Game of Thrones: From a deserter to a high-ranking official

Chapter 45 Tiberius: That's it! This is the sharp contradiction I wanted!

"It seems that the card of freedom is not easy to play here!" Tiberius glanced at the slave market and then had an idea.

"Vito, may I ask you a question?" Tiberius suddenly asked.

"Speak. What's the problem?"

"Do we have people in our legion who... well, people who were free before, but were forced to join the legion to earn money because of debt?" Tiberius asked.

"Yes, of course there are!" Vito grinned. "These kinds of people are the most numerous, and the most sought-after! They were free men before, which means they ate well and were relatively strong; they can also read, so they can understand orders; plus, they have a mountain of debt on their hands, so what else can they say? They do whatever their superiors tell them to do, otherwise... hehe, the money will fly away, and their freedom will be a long way off!" Vito said with a laugh.

"Let me tell you something. This is how your uncle took Leon, the 'henchman,' away. His family used to be small spice merchants, quite well-off. But during one shipment, they were targeted by bandits, lost everything, and ended up with a mountain of debt to the bank. There was no other way; this good young master had to put down his ledgers, pick up a sword, and become one of us 'stinking mercenaries,' risking our lives to make money to fill the hole."

"Excellent!" Tiberius smiled knowingly. "This kind of person almost fulfills all my requirements... Well, Vito, think about it carefully. If free people trapped in debt work this hard, what about debt slaves? They were once free, even from wealthy families: perhaps small landowners who could collect rent, self-sufficient farmers with their own land, or merchants like Leon with respectable businesses. But overnight, debt turned them into prisoners, forced into slavery. But only heaven knows whether they've encountered a good master like the accountant we met before, or a rotten master who beats and scolds them at every turn, treating them like expendable resources? So..."

"So, you've set your sights on debt slaves?" Vito asked.

"That's right!" Tiberius snapped his fingers. "And I don't just want their people!"

"Then what else do you want? All they can give you is their own body?" Vito was a little confused. "Do you think they can bring you all the debts they owed before? Kid, you'll get the title of 'Generous One,' but... afterwards you'll probably be 'Bankrupt' Tiberius."

You've already bought them all, what more do you want?

Vito couldn't understand it at all.

"I want their families under my control too!" Tiberius said with a sinister grin. "So, I absolutely don't want those gambling addicts like old Tom. Damn it, those carefree bachelors, believe me, they'd run to the casino the day after they get their paycheck and try to win some! I want the kind with someone to rely on, preferably someone whose family and children are slaves!"

"Think about it, Vito. If he were just a lone slave, he might try to escape on the battlefield or shirk his duties. But if his wife and children were under my control, living on my estate and surviving on my provisions... would he dare not fight? Would he dare to betray me? He would fight not only for the freedom and rewards he might gain, but also for the safety and future of his family! This bond is more powerful than any contract or oath!" Tiberius almost laughed out loud at this thought.

I'm such a genius!

"Well then, lad, my advice is you'd better hurry," Vito said. "It's already past noon, you'd better hurry! The slave market closes after sunset!"

"OK!"

-----------------

A place where slave traders lived.

"Gentlemen, are you here to buy slaves? What are your requirements?" a shop assistant asked hastily as Tiberius and Vito entered their stall.

Unexpectedly, Tiberius didn't even raise his eyes.

"Send your boss, or someone in charge!" Vito said impatiently. "This isn't some piecemeal deal, like buying a few laborers!"

They don't have time to waste on these small fry; this is a big order for them!

"Well, sirs, our boss never talks about small orders... like, an order for two hundred gold coins? After all, our boss has some standing in Ries! Our boss works for a governor!" the shop assistant quickly said.

It wasn't that he looked down on people; it was their boss's rule: not just anyone could meet with him directly. He had his pride! Besides, it would be a waste of his time.

"Pfft!" Tiberius couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"This... young master, what are you laughing at?" Looking at Tiberius's linen shirt and gray cloak, the waiter was quite disdainful in his heart, but he still maintained a respectful demeanor.

"Two hundred gold coins? I thought slave traders were always richer than other merchants. Now it seems they're just out there trying to make a living, earning a few bread rolls, and most of them haven't seen much of the world! You want two hundred gold coins? Sorry, I always carry two hundred gold coins with me as pocket money!" Tippi said rather coldly, then revealed the hunting knife on his left side.

When the sapphire, the size of a pigeon's egg, which refracted a deep light in the sunlight, was inlaid at the end of the hilt, the waiter's eyes widened in disbelief.

The fire, the craftsmanship, the size of the sapphire…

This isn't some pretentious, penniless young man trying to show off; he's clearly a rich kid with some quirks!

[Not bad, it seems that accepting Lisandro's gift was the right choice!] Tiberius appeared calm on the surface, but was actually overjoyed inside.

I never expected that after transmigrating, I would end up being someone's lackey and cleaning up their messes. I was so tired of watching those arrogant, face-slapping tropes back then.

Finally, I got to experience the "Dragon Overlord" storyline?

"Gentlemen... no, young master! Please come in, please come in! What would you like to drink? We have Mil's fire wine, the best vintage of Ries wine... the first batch of Ries oranges has recently ripened, how about some chilled orange juice?"

Then, a merchant wearing a gold-embroidered robe and several jeweled rings on his hands approached Tiberius, rubbing his hands together.

"Young master, what is your name?" the slave trader asked respectfully.

But to his surprise, Tiberius completely ignored his inquiry.

"How many debt slaves do you have here? Men, give me the list."

"What do you think you are...?" The slave trader was about to say something when a small money pouch flew into his arms.

The slave trader's fat fingers opened the container, and he was immediately blinded by the gold coins inside.

Who...whose young master is this, casually giving away so much money? By the King of Light! This is the richest of the rich!

Judging from the size of the bag, there must be nearly a dozen gold coins inside!

"Hurry up, I'm in a rush. Give me the list." Tiberius didn't even look up, speaking almost in a commanding tone. "Vito, according to the roster, select those who meet my requirements! Only contract slaves!"

Tiberius surveyed the slaves, looking at these people bound in chains: they had many wounds on their bodies, and the "s" mark that symbolized slavery.

But seeing this, Tiberius felt a sense of satisfaction: many of them were strong men, their eyes still holding traces of their past as free men, but more so of their bewilderment and fear of the future.

[Good, good, this is what a normal slave looks like: numb, lifeless, with a longing for freedom...] Tiberius thought with satisfaction.

[Tsk, am I being too mean?] he thought to himself.