Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 264: Chapter 255: Return Home

“Brother Yang, could you also arrange a few people for me?” Wang Bin, listening to their conversation, had his thoughts stirred and couldn’t help but speak up.

Of course, his purpose was not for a few Yang family descendants, but to forge good relations with Yang Zhenshan and strengthen their ties.

Yang Zhenshan thought for a moment, “Chengche and Qinwu are both good choices. If you are to leave Songzhou Guard, you can take them with you to your new posting. They should be able to assist you!”

He understood Wang Bin’s intentions as well. This was a positive development, and he was happy to see it happen.

Following this battle, Wang Bin would definitely receive a promotion. With his military merits, he would at the very least be promoted one rank to become a Vice General of a border town.

However, he definitely wouldn’t stay in Chongshan Town, as there was no position of Vice General available for him there.

Among the Yang family descendants, the talented ones were only a few: Ming Wu, Chengze, Chengxu, Chengche, Qinwu, and Ming Zhen. All counted, these six people possessed commendable abilities.

They were successful partly because Yang Zhenshan had personally led them, but Yang Zhenshan couldn’t perform miracles; some people were simply not cut out for navigating bureaucratic life.

Take, for example, Yang Mingcheng, who would probably help count the money after being sold into the bureaucratic arena due to his straightforwardness.

Or consider the first ten people who followed Yang Zhenshan, aside from Ming Wu and Chengze, the other five were of mediocre aptitude.

“That’s fine, I will take them with me when I get promoted!” Wang Bin laughed heartily.

The three of them continued drinking, one cup after another, quickly finishing off a pot of wine.

Holding the empty pot, Wang Bin slightly discontentedly said, “Just when I was getting into the mood, there’s no more left! I must have a good drink when I get back!”

…

After capturing Fushan City, the Camp and the three routes of the Rescue Camp struck out in succession, spending over half a month to pacify the area north of Fushan City.

In early July, thirty thousand troops from the Camp fought a decisive battle against the last thirty thousand Northern barbarian cavalry of the East Sea Hu Clan at Ciweng Mountain; the both sides battled for a day and a night, eventually leading to Emu Bu, Chahar, and Dosol of the three tribes fleeing into the icy plains, and thereafter, the area south of Ciweng Mountain stretching a thousand li was integrated into the territory of Da Rong.

In mid-July, the Wula Clan, under pressure from the West Road army led by Ji Feiyu, fled into the territory of the Wuliang Hu Clan. The Wuliang Hu Clan sent ten thousand cavalry to their aid, causing the West Road army to return without achieving their goals.

The joining of the Wula Clan to the Wuliang Hu Clan signified the complete collapse of the recently established Dynasty of Da Ling, and the disintegration of the East Sea Hu Clan that was entrenched in the Northern lands.

By late July, after resting for a month outside Fushan City, Yang Zhenshan finally set off on the journey home.

Wang Bin’s West Road was the first to withdraw – understandably, as his Rescue Camp suffered heavy losses in this war, but apart from Zhou Lan, it was also Wang Bin who received the most recognition for his contributions.

Yang Zhenshan had to share some of his merits with Wang Bin, as Wang Bin was the main commander of the West Road.

Good work by the subordinate is a reflection of excellent leadership.

Marquis Liang Chu personally came out of the city to see Wang Bin and Yang Zhenshan off on their journey home.

Looking at the slowly departing troops, Marquis Liang’s face showed a worried expression.

“What’s wrong, my lord?” Zhou Lan, standing beside him, noticed his changed demeanor and asked.

Marquis Liang slightly shook his head, “Nothing much, just that this old man should also head back to the Capital City!”

Zhou Lan frowned slightly, “Why so?”

Though the war had ended, there was still much to handle in Chongshan Town.

Especially with the vast expanse of a thousand li in the north being incorporated into the administrative domain of Chongshan Town. Establishing garrisons, relocating military households, and reclaiming wasteland required relentless effort and were numerous.

It made sense for Marquis Liang to continue overseeing the affairs in Chongshan Town at this time.

