Chapter 393： Secret trade between 2 tribes

The two leaders have embraced after more than ten years. How much friendship and hypocrisy are there?

Rurik felt that there was more hypocrisy in it.

After all, if economic and trade relations are aside, the Ross people don't need the Mellaren people, or even the entire league.

Otto unceremoniously showed the prudence of the Ross people he represented. The so-called secret meeting place was at the edge of the forest. The participants could always be stared at by Ross fighters. Some conditions would naturally intervene immediately.

Even if Olekin is a bit dissatisfied, he must agree.

During this trip, Olekin went in secret, and apart from his own guards, there were no important personnel, and even no one who worked as a book official existed. The key to the so-called secret meeting and secret agreement is not to leave evidence for the third party to examine. It is best to keep the agreement at the verbal level, and afterwards the two parties agree to perform the agreement.

Olekin was sitting in distress, as did Otto in front of him.

After all, I haven't seen each other for more than ten years. The atmosphere of the meeting was really tense with a trace of embarrassment.

In the end, Olekin took the lead in breaking the silence: "The messenger I sent told you my needs, plus the agreement I made with your Rurik last year. Have all those goods, especially weapons, arrived?"

"Could it be that this matter is the only reason you asked me to attend the appointment?"

"Not only that." Origen pretended to be a "subconscious action". He stroked the crown on his head, which was obviously a hint.

Otto squinted at him and understood that the rumors were true: "All the goods you want have arrived. So what do we need? I want money, a lot of money. I want other things, such as oats and flax. , And even slaves, these are very important to me."

After getting an affirmative answer, Origen breathed a sigh of relief. Even the Ross people mentioned by Otto also asked for it. The current situation is really a bit special. "That's really great. I need a batch of weapons urgently. Now that you have fulfilled the contract, I will send someone to pick it up soon."

"Wait! You didn't answer my question."

"Oh, you said the money to buy weapons? Haha..."

Olekin smiled awkwardly, the meaning is really self-evident. Otto and Liurik immediately raised their spirits, their faces extremely solemn.

Although the following statement is a bit rude, it must be a major event involving a huge amount of wealth. Otto had a stinky face and asked roughly, "Aren't you going to give money?"

"Huh?" Olekin leaned back with a skillful tactic. "I didn't say that."

"What do you want to say?"

"Ah! About this, I actually have more things to tell you." Olekin started haha ​​as he planned. This move was really uncomfortable.

"What's the matter! Here, you and I are both businessmen, and the only thing you do in business is to get money in one hand and goods in the other."

"But sometimes things get complicated." As he said, Olekin didn't tell the other party that he meant to be king for the time being. He didn't believe Otto, the old guy, glanced at the gold crown and didn't know what it meant. "You must know what happened in recent years. You Ruths have attacked our enemy many times, but the enemy's revenge is also very cruel."

As he spoke, he deliberately glanced at Carlotta, who was a little dull on his face, deliberately: "The Danes and Gotland troops attacked Ostra, and it is said that there are Oslo troops among them. They organized A coalition is carrying out a large-scale sneak attack when we are unprepared. If I bear it, how can I be the leader? I have decided, I want a war!"

When Olegin spoke, Carlotta's brows tightened, and when the word "war" was spoken, her whole body was already trembling.

Carlotta never fears war, she even longs for war, longing for any force to help Ostara's revenge.

The situation became extremely strange. Lurik and Otto watched Carlotta with eager eyes. They suddenly stood up, and hurriedly knelt down in front of Olegin, and asked in a very flattering manner: "Your lord, you...really willing Revenge for us Ostara?"

"Of course. Child, get up. You are taller and more beautiful than last year. You will become a good leader. Unfortunately, your people have lost too much. You can rest assured that I will not be because of your clan. There are too few survivors to ignore you. Ostara is still part of the alliance."

After hearing these words, the girl's eyes were already covered with tears. It was these scenes that really gave Rurik a strong hatred. This is unknown! Olekin is digging the wall in the opposite direction, and Carlotta is also not up to date. Has she always been a lack of opinion? Still, she can actually sacrifice everything for her own cause of revenge.

No, Olekin is going to show that he is actually a gifted and loyal person through some words, vowing to sweep away the unfavorable remarks against his family.

"I want to launch a revenge on the same scale, to avenge the Ostras, and to condense the corpses of the dead and hold funerals for them. I also learned some information that the Gotlandians did not leave Ostras. They even occupied the homeland of the migrating Granites and built their Gotland settlement. It is reported that there are many Danes inside."

At this moment, Otto blamed himself, it was really wishful thinking that he recognized an obedient daughter, who would have thought that this girl is essentially dependent on the strong. She put aside the irrational behavior that couldn't see the situation. Otto completely confirmed the authenticity of the rumors. In this case, the other details of the rumors must be true.

