Family Rise: Beginning with Grandfather.

Chapter 655 Distinguished Guests Arrive
In the study of the general's mansion, Yang Chengye and Niu Zhuang sat together, looking at the grain taxes collected this year.

"All the autumn grain has been stored, but we still don't have much stored grain, less than 200,000 shi!" Niu Zhuang rubbed his eyebrows, feeling a headache.

In fact, the situation has eased a lot this year. Last year was the most difficult. At that time, Zhou Lan only resettled 300,000 refugees and emptied Chongshan Town.

Fortunately, after more than a year of rest and recuperation, the 300,000 refugees have settled down.

These one million refugees may seem like a lot, but in fact many of them have already been resettled for more than half a year.

They have passed the most difficult period, and although they are still poor, at least they can harvest some food from the land.

But these are only the five prefectures of Longyuan. Longyuan has a total of thirteen prefectures. In addition to Longyuan, there are also the two provinces of Longxi and Longnan.

After three years of severe drought and countless bandits sweeping through the three provinces of Longyuan, the population has dropped by half, but now the three provinces still have a total population of nearly 10 million.

If Chongshan Town and Beiyuan Town want to completely solve the problems in the three provinces of Longyuan, they will have to go through hard times for several years.

This was not originally their responsibility, but now they have no one to rely on and can only do it themselves. They can't just watch the remaining people in the three provinces of Longyuan continue to live in dire straits.

"How much money do we have left in our savings?" Yang Chengye asked, looking down at the account book.

"Less than a million! It should be around nine hundred and thirty thousand taels!"

Niu Zhuang said in a deep voice: "We can't move this money, otherwise it will affect us. It's good if the Chici tribe doesn't cause trouble, but once they start a war, we will also need a lot of money and food!"

Chongshan Town is an important border town, and everything must be considered for war.

Even though the Wuliang royal court is now divided, the Chici, Wanggu, Tatar and Ula tribes are united in self-defense and dare not take the initiative to provoke Chongshan Town, but what if?
Chongshan Town must leave enough surplus food to deal with any future war.

"What if we borrow money? Use the money from Chongshan Town to sell bonds!" Yang Chengye said.

His idea was to learn from Yang Zhengshan and sell bonds to borrow money to buy grain.

Niu Zhuang thought about it and said, "It's not difficult to sell bonds, but we have no place to buy grain now!"

"Although we can still buy some food from Liaodong, the quantity should not be too much! The Li Sheng Dynasty is in chaos, and it is impossible to buy food from them!"

"The Desheng Dynasty was also in chaos, with a group of daimyo attacking each other in order to compete for a share of the maritime trade."

"As for Jiangnan, don't count on it. Yungui's rebels are almost reaching Jiangnan, and Jiangnan probably doesn't have much food left!"

The problem now is not about money, but the chaotic situation.

There is no need to say much about the internal situation of Dayong, but the Lisheng Dynasty and the Desheng Dynasty are not peaceful either.

Now there is no place to buy food.

Just when the two were having a headache about food, Luo Bo walked into the study, "My Lord, there is a letter from the old master!"

Yang Chengye was shocked, "Bring it here!"

Luo Bo quickly handed the letter to Yang Chengye. Yang Chengye opened the letter and read it. He was shocked at first, and then showed a strange look.

Did my uncle run away to become a traitor?
Yang Zhengshan did not give very detailed information in the letter. After all, when the letter was sent, Yang Mingzhao had not returned to Shenmu Island yet.

However, there is one thing that Yang Zhengshan made very clear, which was to let Yang Chengye gather the power of Chongshan Town and go to Shenmu Island first.

The reason why we have to gather the strength of Chongshan Town is naturally to wait until the news is confirmed before making an action plan. Before things are confirmed, Chongshan Town should not act rashly.

"Is there anything I can say, old marquis?" Niu Zhuang couldn't help but ask when he saw Yang Chengye had a strange look on his face.

