Chapter 198 The Father and Son's Night Talk and a Preliminary Exploring of the Melalen Market
"Dad, are you serious?"
"Yes, I am serious." Gould continued to emphasize, "Our family must leave."
Snoleva's mind was very confused. He held his head in his hands and closed his eyes as if to meditate.
"Actually, you still don't want to leave?" Gould asked.
"No. Things are a little sudden..."
Gould shook his head and said consolingly: "Oh, silly boy. Even if we leave Unclas, we will still sell our goods in Mälaren. Believe in my determination. Now tell me about the market."
Are there any rumors?"
"rumor?"
"For example, there are rumors about the Rus' attacking the Gotlanders."
Mentioning this matter, Snoleva could not conceal his excitement. He cried out, "At least in terms of fighting, I admire the Russians very much. The merchants in the market are saying that the great leader of the Russians
, more courageous than the leader of Mellaren."
"You dare to attack because of the Russians?"
"Yes, they dare to attack. However, the leader of Melalen is only defensive. In my opinion, it is best for Melalen to organize an army and continue to attack the Danes, the masters of the Gotlanders. In this way, we will
We can sell our goods to the marching troops. Trust me, Dad. We'll make a fortune."
Now, Gould, who was sipping sweet and viscous red wine from a delicate glass, was very happy to see his son say such insightful words.
He sighed happily: "You are very smart, you already know the good time to do business. Haha, if the Melalen people are willing to organize an army, of course we will take the opportunity to sell goods. They will be very happy with the leather we send.
"
Snoleva's face was still flushed, and he continued: "That is, the leader has no intention of gathering an army yet. You know, the businessmen are all looking forward to that day."
"Really?" Gould quickly drank the glass of wine, then suddenly forced a straight face and said seriously: "Maybe, they will."
"Dad, what's wrong with you?"
"I...I'm worried about one thing. I suspect that the Danes will stand up to the Gotlanders, and war may be imminent."
"Oh! Really? That's really a good thing."
Snoleva looked forward to the war, while Gould saw only the desire to make war fortune from the eldest son's face, but completely forgot that Maylaren might become a war frontier.
Gould said seriously: "Who will the Danes attack? The Russians? No, that's too far. If the Danes want to fight back, they also want to attack the Melalen people. They must know that Melalen has a lot of wealth, and it is far away from Denmark.
The human lair is also very close. The Danes either do nothing or attack here."
Snoleva's face had become a little embarrassed, and he reluctantly muttered: "In this way, we can sell all the leather to them. We can raise the price, and they will buy it."
"What you said makes sense, but as a big businessman, you must know that if your life is gone, how can you enjoy your wealth? We need a strong backer to prepare a way for us to escape with our wealth.
Road. In my opinion, the only way to find the Rus is to go to the far north. According to my understanding of the Rus, they will often attack the Gotlanders after they have the first benefit. Sooner or later, the Danes will
Launch a large-scale counterattack, and then I don't want you to still be here."
"Ah?! Could it be, Dad! You even have your island..."
"Bah! It's just a charity given to us by the leader named Olegin." Speaking of his own experience, Gould was not happy: "That guy claimed that all the land on the land belongs to his tribe.
Build shops on the island. Of course we can open shops on the shore, but we have to pay them. Why! Do you really like this island?"
Snoleva smiled honestly: "Actually... I really like it a little bit."
"Look at your future!"
"Oh, Dad, it's my fault." Snoleva quickly surrendered: "Thank you for your teaching, I understand. If we are in danger, we will retreat with all our strength."
"Oh, that's right! I have a good agreement with the Ross people. They are much more generous than the Melalen people! We can set up shops in the Ross people's territory and import their specialty goods and transport them here for huge profits. That
The child named Rurik attaches great importance to contracts. He will inherit the position of leader of Rus. Remember, he will be the backer of our family from now on. You must remember that you are my eldest son and you will inherit most of my property.
family business."
"What about...where are my brothers?" Snoleva's heart was beating fast when she mentioned this matter, and her questioning attitude was full of caution.
