Rise of Rurik

The continuous good days warm people's hearts, and the whole Roseburg is even more grassy. In just three months, the world that was once covered by ice and snow was lush and green.

In the extremely high-dimensional Roseburg, the average daily maximum temperature has exceeded 20 degrees recently, and many people even felt a little hot.

It was a large number of brawny men who were not very particular. They exposed their upper bodies full of golden chest hair, stretched their furry arms, and actively stood on their fishing boats, pulling off the nets and pulling them towards the boat.

Roseburg has entered the warmest time of the year. The situation this year is significantly different than before. Its strong warmth is felt by everyone, and the large demand for materials on Tombstone Island also tempts fishermen to transport large quantities of fish there.

Therefore, when the small fleet of Avlora returned, the fleet met directly with Rurik's own fishing boat.

It was a boat that had been ported, and the fishermen had signed contracts with Rurik.

The two fleets met at sea for the time being, and Rurik on the deck asked condescendingly, and he was more confident about the future battle.

At least their own fishing boats and contracted fishermen will be very active in fishing and transporting goods for the sake of profit.

What about other clansmen? Not daring to say great sacrifices were made in the great war to conquer the Gotlanders, Rurik believed that they, at least for the sake of profit, contributed immediately.

In front, a large number of escaping boats are cruising, and there are also a group of boats hanging on the sea. Fishermen are fishing for cod with hemp ropes.

The entire Gulf of Bothnia is under the control of the Rus people. Most of the fish resources in this huge bay with a depth of 600 kilometers have actually become the exclusive possession of the Principality of Rus. It's just that due to the limitations of fishing technology, the Rus people are still "requesters with very limited ability" and have very limited influence on the ecological resources of this bay.

Just a few days ago, Rurik was worried about launching a major war, and the logistical pressure on the Rus army would be a big problem that would be difficult to alleviate.

The weather was fine at the moment, and he was standing on the bow deck four meters above the waterline, where he could see a large number of ships and even the distant horizon.

"There are so many ships? Is it hard for all the Rus people to come out to work? If I go back, how many people will stay behind for a long time? If they don't come back on the winter solstice, my order..."

Rurik unexpectedly felt a little more pressure, but now he needs to go back early.

On the night of June 25, the southwest had become very weak, and the Avrora, still sailing, insisted on sailing.

Only because within seventy-two hours,

The latitude where Roseburg is located has reached the point of the astronomical summer solstice, so today's pure night time has been compressed to only one hour left.

The Avlora sailed almost in the extreme day, and was blown by the warm sea breeze, which made Rurik feel that the world was a little weird.

The last voyage was uneventful, just as Rurik had expected, after this short night, after an unknown number of hours, the sun was still floating in the western sky, and the Avrolla fleet turned around. Head, all into Roseburg Fjord.

Four large ships came into port with their distinctive jibs, and the large cross blue stripes stitched on the sails.

It's the leader's ship! The chief fleet has triumphed!

A large number of fishing boats have left the port for fishing operations, and there are not many people who take in Roseburg. Most of them stay at home. Women, in particular, worked as seamstresses and chopped wood to boil the salt used to pickle the fish.

Finally home, Otto boarded the bow and looked in the direction of home.

"Hey, that's our house."

"I saw that there are not many boats on the coast, and the owners must have gone to fish." Rurik said casually.

Suddenly, the dense black smoke in an area of ​​Roseburg caught the attention of the father and son. The two of them subconsciously thought there was a fire, and they looked closely. Isn't the smoking area the mansion of the blacksmiths? Including the blast furnace for smelting pig iron, also in that area.

Rurik patted his face numb from the warm sea breeze, and sighed: "The chimney and black smoke represent our strength, and now we need a blacksmith to make it hard."

The Russ were given another month to prepare for the war, unless Rurik personally ordered that the Gotlanders not be moved this year.

Indeed, Rurik asked himself, and he could say that in launching a strategic decisive battle now, he was really too hasty in terms of armament. If we accumulate strength this winter, then next year's Ross army will not only be a big ship, the Avlora, because there are still two large ships of the same level under construction. Next year the Rus will have at least three large ships, and the Rus' army will surely be equipped with more weapons and more armored warriors.

Look at the "industrial zone" with thick smoke! Rurik could only dream before, but now he feels that the Russ already have the ability to produce plate armor with high efficiency.

The clear air allows people on the shore to easily see almost all the details on the sea of ​​the small fjord. Some people in Roseburg are born with farsightedness. They not only saw the Avlora clearly, but also saw the ship. People standing on the bow.

