Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 421: Chapter 406: One Would Die for the Sake of an Understanding Friend

Afterward, Yang Zhenshan followed eunuch Chen to the Imperial Study Room in the Taiji Palace.

In the study, Emperor Chengping had changed into loose clothing and was reclining on a couch, reading a memorial to the throne.

”Your servant Yang Zhenshan pays his respects to Your Majesty!” Yang Zhenshan saluted with a fist over his palm.

”Dispense with the formalities! Sit down and speak,” Emperor Chengping casually waved his hand.

Eunuch Chen moved over a small stool, and after thanking him, Yang Zhenshan took his seat on the stool.

Emperor Chengping put down the memorial and looked at Yang Zhenshan, asking, ”Why do you want Yang Chengzhi to serve as the Assistant General of the Northern route of Chongshan Town?”

Yang Zhenshan’s heart tightened and he was about to rise to answer, but Emperor Chengping pressed down with his hand, ”It’s fine to speak while sitting!”

”I plan to develop Fuzhou next, and I don’t trust anyone else for this task!” Yang Zhenshan replied while seated.

”Oh! How do you intend to develop Fuzhou?” Emperor Chengping asked with interest.

Yang Zhenshan honestly replied, ”Fuzhou has thousands of miles of fertile land, and although many military households and civilians have moved there over the years, the land cultivated is still not extensive!”

”From Black Cloud Mountain to the seaside, that stretch of land is blessed with abundant water resources and fertile soil, if it could all be cultivated, it would sustain millions of people!”

This was something he had long considered.

The land surrounding Fuzhou City is fertile black soil. The previous East Sea Hu Clan were not good at farming, and even though they occupied this fertile black soil, they did not know how to cultivate it.

But now that Yang Zhenshan was in charge of Chongshan Town, he naturally wanted to utilize this fertile black soil.

In fact, the Northern region of Chongshan Town has rich resources like the black soil around Fuzhou City, the herbs and furs from Black Cloud Mountain, and the grasslands along both sides of the Songyuan River.

Compared to that, the original Chongshan Town was much more barren.

If Yang Zhenshan wanted to develop Chongshan Town, he would need to utilize the resources of the Northern region of the town.

Clearing the land, raising livestock, growing medicinal herbs, and fur hunting, all these could become the pillar industries of Chongshan Town.

”Yang Mingzhi is your son!”

”Your servant promotes the virtuous without avoiding kin; among my three sons, Ming Zhi is the most capable one!” said Yang Zhenshan openly.

Here he did not count Ming Zhao, who was only five years old after all.

Emperor Chengping nodded, a smile appearing on his elderly face.

”Then why do you recommend Han Cheng, Zhang Yuanwu, Wu Chongzhe, and Yu Tonghai to serve as Commanders of the Tenglong Four Guards?” Emperor Chengping continued to ask.

Yang Zhenshan explained, ”Only Mr. Yu Tonghai is capable of commanding the Tenglong Guard Navy; with regards to training and commanding the Navy, your servant is far inferior to Mr. Yu!”

”Wu Chongzhe is familiar with the affairs of Tenglong Guard, capable of managing the salt fields and maritime trade. Your servant left him in Tenglong Guard to ensure it does not decline!”

”Han Cheng is prudent and meticulous in handling matters, and although he is not deeply acquainted with Tenglong Guard, he has worked with Wu Chongzhe for many years. The two can cooperate without friction!”

”Zhang Yuanwu made merits in the battle for Songzhou City and deserved promotion. Your servant believes his capabilities are quite good, which is why I plan to send him to Tenglong Guard.”

Emperor Chengping nodded while listening.

He didn’t know much about these people, except for Yu Tonghai, whom he arranged to join Tenglong Guard himself.

Now that he had heard Yang Zhenshan’s explanation, he understood the intention behind his arrangements.

In the end, Yang Zhenshan simply wished to ensure the continued prosperity of Tenglong Guard, rather than its decline after his departure.

This stemmed from Yang Zhenshan’s sense of public duty, not from self-interest.

Then Emperor Chengping asked many more questions, and Yang Zhenshan explained each one.

And as Yang Zhenshan explained, Emperor Chengping’s demeanor became increasingly affable.

”You have given this thorough consideration; with Chongshan Town in your hands, I’m at ease!”

”This is what your servant ought to do; I dare not take credit!” said Yang Zhenshan.

Emperor Chengping looked at Yang Zhenshan approvingly, ”The Crown Prince hasn’t assigned a Marquis Mansion to you yet, has he?”

”Uh, no!” Yang Zhenshan was startled, not expecting Emperor Chengping to suddenly change the topic.

