Chapter 341 The coveting of the thief-hearted undead and the game between the virtual and the serpent
Rurik had long expected that the alliance leaders and even the Malaren people would have a large demand for leather. If they knew where to get the best leather, adventurers would move in droves. Of course, driven by huge profits, adventurers
The hunter will unconsciously ignore the risks. Rurik still has to put uglification first, so to speak, outlining a terrifying picture of bear hunting to scare off the coveted ones.
In fact, as long as you look carefully, the leader can find strange holes in the bearskin. They are nothing but the result of the crossbow arrows.
The old way of hunting bears, in which warriors swarmed and wielded spears and javelins, was no longer effective.
Nowadays, the Russians use steel-armed crossbows to accurately aim at the vital points of bears and shoot pointed cone-shaped arrows, easily completing the hunt. Even the Covins, who are generally short in stature and weak in physical fitness, use winches to lift the crossbows.
With the bow strung, you can also use ambush and other methods to hunt bears at an unprecedented "long distance".
The situation was just as Rurik expected. Olegin's expression clearly expressed that the man's thoughts about personally sending people to hunt bears were suddenly extinguished.
Rurik continued to strike while the iron was hot: "Great leader, I can say that behind almost every bear skin shipped to Mälaren is the death of a warrior. The two skins you own are the blood of us Rus people.
It was obtained at a price, and my father gave it to Carlotta in exchange for your recognition of Ostara."
"It's this matter again. Needless to say, I have acknowledged Carlotta's identity. Rurik, maybe the matter we are talking about now requires your father to personally take charge."
"Is that necessary?" Rurik asked.
"Maybe it's not necessary, unless you get your father's authorization. Listen, this is the only trade between our two tribes, and I need someone who can keep his word. Are you...are you an honest and trustworthy person?"
"Leader, are you doubting me?" Rurik simply looked at the high ceiling and swore: "The gods are watching, I have the sincerity to do business! I have been authorized by the leader of Ross to conduct long-term trade with the Melalen people.
, I will not, let alone dare to, cut off trade with each other because of some boring things."
Rather than saying this was an oath, it was better to say that it was Rurik's words to hit Olegin.
Olegin nodded; "In this case, our business can continue. Listen, in the past, it was just businessmen doing business spontaneously. This time it is the union of our two tribes. It is my family and your family."
Just do business."
Rurik's eyes were very determined. He knew that if both Melalen and the Russians were promoted to city-states, of course, in fact, both of them have entered the city-state era in terms of economic and political development. The transaction between the two parties is a kind of official trade.
Bilateral trade is of great significance. For the Baltic world, which relies heavily on trade, stable bilateral trade is the key to the rise and fall of a tribe, city-state, or country. Even tribes like Melalen, which have begun to transform into self-sufficiency, are extremely dependent on imports for some key materials.
, the largest supplier of leather has been the Ross tribe for a long time. Rurik learned that now they also need new cutting-edge iron weapons. With this powerful trump card, Rurik's tough statement just now was based on it.
As a strong foundation.
This is especially true for the Rus tribe, especially now. In order to satisfy the great promise of providing tribe residents with wheat every month, before harvesting a large amount of wheat in the eastern region, the tribe very much needs to import wheat from Melalen and from Novgorod.
Germany's larger-scale plunder.
"Let's continue talking about the leather issue." Olegin put down the bear skin: "If you get more white bear skins, what price are you willing to pay?"
"This..." Rurik was stunned for a moment. When it comes to money, the price is really hard to say.
A problem that has troubled everyone for a long time is the price of various commodities. Since a variety of currencies are in circulation, these precious metal currencies come in various colors, forcing businessmen to become math masters.
One bargaining strategy is to make yourself the final decision-maker and leave the trouble of indecision to the other party.
Rurik asked, "You Mellaren people are the buyers of these goods. Leader, please set a price, but I must tell you that behind most of the bear skins is the life of a bear hunting warrior."
"Oh, are you asking about the price of human life? If it were me, I would train some slaves to hunt bears. After all, they are slaves, and those British male slaves are also good. They will die when they die, just like a male slave
Fifty silver coins. Well, if you bring a new bearskin, it will be fifty silver coins each."
"Ah?" Rurik was surprised and immediately retorted; "How can we compare slaves with warriors?"
"But some slaves can become brave warriors when they are promised their freedom. Rurik, you may not be able to understand this when you are young."
