There is a man here. He is not that fat and strong, but has a lean and agile appearance. Also, this man's appearance is very different from that of the Rus or other tribes. This man's skin is indeed quite good.
She is white, has a flatter face, and her hair is more brown.
All the above fully prove one thing: he is definitely not Germanic, not even Slavic.
The only thing Rurik could guess was that this person was Finnish. Because this was the only possibility.
"You! That's you!" Rurik stretched out his hand and pointed: "You must be Jevlo."
"Ah, you know my name?!" Jevro was a little surprised.
"Of course I know that Gould gave you high praise. Now you should know that I am Rurik, and I will be your future sponsor. You need to promise me that you will work for me in the future."
"Of course." As soon as he finished speaking, Yevluo knelt down on one knee and covered his heart with his right hand.
There were also people in warrior attire behind him. They all knelt down on one knee when they saw the leader's movements.
The sudden situation startled Rurik.
This warrior is kneeling on one knee. A hemp rope is tied around his forehead, which also restrains some scattered hair. This man's beard is also obviously carefully trimmed. Although it has the texture of cheeks, it can be seen that there must be a sharp knife attached to it.
After shaving my skin, I had the brown hair roots that I have now.
This Yerov gave Rurik a very capable feeling. Think about it, this man was originally Gould's mercenary captain, and he was a talent trained by Gould himself since childhood.
I'm afraid because of the constant training and fighting, this man did not become a fat elephant seal like his original owner.
Rurik pinched his smooth chin. At this moment, he also had the urge to add an interesting beard.
After all, he is a man!
In this era, a man's beard is often linked to a man's strength, and also to that aspect of strength.
Because of the bald chin of adult men, legend has it that only eunuchs from the Frankish and Eastern Roman courts, as well as castratos in choirs, had such a demeanor.
Shaving off a person's beard can be described as a strong insult.
Rurik could deeply feel the charm of this man, and when he saw the muscle texture on his arms, he was very satisfied.
"Is this going to be given to my mercenaries?" Rurik asked deliberately.
"Exactly. My chief, you shall have them."
Rurik nodded, still holding the sword with both hands, and ordered in a childish voice: "You all get up!"
Yevrod ordered him to stand up. At this moment, he had no problem kneeling down to a child. After all, he had already understood his fate. After only a brief contact, his first impression of Rurik was really good.
This kid really has a kingly aura.
Thanks to the training on Gould Island, the mercenaries behind Jevro have basically become a good fighting force. This group of people is almost all from the Melalen tribe, young people who have come out to make a living in the world.
People, when they first arrived in the legendary territory of the Ross people in the far north, everyone seemed cautious, but in their hearts, they all had a desire to settle down. For example, becoming a Ross person would not make them, whose ancestral home is Melalen,
People feel unwell.
Jevro also behaved very cautiously, or in other words, he had learned to surrender to the strong.
"Jevlo." Rurik suddenly asked.
"yes!"
"I heard that you are Finnish? Is this true?"
"Exactly."
"Okay." After that, Rurik said a greeting from Finnish.
This greeting really surprised and delighted Yevlo.
"Master, you...you know our language?" Javlo also said this in Finnish, and Rurik couldn't understand it well.
However, Rurik suddenly noticed from the corner of his eyes that the expression of his head maid Rumia was becoming a little complicated. She...
"Lumia!"
"Yes Yes!"
"Say a few words to him in your language."
Rumia received the order, first she clasped her hands and shyly stepped forward, speaking her own Sami language, and all the words she said, Jevro's eyes widened, he heard them all very clearly.
After all, Rurik only learned some Sami words from Rumia. There were not many of them, but if they were not used frequently, they would be very easy to forget.
Rurik was busy with many things and spoke in Norse on weekdays. Not only did he forget a lot of Sami vocabulary, which was very similar to ancient Finnish, but he also forgot a lot of ancient Slavic vocabulary.
At least Rurik had studied. He realized that Rumia and this Yevro were excitedly telling each other about their identities.
Although he was reluctant to leave, Rurik clapped his hands and interrupted the exchange between the two.
"That's it for now. You will have plenty of time to chat later. Jevlo, it seems that you understand the language of the deer herders and have not forgotten your own Finnish language."
"Yes! Master." Yevro's attitude was firm, and his trembling eyes clearly told Rurik that he was about to cry.
What makes Jevlo so excited?!
It was entirely because he never imagined that he could actually hear his hometown dialect in the remote Ross tribe, and that for the first time in more than ten years, he had the opportunity to speak freely with another "fellow countryman" in his native accent.
After all, the Sami language separated from the ancient Finnish language, and the separation occurred only around 1,000 AD. It can be said that the Sami people who raise deer are themselves Finns.
Rurik clapped his little hands and said casually: "Great! Yevlo, you are a Finn. When we Russians conquer the East, you will play a huge role."
Yevluo was startled: "Master, are you very interested in the East?"
