"Your Highness, aren't every merchant ship that is trading with the Song Empire capture black slaves from Europe and sell them to the Americas? In that case, why do you even want to buy slaves? ”

As soon as Zhao Hongyu said that he wanted to buy black slaves, one of the nobles asked in puzzlement.

Yes, many ships are now selling black slaves to the Americas, and it stands to reason that there should be no shortage of slaves in the Americas. But listening to Zhao Hongyu's tone, it seems that he still has a great demand for slaves there.

That's a little unreasonable.

Originally, it was a good thing to have a business, but this is a bit abnormal.

"You're right, sir, there are many merchant ships that trade slaves to the Americas." , Zhao Hongyu nodded at the middle-aged nobleman who asked the question, and then replied: "But I guess you also know that the situation of the slave ship is very bad. A hundred slaves were captured from Africa and transported to the Americas, and half or more died on the way. And the black guys who survived were weak and sick one by one, and many times they would die not long after they bought it, which was a very loss-making thing. ”

"Oh, that's unfortunate, these slave traders should be aware of that." , Megan interjected and said.

I thought this guy was talking about misfortune for those black slaves, but the last sentence revealed that he didn't care about the lives of the black slaves at all, and just said that the slave traders should pay attention and not let the slaves die too much.

However, Zhao Hongyu didn't want to delve into this issue, after all, it didn't have much to do with him.

He continued: "And these black slaves are unruly and difficult to manage. So under our severe punishment, their mortality rate is even higher. This has led to a situation on our side, where there is a large shortage of slaves. ”

After speaking, Zhao Hongyu showed a helpless expression, and then raised the wine glass in his hand and signaled to everyone.

"I want to be able to buy some slaves from Europe instead of the black slaves. After all, they are obedient to management and obedient, aren't they? So I'd like to talk to you about cooperation in this area. ”

Zhao Hongyu obviously wants to do business with them.

But how could there be slaves in Europe?

It's kind of embarrassing for them.

But let's listen to what Zhao Hongyu said first, and it's not too late to make a decision.

"Your Highness, we don't have any slaves here, but we'd like to hear how you want to work with us."

Megan looked around at her companions, gave them a look to calm down, and then said to Zhao Hongyu.

Zhao Hongyu smiled: "I see that there are a lot of unemployed vagrants here in Lisbon, they are dressed in tatters, and they are abducted here, which has a great impact on local security, right?" ”

Meghan and other nobles nodded one after another, agreeing with Zhao Hongyu's words.

Truly. Since the war in Europe, the number of displaced people has increased considerably.

Coupled with the fact that the war left people from their homes and barren fields, and there were no people to grow food, Europe became even more miserable.

All kinds of skyrocketing prices, as well as the standard of living consumption, as well as the land annexation of the nobles, also made countless people bankrupt and became vagrants.

Therefore, everyone went to the city to find a way to survive.

The problem is that there are a number of jobs in the city. It is impossible to satisfy everyone.

As a result, countless bankrupts have become beggars and beggars roaming the periphery of the city.

But in order to survive, more people have engaged in cheating. Make law and order a mess.

In Lisbon, for example, pickpockets, thieves and looters dare to commit blatant murders during the day. Even the nobles were the target of their attack, and they were extremely bold.

But because of the economy. And not being able to take them all to the cell emboldens them.

It became a nightmare for the Lisbon aristocracy.

Lisbon is just a microcosm of Europe, and this is happening in and around cities of all sizes. It's become a very common thing.

Nowadays, all the countries of Europe have focused their main experience on the war, and they will only start to rectify this matter until the war is over, but God knows when the war will end.

What's worse, Meghan and the others heard that there are now many nobles who have begun to hire these bandits to do things for their own interests, and even assassinated them.

"Gentlemen, these people are the destroyers of the city, and they are the scum. They affect the lives of law-abiding people, and they also affect the security and hygiene of the city, and I think the city would be a lot cleaner without them, right? ”

Zhao Hongyu observed everyone's faces and their expressions.

"You're right, the streets of Lisbon weren't so dirty. But since the arrival of the homeless homeless people, the city's sanitation and security have deteriorated, and they have made a mess of the city by discarding garbage everywhere. ”

The old nobleman who had talked to Zhao Hongyu before opened his mouth and echoed at this time.

