There is a crucial difference between a slave and a serf.
Slaves have no rights, they are legally owned by somebody. If you tell your own to fuck off they can beat you or kill you as they wish.
Serfs have rights. They aren't owned, but they are economically trapped. You can tell the landowner to fuck off, and you are escorted out to the street with nothing. In that system then your choices are down to beggar or thief.
There is a crucial difference between a slave and a serf.
Slaves have no rights, they are legally owned by somebody. If you tell your own to fuck off they can beat you or kill you as they wish.
Serfs have rights. They aren't owned, but they are economically trapped. You can tell the landowner to fuck off, and you are escorted out to the street with nothing. In that system then your choices are down to beggar or thief.