Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Luo Jingsong explained.

Yang Zhenshan leaned back in his chair, stroked his beard, and sank into deep thought.

"The calamity of clan extermination; once the Star Moon Sect is wiped out, it would spell the same doom for them. If they are willing to submit to Da Rong, this old man can indeed give them a chance!"

"Do you think Da Rong's influence in the East South Sea Domain is sufficient to deter them?"

He harbored thoughts of winning them over; after all, winning them over was nothing more than a mixture of coercion and enticement.

Luo Jingsong said, "In fact, for the Star Moon Sect, Da Rong is an overwhelmingly powerful and fearsome entity."

Even if Da Rong were in decline, it was still a vast dynasty, owning thousands of miles of territory and countless subjects.

Compared to Da Rong, the Star Moon Sect merely possessed a few dozen islands and the allegiance of a few hundred thousand vassal sect forces.

"If Marquis has thoughts of winning them over, I think it would be worthwhile to put in some effort with Ms. Deng!"

"Who is Ms. Deng?" asked Yang Zhenshan.

Luo Jingsong said, "Her real name is Deng Yuehe, formerly the wife of the island master of Lanting Island. About thirty years ago, when Lanting Island was annihilated by the Lv Sheng Dynasty, Ms. Deng took her young child and a hundred subordinates and sought refuge in the Star Moon Sect!"

"Nowadays, Ms. Deng is the Hall Master of the Star Moon Sect's ceremonial hall. Ten years ago, Ms. Deng's cultivation had already reached the Half-step Innate Realm."

"She joined the Star Moon Island mid-way; her attachment to the island isn't deep, and she isn't heavily involved in its interests. Moreover, Star Moon Island is a place that is exclusive towards outsiders, so I would guess her life on the island hasn't been too comfortable!"

"Of course, this is only a guess as I have never actually met Ms. Deng."

Luo Jingsong offered a sheepish smile; he wanted to help Yang Zhenshan, but there was not much he could do to assist.

Mainly because his previous status in the Star Moon Sect wasn't high—being the Hall Master of the Seven Stars Hall might sound impressive, but in fact, within the Star Moon Sect, it was only considered an outer force.

Yang Zhenshan, however, thought Luo Jingsong's suggestion was quite good, but it was something that still required careful consideration.

"How many experts does the Star Moon Sect have?" he continued to inquire.

Luo Jingsong shook his head, "I'm not sure. What I can confirm is that Yue Hongyi, Nan Haiyan, and Qu Fusheng are all Innate Martial Artists, but whether there are any other Innate Martial Artists, I have no idea!"

Yang Zhenshan nodded, not surprised; the Secret Martial Guards estimated the number of Innate Martial Artists in the Star Moon Sect to be three to five, which was consistent with what Luo Jingsong stated.

Afterward, Yang Zhenshan asked about the situation of the Star Moon Sect and, with Luo Jingsong's narrative, gained an overarching understanding of it.

...

On the fifteenth day of the ninth month of the fifth year of Emperor Yanping's reign, during the early morning court session.

Emperor Yanping decreed Yang Zhenshan as the Four Seas Naval Commander, in command of the Nine Rivers Five Guards, Tenglong Advanced Guard, Jin Hai Guard, Hai State Left Guard, Quanhai Guard, Leizhou Guard, and Zhao Wu Guard.

The so-called Four Seas Naval Commander was a temporary office with the authority to establish headquarters and overview all matters.

The reason why an additional Zhao Wu Guard was included within the command is that the Zhao Wu Guard had been selected as the temporary station for the Four Seas Navy.

Located in Zhaowu Prefecture, Fuhai Province, facing the South East Sea Domain, hence the Zhao Wu Guard was the temporary station.

Besides Yang Zhenshan as the primary commander, Yu Tonghai of the Tenglong Advanced Guard and Bai Yuanxi, Commander of the Nine Rivers Central Guard, were promoted to Commanders and appointed as deputy commanders in the Four Seas Navy.

Assistant Imperial Censor Sun Yunfeng from the Imperial Examination Hall was made Sea Patrol Imperial Censor, eunuch Yang Jinhe from the Imperial Stables was appointed supervising eunuch, doctor Zhang Ruifu from the Military Selection Department of the Ministry of War, and Zheng Yang, an employee of the Ministry of Revenue, were appointed as aides. Additionally, two Assistant Generals, six Guerrilla Generals, and one Garrison Officer, among other positions, were established.

The Four Seas Navy's Prime Minister's Office was a temporary government office. To coordinate various departments to work with the Four Seas Navy, the court especially selected officials from the Imperial Examination Hall, Ministry of War, and Ministry of Revenue to assume roles within the Prime Minister's Office.

For instance, Assistant Imperial Censor Sun Yunfeng from the Imperial Examination Hall was added to the Prime Minister's Office; first, to supervise the officers and generals within, and second, to oversee the officials of Fuhai Province. A significant portion of the funds and supplies required by the Prime Minister's Office were to be provided by Fuhai Province. Non-cooperation by local government offices would cause unnecessary troubles.

These officials were determined through consultations between the Cabinet and various government offices; Yang Zhenshan had no say in their appointments.

Yang Zhenshan was unconcerned, as long as these officials could get the job done. As for the rest, he didn't meddle; but certainly, if someone decided to be a thorn in his side, he would not hold back.

