The east market of Frost Halberd City, with howling cold winds.
The air was mixed with the fishy smell of animal hides, the aroma of roasted meat, and the crisp sound of metal tools colliding.
The stalls on both sides of the street were very simple, mostly just a few wooden poles supporting a shed, with goods casually displayed.
Originally, this was just a small trading market, where farmers and hunters occasionally came to exchange food and daily necessities.
But since the "Northern Pioneering Decree" was issued, many merchant guilds smelled the scent of gold coins and flocked in like hungry wolves.
Forcibly transforming this small market into an extraordinarily bustling trade center.
On the easternmost side of the market, a rough wooden fence enclosed an open space where a group of ragged slaves stood.
Most of them hunched over, heads bowed, as if accustomed to being someone else's merchandise.
Occasionally, one could see certain unwilling, angry gazes.
But as soon as the slave merchant's whip cracked with ten consecutive lashes, all flames of resistance would instantly be extinguished.
Although slave markets were in a gray area within the empire, in the chaotic North, they were almost an open secret.
Whether pioneering lords or smugglers, everyone knew what was most scarce here—manpower.
"Come and see! Young and strong laborers! Mining, lumbering, brick-carrying, cotton-picking—they're experts at everything, more capable than oxen!"
"These few are Snow Country prisoners of war. Although not yet completely tamed, they're cheap! Take them back, train them for a few months, and they'll be guaranteed obedient!"
"Want smarter slaves? These few are literate and can even help you manage accounts."
Various sales pitches rose and fell, as slave merchants skillfully promoted their goods.
To them, the slaves before them were no different in essence from horses or other merchandise.
A slave merchant noticed Vaerik's group and immediately displayed a fawning smile, stepping forward to greet them:
"Gentlemen! Come and take a look! These are the highest quality workers in the North, guaranteed to work hard, withstand cold and hunger, absolutely value for money!"
The official accompanying Vaerik frowned and reminded the slave merchant: "This is Baron Tudor, measure your words carefully, don't have any crooked thoughts."
"Not at all, not at all!" The slave merchant waved his hands repeatedly, smiling even more enthusiastically, "I do honest business, fair prices and all.
These slaves of mine are all hardworking and enduring experts. Farming, chopping wood, building houses, picking cotton—there's nothing they can't do!"
He waved his hand, signaling the slaves behind him to stand straight. Some slaves reflexively straightened their backs, but more simply stood numbly, lifeless.
"Look at these few, all strong and sturdy young men, very powerful, worth two bulls each!"
The slave merchant walked to several dark-skinned slaves and patted their shoulders:
"They may look thin, but they eat little and work a lot! Just give them some food, and they'll work for you until dark without a word of complaint!"
At this point, he lowered his voice, showing an ambiguous smile: "Of course, if the gentleman has other interests... we can provide higher-end goods.
From the South, fair-skinned, all carefully trained, guaranteed to satisfy the gentleman."
Vaerik's brow furrowed imperceptibly: "Not needed."
Seeing this, the slave merchant immediately switched back to a professional smile, nodding repeatedly: "The gentleman is indeed a person of foresight.
Now is the time for Northern pioneering to use people, and these rough serfs are the most practical purchase.
Rest assured, the slaves here are not only hardworking but obedient, they won't cause you any trouble!"
Vaerik scanned the slaves before him.
These people were dressed in tattered clothes, with pale skin, many with faces full of numbness.
Although the slave merchant boasted they were strong and capable.
In reality, most were malnourished, and some could barely stand steady on weak legs.
However, among slaves, these individuals were indeed of relatively good quality.
His gaze slowly swept across the slave group, finally resting on a thin, small boy.
The boy was tightly curled up in a woman's arms, his weak body trembling, like a small, shivering animal.
But in Vaerik's eyes, he was far from an ordinary slave.
This was the target indicated by the system, Weir, who had the potential to become a peak knight.
With such a timid appearance, without the intelligence system's reminder, who could imagine that this boy might grow up to become a peak knight, a being capable of influencing the outcome of a war.
On the other side, in the corner of the slave group, a man thinner than the others kept his head down, slightly hunched, as if trying to completely disappear into the crowd.
His face was hidden behind messy gray hair, his gaze shifting and deliberately avoiding the eyes of those around him.
The entire person looked unremarkable, even more humble than the other slaves.
An ordinary person would only think this was a pitiful creature tortured nearly to breaking point.
But Vaerik knew this was Hilco, the alchemy apprentice who had fled to the North after being hunted for theft.
The slave merchant, seeing Vaerik seemed somewhat interested, hastily patted his chest in assurance: "Sir, as long as you buy them, I guarantee you won't be disappointed!"
Vaerik didn't rush to decide, but asked: "How much for one slave?"
"Eight silver coins for a man, four silver coins for a woman or child," the slave merchant said with a smile.
Vaerik nodded.
Although the price of these slaves was not low, it wasn't too outrageous either. It seemed the slave merchant was wary of the official beside him and didn't dare to be too excessive.
"How many people do you have here in total?"
"There are about three hundred and eighty here. If the gentleman needs more, we can bring in others from outside."
"I'll take these," Vaerik decisively ordered.
Afterward, he went to several other slave merchants and successively purchased 120 more people.
In the end, he gathered 500 slaves, spending a total of 380 gold coins.
This transaction alone reduced his assets by nearly half.
(Currency setting: 10 iron coins = 1 copper coin, 10 copper coins = 1 silver coin, 10 silver coins = 1 gold coin)
Next, Vaerik purchased large quantities of grain, seeds, farming tools, weapons, and other necessities for pioneering territory.
The prices in the North were at least twice as expensive as in the South, putting more pressure on his financial situation.
After all purchases were completed, he counted his remaining property—only 68 gold coins left.
He was poor now.
During these two days in Frost Halberd City, Vaerik was not only busy purchasing supplies but also met several other noble lords who had been sent to pioneer.
After brief contact, he lost interest in these so-called nobles.
Some spent their days drunk in taverns, escaping reality.
Others had ashen faces, worried expressions all day, filled with despair about the future.
Right in front of Vaerik, they cursed the emperor for being incompetent, condemned their parents for being heartless, and desperately wanted to flee back to the South.
Vaerik only smiled noncommittally at this and no longer bothered with these people.
Two days later, outside the gates of Frost Halberd City, a team of nearly a thousand people was ready to depart.
Vaerik mounted his horse and looked into the distance.
There lay Crimson Tide Domain, his territory.
"Move out!"
With this command, the team magnificently set out on their journey toward Crimson Tide Domain in the southeast of the North.