king of ros

Chapter 472 The Essence of Faith
After the news of victory swept Kyiv and the grand celebration, the city quickly returned to calm, and the people resumed their old life. After all, the celebration was just a relaxation of busy life, and difficult life was the mainstream. After a little rest, Then you have to work hard.

After all, the life of the people is difficult, especially in this era, the so-called peaceful years only bring about a stable survival, and life can be better when meeting some capable rulers.

As for the current Rostislav, the public is still satisfied. Although he is young, he has at least given Kyiv a stable environment, and he is still making achievements to the outside world, but there are currently a lot of rumors about him.

The days in Kyiv have been a bit difficult recently, and the days have been a bit difficult. This is directly related to Rostislav. This is the result of the Grand Duke's tireless efforts to introduce immigrants from the Eastern Empire.

In the past few years, Rostislav has generally brought people from the south by moving ants, and the number of Greeks in Kyiv has skyrocketed, reaching thousands of people.

Rostislav's original intention was to send these Greek immigrants to the countryside of Rus to develop land and impart the advanced agricultural technology of the Eastern Empire to the Rus people. Kyiv only played the role of a transit point, and there was a problem with execution.

Due to administrative capacity and the wishes of the Greeks, only one-third of the Greeks were actually evacuated and resettled in various places in Ross, and two-thirds of the Greeks were still crowded in Kyiv.

But all Greeks with some abilities or assets try their best to squeeze in Kyiv. For these Greeks, staying in Kiev, the capital of the barbaric north, is already the limit. Let them go outside the city walls or other cities, sorry , which is not acceptable.

Rostislav didn't want to force them, or more precisely, the Grand Duke of Ross didn't have that ability, and it would be too bad for the Greeks who supported so many people to supervise the forced relocation.

These Greeks are crowded in Kyiv and always have to work, and the jobs can only be competed with the locals. From the most basic dock workers to handicraftsmen, there have been challenges from the Greeks to the locals.

In the most important commercial field for Kyiv, those wealthy Greek businessmen who fled north began to compete with local Ross businessmen.

Although it is said that this competition is just to snatch some areas that the Ross people have not taken into account or don't care about for a while, it still makes them unhappy. No one likes competitors, and they are even more disgusted with these Ross upstarts who have won their current status through competition. Competition and challenge, after all, it is almost the instinct of these people to weld the door shut after getting on the car.

Although due to the war in the south, Kyiv's exports are becoming more and more prosperous, and the economy is also rising, but people are dissatisfied with people who are robbing jobs after all, and this sentiment has been accumulating.

Rostislav is also well aware of this, but he is not worried at all. The chaos in the south will bring more demand to Kyiv. If there is demand, there will be development in all aspects, so there is no need to worry about jobs that cannot absorb labor. What should be worried is that there are not enough people.

Now the most popular commodity in the south is grain, followed by handicrafts. In today's Eastern Empire, the entire eastern part is almost lost and has become a Turkic racecourse, while the western part is controlled by various careerists. The original empire The commercial market was severely damaged, and the external demand of the big cities headed by Constantinople suddenly rose.

Rostislav attaches great importance to this opportunity, because in his life, Ross can only temporarily establish a trade advantage over the imperial capital at this time, and if he does not seize this opportunity to make a fortune, he will be sorry for himself.

After the empire returned to normal, Ross was basically unable to make any changes to trade relations, so now we must hurry up. Although it can be said that there are not many changes, it must be done.

Moreover, this opportunity can be used to promote the development of Ross's handicraft industry. It is undoubtedly the easiest way to directly import raw materials to the empire, but Rostislav is unwilling to take this option. It is a pity for Ross not to take this opportunity to develop industries.

Now the Southern Empire is not too chaotic, but it is said that Nikephoros has betrayed Emperor Michael, and Rostislav knows that this is an important node.

Then the empire will enter a real full-scale chaos. At that time, there will be opportunities everywhere, and there will be wars everywhere. The civil war has really become a stage of tearing each other's faces. contradictory between.

And when the chaos in the south is over, at least half of the Greeks crowded in the city will have to leave.

After all, although these guys huddled in Kyiv bought properties locally, after all, Ross was just a temporary refuge for them. Those who really planned to completely immigrate to the north had already taken Rostislav's generous treatment to those towns and villages.

And it doesn't matter if they leave, as the empire returns to normal, Ross's exports will definitely decline, and they can still free up some space and jobs to cope with the situation at that time.

