Allegiance

"Of course, there's one more thing we need to do before that."

Chen Changhe paused for a moment, then continued.

"I will send someone to make a record in a little while, mainly recording your original identities and professions."

For example, you were originally a blacksmith, a farmer, or a hunter.

Based on your original professions, the territory will provide you with relevant job recommendations.

"I will pay different wages for different jobs in my territory."

The so-called wages refer to the compensation you receive for working for me. Regardless of your former status, even if you were originally Beastfolk slaves, you will receive corresponding compensation here."

"A blacksmith's wages depend on the quality and quantity of the items he makes, a farmer's on the harvest, and a hunter's on the amount of prey he hunts."

As for the payment method, someone will keep detailed records of your daily work, and every month a designated person will deliver your payment according to the records."

"This money belongs to you as your private property. You can use it to buy personal items, and even to buy real estate."

"Of course, as long as you work diligently and make outstanding contributions to the territory, you will not only receive generous rewards, but you may even receive special rewards from me!"

Upon hearing this, hope ignited in everyone's eyes, and the atmosphere at the scene instantly became lively.

Especially those Beastfolk slaves, who were originally sold into slavery in the Joseph Kingdom, had long believed that they would never have a chance to turn their lives around.

Hearing Chen Changhe's words, most of the gloom in my heart dissipated.

In the Orc Royal Court, they had heard far too many stories of the tragic fate of Beastfolk slaves after they were sold into slavery.

In the stories they had heard, all Beastfolk slaves would be subjected to arbitrary scrutiny and judgment by human buyers in the slave market, their dignity trampled upon.

Stronger Beastfolk slaves were bought and sent to the mines, where they toiled day and night in the dark and dreary tunnels. Their bodies were ravaged by the heavy labor, yet they received no pity or rest.

Any slackening of their duties would result in cruel punishments from the overseers; those who became disabled or lost their ability to work would be executed.

Some Beastfolk slaves were sent to gladiatorial arenas and forced to fight against their own kind or ferocious beasts, just to satisfy the bloodlust of human spectators.

They were covered in wounds in the arena, their lives hanging in the balance between the eyes of the spectators.

The fate of the female Beastfolk slaves was even more tragic; they were often treated as playthings and subjected to arbitrary humiliation, suffering immense physical and mental trauma.

Many Beastfolk slaves suffered mental breakdowns under such torture, losing the will to live, yet unable to escape their tragic fate.

It felt like being in an endless Abyss of darkness, with no glimmer of hope in sight.

Now, not only have they been given their freedom, but they will also have a wonderful life that they could never have imagined before.

"My lord, your kindness is like a beacon illuminating the darkness; we will repay you with all our might!"

A Beastfolk slave trembled as he pledged his allegiance to Chen Changhe in broken human language.

The other former Beastfolk slaves echoed this sentiment, expressing their determination.

Chen Changhe glanced at them and spoke up to remind them:

"I believe in everyone's sincerity, but I must also remind you that I do not support idlers in my territory. Everyone must earn their rewards through their own labor."

If there are any scoundrels, cheaters, or lawbreakers among you, I swear as your lord that I will punish them severely!

Chen Changhe is the kind of person who prefers to use diplomacy first, then resort to force.

"My lord, please rest assured, we will certainly abide by the rules of the territory and serve you diligently!"

Not only the Beastfolk, but also the human leaders unanimously assured Chen Changhe.

Although those humans couldn't understand why Chen Changhe would choose to grant freedom to those lowly Beastfolk.

They were even given the same status as their own subjects.

However, as the lord, Chen Changhe's will is to Hope Town the laws of this territory.

They would absolutely not dare to disobey in the slightest.

After all, in this chaotic world, it's already difficult to find a safe and secure place to live.

For them, Hope Town was simply paradise.

They absolutely did not want to be driven out of Hope Town because of their recklessness.

Chen Changhe nodded slightly and then said:

"I hope everyone understands that we are a whole, and only by working together can we make this land prosperous and strong, and enable all of us to live a good life."

I will do my best to create a fair and just environment for everyone, but your cooperation and efforts are also needed."

"Next, we will begin the registration process. I hope everyone will record their true situation based on the actual circumstances."

Blacksmiths and farmers are good, but even if you know nothing, I can still find suitable work for you.

Alternatively, if you are willing to fight for me, you can choose to join the guard camp of Hope Town.

This time, the Hope Town defense camp will add 500 soldiers, with no high requirements for their original strength and physical fitness.

My only requirement is that you are loyal, hardworking, and willing to give everything for me and for Hope Town!

With the powerful Mechanical Arm, even a useless person could be transformed into a qualified soldier by Chen Changhe.

Therefore, his original physical condition was not important to him.

With these 500 people added, the number of soldiers in Hope Town will approach 600.

Such a number of warriors is extremely rare for a territory of this size, like a baron's domain.

An ordinary baronial territory can support at most one or two hundred warriors, and the vast majority of them are just ordinary people.

There are at most a few dozen low-tier warriors, and no more than ten Mid-Rank Warriors.

This is the limit of the fighting strength they can maintain.

Baron Stan was originally in a similar situation.

But for Chen Changhe...

To acquire the strength of these 600 Mid-Rank Warrior is essentially the same as creating 600 Mechanical Arm.

Today, the blacksmith shop's production capacity has increased significantly, and the number of Mechanical Arm in stock has long exceeded this figure.

As for whether it will arouse the suspicion of other lords in the Joseph Kingdom.

Chen Changhe wouldn't care.

He didn't believe that the lords would trust him to turn a weak farmer into a Mid-Rank Warrior with just an alchemical item.

As soon as Chen Changhe finished speaking, a murmur arose from the crowd.

Many human citizens who originally had few skills responded enthusiastically, expressing their willingness to contribute to the safety of Hope Town.

Although they were unaware of the existence of such wondrous items as Mechanical Arm, becoming a warrior was certainly more appealing to them than becoming a farmer.