A boy with a blond ponytail, and an old fellow with a flowing beard.

The ecstatic people ran wildly among the intricate roads and shouted: "The chief is back!"

The news quickly reached the high priest's house. Rumia, who was taking care of the high priest Veria who was drinking the soup, was shaking with her hand holding the wooden spoon.

Like the cracked earth, Villa opened his eyes halfway and muttered slowly: "It seems... your man really came back. You... go and bring him to me."

"Yes! I'll go right now."

The excited Rumia couldn't help shedding two lines of tears. She was afraid that Rurik, who was on the expedition, would encounter a crisis. Now they have returned safely.

Of course, what moved her even more was that what happened now was within the expectations of the high priest.

It seems that the old lady lying in the leather is a Valkyrie. She will eventually return her soul to Valhalla one day. She still persists tenaciously until now, and there must be a mission to be accomplished in the human world.

Once, the ships of the Gould family in summer were almost all stopped at Lake Mälaren, times have changed, and now Gould himself has returned to Roseburg ahead of schedule. The once-annual runaway trade, with the Rus having virtually control of the entire Gulf of Bothnia, ships feared to be attacked by pirates now dare to sail alone.

Trade routes are not only common, but trade has also become frequent. Gould left the general trading business to his sons, especially the eldest son, Snowreva. He only had to deal with some important matters, so he needed to stay in Roseburg for a long time.

Rumia was wearing an off-white burqa, and behind her were four lower priestesses who also wore burqas. They hurried to the pier of Gould's house, and soon saw the Avrora docked steadily, Rurik who was chatting and laughing with the big merchant, and Otto, the leader who still made her fearful.

Rumia lowered her hood lightly, revealing her distinctive black hair and braids tied behind her head with a silver hairpin.

She hurriedly approached her man and interjected urgently: "Rurik, High Priest her. She's looking for you."

"It's Veria! Is she okay?" Rurik felt numb in shock for a moment. He suddenly thought of the bleak appearance of the high priest who was about to die when he set sail. Look at Lumia's current mood. , apparently the condition of the high priest is not bad.

Rumia nodded: "The High Priest can still speak and eat, but the Great God didn't take her away."

Rurik had already chatted with Gould about the war. Gould, who was blushing with shock at the seriousness of the situation, was stunned with a stern face, and his plump body could not help but tremble.

"Just do it according to my decision. This is the power that the duke gave me. You can just follow my order. Do you remember?"

Gould nodded vigorously: "Go to Melalen to recruit some mercenaries who are not afraid of death. Then go buy a batch of salted fish jerky or other food. I will organize a fleet today."

Rurik nodded, and followed Rumia without saying a word, leaving the others alone.

Otto shrugged, his big hand still pinching Carlotta's neck: "Now let's go back."

"But, Duke, we..."

"Silly boy, this is Rosberg, and here you are going to call my father."

"Yes! Dad..." She changed her words for a moment, and Carlota felt a little uncomfortable. Although the war was still going on, she just wanted to go home, see her own sister, see her adoptive mother, and have a good rest for a while.

Rumia held Rurik by the wrist, and the two of them trotted all the way, forcing the attendant priestess to run along with their gowns.

Rumia is still a deer breeder who is good at running, even though she has essentially done the job of High Priest of Ross.

She was spared her life by Odin, and with this grace, the tribe had prejudice and doubts about the black-haired deer breeder. For herself, this doubt was simply a great disobedience to God.

Now, Rumia is not dazzled by the power she possesses, and all the stable life today comes from Rurik.

The high priest rehearsed the war launched by the entire alliance, and it will definitely come to an end on a very large scale, and the Rus people will also gain huge gains from this war.

What is the so-called huge gain? Do you mean those poor captives that were brought back some time ago?

Rumia wanted to know the "Heavenly Secret" that Vilia knew, but she didn't dare to ask in detail.

Soon Rurik returned to the priest's house and sat beside Grandma Veria.

A bone-like hand rose, Rurik grabbed it without hesitation, and pressed it against his face.

Villa's shriveled face showed a faint smile, "God said, I can't leave until the important things are done."

"Grandma, you..."

"It was a rehearsal, and the rehearsal has become a reality. You... come back."

"Yes! I'm back, I want to participate in this year's summer solstice sacrifice, this is my must do."

Villa subconsciously laughed and said slowly: "You... It's definitely not because of this. You want to plan a big event, but I don't know what it is, but the oracle told me that what you planned was right. Ross..."

"How about it?"

"It's a good thing."

