Chapter 510: The Aftermath of the Arranged Marriage!
They're just a bit shorter, the work is a bit dangerous, but the salary is high!
Seeing that no one responded, Che Mingyuan continued, "The death compensation for soldiers at the outpost is three hundred taels, which is higher than the death compensation for other types of soldiers."
Many people were tempted, but... Che Mingyuan had more to say.
"Da Niu has another requirement: the woman should ideally be over eight feet tall and have a robust build. If she meets these two conditions, he can be a bit more lenient with his requirements, such as being a few years older or having children!"
Pfft~
Ban Sicao has learned a lot.
Shen Lanxi looked at Ban Sicao with disdain, holding her teacup, and almost spat on her.
But Zhang Daniu's conditions are indeed interesting.
Those who were just itching to speak were all eliminated before they could even say a word.
"Where would you find a woman that tall?"
"Yeah, I might as well find a man to live with!"
"He was thinking that since he's short, he should marry a tall woman so that their children wouldn't be short either." This sounds like something someone with experience would say.
Just when everyone thought the matter was about to fall through, a tall, thin woman stood up shakily from the crowd.
That head of his, standing there, was absolutely outstanding.
"I'm tall, but not strong, I'm hungry. I have four younger brothers who haven't grown up yet, is that okay?"
Che Mingyuan wasn't unwilling to answer; he was simply stunned.
The world is truly vast and full of wonders!
I thought Da Niu was going to be single forever, but things took an unexpected turn for the better.
Shen Lanxi: "Sure, why not? If you're capable, you'll get thirty or forty acres of land over there, plus Da Niu's salary. Not only will you be able to support him, but your four younger brothers will also be able to be raised strong and healthy."
It took Che Mingyuan a while to react, and he managed to utter two dry "ahs".
"Yes, if you get there and don't like Da Niu, you can join the army yourself. As long as you settle down there, you'll be allocated land, seeds, and farming tools. If you're capable, you can apply for more land to cultivate. As long as you're diligent and hardworking, you won't starve there."
The tall, slender woman was smitten.
When can we leave?
Che Mingyuan: "Once everyone in this batch is settled, we'll all go together. Don't worry, once you register, the government will take care of your food and lodging. If you get hungry, just go over there and get some steamed buns. Eat as much as you want, it's free."
Knowing that the guests would be from poor families, Che Mingyuan was well-prepared.
The woman left, expressing her deepest gratitude.
Afterwards, a man with a clear local origin was arranged.
...
"Wang Dali, forty years old, a gatekeeper, a widower, has a son who is an archer and a daughter who is a healer. He earns a salary of two taels of silver, owns twenty mu of land, and a courtyard. He does not live with his children. He only wants to find someone who can do his laundry, cook for him, and accompany him in his old age. The dowry is thirty taels of silver, and he will hand over his salary after marriage. He has no requirements for the woman!"
The women, who had previously been young and had high salaries, began to be selective.
After all, the oldest of them was only in their twenties, while Wang Dali was indeed a bit older.
A flippant voice suddenly rang out.
"Nobody wants it? Then I'll take it!"
A woman dressed in a flamboyant manner walked forward, swaying her hips.
Without even asking, just by looking at her attire and the strong scent of perfume on her, you can tell what this woman does for a living.
The woman did not hide anything; after bowing to Shen Lanxi, she revealed her identity.
“I was sold to Chunmanlou by my family when I was young. I enjoyed a few years of glory in the brothel. I saved up enough money to redeem myself while I was young.”
Che Mingyuan hesitated and looked at Shen Lanxi: "This?"
Shen Lanxi: "I can tell from your clear and resolute eyes that you are not someone who would willingly give in to depravity. In the mud, you have been able to hold onto your true self and uphold your beliefs, which shows how precious your character is!"
The woman was taken aback by Shen Lanxi's high praise, and then lowered her head in a somewhat self-conscious manner.
Shen Lanxi: "I've made the decision. You'll go and meet Wang Dali. If the meeting doesn't work out, you'll become a female physician in the army. Is that alright?"
The woman's eyes lit up. Her original intention was to go somewhere where no one knew her. She didn't have much hope of getting married. If she could become a female doctor, she would have the support of the military camp and no one would dare to bully her.
"I will obey the Regent's arrangements."
Che Mingyuan quickly had someone take notes.
The fact that a woman from a brothel could have such good fortune made all the women present extremely envious.
Five hundred people were meticulously arranged for a whole day, and at the end, Shen Lanxi personally handed each woman a piece of red cloth to her hand.
"Go to the Northwest or Dongchuan, and live a good life!"
The women watched Shen Lanxi leave with tears in their eyes.
The news that the courtesan had found a home somehow spread.
After that, one after another, prostitutes began to redeem themselves and register for the service. Many others who couldn't afford to redeem themselves ran away and asked the government to lend them money.
The message was sent directly to Shen Lanxi.
"Knowing how to save yourself is a sign of intelligence."
"The Ministry of Revenue will definitely not agree to advance payment, but it can be paid in installments."
Shen Lanxi carefully explained, "Let the government oversee it. The women sign contracts with the brothel. If the men they marry are willing to redeem them, they will pay. If they don't have enough money, the soldiers will give it to them in batches."
"The local authorities should keep a close eye on women with this kind of household registration to prevent any acts of bullying or abuse."
Che Mingyuan nodded seriously. The Regent's move undoubtedly provided a way out for the women who jumped into the fire.
The message from Shen Lanxi quickly reached all the major music and entertainment venues and brothels.
The women in brothels are easy to talk about, but the women in music academies are all descendants of criminals, and they are all slaves. There is no such thing as redemption for them.
When Shen Lanxi was hosting a wedding event, a woman stopped her car and protested her innocence.
"Your Highness, my daughter was implicated by her uncles' families and ended up in the brothel. She has never done anything wrong and is innocent!"
Shen Lanxi wasn't foolish enough to say that every wrong has its perpetrator and every debt its debtor, and that the law is the law.
Shen Lanxi: "I'll give you two choices. One is to join the army; as long as you accumulate merits, you can gradually be removed from the official register. The other is to be exiled to Dongchuan to farm the land."
The woman was taken aback, then said with tears in her eyes, "Can't we marry?"
Shen Lanxi said firmly, "No, you are a criminal. Although you have done nothing wrong, you have become a perpetrator by enjoying the convenience that your family brings. If there is no punishment for collective wrongdoing, wouldn't the villains be even more unscrupulous!"
The woman collapsed to the ground. When the brothel came to arrest her, she did not resist and went back with them.
Shen Lanxi sneered: "If she had to choose between marrying a soldier or becoming a concubine of an official's son, she would definitely choose to become a concubine."
Those accompanying him strongly agreed.
She left the palace this time because Old Master Shen's condition had worsened and he was on his deathbed.
"Grandmother, how is Grandfather?"
Madam Shen's expression didn't show much sadness. She calmly said, "The Grand Tutor said it will be in the next few days."
Shen Lanxi: "If there's anything Grandfather wants, Lanxi will definitely find it for him."
Madam Shen shook her head: "No need. Apart from the time your grandfather was exiled and suffered some hardships, he has been doing quite well these past few years."
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