Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 86: Chapter 84 Family Reunion

Two days later, the kiln was opened for charcoal retrieval.

Following several robust men shifting the charcoal out of the kiln, Yang Zhenshan witnessed the outcome of their first charcoal burning.

Yang Minghao, fiddling with a small stick, remarked, “Why are some only half-burnt?”

“Some have even turned to ash!”

A large pile, black all over, though significantly less than the wood that was put in.

Yang Zhenshan came forward to look, musing that charcoal-making was bound to have some loss, and moreover, it was a technical task, the consumption depending largely on the operation during the burning process.

Observing the change in the color of the smoke to determine the burning state of the wood inside, and the placement of the firewood in the kiln also required technique.

Yang Zhenshan was no expert at this, but no matter, practice makes perfect.

Yang Zhenshan estimated about half of the wood was consumed in this charcoal-making endeavor.

For a first attempt at making charcoal, Yang Zhenshan was quite satisfied.

“Erhu!”

Yang Zhenshan called out to a man with frosty temples.

“Sir!”

Li Erhu was a soldier from the Yinghe Castle, who had served as a small flag in his youth, but now his age had advanced, and his eldest son had taken over his role.

“Not bad, from now on you will oversee the charcoal-making. You’ll earn thirty percent more than the others,” said Yang Zhenshan.

Li Erhu was overjoyed at these words, “Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Xie!”

“Hmm, the construction of the charcoal kiln has no issues. Build several more!”

“After a few days, once the area is sorted, take two men to Sanshan Castle to build more charcoal kilns!”

Yang Zhenshan instructed.

“Yes!” Li Erhu responded.

Experience may be lacking, but it can be gained gradually, and having results was enough to satisfy Yang Zhenshan.

With this new livelihood of charcoal-making, military households from Yinghe Castle and Sanshan Castle could now have an additional source of income.

The preliminary plan for poverty alleviation was thus deemed complete.

However, he now needed someone to market and sell the charcoal within the Chongshan Pass City.

After some consideration, Yang Zhenshan decided to have Luo Shang handle this sales task.

Though Luo Shang ran a cloth shop, having operated within the city for over a decade afforded him some connections, making him a better choice than Yang Zhenshan finding a stranger.

Of course, Yang Zhenshan couldn’t let Luo Shang work for nothing; he planned to give him a commission.

Having decided, Yang Zhenshan wrote a letter and had Yang Minghao deliver it to Luo Shang.

The primary market for selling the charcoal would still be in Chongshan Pass City, although Yinghe Castle fell under Jianning Guard, it was over seventy miles away from Jianning Guard and only less than thirty miles from the Pass City.

…

September 18th.

Soldiers from various garrisons, ramparts, and signal towers gradually arrived at Yinghe Castle, turning the already bustling castle into a scene of great excitement.

Most soldiers were apprehensive upon hearing about the training, but their spirits were lifted when they learned that the government would provide meals during training and even distribute rations as during wartime.

Not having to fight yet receiving wartime rations was an unprecedented good fortune.

Thus, they arrived at Yinghe Castle with excitement and anticipation.

However, once the training started, all their excitement vanished instantly.

The training regimen devised by Yang Zhenshan was truly exhausting, even the basic initial training proved tough for these soldiers who usually neglected training.

Furthermore, due to the urgency, Yang Zhenshan did not reduce the intensity of the training as he had done at Linguan Castle.

“Let me tell you, my rations aren’t easy to earn! If you want to eat well, if you want your rations, don’t be afraid to sweat!”

“Since you’ve come, be prepared to shed blood and tears!”

“This training could result in injuries or even fatalities!”

“I’m giving you wartime rations, so you must treat this training with the seriousness of a battlefield!”

“If anyone errs, they’ll be dealt with by military law, and if anyone dares to flee, they’ll be treated as deserters!”

On the riverbank to the east of Yinghe Castle, Yang Zhenshan walked between the rows of soldiers with his hands clasped behind his back, barking orders in a chilling tone.

Now, he no longer needed to personally oversee the training, but he still had to make the opening speech on this first day.

Operating on the principle of combining kindness and severity, providing meals and rations was the kindness, and making clear the military consequences was the severity.

These soldiers were different from those from Linguan Castle.

The soldiers from Linguan Castle were refugees, while these were seasoned men.

Without showing some toughness, it would be hard to intimidate them.

Yang Zhenshan was prepared to make an example of someone, it was just a matter of time before the opportunity arose.

“Don’t tell me you can’t handle it!”

“Do you want to become Martial Artists, do you want to achieve greatness, do you want to hold office?”

“If you do, then train as if your lives depend on it!”

“I want to leave you with a thought today! A soldier who doesn’t aspire to be a general is no good soldier!”

“This training session offers you a chance to earn an official position. After completing three phases, a martial competition will be held.”

“The competition will be divided between Cavalry and Infantry. The first place will be directly appointed as Hundred Households officer, the second will be appointed to Trial Hundred Households, and third to tenth place will be appointed General Flag.”

“Whether you can hold an office depends entirely on your effort!”

“Ha ha ha~~ My soldiers, I greatly anticipate your performance!”

Yang Zhenshan left, laughing loudly.

The soldiers on the riverbank burst into a frenzy.

An officer?

Who wouldn’t want that?

A soldier who doesn’t want to become a general is no good soldier.

Though the rank of general was far from their reach, the positions of Hundred Households, Trial Hundred Households, and General Flag were within their sight.

“Sir is wise!”

Suddenly, someone shouted, and the riverbank erupted with cheers.

