Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Your Majesty, that's quite enough, we really shouldn't indulge in such practices!

"Ming Zhong, announce the decree!"

Emperor Yanping said.

Zhang Mingzhong, who was at his side, immediately took the imperial decree and proclaimed, "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: We have heard of one promoting virtue and rewarding talent. Marquis Jing'an, Yang Zhenshan, has spread the benevolence of the virtuous, adhered to principles and righteousness, and secured the peace of the state. We are greatly pleased. You are hereby promoted to a First-class Marquis Jing'an, granted a vermillion edict and an iron certificate, which ensure hereditary succession without replacement, to share the nation's prosperity..."

Yang Zhenshan, upon hearing the content of the imperial decree, could not help but feel somewhat surprised.

The promotion from Third-class Marquis to First-class Marquis was not unexpected; it was bound to happen sooner or later.

The grant of a vermillion edict and iron certificate was not very significant either, as they were more symbolic than practical.

What truly was surprising was the clause about hereditary succession without replacement!

This meant that the Yang family would henceforth be a First-class Marquis of Da Rong for generations, sharing in the nation's fortunes and calamities.

Of course, to share the nation's fortunes and calamities was not easy; at the beginning of the Great Rong dynasty, the Great Rong Grand Ancestor had created eighteen hereditary marquisates without replacement, yet now only the Marquis Changping's household remains.

Therefore, one should not take to heart the notion of sharing the nation's fortunes and calamities; if one day you manage to displease the Emperor, you could still be stripped of your title and beheaded.

"Your servant thanks Your Majesty for the conferment!"

Yang Zhenshan expressed his gratitude.

"Hahaha~~" Emperor Yanping was genuinely pleased. He walked down the stone steps, came up to Yang Zhenshan, and said, "The rest of my courtiers may disperse for now, as I have private matters to discuss with Marquis Yang!"

With that, he actually took Yang Zhenshan by the arm and led him out of the side hall.

Yang Zhenshan glanced back and signaled to Xue Chang'an, who then led Deng Yuehe and three others out of the Taiji Palace.

Arriving at the Imperial Study Room, Emperor Yanping casually invited Yang Zhenshan to sit down, and the two of them started to chat leisurely over tea.

Yang Zhenshan roughly recounted the campaign against the Star Moon Sect. After listening, Emperor Yanping asked, "Marquis Jing'an, what do you think should be done with Deng Yuehe and the others?"

Yang Zhenshan then took another memorial from his sleeve, "Your Majesty, these are some of my thoughts and suggestions, please peruse!"

Emperor Yanping started to read the memorial.

Before this, Yang Zhenshan had submitted a memorial, proposing how to deal with Deng Yuehe and the others.

Actually, Yang Zhenshan's idea was to break apart the families of the Lv, the Wang, and the Li, and then redistribute them among the nine naval forces.

However, apart from these, Yang Zhenshan suggested in this memorial the establishment of four major navies.

The original Four Seas Navy would be split into the Beihai Navy, the East Sea Navy, the South Sea Navy, and the Jiujiang Navy.

The Beihai Navy would be primarily composed of the Tenglong Advanced Guard, with the incorporation of the Tenglong Left, Right, and Rear three guards, transforming the entire Tenglong Four Guards into a navy.

The East Sea Navy would be led by the Hai State Left Guard, with the addition of Jiujiang Rear Guard, and then two more guards would be selected to make up the Four Guards.

The South Sea Navy would be primarily made up of the Leizhou Guard and the Quanhai Guard, with the addition of the Zhao Wu Guard and one more to complete the Four Guards.

The Jiujiang Navy would consist of the remaining Four Guards from the Jiujiang Five Guards.

In this way, each of the four navies would have more than twenty thousand soldiers, capable of securing a stable defense of a maritime or inland water region.

Of course, Yang Zhenshan had his own intentions behind these proposals; the current structure of the Tenglong Advanced Guard had limited the development of the Tenglong Navy. If the other three guards were also recruited, then the military strength of the Tenglong Navy could multiply in a short amount of time. With that, the Tenglong Navy would possess sufficient forces to deter Da Rong's Liao Sea, East Sea, and the East South Sea Domain.

As for why the Jin Hai Guard was not included, it was because its station was near the Capital City and it was specifically established to defend the eastern coastal area of the Capital. Therefore, the Jin Hai Guard needed to be preserved and not easily mobilized.

After reading the memorial, Emperor Yanping pondered for a moment, then said, "Organizing three powerful navies is likely to require substantial funds and provisions."

Yang Zhenshan replied, "Your Majesty, the expenses for the navy can be completely covered by the taxation of the Market Shipping Department. The navy not only deters pirates, but it can also clamp down on smuggling in civilian trade, increasing the maritime trade tax revenue."