Yang Chengye shook his head slightly and said, "No, they just asked me to go back for the New Year this year!"

"Is that so! It's already the twelfth lunar month. If we want to go back for the New Year, we need to set off as soon as possible!" Niu Zhuang had no doubts and just followed the voice.

"Well! Let's do it this way this year. It happens that after I go back this time, I can look for purchasing food from other places!" Yang Chengye said.

"That's good. There should be a lot of food in the southeast waters. Maybe we can buy food from there!" Niu Zhuang agreed.

Then the two of them briefly talked about some things in Chongshan Town, and Yang Chengye returned to his mansion.

His mansion was not big. Although it had a plaque named Jing'an Marquis Mansion, it was actually just a courtyard with four entrances.

When she returned to the mansion, Yu was preparing festival gifts. Today was already the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month. The New Year gifts had to be sent out before the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, especially the gifts from Kyoto. She had to leave enough time to ensure that the gifts would not be delivered on time.

After Yang Mingcheng left Dayong, this kind of interpersonal relationship fell on Yang Chengye's head. Although the Yang family business would sometimes send holiday gifts from Yang Zhengshan to some relatives and friends, there were some people who were not very close to the Yang family but could not be ignored, so Yang Chengye needed to maintain the relationship.

"Hey, why are you back so early?"

Seeing Yang Chengye coming back, Yu was a little surprised.

"I received a letter from home saying that we will go to Shenmu Island to celebrate the New Year this year!" said Yang Chengye.

"Shenmu Island?" Yu didn't know that the Yang family had already moved to Shenmu Island.

Yang Chengye explained with a smile: "Grandpa and his men have occupied another large island, called Shenmu Island, which is said to be more than thirty times larger than Xingyue Island!"

"Oh!" Yu was not very interested in Shenmu Island. She looked at the big box beside her hesitantly and asked, "What about these?"

Although they have been to Xingyue Island in recent years, to be honest, they have become somewhat estranged from their family.

"No need to see you off. Just pack up and we'll leave in three days, otherwise we won't be able to make it in time for the New Year!" Yang Chengye said.

Afterwards, the Marquis of Jing'an's Mansion fell into a bustle of activity, and all the servants and maids became busy.

It is still a long way from Chongshan Pass to Shenmu Island, and it is still winter, the Ying River is frozen, and it is impossible to take a boat directly into the sea.

They needed to go to Fuzhou City to take a boat and then head south.

Fuzhou City is much closer to Chongshan Town than Tenglongwei is to Chongshan Town, so it is much more convenient to go to Fuzhou City by ship.

Yu was busy packing her luggage, while Yang Chengye was busy arranging matters in Chongshan Town. This trip would take at least two months, and he had to make proper arrangements for Chongshan Town.

It is also necessary to communicate with the generals so that they can prepare for possible unexpected situations.

In this way, they set off in a hurry to Shenmu Island.

Just as they were about to set off, Chen Mingxi brought Chen Yan to Shenmu Island.

Chen Yan, Chen Zhaoxuan's youngest daughter, is only nine years old this year and is a very quiet girl.

After landing on Shenmu Island, Chen Mingxi held Chen Yan's hand and walked along the shore of Wannian Lake, looking at the emerald green Shenmu City.

It was already winter, but Shenmu Island was still as warm as spring, with lush vegetation and clusters of flowers.

Although Shenmu City looked a bit simple and could not be compared with the majestic and bustling Dayong Kyoto, Chen Mingxi couldn't help feeling a little nervous when looking at the banyan tree that looked like a small hill.

She came here to invite Yang Zhengshan to return to Darong, but she didn't know whether Yang Zhengshan was willing to return to Darong.

What should she do if Yang Zhengshan doesn't want to?

Also, will Yang Zhengshan put forward some excessive conditions, or does Yang Zhengshan have any rebellious intentions?
This made Chen Mingxi feel very uneasy.

Before they reached Shenmu City, Chen Mingxi saw a unfamiliar figure.

Yang Zhengshan came to greet her in person.

