CHAPTER 520: CHAPTER 468 URGENT LETTER, SUDDEN PROMOTION_2

Liaodong’s common folk are unfortunate because they have just endured a drought, forcing tens of thousands to abandon their homes and relocate elsewhere in search of sustenance.

But the people of Liaodong are also fortunate, for this drought will last only a year, and they will be able to return home and resume their lives next year.

After heavy snow, there comes another heavy snow.

Perhaps next year will be a bountiful harvest for Liaodong.

Yang Zhenshan gazed up at the sky, his thoughts drifting towards Liaodong, then shifting towards the Capital City.

He had been removed from his position!

Relieved of his post as the General of Chongshan Town!

Just three days ago, Emperor Yanping had made the announcement in the court.

Of course, Emperor Yanping hadn’t dismissed him from office but instead promoted him.

Promoted to the position of Right Commander at the Left Army Commander’s Mansion.

He leaped from Deputy Governor at the Central Army Commander’s Mansion to Right Commander at the Left Army Commander’s Mansion, ascending from Standard Second Rank to Standard First Rank, a double promotion.

But obviously, this was a demotion in disguise.

The Five Army Commandery has Left and Right Commanders; the Left Governor holds de facto power while the Right Commander’s post is largely ceremonial, typically either a nominal title or a retirement position for older Military Officers.

This meant he would have to leave Chongshan Town and retire to the Capital City.

Damn it!

I’m only in my fifties, and they want me to retire in the Capital City!

Yang Zhenshan felt incredibly frustrated!

Moreover, he had many plans for Chongshan Town; he wanted to improve the life of its military households and common folk and transform Chongshan Town into Da Rong’s most formidable border town, but the sudden change disrupted all his plans.

That damnable Emperor!

A surge of anger rose in Yang Zhenshan’s heart.

As for the reasons!

Yang Zhenshan speculated that it might be Nansheng’s doing, stirring up trouble.

But surely Nansheng couldn’t sway Emperor Yanping’s decision alone; this only suggested that Emperor Yanping was displeased with him!

"Let it be, let it be. Since it has come to this, I might as well be a wealthy idler in the Capital City!"

"After so many years of hard work, it’s time for a rest!"

Yang Zhenshan’s mood was lackluster, and he harbored some resentment towards Emperor Yanping.

He had devoted so much effort for the sake of Da Rong over these years, how could he accept such an outcome with a calm heart?

So, resentment still lingered.

But that’s the court; that’s officialdom.

It’s not about how well you perform; it’s not about receiving ample rewards.

In history, how many wise officials and good generals ended up with their families ruined and themselves dead.

He was merely being transferred back to the Capital City; such an outcome was already fortunate!

As for the dangers awaiting him in the Capital City, Yang Zhenshan was not worried.

He had made significant contributions; Emperor Yanping would need to think hard before deciding to kill him.

If he was charged with an unfounded crime, the entire court of nobles and border commanders would likely become disillusioned with Emperor Yanping.

Emperor Yanping likely wasn’t reckless to that extent.

Moreover, he was an Innate Martial Artist; Innate Martial Artists are the backbone of the Dynasty. Any sensible person, including Emperor Yanping, would not rashly eliminate an Innate Martial Artist.

Thus, Yang Zhenshan was not concerned about his safety upon returning to the Capital; instead, he was more worried about whether Chongshan Town could continue to develop.

Consider that Chongshan Town currently owes nearly fifteen million taels of silver.

Four million taels have been issued in bonds, necessitating a repayment of eight hundred thirty million taels the year after next, plus nearly six hundred million taels borrowed from money lenders. Including interest, the total repayment is about fifteen million taels of silver.

Fifteen million taels!

The annual tax revenue of the court is not even this much.

For Chongshan Town to gather such a sum is not something ordinary people can manage.

In Chongshan Town, Yang Zhenshan could utilize the glass workshop to repay these debts.

But if someone else takes over, not to mention repaying them, they might completely ruin Chongshan Town.

Yang Zhenshan did not want someone else to destroy what he had painstakingly built.

"Who knows who the court will assign as the next General of Chongshan Town! I hope they choose a reliable person!"

"If they’re not reliable, then they shouldn’t blame this old man for causing trouble!"

Yang Zhenshan stroked his beard and narrowed his eyes, fiercely determined in his heart.

Chongshan Town was his painstaking effort, he would not allow anyone to ruin it.

...

The situation developed better than Yang Zhenshan had anticipated.

The next morning, another letter arrived from the Capital City.

The court had already selected the candidate to succeed the position of General of Chongshan Town.

