Faced with this, Xie Pangbo rejected it internally, but being a man who understood when to advance and when to retreat, he outwardly complied. Even though he sneered at the Free Italy people’s way of leading newly joined slaves in lamenting their miseries, he still spoke publicly about the bad deeds of his former masters.
Perhaps because his performance won the trust of the rebel army, or maybe due to his own talents, a few days later, he was sent to the harbor marketplace, in charge of selling at a pottery shop. The transformation from a buyer to a seller was truly ironic.
On the first day of opening the shop, there were almost no customers; the whole world seemed deserted. He spent most of his time cleaning the shop and arranging the pottery.
During this process, he recognized that some of the pieces in the shop came from his former master’s house, as he had once been responsible for their procurement. This filled him with emotion.
The slaves working at the harbor marketplace, including Xie Pangbo, were arranged to live in a famous merchant’s mansion inside the city. The living conditions were much better than when they were slaves, and the food was decent, even allowing them to eat some meat. This caused some people to no longer resist joining Free Italy.
However, Xie Pangbo was not moved by the improvement in living conditions. He resented the rebel army’s control, treating him like a soldier, just like now, being gathered by a small squad of soldiers after breakfast to head to the harbor market together.
In early spring, Sarabia’s mornings were still chilly despite warming up, and the sea breeze made everyone walking on the streets tighten their woolen blankets around themselves.
These blankets were given to every new member of the rebel army not long after they joined. Some slaves, who had always worn ragged clothes, donned these woolen blankets to ward off the cold for the first time and couldn’t help but praise the rebel army.
Xie Pangbo remained silent about this because his former master operated in this business, buying large amounts of fine wool from Galgano in northern Apulia, having hired housewives spin it into yarn, and then weaving it into woolen cloth for sale. He was certain that most of the blankets they were wearing were likely stock from his former master’s warehouse.
Though wearing it was indeed warmer than linen clothes! But the color was truly ugly! ... Xie Pangbo looked down at the black blanket on him: Most Galgano sheep are black, and this must have been undyed. How great it would be if it could be dyed purple or red! ...
He daydreamed for a while, suddenly hearing someone shout, "Hey, isn’t that Casaridaoa?!"
"It really is Casaridaoa! What is he doing?"
"Is he sweeping the floor?! Casaridaoa is actually sweeping the floor!"
"Shh, keep it down, or he might hear you and beat you up!"
"I... I’m not scared, I’m now a member of Free Italy, he wouldn’t dare!"
As his companions buzzed with gossip, Xie Pangbo also looked in awe at the stout figure bent over, sweeping the streets not far ahead.
Casaridaoa was a commoner from Sarabia. Fatherless from a young age and with a frail mother unable to discipline him, he became a notorious hooligan in Sarabia City. Tall and strong, he liked to extort others for money. Later, he offended a nobleman and was beaten by the nobleman’s men, nearly losing his life. Learning his lesson, he then specialized in extorting slaves.
Most Sarabians were merchants, often buying skilled slaves to work for them. To encourage their enthusiasm, small amounts of money would often be given as a monthly wage.
Casaridaoa specifically targeted these slaves. Intimidated by his reputation and constrained by their low status, the slaves would hand over their money and dared not speak out afterward. Even if their masters found out, they wouldn’t bother dealing with such a scoundrel.
Having been extorted by him multiple times during procurement trips, Xie Pangbo naturally harbored deep resentment towards him. Seeing Casaridaoa now timidly sweeping in the morning breeze brought Xie Pangbo great satisfaction, making him unable to stop laughing.
Casaridaoa heard the laughter behind him, turned around, and glared, only to see a fully armed squad of soldiers beside the chatting group. He immediately bent down and continued sweeping.
At this moment, Xie Pangbo suddenly felt that having this group of soldiers escort them daily was not a restriction, but rather a blessing.
As they continued walking east, every couple of streets, there were people sweeping, clearing drains, and even collecting sewage... In the past, these dirty jobs were handled by Sarabia’s public slaves, but today it was Sarabia’s citizens doing them.
Just as everyone was very surprised, the man said to have been sent by the Maximus Army to manage the harbor market spoke, "This is nothing strange. We, Free Italy, have long informed these Sarabians that if they work diligently for us, they can earn wages to buy necessities and continue living in this city.
Hmph, but these Sarabians, thinking themselves lofty, hid indoors and refused to cooperate. Now, finally, some have run out of food at home and are hungry with no money, prompting them to work for us. Just wait and see; more Sarabians will soon be doing the hard work once done by our slaves!"
His words gave everyone a sense of relief.
The man, named Alakosia, emphasized again, "But starting today, you’ll likely become busier. Some Sarabians who still have money but have run out of food will likely come to the market to buy things, and some foreign merchants with whom we have agreements should also begin arriving by ship today. So, perform well today, and I’ll be watching all of you.
Our Leader Maximus once said, ’In our ranks, as long as you have the ability, no matter your background or race, you will certainly be utilized!"
Many were exhilarated by these words, and some even cheered.
Yet, Xie Pangbo still sneered inside: Just a rebel army; once the Roman army arrives, it will be crushed instantly. Being utilized by them now might actually cause trouble later!
Treading the descending stone-paved road to the harbor, his eardrums filled with the "rumbling" roar of waves crashing against the shore. Yet, it couldn’t drown out the sound of united slogans...
Xie Pangbo knew it was a rebel army unit stationed at the harbor training in the morning. In fact, new camps set up in the wealthy district they lived in were doing the same thing at this time.
These rebels were diligent in training, whereas our City Guard only indulged in eating and drinking every day, no wonder they easily captured this town! ... Xie Pangbo cursed in his heart.
When the damp, fishy sea breeze brushed his face, his brow relaxed.
In the distance lay the boundless sea, with a red sun floating above, dyeing the waters and clouds red... Nearby, countless seagulls circled and called in midair. Below them was a white pier stretching like a giant arm from the land into the shallow sea, and that towering lighthouse, as a merchant ship slowly sailed into the harbor, workers quickly rushed to the docks...
After entering the marketplace, Alakosia again encouraged everyone before allowing them to disperse.
Inside the pottery shop, Xie Pangbo, though dismissive of the rebel army, was conscientious in his work. He carefully wiped each piece of pottery with a slightly damp cloth and then cautiously arranged them one by one on the shelves.