Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

"Then we shall inquire with Marquis Haichang!" Yang Zhenshan said.

Therein lies the nature of the circle of nobles, so intricately related that everyone is connected in one way or another.

"Also, it's about time to settle Wan Ting's marriage!" Yu Qingyi interjected.

Yang Zhenshan tugged at the little lass who had fallen asleep, yet still clutched onto his beard without letting go.

While he carefully pried the girl's hand open, he said, "Didn't you say that the youngest son of Marquis Nanyang was quite decent?"

"He already has a marriage arrangement!" Yu Qingyi said helplessly.

Yang Zhenshan thought for a while, "How about Zhou Xu's grandson?"

"He has an arrangement too!"

Yang Zhenshan racked his brains, and after a long while, suddenly thought of a candidate, "How old is Liu Zhe's grandson now?"

Yu Qingyi thought for a bit, "He's also about sixteen or seventeen! Just not sure if he has an arrangement."

Arranging a daughter's marriage naturally means looking for a familiar household, Qu Shaogong was Yang Wanqing's own choice, but for Yang Wanting, Yang Zhenshan still preferred a familiar family.

Zhou Xu and Liu Zhe counted as his old friends, and Yang Zhenshan would indeed be quite willing to establish marital ties with them.

Yu Qingyi, however, expressed concern: "Liu Zhe is famously flirtatious, his grandson won't be the same, will he?"

"..."

Yang Zhenshan had forgotten about that.

Liu Zhe had always boasted of his romantic escapades, he had even taken Lin Zhan to visit brothels before, and it's unknown if his grandson is like him.

If he's like him, then certainly Wan Ting cannot be married off there.

"Can't be sure, let's investigate after the new year!" Yang Zhenshan said.

Yu Qingyi nodded, "The Liu family isn't bad either, they don't have strict household rules, and they're not far from the Capital City."

At this moment, Lu Shou came to the door and said, "Marquis, Wang Sheng has arrived!"

Yang Zhenshan was surprised, "At this time? What's he here for?"

Today was already the twenty-eighth of the twelveth lunar month, and the new year was just a couple of days away. At this time, Wang Sheng was supposed to be accompanying Wang Bin for the new year celebration; why come to the Capital City?

"I'll go see what's up, don't wait for me for lunch!"

Yang Zhenshan stood up, handed the little girl Jiang Anru over to Jiang Ning, and then quickly proceeded to the front courtyard.

The Capital City had a heavy snowfall the past couple days, and there was still a thick layer of snow on the ground, while the entire Marquis Mansion was cloaked in a garment of silver.

Yang Zhenshan, draped in a cloak, made his unhurried way to the teahouse. As soon as he entered the door, Wang Sheng kneeled on the ground with a thud, "Please save my father, Marquis!"

Yang Zhenshan was taken aback and quickly stepped forward to raise him, "What are you doing, lad? Stand up and speak!"

Wang Sheng could be considered his half-disciple. Years ago, in An Yuan City, Wang Sheng followed him for more than two years. Although Wang Sheng later followed Wang Bin to Beiyuan Town, he often visited the Yang family during festivals over the years.

Wang Sheng, supported by Yang Zhenshan, rose up with red-rimmed eyes and a haggard expression. Seeing this, Yang Zhenshan's brow creased slightly, "What happened?"

"These are letters written to you by my father!" Wang Sheng quickly took out the letters and memorials written by Wang Bin.

Yang Zhenshan read the letters rapidly, frowning even more deeply afterward. He read the memorial again and then fell into deep thought.

Duan Qifeng conspiring with the Wuliang Hu Clan?

This was somewhat incomprehensible.

Who was Duan Qifeng?

He was the Princely Heir of Duke Rong, and upon Duan Rui's death, he would be the new Duke Rong of Da Rong.

Why would he take the risk of being executed to secretly collude with the Wuliang Hu Clan with his status and position?

"Go call Ding Qiu!" Yang Zhenshan instructed Lu Shou.

With a bow, Lu Shou left the teahouse to look for Ding Qiu.

"Sit down and talk!" Yang Zhenshan asked Wang Sheng to sit down and then inquired about the specifics.

Exhausted as Wang Sheng was, he still summoned his energy to recount the events from start to finish.

After listening, Yang Zhenshan stroked his beard and fell into thought once more.

"Logically, Duan Qifeng has no reason to collude with the Wuliang Hu Clan, but this matter is indeed suspicious; military standard weapons generally don't appear en masse in the hands of the Wuliang Hu Clan!"

The military's standard weapons are regulated and substantially different from those used by civilians and martial artists.

While each weapon forge creates somewhat different weapons, they are essentially similar and can easily be identified, so it's unlikely that Wang Bin and Wang Sheng have made a mistake.

The possibility does exist for the Wuliang Hu Clan to capture standard weapons from the soldiers of Beiyuan Town, and it's likely they've captured more than just a few.

But there's a significant difference between old and new weapons.

On the battlefield, the lifespan of a weapon is actually not long—two or three major battles require a replacement.

This is because weapons get easily damaged and worn out in combat.

Strike a longsword against iron armor a few dozen times and the blade will nick or even break.

After all, the standard military weapons are not divine armaments but mass-forged ordinary weaponry.

Therefore, those standard longswords left at the Iron Origin Guard were likely not captured by the Wuliang Hu Clan in battle.

Would Duan Qifeng sell weapons to the Wuliang Hu Clan and then let them take those same weapons to fight against him?

Yang Zhenshan felt that something was amiss!

"On the way here, I kept thinking about this matter. Perhaps it's not Duan Qifeng's doing, but it must be connected with the officials and generals of Beiyuan Town!" Wang Sheng said.

Yang Zhenshan spoke, "Did you discover anything else?"

Wang Sheng shook his head, "No, Father has always been suppressed by Duan Qifeng, only controlling the impoverished Iron Origin Guard, and unable to meddle with the core power of Beiyuan Town."

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly, aware of Wang Bin's predicament; this is why he had previously advised Wang Bin to leave Beiyuan Town.