Chapter Nine: The Slave Market (Part One)

Xiaozhu and Xiaomei’s faces were somewhat unnatural, glaring angrily at Wang You as they bit their lips in vexation. “What nonsense are you spouting? We were just children back then, what could we possibly have known? When we get back, we’ll make sure to tell Steward Wang about this and see how he deals with you!”

“Stop babbling and lead the way already!”

At first, Zhen Qian didn’t quite understand, but as he listened to their exchange, it dawned on him. Reaching out, he gently placed his arms around the two girls’ fragrant shoulders. “It’s all in the past. Don’t let it trouble your hearts. No one would dare bully you sisters now. If anything happens, I’ll stand up for you.”

Wang You’s words had indeed struck a nerve with the two girls. The lower one’s status, the more one dreads having their origins mentioned, and Zhen Qian could understand that well enough.

Yet Zhen Qian’s curiosity was piqued—he was interested to see what a slave market in ancient times looked like. He had no idea what to expect.

The two young women had no desire to set foot again in that place of sorrow, so, with no other choice, Zhen Qian could only enter the slave market accompanied by Wang You. There, slaves and livestock were sold side by side, which spoke volumes about the status of slaves.

Although both slaves and livestock were traded in the same market, the two were distinctly separated. On one side, wooden fences enclosed pens packed with cattle, sheep, and horses. On the other, wooden platforms had been erected, upon which slaves, shackled hand and foot, stood blank-eyed as people of all sorts gathered below, laughing and pointing, inspecting the slaves as if picking over merchandise in a shop.

“Come take a look! The authorities have just released a new batch of government slaves—affordable prices, skilled in all sorts of trades, don’t miss out!”

“…This yellow-haired girl is only twelve this year—look at that face, she’s sure to grow into a beauty. Take her home, raise her for four or five years, and she’ll make the perfect bed-warming maid! Starting bid, six strings of cash—any takers?”

Zhen Qian wandered beneath the platforms, taking in the scene with wide eyes. Truth be told, neither he nor Wang You had ever visited such a place before, and the atmosphere left them a little dizzy. With the air of a spectator, they drifted toward the market’s depths.

“Sir! Looking to buy a maid or a servant? My name is Jiao, but most call me Jiao Da. I’m a broker here—nobody knows this market better. If you have a preference or a price range, or any special requirements, I know all the big merchants here, and I guarantee a fair deal!”

Zhen Qian, feeling lost as he wandered the market, was just thinking to ask someone for guidance when Jiao Da conveniently presented himself.

“Why does all the stock here look so ordinary? Have all the good ones already been sold?”

Jiao Da flashed a yellow-toothed grin. “This must be your first time here, sir!”

Zhen Qian nodded; there was no point denying it—it was obvious enough, and hardly a secret.

“Of course the best stock never gets put out here,” Jiao Da gestured toward the slaves on the platform. “These have all been picked over many times. Don’t be fooled by the crowds down below; most are just here for the spectacle or hoping to find a rare bargain. The true gems are hidden away by the merchants, reserved for their biggest clients.”

Zhen Qian chuckled, finding nothing strange in that—what merchant would ever put their finest goods out for general sale? It was no different from any other trade.

“You clearly know this market well,” Zhen Qian observed.

Jiao Da, gauging his guest’s mood, replied, “Sir, you may not know, but there are many like me here, making introductions and collecting a small fee. We aim to make things easier for our customers.”

Seeing Jiao Da’s candor, Zhen Qian smiled. At least the man was honest. “Aren’t you afraid I might take offense at what you just told me?”

Jiao Da grinned. “Sir, it’s no secret. Anyone who comes here often knows how things work. If I were to deceive you now, and you found out later, my reputation would be ruined, and I’d be finished in this market.”

“That’s true. I didn’t expect you to think so far ahead.” Though reassured, Zhen Qian stayed wary. “It’s my first visit, and I haven’t quite decided what sort of slaves I want. Why don’t you give me a rundown?”

It’s said that scholars are easily fooled, but that depends on the scholar. Some are as shrewd as they come, and Jiao Da had seen all sorts. He wasn’t about to be dismissed by a few words. “This slave market is among the largest in Hebei. Most of what you see are government slaves; privately owned slaves make up less than thirty or forty percent, but their quality far surpasses the government’s. Still, unless you come at the right time, you won’t find the best stock.”

It seemed the authorities were the biggest slave traders of all, but slaves themselves were divided into upper, middle, and lower tiers. Those put up for sale at market were usually the lowest tier, and even the average ones were rarely seen—though their prices were lowest, of course. Privately held slaves were another matter; private traders sought profit, so they rarely sold the lowest quality, which couldn’t even compete with the government’s prices.

