Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

”This is what your servant ought to do; I dare not take credit!” said Yang Zhenshan.

Emperor Chengping looked at Yang Zhenshan approvingly, ”The Crown Prince hasn’t assigned a Marquis Mansion to you yet, has he?”

”Uh, no!” Yang Zhenshan was startled, not expecting Emperor Chengping to suddenly change the topic.

”Then let’s grant you the Marquis Wuxin’s Marquis Mansion, and there happen to be eight thousand mu of bestowed land outside the capital for him, that shall also be granted to you!” declared Emperor Chengping.

Yang Zhenshan rose to his feet and expressed his gratitude, ”Your servant thanks Your Majesty for the gracious reward!”

Marquis Wuxin is finished!

Having both the Marquis Mansion and bestowed land taken away, it is certain that his title cannot be kept, perhaps even his family may suffer.

But this had nothing to do with Yang Zhenshan. He had received a Marquis Mansion and eight thousand mu of land, which was no small income.

It should be known that Marquis Wuxin’s ancestors were also Dukes, and it was only due to generation after generation that the title had been reduced to a Second-rank Marquis. Though the title had diminished, the Marquis Mansion of Marquis Wuxin was still of a Duke Mansion’s standard.

Just the Marquis Mansion alone was worth a lot of money.

Emperor Chengping must truly value Yang Zhenshan, otherwise, he would never bestow such a residence to Yang Zhenshan.

The two talked for half an hour, and Emperor Chengping, appearing somewhat weary, then let Yang Zhenshan withdraw.

And when Yang Zhenshan left the Imperial City, his eyes carried a complex mix of emotions.

Emperor Chengping truly both esteemed and trusted him.

This even moved Yang Zhenshan who wasn’t fond of the ”old Emperor”.

In Yang Zhenshan’s view, the ”old Emperor” was also a human, and all along he hadn’t harbored any profound loyalty to the ”old Emperor”, but after seeing Emperor Chengping today, he suddenly felt that Emperor Chengping was a very charismatic person, causing him to unconsciously develop a deep respect for Emperor Chengping.

He had been helped by many on his journey.

Zhou Lan, Zhao Yuan, Liu Yuanfu, Wang Bin, Liang Chu, and others.

Yang Zhenshan was a man who knew gratitude, so he had never forgotten those who had helped him.

And now, with Emperor Chengping showing such trust and appreciation for him, it also stirred a feeling of gratitude towards Emperor Chengping.

Emperor Chengping had not removed his Marquis title, had also granted him a mansion and good land, and had further endorsed the proposals he had previously presented.

This differed from the Crown Prince granting him a title; the Crown Prince was merely using him, treating him as a pawn.

But Emperor Chengping, out of consideration for state affairs, recognized his ability and supported his proposals.

”Ancients say, ’A man will die for those who appreciate him!’ Today, this old man finally comprehends this feeling!” Yang Zhenshan thought to himself secretly.

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After Yang Zhenshan walked out of the Imperial City, it also marked the end of the struggle for the throne in the court.

However, at the next morning court, Yang Zhenshan finally witnessed the ultimate conclusion of this farce.

As the newly minted Marquis Jing’an, Yang Zhenshan had the qualifications to attend the court sessions.

At the morning court, Emperor Chengping announced three imperial edicts in succession.

The first edict was to strip the Crown Prince of his title and appoint him as Prince An, assigning him to govern the Lu’an Prefecture in Nanyun Province, with orders to leave the Capital City for his new post that very day.

With this edict, it meant the Crown Prince had completely lost his eligibility to compete for the throne, and being sent to govern Lu’an Prefecture in Nanyun signified that he had no chance of turning the situation around.

Nanyun Province was the Southern Border of Da Rong, while Lu’an Prefecture was even more so a remote area on the southern fringe of the country.

Being sent to govern Lu’an Prefecture in Nanyun was not much different from being exiled to the borderlands.

The second edict pertained to Prince Gong being sent to govern a region, but unlike the former Crown Prince, now Prince An, Emperor Chengping did not impose heavy punishment on Prince Gong, merely assigning him to a region without further penalties.