Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 325: Chapter 315 The old Emperor is really nice!

”Sir, this is the official document just delivered from the Governor’s Mansion!”

Yang Zhenshan had just returned to the government office when Han Fei handed him a document.

”What does it contain?” Yang Zhenshan took the document while heading towards the study.

”It’s about the formation of the Navy,” Han Fei replied.

Yang Zhenshan’s eyes lit up, and he immediately opened the document to read as he walked.

But after he finished reading, his brows furrowed.

The Tenglong Advanced Guard?

Detaching the Tenglong Advanced Guard from the Tenglong Guard, creating a separate Guardian Department, and establishing a Navy Guard Station?

Does this mean the Navy still belongs to the Tenglong Guard?

Of course not!

The Tenglong Guard and Tenglong Advanced Guard have become two parallel government offices, with no hierarchical relation whatsoever.

Yang Zhenshan entered the study, stroking his beard while thinking.

This must surely be the old Emperor’s intention.

As for why the old Emperor would do this?

There are probably two considerations: one is that the Tenglong Guard is indeed overstaffed, and spinning off an advanced guard is a reasonable arrangement. The second is probably to prevent the Tenglong Guard from becoming too powerful and uncontrollable.

A garrison is already enough with Cavalry and Infantry, but to add a Navy to it, that would be too much.

If it continues to grow stronger, it will inevitably become too powerful to control.

Of course, this is not to say the old Emperor suspects Yang Zhenshan of being disloyal. If he had such a thought, he would not have let Yang Zhenshan take on the role of Commander of the Tenglong Advanced Guard; he is simply taking precautions, acting before the rain.

The old Emperor having such an arrangement isn’t surprising.

Yang Zhenshan thought about it and felt it wasn’t too much of an issue. Splitting into two separate guards doesn’t really affect him all that much, as long as he can control the Tenglong Advanced Guard.

But considering the old Emperor’s concerns, Yang Zhenshan thought it appropriate to make a gesture in response.

When working for a boss, one must consider the boss’s perspective and not let the boss harbor doubts and worries.

With that in mind, Yang Zhenshan wrote another memorial and had it sent to the Capital City.

Since the old Emperor has these worries, let’s dispel them. As for how to dispel them, it’s simple: have the old Emperor arrange a few people to come over and keep watch.

There’s always the same saying: as a General, one cannot turn the troops under his command into a private army, or else that General won’t be far from death.

The Tenglong Guard is currently showing tendencies of becoming a private army of the Yang family. Yang Zhenshan felt it was necessary to make a change; otherwise, the old Emperor’s suspicions would only deepen.

A few days later, Yang Zhenshan’s memorial was once again laid before Emperor Chengping.

When Emperor Chengping saw the memorial, he couldn’t help but laugh, ”Yang Zhenshan really is a sly one!”

Chen, standing beside him with a chuckle, said, ”This shows General Yang’s unwavering loyalty and selflessness towards Your Majesty!”

To suggest the Emperor place watchers by his side, not many in the entire court would be willing to do so, since no one likes to keep a higher-up under their wing.

However, for Emperor Chengping, this very attitude from Yang Zhenshan was what he liked the most.

”Hehe, he’s loyal, but he also asks for ships and men!”

Although Emperor Chengping was pleased in his heart, he still said it half-heartedly.

Yang Zhenshan’s petition was certainly not just for Emperor Chengping to send someone over; he wasn’t asking for just one person, he was asking for ten thousand military households, not just men, but warships as well.

The Tenglong Guard should have twenty-two thousand military households, but now they have only twelve thousand, a shortage of over ten thousand households.

And with the upcoming formation of the Navy, there of course needed to be warships.

But since warships can’t be purchased, he had to ask them of the old Emperor.

Emperor Chengping asked, ”The Tenglong Advanced Guard lacks a Commander skilled in naval warfare, who do you think is suitable?”

”This one!” Chen rapidly sifted through candidates in his mind and said, ”Your Majesty, I’ve heard that Marquis Haichang’s youngest son, Xue Ping, is quite talented. At a young age, he has already achieved the Postnatal Fourth Layer of cultivation, and considering the deep-rooted heritage of the Lan family, he is probably well-acquainted with naval warfare too!”

Emperor Chengping glanced at him, ”How much did Marquis Haichang bribe you to speak on his behalf?”

”I am wronged!” Chen dropped to his knees, ”This servant has absolutely not accepted any bribe from Marquis Haichang, I implore Your Majesty to see the truth!”

”Then what did you receive from him?” Emperor Chengping didn’t believe this old man would be so kind-hearted to recommend Marquis Haichang’s youngest son for no reason.

”Well, Your Majesty, have you forgotten? Last year during the Longevity Festival, Marquis Haichang gifted a Da Rong Sea Territory Map, and Your Majesty mentioned a reward for Marquis Haichang. But later, busy with state affairs, Your Majesty overlooked this matter,” Chen cautiously explained.

Marquis Haichang hadn’t asked him to help recommend his son, but rather to remind the old Emperor about the sea territory map.

That sea territory map was the result of three generations of Marquis Haichang pouring out their heart and soul, marking almost all the islands and dynasty forces within Da Rong’s surrounding seas. Although not perfectly accurate, it was undoubtedly a labor of care and dedication.

And what was the result?

After Emperor Chengping saw the sea territory map, he was very happy, very satisfied, and promised to reward Marquis Haichang.

But that was the end of it!

Marquis Haichang waited day and night at home for Emperor Chengping’s award, but nearly a year had passed and there was still no sign of it.

And Emperor Chengping had long forgotten about it.

Actually, it’s not entirely Emperor Chengping’s fault, even though his old age made his memory not so sharp, the main issue was that Marquis Haichang’s influence had waned too much.

