Generally speaking, the Rus and their servants live in an extremely cold place close to the Arctic Circle. Due to the cold climate, everyone rarely sweats. In addition, there is a large amount of sea fish in the food, and there is always a problem when cooking fish.
A little bit of sea salt was eaten in the stomach. Overall, the Russians did not have a salt shortage problem at all. They were completely different from the inland farming residents.
The Balmoks also understand this truth, so Modgen's plan is to sell the salt to the Kovin people in the interior, and then bring a large amount of leather back to Narvik Port, which has a narrow land and is full of barren mountains.
own people in order to make a lot of money.
As long as they do not engage in long-term strenuous physical exertion, residents in northern coastal areas will not suffer from salt deficiency, no matter what era.
Modgen realized that his big buyers were obviously heroes of the sea, so why were they so interested in salt?
He asked cautiously: "Maybe you are not very short of salt."
"Yes, we do not lack salt. But boiling salt is a troublesome thing. If you can provide a large amount of salt, why should I dedicate manpower to boil salt? Just like you and me, you boil salt, and I buy salt with leather
, wouldn’t it be nice for everyone to get what they need?”
After hearing this explanation, Modgen couldn't help but smile awkwardly.
Rurik sucked his fingers clean. Based on the salt alone, he estimated that the Balmoks not only obtained salt by boiling Atlantic seawater, which has a much higher salt content than the Baltic Sea, but they must also know some techniques for boiling salt.
The taste of this salt is really great. Rurik feels that they have a good ability to control the temperature of salt precipitation. There is almost no bitter taste from magnesium chloride in your mouth. You know, the taste of pure sodium chloride.
, when perceived by the human tongue, a particularly pleasant feeling will arise. If the bitter impurities are not removed during processing, the taste will be terrible.
Rurik clapped his hands and said proudly: "I want all your salt. Don't you want fur? I have many kinds of leather here! I will exchange all the salt with you for leather."
Modgen was overjoyed. He didn't expect the other party to be so happy.
"What other products do you have?" Rurik continued to ask, "If they are interesting things, I want them all."
"Also...there are some iron tools. I think this is the only one you don't need."
"Iron? Well, we are not short of iron ourselves." Rurik returned to his seat: "Let's continue to talk about the salt issue. You guys have to bid me how much leather I need in exchange for all your salt."
In fact, Modgen has always been a little worried. He is surrounded by Ross warriors holding swords. Shuangfeng is doing business. He always feels a sense of mental oppression. In order for him to safely escape from the Ross fortress
He left with the goods, but Modgen didn't dare to open his mouth, and he was even willing to give a lower price in order for the transaction to go smoothly.
Modgen looked at the bear skin sitting under him and the bear head on the wall: "If you are willing, I am willing to use a pound of salt in exchange for your... two of your bear skins."
"That's it?"
"What? You don't want to." Modgen said hurriedly, "Our expedition once exchanged one pound of salt for the Kovin people for as many as fifty squirrel skins. Although bear skins are more difficult to obtain, our salt is also very valuable.
."
Rurik realized that the other party misinterpreted his meaning. According to Rurik's thinking, the price they offered was actually much lower than his psychological expectation, as if they were deliberately showing weakness.
In fact, this is purely Rurik's overthinking. In the port of Narvik, because the Atlantic seawater is more salty, the cost of boiling salt for the locals is much lower than that of the Russians.
Due to the long trade routes and poor transportation, one pound of salt for two bearskins does not actually mean who wins and who loses. The actual transaction between the two parties is difficult to measure by the weight of silver coins. In the final analysis, the Russians exist in
In the trading system of the Siya Tribe Alliance, the Russians have come into contact with the Balmoks since this year.
"Okay." Rurik said nothing more: "Since you are willing to buy my bear skins at this price, let's trade like this. I trade sixty bears skins for your salt, but I'm worried that you don't have the strength at all.
Take them back to their hometown."
Modgen smiled: "It doesn't matter, we are strong people. Oh, if you are willing to sell me some slaves (referring to the Corvin people) to help us transport goods, I will be very happy."
"That's not possible." Rurik shook his head: "I also hope you can bring some slaves. You know, we Russians need a lot of slaves."
"Slave? Maybe, if we can catch him." Modgen pinched his beard and said nothing more.
At this point, Rurik didn't want to make a fuss about the slave issue, although he needed a lot of labor. Rather than letting his business partners capture unknown people as slaves, why didn't he develop Novgoro himself?
What about the local labor force in Germany? I am afraid that as long as a little favor is given, many people will rush to become servants. Or renting some metal farm tools can induce a large number of Novgorod people to cultivate land and become "tax residents".
Rurik continued to ask: "You seem to have brought other products?"
"They are some iron tools. Sir, if you are willing to buy them."
"Let me see."
Modgen immediately signaled his men to open another linen bag, only to see that it was filled with axes that had not yet been installed with wooden handles. He took out all the axes one by one and showed them to everyone present.
