Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather
Chapter 120 - 116, Transfer Order, Promotion

Chapter 120: Chapter 116, Transfer Order, Promotion

After leaving the Assistant General Mansion, Yang Zhenshan realized that his back was soaked with cold sweat.

The Secret Martial Guards, the Bloody Blade, Great Rong Grand Ancestor!

These things were definitely not for him to meddle with, let alone touch or even make reckless remarks about.

If that scroll he wrote got into the hands of the old Emperor, it would be weird if the old Emperor didn’t chop off his head.

Fortunately, Zhou Lan bore him no ill will and let him burn it on the spot; otherwise, that thing would have been a death warrant for Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Zhenshan let out a heavy sigh and thought to himself: In the future, I must not misuse things from my previous life. Not just things, but I need to be careful with my words as well.

After collecting his thoughts, Yang Zhenshan then left the Assistant General Mansion, but he did not immediately go to Yinghe Castle. Instead, he visited Yang Mingzhi’s small courtyard.

The courtyard was not large, roughly the same size as the Yang family’s residence in Yang Family Village, spacious enough for Yang Mingzhi and his family.

"Go prepare the meal. We’ll eat here at noon and return in the afternoon!"

Yang Zhenshan instructed the people following him.

When he came to Yinghe Castle, he was not alone. As a defense officer of a thousand households, he didn’t need drum beats to lead the way, but it was customary to bring a few personal followers.

Song Dashan had always played the role of guard leader by his side, but since they had never encountered any attacks or trouble, Song Dashan and others never had the chance to show their true capabilities.

After a simple lunch, Yang Zhenshan visited Mr. Liang’s shop in Ningzhou City in the afternoon before returning to Yinghe Castle.

At the time Yang Zhenshan was returning to Yinghe Castle, Lv Hua, dressed in exquisite attire, entered the Assistant General Mansion.

In the study, Zhou Lan’s entire demeanor was cloaked in a layer of frost as she looked at Lv Hua.

"What are you here for?"

Her voice was ice-cold.

Lv Hua took a seat beside the tea table, brewed and drank his tea with leisurely movements, and his demeanor unperturbed by Zhou Lan’s frosty attitude.

Zhou Lan’s expression grew even colder upon seeing his attitude.

"I’m here to request someone from you!" Lv Hua finally spoke up.

"Who?" Zhou Lan asked.

"Yang Zhenshan!" Lv Hua elegantly sipped his tea.

"What do you want to do?" A flicker of intrigue passed through Zhou Lan’s eyes.

"You don’t need to know that. I need him to serve as the garrison of An Yuan State City!" Lv Hua said.

Zhou Lan stared at him intently, her mind racing.

Is he being promoted?

Why?

How does Yang Zhenshan have anything to do with this guy?

That’s wrong!

Yang Zhenshan shouldn’t have any connection with this bastard!

But why would this bastard do this?

For a moment, her mind was flooded with countless thoughts.

"Does Liang Chu know about this?"

"Of course, I have no authority to interfere with the official transfers in Chongshan Town!" Lv Hua leaned back in his chair, his hand caressing the teacup, savoring the warmth brought by the tea.

His eyes were deep and bright, emitting a peculiar sense of mystery.

He said he had no power to meddle with the official transfers in Chongshan Town, and this was partly true and partly false.

Indeed, the garrison eunuch didn’t possess such authority, but as the Emperor’s man, if the garrison eunuch wanted to do something, as long as it was not too excessive, both the Governor’s Office and the General Mansion would turn a blind eye.

"I see!" Zhou Lan gave him a cold glance and then sat down opposite him.

Ever since the battle at Linguan Castle concluded, Zhou Lan had been contemplating appointing Yang Zhenshan as the garrison of Ruizhou City, right after she had dealt with the previous garrison, Guan Shanhe.

However, Liang Chu rejected her proposal. At the time, Liang Chu’s reason was sound: Yang Zhenshan had just been promoted as a thousand households last year, and it wouldn’t be good to elevate him again this year.

Now, it seemed that Lv Hua was the one pulling the strings from behind.

