"Plan 3 was acquiring people for different purposes and the ways to get them. The simpler terms would be to use the people we have and that seem loyal to the family. Another was to purchase orphanages from nearby and begin sending teachers of different kinds to help grow future talents and let them fill roles in the restaurants as waiters and cooks. Others could learn other skills to do the accounting or become a bodyguard or escort after learning martial arts to help with escorting supplies between the village and the other cities. This shows she is caring and knows how to provide opportunities for others and nurture talents. If that was it just that request then I would not be so worried, the last request was to purchase slaves because they would not be registered by name and she could use them to cultivate a private force to collect information and for protection." Agnes dropped her head helplessly. "We have never got involved with slavery because it is a messy business that stomps on a persons very humanity. Although it is illegal and frowned upon on the surface many nobles still purchase slaves to serve them to satisfy some of their sick desires. The amount of children or adults who have been broken because of this are endless but we have never wished to help because of the trouble after getting involved but we also never participated in such activities ourselves."
"Slaves!? You are joking right? How could she hear about that side of the world? She should never have come into contact with it! Who did she hear it from? I will kill them!" The usual cold exterior broke from Adams face as it contorted with rage.
"My little Ki…" Elizabeth began to burst into tears no longer able to contain her erupting emotions.
For any parent they wanted most was for their child to live a carefree childhood, grow up beautifully and come into contact with certain things far later in life, how could they not be upset that their own seven year old daughter had come to know of one of the most embarrassing and degrading sides of humanity.
What they didn't know however was that she had indeed experienced that dark and twisted side of the world from a very young age, it broke her and she struggled to pick up the pieces of herself even until the end of her life.
If they did know… perhaps they would not stop at screaming or crying, they would begin calling in favours and using their long accumulated wealth to destroy people!
"As much as I am against it… her goals are put clearly for their uses and not to be treated with force or inhumanely. Their role will be to settle into the village and take up a role of collecting information, Ki said that she will teach them the basics of martial arts and those with potential will be assigned as private guards. It seems she is learning from some martial form scrolls the family has kept in the past and i believe she is also teaching her brother so after gaining some experience she can begin teaching them too in order to cultivate the family some secret guards." Agnes spoke in an exhausted tone of voice. "I really do not want to get involved in this but she has stated the thing I most worried about so I can not decline her. The general plan for this is to purchase slaves between 6 and 35 years old, preferably an adult with a stronger physical condition, during the first month they will be taught their roles and begin to improve their body condition with treatment, food and Ki teaching them some basic forms. Some will act alone and live in the village and take care of a small housing area while others will act as a family. Some will take care of farming or taking care of livestock for their daily chores, performing as any ordinary villager would and then begin collecting information and relaying it to the mansion by a passing it on through a third party or through written letters. So what do you think?"
"Sigh… so what was the meaning behind this exactly?" Adam finally managed to contain his emotions once more.
"If my guess is correct little Ki wishes to build up a private force for the family in order to collect information on our surroundings to better predict if or when something bad may happen in the village which could have a bad outcome for the family. I believe this is one of her attempts to gain back some control, although the means are a little different to how I would of done it… She has a good understanding that we are weak right now and if something unexpected happens we may not be able to prepare for it if we do not prepare means deal with it. Do you remember the words they man left back then?"
"The family calamity?" The faces of Elizabeth and Adam paled instantly.
"I have never been a believer of fate but his words still left me feeling uneasy. I can't help thinking that Ki may be linked to our way to overcome our calamity whatever it may be so I can not deny her requests as it would only serve to hinder her." Agnes gaze became determined. "Of course we will take care of all of her requests so that she is out of harms way and can grow up without stress and worries."
She quickly handed over the plan to her son as if telling him to complete his mission, Adam took the piece of paper carefully. "I will do my best to prepare everything."
Agnes thought for a moment before adding. "Look into the land we own within the village, we should own the land but allowed others to buy and build houses or farm with certain conditions and a price. If they have not continued to maintain their land or are behind on the rent by a lot then prepare evidence and enough men to evict those people from the land. We have been far too lenient with those living on our land recently and this is a good opportunity to expel those bad elements. At the same time we can begin preparing land to plant more mulberry trees, grape trees, a herb garden and expand our livestock cultivation which includes cows, sheep, pigs, chickens and goats. So get to work! I want Ki to be surprised by the time her next birthday comes upon witnessing the villages big change."
Adams eyes lit up in excitement. "Finally we are making a move and reclaiming our land but do we have to go that far?"
"Whether Ki succeeds with her food and drink ideas is irrelevant, what matters is that we are supporting her. If she fails we can always hire a few experts to help out. We have enough money to spare. Be careful investigating the first part, we don't know what that kind of person will do if we alert them to our goal. I just remembered correctly, little Ki does not have an attendant around her age so one needs to be groomed. Start from the maids daughter, let me meet her to see if she is worth putting by Ki's side." Agnes nodded then looked towards Elizabeth. "So what do you have with you?"
Adam bowed before leaving. "I will be careful."
Elizabeth handed her own plan containing a few sketches of clothing and the plan which she wrote after hearing her daughters suggestion and spoke nervously. "I made little Ki a training outfit with some old clothes so that she does not get her other clothes dirty when she is out training or playing. She suggested that I use this as a way to be more involved with the family business. At first I was hesitant but after hearing my daughters word I knew I had to give it a try."
Agnes looked at them before nodding. "Most sects make their clothing themselves or get tailors to make them so there are very few people who make these kinds of clothing specifically. If one does appear then it could take advantage of mass production and cheap prices to be able to sell in bulk to sects and noble families to dress their guards or disciples. This type of cheaper clothing can also be sold as uniforms if altered slightly for different work places and sold to most of the common people. The variety of colours and logo ideas were also a good touch to give those who wear them a sense of belonging and identity. Let me guess Ki thought of this? However even if she did I am glad you came forward with it."
"Yes mother." Elizabeth blushed with embarrassment.
"Sigh I never prevented you from being involved with business matters but you were never able to find your own place. Normally you would never have the confidence to step forward for such a thing but somehow your daughter managed to give you a push in the right direction." Agnes thought for a moment. "You may leave now. I will approve this so start preparing some samples and a more detailed plan."
"Thank you mother!" Elizabeth left the room filled with vigour and excitement.
'Maybe the purchasing of the orphanages wasn't just for her initial purposes, with the many business plans put forward we will need cooks, waiters, those who can sew and deal with different fabrics, those with business or trading training. The only way to increase our manpower without directly hiring those who won't be our own men would be using the orphanage or starting up a school.' Agnes remained seated for a while before getting up to go to bed.