Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather-Chapter 293 - 284 Red Cloud Has Many Daughters-in-Law

"Since the lord has plans in mind, I will first familiarize myself with the situation of the Liaodong salt industry!"

Luo Shang said gravely.

The interests involved in the official salt trade are not comparable to those of ordinary industries.

This business is different from the previous ventures of the Luo family. Currently, the Luo family is involved in many businesses—fabric shops, embroidery workshops, gold and silver jewelry stores, grain depots, blacksmiths, carpenters, escort agencies, and so on. Although the Luo family deals with many businesses, these are all conventional businesses.

The salt industry, however, is an entirely different sector. Venturing into the salt industry might very well mean risking one’s entire fortune and even life.

Of course, the profits from the salt industry are incomparable to others; if the Luo family could truly establish a foothold in the Liaodong salt industry, both their wealth and status would elevate by several levels.

It’s a risk worth taking.

"Don’t worry, no rush. The salt industry and sea trade are just ideas I have at the moment. If things go quickly, I might try to get involved in the salt industry by next summer. As for sea trade, it might have to wait until the second half of next year, or even the year after!" Yang Zhenshan said.

The Yang family has numerous assets mainly in real estate and properties, and besides these, they also run horse ranches.

But without him, the horse ranches wouldn’t operate the same, and the profits would significantly decrease.

Now that Tenglong Guard isn’t suitable for building a large-scale horse ranch, that’s why Yang Zhenshan has set his sights on the salt industry and maritime trade.

The salt industry needs no further explanation; once started, it’s certainly a business that reaps immense profits.

Maritime trade, on the other hand, involves many more of Yang Zhenshan’s ambitions. The world is vast, and through maritime trade, he wants not only to make money but also to learn about the world beyond Da Rong.

...

Luo Shang stayed in Guard City for three days. During these days, Yang Zhenshan discussed with him numerous times, from the current business of the Luo family, to the salt industry of next year, and then to the future development of Tenglong Guard.

Yang Zhenshan put forward many ideas, and Luo Shang also offered many pieces of advice to Yang Zhenshan.

Now Luo Shang is no longer the small merchant he used to be. Over the years, he has traveled widely and accumulated broad knowledge; on many matters, his insights surpass those of Yang Zhenshan, so his advice is often very pertinent.

Yang Zhenshan is not one to be dictatorial—he is very aware of his strengths and weaknesses.

His strength lies in the memories of his previous life. Having been exposed to a plethora of information in an era of information explosion, he has a different perspective and a more advanced vision than most people in this world.

His weakness is also obvious: while he has high aspirations, his abilities do not match. He only has a general understanding of many things—he can talk the talk, but when it comes to doing, he falls short.

Different worlds have different rules, different environments lead to different changes, and different societies have many unseen and intangible shackles.

Many things don’t turn out well just because you think well of them.

Therefore, Yang Zhenshan never minds receiving advice from others; in fact, he quite enjoys listening to the suggestions of others.

After Luo Shang left, Yang Mingcheng, Yang Mingzhi, and Lu Wenhua also set off to return to Anning County.

With the New Year approaching, it was time to send out New Year’s gifts.

The importance of New Year’s gifts is not in their monetary value but in reciprocation.

Over the years, Yang Zhenshan always paid great attention to sending New Year’s gifts, overseeing each gift sent out annually.

As the Yang family’s wealth increased, the process of gift-giving became increasingly formalized.

Who to send gifts to, how much to give, the value of the gifts, when to send them, and who should be sent to deliver them—all of these things needed to be done according to rules.

For example, back when they were in Yinghe Castle, Yang Zhenshan would give New Year’s gifts to Manager Lu from the Lu family’s grain shop. Now, the Yang family still sends a New Year’s gift to Manager Lu every year, albeit a simple one delivered by a servant.

Every year, Manager Lu would also send a gift to the Yang family, to signify his personal relationship with them.

As for the Lu family, that represents the relation between the two families, and every year, it is Yang Mingcheng who delivers the gifts when he returns to Anning County.

For distant places like the Capital City’s Liu Mansion, due to the long journey, Yang Zhenshan merely arranges for a servant of some significance to deliver the New Year’s gift.

However, this year is different. The Yang family now has a relative in the Capital City—Changping Marquis Mansion.

It is Yunxue’s first year after her marriage, and the New Year’s gift must be more substantial to uphold her dignity.

In the main hall, Yang Zhenshan reviewed the list of gifts prepared by Ms. Wang.

The plump Ms. Wang stood next to him, chuckling innocently, "Dad, I procured two pieces of white fox fur some time ago, initially intended for you and mother. However, mother thought the white fox fur was too extravagant, so we included it in this list of gifts!"

White fox fur is a rare and precious fur, and a complete piece can be worth hundreds of Silver. The key point is that even if you want to buy it, it might not be available—it’s all about luck.

Now Ms. Wang is quite generous; she spends hundreds of Silver without batting an eye, not thinking that white fox fur is a luxury.

Yang Zhenshan turned to Yu Qingyi and asked, "You don’t like it?"

Holding Little Ming Zhao, Yu Qingyi said, "That thing is too flamboyant for me; how can I use it at my age?"

The snow-white fox fur might look lovely, but unfortunately, it is not suitable for her age.

Yang Zhenshan understood this and said no more.

If it were for himself, he wouldn’t care about these things, but Yu Qingyi was different; she is a person from this world, her thoughts, and concepts are subtly governed by the customs and traditions of this world.

