The Sage of Einar

Chapter 282: A tempting proposal

Einar, who was on the docks, watched as the ships entered through the breakwaters that were already built.

Since the last Viking attack, everyone has worked overtime building the breakwater next to the walls.

The only thing that was not ready was the gigantic chain that would stop the ships, however, the towers had ballistas ready to sink the enemies.

Jasiel, who was at the bow of the ship, looked at the beautifully built harbor with quite curiosity “This level of construction is very difficult to do in no time.

If what the informants said is true, that would explain the large number of slaves he is needing.

I can assure you, Bardas, that in a year we will do trade with a true northern power.

Which is good as the Vikings will have another place to attack, so the pressure in the north will be reduced. “

When he finished speaking, he made a signal with his hand for the crew to prepare to dock the ship at the docks.

At the docks the warriors helped the crew to tie ropes to stop the ships. When the main ship stopped, a platform was placed.

Jasiel, who was quite angry that the Viking still hadn’t woken up, just sighed and approached the platform.

The warrior who was on guard made some words in Latin “Et Latine loquimur”

Jasiel felt a bit of joy because he knew how to speak Latin, so he answered him.

“I am fluent in Latin, so I look forward to doing business with you.”

The guard, hearing the Latin, made a sign to Jasiel to accompany him. Jasiel began to follow the warrior.

Because the first rule as a merchant was to trust any customer, he also felt no danger in that place.

When he reached the entrance to the docks, he could see a young red-haired man sitting in front of a table that seemed to be specially prepared.

The warrior led Jasiel to a chair in front of Einar, so he took a seat.

Einar gave the merchant a smile as he spoke in Latin. “Welcome to my humble kingdom. I am the Konungar Einar or King Einar.

Although I did not expect new traders, it is always a pleasure to make new trade routes.

Because of the most basic respect I will not ask where you got the route to our island, I will simply ask if you know what I am commercially interested in. “

Jasiel smiled, and from his robe he took a scroll, which he spread on the table. “Thank you very much for being able to receive me, King Einar.

My name is Jasiel I am a Jewish merchant, who found out about your trade route. I also come on behalf of the kingdom of Wales.

As a trained merchant, I know you are looking for slaves, food and animals.

There are currently 2000 slaves on my ships ready to trade and personally regardless of what I buy I will give you a Viking slave.

It just gave me more trouble than it helps, he’s a bastard so if you want to put him to work in the darkest mine or just kill him I’ll leave it up to him.

I also have sacks of barley and a few animals, but this is only a maiden voyage if we can start a trade.

The King of Wales agrees to start a slave route with people from the Franco empire that is still in civil war. “

Einar, who never thought he could trade with a Christian kingdom, directly simply smiled, as this was an opportunity to expand the construction of the island.

“All you mention is what I need, but I want to tell you something. You know I need thousands of slaves.

So your king will risk selling Christians to a man like me? “

Jasiel nodded and looked seriously at Einar “He appreciates religion but prefers your products over any life of a miserable slave.

So he’s willing to trade anything to get merchandise. “

Einar showed a satisfied face, and with a wave of his hand, he motioned for his stepson Peder to come closer.

Peder, who was holding a fold of purple cloth wrapped in paper, approached Einar and handed him the package before he left.

With the package in his hand, Einar smirked “You will see I need slaves for labor, but I need even more slaves who can read and speak Latin.

If your king will come to terms with me, each slave who can read, write or have advanced knowledge will be paid with this. “

Einar, using his silver dagger, removed the cords that tied the paper that covered the fold of cloth.

When he tore them open, he removed the paper and revealed a beautiful purple woolen cloth. Jasiel gulped as he knew the value of a cloth painted that way.

“This is a beautiful fabric that has a purple color. Just so you know, producing this color is complicated.

But I think it is worth it as your king can get a beautiful cloth simply by sacrificing his political enemies or rebellious nobles.

We can even say that some rebel nobleman attacked a group of missionaries who were never found.