Rurik doesn’t understand? No! He actually knows it very well, and he trains his subordinates according to this routine. Most of those young children are servants and slaves, eating Rurik and wearing Rurik.
Yes, they must work hard for their master.
"No, fifty silver coins is too little."
Olegin forced out a faint smile and said: "Well, let's take the bear's head separately. I'll pay twenty silver coins. As long as you process it into the current shape that can be put on your head, I will pay you this price."
Rurik pursed his lips. In fact, the price was already higher than he expected. In order to gain more benefits, Rurik deliberately said: "Great leader, are you stingy? The price you gave is too high.
Low, my warriors don’t dare to take risks! They would rather catch ferrets everywhere, selling a mink skin for six or seven silver coins, and catching ten ferrets, at least they will not be killed by the ferrets. But bears..."
"And your price?"
"One hundred silver coins! Just one hundred silver coins. I know you have enough money to pay." Rurik said tentatively.
Olegin is short of money, but buying some rare items does not hurt him.
"this price……"
"Still think it's expensive? See how hard we went through to get it."
"Then let's settle it like this, a white bear skin with a bear head, you send one set and I'll buy one set."
Hearing this made Rurik feel happy. On the surface, he deliberately looked a little embarrassed and helpless, and accepted the price "reluctantly".
However, the question was not over yet. Olegin put forward a very realistic condition: "Listen, since it is you who are going to hunt bears, you are taking risks. I admire the courage of your warriors, so you can only bring one bear skin."
The buyer, that’s me! In the name of the leader of the alliance, I order you not to sell the bearskin to other tribes in the alliance, or to sell it to a certain big family."
Rurik didn't even hesitate and nodded hurriedly in agreement.
Is Olegin worthy of trust? Rurik believed that this man would not stretch his credit just for some bear skins. The price of a polar bear skin with a bear head is as high as one pound of silver. Its price is really extreme.
The price was proposed by myself and supported by Olegin. If it were another person, the other party would definitely bargain hard, and ordinary families simply do not have the financial resources to expect to own it.
Olegin was very satisfied with Rurik's decisiveness. He pinched his beard and thought about something in his mind.
After all, the Melalen tribe needs a lot of furs. The allies in the south, as well as the tribe's cattle and sheep breeders, provide a relatively large range of common leather, deerskin, fox fur, ferret fur, and even now
For polar bear skins, the Ross tribe monopolizes most of the supply.
Through the conversation with Rurik, Olegin realized that the Russians went to Sorgon in the east to open up new sources of leather. The most difficult work was left to the Russians, and the Malaren people spent money to buy distant places.
Excellent leather.
Olegin knew his people too well. The tribe entered a long period of peace. Everyone had lived a stable life for a long time, and the brave people began to become slack. The disaster of the Ostara tribe gave the tribe a heavy blow, and this allowed everyone to
Realizing the need to be prepared for danger in times of peace, Olegin began to build some defensive facilities. Based on this factor, he began to rectify his troops.
These measures made the Melalen tribe further restrained.
Olegin actually wanted to send someone to follow the Russian fleet and go to the Eastern world to get a share of the pie. Considering the risks involved, he gave up the idea as soon as he came up with it. If he lost some people in the unknown world because of this decision, it would be equivalent to saying that he
If your strength is damaged, how can you still control the hegemony of the tribe, and even the hegemony of the entire alliance?
Seemingly possessing supreme power, he was under extraordinary pressure. Perhaps, seeing his private soldiers all wearing chainmail and holding the best swords provided by the Russians, with such strong martial virtues, he really felt at ease.
.
Olegin then changed the subject and talked about a very critical and realistic issue, which also aroused his strong curiosity.
"Every year, a large number of merchants from my tribe drag their families to your extremely cold Roseburg. Isn't it an extremely cold world? You attract them with some treasures. Your treasures cannot be hidden from me.
"
Rurik didn't know what kind of medicine this man was selling in his gourd, so he begged the leader of the alliance to continue talking.
"The merchants who came back told me some news. You Russians can make the best swords, spears, and axes. Needless to say, you have a lot of leather. In the past two years, you have been selling a lot of soap and flammable spirits.
Even a large amount of precious glassware. Where did you get these? It couldn't be from the place in the east that you call Novgorod?"
Ah! This guy is still coveting the east?
For a moment, Rurik didn't know what to say, and he smiled helplessly.
