After a brief discussion with Mr. Ruan, Han Xiao returned to his home as there were still some things he needed to deal with.
After the Spring Banquet, Han Xiao felt a sense of crisis. In this era, just having money is far from enough. He needs to have his own power, at least... at least next time he encounters such a thing, he will not be as helpless as today, and he cannot rely solely on external forces.
Han Xiao returned to the study and sat alone for a long time, not knowing what he was thinking about. After a long time, Han Xiao pondered calmly. Mr. Qinghe would come to his house tomorrow, and he had to prepare the poetry collection that Mr. Qinghe wanted first.
He wrote two books without distraction, one for Ruan Xiuran and one for Mr. Qinghe. Looking at the handwriting that was still wet, Han Xiao solemnly put it in the box.
The next morning, Han Xiao went to the market. Han Xiao wanted to do something but he couldn't do everything by himself. He needed an follower to do some things for him. The house was big and he couldn't rely on Han's mother alone to take care of it. Both big and small things required manpower, so Han Xiao decided to go to the market to see if there was anyone suitable.
Even though Mr. Qinghe came today, there wouldn't be no maid to pour water for him.
Han Xiao arrived early and there were not many people at the market. Qingping Town was the richest town around, so it was the only place where one could buy and sell slaves.
The government usually turned a blind eye to the buying and selling of slaves. Many of them were prisoners of war, and some had committed crimes. It was generally difficult to sell such people. Ordinary people rarely sold themselves, and if they did, it was through a living indenture.
But Han Xiao was not looking for a farmhand with a living contract; he wanted a slave with a life contract.
Although Han Xiao was quite resistant to it before, he had to admit that the death contract still had many advantages.
Arriving at the pawnshop, the doorman was still yawning. Seeing Han Xiao coming, his eyes lit up and he quickly put on a smile: "Sir, is there anything you need? We have it all here at the pawnshop. Want to buy a house, a person, or a cow?"
"Buy people." Han Xiao said lightly.
The boy was stunned and looked Han Xiao up and down. Seeing that Han Xiao was wearing only ordinary cotton clothes, he mistook him for the steward of a wealthy family.
"Okay, follow me, sir."
Han Xiao followed the boy into the yard. There were many shacks built in the yard, and many people were crowded together. The smell was really not pleasant.
"Sir, look, what kind do you want? Let me introduce it to you?" the boy asked flatteringly.
Han Xiao shook his head to indicate that it was not necessary, and shook off the boy and walked a few steps into the shack.
Looking at the scene in the shack, Han Xiao felt an indescribable feeling in his heart. He was born under the red flag and had never seen such a ridiculous scene. Many slaves were half-naked and covered with scars and frostbite. Among them were even children of two or three years old.
Han Xiao couldn't help but stop and take a look at the child. The child should have his relative next to him, a young man. When he saw Han Xiao coming, he lowered his head in fear and hugged the child tightly in his arms.
There was a big man next to him, also looking at Han Xiao with a vigilant look.
The young man followed and immediately took out the whip from his waist and hit the big man. The big man was blocking the way and took the whip without even a frown.
The boy groaned, pulled back the whip and tried to hit him again, but Han Xiao grabbed him and said, "Stop."
The boy was a little surprised when Han Xiao pulled him: "Sir, you..."
Han Xiao pointed at the big man and said, "Let's pick him."
"Okay, I'm talking to you, come out quickly."
The big man didn't move at all, as if he hadn't heard what the boy said. Han Xiao glanced at him and said, "All three of you, come out. I can buy you all."
After hearing Han Xiao's words, the big man raised his head and looked at Han Xiao. The young man looked at the big man uneasily. The big man patted the young man's arm to reassure him.
Then he stood up. The big man was estimated to be two meters tall, but because he was not eating enough, he was incredibly thin. Han Xiao was already tall enough, about 185 cm, but he was actually a head shorter than the big man when standing opposite him.
Moreover, judging from the big man's face, he should have some foreign blood. Han Xiao nodded with satisfaction.
"It's them." Han Xiao said to the boy.
The big man just stood there without saying anything, and Han Xiao ignored him. He believed that as long as the big man was not stupid, he should know how to choose.
The boy was very happy: "Okay, sir, this one is 25 taels, two is 50 taels, and the remaining child is given to you."
Han Xiao nodded, indicating that he had no objection. The boy was even happier. Looking at Han Xiao was like seeing a big bone with meat. Such a generous customer was rare.
"Well, I still need some people. Bring them out for me to see."
The young man agreed and immediately ordered people to drive all the people out of the shack, just like driving animals out. But when you think about it carefully, aren't these people the same as animals?
The slaves who were driven out all looked at Han Xiao with uneasiness. Some even had numb expressions on their faces. Han Xiao didn't look closely and just asked, "Can anyone read?"
There was a commotion among the slaves, and then several people came out. Han Xiao looked at them and picked out a handsome young man. "How old are you? What's your name?"
The young man was stunned for a moment, perhaps because he didn't expect Han Xiao to actually choose him. Then he said in fear and trepidation: "I am 21 years old, and my name is Gu Yunsheng."
Han Xiao nodded: "It's you, come out."
Gu Yunsheng hurriedly stood up and stood behind Han Xiao. Seeing the big man behind Han Xiao, he silently followed the big man again.
Han Xiao chose him simply because he felt that he was different from the other slaves. The other slaves were basically smelly, but he was the only one who could maintain his dignity and keep himself clean.
Han Xiao casually looked around and found a cook with good cooking skills, and the cook's husband, a middle-aged man, who could stay at home to watch the house. He also selected two maids who looked honest and mediocre to go back and take care of Han's mother.
After making his choice and paying the money in one go, Han Xiao returned home with his men in a mighty procession.
Along the way, these slaves were worried about their future lives, not knowing what kind of people their masters would be.
Han Xiao didn't care what they thought. He just wanted to take the person back home quickly and give him a good bath. The smell was really unbearable.
When Han Xiao came back, Han Mingyuan was already cleaning the yard. Seeing Han Xiao bringing so many people back, he was surprised. Han's mother beside him froze: "Da Lang...what's going on?"
Han's mother was surprised and called Han Xiao Dalang again. Han Xiao didn't care and just said softly: "Mom, our house is so big now, we can't clean it by ourselves, so I hired a few people to come back."
"Why did you buy someone else?" Han's mother looked at Han Mingyuan anxiously.
Han Mingyuan regained his composure after being surprised. He never said much about Han Xiao's decision, and he felt that what Han Xiao said made sense. His family was not short of money now and really needed to buy some people back.
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