Chapter 43: Cooperation
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“Your Highness didn’t accuse you of human trafficking. Why are you so eager to clear your name? That must mean you’re guilty,” Lü Luo, who was serving by Xiao Ming’s side, suddenly interjected.
Xiao Ming glanced at the girl. It was rare for her to use her brain like this. Perhaps she had experienced something similar in her childhood, given that she was now a servant herself.
“Hmph, you can’t even fool one of my maids, yet you dare to deceive me? What punishment do you deserve?” Xiao Ming slammed the table in anger.
Liang Dahai was so frightened that he prostrated himself on the ground, kowtowing like a pestle. “Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare me! This lowly one deserves death! I did indeed buy a slave of unclear origin yesterday, but I swear I didn’t abduct any commoners!”
In the Great Yu Empire, while the slave trade was legal, commoners—referred to as “good people”—were protected by law. Anyone caught abducting and selling commoners would be executed immediately. This was an ironclad rule.
Xiao Ming had only intended to scare Liang Dahai, but he hadn’t expected to stumble upon the truth. He said, “In that case, release that person immediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness. This lowly one will go release them right away,” Liang Dahai said, scrambling to his feet to flee.
“Wait!” Xiao Ming called out to stop him. His goal wasn’t to investigate a case. He said, “I’ll keep this matter on record. You can go release the person later. Today, I called you here for another matter.”
Liang Dahai was still terrified, staring blankly at Xiao Ming, waiting for him to continue.
Xiao Ming said, “I called you here to discuss a business partnership. I want to collaborate with you on the slave trade.”
“What?!” Liang Dahai couldn’t believe his ears.