Moreover, they went out of the city to welcome him, which showed great respect.

Yang Zhengshan looked at Chen Mingxi who was walking towards him with his eyes slightly narrowed. To be honest, he did not expect Chen Mingxi to come to Shenmu Island.

However, he had received news from Kyoto that the innate warriors of Sanshan Valley and Cuixia Valley had all left. This news surprised him, but it was not incomprehensible.

As for the purpose of Chen Mingxi's visit, Yang Zhengshan could roughly guess it.

Unfortunately it's too late!

If Emperor Yanping had sent someone to invite Yang Zhengshan back ten years ago, Yang Zhengshan might have been able to go back! If Chen Zhaojun had remembered him as his master three years ago, he might have helped Darong.

But now, Yang Zhengshan is powerless to save the situation.

Again, given the current situation of Dayong, it would be more difficult to support Dayong than to establish a new dynasty on Dayong's corpse.

What can Yang Zhengshan do when he returns?
Take control of the government and become a regent?

It would be better to just rebel and save trouble.

"I greet His Highness Mingxi!"

Chen Mingxi came closer, and Yang Zhengshan took a few steps forward and saluted.

"I dare not. Mingxi greets the senior!" Chen Mingxi was stunned at first, then quickly returned the greeting.

Yang Zhengshan looked at Chen Yan'er with a faint smile on his face, "This is Yan'er!"

"Yan'er kowtows to Master!" Chen Yan'er knelt down and kowtowed obediently.

Yang Zhengshan did not refuse. After accepting her kowtow, he reached out to help her up.

Looking at the well-behaved little girl, Yang Zhengshan felt a pang of pain in his heart.

The shadow of Chen Zhaoxuan could be seen between the little girl's eyebrows, which reminded him of Chen Zhaoxuan's unbridled and ostentatious appearance when he was young.

Chen Zhaoxuan has a lively personality and is extremely passionate about martial arts.

Before becoming Yang's apprentice, he often went to Yang's house, pestering him and asking for his guidance.

After becoming Yang's apprentice, Chen Zhaoxuan went to Yang's house more frequently. Yang Zhengshan said that he would give him instruction once every five days, but he went there almost every day. He was not angry when Yang Zhengshan did not give him instruction, and he followed Yang Chengye to the guard camp outside the city to receive training together.

Yang Zhengshan has taught many people, but not many disciples are recognized by him, including Lin Zhan, Wang Yunqiao, Wang Mingzhe, and Chen Zhaoxuan.

Only these four disciples won his heart.

But Chen Zhaoxuan died, and he was a little sad. Now seeing Chen Zhaoxuan's daughter, it reminded him of his master-disciple friendship with Chen Zhaoxuan, and made him feel sad about Chen Zhaoxuan's passing again.

Yang Zhengshan looked at the child lovingly and said lovingly, "Come, Yan'er is just like being at home here. Master, take Yan'er home!"

"Well, thank you, Master!" Chen Yaner showed a peaceful smile.

She had never met Yang Zhengshan, but she was not unfamiliar with him because her father had told her a lot about his master before.

Chen Yan'er looked back at Fang An behind her, and Fang An nodded vigorously at her.

Yang Zhengshan also saw Fang An, and he naturally recognized that he was the little eunuch who had followed Chen Zhaoxuan.

"Your Highness, please!"

"Please go first, senior!" Chen Mingxi said in a very humble manner.

Yang Zhengshan was no longer polite and took Chen Yan's hand and walked towards the city.

Yang Zhengshan actually didn't have too many thoughts about Chen Mingxi. Although Chen Mingxi had a noble status and was also a congenital warrior, to him, Chen Mingxi was just a distinguished guest.

The Yang family has its own way of entertaining distinguished guests.

Yang Zhengshan led Chen Mingxi to a villa in the city, and then took Chen Yan back to his own courtyard.

The person responsible for receiving Chen Mingxi was Liang, and Yang Zhengshan just showed up and then left.

