Chapter 655 A distinguished guest arrives

In the study of the general's mansion, Yang Chengye and Niu Zhuang sat together, looking at the grain tax collected this year.

"The autumn grain has all been stored, but we still don't have much grain stored, only less than 200,000 stones!" Niu Zhuang rubbed his eyebrows and felt a headache.

In fact, the situation has eased a lot this year. Last year was the most difficult. At that time, Zhou Lan only settled 300,000 refugees and emptied Chongshan Town.

Fortunately, after more than a year of recuperation, the 300,000 refugees have settled down.

Now these one million refugees seem a lot, but in fact many have been settled for more than half a year.

They have passed the most difficult stage. Although they are still poor, they can at least harvest some grain from the land.

But this is only the five prefectures of Longyuan. Longyuan has a total of thirteen prefectures. In addition to Longyuan, there are also two provinces of Longxi and Longnan.

After three years of drought, countless bandits swept through the three provinces of Longyuan, and the population dropped by half, but now the three provinces still have a total population of nearly ten million.

In order to completely solve the problems of the three provinces of Longyuan, Chongshan Town and Beiyuan Town will have to go through several years of hard times.

This was not their responsibility, but now they can't count on anyone, so they can only do it themselves. They can't just watch the remaining people in the three provinces of Longyuan continue to live in dire straits.

"How much silver do we have left?" Yang Chengye looked down at the account book and asked.

"Less than one million! It should be around 930,000 taels!"

Niu Zhuang said in a deep voice: "This silver can't be moved, otherwise it will affect us. It's good that the Chici tribe doesn't cause trouble. Once they provoke a war, we will also need a lot of silver and food!"

Chongshan Town is an important border town, and everything must be considered for war.

Although the Wuliang royal court is now divided, the Chici tribe, Wanggu tribe, Tatar tribe and Ula tribe are defending themselves together and dare not take the initiative to provoke Chongshan Town, but what if?

Chongshan Town must leave enough surplus food to deal with the war that may occur in the future.

"What if we borrow money? Use the money from Chongshan Town to sell bonds!" Yang Chengye said.

His idea was to learn from Yang Zhengshan and sell bonds to borrow money to buy grain.

Niu Zhuang thought about it and said, "It's not difficult to sell bonds, but we have no place to buy grain now!"

"Although Liaodong can still buy some grain, the amount should not be too much! The Li Sheng Dynasty is in a mess, and it is impossible to buy grain from them!"

"The De Sheng Dynasty is also in chaos. A group of daimyo are fighting each other for a share of sea trade."

"As for Jiangnan, don't count on it. Yungui's rebels are almost in Jiangnan. Now Jiangnan probably doesn't have much surplus grain!"

The problem now is not the problem of silver and money, but the chaotic situation.

There is no need to say much about Darong, but the Li Sheng Dynasty and the De Sheng Dynasty are not peaceful either.

Now there is no place to buy grain.

Just when the two were having a headache about food, Luo Bo walked into the study, "My Lord, there is a letter from the old master!"

Yang Chengye was shocked, "Bring it here!"

Luo Bo quickly handed the letter to Yang Chengye, who opened the letter and read it. He was shocked at first, and then showed a strange look.

My uncle ran away to be a traitor?

Yang Zhengshan did not say it in detail in the letter. After all, when the letter was sent out, Yang Mingzhao had not returned to Shenmu Island.

But there was one thing Yang Zhengshan said very clearly, that is, let Yang Chengye gather the power of Chongshan Town and go to Shenmu Island first.

The reason for gathering the power of Chongshan Town is naturally to wait until the news is confirmed before making an action plan. Before things are confirmed, Chongshan Town should not move.

"Is there anything wrong with the old Lord?" Niu Zhuang saw Yang Chengye's strange expression and couldn't help asking.

Yang Chengye shook his head slightly and said, "No, just let me go back for the New Year this year!"

