Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 492: Chapter 452 You Actually Think She’s Ugly?

Yang Zhenshan dismounted in front of the General Mansion and then led Red Cloud to the stable.

Today, he returned rather early and, unusually, had some time to spare without having to stay in the study to handle official business.

”Old buddy, today I will brush your fur!” Yang Zhenshan said with a chuckle as he stroked Red Cloud’s mane.

Whinny~~

Red Cloud, with his large, disdainful eyes, looked at Yang Zhenshan.

It seemed to say, ’You? Do you even know how to brush?’

”Okay, you’re even being picky now,” Yang Zhenshan said, amused.

A Personal Follower brought over a bucket of water, and Yang Zhenshan, rolling up his sleeves, picked up a brush to start grooming Red Cloud.

”Have you forgotten? Back in the day, it was always me who brushed your mane! Hmm, back then, you wouldn’t let anyone else touch you, only allowing me to do the grooming!”

”What, have you grown so used to being pampered over the years that you scorn my brushing skills now?”

Yang Zhenshan brushed vigorously while rambling on.

Whether in the General Mansion or at the Marquis Mansion, Red Cloud lived a life of luxury, even more comfortably than Yang Zhenshan himself.

He ate the finest fodder and resided in the cleanest stable, served by a dedicated coachman, who Red Cloud would kick if displeased.

Most importantly, this fellow now had a harem and a multitude of offspring!

Yang Zhenshan felt this guy was even more arrogant than himself.

I don’t even have a harem, and this young animal has mated with mares enough to line them up from Chongshan Pass to the Tenglong Guard.

”By the way, why did you kick out your concubine from the stable yesterday?” Yang Zhenshan curiously asked.

Whinny~~

”Too ugly?” Yang Zhenshan paused, ”But that was a top-notch Wuliang horse, well-proportioned, with long limbs and a reddish coat, absolutely a top beauty! And you deemed her ugly?”

To find mates for Red Cloud, both the coachman in charge at the Marquis Mansion and the civil servants in charge of horse affairs at General Mansion had put in a lot of effort.

Of course, it wasn’t to please Red Cloud but for the sake of his offspring.

For that reason, the civil servants from the Horse Administration Department had been searching far and wide for superior mares.

”Whinny~~” Red Cloud shook his head, seemingly displeased.

Yang Zhenshan realized, ”Oh, you’ve already sown your seeds! Well, that’s good. Everyone meant well, you should not let them down!”

”In a few days, I’ll have Ma San pick a few more suitable mares for you. We still have a few young ones in our family who need foals, so you need to keep up the effort!”

Red Cloud seemed even less pleased, shaking his head and splashing Yang Zhenshan’s face with water.

Putting up with you riding me is one thing, but having my offspring ridden by yours, you old wretch!

Yang Zhenshan grabbed its mane, ”Stop shaking, behave!”

Your expression is too complex, I can’t understand!

Yang Zhenshan continued to happily brush Red Cloud.

Just then, a Personal Follower approached and said, ”Marquis, Commander Ding and Mr. Luo are back!”

Looking up, Yang Zhenshan saw Ding Qiu and Luo Jingsong standing not far away, ”Come over!”

”Greetings to the Marquis!”

The two came forward and bowed.

”Mmm, how did things go?” Yang Zhenshan continued to brush Red Cloud while asking.

”The matter has been handled; Lord An’s memorial has already been sent to the Capital City. Counting the days, it should be presented at the palace in the next couple of days!”

”Zhao Yunxing was killed in his study, and I, acting on my own authority, released Ning Dongsheng!”

Ding Qiu said.

Yang Zhenshan’s eyebrows raised, ”Zhao Yunxing was killed? By whom?”

”We haven’t found the murderer, but we suspect there are other hidden forces behind this. The enemy has concealed themselves well and is not weak; we haven’t found any faults to exploit!”

Ding Qiu briefed Yang Zhenshan about the involvement of Yan Huichun.

Yang Zhenshan was thoughtful.

Interesting?

There’s a hidden force behind this?

And it seems that this hidden force is not simple.

But who knows what their identity, background, and motives might be?

”Any other news?”

