Chapter 344： Hortra, a master who has been focusing on shipbuilding for 30 years

The people who visited saw the mighty power of the "honour guard" of the Rus, and they saw more armed men as they entered the wooden fort.

Gould is the master of this island. The boat builders know this island. Everyone always sees it from a distance. It is the first time to enter the interior.

Fordgen has visited this place many times. He doesn't know whose attack Gould is worried about. Anyway, the core area is just like the defense mode of the leader's house. A large number of wooden piles are erected and tied into a wooden wall. Defense.

But seeing a large number of people with weapons, Fodgen really didn't know what was the use of wooden walls with such armed forces.

Inside the wooden wall, Gould's banquet hall.

The Ross people greeted their distinguished guests and friends with a banquet rich in ingredients.

Although Gould didn't think the nobleness of the boat builders who were busy with the sawdust all day, he had to laugh and participate in it since Rülik's professional requirements.

The spirits are blended into ordinary ale, and its rich aroma completely suppresses the meaty aroma of roasted lamb and roasted beef.

The guests are greeted by beef and mutton, dried fruit, and exquisite bread made from fine flour through a fine sieve. The most delicious delicacy is the charming ale.

Of course, looking at Rurik, the so-called sumptuous dining is the same. But look at the plainly-dressed shipbuilders, presumably, in their daily lives, there are very few results of this kind of feasting and end up with a hard stomach and a greasy mouth.

Rurik didn't drink, he didn't want his still weak body to be corroded so that he would be fainted on the spot.

He didn't say anything. As the son of Chief Ross, he invited the visitors to eat and drink first, and then talk about important matters when everyone feels happy.

It’s really good to have three dishes and five flavours. Those guys who ate the barbecue in the glass plate cleanly, with greedy eyes, looked at the beautifully dressed maid raised by Gould, and kept going from the cow. The roast meat cut from the sheep is put on his empty dinner plate.

They only cared about eating, but they didn't notice that the real nobles who were there obviously didn't feel much hunger, they just chewed the pieces of meat carefully and cheerfully, or chewed the dried fruit slowly.

A slightly drunk old man with a beard, his red face made his wrinkles more obvious.

"Master Rurik, what you guys made in Ross...the promises seem to be true. You are using the most beautiful food to entertain us..."

"You..." Rurik smiled, maybe the negotiation is now? "Old man, I think you are the most experienced of all shipbuilders?"

"That's natural." The old man coughed deeply and suddenly, which made Rurik think that the old man was suffering from a disease, but he saw that the other shipbuilders stopped all kinds of hideous tearing of fat.

The old man sat upright and shook slightly; "I am Hotla, a senior boatbuilder. My little friend, maybe you have heard my story, but Master Gould knows me well."

understand him? Of course Rurik didn't know it at all.

At this moment, Gould explained: "My lord, he has been focusing on shipbuilding for thirty years. When he was able to build a fishing boat alone, he has never stopped."

"Wow!" Rurik happily stood up by the low table in front of him: "You are what I need. Listen, we Ross people need the big ship you built very much. We need a cargo ship and a bigger ship. !"

Rurik didn't want to fully explain his purpose in the first place.

Even when the messenger delivered the news, it was revealed at most that Chief Ross intends to invite them to move, and as long as he did so, he would get a great reward immediately. This matter is of course unrealistic. It is definitely not a temptation for Rurik to take out a sum of real money and the other party can move obediently.

Because the shipbuilding industry of the Maillaren tribe, in today's era, is properly heavy industry. What they have is not a workshop, but a shipbuilding site! It is ridiculous to want to relocate quickly. Rurik, who knows the industry very well, did not expect them to take all the factories away.

What Rurik needs is talents, or the best among them. Because the Ross tribe has never lacked shipbuilders, what the tribe lacks is a key talent—engineers who can build large cargo ships.

If the people sitting in the banquet hall are all engineers, and you spend a lot of money to take them away, your purpose will be basically satisfied. If they decide to completely relocate their business, the shipbuilding industry of the Ross people will complete a new leap in two years, right?

