After leaving the branch of the Foster Coal Mine Chamber of Commerce, Dudian took Joseph, Barton, and the others to a small tavern nearby. He ordered a table full of dishes and let them have a good meal. After all, they had been busy for half a day, and it was almost mealtime, so everyone was hungry.
"Du, Dudian, order fewer dishes. We, we can't finish so much food." Clune looked at the table full of dishes, swallowing his saliva and saying.
Dudian smiled and said, "If you can't finish it, just throw it away. It's not worth much."
"That won't do. We'd better finish it." As soon as the others heard this, they couldn't hold back and started wolfing down the food.
At this moment, a young waitress in a white skirt came over. She covered her nose and glanced at Joseph and the others, then said to Dudian, "The total cost of what you ordered is sixty-eight copper coins."
Dudian frowned and said, "We haven't finished eating yet."
"Here, we pay first and then eat." The young waitress said in a cold voice.
Dudian was a bit annoyed but didn't bother to argue. He took out a silver coin and flicked it into the tray in her hand, saying, "Keep the change. Bring three more portions of this grilled steak."
The young waitress was taken aback. She didn't expect Dudian to be so generous, and she realized that she had underestimated them. She didn't say anything more and turned to go to the kitchen at the back to add the dishes.
"It's so expensive." When Barton and the others heard what the girl said, they suddenly felt a bit embarrassed about eating and didn't know whether to swallow the food in their mouths or not.
Dudian waved his hand and said, "It's just a small amount of money. Just eat as much as you want. If it's not enough, we can order more. I'm not short of money."
Seeing that Dudian really didn't feel sorry or care about the money, Barton and the others felt a bit more at ease and continued to eat heartily.
"Dudian, where did you get your money from..." Barry was just about to ask when he suddenly saw other customers entering the tavern. He immediately stopped talking and lowered his head to quickly eat the food in front of him.
Dudian smiled slightly. When they had almost finished eating, he took them out of the tavern. He found an uninhabited small hillside nearby. After making sure that there were no people within two or three miles around, he said to them, "What are your plans for the future?"
Barton, Joseph, and the other two looked at each other. Joseph stuttered, "I, I don't know either. I think, I can find some odd jobs to do. I should be able to earn enough for a meal."
"Me too." Barry said.
Dudian looked at Barton and Clune. Seeing that their expressions were the same, he nodded and said, "Since I redeemed you, I definitely won't abandon you. Now, there are three paths for you to choose from. First, I have a house in the commercial area and I'm short of a gardener, a florist, and a servant. You can take these positions, help me look after the house, and take care of my adoptive parents by the way. Of course, I won't really treat you as servants. It's just a nominal position."
"A house in the commercial area?" Barton and the others widened their eyes, looking stunned.
Dudian nodded and said, "That's right. Second, I'll give each of you a sum of money. As for what you want to do in the future, it's up to you, and I won't interfere. And the last option is to be my assistant and help me with things."
"Be your assistant?" Barton and the others were immediately tempted.
Dudian said seriously, "However, what I'm going to do is very dangerous. It might even cost you your lives, and it's somewhat illegal."
The others were taken aback and exchanged a glance, looking hesitant.
Barton had been listening with his head down. Suddenly, he looked up at Dudian and said, "I choose the third path, to help you! It's just... My legs and feet are not good, and I'm afraid I won't be able to help you much."
Dudian looked at him and nodded, saying, "I'm giving you this opportunity because I value your abilities. Don't worry about that."
"I, I'll help you too." Joseph stuttered, "If it weren't for you, I would soon be sent to the mine. If I had to work like Barton, I would definitely lose my life soon. No matter what you ask me to do, I'll listen to you!"
Dudian nodded slightly and said, "I need to make it clear that following me will be very dangerous. This is a road of no return. You don't have to repay me in this way just because I redeemed you. You don't owe me anything. I'm just repaying the care you gave me in the past."
Joseph was taken aback for a moment. He looked up at Clune and Barry, thought for a while, and said firmly, "I still want to follow you. Although it's illegal, I believe that with your intelligence, Dudian, you definitely won't be caught so easily. Moreover, doing illegal things can earn more money. I don't want to be a poor commoner anymore. I want to be on a higher level, and I want a lot of money!"
Hearing his words, Clune and Barry, who were still hesitating, couldn't help but be shocked. They looked up resolutely and said, "We'll join too!"
Dudian didn't expect Joseph to have such an understanding. He smiled and said, "Making money is just an added bonus. As long as you do a good job, you'll have more money than you can spend in the future." As he spoke, he took out four gold coins from his money bag and said, "This is our current start-up capital. There will be new funds in a while. These four gold coins are for you. My request is that you find a remote place as soon as possible, the more remote the better, and then build a small secret factory."
Barton and the other four looked at the shiny gold coins, and their hearts beat a little faster. They looked at Dudian in disbelief. Clune couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you afraid that we'll run away with the gold coins?"
Dudian looked at him and said, "I trust you."
Clune pursed his lips slightly, and his eyes turned red.
"Currently, I don't have enough money on hand. There will be more money in a while, and then there will be extra funds for you to study and learn. As for your bodies, I'll try to find a way to see if there's a way to treat your conditions." Dudian said.
The four of them were shocked, and a hint of hope appeared in their eyes.
"Now, you'd better change your clothes first. Otherwise, with your current attire, I'm afraid that as soon as you take out the gold coins, they'll be snatched away." Dudian smiled and said.
Joseph and the other four looked at each other and all laughed.
Dudian looked at the time. It was getting late. He immediately said to the four of them, "If you have anything to contact me about, leave a code in the square in front of the orphanage. I'll come over when I'm free. Remember, pay attention to confidentiality during your actions and don't expose your identities."
"We know." Clune smiled.
Dudian looked at Barton and said, "I'll try my best to find a way to restore your slave status as soon as possible. Don't worry."
"I'm not worried." Barton showed a smile on his face and said.
Dudian smiled slightly and bid farewell to them.
After leaving the small hillside, Dudian hired a carriage and returned to the residential area. The journey back took over an hour, and it was already dark. It wouldn't be long before the curfew time in the residential area.
When Dudian got home, Mr. and Mrs. Jura were busy preparing dinner.
During dinner, the two asked Dudian about his whereabouts during the day. Dudian casually said that he had been wandering around, and the two didn't think much of it. After all, in their view, Dudian was almost at the marriageable age and was a guard, so he naturally needed some private space.
The next morning, Dudian got up on time. After having breakfast, he went out.
"I wonder if the alchemist's stronghold I saw last time has been changed." Dudian thought in his heart and headed towards that secret stronghold.