Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 472: Chapter 438 The True Dog Magnate

Yang Zhenshan let out a long sigh and slowly closed his eyes.

”Mr. Zhang is right, I misspoke!”

After a long while, Yang Zhenshan finally spoke.

Zhang Mingzhong watched Yang Zhenshan and nodded slightly, ”Please be cautious in your words, my lord, avoid speaking about celestial omens!”

He didn’t have any particular opinion about Yang Zhenshan, nor did he ever think about targeting him. Even though Emperor Chengping had already passed away, he still remembered the instructions Emperor Chengping had given him.

Yang Zhenshan opened his eyes, ”We can leave out other issues, but the purchase of grain is a must!”

Pang Tang didn’t know what to say for a moment and just nodded, ”Extra grain storage can’t hurt.”

The others, however, kept their heads down and remained silent.

Yang Mingzhi, standing in the back, still had a solemn expression. His gaze swept over everyone present.

Although Yang Zhenshan and Zhang Mingzhong had not elaborated on the ”new emperor’s lack of virtue,” should those words get out, they would still bring considerable trouble to Yang Zhenshan.

Everyone present was from the high level of Chongshan Town, but it was still impossible to prevent someone from leaking what was said.

Yang Mingzhi had such concerns!

Others had the same worries, or rather, hesitations.

For a time, the atmosphere in the main hall turned even more solemn, as if a massive stone was pressing on everyone’s hearts.

It was Yang Zhenshan, however, who did not seem to notice their concerns and continued: ”The General Mansion will take the lead in purchasing grain, but all your government offices and Assistance Generals must also store as much grain and fodder as possible!”

”Yes!” Everyone answered in unison.

”The second thing, I’ve decided to expedite the construction plan for Black Cloud City and the official roads!”

”The construction of Black Cloud City will still be overseen by the Governor’s Office. The General Mansion will contribute more funds and grain, striving to finish building Black Cloud City as quickly as possible!”

Yang Zhenshan looked towards Pang Tang, who nodded slightly, ”No problem!”

This matter didn’t seem so significant -- naturally, the sooner Black Cloud City was completed, the better, and with the General Mansion willing to put more money and grain into it, Pang Tang naturally had no objections.

His only concern was where Yang Zhenshan was going to get so much money and grain.

”As for the official road, the Northern Road Deputy General Mansion will be responsible for the road from Fuzhou City to Black Cloud City.”

”The road from Songzhou City to Fuzhou City will be the responsibility of the Eastern Road Deputy General Mansion!”

”The road from Chongshan Pass to Black Cloud City will be managed by the Jianning Guard General Mansion of the Central Road!”

”The specific construction routes were already surveyed by the engineering department last year, so now as long as enough labor can be recruited and there are sufficient funds and grain, construction can begin.”

”Do you have any questions?”

Yang Zhenshan looked at Yang Mingzhi, Zhang Chengzhi, and Niu Zhuang.

”We obey your command!” The three of them bowed and accepted the orders.

The reason for advancing the official road construction plan was naturally to settle refugees.

The Northern lands were vast, with many places fit for refugee settlement, but refugees could not just be brought to desolate areas to fend for themselves.

At the very least, they needed a settlement point, and establishing villages along the official roads and around Black Cloud City were undoubtedly the most suitable choice.

It would not only facilitate the transport of materials but also make managing the refugees more convenient.

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly, then turned to look at Xie Yuan. ”This year, the most important task for the West Road is to guard against the attacks of the Wuliang Hu Clan. Although it seems like the Wuliang Hu Clan has not yet harassed Chongshan Town, we cannot be careless, especially during our busiest moments. The Wuliang Hu Clan may well take advantage of the chaos to catch us by surprise!”

”Therefore, in case of any emergency, the West Road must closely monitor the movements of the Wuliang Hu Clan and be ready to battle at any time!”

Xie Yuan frowned deeply. ”My lord, my Rescue Camp is not yet fully staffed, and it is currently difficult to defend against the Wuliang Hu Clan.”

He was not making excuses; he genuinely could not guarantee their defense.

The Rescue Camp of Chongshan Town’s West Road had already suffered heavy losses due to Cui Liang’s defection to Prince Wu Tuo. Although Xie Yuan had stabilized the situation on the West Road last year with the help of five thousand soldiers from the Tenglong Guard, his Rescue Camp was still mainly made up of these five thousand Tenglong Guard soldiers. The newly recruited soldiers numbered less than five thousand and lacked armaments and training.

