Chapter 19: Order and Punishment
Ch19. Order and Punishment
"Sigh ..." I let out a sigh who knows how many times today.
I should've expected this, more people bring more trouble. But with more people, I can work efficiently. If they know how to extract the resources that I needed to craft, I can focus on other things. It is necessary to get a workforce and trained them into capable human resources.
I placed my elbow on the table and put my head on my arm contemplating. I grabbed the water flagon and filled the cup before drinking it in one gulp. I returned to sitting straight then turned my gaze to the kneeling Xue Jun and co.
"Those who take part in kidnapping these girls, stand to my right. Those who don't to the left."
Almost everyone stood up and walked to the right side. The ones who stayed and go to the left were Xue Jun, Yi Long Ma, and two men whom I don't know the name of. I looked at the kidnapped woman and ordered.
"One of you, step forward and say something!"
A woman in a blue dress stepped forward and prostrated. "Shu'er has seen the Young Lord."
After she said that, the rest also followed the gesture and announced their name.
"Rise up!"
My eyes scanned these women one by one. Hmmm, wait a minute, I've seen her somewhere ..., that's weird. The only woman that I have seen was those women from the merchant caravan about a month ago. That very same merchant group that I stalked and killed the horse.
"You come here for a sec ..." I pointed at the woman in a yellow dress that revealed her spilling chest. I've seen and touched much bigger than that, but those look quite the size.
She approached me with a slight hesitated expression, when she was 5 meters in front of me I put my hand to stop her. I studied her face closely and then asked.
"..., what's your name?"
"Ting Fangshi, Young Lord."
"I've seen you somewhere before ..., a month ago, did you on a convoy with a merchant and got intercepted by a bandit group?" the thralls all tensed after hearing it.
"Y-yes, Young Lord. I was there among the women that Mister Tao has bought. My lo-, I mean, my husband died sacrificing himself to fend off the bandits."
Your marital relationship is kinda unnecessary information to be perfectly honest. And if you still had a husband, then who's selling you to other people? Did you and your husband sell yourself together as one pack?
"My condolence ... I guess?" I glanced at the woman, I don't feel slight pity toward her husband. After all, I don't know him. "My men have confessed that they took you against your will, I want you to point to the one who kidnapped you!"
"I ..., Young Lord, it happened so quick that I don't know who has done it."
"Young Lord, it was me!" a man from the right side stood up and confessed.
"Hmmm ..., alright, stand down, I will decide your punishment later."
Now I'm honestly confused. What's the punishment for kidnappers? If it's in the modern era, then it will be a good old jail. But there's no jail in this place.
Sigh ..., and what am I supposed to do with these girls? While yes, they're the victim but they have been brought here. Should I integrate them into living here? Or should I chase them away and let them return to where they come from? That's too much of a hassle actually, and if they choose to return then they have to return to being prostitutes. I can't say anything if they choose to be something like that, but what if they become one because they were forced because of the circumstance?
"So, what you gonna do? Do you wish to return back to Handan?"
"Y-young Lord, you should take us back to Handan. If not then my family will be furious and definitely would inconvenience you!" that woman who just piss on her skirt suddenly chimed in.
I turned at her, this woman wore quite a different dress compared to other women, it was brocaded with glittering golden thread. And she has this aura of confidence when the rest of the woman looks submissive and just didn't care about anything. I can sense a strong pride seeping within her bones.
"I'm sorry, who are you?"
"Wu Tingfang has seen the Young Lord. I'm the daughter of Wu Yingyuan. My family has run the livestock business for years and we are among the most richest merchants in Zhao." she said but now without that haughty tone as if demanding me to pay some undue debt.
But a daughter from a rich merchant clan, huh ..., sounds very troublesome.
"If you want to return, I won't stop you. I will give you a horse and supply to return. That much probably would help you in the journey." I turned to the comfort women, "That's the same for all of you. You have been brought here out of your will, it is my subordinates' fault."
"Now, move on to your punish-"
"Wait?!" the woman named Wu Tingfang interrupted, I turned to look at her and she flinched a bit. She gulped and then said, "Young Lord, will you send some of your men to escort us back? I mean, how can you let us, women, roamed a hundred miles on a horse? What if some bandits and burglars stopped us? Isn't that the same as sending us to our death?
"Young Mistress Wu, it is your own decision to return. However, I decided to stay in this place." said the woman in blue, I think she's called Shu'er.
"You, who allowed you to talk! You're just a prostitute, do you think I'd care if you want to stay here or not?" Wu Tingfang snapped and pointed at the girl in blue.
"I apologize, Young Miss. I suppose someone of your status will not even care whether I died or not." Delivered Shu'er while cupping her hand toward Wu Tingfang. I don't know what's going on here actually. But the atmosphere is kinda tense between these two women.
