infodatos Chapter 77 Procurement
Chapter 77 Procurement
Afternoon sunlight filters through sparse branches and leaves, casting warm rays on the cobblestone streets of Harappa, dispelling the morning chill.
Vijay gathered his patient servants, and the group left the secluded residence of the priest Damo, proceeding steadily along the wide and smooth main road.
His trip to the city, excluding his visit to the priest Bodhidharma, had two main purposes: first, to contact Rajaman, report his itinerary, and present him with generous gifts; second, to meet with the priest Brahma, recount the details of his journey to the East, and seek his understanding.
Now that the first thing is blocked, Vijay is going to try his luck at the temple for the second thing.
Guided by Gantan, the group arrived at the side gate of the temple area that Vijay had once entered.
The area around the temple remains under strict control, with fixed outposts on the perimeter. Priests and attendants take turns on duty during the day, and the security is even tighter at night. Unauthorized personnel are strictly prohibited from approaching, and outsiders can hardly even get close to the outer streets, let alone enter the core area of the temple.
The group walked steadily along the stone path, and the closer they got to the temple, the quieter and more solemn the atmosphere became.
Tall trees lined both sides of the road, their branches and leaves lush and their shade dense. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows. The ground was clean and tidy, without a trace of debris.
Few people passed by; they were all priests and attendants dressed in plain robes. They walked with steady steps, solemn expressions, and slow, orderly movements. Even when they spoke in hushed tones, they were restrained. They exuded a sacred and majestic aura, which inspired awe in people.
Upon reaching the open area surrounding the temple, an invisible barrier was clearly visible.
A faint, shimmering white halo flowed along the edge of the barrier, like a semi-transparent screen, firmly enveloping the entire sacred area and isolating it from the outside world.
At the entrance to the barrier, four attendants stood solemnly on both sides, their postures as upright as pine trees. They were dressed in uniform plain-colored close-fitting clothes, with cold expressions and sharp eyes like eagles, scanning everyone who approached them. Their eyes were full of vigilance and unquestionable authority.
As the group approached, the gazes of several servants fixed on Vijay's face were like knives.
The temple guards did not show many signs of training, but their auras were steady and their divine light emanated outwards. Vijay felt a great threat just by glancing at them.
Clearly, these guys possess martial prowess that rivals that of fierce warriors.
Just as he was observing the breathing, two attendants immediately stepped forward, raised their hands to stop him, and said in an icy, emotionless tone: "Halt! This is forbidden grounds of the temple. No one may enter without permission, except a Brahmin!"
Servants must not go there!
Vijay jumped off the carriage, stepped forward, his posture upright, his tone respectful and composed, neither humble nor arrogant: "I am Mittal Vijay, returning from a long journey to the East. I have come to pay my respects to the Brahma priest, to report on my duties, and to present the tokens and treasures I obtained during my journey to the East. I humbly request that you convey my message."
The attendant remained expressionless, his eyes unwavering, his tone still icy: "The High Priest is preoccupied with the core affairs of the temple and has no time to receive guests. Leave immediately!"
Vijay paused, wanting to take out his money pouch to see if these guys would accept money, but as soon as he made a move, he found that these guys had cold eyes and kept him at arm's length.
Vijay immediately stopped moving, avoiding further offense.
He took a few steps back and stood quietly outside the barrier, his gaze falling on the flowing, shimmering white halo. The halo was soft yet carried a strong sense of isolation, as if it were an insurmountable barrier.
Should we go back to find the priest?
But before he has decided whether to become a disciple of the priest Bodhidharma, this request is somewhat presumptuous!
Is it possible to find the target?
Shaking his head, Vijay dismissed this even more absurd idea.
Looking at the temple, Vijay did not leave immediately, but waited patiently, hoping for a change in circumstances.
Waiting like this is futile and only wastes time.
Vijay slowly withdrew his gaze, his mind already clear: there was absolutely no chance of him meeting the Brahma priest today.
