Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 968: Chapter 684: Forming the Cabinet (2)

With Yang Chengye gradually streamlining the administration, the current situation of Da Rong has become increasingly apparent.

In the seventh year of Jianxing—no, Emperor Jianxing is already dead, and Da Rong has perished.

In the twentieth year of Divine Wood, early February.

The Qu family of Southern Border Town and the Guo family of Yunling Town pledged allegiance to the new dynasty, requesting the new dynasty to grant titles and appoint officials such as governor, governor, and inspector general.

The allegiance of the Qu and Guo families represents not only Southern Border Town and Yunling Town, but also the entire Nanyun Province and half of Zangyuan Province.

At this point, the situation in Da Rong has entered a new phase, with the Yang family reigning supreme.

Chen Hengchang in the southeast occupies Jiangnan Province, Fuhai Province, and half of Yun Gui.

The Sun family of Anxi Town in the southwest occupies Anxi Town and Wusi Town, as well as half of Zangyuan.

In the northwest, Longbei Town, Suzhou Town, and Tingzhou Town remain in turmoil.

At present, it seems that the Yang family has the upper hand.

However, the reality is far from it; the Yang family still faces many challenges to stabilize their reign.

Even before Da Rong has settled internally, neighboring dynasties have already begun to stir.

In the Capital City, within the Imperial Study Room.

Yang Chengye frowned as he looked at the document in his hand.

Although he has not yet proclaimed himself emperor, he has already taken control of the Imperial City. The Cabinet and the Six Ministries are being perfected, and the Six Armies Commander’s Office is being established. The framework of the new dynasty’s court is almost in place, and what remains is to gradually fill it in.

The document before him, sent by Zhou Lan, contains recent military movements of the Da Yue Dynasty in the west of Da Rong.

For years, the Da Yue Dynasty has been expanding aggressively, annexing several small dynasties in succession. Now, Da Yue Dynasty vaguely holds the posture of a hegemony in the Western Regions.

Just two months ago, the Da Yue Dynasty suddenly began mobilizing troops at the Da Rong border. In the span of a month, they amassed an army of one hundred thousand, stationed outside the Da Rong border.

Their intentions are clear, seemingly intending to invade amidst Da Rong’s internal chaos.

Currently, Anxi Town, Tingzhou Town, and Suzhou Town remain in disorder, and it would be difficult for the three border towns to withstand an invasion by Da Yue.

As Yang Chengye pondered how to handle the Da Yue Dynasty issue, Yang Zhenshan slowly walked into the Imperial Study Room.

“Father~~”

Seeing Yang Zhenshan arrive, Yang Chengye quickly stood up and called out.

“Hmm!” Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly, then sat at a nearby tea table.

He looked around the arrangement of the Imperial Study Room. It was still the same as before, though many decorations had been changed, the overall layout remained unchanged.

Wang Lei brought over tea, and Yang Chengye personally poured a cup for Yang Zhenshan.

At this moment, there were no eunuchs or palace maids in the Imperial City. Besides a few like Wang Lei, Yang Chengye was surrounded by soldiers.

As for the harem.

Don’t mention it, the harem is still in ruins and uninhabitable, so Yang Chengye’s wife and children reside in Marquis Jing’an Mansion, and Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyi also temporarily stay in Marquis Jing’an Mansion.

Since the Chongshan Army entered the capital, Yang Zhenshan has returned to a state of seclusion, completely retiring to the background.

Meanwhile, An Yuxing, Jian Chengfeng, and others reside in Sanshan Valley.

The Three Yellow Plums in Sanshan Valley still remain, despite the changes in the capital’s ownership, no one has touched that Three Yellow Plums.

Everyone covets the Spirit Fruit and would not willingly destroy a Spirit Fruit Tree.

Even during Da Liang’s plundering of the Capital City’s treasures, they deliberately avoided the Three Yellow Plums.

Of course, the Star Origin Fruit Tree in Cui Xia Valley is still there, with Yu Tonghai leading the Tenglong Guard soldiers stationed nearby.

“Have the official appointments for the Six Armies Commander’s Office been settled?” Yang Zhenshan asked.

Yang Chengye picked up a document from the desk and handed it to Yang Zhenshan, saying, “This is my grandson’s considered suggestion!”

Yang Zhenshan opened the document and glanced at it, frowning slightly, “Why are they all from Chongshan Town?”

The Six Armies Commander’s Office is essentially the Five Army Commandery with the addition of the Navy Commander’s Mansion.

“There’s no other way, we are currently short of capable personnel!” Yang Chengye admitted with frustration.

The Yang family has a strong foundation, with numerous elite soldiers and capable officials, but they are based in Liaodong and Chongshan Town. When placed across the entire Da Rong, these people appear insufficient and inadequate.

Yang Zhenshan pondered for a while and said, “The Six Armies Commander’s Office needs to be reformed; it cannot become a mere formality, and it needs to be effectively utilized.”

“Although the Six Armies Commander’s Office does not have the power to deploy troops, it must have the authority to command them!”

“Yes, strengthen the authority of the Commander’s Office, clearly define the responsibilities of each level of officials. For example, the Left Commander is responsible for commanding, the Right Commander for training troops, and various Deputy Commanders and Assistant Commanders for logistics!”

“The garrison system is already irredeemably corrupt, so simply abolish it. Convert the nine border towns entirely to a recruitment system, and establish garrison and city defense forces in each province. The numbers don’t need to be large, two thousand garrison and city defense forces per province would suffice!”

“Of course, the border town populace still needs military training, but switch it to militia training, organized by local government offices during agricultural off-seasons.”

“Forget it, it’s hard to explain in a short time. I’ll draft you a plan in a couple of days!”

Yang Zhenshan found Da Rong’s systems problematic, especially the garrison system, which imposed excessive demands on military households.

Thus, he intended to seize the opportunity of establishing the new dynasty to completely abolish the garrison system and reorganize all military structures.

However, this matter requires careful consideration, and Yang Zhenshan plans to spend a few days drafting an outline for Yang Chengye.

Yang Zhenshan continued reviewing the list of appointments for the Commander’s Office and said, “Yu Tonghai’s promotion to the Left Commander of the Navy Commander’s Mansion is fine, but replace the others!”

“Zhou Lan as the Left Commander of the Central Army Commander’s Mansion, Qu Changkong as the Left Commander of the Front Army Commander’s Mansion, Guo Ying as the Left Commander of the Rear Army Commander’s Mansion,”

“Liang Shengze as the Left Commander of the Left Army Commander’s Mansion, and Yang Mingwu as the Left Commander of the Right Army Commander’s Mansion!”

“Zhang Luan as the head abbot of the Martial Arts Temple, hmm, elevate the Martial Arts Temple one level to the Military Department, equivalent to the Six Ministries, overseeing local Martial Arts Departments and Martial Arts Pavilions, and establish a Worship Institute, Sect Department, etc., to manage Innate Martial Artists and worldly forces respectively!”

Yang Chengye pondered for a moment and said, “But in this case, wouldn’t all Innate Martial Artists be eligible for official positions?”

Previously, even though Da Rong had Innate Martial Artists in positions of real power, during Emperor Chengping’s reign, their appointments were temporary. It wasn’t until Emperor Yanping’s time that the restrictions on Innate Martial Artists holding official positions were gradually lifted.

This was mainly because many places were no longer under court control, such as Chongshan Town and Beiyuan Town.

It was precisely because the restrictions on Innate Martial Artists holding office were lifted that many border towns became separatist regimes, such as Yunling Town, Anxi Town, Southern Border Town, and Chongshan Town.