“Some people do not wish for this old man to remain in Chongshan Town; some think this old man’s merits are already great enough; some are wary that this old man may attempt to usurp power with the military might he controls. In short, there are many reasons!”

Zhou Lan scoffed coldly, “Probably someone wants to pick the ripe fruits now!”

The war had ended, and what comes next are ready-made achievements. Naturally, there are those who are jealous of Marquis Liang’s position.

“The Emperor didn’t stop this?”

“The Emperor has aged!” Marquis Liang said softly.

Zhou Lan nodded in realization.

The Emperor had grown old, becoming increasingly suspicious and cautious.

Perhaps the Emperor also felt that Marquis Liang’s contributions were enough and was wary of him using military power to rule independently.

Or maybe the Emperor felt more at ease by recalling Marquis Liang back to the Capital City.

It was not as severe as killing the donkey after milling, as although Emperor Chengping was suspicious, he wasn’t at the point of failing to discern right from wrong.

“Let’s go, it’ll be just right for us to return together!” Marquis Liang said.

Though discontented, Marquis Liang was philosophical about it and would not wallow in self-pity.

…

As Yang Zhenshan neared An Yuan City, his mood grew increasingly solemn.

This time, he didn’t know if he was bringing back only victories and merits or also carrying ashes and spirits of his fallen comrades.

Clip-clop~~

A burst of hoofbeats came from ahead; it was Xie Yuan and Yang Minghao who had received the news earlier and hurried over.

“Sir!”

The two, leading a dozen others, ran up.

Yang Zhenshan waved his hand, not saying anything, and continued walking towards An Yuan City.

The soldiers behind him remained silent, the procession’s center filled with several horse carts, each bearing only a single urn.

Too much time had passed, and the bodies had been cremated long ago. What they were bringing back were merely the ashes.

In Da Rong, burial customs emphasized resting in the earth. Mainly, in-ground burial was practiced, but in special circumstances, other methods could be chosen. For instance, if a commoner died in a foreign land and wished to be buried in their hometown but lacked sufficient funds for transportation of the body, cremation followed by the burial of ashes was opted.

Likewise, for soldiers who died in battle, if conditions allowed, their ashes would be brought back; if even the ashes couldn’t be retrieved, a cenotaph would be erected instead.

In the garrison, out of over a thousand soldiers, perhaps only half returned; the others lay buried in the Northern lands.

Watching the black urns on the carts, Xie Yuan and Yang Minghao’s spirits faltered, silently following the troop as they slowly headed towards An Yuan City.

As the procession reached the city gate, many citizens inside and outside the gate only then learned that the deploying garrison had returned today.

Yang Zhenshan entered the city on horseback with an imposing sway, followed by a group of soldiers with stern faces.

The atmosphere of the entire troupe was heavy and solemn.

The heaviness was due to the fact that they were about to face the family members of their fallen comrades.

The solemnity was because the killing intent they had accumulated over time had not yet dissipated.

People on the streets stepped aside at the sight, the intimidating atmosphere left them silent as cicadas in winter, standing on the sides of the street barely daring to breathe.

The troupe entered the city from the north gate, continuing south down the street, passing by the garrison office where Yang Zhenshan saw Yu Qingyi.

Yu Qingyi was supporting her waist and protruding belly, looking at him eagerly.

He slightly curled his lips, but ultimately did not break into a smile.

“Mother!”

Yang Yunxue stood beside Yu Qingyi, slightly shrinking her neck in fear.

The dense killing aura was like a bone-chilling cold wind, instilling fear in her.

Yu Qingyi took a deep breath and said gently, “It’s okay, isn’t your father all right? Don’t worry!”

Since Yang Zhenshan had been deployed, the atmosphere at home had been somewhat subdued, everyone was worried about Yang Zhenshan but did not dare to speak out, especially since Yu Qingyi was pregnant and everyone was careful not to make her worry more.

Yu Qingyi knew what everyone was thinking, so she tried to appear calm on usual days and seldom mentioned Yang Zhenshan.