"You don't have to worry about them. I can give you 80% of the family property, but all of them can only get 20%."
Hearing this, Snoleva's heart suddenly dropped!
For many years, this thirty-year-old young man has been most afraid that his father will no longer like him and stop giving him the main family property.
The reason why he thinks so is indeed because of a very simple practical reason. It is just like the unknown ownership of the family property, which has always made Snoleva a little worried.
Gould drank another glass of wine, and by the flickering flame of the oil lamp, he couldn't help but look at his two lovely granddaughters.
The two little girls are innocent, and the eldest granddaughter is almost old enough to get engaged. Which boy can be her husband? That boy must be a business partner of the family!
Alas, it's a pity that they are all girls.
Thinking of this, Gould gave his eldest daughter-in-law a sharp look, which made her tremble all over.
Taking advantage of this, Gould choked again: "My son, you are good at everything. Even though you are thirty years old, you still have not given birth to a grandson for me. You are my hope for the future, but
How can this be done if you never have a son in your life?"
"Oh, Dad. My wife and I will work hard."
"Your wife?" Gould was already a little drunk, and he could not speak fluently. He no longer cared about his daughter-in-law's feelings, and said bluntly: "If it doesn't work, just marry another one. You are worse than us.
You must be clear, there are many women in the market, and there are many beautiful Britton women among them. Instead of taking advantage of other merchants, it is better for you to buy a few back! You should be like me and let them have children. Once they give birth,
After having a son, she is promoted to wife."
What her father said was too explicit. Snoleva trembled and didn't know what to say for a moment.
Only the eldest daughter-in-law was on pins and needles hearing these words.
Without letting her husband speak, she left her seat directly, crawled in front of Gould in a humble manner, and said with firm eyes: "Dad, I will work hard. I will definitely give birth to a son. No! Two,
Three! And now I..." As she said that, she slowly sat up straight and raised her belly: "Actually, I already have one."
"Oh? What a happy event!" Gould was so excited that he threw the glass in his hand aside, and the half-drunk glass spilled all over the mat.
Gould stood up, holding his daughter-in-law's chin with his right hand, his face kind.
He understood that the eldest son had not married another one for so many years, and was a rare person among businessmen. It was because he liked his wife. This woman was the wife he personally selected for his eldest son. Because of these past experiences, Gould had a deep understanding of this woman.
Women also have relationships that last for many years.
The daughter-in-law is more proactive than the son. She is obviously afraid of losing her status.
"I am like my daughter." Gould showed a rare tenderness: "You have to work hard. I have found a new future supporter for your husband, and our family has received a safety guarantee.
And you, the continuation of the family falls on your shoulders, and your responsibility is very important."
"Yes, Dad, I can definitely do it."
After a while, a sizzling roast lamb was finally carried up.
This is a sheep that Snoleva bought ready-made from the Mälaren market. Up to now, there are still more than ten sheep in the sheep pen on the island. Snoreva bought the sheep and did not raise them to cut the wool.
His intention is to eat meat.
In terms of eating meat, elegance? There is no such thing.
As the most noble man, Gould tore off a lamb thigh with his bare hands. It was almost the best part of the roasted lamb.
The family shared a sheep, and here the two men ate the most. Gould and Snoleva had large bellies, and it was for this reason that they were able to eat suet balls.
At this time, coupled with freshly baked fermented bread, fresh onions to relieve greasiness, and wine, life will be delicious.
Only very wealthy families can live such a luxurious life. The Melalen tribe is very rich, but in fact there is a serious gap between the rich and the poor. Those ordinary farmers still make porridge with one pound of oats a day, and sell the extra wheat in exchange for
Various daily necessities, and even a series of equipment needed during war.
Every strong man in the Melalen tribe has the obligation to accept the recruitment of the chief.
Likewise, the Rus, Uppsalas, and people of all tribes have this obligation.
The only exceptions are those businessmen with large assets.
