Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 422: Chapter 407: Joyful Events Abound

For several consecutive days, the Yang Mansion was thronged with guests. Many nobles and military generals came to offer their congratulations, and even those who could not come personally sent servants with congratulatory gifts.

Consequently, Yang Zhenshan had to devote his energy to dealing with these congratulatory visitors.

This was a good thing for the Yang family, as it meant they were being integrated into the circles of the nobles and military, not just relegated to a corner in Liaodong as before.

Although the current foundation of the Yang family was still in Liaodong and Chongshan Town, they were now considered a family of nobility with status in the Capital City.

However, the Yang family had no one holding an official position in the Capital City, which was a drawback, and Yang Zhenshan could not stay in the Capital City for an extended period, so the bustling scene at the doorway was only temporary.

Whether the Yang family could secure a foothold in the Capital City depended on Yang Zhenshan’s future development in Chongshan Town.

The situation of guests gathering en masse lasted for seven to eight days, finally calming down after the imperial grant of a mansion and land bestowed by Emperor Chengping was handed over to Yang Zhenshan.

The Marquis Wuxin Mansion had been confiscated, and the Ministry of Revenue did not delay, promptly handing over the land deeds and farm titles to Yang Zhenshan.

At the same time, the plaque of the Marquis Mansion was replaced by the Ministry of Industry with the one for Marquis Jing’an Mansion.

In the current turbulent times of court politics, the efficiency of official departments increased substantially, especially since these matters were ordered by Emperor Chengping—both the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Industry showed great enthusiasm.

Of course, the affairs of Marquis Jing’an Mansion were minor matters. The real big event was the ceremony to establish the Heir, the enthronement of the Crown Prince, requiring the performance of sacrifices to heaven and earth, the Imperial Temple, the altars of soil and grain, and to the mother of the Crown Prince—this was a significant event for both the country and the court.

However, Yang Zhenshan had no chance to attend the ceremony of establishing the Heir. He had almost completed the matters he needed to in the Capital City, and there were many issues waiting for him in Chongshan Town; he needed to return there as soon as possible.

After taking over the Marquis Mansion and the granted land, Yang Zhenshan started packing his luggage to return to Chongshan Town.

As for the management of the Marquis Mansion and granted land, naturally, it was left to Lu Shou, the manager of the Yang family in the Capital City. These trivial matters did not require Yang Zhenshan’s attention.

And before leaving the Capital City, Yang Zhenshan met with Zhou Lan once more, primarily to discuss the matters concerning Yang Mingwu, Yang Chengze, and Yang Chengxu.

Yang Mingwu and the other two wished to follow him back to Chongshan Town, and Yang Zhenshan had agreed, but this needed Zhou Lan’s approval as well, since Zhou Lan was their direct superior.

In addition to Zhou Lan, there also needed to be an official transfer order from the Ministry of War.

Getting the transfer order from the Ministry of War shouldn’t be a problem. Yang Zhenshan, as a rising figure, deserved some respect from the Ministry of War. With the assistance of Zhou Lan and Liang Chu, transferring Yang Mingwu and the others back to Chongshan Town should not be difficult.

As for whether Zhou Lan would agree, there was naturally no doubt.

”I’ve held them back!”

Inside Duke Ning Mansion, Zhou Lan spoke somewhat dejectedly.

”Hehe, General Zhou, why say such things? Their experience serving in the imperial guard can be considered training for them!” Yang Zhenshan said with a smile.

Originally, Zhou Lan had brought Yang Mingwu and the others to the Capital City, valuing their abilities.

Serving in the imperial guard also had its benefits for Yang Mingwu and the others, at the very least broadening their horizons, significantly enhancing their understanding of the court and the current affairs.

Zhou Lan said she had held them back because it was difficult to get promoted within the imperial guard. If Yang Mingwu and the others had stayed in Chongshan Town all along, they should have been able to take on the role of Assistant General by now.

Now that they had served in the imperial guard for six years, even if they were transferred back to Chongshan Town, they could only assume the role of Deputy Commander, acting as Guerrilla Generals.

There is always a trade-off; such things were unavoidable.

”Yes, as long as they are willing, I can help them transfer back to Chongshan Town!”

Zhou Lan smiled, looking at Yang Zhenshan with shining eyes full of expectation, ”Originally, I never imagined you would achieve what you have today!”

”I have General Zhou’s support to thank for that!” Yang Zhenshan gave a bow with his hands clasped.

Zhou Lan waved her hand and said, ”I didn’t help much. Anyway, I haven’t congratulated you yet! Stay at the mansion for a meal today, to celebrate your ennoblement as a marquis!”

