Chapter 162: Kindness and Severity
The currency of Jin State was one hundred wen to one liang, so this price was not high when it came to buying and selling slaves.
Because this is a lifetime buyout, that's why it costs so much.
Some families only bought slaves for two or three years at a time, and the price of a slave ranged from five to ten taels per year.
The cheapest servant girl would cost between thirty and fifty taels for her lifetime because she was old.
When these slaves were bought, they had no social status and no monthly salary. Unlike those girls from good families, they came to work in the government office because they were poor, signed documents for several years, and received monthly salary. It was only because they were good citizens that they received this preferential treatment.
But if you are lucky and meet a good family, they will give you some money every month.
The feudal system of Jin State still had a strong presence. Across the country alone, the slave population exceeded 10 million.
Moreover, many of these slaves were demoted to slavery because their families had committed crimes and their homes were confiscated and they were exiled.
Those who are lucky become slaves and maids, while those who are unlucky end up in brothels and become prostitutes.
Moreover, if these slaves wanted to redeem their own indentures, they had to pay three times their own price.
This undoubtedly put an end to their hopes. Where could they get so much silver to redeem their indentures?
Besides, what’s the use of getting the indenture? It still costs two hundred taels to get rid of the indenture from the government.
But those who are very beautiful are a different story. If you are liked by the master and become his concubine, the master will release you from the marriage registration.
Therefore, the price of these most beautiful slaves is very high, starting from one hundred taels.
Su Wan paid the silver note and gave Yang Ma a reward of five taels of silver as a token of appreciation.
She was busy running around, so Su Wan had to be considerate and give her some reward.
Nanny Yang gave their indentures to Su Wan. After Su Wan and Su Mu verified them and confirmed that there was no problem, they took the five people away.
They packed up their things and followed Su Wan out of the dental clinic obediently.
They were very confused, not knowing whether the master they were following this time was good or bad. If they followed a good master, they might be able to live a peaceful life, but if they followed a bad master, their life would be over.
Su Wan took them directly to the workshop yard. After entering, he separated the men and women into two rooms. Each room could accommodate four people and had a large bunk bed.
There are six rooms in the yard, three used as warehouses, three for living, and a kitchen for cooking.
"Go pack your things first. There are four people in one room, and more people might come later. Please pay attention to cleaning and keep the room clean and tidy. Once you're done, come out and I'll tell you what we're going to do in the future."
"Yes, Master!"
The five people responded respectfully and in unison.
They were all well disciplined. When talking to their masters, they would lower their heads slightly, look straight ahead, and behave properly.
They were quite quick and quickly packed their bags. Then they came out and stood obediently in the yard, waiting for Su Wan to lecture them.
At this time, the people who came to deliver firewood came over. Su Wan arranged for them to pile the firewood in the corner of the kitchen. The pots, pans, rice, flour and oil were all prepared.
They also saw work to do, and when they saw there was something to do, they took the initiative to move firewood.
After finishing, they stood back in the yard, neatly arranged.
Su Mu moved a stool and asked Su Wan to sit down and give him a lecture, making the master look very proper.
You must establish yourself in front of them so that they will consider you.
"Let me introduce myself. My last name is Su. You don't need to call me master anymore. Just call me Miss. You will follow me and work for me. I will not treat you unfairly. Your main job in the future is to work in this workshop and help make things. I will teach you in person later. There is a kitchen in the yard. I have prepared firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar and tea for you. You can cook and eat here. Usually, my uncle and others will also work here. You don't have to feel burdened. No one treats you as slaves here.
From now on, follow me and work diligently. I will pay you two taels of silver each month, so you won't work for nothing."
When talking about the two taels of silver in wages per month, the five people couldn't help but look up at Su Wan, and then quickly looked away.
Su Wan had a gentle smile on his face.
They looked at each other, but didn't dare to look at each other for too long. They were trembling with fear, but it was obvious that they were very excited about the two taels of silver every month.
It turns out that being a slave can also earn you wages!
"Don't get excited. This is nothing. This is my basic respect for you. If you have any dissatisfaction with your food, clothing, housing and transportation, you can always tell me. Every quarter, I will make two new sets of clothes and new shoes for each of you. There will be red envelopes for festivals. If you are tired from work, you can also have two days off every month and go wherever you want to play.
But the premise is that your indentures are in my hands. I hope that when you work here, you can also abide by your duties and not disclose anything that should not be disclosed. I will sell you out without hesitation. You should know that if you leave me and go to another place, you may not get such good treatment. We will prosper together and suffer together. Follow me and work hard. After three years, if you perform well, I will consider returning the indentures to you and giving you the opportunity to leave your country.
After you become a good citizen, if my business grows in the future, I might be able to promote one of you to be a manager. It all depends on who has the ability."
Su Wan extended an olive branch. With such good benefits and such great temptations, if they still couldn't be loyal, then Su Wan's kindness would be in vain.
I am not afraid of people who have no ambition, but I am afraid of people who belittle themselves and would rather be slaves all their lives.
You see, after Su Wan said these words, the five of them all looked surprised and disbelieving.
Xiaoman knelt down excitedly:
"Miss, is everything you said true?"
"Of course it's true. I, Su Wan, can't take back my words. As long as you do as I say, work hard, and have ambition, nothing is impossible. I don't ask for much, just absolute loyalty. You give me sincerity, and I will give you light. Isn't that good?"
Su Wan never thought of treating them as slaves. She was from the 21st century, so how could she have such class ideas?
Therefore, she used both kindness and force to give them enough dignity.
You won’t work in vain, all your efforts will be rewarded.
However, there was a reason why she only gave them two taels of silver a month. She couldn't let them eat too much at one time. If their appetites were too big, something bad would happen.
However, two taels of silver is better than nothing, so don't think it's too little.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com