Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 348: Chapter 337 As long as he doesn’t reveal his identity, he can do whatever he wants!

”Go tell Liu Fuzhang, if he dares to act rashly again, the Liu family will need to find a new Family Head!” Gao Huai said casually.

”Yes!” The staff officer responded.

However, no sooner had his voice faded when a steward entered, ”My lord, there’s been trouble at the Liu Mansion!”

”What kind of trouble?” Gao Huai’s brows slightly furrowed.

The steward whispered, ”Thieves broke into the Liu Mansion last night, not only did they tie up Liu Fuzhang, but they also stole a great deal of the Liu family’s wealth! Just in terms of silver alone, there are several hundred thousand taels!”

Gao Huai’s deep-set eyes narrowed as he exchanged a glance with his staff officer.

”Boss, this—,” the staff officer hesitated.

After a brief silence, Gao Huai said, ”Send a warning to Liu Fuzhang. There are some people he cannot afford to offend!”

This was Liu Fuzhang’s own fault for not seeing clearly and provoking Yang Zhenshan, a veritable god of slaughter.

Even Gao Huai was wary of Yang Zhenshan, yet Liu Fuzhang had the audacity to provoke him—wasn’t that just asking for trouble?

As for the stolen wealth, that belonged to the Liu family, not him. And his share, even if stolen, would have to be compensated by the Liu family.

So, he did not care how much the Liu family lost; he just wanted to resolve the issue quickly to avoid Yang Zhenshan coming after him.

Soon, the staff officer conveyed Gao Huai’s intentions to Liu Fuzhang.

Inside the Liu Mansion, Liu Fuzhang sat in the hall, his complexion extremely ugly.

”Mr. Wu, are we really going to let this slide!”

He spoke to the staff officer, filled with resentment.

The staff officer shook his head slightly, ”If not this way, what would you propose?”

”But this is Jiangnan, not Liaodong. In Liaodong, he is a General, but what is he in Jiangnan?” Liu Fuzhang’s voice was sharp.

Thinking back on the humiliation from last night, he wished he could tear Yang Zhenshan to pieces. And recalling the lost wealth of his mansion, he wanted nothing more than to grind Yang Zhenshan’s bones to dust.

The staff officer looked at him intently and said, ”He slaughtered a hundred thousand of the Hu Clan at Chongshan Town; he commands hundreds of Martial Artists unafraid to die!”

”You should be thankful he didn’t bear a grudge; otherwise, the Liu family would have been exterminated last night!”

”You said it yourself; this is Jiangnan, not Liaodong, as long as he doesn’t reveal his identity, he can do anything!”

Region may constrain the powers of an official, but it has no hold over the might of a Martial Artist.

Especially now that Yang Zhenshan is in Jiangnan.

As long as Yang Zhenshan keeps his identity concealed, he can assume any guise.

Like a sea merchant, or a pirate.

Acting under the guise of a pirate, even if everyone knows it’s him, what of it?

Impeachment?

Don’t joke around, impeachment demands evidence, it’s not just idle talk.

An Imperial Censor may report on rumors, but the problem is impeaching a General from Liaodong across three thousand li—it’s a joke, not an official accusation.

Unless they can grasp Yang Zhenshan’s vulnerability or gain concrete evidence, there is no way to impeach him.

Moreover, Gao Huai had another matter to consider.

Is it worth breaking ties and opposing Yang Zhenshan for the Liu family’s sake?

Clearly, it is not.

To Gao Huai, the Liu family was nothing more than a means to make money, and he could support a new wealthy merchant anytime without the Liu family.

Liu Fuzhang’s mouth open and closed, wanting to say something, but recalling last night’s events, his face turned a shade paler.

Indeed, he should be grateful that Yang Zhenshan did not seek vengeance; otherwise, he wouldn’t even know how he died last night.

And the Liu family lost so much property; until now, they still have no clue how it was taken.

So much property, requiring at least dozens of carts to transport, yet it was silently taken away.

His strength immense, his methods enigmatic, Liu Fuzhang’s heart trembled slightly as fear spread.

”I understand. I will do as the lord has commanded!”

The staff officer nodded slightly, ”That’s good to hear!”

...

With Gao Huai’s intervention, the remaining matters became simple. When Luo Shang visited the Liu family again, Liu Fuzhang treated him with the utmost respect.

Luo Shang did not take the opportunity to mock or bully Liu Fuzhang; he proceeded with the transaction as previously agreed.

