Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 423: Chapter 408: In Charge of Chongshan Town

Everyone was busy, but Yang Chengye and Yang Chengmao didn’t leave. Yang Zhenshan looked at his two grandsons with affection in his eyes.

Yang Chengye, now fifteen, had become a Martial Artist just two months ago.

As the legitimate eldest grandson of the Yang family, Yang Chengye’s status was no longer what it used to be.

Yang Zhenshan, the hereditary Marquis Jing’an, would definitely pass on the title to Yang Mingcheng and Yang Chengye in the future.

In the future, Yang Chengye would at the very least be a Second-rank Jing’an Marquis.

Although it’s still early to speak of such matters, Yang Chengye’s status had undergone significant changes.

Yang Chengmao was also thirteen this year and would be getting married and starting a family in a few years.

”Come here, let me see if your recent training has been effective!” Yang Zhenshan waved Yang Chengye over.

Yang Chengye obediently approached Yang Zhenshan, who felt his body with a few pinches.

Hmm!

Solid bones, firm skin and flesh, steady breaths, and full of spirit, indeed the physique of a Martial Artist.

Looking at Yang Chengye’s stature, hmm, Yang Chengye had perfectly inherited the physiques of Yang Mingcheng and Ms. Wang. At just fifteen, he stood nearly 1.8 meters, already as tall as Yang Zhenshan.

More importantly, Yang Chengye was especially burly, with broad shoulders and a stout waist.

Yang Mingcheng’s stature was notably robust, and Ms. Wang’s physique was always robustly built. Though she was not overly fat due to her martial training, she was broad-shouldered and stout-waisted.

With such parents, one could imagine Yang Chengye’s physique.

In comparison, Yang Chengmao appeared a bit more slender and had a somewhat youthful elegance.

”Not bad, now that you are a Martial Artist, you should work even harder!” Yang Zhenshan encouraged.

”I will continue to work hard!” Yang Chengye grinned.

Yang Zhenshan looked at his eldest grandson, feeling increasingly satisfied.

There was a significant difference between the second and third generations of the Yang family.

Yang Mingcheng and his brothers had notable achievements in Martial Arts, but academically, only Yang Mingzhi was inclined towards studies, barely considered scholarly.

Compared to them, the third generation of the Yang family had a good education; in Martial Arts, personally trained by Yang Zhenshan with guidance from many Martial Artists at home. Academically, because of Lin Zhan’s influence, Yang Chengye and Yang Chengmao had been reading from a young age.

It can’t be claimed that they would become both literary and martial geniuses, but the resources they had access to definitely far surpassed those of the Yang Mingcheng brothers. Their future achievements are surely expected to surpass that of the previous generation.

Not to mention that having grown up drinking Spiritual Spring Water, their potential and aptitude far surpassed that of the Yang Mingcheng brothers.

Looking at the tall Yang Chengye, Yang Zhenshan turned to Yu Qingyi and said, ”Chengye is also of age to discuss marriage. Handle this matter during this time!”

At these words, Yang Chengye immediately blushed.

Even as a young boy, he was already aware of matters between men and women.

Yu Qingyi covered her mouth and laughed, ”My lord, you don’t need to worry about it. Recently, our doorstep has almost been worn out by matchmakers! There have been over a dozen matchmakers inquiring about Chengye’s marriage!”

Yang Zhenshan was astonished, but he soon understood.

Although he was a famously distinguished military general before, because Yang Mingcheng was not an official, Yang Chengye wasn’t very popular in marriage matters.

Additionally, living in Tenglong Guard meant fewer matchmakers could visit.

But now, with Yang Zhenshan holding a noble title, and Yang Chengye being the legitimate eldest grandson, whose future at least included becoming a Second-rank Earl, he naturally attracted much attention regarding his marriage.

Especially now that the Yang family was in Chongshan Pass; if they were in the Capital City, even more people would inquire about Yang Chengye.

”Hmm, yes, but our Yang family’s daughter-in-law must be virtuous and capable. Too frail won’t do. You also inquire around and see if there’s a suitable match!”

Yang Zhenshan then looked at Yang Chengmao, ”Chengmao will also be marrying in a few years; we can start setting the arrangements now!”

The third generation of the Yang family was all grown up now—Chengye fifteen, Chengmao thirteen, Mingzhe and Wanqing twelve, Jiang Ning ten, Chengxian nine, Wanjing eight—soon, they would all be getting married.

