Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

He could probably guess where the Wula Tribe was hiding; it was none other than the snowy plains of the North.

The resources of the snowy plains definitely couldn't support the survival of the Wula Tribe. Today they might hide in the snowy plains, but they must come out next year.

As for occupying Sari Lake, if Beiyuan Town could hold back the Wuliang army, if Beiyuan Town could cause heavy losses to the Tatar Tribe, he might still be intent on occupying Sari Lake.

Unfortunately, Beiyuan Town didn't hold back, and the Tatar Tribe didn't suffer too severe losses.

If Chongshan Town were to occupy Sari Lake, then they would never have peaceful days again.

Aside from this, there is an even more important reason.

That is, Chongshan Town currently has no need to expand its territory.

The vast and fertile land between Black Cloud Guard and Fuzhou City has not been fully developed to this day; and to the west of Black Cloud Guard, less than one-fifth of the area has been developed—why should Chongshan Town forsake the near for the far and run off to fight for Sari Lake?

The military households of Chongshan Town, the civilians, and those refugees who have moved to the North, they have just had a few good years; there is no need to drag them into the mire of war at this time.

...

Chongshan Town's army has retreated.

Retreating slowly from the exit of Menghe Mountain Pass, Tang Wuxi stood on the city wall of East Que Pass, watching the blazing camp, his expression calm.

"Banner Master, are we just letting them go like this?" the burly Batuer stood by Tang Wuxi's side, asking softly.

"Otherwise?"

Tang Wuxi seemed a bit entranced, "Wu Tuo has already sent a decree, at this time do we still continue to wage war with Chongshan Town?"

A dangerous gleam flashed in Batuer's eyes, "Master Zhi Xuan is dead, Wu Tuo's biggest support is gone, we do not need to pay attention to their decrees!"

Tang Wuxi stroked his coarse beard, "No, we still need to go to King City and take a look, don't forget Wu Tuo still has a hundred thousand elite cavalry!"

"But what if he harms the Banner Master?" Batuer asked.

"That's why I can't go, you go!" said Tang Wuxi.

Batuer was astonished, "Is it appropriate for me to go?"

Tang Wuxi said, "What's inappropriate, I still have to deal with the Chongshan Town army across from me, naturally I cannot leave East Que Pass!"

Batuer was even more puzzled; he looked at the burning camp opposite and then at Tang Wuxi in front of him, his brain somewhat unable to grasp the situation.

"You, when will you learn to think!"

Tang Wuxi mocked.

An idea flashed in Batuer's mind, and he laughed, "The Banner Master is right, there is still the army of a hundred thousand from Chongshan Town outside East Que Pass, naturally, the Banner Master cannot leave East Que Pass! So, only a subordinate like me can go to King City to heed the decree!"

Tang Wuxi smiled, "You go and see what tricks Wu Tuo has up his sleeve. If his attitude is relatively mild, then you be polite as well; if his attitude is strong, then you show some arrogance!"

"But what if he kills me?" Batuer asked somewhat worriedly.

Tang Wuxi looked at him seriously, "Don't worry, I will avenge you!"

"..."

Batuer's face fell, "Banner Master, I don't want to die yet!"

"Ha ha~~"

Tang Wuxi laughed heartily.

...

Before Yang Zhenshan could return to Chongshan Pass, the internal unrest of the Wuliang Hu Clan had begun.

Wu Tuo called together the vassal kings of various tribes to King City for talks, yet out of eight vassal kings, only Cui Liang arrived.

The Wula Clan was still hiding in the snowy plains, and while representatives were sent from the remaining six vassal kings, it was clear they were merely trying to placate Wu Tuo.

Wu Tuo was very angry about this, yet he did not show it.

Wu Tuo was a person very adept at biding his time; his forbearance helped him ascend to the throne, his forbearance allowed him to control the Wuliang Royal Court, and now he decided to endure once again.

He needed time to subdue the various tribes, and to Yang Zhenshan, this no longer had much impact; at least in the short term, Wu Tuo no longer had the power to continue southward invasion of Da Rong, nor the capability to send troops to attack Chongshan Town.

On the first day of July, Yang Zhenshan returned to Chongshan Pass.

Zhou Lan had already recovered, and the newly appointed governor had arrived at Chongshan Pass.

The new governor, Zhang Zhcheng, also serves as the Vice Minister of War and the Assistant Imperial Censor, governing Chongshan Town.

Inside the General Mansion, Zhou Lan and Yang Zhenshan were sitting in the study.

"What's the background of this Zhang Zhcheng?" Zhou Lan asked.