However, although the current social atmosphere in Kyiv is a little tense, the Kyiv court, or Rostislav, is quite leisurely. He doesn't have much work on his hands, so he can do other things, and among those Greeks, there are people who the Grand Duke needs. .

There were craftsmen and scholars among the Greek immigrants, and the Grand Duke hired them to carry out various constructions and designs. Although Ross attracted a lot of technology and culture, compared with that empire, the relevant professional groups were still too lacking.

For example, the statue of the Virgin Mary on the square behind the Golden Gate in Kyiv is the product of research by Greek craftsmen funded by Rostislav. The people are amazed by this artwork. In their words, "The Virgin Mary is as white as a butt."

Although Rostislav was quite annoyed by this comment, to be honest, this kind of concept was easy to spread, so in the end he didn't try to stop such a statement.

This cost Rostislav a lot of money, because he just came up with a concept, and then practice required constant trial and error, and this all required money, but fortunately after spending a lot of money, the craftsmen took it out and let him satisfied with something.

The statue of the Virgin is an important design of Rostislav's visual impression of Kyiv. When visitors see the majestic city, and then pass through the golden gate (by northern standards), what they will see is the white and beautiful statue of the Virgin. At this moment they There will be no doubt that this prosperous northern city has the protection of Our Lady.

In the Orthodox Church system, the worship of the Virgin Mary is an extremely important part. Spreading faith in Ross is also holding high the banner of the Virgin Mary. It is not an exaggeration to strengthen the worship of the Virgin Mary.

However, this is a small amount of money compared to what Rostislav spent on buying holy relics. Rostislav captured the chaos of the southern empire, and those ships heading to various port cities in the south actually had the task of buying holy relics.

In this chaotic period, there are always people who are willing to sell holy relics at a relatively low price. They are either sold by the monasteries to solve the immediate difficulties, or some people come to sell the stolen goods, but all the Ross people are willing to come, Ross The fleet brought back not only immigrants, but also holy relics.

These relics were used to adorn the Hagia Sophia in Kyiv, and he also transferred the remains of Boris and Gleb, two saints recognized by Constantinople.

Rostislav spent a lot of money on these things. Whether it was buying holy relics or moving the remains of saints, the amount of money needed to spend was astronomical, but Rostislav did not regret it at all, because he understood that what he had paid today Everything will be earned back thousands of times from the pilgrims in the future.

Thinking of that future, Rostislav couldn't help but get excited. If Kyiv became one of the centers of the entire Orthodox Church, how exaggerated would be the influx of gold and silver.

Traffic is not a problem either. Ross' large fleet on the Black Sea is mostly vacant after selling goods to the imperial capital. If these vacant areas are filled with pilgrims, it will be gold and silver pouring in. .

With this in mind, Rostislav allocated more funds for the purchase of relics.

And in this kind of work, there was an episode. Although Rostislav was buying holy relics and sanctifying Kyiv, he never thought that his usually quiet young son would be in the Advise him on this matter.

"What? Vasiliko, explain your point again?"

In the Grand Duke's office in the Vladimir Palace, Rostislav looked at his son and repeated again, it was really hard for him to imagine that his son would give such a suggestion, that he wanted so much, it was really hard for him Believe.

"Okay, father." Vasilko didn't express any displeasure, but said obediently. Once again, his eyebrows were full of reason and calmness that didn't match his age.

"We should investigate the beliefs of various regions, understand the gods they believe in, and then convert these gods into saints, and then enshrine these saints in the Hagia Sophia, build a Pantheon of Ross, religiously Strengthen the influence on the whole Ross."

Vasiliko's words were methodical, obviously this was what he had thought about for a long time, and after he finished speaking, he calmed down and looked at his father as before, with anticipation in his eyes.

"Well, well, well, that's a good idea, my son."

Rostislav rubbed his head and sighed again and again. He didn't expect this kid to think further than him. His idea was just to collect as many holy relics as possible in Kyiv, but his son had turned into building the Ross Pantheon.

"Vasilico, how did you come up with this, did someone teach you to say that?"

Rostislav's tone was full of amazement, he really didn't expect the child to think of this, and couldn't help but wonder if someone else told him, because he was only this age.

Facing the suspicious Vasilko shook his head, he was obviously a little unhappy, but he didn't show up, "It's all my own thoughts, father."

