The wooden table placed next to the wall was moved back to the hall. Ryuri ordered his mercenaries to retreat and ordered them to scrub their bodies with linen soap before returning to the dormitory to rest.
A box full of silver coins was placed on the table. Under the dim oil lamp, the silver coins reflected an intoxicating silver light.
Nowadays, Otto doesn't become restless when looking at them. He has actually seen too much and has too much money, and his spirit is a little numb.
"Rurik, where did you get all this money?" he asked quietly.
Rurik looked like flowers were in bloom, and he stood up, holding these Roman and Carolingian silver coins of very good quality in his hands.
"Dad, this is a brand new tax I collected."
"Tax? You..." Otto's mind was spinning crazily. He thought the scene was absurd. "Those immigrants holding wheat may have just sown seeds. How do you collect taxes? Do you think this is a real tax? It is a tax for you.
?!"
"They are the businessmen!" Rurik said bluntly.
"Businessman? Tax?"
Looking at his father's suspicious face, Rurik understood in an instant that his father still didn't understand what tax was until now. It seemed that he still needed some explanation from himself?
No! There is no need for too much explanation. Rurik guesses that his father doesn’t have time to listen to his explanation. Anyway, the money is here, and getting the money is the last word.
Commercial taxes must be collected, and not just commercial taxes.
There are also very important tariffs.
The Ross tribe has three major tax systems: agricultural tax, business tax and customs duty. These three very critical tax types must be established.
Of course, Rurik feels that his tribe will only need these three core taxes to support the tribe's finances for a long time in the future. As for the head tax and stamp tax, they are not needed for the time being.
Especially the poll tax, Rurik did not think it was necessary. Even though this poll tax was a natural tax in the eyes of the feudal lords of the Frankish Kingdom, it was also one of the most critical sources of wealth.
For the Ross tribe, which is still in the state of a tribal alliance even with the concept of a feudal country, it must be a little difficult for everyone to accept even the concept of "taxation".
At this stage, Rurik doesn't dare to ask his native tribesmen to pay any taxes. He doesn't even think about it. He wants his tribesmen to take money "for no reason". He doesn't even think about it!
A relatively complete tax system must be established. Rurik does not expect his native people to accept it quickly, but those who live there must accept commercial taxes immediately.
Perhaps as Gould said, businessmen are generally very resistant, and may even have a negative impact on the Russians' future business.
Rurik knew well that those small businessmen who lacked strength would lose. As long as the obedient big businessmen were around, what else would be the problem?
Those small businessmen had better cooperate. Rurik acquiesced that they were generally resistant. This required Otto, as the big leader, to personally lead his soldiers to collect taxes! Especially during this period of ice, taking advantage of the sea ice
Without melting, small businessmen would not be able to row away and take advantage of the opportunity to raise taxes.
They understand that whether love comes or not, they can run away anyway, and the remaining residence will be taken over by Ross.
In fact, Rurik is also worried about his group of newly promoted servants, such as the "Archer" Tyravis who has moved to his new camp of the Gray Squirrel Tribe, and the Kovin tribesmen are still living in tents. This
Not appropriate!
Therefore, the houses left behind by the fleeing businessmen were just the temporary dormitories for the new slaves in the future.
Rurik pointed to the suitcase and said bluntly: "This may be regarded as my new invention. I talked a lot with the big businessman Gould today. Starting from this year's trade season, he will pay me a tax every year."
.As long as he does business in our Roseburg, he must pay a sum of money every year. Not just Gould, I have decided that starting from this year, all guest merchants must pay money!"
"Ah?" At this time, Otto had been the leader for more than ten years, and he really hadn't thought about it at all.
"You...you actually asked them for money, and you succeeded? You...you are such a genius! Why didn't I think about it!"
Otto's answer also surprised Rurik. Wait? Could it be that his father also wanted to make money, and he didn't collect "commercial tax" just because he lacked imagination?
Otto couldn't help but pucker his lips, and simply drank the liquor on the table in one gulp.
He banged on the desk with enthusiasm, making the box full of silver coins tremble.
Rurik felt that his father, who had lost a lot of his beard, was as happy today as a monkey grabbing a banana.
But when Otto calmed down a little, he suddenly questioned: "Rurik, you said if we just ask for money like this, they will give it?"
Rurik shrugged, knowing that Otto had already given a very clear answer - this business tax must be collected.
"We have to collect money, and they have to pay. If they refuse, dad, you can expel them and let them walk into the ice sea alone. Whether they will freeze to death depends on God's attitude."
"What about God's attitude?" Otto asked cautiously, "Have you noticed any good omens?"
Rurik was startled and wondered whether Otto was really superstitious. Anyway, the mouth was on his head, so he could say whatever he wanted.
