Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

The first to arrive at the west city gate were naturally Xu Huazhen and Luo Fu, with Xu Huazhen responsible for the city’s defenses and commanding over a thousand soldiers within the city.

Soon, they came to the west city gate with hundreds of soldiers.

The streets were filled with soldiers armed with weapons, and the normally bustling streets turned eerily quiet. The civilians all hid in their homes, and the atmosphere on the streets became tense and ominous.

Yang Zhenshan still stood at the city gate, quietly watching the surging officials and troops coming his way, while his personal followers stood still like statues, their eyes devoid of any emotion.

Before long, Xu Huazhen and Luo Fu arrived in front of Yang Zhenshan.

Perhaps because of the soldiers behind him, or maybe due to Luo Fu at his side, Xu Huazhen seemed no longer so panicked, his heart gaining a bit more courage.

“Master Yang, are you trying to rebel by daring to bring troops to Liao’an Prefecture!”

Xu Huazhen struck first with his question.

Yang Zhenshan, with droopy eyelids, asked, “Who are you!”

“Liao’an Advanced Guard Commander Xu Huazhen!”

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhenshan revealed a cold sneer, “In front of this General, what right do you have to speak? Stand aside!”

In terms of official rank, Yang Zhenshan and Xu Huazhen held the same position, both were Commanders. But one must not forget that Yang Zhenshan also held the Secondary Second Rank title of General of the Stabilizing Nation. Although it was a nominal title, it ranked a level higher than a Commander.

Moreover, Yang Zhenshan hailed from Chongshan Town and was a general who had established significant merit on the battlefield.

Compared to these garrison Military Officers, a border-town general held a much higher status.

“You!” Xu Huazhen, upon hearing this, was immediately seething with anger, pointing at Yang Zhenshan but unable to muster any harsh words.

“If you dare utter one more word, I will chop you down!” Yang Zhenshan said coldly with a steely gaze.

Xu Huazhen, hearing this, trembled all over and couldn’t help taking a step back.

What is a fierce reputation!

This is exactly that – a reputation that could terrify with name alone.

Luo Fu glanced at the useless Xu Huazhen, a trace of disgust flashing in his eyes.

He stepped forward, “I am Salt Transport Commissioner Luo Fu. Master Yang, may I have a word with you?”

“What is it?”

“Master Yang, don’t forget that the Tenglong Guard also has salt fields, and moreover, the Luo family has just become a salt merchant,” Luo Fu said calmly.

This was his leverage!

The Tenglong Guard’s salt fields and the Luo family’s affairs were all orchestrated by him, and he understood all too well.

In his eyes, Yang Zhenshan’s actions were merely for profit.

Since it was for profit, then there was room for negotiations with Yang Zhenshan.

What he didn’t know was that Yang Zhenshan had actually reported all these operations to the old Emperor, albeit in passing. Indeed, he had reported to the old Emperor.

He was set on selling salt from the salt fields, and since it was reported, it was only natural to make it clear – it was also a form of endorsement.

Yang Zhenshan had kept the returned report from the Capital City at hand, just in case someone would use the matters of the salt fields and salt merchants against him one day.

With the report, everything he did was as instructed by the old Emperor.

Hmm, the report had the old Emperor’s own handwritten character for ’approved’.

The old Emperor couldn’t shirk responsibility.

“No need, Lord Luo, you may speak freely,” Yang Zhenshan said imperceptibly.

Luo Fu’s brows furrowed slightly. What did this mean? Was there no room for discussion?

“This official hopes Master Yang will refrain from engaging in actions that will destroy his own future!”

“Hmm, are you threatening this General!” Yang Zhenshan looked down at him condescendingly.

“Some things may not be as simple as Master Yang perceives!” Luo Fu stated gravely.

“Is that so? Where’s the complication? Perhaps Lord Luo could clarify,” said Yang Zhenshan with interest.

Luo Fu’s expression grew solemn, “Mr. Zheng must have already mentioned some matters to Master Yang!”

“Some things were mentioned!”

“Then Master Yang would understand, certain matters cannot be accomplished by one official alone!” Luo Fu spoke earnestly.

Yang Zhenshan’s mind stirred slightly.

What did this mean?

Did Luo Fu have someone else backing him?

Or was he acting under someone else’s orders?

Listening to the conversation, the implication was that the person behind the scenes was no ordinary individual.

Before, Yang Zhenshan hadn’t considered these aspects, but now it seemed clear that there must be someone else involved.

If it were just Luo Fu, he would have never dared to adopt such a posture.

Using troops to effectively detain the Inspection Commissioner of Salt Transportation, amassing soldiers to bar his way – these were not actions a mere Salt Transport Commissioner could decide on.

Crucially, such acts went unchecked in Liao’an Prefecture, with no one standing up to stop them or submitting a memorial to impeach.

Upon closer reflection, it was all too strange.

A Salt Transport Commissioner was only a Secondary Third Rank, yet there were Secondary Second Rank Left and Right Governors, a Standard Second Rank Capital Commander, a Standard Third Rank Inspector General, as well as Assistant Governors, Commanders, Deputy Magistrates, Deputy Inspectors, Magistrates, and other officials.

With so many government offices and officials, it was odd that not a single one of them stood up to intervene, indicating something amiss.

Yang Zhenshan regarded Luo Fu with a scrutinizing gaze, his mind pondering who could be behind Luo Fu.

To have all those officials remain silent, one could surmise the status and position of the person behind the scenes.

There shouldn’t be such a powerful entity in court; therefore, there’s only one possibility.