”Then let’s grant you the Marquis Wuxin’s Marquis Mansion, and there happen to be eight thousand mu of bestowed land outside the capital for him, that shall also be granted to you!” declared Emperor Chengping.

Yang Zhenshan rose to his feet and expressed his gratitude, ”Your servant thanks Your Majesty for the gracious reward!”

Marquis Wuxin is finished!

Having both the Marquis Mansion and bestowed land taken away, it is certain that his title cannot be kept, perhaps even his family may suffer.

But this had nothing to do with Yang Zhenshan. He had received a Marquis Mansion and eight thousand mu of land, which was no small income.

It should be known that Marquis Wuxin’s ancestors were also Dukes, and it was only due to generation after generation that the title had been reduced to a Second-rank Marquis. Though the title had diminished, the Marquis Mansion of Marquis Wuxin was still of a Duke Mansion’s standard.

Just the Marquis Mansion alone was worth a lot of money.

Emperor Chengping must truly value Yang Zhenshan, otherwise, he would never bestow such a residence to Yang Zhenshan.

The two talked for half an hour, and Emperor Chengping, appearing somewhat weary, then let Yang Zhenshan withdraw.

And when Yang Zhenshan left the Imperial City, his eyes carried a complex mix of emotions.

Emperor Chengping truly both esteemed and trusted him.

This even moved Yang Zhenshan who wasn’t fond of the ”old Emperor”.

In Yang Zhenshan’s view, the ”old Emperor” was also a human, and all along he hadn’t harbored any profound loyalty to the ”old Emperor”, but after seeing Emperor Chengping today, he suddenly felt that Emperor Chengping was a very charismatic person, causing him to unconsciously develop a deep respect for Emperor Chengping.

He had been helped by many on his journey.

Zhou Lan, Zhao Yuan, Liu Yuanfu, Wang Bin, Liang Chu, and others.

Yang Zhenshan was a man who knew gratitude, so he had never forgotten those who had helped him.

And now, with Emperor Chengping showing such trust and appreciation for him, it also stirred a feeling of gratitude towards Emperor Chengping.

Emperor Chengping had not removed his Marquis title, had also granted him a mansion and good land, and had further endorsed the proposals he had previously presented.

This differed from the Crown Prince granting him a title; the Crown Prince was merely using him, treating him as a pawn.

But Emperor Chengping, out of consideration for state affairs, recognized his ability and supported his proposals.

”Ancients say, ’A man will die for those who appreciate him!’ Today, this old man finally comprehends this feeling!” Yang Zhenshan thought to himself secretly.

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After Yang Zhenshan walked out of the Imperial City, it also marked the end of the struggle for the throne in the court.

However, at the next morning court, Yang Zhenshan finally witnessed the ultimate conclusion of this farce.

As the newly minted Marquis Jing’an, Yang Zhenshan had the qualifications to attend the court sessions.

At the morning court, Emperor Chengping announced three imperial edicts in succession.

The first edict was to strip the Crown Prince of his title and appoint him as Prince An, assigning him to govern the Lu’an Prefecture in Nanyun Province, with orders to leave the Capital City for his new post that very day.

With this edict, it meant the Crown Prince had completely lost his eligibility to compete for the throne, and being sent to govern Lu’an Prefecture in Nanyun signified that he had no chance of turning the situation around.

Nanyun Province was the Southern Border of Da Rong, while Lu’an Prefecture was even more so a remote area on the southern fringe of the country.

Being sent to govern Lu’an Prefecture in Nanyun was not much different from being exiled to the borderlands.

The second edict pertained to Prince Gong being sent to govern a region, but unlike the former Crown Prince, now Prince An, Emperor Chengping did not impose heavy punishment on Prince Gong, merely assigning him to a region without further penalties.

From this, it was apparent that Emperor Chengping did not shy away from the rivalry among princes; he disliked incompetence, not the use of various schemes by princes to compete for the throne.

The Crown Prince was demoted due to his incompetence, while Prince Gong lost his chance to succeed to the throne because he was too impetuous.

The final edict appointed Prince Cheng as the new Crown Prince. There was no concealment or avoidance; Emperor Chengping directly conferred the title of Crown Prince to Prince Cheng in the court session.

Once the third edict was read, Prince Cheng stepped out of the ranks to express his gratitude.

Watching the spirited and solemn Prince Cheng, Yang Zhenshan murmured in amazement.

It was the same battle against the former Crown Prince; Prince Gong ended up with a governance assignment, whereas Prince Cheng won the title of Crown Prince. Surely, there were things known only to a few.