Maybe, everything is deliberately released by Olegin, to test the direction of the alliance's public opinion.

Otto's face was dignified and his eyes were deep. He coughed abruptly and reprimanded: "This is a meeting place for men. Women should avoid it for the time being."

The words made Carlotta shiver fiercely, and she hurriedly sat back to her position, hooked her head and glanced at Otto from time to time. The expression in her eyes is just expressing an apology.

Yes, this must be a meeting between two old men. Rurik had long wanted to insert some words, and for the time being, he would continue to wait and see.

Otto's face eased slightly, and he was glad that Carlotta's conscience had not deteriorated. Pretending to be anticipating war, he deliberately said: "From what I know about the Gotland people, their preference for burying silver coins and gems cannot be changed by anyone. We defeat them and we are very likely to make a fortune. "

"No! It's inevitable to get rich."

Olekin is extremely happy to see the cooperative attitude shown by the Ross people this time. Money! Who can not love?

“It’s not enough to help the Ostala people get revenge. This is a war. It’s not a fight between two people. We must expand our battle, and we must go south along the coastline. We must organize a huge force. The fleet, a large army. Haha, I saw that you brought a huge transport ship this time. It’s great. I’m afraid it’s not suitable for combat, but it will definitely be able to carry a lot of cargo."

Being able to denounce the Aphrodite as a mere large transport ship, Otto was cursing in his heart, and he couldn't see any clues on his face.

Where's Rurik? But now he has another kind of inner coolness. The Mellarians are competitors of the Ross people. The more they ignore the strength of the Ross people, the more conducive to the development of the Ross people. If Olegin thinks that the Ross people are "stronger and excellent partners", that would be great.

While showing off to the Mellaren people, he tried to hide his strength as much as possible. Although this was contradictory, Otto still had to act according to the agreed plan with his son.

"Oh, you said that big ship? She is indeed a large cargo ship, and only she can deliver all kinds of materials you need from the lord to Mellaren. I know you will buy all of our goods quickly, we The Ross people will get a vital coin. You can also get the weapons, leather, soap, glassware, and even spirits you need."

"Of course, your cabins will be empty. Let's do this. Regarding money matters, our coalition forces will participate in fierce battles and looting. When the battle is over, I will give you a lot of loot. In the end you will return with a full load, and you will definitely get beyond Imaginary money. You don’t even need to land to fight, and there will be no loss of personnel. You just have to wait quietly for me to hand over the spoils to you."

Otto and Rurik didn't even think that Olekin's opinion was like this. So the question is, if this is the case, should the Rus send troops to join the coalition?

Otto consciously received a bit of insult. He must guarantee the necessary face of the Ross people in the alliance: "Are you letting us get something for nothing? We are warriors, not businessmen, we want face! Since you mean it, I will put all weapons and leather on Sell ​​it to you, and you will give me the money in a few days. After we have participated in the alliance, we can go back to our house directly. Anyway, we have no right to go to the battlefield, do we?"

Speaking of, Otto made the move to get up and leave.

This is a violent general law, Olekin immediately reached out to stay, and sternly denied: "I am the leader, and naturally the commander of the coalition army. This time the entire coalition will work together, and I can arrange the work of the various tribes. I will arrange for you Russians to transport some. Logistic materials, such as wheat and dried meat. You happen to have a huge ship that can naturally transport a lot of food and fresh water. Isn't this ship also the best ship for storing trophies?"

"I don't want to listen to this now. You mean, you don't have enough silver coins to buy the leather and weapons we provide?"

At this point in the matter, Olekin simply did not hide it, and said weakly and timidly: "It's a pity that my funds are very tight."

"Huh? Is it possible that the wealthiest Mälaren people will also be troubled by funding problems? Is it the agreement between you and my son that you should take the lead in repentance?"

"I am not! I don't! Don't talk nonsense!" Olekin glanced at Rurik.

Otto was not present when the appointment was made last year, and now it is obviously Leurik's time.

"Leader, we still hope to get the money soon, even if it is equivalent goods, such as wheat. You still have a lot of wheat in your barn, even if it is Chen Mai, you can just give me a little more. Originally, I did. Still have to continue to buy your wheat. Every year in the future, we people in Ross will buy it in large quantities. We don't even need silver or copper coins as a medium."

This remark is very constructive. Origen really hopes that the Rus people will buy food all the year round, so that his tribe will continue to obtain high-quality leather and high-quality iron. After all, the iron tools of the Ruths are magical. At present, it is only for the sake of face. Olekin hid his dagger very tightly, for fear that the other party would see that the treasures that the lord regarded as treasures were also made by the Russ.

