Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 182: Chapter 178: See off the guests, Pacify

In the study of the front hall, Mr. Liang sat next to Yang Zhenshan.

Today, Mr. Liang looked particularly dispirited, as if he had lost all vitality. His expression was dull, his eyes lifeless, sitting silently beside Yang Zhenshan without uttering a word for a long time.

Yang Zhenshan knew the reason for his condition.

The Jing’an Liang family had been accused and sentenced for treason, resulting in the execution and confiscation of the entire family.

For this outcome, Yang Zhenshan had been prepared, and so had Lv Hua; otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent Yang Zhenshan a pardon decree.

Mr. Liang’s family was fortunate to escape, but the Liang family was destined for destruction.

Although Mr. Liang disliked the Liang family, it was after all the family that raised him, and he had hoped to return gloriously one day.

But now?

He would never have the chance to return to the Liang family.

”Ah, try to let it go, if anyone is to blame, it’s Liang Rong!” Yang Zhenshan consoled.

The Liang family deserved the punishment for their crimes.

If the Liang family had only engaged in smuggling, they would not have been executed outright. However, they provided the East Sea Hu Clan, no, now the Great Ling Dynasty, with critical supplies like salt and iron and even military intelligence from Chongshan Town.

Such an entity, in any country or dynasty, deserved no pity.

Mr. Liang fell silent for a moment, then said, ”I know, it’s just hard to accept right now!”

He was not defending the Liang family nor was he angry or hateful; he simply found it hard to accept.

The Liang family was destroyed, and he truly was unprepared for it.

”You should be thankful, though Jing’an Liang family has perished, isn’t there still the Ningzhou Liang family?” Yang Zhenshan said, stroking his beard.

For Mr. Liang, completely severing ties with the Jing’an Liang family was the best choice.

From then on, he should have nothing to do with the Jing’an Liang family.

”Yes!” Mr. Liang perked up at the mention of the Ningzhou Liang family.

”You’re right, I should be grateful and think about Zhen’er and Xiu’er!”

Yang Zhenshan smiled, ”That’s the spirit! Let go of what should be let go!”

If the Liang family had been kind to Mr. Liang,—loving parents, friendly siblings,—it would be natural for Mr. Liang to yearn for the Liang family. However, the Liang family barely held any affection for Mr. Liang, and his attachment to them was mere self-torment, utterly pointless.

Compared to that, leading a good life of his own was most important.

After consoling Mr. Liang for a while, Yang Zhenshan called for Yang Qinwu.

These past few days, because of the wedding, he had only briefly met everyone, without having a good talk.

Now that he finally had some time, Yang Zhenshan naturally wanted to inquire about the situation at Yinghe Castle.

Things were going well at Yinghe Castle, better than Yang Zhenshan had expected, which relieved him quite a bit.

”And how about Ming Wu?”

Yang Qinwu reported, ”Tianhe Castle is doing alright, Uncle Ming Wu ran into some trouble when he first arrived, but it’s all resolved now. Before I came here, Uncle Ming Wu was also preparing for military training, so I think there shouldn’t be any major issues.”

”Oh, the Liu family is leaving!”

Yang Qinwu suddenly exclaimed.

”Which Liu family?” Yang Zhenshan asked, puzzled.

”Which other than Mr. Liu from Liu Yuanfu!” Yang Qinwu’s eyes brightened as he spoke, ”It’s said that the court is planning to restore Mr. Liu to his former position. Some time ago, General Zhou even visited Yinghe Castle and had a long talk with Mr. Liu!”

Yang Zhenshan’s eyes also lit up.

Liu Yuanfu is returning to the capital!

This is indeed great news!

Previously, Liu Yuanfu had been the Right Imperial Censor at the Imperial Examination Hall, and if he could return to his original position, or even if not, just returning to court with his reputation, he would still be a prominent figure.

Although previously this old man had been somewhat indifferent towards Yang Zhenshan, when Yang Zhenshan left Yinghe Castle, Liu Yuanfu gifted him a copy of ’Doctrine of the Mean’, which to some extent meant they had established a relationship.

Most importantly, Yang Zhenshan had looked after the Liu family for a year, with this connection, if later Yang Zhenshan sought help, could Liu Yuanfu refuse?

”Once you return, convey my congratulations to Boss Liu!” said Yang Zhenshan.

”Will do!” Yang Qinwu smiled in agreement.

...

In the following days, guests who came to offer congratulations departed from An Yuan City.

The last to leave was Yang Mingzhi, whom Yang Zhenshan personally escorted out of the city gate, watching the departing entourage, stroking his beard without moving for a long time.

Seeing Yang Mingzhi this time, Yang Zhenshan distinctly felt that Yang Mingzhi had changed.

Grown up, matured, more composed, every gesture carried more of the authority of a superior.

In the past, Yang Mingzhi had always followed his arrangements closely, and although he performed well, he always lacked the capability to act independently.

And now, Yang Mingzhi, all alone at Jianning Guard, followed Zhou Lan’s side, running errands for her. His abilities were honed, and his mentality matured further. His conduct and style had gained a swift and authoritative demeanor.

Among the three brothers, Yang Zhenshan favored Yang Mingzhi the most. This was also why initially he was the first one he wanted to pursue an official career.

”Dad, we should head back now!” Yang Mingcheng whispered gently.

