Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 518: Chapter 467 Mr. Zhang Is a Good Man Indeed!_2

The matter was not handled well, and Yang Zhenshan was offended, which made people both annoyed and uneasy.

Annoyed of course was Yang Zhenshan, uneasy was the fear that Nansheng would deal with him.

After waiting for a moment, Nansheng walked out from the Taiji Palace.

”What’s the matter?” Nansheng looked at him, asking displeasedly.

”My subordinate was incompetent in handling matters, please punish me as you see fit!” Jiang Cheng promptly knelt to admit his guilt.

Nansheng frowned, ”You didn’t catch Wang Zhongzhi and Lv Hua?”

Jiang Cheng’s head pressed against the cold bluestone ground, he said uneasily, ”They disappeared in Chongshan Town, I originally thought to ask Marquis Jing’an for help in the search, but unexpectedly...”

He then exaggerated the events that occurred at Chongshan Pass.

After Nansheng listened, his expression turned extremely gloomy.

A pair of eyes became chillingly cold, as if laced with poison.

”Marquis Jing’an! Hmph~~”

He snorted coldly, ”You may withdraw for now!”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Cheng was overjoyed and quickly kowtowed before leaving.

Once he left, Nansheng furrowed his brows and thought for a moment, then turned around and returned to the Taiji Palace.

A little while later, he carried several memorials to the Imperial Study Room.

”Your Majesty, these are memorials sent from Liao Yuan!” He placed the memorials on the desk.

Emperor Yanping looked at the memorials in his hands and asked, ”Is there any important matter?”

”Eh, nothing important, but the Imperial Censor from Liao Yuan, Hu Dongchun, impeached Marquis Jing’an on the grounds of using the resettlement of refugees as a pretext for fishing for fame and hoarding undeserved praise, causing Marquis Jing’an’s name for benevolence to become widespread in Chongshan Town and Liaodong. This has led the common people to only know of Marquis Jing’an and be ignorant of the court.” Nansheng reported in a low voice with his head bowed.

Emperor Yanping looked up, a subtle discontent flashing in his eyes.

He picked up the memorial and read its contents, his expression growing uglier.

The drought in Liaodong had led to rumors about ’the new Emperor lacking virtue and causing calamity to the common folk’ that disturbed his rest.

While Yang Zhenshan had acquired a reputation for benevolence due to the Liaodong drought!

Comparing the two, it was inevitable that Emperor Yanping felt imbalanced in his heart.

Moreover, the common people knowing only of Marquis Jing’an and not the court was even stimulating his nerves.

A border-town General not only held heavy troops but also had a reputation for benevolence!

The first thought that popped into Emperor Yanping’s mind was to no longer let Marquis Jing’an stay in Chongshan Town.

It was just the beginning now, and if Marquis Jing’an continued to stay in Chongshan Town, that place would likely become his domain.

Holding troops and gaining too much power!

However, Emperor Yanping then thought of the glass workshop; he could still feel Marquis Jing’an’s loyalty.

Especially the memorial that Yang Zhenshan submitted, the one regarding the Imperial Commerce Bureau, it aligned well with his intentions.

It was a pity that he hadn’t brought up establishing the Imperial Commerce Bureau in court due to the Liaodong drought.

Nearby, Nansheng carefully watched Emperor Yanping’s expression, seeing his face fluctuate between dark and indifferent, a cold smirk formed at the corner of his mouth.

What of Marquis Jing’an, with just a slight maneuver from our house, we’ll make you regret it.

”The Emperor understands, you may withdraw now!”

Emperor Yanping said.

”Understood!” Nansheng bowed and exited the study.

Emperor Yanping glanced at his retreating figure and waited for him to leave before closing the memorial in his hand.

”Send this memorial!”

He spoke indifferently.

As his voice fell, a figure emerged from a corner behind him, collected the memorial, and then retreated back into the corner.

No, it did not retreat; it vanished!

Emperor Yanping did not mind these details and continued to deal with the government affairs.

...

The Imperial Mausoleums of Da Rong are situated a hundred miles west of the Capital City, at the foot of Wansui Mountain. The entire burial ground contains twenty-two resplendent mausoleums, within which lie eighteen emperors, twenty-three empresses, six imperial noble consorts, and dozens of concubines who were buried alongside.

Aside from the mausoleums, the site also contains more than a dozen park-burials for the imperial wives and over ten burial sites for eunuchs.