But the craftsmen, based on their professional sense, felt that the Ross people mainly came to order the big ships. Only by serving this big customer can you make a lot of money.

The old Hotra cheerfully praised himself: "Yes, my family and I are famous throughout Lake Mälaren. You all call me Hotra, my real name is not it. Or I am His real name is no longer worth mentioning. Only my nickname can represent everything about me."

People with status certainly have nicknames, which is the norm throughout the Nordic world. Rurik has always known his nicknames "Golden Horsetail" and "Son of God". The heroic cousin Arik, who played with double swords on the battlefield, was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, so he was nicknamed "The Double Sword Man".

The original meaning of "Hotla" is "hard wood", and this nickname is actually the ship ordered by his customers, which has good resistance to some submerged reefs.

General long boats, small fishing boats, and even expensive and stocky cargo ships are extremely tough.

How to build a hard boat? In fact, there are two technical cores. First, choose the right wood; second, process the wood correctly. Hotra went crazy and told his colleagues about the specific technical secrets.

Hortra took it for granted that the wealthy and vigorous Russ were to order a large number of heavy cargo ships, because facing the current situation, they must be in urgent need of such ships.

With a kind of old man's depth, with the pride of technical talents, he said to Rurik: "Dear Rus, you must order a large number of cargo ships. Come on, how many ships do you need?"

"Huh?" Liuli Ke was stunned, after a moment, he said casually a very large number: "I want a lot, a lot! I want a hundred."

"Huh?!" Hotla opened his artificial hyperthyroidism eyes wide, and he couldn't believe his ears.

Those other craftsmen were also stunned on the spot.

Even Gould calmed down and asked in a low voice whether Rurik was serious.

The scene fell into a strange embarrassment, so far Rurik didn't know what his words meant.

"What? All of you are looking at me? One hundred transport ships, what's so strange."

"This... my lord, a hundred ships..." Hotla really didn't know whether he was happy or anxious now.

"Do you have doubts? I tell you clearly, we Rus people need a lot of transport ships. Do you think one hundred is enough? No! I want two hundred, three hundred search, one day, I want to have a thousand Ship!"

Because the other party's clothes were too gorgeous, Hotra hurriedly wiped his sweaty forehead. He sat upright with the support of the young craftsman.

Rurik continued; "Say! Can you make it?"

Hotra trembling mouth: "One hundred...too many! If you want to get the ship in a year, I am anxious for all the family members and all the small workers. I will build you up to ten in a year. ferry."

"Huh?! Why are there so few?!" Rurik was taken aback this time.

"My lord, maybe for the rest of my life, my family will not be able to build a hundred ships for you. It is a great undertaking that takes ten years to complete, and, my lord, you have to pay a huge sum of money for it. "

"You want money? We are not short of money." Rurik's confident smile made Hortra a little relieved.

"That's good. Sir, if you guys in Ross really want me to take out a hundred ships in a short time, I can't do it. Also, building a new ship now is much more expensive than before. I really have some worry."

If a ship becomes too expensive, Rurik guesses that he will have to develop new ways to make money. However, I deliberately get a big ship, and even establish the top shipbuilding technology in the region that the Rus tribe can control. Early investment is necessary, and this investment cannot be counted on merchants at all. It must be personally supervised by the chief family who controls the tribe's finances.

"Well, let's not mention a hundred cargo ships. I want to buy a ship anyway. Tell me your price."

"Yes. According to the current sailing, I want five pounds of silver."

"Huh?!" Rurik was stunned again, and then a faint smile rose from the corner of his mouth.

"What? My lord, do you think it's expensive? Oh my lord, everything is increasing in price recently. Maybe the world's money has become more. In order to survive, those of us who live by craftsmanship really have to go up. The price."

"It doesn't matter." Rurik waved his hand. "A mere five pounds, I thought it was a huge sum of money. Did you know? We in Ross can spend 500 pounds of silver on buying food alone, which is more than buying food. Enough to order you one hundred big ships."

Rurik's words severely collided with the three views of all the boat builders present.

