Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

"I concur, the Jin Hai Navy entering the sea can coordinate with the other Five Guards for the expedition!" Minister of War Wang Lu said.

Emperor Yanping slightly nodded, "What about the warships? Does the Ministry of Industry have warships available for the Jin Hai Navy?"

The Chief of Ministry of Industry, Jiang Wei, found himself in a difficult position. While the Ministry of Industry was not weak in shipbuilding, they couldn't provide a large number of warships in a short time.

"Your Majesty, even if we rush the work now, I'm afraid it would still take a year's time to provide enough large warships for the Jin Hai Navy!"

"One year!" Emperor Yanping looked at him displeased.

Jiang Wei appeared frustrated, "Your Majesty, there is no other way."

Liang Chu sneaked a glance at Jiang Wei, then spoke up, "Your Majesty, I do have an idea that might solve the shortage of warships for the Jin Hai Navy!"

"Let's hear it!" said Emperor Yanping.

Liang Chu proposed, "Since manufacturing new warships will take too long, transforming merchant ships into warships could be faster. The Jin Hai Navy probably needs about ten large Da Fu Ships, and there should be many of these among the merchant ships. The court could borrow large Da Fu Ships from the civilians!"

Merchant ships and warships do differ, but the differences aren't significant, a minor modification would suffice.

Of course, even after modifications, merchant ships wouldn't perform as well as warships, but it remains a feasible method.

Emperor Yanping then looked towards Jiang Wei. After thinking it over, Jiang Wei said, "If it's just about modifying, ten Da Fu Ships could be enough in three months."

"Then let's go for the modifications, but not ten ships, eighteen ships!" Emperor Yanping directly upped the ante.

He felt that since modifications were possible, why not modify more? Having more ships is always better than fewer.

If the Jin Hai Navy doesn't need them, other naval forces could use them.

Jiang Wei hesitated for a moment, but seeing Emperor Yanping's firm stance, he had to grit his teeth and agree, "Your servant obeys!"

Emperor Yanping then asked, "Are there any other issues?"

Liang Chu said, "Star Moon Sect has several Innate Martial Artists. If we are to eradicate Star Moon Sect, the court will also need Innate Martial Artists to join the military expedition!"

"How many Innate Martial Artists do Star Moon Sect have?" Emperor Yanping asked.

"Three to five!" Wang Zhongzhi gave an uncertain answer.

Emperor Yanping nodded, "I will arrange this."

Three to five Innate Martial Artists mean that Da Rong must deploy five to eight to ensure nothing goes wrong.

It was a good time as the Sanctuary of Innate Martial Artists had been established for over two years already, it's time to assign some tasks to these Innate Martial Artists.

Liang Chu continued, "And this battle needs a prudent general to take charge!"

Emperor Yanping frowned slightly, "Who do you think is suitable?"

"This..." Liang Chu hesitated for a moment.

Who would be suitable?

He couldn't think of anyone.

If it were land warfare, he could think of many people like Yang Zhenshan, Qu Changkong, Lu Baishu, Marquis Wuding Guo Ying, Marquis Jianchang Zhang Luan, Duke Rong's son Duan Qifeng, etc., all of whom are experienced generals of Da Rong.

But for sea warfare, Da Rong hadn't fought a large-scale naval battle for many years.

The commanders of the Jin Hai Navy definitely wouldn't suffice as they had no experience in naval warfare.

Jin Hai Guard Commander is Marquis Haichang Xue Chang'an. He also definitely wouldn't suffice as he lacked experience in large-scale naval engagements.

After considering everyone else and rejecting each one by one.

Even Yang Zhenshan was rejected by him. Although Yang Zhenshan had built the Tenglong Advanced Guard, he had not fought in any naval battles, not even a small-scale one.

Everyone fell into silence.

Having no suitable candidate was most embarrassing!

Minister of War Wang Lu hesitated for a moment but still spoke up, "Your Majesty, could Marquis Jing'an be capable for the task?"

He still proposed Yang Zhenshan, for a simple reason, Yang Zhenshan had established the powerful naval force, Tenglong Advanced Guard.

As for Yu Tonghai, his official position was too low and he lacked the prestige to command tens of thousands of naval troops.

Emperor Yanping then turned to Zhou Mao, "Duke Ning, what do you think?"

He wasn't sure if Yang Zhenshan was up to it, this battle involved Da Rong's national prestige in the East South Sea Domain. Should they fail, Da Rong would not only suffer severe losses but also leave an impression of weakness to many forces in the East South Sea Domain.

This battle involved great implications. If Yang Zhenshan were to be defeated, it would be a disaster for him. In fact, Emperor Yanping was reluctant to let Yang Zhenshan take such a risk.

Zhou Mao thought for a moment, "Your Majesty, perhaps we could ask Marquis Jing'an about this!"

Emperor Yanping could only nod, "Then I will ask Marquis Jing'an later. Cabinet and Ministry of War, prepare a military deployment plan. Ministry of Industry, urgently modify the warships. Ministry of Revenue, prepare the funds and provisions. Duke Ning, Duke Rong, Marquis Changping, coordinate with the Five Army Commandery, and assist the Ministry of Industry in deploying troops and generals."

"Your servants obey!"

The officials responded.

...

Today, Yang Zhenshan was idly at home.

A rocking chair in the backyard pavilion, a travel journal, a tea table, a pot of clear tea, and a dish of melon seeds. Yang Zhenshan was cracking melon seeds, leisurely reading the travel journal in his hands.

He always treated travel journals like novels, and this journal was quite interesting, narrated mostly by predecessors who had traveled the worldly society, some were fabrications, while others were compiled based on facts.

Don't underestimate Da Rong's Martial Artists, many of whom possess a spirit of adventure, true explorers, venturing out to sea, traveling south, or exploring the far Western lands of the Daluo Dynasty.

For instance, the travel journal in Yang Zhenshan's hands details the observations of a Martial Artist who traveled to the extreme West, the Daluo Dynasty, centuries ago.

The so-called Extreme West refers to a very distant place in the west, Extreme North to the snowy lands in the north, and Extreme East Sea to the vast ocean in the east, essentially describing unknown and faraway places.