Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 327: Chapter 317 Yu Tonghai, Xue Ping

Han Zhao glanced at the documents and token of Yu Tonghai, smiling as he said: ”Mr. Yu, please follow me!”

Although he couldn’t verify the authenticity of the documents, he didn’t believe that anyone would come to Tenglong Guard to deceive in this manner, as it was too easy to be exposed.

”It’s no trouble at all, brother!” Yu Tonghai said politely.

Then he handed his horse to a follower behind him and entered Guard City with Han Zhao.

Upon entering Guard City, he was slightly stunned.

Because at that moment, Guard City was in disarray, especially the Western district—it was like a massive construction site. Nearly the entire Western district was devoid of complete houses; everywhere were piles of stone, sand, and wood and other building materials. Hundreds of workers were busily engaged in their tasks, each vigorously at work shirtless.

”What’s this?” Yu Tonghai asked somewhat perplexedly.

Han Zhao explained: ”The old Guard City was too dilapidated, so the General ordered this entire area to be demolished and rebuilt!”

Hearing this, Yu Tonghai’s brow slightly furrowed.

Demolished and rebuilt entirely?

That seemed excessively labor-intensive!

The old garrison he previously resided in was also dilapidated, but who would dare demolish and rebuild it?

Demolishing and rebuilding such a large area required a considerable amount of manpower and resources.

This gave him a not so good impression of Tenglong Guard, but being new here, he held back his opinions, silently following Han Zhao through the chaotic streets to the Guardian Department office.

Viewing the imposing Guardian Department office and then the messy large construction site behind it, Yu Tonghai’s impression of Tenglong Guard worsened.

Naturally, Han Zhao was unaware of his thoughts. He briefly explained the situation to the office guards and then excused himself after the guards went inside to give notice.

Soon afterward, Yang Zhenshan emerged from the office.

”Mr. Yu!”

He looked at Yu Tonghai, his eyes shining.

”I am indeed Yu Tonghai; and who might you be, sir?” Yu Tonghai greeted with a clasped fist.

”Ha ha, I am Yang Zhenshan!”

Yang Zhenshan laughed heartily, reaching out to intimately grasp Yu Tonghai’s arm, saying: ”I have been waiting for Mr. Yu for a long time; you have finally arrived!”

”Please come in, please!”

”Uh, Master Yang!” Yu Tonghai was a bit uncomfortable with Yang Zhenshan’s enthusiasm.

As Yang Zhenshan stepped over the threshold, he suddenly remembered something.

”Right, did Mr. Yu bring your family? Wenhua, Wenhua!”

He shouted into the office, and Lu Wenhua quickly ran out.

”My lord!”

”Is Mr. Yu’s residence ready?” Yang Zhenshan asked.

”It’s all prepared; it’s the Muxiang Pavilion behind the office!” Lu Wenhua replied.

”Did Mr. Yu bring your wife?” Yang Zhenshan asked Yu Tonghai again.

Yu Tonghai was somewhat stunned and nodded, ”Yes, brought her!”

”Then you first take Mrs. Yu over to take a look. If Mrs. Yu finds anything unsuitable, arrange for someone to make the changes!” Yang Zhenshan instructed.

”Yes!” Lu Wenhua quickly responded, glancing at the three carriages outside.

Meanwhile, Yang Zhenshan pulled Yu Tonghai into the office.

Entering the office, Yang Zhenshan, though outwardly enthusiastic, was secretly observing Yu Tonghai.

Yu Tonghai was someone arranged by the old Emperor!

Although the Central Army Commander’s Mansion had already sent over Yu Tonghai’s dossier, and he knew that Yu Tonghai was previously the Commander in Hai State Left Guard, since it was the old Emperor who had arranged his placement, naturally Yang Zhenshan could not treat him lightly.

Upon reaching the main hall of the office, Yang Zhenshan called Yu Tonghai to take a seat, then shouted to a personal follower outside: ”Xiao Shan, go and call Mr. Xue over!”

