Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 938: Chapter 667: Zhou Lan Pays a Visit (Part 2)

Standing beside him, Niu Zhuang lowered his eyes, his expression becoming extremely solemn.

In fact, both of them had suspected this might be the case.

With the world in chaos, various forces have started to devise their own plans.

Rebels, warlords, nobles, frontier towns, etc., any force with troops and power can’t help but harbor delusions.

It’s not surprising that the Yang family has such ambitions.

However, hearing Yang Chengye personally admit it took both Zhou Lan and Niu Zhuang by surprise.

Niu Zhuang remained composed because he understood that with the strength of the Yang family and Chongshan Town, vying for the world is not a mere fantasy; in fact, he felt a bit excited inside.

If the Yang family indeed competes for the world, could he seize the opportunity to assist them and lead the charge?

In doing so, the Niu family could also rise to become a noble family.

Zhou Lan suddenly stood up, “Are you serious?”

An intense aura suddenly emanated from her, as if a ferocious beast glaring angrily at Yang Chengye.

But just as her aura erupted, two more auras rose abruptly behind Yang Chengye, and two figures silently appeared beside him.

“General Zhou, please calm down!” Wang Lei said softly.

Of course, Zhou Lan recognized Wang Lei. She looked at him and asked in a deep voice, “Where is Yang Zhenshan?”

“Ahem, my grandfather is not here!” Yang Chengye coughed lightly and said.

Zhou Lan was silent for a moment, then sat down again, “I want to see your grandfather!”

“This~~” Yang Chengye didn’t know how to contact Yang Zhenshan either.

He knew Yang Zhenshan wasn’t on Divine Wood Island, but he didn’t know Yang Zhenshan was at Chongshan Pass.

Wang Lei glanced at Yang Chengye, then at Zhou Lan, and softly said, “The old man is at Chongshan Pass; I will send someone to invite him immediately!”

Yang Chengye stared blankly at Wang Lei. My grandfather is at Chongshan Pass, yet I didn’t know!

He felt his face hurt; the slap in the face came too quickly!

Also, if you knew the old man was at Chongshan Pass, why didn’t you say so earlier?

It’s so awkward now, as if I’m stopping Grandma Zhou from seeing Grandpa.

Wang Lei looked at Yang Chengye, appearing innocent.

Can you blame me?

You replied so quickly that I had no chance to say anything before you spoke.

The fact that Yang Zhenshan was at Chongshan Pass wasn’t a secret from everyone; Wang Lei and Li Chang knew and could contact him.

The small courtyard fell silent until suddenly the bell hanging in the main room rang.

Yang Zhenshan’s figure appeared out of nowhere in the main room.

He couldn’t know what was happening inside Chongshan Pass from within the space, but he could be aware of events occurring in the small courtyard.

Outside the small courtyard was a rope, and pulling it would ring the bell in the main room, signaling to Yang Zhenshan that someone was looking for him outside.

Before opening the door, Yang Zhenshan knew that it was Li Chang standing outside.

As he opened the door, he attentively listened for any commotion around.

Not hearing any disturbances, he knew it wasn’t a case of Yang Chengye being in danger.

“What’s the matter?” Yang Zhenshan asked after opening the door.

“General Zhou has arrived; she’s now in the General Mansion and wishes to see you!” Li Chang replied with a bow.

Yang Zhenshan thought for a moment and said, “Invite her over, then!”

“Understood!” Li Chang responded and retreated.

After he left, Yang Zhenshan stroked his beard, lost in thought.

He knew Zhou Lan’s temperament well; she was straightforward and without great ambition. Whenever she believed something was right, she would do it wholeheartedly.

Others might misuse their military power, but she wouldn’t.

Her current thoughts likely concern how to quell the rebellion in the Longyuan provinces.

After a moment of contemplation, Yang Zhenshan brought Yu Qingyi out of the space, and the couple prepared tea and fruits while waiting for their old friend to arrive.

About two ke times (a duration of approximately 30 minutes) later, the courtyard door was knocked again.

Yang Zhenshan opened the door, saw the familiar figure, and grinned, “General, please come in!”

Zhou Lan snorted coldly, gave Yang Zhenshan an icy look, and walked directly into the main room without any pleasantries.