"It's a good sign!"
"Really? That's great! When are we going to collect the money?!"
"This..." What surprised Rurik was whether it was because his father drank a bottle of strong wine, and his mood became very excited and direct. There is a saying that one speaks the truth after drinking. In the final analysis, this old guy is
Love money!
In fact, everyone loves money and longs to sleep on a bed paved with gold and silver. It is best to lie in a boat-shaped tomb and cover the whole body with silver coins after death.
Arik wanted to use militaristic means to win strong war dividends and repeat the huge victory before. Otto seemed more reserved. He was older and was more willing to use relatively peaceful means to amass wealth.
There is no doubt that Rurik's determination simply invented a new way to make money, and as the rule maker, this money should naturally be controlled by the chief family.
Otto only told the truth when he was drunk, and he had no intention of lying to his son.
Otto needed time to act, and now the problem was handed back to Rurik.
"You asked me when I will take action? This matter...maybe..."
"Hurry up and make up your mind! Our time is very tight, otherwise the ice and snow will melt!" Otto urged.
"That's two days from now!" Rurik stood up with a slap on his thigh, "We must first call all the businessmen and ask each businessman to send people for a meeting. In order to ensure that they take the money obediently, we must ensure the threat of force. They
It’s best to cooperate, if not, force them to cooperate.”
"I think it's okay." After saying that, Otto laughed without caring about anything.
Anyway, the target of making money is not the Ross people, but the businessmen who live there. Otto has no doubt whether Rurik's decision will have a bad impact. Anyway, for so many years, those residents have occupied the territory of Rossburg, at least
You also have to pay some land rent.
Early the next morning, Otto held his son's plan in mind and immediately called a meeting of the tribe's main respected people. The topic was no longer about war revenge, but how to make money. Although some people had strong suspicions, because most people were very supportive.
In this decision, the minority obeys the majority.
I never thought that maybe someone was eavesdropping, or some of the participants were not trustworthy, or maybe the wooden walls of the meeting room were not thick enough.
Even, for various purposes, some of Gould's subordinates leaked the fact that the leader wanted to collect commercial taxes, and revealed that Gould paid 10,000 silver coins.
It was this news of "ten thousand silver coins" that, through the mouth of the disseminator, completely turned into the Russian people charging a heavy tax of 10,000 silver coins from all guest merchants.
Most people didn't believe it at first, but then three people became tigers.
Merchants with a disadvantaged population have always felt that they have a very solid alliance with the Rus for decades. We are also in the same tribal alliance. How could it suddenly become like this?
However, the sea was frozen, and the land was covered up to the waist with snow, making it impossible for ships pushed ashore to sail.
Escape with the goods and cash box? That's crazy!
Of course, there were indeed merchant families who took advantage of the night to pack up valuable belongings. They pulled sleds and quietly fled Roseburg, leaving behind their empty wooden houses and some less valuable things.
Most of the merchants were dizzy by the bad news. Are they going to flee? Before they can sell a large amount of goods, they will lose all their silver coins. The family is waiting to sell the leather obtained by the Russians and make a fortune.
Well. If we give up these goods, the family will be on the verge of bankruptcy. Besides, fleeing in the cold winter is inherently dangerous.
When it was almost evening, after hearing these rumors, Otto realized that these merchants obviously had a strong feeling of not wanting to take money.
This sentiment has seriously interfered with the normal transactions between tribesmen and merchants.
Those merchants were accusing the Russians of being callous and being just winter fishermen who planned to sell fresh seal meat and cod meat to the merchants. After receiving some inexplicable criticism, they simply stopped doing business.
Rumors were spreading, and Rurik and Otto couldn't figure out who spread the news about tax collection.
From what the two of them heard, it was obviously a misinterpretation of tax collection.
"Ten thousand silver coins? If I could squeeze ten thousand silver coins from door to door, I could build a mountain of silver coins!"
Rurik urged his father to send people quickly to publicize the leader's decision to the merchants. The so-called business tax was necessary, but it was not the amount of ten thousand silver coins at all.
Not 10,000 silver coins? That amount is definitely a lot. Since the Ross warrior with a sword is personally explaining this matter, it can only mean that the situation is very serious.
Some people ran away at night, while others watched in numbness and hesitation. Only a small number of businessmen believed that the leader of Ross was not a coward.
Everyone received an order from the leader.
That is, tomorrow morning, each businessman needs to send his family members to gather on the now frozen beach to hear the specific matters regarding tax collection.
Want to go to the beach? Of course you want to go. If you don’t go, who can guarantee that the Russians won’t treat you with an iron fist?