Mr. Xue, also known as the son of Marquis Haichang, Xue Ping, had arrived from Capital City earlier than Yu Tonghai.

After a moment, Xue Ping appeared in the main hall. He was in his early twenties, fair-skinned and attractive, having a somewhat handsome appearance of a young man. However, Yang Zhenshan had tested him, and this guy was not merely a lucky heir, but genuinely knowledgeable and skilled.

Cultivation-wise, Xue Ping was at the Postnatal Fourth Layer, and insightfully knowledgeable about naval warfare as well.

But this young man had never been out to sea!

Yes, he was a landlubber; his theoretical knowledge was all academic.

But even so, Yang Zhenshan greatly valued Xue Ping, because even being knowledgeable on paper was an attribute he himself did not possess.

Xue Ping knew how to navigate at sea, knew the important shipping routes along the coast of Da Rong, and also knew many strategies and tactics about naval warfare, whereas Yang Zhenshan himself was completely clueless about sailing.

Being knowledgeable on paper at least showed that he had truly studied, though he had not practiced.

”Your subordinate greets Master Yang!” Xue Ping entered the main hall and respectfully bowed.

Yang Zhenshan smiled, ”Come, Mr. Xue, this is Mr. Yu Tonghai, our Tenglong Advanced Guard’s Commander!”

”Mr. Yu, this is the son of Marquis Haichang, Xue Ping, our Tenglong Advanced Guard’s Commander!”

He introduced the two men to each other.

Both quickly exchanged greetings.

After the formalities, Yang Zhenshan picked up his tea, took a light sip, and smiled, ”You two have just arrived and might not be familiar with the Tenglong Advanced Guard. I have prepared a welcoming banquet for you today, which will be a good opportunity to discuss the situation of the Tenglong Advanced Guard!”

”Wouldn’t a welcoming banquet be too much trouble?” Yu Tonghai asked hesitantly.

”Not at all, it’s just a table of food and drinks. What trouble could there be!” Yang Zhenshan replied with a smile.

Seeing him say this, Yu Tonghai felt it would be disrespectful to refuse any further.

As noon approached, Yang Zhenshan had arranged a table of simple dishes and drinks in the back hall of the government office.

A welcoming banquet is necessary for new officials, but Yang Zhenshan would not make it overly grand.

Although Yu Tonghai and Xue Ping were appointed by the old Emperor, he wouldn’t treat them as revered figures.

He needed capable people who could assist, not just to honor some esteemed lords.

So, while he was warm, he did not put off discussing serious matters.

Besides Yang Zhenshan, Wu Chongzhe was also in attendance at the banquet.

Yu Tonghai, seeing the simple banquet, felt relieved; he had feared Yang Zhenshan would arrange something too grand.

Everyone sat down, and Yang Zhenshan and Wu Chongzhe entertained them with food and drinks.

With few people, the atmosphere was more relaxed and congenial.

After a few rounds of drinks, Yang Zhenshan brought up business matters.

”Mr. Yu, Mr. Xue, how much do you know about the Tenglong Guard, or is there anything specific you would like to know? Feel free to ask!”

Xue Ping looked at Yu Tonghai. Unlike Yu, coming to the Tenglong Guard was a stroke of luck for him.

If not for Marquis Haichang asking Chen to intervene, and if Yang Zhenshan had not just presented a memorial to the Emperor, he would never have been directly appointed as a Commander.

In fact, when Marquis Haichang asked Chen to speak on his behalf, it was merely to remind the Emperor of himself, not to secure a position for Xue Ping.

But by chance, Yang Zhenshan’s memorial coincided, and Chen recommended Xue Ping, which landed him the position.

Previously living in the Capital City, Xue Ping was somewhat familiar with Yang Zhenshan and the Tenglong Guard, especially Yang Zhenshan’s notorious title as the slaughterer. He had heard it more than once.