"Is that so! It's already the twelfth lunar month. If I go back for the New Year, I need to set off as soon as possible!" Niu Zhuang did not doubt it, but just followed the voice.

"Well! Let's do this this year. It happens that after I go back this time, I can look at buying food from other places!" Yang Chengye said.

"That's good. There should be a lot of food in the southeast sea area. Maybe I can buy food from there!" Niu Zhuang agreed.

Then the two briefly talked about some things in Chongshan Town, and Yang Chengye returned to his mansion.

His mansion is not big. Although it has a plaque of Jing'an Marquis Mansion, it is actually just a courtyard with four entrances.

When he returned to the mansion, Yu was preparing festival gifts. Today is the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month. The festival gifts must be sent out before the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, mainly the festival gifts from Kyoto. There must be enough time to avoid the festival gifts not being delivered on time.

After Yang Mingcheng left Darong, this kind of interpersonal relationship fell on Yang Chengye's head. Although the Yang family business sometimes gave Yang Zhengshan's holiday gifts to some relatives and friends, some people who were not close to the Yang family but could not be ignored needed Yang Chengye to maintain the relationship.

"Hey, why did you come back so early?"

Seeing Yang Chengye coming back, Yu was a little surprised.

"There was a letter from home. This year we will go to Shenmu Island to celebrate the New Year!" Yang Chengye said.

"Shenmu Island?" Yu didn't know that the Yang family had moved to Shenmu Island.

Yang Chengye smiled and explained: "Grandpa and his family occupied another big island, called Shenmu Island, which is said to be more than 30 times larger than Xingyue Island!"

"Oh!" Yu was not very interested in Shenmu Island. She hesitated and looked at the big box beside her and asked: "What about these?"

Although they have been to Xingyue Island in recent years, to be honest, they have become a little estranged from their family.

"No need to see them off. Pack up. We will set off in three days, otherwise we will miss the New Year!" Yang Chengye said.

Afterwards, the Jing'an Marquis's Mansion fell into a busy period, and all the servants and maids were busy.

It is still far from Chongshan Pass to Shenmu Island, and it is still winter now. The Ying River has frozen and it is impossible to take a boat directly into the sea.

They need to go to Fuzhou City to take a boat and then go south.

Fuzhou City is much closer to Chongshan Town than Tenglongwei is to Chongshan Town, so it is much more convenient to take a sea ship to Fuzhou City.

Yu was busy packing her luggage, and Yang Chengye was busy arranging things in Chongshan Town. This trip would take at least more than two months, and he had to make proper arrangements for Chongshan Town.

And it was also necessary to communicate with the various generals to let them prevent some possible accidents.

In this way, they set off in a hurry to Shenmu Island.

Just when they were about to set off, Chen Mingxi brought Chen Yan to Shenmu Island.

Chen Yan, Chen Zhaoxuan's youngest daughter, is only nine years old this year and is a very quiet girl.

After landing on Shenmu Island, Chen Mingxi held Chen Yan's hand and walked along the Wannian Lake, looking at the green Shenmu City.

It was winter at this time, but Shenmu Island was still warm as spring, with lush vegetation and clusters of flowers.

Although Shenmu City looked a bit simple and could not be compared with the majestic and lively Darong Kyoto, Chen Mingxi looked at the Wannian Banyan tree that was like a hill and felt a little nervous.

She came here to invite Yang Zhengshan back to Darong, but she didn't know whether Yang Zhengshan was willing to return to Darong.

What should she do if Yang Zhengshan didn't want to?

And would Yang Zhengshan put forward some excessive conditions, or would Yang Zhengshan have any rebellious intentions?

This made Chen Mingxi full of uneasiness.

Before they reached Shenmu City, Chen Mingxi saw a figure that was not familiar to her.

Yang Zhengshan came to greet her in person.

And he went out of the city to greet her, which was a great honor.

