Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 183: Chapter 179 People from Capital City

Yang Zhenshan’s married life was filled with warmth and sweetness.

Especially during the moments of intimate toil every night, Yang Zhenshan found it somewhat irresistible.

Compared to his previous nights spent hugging a pillow, Yang Zhenshan felt this was truly the life a man should live.

Of course, with bliss at night, there was also sweetness during the day.

Though Yu Qingyi was a Jianghu Martial Artist, and carried the free spirit and toughness of a Jianghu character, she also possessed the gentleness and thoughtfulness of a woman.

Since Yu Qingyi entered the household, Yang Zhenshan’s food and clothing were much more meticulously managed, his apparel no longer as casual and shabby as before.

And at managing the household, Yu Qingyi displayed capabilities far beyond Ms. Wang’s; after all, she had been the Sect Leader of the Sky Blue Sword Sect, overseeing dozens of Disciples and over two hundred servants. Now as part of the Yang family, she handled everything with ease and familiarity.

Under her management, the servants of the Yang family became much more disciplined, and there were many changes in the living conditions and daily routines of the household.

Some of the aspects Yang Zhenshan wouldn’t care about, or that Ms. Wang wouldn’t think of, were all noticed by Yu Qingyi, and she made changes according to her own ideas.

In short, with Yu Qingyi as the virtuous spouse, Yang Zhenshan felt more at ease.

His life was undeniably delightful.

However, this peaceful, delightful post-marriage life of Yang Zhenshan was soon to be disrupted.

On the afternoon of May 23rd.

On the southern official road of An Yuan City, a grand procession of flags and banners was passing.

’Left Assistant Imperial Censor from the Imperial Examination Hall!’

’Assistant Minister from the Ministry of Criminal Justice!’

’Left Junior Minister from the Ministry of Justice!’

’Ministry of Revenue doctor!’

A dense array of flags and banners led the way, followed by over a thousand soldiers and dozens of carriages, majestically arriving at An Yuan City.

Yang Zhenshan had received the notice early and awaited at the city gate.

The An Yuan State treason case was finally coming to a judgment.

It was clear that the court took this case seriously, otherwise, they wouldn’t deploy such an imposing procession.

Look, the Imperial Examination Hall, the Ministry of Criminal Justice, the Ministry of Justice were all present.

This was going to be a trial by the Three Divisions!

However, this was to be expected, as the case involved numerous officials, including Sha Pingchuan, the Commander from Songzhou Guard of Standard Third Rank, Lin Xuan, the Prefect of An Yuan State of Standard Fifth Rank, and Hao Zhaoxian, the Assistant from Chongshan Town government office of Standard Fifth Rank, who were the main officials involved. Besides them, many minor ranks and the wealthy Liang family were entangled.

Smuggling, collusion, and treason - it had been many years since Da Rong encountered such a significant case.

Crucially, this case was dug up by the Secret Martial Guards.

Regardless of the case type, once it touched the Secret Martial Guards, all departments and government offices of the court couldn’t afford to neglect it.

Of course, their diligence was not out of a desire to clean up after the Secret Martial Guards, but because they had no choice but to cover for them.

The senior figures of the court didn’t like the Secret Martial Guards; they would rather the Secret Martial Guards do nothing at all.

Yet, once the Secret Martial Guards acted, they had to step forward and take over, as they didn’t want the Secret Marian Guards to recklessly meddle.

Yang Zhenshan stood in front of the city gate, looking thoughtfully at the dense arrival of flags and banners.

Speaking of which, he also had his own parade of flags and banners.

But he had never used them; those decorations had been gathering dust in the office warehouse.

Should he find an opportunity to show off? After all, he was technically a Deputy Magistrate of Songzhou Guard.

As Yang Zhenshan was caught up in his thoughts, the grand procession arrived at the city gate.

However, they didn’t stop at all and went straight into the city.

In the presence of these Capital City officials, Yang Zhenshan, the garrison of An Yuan, was nothing noteworthy.

The carriages slowly passed by, and the high-ranking officials inside didn’t even draw back the curtains to glance at Yang Zhenshan.

”You needn’t mind, sir, these court officials are always like this!” Wang Sheng, who was behind Yang Zhenshan, spoke up to console him, worried that Yang Zhenshan might be upset.

Not just Yang Zhenshan, even his father Wang Bin wasn’t worth a second glance in front of these Capital City officials.

In the hierarchy of officials, those with actual appointments looked down on those without; just as Yang Zhenshan with actual appointment as the garrison of An Yuan City, was entitled to look down on another Deputy Magistrate of Songzhou Guard.

The reason was simple; Yang Zhenshan had control over the city’s defenses, directly belonging to the Songzhou Sub-General Mansion, while the other Deputy Magistrate in Songzhou Guard was just a subordinate, under the Commander.

Capital City officials despised local officials, whether you were a civil servant or a military officer, in front of Capital City officials, one should take a lower position.

”I’m not concerned about it, once the handover is done, it’s no longer our problem, let’s go!”

Yang Zhenshan flipped his sleeves and turned to walk into the city.

Though he said so, he was quite upset inside.

Damn it, looking down on people so much would upset anyone.

He wasn’t expecting any lavish courtesies, but since he was waiting here, those people should at least have shown their face and greeted.

Not even greeting and ignoring him like that, who could feel happy about it.

Soon, the procession arrived in front of the Prefectural Government. At this moment, there was finally some activity in the carriages.

A middle-aged man in a green official robe alighted from one of the carriages.

Green, presumably the outfit of a Ministry of Revenue doctor.

