Ch 60: Trade

The autumn wind picked up, and it was again time to go to York to pay tribute.

In early October, Vig was procuring various tribute goods when Bjorn’s fleet arrived unexpectedly. This time he brought three ships of volcanic ash, and a large quantity of dried cod and seal hides.

“It’s the same rules as always, grain, ironware, and livestock.”

Relying on his reputation as a legendary navigator, Bjorn’s settlement had expanded to four hundred people（ including over one hundred slaves he had purchased）. His only worry was the inability to develop a suitable industry. The selling price of the volcanic ash and seal hides he brought this time was far from enough to offset the purchase price, so he had to make up the difference out of his own pocket. After the transaction ended, he only had twenty pounds of silver left.

To seek advice, Bjorn went to the town mayor’s official residence on the west side of the central square. During the rebuilding of Tyne, Vig and Herigifu were temporarily residing there.

During dinner, he eagerly asked his host: “It takes several years for a flock of sheep to yield a profit. The island’s climate is severe. Although there is a small amount of land that can be used to grow rye, the production quota is too small to be exported in exchange for silver. Do you have any other ideas?”

Suitable local specialties for export?

Vig stared at the pan-fried lamb chops on his plate and fell into thought, “Have you discovered any metal deposits?”

“I regularly dispatch expeditions to explore, but I haven’t found any valuable minerals, except for volcanic ash.”

Suddenly, Bjorn slammed his goblet on the table. “When I departed, a silly whale happened to be beached. If only I had known to bring a few barrels of whale fat. Does Tyne buy this kind of thing?”

Whale fat can be used to produce whale oil candles, which are almost as effective as beeswax and are considered high-end luxury goods. Vig nodded readily, promising to purchase whale fat long-term. “I remember, since Iceland is full of volcanoes, it should produce sulfur. I am also willing to purchase large quantities.”

Currently, herbalists use sulfur to treat skin diseases and also to drive away fleas. Textile workers burn sulfur to fumigate wool and linen, making them whiter and softer.

Vig silently calculated the specific uses of sulfur, feeling that this business had great potential, and so reached a long-term supply agreement with Bjorn.

“Whale oil, sulfur. With these two sources of income, it will be enough to cover the expenses of importing grain, ironware, and livestock. You might even make a small profit.”

“It’s not that simple,” Bjorn filled his goblet with wine, instantly thinking of the drawbacks of both. “The Icelandic coastline is long. If a whale is stranded in other areas, it may rot and stink before we arrive. As for sulfur, residents are generally afraid of volcanoes, so we can only force slaves to mine it. It will be another trouble.”

The following time was filled with Bjorn’s complaints. Since becoming a lord, he found that life was not as pleasant as he had imagined, one worry after another, making him exhausted. “By the way, are the hops you planted in the first half of the year ripe?”

“No, the first two years were small-scale harvesting. It will be ready for large-scale harvesting and mass production of new ale in the third year.”

“It will take that long?” Vikings love to drink. Every time Bjorn went out, he liked to bring a few barrels of ale back. However, the North Sea waves are high in winter, meaning that there is no trade with the outside world for several months. Ale has a short shelf life, and he was forced to buy honey wine with a longer shelf life at a high price to alleviate the dissatisfaction of the people.

After resting for two days, Bjorn drove six cows and eight pigs onto the deck and set off to return to Iceland.

Before his departure, Vig stopped him, “Aren’t you going to York to pay tribute?”

“Why would I go?” Bjorn showed a surprised expression. “I earned this Icelandic Lordship, it wasn’t bestowed by some King. Ragnar is my father, and I will always respect him, but he is not my feudal lord. The Lord of Iceland has no obligation of allegiance to the King of Northumbria.”

That seems to make sense.

Vig froze in place for a moment. Bjorn continued: “If Mother were still alive, I would definitely go to York for a while. Now that Sola is sitting on the throne, I’m not interested in flattering that woman. Of course, she doesn’t want to see Ivar, Halfdan, and me either. It’s just so happens that she will drive us all away and then let her son Ubbe inherit the throne.”

Now that he had his own business, Bjorn no longer needed to watch other people’s faces. He simply yelled at the top of his lungs, completely disregarding the faces of the onlookers.

“See you next year, Vig, my good brother.”

After cursing Queen Sola, Bjorn felt much better. He ordered the three longships to set sail. As time went on, the waves in the North Sea would become increasingly strong. He only stayed one night in the Shetland Islands on his way, and before dawn, he urged the sleepy sailors to put to sea.

“Row faster! I bought twenty barrels of ale and five barrels of honey wine at a high price. When we arrive in Iceland, I’ll let you drunks drink your fill!”

Urged by Bjorn, the sailors endured their fatigue and rowed the oars. Fortunately, from the third day onwards, there was intermittent east wind on the sea, which greatly accelerated their journey. By dusk on the sixth day, noticing the sea gradually becoming lighter in color, Bjorn finally put his worries aside, lay down on the deck and fell into a deep sleep.

Several hours later.

“Sir, wake up.”

Bjorn was awakened from his sleep, and when he opened his eyes, countless pale green lights were floating in the night sky, like strange snakes wandering around. Then deep green ripples rolled behind the cloud layer, as if Valkyries were riding their horses across the heads of everyone, the rolling ripples like their flowing skirts.

Staring blankly at the bizarre aurora, Bjorn’s heart was filled with awe. He whispered a prayer to the Aesir Gods: “Odin, you have sent down your oracle. What do you want me to do?”

York.

After a year, Vig felt that the city was becoming more prosperous, but also dirtier, largely due to the war launched by Eric this year.

He estimated that at least 20,000 to 30,000 Vikings had flooded into Britain. Tyne had absorbed three thousand people, and the remaining refugees had entered York along waterways and roads.

The terrain around York is flat, with a large amount of wasteland suitable for cultivation, which is more than enough to accommodate these refugees. On his way, Vig discovered more than ten newly built settlements, each with about forty or fifty houses and nearly two hundred people.

“Such a large-scale influx of population is a test of the kingdom’s administrative ability. Pascal and Goodwin, are you prepared?”

After entering the city, he first went to the marketplace to inquire about grain prices. He learned that the price of wheat this year had risen from 2 pence per bushel to 2.6 pence, and the prices of barley, oats, and rye had also increased significantly.

After asking around, Vig found that the prices of most commodities were rising, and the royal family had taken no measures to control grain prices.

“Fortunately, I stocked up on grain last year. It shouldn’t be a problem to last until next summer.”