Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 158: Chapter 154: Selection of the New Racecourse Site

In the following days, Wei Cen no longer appeared in front of Yang Zhenshan, and Liang Rong also ceased to seek Yang Zhenshan out.

As for the specific circumstances, Yang Zhenshan was unclear, nor would he take the initiative to inquire. It was better to be involved in such matters as little as possible. Now that neither party was approaching him, he was happy to stay out of it.

Unknowingly, time had entered March, and in less than a month, spring plowing would commence. Yang Zhenshan thus turned his attention to this matter.

One day, Yang Zhenshan, accompanied by Yang Mingcheng, went to Shaling Castle to inspect the preparations for spring plowing.

Yang Minghao was the garrison officer of Shaling Castle, and although Yang Zhenshan felt Yang Minghao should be competent for the role, he still worried about potential oversights.

After all, Yang Minghao was just sixteen years old.

As his father, he naturally needed to look after his son and prevent mistakes that could delay work.

”Sir, look, all the farming tools are ready, and in a couple of days, they will be distributed among the military households!”

In the storehouse of the garrison office at Shaling Castle, Yang Minghao pointed to the array of farming tools and said.

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly and asked, ”What about the seeds?”

”They’re all stored in the granary! Would you like to take a look, sir?” Yang Minghao was a bit excited, this being his first time in charge, and he was eager to demonstrate his capabilities to Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Zhenshan thought for a moment, ”Let’s take a look then!”

Seeds were of utmost importance; if there were no issues, that would be great, but if there were, now was the time to remedy them. Otherwise, if problems with the seeds were discovered close to spring plowing, it would cause delays.

Following that, a group of people went to the granary behind the government office and took a look, resulting in Yang Zhenshan being very satisfied.

Although Yang Minghao was somewhat careless usually, he was meticulous when dealing with tasks.

The granary had obviously been checked in advance and preparations had been made for fire prevention and waterproofing.

Subsequently, Yang Zhenshan took a tour around Shaling Castle and soon they arrived at a depression in the mountains.

Yang Zhenshan rode on horseback, looking over this mountain hollow, and asked, ”Has this land not been reclaimed?”

This hollow was flanked by hills to the east and west; the eastern hill was low, but the western hill was high and probably counted as the tallest in the north of An Yuan State City.

The mountain was dense with vegetation, and although no greenery was visible now, one could see many tall trees, which would turn the mountain lush green come spring.

”No, it’s too far from the garrison and inconvenient for cultivation!”

”There is a Fire Road Pile on the mountain, and the western slope has about a few dozen acres of land that could barely support several military households!”

Yang Minghao pointed towards the mountain top.

Typically, signal towers and Fire Road Piles were set on mountain tops, which helped observe the surrounding area and made the smoke signals more evident when lit.

However, this made life harder for soldiers and military households stationed within them, as the mountainous soil tended to be barren, making it hard to feed themselves even after a year of hard work.

”Let’s go see over there!” Yang Zhenshan nodded and spurred his horse towards the small hill to the east.

Standing atop the small hill and surveying the surroundings, Yang Zhenshan noticed it was an excellent location, geomantically speaking.

Around the small hill was fertile land that promised to be lush pasture come spring.

To the north ran a large river, the Ying River, which was much broader here than at Yinghe Castle, having converged with several tributaries.

Across the river were low hills, two garrisons, and a dozen signal towers and Fire Road Piles under the garrison office’s jurisdiction.

”What a pity, if this land could be cultivated, at least a thousand mu of good fields could be yielded!” Yang Zhenshan gaze at the distant Ying River.

”Dad, this place would be perfect for a horse farm!” Yang Mingcheng hurriedly interjected.

He had come out this time specifically to find a suitable place for a horse farm. Now, hearing Yang Zhenshan discussing land reclamation, he couldn’t help feeling anxious.

Having been in An Yuan State for several months, doing nothing, he was itching to get busy.

With spring approaching, it was time for him to find something to do, so he set out to find a location for a horse farm.

Yang Zhenshan glanced at Yang Mingcheng with slight amusement, ”Of course, I know this place is suitable for a horse farm!”

With hills and water, as well as a vast expanse of grassland, and being some distance from the frontier — plus having two garrisons to the north to prepare against any disruptions by the Hu Clan — the conditions here were better than those of the horse farm at Yinghe Castle, and it could be established on a larger scale.

Yang Mingcheng chuckled, saying, ”Dad, I think the horse farm could be built near the river, which would make water usage convenient, and a small manor could be built atop this hill.”

”This hill isn’t made of stone but of earth, and some fields could likely be reclaimed.”

”We could buy some slaves to put in the manor, which would allow us to both raise horses and cultivate land.”

Yang Mingcheng elaborated his plan.

The current Yang Mingcheng was no longer just a simple farmer; he had leveled up, becoming a novice rancher or horse farm owner.

His thoughts were no longer on how to farm the land, but on how to manage a manor and horse farm.

Yang Zhenshan nodded, ”Let’s choose this place then. Have Ma San come over in the next few days.”

The horse farm at Yinghe Castle would remain, albeit as a standard, small horse farm and part of the Yang family’s business, but its income would certainly decrease significantly.

Ma San was a skilled horseman, and although Yang Mingcheng had improved a lot, he was still no match for Ma San in horse rearing.

The only issue with this location was its distance from An Yuan City – a full thirty li – meaning Yang Zhenshan wouldn’t be able to visit often.

