"It’s me, I offended the Duke of North Sea County, it’s my fault!"
Under the gaze of Ye Zhen, even feeling wronged, Marquis Chii Quan Shi Ting could do nothing but pinch his nose and admit to the matter.
As a Duke, Ye Zhen is already a high noble within the Great Zhou, truly able to partake in national governance.
Being looked upon by Duke of North Sea County Ye Zhen in front of everyone was indeed a great honor.
Actually, he was just unlucky.
Because being beaten by Ye Zhen, the Duke of North Sea County, even if he were to bring it to the emperor, it might still be him who gets blamed.
The title of the Duke of North Sea County is not ordinary.
Rather, it was for the full ceremonial regalia and outfit of the Duke of North Sea County.
Upon hearing this, Zuo Zongling Ji Cang shook his head, "Fiefdoms near the Yizhi Sand Sea are long gone. In earlier years, to deal with Yizhi Temple, forces from the Heavenly Temple operated to allocate all available fiefdoms to nobles favorable to them."
Suddenly shifting mindset from the tragic battlefield to the bustling mortal world, he had adjusted over.
With a butler and maid bestowed by the court managing the Duke’s Mansion, Ye Zhen wasn’t verbose, instructing them to prepare the carriage and ceremonial regalia. An hour later, Ye Zhen, now donned in the full regalia of the Duke of North Sea County, headed robustly and majestically towards the Sizong Mansion to meet Zuo Zongling, handling matters regarding fiefdom selection and management.
So he patted Marquis Chii Quan’s shoulder, "Your body is weak, you should cultivate well. Also, I see promise in you!"
Ye Zhen, now in high spirits and not looking for trouble, headed straight to the Inner City Residence.
By custom, even a warlord returning as an avatar, Ye Zhen must attend the morning court tomorrow to meet the emperor.
This is the privilege of a newcomer granted a dukedom under military merit like Ye Zhen. Were it anyone else, Zuo Zongling Ji Cang wouldn’t have this patience.
Yet over ten years later, Ye Zhen had already ascended to a Duke, untouchable by ordinary people.
However, this is quite normal within the Great Zhou.
Ye Zhen was granted the title of Duke of North Sea County, placing this Duke into the ranks of the high nobility of the Great Zhou.
"Sorry to trouble you, Lord Zuo Zongling."
The two pieces of fiefdom prepared for Ye Zhen, the first one, located in the southern region, is a medium-sized County, Jiyang County, with a population slightly below average among various counties of the Great Zhou.
When Ye Zhen was in a bad mood with a great difference in mentality, he happened to bump into Ye Zhen unwittingly.
The Grand Sect Leader isn’t foolish either, there’s no need to invite a bunch of enemies for future generations, so within the rules, things were handled in a manner that won hearts.
Also, it is quite close to the nearest Ancient Teleportation Formation, just two million miles away, making commerce convenient and can be considered an upper-middle choice. Utilizing the Ancient Teleportation Formation for transit, reaching North Sea County takes only twenty days.
"Does Duke Ye have any particular requirements for the fiefdom?" Zuo Zongling Ji Cang asked.
Many fiefdoms belonging to royals and dukes are scattered, east and west, with everyone choosing the most profitable fiefdoms.
This indeed shows great respect towards Ye Zhen.
As per custom, Ren Venerate Emperor Ji Long rewarded Ye Zhen with a mansion, a Duke’s Mansion of North Sea County in Luoyi Inner City.
Therefore, in terms of treatment, both the Imperial Court and Sizong Mansion would offer Ye Zhen some convenience.
Upon this, Ye Zhen couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment, though he felt a chill within.
Marquis Chii Quan Shi Ting felt full of tears and grievances at this moment.
There are many nobles ennobled by the Great Zhou, but only Ye Zhen has been made a duke for slaying the Seven Surnamed Prophet Demon Masters from the Demon Clan.
Take note, even he, Zuo Zongling, was merely ennobled as a Duke, relying on his royal family background and ancestral nobility grants.
Feeling that Shi Ting was a bit pitiful today for being beaten by him, he felt a bit guilty.
Ye Zhen offered a cupped hand salute as a sign of gratitude, "I dislike trouble, thus I wish to find a fiefdom linked with North Sea County, making it easier to manage and develop without having to run both ends."
A fiefdom should be considered comprehensively, developed comprehensively.
Relying on rewards is one way to obtain a residence in the invaluable Luoyi Inner City.
