Chapter 170: The Situation in the Jiang Dynasty, Each Acting Independently
Su Zhenzhen was shamefully moved. Perhaps her mind was still foggy after waking up, which inexplicably created a romantic and ambiguous atmosphere.
Hensheng, now clear-headed, called out softly, "Zhenzhen."
Su Zhenzhen glanced at him somewhat awkwardly, "Why don't you go to bed?"
Hensheng chuckled lightly, "That's against propriety."
"Is it proper for a man and a woman to be alone in a room?" Su Zhenzhen couldn't understand it at all. How was this any different from some borderline behaviors in the 906th century?
Hensheng lowered his eyes and said, "I feel at ease with you by my side."
Su Zhenzhen was taken aback upon hearing this, but only for a moment. She then remained calm and composed. "We must win Chen Wa over. Whether we use the name of the High Priest to coerce him or the identity of the Crown Prince of Jiang Dynasty to entice him, this man must be of our use. Fenglin County has the largest number of soldiers among all the cities we have passed through so far, and this man should have enough food. Fortunately, we have connections with the imperial court. We will need him for subsequent disaster relief."
Su Zhenzhen didn't say it directly, but she couldn't conjure ducks out of thin air right now, and the severely affected areas in the south were probably barren, let alone ducks.
Hensheng watched quietly as Su Zhenzhen finished speaking, and finally whispered a single word, "Okay."
The county government office in Fenglin County was just for show. Chen Wa usually liked to stay in the rice shop. In this day and age, you can't take gold and silver with you when you're born or when you die, but people need to eat to live.
A meal can sometimes be more effective than laws and punishments.
When Su Zhenzhen arrived, Chen Wa was drinking tea in the small courtyard behind the rice shop.
This shopfront appears to have been specially deepened; the front is a border shop, and a small courtyard extends out from the back. The original warehouse has also been converted into a side room.
However, it should still contain rice, as Su Zhenzhen could even smell the slight rotten smell of old rice.
Chen Wa was not tall, only 1.2 meters by 906-century unit of measurement. It is always more difficult for people of different stature, yet he was able to become the head of Fenglin County, which shows his methods and shrewdness.
At this moment, Chen Wa knelt on a low stool and began to demonstrate the tea ceremony, completely absorbed in it.
Su Zhenzhen didn't quite understand this culture, perhaps because she didn't like drinking tea. However, Chen Wa's technique was indeed very elegant, but if you included his entire persona in it, it would be somewhat comical.
These typical beady eyes should gleam with intelligence when fiddling with an abacus, not when focused and attentive while brewing tea.
You really can't judge a book by its cover.
It wasn't until a small cup of tea was brewed, and Chen Wa picked it up and took a sip, letting out a sigh, that he belatedly realized there were two more people in the courtyard.
"Thump!"
Chen Wa slid down from the low stool to his knees, so fast that the tea set on the table next to him stumbled.
However, the sound of the teacups clashing was well concealed among the sounds of flesh and bone colliding.
Su Zhenzhen glanced at Chen Wa's thin clothes. He must have hit his knee hard just now, maybe even broken a bone, but he didn't even flinch. He must be a tough guy.
Chen Wa spoke cautiously, "Why didn't the High Priest inform anyone? This place is simple; if the High Priest wanted to see me, he could have just given the order."
Su Zhenzhen sat at the tea table in a good mood, poured herself a glass of water, and said as she drank, "We didn't let anyone see us when we came here."
This statement reveals a lot: the people of Fenglin County, having received Su Zhenzhen's grain, are no longer going out much.
However, there were many spies on the street, and a group of guards were also stationed outside the villa.
The fact that he could come from the villa to the rice shop without being seen by anyone speaks volumes about his skill.
Chen Wa is now as obedient as can be. Given the current situation, if the two men in front of him kill him and then escape from Fenglin County, probably no one will know.
"What instructions does the High Priest have for me?"
Su Zhenzhen did not answer immediately, but instead beckoned to Hensheng, "Your Highness, come and sit down."
Hensheng's brow twitched slightly, and he obediently sat down on the chair next to Su Zhenzhen.
“Magistrate Chen,” Su Zhenzhen said calmly, pouring Hensheng a glass of water. “The Jiang Dynasty still exists. No matter what the reality is, we should at least maintain appearances. Since you are a county magistrate appointed by the Jiang Dynasty and have received a salary from the Jiang Dynasty, how can you turn a blind eye to the Crown Prince of the Jiang Dynasty?”
Chen Wa, ever the opportunist, seized the opportunity, shifted his position, and bowed to Hen Sheng, saying, "This humble official, Chen Wa, the magistrate of Fenglin County, greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Su Zhenzhen raised an eyebrow at Hensheng, signaling him to tell the other party to dispense with formalities.
Hensheng, as expected of a benevolent ruler, immediately stood up and helped Chen Wa to his feet, even thoughtfully helping him kneel properly on a low stool.
“Magistrate Chen, there’s no need for such formalities. With the imperial power waning, it is truly a great act of kindness that you have been able to govern Fenglin County so well and provide the people with a safe haven.”
What a huge compliment! Chen Wa wasn't doing this for the people, but for his own lust for power.
In chaotic times, the most important thing is food. With food, you can support an army; with an army, you can seize food. This cycle continues, and the power in your hands will grow ever greater.
Since grain production is inseparable from the people, Chen Wa did not mistreat the people in any other way, except for his monopoly on grain.
"Your Highness is too kind," Chen Wa said without batting an eye. "It's all within my duty."
He was more professional at this kind of witty banter, and his status made it easier for him to make promises. So he took the lead in the conversation, and Su Zhenzhen listened for the time being.
"I wonder what Magistrate Chen's plans are for the future?" Hensheng asked with a smile, his face appearing completely harmless.
Chen Wa dared not let his guard down for the slightest; any answer to this question would be a trap. How could a subject have his own plans? But to say that would be to put a noose around his own neck and hand the noose to the other side.
But if one were to reveal their true thoughts, their pride would be shattered. If they didn't know the identities of the other party, it would be fine, but now that they know one is the Crown Prince of the Jiang Dynasty and the other is the High Priest of the Jiang Dynasty, the slightest mistake could provoke other forces to launch an attack.
The current delicate balance is one that no one wants to be the first to break.
"What are your orders, Your Highness? I will do my utmost within my capabilities." Chen Wa ultimately chose to throw the question back at him first.
To put it nicely, the powerful families were supporting a puppet emperor to control the government; to put it bluntly, the entire Jiang Dynasty was like shifting sands, with those who had land and troops wanting to shut themselves off and become local emperors.
By siding with the Crown Prince of the Jiang Dynasty, one was not directly making enemies of the aristocratic families, but rather standing on the opposite side of all the major and minor forces in the Jiang Dynasty.
Fenglin County's reserve troops could easily attack the surrounding small towns, but they were absolutely no match for the combined attack from all sides. This is why Chen Wa did not provoke others just because he had more troops.
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