Yang Zhengshan looked at Chen Mingxi who was walking towards him, his eyes narrowed slightly. To be honest, he did not expect Chen Mingxi to come to Shenmu Island.

However, he had received news from Kyoto that the innate warriors of Sanshan Valley and Cuixia Valley had all left. This news also surprised him, but it was not incomprehensible.

As for the purpose of Chen Mingxi's visit, Yang Zhengshan could guess roughly.

Unfortunately, it was too late!

If Emperor Yanping had sent someone to ask Yang Zhengshan to go back ten years ago, Yang Zhengshan might have been able to go back!

If Chen Zhaojun had remembered him as his master three years ago, he might have helped Darong.

But now, Yang Zhengshan is powerless to save the situation.

As I said before, with the current situation of Darong, it is more difficult to support Darong than to establish a new dynasty on Darong's corpse.

What can Yang Zhengshan do when he returns?

Control the government and become a regent?

It would be better to rebel directly to save trouble.

"I meet His Highness Mingxi!"

Chen Mingxi came close, and Yang Zhengshan stepped forward and saluted.

"I dare not, Mingxi greets the senior!" Chen Mingxi was stunned at first, and hurriedly returned the salute.

Yang Zhengshan looked at Chen Yan'er with a faint smile, "This is Yan'er!"

"Yan'er kowtows to the master!" Chen Yan'er knelt down and kowtowed obediently.

Yang Zhengshan did not refuse, and after accepting her kowtow, he reached out to help her up.

No mistake, one post, one content, one book, one bar, one 6, one 9, one book, one bar, take a look!

Looking at the well-behaved girl, Yang Zhengshan felt a pain in his heart.

The shadow of Chen Zhaoxuan can be seen between the girl's eyebrows, which reminds him of Chen Zhaoxuan's wanton and flamboyant appearance when he was young.

Chen Zhaoxuan was a lively person, but he was also very sincere about martial arts.

Before he became a disciple, he often went to Yang's house, pestering him and asking him for advice.

After he became a disciple, Chen Zhaoxuan went to Yang's house more frequently. Yang Zhengshan said that he would give advice once every five days, but he went almost every day. He was not angry when Yang Zhengshan did not give him advice, and he followed Yang Chengye to the guard camp outside the city to receive training together.

Yang Zhengshan had taught many people, but not many of his disciples were recognized by him, including Lin Zhan, Wang Yunqiao, Wang Mingzhe, and then Chen Zhaoxuan.

Only these four disciples were in his heart.

But Chen Zhaoxuan died, and he was a little sad. Now seeing Chen Zhaoxuan's daughter, he was reminded of his friendship with Chen Zhaoxuan, and he was sad about Chen Zhaoxuan's death.

Yang Zhengshan looked at the child lovingly and said lovingly: "Come, Yan'er is like being at home here, Master, take Yan'er home!"

"Well, thank you, Master!" Chen Yan'er showed a peaceful smile.

She had never seen Yang Zhengshan, but she was not unfamiliar with him, because her father had told her a lot about Master before.

Chen Yan'er looked back at Fang An behind her, and Fang An nodded to her vigorously.

Yang Zhengshan also saw Fang An, and he naturally recognized that this was the little eunuch who followed Chen Zhaoxuan at the beginning.

"Your Highness, please!"

"Senior, please go first!" Chen Mingxi was very humble.

Yang Zhengshan was no longer polite, and took Chen Yan's hand and walked towards the city.

For Chen Mingxi, Yang Zhengshan didn't have too many thoughts. Although Chen Mingxi was of noble status and was also a congenital warrior, Chen Mingxi could only be regarded as a distinguished guest in his place.

For distinguished guests, the Yang family has its own way of treating guests.

Yang Zhengshan led Chen Mingxi to a villa in the city, and then took Chen Yan back to his courtyard.

The person responsible for receiving Chen Mingxi was Liang, and Yang Zhengshan left just after showing his face.

