Chapter 659: Recruiting Talents

Editor: Atlas Studios

Thus, Xiao Ting and Yanmo set up two platforms on the left and right in Ju Prefecture City. Yanmo confidently gestured for Xiao Ting to go first.

Xiao Ting carried a gong and went on stage. With a clang, he attracted everyone’s attention. He cleared his voice and said, “Fellow villagers, you’ve also seen the words ‘Recruiting Talents’ written on the banner. I’m from the Prince’s estate and am here to announce Her Highness’s intentions. Anyone who has a skill, is good at settling accounts, is good at managing a shop, and is eloquent can come and apply. Her Highness is offering pretty lucrative conditions. Moreover, she won’t force you to sign an indenture. As long as you sign a five-year contract and guarantee that you won’t leak the secrets of the shop within three years of leaving your position, you can expect a handsome remuneration if you can prove yourself useful.”

The people below whispered to each other, but no one dared to step forward. Frowning slightly, Xiao Ting was about to tempt them again when Yanmo had already struck the gong and drum. He raised his head slightly and declared arrogantly, “I’m the steward of the Duke of Peaceful State’s estate. Because our duke is expanding his business and we urgently need manpower, we’re also recruiting talents here. However, it’s not that easy to get hired by us. Regardless of whether you have a clean background, if you wish to come here and work for us, you have to forget your past and sign a death contract. Those who think that they have the ability can come forward to sign up. You will naturally be assessed on your abilities as a steward. Those who pass the assessment may sign an indenture on the spot, whereas those who fail can leave after receiving a token of appreciation.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the people below immediately became excited. A young man stepped out of the crowd and asked, “Brother, is what you said true? You’re saying if we pass the assessment, we can sign a contract and become a servant of the Duke of Peaceful State?”

Yanmo replied arrogantly, “Of course. Our duke is a man of his word. However, let me tell you first that the servants working in our shops are all slaves who have signed a death contract. It’s not impossible for them to sign a living contract either. In that case, food and clothing will likewise be provided for. However, they can forget about any career progression.”

The young man lowered his head and pondered. In the end, he gritted his teeth and said, “I’m willing to sign a death contract.”

Yanmo glanced at Xiao Ting from the corner of his eyes and said with a smile, “Then bring your identity document and register later.”

“Sigh.” Xiao Ting couldn’t stop them in time. Seeing that many people were rushing towards Yanmo and all of them were actually signing up, he instantly stomped his feet. “We’re also recruiting talents here. Moreover, our Princess Consort isn’t even asking you to sign yourselves away as slaves.”

However, no one paid attention to Xiao Ting. Those who thought they were capable all went to Yanmo’s side.

With a self-satisfied smile, Yanmo came over and patted him on the shoulder. “Silly boy, why don’t you understand? The problem is that we want them to sell themselves, but you guys don’t ask for it.”

Seeing that he still didn’t understand, Yanmo snorted and said, “I really don’t know why your master chose you as his disciple. Go back and learn from your master. You have to know that not just anyone can be a servant of the Prince’s estate or Duke’s estate.”

In a teahouse not far away, Mu Yangling opened her mouth wide. “Why are they all rushing to be slaves?”

Fan Zijin leaned against the recliner and did not even bother to answer.

Seeing how shocked she was, Qi Haoran held his wife’s hand and said fearfully, “That’s because they have poor judgment.”

Mu Yangling glared at him and said, “Tell me the truth.”

Qi Haoran immediately changed his words and said arrogantly, “That depends on whose slave it is. I won’t say anything else. Zijin is, after all, one of the only three dukes in the Great Qi Dynasty and is greatly favored by Big Brother. Countless people are desperate for the opportunity to be his slave. Meanwhile, you’re only asking them to sign a five-year contract and there are a lot of conditions attached. How would they know if it’s a trap? They only know that after becoming Zijin’s slave, they’ll be Zijin’s people. Although their lives are in his hands, as long as they don’t betray Zijin and don’t make any big mistakes, they’ll have a future and stay alive. It’s better than striving for an unknown future.”

