Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 571: Chapter 494 Gilded Bright Armor_2

While he does not enjoy competing in the usual days, Yang Zhenshan has turned the Yang family’s Spear Technique into a fitness exercise.

This aligns with Jiang He’s personality. Although Jiang He has previously gone hunting in the mountains, he is actually a very gentle man who does not delight in fighting and killing.

Of course, Jiang He also has his strengths. He has never made a mistake when managing the Yang family’s estate; he is meticulous and serious in his work, not conceding even to Lu Wenhua.

That’s why Yang Zhenshan arranged for him to hold an official post as Chief Clerk, to help handle some miscellaneous affairs on ordinary days.

As for whether the salary of a Chief Clerk is enough for their household, there’s no need to worry at all.

When Jiang He and Yang Yunxue established their own family, Yang Zhenshan gave them a manor. The manor is not large, with over five hundred acres of land, enough for their family needs.

Yu Qingyi nodded her head, agreeing.

...

A night without words.

The next morning.

While Yang Zhenshan was busily working in the Spiritual Spring Space, Wu Hai hurriedly knocked on the study’s door.

”Marquis, an imperial decree has arrived!”

Hearing the sound, Yang Zhenshan hastily came out of the space, opened the door, and asked in surprise, ”An imperial decree?”

”Yes, eunuch Chen personally delivered it, and he is now in the front hall!” Wu Hai said.

Yang Zhenshan brushed off the dust on his body and said, ”Let’s go and check it out!”

Afterward, he hurried to the front hall, where he saw Chen Zhongshu sitting in the hall drinking tea, with many eunuchs who had brought in many items.

”Eunuch Chen! I’m honored by your grand visit, apologies for not greeting you from afar!” Yang Zhenshan greeted with a smile and a bow.

”There’s no need for formalities with me, Marquis Yang. You better prepare to receive the decree,” smiled Chen Zhongshu.

Yang Zhenshan glanced at the wooden case beside Chen Zhongshu and nodded slightly, ”Please wait a moment, Eunuch Chen!”

Having said that, he turned and walked out of the main hall.

Then the Yang family began a flurry of chaotic preparations.

This imperial decree came too suddenly; the whole Yang family was unprepared.

Receiving an imperial decree is no small matter. Incense cases must be set up, court clothes worn, and the whole family must come together for the occasion.

Under normal circumstances, when the Emperor issues a decree, someone is usually sent ahead to notify them. This kind of sudden situation is rare.

While Yang Zhenshan’s court dress was ready, Yu Qingyi’s ceremonial clothes were problematic. With many head ornaments and cumbersome clothing, it took Yu Qingyi a whole hour to get properly dressed.

In the front yard, the entire Yang family, old and young, rushed to reverently receive the imperial decree.

Eunuch Chen stood in front of the incense case, opened the decree, and proclaimed loudly, ”By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Traditionally, those who distinguish themselves through valor establish high reputation and shine brightly in their time, like those whose virtue benefits the livelihood of the people, bringing prosperity from afar, and whose contributions to the state yield abundant rewards...”

”For such grace, you are hereby promoted to Junior Master, granted the title of Dragon and Tiger General, and appointed as Martial Regular of the Martial Arts Pavilion. Heavenly virtues extend your glory to future generations; the Imperial favor rewards you with rightful honors. The benevolence of filial teachings is widespread, and the righteousness of loyalty should be made clear.”

After carefully listening to the entire imperial decree, Yang Zhenshan understood the purpose of this decree.

The appointment as Martial Regular of the Martial Arts Pavilion was just by the way, the key was the title of Junior Master.

The Three Excellencies—Senior Master, Senior Protector, Senior Tutor—are of Standard First Rank. The Three Associates—Junior Master, Junior Protector, Junior Tutor—are of Secondary First Rank. They serve as advisers to the Emperor, esteemed positions without fixed duties or specific responsibilities, truly honorary ranks.

Although it’s an honorary rank, it is of the highest position, signifying a minister of great importance.

In terms of official ranking, the Junior Master is of Secondary First Rank, which may seem lower than the Right Commander of Standard First Rank, but don’t forget, there are ten Right Commanders in Da Rong, but only one Junior Master.

Though the Junior Master is not as esteemed as the Senior Tutor, it still represents Emperor Yanping’s high regard for Yang Zhenshan.

As for the Senior Tutor, Yang Zhenshan should not even think about it for the time being. Da Rong’s Senior Tutor is held by Duke Xing, who has defended the Southern Border for forty years and is Da Rong’s foremost noble.

If not for the Duke Xing Mansion not being in the Capital City, he would undoubtedly be the leader of the nobility group.

Of course, Emperor Yanping did not casually grant Yang Zhenshan the title of Junior Master. The phrase ’revive millions of people with benevolent governance’ indicates that this promotion is a reward for merit, in recognition of Yang Zhenshan’s settlement of a million refugees in Chongshan Town.

”Thanks to Your Majesty’s great favor!”, Yang Zhenshan said as he kowtowed.

