The Klavasen family was proud of their latest masterpiece, Otto was shocked by the new weapon's ability to "smash through fishing boats", and ordinary tribesmen lamented Rurik's intelligence and their luck as a Russian.
Rurik also inadvertently showed off his muscles to the visiting businessmen.
At this very special juncture, Rurik actually openly tested his new weapon. It was not a torsion slingshot, but six! Rumor has it that the Ross blacksmith will make more, and it will be the standard for Ross warships in the future.
match.
A group of businessmen had to be afraid. They felt that this was a silent threat from the Ross leader, as if to say: "You have all seen the power of the new weapons, which can easily destroy your ships. Only those who pay their taxes can
Avoid punishment."
The sea is about to resume sailing. According to the agreement, Otto will organize a team this time. It will no longer go to Novgorod, but directly to Mälaren. It is precisely this fleet that will serve as the leader.
Leading a huge commercial fleet composed of ships of all kinds of people, they headed for Lake Mälaren in a mighty manner.
At least for those on board, they will have unprecedented security as they head south this year.
Rurik did not want to spend too much time testing the weapon. After completing the test, all the torsion slingshots began to be shipped to the ship.
Based on current technology, he had no choice but to install all six slingshots on the forecastle, which is the top deck of the so-called "captain's lounge".
The poop is actually located higher, but the rudder is installed inside. During future voyages, it will also become a sailor's lounge or even a small storage room.
The loyalty of the entire ship is actually on the thick side. This is because the winch responsible for raising and lowering the sail is installed on the deck of the poop, and because the rudder itself has a lot of weight. Another major problem with the Aurora is that it is loyal.
The body shape has a shallow draft. Although the cargo capacity of this body shape is extremely amazing, it requires ballast to lower the center of gravity and ensure the relative balance between the bow and stern.
The top deck of the forecastle is a larger space. The deck is nearly five meters high from the keel, and the length of the platform is also more than five meters.
Rurik simply installed three torsion slingshots on both sides of the ship in a very compact manner. In this way, the side firepower is three and the frontal firepower is two.
Naturally, this arrangement cannot bring out the maximum effectiveness of the torsion slingshot. Rurik knew that he was fully capable of erecting three wooden piles on the ship and connecting two torsion slingshots in parallel, just like a cruiser with three twin turrets.
The six torsion slingshots can have their launch ports facing the same side. Even if they only fire six cast-iron "chisels", they can dig multiple holes into enemy ships to a great extent.
Rurik did not do this simply because if it were to be converted into a three-seat parallel torsion slingshot, it would all have to be installed on the central axis of the hull. After all, the "tail" of the torsion slingshot is 1.5 meters long, and the stretched torsion crossbow
The arm is about one meter and two meters, which takes up too much space for this small boat with a deck of only five meters.
In fact, just installing it on the side will still take up a lot of space, forcing people who board the forecastle to move only along the relatively spacious central axis.
But no one would complain that they were in the way, because on the sea, when faced with sneak attacks by fishermen who turned into pirates, or even encountered Danish and Gotland ships that ventured north to plunder, people always complained that their weapons were too weak.
A series of tests proved the strength of the torsion slingshot.
In fact, for people of this era, their acceptance of long-range weapons is very low. Basically, as long as an arrow can be fired a hundred meters away, it is a good bow. Of course, they have good eyesight, but the distance between the two sides of the battle is less than 100 meters.
At 100 meters, long-range weapons basically become probabilistic attacks.
The steel-armed crossbow controlled by the Russians was just beginning to change people's stereotypes. It was a torsion slingshot that could hit a short spear a hundred meters away and still cut a hole in a pine board. Everyone was very satisfied.
The ship will soon be launched into the water. Even though the Avora is still sitting peacefully on the shore on a large number of sleepers, she is already the flagship of the Ross tribe, and it has become a flagship only enjoyed by the leader, right?
She was parked on the shore, and anyone standing at a high place could see her huge figure. Especially foreign businessmen, the big ship under construction was like a giant sword embedded in the stone.
A strong threat.
Besides, the time is coming soon, and the merchants are actively counting the silver coins they have earned this year, and even the large quantities of goods they have purchased. They hope to go to the Malaren Market to make a lot of money, and also distribute some money to wait for Prime Minister Ross.