That leaves only one last option.
Go to the open area of the temple and communicate through a regular Brahmin priest, but the efficiency may be somewhat low.
Moreover, the cost of hiring these Brahmin priests is not insignificant.
Although I don't care about the gold coins, it seems like I can finish signing the master-servant contract together...
He slowly turned around, his expression calm and composed, and said in a steady tone: "Let's go to the slave market first."
The servants naturally had no objections.
Harappa's slave market was the largest and most bustling trading place in the entire region, located in an open area in the south of the city, covering a vast area.
From a distance, rows of simple sheds stand neatly arranged on the wide open space. The sheds are built of bamboo and wood, simple yet sturdy, dividing different trading areas in an orderly manner.
The market was bustling with noise, with shouts of vendors and haggling mingling together, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere of trade.
The sunlight shone on the field, warm and cozy. The air was filled with a mixture of dust, sweat, grass, and food smells, vivid and real.
The market contained a wide variety of slaves, with different identities, backgrounds, and skills, and the categories were clearly defined.
The most prominent and numerous group consists of Dalit laborers from various regions, spanning multiple generations.
The small merchant displayed all his goods and stood in a corner, shouting loudly.
More sophisticated merchants, on the other hand, have their own shops and maintain a certain level of refinement, leaving only a few exquisite slaves on display at the entrance.
These slaves were neither wearing collars nor chains, but all of them were unusually calm, unprepared to resist, and unwilling to show themselves.
They stood silently beside the shed, waiting for buyers to choose, their faces lifeless, like soulless puppets.
They really are like roadside weeds, waiting for the gust of wind to blow them down.
Apart from the Dalits, the artisans, farmers, and maids who became dependents for various reasons fared slightly better.
They were displaced by war, burdened with debt due to family decline, or forced into prostitution due to loss of livelihood. Both men and women were present, and their numbers were large, making them the main force in market transactions.
These Vaishyas and Shudras, each with their own skills, carefully observed each passerby with a mixture of restraint and anticipation in their eyes, desperately trying to impress them and hoping for a good master.
Vijay strolled slowly through the market, his sharp eyes carefully examining each type of slave, his gaze focused as he quickly calculated the village's needs.
He was desperately short of manpower; not counting Dalits, he lacked almost everything—Vaishyas and Shudras with specialized skills.
Reclaiming wasteland, building roads, mining, constructing houses, raising livestock, making tools, and managing household chores—all these require manpower, and a large and diverse workforce is needed to support the massive project of village revitalization.
Vijay was making the selections, and so were the slave owners.
Vijay was dressed neatly in high-quality fabrics with a well-tailored style. He exuded a calm and extraordinary demeanor, and his entourage was efficient and upright, clearly indicating that he was an important buyer with status and wealth.
Upon seeing this, several slave traders immediately abandoned their business and rushed over, their faces full of fawning smiles, vying to promote their slaves: "Shiva bless you, Your Excellency! Come and see my slaves, strong and capable, never slacking off!"
"Sir, I have highly skilled craftsmen here, proficient in carpentry and blacksmithing!"
"My lord, my maid is gentle, obedient, and skilled at managing household chores!"
Vijay calmly raised his hand, signaling everyone to be patient, and said in a calm tone, "There's no need to fight over it; I will choose for myself."
Upon hearing Vijay's words, Kara, who was behind him, wisely stepped forward and stood beside Vijay, creating a quiet area for him.
In the crowd, an extremely obese businessman pushed his way through the crowd and strode forward.
He was dressed in fine clothes, with a brocade robe embroidered with dark patterns, a jade pendant hanging at his waist, and a greasy, obsequious smile on his face. His eyes were shrewd, and he was clearly an experienced and cunning old businessman.
He leaned closer to Vijay, lowered his voice, and spoke with a mysterious yet slightly boastful tone: "By Brahma above, Your Excellency, what are ordinary laborers and craftsmen worth mentioning? I have 'top-quality goods' here, rare in the world, Your Excellency will surely be interested!"