So after arriving at the Tenglong Guard, he behaved very cautiously, adhering to whatever arrangements Yang Zhenshan made.

If Yang Zhenshan didn’t seek him out, he wouldn’t wander around, just staying within his residence.

In contrast, Yu Tonghai was completely unfamiliar with both the Tenglong Guard and Yang Zhenshan, not even having heard of Yang Zhenshan’s reputation.

Hesitating a bit, Yu Tonghai asked, ”Master Yang, why was I assigned to the Tenglong Advanced Guard?”

This question stumped Yang Zhenshan, ”Mr. Yu, is there a misunderstanding? I wasn’t the one who assigned you to the Tenglong Guard!”

”Not you?” Yu Tonghai was also stunned.

Yang Zhenshan, stroking his beard and looking at Yu Tonghai, thought he seemed somewhat confused.

He thought for a moment and then said, ”Let me explain then!”

”You should both be somewhat aware of the history of the Tenglong Guard!”

Yu Tonghai and Xue Ping both nodded. The Tenglong Guard originally served as the Emperor’s personal army. This was common knowledge.

The two were just unfamiliar with the current state of the Tenglong Guard, though they knew some of its history.

Yang Zhenshan continued, ”I was originally the garrison commander of An Yuan City in Chongshan Town. Because of my military achievements on the Northern battlefield, I was promoted to be the Commander of the Tenglong Guard!”

”The Tenglong Guard technically consists of four separate guards: the Front, Rear, Left, and Right. The former Tenglong Guard~~”

He briefly recounted the previous state of the Tenglong Guard, then spoke about the Tenglong Advanced Guard, ”Recently, I petitioned His Majesty to establish a Navy within the Tenglong Guard.”

”His Majesty agreed to my request but separated the Tenglong Advanced Guard from the Tenglong Guard to form an independent Navy Guard Station.”

”Now, I hold the position of Commander for both the Tenglong Guard and the Tenglong Advanced Guard.”

”As for why you were assigned here, I’m not entirely sure myself. I only petitioned His Majesty to send two officials proficient in naval warfare to assist.”

”Perhaps your skills and talents were recognized by His Majesty!”

Yang Zhenshan laughed heartily.

Yu Tonghai was a bit bewildered, not having expected that his assignment was directly ordained by the Emperor.

Xue Ping, however, was not surprised, understanding how he had come to be there.

”As for the current state of the Tenglong Advanced Guard~~” Yang Zhenshan picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth, then said, ”Lord Wu, please talk about it!”

Upon receiving the cue, Wu Chongzhe promptly took over the conversation, saying, ”Currently, the Tenglong Advanced Guard has 3,132 military households, with 3,123 adult males and 2,220 auxiliary males.”

”The Tenglong Advanced Guard has a dock under construction. In the future, this dock will serve as the landing site for the Tenglong Advanced Guard’s battlefield operations, as well as a docking station for the Tenglong Guard’s sea trade fleet.”

”The camp of the Tenglong Advanced Guard is located beside the dock and is also under construction.”

”Moreover, recently we have recruited over 280 experienced shipworkers who will serve as the first batch of soldiers for the Tenglong Navy.”

”For the warships, we have contacted the Ministry of Industry’s Jin Hai Shipyard, which will provide us with a full complement of war vessels within the next half year.”

”Additionally, the Central Army Commander’s Mansion will fill our deficit of military households within half a year.”

Wu Chongzhe detailed the current state of the Tenglong Advanced Guard.

Previously, he had served as a Deputy Commander of the Tenglong Guard, responsible for managing the Tenglong Advanced Guard.

Now that the Tenglong Advanced Guard has been made independent, Yang Zhenshan plans to keep him at the Tenglong Advanced Guard, continuing to serve as a Deputy Commander.

A guard typically has one Deputy Magistrate and two Deputy Commanders, which is a standard organizational structure.