"Why don't you arrest them and send them to prison. As long as I catch them and give them a certificate of indentured slavery notarization, I will be happy to accept them to work in the Americas. Zhao Hongyu showed his fox tail, "According to the number of years on their contract, I can pay you a gratuity." ”

Like a demon, Zhao Hongyu offered a very tempting condition.

Meghan and the others were breathing hard, they knew too well what the deal meant.

That means a lot of money, and they can manage law and order in Lisbon.

This is a very good thing for them.

These people had long since been frustrated by the homeless people who had come to Lisbon, and if it weren't for the financial constraints that could not pay for the food of the prison inmates, they would have been arrested and thrown in.

These people are of no use at all except for sabotage, robbery, and molestering women.

However, some people are still very worried, and one of the fat nobles said to Zhao Hongyu: "There is no rule in Europe to treat free people as slaves, if we do this, it will be criticized, and even the title of nobility will be deprived, I think this business may not be able to be done." ”

The man voiced his concerns.

Yes, they did the same as taking free men as slaves, and it was so reported that they would definitely be accused of being a thousand people, and that Europe would not be tolerated.

They are not the uncivilized of the African continent, they are the people of the 'civilized' world.

So, they can't do that.

"Gentlemen, you think the conditions I have given are very good, don't you? We are not buying slaves, we are creating wealth with those prisoners. Zhao Hongyu explained to him in order to dispel their concerns. You see, with just a piece of indentured slave paperwork, they can be turned into silver coins. And the documents of these people can be limited to the number of years according to the crimes they have committed, which is like going to prison. ”

Zhao Hongyu's proposal made everyone's eyes light up.

Wow, what a genius, such a solution made him think of it.

Yes, according to such an approach, the unreasonable becomes reasonable.

It's like those outcasts who are caught, and the crimes they commit are to be locked up in prison for as many years as they want, and they can write a contract slave document for as many years.

These people will not have to serve their sentences in Europe, they will be sent to the Americas to work and do hard labor.

On my side, I saved the cost of food in the prison, and at the same time solved the problem of public security, I made a profit, and there is no more cost-effective deal than this.

It can also be claimed externally that this is a new measure to serve sentences and avoid those troubles.

Let the prisoners create benefits, and no one will say anything to serve in the Americas.

After all, they're all criminals, aren't they.

It's a big deal that when sentencing, just give them more sentences, and there is nothing difficult about it.

Besides, any one of these guys will commit some crimes, and they don't have to worry about wronging others.

"Do women and children want it?"

There was someone who reacted quickly and immediately asked a question.

Zhao Hongyu nodded: "Women and children are also human beings, and they can also work." However, the cost of women and children should be halved, after all, they are not as strong as men. ”

At this moment, in the mouths of Zhao Hongyu and the nobles, those people will no longer be people but commodities that can be sold, or like livestock.

"I think this thing has been done, and according to the method provided by His Highness, it can be completely implemented. Lisbon's law and order has been solved, the crime problem of the homeless people has also been solved, and it is a good thing that they can still make money. ”

Meghan smiled at everyone.

"It's better that you report to the top management in Madrid, and they still need to support it. Of course, the profit should also be given to them, eating alone is not a long-term thing, it is better to let them set an official price, and I will give you a little higher on the official price, as a reward. ”

Zhao Hongyu's plan was also thought of when he saw those people making trouble.

In addition to adding labor to the Americas, this would also reduce the population of Europe.

At the same time, through these aristocrats in Lisbon, you can also get in touch with some of the nobles in Madrid.

In this way, when Zhao Hongyu goes to Madrid, he will not be black-eyed.

And the aristocrats of Madrid are bound to know that Zhao Hongyu has money in hand and is very good to deal with.

When Zhao Hongyu does everything in Madrid, it will be very easy, isn't it.

Hehe, dealing with aristocrats who like to collect money. It's the easiest.

But first, he wants to know through Meghan which nobleman in Madrid will collect money.

As for those who were captured and sent to America, they would certainly be exploited even more severely than the slaves, for sure. (To be continued.) )