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly, ”Let’s go.”

”How is the construction at the horse ranch coming along?”

Yang Mingcheng rode alongside him, ”It’s already completed. In a couple of days, I will take Ma San to pick out a batch of foals!”

”Alright, once the foals are bought, let me know. I’ll come and take a look,” said Yang Zhenshan.

Returning to the government office, Yang Zhenshan first went to his study to attend to the official duties that had been delayed in recent days. In reality, there weren’t many duties, as the garrison office had already been well-established.

With Han Cheng, Song Dashan, and Wang Sheng in charge of the garrison, and Xie Yuan, Wu Chongzhe, and Yang Minghao managing the garrison outside the city, the plans devised by Yang Zhenshan were progressing smoothly.

Additionally, with Xu Jin, who was overseeing military supplies, monitoring closely, Yang Zhenshan could fully adopt a hands-off approach.

As for Luo Shang, she did not come this time. Instead, Luo Zhen brought a gift as a congratulation. As the Luo family’s business grew bigger, Luo Shang became busier and simply could not spare the time to congratulate Yang Zhenshan personally.

After arriving, Luo Zhen did not leave but stayed in An Yuan City.

He was in charge of handling the Luo family’s business in the city.

”Any other matters?”

After processing the documents of the past few days, Yang Zhenshan asked Lu Wenhua.

Currently, the clerk at the garrison office was still Zhou Ren, while Lu Wenhua played the role of Yang Zhenshan’s secretary or assistant, handling some of the less important official duties.

”Uh, there’s nothing else!” Lu Wenhua hesitated a bit.

Yang Zhenshan glanced at him, ”If there’s something, just say it. Why hesitate?”

Lu Wenhua gave a sheepish smile and said, ”It’s not about the government office. I bought a house in the city and am planning to move there in the next few days!”

Yang Zhenshan paused, then understood his intentions.

Initially when everyone arrived in An Yuan City, Song Dashan, Lu Wenhua, and others stayed in the front courtyard of the Yang family. Though they had a few small houses there, they were not spacious but were still sufficient for a few families.

Song Dashan had already moved out recently. After all, now that he had his family with him, it seemed inappropriate to keep staying at the Yang family’s house.

Besides, many of the Yang family descendants who came along had also moved out. They couldn’t afford to buy houses, but renting a small place was still feasible.

Now, these young members of the Yang family all held official positions and received monthly salaries, so renting a place was quite easy.

Now, the only one left living with the Yang family was Lu Wenhua.

”Did you find a good place?” Yang Zhenshan asked.

”Yes, I found a small courtyard near Brother Song’s place. It costs only three pieces of silver per month,” Lu Wenhua said.

Yang Zhenshan thought for a moment and said, ”That’s fine. Later, I’ll have Wu Hai help you move your things there. After some time, you can bring your wife and children over!”

Saying this, he got up, walked over to Lu Wenhua, patted his shoulder, and said, ”Don’t think too much. No matter what, I am your uncle by marriage, and Mingcheng and the others are your cousins!”

Lu Wenhua was moving out of the Yang family partly because it indeed was inappropriate for him to stay permanently, and partly because Yang Zhenshan had married Yu Qingyi.

”I understand!” Lu Wenhua smiled.

He had no objections to Yang Zhenshan’s remarriage. In fact, he was more open about it than Lu Songhe and Lu Zhaoqi, as he had been by Yang Zhenshan’s side the longest and knew him well.

The care Yang Zhenshan showed to the Lu family needed no explanation. Lu Wenchun became the governor of Yinghe Castle because of Yang Zhenshan’s assistance, and he himself was able to become a Martial Artist because of Yang Zhenshan’s help.

Although he felt that Yang Zhenshan had changed compared to the past, he believed that it should be so.

After all, the old Yang Zhenshan was just a farmer with no capacity to remarry, but the current Yang Zhenshan held the position of a Secondary Third-Rank Commander, and could not only remarry but even take in several concubines without facing any gossip.

”Alright, continue your cultivation diligently. You have good potential, and though you started late, your future is still promising!”

”Once your cultivation reaches the Postnatal Realm, I will recommend you for an official position. By then, you and Lu Wenquan supporting each other, one in military and one in civil fields, the Lu family may not become a prominent official family, but will at least flourish for a century!” Yang Zhenshan said smilingly.

Lu Wenhua’s eyes brightened. Letting the Lu family flourish for a century!

This was something he dared not even dream of before.

What was the old Lu family? Barely a humble family. But the future?

If Lu Wenquan could succeed in the imperial examinations, and if he could become a Military Officer, then the Lu family would be a family of officials and nobles.

”Thank you for your care, Uncle!” Lu Wenhua sincerely thanked him.

Yang Zhenshan patted his shoulder again, ”As I said, no matter what, you and Mingcheng and the others are cousins. You must support each other in the future, saying thanks is too formal!”

”Alright!” Lu Wenhua nodded vigorously.

For Yang Zhenshan, taking care of the Lu family was a duty, as it was a debt owed by his former life. Of course, he also hoped that the Yang family and the Lu family would support each other.

Although the current Lu family was not yet in a position to support the Yang family, Lu Wenquan had the potential of a scholar.

The future was uncertain, and for Yang Zhenshan, this was also an investment, an investment in Lu Wenquan.