Han Mo was actually resistant to the idea of human trafficking.
But in this era, it was an impossible task for him to eradicate such things with his own strength.
And judging by the current situation, it seemed he had no other option but this.
However, Han Mo also knew clearly that from the moment he started buying servants, he would probably find it inconvenient to collect his monthly salary from the mansion from now on.
After all, if you have the money to buy servants, how could you still have the nerve to take money from others?
After much deliberation, Han Mo finally made up his mind.
This job wasn't really tiring; even ordinary women could do it with a bit of hard work.
Although they were bought as servants, as long as he treated them well, wouldn't that be enough?
"Chun Tao, why don't we go into the city again tomorrow?"
Han Mo hesitated for a moment, then asked.
"Go into the city? What for?"
The little maid looked at Han Mo with some curiosity.
"I'm thinking we should get the workshop up and running as soon as possible. Once we earn our first bit of money, we can move out of this mansion!"
Han Mo said casually while sitting by the warm brazier, warming himself.
"Move out?"
The little maid's eyes immediately lit up.
Living under someone else's roof wasn't easy, and it wasn't just for Han Mo.
Even as a servant, she always felt inferior in this mansion.
If they could really move out, it would be a good thing for the little maid.
"Then what are you planning for tomorrow?"
"Pawn this, and then buy a few servants."
Han Mo said directly.
"I..."
The little maid looked at Han Mo with some grievance, her eyes involuntarily reddening.
"Don't overthink it. I just can't bear to see you doing those rough jobs, and besides, you wouldn't be able to manage it all by yourself!"
Seeing her on the verge of tears, Han Mo said.
"I..."
Hearing Han Mo say that, the little maid was finally relieved. However, when she thought about him saying he couldn't bear to see her doing those rough jobs, her heart inexplicably felt a surge of sweetness.
Han Mo didn't think much of it; he just continued to talk about his plans to himself.
The two of them talked, each lost in their own thoughts, yet they managed to converse animatedly...
They chatted until late at night before going to sleep. The next morning, before dawn, Xu Sanbao was already waiting by the gate of the small courtyard.
"Butler Xu, did you sleep well last night?"
Han Mo yawned as he came out of the small courtyard after washing up.
"Young master, you jest. Last night, I had them clean out several courtyards overnight. To prevent them from slacking off, I stayed up all night watching them!"
Xu Sanbao said with a flattering smile.
"Butler Xu, you've certainly improved. Lead the way."
Han Mo hadn't expected this fellow to actually have a talent for being a lackey.
Led by Xu Sanbao, they arrived at several nearby courtyards.
After much deliberation, Han Mo finally chose the largest one.
This place was originally intended to be used as a granary, so within the high courtyard walls, there was a well, and the well water was quite sweet.
The furniture in all the houses was complete, looking eight or nine parts new. It seemed they had set it up overnight.
Compared to the other courtyards, this one could be used immediately with just a little modification.
"Except for the west wing, leave a set of furniture. Remove all the other furniture. Also, find a few people to build a few large stoves here. Nothing else is needed."
Han Mo pondered for a moment and then gestured on the ground, indicating what he needed.
"Young master, rest assured. It will definitely be handled by tomorrow morning!"
"Then I'll have to trouble you with this, Butler Xu!"
After speaking, Han Mo checked the courtyard himself before nodding in satisfaction and walking out.
Seeing Han Mo leave, Xu Sanbao hurried to summon the household servants and began the renovation according to Han Mo's requirements.
Since they were going to the human market today, an occasion that wasn't very suitable for Han Yan, Han Mo instructed her a few times and then entered Bianliang City with Chun Tao.
To facilitate Han Mo and the others, Xu Sanbao specifically prepared a large carriage to take them to Bianliang City. Although Han Mo was not familiar with the places in Kaifeng City, the coachman was very familiar with them.
Hearing that they wanted to buy a few servants, the coachman first accompanied them to pawn the jade pendant and then drove them from Baokang Gate to Huihe Fang, located on Maxing Street.
"Young master, there are too many pedestrians ahead, and it's difficult for carriages to pass. You might have to walk the rest of the way! But it's only about a hundred steps forward, so it's not far!"
Before reaching their destination, the coachman stopped the carriage and said to Han Mo apologetically.
"It's alright. Since we're almost there, we'll just walk a few steps."
Hearing him say that, Han Mo didn't say much and got off the carriage with Chun Tao.
Exiting from Donghua Gate, even on foot, it would take at most fifteen minutes to reach the largest human market in Bianliang City.
Thinking of Han Qi's words, "Those who are named outside Donghua Gate are good men," Han Mo found it incredibly ironic.
But this was reality. In the eyes of those scholars, servants were no different from cattle, horses, or mules. Even a famous figure like Su Dongpo had the anecdote of "Chun Niang for a Horse."
"Young master, do you wish to buy some servants?"
As soon as they entered Huihe Fang, a man with a smiling face, a broker, came forward.
"My master wishes to buy some clever and nimble servants. Do you have any respectable women here?"
Compared to Han Mo, Chun Tao handled such situations with surprising ease.
"What are you saying, young lady? Just a few steps forward is Donghua Gate, and Kaifeng Prefecture's officials come here every day. Buying and selling respectable women is punishable by death! All the servants here have official documents!"
The plump broker quickly explained.
"It's good that you have documents. In that case, please lead the way."
Although Han Mo was a bit uncomfortable, it seemed inappropriate to let a young girl handle everything.
"Young master, please come in!"
The broker responded and then led Han Mo towards a large courtyard ahead.
Upon entering the courtyard, Han Mo discovered that in the courtyard stood women of all shapes and sizes, from eight or nine years old to forty or fifty, ranging from plump to slender. There were indeed all sorts of them...
PS: Chun Niang for a Horse: This refers to the story of Su Shi before he was demoted to Huangzhou due to the Wutai Poetry Case. A friend of his took a liking to his maidservant Chun Niang and proposed to exchange her for his horse. Su Shi happily agreed. When Chun Niang found out, she committed suicide by banging her head against a wall. This is recorded in detail in the Ming Dynasty's "Ming Yuan Shi Gui." Those interested can look it up.
Furthermore, the notion that Song Dynasty servants were all hired is a bit far-fetched, as human trafficking has never been completely prohibited in any feudal dynasty. There was only the distinction between illegal and legal. It's not that hiring didn't exist, but rather a matter of proportion. After all, buying one was more suitable than hiring.