Deterrence

The broker looked at the thin young man and found no embarrassment on his face. He felt relieved at that moment. Having sold so many people at once, he has already exceeded his target for this month. Thinking of the reward, the broker's smile becomes more sincere.

"Hold on."

At first glance, more than three hundred taels of silver does sound like a lot, but buying out so many people at once is actually not a loss, so Gulan nodded without hesitation.

Then she turned around and went back to her room, leaving AnAn, Daya, Erya and Dahei who came out after hearing the noise, and who were staring at the strangers in the yard with a fierce look. Although it did not bare its teeth or make an attacking gesture, the fierce light in its eyes was still quite frightening, especially the women and children in the crowd who did not dare to look up.

Fortunately, Gulan came out soon, and Dahei became a little gentler.

"Brother, please count them." As she spoke, Gulan handed the banknotes and some loose change to the broker.

"No, no, sir, you can just call me Zhou Tong." Although it was just a title and had no meaning, he didn't dare to be called "big brother" because the prince cared for him so much.

"That's right, thank you, sir." The broker named Zhou smiled brightly after taking the silver and bowed to express his gratitude.

"In that case, I will go back and help them to get new indentures. Please wait a moment, sir." As he said this, the broker named Zhou left the people that Gulan needed and took the rest away in a hurry.

Gao Xing and several guards did not leave together. They refused Master Gu's request to go into the hall and wait, and instead stayed in the yard.

Seeing their firm attitude, Gulan did not force them. He asked Daya to make some hot tea and bring it over, then took his son back to the study.

Daya did not dare to disobey the master's order. After a while, she brought over the brewed hot tea and also moved a small table. Then, receiving Gao Xing's kind smile, the little girl felt embarrassed and went back to her room to study with her sister. Only Dahei was left looking at them worriedly.

After arranging the schoolwork for her son, Gulan came out to see a group of grown men sitting in a row and staring at each other. The scene was inexplicably funny and Gulan couldn't help laughing.

The official slaves who stayed behind stood not far from them, shivering from the cold. Gulan took a look at them and then looked away. It's not that she is hard-hearted. Even though she has paid the money, as long as she hasn't received the indenture contract, these people cannot be considered her property. So this is the only way for now.

When the big black dog heard the familiar footsteps and sensed its master coming out, it seemed as if its expression could change. The fierce look in its eyes disappeared immediately and it became as docile as a little lamb, with its little tail even wagging and leaving an afterimage. This two-faced behavior made all the grown men curl their lips. However, it is undeniable that Dahei is indeed a good dog for guarding the house. At least under Dahei's gaze, they really didn't dare to move.

The prince's savior came over. He was so happy that he dared not sit still. He quickly stood up and greeted Gulan with a smile. The others also stood up when they saw this. They all knew the relationship between Gulan and the prince, and they also heard that this man who looked weak and easy to bully was actually a very powerful person.

"Mr. Gu" happily smiled and called people attentively.

Hearing this, Gulan nodded at him. To be honest, she was very grateful that he had solved her biggest problem at the moment.

Then she smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work, working specially for my affairs."

"Mr. Gu is too polite. As the prince said, we are all family. Mr. Gu's affairs are the prince's affairs. As the prince's personal attendant, it is an honor, not a hardship, to help the young master solve problems." Gao Xing said it seriously. But he is really good at talking, no wonder he can serve their prince closely.

Gulan did not respond, but took out the two ingots of silver that she had prepared from her sleeve pocket, and handed them to Gao Xing while he was slightly stunned, "Don't refuse.

"Sir, this...this..." Gao Xing immediately reacted and wanted to refuse.

"Don't think too much. These are for you brothers to have tea. After all, you have worked hard for half a day for my cause. You are not allowed to refuse this. This is my heart." Gulan suppressed the hand that was raised happily and looked at him steadily, with a tone that could not be refused.

In this case, Gao Xing couldn't refuse and quickly leaned over to thank him. Just as Mr. Gu said, the money was not much, but it was indeed a thoughtful gesture, making them feel warm in this cold winter, just like the hot tea they had just drunk.

On the other side, the broker named Zhou brought several carts of people back to the brokerage office quickly, and processed the indentures as quickly as possible. Then he hurriedly took a cart to Lijia Village again. He went back and forth twice before he finally completed the indentures and handed them to Gulan in a flattering manner.

"If Master Gu still needs someone, feel free to go to the pawnshop and look for me."

"Thank you," Gulan nodded.

"No thanks, no thanks." Then the broker named Zhou nodded to Gao Xing and left with a smile.

Seeing that everything was done, Gao Xing bid farewell to Gulan and returned home to report.

In the morning, many people came and went in Lijia Village. With such a big commotion, even the villagers who were hiding in their new homes couldn't help but come out to take a look out of curiosity. After seeing that the people coming and going were all heading straight to the village, everyone realized that they were going to Master Gu's home, and they couldn't help but feel curious.

Although I was curious, I also knew that it was someone else's private matter and I couldn't ask about it casually, so I forced myself to hold it back. And Master Gu's cold personality made them afraid to go there casually.

It was not until a long time after the sound of horse hooves and no movement that Li Da and his follower Goudan, who were closest to Gulan and had been enduring, went to Gulan's house.

At this moment, Gulan, who had received the indenture contract, looked at the new member of the family with a serious expression.

She said coldly with a blank expression: "I still say what I said before. The first thing you need to do when you enter my Gu family is loyalty. As long as you abide by your duties and work hard, I will never let down those who sincerely contribute to the Gu family. Otherwise..."

As he spoke, Gulan stepped lightly on a round beam left over from building a house. With a series of "crackling" sounds, the round log, which was thicker than a person's waist, broke into two pieces.

This move was even more shocking than Gulan's kick of the log in front of them just now. With a light step, the log broke. The force was so strong that not only the cook and others, but even the men who had practiced martial arts for many years could not help but feel scared.

When their master tested them before, they knew that their new master was skilled in martial arts and was no worse than them, but they never thought that he was so powerful. With their strength, perhaps, not to mention that one person could shake this ten-meter-long log, even if they used their internal strength, it would be impossible to break it with just a kick. The new master was even more powerful than they thought, and suddenly no one dared to have any dissenting thoughts in their hearts, fearing that the ending would be like a log.

Gulan's kick completely stunned them, and they all knelt down at the same time to express their loyalty to Gulan. In short, you must work hard and never betray your master.

Gulan was very satisfied to see this. This was also the scene she wanted to see, otherwise why would she waste the effort.

"Very good. I just hope you can do what you say."

"Don't worry, sir. We will keep it in mind and work hard." Everyone said in unison again.

"Okay, I believe in you. I believe you also know the principle that if one prospers, all prosper, and if one suffers, all suffer. You are my people now. If I am in trouble, you servants will have the same fate."

Everyone nodded in unison, understanding what their master meant.