Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 427: Chapter 412: Face-to-Face Instruction Opportune Time

In the study, Yang Mingzhi poured tea for Yang Zhenshan, who warmed his hands by the brazier.

This year, Chongshan Town was exceptionally cold, and the snowfall was extraordinarily heavy.

Since the onset of winter, Chongshan Pass had already experienced three heavy snowfalls, each one about a foot thick.

And today, the weather was still gloomy. Probably in another two hours, another heavy snow would begin, lasting for two days and nights.

”Dad!”

Yang Mingzhi placed the tea in front of Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Zhenshan took a sip of the tea and asked, ”How is the situation in Fuzhou City?”

”It’s terrible!” Yang Mingzhi replied.

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly; this was expected.

Ji Feiyu rebelled, and Hou Yao brought twenty thousand soldiers from the Northern Rescue Camp to Chongshan Pass. After a fierce battle, these twenty thousand soldiers suffered heavy casualties, and those who survived bore the guilt of their actions.

It should be noted that these soldiers were all from military households and civilians in Fuzhou.

Moreover, most of the military households and civilians in Fuzhou were refugees who had just moved there in recent years.

Originally, Fuzhou had weak foundations, and now with so many soldiers lost, it had become even poorer.

Furthermore, many civilians and military households in Fuzhou might harbor resentment towards the current Chongshan Town because of the battle at Chongshan Pass.

”First, stabilize the situation. If there are any disturbances, do not hesitate,” Yang Zhenshan said calmly.

”Son understands. I am not worried about disturbances, but the lives of the civilians in Fuzhou are tough. I want to do something for them!” Yang Mingzhi looked at Yang Zhenshan, his face revealing a hopeful expression.

Seeing this, Yang Zhenshan couldn’t help but smile.

This guy is hinting at his financial struggles.

His aim is nothing more than hoping for more financial and grain aid for Fuzhou City.

Now Yang Mingzhi holds the rank of Assistant General and although still under Yang Zhenshan’s command, he can no longer depend solely on Yang Zhenshan.

Chongshan Town has six Assistant Generals, and each route’s situation is quite dire, all in need of support from the Governor’s Office and the General Mansion.

But now, the Governor’s Office didn’t have much money or grain, whereas the General Mansion had quite a bit.

Naturally, if Yang Mingzhi wanted funds, he’d have to pry them from his father’s hands.

Unfortunately, Yang Zhenshan had no plans to allocate funds. The finances of the General Mansion were designated for rebuilding the Five Camps and constructing Black Cloud City. For a good while into the future, there would be no financial support for the various routes.

”If you want money or grain, the General Mansion has none!” Yang Zhenshan bluntly extinguished the hope in Yang Mingzhi’s heart.

”Oh!” Yang Mingzhi said, a bit dejectedly lowering his head.

Yang Zhenshan smiled and then added, ”However, I can offer you an idea!”

”What idea?” Yang Mingzhi lifted his head again, his eyes once more alight with anticipation.

”The Tenglong Guard!”

Yang Zhenshan sipped his tea and continued, ”Fuzhou City is also by the sea; you can build a dockyard, form a fleet. The navy might not be feasible, but a fleet is possible!”

The Emperor Chengping had already given extraordinary care to the Tenglong Guard Navy, and if Yang Zhenshan were to establish another navy in Chongshan Town, the Emperor would definitely not agree.

After all, building a navy requires a lot of manpower and resources, and the Ministry of Revenue and Ministry of Industry probably wouldn’t allocate so many resources to build warships for Chongshan Town again.

But that does not hinder the construction of a dockyard in Fuzhou City, making use of the Tenglong Guard’s maritime trade benefits to develop its trade.

Of course, Fuzhou City can’t open its dockyards to local merchants like the Tenglong Guard did; the court has just included the Tenglong Guard’s maritime trade in the taxable category, and if Yang Zhenshan were to allow Fuzhou City to open its dockyards to the public, it’d be a slap in the face to the Liaodong Ship Department.

Therefore, the dockyards in Fuzhou City can only be for private use and should not use maritime trade advantages to develop the economy further.

Yang Mingzhi immediately grasped what Yang Zhenshan meant, his eyes sparkling.