Looking at the list of gifts, Yang Zhenshan felt that what Ms. Wang had prepared was very comprehensive, that everything that could be given was given.

But as an old father, Yang Zhenshan felt something was missing.

"Add fifty jars of Hundred Herbs Brew. Oh, and include the Xinyang Maojian Tea and Yun Brocade brought by Manager Luo a few days ago as well!"

"Is Yunxue’s horse still being raised at home? It would be convenient to send it along, and also pick two good horses to present to the Marquis and my son-in-law!"

The children of the Yang family each have their own horses, every one being a carefully reared fine steed. Although Yang Zhenshan couldn’t move An Yuan City’s horse farm over, bringing several dozen horses was not a problem.

Therefore, the Yang family now has a special courtyard for breeding horses.

"Oh right, that little Red Cloud foal..."

"Master! Didn’t you say that you’re keeping that horse for Chengye?" Yu Qingyi couldn’t help but interrupt Yang Zhenshan.

Others might be dismissible, but that little Red Cloud foal is no ordinary fine horse.

The name Little Red Cloud might sound common, but its significance is anything but ordinary, for its red comes from Red Cloud.

Red Cloud is undoubtedly the strongest warhorse among all the battle steeds of the Yang family.

Since the Yang family breeds horses, naturally, they must match mares with sires, and Red Cloud, as the best horse they have, is naturally part of this breeding process.

Hmm, Red Cloud has had quite a few ’wives’, and even more mares have been covered by him.

The lineage of Red Cloud is indeed excellent; even without the nourishment of Spiritual Spring Water, all of its descendants would grow to be top-quality horses.

However, if one were to ask which among Red Cloud’s offspring is the finest foal, it would undoubtedly be Little Red Cloud.

With a jujube-red coat, fiery red mane, robust physique, and spirited gaze, every aspect confirms Little Red Cloud has inherited the finest genes from Red Cloud.

Moreover, Yang Zhenshan also adores Little Red Cloud and often feeds him personally.

Feeding the horse personally, of course, means providing it special treatment.

So although Little Red Cloud is only one year old, it appears much taller and more formidable than other colts of the same age.

Being interrupted by Yu Qingyi, Yang Zhenshan awkwardly touched his nose.

Alright, he had only been thinking about his youngest daughter and forgot his eldest grandson.

Especially since Ms. Wang was still standing here, it was somewhat embarrassing.

"Right, right, right, I remember now; Little Red Cloud is for Chengye."

Yang Zhenshan looked up at Ms. Wang, who still had a smile on her face, seemingly unconcerned about the ownership of Little Red Cloud.

In fact, Ms. Wang truly wasn’t concerned about a single horse; after all, the Yang family had so many horses that one less wouldn’t make a difference.

As for competing, there was even less need for that. As the first daughter-in-law of the Yang family and the mother to the eldest grandson, she had nothing to contend for.

As long as she didn’t make mistakes, as long as her son was promising, she had nothing to worry about.

It must be said, Ms. Wang had a very clear-sighted view.

Perhaps it is because of her clarity that over the years she has earned the recognition of everyone in the Yang family.

Whether it be the Li family or the Liang Family, these two sisters-in-law, or Yunyan and Yunxue, these two younger sisters-in-law, they all hold great respect for her, the eldest sister-in-law.

Both Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyi also greatly acknowledge this daughter-in-law. Although Yu Qingyi is the matriarch of the Yang family, many household affairs are managed by Ms. Wang.

Especially after Yu Qingyi became pregnant, the managerial power of the Yang family’s inner courtyard was all handed over to Ms. Wang.

And now, Yu Qingyi has no intention of taking back the managerial power.

With a capable eldest daughter-in-law, she, as the mother-in-law, could afford some leisure and have more time to spend with her son.

"Let’s settle it this way then. Make the arrangements, and have Ming Hao set off for the Capital City tomorrow!" instructed Yang Zhenshan.

"Alright, Dad, I’ll take care of it right away!" Ms. Wang responded with a cheerful smile.

After Ms. Wang left, as Yang Zhenshan was playing with Little Ming Zhao, Wu Hai stood at the door and said, "Master, there’s a visitor asking to see you!"

Yang Zhenshan could only hand Little Ming Zhao back to Yu Qingyi and walk out of the main hall, inquiring, "Who has come?"

With the end of the year approaching, there would undoubtedly be many visitors, so Yang Zhenshan was not surprised.

"Master, this is the visiting card!"

Yang Zhenshan opened the visiting card as he walked toward the front courtyard.

When he saw the name on the visiting card, his steps faltered slightly.

Hall Master Luo Jingsong of Yuheng Star Hall!

Yang Zhenshan was surprised.

What could this person want?

He thought for a moment, then continued towards the front courtyard, and soon he arrived at the main hall of the front courtyard.

At this time, Luo Jingsong was sitting in the middle of the hall, and Wu Hai had already arranged for the servants to serve tea.

Seeing Yang Zhenshan enter, Luo Jingsong quickly stood up, "Humble citizen Luo Jingsong greets General Yang!"

Yang Zhenshan’s expression changed slightly; self-identifying as a humble citizen meant that he probably wasn’t here for revenge or to raise a grievance.

But that makes sense, the Seven Stars Hall, no matter how arrogant, wouldn’t dare to act recklessly at the government office, otherwise the court would never tolerate them.