Don't expect the loyalty of this group of businessmen at all. Although they are part of the alliance, if someone gives them favorable conditions, they will run to their territory in large numbers. If the situation changes, the businessmen will take their own wealth and organize fleets to run away.
road.
After three rounds of wine, five delicious dishes, and a comfortable meal, Gould was lying on his side, with one arm resting on his head. His whole body looked like a pile of rotten fat.
Seeing her father enjoying himself so leisurely, Snoleva felt that his reception must have made his father particularly satisfied.
Seeing this, Snoleva asked: "Starting from tomorrow, shall we go to the lively area of the market?"
"Tomorrow? No, have a day off."
"Okay, we can just take inventory of the goods."
"Our goods do need to be counted again, and there is one more thing." Gould stared into his son's eyes: "You must prepare at least one hundred pounds of silver."
"Ah? So many? What to do?"
“Of course I’m going to the market to do some shopping!”
"Purchasing?" Snoleva was puzzled when he heard this: "Dad, those crystal cups have been bought by others a long time ago. If we go there again, we won't be able to buy any expensive treasures at all. There are only a large number of bulk goods there now.
I can’t afford to spend so much money?”
"Really? What do you think I want to buy?" With that said, Gould sat up.
"Is it...for example, gems? Oh, those gems are very rare. Besides, amber is not expensive here."
"I want to buy someone." Gould said concisely.
"People? Those people who are locked up, those women. Oh, Dad, are you so confident in your body? Mom is here too..."
Snoleva subconsciously felt that her father was following his own preferences and wanted to recruit more young women to serve him.
Gould smiled stupidly: "My child, you are thinking too much. I know that the Norwegians must have gone to the island in the west to kidnap some women, probably some Briton women. I want to buy a batch, all of them.
Send it to the Russians. I forgot to tell you that the Russians have given me many tasks this year and promised me huge benefits after the tasks are completed. They need a large number of servants, both men and women."
"Oh? Is this still the case?!"
"In my opinion, we should buy all the people from the market, even the children, and bring them back to this island."
Snoleva was really shocked when she heard her father's bold words.
The Vikings in the Baltic Sea region had been trading slaves since ancient times.
For example, bankrupt farmers became debt slaves, and creditors were sometimes taken to the market in exchange for a good price to pay off their debts.
In addition, many of the poor people tied up with ropes are simply ordinary people from Britain and Frank. In the past fifty years, the number of foreign slaves in the Malaren Market has gradually increased, and it can be said that the majority of them are women.
.
Women are women, and the farmers in Mälaren can't control that much. They will try their best to sell the food they grow, accumulate wealth, and then buy a foreign woman from a Norwegian businessman. Their purpose is very simple, just to make this
Woman as wife.
For example, the chiefs of the Melalen tribe and the powerful and wealthy local households select the most beautiful ones to stay in their houses as servants.
Gould continued to ask: "Son, you should know the prices of those people, are they still the same as before?"
"Yes, the average man still gets twenty silver coins, and the woman still gets thirty silver coins. A good-looking woman, or a strong man, can get up to one pound of silver coins, usually around fifty silver coins. That's it, those Norwegians
There were no children. At least I didn’t find any this year.”
"What's the use of children!" Gould shrugged and couldn't help complaining: "That Rurik, he told me that he must get some children for him, saying that good servants should be trained from an early age. Those Norwegians will not kidnap
Even if the child is kidnapped, he will die on the vast sea."
"That's true." Snoleva smiled honestly.
"So, there should be many young men in the market who are eager to work as mercenaries for others? Are these many people?"
"This...such people always exist, Dad, you should understand. If you need more mercenaries, you'd better go to the taverns in Melalen."
"Okay. I will recruit some more people and send them all to the Ross people. I am recruiting a group of mercenaries for them at the request of the Ross leader. You see, we will get a lot of men and women, and they will have to stay for the time being.
On this small island. Children, you have to make preparations to feed them until at least August."
"Ah? Our island..."