”Yes, we should start preparing. The eldest daughter-in-law has been worrying lately!” Yu Qingyi remarked.

”What’s she worried about?” Yang Zhenshan asked.

”The eldest daughter-in-law wants to visit the Capital!” Yu Qingyi replied.

Yang Zhenshan realized.

Ms. Wang’s thoughts were straightforward. With the change in status of Yang Chengye, she no longer favored the official daughters from Liaodong or Chongshan Town. She certainly wanted to find a noble-origin bride for Yang Chengye.

That was normal; matrimonial matches require equality of social status, especially since Yang Chengye was the Yang family’s legitimate eldest grandson, even more so highlighting the importance of this aspect.

Not to mention Ms. Wang being pretentious, but in terms of the family, matching social standing is quite important, as marriage alliances represent familial alliances.

Even Yang Zhenshan had to consider these factors.

Although he never cared much about these before, in reality, the Yang family had considered matching social standings in marriages over the years.

This was a subtle and gradual change in mindset, and Yang Zhenshan’s views had evolved subconsciously.

”Go to the Capital!” After a moment of thought, Yang Zhenshan said, ”A trip there would indeed be good!”

Social interactions among women differ from those among men. Men’s topics mostly revolve around national affairs and official duties, whereas women discuss children and marriages.

In the Capital City, people often host flower-viewing banquets, tea-tasting events, and other gatherings in their courtyards, aimed at introducing families to eligible young members and discussing marriage matters.

Simply put, it was a series of matchmaking gatherings.

The Yang family, being newly prominent, had always been remote in Liaodong and Chongshan Town and seldom attended backyard banquets, but in the future, if the Yang family wanted to mingle in the capital’s circles, they surely needed to attend such events.

Yang Zhenshan thought it would be good to let Yu Qingyi and Ms. Wang take a look at the capital.

”Is it appropriate?” Yu Qingyi hesitated.

”What’s inappropriate? Don’t forget, Yunxue is still in the capital. With her help, you should be able to quickly familiarize yourselves with the situation in the capital!”

”Let’s set it for the beginning of next year then. It just so happens that Lin Zhan also needs to enter the capital for the imperial examination, you can go together!”

Yang Zhenshan said.

Thus, the matter was tentatively settled, and Yang Zhenshan was determined to allow the Yang family to penetrate the noble and official circles of the capital. Naturally, frequent visits to the capital were necessary.

In the evening, the Yang family’s family dinner was very lively.

Besides Yang Yunxue who was far away in the capital and Yang Mingzhi who had gone to Fuzhou City, nearly all members of the Yang family were present, even Wang Yunqiao and Song Hao were there.

However, for the Yang family, there was even more excitement to come.

Upon Yang Zhenshan’s return, officials from Chongshan Town, both great and small, came to congratulate Yang Zhenshan on his conferment as a Marquis.

Pang Tang, Niu Zhuang, Tang Feihu, Xie Yuan, Han Cheng and others all came running.

Yang Zhenshan was officially promoted from General Yang to Marquis.

And the Yang family had also become a Marquis Mansion, and the only Marquis Mansion in Chongshan Town.

However, this excitement was quickly suppressed by Yang Zhenshan.

They were all acquaintances, and Yang Zhenshan was too lazy to be polite with these people. After holding a banquet and entertaining everyone, it was time to end it.

Afterward, Yang Zhenshan focused on official business.

The court also gradually implemented the conferment and rewards for the soldiers of Tenglong Guard and Chongshan Town.

Following Yang Zhenshan’s proposal, the Tenglong Guard was split into Tenglong Four Guards, setting up command offices for the front, back, left, and right guards.

Yu Tonghai was appointed as the commander of the Tenglong Advanced Guard, and a command office was built around the previous Tenglong Guard Pier.

Wu Chongzhe was appointed as the commander of the Tenglong Rear Guard, and the original Tenglong Guard City along with the salt fields became part of the Tenglong Rear Guard.

Han Cheng was appointed as the commander of the Tenglong Left Guard, and Zhang Yuanwu as the commander of the Tenglong Right Guard. These two guards selected a households unit to build a new guard city.

The merchant ships originally belonging to Tenglong Guard were divided into four fleets by Yang Zhenshan, one fleet for each guard.

