Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 145: Chapter 141 is out of their league

As Yang Zhenshan was preparing for the New Year’s gifts, the Yang family received an unexpected guest.

Yang Zhengxiang came to An Yuan State City.

When Yang Zhenshan received the message and hurried back from outside, he immediately saw Yang Zhengxiang and Yang Minghui sitting in the hall.

”Clan Leader, why have you come?”

Yang Zhenshan truly hadn’t expected Yang Zhengxiang to come to An Yuan State City, and Yang Zhengxiang hadn’t sent him a message in advance.

An Yuan State City was quite far from Chongshan Pass City, and since the Lu family’s caravan did not come to An Yuan State City, Yang Zhenshan’s communication with the clan had also become less frequent during this time.

Seeing Yang Zhengxiang again, Yang Zhenshan was quite thrilled in his heart.

For this elder brother, his feelings were full of respect and gratitude.

Respect for the person Yang Zhengxiang was, this elderly man who had dedicated half his life to the Yang family, working diligently and conscientiously.

Gratitude for Yang Zhengxiang’s support of him, from the initial organization of the youth to face the Hu Clan in Yang Family Village, to later when Yang Zhenshan arrived in Chongshan Town, Yang Zhengxiang was always there to fulfill any requests he had.

If asked who had been the most helpful to Yang Zhenshan since coming to this world, Zhou Lan was undoubtedly first in line, with Yang Zhengxiang being the second.

Seeing Yang Zhenshan, Yang Zhengxiang immediately broke into a bright smile, ”Zhengshan!”

Yang Zhenshan stepped forward to support Yang Zhengxiang; this year Yang Zhengxiang was already fifty-nine years old, just one year shy of the ’flower age’ of sixty.

In the countryside, sixty was already considered a long life, even a Martial Artist could not change the aging brought on by the years.

Looking at the white-haired Yang Zhengxiang, Yang Zhenshan couldn’t help but feel a bit saddened.

It had only been three years since they last met, and Yang Zhengxiang seemed to have aged quite a bit.

”How wonderful it is to see you again!” Yang Zhengxiang said, clutching Yang Zhenshan’s hand, his joy beyond words.

He looked Yang Zhenshan over, his cloudy eyes flashing with excitement.

The Yang Zhenshan of today was vastly different from the Yang Zhenshan of the past.

Gone was the white hair, as both beard and hair turned black, his gaunt face now ruddy and smooth, his dim eyes as brilliant as stars, but most importantly, Yang Zhenshan’s aura had changed.

Having held a high position for a long time, Yang Zhenshan unconsciously exuded a certain majesty.

Thinking back, Yang Zhengxiang found it hard to believe that the man before him was the same Yang Zhenshan of the past.

”Clan Leader, let’s sit and talk, Ming Hui, you sit as well!” Yang Zhenshan said, smiling as he helped Yang Zhengxiang to his seat, while also not forgetting to invite Yang Minghui.

After that, Wu Hai brought two servants to change Yang Zhengxiang’s cup to hot tea.

”Did you come from Anning County?” Yang Zhenshan inquired, casually holding the tea.

”No, we came from Yinghe Castle,” replied Yang Minghui.

Yang Zhenshan suddenly understood; they had visited Yinghe Castle first.

That was normal; with Yang Chengze being promoted to defense officer of Yinghe Castle, the family naturally wanted to celebrate.

”How has that boy Chengze been lately?” Yang Zhenshan started to chat about family matters.

”With Uncle Zhengshan’s care, that boy is doing well, I’m even starting to arrange a marriage for him!” Yang Minghui said with a smile that nearly reached his ears.

Initially, when Yang Zhenshan came to Chongshan Town, he didn’t bring him along, and frankly, he was a bit upset because he felt he was no less capable than Yang Mingwu.

However, looking back now, that decision was the correct one. He truly wasn’t a match for Yang Mingwu, and maybe even not for his own son Yang Chengze.

