While the Moscow Prince was busy with the future, the common people of Moscow continued their ordinary lives.
For these common people, the Prince's conquests and strategies had little to do with them; they only cared whether their lives could be better.
And the Moscow Prince did indeed make their lives better and better. The recent martial arts tournament even allowed everyone to make a small profit and enjoy a celebration that was quite rare even in Kiev.
Many citizens recalled the scene when they first arrived in Northeast Rus', feeling as if a lifetime had passed. At that time, Moscow was still a wilderness, and many people regretted joining the migration, with even a few leaving the area.
Most people, after all, stayed, because such a distant migration was too costly for many to bear a second time. They could only remain on this land, watching the days and months pass.
Subsequently, they experienced many things: the truth and falsehood of the Kashin Silver Mine, the invasion of the Bulgars, and the great victory of the Moscow Prince. These events made the citizens of Moscow trust the young Rostislav immensely, and any previous doubts had completely vanished.
Now, Moscow has become a bustling city with a population of over ten thousand, a prosperous city that ranks among the best in all of Rus'.
Although much construction is still needed for the city, everything is thriving and developing in a better direction.
Life here is easier than in Kiev. Although there are occasional troubles from war, which part of Rus' is not constantly facing the troubles of war?
Moreover, Rostislav can always lead everyone to victory and allow them to obtain spoils of war. Who wouldn't like such a Prince?
The streets of Moscow are always incredibly bustling, with vendors crowding both sides of the streets, selling various ordinary or special, expensive or cheap goods to people. As for the small taverns, they are always filled with drunken citizens.
Performers are everywhere, either performing acrobatics or staging humorous plays, which, of course, include some vulgar jokes, but these can all make the people laugh.
Speaking of plays, we must mention miracle plays. The miracle play troupe's performances always drew crowds, as miracle plays, which are strictly written and carefully rehearsed, naturally have an absolute advantage over farces that rely entirely on individual actors.
However, recently, due to the miracle play troupe's tour of the countryside at the Prince's command, people couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. But the completion of a new theater and the opening of a new play attracted people once again.
Now, directly opposite the Moscow St. Sophia Cathedral, stands a theater with a three-tiered grandstand surrounding the stage, accommodating more people for viewing.
This was built by Rostislav to promote the development of Norse drama. The first performance, funded by the Prince, was launched by Alexei, and it was a great success. Alexei proved his ability through his performance, and due to the secular and narrative nature of his plays, they were even more popular among Moscow citizens than miracle plays.
After the premiere night, Alexei instantly became Moscow's most famous playwright. This still impoverished scholar, in just one night, entered Moscow's wealthy class and could drink and converse with Moscow's nobles.
Rostislav then named the theater the Alexei Theater. The establishment of this theater was largely due to him. The Moscow Prince actually did not like miracle plays; he preferred the secular plays written by Alexei.
The Moscow Prince also personally came to the theater to watch performances. Due to the Prince's visit, the Alexei Theater also became a gathering place for Moscow's wealthy class. How pleasant it was to sit in the upper boxes, watching the play while chatting with friends.
Today, the Alexei Theater was as lively as ever. People in coarse linen clothes filled the open space in front of the stage, while wealthy citizens and nobles sat leisurely in the upper seats, watching the performance below.
Currently, a poet was singing a poem on the stage. He was singing a sad story that took place in an ancient kingdom:
The man, an enemy, impregnated the woman, but then abandoned his wife and child, for he was merely exercising the victor's rights. The son, when he grew up, killed the man who had violated his mother, and returned to the countryside with his head. Seeing her son kill his father, the woman, after her initial joy, fell into immense sorrow and directly fell from the city wall, because her son had become a kinslayer, an existence that neither the old nor new gods would forgive.
"Rostislav, this is truly… is he starting to build momentum so early?"
Listening to the song, the champion of the Moscow Martial Arts Tournament, in a third-floor box of the theater, drank Bulgar wine while watching the scene below.
The Persian's political sense was very keen. Weren't the words of this poem alluding to Akad, the kinslayer and regicide?
It seems Rostislav will have to make a move against Bulgar sooner or later, the Persian thought.
"Why care so much? Drink, drink, we're here to have fun today, don't think so much."
"Yes, I'm about to go to my fief, and there won't be many opportunities to meet in the future."
A slightly boisterous voice came out, and the owner of the voice was a strong Norseman, he was Sogier, the runner-up of the Martial Arts Tournament, and sitting opposite him, wrapped in fur, was John Sokar, the third-place winner of the Martial Arts Tournament.
As the top three of the Martial Arts Tournament, these three, to many people's surprise, became good friends who occasionally liked to gather and drink. However, few people knew that their relationship was so good.
Anwar is now the Moscow Prince's steward, responsible for managing various administrative affairs outside Moscow, while Sogier and Sokar have become lords under the Moscow Prince.
To avoid suspicion, these three always kept their gatherings as low-key as possible, fearing to attract too much attention. The combination of court officials and local nobles could easily lead some people to overthink, bringing them unnecessary trouble.
Of course, the Moscow Prince knew about their gatherings. They understood that they could hide it from others, but never from the Prince, and Rostislav turned a blind eye to their close friendship.
"Ah, just a small habit, drink, drink."
Anwar immediately said this. He had recently seen many things from the Moscow Prince, many of which he found very novel. This ruler's thinking was very different from others, and now seeing it again, he subconsciously spoke out. Then, to apologize, he immediately drank down the contents of his cup.
The three drank heartily like this, while also enjoying the play below. It was truly enjoyable. And after a few rounds of drinks, they began to chat idly.
"By the way, Anwar, do you know where the Prince went? I haven't seen him these past few days."
Sogier asked drunkenly. Today was their farewell feast, otherwise they wouldn't have drunk so much.
The Norseman had originally wanted to discuss the share of the Riga tribute with Rostislav, but he couldn't find Rostislav anywhere.
"The Prince? He seems to have gone on a tour."
Anwar answered subconsciously, but then his thoughts wandered as usual. He had been researching the situation in Northeast Rus' during this period, so he immediately saw the Prince's purpose.
"Touring the countryside, hmm, this ruler is very responsible, but to tame this land, what is needed is not a tour, but decades of rule."
Drinking wine, the Grand Steward said leisurely.
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