"Alright, I'll introduce them to you right away. Don't worry, you know how I do things. Most of these people are refugees who have almost all of their families died. They are guaranteed to be law-abiding and will never betray you. If any of them cause trouble, just come to me, and I guarantee I'll refund your money."
Zou Yaren patted his chest and said.
Seeing Yan Xia nod with a smile, he immediately turned around and began to introduce himself.
"The first one is called Huang Yi, and the one next to him is Huang Er. The two brothers are twins who fled together. They had no relatives and sold themselves into slavery. They were sold to the landlord Liu in the neighboring county and signed a contract. However, the landlord Liu had a fiery temper and would beat and scold them at the drop of a hat. Once the contract expired, they came to Shuangqiao Town to make a living. I trained the two brothers for two or three months. They are honest and hardworking and never cheat or shirk their duties."
The first one Zou Yaren introduced was basically the one he was most satisfied with.
Sure enough, Yan Xia's gaze was fixed on the two brothers.
"You two look to be sixteen or seventeen, why are you still selling yourselves into slavery? If you two brothers worked hard, you could build a family fortune too, right?"
When Huang Yi saw the distinguished person asking him a question, he glanced at Zou Yaren and saw him nod.
He answered immediately.
“Manager Huiyan, my brother and I fled with our family when we were young. We were starved and injured, so we are short. Actually, I am already twenty-five years old. The master of our family treated us badly. He beat my brother so badly that he lost his lineage. Otherwise, we would not have left. We used all the money we had saved to pay for my brother's medical treatment. We happened to be conscripted for labor. If we were to register our own households, I would definitely be conscripted. I am worried about my brother living alone. It would be better for us to continue to be slaves. However, we will not sign a death contract, but a temporary contract.”
Yan Xia noticed a detail: when Huang Yi spoke, Huang Er's eyes were slightly red, indicating that the two brothers had a good relationship.
"Yes, Zou Yaren, please continue your introduction."
Yan Xia looked away.
"Yes, Manager Yan, this is Zhang Luzi. He is sixteen years old and a local from Shuangqiao Town. His family suffered a disaster a few years ago, and his parents died. He was an only child and was sold by his clan to work as a servant. He can read a little, but he is not very strong. However, he is quick-witted, smart and obedient."
"Hmm, did you make a mistake and get sold out again?"
Yan Xia looked at the young man in front of her. He was quite tall, but very thin, with a pale face. He had the air of a weak scholar and was good-looking. His hands were slender and long, and very beautiful.
He doesn't look like he's done any heavy work.
He must have found a good master. If that's the case, why was he sold again? Did he commit a serious mistake?
He then asked Zou Yaren.
"this...."
Zou Yaren was somewhat embarrassed, and just as he was wondering how to start the conversation...
Zhang Luzi took a step forward.
"I'm sorry, Manager Yan, but Zou Ya is a difficult person to talk about, so I'll speak for myself. My former master treated me very well. He was close to my age and passed the imperial examination at a young age, becoming a scholar. His family sent him to study at Yuanshan Academy, where students weren't allowed to bring servants. So I stayed at home. Because of my handsome appearance, the second master of the house took a liking to me. He wanted me to submit to him, so I complained to the first madam and used all the money I had saved to redeem myself. Fortunately, the first madam took pity on me and agreed to let me leave, even giving me a tael of silver. But I'm weak and can't do farm work, and I don't want to go back to that den of wolves..."
Zhang Luzi's voice gradually began to tremble.
It's probably because she's recalling bad things from the past.
"I originally wanted to find a job as an accountant, but the Second Master has too many friends. He just made a call, and none of the shops in Jiashu County dared to hire me. I have no choice but to sell myself into slavery. Manager Yan, please rest assured, although I am physically weak, I am smart, I know a lot of characters, and I have read quite a few books. As long as you give me a place to live and enough to eat, I will do anything."
Zhang Luzi was practically begging Yan Xia to kneel down.
His first family was more powerful.
It's been half a year, and nobody dares to buy it.
If Zou Yaren hadn't heard that Manager Yan had established a connection with the county magistrate, he wouldn't have brought him along.
He knew Zou Ya was a kind person and felt sorry for him.
"I'm sorry, Manager Yan, this matter is a bit complicated. I just brought him here to make up the number. Let me introduce you to the next one."
Zou Yaren noticed that Yan Xia's expression turned slightly cold and assumed she was angry.
Quickly pull Zhang Luzi aside.
Apologize to her.
"It's alright, but I only sign a death contract. If you're willing, then stay."
Yan Xia took a sip of tea.
Just then, Xiao Ji came out of the backyard carrying a teacup.
"Zou Yaren, have some tea."
Yan Xia smiled slightly, gesturing for him to take the tea.
"Oh, thank you, Manager Yan."
Zou Yaren took the teacup and took a small sip.
The tea soup is clear with a slight grassy green hue. One sip and the fragrance fills your mouth; it's clearly a fine tea.
"I'll sign! I'll sign as long as Manager Yan is willing to buy from me."
Zhang Luzi knelt on the ground, extremely excited.
He had already spent all his silver, and if he couldn't sell it again, Zou the broker wouldn't be able to keep him. Where could he go then?
Should we leave Jiashu County?
He didn't want to.
My parents' graves are here.
"Okay, stand up. Don't kneel all the time. I don't like that. You stand behind me first."
Yan Xia gave the instructions.
"Yes, Master."
Having worked for a wealthy family before, Zhang Luzi was quick to adapt and immediately changed his tune.
Yan Xia bought him for two reasons, one being out of pity for him.
Secondly, she really needed a smart "insider" to manage her affairs. Her two sons were illiterate, and although she taught them to read, they were still unsophisticated.
A servant from a wealthy family is extremely valuable, but Yan Xia isn't afraid of that so-called second master.
If his power surpasses that of the county magistrate, Zou Yaren probably wouldn't have brought him along. Since he did, it means he's not that powerful and can't get past the county magistrate.
Yan Xia was not very satisfied with the three men that Zou Yaren introduced next.
They are either too young to be of much use, or they have an unpleasant appearance and their eyes look unkind.
Difficult to control.
"This is Gu Xiaomei. She is seventeen years old this year. Her parents died early, and she only had her grandmother at home, who also passed away at the beginning of the year. Some distant relatives in the village wanted to sell her to a brothel as a prostitute, but she ran away and was sold to our brokerage firm. She is a pitiful person. Xiaomei is hardworking, gets up early, works a lot, and eats little. She is a good girl."
Zou Yaren praised Gu Xiaomei repeatedly.
Yan Xia had no choice but to look her up and down.
With a round face, clear eyes, and a plump nose, he has a good appearance and seems to be a blessed person.
"Are you willing to sign a death contract?"
Yan Xia spoke calmly.
"willing!"
Gu Xiaomei readily agreed.
So what if it's a death contract? Even if she has to live in a pigsty, it's still better than being a prostitute.
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