"Then you build some wooden sheds! Go to the market to buy some food, and go to the fishermen to buy some fish. Remember how much you spent, and send me a report in August. Don't worry about anything. The Russians will eventually use this money.
Give it back to us."
In this way, Gould rested for a whole day on his own island. After recuperating his energy for June 5, he tentatively rushed towards the mouth of the river where the core of the Melalen tribe was located, towards the area.
The most prosperous land market. Because it was just a test, he did not personally bring his own goods to the landing.
He is not worried about the sales of his own goods at all. Some of his colleagues have personally gone to the island under his control and brought money to trade. For those people, the eldest son will be responsible for dealing with it. After the roast lamb dinner, the eldest son has already witnessed the soap
With the magic power, Gould fully believed that his eldest son would become an excellent salesman. In the next few days, the news that his family was selling an artifact washing tool would spread among the Melalen tribe.
At that time, a group of wealthy people who have money at home and especially like novelty gadgets will come to their island uninvited.
Regarding the current situation of commodity trading in the market, his son had already made a good report to himself, so Gould no longer had so much curiosity here.
Gould was still wearing gorgeous clothes, and accompanied by more than a dozen guards headed by Jevlo, he began a revolving door of "shopping."
As expected, most of the things on the market are bulk goods, such as linen, cowhide, sheepskin, wooden daily necessities, and even last year's surplus grain. It is these bulk goods that are the largest commodities.
Still in a familiar corner, this is the so-called human market that has long been controlled by Norwegian merchants. Those poor people kidnapped from Britain in various ways are all sold here.
The reality was very different from what Gould had imagined. After some questioning, he learned that most of the people had long been bought out by wealthy households in Malaren.
A strong Norwegian businessman with a Norwegian forest cat fur hat on his head told Gould bluntly that he drove a caged carriage over the mountains and hired fishing boats to transport his "goods" here.
.Gould knew that this man was just eager to make more money.
There were five poor women here who were trembling with fear. Their clothes were completely different from the locals. Even though they looked different, there was not much difference.
They were all Brythonic women, and they even had some beliefs that Gould found strange, but their beauty did not satisfy him.
Gould especially remembered the two Briton women he bought two years ago. Because of their good looks, in order to get them, he paid the profiteer two pounds of silver and a cordial greeting!
The Norwegian businessman offered a man thirty silver coins. As a result, Gould spent one pound of silver and another forty silver coins to buy the man two unique Norwegian forest cat skins and took them all away. Although the Norwegian businessman
Unwilling to do so, considering that he had not sold them for many days and had to buy food for nothing, he decided to continue the business even though he was suffering a loss.
After all, they were Norwegian businessmen who traveled over the mountains. Gould felt that they were either trafficking some foreigners or selling extremely soft and unique cat skins. Other than that, they didn't seem to have many good things to offer.
Today, Gould was just doing a survey. He even went to a tavern to investigate the prices of ale and calculated how much craft ale he could bring back to Rurik.
He also conducted some research on young people looking for employers and gained some understanding of the status of this year's "manpower employment market."
Some farmers in Mälaren owed money to their landlords, so in order to avoid becoming debt slaves, they had to sell their land to pay off the debt. As a result, such men had only one strength left, and they had to do manual labor for an employer.
He even works as a mercenary bodyguard to earn some money to support his family and himself.
Most of Gould's own guards were of this type. However, Gould selected young men who were alone, so that they had no family members and could only be loyal to their sponsors.
Since the agreement between Rurik and himself did not have so many restrictions, there was no problem in hiring everyone with families and sending them all to Fort Ross.
For the time being, Gould did not make such a decision. He first brought the five women he originally bought to his island, removed the shackles of their hands and feet, gave them food, and announced their future. No one paid attention to their moods.
, Gould felt that it was a great kindness for him to reward them with leather blankets for temporary sleep, as well as some fish and wheat porridge.
Indeed, Gould's only responsibility was to send all the people he absorbed to Rossburg safely.
If Rurik and Otto intend to show greater mercy, that is their business. Until then, they can just pay these people three months' food allowance, which is not much anyway.