"Don't pretend to be stupid for me. The merchant told me that these were all made by you. Rurik!" Olegin suddenly became serious.
"ah!"
"As the leader of the alliance, I ask you to come up with a method."
"Ah?!" Rurik was shocked and really didn't know how to answer.
Olegin continued to press: "Please give me the method of making these utensils."
Rurik's expression changed instantly. He estimated that if Gould was present, that old fox-like guy would be able to smooth things over with some words.
This is something that cannot be compromised. If the Russians agree, how much technological advantage will the Russians have over other tribes?
But it may be a little unwise to refuse categorically, and it is really stupid to agree with him. What else can you do? Let's do Tai Chi first.
Rurik finally realized that this Olegin was full of aggression by nature, and he did not like simple robbery. His request showed his thirst for technology.
Maybe if this guy controls a particularly warlike tribe, he can conquer a large territory. Fortunately, the will of the Melalen people cannot be easily changed just by a leader.
Rurik deliberately said: "If the people of Melalen are willing to learn, of course...it is possible. But, I think powerful people disdain to do these things, such as making soap and making glassware. He is better than
Tanning leather is even more difficult.”
"Huh? Then let the slave do it. If the slave dies, he will die."
"It still doesn't work." Although Rurik felt uncomfortable hearing it, he shook his head: "The so-called slaves are either the stupidest people or cowards on the battlefield. Can such people really be trusted? Great leader, all of this is
For example, in bear hunting, the most dangerous work is done by us Russians, and you get the best bear skins. We can make high-quality utensils in the worst environments. As long as you have demand, we will produce and supply them to you in large quantities every year.
.As long as you are willing to pay a sum of money that we are satisfied with."
"It's a lot of money." Olegin waved his hand. He could see that Rurik wanted to refuse, but he didn't dare to say it openly. The other party didn't respond, and it was obviously inappropriate to force himself. He estimated that
The Russians will definitely not give in on such a matter.
"Okay, I won't force you. Let's talk about another piece of equipment. It seems that you don't have it with you."
Rurik let out a sigh of relief. He was glad that Olegin didn't ask further questions, otherwise he would have had to take a tough stance and refuse, and the scene would be tit-for-tat again. He hurriedly asked: "What is that?"
Olegin smiled and sighed: "A businessman told me that you use iron to make bows, and they are very powerful. The arrows fired can easily penetrate the hull of a ship."
"Ah, you are talking about it? Great leader, do you really believe it?" Rurik also put on a slight smile, but his heart was already running at high load.
"You ask me if I believe it? I want to believe it, Rurik, I believe you do."
Olegin's slightly stretched head, in Rurik's opinion, looked a bit like a judge?
Of any weapon, only crossbows are the last thing Rurik wants foreigners to control. If this type of weapon technology is destined to spread widely, it will have to be monopolized by the Russians for at least half a century. Fortunately, about this
When I was on Gould's Island, I was vaccinated against Gould who had obtained some information.
Rurik denied it flatly: "It doesn't exist! Iron can make a bow? Isn't it strange? Unless hounds grow wings and fly in the sky, unless ships sail without wind and oars, and unless men can also give birth to children, iron can be made
bow."
"Hahaha!" Olegin smiled wildly and straightened his body: "Let me just say, the words of those businessmen cannot be trusted. They are businessmen and they always like to exaggerate. Rurik, you are the most honest."
Olegin was laughing. Rurik hadn't figured out the situation yet, so he laughed with him for the time being.
"Why didn't I notice before that your child's words are somewhat interesting? You satisfy me more than your brother. Otto really has a good son."
"Oh, thank you for the compliment." Rurik said with a slight bow of his head, but this was really awkward to hear.
"Very good. Listen, you will surrender to me from now on, and you, Carlotta of Ostara. You will all surrender to me, and even more to my son. Karl is destined to inherit my power, and I
I heard, Rurik, you also want to inherit the power of the Ross tribe? Very good, now you have met my Karl, he will be your alliance leader in the future."
Although a son is not a worry, considering the power of the family, Olegin has reason to introduce his only son to various leaders. He needs to get more tribal support for himself. Since the successor of Rus is here, then
During the meeting to discuss trade matters, Olegin stated his expectations.
He dreamed that the Russian people who were eager to do business would support Karl without hesitation for the sake of the overall situation.
However, his estimate showed unexpected deviations.
It was not the Russians who Olegin misjudged, but Karl who completely miscalculated himself and was really reckless.