Not just Yang Zhenshan, all the civil and military officials in the court were surprised by this turn of events.

Indeed, Prince Cheng’s victory was traceable.

First and foremost, from the very beginning Emperor Chengping was dissatisfied with the Crown Prince, otherwise, he would not have allowed the Crown Prince to supervise the state affairs while also allowing Prince Gong and Prince Cheng to observe state governance.

If he was truly satisfied with the Crown Prince, there would have been no need for these arrangements.

This feigned illness and recuperation by Emperor Chengping was, in fact, a test for the Crown Prince, which the latter failed to pass.

In the initial period of supervising the state, the Crown Prince made a series of foolish decisions, ignored state affairs, and was solely focused on competing with Prince Gong and Prince Cheng, clearly not exhibiting the breadth of mind expected of a ruler.

Later on, the Crown Prince forced Prince Gong and Prince Cheng into making desperate moves, launching an attack on the palace. The Crown Prince failed to stabilize the court situation, causing it to deteriorate even further.

Thus, Emperor Chengping was even more displeased with the Crown Prince.

Secondly, Prince Cheng always seemed to maintain appropriate measures during the dispute. What he did most was to stir the waters and use Prince Gong as a pawn.

It was his idea to offer a reward from Mountain River Tower for capturing Yang Zhenshan.

When Prince Gong intended to storm the palace gates, Prince Cheng had someone open the gate of Xuanping for him.

So, he was an accomplice to Prince Gong but never entered the fray himself.

Outwardly indifferent, but inside full of cunning.

However, Emperor Chengping appreciated this about Prince Cheng.

Lastly, he ultimately chose not to let Yueru take action.

In fact, Yueru was not just one person, but a code name.

Prince Gong believed Yueru was a maidservant close to the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince knew that his maidservant was Prince Cheng’s spy.

But they did not know that Yueru was the code name for four people, including a maidservant, an eunuch, and two guards, all close to the Crown Prince.

The maidservant was just a front, the true trump card was that eunuch.

This trump card had been laid by Prince Cheng a decade earlier.

If he wanted to harm the Crown Prince, the latter could not have escaped.

But he eventually chose to give up.

Not out of brotherly affection, but because Emperor Chengping did not wish to see fratricide among his sons.

Prince Cheng understood Emperor Chengping’s character well; he could tolerate their court struggles but would absolutely not stand for them taking each other’s lives.

It was precisely because he saw this clearly that Prince Cheng chose to give up.

However, the most important point, the key to Prince Cheng’s victory, was that he had reported the plans of the Crown Prince and Prince Gong to Emperor Chengping the day before.

Naturally, he did not meet Emperor Chengping in person, but that did not prevent his memorial from reaching the Emperor.

The Crown Prince wanted to use the reward for capturing Yang Zhenshan during the title conferment ceremony to charge Prince Gong and Prince Cheng.

Prince Gong planned to seize the opportunity of the title conferment ceremony to lead troops to storm the Imperial City.

Prince Cheng was well aware of all these and had reported to Emperor Chengping in advance.

Emperor Chengping favored those who were submissive. This incident struck a chord with the Emperor and made him even more satisfied with Prince Cheng.

Thus, Prince Cheng emerged as the ultimate victor.

After the announcement of the three imperial edicts, all the civil and military officials understood that the struggle between the princes was over, but that did not mean the matter was concluded.

In the following days, multiple civil and military officials in the court were demoted and punished.

Marquis Wuxin was sentenced to death and stripped of his title; his family’s property was confiscated.

Duke Chang was demoted to Second-rank Duke. His son, Sun Jizong, was accused of failing to discipline his heir, who was stripped of the Princely Heir’s position, while Duke Chang’s second legitimate son, Sun Jiyi, was appointed as the new Princely Heir.

Marquis Xuanping, Zhang Ao, was dismissed from his position as the overseer of the Brave Camp for allowing soldiers to enter the city through the Xuanping Gate.

Yet everyone understood that Zhang Ao, a man of Prince Cheng, had a bright future despite being dismissed.

Officers from the Brave Camp were variously dismissed or relieved of duty.

In addition to this, more than twenty other civil and military officials were implicated and exiled from the Capital City.

Nevertheless, all of this had nothing to do with Yang Zhenshan. His sole concern was the punishment meted out to Marquis Jingyuan, Su Qian.

Unfortunately, Su Qian’s involvement was not deep, and his punishment was merely a fine.

Of course, Su Qian was now merely a leisurely noble, and the decline of Marquis Jingyuan Mansion was irreversible.

By contrast, Yang Zhenshan, as the Marquis Jing’an, had become a new noble of the Capital City.