At this moment, Rurik would rather be very superstitious. This is called the frequent occurrence of auspicious omens before the war. It is a good thing for the soldiers who are about to go out and the entire Ross tribe!

Rurik continued to hold Veria's hand and stared into her eyes solemnly and earnestly: "Yes, it seems that Odin has met the result of this war. I have decided that I will spend the whole tribe's resources. Strength, to completely defeat the Gotlanders, and accomplish what the leaders of all generations wanted to do but were unable to do!"

Hearing such a plan, Villa suddenly let out a sigh of relief.

"Grandma, are you surprised?"

"Me? Hehe... I finally understand what that oracle is. It's you... Go and do what you want."

Then, she made Rumia hold her head out: "Listen, child, obey all your man's orders. This year's summer sacrifice, you will announce Rurik's decision in public."

Rumia nodded vigorously, but she was worried about the future again in her heart.

Could it be that a decisive war is to be waged against a powerful hostile force?

Rurik was holding Willia's hand at this moment. He felt that this old lady had already seen everything. Even if she was not a prophet, she would still have the ability of Zhuge in this world. If she was a man, I am afraid that the throne of the head of the Ross tribe would be held by her. .

In fact, the results are similar. For more than ten years, this old lady has been the leader of the Ross tribe.

Rurik said solemnly: "Grandma, you don't have to worry at all. I have drawn up a detailed battle plan, I will make very adequate preparations, and I will select warriors from the tribes that serve us. This war is related to For the future of our Rus, I will fight with the strength of the entire tribe to win. Please, stay here to protect me, and I will triumph."

"Then...it depends on God's will." Villa squeezed out a smile, "Now that I'm still alive, it's all down to God's grace. Ah, the future is entirely up to you, Rurik."

The warm scene happened to be seen by Otto, who came here. He didn't speak, he just listened with his eyes and ears. No doubt he heard something incredible, and he couldn't help trembling all over.

Otto was trembling with ecstasy in his heart, not only because the high priest seemed to be only weak and there were still some years to go, but mainly because of the obscure oracle that the high priest had learned - victory lies in Ross.

Victory belongs to Ross, but not sitting and waiting for victory to fall from the sky.

This year's summer solstice sacrifice will be very grand. Rurik intends to announce the war mobilization in public. However, some people in the tribe must have smelled the signs of a larger war. They must know in advance, even if they know it one day earlier Prepare.

The blacksmith Kravatsen, along with the apprentices, had been working hard in the past days.

The blast furnace never stopped, the molten iron flowed out periodically, and ore and coal lumps poured into it overnight.

In order to serve this furnace, Rurik had given the blacksmith apprentice and his large group of small subordinates the task before he left Roseburg.

Even children, they carry shovels, chisels, and trolleys to dig in the nearby mountains. They are numerous and powerful, and the mining efficiency is enough to stably supply mines for blast furnaces.

A carbon-ceramic iron production complex has been formed in Roseburg. The charcoal burners supply the raw materials, the potters supply the molds, and the blacksmith alliance mines and completes the smelting. The final iron products benefit the participants in the whole process and also serve them. Leaders accumulate wealth.

After all, the production efficiency of pig iron smelting products almost depends on the supply speed of raw materials and fuels.

The sale of pig iron products, especially agricultural tools, in exchange for other things, such as precious grain, was something Rurik had already made appointments with the blacksmiths.

The only blast furnace continued to smelt and cast daily necessities, but Kravassen did not let go of the work of making steel swords with orders. Blacksmiths are the busiest group of people in the entire tribe. They are more industrious than fishermen, especially now that most of the day is in daylight, and they are entering the most diligent period of the year.

Their struggles are also accumulating wealth at an extremely alarming rate, and they are also accumulating their own political capital in the Duchy of Ross (those who returned early show that the tribe has been upgraded to a duchy), and Kravassen is getting old and is here. The mind is very clear on the matter.

The returning Rurik was obsessed with the sacrifice two days later, and he could give a speech at the sacrifice without any drafts. He dragged his tired body back home, and after being hugged by his mother, he couldn't wait to lie down on the bed and sleep soundly.

Before that, the wooden board of the "Duke's Edict" had been placed on the beach of the tribe. Under Otto's instruction, some warriors were running around, announcing that Ross was going to declare war on Gotland.

In the short night, the hearts of Russ are boiling, and war often means getting a huge amount of spoils, but...

Are the tribes really going to declare war on the entire Gotland and launch an all-out attack?

While people sighed at the courage of the leader, there were also people who suspected that the leader had acted too hastily. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the strength of the tribe is increasing every month. Since the battle is really short, why start it now?