"Just take the Tenglong Navy as an example, the reason maritime trade in the Liao Sea Domain has been able to develop is because they provided escort for the merchant ships, and likewise, the reason why the Liao'an Maritime Trade Bureau can impose such high taxes is that they ensure there are no smuggling merchant ships and cargo vessels in the Liao Sea Domain!"

Emperor Yanping nodded slightly, "I will submit your proposal to the Cabinet and the Ministry of War for discussion. If they do not object, then we can proceed!"

In fact, Emperor Yanping had already agreed with Yang Zhenshan's proposal, but because it involved adjustments to many military posts, he needed to carefully consider it.

"Your Majesty is wise!" Yang Zhenshan praised.

...

Yang Zhenshan emerged from the Imperial City as dusk was nearing.

The line of carriages in front of the Wumen gate had already departed, taken away by the people from the Imperial Commerce Bureau.

Why the Imperial Commerce Bureau?

Because once the Silver entered the Imperial Commerce Bureau, Emperor Yanping could take thirty percent for his personal treasury, but if it went to the Ministry of Revenue, Emperor Yanping wouldn't receive a single Silver.

Initially, when allocating funds and grains to the Four Seas Navy, Emperor Yanping had taken out quite an amount of Silver from his treasury; now, he naturally wanted to recoup the amount with interest.

Deng Yuehe and her entourage had also left, and the court would naturally arrange their accommodation and reward them.

These matters no longer concerned Yang Zhenshan.

The mission to subdue Star Moon Sect had concluded, and the office overseeing the Four Seas Navy would also be disbanded; the remaining issues mostly didn't require Yang Zhenshan's intervention.

Yang Zhenshan didn't want to get involved either, as there were many troubles involved.

With so much Silver and assets, the various government offices would surely vie for a share; the Cabinet would likely compete, and Emperor Yanping, now exceedingly avaricious, would also strive by all means to funnel Silver into his own treasury.

But Yang Zhenshan had already taken his share and received the rewards due to him, so he planned to keep a low profile during this period and steer clear of the court's conflicts.

When Yang Zhenshan returned to the Marquis Mansion, Yu Qingyi had already prepared a family banquet for him.

In the evening, the entire family had a boisterous meal together.

It truly was a large family gathering, occupying four tables.

That included Jiang He's family of six, Liang Jinyan's family of five; Lin Zhan was not in Capital City, but Lin Zheng brought her three children too.

There were also Wang Mingzhe's family of three, Lu Wenquan's family of five, and An Chenhui.

The courtyard was filled with playing children, the adults in the hall chatted leisurely; the whole family sat together in joyful harmony.

The family banquet continued until 9 p.m to 11 p.m, and after everyone dispersed, Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyi returned to their private chamber.

Qingxia brought tea, Yang Zhenshan leaned back on the recliner, and Yu Qingyi read the imperial decree over and over again.

"Haven't you seen enough?" Yang Zhenshan asked with a smile, seeing her like this.

"I am to be a First-class Marchioness!" Yu Qingyi said happily.

Yang Zhenshan was not particularly moved by being a First-class Marquis; in his eyes, a First-class Marquis was the same as a Third-class Marquis, and he didn't take the hereditary positions to heart.

But Yu Qingyi loved these titles, which had to do with her background; coming from the worldly society, she valued these vain and pompous titles more than Yang Zhenshan did.

"When is Wanqing's wedding date set?" Yang Zhenshan asked.

He had been away from the Capital City for half a year, and Yang Wanqing's marriage procedures should have been completed by now.

"The 18th of April! I purposely set the date later, just to wait for your return!" Yu Qingyi said.

A slight smile appeared at the corner of Yang Zhenshan's mouth, "Isn't Duke Xing anxious?"

"Giggle, how could he not be anxious? Duke Xing wished to have the wedding before the end of the year, but I kept delaying it until now!" Yu Qingyi said with a laugh.

"You did the right thing. When Wanqing gets married, as the old man, I must personally see her off!" Yang Zhenshan stated.

Duke Xing Mansion was in Southern Border Town, and the wedding would naturally take place there; Yang Zhenshan definitely needed to visit Southern Border Town himself.

He wanted to see Southern Border Town and also to support his eldest granddaughter, so that Wanqing wouldn't get bullied by her in-laws later on.

Yu Qingyi's eyes were as picturesque as paintings, and she looked at Yang Zhenshan with a smile, "I knew you'd want to send off Wanqing!"

"Hmm, have you not had a breakthrough in your cultivation yet?" Yang Zhenshan asked.

"Just a little bit short, I always feel like I am missing something, but I don't know what it is!"

When it came to cultivation, Yu Qingyi felt somewhat frustrated.

Yang Zhenshan flipped his hand and took out a Jade Box, "Eat this!"