章 18: Chapter 18 Cultivating one's own armed forces.

 In no time, Shen Hao's hands were filled with banknotes. This time, a total of 200 bags of rice were sold. One bag weighed 10 catties, totaling 2,000 catties. At 10 taels of silver per catty, it was 20,000 taels of silver. Looking at the thick stack of banknotes in his hand, Shen Hao was also stunned. It is said that in years of famine and disaster, the lives of the common people are bitter. But looking at these wealthy families, they are not affected at all. On the contrary, when a famine year comes, hoarding and profiteering can make them even richer. They spend money on expensive rice without feeling any pain. Shen Hao also knew that a famine year is a good time for land annexation. When he earns some more money, he can consider developing in the direction of a powerful family. He is a hidden wealthy person on Planet Blue. In the Great Qian Kingdom, he can develop into a powerful and prestigious family. Shen Hao took out a hundred taels from the banknotes and immediately bought twenty maids. Looking at the banknotes in his hand, the slave trader said in a low voice, "Young Master Shen, you have given too many banknotes. These little maids are only worth twenty taels of silver." Shen Hao smiled and said, "Who said I only bought maids? When I'm outside, I also need some servants to attend to me. You pick some obedient men and make up a total of eighty taels." Shen Hao thought very clearly. Now is a famine year. No one can guarantee whether there will be people gathering to become bandits. The wealthy households in various places in Zheng Yang County all have their own armed forces. When he first arrived here, he could rely on the yamen in the early stage. But what about later? His business will definitely grow bigger and bigger. So he must cultivate his own private armed forces. The slave trader nodded and also guessed Shen Hao's worry. The times are bad. It is indeed necessary to buy some men back. "Young Master Shen, don't worry. I will try my best to help you choose some young and obedient ones." Shen Hao nodded. He wanted young ones. Older ones have too many thoughts and are difficult to tame. What he wants are those half-grown teenagers. The age is best controlled below sixteen years old. These young ones can develop a sense of loyalty. In no time, more than fifty teenagers were brought in front of Shen Hao. These teenagers were so thin that their bones were showing, and their clothes were tattered. But fortunately, they all looked honest. This proves that the slave trader really carefully selected for him. He sold all the obedient ones to him. But the price is also a bit more expensive. Much more expensive than the girls. Eighty taels can only buy fifty people. The slave trader came forward and said in a low voice, "Young Master Shen, these men are all from good peasant families. They are diligent, honest, and don't have many tricks. But the price is a bit more expensive. You also know that men can plow the land and serve as a force. In a famine year, the price is more expensive than that of maids." "Well, okay, I know." Shen Hao didn't waste time. Instead, he asked the slave trader to bring their contracts of sale. These teenagers looked at Shen Hao and didn't have much emotional change. They all walked behind Shen Hao obediently. No one dared to run away. Once the contract of sale is signed, they become the master's servants and enter the lowly class. No matter where they run, they cannot escape the sanctions of the court. Shen Hao was very satisfied with their reaction. This batch of peasant boys is indeed of high quality. If it weren't for the famine year, their parents would not be willing to sell them. It's just that life at home is really impossible, so they sell them to exchange for some food and money. If these boys are well-raised, they will be a proper private armed force. Shen Hao put away the contracts of sale and got up to leave the slave trader's residence. Constable Qian escorted him all the way and did not forget to scold these slaves: "You all listen carefully. After signing the contract of sale, you are Young Master Shen's people alive and his ghosts when dead. If you dare to be unfaithful, the court will never spare you. If caught, your heads will be cut off." Listening to Constable Qian's scolding, all the teenagers and girls trembled in fear and did not dare to have a second thought. They have been indoctrinated with ignorant thoughts since childhood. They deeply understand that only by being loyal to the master can there be a way out. In this way, a group of teenagers and girls in ragged clothes followed Shen Hao through the alley neatly. No one dared to escape. Constable Qian escorted Shen Hao to the mansion before saying, "Young Master Shen, after buying these slaves back, you need to discipline them well. If you really can't manage them, you can find an experienced steward to help." "Thank you for your reminder, Constable Qian." Shen Hao nodded. He would teach these people himself and would never entrust it to others. These servants are the first batch of private armed forces he wants to train. He will definitely teach some modern military knowledge. Shen Hao is also ambitious and plans to implement military management on these teenagers. As for the little girls, he will leave them to Xiaorou to take care of. As long as they can take care of the courtyard, do laundry and cook. Constable Qian saluted Shen Hao and then left. Shen Hao pushed open the door and led a group of people into the mansion. At this time, Xiaorou also came forward: "Young Master, why did you buy so many slaves all of a sudden? I'm afraid I can't manage them all." "Don't worry. You manage the women, and I manage the men." Shen Hao turned around and took these teenagers to the servants' quarters. After cleaning up, they could live there. Looking at the dirty little girls in front of her, Xiaorou also felt sympathy and immediately took them to take a bath and change clothes. In the afternoon, Shen Hao and Xiaorou were busy in the kitchen, preparing to cook a meal for these teenagers and girls. And then return to Planet Blue at night. Those bought teenagers and girls did not dare to be idle either. Those who chopped firewood chopped firewood, and those who carried water carried water. Those who really had nothing to do also had to find something to do. For example, wiping tables, chairs, and benches. They were all eager to show themselves in front of Shen Hao, deeply afraid that Shen Hao would sell them again if he was unhappy. In these bad times, it is already good to be a servant or maid for a master. Many who are unlucky may even have their hands and feet cut off and be sold to charlatans to deceive people. Even worse, they are bought back and killed and eaten as "two-legged sheep." A teenager named Ding Wu was chopping firewood vigorously. He chopped firewood very quickly. At first glance, it was known that he had a martial arts foundation. At this time, a teenager with a face full of black soot came over. "Ding Wu, do you think Young Master Shen will sell us off again?" Ding Wu stopped chopping with the axe and said, "I don't know. Anyway, we are born with a cheap life. As long as he gives me a mouthful of food, I will work for him." The teenager pulled up his sleeve and said, "I have been sold several times. Once I was almost killed and eaten." Ding Wu looked at the knife scar on the teenager's arm and said, "In this world, no one will be good to us. We are like wild dogs, running around for a mouthful of food." The teenager looked at the smoke from the firewood room roof and said, "I don't know what Young Master Shen is cooking. It should be for entertaining guests. It's not for us." Ding Wu had no expression on his face and continued chopping wood. "Rich young masters are like this. We are not even considered human beings. How would they be willing to prepare food for us." Hearing this, the teenager smiled bitterly and didn't continue speaking. In no time, waves of rice fragrance and even meaty fragrance came from the firewood room. Shen Hao was too lazy to make any delicate dishes. He just steamed a few baskets of rice and fried several pots of canned pork. Xiaorou was very meticulous. She asked someone to go to the market to buy some green vegetables and stir-fry them simply.