Chapter 188 ["Special Talents"]
Once again, he came to the slave market in the imperial capital. This time Du Wei was much more careful. He put on a tall cloak and hat to cover his face, got off his horse, and followed General Longbottom among the crowd.
behind.
It seems that there are a lot less people in the slave market today. Although the three of them are holding the horses, it is not difficult to walk. But it is a little more difficult for little Sandy. The little chestnut stallion he is riding is a little bit not obedient.
, always against little Sandy.
"You should give it a few hard whips." General Longbottom glanced at the boy and muttered: "That's what these beasts are like. The weaker you are, the more they will bully you."
But little Sandy was a little reluctant to part with it. This was the first horse in his life. The kind housekeeper Mader also promised little Sandy that this little stallion could be given to him for his own use. Look at the beautiful things on this horse.
With chestnut fur, Sandy's whip would never fall off.
"Just here." Longbottom parked his horse at the end of the long street away from the Slave Square. There was less traffic here, and the nearest slave trader's platform was a hundred meters away. On the other hand, Du Wei saw
On the streets on both sides, there were many people with white cloths on their bodies or arms. Some were young people, some were middle-aged, and there were also some down-and-out low-level warriors.
Sometimes, Du Wei really doesn't understand... these down-and-out warriors, even if their level is very low, even if they are only first level, they are at least warriors with a formal level. How could they be in such a down-to-earth state?
Are these people's martial arts skills at least better than those of ordinary people? If they are willing to serve as soldiers... The empire's huge territory requires a large number of troops to guard, and recruitment notices are issued almost every year. These low-level warriors, with their skills, can they
Are you not even qualified to be a soldier?
However, Du Wei later learned: This is probably the so-called persistence or dignity of warriors. In the eyes of samurai, even the lowest samurai, if they are not desperate, they will never be willing to join the army... just as
A little soldier.
They are samurai, samurai with a formal rank. They cannot tolerate being in the army and being shouted around and pushed around by some small bosses who are ordinary people. They would rather be the lowest bodyguards in the carriage and horse shop.
.Even working hard. But entering the army?
Unless you are an officer!
But there is currently no major war in the empire. It can be said that the entire continent is very peaceful. Without war, promotion in the army would be difficult. It takes one to go from a small soldier to a small captain. If there is a war, it may be possible in one day.
It can be done, but in peacetime... this process may take several years, or even longer!
"It's like the college students I met in my previous life who couldn't find a job. They would rather be unemployed and wait for opportunities, and not many people are willing to serve dishes in restaurants for a living." Du Wei sighed secretly.
Looking at the dull-faced warriors in the corners on both sides of the street, holding rusty swords, leaning there with indifferent expressions and empty eyes... Du Wei suddenly felt a little emotional.
Wow!
Longbottom took something covered in black cloth from his horse and threw it on the ground. From the shape, it looked like a bundle of long strips, and from the sound... it seemed like metal?
That's right. It's metal.
As Longbottom untied the cloth cover, what was revealed underneath was a bundle of long iron rods, the simplest iron rods. Many of them were even rusty. God knows where this guy found these things.
Uh...he didn't demolish the family's house and take out the beams, right? Du Wei maliciously guessed.
Later, Longbottom seemed to know the rules of the slave market very well. Without Sandy's reminder, he just grabbed an iron rod and thrust it into the ground.
It seems that many years of prison life have not weakened the general's martial arts skills. He easily inserted an iron rod into the solid stone pavement, and then pressed the black cloth on top of the iron rod.
.
What this means is simple: solicitation.
Soon, people of all ages and age who were looking for work gathered around, with prayers and expectations on everyone's face, but little Sandy soon shouted loudly under Longbottom's guidance:
"Samurai! We need samurai! Real samurai!"
The shrill children's voice cut across the long street, but it seemed like a little fire was ignited in the numb eyes of the down-and-out warriors on the street corner!
It was as if the dying people had seen hope. Those guys in shabby clothes but holding long swords. Many of them were refreshed and subconsciously stood up straight. Then they strode towards here.
Others who were looking for work shook their heads and walked away in helpless disappointment.
"Sir, who do you need?" An old man who looked like he could have been Du Wei's grandfather squeezed over. He was wearing a shabby gray linen clothes, and the iron sword in his arms... Du Wei even suspected
It can't be pulled out because the scabbard is covered with yellow-brown rust.
"Are you recruiting people for an adventure group?"
