Chapter 331: Only I Am Unique Chapter 331: Slave Camp (2)

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Protagonist:

Chen Yi

"How many slaves to hire depends on your identity." Maduke had originally been ready to give up on them; hiring for 40 iron coins was too uninteresting, but unexpectedly it turned into a big business.

Yet he didn't realize that was originally Chen Yi's bribe to him.

Blame it on him having stayed too long in the Slave Camp—the current Slave Camp Commander is old-timer knight Caldwell, strict with rules. He divided the slave camp's income into three parts: the largest share went to the Elder Council, namely himself and other great nobles; the remaining 70% went to noble officers, and 30% to ordinary officers.

Those coming to the Slave Camp were all stingy misers trying to save money, always aiming for smaller expenses. If bribes weren't restricted, the misers would surely reduce money given to the Slave Camp, or increase slave work hours and reduce food... So, after Caldwell implemented his method for a period and generally raised everyone's income, he gained the support of all officers of the 14 Infantry Battalions.

This also made the 14th Light Infantry Battalion the only official institution in Ma La that doesn't take bribes. Or, put correctly, the only institution that collectively takes bribes.

Yin Senyong finally came to his senses now, took out several bags of copper coins from his waist, and handed over a bag of copper coins, saying: "We are manor lords from the Outer City. How about hiring 1000 slaves?"

This wasn't exactly a lie—the West River Water Fortress counted as an Outer City manor.

He was also a Family Knight, having received various educations before setting out. It was a pity Ma La was only his second stop; who would have thought he'd be captured. Still, Yin Senyong finally recalled some of that knowledge, and asked again: "Hire for 100 days, return them after the oil-pressing season ends. How about it?"

Maduke smiled as he took the bag, flipped it casually, looking slightly surprised.

40 copper coins weighed 2 jin, while a money bag of 50 copper coins weighed 2.5 jin. Although some in Ma La used bags of 50 copper coins, manor lords from outside? Probably only those fellows from the West River City Fortress would do such a thing.

He suddenly realized, and upon looking at the group's attire, the more he looked, the more they resembled.

Shisan was so nervous he almost gave a warning, but Chen Yi grabbed him. He wasn't at all afraid of his identity being exposed; now he just wanted to see how Ma La officials acted.

Maduke's hands were full of sweat, but soon he beamed and took the copper coins, saying: "I'll take one bag of 40 copper coins from you."

Yin Senyong instantly understood—the gentlemen of this Slave Camp actually recognized money, not people. Hmm... somewhat like those Martial Arts Hall staff; some students were like that too, and some workers who came to help were the same... they even charged for a bucket of water...

Yin Senyong felt relieved at once. Since Chen Yi could run a Martial Arts Hall well and control those petty scoundrels, he surely had good methods for these similar Slave Camp officers.

After probing each other with glances for two rounds, Chen Yi could no longer hold back and asked with a smile: "So now, how do we proceed with the hiring?"

Maduke said quite seriously: "Gentlemen, you want to hire slaves—that's impossible. Within 100 days, they'll have to go to the battlefield."

Dayang's expression tightened, and he said in a low voice to Chen Yi: "Temple War."

"But don't be anxious." Maduke blinked, speaking softly: "Slaves can't be hired to you, but they can be bought, though it's a bit expensive."

"Oh?"

"This year luck was good—over 2000 more slaves survived. If you want them, one slave for 10 copper coins. No matter where you manor lords are from, 1000 Conch Shells to take away 1000 people."

Raising one slave for a year costs about one copper coin; 10 copper coins per slave, the price slightly exceeds normal value. Also, 1000 Conch Shells is not just 10000 copper coins.

Dayang worried Chen Yi would agree, and said softly: "That much money could equip a 100-person Beast Knight Corps."

"What do we need money for? Workers are what's useful." Chen Yi said to Dayang, who felt ashamed again.

Chen Yi had little interest in the Knight Corps unless it had earth dragons like Holy Knight Grindel's; otherwise, defense couldn't compare to tanks.

After thinking, Chen Yi continued asking: "Is this money given to you, or to the camp?"

"Of course to the camp."

"Just like other manor lords—a normal transaction?"

"Correct." Maduke answered affirmatively and explained: "Although we're all from Ma La, the 14th Light Infantry Battalion is the Temple's property. This is called Dual Jurisdiction."

"Dual jurisdiction?"

"Roughly speaking, actually neither side manages it—Sir Caldwell has the final say." For the sake of 10 copper coins, Maduke added: "To get to our current position, we've spent little money; we can't let the old fogies of the Elder Council cut off our financial path."

Chen Yi laughed helplessly and said: "Lead the way."

"Good." Having landed such a big deal, Maduke was excited too. Although officers in the camp ate from the big communal pot, Sir Caldwell often rewarded big deals. Evolving to today, almost every deal of over 10 Conch Shells could earn half a Conch Shell reward—the bigger the deal, the more money. It was said that capable officers could earn back the money to buy their position within two years.

The slave camp selling and renting slaves was just like the start of a new school term; officers sat uniformly behind chairs, with various documents and seals before them. Chen Yi personally saw a manor lord, after handing over a bag of copper coins, go behind the fence to select people.

