Chapter 1719 Arrangements for the Laborers
Just as Meng Yunzheng was about to give instructions to Lu Wu, who was standing to the side, he saw several people from the labor service group walking towards him.
They looked somewhat reserved, but their faces betrayed a hidden anticipation and excitement.
The man leading the group was slightly hunched over and very thin. He asked Meng Yunzheng somewhat uneasily, "Young Master Meng, is there anything we can do?"
"Yes, Young Master Meng, we can help too. Although we don't have any other skills, we are strong."
"Yes, yes, we are very good at working."
They were initially apprehensive and confused, but after Xia Yi revealed her identity, they immediately felt much more at ease. These people were from the imperial court, so they couldn't be bad.
But then they started to worry. They were different from Master Yang and his group. Although they were locked up in prison, they were still working for the black market. Moreover, they hadn't gone to help Master Yang and Lu Wu when they were on their way.
What if they are later accused of being in cahoots with the black market and punished?
At this point, they became somewhat anxious, thinking that by doing their part, they might be able to atone for their mistakes.
Meng Yunzheng looked at them. They were all very thin, and their bodies were covered in injuries. Many of them had bruises on their faces, clearly from being beaten while working. When they spoke, they shrank back, their eyes filled with fear.
Seeing that Meng Yunzheng remained silent, they became even more worried.
"Young Master Meng, we really, really can get things done. Please make arrangements for us."
An elderly man behind him even tried to kneel down and beg him, so Meng Yunzheng quickly spoke up, "I do have something I'd like to ask you for help with."
"Please tell me, please tell me," they said happily.
Meng Yunzheng said, "The black market has two entrances. We'll be heading directly to Chenggu County in a bit. You'll need to send someone to guard that entrance. The other entrance leads out of the city. You'll need to block that entrance later."
"Is it congested?"
"Yes, the people from the black market all went out with Master Wu and his group, but we don't know if they'll be back anytime soon. If they do come back and find that the black market has changed hands, then all our efforts will have been in vain."
Meng Yunzheng had considered it. There were indeed quite a few of them. However, they had been enslaved and tortured by the black market for years, developing a habit of fear at the mere sight of them. Taking them out to deal with Magistrate Cheng and his men would definitely be inappropriate. They were inherently afraid of them, and if they were brought before him, they would likely surrender without resistance.
Rather than taking them on risks, it's better to let them guard the black market.
By blocking this entrance outside the city, they effectively cut off Master Wu and his group's way back.
Moreover, there's an armory in this black market with too many weapons. They can only take a limited number with them, and the rest will have to stay inside.
Besides that, there's a treasure trove. The black market may not have much else, but it's overflowing with gold and silver treasures, which are kept in a secret room within Boss Ke's house.
Some of that money must have been sent to the capital to provide for the Second Prince and his entourage.
But what remains is also a great fortune.
Upon hearing that they had been given work to do, the laborers readily agreed, saying, "I'll go right now."
Meng Yunzheng then picked a leader from among them and had one of Lu Wu's knowledgeable subordinates follow him.
The laborers were happy. Before, they worked listlessly, with almost no independent thought. Now, they were working for their own future, and everyone was very proactive.
(End of this chapter)
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