Seeing his sincerity, Jiang Jin didn't dwell on the issue and began selecting people.
Unexpectedly, Mei Sheng was quite honest. His slaves were indeed all young and strong adults, aged between 15 and 25. There were 45 male slaves and 17 female slaves, making a total of 62 people.
However, they weren't exactly strong and robust. Instead, they were all emaciated and sallow from hunger, looking completely devoid of energy.
Merchants were the best at reading people. Seeing Jiang Jin's expression, he guessed her thoughts and hurriedly explained, My lady, as you know, we are also short of food. They are just hungry, not physically unfit.
He sighed as he spoke, Business is hard to do these days, and slaves don't fetch a good price. If I fed them full every day, I wouldn't even be able to recover my capital.
Business was truly difficult nowadays. The price of food had skyrocketed, and even a thin porridge made of coarse grains was not cheap.
Traveling on the road was even more unsafe. Barbarians, refugees, and bandits ran rampant. Even though he kept a large number of guards, he could still lose his life if he wasn't careful.
Jiang Jin also understood the difficulties of businessmen in these chaotic times. Let alone doing business, just surviving was hard. Small traders were targeted by refugees and bandits, while big merchants were eyed by those in power.
Take Lin County, for example. Hadn't several wealthy families been robbed and killed under the guise of bandit attacks?!
Jiang Jin looked over the slaves again and, confirming there were no major issues, decided to buy them all. I'll take all of them. Give me your lowest price.
Mei Sheng was stunned, followed by overwhelming joy. My lady, you want all of them? You truly have a great eye. I will definitely give you the lowest price.
He bowed his head in thought for a moment before stating a price, How about two strings of coins per slave?
Jiang Jin laughed. That's naturally too expensive. Look at them, as thin as twigs and ready to be blown over by a gust of wind. I'll have to nurse them back to health for quite a long time before they can work.
This was, of course, an exaggeration. Although they were underfed and malnourished, those who could still manage to walk would generally regain their strength after a hearty meal.
Mei Sheng wasn't embarrassed. Prices were meant to be negotiated. If he had given the actual price right away, the other party wouldn't have room to bargain, and they might even think he was making a huge profit.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead. You can't say that. They are all strong laborers. Once they eat their fill, they'll have plenty of strength. How about I give them to you for one string and 900 coins each?
Not good at all. You are trying to bully my lady because she is young and doesn't know the market. These slaves are worth one string of coins at the absolute maximum.
Dong Si was very experienced in bargaining and buying people. Jiang Jin took two steps back and gave him the floor.
Mei Sheng shook his head and retorted.
The two immediately entered into a passionate and intense bargaining war. The negotiation was fierce and sparks flew.
In the end, the two actually developed a sense of mutual appreciation from their haggling.
Dong Si finally managed to purchase the 62 people at Mei Sheng's bottom-line price.
This time, Jiang Jin still paid with silver cakes.
Although Mei Sheng didn't make much profit, selling all his goods at once saved him a lot of trouble, allowing him to head home immediately.
He looked at Zhou Sui and the others, then at the herd of horses, knowing that this group was far from simple.
Most importantly, the other party was very honest. Even though Jiang Jin's guards looked quite formidable, they didn't use their power to rob or oppress him. Instead, they haggled sincerely.
He couldn't help but ask, Where is my lady planning to go? If I have more goods next time, I wonder if we could continue doing business together?
Jiang Jin understood what he meant. Although she hadn't occupied Gefeng yet, in her mind, it was already a certainty.
For any place to develop, merchants were indispensable, and this Mei Sheng was quite a good one.
She smiled and said, I'm planning to go check out Gefeng. If you have any goods, you can bring them there.
Mei Sheng frowned slightly and hesitated before saying, That place is extremely barren, and the population is sparse.
Jiang Jin waved her hand, saying dismissively, It's fine. I'll just go take a look first.
Just as they were talking, Zhou Sui walked over. My lady, there is a suitable place to make camp two miles ahead. Shall we head over now?
