Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

"Magistrate of Qinghua Prefecture!" Yang Mingcheng declared.

Yang Zhenshan's brow furrowed deeper. The post of Qinghua Prefecture Magistrate was Standard Fourth Rank, which should be considered a promotion for Lu Wenquan.

However, this clearly didn't align with the career trajectory that Lu Wenquan should have followed.

Being sent out to the provinces wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Normally, serving as an Assistant Imperial Censor from the Imperial Examination Hall and being dispatched to supervise affairs was the standard procedure.

Being sent out to serve as a Magistrate, despite the rise in rank, was in reality a disguised demotion.

It would not be easy for Lu Wenquan to return to the capital in the future.

"The letter?"

"It's in the study of the front courtyard!" said Yang Mingcheng.

After saying a word to Yu Qingyi, Yang Zhenshan followed Yang Mingcheng to the study in the front courtyard.

Yang Mingcheng searched for the letter Lu Wenquan left for Yang Zhenshan to read; after reading it, Yang Zhenshan's expression eased somewhat.

Lu Wenquan's dispatch was a voluntary request from him, the outcome of his own efforts to arrange through his connections.

The reason being he didn't want to get involved in the power struggles of the court; thus, he took the initiative to dispatch himself outward.

However, the reason he wanted to be dispatched was two-fold: firstly, because he didn't wish to engage in court strife, and secondly, he felt isolated.

The factional disputes at court were increasingly fierce, and many of the neutral parties were being dragged in against their will.

Lu Wenquan didn't want to get involved in these factional court disputes, but certain things are out of one's control when sitting in such positions.

Non-participation meant not fitting in, and that led to isolation.

With no alternative, Lu Wenquan chose to leave the court.

Yang Zhenshan felt helpless about this, having little control over the factional disputes within the court.

As a noble, he could ensure his personal integrity, but he could not influence the overall political situation of the court.

Lu Wenquan's move to Qinghua Prefecture was perhaps for the best; Qinghua Prefecture was in Liaodong, and there he could fully exert his talents. Moreover, governing a region was a form of experience.

Yang Zhenshan always believed that the path to promotion for central officials in the Da Rong Court was flawed. Without having held local office, they occupy high central positions. With such officials, how can one capably manage the country?

"Are there any other letters?" Yang Zhenshan inquired.

"Yes!" Yang Mingcheng took out a stack of letters and handed them to Yang Zhenshan.

"Both your second and third brothers have written letters. I have replied to them. They are doing well in Chongshan Town. Ah, the wife of your third brother is pregnant again. By now, she should have given birth."

"Your second brother also mentioned there seems to be another coup in the Li Sheng Dynasty. Jin Shangjun died suddenly, his son has succeeded the throne, but currently, someone surnamed Chen is the power behind the throne!" Yang Mingcheng said at a measured pace.

Yang Zhenshan examined each letter.

He was going to have another grandson or granddaughter. Counting in his mind, he already had six grandsons and six granddaughters.

Yang Mingcheng had four children, Yang Mingzhi also had four, and Yang Minghao previously had four as well. Now, Yang Minghao had taken the lead, with his children soon to number five.

"Right, there's also a letter from Duke Xing Mansion; Wanqing is pregnant too!" Yang Mingcheng said with a wide grin.

"That soon?" Yang Zhenshan exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, the news just came last month. She should be about four months along now!" Yang Mingcheng said.

Calculating in his head, Yang Zhenshan thought that meant Yang Wanqing had become pregnant just two months after her marriage. What a speedy development.

This was good news. The Qu family was short on offspring. Whether a son or daughter, this child would be precious for the Qu family.

At this time, the Qu family would probably treat Yang Wanqing with the utmost care.

"You prepare some Hundred Herbs Brew and Bee King Honey to send over!" said Yang Zhenshan.

"There's no more Bee King Honey at home!" Yang Mingcheng replied.

Yang Zhenshan said, "I still have some in my storeroom. Tomorrow you can go and take some."

A power minister has emerged in the Li Sheng Dynasty, and it appears that the situation for the Kim family of Silla is quite unfavorable.

He looked at the letter from Yang Mingzhi and fell into contemplation.

The power shifts in the Li Sheng Dynasty were irrelevant to Da Rong, which currently didn't care about the fate of this vassal Dynasty.

However, changes in the Li Sheng Dynasty could affect the maritime trade of Fuzhou and the Tenglong Guard, which was the precise reason Yang Mingzhi wrote to inform him about the matter.

Jin Shangjun's sudden death was definitely fishy, as he was an Innate Martial Artist. Clearly, his death was unnatural.

After pondering for a while, Yang Zhenshan wrote back to Yang Mingzhi, advising him to pay close attention to the situation in the Li Sheng Dynasty.

Whoever held power in the Li Sheng Dynasty, Yang Zhenshan could ignore, but should the situation affect the maritime trade of Fuzhou and Tenglong Guard, he would have to intervene.

Fuzhou was Yang Mingzhi's base, and Tenglong Guard was another one of his strongholds. As the maritime trade of Liaodong flourished, the influence of the Li Sheng Dynasty over it grew increasingly significant.

It's fair to say that the Li Sheng Dynasty was one of the most important markets and sources of goods for Fuzhou and Tenglong Guard, even more important than the Desheng Dynasty.

After writing the reply, Yang Zhenshan proceeded to open and check the other letters one by one.

There were many letters with varied content, and many people had written to him.

Lin Zhan wrote to inform him that the situation in Yu State had stabilized and he planned to develop maritime trade and the silk weaving industry in Yu State.

He wrote a lot, but none of it was particularly important, just routine greetings and requests for advice.

Zhou Lan also sent a letter, discussing the development of Chongshan Town. The West Road Dinghu Guard in Chongshan Town has been established, with Luo Feiyu serving as the Assistant General.

The Wuliang Hu Clan's Wula Clan has launched multiple attacks on Dinghu Guard, but they have all been repelled.