As everyone stood up, Chen Zhongshu pointed to the gifts brought by a group of eunuchs and smiled, ”Marquis Yang, these are rewards from His Majesty!”

”Ah, His Majesty has heard that Marquis Yang’s armor was damaged, and specially instructed me to select a suit of precious armor from the treasury.”

He pointed to a case carried by two eunuchs, still smiling.

Yang Zhenshan’s eyes brightened.

Precious armor?

His Gold Lacquer Mountain Pattern Armor was given to him by Zhou Lan. It had charged into the fray with him dozens of times, blocking many blades and spears for him. Unfortunately, it was ultimately ruined by a strike from the Red Monarch that damaged the abdominal plate.

Originally, he felt quite regretful, but to his surprise, Emperor Yanping actually bestowed upon him a set of precious armor.

Yang Zhenshan opened the box and was immediately captivated by the glittering gold armor inside.

”This is a set of Light Armor, crafted by Master Gai Sheng with flowing light gold a century ago,” Chen Zhongshu explained.

Master Gai Sheng was a grandmaster of armament forging, famous for his forging skills a hundred years ago. Up to now, many pieces of armaments he left behind are each worth a fortune.

Furthermore, armor is much more valuable than weapons, and forging a suit of armor is much more troublesome than making a weapon.

The Light Armor in front of him is composed of 1590 pieces of fish scale armors and 644 long strip armors. There are metallic discs on the chest and back, polished to be extremely smooth, resembling mirrors, reflecting dazzling golden light under the sunlight.

As for the flowing light gold, it is a special metal that, like Mystical Iron, is very rare.

Mystical Iron is tough and rather heavy, most suitable for forging long weapons and heavy weapons, such as spears, heavy blades, halberds, hammers, and long polearms, etc.

Flowing light gold is also tough, but its quality is lighter, most suitable for forging armor.

The key is that after polishing, flowing light gold shines brilliantly, giving it an exceptionally luxurious appearance, which is why it is so sought after by the nobility.

Upon seeing this bright gold Light Armor, the first thought that popped into Jiang He’s mind was: From now on, I can call myself a Golden Saint Knight!

Glittering as if it could truly blind someone.

”This humble servant thanks His Majesty for the generous reward!” Yang Zhenshan bowed in the direction of the Imperial City, overjoyed.

He extremely liked this suit of armor, and of course, not for its appearance. What he appreciated was the toughness of the flowing light gold.

A good suit of armor can save one’s life at critical moments.

Just like when he fought the Red Monarch, if it weren’t for the gold-painted Shanwen Armor that blocked a strike for him, he would have at least suffered a gut-spilling injury.

And for a general, armor is the most important piece of equipment.

On the battlefield, you can be without a weapon, but you absolutely cannot be without a good suit of battle armor.

Without a weapon, one can easily pick one up. The battlefield is never short of weapons.

But without battle armor, there’s no chance to find and wear a suit.

This is also why on the battlefield, Iron Armor Soldiers are the most formidable.

Yang Zhenshan, who originally loved battle armors, wanted nothing more than to forge a suit of Iron Armor for every soldier in Tenglong Guard and Chongshan Town.

Regrettably, due to various constraints, he could only equip a small number of soldiers.

”As long as Marquis Yang likes it!” Chen Zhongshu said with a smile.

”Haha, I love it, I love it!” Yang Zhenshan laughed heartily.

After that, Yang Zhenshan instructed Wu Hai to put away the bright gold Light Armor and the other rewards.

The other rewards were also valuable, but next to the bright gold Light Armor, they were nothing worth mentioning.

After Chen Zhongshu had left, Yang Zhenshan couldn’t wait to put on the bright gold Light Armor.

Hmm!

Really resembles a Golden Saint Knight!

Indoors was fine, but as soon as he stood under the sun, Yang Zhenshan seemed to be covered in a layer of golden light.

Especially the metal disc on the chest, dazzling like a mirror.

In combat, this might even blind the enemy.

After trying on the armor, Yang Zhenshan spoke highly of it: ”Not bad, not bad, fits perfectly!”

”The master looks even more majestic and noble in this armor!” Yu Qingyi complimented from the side.

Dressed in golden armor and wearing a golden helmet, stroking his long beard, Yang Zhenshan looked not only incredibly valiant but also exuded an air of nobility.

”Hahaha, I wonder when I’ll have the chance to wear this armor onto the battlefield!”

Yang Zhenshan was somewhat looking forward to going into battle.

After indulging himself for a while, Yang Zhenshan took off the armor. In Capital City, he estimated there would be few opportunities to wear it. He could only display it at home.

He had Qingxia and Red Cloud store the armor properly, and Yang Zhenshan then placed the imperial edict in the ancestral hall.

Imperial edicts should not be handled carelessly; they need to be reverently preserved.

Now, the Yang family preserved three imperial edicts. One was from Emperor Chengping appointing him as Commander of the Tenglong Guard, another was the marquis’s edict, and the last one was the edict received today.

The imperial edicts also represented a family’s honor.