I think you understand what I mean by this deal. “

Jasiel showed a fox look as he knew what Einar was referring to “I can guarantee that I will take his words to the King of Wales. I am sure he will accept the deal.

It’s a good chance for him and a good chance for you. “

Einar spread his hands “I am a magnanimous king, I will eliminate any kind of noble problem or accept products like priests and monks.”

Einar then pushed the cloth to Jasiel “You may have the cloth fold to show the King of Wales consider it a gift from me to him.

Tell him that if he produces linen or cotton, I can sell different fabrics in the future but of the same color, of course I need different fabrics first.

By the way, I know that a man like you will have many influences on the island where you live. That is why I want to ask you a very great favor for which you will receive an equally great payment. “

Making a sign to Peder he asked him to come closer and when he was next to him he said some things, so Peder ran to the warehouse.

After a while, I return with two wooden boxes and a bale of cloth of different colors.

“The first box contains a fairly fine glassware set with a value of 200 gold coins.

The second box contains glass salt shakers filled with salt and bottles of honey liquor. They have a value of 500 gold coins and last but not least.

There are fabrics with different colors except for purple because I understand you can get in trouble if you dare to use that color.

The fabrics have a value of 500 gold coins, but you can be sure that all these gifts will be worth twice what you spent on my order. “

Jasiel sighed, as he did not know what King Einar wanted to ask of him.

“I want you to hire all the bards or artists on the island. I want you to make a network of informants throughout the island with the sole mission of transmitting a message.

Any student, alchemist, merchants, herbalist, artist, mercenary with family, painter, blacksmith, doctor, free person, witch or wizard who wants to improve his life should go to the city of Carcol or some city where you have your principal base.

Well, in the Nordic kingdom there are opportunities for them, guaranteed food, a home to live in and many opportunities to earn gold coins.

Not to mention that it is a land free from any kind of church punishment and it is a land that respects private property.

Life with their families will be guaranteed, and they can even earn a title of nobility if they work hard enough.

That simple but brief message should be enough to create a large-scale migration to the island.

They have to make that message reach everyone’s ears; You have to promise that you will bring them all to the island for free.

In return I will pay for each boat full of migrants with two bales of cloth, like the ones I am giving you. I think it is a good deal for you. “

Jasiel looked seriously at Einar “I accept your deal, King Einar, but do I also have to inform the city of Carcol on this matter?”

Einar nodded and showed a smile “I will give you a letter which you must deliver to the leaders of the city of Carcol. They will know that they must bring the migrants.

Remember to emphasize that the families of those who migrate to the Nordic kingdom will receive citizenship, so they can live with all rights.

They will not live as slaves or suffer as servants, it is the land of freedom and individual guarantees. “

Jasiel, who was a little curious, looked at Einar with some doubt. “I know I shouldn’t ask this question, but will you also allow Jews like me to live in your kingdom?”

Einar opened his hands “I am a man who has no prejudice against any person or religious group.

I simply want you to remember that I put nationality before religion, for which I expect loyalty to the nation and its national symbols.

That means that they can come as long as they will follow the rules. I will not force them to eat pork or work on the Sabbath.

Their religion will be respected, but being a citizen implies that sometimes they will have to do things on days where some rites are possibly celebrated.

You should also know that I am a messiah of the Christian religion, so I must be considered by your people as a madman.

I may not be able to perform miracles like Moses and open the sea, but I ask you before you hesitate.

How do you think I could build all this or how can purple cloth be produced in this place?

I don’t want them to recognize me as a messiah in their religion, I just hope they don’t have confrontations with the Christian converts on the island.

As I said before, I am not Jesus or Moses, but for me people I am just as great, of course, that because of their coexistence they will be complete citizens.

There will be no Jewish slums or Jews treated like monsters. Private property is a priority in my kingdom, so no one will steal your wealth.

This is not just me saying, it will be written in the constitution of the nation. “

Jasiel, who was not an orthodox Jew, just kept quiet because he did not know what to answer.

1. You know Latin