"Are you going to be a guard?"
"Do you need a bodyguard? I am a samurai!!"
For a time, large numbers of people gathered around. Most of them looked the same, with unshaven faces. Although their clothes were shabby, they were well washed and starched. They all held their own weapons in their arms.
And the greater similarity is that these guys will never call you "Sir" like other job seekers, they will only call you "Your Excellency".
This reflects their own identity: I am different from ordinary people, I am a samurai!
"Back off, back off!" Longbottom looked impatient. He glanced at the people crowded in front of him and muttered in a low voice: "Why are the quality of these guys getting worse and worse now! Hey! Say!
As for you, step away! Make some room for me!"
Longbottom's huge body was like a monster. No matter how hard he tried, he pushed away a few guys who were crowded too close to the front. Then he raised his voice and roared: "Quiet, everyone! Quiet!"
He raised his big hand like a leaf fan, pointed at the crowd in front of him, and shouted: "I need people. But I don't need trash! I need people with unique skills, unique skills! Do you understand? As long as you can have unique skills that satisfy me.
Son, I don’t care what your warrior level is! Do you understand? Let me see what you are capable of! Who comes first?"
Unique skill?
Many people became quiet.
"No one has tried?" Longbottom's eyes were a little disappointed. He turned back to Duwei and sighed: "Damn, each generation is getting worse. I used to be able to find a few useful people here, but now
What? Look at these losers, each of them obviously doesn’t have much ability, but they still cling to their own shit... Bah! Gold will always shine, but if it is not gold, they are still pretending here.
Damn, he is simply a piece of trash that does not deserve sympathy."
After waiting for a long time, no one came forward. Longbottom became impatient and shouted: "Don't you even have any unique skills? Damn it! You are warriors! Show me your most proud martial arts skills...
If you are incompetent, get out of my way! Don’t take up space! Just wait for death in your corner!”
What he said was very rude, but from Du Wei's perspective, although his words were harsh, they were... very reasonable!
This world is very realistic. If you clearly have no ability but still stick to some bullshit...that's stupid! It's better to find a job and live hard!
A loser who daydreams all day long does not deserve sympathy.
"Excuse me, Your Excellency. What is the unique skill you are talking about?" A thin man tried his best to squeeze out of the crowd: "Can you make it more clear?"
"I don't care what you are." Longbottom grinned: "What are you best at? Show it to me."
"I'm good at swordsmanship, Your Excellency." This thin guy raised his sword with great effort: "My warrior level is..."
"Okay, I don't care about your level." Longbottom waved his hand impatiently: "If you had the title of Level 5 or Level 6, you wouldn't be here. Show me your skills."
The skinny warrior's face turned red, and then he picked up a stone and drew a humanoid pattern on the wall next to it with a few strokes, which was almost the same as the proportion of a real person.
He took a step back, took a deep breath, and suddenly drew out his sword...
Swish swish swish...
The long sword stabbed out quickly and lightly, and the sword's edge hit the human-shaped pattern on the wall like raindrops.
Finally, when the thin guy backed away, Longbottom squinted at the humanoid pattern, and his eyes suddenly lit up!
On the humanoid pattern, the two eyes, throat, under the ribs, and... the crotch were all stabbed!
Fast and accurate! Every sword of this samurai stabs these parts viciously...all of them are places that cannot be covered by armor!
Generally speaking, his swordsmanship is a bit despicable, a bit not fair, like a poisonous snake.
And the badge on his chest...
He's just a first-level warrior?!
"Okay. You stay. I want it!" Longbottom laughed and said loudly: "Who else!!!"
The second guy recruited by Longbottom was a left-handed man. This short guy... he was probably malnourished since he was a child. He was even as tall as Little Sandy. But after he casually showed off a few sword moves
, and was taken down by Longbottom.
"He is a left-hander, and the sword skills he uses are all in the opposite direction to ordinary people. When fighting, the enemy will feel very uncomfortable. He is a good guy." This is Longbottom's explanation.
The third person to pass was a fat man who looked almost as tall as Longbottom. This fat man looked like a winter melon, but his unique skills were beyond Duwei's imagination.
"I can be beaten, and I'm not afraid of pain." The fat man grinned and said, "I'm born unable to feel pain."
As he spoke, he opened his clothes, exposing his chest covered with black hair. He pulled out his sword and chopped his body twice... He chopped it really hard! Blood flowed, and the skin and flesh were torn apart.
To be continued...