Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 980: Chapter 690: Farewell, Chen Zhongshu (2)

He never forgot that Yang Zhenshan once bore the notorious name of a butcher.

He was just an old eunuch. Although he had significant cultivation, he had no great ambitions. He just wanted to guard Emperor Chengping’s Imperial Mausoleum for a lifetime. As for the rest, he couldn’t control it, nor did he want to.

“I still have some people available, do you want to use them?”

“Are you referring to?”

“Li Chao, Li Shangxi!”

Yang Zhenshan raised an eyebrow. He was not surprised that Li Shangxi was with Chen Zhongshu, as Li Shangxi was considered Chen Zhongshu’s disciple.

After Chen Zhongshu retired, Zhang Mingzhong succeeded him as the head eunuch of the Ritual Supervision, and Li Shangxi became Emperor Yanping’s close eunuch confidant.

Li Shangxi was not only Zhang Mingzhong’s godson but was also recommended to Emperor Yanping by Chen Zhongshu in the past.

Not long after Emperor Yanping’s passing, Zhang Mingzhong also died, and Li Shangxi chose to retire.

Every generation of emperors brings a new set of officials. The first to change are the Inner Officials in the Imperial City, especially old eunuchs like Li Shangxi.

This was also Emperor Jianxing’s issue; in reality, Li Shangxi was exceptionally talented, both in capability and cultivation aptitude, not much inferior to Chen Zhongshu.

If Emperor Jianxing could have effectively utilized Li Shangxi, the fall of Da Rong might have been delayed by a few years.

However, Li Chao surprisingly went to find Chen Zhongshu, which caught Yang Zhenshan a bit off guard.

But upon further thought, Yang Zhenshan understood.

When the Capital City fell, Li Chao hastily fled with only Li Feihe. He had few options: either seeking refuge with Chen Hengchang or fleeing overseas. Besides these choices, he could go to Chen Zhongshu.

Li Shangxi could be used, but he couldn’t stay in the Da’an New Dynasty, as his ties to the Da Rong royal family were too close.

And Li Chao, can he be used?

Actually, he can. Although the Da’an New Dynasty has many hidden dangers, these do not threaten the Yang family.

The Yang family’s foundation doesn’t lie in the new dynasty; frankly, even if someone were to overthrow Yang Chengye now, Yang Zhenshan could reclaim the throne.

Don’t forget, the Yang family’s foundation is on Divine Wood Island, which doesn’t have much military power but is home to many powerful martial artists.

To overthrow the Yang family, defeating the Da’an New Dynasty would be pointless. Even destroying Divine Wood Island would be futile, unless Yang Zhenshan is killed.

Otherwise, as long as Yang Zhenshan lives, the Yang family is bound to rise again.

Li Chao poses no threat to the Da’an New Dynasty, but both Li Chao and Li Feihe are capable individuals who can still serve the Da’an New Dynasty.

“Li Chao can stay in the new dynasty; I cannot make him a Marquis, but I can appoint him as a first-class Earl!”

“Speaking of which, Li Feihe is also considered my student.”

“As for Li Shangxi, if he wishes, he can stay by my side, or if he prefers, he can remain guarding the mausoleum with you!”

Saying this, Yang Zhenshan looked again at Chen Zhongshu, “Actually, I’d like you to stay by my side more. Haha, you don’t need to guard that mausoleum forever. I can assure you that no one will disturb the late emperor.”

Chen Zhongshu and Li Shangxi, along with Lv Hua, were all eunuchs, but to Yang Zhenshan, they were all exceptionally talented individuals.

Don’t think eunuchs are just a bunch of servants; they are Inner Officials.

While in the Imperial City, they address themselves as “old slaves,” eunuchs in Da Rong were not servants but Inner Officials.

Like Lv Hua, who never called himself an “old slave” in front of the emperor but always referred to himself as a minister.

Strictly speaking, they were the emperor’s household ministers.

In fact, the Yang family also has many household ministers now, like Wu Zhan, Wu Zheng, and Ding Qiu, though they are not eunuchs.

Chen Zhongshu and Li Shangxi are talents honed in the heart of the Imperial City. Using them to guard the tomb is truly a waste.

“Don’t be quick to refuse; I have some plans I’d like to discuss with you. Once the Da’an New Dynasty settles down, I plan to visit the legendary Dazhao Dynasty!”

