MTLNOVEL Chapter 517, Little Deermen_1
Soon enough,
Fang Hao's entourage, carrying carts of newly manufactured weapons and armor,
arrived at the agreed temporary campsite.
Outside the campsite was a low wall made of stone and mud. Beyond the wall were several wooden buildings and many orcs.
Numerous fully armored Taurens surrounding the area were coldly watching the slave traders.
When Fang Hao and the others appeared on the horse cart,
They saw a well-dressed orc with gold chains and rings rush over from a distance.
He kept babbling as he came closer.
"Honored noble friend, you've finally arrived. You have no idea, the great difficulties we underwent to find enough slaves to fulfill your request."
Fang Hao had some trouble distinguishing between his orcish kind.
Apart from some unique features, they all looked quite similar.
However, listening to the tone and way he spoke,
He could confirm the identity of the orc in front of him—he was the slave trader he'd been working with all this time.
It seemed his status within the tribe had improved.
He was now dressed more like a nouveau riche.
He hopped off and ran to the side of the horse cart, holding onto it as he jogged while continuing his complaints,
Nothing more than attempts to assure that he'd exerted every effort possible for this transaction.
Upon reaching the entrance of the campsite,
Fang Hao hopped off the cart and spoke, "Take me to see these people you've found. If I'm not satisfied, I won't pay you."
The orc trader immediately slapped his chest, "I guarantee you'll be satisfied, my friend. This way, please."
After saying this, he led Fang Hao into the campsite.
Upon entering the campsite and passing through several dilapidated wooden huts,
He saw them—the slaves.
There were at least nearly a thousand people gathered, among which he could see the Rabbitmen and the Foxmen.
They were of all ages, predominantly young.
The slaves were gathered here without any iron cages or restraints, waiting anxiously. Enjoy new stories from empire
"Were they all captured by you?" Fang Hao asked as he walked.
The slave trader immediately shook his head, "Ah, no, our Chieftain has recently started to reform our practices, we no longer capture slaves. Otherwise, they wouldn't be so well-behaved here."
Reform?
Hearing these words from a slave trader was quite surprising.
Of course, Fang Hao wasn't particularly concerned. The tribes in the orc region were always in chaos.
By winter, hardly anyone stored food. Instead, they hoarded weapons.
How would you change such a lifestyle?
"What practices have you changed?" Fang Hao inquired.
"Oh! My friend, although you're very smart, powerful, handsome, and rich, I'm sure you wouldn't have thought of this."
The slave trader started to brag before continuing, "The living conditions on the orc side are poor, while humans live a stable life. However, slave trade is prohibited there. So, we plan to open a route."
"What route?"
"To help the orcs in need find kind humans willing to accept them."
Huh?
Fang Hao was momentarily taken aback, trying to understand what he meant by it.
Then, he suddenly understood. Was this just a new way to phrase it?
He could take money from both sides since he had ways for human nobles in need of slaves to buy them.
While on the orc side, he also collected money for his help in forging relationships.
"Did a transmigrator come up with this idea?"
The slave trader appeared startled, his gaze wavering, "No, no, we thought of it ourselves."
Fang Hao didn't pursue this further and continued, "Is this method effective? I don't think you would earn as much as when you captured slaves, right?"
"Hehe! We certainly still capture slaves, but we only sell them to orcs. As for the humans, we do as just explained. The method isn't too bad. These are all those we've negotiated with." The slave trader gestured towards the group of slaves.
"All of them? They entrusted you to sell themselves to human cities?"
"Yes, the winter is coming. You have no idea how terrifying winter is here. They wouldn't survive the winter by themselves," the slave trader explained quickly.
Fang Hao chose not to say anything more.
Perhaps, it really was easier for them to survive if they left the orc region.
"Have you tallied the numbers and ages yet?" Fang Hao asked.
"Tallied." The slave trader pulled out a wooden plank with numbers carved into it.
The Rabbitmen—327 in total, with 158 female and 168 male.
The Foxmen—472 in total, with 365 female and 107 male.
Fang Hao shook his head and turned to Aseti, "Recount these people. Separate the elderly and children."
"Yes, sir."
The slave trader paused, "What are you…"
"Do you think anyone would buy elderly or children?"
"So… what do you mean?" The slave trader appeared uncertain.
Fang Hao continued, "Either you take them back, or you give them to me for free. If I can use them, I'll keep them. If not, I'll take care of it."
He knew these slaves couldn't be taken back by the trader,
Moreover, he was right. No one would want to buy the elderly or children.
Raising children would involve high initial costs as they could only work once grown up.
"Let's proceed as you say. Take the elderly and children. If you find them useful, keep them." The slave trader said with a smile.
"Hmm!"
Shortly, the numbers were recalculated.
There were 42 elderly and 135 children.
...
As they finished the count,
The slave trader's face showed a special expression, "My good friend, knowing your strong demand, aside from the rabbitmen and foxmen, we've specially prepared additional goods for you."