"There is another opportunity that all will be given to all in my household. Annually, every year to this exact day, everyone will undergo an annual review. Depending on your performance throughout the year, everyone will be given the opportunity to buy back their slave contract." Vocal pandemonium exploded from the gathered servant ninety-eight percent of them were slaves.
Many of them were crying in disbelief. Liu Tián Qǔ even caught the utter shock and disbelief on the face of the Commander and his wife. Liu Tián Qǔ understood the excitement of the slaves, so she gave them a few moments before she called a halt to the clamor.
When the joyful noise finally died down, Liu Tián Qǔ said, "Please contain yourself to the end. There is much I must do today, so I wish to get through this meeting as fast as possible." She watched as the servants tried to contain themselves.
Many were openly crying in joy. Some looked shellshocked. Some looked as though they refused to believe Liu Tián Qǔ. The emotions of the servants were all over the place, and Liu Tián Qǔ understood that. Rarely were slaves granted their freedom after becoming a slave in the Northen Lands.
"As I was saying, this is a review that will be made by Butler Zhou, Housekeeper Gao, my head maid Zhou Yù and of course, me." Liu Tián Qǔ included Zhou Yù's name to grant her more power in her position. This was to make it so that instead of being shunned or mistreated by the other servants for being mute. Instead, the servents will go out of their way to be kind to her and seek her favor. It would also solidify Zhou Yù's power as the head maid of the Master of the Residence.
Liu Tián Qǔ trusted her judgment. Liu Tián Qǔ was absolutely certain that Zhou Yù was not the kind of person that would abuse power granted to her. If anything, Liu Tián Qǔ was worry about Zhou Yù being too shy to assert her authority and allow herself to be dominated or bullied.
Liu Tián Qǔ made a mental note to talk to her housekeeper and butler about that concern. For now, Liu Tián Qǔ was gambling on the power of review she granted Zhou Yù. She was hoping it would keep a check on the ambitious servants and servants who would typically bully or disrespect a person with a disability.
Which slave would want to risk losing the opportunity of buying back their freedom by messing with the Masters's head servant that has the authority to fail them during their review? Liu Tián Qǔ was gambling in the hope that none would dare.
Continuing her speech Liu Tián Qǔ said, "However, if you perform poorly throughout the year or did something that caused you to fail the review, you will have to await the following year before you will be given a chance to buy your freedom." Liu Tián Qǔ informed the attentive gathering. Everyone listened carefully to her every word.
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"Another piece of good news is that everyone employed in my residence, be it a slave or a free person, will be paid a wage. Housekeeper Gao and Butler Zhou will discuss that with you as well." A suppressed murmur went through the gathered servants.
Not only will they have the opportunity to gain their freedom. They will be given the money to buy it?! Where has this ever been heard of?! Never on the continent of the Northern Lands in any of the six countries of the Northern Lands have anything like this have ever been heard of. Some had been fearful and worried that even if they gained the opportunity to buy their freedom, they wouldn't be able to afford it. Slaves weren't given wages. How could they afford to buy it? This vanquished their fear and worry.
"Also, on the day of review, if your performance and conduct throughout the year are good, everyone in my residence, both slaves and the freeman or woman, will be gifted one gold each." The joy on the faces of the people being promised the basic human right of freedom, which Liu Tián Qǔ took for granted in her past life. Made Liu Tián Qǔ feel emotions she didn't know how to put into words.
"Upon buying your freedom, those that wish to stay may stay, and those that wish to go may go with my blessings. I am aware that many of you were sold into slavery against your will and lost the right to control your life. In my residence, you will be given the right to earn that back." Liu Tián Qǔ felt an indescribable pang in her heart as she looked upon the faces of the servants gather. There was not a dry eye in the gathering.
"Now that I told you all the good news. There are several more pieces of information I wish to inform you of before I turn you over to Housekeeper Gao, who will come up and tell you the rules of the residence." Liu Tián Qǔ paused a moment to gather her thought before she continued.
"First, let me say, I expect complete loyalty in my residence. There two rules in my residence I am completely harsh about. So I will warn you now of these rules. The first rule is what happens in my residence stays in my residence.
If anyone in my residence is caught or found to be carrying the happenings of my residence outside or telling outsiders. They will be immediately harshly beaten. If they are still alive after the beating, they will be sold if they are a slave. If they are a free man or woman, they will be beaten to within an inch of their life. If, after the beating, they are still alive, they would then be driven out of my residence." Liu Tián Qǔ said into the complete silence of the gathering
"I don't care who you are or what position you hold. This truth holds for every living soul in my residence. Am I understood?" A discorded but loud and firm "Yes Young Master" greeted Liu Tián Qǔ.
To show how serious she was, Liu Tián Qǔ took a moment to meet the gaze of many of the gathered servants. She even met the eyes of the Commander, silently letting him know this was meant for him as well. The commander silently nodded his understanding.