Chapter 172: Su Zhenzhen's Abnormality

“That’s right,” Chen Wa said approvingly. “Fortunately, Jiang Yichun is indeed a visionary. Otherwise, I would have planned to win over all the disaster victims from various places. In that case, the siege of the capital might have been brought forward by twenty years.”

Su Zhenzhen thought to herself, "This guy isn't any better. The Song family members are all a bit crazy at heart."

"You're just trying to show us your abilities by saying all this. Why don't you just tell us what you want? If we can reach an agreement, we can continue talking. If not, we can talk about other things."

Chen Wa was surprised that Su Zhenzhen was so direct. He thought to himself that the High Priest was indeed worthy of being called the High Priest. He could communicate with ghosts and gods and was indeed disdainful of beating around the bush with mortals.

"Ahem." Chen Wa coughed lightly. "I want to be ennobled as a marquis."

This was truly beyond Su Zhenzhen's expectations. Throughout the entire story, Chen Wa demonstrated his abilities and control over Fenglin County.

No one wants to give up what they've already eaten, and Chen Wa likely still wants to keep control of Fenglin County.

I never expected him to want to be granted a title of nobility?

Su Zhenzhen looked at Hensheng, realizing that she didn't quite understand the marquis system of this dynasty, and that only Hensheng could agree to this matter.

“Magistrate Chen should know that the Jiang Dynasty does not have titles for those of different surnames.” Hensheng’s starry eyes were calm as water. “If I agree to your request, I am afraid it will be against the ancestral laws and etiquette.”

Chen Wa laughed upon hearing this, "If a disloyal and unrighteous man like Song Anbang can be granted the title of Marquis of Enyi, then I have at least defended a city. Surely I shouldn't be overshadowed by him?"

That's not how things should be handled. Song Anbang's marquisate was granted by a prominent family, which is theoretically illegitimate.

However, the throne was still occupied by members of the Jiang family, whose titles were bestowed by the imperial court.

As a legitimate descendant of the Jiang dynasty, there's no reason why Hensheng shouldn't be granted a noble title.

However, ancestral rites and laws are paramount, and if someone with ulterior motives attacks them on this basis, they will likely be branded as unfilial.

Su Zhenzhen glanced at the two of them, smiled at Chen Wa, but spoke to Hensheng instead.

"Your Highness, please agree to Magistrate Chen's request. He is only a minor marquis. If the ancestors are angry, I will speak to them. They still have to give face to the High Priest."

It's just a title; if Chen Wa wants a prestigious reputation, just give it to him.

As for the salary and power corresponding to the title, sorry, there are none.

Hensheng understood the implied meaning in Su Zhenzhen's words and readily agreed, "However, if Magistrate Chen has any other requests, please mention them as well."

Chen Wachao bowed slightly and said, "This humble official thanks His Highness the Crown Prince for bestowing upon me the title of Marquis."

"I just want a title. It's one thing for a person to be born into this world and be a fool or an ordinary person. But I, Chen Wa, have the ability, and I must leave a name for myself after death. When I receive the imperial decree to confer the title of marquis, I can live out my days in peace."

Chen Wa's words were a tacit promise that if he could be granted the title of marquis, he could relinquish his power once the chaos subsided.

That's wonderful!

Hensheng smiled knowingly, "Magistrate Chen, rest assured, you will not only have a good reputation after death, but you will also be able to enjoy your old age in peace."

Chen Wa was completely relieved. "That's all I asked for. Your Highness is so generous. I am willing to serve you."

Chen Wa had previously referred to himself as "I," which actually placed him on an equal footing with Hen Sheng. Now, by referring to himself as "this humble official" to show his loyalty, he undoubtedly demonstrated his willingness to acknowledge the Crown Prince of Jiang Dynasty as his master.

Hensheng immediately steered the conversation back on track, "Magistrate Chen, tell us about the disaster situation in Fenglin County. There's no time now. Also, try to buy as many ducks as possible."

Because the empty ears of grain in the farmland outside the city had already been cleared away by the villagers, only the official fields inside the city remained unprocessed in Fenglin County.

Hensheng and Su Zhenzhen led the yamen runners to clean up the remaining insect eggs in the official fields that very day.

According to Chen Wa, locusts flew to Fenglin County twice, and basically all the crops in the fields were wiped out.

Fortunately, he didn't like farming and instead bought grain from various places.

The main source of grain is still overseas, but going overseas is quite troublesome, so Chen Wa will also buy some loose grain in the surrounding cities.

However, due to the locust plague, the cities in the south are unlikely to sell grain anymore.

Hensheng revealed his true intentions to Chen Wa, explaining the actual situation in Bianzhou and Shanxian, and asked him to lend him grain to go south for disaster relief.

Chen Wa readily agreed, since most of his stored grain was old rice, and exchanging old rice for new rice would be a profitable deal for him.

Hensheng wrote an IOU to Chenwa, and Chenwa, who had benefited from the deal, was even willing to send a team of people to accompany him south to help with disaster relief.

From then on, the journey south became Hensheng's main stage.

Su Zhenzhen reduced the number of times she appeared in public, and even told Hensheng about the method of using fire to deal with adult locusts.

With Chen Wa's visiting card paving the way, the subsequent entry into various cities went very smoothly, and the local officials and people were extremely cooperative.

Hensheng was so busy every day that he didn't even have time to eat or drink. Fortunately, he drank the gene optimization liquid, which made him more resistant to hunger than ordinary people.

While Hensheng was busy, Su Zhenzhen watched from the side, without joy or sorrow, without even a trace of expression, like a puppet whose soul had been removed.

Su Zhenzhen didn't know what was wrong with her. Her usually positive and optimistic personality suddenly gave rise to a sense of desolation as if she had seen through the illusions of the world.

The number 48 in my mind is still reminding me.

During her journey south from Fenglin County, Su Zhenzhen tried several times, but not only could she not open her eyes and wake up to find the bullet comments and the system store, she couldn't even dream of returning to the underworld partner.

Was I left behind in this world?

If the Path of Reincarnation could not be opened, Su Zhenzhen would almost have thought she was a native of the Jiang Dynasty.

How can we break this deadlock?

"Zhenzhen." Hensheng, covered in sweat, brought over a bowl of water. "This is the local sacred spring water. I tasted it; it's just ordinary mountain spring water with a slightly sweet taste. The locals say that this water was dug by immortals, so it's called Divine Power Water. You should try it."

The so-called "divine spring water" is nothing more than a way for the lower classes to find amusement amidst their suffering and to seek psychological comfort.

Su Zhenzhen knew that Hensheng meant well. She had been cold and aloof for days, which was really frightening to look at, so she took the water and drank it all in one gulp.

"It really is sweet." Su Zhenzhen wanted to praise it with a smile, but she seemed to have facial paralysis and couldn't smile at all.

All of this happened too suddenly. At first, Su Zhenzhen was depressed, thinking it was just because of the disappearance of the bullet comments.

But as time went on, even talking to himself with hatred became unbearable.

It's like your emotions are locked up, but you, the owner, don't have the key.

Seeing that Su Zhenzhen was not in high spirits, Hensheng took the bowl and gently pulled her into his arms. "Zhenzhen, you've been exhausted from accompanying me on this trip south. Things here will be over soon. Once we get back to Yangcheng, you can rest well and leave the rest to me."

Su Zhenzhen nodded without saying anything, her depression growing ever stronger.

She suddenly realized a question: can she really control her own emotions?

Just like the Creator, the Lonely Soul, and the God, did they really want to save the world?