Vasilico's words are full of certainty, "I have been reading the missionary records of Catholicism and Orthodox Church recently, and I have read the records of many bishops. I found that both Catholicism and Orthodox Church are actually catering to the local people's ideas , to convert everything that the local people love into the Christian faith, isn’t the essence of fathers, saints and relic worship what is needed? I also talked to Uncle Alexei, who has been traveling all over Rus for a long time, for Knowing very well the conditions of the people everywhere, he mentioned to me double faith, and people's actual mixing of gods and Christianity, father, isn't that a means of intervention?"

"You can see so far." Rostislav was a little ashamed, this kid saw farther than him, "But it's still not clear enough, the essence of this phenomenon is just the idea of ​​people doing business with gods Forget it, it is still difficult for the public to understand the theological thinking from Greek philosophy. Well... I think about it, yes, we can create holy objects, claim what power a certain holy object has, and then pull a group of man-made momentum, Well, that's all. Ah, don't tell these things to the priests, don't mention them in front of them, especially your master Nestor, it's not good to demoralize people after all."

After all, Rostislav had a future perspective, and being reminded by his son opened his mind, and Vasiliko looked at his father in surprise. He didn't expect his father to think farther than him so quickly.

As for the last exhortation, Vasilko also listened to his heart. Everyone knows this kind of thing but can’t say it or point it out. Rostislav is really a little afraid of Vasilko’s nonsense. Not a good thing.

"Of course I know, father, don't worry, I only mentioned this to you."

Vasiliko's reaction was obviously more mature than Rostislav thought. He answered his father's question almost immediately, as if he had anticipated what his father would ask.

"I will implement your plan, Vasilico, your ideas are very practical. Tell me, what reward do you want."

Rostislav promised his son that as a latecomer, he certainly knows the feasibility of his son's idea, but it is feasible, but it must be implemented in units of decades. Of course, this does not mean that it is worthless.

"Well, I want to be able to freely enter my grandfather's library, and your library, which you recently established in Kyiv, is not yet open, and you don't interfere with my affairs, allowing me to freely arrange my own schedule."

Regarding this request, Rostislav was even more surprised. He couldn't imagine that what the child wanted was this, "Are you sure you want this? Don't you need anything else?"

The Grand Duke of Kyiv asked again, and Vasilko's answer was still firm, "Yes, that's it, father."

For Vasilico, more than other things, what he wants is quietness, what he wants is to be free from interference, he just wants to read in peace, and more than anything else, he wants to immerse himself in the world of books.

Vasilko was the most distinctive son of Rostislav, but in some ways he was also the son most like his father. Rostislav's love of literature and history was only reflected in him, but He had not inherited any interest in Rostislav's art of war and government.

The essence of the suggestion to his father this time is because he wants to gain free time through this. His father has been strengthening his education recently and interfering with his free time, which made Vasiliko feel very uncomfortable.

So he has been studying advice to his father, using this in exchange for his father's non-intervention, and the last thing he came up with was the Ross "Pantheon" plan, but what he didn't expect was that his father immediately took his idea a step further .

However, this kind of surprise dissipated quickly. In Vasiliko's eyes, his father has always been a very capable person, and he has always respected him. This time it just strengthened his father's lofty status in his heart.

"Since you want this, let me give you this privilege, but while I am giving you freedom, I have something to tell you, my son."

Rostislav went up to his sons and looked down at his youngest son.

"It's good to be addicted to books, and I'm glad to see my son loves books, but you have to remember, this is a cruel time, you can't stay in books forever, understand? Sooner or later you will be I gift the land, and you must shoulder the responsibility as a ruler."

Rostislav's tone was very serious, and Vasilko looked straight at his father without any fear in his eyes.

"I know all this, father, my love for books does not mean that I will give up what a prince of Rurik should learn." Vasilko assured his father, "I will shoulder my responsibilities, I won't waste my skills in free time, don't worry."

Hearing what Vasilko said, Rostislav didn't say much, and he was a little touched, even the youngest son spoke in front of him like an adult, how time flies...

Vasilko bowed respectfully to his father, and then exited the room.

Only Rostislav was left in the room, and the Grand Duke of Kyiv thought a lot while sitting in his seat, and he couldn't help muttering, "I never thought, this child might be the best of my descendants in the future, I really didn't expect what."

Vasilko has shown such wisdom before he is an adult, so what will happen to him when he becomes an adult?Naturally it goes without saying.

Moreover, his talent and love for books made Rostislav certain that this kid will definitely be able to improve Ros's literary and artistic career in the future, and his cultural career will be followed by others, so there is no need to worry about the problems after his death. .

But the premise is that the child can fulfill his obligations adequately. In this regard, Rostislav said that he still needs to observe...

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(End of this chapter)