Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

At the Ministry of War, Wang Qing, the Minister of War, could hardly believe the report he received from his subordinates.

It wasn’t that he doubted Chongshan Town’s ability to defeat the East Sea Hu Clan, but rather, he was astonished at how swiftly they had breached Fushan City.

Having served as Minister of War for ten years, he was well aware of the situation in Chongshan Town, especially under Zhang Shouwang’s command. He still remembered how furious the Emperor had been when Zhang Shouwang suffered a defeat at Fushan City.

But just a few years had passed, Chongshan Town had just been deployed for a few months?

And now Fushan City had been taken!

He had thought this war would last at least until the end of the year, yet here it was, late June, and Chongshan Town had already sent back a triumphant report.

This somewhat caught him off guard.

Were the troops of Chongshan Town now so formidable?

Wang Qing called over several Vice Ministers of War, sharing the news of the overwhelming victory with his colleagues, and said, ”Gentlemen, prepare yourselves. With the great victory of Chongshan Town, His Majesty will surely grant generous rewards. Think ahead and prepare a draft of commendations!”

...

At the Central Army Commander’s Mansion, Duke Ning Zhou Mao also received the news, and his report was even more detailed than that of the Ministry of War. After the couriers delivered the triumphant report into the Imperial City, they sent him a detailed account of the battle.

Looking at the war report in his hand, the silver-haired Zhou Mao stroked his long beard and sighed deeply.

”If only Lan’er were born a boy, how wonderful that would be!”

Although Da Rong did not forbid women from enlisting in the army, there were significant restrictions for women in officialdom, and their achievements could not be too high.

Even Zhou Lan, born into the Duke Ning Mansion, could not break through these restrictions.

Becoming an Assistant General was already extremely difficult, let alone getting promoted again, which was almost impossible; at most, there could be a lateral move.

The better Zhou Lan performed, the more regret Zhou Mao felt in his heart.

”However, this is also good, it’s better to return to the Capital City first!”

Zhou Mao’s thoughts were turning; he was considering the current situation of the Duke Ning Mansion. Although the Duke Ning Mansion appeared prosperous and powerful, he understood the principle of decline following prosperity.

His Majesty was getting old, it would be better for the Duke Ning Mansion to keep a low profile.

He then glanced at the battle report in his hand, his gaze landing on the name Yang Zhenshan.

Zhou Mao could be said to be extremely familiar with Yang Zhenshan.

Whether in public or private, he had often heard this name.

There was no need to mention the relationship between Yang Zhenshan and Zhou Lan, and Zhou Xu also held Yang Zhenshan in high esteem.

Yang Zhenshan’s private relationship with the Duke Ning Mansion was deeper than one could imagine; it was just that he hadn’t met Zhou Mao.

”His strategies and bravery are both extraordinary, and his cultivation may have reached the Postnatal Ninth Layer!”

The battle report made it clear that Yang Zhenshan had captured Meng Temu, and it was well-known that Meng Temu had the cultivation of the Postnatal Ninth Layer. Yang Zhenshan’s ability to capture him was sufficient proof of Yang Zhenshan’s cultivation and strength.

The Postnatal Ninth Layer, in the entire Da Rong, is also considered a strong fighter.

Zhou Mao pondered for a long time before calling in an attendant from outside and ordered, ”Go tell the Princely Heir to prepare a congratulatory gift to be sent to the Yang family!”

Since Yang Zhenshan was so extraordinary, the Duke Ning Mansion naturally wanted to make good relations as much as possible.

Although Yang Zhenshan had relied on the Duke Ning Mansion a lot in the past, Zhou Mao knew very well that one should gather as much favor as possible when it could be gained.

The favor in the past was owed by Yang Zhenshan, but that didn’t mean he could assume Yang Zhenshan should always obey the Duke Ning Mansion.

...

Inside the Capital City, there was a lot of discussion about the great victory in Chongshan Town, whereas Fushan City was still steeped in a somber atmosphere.