Because among the several officials who came, only the Ministry of Revenue doctor was of Standard Fifth Rank and would wear a green official robe.

This doctor looked around and then walked towards Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Zhenshan was also wearing an official robe today, the regular uniform of a military officer of Secondary Third Rank, vermilion-colored.

In terms of rank, Yang Zhenshan naturally ranked above the Ministry of Revenue doctor, but the ranks of military officers were somewhat inflated, so Yang Zhenshan couldn’t boast in front of the Ministry of Revenue doctor.

Additionally, since the other party was an official from the Ministry of Revenue, Yang Zhenshan really couldn’t treat him lightly.

But it was different for the other party; the reason why Capital City officials were at the top of the hierarchy chain was that they could speak in court, and just by flapping their lips could cause you undue misfortune.

Even a few negative remarks, without reaching the old Emperor’s ears but just heard by a few senior figures in the court, might destroy your future prospects.

Take Yang Zhenshan for example, if someone in the Capital City spoke of his arrogance and rudeness, once it reached the Central Army Commander’s Mansion, it would be troublesome for Yang Zhenshan to seek promotions thereafter.

Chongshan Town, which is under the jurisdiction of the Central Army Commander’s Mansion, didn’t require the Central Army Commander’s Mansion to manage the promotions and reassignments when Yang Zhenshan held lower positions. But now, if Yang Zhenshan wanted further promotion, it would have to go through the Central Army Commander’s Mansion’s records.

When this Ministry of Revenue official arrived in front of Yang Zhenshan, he did not introduce himself but directly said, ”We are taking over here now, just hand over all the official documents to me!”

The Ministry of Revenue did not come to adjudicate cases, they came to conduct a seizure of properties.

It was therefore only natural that they would take over the back courtyard of the Prefectural Government.

Yang Zhenshan gave a slight nod and signaled to Wang Sheng, who immediately stepped forward to hand over the official documents to the Ministry of Revenue official.

The Ministry of Revenue official scanned the documents briefly and frowned, saying, ”You haven’t tampered with anything inside, have you?”

”No!” Yang Zhenshan responded without thinking.

The seizure was about to happen, and everything in the government office’s backyard belonged to the court; even if he had tampered, he couldn’t admit it, but he truly hadn’t.

However, the Ministry of Revenue officer looked at him skeptically.

”Really haven’t?”

Yang Zhenshan frowned; this was somewhat excessive.

In fact, it makes no difference whether they tampered or not, as seizing property typically involves a bit of skimming off the top, which is quite normal.

As long as it wasn’t too egregious, people generally wouldn’t quibble over this matter.

But this Ministry of Revenue official was catching on to him right from the start, which seemed excessive.

Yang Zhenshan looked at him expressionlessly and said, ”The Secret Martial Guards are here as well; they are on duty with my garrison. If you don’t believe it, you can ask them!”

After speaking, Yang Zhenshan turned around and left.

”Withdraw troops, back to camp!”

What nonsense?

Putting on airs in front of me?

Do you really think I’m made of clay?

Yang Zhenshan was already displeased and now felt even more aggrieved.

So what if he’s an official from the Capital?

I am not someone without connections; don’t I have two big backers?

One named Zhou Lan, the other named Liu Yuanfu.

Just ten days ago, Liu Yuanfu left Yinghe Castle, resuming his position as the Right Imperial Censor in the Imperial Examination Hall.

While this backer might not compare to Zhou Lan, he is still a heavyweight in the court.

With these two backers, Yang Zhenshan could not say he’d traverse the court unimpeded, but if someone wanted to move against him, he could at least resist.

Yang Zhenshan mounted his horse, and upon seeing this, the Ministry of Revenue official’s face turned particularly ugly.

”You can’t leave yet, you must explain things clearly!”

Yang Zhenshan glanced at him sideways and downward.

”Ding San!”

”Subordinate here!”

Standing nearby, Ding San approached and bowed in response.

”The rest is up to the Secret Martial Guards, don’t bother me unnecessarily!”

After saying this, Yang Zhenshan left straight away.

This whole mess was never really his concern; whether the previous investigations or the current handovers, it was all matters for the Secret Martial Guards, he merely cooperated.

If there was a problem, they shouldn’t have come to him.

”Yes,” Ding San responded.

If a regular official dared to speak to Ding San like this, Ding San would have had to teach him a lesson.

Though Ding San was just a General Flag officer, he was a General Flag of the Secret Martial Guards.

There is a hierarchy in the official circles, but the Secret Martial Guards are not part of it.

However, Yang Zhenshan was different; setting aside his relationship with Wei Cen, just the fact Yang Zhenshan caught Lv Hua’s eye, Ding San could not disrespect Yang Zhenshan.

As Yang Zhenshan departed, Ding San turned to look at the Ministry of Revenue official.

”Mr. Li has any business can find me, I am always here on guard!”

Yang Zhenshan didn’t know the name of this Ministry of Revenue official, but Ding San did.

A flicker of anger crossed the depths of Li Chunhui’s eyes; he didn’t expect Yang Zhenshan to be so discourteous.

Indeed, it was discourteous.

Though he was just a Ministry of Revenue official, wherever he was assigned, wasn’t everyone polite to him?

Don’t forget, the Ministry of Revenue handles finances.

”No need!”

He flung his sleeve and turned to walk toward the carriage.

Arguing with Yang Zhenshan could be tolerated, but going against the Secret Martial Guards was just asking for trouble.

Thereafter, Li Chunhui approached the carriage in the middle of the team and quietly spoke a few words.

The soldiers in the team dispersed, taking control over edx\xfb|’s ministry of criminal justice.