Ding Qiu continued, ”There has been a slight incident in Jizhou. Before we could act, the Hengdao Sect has already dealt with the Luo Family of Jizhou. Now the Luo Family is imprisoned, and the Prefectural Government is investigating their crimes!”

Yang Zhenshan’s lips slightly curled up.

”Hengdao Sect, heh, Ji Zhen, that old fox, usually doesn’t act without profit, dealing with the Luo family himself this time probably because he wants some benefits from me!”

Yang Zhenshan was not surprised by the actions of Hengdao Sect.

While most Jianghu forces are not significant enough to be considered influential, some hold immeasurable sway over regional politics.

Take the Hengdao Sect for example; in Jizhou, they were deeply rooted, and their influence spanned nearly all industries. Their disciples were spread throughout Jizhou.

If you only look at the forces in the official scene, you might think that the Hengdao Sect doesn’t have much connection with the government.

Such as the Prefectural Government, the Guardian Department, the Market Shipping Department, the Imperial Censor, and so on, many of these departments’ chiefs weren’t close to the Hengdao Sect.

But if you delve deeper, you’ll find most constables at the Prefectural Government Office are disciples of the Hengdao Sect, middle and lower-level Military Officers of the Guardian Department have intricate relations with the Hengdao Sect, and many clerks and constables from the Market Shipping Department, the Imperial Censor’s Office, and other departments are either from the Hengdao Sect or have kinship with its disciples.

It can be said that in Jizhou, the Hengdao Sect has woven a pervasive network throughout every government office.

If the Hengdao Sect so wishes, they could even marginalize many department chiefs.

This is the brilliance of Ji Zhen.

What’s the point in winning just a few chiefs?

Once a chief is transferred, they have to start winning over the new chief, which not only is a hassle but also costs a lot.

But if they win over those middle and lower-level officials, it’s a different story.

These officials are likely to stay in Jizhou their entire lives, and once their relationship with the Hengdao Sect becomes close, it can last decades and may even pass on to the next generation.

Most importantly, it’s inconspicuous and less risky.

The Hengdao Sect has essentially constructed an unassailable network across Jizhou, so much so that calling them the overlords of Jizhou wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

However, there is another brilliant aspect of Ji Zhen: he seldom utilizes this wide network and hardly intervenes in official affairs.

Thus, Hengdao Sect has never drawn the attention of the court, nor has it ever made the officials feel threatened.

In Yang Zhenshan’s heart, Ji Zhen is nothing but a cunning old fox.

Starting from Tenglong Guard, Hengdao Sect formed an alliance with him, and over the years, Hengdao Sect has made a considerable amount of silver from this partnership.

Besides, last year, the bounty offered by Mountain River Tower for Yang Zhenshan attracted many Martial Arts Masters, yet Ji Zhen not only abstained from participating but also ended up owing Yang Zhenshan a favor.

And what happened then!

All those Martial Arts Masters were slain by Yang Zhenshan, and as a result, Mountain River Tower was annihilated.

Hengdao Sect did not suffer any losses, instead, they earned a favor from Yang Zhenshan.

Until now, Yang Zhenshan has yet to repay that favor.

”Dad, I heard Ji Hai is already on his way to Chongshan Pass!” Ding Qiu added.

Yang Zhenshan smiled and shook his head, ”Ah, the debtor arrives!”

He continued grooming Red Cloud, saying, ”You guys go and rest, there’s no need for us to worry about the rest!”

”Yes!”

The two complied and bowed before leaving.

...

The day after Ding Qiu and Luo Jingsong returned, Ji Hai visited Marquis Mansion.

However, Yang Zhenshan did not personally receive him, as he was preoccupied with the one million taels of silver sent to Chongshan Pass by Emperor Yanping today.

One million taels of silver, protected by the soldiers of the Imperial Guard.

Naturally, Wang An would not escort it himself; he merely arranged for a young eunuch and five hundred soldiers of the Imperial Guard to oversee its transport.

Receiving the one million taels of silver, Yang Zhenshan warmly entertained the arriving eunuch and soldiers of the Imperial Guard.

Yang Mingcheng hosted Ji Hai during his visit to the Yang family.