The troupe moved through the street and soon arrived at the City Gate Castle in the southern part of the city.

Back at the familiar City Gate Castle, the soldiers relaxed.

After letting the soldiers go to their rooms to rest, Yang Zhenshan called Xie Yuan and Yang Minghao among others into the main hall.

“Ming Zhen, give the list of fallen soldiers to Mr. Xie!”

Ming Zhen, upon hearing this, quickly handed over a roster that had been prepared earlier to Xie Yuan.

Xie Yuan took the roster, glanced over it, and a flicker of astonishment crossed his eyes, “Sir, this is!”

“Prepare for it, in five days send our brothers for burial! The cemetery and coffins must be prepared in advance!”

“Also, the compensation money, give according to the highest standard of the court, Han Cheng, Dazhan, Ming Zhen, you three will go house to house with the compensation money to announce the deaths for the next three days!”

“Let the families come for the funeral in five days!”

Although they had returned, the spoils of war they had earlier were yet to be sent over, currently all still in Jia City.

Thus, the payment of the compensation money would have to come from the garrison office’s accounts for now.

Once their spoils of war were transported back from Jia City, Yang Zhenshan would send an additional portion to those families.

“Got it!”

Everyone responded.

Yang Zhenshan waved his hand and said, “Alright, everyone go home now!”

After arranging the tasks, Yang Zhenshan left the City Gate Castle with Yang Minghao, and the troops also left one after another to reunite with their families.

Upon returning to the Yang family residence, Yang Zhenshan immediately felt the warmth of home.

“The master is back!”

Wu Hai, standing at the doorstep, saw Yang Zhenshan and immediately shouted into the house.

Before Yang Zhenshan even reached the doorstep, he saw a group of people walking out from inside.

Two nannies were supporting Yu Qingyi, Yang Mingcheng was standing behind Yu Qingyi, followed by Ms. Wang, the Li family, the Liang family, Yunxue, Yun Qiao, and others.

“Master!”

Yu Qingyi, looking at Yang Zhenshan, had reddened eyes.

Yang Zhenshan quickly dismounted and reached out to support her, a radiant smile appearing on his face, “What, missing your husband?”

At his words, Yu Qingyi’s brewing emotions suddenly turned into bashful annoyance, “The children are all here, can’t you be serious!”

Yang Zhenshan laughed heartily.

“Grandpa, I missed you!”

“Grandpa, I missed you too!”

Two little girls squeezed out from the crowd, grasping Yang Zhenshan’s legs and shouted.

Yang Zhenshan quickly bent down and picked up the two little girls, “Grandpa missed Wan Ting and Miao’er too!”

Yang Wanting, the young daughter of Yang Mingzhi, was now four years old.

Jiang Miao, the little girl now also four years old, was three months older than Wanting.

Previously, Wanting had been staying at Jianning Guard and was initially very estranged from Yang Zhenshan after coming to the Yang family, but after a few months, she became very fond of being close to Yang Zhenshan.

As for Jiang Miao, there was no need to say more; the little girl’s name was even given by Yang Zhenshan, and she had always liked staying close to him.

“Grandpa, me too!”

“Grandpa!”

“Grandpa!”

In no time, Yang Zhenshan was surrounded by a bunch of little radishes.

Yang Zhenshan counted – Yang Chengye, Yang Chengmao, Yang Wanqing, Yang Wanting, Yang Chengxian, Jiang Ning, Jiang Miao, and also Ms. Wang holding Yang Wanyi and the Liang family with an unnamed little baby in her arms.

Four grandsons, three granddaughters, one grandson outside of the family, one granddaughter outside of the family!

This was what you call a house full of children!

The crowd of little ones making rollicking noise, pushed Yu Qingyi to one side.

“Alright, alright, no more yelling, let’s all go home!”

Yang Zhenshan felt like a flock of crows was flying overhead, cawing non-stop, it was intolerable.

“Let’s go home, home!” Yu Qingyi also hurriedly spoke.

During this period, she too had been overwhelmed by the noise, having many children was lively, but when the liveliness prolonged it became noisy.