”Dad always has more ideas!”

Yang Zhenshan continued, ”Besides maritime trade, Fuzhou City can also develop uncultivated lands. There’s still a lot of fertile wasteland around Fuzhou City that hasn’t been cultivated. You should focus more effort there!”

”Additionally, the Governor’s Office is likely to request population relocation to the capital this year. Fuzhou City will have to be ready to accept some of the populace, and you need to be prepared in advance!”

Following, Yang Zhenshan detailed his plans for Fuzhou and Black Cloud City, and also provided his own suggestions and thoughts on various aspects of Fuzhou City.

Although Yang Mingzhi now possessed the capability to handle matters independently, his thoughts and ideas were still far inferior to Yang Zhenshan’s.

After all, Yang Zhenshan had experienced a true prosperous era in his previous life and had a deep understanding of a civilization that spanned five thousand years.

After a session of imparting strategic advice, Yang Mingzhi gained a lot.

When he walked out of the study, his heart was full of ambitious aspirations, eager to make a significant impact in Fuzhou City.

Yang Zhenshan was very satisfied with this mentality.

Young people should be energetic and daring.

After finishing the conversation with Yang Mingzhi, Yang Zhenshan called Lin Zhan to talk for a long time.

Their discussion was about the imperial examination.

Lin Zhan was Liu Zhe’s student, and having traveled and studied abroad with Liu Zhe for several years, he now possessed impressive scholarly knowledge.

However, he was still young, and compared to Lu Wenquan from three years ago, he was lacking.

”Did your teacher mention your chances of passing the examination this time?”

In the study, Yang Zhengshan asked Lin Zhan.

Lin Zhan thought for a moment and replied, ”The teacher said the disciple has a high chance of passing the imperial examination now, but a very small chance to rank in the first tier!”

The first tier consists of the top three scholars, also known as the top scorer, the second scorer, and the third scorer.

Three years ago, Lu Wenyuan was the third top scorer, and now it’s hard for Lin Zhan to reach into the first tier.

”What do you think?”

There’s a big difference between the first tier and the third tier, with first-tier scholars being able to directly enter the Hanlin Academy. After two or three years of training in Hanlin, they can circulate through the Six Ministries.

So-called circulation through the Six Ministries actually means getting to know the situations in each ministry. Nowadays, Lu Wenyuan, working in the Ministry of Revenue as a staff member, is in this circulation process.

Next, Lu Wenyuan will serve in the Six Ministries one by one, and unless something unexpected happens, he will be continuously promoted within them.

Once he completes his circuits through the Six Ministries, he has a great opportunity to enter the Cabinet.

This is the official promotion process for a first-tier scholar. Of course, not every first-tier scholar can enter the Cabinet, but all first-tier scholars have a chance to become future Cabinet Elders.

Whereas second-tier scholars find it very hard to reach the Cabinet, after serving in the Six Ministries, they are usually assigned away from the Capital. Once out of the Capital, returning becomes a significant obstacle.

As for those who graduate as third-tier scholars, they start by serving as a county magistrate outside the Capital. Not to mention entering the Cabinet, securing a position as a Magistrate is already considered very fortunate.

Thus, the difference between scholars of the first, second, and third tiers is significant and crucially impacts their future career paths.

Currently, Lin Zhan might not reach the first tier, but if he studies hard for another three years, he could strive for it.

Initially, Liu Zhe had said that Lin Zhan had the potential of a top scorer, and now what Lin Zhan lacks is only accumulation.

Indeed, in terms of talent and potential, Lin Zhan is even above Lu Wenyuan.

Lin Zhan pondered for a moment and said, ”Disciple still wants to try, whether it’s third tier or second tier, disciple is willing!”

Yang Zhengshan looked at him seriously, ”Are you sure? This concerns your future. If it’s only the third tier, it will be difficult for you to enter the Capital to hold an office.”

Lin Zhan shook his head slightly, ”Master, it’s not that the disciple is impatient, I only seek a piece of recognition for my efforts. Second tier, third tier, it’s all the same to the disciple.”

Yang Zhengshan watched him with a surprised look, and after a long while, a smile appeared.

”You are a determined child, as long as you can think it through, your master will support you!”