”Hero Ji, welcome, welcome!”

In the front courtyard of the Marquis Mansion, Yang Mingcheng greeted Ji Hai with a warm face.

”How dare I, Ji Hai greets the young Marquis!” said Ji Hai.

Yang Mingcheng was startled; it was his first time hearing the title ”young Marquis.”

He wasn’t young anymore, and technically, he wasn’t truly a ”young Marquis.”

Since Yang Zhenshan is a hereditary third-grade Marquis, and when the title passes to Yang Mingcheng, he will only be a first-grade Earl, not fit to be called a young Marquis.

”Hero Ji is joking, I dare not claim the title of young Marquis. If Hero Ji doesn’t mind, you can simply call me by my name!”

Though Yang Mingcheng was honest and straightforward, he wasn’t foolish.

Some things may seem trivial, but at times, these trivial things can become loopholes for others to attack the Yang family.

”Then, I’ll take the liberty to call you Brother Ming Cheng!” Ji Hai hesitated for a moment before speaking.

Yang Mingcheng laughed, ”Brother Ji, please!”

The two shared a laugh and then proceeded to the main hall.

Gazing upon the lavish hall and the dignified appearance of Yang Mingcheng, Ji Hai couldn’t help but sigh about how unpredictable life is.

When he first became involved with the Yang family, they were merely a small family of Military Officers.

Back when Yang Zhenshan married Qingyi, he was just the garrison commander of An Yuan City.

But now, the Yang family is a Marquis Mansion, Yang Zhenshan is Marquis Jing’an, and the former Jianghu heroine has become the Marchioness.

Thinking of Qingyi, Ji Hai couldn’t help but feel a bit envious.

Fate is undeniable!

The Sky Blue Sword Sect in Liaodong was just an ordinary Jianghu sect, and Qingyi was only somewhat famous in the Jianghu of Liaodong.

Compared to him, she was far less significant, yet now, he couldn’t help but look up to Qingyi.

The two sat down, and the servants served tea.

”Is the Marchioness doing well recently?”

”Mother is well,” Yang Mingcheng smiled.

Looking at Yang Mingcheng, seeing his calm and sincere demeanor, Ji Hai inwardly commended him.

From Yang Mingcheng’s attitude, one could see Qingyi’s status in the Marquis Mansion.

Thinking of his fellow sect sister Ning Qingqing, he couldn’t help feeling regret.

Ji Hai was not usually a sentimental person; as a Jianghu Martial Artist, accustomed to the killings in the worldly society, being called cold-blooded wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

It was merely the change in Qingyi’s status that brought him some reflection.

Afterward, the two chatted casually, discussing the deep friendship between the Yang family and Hengdao Sect, maintaining a good relationship throughout.

Especially since Ji Hai had once saved Yang Mingcheng, the Yang family has always owed Hengdao Sect a favor.

After chatting for a while, Ji Hai stated the purpose of his visit.

”I have a request to ask!”

”If Brother Ji has anything to say, just speak. If I can help, I definitely will not refuse!” Yang Mingcheng said.

Ji Hai continued, ”It’s nothing major, I just wish to ask for some Hundred Herbs Brew for my master!”

”That’s easy, actually, my dad had already prepared for it, thirty jars of Hundred Herbs Brew, along with some fine alcohol. Brother Ji, you can take them anytime!” Yang Mingcheng said nonchalantly.

”Uh! They were prepared already!” Ji Hai was astonished.

”Yes, they were prepared yesterday!” Yang Mingcheng was too straightforward.

Ji Hai understood that Yang Zhenshan had anticipated his visit and guessed that he would be asking for the Hundred Herbs Brew.

”By the way, my dad has a message for Brother Ji to deliver to Mr. Ji!”

Yang Mingcheng suddenly remembered the message Yang Zhenshan gave him yesterday.

”What is it?”

”If Mr. Ji has time, he might consider visiting Chongshan Pass!” Yang Mingcheng said.

”This~~” Ji Hai thought about it, not understanding why Yang Zhenshan wanted to see his master.

However, he didn’t dwell on it, saying, ”I will inform my master, but whether he has time, I cannot decide for him!”