The Ace Bigshot Becomes A Farmgirl

Chapter 1719: Chapter 1719: Arrangements for the Servile Laborers

Meng Yunzheng was just about to give Lu Wu some instructions when he saw a few laborers walking towards him.

They appeared a bit reserved, but their faces had a subtle look of expectation and excitement.

The leader, a very thin man with a slightly hunched back, nervously asked Meng Yunzheng, ”Young Master Meng, what, what can we do?”

”Yes, Young Master Meng, we can help too. We may not have other skills, but we are strong.”

”Yes, yes, we’re very good at working.”

Initially, they were apprehensive and bewildered, but after Xia Yi revealed his identity, they felt much more at ease. These people were from the imperial court, which meant they were not bad.

Yet they soon started to worry. They were different from Old Master Yang and the others. Although they were locked in cells, they were still helping the black market. Moreover, when Old Master Yang and Lu Wu took action earlier, they didn’t join in to help.

What if they were later considered as accomplices of the black market and blamed?

They were anxious now, hoping that by contributing, they might be able to redeem their faults.

Meng Yunzheng looked at them. These people were all very thin, and they bore injuries, with many bruises on their faces, clearly from being beaten while working. When they spoke, they hunched over, their eyes filled with fear.

Seeing Meng Yunzheng not speaking, they became even more worried.

”Young Master Meng, we really can work. Please, give us some instructions.”

A bit further back, an elderly man even wanted to kneel down and beg him, but Meng Yunzheng quickly said, ”I do have something I would like you to help with.”

”Please, tell us.” They were delighted.

Meng Yunzheng said, ”The black market has two entrances. Soon we will head directly to Chenggu County, and I’ll need one of you to guard that entrance. The other entrance leads out of the city; you should block that one.”

”Block it?”

”Yes, most of the black market people went out with Third Young Master Wu, but we don’t know if they’ll be back soon. If they return and find the black market has changed hands, all our efforts will have been in vain.”

Meng Yunzheng had considered this; although these were indeed many people, they had been enslaved by the black market people for a long period, tormented into a habitual fear of them. If they were taken outside to confront County Magistrate Cheng and his men, it certainly wouldn’t be appropriate. Deep down, they were afraid of them. If they charged up to them, they might be captured without a fight.

Rather than taking them along for an uncertain fate, it was better to have them guard the black market.

Blocking the city exit entrance would also cut off Third Young Master Wu’s retreat.

Moreover, there’s an armory in this black market. There are too many weapons, and they could only take a limited amount. The rest must remain inside.

Besides that, there’s also a treasury. There’s not much else in this black market, but there’s a lot of gold and silver, kept in the secret room of Boss Ke’s quarters.

Some of that money has likely been sent to the capital as funds for the Second Prince.

But what’s left is still a considerable fortune.

The laborers, hearing that there was work arranged for them, agreed hastily, ”We’ll go right now.”

Meng Yunzheng selected a leader from among them and had someone knowledgeable from under Lu Wu’s command accompany them.

The laborers were very happy. Previously, they worked almost mechanically, without any personal initiative. Now they were working for their own future and everyone was very active.