This candidate selection instantly improved Yang Zhenshan’s gloomy mood significantly.

Zhou Lan!

In Yang Zhenshan’s heart, Zhou Lan was undoubtedly the most suitable successor for Chongshan Town currently.

Although Zhou Lan was a woman, she was resolute and decisive in killing, her style of conduct naturally carried an air of sharpness, but most importantly, she would definitely follow Yang Zhenshan’s plans to manage Chongshan Town.

Receiving this news also greatly exhilarated Yang Zhenshan.

In the main hall of the Marquis Mansion, Yang Zhenshan looked at the letter in his hands, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

Although unclear why Emperor Yanping would choose Zhou Lan, since Zhou Lan was coming, he had nothing to worry about.

"What does the letter say?" Yu Qingyi asked curiously.

Yang Zhenshan looked up and smiled, "Zhou Lan will succeed as the General of Chongshan Town!"

At this, Yu Qingyi also smiled.

After Yang Zhenshan returned yesterday, he had been heavily preoccupied, and as an old couple, Yu Qingyi naturally understood Yang Zhenshan’s personality.

It was the first time in many years that Yang Zhenshan had shown such behavior.

Yang Zhenshan did not hide anything from her and detailed the matter to her, including his concerns.

Yu Qingyi understood Yang Zhenshan’s temperament and knew what Yang Zhenshan was worried about, so she also spent the night worried.

Now hearing that Zhou Lan would succeed as General of Chongshan Town, she knew that Yang Zhenshan’s biggest concern was no longer an issue.

"That’s good, with General Zhou there, your hard work will definitely not be wasted!" Yu Qingyi said with a smile.

Yang Zhenshan nodded with a relaxed expression, then threw the letter into the stove in front of him.

Zhou Lan succeeding as the General of Chongshan Town alleviated his greatest concern, but now he was somewhat puzzled as to what trick Emperor Yanping was playing!

Could Emperor Yanping not be aware of his relationship with Zhou Lan?

Clearly impossible.

If Emperor Yanping truly had grievances against Yang Zhenshan, he would have chosen someone completely unrelated to Yang Zhenshan for Chongshan Town.

Yet Emperor Yanping chose Zhou Lan?

Could it be that it wasn’t Emperor Yanping who made the decision, but it was agreed upon by the court officials?

This was the disadvantage of being far from the Capital City, not only being unable to discern the Emperor’s thoughts but also unable to grasp the happenings in the court.

Although Wu Zheng had been sending him messages, the information Wu Zheng provided was only superficial; many things cannot be thoroughly understood unless seen with one’s own eyes or experienced personally.

Yang Zhenshan thought for a while and could not figure it out, so he gave up thinking and instead started discussing home affairs with Yu Qingyi.

"Arrange things at home, prepare to be ready to leave at any time!"

"When are we going to the Capital City?" Yu Qingyi asked.

"Definitely after the New Year! It specifically depends on when Zhou Lan can come!" Yang Zhenshan replied.

Today was already the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, Zhou Lan was coming, and Yang Zhenshan still needed to hand over duties to her and make arrangements in Chongshan Town; certainly, before the New Year was impossible.

Now the Yang family was also quite substantial; moving would definitely be troublesome.

"Some things can be moved to Yang Family Village first, and later when there’s time, gradually transported to the Capital City!"

How many items did the Yang family have?

That was no ordinary amount!

Now, the Yang family had over thirty members, and including servants and guards, the total was over three hundred people; moving all of them to the Capital City was not a simple task.

"Do we still call Ming Cheng back?" Yu Qingyi asked.

Yang Zhenshan suddenly realized, he had forgotten about Yang Mingcheng.

Currently, Yang Mingcheng and Yang Chengmao should still not be in the Capital City, according to the plan they were supposed to return before the New Year, but was there still a need to fuss about it now?

"No need, later arrange for someone to send a message to Ming Cheng, let them stay in the Capital City, clean up the mansion and the manors around the Capital City!"

The Yang family also owned some properties in the Capital City, including shops and farmlands bought by the Yang family, and also the fields bestowed to Yang Zhenshan.

Moving this time to the Capital City was different from previous relocations; previously, the Yang family moved from Yinghe Castle to An Yuan City, then from An Yuan City to Tenglong Guard, and finally from Tenglong Guard to Chongshan Pass.

This constant moving, in fact, none were truly home for the Yang family.

Previously, the Yang family’s home was in Yang Family Village, but after moving to the Capital City, the Yang family would settle down in the Capital City.

Even if Yang Zhenshan were to leave the Capital City for official duty in the future, the Yang family would no longer leave the Capital City.