Chapter 1126： Uppsala Autumn Festival

Since the market price of grain is low, large-scale purchases are made. It is estimated that this year's market situation in Meralen Lake will be more optimistic in the warmer Novgorod.

Novgorod is the largest granary in Rus, and the local Slav boyars rely on organizing people to sell the village's grain in exchange for more production materials. The best material they can get is grain.

Rurik owns a huge area of ​​his own private fields, and he pays to hire tenant farmers, most of which are managed by the people of Baishu Manor in the city. Employed people also have their own fields, and when they take care of their own fields, they also take care of Wang Tian. In exchange for benefits, they will be exempted from taxes, and the amount will come from the output of Wang Tian.

He is at ease with this model, and the most important reason is that the queen is the second lady of White Tree Manor, and the prince has half blood.

The food produced by the royal family can meet the normal consumption of the current standing army. The royal family's mines and various handicraft workshops bring products with higher added value.

The root of life is still food, and oats and wheat can be used as currency.

The surplus of the market in Lake Mälaren is being purchased by the white fox on a large scale. According to the past contract, Rurik will get the proportion of the response and get them at the price of the original purchase price.

The market for grain trading here is not large, and speaking of the white fox, when he bought a large amount of grain, his governor's palace and the guards he raised were unable to finish it. He would sell a portion of the surplus to Rosburg and Elrond in the north, another portion would be used to raise his favorite sheep and goats for his daily feasts, and the last portion would be brewed with strange additions such as raspberries. , Nordic blackberry flavored ale to earn added value at the winery.

His work was not a concern for Laurik, and now Rurik was reorganizing his staff and set off for Uppsala next.

The autumn festival was the most important purpose of Rurik's trip.

The largest temple in Sweden is in Uppsala, the northernmost part of the lake. A huge temple area stands on the mound. The nearby forest has long been cleared. Because it is the holy place, the nearby The flat areas could have been used for grazing, and the people of the Uppsala tribe did not dare to cross the border for no reason.

The huge cedar tree next to the temple building is too surprising, it is completely different from the surrounding trees.

The size of this tree is such that those who know it call it the "World Tree". The Uppsala tribe has a saying that this tree is a branch of the world tree located in the human world. Then, to worship next to the big tree, it is not necessary to connect to Asgard through the sky, but directly through the tree veins. .

The old priest of Uppsala gave such a pretentious explanation. Since it was logically consistent based on belief, Rurik admitted this idea and even described it in the manuscript of the "Rossaga" as an official identity. endorsement. But the old priesthood has been purged, just as Ross purged the tribe's past priesthood.

Ross, it is not allowed to have a certain group of priests that will not be directly controlled by the ruler. They will either dissolve or disappear.

Rurik still prefers simple and rude solutions. The old priest was killed, and the mood of the people of Uppsala could not be said to be mixed with grief and anger, but to be happy.

Although the new Uppsala priest has black hair, he is still a girl from the eastern land.

Rumi, the daughter of the chief tribe leader of the Finnish tribe Kovin, was appointed as a priest.

She was one of King Rurik's wives and concubines, and now gave birth to the king's daughter.

Uppsala leader Swined was no longer under the control of the old priest group, the people did not pay tribute, and the Uppsala Temple was actually managed by Swined himself by the king.

Swinede changed from leader to governor, and the Uppsala tribe became a special existence in all of Sweden. Jurisprudentially, this clan has been absorbed by Rus, and has already broken away from the Swedish system, becoming the core jurisdiction of the Rus Principality in the kingdom.

It is the responsibility of the people to keep the Great Temple of Uppsala up and running, except that they hardly have to pay taxes or even maintain a self-preserving army. Everyone can go all out to devote their energy to improving their lives, and the personal and economic security of the tribe is managed by the Governor of Stockholm.

It was Rurik's gift to them that made Uppsala completely different from other Swedish tribes. Objectively, this is also a method of differentiation and disintegration. In principle, Rurik does not want the possibility of the Meralen tribe to grow bigger.

The large ship entered the small waterway and the keel was deep in the silt. The fleet finally docked at the military fortress of Gould Island in the lake. Rurik replaced the traditional longboat here, and temporarily dispatched some small servants raised by white foxes. The mighty fleet of up to five hundred people floated north with a large number of flags held high by the guard of honor of Ross.

Twenty long boats were lined up in a long serpentine array, the sails were all folded, and the rows of oars on both sides slid rhythmically. The strong men who rolled up their sleeves ignored the north wind and sang chants and kept twisting their bodies to make the Seek to maximize paddle efficiency.

Uppsala fishermen who met along the way watched the arrival of the Ross fleet in amazement, first surprised and then surprised, and then turned into guides.

Because Rurik himself stood up in a very high-profile manner and stroked the hideous beast at the bow. He wants to let the public see his deep eyes and beard, and he wants to make the golden laurel crown on his head shine brightly, and he wants to show his elegant and luxurious clothes to the fullest.