Olekin expressed an idea and followed Rurik’s words: “This year’s climate is very warm, even warmer than in previous years. The wheat harvest season returns to August, and this year we will definitely have a bumper harvest. It’s just that I don’t have much grain now. Many Mälaren people are actually hungry. The grain in my barn will be used as the ration for the soldiers on the expedition. Before the ration is finished, we must attack the Gotland and the Danes. We must rob their wheat and cattle. Sheep. This is not only for revenge, but also for our survival."

Rurik guessed that this guy finally told the truth, what revenge and what glory, the underlying logic was revealed in brief words-the Mälaren tribe has no surplus.

But they don’t have surplus food. What loss do the Ross people have? Ross actually has the right to fish in the entire inner region of the Gulf of Bothnia, as well as the tribute of the Novgorod people. Even if he is so poor that he eats fish every day, it is just a return to the usual days of the past. It can be said that the Ross people have eliminated the famine, and everyone has begun desperately researching "full and good food".

If Mälaren does suffer a famine, what is the matter with the large number of fishing boats cruising the lake?

When Otto asked about this, he got a pessimistic answer from Olegin, saying that the so-called fish in the lake are not as rich as the sea.

"The best fishing ground is occupied by the Gotland people. We are the former defeated and lost there. This time we have to take the fishing ground back."

Otto is really unable to complain, and he does not want to reveal the lost fishing grounds of the Alliance, that is, the sea area from Åland Islands to Gotland, which has fallen into the shadow of terror under the Ross warship and cutting-edge weapons last year. Of course there are a lot of ships cruising there, but many of them are Ross.

Otto’s attitude towards the Mälaren people is really complicated. It must be an alliance. Today’s leader Olegin’s attitude is actually very low. He actually bluntly revealed the plight of the Mälaren tribe’s promises. He believes This guy wouldn't show Mellaren's weak side to other tribes.

The leader is to win sympathy, as for the reason! Otto actually guessed that this guy would of course give money for glory and credibility, that is, it is impossible to give money immediately. Strictly speaking, the leader took the lead in violating last year's agreement.

The wooden document signed last year, Rurik left an eye on it, but he kept carrying it with him, and he had no intention of letting Jeflo take it in the current situation. People want face, Lurik really doesn't want to see the fact that "the leader publicly violated the agreement."

The old agreement can of course be revised, and business people should be flexible. Based on this principle, Rurik deliberately pinched his fingers and drew his pen to say: "Fifteen hundred weapons, according to the agreement, the price is a battle axe for thirty thousand silver coins, and a spearhead for ten thousand silver coins. There is also Lie. Wine, soap, etc., if you intend to buy, the price will not change. Oh, the price of soap can be lowered a bit. The goods we can provide cost more than 60,000 silver coins."

Sixty thousand silver coins are a huge sum of money for the Olegin family from any angle! After all, the Mellaren tribe is not his Olegin’s private property. Many wealthy families have the ability to compete for the leader. It’s just that these scheming businessmen are just busy with their wealth. They continue to support and support the Olegin family. Olekin, naturally, he should be responsible for what happened. The Olekin family holds the power to collect taxes, but they cannot collect taxes from those big accounts, so the Mellaren tribe itself is also a small "tribal alliance" in the strict sense.

The Svia tribe alliance is the relationship of matryoshka.

Olekin is not the supreme emperor, and will never be. He forged a golden crown for himself, and even imitated the Franks calling themselves "king". He also had a long-cherished wish to break the pattern of dolls.

However, the title of a "king", if there is no loyal and powerful army guard, this person is self-proclaimed "Augustus", that is just the plaything of a powerful chief.

The war plan has been conceived since last year, and rumors have been spreading. Olekin intends to raise troops, so he spends a lot of money to add armor and weapons to the elite private soldiers, and he selects a batch of qualified from the tribe. The number of young people in China has made the number of private soldiers soar to 800. This is the source of his power! It is very expensive to feed this army. He actually has a strong gambling element. If there is not enough spoils in the war, he will not be able to maintain an army of this size for long.

The number of private soldiers has increased, and so has the number of warships. What makes Olegin very disturbing is how did the Hotra family, who are good at building big ships, move to Ross? It's really embarrassing to say it, he simply doesn't mention it.

Rülik worked out the accounts for the leader. If all the goods were bought by Olegin, there would indeed be 60,000 silver coins in the account, but it was a pity that the other party could not come up with so much money.

So there is a huge operable element in it. Rurik coaxed and said: "I believe that the leader has actually kept his promise. There are some things that happen in the performance of the contract, and sometimes it is irresistible. We can talk slowly."

"Yeah! I'm very happy with your words." Origen eased a little.

Rurik showed that sweet smile, and the lake breeze made him elegant and refreshing, and the golden silk was more beautiful. What Olekin saw was a handsome boy, but he didn't know that behind this handsome boy was a special "knife" he had never seen before.

