At this moment, I am extremely envious of Qingsheng, who is driving the carriage.
Mainly because this young man looks energetic, and his clothes are much better than what my brother and I are wearing, which means his master has some wealth and treats his servants well.
"My master only signs contracts with people who sell themselves into servitude, sell themselves, understand?"
Qingsheng wasn’t trying to scare them, he was simply stating a fact.
In fact, Qingsheng also felt a bit of sympathy for these two brothers.
If you talk about misfortune never coming singly, this is a perfect example.
Their entire family was gone, the three thatched cottages were burned, they were preparing to join the army for security, but halfway there one twisted an ankle and the other got sores.
Did they not check the almanac before setting out, or are they just naturally unlucky?
"I understand, in our place there are also wealthy families who buy servants, but he’s very harsh, treating servants like animals, none of us are willing to work in his home."
"Then aren’t you afraid my young master..."
As the words came to his lips, Qingsheng swallowed them back down.
"My young master wouldn’t buy servants; all of our family is born into service."
Qingsheng skillfully changed the topic, knowing he couldn’t speak ill of his master lest he get punished later.
"Qingsheng."
Zhao Minghua, who was in the carriage, heard their conversation.
"Young Master."
Qingsheng quickly responded.
"Young sir, why don’t you buy my brother and me? We have been orphans since childhood, can endure hardships, and are very strong..."
Unexpectedly, the other party seized the opportunity and directly turned to Zhao Minghua.
"What are your names, how old are you this year? Where is your ancestral home, what skills do you have, can you read?"
"Replying to the young sir, my name is Tang Shitou, my younger brother is Tang Tietou." Tang Shitou said: "We are twins, seventeen years old this year, our ancestral home is in Han State, there’s no one else in our family. We cannot read."
"Can’t read? What can you do?"
"We are good at chopping firewood and carrying stones and logs, we have strength." Tang Shitou said: "Young sir, please buy us, really, we will definitely obey you and work diligently."
"Young Master?"
Qingsheng was really afraid his young master would impulsively buy them.
"Isn’t Han State known for producing grain?"
"Yes, our Han State is a land of plenty, indeed producing grain."
However, the grain-producing land is in the hands of wealthy families.
"How many miles is it from here to Han State?" Zhao Minghua asked: "How long does it take to get there on horseback?"
"Depends on the speed, if the horse doesn’t stop, it takes three days, if resting along the way, five to six days."
If walking on foot, it would take ten days to half a month.
"How long have you been traveling?"
"Eleven days."
Zhao Minghua looked at Chun Nuan.
"We can go."
Chun Nuan had no objections, anyway, plans never keep up with changes when traveling.
"Alright." Zhao Minghua said: "Tang Shitou, correct?"
"Yes."
"When we reach the town, find ink, paper, and brush to sign your servitude contracts, then take us to your Han State."
"Young sir, are you really willing to buy us brothers?"
"Of course." Zhao Minghua said: "My family’s rules are strict, you don’t know something, you can ask Qingsheng."
"Yes, thank you young sir, thank you young sir."
They have found a stable support now; they too have a master now, suddenly, Tang Shitou was so excited, he hurriedly called out to Tang Tietou, who was riding ahead on the horse.
"Tietou, Tietou, we have a master now."
Tang Tietou stopped the horse curiously and looked at his brother, only understanding what his brother meant when the carriage got closer.
At that moment, he was filled with mixed emotions: he knew his brother was timid, always longing for just a place to eat and live.
And he had a dream of becoming a general, always riding others’ oxen like horses since childhood.
This was his first time actually riding a horse, but he wasn’t afraid at all, and it turned out he could do it.
They say first-time riders are afraid, and horses don’t cooperate, but he did not feel any fear.
He even thought he was born to be a general!
But then his brother, without even discussing with him, sold him off just like that, and was even happy about it.
There was no point in arguing.
The main thing is, this master had also saved their lives.
The saying "A life saved deserves a lifetime commitment" is true; although not girls, as men, they can’t forget this kindness.
Sold into servitude? Well, at least with his brother.
"Tietou, the young sir says he wants to go to our Han State."
Tietou was taken aback.
He wanted to ask why go to Han State but smart as he was, he knew servants should not meddle in their master’s affairs.
"In that case, we will lead the way."
Zhao Minghua and Chun Nuan exchanged a look, they both realized: the elder brother is more honest and straightforward, convincing the younger brother to be sincere and obedient might take time.
Of course, Zhao Minghua also knew the more capable a person is, the harder they are to submit.