Leaders knocked on the door because the money was the business tax they had to pay.
Among the many businessmen, the Gould family unintentionally shouldered the heaviest taxes.
When a businessman makes a big business, ordinary taxes no longer matter to them. This year's situation is very good, soap, iron tools, iron weapons, all kinds of leather, a small amount of glassware, a small amount of flammable spirits, that is, Gur
The main product of the Gould family. He himself essentially became the "trade minister" of Chief Ross. Now, simple gold, silver or gems can no longer meet the needs of the Gould family. They hope to have some power.
Of all the goods that will be transported, a considerable part is Rurik's goods. Gould wants to take an official position and sell it for the leader of Ross, so that he can always enjoy the most favorable purchase price for all kinds of goods.
But he is not the "Minister of Trade". In essence, he is still a big businessman entrusted with important tasks by Rurik and other Russian rulers, and he is a tool man. The Gould family is self-aware. At this stage, they can only continue to make a tool and let it go.
It can gain political capital for the future of the family. Therefore, Gould himself was not willing to miss any opportunity to perform, and also urged his children to perform well. As long as it is for the benefit of Chief Ross, it is okay to suffer a little loss.
"Maybe this year will be the same as last year?" Gould prepared a hundred pounds of silver coins as the business tax that needed to be paid this year, and he was waiting for Chief Ross to come in person.
No, the leader is here!
Otto began presiding over this year's tax collection. At first, he simply announced the matter to all merchants living in the city and ordered them to prepare silver coins and copper coins within three days. If they did not have cash, prepare a batch of goods of equal value.
He also issued a stern warning that once a tax evader is caught, all his property will be confiscated, and his family will be demoted to logging slaves and sent to distant places.
The formal tax collection was scheduled for three days after the news was released. Before that, Otto and Rurik, the father and son, plotted something, and took the decision after discussion to the ancient city where they were ready to pay taxes.
De Mansion, because the father and son need the richest businessman in the entire tribe to set an excellent example.
The father and son came in simple clothes, and they did not need to show any authority to Gould, an old friend.
The two of them were dressed simply and decently. Otto looked vicissitudes of life, deep and powerful, while Rurik looked beautiful, calm and potential.
In comparison, Gould and his several sons who came to see the world competed like seals in winter, that is, they were simply fat.
They sat cross-legged on the comfortable leather cushions. Today they just talked about things, and Gould only prepared some wine and food.
There were some red raspberry preserves on a glass plate next to him, and Rurik had no intention of eating them.
He saw Gould's cheerful face, and without any politeness, he directly stated his purpose: "You should know the reason why we are here, so let's get straight to the point."
"It's the tax." Gould said kindly: "The one hundred pounds of silver coins have been prepared. As long as the leader is willing, I can now send people to move the box to the priest."
"Huh? Very good, but this hundred pounds...isn't it..." Rurik lowered his head slightly and picked at the gaps between his already clean nails.
Whoever Gould was, he immediately understood the implications.
"Ah? Add some new taxes? That...is no problem."
"You are very interesting." Rurik raised his head, glanced at his father who was looking happy, then continued to grimace, stretched out his right hand and made a "scissor hand". "This year we made one
A difficult decision, to double the taxes for all merchants. For you, Gould, in fact, the tax was originally targeted at all external merchants. You joined us, but..."
"I understand! I completely understand." In order to show his loyalty, Gould not only grabbed the conversation, but also continued: "Perhaps there are still many Russians who have some doubts about my identity. If actively paying taxes can dispel this concern
, I am happy to take the money. Two hundred pounds of silver, I can give it now."
It can be said that a person with money can be tough when it comes to words. After all, Gould himself bought a batch of grain with his own money in Mälaren. Now the grain has basically been sold out. Since Chief Ross ordered that grain prices not be increased, the Gould family did not
He made money from the grain trade, but did not lose anything. He could use it as payment for the grain to pay taxes. After all, his business base was on leather.
"I'm touched by your positivity, but we still need to discuss this matter further." As he spoke, Rurik straightened his back and looked left and right: "There are a lot of people here."
"Huh?" Gould smiled and was at a loss.
