CHAPTER 139: CHAPTER 139: SELF-INTEREST (PART 2)

At this time, the brokerage was operating under government management as legitimate businesses. Taxes were paid on buying and selling people, making it a significant source of revenue for the government.

Most of the land in Biyang County has been enclosed as grazing fields for horse breeding. People from outside the border skilled in horse breeding were naturally welcomed in abundance.

Since County Magistrate Ma started building the horse farm more than twenty years ago, he has been continually buying slaves from outside the border. This has greatly ensured that the horse farm can continuously breed quality horses.

Therefore, the brokerage in Biyang County is very prosperous and has long become a pillar industry of Biyang County.

After all, the good horses bred on the horse farm are all handed over to the Nanyang Prince Mansion. Only inferior horses are sold outside. However, the brokerage trade has no such concerns and has thrived exceptionally.

Having been in business for more than twenty years, the brokerage has its own approach to trading people. The human trafficker led the nobles to a room where there was a dark-skinned strong man with curly hair and greenish eyes. Beside the strong man was a woman, also large in stature and dark-skinned.

This was clearly a couple, and there were four children of varying heights behind them. The eldest was sixteen or seventeen years old, and the youngest was only about two or three, who rushed into the woman’s arms upon hearing the door push open.

"This family of six belongs to the Kuomoxi Clan," the human trafficker said eloquently. "They originally had cattle and sheep but were wiped out by a wolf pack. They had no way to survive on the grassland and voluntarily sold themselves. Both the couple know how to breed horses, and their eldest son and daughter also know how to breed horses. As for the two younger children, they must be bought along with them."

Whether they were truly "voluntary," no one delved into.

Jiang Shaohua noted that the family was decently dressed and did not look starved and emaciated and nodded slightly.

Ma Yaosong raised his eyebrows and immediately whispered, "Miss Jiang, most of the horse breeders in the horse farm are like this; families are bought in one go. Although it requires raising more children, having them makes the horse slaves more willing to stay and focus on breeding horses."

"When the children grow up, they can take over from their elderly parents and continue breeding horses."

The whole family staying together with enough food and clothing, focusing on horse breeding and herding, is a good life for some impoverished herders.

Jiang Shaohua looked at Ma Yaosong, "Do they receive wages on normal days?"

Ma Yaosong replied, "They receive some, but not a lot."

His reluctance to mention specific numbers indicated that the wages were negligible. At least, they couldn’t save enough to buy their freedom.

Jiang Shaohua didn’t ask further and followed the human trafficker to the next room.

This room also housed an entire family. The difference was that there were no men in this family, only women. The eldest looked about thirty, with two teenage foreign girls with exceptionally fair skin and green eyes, and two girls about six or seven, all remarkably beautiful.

"Miss Jiang, please have a look," the clever human trafficker obsequiously flattered Jiang Shaohua. "This family is Qidan people; the men were conscripted as cavalry and later died in battle. They left behind a family of old, weak women and children. We usually would not accept such people, but they begged us, desperately seeking a way to survive, so we reluctantly bought them."

Jiang Shaohua glanced at the human trafficker.

Even though she said nothing, the human trafficker felt a chill shoot from his feet to the top of his head.

Driven by a small man’s keen sense of danger, the human trafficker immediately confessed, "Actually, these girls are meant to be sold as maids in grand households."

Serving people with beauty is not a good path.

However, having fallen to the point of being sold as goods, what better path is there? Being sold to a grand household is far better than being sold to a brothel.

Jiang Shaohua frowned and stayed silent.

Suddenly, Chen Jinyu turned her head, "Mr. Ma, how much silver for these girls? I’ll buy them..."

"Sister, no need to buy them," Jiang Shaohua unexpectedly interrupted Chen Jinyu, "This kind of thing is everywhere. Today we can buy these few, but can we buy each one in the future? Silver should not be spent like this."

However, Chen Jinyu said, "Since we encountered them, it’s their fortune. In any case, let’s first rescue them from a terrible plight."

Jiang Shaohua thus acquiesced.

Would Ma Yaosong allow Chen Jinyu to spend silver?

"I’ll handle this matter." Although young, Ma Yaosong acted with maturity, "Ladies, please wait a moment."

He then went to negotiate with the human trafficker, agreeing on the purchase price for these five girls, and signed the contract. This contract also had to be sent to the government for an official seal and a tax paid, after which the transaction was recognized by the government.

These girls were all foreigners and could not understand the Da Liang language, but when the human trafficker handed their contracts to Mr. Ma, they could understand that and knelt to kowtow.

Ma Yaosong quickly said, "The one buying you is Miss Jiang and Miss Chen. You’ve got the wrong master!"

"Mr. Ma," Jiang Shaohua suddenly spoke, "the contracts for these five girls will stay with my sister, but the people will be handed over to you. You are responsible for settling them at the horse farm."

Ma Yaosong paused.

Chen Jinyu also paused, turning to look at the Commandery Princess.

"They look different from ordinary people, obviously foreign, and can’t speak the Da Liang language," Jiang Shaohua patiently explained, "If taken to Nanyang County, how can they find a foothold? It’s better to go to the horse farm. With many foreigners there, they might encounter people from their own tribe."

"Moreover, the women from nomadic tribes also know how to breed horses. Since you’ve bought them, they should be put to work."

In simple terms, the Commandery Princess never entertains idlers.

Understanding the intention, Chen Jinyu smiled and nodded, "That’s a good idea. Mr. Ma, I’ll leave this matter to you."

Ma Yaosong agreed readily.

...

The matter at the brokerage was reported to County Magistrate Ma in less than an hour.

County Magistrate Ma was elderly and had poor vision, but his mind was clear, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This young Nanyang County Princess was shrewd and formidable, yet also possessed a compassionate heart for the weak.

He only hoped that the Commandery Princess would be gracious, considering his long years of loyal service to the Prince Mansion, fulfilling his heart’s desire.

That evening, a banquet was held at the Ma family’s grand residence to welcome their guests.

All the officials from the county government were present, along with several significant families and prominent gentry from Biyang County. Of course, they were not qualified to sit at the same table as the Commandery Princess.

At the Commandery Princess’s table were Chief Historian Chen, Commander Song, and Chief Clerk Wen. As for Lu Junma and Yang Shi, they were sent back to the Nanyang Prince Mansion upon leaving Ye County.

County Magistrate Ma also sat at this table, while Ma Yaosong stood by him, specifically responsible for pouring wine for everyone.

After some polite exchanges, the banquet officially began.

Jiang Shaohua did not drink, and Chief Historian Chen and others only had a few drinks to express their politeness.

When the banquet was halfway through, County Magistrate Ma suddenly stood up and cupped his hands, "I have a request to make of the Commandery Princess."

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes swept over and fell on County Magistrate Ma, "Coincidentally, I also have a matter to discuss with County Magistrate Ma."

County Magistrate Ma: "..."