After the early morning court session, Yang Zhenshan immediately convened the officials of the Prime Minister's Office, who were in the Capital City, to discuss matters at the Marquis Mansion.

In the afternoon, Sea Patrol Imperial Censor Sun Yunfeng, supervising eunuch Yang Jinhe, adjunct officials Zhang Ruifu, Zheng Yang, and logistic officer Xue Chang'an all gathered in the main hall of the Marquis Mansion.

Yang Zhenshan sat upright in the seat of honor, with Luo Jingsong standing behind him. After Sun Yunfeng and his party paid their respects, they sat down on both sides.

Yang Zhenshan scrutinized Sun Yunfeng and his four companions.

Sun Yunfeng was in his forties, slightly thin, serious, and not prone to laughter, appearing to be a very solemn man.

Yang Jinhe seemed to be in his thirties, plump, with a face full of amiable smiles. Yang Zhenshan took a few glances at him. One should not underestimate the eunuchs of the Imperial Stables; although the Imperial Stables do not hold a high position among the many government offices in the Imperial City, in reality, the Imperial Stables are one of the most formidable offices in the Imperial City.

The reason is simple: the Imperial Stables are in charge of the personal army of the Twelve Guards, which is now sixteen guards, as the Yunlong Four Guards were incorporated into the Emperor's personal army two years ago, stationed specifically in Cui Xia Valley.

Besides managing the personal army of the Twelve Guards, the eunuchs from the Imperial Stables also belong to the government office with the most martial artists in the Imperial City. The Yang Jinhe before us seems very amiable, but he is actually a martial artist of the Postnatal Ninth Layer.

As for Zhang Ruifu and Zheng Yang, they are typical civil servants whose main responsibility is to coordinate affairs between the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Revenue.

Yang Zhenshan naturally knew Xue Chang'an, the Commander of Jin Hai Guard and the Marquis Haichang, as he was a relative by marriage of the Yang family.

Yang Zhenshan smiled and nodded to Xue Chang'an, who also returned the greeting with a smile.

"Cough cough~~ Since all my colleagues are here, I won't stand on ceremony!"

"Let's get straight to the point!"

"The Prime Minister's Office is newly established, and everything must start from scratch, but the war is imminent, and we do not have much time to delay. Therefore, in case of emergency, I will make some arrangements first!"

Yang Zhenshan said calmly.

"Marquis, just give your instructions, and I will do my utmost effort, I will not drag your feet!" Yang Jinhe said with a smile.

"Indeed, your humble official will carry out any task you assign, Marquis!"

Sun Yunfeng and the others also stated their positions.

Yang Zhenshan nodded in satisfaction and said, "Good, then I will be straightforward!"

"Mr. Yang, Mr. Sun, Lord Xue, I need you to proceed to Zhaowu Prefecture as soon as possible. First, to establish the office of the Prime Minister's Office, and second, to build camps for the soldiers of the large army. At the same time, you need to coordinate food and supplies to ensure that when the naval forces of various guards arrive at Zhaowu Prefecture, they have barracks to stay in and provisions to use."

This time the movement of naval forces is quite substantial, among which Tenglong Advanced Guard and the Nine Rivers Navy are the farthest from Zhaowu Prefecture. The Tenglong Advanced Guard can easily sail south by ship, but it will be more troublesome for the Nine Rivers Navy; they need to follow the river to the sea near Songjiang Prefecture in Jiangnan, and then sail south for two thousand li to reach Zhaowu Prefecture.

From the Capital City to the Nine Rivers Five Guards, and then waiting for the Nine Rivers Five Guards to prepare and hurry to Zhaowu Prefecture, it is estimated to take more than a month.

Today is the fifteenth of September, and the Ministry of War has ordered the Nine Rivers Five Guards to arrive at Zhaowu Prefecture before the twentieth of October.

For the Nine Rivers Five Guards, time is indeed very tight.

Yang Zhenshan cannot help with this, but he hopes that everything will be ready at Zhaowu Prefecture by the time the Nine Rivers Five Guards arrive.

"We understand!" Yang Jinshui, Sun Yunfeng, and Xue Chang'an all answered.

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly, "You will go with the navy of the Jin Hai Guard to Zhaowu Prefecture first, and I shall wait for the navy of the Tenglong Advanced Guard to come over before heading to Zhaowu Prefecture with Mr. Zhang and Mr. Zheng."

"It would be troubling Mr. Zhang and Mr. Zheng to coordinate with the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue regarding the military supplies and funds. When the time comes, military supplies and funds will be transported to Zhaowu Prefecture by the Tenglong Advanced Guard!"

Zhang Ruifu and Zheng Yang quickly rose to accept their orders.

Afterward, Yang Zhenshan arranged some other matters. Once everything was arranged, he then saw the five men off.

Then Yang Zhenshan went to his study, wrote a letter and handed it to Luo Jingsong, saying, "Send someone immediately with this letter to Tenglong Guard, addressed to Yu Tonghai!"

Although the court has mobilized the navy this time, Yang Zhenshan understood that the Tenglong Advanced Guard would still be the primary military force in this battle.

"Yes!"

Luo Jingsong did not hesitate, and upon receiving the letter, he immediately arranged for a team of guards to go to the Tenglong Guard.

At the same time, appointments from the court and orders from the Ministry of War were also sent to the naval forces of the various guards at full speed.