"Let your son leave. Next, there will be a secret conversation between the three of us, between the Ross chief family and yourself. I don't want the fourth person to know about it."
The atmosphere suddenly became tense, and Gould's smiling face disappeared. He immediately turned around and ordered his sons to avoid it immediately. Even so, Rurik still felt unsafe.
Otto also felt that his son was too meticulous in doing things, and the three of them ended up discussing the matter in Gould's bedroom.
Coming to Gould's bedroom for the first time, Rurik had nothing to say about the old fat man's taste. This man had a lot of wealth and had started sleeping on a wooden bed in the past year. There was a wooden bed hanging on the wooden wall.
There is a stuffed deer head, a shield painted with indigo dye, and two axes. Does this fat man also have a warrior dream in his heart? But he should not expect to be a fighting warrior in this life.
Rurik now sat on Gould's bed, while Otto and Gould were sitting on a low wooden stool.
"It must be quiet enough here, please tell me." Gould said cautiously.
"Actually, the question is very simple." Rurik stretched out his little head and said with an extremely serious attitude: "Everyone thinks that if you are a big family, you will naturally have to take more money. Just like last year, the taxes you submitted alone were worth two hundred
Merchant, you paid half of the tax burden."
Gould smiled: "Thank you for the compliment. As a New Rusian, I need to make some contributions. I will pay 200 pounds of taxes this year."
"No, you're still a hundred pounds."
"Huh?" At this time, Otto, who was able to listen quietly, couldn't sit still at all, because this was different from what the father and son had planned. "Rurik, are you good at making decisions?"
Gould didn't know why, so he kept silent for now.
"Yes, this is a strategy, otherwise I wouldn't have entered this place."
Neither Gould nor Otto understood Rurik's plan, but in fact, this plan was a bit "dirty".
"Gould, you must be a Russian. As a leader, how can we tax you according to the standards of outsiders? Of course you have to collect taxes. This year's tax is still one hundred pounds."
"Then...two hundred pounds..."
"That's for outsiders to see! You have also seen what happened this year. In order to build our Aurora, I calculated that I have spent one hundred and forty pounds of silver just to build it so far. Could it be that
This money must be paid by me? No! The money must be paid by external merchants, and I have to increase taxes. We Russians cannot suffer too much economic losses."
"You want me to set an example for them?" Gould asked nervously.
"Yes, they are all looking at you, a wealthy businessman! Your two hundred pounds of silver coins will be handed over to me in public. I just want those merchants to see what the richest merchants do. I am just worried
They are not happy after the tax increase, so I have to appease them and make them give up and obediently take out the money. And you! Afterwards, I will return you one hundred pounds of silver coins."
"Ah? This is still possible?" Gould fully understood and realized that the fourth person should not know about this matter. If the news leaked, those merchants might cause some trouble, such as resisting taxes? That's not true.
As for. However, the credibility of the Rus chief family will be damaged, which may be detrimental to Rurik's public opinion, who attaches great importance to contracts.
"That's right. They are afraid of losing money, they want an average, and they also want to take advantage. If you publicly give me two hundred pounds of silver coins, of course those people will complain about my tax increase, and they will also comfort themselves. Some people are suddenly forced to pay more.
If you get a hundred pounds of silver coins, you are even more unlucky than them. Haha, there won't be any trouble."
Rurik added: "In the end, I don't necessarily have to return the silver coins directly to you. It can be replaced by goods. You are an important seller of my goods, or I will give you a hundred pounds of the money I earn in the future."
."
Gould secretly underestimated, "This kid is really good at playing dirty tricks", and sighed that he had indeed been reused by the Russians. He thought about it for a moment, and realized that his family's fortune was ultimately thanks to the Russians.
, with the rise of the Russians, their own family became prosperous. In this way, if you are obsessed with a mere hundred pounds of silver coins, the situation will be small.
Through Rurik's so-called reason for raising taxes, it is that shipbuilding uses most of the tribe's population, and the compensation paid to them is not much per person. When a thousand people add up, it is a huge scale. It is obvious that Liurik
Ke frantically survived in the Far North for nearly four months, not only to obtain excellent shipbuilding timber, but also to announce to smart people that the leader of Ross attached great importance to building large ships.
This is the fact. Gould thought about it for a moment and decided to reciprocate the favor!