"The East?" Rurik chuckled, puffed up his chest and advocated: "The East is a wonderful place, full of unknown wealth, isn't it also your hometown? Listen, I am very interested in you Finns. Anyway,
One day I will be the leader of all Finns, the deer herders, but don't worry, I will be the benevolent leader. When that time comes, I will need your strength."
Jevlo was not a fool. He had a vague sense of the new master's ambitions and the possibility of his own magical future.
Jevro did not say much, but raised his head and gave a polite blessing: "If I can help you conquer the East, it would be my honor. If I visit my hometown again in my lifetime, or even find my tribe, I will
very happy."
"Oh?" Rurik narrowed his eyes, "Do you still remember your own people? I heard some stories about you. It is said that you were a prisoner captured in the war."
Rurik's words were very direct, and Jevro was not angry: "Exactly. Everyone says that Rurik of Rus is a blessed man and a kind man. If I am lucky enough to be respected by you,
, I hope that my people in the east can also gain your respect."
Huh? This Yevluo is also a Taoist person?
Rurik felt a little happy. Then he thought about it. I'm afraid Gould had already done some ideological work on this person, so Yevro could quickly adapt to his new identity?
On the other hand, Rurik originally regarded the conquest of Finland as one of his future development strategies. The reason was not that he had to do this, but simply because, geopolitically, the construction of New Roseburg and the
Development, and even the Tombstone Island stronghold built in the Åland Islands. It means that the entire Finnish peninsula is surrounded by the three strongholds of the Russians. With such a situation, isn't it normal to conquer Finland?
Besides, Finland is either controlled by the descendants of the Rus or the Swedes.
In the final analysis, the two groups that can control Finland are related by blood to the Vikings who settled in Svealand.
Rurik met Yevluo and inspected the mercenaries behind him. After a conversation, he became very interested in Yevluo. It seemed that this man was born to be a loyal mercenary.
Wait, mercenary loyalty?!
In the final analysis, I'm afraid these guys are more loyal to money. Yevlo does have some past experiences in his childhood. I'm afraid he is not only loyal to money, but also loyal to his benefactor.
Rurik held his sword again and shouted loudly in public: "All mercenary brothers! I am your master Rurik! The son of the leader of the Ross tribe, the unquestionable next leader! You will become my mercenaries.
Soldiers only serve to protect the leader's family.
You will receive generous treatment for your loyalty. Now I stipulate that the mercenary captain will receive twenty silver coins per month, and the ordinary mercenary will receive ten silver coins per month.
In addition, I will bear all your food, clothing and weapons."
As soon as this statement came out, the mercenaries started talking a lot, and everyone was happy with their master's generous decision.
But Gould's old face darkened. He really felt that Rurik's treatment for the mercenaries was a bit too high.
Is it high? Rurik feels that his decision is correct.
In a sense, until the more than one hundred brothers under his command grow up, the group of mercenaries in front of him is his own army that can be mobilized directly.
Of course, there is still an insurmountable gap between this group of people before they can be upgraded to the "Guards" - they are not Russians by blood.
Maybe Yevro can be very loyal, and forget about others. Rurik trusts his cousin Arik more, and the young people who are more than ten years older than him. After that, what he trusts most is his own training.
That group of tribal boys.
Protecting the safety of the leader's family and protecting the leader's wealth must of course be left to the Ross tribe's own people.
The biggest advantage of buying mercenaries with money is that in future wars, they can be paid a lot of money to take the lead.
It can be said that Rurik's current actual intention is to treat these thirty people in total as tool men for fighting in front of the battle line and as laborers during peacetime.
"Now I declare Yevluo to be my mercenary captain. Yevluo, come to me and kneel down!"
Jevro said nothing. He knelt on one knee in front of Rurik, and their eyes were almost at eye level.
Suddenly, Rurik pulled out the dagger he was wearing, and the sunlight reflected by the bright white color of the carbon steel flashed directly into Yevro's eyes!
There is a sword full of patterns standing on the sandy ground, and there is also a bright white sword!
Just by intuition, Yevro knew that this was a rare treasure. But he didn't understand that the number of bright white steel swords equipped by the Russian soldiers was increasing almost every day. It was not until the Russian people fully replaced their steel weapons.
Not far away.
The dagger suddenly rested on Jevro's left shoulder, and the sudden situation shocked him.
Rurik was muttering something at this moment: "Odin witnessed it, the brave Russians witnessed it, and the blessed Rurik recognized it!"
After saying that, the sword was placed on Jevlo's right shoulder again.
"I recognize Yevluo the Fen, Yevluo as my mercenary captain. May your loyalty be as hard as stone, and may your bravery be as sharp as a sword. From now on, you will fight for the Ross tribe."
Suddenly, the back of the sword struck Jevro's Tianling Cap, and Rurik asked in a low voice: "Are you willing to fight for me?"
