Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 421: Chapter 406: One Would Die for the Sake of an Understanding Friend

Afterward, Yang Zhenshan followed eunuch Chen to the Imperial Study Room in the Taiji Palace.

In the study, Emperor Chengping had changed into loose clothing and was reclining on a couch, reading a memorial to the throne.

”Your servant Yang Zhenshan pays his respects to Your Majesty!” Yang Zhenshan saluted with a fist over his palm.

”Dispense with the formalities! Sit down and speak,” Emperor Chengping casually waved his hand.

Eunuch Chen moved over a small stool, and after thanking him, Yang Zhenshan took his seat on the stool.

Emperor Chengping put down the memorial and looked at Yang Zhenshan, asking, ”Why do you want Yang Chengzhi to serve as the Assistant General of the Northern route of Chongshan Town?”

Yang Zhenshan’s heart tightened and he was about to rise to answer, but Emperor Chengping pressed down with his hand, ”It’s fine to speak while sitting!”

”I plan to develop Fuzhou next, and I don’t trust anyone else for this task!” Yang Zhenshan replied while seated.

”Oh! How do you intend to develop Fuzhou?” Emperor Chengping asked with interest.

Yang Zhenshan honestly replied, ”Fuzhou has thousands of miles of fertile land, and although many military households and civilians have moved there over the years, the land cultivated is still not extensive!”

”From Black Cloud Mountain to the seaside, that stretch of land is blessed with abundant water resources and fertile soil, if it could all be cultivated, it would sustain millions of people!”

This was something he had long considered.

The land surrounding Fuzhou City is fertile black soil. The previous East Sea Hu Clan were not good at farming, and even though they occupied this fertile black soil, they did not know how to cultivate it.

But now that Yang Zhenshan was in charge of Chongshan Town, he naturally wanted to utilize this fertile black soil.

In fact, the Northern region of Chongshan Town has rich resources like the black soil around Fuzhou City, the herbs and furs from Black Cloud Mountain, and the grasslands along both sides of the Songyuan River.

Compared to that, the original Chongshan Town was much more barren.

If Yang Zhenshan wanted to develop Chongshan Town, he would need to utilize the resources of the Northern region of the town.

Clearing the land, raising livestock, growing medicinal herbs, and fur hunting, all these could become the pillar industries of Chongshan Town.

”Yang Mingzhi is your son!”

”Your servant promotes the virtuous without avoiding kin; among my three sons, Ming Zhi is the most capable one!” said Yang Zhenshan openly.

Here he did not count Ming Zhao, who was only five years old after all.

Emperor Chengping nodded, a smile appearing on his elderly face.

”Then why do you recommend Han Cheng, Zhang Yuanwu, Wu Chongzhe, and Yu Tonghai to serve as Commanders of the Tenglong Four Guards?” Emperor Chengping continued to ask.

Yang Zhenshan explained, ”Only Mr. Yu Tonghai is capable of commanding the Tenglong Guard Navy; with regards to training and commanding the Navy, your servant is far inferior to Mr. Yu!”

”Wu Chongzhe is familiar with the affairs of Tenglong Guard, capable of managing the salt fields and maritime trade. Your servant left him in Tenglong Guard to ensure it does not decline!”

”Han Cheng is prudent and meticulous in handling matters, and although he is not deeply acquainted with Tenglong Guard, he has worked with Wu Chongzhe for many years. The two can cooperate without friction!”

”Zhang Yuanwu made merits in the battle for Songzhou City and deserved promotion. Your servant believes his capabilities are quite good, which is why I plan to send him to Tenglong Guard.”

Emperor Chengping nodded while listening.

He didn’t know much about these people, except for Yu Tonghai, whom he arranged to join Tenglong Guard himself.

Now that he had heard Yang Zhenshan’s explanation, he understood the intention behind his arrangements.

In the end, Yang Zhenshan simply wished to ensure the continued prosperity of Tenglong Guard, rather than its decline after his departure.

This stemmed from Yang Zhenshan’s sense of public duty, not from self-interest.

Then Emperor Chengping asked many more questions, and Yang Zhenshan explained each one.

And as Yang Zhenshan explained, Emperor Chengping’s demeanor became increasingly affable.

”You have given this thorough consideration; with Chongshan Town in your hands, I’m at ease!”