I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?

Chapter 444: Power is a Good Thing

After some thought, Ye Qianning asked, "Is the Emperor aware that the buying and selling of children is a common occurrence among the people?"

"He is aware."

"If he knows, why doesn’t he prohibit it?"

"Much of this trade among the common folk is for the sake of survival, so it doesn’t violate the laws of the nation." Although cruel, it was permitted.

"Children are a nation’s next generation. If this is not stopped, a nation cannot go far."

"Why the sudden interest in these matters?" Qian Fanji wondered.

"Luo Xuan came across child traffickers at a black market. I heard that many are bought by the powerful and noble to be used as living targets. The privileged can treat human life as cheap, while the lives of the poor are like dirt. I just find it all so pathetic."

Because there was a market for it, traffickers were numerous. It was a tragedy to be born in an era like this.

Qian Fanji had also heard of such things. He held them in contempt, yet he couldn’t control much of it. "Power is a useful thing."

"It is. Only with power does one have a say. Do you think if I detailed the sheer number of children being sold and the cruelty of the process in a memorial to the Emperor, he would issue an edict to ban the trade?"

In ancient times, it was common for brokers to trade in young male and female servants; this was a widely, if not universally, accepted practice.

But trafficking children was going too far. The process was utterly chilling.

For a moment, Qian Fanji was stunned. Then, after some thought, he shook his head. "He won’t ban it. As long as it isn’t theft or abduction, the trade is legal."

"Where there’s a market, there’s theft and abduction."

"These are not things you or I can change. If you can’t bear to watch, the only thing you can do is lend a hand when you see it." Qian Fanji knew this all too well. ’But what other choice is there?’

Ye Qianning fell silent as ideas began to surface in her mind. ’What if a group of people could eradicate the traffickers, root and branch? And what if they could establish a sect to take in all the poor children...’

’It would be a massive undertaking, and it would require a great deal of money.’

Qian Fanji watched her with a soft gaze. ’With that aura of killing intent she carries, her life in Nanyuan must have been incredibly difficult. Hearing about these children being sold must be painful for her.’

’If she had met a kind person back then, perhaps she wouldn’t have developed such a bloodthirsty aura.’

"There’s no law forbidding the trade," Qian Fanji said, "but no trafficker’s hands are clean. It wouldn’t be too difficult to deal with them."

A faint light sparked in Ye Qianning’s eyes, but it vanished in an instant. "Beili is vast and populous. Dealing with one or two is just a drop in the bucket."

’She hadn’t thought of a solution yet.’

"When your grandfather was Grand Chancellor, he taught quite a few students. Many of them pursued careers as officials and were assigned to various regions as prefects. A network of connections is a powerful advantage at a time like this." He saw the light flicker back into her eyes.

’A wave of joy washed over him. He had finally found something that interested her. As long as it made her happy, he would find a ladder for her even if she wanted to climb to the heavens.’

Ye Qianning understood. Having the magistrate of each city handle their own territory would indeed be a fast and more effective solution.

"As for the children," Qian Fanji added, "if it’s a problem money can solve, you don’t need to worry about it."

Ye Qianning found his words remarkably familiar, and the corners of her lips curled into a slight smile. "Are you very rich?"

"I manage."

"Their food, clothing, and daily expenses won’t be a small sum. It could bankrupt you."

"If I end up on the streets, I’ll have to count on you to spare a couple of buns when you pass by."

"I suppose that’s not out of the question."

Qian Fanji laughed. Chatting with her like this felt truly wonderful.

"I’ll need your help with the traffickers. As for the children, I’ll have Luo Xuan arrange for people to handle it."