This is a ritual! After realizing this, Yevlo no longer feels disobedient.
"I do. I will fight for Rurik! Fight for the Rus tribe!"
"Okay! Remember your oath, Odin will also give me blessings. If you choose to betray, God will punish you."
"I! Dare not disobey!"
Until this time, Rurik put his sword back. He also saw Yevro's piercing eyes.
People in this era all believe in certain gods. They rely on these beliefs to find a reasonable position for themselves in the world, so that their minds are no longer confused. Because of this factor, people will always be in awe of mysterious things.
Rurik likes this guy Yevlo very much, so he wants to win him over with a certain amount of money, and at the same time lock his heart through some rituals. The same ceremony that completely imitates the "knight canonization ceremony" is also done for other mercenaries.
Yes, Rurik placed his hope in the power of ghosts and gods to restrain these mercenaries.
He felt that he was now using his magical identity as "Son of God" to win over people's hearts. Look at the eyes of the fat man Gould. He saw dignity and solemnity.
It seems that the mercenaries have been tamed, but who else is there?
The mercenaries were asked to stand aside. Immediately afterwards, all the Ostara refugees (almost all women and children with children) got off the boat. The refugees naturally gathered around their nine-year-old female leader.
, waiting for the next step of the equally immature leader Ross.
The two sisters, Carlotta and Ella, are also waiting for Rurik's next request.
The last person to disembark was to be ceremoniously introduced by Gould.
Now, it was the private mercenary guards of the Gould family who brought a large group of people to the sandy ground in front of Rurik.
As more and more people gathered, Rurik's frown deepened.
"What's going on? Gould, are you telling me that these people are all servants you found for me?"
The plump Gould held his heart with his big hand wearing many gemstone rings, bowed slightly and said: "My leader, they are all your servants. You gave me an order, if you can, try to find them."
Some people who have no solution in life. I have fulfilled my promise, and you are also kind."
"Yes! But, how come I see a lot of children here, even... girls?"
"Exactly. They are some poor beggars and some Britons. I rescued them from the slave market."
"This...this is too much!"
Rurik couldn't help but wonder that maybe Gould was in the south and simply used money to take away girls from local farmers who they couldn't afford.
Is it ridiculous? No! Rurik knew the origins of the ten new maids under his command. They were all obtained by his father in exchange for money from Novgorod.
"Gould, I now have reason to suspect that you used money to lure the locals and take away their daughters." Rurik said deliberately harshly.
"No, I didn't do that. All the children are beggars. I am a businessman, and now I have brought these children who were on the verge of starving to death healthy. I hope you are satisfied."
"She's right!" Carlotta, who was standing aside, couldn't stand it anymore. She quickly broke away from her people and walked quickly towards Rurik. "I can testify."
"Huh? Are they really beggars?"
"Exactly. Because, my sister and I also worked as beggars for a few days. Thanks to Uncle Gould, we were rescued. Otherwise, I would have starved to death long ago."
He was misunderstood by Rurik, and Gould did not feel aggrieved at all. After all, businessmen often do things without regard to right or wrong, and everyone is seeking benefits. Even if there are various excuses, ask yourself, Gould knows that he is not the right person to transfer this large group of people.
The purpose of the so-called kindness is just to get some change for completing the work, and in the end, what he does is the work of a slave trader in a real sense. The only thing he can defend is that when these people are in Rurik's hands, they will definitely be treated with unprecedented kindness.
"Okay." Rurik nodded: "Since the leader of Ostara has said so, I will accept these people."
"Oh! My master, you are really kind and the leader, so..." Gould immediately clasped his hands into fists and began to smile with hints on his face.
"Money? Money is not a problem. What about other goods? Where about food?"
"It's all here." Gould pointed to all the ships washed up on the beach: "A lot of wheat, a lot of vegetables, and a batch of wine. There is even a batch of unprocessed flax. My leader, I very much hope
If you can buy them, I know you need them very much."
Do they need it? Of course the Russians need these supplies, and this need is more urgent than ever.
My poor dad has completely fallen in love with liquor and is now suffering from a hangover.
However, Dad handed over the leader's sword to himself, which is equivalent to handing over the administrative power of the Ross tribe to him.
Without saying a word, Rurik immediately decided: "I want them all!"
"Is this... is this true?!" Gould was overjoyed, and his family members were also happy.
He was happy, but Gould couldn't help but feel worried, and said tactfully: "My leader, I appreciate your care. I have brought a lot of things, so you can enjoy them."
"Hey, are you worried that I can't come up with a sum of money right away? Don't worry." Rurik pointed to the servants who were transported: "I will pay for these people as well. Let's settle down first."
Hey guys, wait a minute, I'm going to your mansion to have a good chat. The only thing I can guarantee is that if we settle the account today, you can get the full payment tomorrow."
"Oh! That's great!" Gould clapped his hands and cheered, his fat body suddenly jumped up, and his fat belly was like a surging sea wave...