Soon, the fleet arrived at the small lake owned by the Uppsala tribe. The boats rushed into the soft lakeside mud, and everyone jumped deep to complete the landing.

As long as you stand here, you can clearly see the beautiful appearance of the big tree on the distant mound.

Velika looked at the novelty: "Dad, here we are again. See that tree again, why is it so big."

"Because it's connected to the World Tree. That's the Holy Tree."

"Oh. I remember. Sometimes I wonder, what if we moved this tree to Fort Novo Rose? Put it in the square, such a great tree, next to our great temple."

Is it really childish? Rurik glanced at his giggling daughter, thinking that this might not be her daughter's nonsense. He sighed softly, thinking that his daughter is also someone who has ideas, not a mediocrity.

"Forget it, just let this tree stay here. We are going to do the ceremony there soon, you are the deputy priest! It's fate, it's really right that I brought you here. I went to the autumn sacrifice this year, and you happened to participate. "

"Oh, okay." Velika nodded.

"And your Aunt Rumi. You're all priests, and the ceremony is up to you."

"Is it her? Great, I really want to see her."

Velika blushed with joy. Although her father had many wives and concubines, she also had many aunts. As for which one Velika likes best, based on his own blood, he likes Rumi more. That aunt and his mother had the same name in essence, and their appearances were very similar, and they were largely of the same family.

Rumia, the high priest, is a Lapp, and Rumia is a Kowen. They are both branches of Finnish tribes, and there is a high similarity in language. It's just that Velika was deliberately educated, and some bad things were completely wiped out as if they never existed. She had no idea that in the past, the Cowens would arrest Lapps as slaves, and now she only cares about family.

The crowd watching the lively crowd flocked to the lake. Lumi, who was already busy preparing for this year's autumn festival, was also holding her child this time, with her team of priests made up of Uppsala girls, happily rushing to the lake.

Governor Swined came very timely. He recognized the noble king at a glance, and immediately brought the guards to the king and bowed to the ground half-kneeling salute.

"Be flat! My governor, everything is fine. Haha, I haven't seen you for two years, and you have gained weight. I see that your people are also enthusiastic, which shows that you are a very good governor."

"Thank you for your concern. You... have also become more handsome and strong, and you are the king that everyone respects."

After some concerned greetings, the Governor ordered the people to temporarily fade away, and the guards brought by Rurik gathered in the lakeside area to camp.

Two years ago, Rurik built a military camp by the lake, and after the enthronement ceremony that year, the camp was converted into a public building for the locals. The good houses were turned into public granaries, and another group of people settled here, so that they did not have to build new houses.

As the walls of the temple were demolished, the sense of sanctity of the past was shattered, and for two years any sacrifices were open to the public. Uppsala civilians will participate in any sacrificial activities on a large scale, and the event will also attract some nearby people to participate, and even attract small traders to row boats and sell some goods while they are lively.

In addition to maintaining order, the guards organized by Governor Swined are also responsible for catching pickpockets and punishing injustices, and transferring the caught criminals to the Governor of Stockholm for disposal.

The Governor's Palace has nothing to do with luxury. It was originally Swined's mansion. The premises were extended and some new wooden houses were erected.

Rurik and the queen chatted with the governor and the mansion as usual. The governor met the prince and the future high priest, and Rurik also met the governor's sons.

Another high-profile compliment to each other, Swined fully supported Crown Prince Osborn and the next high priest Willika, and Rurik reiterated that Swined's eldest son would succeed the governorship.

Hearing this man's description, Uppsala lived a quiet life. A few people participated in the War of 840, and the loss of the tribe was minimal. Although the loot brought back was not much, the gain far exceeded the cost.

If life in peace is getting better and better, they don't want to go out. Vikings are a way of life, they don't raid, they're just ordinary Uppsala farmers, fishermen and herders.

Rurik doesn't want the people here to go out either. They'd better stay here forever and keep quiet for a long time, and devote all their mind and body to maintaining the temple's operation.

However, if necessary, it is possible to call up five hundred warriors from Uppsala.

The people here are 4,000 people. When they landed, Rurik saw many women in furs and furs with children in their arms. I wanted to come here because life began to improve and the population began to increase rapidly.

He had talked a lot with the governor, and just after talking about what to eat tonight and deciding to slaughter a goat and roast it, the priest Rumi made a grand appearance with her team.

Queen Svetlana was present, and she did not dare to show intimacy to the great king.

Rumi can even keep a distance from Rurik, and her daughter is about to turn one year old. Has the good news reached the king's ears? She tried her best to suppress her excitement, but she couldn't stop her tears when she saw Rurik.

"Why do you cry? Lumi, the great priest of Uppsala. This king is here to participate in this year's autumn festival. Wipe away your tears! You are here just in time. Let's discuss this year's sacrifice."

