Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 368: Chapter 353 Chongshan Town Governor and General

Both sides were in a standoff across the city, with days passing by without any movement.

At this time, it was the moment for the Tenglong Guard Engineering Corps to shine. The Engineering Corps of Tenglong Guard was specially trained by Yang Zhenshan. They were not only adept at building roads, bridges, and houses but also skilled at crafting various devices.

From small kitchen knives and scissors to large war chariots, and even more complex crossbows, they could make them all.

Of course, there was still a difference between them and the craftsmen in the Guardian Department’s armaments workshops. The craftsmen in the armaments workshops were more adept at making weapons and armor, with higher craftsmanship and more refined techniques.

Whereas the skill and craftsmanship of the engineering soldiers were relatively rougher, as making siege equipment was always an urgent task that had to be completed in the shortest time without the need for fine detail.

Therefore, the engineering soldiers were very quick at producing siege equipment. In less than five days, various siege devices had been erected within the army camp.

There were over twenty Linchong and cloud ladders that were two zhang high, about a dozen wooden-covered ramming chariots, as well as thirty crossbows, and the Engineering Corps even made eight stone-throwing machines.

Looking at these siege devices, the corners of Yang Zhenshan’s mouth slightly curled up.

Over the years, Yang Zhenshan had also been studying siege warfare, focusing mainly on how to quickly produce more siege devices.

It was understood that the Engineering Corps of Tenglong Guard was not a logistics unit; they did not need to transport provisions, but they needed to transport the materials for constructing siege equipment.

Siege devices were large and difficult to transport over long distances; they generally had to be made using local materials.

Hence, Yang Zhenshan thought of a “lazy” solution, which was standardization of parts.

Take the large crossbows, for instance; why can they only be placed on city walls or warships? It’s because transporting them is troublesome, making them unsuitable to accompany the army on the march.

But Yang Zhenshan arranged for the engineering soldiers to prepare all sorts of parts in advance, so when they arrived on the battlefield, they would only need to assemble them.

Just like stone-throwing machines, whose main structural framework was too large to transport, but some smaller components could be carried. Therefore, when using local materials, it was only necessary to create the main structure, and the other parts could be used directly, saving a great deal of time.

Also, if a component was damaged during use, it could be directly replaced since all parts were standardized.

That is why the Engineering Corps of Tenglong Guard had the ability to quickly make siege equipment.

Actually, this method wasn’t difficult, and there were people in Da Rong who had thought of it, but very few used it because the conditions did not allow it.

Take the garrisons, for instance. They already had a shortage of armorsmiths, not to mention craftsmen for making devices. If they needed to conduct siege warfare, they only had a few or a dozen craftsmen responsible for crafting and technology, then they would have to rely on common laborers to assist in the production.

Common laborers could handle rough work, but when it came to making siege equipment, they could only be assistants.

Similarly, the camp soldiers might have more craftsmen, but the number was extremely limited. Very few people could maintain two thousand engineering soldiers like Yang Zhenshan.

It should not be said that it was few; in fact, there were none.

“Based on this speed, we will be able to attempt to siege in two more days!”

Yang Zhenshan said to Xie Yuan standing by his side.

Xie Yuan nodded, “The soldier’s morale is high, and some are even impatient!”

“Ha ha~”

Yang Zhenshan laughed heartily.

The soldiers of Tenglong Guard did not fear battle; they were all very eager for war.

War was deadly, and the majority of people would fear it.

But to those soldiers who practiced martial arts and training every day, they were more eager to charge and penetrate the enemy lines on the battlefield.

The soldiers of Tenglong Guard had been trained for four years, especially those of the Five Army Camps who mostly spent their time in training and had not yet genuinely experienced combat.

To train every day without the opportunity to showcase one’s martial arts was like someone watching sports every day but not discussing it with others.

How could one know which team was strong, which player was incredible if not by arguing about it often? Otherwise, wouldn’t watching all those matches be a waste of time?

Just as Yang Zhenshan and Xie Yuan were inspecting the siege equipment, a small flag officer ran over quickly and reported, “Reporting to the General, there is a cavalry troop approaching the camp from the south, with about a hundred riders!”

“From the south!” Yang Zhenshan was slightly surprised, “Coming from Tenglong Guard!”

“Are they our people?”

“We haven’t determined that yet; we have not made contact!” replied the small flag officer.

They were scouts, but at the moment, the scouts’ main task was to surround Qinghua Prefecture City. The rear was only guarded by two small flags.

“Let’s go and have a look!”

Yang Zhenshan was curious about who it could be. If they were from his side, they wouldn’t come with a hundred riders; a dozen or so would have sufficed.

As for the enemy, even less likely would they come with only a hundred riders, what could a hundred cavalry achieve?

Upon reaching the rear gate of the large camp, Yang Zhenshan soon saw a cavalry troop speeding towards them.

As the cavalry drew near, Yang Zhenshan realized that there was actually an acquaintance among them.

Liao Yuan Prefecture Governor Pang Tang!

He had met Pang Tang before. During the Liaodong Salt Transportation Department corruption case, when he led his troops into Liao’an Prefecture City, he had a brief encounter with Pang Tang. Afterwards, he had a meeting with Pang Tang at Zheng Xiao’s residence, mainly because Pang Tang was worried that he might cause trouble in Liao’an Prefecture City, so they had tea together.