This is not because Marquis Chii Quan Shi Ting is cheap, but because recently, Ye Zhen’s feat of slaying the Seven Surnamed Prophet Demon Masters had been continuously promoted by the Imperial Court of Great Zhou and the Ancestor God Temple, sculpting Ye Zhen into a heroic figure.
Even now, since Ye Zhen is still at the battlefield, once he returns, there will undoubtedly be a high-ranking position granted unless Ye Zhen wishes to remain idle at home.
Besides, compared to the casual rules within the Heavenly Patrol Office, the Sizong Mansion and the Grand Sect Leader both represent the most conservative forces and classes within the Great Zhou, with strict rules.
Frankly, the two fiefdoms prepared by Sizong Mansion for Ye Zhen are both excellent, deemed as superior exotic fiefdoms.
Ye Zhen, who was ready to leave after beating, and feeling greatly relieved, looked at the incredibly aggrieved, black-eyed Marquis Chii Quan Shi Ting, and suddenly felt the kid was indeed unfortunate and unlucky.
This is a consideration on part of Sizong Mansion towards Ye Zhen.
As for the beating, it wouldn’t matter even if he didn’t acknowledge it.
But of course, the main reason Ye Zhen thought this was because he was now in high spirits.
Forget about the fanfare, even if you’re traveling light, at least you should bring along three to five attendants.
The given fiefdom choices were clear; take it or leave it, end of discussion.
Considerations should encompass economic, livelihood, and military aspects comprehensively.
By saying this, Zuo Zongling Ji Cang immediately understood.
Among many young people, Ye Zhen is a hero!
Ye Zhen’s full regalia was in accordance with regulations, and the Sizong Mansion handled matters for Ye Zhen meticulously following protocol.
Ye Zhen meant that while these two fiefdoms were excellent, they didn’t meet his requirements.
On the side, naturally, there were people from the Inspection Department and the Heavenly Patrol Department keeping records, considering this street incident thoroughly resolved.
In an instant, Marquis Chii Quan Shi Ting felt that the beating he just received was worth it, so worth it!
After all, he is a Duke.
The second selectable fiefdom, named Wangnan County, located in the southeast direction, is a standard medium-sized county with a population of fifteen million. It has fertile land, numerous rivers, and local specialties, making it a rich area.
Ten plus years ago when he first met Ye Zhen, Ye Zhen was a mere pawn, possibly disposable, engaged in the gamble between Marquis Anling and Marquis Xingqing as an enforcer.
Being looked upon by a hero one admires was naturally a great honor.
The scale of Jiyang County, being a medium-sized county, is set to surpass the income of upper-class counties in the future.
Blocking his carriage like a fool in the middle of the road isn’t this intentionally bullying?
"Lord Zuo Zongling, these two fiefdoms are excellent, I am extremely satisfied, just that they somewhat differ from my expectations." Ye Zhen said.
However, after experiencing the Human-Demon Battlefield war, Ye Zhen’s perspective has changed.
However, sixty percent of the county’s area is mountainous, with hundreds of identified mineral veins. If Ye Zhen takes over this fiefdom and develops the infrastructure and mines a bit, it will be a source of significant financial revenue.
However, Ye Zhen’s return to the mansion was not to visit his mansion.
It’s for future goodwill, isn’t it?
"A fiefdom linked with North Sea County?"
The mansion isn’t large, covering about a hundred acres, with only ten stacked spaces inside; if Ye Zhen wants to permanently live there in the future, he would need to invite experts to implement a stacked formation.
After that, Ye Zhen went away, leaving Marquis Chii Quan Shi Ting extremely surprised.
"What? Duke Ye is not satisfied with these two fiefdoms?" Zuo Zongling Ji Cang, observing, asked with full of emotion in his eyes.
The only drawback is that this Jiyang County is too far from Ye Zhen’s current fiefdom, North Sea County, even with the Ancient Teleportation Formation, the usual transit time for general caravans is over two months.
Seeing Zuo Zongling Ji Cang deliberating, Ye Zhen added, "If unavailable, any fiefdom north near the Yizhi Sand Sea would suffice. I have some connections there to establish a new trade route."
As the Duke of North Sea County, Ye Zhen must follow proper procedures when dealing with the Sizong Mansion to avoid trouble.
The Heavenly Temple has such strategic moves.
Regarding the selection of the fiefdom, Zuo Zongling provided Ye Zhen with two options!
"If Duke Ye wishes to choose a fiefdom near the North Sea County to consolidate the fief, it is possible, but Duke Ye must be prepared to face some losses." Zuo Zongling Ji Cang stated once again.

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