It wasn’t for lack of effort, but reaching such a stage in the circumstances was already a challenge.

”I understand. In a few days, I will relocate the Advanced Guard Camp to Guanshan Pass. They will help you watch over the Wula Clan in the north!” Yang Zhenshan was aware of Xie Yuan’s situation on the West Road, so naturally, he didn’t blame him.

The Advanced Guard Camp was now at full strength with six thousand cavalrymen. Though their training wasn’t sufficient, they were already capable of some combat strength.

Having them stationed at Guanshan Pass, keeping an eye on the Wula Clan, should deter the Wuliang Hu Clan.

Xie Yuan’s frown relaxed upon hearing this, ”I obey your command!”

”The last matter, I plan to expand the operations of Chongshan Bank. Within half a month, you need to prepare a shop for the bank in each state city, and within a month, prepare one in each county city.”

Yang Zhenshan mentioned the bank at last.

Preparing shops wasn’t a troublesome matter, it was just a word away for each Assistant General.

But Yang Zhenshan’s emphasis wasn’t on this, but on—

”In addition to shops, you also need to provide protective forces for Chongshan Bank. The vaults of the bank will be located within the Deputy General Mansion and garrison offices.”

”However, you have no right to use the silver from the bank’s vaults. If anyone dares to transfer it privately, I will certainly make them repay it with interest!”

Banks would attract deposits, and that would surely mean managing a large amount of silver, which posed a storage issue. Shopkeepers and clerks alone were obviously incapable of protecting this silver, hence the need for local soldiers to assist in its protection.

Setting the vaults at local government offices might lead to local officials taking silver from the vaults.

Yang Zhenshan had to prevent such incidents from happening, so he appointed a Vice Director in the bank to monitor the accounts and vaults across locations.

”All the specific regulations of the bank are in this booklet!” Yang Zhenshan took out a small booklet, and at the same time, Lu Wenhua also distributed some booklets to Xie Yuan, Yang Mingzhi, and the other six Assistant Generals.

”The bank is a crucial part of Chongshan Town’s future development. I absolutely do not want any errors to occur. If there is any mistake, no matter who it is, I will have them go back to farming!”

Yang Zhenshan’s eyes were sharp, as if he was a sword aiming to pierce through the chests of the six Assistant Generals.

”Including you, Yang Mingzhi, if the bank in Fuzhou City makes any mistakes, then spend the rest of your life as an honest rich man at home!”

Yang Mingzhi shivered involuntarily upon hearing this.

A chill also arose in the hearts of the others.

That even his own son is not allowed demonstrates the extent of Yang Zhenshan’s emphasis on the importance of the bank.

They had no doubts about whether Yang Zhenshan was bluffing.

After all, the Yang family is now backed by a Marquis Mansion, even if Yang Mingzhi accomplishes nothing, the Yang family would still be nobility in the future.

Besides, even without Yang Mingzhi, isn’t there still Yang Minghao?

So Yang Mingzhi isn’t an irreplaceable existence for the Yang family.

”This subordinate dares not, I will definitely protect the Chongshan Bank!” Yang Mingzhi quickly said.

Although Yang Zhenshan’s words were somewhat impersonal, Yang Mingzhi didn’t have the slightest complaint.

This was his father; if his father wanted him to stay at home as an idle person, how could he refuse?

Even if he was unwilling, he had no means to resist Yang Zhenshan.

Firstly, filial piety comes first, secondly, he didn’t have the power to resist.

Yang Zhenshan nodded, ”If you have any questions, you can ask me. If there are things that are still unclear later on, you can also ask the Director of the Bank Affairs at the General Mansion, Li Hai.”

Afterward, Yang Zhenshan gave everyone time to come to terms with the information and went into more detail about the aspects they found difficult to understand.

This meeting lasted for over four hours before it finally ended.

After arranging everything, Yang Zhenshan started preparing for the next meeting.

The next meeting would be with the six major merchants, concerning the purchase of grain.

Yang Zhenshan definitely would not have the General Mansion directly purchase grain, as it is a very cumbersome task. Smaller grain traders would need to go down to the villages to collect from each family, while larger traders would deal with landlords.