Later on, after discovering that the soldiers of Tenglong Guard maintained strict discipline and order within Liao’an Prefecture City, Pang Tang stopped paying attention to Yang Zhenshan.

After the Salt Transport Department corruption case ended, officials from the Liao Yuan Prefecture, the Governor’s Office, and the Inspector General’s Office nearly all received punishment from the court, and Pang Tang was also reprimanded by the old Emperor.

However, all this no longer concerned Yang Zhenshan. By that time, Yang Zhenshan had long since returned to the Tenglong Guard.

Seeing that it was Pang Tang, Yang Zhenshan hurried forward, asking with surprise, “Mr. Pang, what brings you here?”

Several years had passed, and Pang Tang had aged a bit, his temples tinged with white.

“General Yang, this gentleman is Dr. Cui from the Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War!” Instead of answering Yang Zhenshan’s question, Pang Tang introduced the middle-aged man beside him.

“So it’s Mr. Cui!” Yang Zhenshan clasped his fist and bowed.

“The lower official has met General Yang!” Dr. Cui said politely.

“General Yang, may we enter the camp to talk? To be honest, I am quite thirsty!” Pang Tang said, looking quite helpless.

He was not young anymore, and as a scholar, coming all the way here on horseback made him both tired and thirsty.

“Of course, Mr. Pang, Mr. Cui, please!”

Yang Zhenshan greeted the two men with a smile and led them into the camp.

Passing through layers of tents, they quickly arrived at Yang Zhenshan’s own tent.

Along the way, Pang Tang and Dr. Cui observed the camp’s orderliness and couldn’t help but nod to themselves.

Entering the main tent, Yang Zhenshan’s personal followers had already prepared tea.

Pang Tang guzzled down three bowls before setting down his teacup.

“Ah, old age is such, no longer as capable, just a day’s journey has left me quite exhausted!”

He said with a sense of resignation.

“If Mr. Pang feels worn out, you are welcome to rest awhile, we have several spare tents in the camp!” said Yang Zhenshan.

Pang Tang waved his hand and said, “Let’s discuss the important matters first, I can rest after we finish talking!”

“Important matters?” Yang Zhenshan looked towards Dr. Cui.

The Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War managed the ranking, appointments, promotions, and awards of military officers.

There is a saying: Civil appointments are managed by the Ministry of Personnel, while military appointments are managed by the Ministry of War.

To put it simply, all matters related to the promotion and appointment of military officers are managed by the Ministry of War. However, in practice, the situation is different.

Generally speaking, for those below Hundred Households, the decision is made by the garrison office, for those below households, the Governor’s Office decides, and for appointments within the garrison office, the Five Army Commandery has significant advisory power.

Of course, all appointments and promotions of military officers need to be recorded with the Ministry of War, which truly controls the appointments of high-level military officers.

For example, positions like Commanders, Deputy Commanders, Assistant Commanders, and so on, could be recommended by the Five Army Commandery but must be approved by the Ministry of War before appointments can be made.

And for major positions like General, Assistant General, and Guerrilla General at border towns are appointed by the Ministry of War.

However, for the appointment of important military roles such as General or Assistant General of a border town, the Cabinet has the final say, and even the old Emperor himself must approve.

The timing of Dr. Cui from the Military Selection Department’s visit made Yang Zhenshan alert.

Yes, alert.

At this time, the court was governed by the Crown Prince; if the Crown Prince found him disagreeable, he could dismiss him from office right now!

Although Yang Zhenshan thought this unlikely, he was still somewhat concerned.

Pang Tang looked towards Dr. Cui, who took out a document from his bosom and handed it to Yang Zhenshan, saying, “General Yang, this is an appointment document signed by the Ministry of War, promoting General Yang to Deputy Commander at the Central Army Commander’s Mansion and officially appointing you the General of Chongshan Town!”

“For urgent matters, we must use expedient methods. I only brought the official document and the seal and token of the General of Chongshan Town!”

Saying so, he called out to his attendants outside the tent, who immediately brought two boxes to Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Zhenshan took the wooden box and opened it.

Inside the first box were two silver official seals, Deputy Commander being a Standard Second Rank, accompanied by two silver seals.

The second box contained four blue flags and four round tokens. The so-called flags and tokens, also known as imperial command tokens, are usually managed by officials like Commanders, Governors, and Generals under the court’s authorization. They represent the special powers bestowed by the court.

Once local officials hold the tokens, they can control their respective soldiers and act as deemed necessary with the military under their jurisdiction.

Generally speaking, Commanders, Governors, and Generals of border towns all have tokens.

With the token, Yang Zhenshan is the General of Chongshan Town; without it, he is only the Deputy Commander at the Central Army Commander’s Mansion.

“I am to be appointed the General of Chongshan Town!” Yang Zhenshan looked at the official seal and token, furrowing his brow.

“That’s right, you as the General, and I as the Governor!” said Pang Tang.

The efficiency of the court this time was quite remarkable. After the court discussion concluded, the Ministry of Personnel and Ministry of War prepared the seal and token, dispatching couriers to race to Liaodong. They took only five days to arrive in Liaodong, indicating they truly galloped all the way, considering even a fast-report of eight hundred li from Liaodong to the Capital City would take nearly three days.

Yet the officials of the Ministry of Personnel and Ministry of War took only five days to reach Liaodong.

After receiving the appointment, Pang Tang did not hesitate and brought Dr. Cui to the Tenglong Guard; there they found that Yang Zhenshan had already led troops on a campaign, so they followed in pursuit.