Nowadays, Marquis Haichang was just a Commander of the Haijin Guard, with no chance to stand out in court, and no one to bring him up.

Emperor Chengping had forgotten himself, and no one around him would mention Marquis Haichang, nor were there any state affairs tied to Marquis Haichang, so how could Emperor Chengping remember him?

”Marquis Haichang! It seems there was such a matter!”

Upon being reminded by Chen, Emperor Chengping finally recalled the maritime chart Marquis Haichang had sent last year.

”How old is his youngest son?”

”He is twenty-two this year, with the cultivation of Postnatal Third Layer!” Chen reported.

Emperor Chengping nodded slightly, ”Not bad. Let him start off as a household head at Yang Zhenshan’s place. As for the role of Deputy Magistrate, I remember there’s a sea general named Yu Tonghai who seems rather capable!”

”Yu Tonghai!” Chen looked bewildered.

Emperor Chengping only remembered the name, ”Go and find out if such a person exists!”

”Yes!”

Chen hurriedly got up from the ground and exited the study. Less than a quarter of an hour later, Chen returned.

”Your Majesty, such a person does exist!”

Chen said with a face full of surprise.

In truth, he was internally mocking the old Emperor’s memory; you’d say his memory was good, but he had completely forgotten last year’s matter of Marquis Haichang. Yet, you can’t say his memory is poor, as Yu Tonghai had repelled pirates in Hai State three years ago. Although the Ministry of War also recognized Yu Tonghai’s merit at the time, it was only on that one occasion, yet Emperor Chengping still remembered it now.

”How capable is he?” Emperor Chengping inquired.

Chen replied: ”Three years ago, Mr. Yu was a household head of Hai State Left Guard. After Yanghe County in Hai State was attacked by pirates, Mr. Yu led thirty ships of varying sizes to chase the pirates for three days and nights, ultimately beheading eighty-seven, crushing over a thousand pirates, and rescuing more than three hundred civilians from Yanghe County!”

”Now Mr. Yu is a Deputy Commander at Hai State Advanced Guard, and Your Majesty even granted him the flying fish costume back then!”

”It seems he really has some true abilities!” Emperor Chengping nodded with satisfaction.

The southeastern coastal areas of Da Rong often suffer from pirate looting, and battles between coastal garrisons and pirates are common. However, the current state of Da Rong’s coastal defenses is significantly deteriorated, with the navy guard stations often losing to the pirates that land to raid.

The reason Emperor Chengping had an impression of Yu Tonghai was that he was the only military officer who had defeated pirates at sea in recent years.

Yes, the only one!

This clearly shows how much Da Rong’s Navy has declined!

”Then let Yu Tonghai take the role of Deputy Commander at Tenglong Advanced Guard!”

”Additionally, ask the Central Army Commander’s Mansion to find a way to move ten thousand military households over to Yang Zhenshan!”

”As for the warships, let the Ministry of Industry equip the Tenglong Advanced Guard with them, how can the Navy do without warships?

It has to be said, Emperor Chengping is rather generous towards Yang Zhenshan, willing to provide him with a full complement of warships for a guard unit.

Da Rong’s Navy may not be up to par, but Da Rong’s shipbuilding industry is still very impressive. Not to mention the privately-owned shipyards, there are over a dozen government-run shipyards alone.

Each site not only has vast shipbuilding facilities but also extensive accessory workshops.

For instance, there are many subsidiary factories such as sailcloth, cast iron, rope processing, lumber, and hemp storage warehouses, and specialized gardens for the cultivation of oil tung and lacquer trees.

Further, there’s a strict management system in place for the inspection of shipbuilding materials, ship repair, and delivery.

Da Rong’s shipbuilding industry has a very complete industrial chain.

...

In Tenglong Guard, Yang Zhenshan soon felt the old Emperor’s favor.

With each document delivered, Yang Zhenshan suddenly realized the old Emperor indeed intended for him to create a true Navy.

Professional talents, military households, and warships, the old Emperor had arrangements for all.

Although these were requests presented by Yang Zhenshan in his memorials, he never imagined that the old Emperor would actually fulfill all of them.

Reading the documents sent by the Central Army Commander’s Mansion and the Ministry of Industry, Yang Zhenshan couldn’t help but feel moved.

Oh, the old Emperor is so kind!

He suddenly felt the sentiment that a man would die for a friend who knows and supports him.

Friend may not be the word.

But such strong support was indeed touching.

Thinking back, it seemed the old Emperor had always supported him.

Although being transferred to Tenglong Guard was unexpected, ever since he arrived, the old Emperor had been responsive to his requests.

The funding from the Lan family, the old Emperor let him keep it; when he wanted to start a salt field, the old Emperor agreed; when he went abroad with troops without permission, the old Emperor just mildly penalized him for one year; and now, as he wished to build a Navy, the old Emperor provided both people and ships.

Regarding overseas trade, the old Emperor merely replied with a word of consent.

”Ah, such support from Your Majesty truly makes your subject feel exceedingly ashamed!”

In the study, Yang Zhenshan expressed his sentiments indistinctly.

To say that he had much loyalty to the old Emperor would be untrue!

But now, he felt sincere gratitude towards the old Emperor.

Devotion may not be there, as a transmigrator he held no concept of allegiance to anyone, but with such support from the old Emperor, he truly harbored sincere gratitude in his heart.

Just as with the initial kindness and support from Zhou Lan, it was worth his sincere appreciation.

”It seems I really need to build an elite Navy lest I disappoint the old Emperor’s trust!”

Before, Yang Zhenshan did fancy the idea of establishing a Navy, but the Navy he wanted was to serve maritime trade, to escort merchant ships.

Now that he’s been given a guard’s worth of warships, he had to change his previous plans.