"My lord, as you can see, if you are willing to buy these twenty axes."
Ax? Rurik stretched out his little head to take a look, but after just a brief glance, he lost interest.
"These axes of yours are obviously rusty. They look like they are of poor quality."
"This..." Modgen felt a little dissatisfied. He was helpless under the roof, and he said mockingly: "Obviously, our blacksmithing skills are not excellent. In your opinion, these axes are very bad. If...
…”
"Oh. You mean to say that if you sell it to the Covin people, you will earn a fortune? Are you planning to exchange an ax for several pieces of leather?"
Modgen did not hesitate: "An ax is equivalent to a pound of salt, and I am willing to price it this way. Sir, if you are willing to buy it, we speak the same language, and we must all use silver coins. I am willing to pay ten silver coins for each axe."
For the price, I will buy them all for you.”
Modgen proposed a price, which he thought was reasonable, but the Ross warriors on both sides couldn't help but sneer.
"What? My pricing is ridiculous?"
"No!" Rurik stretched out his right hand to stop everyone's ridicule, and then stared into Modgen's eyes: "Friends from afar, you value your own products too highly. Your ax is obviously the worst, how dare you price it at ten
silver?!"
"you……"
Modgen raised his chest. He felt the humiliation from a child. This unprecedented feeling made him resentful.
The anger was just suppressed in his heart. He tried his best to suppress the tremors on his skin and said deliberately: "So your ax is better?"
"Of course! I can easily destroy your axe."
"ah?!"
"What, you don't believe it?" Rurik deliberately provoked.
"No! I just..."
"Just what?"
Modgen guessed what the other party probably wanted to do, "Sir, the two axes collided, and the blade that was finally polished was damaged. It doesn't matter if my ax is damaged, I'm just worried about hurting your axe."
Hearing this, Rurik was stunned for a moment, then laughed slowly: "Why do I think you are mocking me?"
"No, I never meant that."
"It doesn't matter, the only thing that will be damaged in the end is your axe. Since you are confident in your axe, let's try it. Just in time, we can also show you our Russian axe!" Rurik ordered with a confident look on his face.
A mercenary stood up, then picked up his chrome steel hand ax and approached Modgen.
A warrior wearing chainmail stood in front of him, and the strong pressure from the force made Modgen panic.
What surprised him even more was the ax in the opponent's hand. Why was its color so special?
The darker color does not look like simple iron.
Rurik's final question was: "Your ax will be destroyed, so don't regret it."
"Yes, I don't regret it."
"Then let's get started."
Rurik gave the order, and the mercenary holding the ax opened his eyes angrily. He clenched the ax handle with his right hand, pointed at the back of one of Modgen's axes, and chopped down with all his strength.
After all, they are completely off-the-job mercenaries. Their daily tasks are either cutting down big trees with axes or doing combat training. They have become very strong beings, especially the strength of their arms is the most amazing.
The chrome steel hand ax chopped down at an extremely fast speed. In a flash of lightning, there was only a snap sound, and something amazing happened!
After all, it is a Nordic-style axe. The ax brought by Modgen has a slender back, but now the back of the ax has been split into two sections.
The mercenaries were not surprised at all when things turned out like this. Because most of them broke their old swords after getting their own chrome steel hand axes for celebration or as a sacrificial act.
The mercenary played with his axe. He checked the axe blade and muttered proudly: "Sure enough, my axe has no scratches at all."
At the same time, all everyone saw were the shocked faces of outsiders.
Modgen just didn't know what happened. His mouth kept trembling. Looking back on his memories in this life, he had never seen such a magical thing.
In his concept, the collision of two axes would definitely cause deep dents in the ax blades of both sides.
The ending completely exceeded his cognition. The Russian ax was actually safe?!
Everything was as expected by Rurik, and he secretly congratulated himself: "Your axes must still be processed in the same old way."
Based on Rurik's understanding of the current smelting technology in the Nordic world, except for the two areas under the rule of the Rus, the rest of Europe not only does not know how to make low carbon steel, they do not even understand the heat treatment process of quenching.
Therefore, although outsiders know how to smelt iron, their axes are just a piece of wrought iron that was beaten into the shape of an ax during the gradual cooling process. When it is basically formed, the metal is difficult to wake up because it is not hot enough. They are just some natural cooling
The hardness of pure iron can only be said to be pretty good, at least enough for logging. The only trouble is that it requires regular maintenance.
Chromium steel is a completely different existence! Chromium-iron alloy is naturally hard. After carbon is infiltrated into the surface, its hardness is further increased. After quenching, its hardness and rigidity have reached a peak. Making swords out of it is extremely lacking in ductility.
Physically, it is easy to break, but as an axe, it is an indestructible treasure.
Rurik looked proud: "Now I win. My distant friends, this is the ax of our Russians, what do you think?"
"This... is simply... a magical weapon that only exists in Asgard, right?!"
Modgen looked stunned, and the arrogant mercenary announced on behalf of his master: "You are right, this is the ax owned by the people of Asgard. My master has indeed obtained it."
