Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 974: Chapter 687: The Disliked Chen Buyu (Part 2)

Now, the river formed by the Spiritual Spring Water in the space is large enough for boats to sail on.

Upon hearing Yang Zhenshan’s words, Chen Buyu felt a bit embarrassed.

These words sounded somewhat dismissive.

Well, Yang Zhenshan indeed held some disdain for Chen Buyu, and also for Wu Zheng.

Wu Zheng, this old bachelor, never married or had children in his life.

Look at Wu Zhan now, surrounded by grandchildren, while Wu Zheng is still alone.

For this reason, Yu Qingyi, as his senior sister, often worried about Wu Zheng. However, Wu Zheng simply did not want to marry, and Yu Qingyi could do nothing about it.

In fact, it’s not uncommon for Jianghu Martial Artists not to marry. Many people spend half their life in the worldly society only to end up alone.

Those without children often take disciples to carry on their legacy.

Previously, Wu Zheng had never taken a disciple; Chen Buyu was his first.

Well, even if there’s a bit of a gap, at least there’s a disciple now.

Thinking this way, Yang Zhenshan flipped his hand over and took out some Elixir to hand to him.

“These elixirs are a meeting gift from your Martial Uncle. Work hard in your cultivation and don’t let down your master’s reputation!”

“Also, in the future, you can follow your master to Divine Wood Island to receive your salary!”

Chen Buyu was confused; he didn’t understand what Yang Zhenshan meant by his words.

However, Ma Yan quickly reacted, gave him a shove, and reminded him, “Why don’t you quickly thank the lord!”

Chen Buyu came to his senses and hurriedly bowed, “Thank you Martial Uncle for the reward!”

Yang Zhenshan nodded and then turned to Ma Yan, asking, “What are Ming Zhao’s plans?”

Ma Yan quickly replied, “Mr. Si is handing over the military affairs of the Taiping Army to Marquis Wuding. Once things are arranged on the Bashu side, he will return to Divine Wood Island! Mr. Si said he misses his children and won’t come to the Capital City anymore!”

Marquis Wuding, Guo Ying, was efficient. After surrendering to Da’an, he promptly handed over Yunling Town, and Yang Chengye has already sent officials to take over Yunling Town. As compensation and to appease the Guo family, Yang Chengye let Guo Ying take over the Taiping Army.

The Guo family is already on the way back to the Capital City, along with many other families and nobles.

Families like the Zhou family and the Liang family are also preparing to move back, although they have left quite a few members on Divine Wood Island.

During this period, the Capital City is gradually regaining its former prosperity. Although it cannot yet compare to twenty years ago, it has brought new life to this disaster-stricken city.

As for Yang Mingzhao’s choice, Yang Zhenshan did not interfere, as it was discussed between Yang Chengye and him.

Since Yang Mingzhao was willing to leave everything behind and return to Divine Wood Island, he should be allowed to return.

Then Yang Zhenshan asked a few more questions and let Ma Yan and Chen Buyu leave.

After leaving the study, Chen Buyu let out a heavy breath.

“The old Marquis is terrifying!”

“Terrifying?” Ma Yan asked, puzzled. He had been too busy being happy earlier.

“That aura, just standing next to him, I could feel a heavy pressure!” Chen Buyu said with lingering fear.

Ma Yan thought about it, “Well, the old Marquis is quite kind.”

Servants like them, belonging to the Yang family, found Yang Zhenshan kind and amiable.

Although there are many rules in the Yang family, and the family law is strict, Yang Zhenshan has never lost his temper with the servants and sometimes even gives them pointers on cultivation.

Thus, the servants deeply respect and love Yang Zhenshan, seeing him as a kindly old man.

In comparison, Yang Mingcheng has a much more authoritative presence within the household.

Yang Mingcheng is honest and likes to work methodically. He used to help Yu Qingyi manage the household, and if any servants made mistakes, Yang Mingcheng would be the one ensuring the punishment was carried out.