A couple of days prior, Duke Ning Mansion had already congratulated Yang Zhenshan, but it was the Princely Heir Zhou Xu who went to the Yang Mansion, and Zhou Lan had not made the visit in person.

”That’s fine, I haven’t had the opportunity to drink with General Zhou for a long time, hahaha~~” Yang Zhenshan laughed heartily.

”Drink! As Marquis Jing’an wishes to drink, then I must personally accompany you!”

Just then, Zhou Xu walked in from outside, cheerfully speaking to Yang Zhenshan.

”If the Princely Heir is so inclined, I must naturally keep him company!”

Yang Zhenshan would not treat Zhou Xu as an outsider.

Thereafter, he had a lively drink with Zhou Xu and Zhou Lan, brother and sister.

The dishes were prepared by the chef of Duke Ning Mansion, tantalizing in both color and flavor. The wine was a famous one from the Capital City, and although it didn’t have as many effects as the Hundred Herbs Brew, it excelled in depth and crispness, a rare fine wine.

After drinking merrily until dusk, Yang Zhenshan returned contentedly to his mansion.

Two days later, Yang Zhenshan set off and left the Capital City.

The squabbles of the Capital City didn’t greatly concern him; his trip this time was more as a spectator. Of course, he also gained quite a few benefits.

He became the third class hereditary Marquis Jing’an!

Had an audience with Emperor Chengping!

Acquired a mansion and eight thousand mu of granted land.

It could be said that the harvest was substantial.

Pleased with these developments, Yang Zhenshan was in good spirits on the journey back.

By the time he arrived at Chongshan Pass, it was already November.

The weather in Chongshan Town had turned very cold, with the chilly winds from the snowy plains cutting like knives, heavy clouds carrying flurries of snow falling.

Yang Zhenshan was lucky; only after he reached Chongshan Pass did the snow start to fall heavily.

The back courtyard of the General Mansion, which was also the provisional residence of the Yang family in Chongshan Pass, now bore the name Marquis Jing’an Mansion as well.

The mansion in the Capital City was Marquis Jing’an Mansion, and the temporary mansion in Chongshan Town was also Marquis Jing’an Mansion, just like when Liang Chu was in Chongshan Pass.

This time returning, Yang Zhenshan hadn’t arranged in advance for someone to go ahead and send the news, so it was only after he entered the mansion that the family learned of his return.

”Marquis has returned, the Marquis has returned!” The servants, upon seeing Yang Zhenshan, passed on the news excitedly.

Before long, Ms. Wang, Yang Mingcheng, Yu Qingyi, the Li family, and others all came out to greet him.

”Master!” Yu Qingyi’s eyes brimmed with tears, full of tender affection upon seeing Yang Zhenshan.

”Hahaha~~” Yang Zhenshan laughed heartily, reaching out to wrap his arm around her waist, ”Is everything well with the lady of the house?”

”Everything at home is good, and I am all well too!” Yu Qingyi said softly.

Speaking of which, they hadn’t seen each other for nearly half a year since Yang Zhenshan led the troops away from the Tenglong Guard in late May until now when they finally reunited.

Apart from the joy of their reunion, Yu Qingyi was also thrilled about Yang Zhenshan being granted a noble title.

Yang Zhenshan had become Marquis Jing’an, so she was now the Marchioness Jing’an.

In Da Rong, hereditary dukes and marquises of unbroken lineage are of exceptional rank, while the hereditary ones are of Standard First Rank and Secondary First Rank.

In other words, Yang Zhenshan, as Marquis Jing’an, is of Secondary First Rank, so Yu Qingyi, as the Marchioness Jing’an, is also a lady of the Second-rank Imperial Decree.

From being a worldly society girl to becoming a lady of the Second-rank Imperial Decree, this was like a dream come true for Yu Qingyi.

The previous Second-rank Imperial Decree already felt surreal to her, and now being a marchioness made her feel even more overwhelmed.

Ever since she learned that Yang Zhenshan would be granted a marquisate title, Yu Qingyi’s mind had been in turmoil.

Especially with Yang Zhenshan not by her side, she felt like a tree without roots.

Now that she has seen Yang Zhenshan return, her anxious heart has finally settled down quite a bit.

”Daddy, daddy~~” Little Ming Zhao cheered as he ran over.

Yang Zhenshan scooped him up in one arm and asked with a smile, ”Did you miss daddy?”

”Yes!” Ming Zhao said cheerfully.

Amidst warm and cheerful greetings, Yang Zhenshan arrived at the main courtyard.

The residence behind the General Mansion was still quite spacious, and the Yang family living there didn’t feel crowded at all.

