Xiong Wuliang ignored Ying Zhuo's expression of disbelief and followed the Hu merchant inside - this Hu merchant was in the slave trade. Many slaves were sitting or lying, staring straight at Xiong Wuliang who walked in. A group of people.
Seeing Xiong Wuliang's simple clothes and young age, Hu Shang of the Xiongnu thought he was a traveling scholar, so he laughed naively and said, "What kind of slave do you want to buy?"
"The obedient book boy? Or the maid who warms the bed?"
Xiong Wuliang glanced at the Hu Shang with interest: "Do you have them all here?"
Hu Shang hesitated for a moment, his confidence was a bit lacking, but he still said stubbornly: "Of course a businessman from the Big Bear Country has everything!"
Xiong Wuliang was happy.
These barbarians on the northern grasslands have frequent battles between tribes - it is very likely that a fierce annexation fight will break out for a small piece of grassland.
The Hu people did not talk about reforms in the Central Plains countries - they have always been staunch supporters of slavery.
The survivors of the defeated tribes often became slaves of the victors.
Of course, women and children are valuable assets that can expand the population of the tribe...but those adult men are not so important in the Hu tribe.
Later, Genghis Khan's Mongolian army annexed various ethnic groups on the grassland and executed all the men who were taller than a wheel, while the women and children were taken as their own. When those young children grew up, they became Genghis Khan's descendants. people.
Therefore, adult male slaves were worthless on the grasslands.
Of course, these robust grassland slaves were sold to the Central Plains and became the most expensive 'war slaves'. Not only can they look after the homes and homes of dignitaries, but they can also replace military service for ordinary families.
Xiong Wuliang said: "I only buy male slaves, those who are mature and physically strong."
Hu Shang was startled and showed a funny expression: "Young master, you are joking - let's take a look at other types of slaves."
"Our female slaves from the Big Bear Country are strong and fertile, much better than the women from the Central Plains Country!"
Xiong Wuliang raised his eyebrows: "What, you don't have what I want?"
The Hu Shang laughed: "Young Master is joking...Businessmen in the Big Bear Country have everything! It's just that the price of adult war slaves is high, I'm afraid you can't afford it..."
Xiong Wuliang was very happy...he was really worthy of his financial resources.
The four county fiefdoms are no longer as shabby as they were when Xiong Wuliang first assumed the title!
Xiong Wuliang ignored Hu Shang and walked straight towards the group of adult male war slaves... After looking at them for a long time, he couldn't see any good guys... Then he turned around and called Ying Zhuo: "What are you doing here? Come here quickly. Help me with my eyes."
"Take a look, which one looks like a skilled archer and horseman?"
Ying Zhuo was so angry that he walked over with an ugly expression. He glanced at them casually and sneered: "They are all trash."
"The best prairie war slaves must have thick calluses on their crotches - the marks left by years of riding horses; and the fingers of the slaves in front of them don't look right - the prairie riders who are good at bow and horse have many fingers. It’s deformed.”
Xiong Wuliang nodded repeatedly and gave a thumbs up to show that he was taught: "You are so professional!"
When it comes to this ability to pick people up, the people of the Qin State, which borders the grassland tribes, are better at it.
That Hu Shang couldn't help but look bad: "These two guests...of course there are war slaves who are good at fighting, but the price is..."
Xiong Wuliang half-closed his eyes and didn't answer. Xiao Hei on the side snorted and said to Hu Shang: "Don't waste time, my master... my young master can't keep your money!"
Hu Shang stopped talking nonsense and led the three of them back... The men here were all tall and strong, with burly and powerful limbs. As Ying Zhuo said, there are thick black calluses between both hips, and many of the fingers on his right hand are deformed - the sequelae of years of bow-drawing.
These war slaves are worthless on the grassland - even if they are taken in by the victorious tribe, they will still want to escape or take revenge.
But in the Central Plains countries, these warriors of the grasslands are the best guards - even the most beautiful maids are not worth much more than these capable men.
Xiong Wuliang glanced casually and asked with a smile: "Are you all the strongest warriors on the grassland?"
The group of slaves did not answer, staring at Hu Shang behind Xiong Wuliang with obvious hatred.
Xiong Wuliang looked at Ying Zhuo - although Ying Zhuo was angry, he still nodded towards Xiong Wuliang.
Xiong Wuliang smiled and nodded lightly at Xiao Hei... Xiao Hei flicked his hand and threw a thick money bag in front of Hu Shang: "I want them all."
Merchant Hu was dumbfounded. When he opened his robe and took a look, his expression immediately changed. His originally disdainful face was now full of flattery: "Young Master is bold! Young Master is grand... Do you want to buy some more prairie maids..."
Xiong Wuliang wanted to refuse, but then he changed his mind and nodded towards Xiao Hei.
Xiao Hei was startled, looked at Xiong Wuliang's gaze, then took out another row of gold cakes and threw them on the ground: "I want them all!"
…
The shabby light cart led more than a hundred Hu slaves out of Fangshi - successfully attracting everyone's attention.
The low-key strategy doesn’t seem to be working!
The group of people went straight back to the Hou Mansion, and all the slaves' expressions changed - even the barbarians on the grassland could see that this mansion was majestic... Then looking at the respectful attitude of the gatekeepers towards Xiong Wuliang, they immediately He understood that the wealthy young man in front of him had an extraordinary status.
Not to mention that Ying Zhuo was so angry that he walked away angrily... Xiong Wuliang gathered all the slaves in the school grounds of the Hou Mansion.
The surrounding soldiers were as if they were facing a formidable enemy. They stared at the rough men in the grasslands in front of them. They couldn't figure out what their master was up to... they could only keep an eye on these slaves and be ready to protect Xiong Wuliang at any time. .
Xiong Wuliang smiled and nuzzled at the soldiers: "Unlock their shackles."
The soldiers hesitated: "My lord..."
Xiong Wuliang waved his hand, and all the soldiers had to obey his orders.
The Hu slaves took off their shackles and moved their wrists and ankles while looking around, or staring at Xiong Wuliang hesitantly...
The soldiers were all sweating—the distance was too close!
Consciously or unconsciously, they raised their repeating crossbows and pointed arrows at the slaves...
Xiong Wuliang coughed lightly, attracting the attention of all the slaves: "Ahem, let me introduce myself. My name is Xiong Liang, and I am the Marquis of Quyang of Chu State."
The slaves looked at each other in confusion... Apparently, Xiong Wuliang's fame in the Central Plains had not yet reached the ears of these rough men on the grassland.
Xiong Wuliang coughed awkwardly: "Well...it doesn't matter if you don't recognize me."
"From today on, I am not your master... you are all free men!"
"Look around you - I, together with your clansmen and their families, have also bought them back... After today, you can settle down in our Quyang County and make a living by farming. As long as you abide by the law, I will rule you. The free folk of our country..."
…