Therefore, the Yang family servants have a bit more reverence for this eldest master of the Yang family.

Additionally, both Yang Mingzhi and Yang Minghao are viewed by the servants as quite serious, far less approachable than Yang Zhenshan.

Recalling Yang Zhenshan’s words earlier, Chen Buyu asked, “By the way, what did the old Marquis mean when he said I can follow my master to receive my salary on Divine Wood Island?”

Ma Yan laughed, “That’s a good thing, haha. It’s a cultivation salary, not an ordinary salary!”

“Cultivation salary? What does that mean?” Chen Buyu still didn’t get it.

Ma Yan explained, “It’s like this: your cultivation reaches a certain level, and you can receive the respective cultivation salary.”

“You’re at the Postnatal Seventh Layer, which allows you to receive the Postnatal Seventh Layer’s cultivation salary: six jars of wine and three pounds of Dongling Spring each year!”

Chen Buyu blinked, “Just these?”

Ma Yan gave him a look that said ‘don’t underestimate this,’ and explained, “That’s right, these aren’t just any wine and tea, but cultivation resources!”

“They have effects that strengthen the body, heal hidden injuries, and long-term use can even enhance one’s cultivation!”

“Moreover, this is just the Postnatal Seventh Layer’s cultivation salary. The higher your cultivation, the more you receive. Later on, there are even Spirit Fruits!”

“But you must keep the cultivation salary confidential, don’t tell anyone.”

“The old Marquis allowed you to receive the cultivation salary because of Lord Wu’s influence. No outsiders have ever been allowed to receive the Yang family’s cultivation salary before!”

“Also, this means you can settle on Divine Wood Island in the future.”

Chen Buyu pondered, “I see!”

He hadn’t thought about settling on Divine Wood Island; he was quite content with his current situation.

Now, he is a first-class Lord Taiping in Da’an, a hereditary Earl; having moved from being a mere military household to a new dynasty noble, what more could Chen Buyu want?

As for other ambitions, honestly, Chen Buyu didn’t have many lofty aspirations.

Back then, Chen Buyu wanted to rebel mainly because he had no other choice; he didn’t want to remain a mountain bandit and aimed for a grand venture, thinking that living boldly was better than a mundane existence.

Additionally, he despised those officials and pitied the common people, wishing to bring about some change for them.

Thus, he encouraged Yang Mingzhao to rebel.

But now, he has achieved success and fame, and he no longer harbors such desires.

Simply put, Chen Buyu is somewhat short-sighted without much ambition.

“So where are we off to next?” Chen Buyu asked.

Ma Yan thought for a moment and said, “Let’s report to the Ministry of War first, then we can head to the Imperial City to meet the young lord. But I’m not sure if the young lord will see us!”

“Also, you don’t have a residence yet, so we might need to visit the Ministry of Rites. This time, the new titles are rewarded with mansions; you should have an Earl Mansion. The Ministry of Rites should have arrangements.”

After Yang Chengye arrived in the Capital City, many residences within this vast city fell into his hands. He wouldn’t touch those with owners, such as the Duke Ning Mansion and Changping Marquis Mansion. However, some mansions became ownerless or their owners fled the Capital City.

Yang Chengye bestowed them upon the nobles of the new dynasty.

For example, the Duke Shou Mansion of Wang He was given to Han Fei by Yang Chengye, which became the Duke Cheng Mansion. The Duke An Mansion became the Duke Qing Mansion, and the Duke Rong Mansion became the Duke Changguo Mansion.

Although Yang Chengye granted many noble titles at once, the number of nobles in the Da’an New Dynasty is far fewer than in Da Rong before.

Currently, many mansions remain vacant in the Capital City. Yang Chengye has no shortage of large houses.

Additionally, Yang Chengye does not lack Silver. The silver seized by the Da Liang army, amounting to two or three billion taels, is all in his possession.

However, the new dynasty now lacks grain, and the Yang family’s business has been actively assisting the new dynasty in purchasing grain from the Ten Thousand Miles Sea Domain.