Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1366: 442: Slave Village, Nowhere to Turn, Su Xing'er's Exquisite Mind (Part 2)

As a slave, it is only natural to have a master. However, not every slave is fortunate enough to find a master who desires them directly. For most, their initial master is actually the Subordinate Bureau within each city of Cai Qiu. Until they are acquired, their registration documents are kept by this Bureau, which exercises complete control over them, including their personal freedom and all activities such as hunting and gathering.

The Subordinate Bureau in each city does not keep these slaves idle, of course. Mining, gathering, hunting, and fishing all necessitate the labor of these individuals. Slave Villages are typically established in the vicinity of major cities or near significant resource gathering areas. These villages are managed uniformly by personnel appointed by the Subordinate Bureau, serving as the living and working spaces for all slaves without a master.

The sheer number of slaves in Cai Qiu is staggering! Dignitaries are never short of slaves. Apart from the select few with exceptional talent, striking looks, or sheer luck, the vast majority of slaves spend their entire lives, from birth to death, toiling in these Slave Villages. Nevertheless, as personal property, the Subordinate Bureau of each city does provide certain assurances to the Slave Villages. At the very least, safety is ensured, and essential supplies, including some cultivation resources, are provided, which is a far better situation than that of individuals in menial industries who hold lowly status.

The sole avenue for departing a Slave Village is for an individual to compensate the Subordinate Bureau and purchase one's registration document – in simpler terms, to be bought. Du He, Wang Long, and the other two hundred slaves currently residing at the mansion have been temporarily assigned there by the Subordinate Bureau; their registration documents remain with the Bureau. If Master Hong Yu does not purchase them, the Hong Mansion must remit a monthly rental fee to the Bureau.

For individuals like Du He and Wang Long, who possess the status of slaves, the most promising path is to secure a powerful master family and serve them with unwavering loyalty. This is an infinitely better prospect than languishing in a Slave Village. With a compassionate and generous master, they might even achieve the unlikely feat of shedding their slave status and becoming recognized citizens.

“Such formidable strength, backed by such an influential presence… it’s likely that few master families in all of Cai Qiu can rival this level of power. I must find a way to become this gentleman’s servant…” Du He acutely understands the significance of the name Cai Yunzhou, the City Lord of Qinghua, the Sword Saint of Cai Qiu. Even as a mere slave, the fact that Hong Yu can engage in sparring with Cai Yunzhou and receive such consideration is a testament to Hong Yu’s own prowess and standing. “The master appears unapproachable, and since returning to the mansion, he has remained in seclusion, presenting no opportunity whatsoever. I must find a way through the three young masters and the fourth lady; Rou’er happens to serve by the fourth lady’s side, conveniently close, perhaps there lies a chance!” Du He’s mind raced with possibilities, realizing that his sister, Du Rou, serving as Su Xing’er’s personal attendant, represented an excellent opening.

“Halt! Who goes there!”

While lost in thought, Du He was abruptly jolted by Wang Long’s sharp cry. Looking up, he saw a middle-aged man clad in green, covered in injuries, rushing directly towards the mansion’s entrance. “Attempting to storm the gates in broad daylight, are you out of your mind!” Du He reacted swiftly, drawing his blade without hesitation to intercept the man. However, neither he nor Wang Long were needed to block the intruder. The man in green evidently had no intention of forcing his way in, instead, he came to an abrupt halt, kneeling down about five or six meters away from them.

“I am Hu Tiejiang! I urgently request an audience with Prince Hong. I implore you both to relay my message, please, gentlemen…” Hu Tiejiang appeared extremely agitated. He knelt and immediately began kowtowing, seemingly unmindful of his wounds, persistently begging Du He and Wang Long to pass on his request. Upon hearing this, the expressions of both Du He and Wang Long grew grave. Their designation as gatekeepers unmistakably indicated their standing among the slaves within the Hong Mansion. Forget about entering the inner quarters to meet Hong Yu; they found it difficult even to obtain an audience with Steward Zhou Qing.

“Be gone with you! Where did this wretched fellow emerge from? Do you imagine you can simply see the Prince?” Wang Long immediately attempted to dismiss him verbally. Yet, no sooner had he finished speaking than more than ten individuals attired in white robes rapidly converged from one end of the street. “Law Enforcement officers!” Upon recognizing the approaching contingent, the pupils of Du He and Wang Long contracted slightly. The system of governance in Cai Qiu primarily comprises three departments and one pavilion; the pavilion being the Treasure Pavilion, and the three departments being the Subordinate Bureau, the Law Enforcement Department, and the Execution Department.

The role of the Law Enforcement Department, as its name plainly implies, involves overseeing punishments across various territories, encompassing individuals from the military ranks to those with no societal standing. Any of these five societal groups who transgress Cai Qiu’s statutes fall under their jurisdiction for apprehension and correction.

Despite their current positions within the Hong Mansion, Du He and Wang Long, being formerly enslaved, felt their hearts beat erratically upon witnessing the arrival of the Law Enforcement officers.

However, what followed caused their expressions to freeze in unexpected surprise.

The formation of enforcers clad in white robes halted at the mansion's entrance. Their leader, a middle-aged man, approached with marked deference, clasping his hands in greeting towards Du He and Wang Long with a subservient bow. "I am Zhang Yiping, the Captain of the Fifth Team within the Inner City Law Enforcement. We are in pursuit of a fugitive and have thus arrived here. My sincerest apologies for any disruption caused to your esteemed mansion!"

Du He and Wang Long remained stunned for more than ten breaths. It was Wang Long who eventually broke the silence, quickly mirroring Zhang Yiping's respectful gesture. "There is no need for such politeness, Captain Zhang. It was hardly a disturbance, as no one was alerted."

Clearly taken aback by Wang Long's unexpectedly accommodating response, Zhang Yiping's initial surprise quickly subsided. He subtly signaled to some of his nearby subordinates with his eyes before offering a smile. "Thank you both for your understanding. In that case, we shall return and submit our report."