.
Seeing Villa sitting in the most noble position with half-closed eyes, he felt that it was actually the real high priest who had something to say to him.
As a result, without any courtesy, Bona expressed the opinions of the priests on behalf of all the priests in a very confessional tone.
"Rurik, I want to tell you one thing in particular today. Regarding the production of soap, I will definitely terminate it indefinitely."
Hearing this, Rurik's little heart was startled at first, and then quickly calmed down.
Although he didn't want this to happen, since his cousin returned, these priests have almost all begun to become "pampered ladies", except that they don't have husbands.
Rurik knew that Bona's determination would bring about identity, and he was by no means unprepared for this.
Even so, Rurik still showed a harsh attitude: "No wonder, you have become lazy these days. You have begun to pay special attention to your dressing up. You have stopped doing the work of boiling oil, let alone making soap. I have never done it.
I learned from the tailor that you also ordered a batch of new clothes."
Bona shrugged as if it were a matter of course: "Child, you know, it is the latest regulations formulated by your father, and we have a huge sum of money."
"Because of this money, you won't work?" Rurik continued to ask harshly, "Where is the soap? You don't plan to do it anymore?"
"Oh, haha. My child, regarding the soap, I am still willing to do it again if necessary. But the situation is different now, and there is no need for us to continue."
At this moment, Bona, who is confident, treats Rurik as a child. She feels that she will soon officially serve as the high priest. Even if Rurik succeeds as the chief ten years later, she will still have a huge say in the clan.
.
She coaxed Rurik: "Child, about soap. We signed a contract with you at the beginning, and we were willing to make soap for you. That's because we were poor, and you became rich by making soap, and we also became
Rich. The situation has completely changed now. I think we have obtained enough money and it will be a long process to use it up."
Rurik narrowed his eyes and asked deliberately: "You mean, you don't plan to make soap for me before you spend all the money? You have been resting these days, how can you do this? You should continue
Produced.”
"Huh? You can't say that." Bo Na straightened her body and continued to coax: "My child, maybe you are a little angry. Please relax."
After saying that, Poona winked, and a junior priest hurriedly took the original copy of the contract document over.
Bona held the wooden board with both hands, and the runes on it were clearly visible.
"Look, these are all the terms. It doesn't say that we have to continue making it forever. Our contract is always valid, but if we don't want to make it, you have no right to force it."
"you!"
Until this time, Rurik truly realized that he had been tricked by them.
In fact, what Bona said is very correct. This is clearly stipulated in the contract document.
Now, according to Bona's attitude, the priests were very enthusiastic about making soap in the past six months, and their technical skills were rapidly accumulated and developed through continuous hands-on operations.
Today, Bona's words proved one more thing. Rurik had to lament that there is nothing new under the sun. Even in ancient times, people were good at exploiting loopholes in contracts to get things done.
Of course, Rurik feels a little regretful now. If he had known this, when he made the contract half a year ago, he should have written a special clause, such as stipulating how much soap products the priest should produce within a month according to the Julian calendar, and what if the delivery is not overdue.
What kind of punishment needs to be paid.
Rurik couldn't help but think a little more. He was even a little worried about Klavason, because the agreement signed with the old guy was only about how to divide the money after selling the goods. No! Klavason should be more reliable.
Rurik speculated, looked into Pona's eyes and asked: "Is it just because of the 30,000 silver coins you got? Pona, do you think this money can really last you a lifetime? But you should understand that soap
It is a kind of daily necessities, and now the tribesmen like it very much. For the sake of our tribesmen, you should continue to produce it."
"Are you forcing it?" Poona sneered awkwardly and continued to coax: "We are priests and servants of God. Even if the leader is here, even if the leader makes a request to me, as the high priest, I have the right to refuse. Because
I am the high priest!"
The phrase "high priest" came out of Bona's mouth, like a needle, pricking Vilia who was listening. The old man opened his eyes, turned to look at Rurik, and expressed himself only with his eyes.
Complex attitude.
Rurik noticed this, and Vilia clearly didn't like what Bona said.
Maybe, Vilia is very angry!?
Rurik then said: "You are a servant of God, what about me? I am a person blessed by Odin, do you want to question this?"
"No, I have no doubt." Bona continued: "Actually, you and I are both Odin's servants, so why do you ask me to continue making it. Since you are willing to fulfill the contract, my words are completely in line with the contract. Mine
There was nothing wrong in the action.”
"You!" Rurik stood up directly and said with a strong attitude: "Then why are you putting on such a show? Bona, remember, you are not the high priest yet! Even if you call yourself the high priest in front of everyone.
Look, the high priest is sitting in the most honorable position."
Bona felt that she was wrong, glanced at Vilia awkwardly, and then turned around to explain: "Maybe there are some small mistakes in what I said. You can't deny that the high priest is now frail and sick, and he is getting older. When it comes to the summer solstice sacrifice, I will definitely
Perform rituals as high priest."
"Oh? Is this your decision? Then I have nothing to say to you."
Because soap is not just a matter of money. Rurik does not deny that he has taken most of the profits in soap, and the priests are very cheap labor.
If Poona and others criticize themselves in this regard and decide to propose changes to the profit sharing ratio, if this is the case, there is no way to change the profit sharing ratio. If they have high ideological depth, they can join forces to fight against exploitation.
Negotiate, so that Rurik will feel completely passive.
But Bona's attitude is entirely because the priests have become rich and don't want to work hard.
Soap can bring huge profits, and soap is also an important daily necessities.
The widespread use of soap can kill a large number of bacteria and viruses that are harmful to human health in daily life, and can also objectively reduce the possibility of people getting sick. For the Ross tribe, population is the basis for maintaining the strength of the tribe. Currently, soap is what the tribe can use
of keeping hygienic baby.
As for making a lot of money selling soap, it is indeed hugely profitable at the moment.
Rurik turned to leave, but when he saw that he had completely failed in coaxing the child, Bona also hurriedly stood up.
"Oh! Rurik, don't go! You seem to be angry. Let's sit down and talk."
"Let's talk? What else can we talk about?" Rurik turned around with a wooden face: "Indeed, you have reasons not to make soap. But I just need more soap. Do you think this is just to make money?"
"Otherwise?" Poona asked.
"I will be the future leader, and I have reason to be responsible for the lives of the people. The people need soap, but you just want to live a lazy life, walking around during the sacrificial time, and then you will be well-dressed and well-fed, etc.
No more. I have nothing to talk to you about, Bona, unless you decide to keep making soap for me."
Seeing Rurik's resolute attitude, his tone was full of atmosphere.
Bona really didn't want her relationship with Rurik to become tense. She just hoped that Rurik would understand and agree that the priest no longer had to make soap every day.
Bona waved her hands, looking anxious: "You! Don't be angry, kid. Sit back. We can continue to talk about this matter."