The old Emperor and his several sons.

Certainly, the old Emperor would not do such a thing; as for his sons!

Yang Zhenshan pondered for a short while.

What his sons do, why should it concern me? They’re not my children!

This headache should not be his, but that of the old Emperor.

A bunch of unfilial sons constantly making moves in secret must be quite irritating to the old Emperor.

“You can’t have done this alone! Who else is helping you?” Yang Zhenshan looked at Luo Fu expressionlessly.

Luo Fu fell silent. Who was helping him? Could he say it?

No!

“If you want this general to cooperate with you, you’ve got to reveal something. Speak, and perhaps this general might be frightened!” Yang Zhenshan continued.

“General Yang!” Luo Fu’s face darkened completely.

Clearly, the words of Yang Zhenshan weren’t about discussing a partnership, but about enticing him to reveal the person behind the scenes.

“There are things you shouldn’t meddle with!” Luo Fu’s attitude remained unyielding without any sign of backing down.

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly, “Indeed, this general is merely a Commander of the Tenglong Guard, many matters are not mine to manage!”

“But now that this general is standing here! Then this general will handle this matter to the end!”

Yang Zhenshan slightly lifted his eyelids and looked at the approaching officials. One after another, they wore crimson official robes. Heh, they finally showed up at this moment.

The Liao Yuan Governor Pang Tang, the Capital Commander Dong Yanhe, the Liao Yuan Inspection Commissioner Tang Bo, and so on.

With numerous officials arriving, the atmosphere instantly became even heavier.

“Yang Zhenshan! What are you trying to do?”

The first to speak was the Inspector General Tang Bo, his visage gaunt, with an authoritative demeanor even without showing anger.

“Who are you!” Yang Zhenshan naturally didn’t recognize Tang Bo.

Alright, he didn’t recognize any of the officials present.

“Liao Yuan Inspection Commissioner Tang Bo!” Tang Bo said in a deep voice.

Yang Zhenshan’s brows slightly raised, “Since when can the Inspector General’s Office manage military affairs? Does this general need to be questioned by you?”

Tang Bo’s breath hitched, and his face turned extremely unsightly.

While the other officials all looked at each other.

A question suddenly arose in their minds, who could manage Yang Zhenshan?

In fact, there were quite a few people who could control Yang Zhenshan, such as the Central Army Commander’s Mansion, the Ministry of War, and if there was a governor or Governor in Liao Yuan, they could also manage Yang Zhenshan. Unfortunately, there wasn’t.

The Tenglong Guard directly belonged to the Central Army Commander’s Mansion, conveniently bypassing the Liao Yuan Prefecture’s government office, so none of the officials present had authority over Yang Zhenshan.

What does it matter if your rank was higher if you have no jurisdiction over me? What does what I do have to do with you?

Of course, having no jurisdiction is one thing, and whether they can impeach is another; these officials could impeach Yang Zhenshan, but that would be a matter for later.

At this moment, a rumbling sound of hooves came from outside the city.

The thunderous sound of hooves roared like thunder, and through the city gate, the officials and soldiers on the street saw a dark mass of Cavalry surging towards the city on the official road outside the city gate.

An oppressive killing aura swept over, causing most of the officials and soldiers to tremble in their hearts.

Black Iron Armor, the white tips of their lances, clearly only two hundred Cavalry but giving off the feeling of an army of thousands.

Dong Yanhe craned his neck, his gaze piercing through the gate to look at the approaching Cavalry. His eyes revealed an eager light.

Elites!

True elites!

Merely their presence was enough to overpower the elite of Liao’an Advanced Guard.

He took a deep breath, a faint smile flitting across his eyes.

As a Military Officer, he paid great attention to the battles against the Hu Clan.

The name of Yang Zhenshan as the killing god, the butcher, he had heard countless times, and the garrison of An Yuan City under Yang Zhenshan had been the object of his envy.

Which military official wouldn’t wish to have a powerful elite Cavalry under their command?

Today, having seen the garrison of An Yuan City, his heart felt satisfied, excited.

No, it’s no longer the garrison of An Yuan City now, but the Tenglong Guard.

It’s a pity that the current Tenglong Guard only had these two hundred Cavalry to show for authority.

The two hundred Cavalry reached the city gate and halted abruptly. The dust settled, and the two hundred Cavalry stood in a neat formation on the official road in front of the city gate. Each soldier stood tall and unbudging like statues, even their horses kept their heads high, blinking a pair of large eyes.

An exhibit of elite among elites in strict adherence to orders.

“Reporting to the lord, the Cavalry camp has all arrived, and the infantry camp will arrive in a quarter of an hour!”

Song Dashan rode through the gates, arriving behind Yang Zhenshan, and reported with a fist salute.

Yang Zhenshan looked up at the blazing sun overhead and nodded slightly, “Stand by here!”

“Yes!”

Song Dashan responded and turned back to the front of the Cavalry formation.

Yang Zhenshan’s gaze once again turned to the officials before him. His eyes swept over the faces of all the officials, eventually settling on Luo Fu, whose expression had turned gloomy.

“Before coming here, I had already sent Mr. Zheng’s memorial and my own admission of guilt letter to the Capital City! My colleagues, what decision you make next is up to you!”

Upon hearing this, Luo Fu’s face instantly turned pale.

The words clearly meant: the matter has been reported to the Emperor, and you can no longer cover this up. Those who are not involved should not interfere, and those who are implicated should make a decision, whether to resist to the end or to surrender willingly.