Jiang Jin nodded and waved to Mei Sheng. We'll meet again if fate allows.
As long as conditions permitted, a campsite must have a stream nearby, and this place was no exception. Not far away was a small river a few meters wide.
Jiang Jin was concerned about the hygiene of these people. Since it was exactly midday, she had someone take all the newly bought slaves to the river to wash themselves.
Their hair, in particular, had to be washed for fear of fleas. If it really couldn't be washed clean, it would be cut off.
Jiang Jin brought out a large amount of linen from her carriage and handed it to Luo Qingci. Sorry for the trouble.
Luo Qingci smiled as she took it. You are too polite, my lady. I will make them as quickly as possible.
Just as Luo Qingci left, Yun Yu walked over hesitantly. My lady, my father wishes to speak with you. I wonder if you have the time?
Jiang Jin's eyes flickered, and she agreed with a smile, Alright, I'll head over right now.
Yun Ci had been carried to sit under the shade of a tree. After a few days of rest and treatment, his condition was much better than before.
Jiang Jin sat cross-legged not far from him and got straight to the point. What did you want to see me about, Old Mister Yun?
Yun Ci's eyes were complex. Over the past few days, he had gained a rough understanding of what this young woman intended to do.
He spoke up and asked, Does my lady harbor the ambition to conquer the world?
Jiang Jin smiled. I wouldn't dare claim I want to conquer the world. I merely wish to find a place to settle down.
After saying this, her tone turned melancholy. Since there is not a single place in this world that can accommodate me, I can only forge a pure land for myself.
Even though he had prepared himself mentally, Yun Ci was still shaken the moment he received a definitive answer. He had never heard of a woman establishing a nation and declaring herself emperor.
After a long silence, he asked the biggest pressing question. Has my lady considered where the provisions will come from? The group is now approaching a hundred people. Food alone will be a significant expense.
Jiang Jin knew he was reminding her out of goodwill and revealed her bottom line. Rest assured, Old Mister Yun. I know what I'm doing. I have food.
The heavy stone in Yun Ci's heart was finally lifted.
His expression turned solemn. I wonder if my lady could reveal your true identity?
Jiang Jin actually had nothing to hide regarding this. Jiang Jin, the sixth daughter of Emperor Yan, titled Jinyang.
Yun Ci was startled. Although he had guessed her background was not simple, he never expected her to be of royal blood. At this moment, he also understood the meaning behind her words that there was no place in the world for her.
He propped his hands on the ground, trying to get up to perform a formal kneeling bow to Jiang Jin.
Jiang Jin hurriedly stopped him. Old Mister Yun, there is no need for this. Now that the country is gone, how can there still be a princess?
Yun Ci's eyes turned red. This subject has failed the emperor, failed the Yan State, and failed the people...
Jiang Jin shook her head. Many things are beyond our human power to control. You do not need to feel guilty, Old Mister Yun.
Her voice was low, carrying an unspeakable sorrow and resolve. Now that our country is broken and our homes destroyed, I can only seek a place to settle down and establish a foothold. I also hope to secure a blessed land for the people of our Yan State.
Yun Ci raised his eyes to look at her. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting a layer of golden light upon her face.
At that moment, for some unknown reason, he began to feel a sense of anticipation. He bowed solemnly and said, I wonder if my lady would be willing to take in Yun Yu and the other three?
They were once military officers of the Yan State, risking their lives for the country. Now, with no nation to rely on and no home to return to, please, my lady, take them in.
Jiang Jin looked at Yun Ci. Seeing the pain and anticipation in his eyes, she pursed her lips. "Have you asked for their opinions?"
Yun Ci composed his features. "Naturally. They are all in agreement."
Jiang Jin nodded. "You have my approval. Have them come see me after the midday meal."
Yun Ci breathed a sigh of relief. "Understood."
Jiang Jin convened another meeting. This was to be their first true military council.