Yang Zhenshan leaned back on the chair, saying languidly, "He is a disciple of Zhou Yunsong, was the runner-up in the Imperial Examinations in the 26th year of the Chengping era, and has successively held the posts of doctor in the Ministry of Industry, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Horse Affairs, and Minister of the Ministry of Imperial Stables."

The Minister of the Ministry of Imperial Stables is of Secondary Third Rank, even if Yang Zhenshan pays little attention to court affairs, he should still recognize the ministers of the court.

Of course, his knowledge of Zhang Zhcheng is limited to this.

Zhou Lan frowned, "Then, is he a member of the Long Party?"

"I don't know," Yang Zhenshan shook his head, "After Zhou Yunsong's resignation, the Long Party has become even more complicated. It seems that Lu Ming has replaced Zhou Yunsong, but in reality, Lu Ming does not have the prestige of Zhou Yunsong. He represents two groups: one is a small part of the Longyuan people, and the other is the undercover faction officials from Prince Cheng's Mansion!"

When Zhou Yunsong was there, officials of the Long Party were not just those coming from Longyuan but also included many of Zhou Yunsong's disciples and old acquaintances.

After Zhou Yunsong's resignation, the original Long Party became officials from Longyuan led by Lu Ming, and it's unclear if Zhou Yunsong's disciples and old acquaintances still belong to the Long Party.

Lu Ming is also an undercover official from Prince Cheng's Mansion, originally serving as Emperor Yanping's Left Chief Historian, and at that time, Emperor Yanping did not have many people he could use, and Lu Ming was considered to be one of the most valuable.

After Emperor Yanping's ascent to the throne, the undercover officials also rose to power, and it took Lu Ming less than seven years to be promoted from a historian of the royal mansion to the deputy of the Cabinet.

So now, Lu Ming can represent both the Long Party and those officials coming out from Prince Cheng's Mansion.

Zhang Zhcheng is neither a Longyuan-born official nor one of Emperor Yanping's undercover officials.

"Is there something wrong with him?" Yang Zhenshan asked.

Zhou Lan shook her head, "There's nothing wrong per se, but it's precisely because there isn't that it's strange!"

"It's not strange. Chongshan Town has been peaceful for too long; there are always people who want to throw sand in Chongshan Town," Yang Zhenshan said.

In the past, no one interfered with Chongshan Town because Yang Zhenshan was powerful.

But now, after the battle with the Wuliang Hu Clan, Yang Zhenshan faced many impeachments, which made some people unable to resist the temptation of targeting Chongshan Town.

It could be Lu Ming or someone else.

Zhou Lan frowned; she did not want to see the flourishing Chongshan Town ruined.

Seeing her like this, Yang Zhenshan couldn't help but laugh and said, "Has His Majesty removed your position as General?"

"Not yet!" Zhou Lan said.

"Then there you go. You will still be the General of Chongshan Town!" Yang Zhenshan said.

"But why would His Majesty agree to let Zhang Zhcheng come to Chongshan Town?" Zhou Lan asked.

Yang Zhenshan said, "It's about balance. My reputation in Chongshan Town is too high, so His Majesty would not let me stay in Chongshan Town, and although you are in charge of Chongshan Town, your close relationship with me makes His Majesty uneasy, hence he arranged for someone who has no connection to us to take the position of governor!"

"His Majesty did not interfere with Chongshan Town before because Chongshan Town needed development, but after Mr. Pang was assassinated, His Majesty could no longer allow Chongshan Town to be a unified bloc!"

"Our His Majesty is most fond of these balancing acts!"

Zhou Lan nodded, signaling her understanding, "What should we do next? Should we get rid of this Zhang Zhcheng?"

Yang Zhenshan looked at her in surprise, "Are you actually dissatisfied with His Majesty's arrangement?"

Zhou Lan looked at him and said helplessly, "Chongshan Town is not only the foundation of your title as Marquis Jing'an, but it is also the foundation of the Duke Ning Mansion. Now, I can only rely on you!"

"Ha ha~~" Yang Zhenshan laughed loudly, "Looks like we're in the same boat now!"

"We've been in the same boat for a long time! However, I feel that I won't be able to stay in Chongshan Town for much longer!" Zhou Lan's thoughts were clear.

The Duke Ning Mansion had already declined, and with Zhou Mao becoming increasingly aged, the prosperity of the Duke Ning Mansion was no longer.

And Zhou Xu, the Princely Heir, neither had a strong cultivation nor any military command experience, and was now just a personnel at leisure.

Although there are a few capable young talents in the younger generation of the Duke Ning Mansion, it's a pity that they won't be able to make a name for themselves anytime soon.

So, this vast Duke Ning Mansion could only rely on Zhou Lan to support it.

And now, Zhou Lan also has to rely on Yang Zhenshan, with his support, she can control Chongshan Town.