ca-book Chapter 42: Recruiting Slaves and Laborers
Chapter 42: Recruiting Slaves and Laborers
"It's a logging camp!"
Shen Xing was surprised, and he understood why Xia Wanyin was being so mysterious.
As one of the wilderness resource points, the logging camp is rarer than the crystal tower and black iron ore.
Many lords, even after breaking through to the extraordinary level, were unable to find a lumberyard near their territory.
With this resource point, the territory has a fixed source of timber, and there's no need to search for it in the wild anymore!
However, it appears that the logging camp has already been occupied.
Figures moved back and forth in the surrounding woods, dragging felled logs into the logging camp.
Near the processing plant, two familiar figures were also seen loitering.
A towering, burly figure standing two and a half meters tall, he held a leather whip in one hand and led seven or eight evil dogs on the leash in the other.
"It's a corrupted overseer, a level 9 elite monster," Xia Wanyin said softly.
"There are only two, we can handle that," Shen Xing replied. "You can wait over there for a while."
This logging camp is a very important resource point and must be captured.
As for Xia Wanyin, she has already helped me a lot, so I don't need her to help anymore.
"I'll help you."
Xia Wanyin said softly, "Your orcs will charge in the front, and I'll lead the archers to provide ranged support from the rear. That will be faster."
Shen Xing thought for a moment and nodded: "Okay."
Without any unnecessary words, he waved his hand and said, "Hellroar, attack!"
"Yes, my lord!"
Having already broken through to Elite 3 stars and fused with the blood of inferior demons, Hellroar suddenly accelerated and rushed out like a phantom!
The battle axe in his hand instantly ignited with a layer of eerie green flames, and a pair of jet-black wings unfolded on his back, making him look like a demon god from hell!
Meanwhile, at the logging camp, the two corrupt overseers on patrol also noticed the approaching figure, and their eyes immediately turned red.
"Roar! Intruder! Smash it!"
They rushed over quickly, leading their evil hound; their heavy footsteps sounded like drumbeats.
Just as the two were about to make contact, Hellroar leaped high into the air, raised his flaming battle axe high in both hands, and slashed down fiercely!
"boom!!"
—Ground-shattering Strike!
The ground shook violently, and hellfire burst forth in all directions. The enormous impact knocked the two corrupt overseers to the ground.
Their bodies were also engulfed by a ghostly green flame, which burned them continuously.
"roar!"
The two overseers jumped to their feet, roaring angrily, and then yanked the reins in their hands.
—Unleash the dogs!
A dozen or so evil hounds pounced on Hellroar like a pack of wolves!
Just then, a whooshing sound came from behind.
"Whoosh! Whoosh whoosh whoosh!"
Arrows of light streaked across the sky like meteors, instantly piercing the bodies of these evil hounds with a hissing, corrosive sound.
In the blink of an eye, most of these evil dogs fell down.
At this moment, Hellroar has unleashed all its combat power.
With the Swift Step activated, one can relax and enjoy oneself.
Like a gentle breeze, it approached the two corrupt overseers.
In the brief moment between the opponent's whip strikes, Hellroar sidestepped and dodged the attack.
And just as they swung their whips and were caught off guard, he suddenly flicked his battle axe upwards!
"puff!"
A crisp sound of slicing meat rang out, and a thick, muscular arm flew up.
The foreman's face instantly contorted in agony, and he opened his mouth to shout.
At that moment, a cold light rapidly magnified before their eyes with lightning speed.
"Whoosh—"
The enormous head flew off, and it didn't even get to let out a final scream.
As the head rolled to the ground, its bloodshot eyes gradually cleared, and a relieved smile appeared on its face.
At this point, only one corrupt overseer remained on the field, utterly incapable of causing any trouble.
When the battle ended, an orc pushed Shen Xing to the open space in the center of the lumberyard.
At this moment, standing in front of Shen Xing were a group of figures who were barely clothed and emaciated.
These people had dark skin, as if they hadn't bathed for a long time and had been soaking in grease for days; their faces were also extremely haggard.
[Slave Labor]
[Level: 1]
[Potential: Average ★]
[Attributes: Strength 3, Spirit 3, Agility 2, Constitution 2]
[Skill: Hardworking (Increases work efficiency by 10%, reduces food consumption by 20%)]
[Bond - Peasant: When there are more than 20 slave peons present, work efficiency is increased by 10%, but escape will is increased by 20%]
[Status: Hunger, Fear, Severe Fatigue]
[Note: A group of pitiful slaves, the lowest cogs in the Misty Lands.]
...
Slavery and forced labor?
Isn't this the kind of workplace I've been looking for?
Shen Xing's heart skipped a beat, but he asked without showing any emotion, "Where are you from?"
Faced with his question, the slaves lowered their heads, daring not to make any move or answer.
"I'm asking you a question." Shen Xing raised his voice, startling the group of slaves, whose shoulders trembled involuntarily.
"Sir...sir..."
A middle-aged man with a limp stepped forward quickly: "We come from the royal city of Viden, and we are slaves of that cruel monarch."
He was humble and respectful, and although the adult in front of him was in a wheelchair, he dared not show the slightest disrespect.
After all, the other side had killed such a powerful overseer!
Shen Xing pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then cut to the chase and asked, "I am a lord from this area. Would you be willing to work for me?"