As for Chen Mingxi's purpose, there is no rush. Chen Mingxi came from afar, so he naturally had to take a rest first.

In contrast, Yang Zhengshan's attitude towards Chen Yan'er is closer.

Chen Yan'er had only three followers, Fang An and two maids.

After returning to his yard, Yang Zhengshan looked at Fang An and said, "You come with me, they can go to the next yard first!"

"The yard over there was left for Yan'er, so Yan'er will live there in the future!"

After saying that, he signaled to a maid next to him, and the maid immediately stepped forward and made a gesture of inviting her.

Fang An bowed slightly, first responded to Yang Zhengshan, and then ordered the maid behind him, "You guys go over and clean up first!"

After the maid left, Yang Zhengshan took Chen Yan and Fang An to the tea room.

"Sit down, don't be afraid of Master!"

Yang Zhengshan asked Chen Yan to sit down, and Fang An immediately stepped forward to serve Yang Zhengshan tea and poured water. His movements were smooth and he was not at all reserved or nervous.

Speaking of which, Fang An is also half of Yang Zhengshan's disciple. He has followed Chen Zhaoxuan before, and Yang Zhengshan has also given advice many times.

Moreover, when Yang Zhengshan and Chen Zhaoxuan were having tea, he often served him. Although it had been almost twenty years, he was still cautiously served him, but his master became Chen Yan.

It can be seen that Fang An is still very dedicated to Chen Yan.

"How is Yan'er doing recently?" Yang Zhengshan asked.

Chen Yan looked at Fang An next to him, and Fang An said, "Senior, Your Highness, the princess is living a good life in Kyoto, and you have no worries about food and clothing!"

Yang Zhengshan paused slightly while stroking his beard.

Have no worries about food and clothing?

Just have no worries about food and clothing?

This has many meanings.

"The royal family has not arranged for someone to teach Yan'er?"

Fang An lowered his head, "The court is not good at taking care of His Royal Highness the Princess!"

Yang Zhengshan nodded slightly, and understood what this meant.

Chen Zhaoxuan is already dead. Perhaps Chen Zhaojun still remembers Chen Yan's niece, but at this time he probably didn't have the heart to take care of Chen Yan's little niece.

Now Chen Yan is a little pitiful person who doesn’t love her grandmother and her uncle doesn’t love her. Apart from having a noble identity, there is no other support.

"How about Yan'er staying on Shenmu Island in the future?" Yang Zhengshan looked at Chen Yan.

Chen Yan hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Will Yan'er cause trouble for the master?"

Yang Zhengshan smiled, "You little girl, what trouble can you cause to the master?"

Chen Yan had curved eyebrows and smiled, "As long as the master does not dislike Yan'er, Yan'er is willing to stay!"

Fang An next to him felt relieved when he heard this.

In fact, there are some things he didn't tell Yang Zhengshan that he didn't do. Chen Yan was always fed and dressed in Beijing, but if he had to say how good he was, it wouldn't be.

The court has long been decaying and is not decent, and the inner court in the imperial city is also full of bullshits.

Those eunuchs only care about money when doing business, but Fang An and Chen Yan were penniless when they fled back to Kyoto. He wanted to find someone to do something, but others were perfunctory.

Chen Zhaoxuan is already dead. Although Chen Yan is not bullied by everyone, no one will take her seriously.

That is, Fang An is by her side, otherwise this little pitiful would not know what kind of suffering this little pitiful would have encountered.

Therefore, Fang An did not want Chen Yan to return to Kyoto. In Kyoto, Chen Yan is a little transparent person who no one cares about. Of course, Chen Yan is just an outsider in the Yang family, and it is not easy to integrate into the Yang family.

But Fang An still hopes that Chen Yan can stay in the Yang family because he knows the Yang family and Yang Zhengshan, and knows that Yang Zhengshan and the Yang family will not treat Chen Yan badly.