After all, these guys conquered the "Land of the East" and were said to have achieved the miracle of killing 800 of the enemy with 300 people without any injuries. The guest merchants were a lot of business veterans. They had dealt with many warriors and knew how to do this.
Once a warrior falls into a frenzy, he really doesn't recognize any of his relatives. It's ridiculous to negotiate a contract with them. For the sake of his own safety, he can only express his obedience.
At least the Russians revealed that the purpose of the tax was not to hurt businessmen.
Everyone has some illusions about the Russians. That night, most of the businessmen who decided to stay and watch what happened stayed up all night with their families.
The appointed day has finally arrived.
The cold wind from the Arctic is still pouring into the bay, and even though it is April, the climate is still terrible.
What's the use of a sunny day? The climate is really cold. The businessmen who gathered on the frozen beach, although they were dressed in gorgeous furs, decorated their furry snow fox hats with gold threads, and wore dyed wool felt boots, were wearing small shoes.
The cowhide belt restrains your waist.
They dress gorgeously and decently, and their dressing is normal in itself, just to show their status as wealthy businessmen.
And these gorgeous clothes made the soldiers who were ordered by Otto to hold short spears and swords look like a large group of fat sheep that could be blackmailed.
The businessmen couldn't help feeling nervous when they saw the large number of soldiers standing on the beach.
Youdao has a sharp weapon in mind and is determined to kill himself. The businessmen really feel that they have suddenly become lambs to be slaughtered. Who knows what the Russians want to do.
But Otto really had no intention of resorting to violence first.
The idea of collecting commercial taxes was proposed by Rurik. As the destined next generation leader, he explained and ordered the merchants to pay taxes in public.
The beach was very lively, and a large number of men and women from the tribe gathered to watch a rare show.
Under the attention of all kinds of people, Rurik and Otto had a very dreamy appearance.
There are more than fifty young warriors, most of whom are just twenty years old.
They were shirtless, and their tendons ignored the Arctic wind and cold. They shouted chants and pulled fifty ropes, pulling Otto's longboat with a monster bow carved by himself, and pulled it to the beach, like a big ship
Sailing on ice is normal.
Rurik and Otto, the glorious father and son, stood at the bow of the ship.
The dragon-headed warship carried a strong sense of pressure as it slid on the ice and snow, causing the merchants to retreat one after another.
The Russians were cheering and the merchants were silent.
Under the gaze of more than 400 businessmen, Otto finally spoke with a rich yet domineering voice.
Otto was simple and direct in everything he did, and he always asked for money when he asked.
"You businessmen have lived in my Roseburg for a long time! Starting from this year, you will have to pay a tax every year. This is the rent you must pay and the price you must pay for doing business in Roseburg. I
Let me tell you! Every merchant must come up with fifty silver coins today! Listen! Fifty silver coins! That's the amount.
If you take out the money, you will be protected by us Russians this year. If you don't take the money, don't think about going home today!"
What happened was indeed beyond the expectations of the merchants. Compared with the tax of 10,000 silver coins, everyone could actually afford fifty silver coins. Even if some merchants could not afford the money for a while, they could still provide goods of equal value.
There are no obstacles to tax deduction.
The businessmen were discussing, and Rurik squinted his eyes to observe. He felt that the clouds on the brows of these well-dressed guys had disappeared.
Rurik still had something to say.
He was picked up directly by Otto and let him ride on his neck.
Rurik is in a very high position, as if sitting on the shoulders of giants.
He roared in a childlike voice: "All merchants! Listen to me! This is the leader's order! Starting from this year, every one of your merchant ships entering our Fort Ross will have to pay a port entry fee of ten silver coins.
You have no reason to refuse. As long as you do business with us, you must pay this amount again.
As long as you pay the entry fee of ten silver coins, your ship will be protected by us Rus people. Anyone who dares to damage your ship will be killed.
Remember, starting from this autumn, commercial ships entering our fjords will have to pay this port entry fee."
The so-called port entry fee, Rurik prefers to call it a tariff.
At first, Rurik had the idea to explain the purpose of taxation to them. After all, it was a bit cold outside. Rurik didn’t want to waste time. He also felt that it was a waste of words. He needed to be as decisive as his father, so he just gave it to the businessmen.
Two options: cooperate and be protected, refuse and get out now.
But Rurik still underestimated his father's methods.
Otto raised his arms and ordered: "You need to get the money now, and I will notify your family members to bring silver coins or goods of equivalent value. Only when I receive the money and goods can you leave."
this……
Why does taxation sound like extortion?! Rurik is a little dizzy. Since his father insists and it seems that this can collect the money very quickly, let’s do it! Although it goes against his own ideas.
