Winter Lord: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 7 Slave Market
In the eastern market of Frostspear City, a cold wind howled.

The air was filled with the pungent smell of animal hides, the aroma of roasted meat, and the crisp sound of metal clashing.

The stalls on both sides of the street are very simple, most of them are just a few pieces of wood supporting a shed, and then goods are casually placed on it.

Originally, this was just a small trading market where farmers and hunters would occasionally come to exchange for food and daily necessities.

However, since the "Northern Frontier Expansion Order" was issued, many merchant guilds have smelled the scent of gold coins and flocked to the frontier like hungry wolves.

They transformed this small market into a bustling trading 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 they were used to being someone else's commodity.

Occasionally, you can also see some resentful and angry eyes.

But as soon as the slave trader cracks his whip ten times in a row, all resistance will be extinguished instantly.

Although the slave market was a gray area within the Empire, it was almost an open secret in the chaotic North.

Whether they were pioneering lords or smugglers, they all knew what was most lacking here—human resources.

"Come and see! Young and strong laborers! They're skilled in everything from mining and logging to bricklaying and cotton picking; they can work harder than oxen!"

"These are prisoners of war from the Snow Country. Although they're not completely tamed yet, they're cheap! Buy them, train them for a few months, and they'll be obedient!"

"Want some smarter slaves? These few are literate and can even help you manage the accounts."

Various shouts rose and fell as slave traders skillfully promoted their goods.

To them, the slaves, horses, and goods before them were no different in essence.

A slave trader noticed Louis and his party, immediately flashing a fawning smile, and stepped forward to greet them:
"My lords! Come and take a look! These are the best laborers in the North, guaranteed to be able to work, withstand the cold and hunger, and at an absolutely affordable price!"

The official accompanying Louis frowned and reminded the slave trader, "This is Baron Calvin. Think carefully before you get any ideas."

"Not at all!" The slave trader waved his hands repeatedly, his smile growing even more enthusiastic. "I'm an honest businessman, fair to all, young and old, and my prices are very reasonable."

These slaves of mine are all hardworking and capable; they can do everything from farming and chopping wood to building houses and picking cotton!

He waved his hand, signaling the slaves behind him to stand up straight. Some slaves straightened their backs as a reflex, but most just stood there numbly, lifeless.

"Look at these guys, they're all strong and sturdy young men, incredibly strong, each one as powerful as two oxen!"

The slave trader walked over to several dark-skinned slaves and patted them on the shoulder:

"Don't let their thinness fool you, they eat little and work a lot! Give them a bite to eat and they'll work until dark without complaining!"

At this point, he lowered his voice and revealed an ambiguous smile: "Of course, if you have other interests, sir... we can also provide higher-end goods here."

They're from the south, fair-skinned, and have all been carefully trained to guarantee the adults' satisfaction.

Louis frowned almost imperceptibly: "No need."

Upon seeing this, the slave trader immediately switched to a professional smile and nodded repeatedly: "Sir, you are indeed a man of foresight."

Now is the time when we need manpower to expand into the North, and these unskilled serfs are the most practical business.

Don't worry, the slaves here are not only hardworking but also obedient; they won't cause you any trouble!

Louis surveyed the slaves before him.

These people were dressed in tattered clothes, had pale skin, and many of their faces were etched with numbness.

Although slave traders boasted that they were strong and capable.

In reality, most of them are malnourished, and some even have weak legs and can barely stand.

However, among slaves, these people were indeed considered to be of relatively good quality.

His gaze slowly swept over the group of slaves, finally settling on a thin boy.

The boy huddled tightly in the woman's arms, his thin body trembling like a shivering little animal. But in Louis's eyes, his status was far from that of an ordinary slave.

This is the target suggested by the system: Will, who possesses the potential to become a top-tier knight.

With such a timid appearance, if it weren't for the intelligence system reminding him, no one would imagine that this boy might grow into a top knight and become someone who could influence a war.

On the other side, in a corner of the slave group, a man who was thinner than the others had his head down and his body slightly hunched over, as if he wanted to disappear completely into the crowd.

His face was hidden behind messy gray hair, his gaze shifting and constantly avoiding the gaze of those around him.

He looked insignificant, even more so than the other slaves.

An ordinary person would only think of him as a pitiful creature who has been tortured to the point of near collapse.

But Louis knew that this was none other than Hilco, the alchemy apprentice who had fled to the North after being hunted for theft.

Seeing that Louis seemed somewhat tempted, the slave trader quickly patted his chest and assured him, "Sir, if you buy it, I guarantee you won't be disappointed!"

Louis did not rush to a decision, but instead asked, "How much is a slave?"

"Eight silver coins for men, four silver coins for women and children," the slave trader said with a smile.

Louis nodded.

The prices of these slaves were not low, but they were not too outrageous either. It seems that the slave traders were wary of the official beside them and dared not go too far.

How many people are there in total here?

"There are more than 380 here. If adults need more, we can get more from outside."

“That’s all,” Louis ordered decisively.

He then went to several other slave traders and purchased 120 more people.

They eventually gathered 500 slaves, spending a total of 380 gold coins.

This single transaction shrank his assets by nearly half.

（货币设定：10铁币=1铜币，10铜币= 1银币，10银币= 1金币）

Louis then purchased large quantities of food, seeds, farm tools, weapons, and other necessities for expanding his territory.

Prices in the North were at least twice as high as in the South, which put his finances under even greater strain.

After all the purchases were completed, he counted his remaining assets and found that he had only 68 gold coins left.

We're broke.

During his two days in Frostspear City, Louis not only busied himself with procuring supplies, but also encountered several noble lords who had also been sent to explore the city.

After a brief encounter, he lost interest in these so-called nobles.

Some spend their days drunk in bars to escape reality.

Some looked ashen-faced, frowning all day long, filled with despair for the future.

In front of Louis, he cursed the emperor for being incompetent, denounced his parents for being heartless, and wished he could immediately flee back to the south.

Louis simply smiled noncommittally and then ignored them.

Two days later, outside the gates of Frostspear City, a force of nearly a thousand people was ready to set off.

Louis mounted his horse and gazed into the distance.

That is the Red Tide Territory, his territory.

"set off!"

With a command given, the large contingent embarked on their journey, heading towards the Red Tide Territory in the southeast of the northern border.

(End of this chapter)