Seeing Yu Qingyi, Zhou Lan’s expression softened a bit, “Sorry to trouble you, Sister Yu!”

“Sister Zhou, please have a seat!” Yu Qingyi greeted with a smile.

The two women then sat and chatted about trivial matters, mostly involving Yu Qingyi talking about the children at home.

Meanwhile, Yang Zhenshan was left somewhat sidelined.

Oh well, it seems that General Zhou’s temper had only grown with age.

After a while, Zhou Lan suddenly asked, “How old is Ming Zhao’s child this year?”

Yu Qingyi smiled and said, “Thirteen.”

Zhou Lan glanced at Yang Zhenshan, “I have a great-niece just right, twelve this year!”

Yang Zhenshan’s hand paused slightly while holding the tea, “You really mean it!”

“What? Is my great-niece not worthy of your grandson?” Zhou Lan said discontentedly.

“Worthy, she’s worthy!” Yang Zhenshan surrendered.

There aren’t many who dare speak to him like this, but Zhou Lan certainly had the right.

After all, Zhou Lan had once supported him.

Over the years, Yang Zhenshan hadn’t really done anything for Zhou Lan, although he had given her many specialties produced by the Spiritual Spring Space, those favors are becoming difficult to repay.

“Then it’s settled; I’ll immediately write home and have my great-niece sent to Divine Wood Island!” Zhou Lan declared.

Yang Zhenshan said, “No need to rush!”

Zhou Lan paused for a moment, “I fear the Capital City can’t be held; it’s better to leave early!”

From the General Mansion, she thought about many things.

A small arm cannot twist a big thigh.

Nowadays, with the Yang family so powerful, she couldn’t stop them.

And she knew about the situation on that side of the Capital City; although Da Rong seemed to be holding on by a thread, in truth the capital of Da Rong was already fracturing, morale low.

Once the army approached the city, who knows what kind of chaos would ensue inside.

The nobles who talk about sharing weal and woe with the country, when calamity truly strikes, will only think of self-preservation.

Don’t talk about uniting against the enemy.

If the nobles of Da Rong could unite, the weeds on King Da Liang’s grave would already be three feet tall.

But everyone has already realized that Da Rong is at its end, thinking about how to protect themselves and gain as much as possible from this chaotic world.

A falling tree scatters monkeys; ambition grows with the wind.

Zhou Lan once never thought of these things, but now that even the Yang family has given up on Da Rong, she had to consider her own family’s position.

Although she hadn’t married or had children, she still had her father, brothers, nephews, great-nephews, and other relatives.

For the Zhou family to survive this troubled world, she too had to make a choice.

She didn’t know what her great ancestor thought, but she had to side with the Yang family.

After all, the friendship between her and Yang Zhenshan was genuine, spanning decades, and she trusted Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly, “Very well, at that time, Brother Zhou can also visit Divine Wood Island for a short stay!”

“Alright!” Zhou Lan sipped her tea, her mind weighed with heavy thoughts.

“What are your plans next?”

Yang Zhenshan smiled, “No rush, just wait; when Capital City falls, that’s when we will muster troops and move south!”

Zhou Lan nodded slightly, “Alright, this way, I can also go back and make some preparations.”

Zhou Lan didn’t stay long at Chongshan Pass; the situation in Longyuan Province remained critical, needing her urgent attention.

So, after visiting for a night, from the General Mansion, she had to hurriedly leave for Longyuan.

There was no need for Yang Chengye to continue restricting the supply of grain and provisions to Zhou Lan. The previous restrictions were out of fear that Zhou Lan might fortify her grain supplies; now that she’s aware of the plan, there’s no need for such concern.

In fact, at this time, Emperor Tianwu of Da Liang had no time to deal with the Northern Army of Longyuan, as he was leading his forces towards the Capital City of Da Rong, preparing to capture it and establish his imperial authority in a decisive move.

When Da Liang’s army was less than five hundred miles away from Da Rong’s Capital City, there was already unrest within the city, and the morale was scattered and disheartened.

If the venerable noble who talked about sharing the nation’s fate rises in the face of a great calamity, they would only think of self-preservation.

It’s clear to everyone now that Da Rong is in its last throes, as despite appearances that the kingdom held together by old glories and rusty nails, its core is falling apart.

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter; ambition grows with the wind.