Rurik pretended to be magnanimous: "We Russ have an obligation to attack our enemies. Over the years, our alliance has united to fight back against the enemy. We Russ should provide manpower and material resources. I can immediately provide you with all the weapons, it The price is forty thousand silver coins, even if you don’t have money now, you can get it. But..."

Oleg's eyes trembled rapidly, and things had a huge turnaround. As a person with a strong need, he couldn't wait: "I will try my best to meet your requirements, and I want weapons."

"We Russ can serve as the logistic unit of the coalition army. As you said, we need to divide the spoils. This spoils cannot be less than the value of 40,000 silver coins. Oh, it is best if it is 40,000 silver coins. , You have to give us additional benefits, we are not your transport team after all."

"Huh? I can allow you to participate in the looting after the battle. How much you rob is your own business."

"Not so." Rurik stretched out his right hand to veto. "We Russ are not carrion-eating vultures, and we are not without the action of fighting Gotland. They killed my uncle, and I want to eat his flesh. We. Of course they will win, but the Ross people are taking huge risks. What if you looted less? What will you pay back?"

"It's wheat."

"Okay! Wheat." Rurik waited for Olegin to say these words: "Since this year is a bumper harvest, the price of wheat in the market must rise to no less than fifteen pounds for a silver coin. We will follow suit. Fifteen pounds to calculate. Forty thousand silver coins are exchanged for six hundred thousand pounds of wheat."

Olekin squeezed his chin, he hesitated a little, and always felt that he would suffer a big loss in the future.

Rurik hasn't finished saying: "I have to charge extra money, which is called interest. You have to pay for the risk we Rus people take."

"Ah! This..."

Rurik's face was stern, he was no longer cute, Olekin realized a threat: "Interest, how much?"

Of course Olekin understands the concept of "interest." This abstract concept can be described as a natural occurrence, which is mainly reflected in the collection of land rent. Olekin actually understands it very well.

What about loan sharks! In today's era, there are no restrictions on interest rates. For the future of the Ross tribe, Rurik is to be a "villain" this time.

"I want 100% interest. You can quickly get all the weapons. When the harvest season arrives, you have to return me 1.2 million pounds of food. Or after the battle, you return 80,000 silver coins to the people of Ross. ."

Olekin almost broke his few teeth, and the boy in front of him was still handsome, that is to say, what he said was really vicious. Such crazy interest rates can be said by this kid! but! Weapons are just needed! The axe and spearhead made by "hard iron" can turn ordinary iron into waste. The leader doesn't want his men to be equipped with these magic weapons.

But he didn't really think about it. With so many high-quality weapons in a short period of time, what is the military strength of the Ross people?

Olekin gritted his teeth and asked, "In that case, can your crossbow..."

"No." Rurik refused directly, without thinking about it.

"Can't you buy one with ten thousand pounds of wheat?"

To be honest, Rurik is moving a bit now, but this is still a matter of principle at this stage, and it cannot be broken. "No! Just no. Lord, are you thinking about it? I don't believe it..."

Suddenly, Rurik became wise, and he changed a respectable term, calling Origen the king.

"Respected king, my respected king, great king." Rurik deliberately highlighted that the word "king" is more noble than "Leader", and he said it three times, which really made Olegin extremely excited.

"You...I haven't said this yet, you already..." The excited Olekin's old face was shaking.

"Yes. I believe those legends are true, so you will wear the crown. If you claim the king, my father and I will support you, as long as you can meet the requirements of our Ross people." These plans have long been left to Ric. Discuss with Otto, "We Rus, and Ostrala, UU Reading will support you in the official league meeting, even if we kneel to you, we will set an example for other tribes. If we do this, you will be honored, and you must give us tangible benefits. For example, give us 80,000 silver coins and the equivalent of wheat."

Otto also expressed his stance: "From the moment I saw your crown, I was your move. As long as you meet our needs, I will take the initiative to salute you as a soldier."

It can be said that Olekin, who had just been embarrassed with sweat on his forehead, now faces the promise of Otto and his son, he has no reason to refuse.

What Olikin needs most now is to get the support of the Rus. He knows that the strength of this tribe cannot be underestimated, but he does not want the Russ to really show off in future wars. Only? Melaren’s Olekin family can be a big show. The Ross people are actually the best as a logistics team. If they can use a lot of money to appease them, how happy?

Because of Olegin, all he needs is power! What is needed is for some powerful tribes in the alliance to make a clear example, a gesture of kneeling on one knee, that is not a million pounds of wheat can be bought!

Origen stood up and solemnly stated: "I completely agree. You support me as king, and I give you great benefits. We will always be brothers and comrades-in-arms..."