Rurik was as sensible as he was, and he softened his excitement with absolutely formal words. Because, he saw a lower priest standing next to Lumi, the girl was holding a leather sleeping bag, and a small child was sleeping inside. Who is this child? The answer couldn't be clearer.

Governor Swinend cleaned the chalet restaurant, he ordered the waiter to withdraw, only the waiter who passed the dishes could enter.

Roasted Lamb is a great meal tonight with local grilled fish, stew and traditional salted Oat Lake.

It was because of the sudden arrival of the royal family that the governor deliberately slaughtered the sheep, otherwise he would eat grilled fish for more days as a governor.

There are no idle people here, in a sense it is more like a royal family banquet. The Governor Swined clearly took the eldest son to participate in it as a close minister.

Everyone resumed their journey. Rurik, lined only in sackcloth, rolled up his sleeves to reveal his hairy arms, and broke a leg of lamb with no effort. He shaved the meat along the bones of the lamb, and gave it to the Queen, then to Willika and Osborn. Next, the final pieces of meat are placed in Lumi's glass dish.

Swined waited for his eyes to be amazed. He was embarrassed to say anything. It seemed that the king really loved his family. .There is a reason why everyone admires you."

"It's flattery. But I like it. Hehe, my woman, my child, of course, must be favored by this king." After that, Rurik cut off another piece of mutton.

Having dinner together happened to talk about a lot of things. Swined is like listening to the king about the war in the Frankish world. This is not difficult for Rick. The article about the war in the Franks is a printed matter. In the past, due to the limited technology of printing workshops, printing The efficiency is not good, and the proofreading of the article is also flawed. After all, it is publicly posted in the square for everyone to understand.

How could he pass up the opportunity to publicize his glorious deeds? Rurik took the old printed documents of the "War of War" with them. The papers were all folded, and the contents were also in rune text. He estimated that he would put them in Uppsa. The locals can understand it. The same document, he has also thrown a copy in the Melalen tribe, I think those nobles have already circulated it.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to have dinner together, Rurik wanted to clarify this year's ball festival.

It was also this opportunity that he welcomed his second daughter, Sarah.

"I thought it was a boy." After taking the swaddling clothes, Rurik immediately confirmed the gender when he saw the boy's brown-black hair **** in a braid.

Lumi looked at her man affectionately, she really couldn't hold back now, and started crying again.

"Just a girl. Maybe a boy is better."

"Isn't it better for girls? It's perfect to be a priest. I'm really wronged to put you here."

"This is my destiny." Lumi came from the bottom of her heart, and now she has to consider the Queen's thoughts.

"What's the child's name? Did you name her?"

"My name is Sarah."

"Sarah? The **** of the sun."

"What? You are a hero favored by Odin. Of course your daughter must have a great and noble name." Lumi wiped her tears and said.

"Oh, you're right to think so."

sara, it's pretty common as a girl's name. Seraphine is the name of the seraph, and its most primitive image only refers to the sun, the Frankish world, and some girls enjoy such a name. In the Nordic tribes, Sarah has always been the name of the sun. This name is extended to warm, and further extended to good images such as maternal love and kindness.

Naming his own children was nerve-wracking, and Rurik was delighted that his woman could name her children herself.

Sarah wasn't even a year old, and Rurik counted the time, and he was really on target for the last time he had a close relationship with Rumi two years ago.

This year's Autumn Festival was based on the old tradition. Since Rurik took the royal family to participate, the scale of this festival was larger.

Considering that there are not enough local cattle and sheep, the king brought 100 selected reindeer to sacrifice himself at the enthronement ceremony. This time, let's use two local cattle.

Completely different from the stone boat altar, the sacrificial site of the Great Temple of Uppsala is under the shade of the holy tree, the same point is that the blood of sacrifice must flow on the altar~ Rurik arrives in Uppsa A light rain fell soon after, but fortunately the autumn rain lasted not long, at least in the Lake Mälaren area.

The autumn equinox is a little hazy every day, but it still does not affect the sacrificial activities.

Rumi put on the replica Ross antler helmet and performed the ritual according to local rules. Velika continued to participate as the deputy priest, so thousands of onlookers noticed that this little girl was holding the broken blade given to her by the king's father. . The bull was held firmly by ten strong men, and the blood of the bull was sprayed everywhere on the big tree trunk.

Velika was not afraid of such a savage sacrifice. She herself was sprayed with cow blood, her face was bright red, and the sword in her right hand kept dripping with cow blood.

Does she look scary? Quite the opposite! Valkyrie is also a **** who bathes in blood, and such a deputy priest has a different style.

The autumn festival ended with the cheers of thousands of people and the kneeling and worship of the holy tree.

Only the royal family of Rurik did not have to kneel before the sacred tree. Just because he was blessed by the gods.