Chapter 202: Poaching Talent

Although purchasing slaves was the quickest and most convenient way to expand the population of the domain, it still required money.

At a price of roughly fifteen hundred gold coins per thousand slaves, even if Ronin emptied all his savings, he could afford only four or five thousand slaves at most.

This fell far short of the thirty thousand required for the 【Population Prosperity】 achievement.

Yet purchasing slaves was not the only path to population growth.

For instance, Ronin could attract outsiders to settle in Ubei by publicizing certain policies.

These policies included, but were not limited to: leasing fertile land at discounted rates to newcomers; granting temporary tax exemptions to ease their economic burdens; and ensuring the safety of their persons and property.

Ronin would deliberate these policies with Wilson and others in the coming days—but before finalizing them, some preparations could begin in advance.

“I intend to attract outsiders to settle in Ubei through favorable policies,” Ronin said, “but I need someone to promote this for me.”

“You, as the manager of the Viper Slave Exchange in Pasture City, must be well-acquainted with Ushan and other regions.”

“I want you to promote Ubei in those places, drawing free folk here to make their homes.”

Anthony froze. He had not expected Ronin to speak of this.

“My lord, though free folk possess the right to migrate, nobles across the lands restrict their movement to safeguard their labor force and tax revenue.”

He hesitated, then wore a troubled expression. “I could certainly promote your cause—but should other nobles take offense, I fear I would be powerless.”

Ronin nodded slightly. Such a situation indeed existed.

Take Marsh Town: if any noble were to advertise policies here to lure free folk away, Ronin would expel the promoter at once.

Yet exceptions did occur.

Some knightly fiefs or baronies on the brink of ruin might sell their population to raise cash.

Or in large cities, where populations were dense and grain supplies strained, lords often turned a blind eye to migration.

The key lay in promotion and negotiation.

“Anthony, how are your conditions at the Viper Slave Exchange?” Ronin asked.

The slave manager hesitated, glanced around. The exchange’s accompanying guards had not followed. All nearby were men of Ubei.

He lowered his voice. “Forgive my modesty, my lord—I earn twenty copper coins daily, but for every ten slaves I sell, I receive three silver coins as commission.”

Ronin was surprised. He had not known commissions operated here.

“I won’t ask you to help me for free.”

He said, “Just as your superiors at the Viper Exchange reward you, I will pay you three silver coins for every ten people you bring to Ubei.”

Ronin smiled. “Compared to slave trading, attracting free folk is far simpler. I don’t need you to train them, nor do I require guarantees of their loyalty.”

“Of course, I have conditions.”

Ronin added, “I permit elderly without labor to join, but they must be accompanied by healthy, able-bodied individuals.”

Anthony’s eyes brightened.

Before Ronin offered payment, he had already resolved to help based on their three prior transactions. Now that a price was set, he was eager to try.

Besides, earning from Ronin might prove easier than selling slaves.

Large orders—thousands of slaves at once—were rare. Before meeting Ronin, Anthony had never handled such a deal.

“My lord, must I seek approval from the Slave Exchange for this?”

“I told you, this matter is between you and me.”

Ronin did not press further. “Whether you inform your superiors is your concern. My partner is you.”

“But rest assured—if your superiors grow displeased and expel you from the Exchange, I welcome you here. Your daily wage remains unchanged, and I will grant you ten acres of land.”

Anthony’s eyes gleamed. Ronin’s offer left him with no fears. Even if he defected, his life might not worsen.

He rose quickly. “My lord, I am honored to serve you in this matter!”

“Ha! A pleasure to cooperate!”

Ronin laughed, shook his hand warmly, and signed the agreement.

Anthony had no intention of leaving the Viper Slave Exchange just yet. Ronin’s new order remained unfulfilled; he would not depart until he collected his commission.

Besides, his position allowed him to handle Ronin’s side business without abandoning his main one.

Earning two incomes with ease—how splendid.

Ronin kept Anthony overnight in Marsh Town. That evening, he gathered Wilson, Selin, and others to finalize the policies for attracting outsiders.

The current land tax policy in Ubei was as follows:

Landowners paid thirty percent of their harvest as tax to the lord.

Serfs leasing land paid fifty percent; free tenants paid forty percent.

To attract population, Ronin negotiated a new tax structure:

First, every free folk who joined Ubei would be granted five acres of land. Families migrating together—regardless of age or gender—would each receive five acres.

Second, the first year’s tax on these allotted lands would be only ten percent; for the next four years, it would remain at twenty percent. After five years, it would revert to the standard free tenant rate of thirty-five percent.

Yes, Ronin had also lowered the tax rate for existing free tenants.

In truth, current agricultural taxes were exorbitant if true recovery were the goal.

But Ronin dared not radically alter existing policies. Should he lower them and later find the adjustment unwise, raising them again would cause unrest.

Better to maintain this level for now, then adjust as circumstances evolved.

Yet even this policy, which Ronin himself considered high, appeared to Anthony, Wilson, and the others as the lord’s extraordinary benevolence.

In other domains, lords levied higher agricultural taxes—never lower.

Some lords squeezed their people to the bone: after taxes and seed grain were deducted, families had barely enough to eat—subsisting on tree roots and turf.

According to Anthony, if Ronin advertised these terms, people would flock to Ubei.

He was certain—the extra income was guaranteed.

For Ronin, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

After all, Ubei was vast—he had no shortage of land.

He lacked only people.

Once they came, everything else would follow.

(End of Chapter)