"The hand of the Secret Martial Guards is reaching too far, even to my side! Lv Hua, do you really think I wouldn’t dare to impeach you?"

The coldness faded from Zhou Lan’s face, but the anger in her words was not diminished.

Lv Hua looked at her, his eyes revealing a trace of helplessness.

Was he afraid of impeachment?

If it were the impeachment of another official, he wouldn’t truly care.

As for Zhou Lan’s impeachment, he also didn’t pay much heed.

Despite the vast influence of the Duke Mansion, it could not surpass that of Emperor Chengping.

The Secret Martial Guards were the Emperor’s blade.

As long as Emperor Chengping was unwilling, no one could do anything to the Secret Martial Guards.

"The young miss naturally dares to impeach me, but you should also know that I am not handling personal affairs!" said Lv Hua, his voice steady.

Zhou Lan’s brow furrowed. She understood Lv Hua’s implication; this transfer of Yang Zhenshan might be related to a mission of the Secret Martial Guards.

However, she did not know what the mission of the Secret Martial Guards in Chongshan Town was.

The mission of the Secret Martial Guards was not her place to ask.

"Is there anything wrong with Yang Zhenshan?"

"Nothing!" Lv Hua said.

"Then why do you want to transfer him to An Yuan State City?" Zhou Lan asked again.

"He is of use to me!" Lv Hua said.

Now Zhou Lan finally understood. Yang Zhenshan had no relation with the people of the Secret Martial Guards, but Lv Hua wanted to use him to complete a mission of the Secret Martial Guards.

However, this did not offer her any relief.

Being used by Lv Hua was not a good thing.

She knew Lv Hua well; despite his facade of being a modest gentleman, this bastard was ruthless and unprincipled, ready to resort to any means necessary to complete his mission.

"You can have Yang Zhenshan, but you have to agree to a condition from me!"

"What condition?"

"You must not abandon him!" Zhou Lan stated resolutely.

Lv Hua looked at Zhou Lan, and their gazes clashed in midair. He could see the determination in her eyes.

"It seems the young miss values Master Yang highly!"

Zhou Lan nodded and said, "Yes, he is someone I have brought in, and naturally, I value him!"

"Fine, I won’t let him become a scapegoat, but I must say this upfront, if he encounters any danger, I estimate that I won’t be of much help!"

This meant that I won’t abandon him, but this assignment is highly dangerous, and I cannot guarantee his safety one hundred percent.

After being silent for a while, Zhou Lan lifted her head and said indifferently, "You can leave now!"

Lv Hua didn’t care about her choice of words, and as he stood up, he said, "In a couple of days, I will ask Marquis Changping to issue the transfer order, I hope the young miss understands that I am operating under an imperial command."

"Leave!" Zhou Lan was already struggling to contain her rage.

After Lv Hua left, Zhou Lan couldn’t help but curse, "That damned eunuch, one day I am going to make him beg for mercy!"

It took a long time for Zhou Lan’s mood to settle down. The thought of transferring Yang Zhenshan to An Yuan State City filled her with discomfort.

She truly valued Yang Zhenshan.

Ever since Yang Zhenshan arrived at Chongshan Town, not only had he won consecutive battles, but he also managed Linguan Castle and Yinghe Castle impressively well.

In her eyes, apart from being a bit older, Yang Zhenshan was almost flawless.

Moreover, Yang Zhenshan had once saved her life, and she did not wish for him to suffer undeserved misfortune.

But she couldn’t stop Lv Hua.

With an imperial command in his hand, how could she defy it?

After much contemplation, Zhou Lan could only sigh helplessly.

...

A few days later, Zhou Lan arrived at Yinghe Castle.

Seeing Zhou Lan, Yang Zhenshan was very puzzled.

He had just visited Zhou Lan at Jianning Guard a few days ago, so why had she come again so soon?

"Greetings, General!"

In front of Yinghe Castle’s main entrance, Yang Zhenshan paid his respects to Zhou Lan.

Zhou Lan waved her hand and said, "Take me on a tour around the castle!"

Subsequently, Yang Zhenshan began to show Zhou Lan around Yinghe Castle.