Those slaves of different colors and varieties sat peacefully on the ground, waiting to be chosen, without any resistance.

This wasn't the legendary numbness. Ma La's slaves basically came from war and debt, belonging to early society's slave form. They weren't lifelong slaves—if they behaved well and were willing to pledge allegiance to the Temple, war slaves could be released, let alone debt slaves. Someone had once reached the high position of Grand Knight.

Of course, such a Grand Knight would surely be rejected by other nobles. Also, this Grand Knight who allowed hereditary succession actually had no son—it was equivalent to a posthumous title.

No matter what, whether or not to participate in the upcoming cannon-fodder-style Temple War, the slaves were all very willing to work outside for a period—better than half-dead in the slave camp. Relatively speaking, there would also be more food. If lucky enough, to curry favor with a manor lord willing to spend money and have themselves bought would be even better.

Maduke introduced a few words to Chen Yi on the side, emphasizing: "When you choose slaves later, you can only choose half; the other half will be assigned to you by the camp?"

"Afraid I'd choose all the strong ones?" Chen Yi laughed helplessly.

Maduke smiled and said: "It needs to be fairer. Also, your slaves—when necessary, we need to have a redemption right."

This was worrying that the Temple's slave soldiers wouldn't be enough.

Chen Yi didn't care; when it came to redemption, they could discuss the price then.

"Hadong, go call the Flag Bearer—there are distinguished guests." The slave camp had eight or more Flag Bearers, numbers varying, all knights from great noble families, each with different numbers of slaves and officers under them. Since Caldwell took office, the competitive rules he implemented included the principle of Deputy Flag Masters competing for slaves—a simple move that turned the originally dissatisfied Flag Bearers into scattered sand. Those unable to attach themselves to Caldwell's Flag Bearers, after enjoying days with only 3000 slaves, all automatically transferred away. The Third Heavy Infantry Battalion of Ma La once had 4000 Heavy Infantry; what was the point for a Flag Bearer with only 3000 slave soldiers?

Maduke, thinking himself clever, stayed by Chen Yi's side. He worried that after he left, Chen Yi and the others would run away, so he willingly acted as a hostage to get this deal done.

He already had some potential of a bank mortgage department manager—only this kind of spirit that wants money but not life could survive in a bank or slave camp where money comes first and morality is nothing.

The Flag Bearer rode a lion-like mount to Chen Yi's front, but from his subsequent affectionate and teasing movements, it was his pet.

Maduke leaned close and recounted the whole story to him, then stood behind Chen Yi and the others.

"I am Liqi, Knight Liqi. You are?"

"A knight." Yin Senyong answered first.

"Alright, my mistake." Flag Bearer Liqi didn't have the usual arrogant posture of noble knights, which made Chen Yi and the others feel strange—the slave camp officers actually felt more amiable than Ma La's gentlemen.

Only to hear Liqi continue asking: "Two knights, I heard you want to buy 1000 slaves?"

"Correct."

"Pay 1000 Conch Shells?" The Flag Bearer's eyes lit up—that was why he hurried over. Never mind the West River Water Fortress; with 1000 Conch Shells, which city-state couldn't they go to?

"Regarding this question..." Chen Yi this time stopped Yin Senyong and said: "We hope to pay in another way."

The Standard Bearer asked unhappily, "We only accept Conch Shells."

At the current exchange rate, Conch Shells had already exceeded 1:12 in Copper Coins; in other words, if Chen Yi were to pay with Copper Coins, he would earn 2000 fewer Copper Coins.

Guessing his thoughts, Chen Yi curled his lip in disdain and said, "The price doesn't change, but we want to use 13,000 Zhiqian."

Zhiqian is the money produced by the West River Water Fortress.

Minting coins is a very simple matter; not to mention those private minting workshops of ancient China, even the mechanical minting of the Late Qing Early Republic and modern commemorative coin production are very simple. Ever since the West Continent installed small hydropower equipment, these are not problems at all.

Compared to the Copper Coins used on the West Continent, the Zhiqian recast by the West River Water Fortress are slightly reduced in weight, but exquisitely made, and seemingly more welcomed by people. Especially since they are widely used in the Xima Market, their exchange rate is also no different from Copper Coins.

The Standard Bearer thought Chen Yi wanted to find another way to replace the extra 3,000 Copper Coins, and didn't think much of it, finally nodding in satisfaction and saying, "You can go in and select people."

Chen Yi smiled and said to Yun Shisan, "You go in and select people, pick normal ones."

Yun Shisan had a petite physique; the people he dared to select would presumably not be the fierce and unruly types in the army. The West River Water Fortress's Basic Construction Group did not need strong, sturdy men capable of resistance. They needed workers who obeyed orders, or at least slaves who obeyed orders.

"Da Yang, you go get the money." As Chen Yi gave the order, he carefully added, "The money in the carriage is enough; you can take a bit more."

"Hm?"

"Bribe these officers, drag them down with us, win them over." Turning his head back, Chen Yi once again wore the appearance of a harmless Manor Lord.

……(Unfinished. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian. com) to cast Recommendation Tickets and Monthly Tickets; your support is my greatest motivation.)