After arriving at the main house in the courtyard, Yang Zhenshan inquired about the situation at home.

Many things had happened in the family during this time, first was moving from Tenglong Guard to inside Chongshan Pass, and then Lin Zhan’s marriage - that’s right, Lin Zhan had gotten married.

Half a month ago, under the arrangement of the Yang family, Lin Zhan married Zheng Xiao’s eldest daughter, Zheng Xinnian.

Yang Zhenshan missed the two’s wedding ceremony, which was inevitable, as the wedding date had been set long ago. Yang Zhenshan thought that he would probably finish the Wuliang’s army by October, so he set their wedding date for October 18th.

Little did he expect that after the war ended, the Crown Prince would bestow upon him a noble title.

Lin Zhan had his wedding on October 18th, and Yang Zhenshan had his title conferral ceremony on October 20th, hence Yang Zhenshan could only miss the wedding of the two.

In the main room, Lin Zhan led Zheng Xinnian to Yang Zhenshan, where they knelt and offered tea.

”Teacher, please have some tea!”

Yang Zhenshan looked at Zheng Xinnian and thought she was a delicate and graceful young girl.

Zheng Xinnian was certainly of refined upbringing, the eldest daughter of Zheng Xiao, also the young lady of the Zheng family, which was also a family of officialdom, although its heritage was a little shallower, it had a history of over a hundred years.

”Good!” Yang Zhenshan cheerfully accepted the tea, sipping it lightly.

Then he said to Wu Hai standing beside him, ”Have you brought the things I prepared?”

”It has been brought over!” Wu Hai quickly replied and then ordered two servants to bring over two wooden cases.

”Teacher does not have many good things to give you, but these two jade pendants are quite nice, so I will give them to you!”

Yang Zhenshan took out the jade pendants from the cases and placed them in the hands of the young couple.

The two jade pendants were a pair of mandarin ducks, composed of the ducks, lotus flowers, and lotus leaves, symbolizing harmonious and loving relationship between husband and wife, and the wish for a lifelong union.

Of course, the quality was top-notch beautiful jade, and also of considerable value.

They were specially bought by Yang Zhenshan for Lin Zhan and Zheng Xinnian in a jade ornament shop in the Capital City.

”Thank you, teacher!” Lin Zhan and his wife knelt and expressed their gratitude.

Yang Zhenshan smiled and said, ”Get up now!”

After the two stood up, Yang Zhenshan looked at Lin Zhan; the once small boy was now a graceful young man who had married and taken a wife.

”Do not fail your wife and children in the future!” Yang Zhenshan admonished.

He knew that Lin Zhan was a decisive child since young, and now that he had grown up, his considerations had become heavier.

Lin Zhan was not one to settle down easily; his ambition for achievements was strong, which had to do with his background.

Having lost his family at a young age, although he was taken in by the Yang family, it was still living under someone else’s roof.

Even though the Yang family treated him well, it was not his own home.

Plus, his father’s last wish made him ambitious from a young age.

He worked hard in both martial arts and academics, striving for excellence.

Such a temperament, in simple terms, means a strong ambition for achievements. However, fortunately, Lin Zhan did not become wayward under the care of the Yang family. Although his ambition was a bit strong, he was not heartless and ruthless.

Yang Zhenshan was just worried that he might neglect his wife and children for the sake of fame and glory.

”Disciple will heed the teacher’s teachings!” Lin Zhan said earnestly.

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly, ”Next year you are going to participate in the imperial examinations, so prepare well for that during this time.”

”Disciple understands!” Lin Zhan responded.

Yang Zhenshan then turned to the Zheng family, ”Your father and I are good friends, and my relationship with Lin Zhan is both as his teacher and father. Don’t feel too constrained while living here, treat it like your own home, and if there’s any grievance, you can come to your teacher’s wife.”

Living under someone else’s roof surely wouldn’t feel good. Lin Zhan might have gotten used to it, but for Zheng Xinnian who just got married, it was inevitable to feel uncomfortable.

”I haven’t been wronged at all, please rest assured, teacher!” Zheng Xinnian spoke in an elegant and gentle voice, every move she made was the demeanor of a refined lady.

”That’s good! We as one big family don’t have that many rules, hehe, just take it easy!” Yang Zhenshan nodded appreciatively.

After talking with the young couple for a while, everyone went their separate ways to prepare for the evening’s family banquet.

Lin Zhan was married, and Yang Zhenshan was conferred a marquisate, the Yang family could indeed be described as full of joyous events.

Today, with Yang Zhenshan just returning home, it was naturally time for a good celebration.