Chapter 203: Poaching People

Although purchasing slaves is the quickest and most convenient way to expand a territory's population, it costs money after all.

At a price of around 1,500 gold coins per 1,000 slaves, Luoning could only purchase four or five thousand slaves even if he took out all his savings.

This is far too short of the 30,000 population requirement for the 【Population Prosperity】 achievement.

Besides purchasing slaves, there are other ways to expand the population.

For instance, Luoning can rely on promoting certain policies to attract outsiders to join Wubei Territory.

These policies include, but are not limited to, leasing fertile land at favorable prices to those who come to settle;

granting outsiders tax exemptions for a period of time to lighten their economic burden;

and protecting the personal and property safety of outsiders, among others.

Luoning will discuss and finalize these policies with Wilson and the others in the coming time, but before they are officially determined, some things can be arranged in advance.

"I want to rely on favorable policies to attract outsiders to join Wubei Territory, but this matter requires someone to help me promote it."

Luoning voiced his thoughts, "As the manager of the Viper Slave Exchange in Muma City, you must be very familiar with Wushan Territory and even other places."

"I want you to help me promote Wubei Territory in these places and attract Free Citizens to come here to settle down."

Andongni was stunned; he did not expect this to be what Luoning wanted to discuss with him.

"My Lord, although Free Citizens have the right to move freely, nobles in various places will restrict their movement to ensure the labor force and tax sources within their territories."

He thought for a moment and showed a troubled expression, "I can help you promote it, but once it causes resentment among other nobles, I am afraid I will be powerless."

Luoning nodded slightly; the situation the other party mentioned indeed exists.

Take Zhaoze Town for example; if any noble were to promote policies here to attract Free Citizens to live elsewhere, Luoning would likely expel the promoter immediately.

But there are always exceptions.

Some Pioneer Knight territories or Baron territories that are on the verge of bankruptcy—their lords might sell the territory's population in order to cash out.

Furthermore, in some large cities with huge populations where the lord is under pressure regarding food, the migration of subjects might be tacitly permitted.

The key lies in promotion and negotiation.

"Andongni, how are you treated at the Viper Slave Exchange?" Luoning asked.

This slave agency manager hesitated for a moment, then looked left and right; the exchange's accompanying guards had not come over, and everyone around was from Wubei Territory.

Only then did he whisper: "My Lord, it is embarrassing to say, but my daily wage is twenty copper coins; however, if a deal is concluded, I can receive a reward of three silver coins for every ten slaves sold."

Luoning was somewhat surprised; he did not expect there to be sales commissions here.

"I won't have you help me for free either."

He said: "Just like the higher-ups at your Viper Slave Exchange, for every ten people you bring to my Wubei Territory, I will also grant you a reward of three silver coins."

Luoning said with a smile: "Compared to the slave trade, attracting Free Citizens is much simpler. I don't need you to train them, and you don't have to guarantee their loyalty to me."

"Of course, I have requirements as well."

Luoning added: "I allow elderly people without labor capacity to join, but these people must be accompanied by healthy laborers."

Andongni was somewhat tempted.

Before Luoning offered a price, he was already prepared to help based on the rapport from their three previous transactions; now that the other party had offered a price, he was even more willing to give it a try.

Besides, it might turn out that making money from Luoning is simpler than selling slaves.

After all, big orders like purchasing a thousand slaves at once are rare; before meeting Luoning, Andongni had never experienced one.

"My Lord, do I need to go through the slave exchange for this matter?"

"I said, I am only discussing this matter with you."

Luoning did not spell it out, "As for whether you want to inform your superiors, I don't care; the one I am cooperating with is you."

"However, rest assured, if this matter makes your superiors unhappy and they kick you out of the exchange, I welcome you to join me here. While keeping your daily wage the same, I will also allocate ten mu of land to you."

Andongni's eyes lit up. The conditions Luoning offered left him with absolutely no worries; even if he changed jobs, his life might not be any worse than it is now.

He hurriedly stood up, "My Lord, I am very willing to serve you in this matter!"

"Haha, happy to cooperate!"

Luoning laughed, shook hands with the other party in a friendly manner, and signed the cooperation agreement.

Andongni did not intend to leave the Viper Slave Exchange for the time being; after all, Luoning's new order had not been completed yet, and if he were to leave, it should be after receiving that commission.

Moreover, the nature of his work allowed him to complete this side business for Luoning without abandoning his main job.

Earning two incomes easily—how wonderful that would be.

Luoning had Andongni stay overnight in Zhaoze Town. It just so happened that in the evening, he gathered Wilson, Sailin, and others to discuss and finalize the policies for attracting outsiders.

The current agricultural tax policy in Wubei Territory is:

For those subjects who own their own land, they need to pay 30% to the lord as tax;

For those who rent land, Serfs need to pay 50%, and Free Tenant Farmers need to pay 40%.

In order to attract population, Luoning discussed a new tax policy.

First, for every Free Citizen who joins Wubei Territory, Luoning will provide five mu of land per person. For families migrating in groups, regardless of gender, age, or how old they are, each person can receive a share of five mu of land.

Second, the tax on these lands allocated per head will only be 10% in the first year, and only 20% of the harvest will be collected as tax for the following four years; after five years, it will return to the 35% for Free Tenant Farmers.

Yes, Luoning also lowered the tax for Free Tenant Farmers within the territory.

In reality, if one truly wants to recuperate and build up strength, the current agricultural tax is very high.

However, Luoning did not dare to adjust the current policies recklessly; if he lowered them and found something was wrong, it would be problematic to raise them again.

It is better to maintain this level for now and then make appropriate adjustments based on the situation.

But even this policy, which Luoning felt was high, was seen by Andongni, Wilson, and the others as a sign of the Lord's benevolence.

Because in other territories, the agricultural taxes collected by lords are only higher than Luoning's Wubei Territory, never lower.

Some lords even squeezed their subjects to the limit; after the subjects paid their taxes and set aside seeds for the next year, their rations were extremely limited, and they could only eat tree roots and grass sod to stave off hunger and survive.

According to Andongni, as long as Luoning promotes such policies to the outside world, there will definitely be people coming to seek refuge.

He was also very certain that this extra income was securely in his grasp.

And for Luoning, this was a mutually beneficial matter.

After all, the Wubei Territory was so large; he did not lack land, he lacked people.

As long as the people came, everything else would be easy to handle. (End of chapter)