"Miss Wu Tingfang, right? I can't grant you that request. My subordinates have just returned from their journey, and they won't travel again until the end of the month. I won't stop you from leaving, but neither will I chase you out from Ramwell. Although ..., don't expect to receive preferential treatment from me. If you decided to stay here, then you'll have to work and contribute to eating your meals. There's no guest house in Ramwell."
She wanted to say something after I finished speaking, but I stood up and turned to the others. I said with a louder voice.
"The same goes for all of you. Whether you're from the Lisu tribe, the refugees, or... comfort women. You need to work to eat your fill. I will start recording your identities and assign you to your workplace tomorrow. But for now, you can take a rest."
"But Young Lord, what about the children?" a mother who held an 8-year-old girl's arm asked.
"They will spend the noon studying ... anything else?"
"What kind of job that we have to do?" asked one of the refugees.
"That's for you to decide ..., but mainly the tasks are; resource gathering, farming or rearing animals, cooking & cleaning, and lastly crafting. I will tell you the details tomorrow. I will give you your wages depending on the job and task you have accomplished."
"Sir, is the option only for those jobs that you mentioned? Can we ..., do the things that we're very good at?" a comfort woman asked, placing her arm on the chest accentuating it, and glancing at me with her sultry eyes.
"No." I deadpanned, "Let me tell you the basic rules of my Ramwell. First, you are forbidden to kill anyone else unless it's a war. Second, you are prohibited from adultery or promiscuous activity with someone that isn't your partner. Third, no stealing. Fourth, don't give false witnesses. And fifth, respect the elderly, protect the women, and love the children."
I looked at the comfort women and then stated. "I offered you to do those jobs, but I'm open if you can suggest something that you can do that isn't serving men for their money or similar with that. I will hear your suggestion."
She didn't respond to that only putting her hand on her chin. I turned to Xue Jun and the kneeling men then decided on their punishment.
"Xue Jun, as for the matter of your caravan group insubordination thus I will decide on your punishment. You and your men will be my unpaid labor for a month. And because you, as their leader, let them do things that defied my direct order ..., I will strip you from your position as caravan leader for the next expedition. Your unit has now been dissolved and I will appoint a new caravan leader."
"I listen and obey, Young Lord." Xue Jun deeply nodded in his kneeling position.
"Huo Xing, for your instigation of starting the kidnapping ..., your punishment will be a week of detainment, and one extra month of unpaid labor. As for you who followed him and kidnapped these women ..., your additional punishment will be an extra month of unpaid labor."
I don't think detaining them for a long time will be effective because I also need them to be my workers. So I only detain him for a week ... but the punishment should make someone wary and regret doing it. Will this be enough to make him feel that way?
"I will accept the punishment Young Lord."
"I accept the punishment. Thank you for your kindness, Young Lord."
Now, I need to craft a jail ..., hmm, but from what materials? Something that can detain a blood thrall? No, let's make the jail stronger and more durable so that even I couldn't escape from it without my spells.
"Alright, the trial has been given. Rise up and you can go line up in the kitchen to get your ramen."
I was about to step down the stairs and head to my room on the third floor, but someone called me.
"Young Lord, a moment!"
I turned my head and saw the handsome Xue Jun. "Xue Jun, what is it?"
"It's like this ..., Young Lord already know that I did provoke the Royal Guards. I'm afraid they won't let this matter go and worse come to worse, they will come to us in the near future." Xue Jun said while we walked up the stairs.
"They will come ... what do you mean? After that, then what? They'll attack us? Because of such simple matters?"
I can't understand the problem, in the first place, the crux of the problem is only because he refused to get laid with the noble lady. Why it becomes so complicated like this?
"I'm afraid that's the case Young Lord." he looked around to see if there was anyone nearby before continuing. "I have left my bat there to receive some information. The last transmission from my bat summon before it gets banished was that the King of Zhao is planning to send his men to chase us, and I overheard that they want to force Young Lord to submit this land under their rule."
That's ridiculous ..., I built everything here by my hand without any help from that kingdom. While yes, the Blood Thralls helped me with resource gathering ..., everything that I built is mine. How ridiculous is it that a mere human king wanted to force me to submit and give the land that I've worked hard to build to them?
"Is there anything else you want to add?"
"No, I think that's it ..., young lord. Oh, and here's the coins that we've made from trade."
"I appreciate it, you have done well." I patted his shoulder and give half a portion back to him. "Take this and share with your brothers, they've done well."
"But ..., Young Lord, we've defied your direct order. I don't dare to accept this."
"This is what you deserved for your hard work. A man is prone to error. But don't make this mistake halt you from doing something greater. Learn from this mistake and move onward."
His eyes teared up and his leg gave in. Xue Jun kneeled in front of me and kowtowed.
"Thank you, my Lord! I will definitely do better in the future."
"Good, I will await for your future achievements, Xue Jun."
I gave his shoulder another firm pat before I walked up to my room.
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