"Sister Jiang, you've just shared your thoughts, so let me tell you mine."

"Given the current situation, it's not impossible for you to live a peaceful life on your own, as you said. I can point you to a place. Although the environment there is a bit harsh, with all your possessions and the protection of your big fish, the two of you can live comfortably in your old age."

"Yours."

The big fish chuckled.

I found Cheng Shanshan pleasing to the eye for the first time.

Jiang Niangzi glared at her: "Shut up, let her continue."

"I just want to ask Sister Jiang, is that the life you want? You can see the end from the beginning, and you are indeed alive, but the world has lost its vitality, everything is gone, is that really a good feeling?"

When Cheng Shanshan asked this question, she was also asking herself.

Having been given a second chance at life, all she wanted was to live a good life; just being alive was enough.

But now that I think about it, living doesn't mean the end of suffering. Rather than being controlled by everything, it's better to let everything return to its proper place.

After listening, Madam Jiang's expression became extremely solemn. After careful consideration, she asked, "Then what do you want to do?"

"Let's work together to fight against it."

Cheng Shanshan's words were simple and direct.

Jiang Niangzi disagreed and instead rolled her eyes at Huo Mingchen beside her: "Don't tell me you're talking about helping your own Prefect Huo. He doesn't even have a grain of rice. If it weren't for me, a large number of people would have starved to death."

Huo Mingchen was somewhat displeased.

Cheng Shanshan secretly pulled his hand to calm him down: "Thank you very much this time."

"cut."

Jiang Niangzi was still unhappy.

However, when she looked at Cheng Shanshan, her face lit up with a smile again: "Come on, Shanshan, continue."

"My darling Shanshan?!"

Huo Mingchen was unhappy again.

For some reason, he suddenly felt threatened by a woman.

Cheng Shanshan was afraid he would lose his temper, so she used a little force on her hand: "Sister Jiang is a smart person, so I won't beat around the bush with you. I'll tell you my current thoughts. I want to do everything I can to protect this peaceful city."

"Of course, I don't mean for you to open your granaries and distribute grain, becoming a selfless philanthropist. After all, you're a businessman, and everything you do is about profit and gain."

"If you're willing, you can sell some of the rice normally. On the one hand, you'll make money, and on the other hand, your reputation will be better. Huo Mingchen and I will also do our best to restore Ping'an City to normal. At that time, everyone will live and work in peace and contentment, and Sister Jiang will be able to live a normal life."

“?…”

Jiang Niangzi fell silent.

Even after the two left, he was still pondering it carefully.

In truth, Cheng Shanshan didn't know how much of what she said would be taken in by Jiang Niangzi, nor did she know if Jiang Niangzi was even willing: "Brother Huo, do you think she's willing?"

"have no idea."

Huo Mingchen looked ahead: "Human hearts are unpredictable; everyone wants to protect themselves."

"Don't worry, she agreed? I'll think of something else." Actually, at this moment, she only regretted that she didn't have enough space. Although she had done her best to stock up on supplies, it was only enough for a few people to live comfortably for several years.

If we're facing the entire city of Heian, then I'll have to admit my shortcomings.

Organizing the planting of a new batch of grain is not something that can be done in a day or two; on the contrary, it will only put us in a difficult situation.

Huo Mingchen seemed to have read Cheng Shanshan's mind: "You can't touch your things. You can't explain their origins. I don't want to put you in danger."

"I know."

Cheng Shanshan sighed: "Actually, it would be best if Madam Jiang could agree. Otherwise, it's not that we're afraid of thieves stealing from us, but we're afraid of thieves eyeing us. That would probably cause her more trouble."

"When someone calls you 'baby,' you suddenly feel all warm and fuzzy inside." Huo Mingchen's words were laced with a strong hint of bitterness.

Cheng Shanshan was amused: "Of course I feel sorry for her, after all, she's a beauty."

very good.

I'm even more annoyed now.

Huo Mingchen leaned forward: "Actually, don't you think I'm quite good-looking?"

Although she didn't deny it, she still decided to tease Huo Mingchen to ease the atmosphere: "How about Sister Jiang, she... ah, what are you doing?"

Huo Mingchen suddenly picked her up and said, "Of course I'm taking you home to teach you a lesson."

Under the moonlight, light and shadow swayed.

Suddenly, a figure flashed by.

Upon closer inspection, it had vanished, leaving only an eerie atmosphere...

...

Three days later.

Since that day.

Jiang's rice shop has been closed for three days.

Some people couldn't wait any longer and gathered at the door: "Do you still have any food?"

"That's all. I cooked a pot of tree bark yesterday, and the taste was absolutely inedible." The man speaking had a sallow complexion and looked hopefully at Jiang's rice shop: "I wonder if it's open today."

"If we don't open it now, people will die."

Upon seeing this, Manager Li, standing nearby, said with a face full of disdain: "You deserve to starve to death. Who told you to be penniless? In this day and age, the poor don't deserve to live."

"you!"

Everyone gritted their teeth.

Before they could get there, they were stopped by the thugs behind Manager Li.

Compared to their haggard faces, Manager Li's face was shiny with oil: "Seeing how pitiful you all are, I'll take pity on you today and lower the price of rice for one day, ten taels of silver per bushel!"

"A price reduction of ten taels of silver?"

This price is enough to deter most people.

After all, these grain farmers can only earn twenty or thirty taels a year after a hard year of hard work. They also have to eat, drink, and go out to spend money every day. With all the previous expenses, they are now penniless.

However, in order to survive, some people took the only valuable thing they owned and knelt at the entrance of the rice shop, pleading, "Please give me some food, I will give you everything of value."

But Manager Li looked down on it: "What kind of junk are you? What use are these pots and pans to me? If you have money, you can live; if you don't, you might as well die."

"...You're too cruel."

The other person's eyes were bloodshot and filled with hatred.

Manager Li, however, disagreed: "People die for money, birds die for food. If you want to live without money, am I wrong?"

Everyone felt a sense of despair.

But a deep sense of powerlessness left them speechless.

Just then, suddenly... the door of Jiang's rice shop opened.

The first one to emerge was the big fish, who stood with his hands on his hips, looking aggressive: "Make way, make way, everyone make way."

The crowd quickly stepped aside.

At this moment, Madam Jiang swayed out, bringing with her a rich aroma of food that made everyone's stomachs rumble, and they all looked over.

Jiang Niangzi looked at Manager Li calmly and said, "I'm having a good day today. If you can curse Manager Li for being heartless, you can come here and have a bowl of porridge."

"What?"

Manager Li stared wide-eyed.