“…” Mu Yangling couldn’t help but argue. “As long as they’re talented, I’ll still put them in an important position when they come to me. Moreover, they won’t be slaves and can leave when the five-year period is up…”

Fan Zijin frowned, opened his eyes, and asked, “Don’t tell me you want them to be on equal footing with the slaves in your shop?”

“As long as they have the ability.”

This time, even Qi Haoran looked disapproving. “Ah Ling, won’t the slaves be disheartened then? They’re our people, whereas those people are just outsiders. How can we not differentiate between our own people and outsiders?”

Fan Zijin lay back down and said slowly, “I know. Ah Ling’s bad habit of knowing one thing but not knowing the other is acting up again.”

Qi Haoran lowered his head and laughed so fiercely that his shoulders trembled. Seeing Mu Yangling pouting at him, he hurriedly said righteously, “Although Zijin is right, Ah Ling, let’s not listen to him.”

“Pfft!” Fan Zijin almost fell off the recliner. Turning around, when he saw Mu Yangling kicking Qi Haoran angrily, he clapped and said, “Good kick!” Serves you right for prioritizing your wife over your friend!

However, Mu Yangling had already understood. Although her conditions were generous, this was a feudal society where trusted aides were slaves. No one would believe that she would give benefits to outsiders instead of the slaves who solely rely on her for their livelihood and serve her wholeheartedly.

If she really did that, she would dishearten the servants below. Wouldn’t that encourage the servants to rebel?

Since one could be equally treated as a trusted aide even if they weren’t a slave, who would want to be a slave?

Mu Yangling sighed. Hence, although Fan Zijin’s conditions were harsh, there were many people flocking to him. Just as Qi Haoran had said, to be able to be Fan Zijin’s slave was an opportunity that many people were desperate for. Now that there was such a chance, they naturally competed for it.

Mu Yangling looked down at the empty stage on her side and was about to wave her hand to get someone to call Xiao Ting over when she saw a thin young man hesitantly step forward. Mu Yangling shouted happily, “Someone came to register.”

Qi Haoran could not help but discourage her. “Just one. Look at Zijin’s side.”

Mu Yangling pursed her lips and said, “I’m no longer competing with him. As long as I don’t return empty-handed today, I’m satisfied.”

Just as Qi Haoran was about to speak, he saw Mu Yangling turn around and instruct Fei Bai, “Go down and take a look personally. If he’s hirable, accept him. If not, reject him. Don’t let that silly boy Xiaoting hire the person carelessly.”

Fei Bai responded and got off the stage.

A little surprised, Fan Zijin said, “I didn’t expect you to be so open-minded. I thought you would accept the hire for the sake of your pride no matter what kind of person the other party is.”

Qi Haoran immediately said, “Is Ah Ling such a person? Since she’s recruiting talents, she’ll naturally decide whether to hire based on the person’s talent and character.”

Fan Zijin pursed his lips. “Alright, I know that you two are a loving couple. There’s no need to show off how lovey-dovey you are in front of me.”

“Alright, I’ve lost this bet.” Mu Yangling poured herself a cup of tea and glanced at Yanmo, who was surrounded in the middle. She asked, “There are so many people here. How can you tell who is hirable and who isn’t?”

Fan Zijin waved his hand and said, “Didn’t you ask me to rest more? I’ve already called the stewards over. Those people have to go through the stewards’ assessment first. Then, I’ll take one final look before they sign the indenture. Also, I won’t appoint those new hires to a position immediately. I still have to inspect these people before that.”

Fan Zijin and Qi Haoran looked at each other and said with a smile to Mu Yangling, “You don’t have to worry about this matter. When these people can be deployed, I can truly sleep until late in the morning every day and live as I please.”

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