Seeing his son become accomplished, now a Deputy Thousand Households and defense officer, he couldn’t express how happy he was.

Yang Zhenshan grew interested, ”Have you found a girl you like?”

After this year, Yang Chengze would be nineteen years old.

In the countryside, this would already be considered an old age for a young man. Many of his peers probably already had two children.

This was also partly Yang Zhenshan’s fault, as he only urged Yang Chengze and the others to train and work, but never considered arranging their marriages.

Not just Yang Chengze, but also Yang Chengche, Yang Chengxu, Yang Qinwu, and the others were all unmarried.

”There is one, and our coming here also aims to ask Uncle Zhengshan if she’s suitable,” said Yang Minghui.

Yang Zhenshan slightly startled, ”Which family’s daughter?”

In matters of marriage, it was traditionally the parents’ decree and the matchmaker’s words that mattered; technically he had no right to meddle in Yang Chengze’s marriage.

But since Yang Minghui had brought it up, it meant the girl they had in mind was no ordinary girl.

Come to think of it, Yang Chengze was now a Secondary Fifth Rank Assistant General, an eighteen-year-old Military Officer in Anning County, and marrying a girl from any family there wouldn’t be considered reaching too high.

”It is the second daughter of County Magistrate Luo!” said Yang Zhengxiang, ”Although she is a concubine’s daughter, she is still County Magistrate Luo’s daughter.”

”This was brought up by County Magistrate Luo himself, and I’m somewhat undecided, so I wanted to discuss it with you.”

Yang Zhenshan asked, ”Does Clan Leader think less of County Magistrate Luo’s daughter?”

”How could it be? I have seen the girl, she’s pretty and sensible, very much fitting the image of a well-bred young lady.”

With a light sigh, Yang Zhengxiang added, ”I fear our Yang family might not be lofty enough, you know that County Magistrate Luo comes from the Luo family of Jingzhou State.”

Luo Jin was a scholar who was appointed as the County Magistrate of An Yuan County.

For a scholar to become a County Magistrate was not easy, and even a lesser county like Anning County wasn’t a position that a typical scholar could attain as County Magistrate.

And Luo Jin’s becoming County Magistrate of Anning County couldn’t have occurred without the backing of his family.

Luo Jin was born into the Luo family of Jingzhou State, a family of officials, several of whose ancestors had served in the court, and there was even a member of the Luo family currently serving as a third-rank Minister.

Compared to the Yang Family, Jingzhou State’s Luo Family, whether in terms of heritage or force, is something the Yang Family cannot match.

Although the Yang Family is currently thriving in Anning County, Yang Zhengxiang still appears somewhat humble in front of the County Magistrate Luo Jin.

To put it bluntly, it’s only been two or three years since the Yang Family, these country bumpkins, pulled themselves out of the soil, nowhere near the Luo Family.

To form a marital alliance with the Luo Family could indeed be considered as marrying above one’s station.

But then again, is Yang Chengze inferior?

His background may not be as prestigious as Luo Jin’s, but Yang Chengze’s future will definitely surpass that of Luo Jin.

Luo Jin’s background as a successful candidate in the imperial examinations destined him to reach at most the position of a Prefect, and nothing higher.

What about Yang Chengze?

As long as he follows Zhou Lan, becoming either a Guerrilla General or an Assistant General is entirely possible.

That’s right, it’s about following Zhou Lan, not Yang Zhenshan.

Since Yang Zhenshan left him at Yinghe Castle, the person he could rely on was Zhou Lan.

It’s possible that Yang Zhenshan could help him in the future, but for the time being, he could no longer be of help.

Yang Zhenshan chuckled and said, ”Climbing the social ladder? It’s they who would be marrying up to Chengze, not us marrying up to them!”

”The Clan Leader should not sell himself short. With Chengze’s current accomplishments, it’s not just Luo Jin’s concubine daughter who would be marrying up, but even his legitimate daughter!”