“Sir is wise!”

“Sir is wise!”

Waves of noise filled the air, but Yang Zhenshan had already left.

“Shut up, shut up!”

“Everyone stand properly!”

Following this, Yang Chengxu and other educators’ scolding voices rang out.

Just as the intensive training started, Yang Mingcheng returned to Yinghe Castle with over twenty carts of grain, accompanied by others.

In the government’s back courtyard, Yang Zhenshan finally met again his unofficial eldest son and daughter, as well as his daughter-in-law, second daughter-in-law, eldest grandson, second grandson, eldest granddaughter, and three apprentices.

“Son, kowtow to your Dad!”

Yang Mingcheng had just approached Yang Zhenshan, and before Yang Zhenshan could speak, he knelt down and kowtowed.

With his kneeling, Ms. Wang and the Li family also followed, and soon everyone was kneeling down.

Yang Zhenshan looked at them, his mustache slightly trembling at the corners of his mouth.

Damn it!

Why are they kneeling?

Although you are my son and I know you are filial, can we not kneel and kowtow at every turn?

In the Da Rong Dynasty, kneeling is not prevalent.

Even in the court, there is generally no need to kneel except during major ceremonies.

As for civilians, there’s no explicit rule requiring people to kneel to officials.

Usually, martial artists perform a fist-palming salute, while scholars perform a hand-folding salute.

Of course, for Heaven, Earth, Monarchs, Relatives, and Teachers, kneeling is necessary when it’s appropriate.

Pious sons and grandsons kneeling is also proper.

It’s just that Yang Zhenshan somewhat dislikes it because it makes him seem old and of high seniority.

“Cough cough, get up!”

Yang Zhenshan reluctantly stroked his long beard.

This beard is getting longer; the old grandfather persona is inescapable now.

Yang Mingcheng got up from the ground, smiling with his teeth not visible through his eyes.

“Dad!”

Yang Zhenshan nodded, his eyes sweeping past the people behind him.

Ms. Wang’s face seemed to have grown rounder, like a big pancake, and her waist seems to be expanding towards that of a barrel, appearing even larger than the Li family woman who is seven months pregnant.

The Li family woman has also gained weight, more precisely, she has become plumper, not as thin and frail as before.

Daughter Yang Yunxue has grown taller, her shiny black hair tied in twin buns, looking even more adorable!

Lin Zhan, hmm, this young man seems even steadier now.

Wang Yunqiao has grown taller and fatter, and in her arms, the baby’s big round eyes stared at Yang Zhenshan.

“Grandpa! I’ve missed you so much!”

Little radish head Yang Chengye squeezed through the crowd, hugged Yang Zhenshan’s legs, and said aggrievedly.

“Grandpa, I missed you too!” Little dumpling Yang Chengmao also ran over, blinking his cute big eyes at Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Zhenshan, looking at these two grandsons, thought: “Grandsons, grandsons ah! These are my grandsons!”

After half a year away from home, he almost forgot about these two unofficial grandsons, now their sudden appearance made him a bit unaccustomed.

However, he still showed a kindly smile, lifting one grandchild in each arm, and said, “Grandpa missed you too!”

Entering the hall, he sat in the chair and handed them the maltose candy he had prepared.

Instantly, the hall exhibited a joyful scene of loving and playing with the grandchildren.

“Have you been obedient at home?”

“Grandpa, I’ve been the most obedient!” Four-year-old Yang Chengye, knowing right from wrong, behaved very well beside Yang Zhenshan.

And Yang Chengmao was even more lively, seemingly curious about everything, his short little legs taking him to look around the hall.

Yang Zhenshan teased his two grandsons a bit, then picked up Yang Wanqing.

Yang Wanqing was already one year and four months old, a soft and mushy little girl, looking even more adorable.

Yang Zhenshan wanted to bond well with his eldest granddaughter, but just as he pulled Yang Wanqing into his arms, she grabbed his beard.

Yang Zhenshan, caught off guard, had several beard hairs pulled out by her.

Good granddaughter, you actually ambush your grandpa!

Yang Zhenshan grimaced in pain.

“Dad!”

Seeing him in this state, Yang Mingcheng and Ms. Wang immediately became anxious.

“This darn girl, so thoughtless, needs a spanking!” Ms. Wang anxiously stepped forward, about to hit her own daughter.

Yang Zhenshan quickly stopped her, “No, no, it’s okay!”

But Ms. Wang’s reaction still frightened Yang Wanqing, and she started crying loudly.

Suddenly, the hall was filled with loud crying.

Yang Zhenshan raised his eyebrows.

This little girl sure has a powerful voice!

“Sweetie, don’t cry, don’t cry!” Yang Zhenshan clumsily tried to soothe her.

But the more he tried, the louder she cried, even hiccupping from the intensity.

Yang Zhenshan was completely flustered!

He quite liked children, but he had no experience in handling them.

“Eldest daughter-in-law, come and soothe the big girl, don’t hit her!” Unable to do anything himself, Yang Zhenshan had to seek help from Ms. Wang.

Ms. Wang, who doted on her daughter, had only been so visibly anxious and eager because she feared her girl might upset her father-in-law.

Now, hearing Yang Zhenshan’s words, Ms. Wang quickly took her daughter into her arms and began to soothe her.

It only took a little while for the little girl to stop crying.

Yang Zhenshan was somewhat baffled.

This granddaughter doesn’t seem to like her grandpa!

It’s true, to this little girl, her grandpa must seem like a stranger.

Half a year’s time was enough for this granddaughter to forget about him.