He was a merchant, who valued harmony and believed it to be the key to wealth; some actions that Yang Zhenshan could take were not suitable for him.

After a friendly exchange between the two, the fearful heart of Liu Fuzhang was finally at ease, promising repeatedly to fully cooperate with Luo Shang’s business in the future.

The Liu family’s initiative to cooperate was, without a doubt, good news for Yang Zhenshan.

After all, Luo Shang was just a visitor in Jiangnan with no strong connections; this time it was the Liu family, next time there might be other troubles.

It was not feasible to expect Yang Zhenshan to handle the troubles personally every time.

But with the Liu family’s proactive cooperation, things became much simpler.

The Liu family had extensive businesses in Jiangnan and deep connections, which were not only beneficial for the trade of Tenglong Guard but also helped avoid many unnecessary troubles.

After finalizing the deal with Liu Fuzhang, Luo Shang quickly sold the Snake Pattern Jade Stone brought by the fleet to the Liu family. Then he used the silver to transport the previously ordered goods back to Crescent Bay.

In just three to four days, the cargo was loaded onto the ships, and the fleet was ready to return.

On the docks of Crescent Bay, Yang Zhenshan prepared to board the ship and depart.

Although his trip to Jiangnan was somewhat disappointing without fully enjoying the local culture, his gains were substantial.

With trade routes established, Tenglong Guard could travel regularly between Liaodong and Jiangnan, securing a stable source of income for Tenglong Guard.

In addition, he made a fortune from the Liu family.

A fortune!

Even though the Yang family was not short of silver, Yang Zhenshan would not complain about having too much.

”Mr. Yu, leave a garrison behind. From now on, Crescent Bay is our territory and needs to be properly guarded!”

On the docks, Yang Zhenshan instructed Yu Tonghai.

A garrison meant four teams of soldiers, including two leaders, totaling fifty men.

”Do we rotate them every month?” Yu Tonghai asked for confirmation.

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly, ”We will run to Jiangnan at least twice a month, so rotating them once a month will be just right!”

With the naval route established, Tenglong Guard could make regular trips each month, with ship workers and soldiers taking turns to go out to sea. They would engage in trade while also undergoing training.

”Do you have any other matters to attend to here?” Yang Zhenshan turned to Luo Shang.

Luo Shang thought for a moment and said, ”I’ll stay in Jiangnan for another month to ensure everything here is settled before returning!”

”Who will be in charge here afterward?” Yang Zhenshan asked.

He didn’t use to manage the Luo family’s business, but now the situation was different. The naval trade of Tenglong Guard in Jiangnan had become closely linked with the Luo family’s business, so he had to inquire.

”Luo Chen. He is quite familiar with Jiangnan and is quite capable!” Luo Shang said, looking towards Luo Chen who was standing by.

Yang Zhenshan nodded, ”That’s fine, but have Luo Chen spend a month with Tenglong Guard first. His cultivation is a bit weak; let him train in the Personal Guard Camp for a month!”

”Personal Guard Camp?” Luo Shang was unfamiliar with the Personal Guard Camp.

Luo Chen was even less aware.

Both looked at Yang Zhenshan with puzzled expressions.

Yang Zhenshan smiled, ”The brothers of Personal Guard Camp are from the garrison in An Yuan City!”

The Personal Guard Camp only had two hundred soldiers but was Yang Zhenshan’s trump card.

Each soldier in the Personal Guard Camp had cultivation of at least the Postnatal Second Layer and was a focus of Yang Zhenshan’s training efforts.

Whether it was treatment or resources, the Personal Guard Camp was on a higher level than the Five Army Camps.

Luo Chen’s cultivation of the Postnatal Third Layer for his age was considered good, but within the Personal Guard Camp, he would just be ordinary.

When Yang Zhenshan suggested he train in the Personal Guard Camp for a month, it was both to deepen Luo Chen’s understanding and trust in himself, and to enhance Luo Chen’s potential.

After all, the charge of Personal Guard Camp was strictly regulated.

Luo Chen didn’t understand Yang Zhenshan’s intention, but Luo Shang did.

”So it is, hurry and thank Mr. Xie!” Luo Shang pulled Luo Chen to prompt him.

Luo Chen started but still cupped his fist and said, ”Thank you, sir, for your cultivation!”

”Strive hard in your training!”

Yang Zhenshan patted his shoulder.