Chapter 62: Slave Agency

In truth, regardless of whether Luoning expressed a desire to purchase slaves, Andongni would have agreed as long as he proposed a tour of the Viper Slave Exchange.

To a manager like him, anyone interested in the Slave Agency was a potential client, let alone this gentleman before him.

So, regardless of whether this transaction could be concluded, Andongni performed his duties with great diligence; from the moment they entered the exchange, he acted like a manager giving an external presentation, constantly pitching his professionalism and the superiority of his products to the client.

Through Andongni's introduction, Luoning's understanding of the Slave Agency and the slaves deepened significantly.

First was the issue of the slaves' origins: the majority were prisoners of war, while a small portion were either demoted for violating a lord's laws or were kidnapped and deceived; in short, the paths were diverse and complex.

"This May, the Black Gold Brotherhood and the Bolante Bandit Group joined forces to occupy several Baron Territories in the Southeast Territory of the Wushan Territory. Earl Wiggins was furious and issued a mobilization order, crushing the enemy's allied forces in one fell swoop and reclaiming the occupied land."

Andongni introduced, "During this battle, the Noble Allied Forces captured many prisoners of war. The lords did not want to take them back to their respective territories, nor did they want to deal with them, so they sold them to various slave agencies. After professional training by the agencies, these slaves are then sold to various places within the Kingdom."

Luoning knew of this battle; his predecessor's father led the team. Although they won, the eldest grandson of the Haide Family was killed in action due to Earl Wiggins's tactical error. That day at Wushan Castle, the Golden Mad Lion Knight used this as an excuse to demand many benefits.

Luoning frowned slightly, "I have heard that this Black Gold Brotherhood and the Bolante Bandit Group have existed for Along time. Why haven't the nobles joined forces to eliminate them?"

"Furthermore, since the allied forces reclaimed those lands this time, why didn't they continue the attack to completely eliminate the hidden threat?"

Andongni spread his hands, "My lord, I am afraid I cannot answer that question. However, I remember that in the beginning, Wushan Castle did indeed crush those damned fellows, but after a few years, they popped up again. They are like rats in the cracks of a castle wall, impossible to wipe out completely."

Luoning nodded slowly. The southeast of the Wushan Territory was the borderland of three realms; to the east was the Vila Principality, to the north was the Count's territory of the Haide Family, and to the west was the Wushan Territory.

Over the years, that area had been occupied by the Brotherhood for Along time, and it was likely that all parties had infiltrated it; it was extremely complex.

Unless Wushan Castle could completely root out the enemy's lair, station heavy troops to guard it, and develop it for ten or twenty years, it would be impossible to truly control it.

Anyone who thought they could solve the problem there with a single war was clearly mistaken.

During their conversation, the two arrived at the large building at the front.

It was dark and damp here, and slaves were locked in cramped cells, completely naked.

They looked to be in a very poor mental state, their eyes numb and hollow, lacking even the expressions of helplessness or despair; they had truly become walking corpses.

"This is the sales area; those locked inside are all tamed slaves."

Andongni introduced, coming to the side of a cell and knocking on the wooden pillars, "Hey, you lot inside, stand up for me, turn around, hurry up!"

Only after hearing this voice did the eyes of the person inside regain some luster.

They stood up woodenly, saying nothing, not caring whether they were wearing clothes, simply spreading their arms and slowly turning around in the cage to display every part of their body to the customer.

"Look, this fellow has plenty of muscle. As long as you, my lord, reward him with two bites of food, he is definitely a good hand for labor."

Andongni picked up a small wooden stick from the side, poking the muscles on the person's waist and abdomen while introducing this piece of merchandise. His expression and tone were not at all like he was introducing a person, but rather a genuine commodity.

"My lord, I have a few slaves of this quality here. If you take them all, I can give you a huge discount, selling them to you at the price of two gold and five silver each."

Although Luoning was mentally prepared, when he saw a man standing naked before him, being poked in the muscles by the manager while they laughed and discussed the price, he still could not accept it in his heart.

This scene was too much of a shock to his visual and psychological defenses.

Moreover, this was only the sales area. In this slave exchange, there was also a taming area; what kind of scenes would be inside there?

Sure enough, that damned sense of justice in his heart began to surge again.

Luoning took a deep breath to calm his mood, then gave Andongni a polite smile, "The slaves are fine, but the price you've quoted does not move me."

Having said that, he turned around and walked toward the outside.

Andongni thought the client was leaving, so he hurriedly chased after him, "My lord, don't be in such a hurry to leave; we can discuss the price further~"

In truth, Luoning didn't want to leave; he just couldn't stand the sight before him.

