章 17: Chapter 17 In years of famine, human lives are worthless.

 Except for a small number of people, most people live a miserable life. Especially in years of famine, the children of the poor can only sell themselves as slaves to the rich. As the two were talking, they soon arrived at an alley on West Street. As soon as he got here, Shen Hao felt an unusual sense of oppression. On both sides of the street were poor people kneeling on the ground, selling themselves. Most of these people are disaster victims who have fled to Zheng Yang County. They only ask for a mouthful of food. Seeing Shen Hao's interest, Constable Qian hurriedly said, "Young Master Shen, a famine year is a good time to buy slaves. Usually, a slave costs at least a dozen or so taels of silver. But in a famine year, a full meal can buy them." Shen Hao nodded and didn't say much. Although what Constable Qian said was heartless. But when coming to this world, it is better to follow the rules of this world. He didn't cause the famine. Buying slaves at a low price and giving them a full meal is also saving them. Before long, Constable Qian took Shen Hao to the gate of a large mansion. Inside the mansion, many people were already buying slaves. Among them, there were several people that Shen Hao was familiar with. For example, Steward Hu who bought his rice last time. The Hu family is a large household in Zheng Yang County and is in the business of textile fabrics. In ancient times, the most profitable businesses were nothing more than clothing, food, housing, and transportation. Especially those who sell fabrics are the richest among the four major industries. During times of war, cloth is a real hard currency. The Hu family is so wealthy that they are willing to spend three thousand taels of silver to buy rice for Master Hu's birthday. Steward Hu was drinking tea. At a glance, he saw Shen Hao and immediately got up to chat. "Isn't this Young Master Shen? Are you also here to buy servants?" Steward Hu greeted him with a smile. Shen Hao nodded. "I bought a mansion and lack servants to take care of it, so I came to take a look." At this time, Constable Qian also said, "Steward Hu, have you found a satisfactory slave today?" Steward Hu smiled and shook his head. "There are many people selling themselves in a famine year, but their bodies are not very good. Buying them back is just adding another animal that eats food." Shen Hao listened and felt that Steward Hu was a bit harsh, calling these people who sell themselves animals. It seems that there is still a conflict between modern concepts and ancient people's thoughts. In the Great Qian Kingdom, it is too normal for people to enslave people. In the eyes of these stewards, slaves are no different from animals. Signing and fingerprinting on the contract of sale. Whether to beat or kill them after buying them back depends on one's mood. Just at this moment, a burly man came out from the inner room. Constable Qian immediately introduced, "Young Master Shen, he is the slave trader. If you want to buy or sell servants, look for him." The slave trader also noticed Shen Hao at a glance. He had heard rumors about this young master before. Seeing him today, he was even more amazed. Shen Hao is not only as handsome as a jade tree, but also looks very healthy. At first glance, he is someone who lives a good life. "Young Master Shen, nice to meet you. You coming to find me shows your trust in me. I will definitely pick some slaves that will satisfy you." As he spoke, the slave trader called out the female slaves he had carefully selected. Most of these female slaves were sold by their parents. They are only fifteen or sixteen years old. In years of famine, they really can't afford to raise these daughters. Whether they love them or not, they will choose to sell them. First, they can exchange for some food and money. Second, they can let these girls find a good family so that they won't starve to death and be exposed in the wilderness. More than twenty girls, wearing ragged clothes and linen, stood in a line, like commodities, for Shen Hao to choose. Shen Hao was shocked in his heart, but he didn't say much. Instead, he stepped forward and carefully picked. He didn't have any improper thoughts. These girls are too ordinary in appearance and can't be compared with Xiaorou at all. At most, they are bought back to be maids and reduce Xiaorou's burden of managing the household. "How much do you ask for these girls, slave trader?" After taking a look, Shen Hao decided to buy them all. In addition to needing people, there is also a part of compassion. In a famine year, these little girls are so pitiful. If they are not bought back, they might be sent to a brothel. The slave trader didn't expect Shen Hao to be so generous. Originally, he wanted to cheat him. But after seeing Constable Qian beside him, he gave up this idea. Constable Qian followed, which means that this Young Master Shen has connections with the government. If he dares to cheat money, he might be taken to the yamen and beaten. The slave trader could only smile and say, "Young Master Shen, let me tell you the truth. In a famine year, human lives are worthless. Moreover, girls are not as valuable as men. What about one tael of silver for each?" Upon hearing this, Shen Hao was also shocked by the cheap price. It's really in a famine year that human lives are worthless. One catty of his aged rice can exchange for at least five girls. The aged rice he sells costs at least five taels of silver per catty. Not to mention it can be sold for up to ten taels of silver at most. At this time, Steward Hu said, "Young Master Shen, think twice. Buying all these little bitches back is really a loss. They are all mouths to feed. Buying them back and still having to teach them to work is really not worth it. You can buy four or five first. When the famine gets worse, the price can be even lower." Listening to Steward Hu's analysis, Shen Hao clicked his tongue secretly. This old guy is too shrewd. And when it comes to treating slaves, he doesn't treat them as human beings at all. He actually wants to wait for the famine to get worse and then lower the price. Shen Hao shook his head. Although he is a capitalist, he really can't compare to the entrepreneurs of the Great Qian Kingdom. A few more maids won't make him poor. There is no shortage of food on Planet Blue. Moreover, with more people, it is also convenient to take care of the mansion and serve his daily life. "Thank you for your reminder, Steward Hu. However, the mansion lacks people to take care of it. It's better to buy more slaves." Shen Hao smiled and said, "Slave trader, I don't have cash on me. But there are a lot of grains in the mansion. How about exchanging grains for people?" As soon as Shen Hao said this, Steward Hu immediately exclaimed, "What? Young Master Shen, you want to exchange these little bitches with white jade rice? This is simply a waste! Such high-quality rice is hard to buy. Young Master Shen, you might as well sell the rice to our Hu family. Since the old master ate the white jade rice, he has been thinking about it and insists on eating this kind of rice. No matter how much you have, our Hu family will take it all!" Before Shen Hao could respond, several stewards of wealthy families nearby interrupted. "Young Master Shen, do you still have white jade rice? This time, no matter what, you have to sell some to our Lin family." "Our Bai family also wants it. Our old lady is thinking about this." "Last time, if it weren't for Master Hu's birthday, this white jade rice couldn't be given up no matter what." Seeing more and more people surrounding Shen Hao, the slave trader was stunned. Are you all here to buy people or buy rice? Shen Hao also didn't expect that the aged rice he brought to be so popular. All the wealthy families in Zheng Yang County are scrambling to buy it. Fortunately, there is a lot of aged rice prepared this time. Shen Hao asked these stewards to pay with banknotes first and then go to the mansion to pick up the rice. The aged rice is still sold at ten taels of silver per catty. The reason for daring to sell so expensive is still because of the scarcity of aged rice. It may not be possible to buy it even with money. Coupled with Shen Hao's hunger marketing, all the wealthy families are eager to pay.