As for Chen Mingxi's purpose, there is no rush. Chen Mingxi has come from afar, so naturally he needs to rest first.

In comparison, Yang Zhengshan's attitude towards Chen Yaner is closer.

Chen Yan'er was accompanied by only three followers, Fang An and two maids.

After returning to his own courtyard, Yang Zhengshan looked at Fang An and said, "Come with me. They can stay in the courtyard next door first!"

"The yard over there is reserved for Yan'er. Yan'er can live there from now on!"

After saying this, he gestured to a maidservant next to him, and the maidservant immediately stepped forward and made a gesture of invitation.

Fang An bowed slightly, first responded to Yang Zhengshan, and then instructed the maid behind him: "You go and clean up first!"

After the maid left, Yang Zhengshan brought Chen Yan and Fang An to the tea room.

"Sit down, don't be afraid in front of Master!"

Yang Zhengshan asked Chen Yan to sit down, and Fang An immediately stepped forward to serve Yang Zhengshan tea and water. His movements were smooth and fluid, without any restraint or nervousness.

Speaking of which, Fang An can be considered half a disciple of Yang Zhengshan. He used to follow Chen Zhaoxuan, and Yang Zhengshan also gave him guidance many times.

Moreover, when Yang Zhengshan and Chen Zhaoxuan drank tea in the past, he often served by their side. Although it has been almost twenty years, he still serves carefully, but his master has become Chen Yan.

It can be seen that Fang An is still very dedicated to Chen Yan.

"How has Yan'er been doing recently?" Yang Zhengshan asked.

Chen Yan looked at Fang An beside him, and Fang An said, "Senior, the princess is living well in Kyoto, with no worries about food and clothing!"

Yang Zhengshan's hand, which was stroking his beard, paused slightly.

No worries about food and clothing?

Just having enough food and clothing?

This statement has many meanings.

"Did the royal family arrange for someone to teach Yan'er?"

Fang An lowered his head, "The court has no time to care about Her Highness the Princess right now!"

Yang Zhengshan nodded slightly and understood what this meant.

Chen Zhaoxuan is already dead. Perhaps Chen Zhaojun still remembers his niece Chen Yan, but at this time he probably doesn't have the energy to take care of his little niece Chen Yan.

Chen Yan is now a poor little girl who is not loved by her grandmother and uncle. Apart from her noble status, she has no other support.

"How about Yan'er staying on Shenmu Island in the future?" Yang Zhengshan looked at Chen Yan.

Chen Yan hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Will Yan'er cause trouble for Master?"

Yang Zhengshan smiled, "How can a little girl like you cause any trouble to the master?"

Chen Yan smiled and said, "As long as Master doesn't dislike Yan'er, Yan'er is willing to stay!"

Fang An, who was standing next to him, heaved a sigh of relief when he heard this.

In fact, there are some things he did not tell Yang Zhengshan and did not do. Chen Yan has no worries about food and clothing in Kyoto, but it is not that good to say.

The imperial court had long been extremely corrupt, and the inner court of the imperial city was equally filled with shitty issues.

Those eunuchs only care about money when they do things, but Fang An and Chen Yan were penniless when they fled back to Kyoto. When he wanted to find someone to do something for him, everyone just did it perfunctorily.

Chen Zhaoxuan is already dead. Although Chen Yan, an orphan, is not someone who can be bullied by everyone, no one will take her seriously.

Fortunately, Fang An was by her side, otherwise this poor little thing would have encountered who knows what kind of suffering.

Therefore, Fang An does not want Chen Yan to return to Kyoto. In Kyoto, Chen Yan is a nobody who is ignored by everyone. Of course, in the Yang family, Chen Yan is also just an outsider, and it is not easy for her to integrate into the Yang family.

But Fang An still hoped that Chen Yan could stay in the Yang family, because he knew the Yang family and Yang Zhengshan, and knew that Yang Zhengshan and the Yang family would not treat Chen Yan unfairly.

(End of this chapter)