Arriving outside, Luoning felt a sense of relief; the oppressive atmosphere inside made it hard for him to breathe.

He looked at Andongni, deciding to keep it brief: "Let's start with an introduction, Mr. Andongni. I need to know the general prices of the slaves you have here."

"That depends on what type you need, my lord."

Andongni knew the deal hadn't fallen through, so he continued to introduce, "My lord, I have men, women, old, and young of every kind here, and I even have two or three Primary Knights."

"You have knights too?" Luoning was somewhat surprised.

"That is only natural!" Andongni emphasized, "My lord, do not underestimate our Viper Slave Exchange. As long as the money is enough, we can even capture a Magician and train them well for you. Hehe, it's just a bit expensive."

He said enthusiastically and obsequiously: "A Primary Knight is about a hundred gold coins, and a Magician is a bit more expensive, around five or six hundred gold coins."

Luoning raised an eyebrow; was this price "a bit" expensive?

However, thinking about it, the cost of taming a Transcendental was not low, so there was a reason for the high price.

"I don't need those. I need labor, various types of craftsmen, and women capable of reproduction."

The population of Shanlin Town had been counted, and Wilson had also made a comparison of the number of men and women of marriageable age according to Luoning's requirements.

Relatively speaking, the ratio of men to women in Shanlin Town was in a fairly healthy state, but it could not be denied that there were still a few more men.

Therefore, he needed to buy some female slaves capable of childbearing to solve the bachelor problem of the residents.

Sometimes he couldn't help but think that he really was a good lord, even considering the bachelor problems of his people.

Next, Andongni introduced the general prices of various slaves.

Simply put, the most expensive among the common population were the skilled workers—craftsmen, carpenters, masons, shipwrights, etc. Their prices all started at a few gold coins; the better the skill, the higher the price.

Next were the robust young male laborers; the stronger the power and the better the physique, the higher the price, generally selling for a few gold coins.

Then came the women; their selling price was lower than that of robust young men, specifically divided according to their physical condition, but generally would not exceed two gold coins.

Finally, there were the elderly and children; for many lords, these two types of people were a bit of a burden.

After all, they couldn't work and would consume many resources, especially children—how many resources would it take to raise them until they were grown and strong?

Therefore, the selling price for these two types was relatively low, basically not exceeding one gold coin.

The last tier was the disabled; at most, they only needed a few dozen copper coins, and some were even sold in bundles or given away as extras.

Of course, there were always exceptions, such as some noble women who had not been ransomed, especially young and beautiful women; their selling price was very high, sometimes even higher than top-tier craftsmen.

Considering the rumors about Luoning outside, Andongni even thought about bringing out a few of these slaves to pitch.

However, he was flatly refused by Luoning. What did he need these slave women for? To sleep with?

If he were really that desperate, he might as well get intimate with the maid Beila; at least he wouldn't have to worry about catching a disease.

"I need fifty robust young male laborers and fifty young women. If there are craftsmen, I need masons and carpenters."

Luoning stated his requirements, "I will give you 150 gold coins, you handle it for me."

A rough estimate was that if this entire group of people were to be in place, it would require about 200+ gold coins, but Luoning usually bargained by going straight to the point, stating the larger amount first.

Andongni looked happy upon hearing Luoning's requirements, but after hearing this offer, he looked pained and conflicted, as if he were constipated.

"My Lord, this... 150 gold coins is too little, this deal cannot be done~"

He slowly extended six fingers, "How about adding another 50 gold coins? This is the most reasonable price!"

"Andongni, you must look at the long term! A big client like me, if you miss out, there won't be another."

Luoning glanced at the other party indifferently, "You should know my identity."

Upon hearing this, Andongni immediately bowed in salute, "If I have guessed correctly, you must be the noble Wushan Bloodline, the Lord Baron Luoning of Shanlin Town."

The corners of Luoning's mouth curled up slightly; as expected, the other party had already guessed his identity.

"Since you know my identity, you should also trust the reputation of Wushan Castle. If this deal is concluded, early next year, I will continue to buy thousands of Slaves from you. And I can guarantee that our business can continue indefinitely."

"No one has ever doubted the reputation of Wushan Castle, and your promise is the same."

Andongni spoke humbly, but his face remained conflicted, "But My Lord, you have pressed the price down too much; I also need to make money to eat."

He withdrew one hand and one finger, "How about, how about you add 40 more?"

Luoning seemed to have lost his patience and glanced at the other party, "Think it over carefully. If you think it is acceptable, come outside and find me. Ruidar, let's go!"

(End of this chapter)