”Thank you, Master!” Lin Zhan showed a bright smile.

Apart from urging his cultivation, Yang Zhengshan had never demanded him to do anything specific, which he was most grateful for.

Now that he was married, he might leave the Yang family in the future, but he would always be grateful for Yang Zhengshan’s nurturing and teachings.

Yang Zhengshan stood up, draped a thick fur coat over himself, and said, ”After the New Year’s month, follow your teacher’s wife to the Capital.”

”Our Yang family, having become noble, cannot remain secluded any longer. Integrating into the Capital City is inevitable!”

”When you arrive at the Capital, you can also visit Wenyuan, he should be able to give you some guidance.”

Yang Zhengshan spoke while walking out of the study.

Outside, heavy snow had begun to fall, large snowflakes drifted from the sky, covering the already silver-wrapped pavilions and terraces with another layer of white gauze.

In the main hall, laughter emerged as Qingyi was chatting leisurely with Ms. Wang, the Li family, the Liang family, and the Zheng family.

In the courtyard, a few little ones were making a commotion because of the snow, a group of servants surrounded the children, fearful that they might bump into something.

Yang Zhengshan looked up and saw Yang Chengxian throw a snowball that hit Yang Wanyi on the small head.

”Ah, older brother, you ambushed me!” Yang Wanyi exclaimed in surprise, then annoyed, she threw a handful of snow back at Yang Chengxian, but unfortunately, Yang Chengxian, nimble and quick, easily dodged it.

”Older brother is the worst, younger sister, I’ll help you!” Next to them, Yang Wanting couldn’t stand it anymore and stepped forward to help Yang Wanyi, the two sisters chasing Yang Chengxian around the yard.

Nearby, Yang Chengyou and Yang Chengzhang, also joined in the ruckus.

In the arms of their nurse, the little ones Yang Chengzhen and Yang Wanying watched their older siblings playing, also wanting to join, constantly wriggling their bodies, trying to break free from their nurse’s embrace.

Seeing this scene, Yang Zhengshan stroked his beard, his face full of affectionate smiles.

”When you have children, let your eldest brother be their master.”

”Eldest brother!” Lin Zhan was moved, ”That would be the disciple’s good fortune!”

His elder brother, naturally referred to Yang Mingcheng. Although Yang Mingcheng’s presence outside the Yang family was low, members of the Yang Family knew he was the strongest of the second generation of the Yang family.

Others might not be clear about Yang Mingcheng’s strength, but Yang Zhengshan knew it very well.

Currently, Yang Mingcheng had reached the Postnatal Eighth Layer and had begun practicing the Yimu Chang Chun Skill. Although still far from condensing the Innate True Qi, it must be said that Yang Mingcheng’s progress in Martial Arts was swift.

Yang Mingzhi and Yang Minghao were both a layer of cultivation behind him.

It’s well-known that the gap between the Eighth and Seventh Postnatal Layers is substantial, certainly not comparable to the gap between the Second and First Postnatal Layers.

A single layer difference equates to several years of effort.

The reason for this gap is partly because Yang Mingcheng received the most resources, whether it was Spiritual Spring Water or other products like Hundred Herbs Brew and Dongling Spring; Yang Mingcheng enjoyed the most of these, second only to Yang Zhengshan.

This was mainly because Yang Mingcheng always stayed at home, and the resources Yang Zhengshan provided for the household were undoubtedly the most.

The second reason is that Yang Mingcheng does not have many obligations. With plenty of time to spare for cultivation and the Yang family’s enterprises not requiring his hands-on involvement, he mainly assists Qingyi.

Additionally, without an official position, he doesn’t need to be distracted by public duties, allowing him to focus all his time and energy on cultivation.

By contrast, in recent years, Qingyi has squandered quite a lot of energy on Little Ming Zhao and has somewhat neglected his own cultivation. Otherwise, Qingyi would have already condensed the Innate True Qi and reached the Half-step Innate realm.

Yang Zhengshan suggesting Lin Zhan’s future child to apprentice under Yang Mingcheng is naturally to prevent Lin Zhan from drifting apart from the Yang family.

With two layers of master-disciple relationships, the Lin and Yang families will become even closer in the future.