His territory is still in its early stages and requires a large population.
In the Misty Lands, the population mainly comes from three sources.
The first method is the simplest and most direct: summoning orc peons, undead acolytes, or similar creatures through unit nests.
However, the workers summoned by this method are generally not highly qualified, and their work efficiency is barely acceptable.
Just like when Hellscream and his orcs were first summoned, they couldn't even speak properly.
In general, no lord would invest too many resources in these jobs.
The second method, as mentioned before, is to use a recruitment scroll.
Beings summoned in this way are generally quite special, possessing good aptitude and possibly even some special skills.
However, recruitment scrolls are too expensive, starting at five figures per scroll, which is not something that ordinary lords can afford.
The third option is like Shen Xing now, recruiting the natives of the Misty Land and using personal charm or powerful force to make them submit.
This method is also the most convenient because these indigenous people are highly intelligent, can communicate normally, carry out orders, and work efficiently.
The only downside is that they might escape.
In addition, there are some special sources of population, such as taverns and outdoor altars, which will not be listed one by one.
Faced with Shen Xing's question, the slaves exchanged glances, seemingly hesitant.
The limping black man was the first to step forward and kneel respectfully on the ground: "We are willing to submit to you, great lord."
Seeing this, the other slaves also knelt down.
[Ding! You have recruited a batch of slave laborers, increasing the territory's population by 24]
...
Shen Xing was taken aback, not expecting to recruit them so easily.
That's understandable, though, because these slaves knew they had no other choice.
Even if the lord doesn't kill them, they won't survive if they don't agree.
In this dangerous world, the consequences for ordinary people who leave their communities are self-evident.
Shen Xing waved his hand, and a pile of black bread appeared in front of his wheelchair, a total of 48.
"Hellscream, distribute it."
"yes!"
The orc responded, picked up the bread from the ground, and gave two to each person.
The slaves stared wide-eyed at the food in their hands, their mouths watering, but none of them dared to put it in their mouths.
"M-Sir...is this for us?" the lame middle-aged man asked tremblingly.
"Of course, I need you to work for me. How can you work on an empty stomach?" Shen Xing said matter-of-factly.
Upon hearing this, the slaves' faces showed intense disbelief, as if they were dreaming.
"Alright, hurry up and eat."
It wasn't until Shen Xing impatiently waved his hand that the group of slaves suddenly came to their senses.
"Thank you, my lord. May the goddess's light protect you!"
They immediately stuffed the black bread in their hands into their mouths and wolfed it down, as if they hadn't eaten in centuries.
[Because you provided food for the workers, their work efficiency increased by 20% for 48 hours.]
Looking at their starving appearance, Shen Xing wondered what kind of miserable life these people had been living before, that they could even eat hard and dry food like black bread with relish.
He shook his head, opened the resource point interface, and "occupied" it.
You have successfully captured a mid-level lumberyard, where you can now process and harvest timber.
You have acquired the following inventory resources: Wood*1364
...
A satisfied smile appeared on Shen Xing's face.
"From now on, you will continue working here."
He looked at the limping middle-aged man and instructed him, "From today onwards, your name is Blackstone, and you will be their captain."
The middle-aged man, upon receiving his new name, immediately straightened up and respectfully replied, "Yes, great lord!"
"We will definitely work hard!"
Shen Xing nodded, turned around and left the logging camp.
On the way, Xia Wanyin, carrying a lantern, excitedly approached and said, "Xinghuo, you're so lucky! Not only did you take over the logging camp, but you also gained so many workers!"
"Thank you too," Shen Xing replied with a smile. "Without your help, I don't know when I would have found this place."
"You're welcome, we're allies!" Xia Wanyin waved her hand, a bright smile appearing on her beautiful face.
Shen Xing was slightly lost in thought. She always seemed so optimistic, and you couldn't tell at all that she was blind in reality.
Take a deep breath, look away, and continue on your way.
On the way, Hellscream handed over the spoils of war dropped by the two fallen overseers he had just killed to Shen Xing.
In total, I obtained: 24 Soul Stones, 7 Broken Elite Souls, and 61 Vinar Silver Coins.
And... a green-quality whip!
[The Corrupt Overseer's Whip]
[Quality: Green]
[Item Effect: When used to whip a worker unit, it increases their work efficiency by 30% for a period of time, but their morale will continue to decline.]
[Note: Limited-time offer, maximum 100 draws available~]
...
A whip to increase work efficiency, what a great thing!
If we sent someone over specifically to discipline them, their work efficiency would be off the charts.
Of course, this thing can't be used too often, or it will drive you away.
It can be used as a warning to disobedient workers.
At this moment, Shen Xing suddenly remembered something: "I remember that some units are not afraid of pain, such as Golems and Goblin Robots. Even if you hit them, you won't feel anything."
"Could we create a team for this type of work and then use whips to increase their efficiency?"
He pondered for a moment and decided to try it when he had another chance.
After walking a distance, Xia Wanyin suddenly stopped.
She listened intently, a look of delight appearing on her pretty face: "Spark, I've discovered another special resource point."
"Oh? What is it this time?"
Shen Xing looked up and asked, his interest piqued.
As they walked through the woods and came to a corner of the wilderness, they witnessed a magical scene.