Surrounded by mountains on three sides, the vast territory features these royal tombs scattered across various hillsides within the basin. Centered around the mausoleum of the Great Rong Grand Ancestor, the complexes are arrayed in a surrounding pattern, nestled amidst the greenery of the woods.

Within the Imperial Mausoleums, there are offices such as the Tomb Supervision, the Ceremony Office, the Divine Horse Room, orchards, the Hazel Factory, etc., with thirty thousand Imperial Mausoleum Guards for protection.

Among them, Chongling is the Imperial Mausoleum of Emperor Chengping. A mausoleum resembles a small fortress, containing the Divine Path, the first courtyard, and the second courtyard.

The primary structure in the Divine Path area is the Divine Merit and Holy Virtue Stele Pavilion.

The main structures in the first courtyard include Ling’en Gate, Ling’en Hall, and annexes on the left and right.

The second courtyard mainly contains Lingxing Gate, Fangcheng Ming Tower, Treasure Tower, and so on.

Additionally, there are auxiliary buildings such as the Divine Kitchen, the Divine Storehouse, and the Slaughter Pavilion.

At this moment, Chen Zhongshu is sitting in front of a writing desk in the left annex, holding a writing brush and inscribing something unknown.

”Dad, there’s a letter from Chongshan Town!”

A eunuch in his thirties came before Chen Zhongshu and spoke softly.

”Chongshan Town! Is it from Zhang Mingzhong?” Chen Zhongshu raised his head, revealing a face covered with wrinkles.

Sagging skin, slightly sunken eye sockets, deep-seated wrinkles, all highlighted his old age.

However, his eyes were particularly profound, as if they possessed an unfathomably tranquil depth.

”It’s a letter from him!”

”Let it be, bring it over and let’s have a look.”

Chen Zhongshu took the letter, read the contents, and a smile appeared on his face.

However, he did not say much, merely placing the letter aside and continuing his writing.

After about half an hour, he finally put down his pen and gently blew the paper dry on the table.

”Take this over for me!”

”As for Zhang Mingzhong, tell him to stay calm and remain in Chongshan Town!”

...

At the Chongshan Pass, in the study of the front courtyard of the Marquis’s estate.

Yang Zhenshan instructed Yang Mingcheng and Yang Chengmao, ”Be low-key after you arrive in the Capital City. Apart from negotiating the marriage with Marquis Haichang’s Mansion, do not concern yourself with other matters!”

”If you encounter any trouble, seek help from Changping Marquis Mansion!”

”As for the New Year’s courtesy visits, besides Duke Ning Mansion, Changping Marquis Mansion, and Marquis Dongping, you need not go in person for the others; have the servants deliver the gifts!”

For Yang Mingcheng and Yang Chengmao to head to the Capital City at this critical juncture was somewhat risky.

Yang Zhenshan had already offended Nansheng, and it was uncertain whether Nansheng would use some underhanded methods against Yang Mingcheng.

But they couldn’t avoid eating for fear of choking; they certainly couldn’t avoid going to the Capital City just out of fear of Nansheng!

Not going to the Capital City was clearly out of the question. Even if the New Year’s courtesy visits could be handled by the servants, Yang Chengmao’s marriage could not be delayed indefinitely.

If they didn’t go before the New Year, would Nansheng not cause trouble after?

Therefore, Yang Zhenshan still decided to have Yang Mingcheng make a trip to the Capital City. One can only determine the truth by braving a dragon’s den and a tiger’s lair.

”Dad, rest assured, I will be careful!” Yang Mingcheng said prudently.

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly and then turned to Wu Zhan, who stood beside, ”You should accompany him on this trip too.”

”Sure! Marquis, don’t worry, I will protect the young master!” Wu Zhan said with a smile.

Yang Zhenshan shook his head slightly, ”He doesn’t need your protection; just make sure he doesn’t get into trouble.”

While Yang Mingcheng is very sincere and generally acts with restraint, he sometimes doesn’t think things through and can be easily deceived.

By contrast, Wu Zhan was originally a Disciple of the Sky Blue Sword Sect, had spent his early years adventuring in the worldly society, and in recent years, he had made a name for himself in the Yang family. Therefore, Yang Zhenshan felt it more suitable to have him accompany Yang Mingcheng.

”Yes,” responded Wu Zhan.

Yang Zhenshan stood up and glanced outside the window, ”Alright, you may depart now!”

Afterward, Yang Mingcheng took Yang Chengmao out of the Marquis Mansion, where dozens of guards and several carriages were already waiting outside.