Rurik hoped for a very peaceful way to collect business taxes, but Otto assumed that businessmen are all iron roosters and need to use iron pliers to pluck out their iron feathers. So, why is this happening?
The reason is also simple. At least ten merchants ran away overnight, which had a negative impact. Otto thought of the commotion among the merchants yesterday, and he had completely lost his patience.
As far as the results are concerned, Otto's method is simple and direct!
Even if the trapped businessmen were wearing thick clothes, they would inevitably feel cold if they stood on a beach where the cold wind blew continuously for a long time.
Out of concern and dependence on their heads of family, the merchant's wives and concubines obeyed the messenger's request and hurried to the beach with their own money or tax-deductible goods.
There are 3,000 guest residents, but the actual number of guest families is less than 500. Most of them are family workshop workers engaged in processing various materials. They are also businessmen themselves. In a sense, they are mostly "self-employed".
"Mom-and-pop shops", among which there are many leather processing workers, while the number of pure second-hand dealers is very small.
The main reason is that a large amount of currency flows into Roseburg, causing this limited market to quickly become inflationary.
Once upon a time, it was normal for a guest family to earn a net profit of ten or twenty silver coins in a winter. Now, the income of many families has increased tenfold!
The Russians have spoken out. If you don't pay taxes immediately, your husband and master will freeze to death and your property will be confiscated. But if you pay the money, you will be safe and your business activities will be perfectly protected.
More than a thousand residents gathered on the beach, almost all of them women. When a businessman gets rich, he will first dress up his women. The women are also more particular about their clothes. In order to save their family members, they happily
Paid the money.
As long as you pay the tax of fifty silver coins, the matter will be over.
The Russian soldiers who were in a human wall heard the order and opened a small opening, allowing only one person to pass through at a time. The wife and concubine paid the money, and a businessman was released.
Rurik, who was still standing at the bow of the warship, was paying attention to all this. At this moment, he had to admire his father's methods. Sure enough, the old man was still hot. Of course, those businessmen were eager to get out of the encirclement immediately, and those women also wanted to do it out of dependence.
They would not allow anything to happen to their family members. They immediately took out money to settle the problem, and their ease was unexpected.
On this day alone, the collection of commercial tax was completed in a very efficient manner!
Including tax-deductible goods, there are a total of 430 merchants paying taxes, which is more than 20,000 silver coins and equivalent materials.
A fraction of the tax, Otto, with Rurik's acquiescence, used it as a reward and gave it to all the soldiers who so-called "maintained order."
The remaining 20,000 silver coins and goods of equivalent value were returned to the leader's warehouse.
Could it be that no one stood up and told the leader that as a member of the Ross tribe, he should get a share of the pie?
None. Absolutely none.
The tribesmen were all praising the leader's family for being really noble and extraordinary. They actually let the merchants take out the money easily. Compared with what the leader's family did, they felt even more insignificant. They saw that the soldiers were just standing in a human wall.
Afterwards, everyone got a reward of some silver coins.
The tribesmen are more envious of those warriors who get money, that's all.
Ordinary tribesmen don't have the courage, let alone the thought of making demands of their leader. They just hope to win the battle with the big leader Otto, or to make money by doing things for the future big leader Rurik.
Now it's fine, 30,000 silver coins have been credited to the account. This amount of money is actually very large, and such a large amount of wealth can be obtained by collecting taxes. Otto was shocked, and his thoughts about attacking the Gotlanders and grabbing money suddenly faded a little.
.
Money-making has become such a wasteland! Why risk your life to fight an outsider with the same fighting ability as yourself? Otto knows that the purpose of war is actually to plunder as the main source and as a supplement to revenge.
Otto asked Rurik what he thought: "What do you want to do with this tax?"
Rurik gave his answer without thinking: "I collect taxes for construction. I want to use the money to buy the labor of our people and let them go to the mines in the north to build camps, and the Kovin settlements in the east to build our
Fortress, we also need to build our new Fort Ross. All this money will be spent, and our tribe will earn these 30,000 silver coins. Finally, they will build a stronger settlement for our tribe.
When our people become richer, our tribe will become stronger, so I can collect more taxes and build better settlements.
We will become stronger every year, just like rolling a small snowball, our strength is like this snowball, getting bigger and bigger."
Although Otto still doesn't quite understand, large-scale infrastructure construction will have very long-term benefits for the development of the tribe. He can at least feel the vitality in Rurik's words.
Also, Otto knows his people best. The people are fed up with poverty, and it has only been in the past two years that their living conditions have improved. Undoubtedly, this kid Rurik has made a lot of contributions.
The tribesmen just want to obtain more materials and more silver coins.
They just long for more wealth. If they can sell their labor to make a lot of money, that would be great.