As she observed the orderly houses, clean streets, and bustling commercial district, Zhou Lan saw all this with amazement in her eyes.

She had always thought Yang Zhenshan was capable, but now she felt she had greatly underestimated his abilities.

To be able to develop a garrison into such prosperity was unrivaled in Chongshan Town.

It was a pity that such a person could no longer serve her.

Thinking of this, Zhou Lan’s mood turned sour.

"Let’s go, we’ll talk back at the government office!" Zhou Lan said somewhat listlessly.

Seeing her demeanor, Yang Zhenshan was even more confused.

Back at the study, Yang Zhenshan couldn’t help but ask, "General, what is on your mind?"

Zhou Lan lifted her head, her bright eyes filled with complex emotions.

Suddenly she noticed that Yang Zhenshan seemed to have grown younger.

A year and a half ago, when she first met Yang Zhenshan, he appeared somewhat aged, with his temples frosted with gray.

But now, Yang Zhenshan’s complexion was rosy, his hair jet black without a hint of white, and his long beard was smooth and neatly trimmed, making him look not like a man in his forties, but more like a mature man in his thirties.

At this moment, there was no trace of age on Yang Zhenshan, only an air of mature charm.

Zhou Lan didn’t suspect that Yang Zhenshan had consumed some kind of Spirit Pill; instead, she thought it was a result of adapting and thriving in a good environment.

"General, General!"

Feeling uneasy under Zhou Lan’s gaze, Yang Zhenshan called out.

That look, that expression, felt weird.

And this atmosphere seemed off too!

General, you must be reserved!

The way you’re looking at me, I might get the wrong idea!

Zhou Lan came back to her senses, lowering her head to tidy the hair on her forehead, concealing that indescribable emotion.

"This is your transfer order!"

She took out a document and placed it in front of Yang Zhenshan.

"Transfer order?"

Yang Zhenshan, astonished, opened the document.

It read: The Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War officially recognizes Yang Zhenshan, defense officer of a thousand households at Yinghe Castle, for his loyal and dedicated service and contribution to the nation. He is hereby promoted two ranks in actuality, granted the title of Deputy Magistrate of Songzhou Guard, and transferred to serve as the garrison of An Yuan State City. It is hoped that he dedicates himself fully and does not let down the imperial grace.

"What is going on?" Yang Zhenshan asked with a frown.

To speak of military achievements, he certainly had them.

He had won a complete victory at the battle for Linguan Castle, yet he only received reward silver and no recognition for promotion.

A few months ago, Zhou Lan had said that he was newly promoted last year, and it was not appropriate for another promotion so soon.

So why was he suddenly being promoted now?

And to Songzhou Guard of all places!

Even if he were to be promoted, it should be to Jianning Guard or to remain under the command of the Assistant General Mansion.

Yang Zhenshan was very puzzled about this.

"This is Marquis Changping’s decision!" Zhou Lan said.

She didn’t say it was Lv Hua’s decision because Lv Hua’s role involved the Secret Martial Guards, and unless Lv Hua revealed it to Yang Zhenshan himself, she could not disclose it openly.

Nevertheless, she still cautioned Yang Zhenshan, "When you arrive at An Yuan State City, act carefully!"

Now Yang Zhenshan was even more confused, "General Zhou, what exactly is going on?"

Zhou Lan showed a troubled expression; she genuinely wanted to explain to Yang Zhenshan, but Lv Hua’s statement about having an imperial mandate weighed heavily on her, forcing her to cooperate with Lv Hua.

"Just be extremely careful in all matters!"

Seeing her like this, Yang Zhenshan’s heart sank slightly.

He had never seen Zhou Lan so troubled before.

If Zhou Lan was this troubled, it meant that the matter was not simple.

"Prepare yourself. You need to assume your new position at Songzhou Guard within a month."

"Deputy Magistrate Wang Bin of Songzhou Guard and I have some acquaintance. Hand this letter to him when you arrive!"

Zhou Lan then handed over a letter to Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Zhenshan didn’t ask further. Since Zhou Lan was feeling troubled, there was no need to press her.

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