When Hortra was old, he felt a blood pulse hit the top of his head, and a dizziness made him cover his head. Then he stumbled and said: "You are really too rich, even richer than our leader Mellaren. Those rumors are true. Yes, you really want to buy food."

"Of course! But we are also poor." Rurik smiled and deliberately sold off.

"Ah? I know your rumors. You are the boy who is hailed as the blessed boy of Odin, Rurik! You and your Rose are so rich. You must have dug gold and silver mines in the north!"

"Gold mines and silver mines? Oh, if you can dig it, it would be good. We are still poor, because we lack a group of skilled personnel. You shipbuilders, you will build large cargo ships, I not only need you to provide Ship, now..."

As he said, Rurik left his position and stood in front of all the boat builders: "I invite you to Rose, and your family will build ships for me. As long as you decide to emigrate, your safety and wealth will be won by our Rose Warriors. Protection. You think five pounds of silver coins are enough for a big ship, but I don’t think it’s enough. I’ll add another pound to you.”

Here, Rurik gave Hordttra a new “master”, which is surprisingly similar in pronunciation to “hordttra”, but the meaning is delightful. That means "expert master" and represents the respect Rurik has for them.

"Master Hortra, I hope that all your family will rely on Ross, you will get the new identity of the Ross people. You will build a big ship for me, and I will give you more rewards. From then on, you can accumulate a lot of wealth, you Your children will be treated kindly. You...you can often eat the food and the best wine you can taste today. You can also put your children in the most beautiful and warm clothes just like me.

Come to my Roseburg, you will get everything you want. As long as you are willing to work for me. "

Rurik opened his arms and drew a picture of a perfect life.

Those young shipbuilders have long been captured by barbecue and wine, but this is in Rurik's calculations. There is an abundance of life and a strong military to ensure security. The demands of ordinary people are nothing more than these.

Hotra couldn't believe that there were people who could make such a magical promise. You must know that in Mälaren, shipbuilding is more profitable among the many non-agricultural jobs. The more a large cargo ship is ordered, the more profitable it will be. The same shipbuilder has become the target of exploitation by the leader of Mellaren without any accident.

The tribute is paid every year, plus the material and labor costs of building the ship, the final profit is actually not much, but it cannot be said that it is small. The more skilled craftsmen, their lives are at least much better than ordinary farmers.

Hortra looked at Rurik with a skeptical look: "Can all these promises become reality?"

"Are you doubting me? Do you dare to doubt me?" Rurik deliberately put on a hint of displeasure. "Don't you know who I am? I told me that I am the only son of Chief Ross, and there is no second person in the whole clan. I am more noble. Do you think that standing in front of you is just a beautifully dressed boy? No! I am the leader of Ross! Today, as the leader of Ross, I invite you humble craftsmen. But I don’t think you are humble. Yes, as long as you follow me and work for me, you will become noble!"

"Huh? You are actually..."

Hortra simply shook off his support, staggered out of the seat, and knelt down in front of Rurik.

Of course, this excessive behavior has the factor of alcohol eroding the brain, but Hortra is just because of confusion, the behavior is a bit exaggerated. He is willing to believe in the Ross people, and everything he saw today made him conclude that the rumors are true. The once mysterious Ross people are not only rich, but also full of military virtues.

The most important thing is that Olekin, the leader of Mellaren, never said how much reward he would give to the shipbuilder.

The Ross people are not ordinary. First they are the reward of fat meat and wine, and then they put forward a huge order that will be enough for their family to be busy for ten or twenty years, or even several generations in the future. Up to now, the Ross people seem to have finally made their final promise.

He was supposed to be a stubborn and somewhat family-loving Hotla. He didn't care about the surprised eyes from his family and friends. He raised his head desperately on his stomach, looking up at the noble and beautiful boy. "Ah! You are like an elf in the forest, you want to bring wealth to the poor me?!"

"Yes. Join me. You see, Gould is my friend. He has become extremely wealthy. There is also Verdegen sitting over there. He lived in Roseburg for a winter. It is clear that we are real. Is rich and strong. Master Hotra, what do you think we need a large number of cargo ships for?"