"Top-quality?" Vijay raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity on his face.
The obese merchant, overjoyed at the sight, hurriedly and eagerly led the way: "Sir, please follow me, I guarantee you'll be amazed!"
Wherever he looked was irrelevant; Vijay's curiosity was piqued by the guy, so he followed him over.
We made our way through the crowded streets to a quiet courtyard at the far end of the market.
The courtyard was completely different from the chaotic and noisy outside. It was clean and tidy, with bluestone slabs paving the ground and low-lying flowers and trees planted all around, making it elegant and quiet.
Inside the courtyard, there is a small, independent house with exquisite doors and windows and simple curtains, a stark contrast to the surrounding shacks.
The obese businessman cautiously pushed open the door and gestured for Vijay to come in.
The room was softly lit and simply yet elegantly furnished with a wooden bed, a wooden table, and two wooden chairs, all clean and tidy.
In the center of the small house sat a young girl.
The girl was about twenty-one or twenty-two years old, with a slender and graceful figure. She wore an elegant white long dress made of soft fabric. Although simple, it was clean and tidy. The hem of the dress was embroidered with light-colored flowers, which were exquisite and elegant.
She has a refined and elegant appearance, with curved eyebrows and eyes, a delicate nose, light-colored lips, and fair skin.
Her brows and eyes held a hint of stubbornness, yet also concealed a lingering sense of loneliness and sorrow. Her temperament was calm and gentle, like a pure and aloof lotus flower, completely out of place among the numb and lowly slaves around her.
The obese merchant lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of deliberate boasting and incitement: "My lord, she is a disqualified Kshatriya girl, born into a prestigious family with noble and pure blood! However, because she violated the family rules in her early years by secretly pledging her life to another and engaging in an illicit marriage, she was regarded as a great disgrace by the family and should have been executed according to the family rules, carrying out an 'honor killing'."
"But it just so happened that there was a tribal war, her family was wiped out, and she became the spoils of war of the victors, and I bought her after many twists and turns."
His tone grew increasingly inflammatory, his eyes gleaming with greed: "Sir, the benefits of buying her are immeasurable! She possesses noble blood, allowing you to form a marriage alliance and produce an heir with a noble lineage; or, through an ancient bloodline ritual, you can integrate her noble bloodline into yourself, helping you break through your limitations and leap upwards. How worthwhile!"
Vijay gazed at the girl, who sat quietly with her eyes downcast, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, her eyes filled with melancholy, hiding endless sorrow and despair, pitiful and endearing.
He suddenly thought of Mira, also a disqualified Kshatriya girl, but their circumstances were worlds apart.
Mira was a VIP by Roshman's side, treated with great courtesy, and followed by countless servants whenever she went out, while the girl in front of him had been reduced to a commodity, bought and sold at will.
Mira's identity is definitely more than just that of a disqualified Kshatriya!
The slave traders continued their sales pitches, their words becoming increasingly enticing, their eyes brimming with eagerness.
Vijay remained calm, his heart unmoved.
He was not a heartless man, but the revival of the tribe and the consolidation of its foundations were of paramount importance, and he had to be pragmatic.
A disqualified Kshatriya girl is insignificant to the overall situation; he doesn't want to create unnecessary complications in this "IF" scenario!
Vijay shifted his gaze from the girl to the obese businessman, his tone calm and unwavering: "No need for further explanation, I'm not interested in this!"
The obsequious smile on the obese merchant's face froze instantly, a clear look of disappointment and displeasure flashing in his eyes. Knowing his big deal had fallen through, his expression darkened, and his tone became indifferent, tinged with disdain: "Sir, this 'top-quality' is a rare find; once missed, it's gone forever!"
