At this point, you might ask: Didn't Ouyang Yuqing give them their freedom? Won't they leave?
When asked about this, let me explain: These idiots were so scared that the guards took their household registration records with them when they left.
They all forgot that they are now free to live with Ouyang Yuqing.
But even without Ouyang Yuqing, they remained exiles.
The convicts were confused, but in order to survive, they had no choice but to bow their heads and submit to Ouyang Yuqing.
An elderly man around fifty years old walked out from among the exiled prisoners.
Logically speaking, this person is not old yet.
But this man, who was wrongfully imprisoned and exiled, has had his hair turn gray from the blows he suffered.
Looking at his tattered clothes, he looked like a beggar.
"War King, our whole family is willing to become slaves and follow you to the northern desert."
I hope His Highness the War King can protect my entire family.
Upon hearing the old man's words, Ouyang Yuqing glanced at the group of family members behind him.
After reading it, he nodded in agreement.
Seeing Ouyang Yuqing's attitude, the other exiles rushed forward.
They voluntarily signed indentures with Ouyang Yuqing.
Looking at these exiled criminals, Ouyang Yuqing thought to himself, "If it weren't for the pressures of life..."
These people are still living a life of luxury in their own homes.
Ouyang Yuqing sighed inwardly, then said to the exiled prisoners, "Everyone, please be quiet. I'm going to say this upfront."
Those who want to follow me must be cunning and dishonest, of poor character, or utterly wicked.
Upon hearing Ouyang Yuqing's words, the exiled prisoners began to express their opinions.
"Your Highness, we have been wronged. Please take us in."
If you don't take us in, we really won't be able to survive.
Listening to the words of these exiles, Ouyang Yuqing pointed to the old man from before and said, "Whether he is wronged or not, everyone knows in their hearts. This man was honest and upright during his tenure."
They're so poor they can barely afford underwear, how can they possibly embezzle or accept bribes?
After speaking of the old man, Ouyang Yuqing pointed to a sleazy-looking middle-aged man in his late thirties and said, "Not only did you embezzle and accept bribes during your tenure, but your hands are certainly not clean."
I will not accept someone like you.
After saying that, Ouyang Yuqing ordered her guards to drive the people out of the village.
The guards, having received their orders, began to drive the prisoners away. Ouyang Yuqing then addressed the group of convicts, saying, "You all know your place; I don't need to name you one by one."
Those with decent character should stay; those who aren't so great should pack their bags and leave.
Some exiles harbored a侥幸心理 (a gambler's mentality), hoping to get a living by following Ouyang Yuqing.
But they saw through Ouyang Yuqing's intentions, and they resented her for not giving them a way out.
But no matter how much they resent it, they can only keep it to themselves.
If you're not as strong as others, you can only act like a coward and pack your bags to leave.
Of the remaining less than two hundred people, some were implicated by their relatives, while others were truly wrongfully imprisoned.
They stayed behind, waiting for Ouyang Yuqing to take them in.
Ouyang Yuqing looked at the remaining convicts.
He said to them, "As you all have seen, I have no tolerance for injustice."
Since you have decided to stay, I will not treat you unfairly.
Even though you will be sold into slavery later.
However, if there are those who perform well, I will give them important positions.
At that time, I will not only remove the slave status from the person who will be given important responsibilities, but also allocate land and housing to him.
The remaining convicts were filled with sorrow, their minds filled with thoughts of their lives as slaves.
But what Ouyang Yuqing said just now gave them renewed hope.
They asked Ouyang Yuqing with delight.
"War King, is what you're saying true? If we behave well in the future, will we really be able to get rid of our slave status?"
When Ouyang Yuqing heard the question from the exiles, he addressed them, saying, "I think I don't need to say more about my character. My word is as good as my bond."
If you want to be freed from slavery, then you'd better perform well for me!
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