"Huh? It's food delivery?"

"Not only that." Rurik raised his arrogant head. "People in the world think we Rus have disappeared. No! We conquered the North and saw the sea at the end of the world. We conquered the East, and the people there have become Our servants. We Ross people are stronger than Melaren people. In order to maintain the construction of our dotted new settlements, we need a large number of cargo ships to transport a large amount of material resources continuously. This is a great undertaking. , Your family join us, so that my family will always remember your credit, and your children and grandchildren will inherit your credit for generations."

This is by no means something a stinky little boy can say, this promise is too tempting!

Hotla stood up slowly, he looked at Fodgen, who was sitting quietly and cheerfully, and he didn't want to have any more doubts.

The rest of the boat builders are mostly Hortra’s family, nephews, and grandchildren.

Seeing that the situation was developing extremely smoothly, Rurik was cruel, he was most afraid of the other party's hesitation, and it would be best if they simply cut off their retreat.

Rurik made a serious statement: "Today, just now, before the roast lamb is completely cold, you must make up your mind. They brought their family and their own supplies, and followed us back to Roseburg after the harvest season. ...Or absolutely, and thus lose the favor of our Ross people forever. You make your choice, master."

Undecided?

If he was really hesitant, Hotla would not just kneel down. After all, he had already talked with the senior tailor Verdegen, and only then learned of the real Ros people, and the magical Rurik, and even the kindness of the Ros people. For example, they really saved the survivors of the ruined Ostala, treating these people who have nothing like their own people.

Even today's banquet is also the beautifully dressed little girl sitting at the table, she is the new female leader of Ostara.

It was this girl who was most proud of Fodgen. Because, in fact, it was Fodgen who helped the girl escape.

Hotra made a clear statement: "We are moving! Just this year! Let's go to Ross!"

"Ah! But father." His young son asked, "Although we should be able to live a good life in Ross, what about our current job?"

"Those half-built boats? Catch up! Or transfer to someone else. We work for the Ross people and make big profits. We still care about this."

Rurik understood at once that the problem was actually very simple. Some ships were still under construction. In this situation, customers don't want the "factory" to run away instantly. Even if it is running away, at least you have to lose money. Craftsmen who want to face value pay attention to their credibility, it is not good to break their trust.

Rurik intervened directly: "Master, I admire your decisiveness. How much are those ships worth?"

"It's all fishing boats." Hotra shrugged, "Total only three hundred silver coins. Only when the ship is delivered, the customer will give out the balance."

"How much deposit did they give?"

"There is a pound of silver."

"That's it?" Rurik motioned to Gould, "Take two pounds of silver and give them. Those hapless fishing boats will not be built. No, three pounds! We can't treat them badly."

Gould snapped his fingers and his eldest son Snoreva quickly took out a heavy bag of money and threw it over.

He took out three pounds of silver so readily. Although there was no balance, Hortra understood that it must be three pounds based on the craftsmanship he had cultivated in his daily work. The "huge money" that the Ross people easily threw away their worries at once.

"Are you satisfied now?" Rurik asked. UU reading www. uukanshu.cOM

"Yes! From then on, we..." Hotla hurriedly signaled. His family, and even the boat builders of other families who cooperated in shipbuilding, knelt on their knees, "From now on, we are your servants, my master."

Rurik nodded in satisfaction, and then saw Fodgen staring at the beautifully dressed Carlotta. Maybe this guy still claims to be the girl's savior?

Rurik coughed twice. "Fodegan, what about your attitude?"

"what!"

"Go? Or stay?!"

Fodgen hurriedly knelt on the ground and complimented: "I am ready, my leader. As long as you give an order, my family and servants will take all the supplies and follow your fleet. And the mercenaries I keep, I don’t need them anymore. I think they can all be your soldiers."

"Well, you are very smart. From now on, your workshop is built in my Roseburg, you can make clothes with peace of mind. I will give you enough money in the first time. You and your family will live a prosperous life in the future. ."