Zhang Heng had heard some tragic stories about slaves in Rome before.
In fact, Black Sail's era was also when the black slave trade was at its peak. During that time, Zhang Heng led the Jackdaw to attack many slave ships. He saw black slaves crammed into the bottom of the ship like livestock waiting to be slaughtered. The ship's hold was filled with the stench of urine and sweat.
With Laeli's help, Zhang Heng would usually pick out the strongest warriors from the pirates after he hijacked a ship and recruit them into his pirate crew. The rest of them would then be released to some small islands. These people were used as a base to build a hidden supply point. After Zhang Heng left Nassau and fought against the Royal Navy, they played an important role. Zhang Heng was even given the title of "The Liberator of the New World". He never thought that he would become a slave one day.
And he was a slave in the second century AD. This was a veritable slave society. From top to bottom, Rome's social pyramid was basically made up of nobles, commoners, foreigners, and slaves.
In a sense, the slaves at the bottom couldn't even be called humans. They were just tools for production or entertainment. The gladiatorial performance that was going on above their heads now was exactly like that. The gladiators fought each other, using their blood and lives in exchange for the audience's applause.
"What are you thinking about?" Zhang Heng asked Varo.
"What?" The latter froze for a moment before reacting. "Oh, oh, I was wondering when it would be our turn to perform on the stage."
"Will we?" Zhang Heng was a little surprised. Based on their current jobs, they were basically doing odd jobs in the arena, especially Varo. The latter wasn't thin, but he was very timid. He couldn't even feed the beasts well. If he were to walk into the arena, Zhang Heng suspected that he wouldn't even last three seconds.
"Of course not now. We don't know anything now. We will only make a fool of ourselves if we go up there. No one wants to see our clumsy performance. But …" Varo lowered his voice, "I received news that a batch of Germanic barbarians will be sent here tomorrow. By then, we will be going to the gladiator school with them for training."
After Varo finished speaking, he looked at Zhang Heng. However, he didn't see the fear on Zhang Heng's face. So, he was startled and added, "You … don't you have anything to say?"
"What should I say?" Zhang Heng raised his eyebrows.
"We are going to be sent to the gladiator training camp. People say that living there is worse than death. They will torture us and whip us constantly. Many people will die during the training, and those who survive will have to take part in the assessment. Those who pass the assessment will become gladiators and die during the performance."
"If you are so worried about your life, why don't you pass the final assessment?" Zhang Heng said.
"That's the problem. It's said that slaves who don't pass will be sold to the mines or the villages to make up for their losses. Do you know how the people there treat slaves? They will make you work, work, work, work, until the day you die. You will never be free," Varo said in despair. "Things shouldn't be like this. Chickpea promised me."
"Who is Chickpea?"
"A slave trader. I have a friendship with him. After I became a slave, he told me that I would be bought by the nobles in the city. I would run a business, and as long as the person who bought me invested a sum of money in me, I could make them produce more money. When I start my business, I will be a free man again," Varo clenched his fists, full of unwillingness and pain. "Why did this happen? Why was I sold here? I don't belong here … "
"Maybe it's because you have maintained your body well?" Zhang Heng said, "Were you a businessman before? You look more like a soldier when you put on armor."
"But I have never learned how to fight," Varo said. "This is ridiculous. I can use my business skills to bring more wealth, but they want me to go to the gladiator school to be tortured. This is a waste of a bright pearl."
"Oh, if what you said is true, maybe you should talk to the owner here," Zhang Heng suggested.
"I tried. I told the supervisor about my situation and asked him to tell the owner here," Varo said.
"Then?"
"Then … I haven't heard from him until now." Varo put down the rag in his hand and hesitated. "Maybe I should go to the owner directly. What do you think?"
Zhang Heng did not rush to answer this question. Instead, he asked, "You said you were a businessman before. Why were you sold?" "Don't mention it," Varo sighed when he heard the question.
"Don't mention it," Varo sighed. "I was originally selling antiques. This business has been going on since my father's time. Our family made a lot of money from this, but later, I was blinded by greed. I heard from a friend that the flax business in Egypt was very good, so I discussed a partnership with a nobleman there to grow flax. He would provide the land, and I would provide the money. After weaving the flax into cloth, we would sell it to Rome. As a result, my friend was robbed as soon as he set out on the road. He lost both his friend and his money, and what was worse was that I had signed a contract with him. If he did not get the money within the specified time, I would have to pay him a large sum of liquidated damages. I tried my best, but I still couldn't get enough money. So not only did I lose all my property, but I also became a slave."
"Well, what a regrettable story," Zhang Heng said.
At this time, there was another deafening cheer. The gladiatorial performance must have reached its climax, stirring up the emotions of the audience in the stands.
At this time, Varo also made up his mind. "Tomorrow, when the Germanic barbarians are escorted here, everyone will be summoned. At that time, the owner should also show up. I can look for him at that time and ask him to help me with the business. If everything goes well, I will be able to leave this place."
"Is that so? I wish you good luck," Zhang Heng said.
"Sorry, I can't help you," Varo said a little awkwardly. He had just described the gladiator school as a horrible place, but he was about to escape from this quagmire, leaving Zhang Heng behind. Although the two did not have much of a relationship, and they had only known each other for half a day, they could not be considered friends. In fact, they were not even acquaintances.
After the previous conversation, the relationship between the two had indeed become a little closer. However, Varo was now in a difficult situation. He could not even protect himself, and he could not care less about his companion, Zhang Heng.
"It doesn't matter. Just remember to tell me when you are free," Zhang Heng said. After listening to Varo's story, he was not optimistic about his opponent's success tomorrow. However, he also knew that Varo had just seen hope. No matter who it was, it would be difficult to persuade him to give up the idea of escaping from the gladiator school.
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