“The Dazhao Dynasty is prosperous in martial arts, with beings beyond the Innate Realm. I wish to seek ways to surpass the Innate Realm, so why not join me then?”

Yang Zhenshan coaxed.

If it were about anything else, Chen Zhongshu would surely not be moved. But the prospect of finding ways to surpass the Innate Realm intrigued him.

Chen Zhongshu’s eyes flickered, “What about the imperial mausoleum?”

“That’s simple; that area will also become the mausoleum for Da’an!” Yang Zhenshan laughed.

Chen Zhongshu was worried about the mausoleum of Emperor Chengping being destroyed.

Yang Zhenshan could just place the mausoleums of Da’an and Da Rong together.

Once people are dead, where they’re buried is ultimately the same.

As for whether the deceased emperors of Da Rong would seek revenge on the Yang family’s descendants, Yang Zhenshan was not worried about this.

Chen Zhongshu thought for a moment and said, “Let me think about it and give you an answer in a few days!”

“Alright!” Yang Zhenshan was not in a hurry.

While the two were talking, Wang Lei, who was guarding the door, walked in.

“Master, this is from the Imperial City!” He handed a document to Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Zhenshan opened it, glanced at it, and shook his head, “Just tell them that sometimes destruction is needed for creation. Let them carry on as they wish.”

The document’s content was about the things Chen Hengchang did in Jiangnan.

Regarding this, Yang Zhenshan was pleased to see it happen.

If Chen Hengchang didn’t do this, the Da’an New Dynasty would have to.

A substantial number of Jiangnan’s local gentry and aristocrats must be eliminated to distribute land and implement the new dynasty’s land reforms.

Now that Chen Hengchang has done it, it spares the Da’an New Dynasty a lot of trouble.

At least the Da’an New Dynasty won’t bear the reputation of excessive slaughter.

However, Chen Hengchang’s actions will lead to suffering for ordinary people. Many poor people will be implicated as a result.

If the Da’an New Dynasty were to handle it, the approach would be more moderate, trying not to impact ordinary people or the livelihoods in Jiangnan.

For every advantage, there’s a disadvantage. Yang Zhenshan wished the Da’an New Dynasty could launch a southern expedition soon, but the conditions didn’t allow it, so he was powerless.

He had a clearer understanding of these matters than Yang Chengye.

Wang Lei took back the document and bowed as he left the tea room.

Yang Zhenshan didn’t want to interfere in the new dynasty’s affairs; too much interference would compromise Yang Chengye’s imperial authority.

The emperor is the emperor, even if Yang Zhenshan could become the Supreme Emperor, he shouldn’t overshadow the emperor.

However, Yang Chengye always wanted to consult Yang Zhenshan, so for decisions he couldn’t make, he’d send over a document to inquire about Yang Zhenshan’s opinion.

Just after Wang Lei left and Yang Zhenshan hadn’t finished his cup of tea, another personal follower came in to report: “Master, someone seeks an audience; he claims to be an old acquaintance of yours. Here’s the visiting card!”

Yang Zhenshan was surprised, an old acquaintance!

He had many old acquaintances, but since it was an old acquaintance, they wouldn’t resort to presenting a visiting card, just a direct word would do.

He took the visiting card, glanced at it, and showed a look of astonishment.

“Turns out to be a genuine old acquaintance! Invite them in!”

“Yes!” The personal follower acknowledged and went to invite the guest.

Chen Zhongshu asked, “Who is it?”

“You might not know him, but you certainly know the one above him, Lv Hua!” Yang Zhenshan replied with a smile.

“Lv Hua? He’s still alive?” Chen Zhongshu expressed surprise.

Lv Hua had disappeared for many years, being detained by Chen Hengchang on Black Mountain Island for five years before joining his ranks. By this time, he had vanished for about eight or nine years.

Over the years, Lv Hua had never made an appearance, and many likely thought him dead.

After all, he wasn’t young, now in his sixties or seventies.

Chen Zhongshu didn’t know Lv Hua’s whereabouts, but Yang Zhenshan knew.

“He’s alive, very much so, and now he’s even stepped into the Innate Realm and can live for another seventy or eighty years!”

“Where is he?”

“In Jiangnan, he’s currently one of Chen Hengchang’s close ministers and established the Blood Clothes Guard for him!”

Chen Zhongshu was left speechless, unable to help but marvel at the unpredictability of life.