Vijay knew what he was thinking and interrupted him calmly, his tone steady and unwavering: "I need a large workforce, 5000 laborers, half men and half women, preferably from different regions; 50 Shudra artisans skilled in practical techniques; and 5 Vaishya stewards who understand business, are good at accounting, and are familiar with commerce. If you can do that, then we can talk."
As soon as he finished speaking, the obese merchant's expression changed drastically, instantly shifting from disappointment to ecstatic joy. His eyes widened in disbelief, then his face broke into a wide grin, all his previous displeasure vanishing. His attitude became incredibly respectful and obsequious, bowing and scraping, his tone extremely fawning: "5000? Are you serious, sir?!"
Even the lowest Dalits would be a huge business deal if they had 5000 Dalits, let alone the Vaishyas and Shudras!
If he lands this deal, it will be enough to make him a fortune, and he could even become a top businessman in the market.
His earlier disdain had vanished without a trace, replaced by a face full of awe: "Brahma above! Rest assured, Your Excellency! It can all be done! Laborers from all over the world, skilled craftsmen, and shrewd merchants—I have them all here. I will personally take you to choose, and give you the best and most capable!"
These words made Vijay look at him with new respect.
I never expected that any random businessman would possess such power.
The merchant immediately led the way with utmost courtesy, bringing together the strongest, most hardworking, and most diligent laborers in the market, the most skilled and experienced artisans, and the most astute and business-savvy individuals for Vijay to choose from.
Vijay pointed at Gantan.
"This is my servant; he will be responsible for Dalit's choices!"
Upon hearing this, Gan Tan's face lit up with joy. He finally had something important to do, and he immediately patted his chest, saying, "Master, you can rest assured. With me here, I will absolutely not allow him to cheat or pass off inferior goods!"
"How could that be? How could that be!" The fat merchant pulled out a silk handkerchief to wipe his sweat, his expression full of flattery.
Vijaya then sat upright in the room, and maids served him fruits and delicacies. One by one, Vaishyas and Shudras were led into the room.
Vijay examined them carefully and made a meticulous selection.
However, their so-called seriousness was nothing more than relying on intuition; at most, they would ask about the candidate's special skills and then select the person.
As for the others, once the servant-acquisition ceremony is completed, the available servants will naturally be under our control!
After a quick selection, Vijay pulled out a heavy bag of gold coins, its opening wide, gleaming and substantial, and handed it to the obese merchant: "Here is a deposit of 500 coins. The Vaishyas and Shudras will be delivered to the Royal Inn tomorrow. Within a month, all the Dalits will be delivered to Mittal Village. Once everything is inspected and found to be in order, the balance will be paid."
"I, Mittal Vijay, will not shortchange you a single one of these 5000 gold coins!"
"So you are Lord Mittal Viger!" The portly merchant accepted the gold coins with both hands, beaming from ear to ear. Upon hearing Viger introduce himself, he immediately became respectful, bowing repeatedly. "Yes, sir! Rest assured, I will personally select someone to deliver it. It will absolutely not delay your business!"
Having finalized the deal, Vijay left the slave market without further delay.
Just as he stepped out of the market gate, a figure hurried after him, panting heavily. It was Kara, who had been sent to gather information earlier.
Kara ran to Vijay, bowed deeply, and said excitedly and urgently, "Shiva, bless you! Master! I've found Lord Roshman's private residence!"
Vijay nodded slightly, not surprised that his servant could find him so accurately in the vast city of Harappa. He asked calmly, "Is Lord Roshman in the manor?"
Kara looked troubled and hesitated, saying, "Lord Roshman's servants said that he went out a few days ago and his return date is uncertain; no one knows when he will return!"
Vijay's trip into the city today was fraught with misfortune. The temple was blocked, Roshman was away, and his plans fell through one after another, so it can hardly be said that things went smoothly.
Vijay pondered for a moment: "In that case, let's stay at the Royal City Inn for the night and rest. Tomorrow morning, we'll go to the temple area's barrier opening area to schedule an appointment with the Brahma priest and finalize the details of the master-servant ceremony."