However, that wasn’t a major problem, as he didn’t need to constantly add Spiritual Spring Water to the horse farm; periodic visits would suffice.

”Dad, if we build a horse farm here, the expenses won’t be small!” Yang Mingcheng mentioned.

Although he wasn’t sure how much silver Yang Zhenshan had, he knew it couldn’t be much.

In fact, the Yang family’s income wasn’t substantial, with nothing much beyond the farmland in Anning County and the horse farm at Yinghe Castle.

”Selling those shops at Chongshan Pass should cover the cost of building the horse farm!” Yang Zhenshan had already considered this issue.

He indeed didn’t have much silver left.

But the shops he bought last year at Chongshan Pass should be able to sell for a good amount of silver now.

Before coming to An Yuan City, the prices of the shops at Chongshan Pass had already started to rise, and now it’s estimated they could double.

Initially, it was only a few hundred taels of silver, but now it has become over a thousand taels.

A thousand taels of silver is enough to build a horse farm.

Even if it’s not enough, he could start with a small scale and then gradually expand it later.

The horse farm at Yinghe Castle still has many horses, and some could be sold this year.

”Also, contact Luo Shang again and ask if he’s willing to open a cloth shop in An Yuan City!” Yang Zhenshan continued to instruct.

Before the New Year, Luo Shang sent many festival gifts to the Yang family, and Yang Zhenshan understood his meaning; he was afraid Yang Zhenshan had forgotten about him.

Of course, Yang Zhenshan would not forget him; the Luo family’s business actually involved a share of the Yang family’s interest, although it was not explicitly stated by both parties.

Naturally, An Yuan City can’t compare with the city by the pass, but An Yuan City is still a considerable city. If Luo Shang opens a cloth shop here, he will surely make money.

...

In the evening, when Yang Zhenshan returned from Shaling Castle, he saw Wu Hai standing at the entrance of the garrison office waiting for him.

Wu Hai is the butler of the Yang family, but he is not a staff member of the garrison office, so he’s rarely inside the office under normal circumstances.

Today Wu Hai was unexpectedly waiting at the entrance of the garrison office for him, so something must have happened at home?

Yang Zhenshan frowned as he dismounted and before he could ask anything, Wu Hai spoke first: ”Master, the young mistress is giving birth!”

Yang Zhenshan suddenly realized.

Considering the timing, it really was time for Yang Yunyan to give birth.

Speaking of which, this would be Yang Zhenshan’s second grandchild, or perhaps his first granddaughter.

”How is the situation?” Yang Zhenshan asked.

”The midwife has already arrived, and the doctor has been called; the eldest young madam is already there maintaining vigil!” Wu Hai said.

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly and quickly walked into the garrison office.

”Sir!”

At this moment, Zhou Ren also came forward, ”Just now Mr. Han sent someone to say that the soldiers have completed their basic training and can start actual combat training tomorrow!”

”Mhm, you tell him I will go there tomorrow!” Yang Zhenshan said as he walked.

”Yes, sir. And Mr. Xie Yuan also sent someone, saying that several garrisons are short on farm tools and would like the craftsmen from the garrison office to forge a batch of farm tools!” Zhou Ren said as he followed beside Yang Zhenshan.

”Mhm, have him give us the quantity, and then instruct the craftsman to start forging!”

These were all trifles, but Zhou Ren had formed a habit; no matter whether it was a significant or minor matter within the garrison office, he would report it to Yang Zhenshan.

Sometimes when Yang Zhenshan was out, he would wait for Yang Zhenshan to return before reporting, and only after reporting would he leave the office to go home.

After reporting, Zhou Ren bowed slightly and stopped following Yang Zhenshan.

And Yang Zhenshan quickly walked from the government office into the back courtyard.

Through two moon-shaped gates, into the inner courtyard, turning left around the pond before finally arriving at the courtyard where Jiang He and Yang Yunyan lived.

At this moment, there were quite a few servants coming in and out of the courtyard.

And just as Yang Zhenshan stepped into the courtyard gate, he heard the sound of a baby’s cry coming from inside the house.

”She’s given birth!”

Yang Zhenshan paused, his timing was indeed perfect.

At this time, the courtyard was bustling with activity, Ms. Wang was directing a group of servants being busy with various tasks, and nobody noticed Yang Zhenshan’s arrival.

”She’s born, she’s born!”

Ms. Wang said with some excitement.

Someone next to her was even more excited; at the moment the crying started, Jiang He, who was pacing in circles, suddenly jumped up.

”She’s born, she’s born!”

Suddenly the entire courtyard was filled with joy.

Yang Zhenshan then stepped forward, clearing his throat slightly.

”Master!”

”Dad!”

Only then did everyone notice Yang Zhenshan had arrived.

Yang Zhenshan nodded, not saying anything, but quietly watching the door of the house.

Soon, the nanny beside Yang Yunyan came out, and when she saw Yang Zhenshan, she was slightly startled, then quickly greeted and said: ”Congratulations, master, the young mistress has given birth to a precious daughter!”

Yang Zhenshan, stroking his beard, smiled and said: ”Reward them, Wu Hai, double the monthly money for everyone in the house this month!”

”Thank you, master, for the reward!”

Hearing the monthly money was doubled, the servants who were busy around all had their brows lifted with joy.

”Let’s go in and take a look!”

Yang Zhenshan patted Jiang He’s shoulder and walked into the main house first.

Of course, they couldn’t enter the birthing room, so they could only wait in the living room.