Whether it was collecting grain from common farmers or landlords, both required a lot of time and manpower.

Moreover, he also planned to purchase a great amount of grain from Jiangnan, the Li Sheng Dynasty, and the Desheng Dynasty, which would require the support of a fleet.

The General Mansion neither had enough manpower nor merchant ships, so the task had to be carried out by the six major merchants and Tenglong Guard.

On the eighteenth day of the first month, the six major merchants supported by Yang Zhenshan, along with Wu Chongzhe, arrived at the General Mansion.

It was still in the hall that Yang Zhenshan talked to them about the grain purchase and Chongshan Bank.

This time, Yang Zhenshan didn’t need to go into as much detail. He also didn’t mention the imminent drought, simply instructing them to help purchase grain and take care of Chongshan Bank’s business.

The six major merchants naturally wouldn’t refuse Yang Zhenshan’s request; now, they were making a fortune from glass business. Let alone helping with grain purchase, even if they were asked to contribute their own money to help, they’d be willing.

After the meeting ended, Yang Zhenshan and Wu Chongzhe chatted in the study for a while.

He didn’t have as many reservations with Wu Chongzhe, telling him about the impending drought, of course, stating it was just his speculation.

”Marquis, I know you might find this absurd, but don’t forget the battle at Guanshan Pass. I accurately predicted the arrival of the northwest wind!” To add credibility, Yang Zhenshan brought up the battle at Guanshan Pass.

”No, not at all! Your subordinate understands the Marquis, and the Marquis must have good reason!” Wu Chongzhe quickly said.

In truth, he believed it by about sixty percent, but he definitely wouldn’t question Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Zhenshan smiled but did not press further, ”Whether you believe it or not, I need Tenglong Guard to store a large amount of grain. Before June, we must have at least five hundred thousand stones of grain stored, and also provide another five hundred thousand for the General Mansion!”

”This...” Wu Chongzhe was somewhat flabbergasted.

That was way too much!

With a somewhat sardonic smile, Yang Zhenshan looked at him, ”Don’t think that just because I left Tenglong Guard, I don’t know how much silver Tenglong Guard has now!”

Tenglong Guard is the real dog-wealthy household!

When Yang Zhenshan left Tenglong Guard, there were already hundreds of thousands of Silver Coin and more than a hundred thousand stones of grain and grass in Tenglong Guard’s silver vault.

And in the last two years, Tenglong Guard’s income was still substantial. Without boasting too much, Tenglong Guard could certainly come up with one million Silver.

It can be said that Tenglong Guard is truly wealthy.

Wu Chongzhe gave a sheepish smile, ”It will require the assistance of the other Commanders, I don’t have that much silver on hand, at most I can contribute three hundred thousand taels!”

Three hundred thousand taels!

Each Guard contributing three hundred thousand taels would amount to one million two hundred thousand in total.

The key was that the Tenglong Rear Guard represented by Wu Chongzhe is not the richest among the Four Guards; the richest naturally is the Tenglong Advanced Guard led by Yu Tonghai.

It seems I have underestimated Tenglong Guard!

Yang Zhenshan mumbled to himself, but his expression remained solemn as he said, ”Tell them that this is a command from the Marquis. If they cannot do it, then they must not blame me for turning a blind eye to past affections!”

There’s a saying: ’When a man is gone, his tea grows cold.’

Although Yang Zhenshan was far from being cold tea in Tenglong Guard, he was no longer personally in charge of Tenglong Guard, and inevitably some might start having second thoughts.

Wu Chongzhe, Han Cheng, Yu Tonghai, Yang Zhenshan wasn’t worried about these three.

After all, they had close relations with him, and their families were almost integrated with the Yang Family Gang, with many from their families coming from the Personal Guard Camp and the Five Camps in Chongshan Town.

They were not likely to betray Yang Zhenshan.

The only concern was Zhang Yuanwu; Yang Zhenshan did not have much interaction with him, and it was debatable how much loyalty Zhang Yuanwu had towards him.

However, as long as Zhang Yuanwu was not foolish, he should know how to choose.

Yang Zhenshan’s words served merely as a warning, but Wu Chongzhe understood that Yang Zhenshan was not joking.

”Your subordinate understands, I will make it clear to them!” said Wu Chongzhe.