The pork butcher is smoother than a pig butcher!

Chapter 226 Selling oneself
The two hundred thousand or so refugees awaiting observation were observed for only two or three days.

After verifying the household registration information of these people, they were quickly reassigned.

The amount of food these people consume every day has led the quartermasters to exclaim: "We can't afford to feed them! We really can't afford to feed them!"

The Right Guard Battalion, which was going to the grasslands to catch wild rabbits, had just set off.

During these lean seasons when there was no fighting, the entire army could only eat one meal a day.

The first refugees to be separated were the border army reservists who met the enlistment requirements.

After they were enlisted in the military, they were immediately assigned to military farms under the jurisdiction of the border town.

Zhao Muyun defined this group of people as professional farmers.

It not only suited their past professions but also completely liberated the border troops.

Who knows when the next war will break out?

We still need to practice every day.

The second group of over 40,000 people who were reassigned consisted of unmarried women aged between thirteen and thirty.

One-third of them were widows with children.

When General Zhao brought this group of refugees back to the border town, his purpose was very clear.

These women could practically solve the marriage problems of all the older bachelors in the five major garrisons of the border town.

A wife, children, and a warm bed—isn't that the life these border soldiers yearn for most?

Tian Jiu and his entourage, who had just returned to the border town after handing over their duties with the Yulin garrison, heard this earth-shattering good news.

"What? What did you say? The General is giving wives to unmarried bachelors? And without any dowry!"

"Hehehe, General Tian, ​​you heard right! Not only are there no bride price, but there are also plenty of women coming with us this time. Every unmarried brother can get one."

"It's still based on merit, those with the highest military achievements will get to choose first! Starting tomorrow, older women and aunties will be bringing their young ladies to meet potential partners! Make sure you pick someone with a big butt and a tall stature!"

Tian Jiu: "."

Wild boars can't eat fine bran!
They only know how to pick the ones with big butts!

There's no way around it; the men of Northwest China are just that simple and honest.

A big bottom means good fertility, and a tall stature means good work ability.

They could die on the battlefield at any time, so only if the wives at home were strong, healthy, and capable could they support the whole family.

Tian Jiu also had many unmarried bachelors under his command, so he quickly asked around to find out about the situation of these women who were ready to get married.

The situation is that they genuinely don't want a bride price.

Families who dote on their daughters will at most ask their sons-in-law to buy them a wedding dress.

This request is truly pathetic and condescending.

The reason for this is, of course, that these refugees are eager to integrate into the border town.

Getting married is the quickest way to integrate into a family.

Furthermore, now that the daughter has become the wife of a border soldier, does that mean she will no longer care about her family?

I've heard that the military households in the border town are living a very comfortable life.

Every household has a large courtyard!
Unlike the rebellions caused by displaced people within the Great Wall, this place is not like the area inhabited by refugees.

It's safe and prosperous; it's truly a livable place.

What they're seeking is sustainable development.

The remaining refugees included family members who had just joined the military.

There are also more than 10,000 elderly people and children who have lost their parents.

The General assigned them a temporary residence, and each person could receive a flatbread and a bowl of rice soup every day.

To survive in this war-free place, the elderly and children are trying every means to find work.

If you were to ask which business in the border town is the most prosperous, it would undoubtedly be Ganweixian.

The Ganweixian mutton soup restaurant was thus taken over by sixteen boys around ten years old. The leader of the group was a boy who had just turned eleven.

He and his henchmen carefully observed the mutton restaurant for several days before going there to recommend himself.

"Kind-hearted owner, please hire us to work in the shop! We are quick and efficient, not afraid of getting dirty or tired, and we are all honest and hardworking! We know we are young and don't need wages. Just let us work and provide us with a full meal every day!"

"Boss, I can wash dishes! I can wash them really clean!"

“Master, I’m the best at cooking! Your family must be working long hours to make mutton soup, how can you let your wife do that?”

"I can sweep and clean, wipe tables and benches! I can even help the guests serve soup!"

"Young master, you look like a scholar. It's such a waste of your talents to herd sheep! You boys may not have any other skills, but you're good at herding cattle and sheep!"

"."

Gan Hongzhen and his wife were initially firmly opposed to hiring these teenagers.

As a result, these guys would wait until dawn when the city gates opened, and then rush to the shop to help his family.

Since the army returned from suppressing the bandits, the middle and upper-ranking officers quickly learned of the great name of Ganweixian.

Business at the store has indeed improved significantly compared to before.

The number of sheep slaughtered daily has increased from ten to fifteen.

The private rooms and dining hall are always full.

The family is really too busy to handle everything.

These teenagers seized the opportunity to scramble to do chores whenever they could.

The dishes were washed and made spotless for you.

The ground was swept so clean that no sand or dust could be seen.

I'm busy all morning, and as soon as I'm done, I run off.

They didn't pester me or demand payment.

After persisting for six days, Gan Hongzhen and his wife finally could no longer stand idly by.

Call these boys to me:
"Our mutton soup is made with a unique recipe, and we don't hire people easily! So, if you want to work here, you'll have to sign a permanent contract!"

A group of people stared eagerly at their leader.

The leader forced himself to remain calm: "Boss, how do you want your family's death contract to be signed?"

Gan Hongzhen: "A death contract means you will be a slave for life, and you are not allowed to redeem yourself! After signing the contract, it will be registered with the government. After that, you will be a member of the Gan family in life and in death! If you betray your master or repeatedly refuse to change your ways, the Gan family can beat you to death or sell you off directly!"

Of course, signing this contract isn't without its advantages. First, I'll give you a signing bonus, tentatively fifteen taels! From now on, your food, clothing, and lodging will all be paid for by the Gan family. Since you're still young, you'll only receive a monthly stipend of two hundred cash!

In short, a slave's life and death are not in his own hands, but if his master is wealthy, his life is many times better than that of an ordinary person.

In addition to observing the character of the Gan family members, they also inquired about their background and abilities over the past few days.

After finding out the truth, he became even more determined to curry favor with a powerful figure.

Finally, the ringleader, who lives alone with his younger brother, said that he could sign a death contract right now.

The rest of the younger brothers still need to go home and consult the elders.

What different opinions could the elderly possibly have?

They were terrified that if they died young, their grandson would be left all alone and unable to survive!
Sign it. This contract is a must.

Besides, fifteen taels of silver is enough for them to settle down near the border town.

Three days later.

Sixteen boys, barely out of school, changed into new, fresh cotton uniforms.

They were busy in the store, full of energy.

Not only did he eat, drink, and live in restaurants, but he also brought back a big bowl of delicious mutton soup for the elderly in each family every day.

The refugee camp was immediately thrown into an uproar.

This is too good to be a servant to merchants!
(End of this chapter)