“Tell me about the market trends,” Zhen Qian said, signaling Wang You, who promptly tossed a string of coins into Jiao Da’s palm. Zhen Qian knew the man had been holding back in hopes of a tip.

“In this slave market, slaves can be bought either as family units or singly. Buying a whole family costs more, but as they’re together, they rarely make trouble for their master—as long as they’re fed, they’re content. If their master is kind enough to let the men and women marry, over time they become utterly loyal. That’s why buyers prefer to purchase families.”

Zhen Qian nodded inwardly. Slaves naturally harbored resentment, but blood ties brought caution and made management far easier than with solitary individuals.

Jiao Da continued, “Single slaves are sold individually, and they’re further divided by quality, age, and gender. The most expensive are young women with beauty, talent, and skill; the cheapest are aged cripples. In this market, song girls, Xianluo maids, and foreign beauties fetch the highest prices—they’re snapped up as soon as they appear. Unless you arrange with a merchant in advance, you’ll rarely see them here.”

Zhen Qian hadn’t come today with any intention of buying. He simply wanted to understand the slave market.

But Jiao Da, sizing him up as a pampered heir, thought he’d found an easy mark. Years of observation had taught him the ways of the wealthy, so he said, “Sir, since you’re here, it would be a shame to miss out if something catches your eye!”

Since he was already here, Zhen Qian decided to have a look. As Jiao Da said, it would indeed be a pity to let a worthwhile slave slip by. Of course, neither man had the same thing in mind.

“Right this way, sir. This merchant just brought in a batch of slaves from Pinglu a few days ago—they haven’t been sold yet and are slated for the auction on the fifteenth. Why don’t you take a look first?”

Zhen Qian’s mind raced. Though his family was bound by blood, the clan’s influence was overwhelming, and in his current circumstances, he could hardly expect any of them to stand by him. The household slaves were loyal, but few possessed true ability.

Thus, only one path remained: buying slaves. It was unavoidable, and, thinking this, he resolved to tread a road none before him had taken.

Following Jiao Da around several platforms, they arrived at a small house. Jiao Da excused himself, presumably to alert the merchant—a motive Zhen Qian had no interest in exposing.

Soon after, a plump middle-aged man emerged from within, Jiao Da trailing behind, all smiles as he introduced, “This is the gentleman I mentioned, looking to buy some slaves. The price and quality must be fair…”

The plump man waved irritably, about to speak, when his gaze fell on Zhen Qian’s face. His expression changed instantly, and he forced a smile, cupping his hands respectfully. “So it’s Young Master Zhen. I am Cao Renyi, a merchant of this slave market. May I ask what sort of slaves you’re looking to buy?”

Zhen Qian was taken aback—it was odd to find someone here who recognized him.

Jiao Da’s expression also changed. He hadn’t anticipated that Cao Renyi would know his guest. Muttering under his breath, he said, “Young Master Zhen… Could it be the eldest son of the Zhen family?”

“How do you know me? I don’t recall us ever meeting,” Zhen Qian asked.

Cao Renyi’s plump cheeks twitched into a sly merchant’s smile. “Of course Young Master Zhen wouldn’t know me, but you are well known in Zhendin City, and the Zhen family is our store’s biggest client. I have seen you a few times, though we’ve never been formally introduced.”

Seeing that Cao Renyi knew Zhen Qian, Jiao Da realized he was out of his depth. The other’s status was far beyond his reach, and there was no hope of closing this deal. Bowing, he said, “I failed to recognize Young Master Zhen—please forgive my lack of manners.”

Cao Renyi chuckled, “The Zhen family is reasonable and won’t hold a grudge against your sort. Just be sure to keep your eyes open next time!”

Cao Renyi invited Zhen Qian inside. The room was small, sparsely furnished, more like an office than a home. After a round of polite courtesies, they sat on the couch, and Cao Renyi said, “So, Young Master Zhen, you’re here to buy slaves? Whatever you need, I’ll give you a ten percent discount on everything I have.”

Of course, Zhen Qian did not believe a merchant’s words, but he had no desire to debate with Cao Renyi and simply said, “Bring me the slave contracts you have—I’ll take a look first.”

Cao Renyi smiled, gesturing for an attendant to bring over his stock of slave contracts and lay them before Zhen Qian to peruse at his leisure.

Zhen Qian found himself holding at least a hundred contracts, meaning Cao Renyi possessed over a hundred slaves. Yet, as he flipped through them, few caught his interest. “Do you have any slaves who are literate or skilled in martial arts, Master Cao? Surely you’re not reluctant to part with them?”