Chapter 41: Chapter 41: A Slave’s New Life

A group of slaves, shackled with chains and ropes, stepped onto the land of the Red Tide Territory under the guidance of the slave merchant.

Their eyes were filled with unease, speculating on the fate awaiting them.

However, as they entered the territory, they were stunned.

Clean houses, orderly roads, and the smell of cooking smoke in the air…

This was completely different from the slave camps they had in mind.

No filthy, muddy tents, nor rotting food emitting a foul stench.

Even the soldiers guarding them did not show the usual disdain and contempt, merely maintaining order calmly.

They became even more fearful, because the more different things are, the more unsettling they become.

But this was only a preliminary impression, what truly shocked them were the words of the Lord on the second day at the square…

In the morning, the square in Red Tide Territory was packed with people.

One thousand five hundred newly arrived slaves were neatly gathered here.

Louis’s voice echoed across the square, “Welcome to Red Tide Territory.”

The phrase left many stunned. They were sold here, yet they were “welcome”?

Louis continued, “You can think of this place as just like where you were before, but I hope this place can be a rebirth for you.”

The slaves looked at each other, their eyes still wary.

“I won’t have you work for nothing, Red Tide Territory will provide stable food, housing, and jobs. Your labor will not be wasted, and everyone’s sweat will have meaning.”

“More importantly,” he paused for a moment, then slowly uttered:

“Here, as long as you work hard enough, you can rid yourselves of slavery.”

Bang——!

The hearts of the slaves took a fierce jolt, and the square was in an uproar!

“…What?!”

“What did he just say?”

“How is that possible…?!”

Freedom?

Is there really a possibility of gaining freedom?

Would there really be a master in this world willing to forfeit slaves?

They had long been accustomed to the restraints of chains, guided and traded, and dared not hope for a change in fate.

This was a promise so beautiful it even seemed absurd.

The whispers across the square grew louder, some were excited, some were lost and overwhelmed…

But most sneered, their eyes full of doubt, having heard too many lies.

Louis watched all of this, but he believed time would tell all.

……

A few days passed, and the slaves gradually adjusted to the new environment.

The morning sun cast its light upon the streets of Red Tide Territory, carrying a rare warmth in the Northern Territory.

A young slave stood outside a wooden cabin, holding a steaming bowl of oatmeal, momentarily dazed.

This was his breakfast, ample in portion, more than his entire day’s ration before.

Not far away, other slaves also came out of their homes one after another, gathering in small groups to warm themselves around a fire pit.

“The beds here are more comfortable than the straw mats I used to sleep on,” an old slave whispered.

“Yeah.” Another replied, his expression complex.

There were no more endless whippings and insults, daily food supply was ample, and the accommodations compared to their previous slave camps were practically paradise.

Most shocking to them was witnessing freemen with their own eyes.

“Hey, are you a slave?” a young slave timidly inquired of a craftsman fixing the road.

The man stopped his hammer, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and smiled, “I used to be.”

The young slave’s eyes widened, “But… but now you…”

The craftsman grinned, “Because I worked diligently, the Lord granted me the status of a freeman.”

“Really?” His voice trembled.

“Of course.” The craftsman patted his shoulder, “As long as you work well, the Lord won’t let down anyone.”

Such examples became more frequent.

They saw freemen in the fields, in the blacksmith shop…

Those who were once slaves were now wearing decent clothes, living with heads held high.

The slaves’ doubts were shaken at this moment.

They began to believe that perhaps… freedom was not an empty promise.

As time went by, their fear gradually faded, replaced by adaptation to Red Tide Territory and a longing for the future.

“As long as we work hard, we can achieve it too!”

This thought quietly spread among the slave community, igniting a spark of hope.

They no longer passively obeyed, but truly committed to their work.

Began to genuinely appreciate the person who gave them a chance, the young lord.

Whenever he inspected the mines or workshops, the slaves would involuntarily pause their work.

Seeing him off, their gaze held not only reverence but a kind of indescribable trust and respect.

Of course, the influx of a large population brought not just labor, but unavoidable challenges.

The food issue wasn’t significant; previous reserves and family support made supplies ample, but housing became a tricky issue.

Red Tide Territory didn’t originally have a large population, and housing was built as needed.

Now, with a sudden influx of fifteen hundred slaves, previously sufficient accommodations became tight.

But with a little crowding, they managed to fit in.

The slaves were arranged into existing semi-underground longhouses, temporarily sharing accommodations with the original residents.

In other places, such a situation might lead to dissatisfaction or even conflict, but Red Tide Territory remained remarkably stable.

Because everyone believed the Lord had promised to expedite the construction of new houses.

Moreover, craftsmen had already begun laying foundations in the outskirts, new housing was being built, progressing faster than anyone expected.

But Louis said, “Bear with it a little longer, more houses will soon be ready.”

So even though it was a bit cramped, there was little grumbling among the slaves in private.

The housing pressure was just an immediate issue, what really concerned Louis was sanitation.

One afternoon, Louis took some time to inspect the newly built residential area.

The houses here had just been erected, the beams still carried a fresh wood shavings smell, and the ground was freshly laid with dirt roads.

From a distance, the rows of houses were neatly arranged, considered one of the greatest achievements in Red Tide Territory recently.

But as Louis walked deeper along the path, he sensed something was amiss.

On either side of the path, occasional piles of garbage could be seen, a musty smell permeated the air.

Especially at the corners of the street, that patch of oily yellow-brown stuff under the sun made Louis’s Adam’s apple bob involuntarily.

Such an environment may not cause trouble short-term.

But with the population growth, issues of water, sewage, and environmental hygiene will inevitably become hidden dangers sooner or later.

If left unchecked, once diseases spread, Red Tide Territory would not have enough doctors to cope.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep