At first, we tried to find Moscow recruiters in Kazan. Hermann was right, there were none. Perhaps, after a recent misunderstanding when Moscow merchants were robbed, a temporary hostility arose between the fraternal Muscovite and Tatar peoples, they left Kazan.
Of course, some came across, and Valentine was about to shake hands, but Nicolas frowned and stopped him.
"Are you stunned? It's a crook!" he told him.
Finally, it was decided to go to N.Novgorod. I was happy about this news, we can get wasted there without fear of the Sharia police.
***
From above, along the Volga were ships loaded with goods.
"Trade is getting worse and worse, the Volga route is not the same as before!" Valentin ranted. "Our grandfathers had seen better times. If this continues, Astrakhan will be forced to start a war in order to force the Muscovites to use the Volga route as before. And make up for lost gains."
"Yes, the times are not the same," I supported Valentin.
"What are you doing? Carrying rotten hemp in exchange for salt and fish?" I shouted in impotent rage to a ship passing in the distance. "Where are slaves? Where is gold? Where are silks? Just like in the good old days!"
Astrakhan people are peaceful people, but if Kazan and Moscow continue to reduce trade, we will have to remind them!
"By the way, a good reason would be to attach a couple of villages to the Khanate," Nicolas joined the discussion. "Conduct a survey, and to hang those who are dissatisfied."
We all agreed with him.
***
Having received an advance, we went to the bar to celebrate. When I entered the bar, I was going to sit on a chair behind the bar.
"Don't sit here please, here are the places for prostitutes, in Parisian fashion," the waitress said and pointed to a table in the corner. "Sit down there."
It was lucky that we were given a table; last time, as soon as a table became available, the waitress rushed like a lynx and put up a sign that the table was not being served.
We sat down at the table and ordered beer. Soon, the jaunty girls entered the bar and sat down at the bar.
"That's how you approach a girl to get acquainted, and she is a prostitute, but you don't even have a clue!" I said.
"What hatched, gaper?" one of them told me.