Although Tenglong Guard was divided into four guards, the four guards still constituted a whole. The fleets still needed the Navy’s escort when going to sea, and the commerce relied on the protection of the other three guards.

The maritime trade tightly bound the four guards together.

As for taxing the civilian merchant ships, Yang Zhenshan handed it over to the court.

The court would set up the Liaodong Ship Department in Liao’an Prefecture. In the future, merchant ships entering and leaving Tenglong Guard would have to pay taxes to the Liaodong Ship Department.

This was inevitable as the development and expansion of Tenglong Guard’s maritime trade had begun to affect the revenue of Jizhou Ship Department, and the court would not allow Tenglong Guard to monopolize such a lucrative opportunity indefinitely.

However, Yang Zhenshan also managed to secure a small benefit for Tenglong Guard, as the tax rate imposed by the Liaodong Ship Department on Tenglong Guard’s maritime trade would be reduced by fifty percent, which was half of what other ship departments taxed.

This was a concession Yang Zhenshan obtained from Emperor Chengping, giving a slight advantage to Tenglong Guard’s maritime trade.

On the Chongshan Town front, all the soldiers of the original Tenglong Guard returned to Tenglong Guard, and the Five Army Camps would remain at Chongshan Pass as the base for the Camp.

Niu Zhuang, with the position of Deputy Magistrate, filled the role of Jianning Guard General.

Tang Feihu, also with the position of Deputy Magistrate, filled the role of Jinzhou Guard General.

These two were only promoted one grade from Deputy Commander to Deputy Magistrate, without a real promotion in official duties.

Zhang Chengzhi, Qin He, Xie Yuan, and Yang Mingzhi were respectively appointed as generals of the East Road Songzhou Guard, South Road Dingliao Guard, West Road Daning Guard, and North Road Fuzhou Guard, all with the rank of Deputy Commander.

Additionally, Song Dashan, Luo Feiyu, Yang Mingwu, Yang Mingzhen, and Yang Chengze were named Guerrilla Generals of the front, back, left, right, and central Five Camps respectively.

Yang Minghao, Yang Chengxu, Han Fei, Yang Chengzhang, and Zuo Wan were appointed officials in charge at the Five Camps.

Zhou Ren entered the Governor’s Office holding the Standard Sixth Rank as Experience Officer.

Lu Wenhua remained in the General Mansion, serving as Yang Zhenshan’s assistant with the official title of Sixth-Rank Knowledge Officer.

Yang Zhenshan also transferred Lu Wenchun from Yinghe Castle to the Governor’s Office holding the Standard Sixth Rank as a Judgement Officer.

Over the years, Lu Wenchun had always been the defense officer at Yinghe Castle. The defense officer at Yinghe Castle had changed three times, but Lu Wenchun, as the defense officer, had been in the position for ten years, and by now, Lu Wenchun was close to forty years old.

This was also unavoidable. Although Lu Wenchun was the eldest grandson of the Lu family, his qualifications were not outstanding. Being somewhat inadequate in both literary and martial skills and also older in age, it was difficult for Yang Zhenshan to promote him to a more suitable position.

However, fortunately, he was stable and diligent in his duties. Now that Yang Zhenshan was in need of people, he transferred him to the Governor’s Office.

The reason why Yang Zhenshan arranged for Zhou Ren and Lu Wenchun in the Governor’s Office was that the office was in charge of all the military households in Chongshan Town. Since Yang Zhenshan couldn’t appoint a Capital Commander, he decided to occupy the positions of Experience Officer and Judgement Officer in the Governor’s Office first.

To prevent future appointed Capital Commander from being uncooperative and affecting his plans for Chongshan Town.

Compared to this, Yang Zhenshan did not interfere much with the Governor’s Office and the Inspector General’s Office, those were within Pang Tang’s jurisdiction. Although Yang Zhenshan was now the Marquis Jing’an, he could not ignore the presence of Pang Tang.

With these arrangements, Yang Zhenshan could firmly control the Five Camps and wield strong influence over the various generals, the Governor’s Office.

Although he couldn’t completely control Chongshan Town, he could ensure his commands reached every corner of Chongshan Town.

As the various generals took their positions and the framework of the Five Camps was established, the situation in Chongshan Town also stabilized.