Douluo: A Century-old Legend I Am the Second Uncle Chenxin

Chapter 1818 The Redemption Strategy

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Three chapters today (2/3)

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Chen Xiaojun picked up his teacup, his fingertips tracing the warm, smooth porcelain rim, and asked casually, "Who's in charge of the Chenying Guard now?"

Gu Yuanchao bowed and replied, "Young Master, according to family tradition, the position of Commander of the Dust Shadow Guard has always been held by the elders of the Lei or Mo families. Previously, it was held by Uncle Meng Wei. However, since Uncle Wei was transferred to the position of Chief Steward of Internal Affairs, it should have been taken over by the Deputy Commander, Uncle Zi Mo."

He paused for a moment, his tone slightly uncertain, "But it seems that Uncle Zimo went to study for a breakthrough a few days ago, so Uncle Wei should still be in charge of the daily affairs of the Dust Shadow Guard for now."

Chen Xiaojun nodded slowly: "Grandpa Meng Wei is steady, mature, and experienced. I am very reassured to leave Lin Dong to him."

Previously, Meng Wei and Mo Zimo, one in the west and one in the east, were in charge of the Dust Shadow Guard affairs of the Five Mountains and the Ancestral Land. Now that Mo Zimo has gone to the Vine Sea Secret Realm, it is estimated that it will take several years. We can't let Lin Dong be idle.

…………

Gu Yuanchao looked at the registration forms brought over by the Imperial Guards, and couldn't help but show his joy again.

“Young Master,” Gu Yuanchao said with emotion, “To be honest, the number and quality of the ‘good seedlings’ that this bone-digging team has ‘helped’ us find are far more efficient than the orphans that our Chen family has to painstakingly search for, screen, and adopt in various places. It’s so much more convenient and less troublesome!”

Chen Mu couldn't help but grin and patted Gu Yuanchao on the shoulder: "Uncle Gu, great minds think alike! I was just thinking the same thing. Before, we couldn't do this kind of 'business' openly because of our status and the rules. But it's different now!"

He lowered his voice, with an excitement of opening up a new situation: "We have taken down Ironjaw Fortress and wiped out the Bone Digging Gang, which means we have put this gray or even black channel directly in the hands of our Chen family."

“In the future, we can take advantage of this to legitimately… well, ‘receive’ or ‘select’ those unclaimed talents who have flowed into the black market here.”

"It can give these unfortunate children a true sense of belonging and a future, and at the same time, it can continuously replenish the Dust Shadow Guard and even other branches of the family with fresh blood, strengthening the foundation. It is simply a good deal that kills several birds with one stone."

Gu Yuanchao's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly: "Fifth Young Master is right! That's exactly it!"

……

Chen Xiaojun's gaze swept over the group of women cowering on the right, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly. He turned to Chen Mu and asked, "What's the situation with these women?"

He was somewhat puzzled. "I looked at it, and it doesn't seem... that pretty."

Chen Mu chuckled, his eyes crinkling, and said, "Sixth Brother, what a poor eye you have! These women are only average, at most slightly above average. The truly top-tier 'fair-skinned, delicate,' 'beautiful, and long-legged' ones have long been separated by Ironjaw Fortress and are being carefully nurtured in another compound. Those are the ones who are worth a fortune."

"Oh?" Chen Xiaojun's lips curled into a playful smile. "So you're keeping a mistress in a golden house."

"Get lost!" Chen Mu said with a sullen laugh. "In the business of selling women, appearance is paramount. That's why Ironjaw Fortress has tiered its brothels based on looks. Fifth Uncle is currently having a headache over this." He lowered his voice, with a hint of helplessness, "Our four families are, after all, prestigious clans. There are some unsavory matters we can't get involved in, and we haven't yet figured out a proper way to deal with these people."

Having understood the whole story, Chen Xiaojun's gaze returned to the group of women: "Well, but..."

He pointed and said, "I see some of them wearing soul power shackles?"

“Yes, there are some female Soul Masters.” Chen Mu nodded in confirmation, his tone becoming more casual. “Iron Jaw Fortress is quite adept at trafficking adults. They have not only female Soul Masters, but also male Soul Masters, though they are all housed in a separate courtyard.”

Chen Xiaojun gave a soft "heh" and sneered, "Well, this industry classification is quite comprehensive."

"Who says otherwise?" Chen Mu shrugged. "Fifth Uncle is still considering whether to recruit some of the Soul Masters with decent aptitude into our Embroidered Uniform Guard. It's a way of making use of waste... oh no, optimizing resources?"

Chen Xiaojun shook his head, pouring cold water on the idea: "It's probably not going to be a complete success."

Chen Mu replied, "Many adult Soul Masters have been forcibly abducted and imprisoned for a long time, and they have long harbored a resentment and a longing for freedom. They are disgusted by restraint. You can't force a melon to ripen; it's difficult to make them stay and serve you."

"Heh," Chen Xiaojun sneered, "They're dreaming! There's no way it'll be that easy. We contributed manpower and resources, paid for the casualties and compensation, and suffered huge losses to take down this Ironjaw Fortress! These people are our spoils of war! Do they really think they can just pack up and leave without paying any price?"

Chen Mu and Gu Yuanchao were taken aback, and then nodded unconsciously.

Although Chen Xiaojun's words were unpleasant to hear, they were absolutely true.

"You can leave!" Chen Xiaojun's tone grew even colder, "but you must pay the price we paid! Those who are rich and powerful, have their families bring sufficient ransom to buy them out! This is only right and proper!"

Chen Mu frowned and continued, "But the problem is, most of them here are penniless and powerless, otherwise they wouldn't have been so easily brought here in the first place. Sixth Brother, do you mean to..."

“Exactly!” Chen Xiaojun interjected. “For those who don’t have money, we should assess their worth based on their own value—their strength, potential, and special skills—and determine a reasonable price for them!”

"Make them sign contracts and serve in the Embroidered Uniform Guard for a few years. These few years will be their process of 'self-redemption'!"

"With the power and methods of our four families, are we afraid they'll run away? Besides, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has always offered good benefits. After serving for a few years and seeing the advantages, I think most of them will choose to stay on their own after their term expires!"

"Brilliant!" Chen Mu's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands in praise. "This is a great idea! We'll still have to pay Fifth Uncle's salary after he takes him in, but you don't have to anymore. You're such a shrewd businessman! You've solved the resettlement problem, replenished our manpower, and left them speechless!"

Chen Xiaojun tapped the table and said, "Those who still won't accept such generous terms... Hmph, they're just shameless idiots with no sense of propriety. There probably aren't many people like that. We can't resell the women, lest we give others cause for gossip. As for the men..."

A cold, sharp smile curled at the corner of his lips. "Find a suitable excuse, like being a prisoner of war in a bone-digging squad, and let them 're-enter the market.' They don't know what's good for them, so we don't need to indulge them!"

(End of this chapter)