Yang Zhengxiang was somewhat unsure, ”Is it really so?”

Although he had been the Clan Leader for half his life, the truth is that the Yang Family used to be nothing more than peasants.

”Of course!” Yang Zhenshan said with certainty: ”To be honest, if possible, I would prefer Chengze to wait another two years before marrying.”

”General Zhou has promised me that in two years, he will officially grant Chengze the rank of Thousand Households, by then Chengze will be a Standard Fifth Rank officer!”

Yang Zhengxiang exchanged a glance with Yang Minghui, both showing expressions of joy.

”Let’s forget it then, I’m eager to hold a great-grandson!” Yang Zhengxiang said cheerfully, no longer feeling inferior.

”That’s good, Chengze marrying sooner means you can hold your great-grandson earlier!”

Yang Zhenshan smiled and said, ”Since County Magistrate Luo has this intention, then if you agree, it’s settled. With the help of County Magistrate Luo, Chengze’s future will be smoother.”

”That’s the way it is!” said Yang Zhengxiang in agreement.

Then, the two talked about some matters concerning Yang Family Village, before Yang Zhenshan took them to the guest rooms and had Yang Mingcheng arrange several servants to attend to them.

It had been a long and tiring journey for Yang Zhengxiang.

Although he was a Martial Artist, with age, his once-robust body had already begun to decline.

After they had rested well, Yang Zhenshan asked the kitchen to prepare a grand feast in the evening to entertain Yang Zhengxiang and Yang Minghui’s party.

They were not the only visitors—many other members of the Yang Family came as well, such as Yang Mingzhen’s two elder brothers and the families of other Yang descendants.

However, the others did not need to be personally entertained by Yang Zhenshan; considering the generational hierarchy, aside from Yang Zhengxiang, who would dare to expect such personal attention.

They also brought with them quite a few gifts, a whole three horse carriages worth of holiday presents.

Nothing particularly valuable, just some dried vegetables, wood ear mushrooms, dates, dried fruits, and the like.

The Yang Family’s heritage was still too shallow; even if they wanted to present something valuable, they couldn’t afford it.

The night passed without conversation, and the next day Yang Zhenshan personally took Yang Zhengxiang around An Yuan City, buying quite a few things for the Yang Family.

Actually, these were things he had planned to buy anyway and were prepared for Yang Mingcheng to take back, but now that Yang Zhengxiang was here, he might as well give them directly to him.

Yang Zhengxiang did not refuse Yang Zhenshan’s kindness, because the things Yang Zhenshan bought were not for him alone, but for the entire Yang Family.

This included some basic Martial Arts Cultivation Techniques and some ordinary writing materials like brushes and inkstones.

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Yang Zhengxiang didn’t stay in An Yuan City for too long, leaving after just four days.

With the year-end approaching, there were many things within the clan waiting for his attention.

Similarly, Yang Mingcheng also returned with him.

Some relationships in Anning County still required Yang Mingcheng to visit, particularly Mr. Lu’s, where only Yang Mingcheng’s personal visit would suffice.

Standing at the city gate and watching the departing convoy, Yang Zhenshan took a deep breath.

He did not know when his next meeting with Yang Zhengxiang would be.

As his official position grew larger, his opportunities to return to Yang Family Village became less and less.

Speaking of which, he quite missed that quiet little mountain village.

Even though he had only lived in Yang Family Village for half a year, he truly considered it his home.

No matter where a person is, they need to have roots.

Yang Zhenshan had already lost his former roots in this world, so Yang Family Village had become his dependence, a new root, keeping him preoccupied and longing.

A haven for his homesickness and nostalgia for the past.

Not until the convoy disappeared at the end of the official road did Yang Zhenshan withdraw his gaze.

”Prepare yourselves, we’re going to Songzhou Guard tomorrow!”

He said to Yang Minghao by his side.