Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

The Daluo Dynasty is also an extremely prosperous place, with many Martial Artists there. Their customs differ somewhat from those of Da Rong, but overall, they are quite similar.

Just as Yang Zhenshan was engrossed, Lu Shou hurried over, "Marquis, Mr. Wang of the imperial front has come to summon the Marquis to the palace!"

"To the palace!"

Yang Zhenshan was somewhat surprised, "Did he mention what it's about?"

"No, just that Your Majesty has summoned you!" said Lu Shou.

Yang Zhenshan put down the book and stood up, saying, "Go prepare the robes!"

Emperor Yanping rarely summoned him to the palace; for the past two years, Emperor Yanping had grown accustomed to his lazy nature. Sending someone to summon him today probably meant there was some matter.

Yang Zhenshan didn't speculate further; after all, he would find out once he got there.

Moments later, Yang Zhenshan changed into his Kirin attire and rode in a carriage towards the direction of the Imperial City.

The carriage stopped in front of the Noon Gate, and Yang Zhenshan walked into the Imperial City, arriving in front of the Taiji Palace.

"I have seen Marquis Jing'an!" Zhang Mingzhong seemed to have been waiting for a while, and upon seeing Yang Zhenshan arriving, he approached with a smile.

"Hahaha, how has Mr. Zhang been recently!" Yang Zhenshan laughed heartily as he moved forward and put an arm around Zhang Mingzhong's shoulder, "This old man has heard that Mr. Zhang now is a favorite in front of His Majesty!"

After saying this, he even gave a wink, giving off a mischievous look.

Zhang Mingzhong chuckled awkwardly, "Marquis, please stop teasing me, His Majesty is waiting for you!"

"Oh, do you know what His Majesty wants with me?" Yang Zhenshan asked.

"His Majesty intends to attack the Star Moon Sect." Zhang Mingzhong whispered a sentence, then led Yang Zhenshan into the Taiji Palace.

Upon reaching the Imperial Study Room, Yang Zhenshan bowed respectfully, "Your subject Yang Zhenshan greets Your Majesty!"

Emperor Yanping was busy with the memorials, and who knows how many there were, but every time Yang Zhenshan came, Emperor Yanping was always engrossed in ruling on the memorials.

"Ming Zhong, serve tea!" Emperor Yanping said with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Yang Zhenshan said.

Zhang Mingzhong led him to sit by a nearby tea table, and then had a young eunuch bring over the tea.

Emperor Yanping also set aside the memorials in his hands and sat down by the tea table.

"Do you excel in naval battles?" Emperor Yanping asked.

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhenshan knew what it was about, Emperor Yanping wanted him to lead troops to attack the Star Moon Sect.

This matter?

He had indeed been somewhat lazy these past two years; he used to be always busy and energetic, handling all sorts of official duties effortlessly. After a few years of relaxation, he had grown to enjoy this leisurely life.

"Does Your Majesty intend to use troops against the Star Moon Sect?" Yang Zhenshan asked.

Emperor Yanping was not surprised that he knew about this matter and nodded slightly, "The calamity in Yu State was caused by the Star Moon Sect. If the court does not take action, I fear those pirates in the East South Sea Domain will think our great Da Rong is weak and can be bullied!"

Yang Zhenshan nodded; this reasoning was sound.

Some matters cannot be compromised, especially those involving national affairs. If you yield, the other party will surely push further.

The Star Moon Sect had started this, and if Da Rong could not strike back, those forces in the East South Sea Domain would surely harbor malicious intentions.

With such a long coastline in Da Rong, it is definitely impossible to ensure complete security. To avoid coastal regions being harassed by pirates, one must show the might of thunder to deter the petty criminals of the East South Sea Domain.

"So which Naval forces does the court plan to mobilize?" Yang Zhenshan further asked.

Emperor Yanping briefly explained the matters previously discussed in the court, then asked after finishing, "What do you think, my dear subject?"

Yang Zhenshan thought for a moment and said, "From this, it seems the Star Moon Sect has approximately forty to fifty thousand troops, and the combined Naval forces of the court also number around fifty thousand."

"The forces on both sides are not vastly different, but in terms of warships, our Dynasty's ships are somewhat stronger, giving us an advantage in this aspect!"

Da Rong is a Dynasty, and even if its Navy is a weak point, it still holds many advantages in various aspects.

For example, shipbuilding, crossbows, and armaments are areas where a sect-like force like the Star Moon Sect could hardly compare to the vast Imperial City of the great Da Rong.

Yang Zhenshan briefly assessed the military strength of both sides and felt that this battle was worth fighting.

"If Your Majesty has no other suitable candidates, this old minister is willing to offer his services!"

He did not decline, after all, he had been supported by the king and it was his duty to serve loyally.

Having eaten the king's food for three years, it was time to do some work for the court.

"Do you have full confidence in victory?" Emperor Yanping asked.

After his anger subsided, Emperor Yanping's thoughts became cautious.

After all, this was a major battle. If they win, all would be good, but if they lose, the impact on the court would be significant.

He had to consider the gains and losses of victory and defeat.

Yang Zhenshan smiled, "There is no absolute assurance of victory, but with Your Majesty's support, I am fairly confident, about seventy to eighty percent confident!"

Guaranteed victory!

Who could guarantee that?

However, saying seventy to eighty percent was just him being humble.

With enough Innate Martial Artists in position, his confidence was ninety percent.

Indeed, he had never fought a naval battle, nor did he know how to, but that didn't matter because he had a trump card.

Sensing the heavens was his greatest confidence.

Naval battles differed from land battles, the heavens played a greater role in naval conflicts.

Just the advantage of wind direction and strength could determine the outcome of a battle.

For Yang Zhenshan, when the wind blows, its direction, and strength were all things he could predict.

As for how to conduct a naval battle, that was not a difficult task.

Yang Zhenshan might not understand it, but there would always be those who did, and it's not that he understood nothing. He had studied naval battles while in the Tenglong Guard, just without practical experience.

Since the Tenglong Advanced Guard would be involved in this battle, they could utilize the abilities of Yu Tonghai when the time came.

Yu Tonghai, although he had not fought such a large-scale naval battle, had participated in many small-scale naval battles in Hai State Left Guard.

Yang Zhenshan would set the strategy, while Yu Tonghai and others would handle the tactics.

Emperor Yanping thought for a moment; seventy to eighty percent confidence was not low, especially since he really had no one else to turn to. Since Yang Zhenshan was confident, let him try.

"How long will it take for you to eliminate Star Moon Sect?"

"Well," Yang Zhenshan estimated, "it might take half a year to a year."

Star Moon Sect, with Star Moon Island as its main territory and several smaller islands, didn't have much room for maneuvers or strategic depth. One or two major battles could decide the outcome; there wasn't a need to spend too much time.

"The main issue is gathering the Navy forces together, which requires some time for coordination and training. I estimate three months of training should suffice, and if all goes well, we could go to sea for battle before the end of the year."

Emperor Yanping nodded, satisfied with Yang Zhenshan not being rash.

"Then let this battle be entrusted to you!"

Yang Zhenshan stood up and accepted the decree: "Your servant obeys the decree!"

"The day after tomorrow at early court, you should still come to court!" Emperor Yanping looked somewhat displeased at Yang Zhenshan.

You never come to the early court sessions; this time, you cannot absent.

"Heh, your servant understands, I will definitely attend the court!"

What else could Yang Zhenshan say? This matter definitely needed some arrangements during the early court.

"Um, then let us settle this matter for now, you may go back and prepare!" Emperor Yanping said.

"Your servant takes his leave!"