Chapter 17: Chapter 16 Yes, You Were Adopted Chapter 17: Chapter 16 Yes, You Were Adopted Near evening, Yang Zhenshan returned to the Yang family home.
The Yang family was still bustling. The matter with the Jiang family village had ended, and all the young lads from Yang Family Village had returned.
Yang Chengze, Yang Chengxu, and Yang Qinwu, having nothing else to do, came over to the Yang family to practice their martial arts.
But today, there was one more person; Yang Minghao had also come back.
“Dad!” Yang Minghao saw Yang Zhenshan, pouted, and looked aggrieved.
Yang Zhenshan was slightly stunned when he saw him, “Why have you come back?”
“I missed home!” Yang Minghao said, feeling wronged.
How could he not feel wronged?
It was only upon returning home that he realized the family was living well now, not only was there meat at every meal, but his older brothers had also resumed their martial arts training.
And him?
He was hammering iron at the blacksmith shop every day, laborious and tired, without any meat to eat.
Thinking about the hardships he endured, and then comparing them to the good days at home, he really wanted to ask Yang Zhenshan if he was adopted.
If he really did ask that, Yang Zhenshan would definitely say, yes, you were picked up, not just you, this entire house was picked up by me, what about it!
Well, Yang Zhenshan really did forget about this youngest son, except for the first trip to the county town where he saw this son, and afterward, he never thought of him.
Don’t blame him, with so many people in the family, it’s normal to overlook someone.
Yang Mingcheng and Yang Mingzhi were at least nearby, he couldn’t overlook them if he wanted to, but Yang Minghao was always in the county town, out of sight and out of mind.
“It’s good that you are back, no need to go to the blacksmith shop anymore!” Yang Zhenshan didn’t mind Yang Minghao’s grievances, pretending not to see them, and simply said.
“Really!” Yang Minghao, hearing this, immediately brightened up.
“Mhm, practice your martial arts well and strive to become a Martial Artist as soon as possible.” Yang Zhenshan said.
Driving one sheep is the same effort as driving two, adding Yang Minghao to the lot didn’t make much difference.
But the house was getting more crowded, Yang Minghao could only share a room with Lin Zhan, and if there were one more, they would have to move into his main house.
It seems that they would need to build a bigger house next year.
Yang Zhenshan thought to himself.
Before, he didn’t have such thoughts, but after seeing the large courtyard of the Lu family, he was inspired.
But whether he could move into a bigger house depended on whether the county government would give him the reward silver.
The county government was quite credible, or it should be said that Mr. Luo, the County Magistrate, was very true to his word. Four days after the Jiang family village encountered bandits, Yang Zhenshan received the reward silver from the county government—not a tael less than 300 taels was handed to Yang Zhenshan.
The person who came to deliver the reward silver was none other than Yang Zhenshan’s brother-in-law, Lu Zhaoqi.
Inside the main hall of the Yang family, Lu Zhaoqi looked with interest at everyone practicing martial arts in the courtyard.
“This place has become much livelier than before.”
Yang Zhenshan brewed a pot of tea with a newly bought teapot and said, “I’ve recovered from my injury, and the Clan Leader intends to have me get more involved with the clan’s affairs, and those few lads are the ones the Clan Leader sent over!”
Lu Zhaoqi nodded slightly, then sized up Yang Zhenshan, looking at the white hairs at his temples, and said, “You’ve aged quite a bit since I last saw you!”
“…”
Yang Zhenshan’s lips twitched slightly.
Can we not talk about being old, or saying we are good brothers, because brings up an urge to beat someone up.
Yang Zhenshan has aged a decade, he admits that now, but being suddenly reminded of it fills his heart with frustration and depression, wanting to grab Lu Zhaoqi’s ear and shout, “I am only twenty-eight years old, still a young man.”
Unfortunately, he can’t.
“We’ve gotten old, our children have grown up!” What else could Yang Zhenshan say? He could only change the topic to his children, as he didn’t want to continue racing down the topic of age.
“I hear Wenyuan is doing quite well in his studies!”
When his own younger son was mentioned, Lu Zhaoqi immediately showed a proud expression, “Haha, Wenyuan indeed excels; the teacher at the academy said he has a high chance of passing the College Examination next year!”
“The College Examination requires traveling to the prefectural city, right?” asked Yang Zhenshan as he poured some tea.
“Yes! We need to set off in May,” Lu Zhaoqi said.
Yang Zhenshan smiled and said: “At that time, I’ll let Ming Cheng accompany him, it’s better to have someone looking out for him.”
Lu Zhaoqi took a sip of his tea, the faint fragrance of the tea circulating in his mouth, “Wenchun accompanying him will be enough!”
“Haha, since Ming Cheng has practiced Martial Arts, having him for protection will give you peace of mind,” Yang Zhenshan remarked.
The Yang family and the Lu family are indeed true relatives. Since they are relatives, it’s natural to be closer, exchanging courtesies, and helping each other; that is what relatives are for.
From Anning County to Jing’an Prefecture, the journey covers over two hundred miles, not to mention the dangers, even just discussing the transport conditions, a journey of over two hundred miles takes at least three to four days, it’s not easy to travel without someone looking out.
Actually, Yang Zhenshan also wanted to follow them to the prefectural city, but thinking that there’s still over half a year until the College Examination, he couldn’t confirm his plans now.
If suitable by then, he would personally make the trip, and if he didn’t have the time, he would ask Yang Mingcheng to go with them.
“Then I’ll not be polite, and trouble Ming Cheng to make the trip then!” Lu Zhaoqi stopped declining and accepted Yang Zhenshan’s kind offer.
Then he changed the tone of the conversation, saying: “Regarding seeking an official position, Dad has already spoken to me.”
“You killed Scarred Liu, and Mr. Luo was very pleased, he even summoned me alone to inquire about your situation.”
“However, as for obtaining an official position, there’s probably no chance for now. There are only a few ranked positions in the county government, with each filled spot tightly occupied, no one stepping down means no chance for you to step in.”
“If you just want to work at the county government, it shouldn’t be too difficult, positions like Government Official, Post Station Chief’s Cavalry, I can help you get a good spot!”
It’s not that he’s unwilling to help Yang Zhenshan, but he simply can’t.
He is just a record officer, without any rank, how can he secure an official position for Yang Zhenshan?
Yang Zhenshan felt somewhat disappointed upon hearing this, but his disappointment soon dissipated, “If it can’t be done, then let it be. As for roles like Government Official, I’m not interested.”
What he wanted was a ranked official position, not those insignificant ones.
These lower roles, though granting some minor power and income, also confined his freedom.
Instead of wasting time on those, he would rather genuinely strengthen his own capabilities in Yang Family Village, nurture the younger generation of his family, and wait for the right opportunity.
He believed that as long as his abilities were strong enough, and the younger generation of his family excelled, a future chance to rise would definitely present itself.
“Don’t be too disappointed, your name is now listed under Mr. Luo, and you might be summoned and utilized by Mr. Luo at any moment,” Lu Zhaoqi consoled.
He was right, Mr. Luo did indeed remember Yang Zhenshan, but whether Mr. Luo would help Yang Zhenshan secure a position depended on whether Mr. Luo truly valued him.
Judging from the fact Mr. Luo hadn’t summoned Yang Zhenshan, it seemed he didn’t particularly value him, only showing interest due to Scarred Liu’s death.
This was within expectations, as Yang Zhenshan, despite being a Martial Artist, was merely considered a commoner in Mr. Luo’s eyes, not someone to keep continuously in mind.