God’s blessing, otherwise it would not be possible to create such a tool from human ores.”
Modgen held his two-section axe, and he suddenly realized that the cross section of his axe was very smooth. It was not broken by impact. What the Russian ax did was like a meat knife cutting a fish.
So easy.
A bold idea immediately came to his mind: "My lord, I have a strong request now!"
"Request? Just say it."
Seeing that the other party's attitude had become friendly, Modgen said boldly: "I am eager to buy one of your axes, and I also long for tools that only Asgard has. I am willing to exchange thirty pounds of salt for one of yours."
ax."
Rurik couldn't believe his ears. If the other party had such an attitude, wouldn't he be able to kill these businessmen who traveled across mountains and rivers? Of course it was commercial trade. Since ancient times, commerce did not believe in tears, nor did it require too many favors.
The other party is willing to sell at a low price, the seller is willing to snap up, and everyone gets what they need.
Rurik still tested it: "Don't you still want the bear skin? And why did you ask me if you can use all your inferior axes in exchange for one of my best axes."
"How is that possible?" Modgen said humbly, "Compared to your axes, these of mine have become waste. They have become worthless things."
In fact, as long as these so-called wastes are smoldering and carburized for one to two days, and then forged and quenched again, although they are not as good as chromium steel, as low carbon steel, they are still magical tools.
Rurik just couldn't imagine that they went through all kinds of difficulties and dangers, and in order to get a magical ax, they would exchange all the goods regardless of the cost?
If this deal is completed, they will really lose a lot of money.
Of course, Rurik can finalize this business deal at once and let the other party be kind and be kind.
But after actually doing this, Rurik couldn't help but worry that this would be a short-sighted behavior. He acquiesces that friends and potential competitors can be stupid and can be deceived. So, if he thinks like this,
That's stupid!
Now that the Russians and the residents of Narvik Port have finally begun to contact each other, the two sides must build better bilateral relations. Since the geographical distance is far enough, the strength of both sides is not weak. Rurik has no intention of invading them. They must have seen that they have strong
Weapons, let alone ambition.
Give up profits? At this time, maybe giving up a little benefit can win a potential ally for the Russians. Ah, not to mention an ally, it is also a trading partner.
Rurik realized that the Balmoks in Narvik Port currently had great strategic value - they could provide fine sea salt.
Rurik cleared his throat and became enthusiastic.
"Friends from afar, you have come all the way to let us know that there is a friend we can make in the west of the distant mountains. I am willing to make friends with you on behalf of the Russian people. We can trade with each other and make us all stronger."
Modgen's mind was a little confused, and it seemed that the situation was generally getting better, "Are you willing to accept my transaction conditions?"
"No." Rurik shook his finger.
"Oh, do I have to pay a little more price?"
"No. You and your people will both get an excellent ax from our Russian people. The leather trade between you and me was terminated and ten axes were exchanged for all your goods. What do you think?"
Modgen couldn't believe what he heard: "Sir, are you sure?!"
"I am sure!"
"Oh! Then you are really a child blessed by God." Modgen's eyes lit up when he spoke, and his guys felt that they had made a lot of money.
"But there is another condition." Rurik continued.
"What conditions? Just say it."
"I invite you to our mother city of Roseburg. We are very interested in you Balmok people, and we are eager for further trade in the future. I will arrange for you to meet with our real big leader to formally discuss your future and mine.
I may also ask you to bring greetings from us Rus to the leader of Balmok."
"Okay! I also want to see the world. But, are you really not the leader of the Ross people?" Modgen said in surprise.
"I am, but I am not either."
"Then who are you? Distinguished friend, I have not even reported my name since we met. I am guilty."
The names were probably just code names, and Rurik had no intention of knowing more about the names of these outsiders whose usefulness to him was still relatively unknown.
"Okay. What's your name?" Rurik asked.
"Modgen."
"Okay, Modgen." Rurik shrugged, then straightened his back: "I am Rurik, Rurik of Rus, the son of the leader Otto, I have received the favor of Odin, and I am the future Rus.
Big Boss. You may have thought that I was a child from the very beginning and that I lacked credibility. Now I tell you that I am worthy of your trust.
I will buy all your goods at once and give you the ax now. I also ask that you continue to live in my settlement until a few days before the summer solstice, when we will sail south back to Roseburg.
You will live in our territory for a while and you will be treated well. I made a promise to you and I will not break it."
It sounded so tempting that Modgen found it unbelievable: "Oh, what a wonderful favor. But my lord, what is the price?"
"It's a peaceful trade between our two tribes! For example, we sell you leather and the best weapons, and you sell us the best salt or something else. In the end you will be under our escort, as my
The messenger embarks on the return journey. You must let your leaders know the existence of us Rus, as well as our great strength and hope for trade."
At this point, Modgen had understood everything. He immediately knelt down half-kneeling, clenched his fist with his right hand and struck his heart: "Sir, we are willing to serve you."