Chapter 84 Family Reunion
Two days later, the kiln was opened to obtain charcoal.

As several young men pulled the charcoal out of the charcoal kiln, the results of the first charcoal burning appeared in front of Yang Zhengshan.

Yang Minghao picked at it with a small wooden stick, "Why is there still some that are half burnt?"

“Some of them were even burned to ashes!”

It was a big black pile, but much less than the wood that had gone into it.

Yang Zhengshan also went forward to take a look. This is how charcoal burning works. There will definitely be some losses, and it is also a technical job. How much the loss is depends entirely on the operation during the burning process.

By observing the changes in the color of the exhaust smoke, we can determine the burning condition of the wood inside, and there are also techniques for placing firewood in the charcoal kiln.

Yang Zhengshan was not very familiar with these things, but it didn’t matter, as the saying goes, practice makes perfect.

Yang Zhengshan estimated that about half of the charcoal was consumed this time.

Yang Zhengshan was very satisfied with the results of his first charcoal making.

"Erhu!"

Yang Zhengshan shouted to a man with gray hair on his temples.

"grown ups!"

Li Erhu is a military household in Yinghe Fort. When he was young, he served as a small flag officer. But now he is old, and his eldest son has taken over his position.

"Not bad. From now on, you will be responsible for the work of burning charcoal, and your wages will be 30% more than theirs!" Yang Zhengshan said.

Li Erhu was overjoyed when he heard this, "Thank you for your care!"

"Well, there is no problem with the construction of the charcoal kilns. You can build a few more!"

"Wait a few days, when this place is ready, you can take two more people to Sanshanbao to build a few charcoal kilns!"

Yang Zhengshan ordered.

"Yes!" Li Erhu replied.

Although I don’t have enough experience, I can accumulate it slowly. Yang Zhengshan will be very satisfied if I can gain something.

With the livelihood of burning charcoal, the military households in Yinghebao and Sanshanbao can also earn extra income.

The preliminary plan for poverty alleviation has been completed.

But now he still needs a salesperson to help him sell charcoal in the city.

Yang Zhengshan thought about it and decided to let Luo Shang do the sales.

Although Luo Shang runs a cloth shop, he has been running the business in Guancheng for more than ten years and has some connections. It is better for him to sell charcoal than for Yang Zhengshan to find a stranger.

Of course, Yang Zhengshan couldn't let Luo Shang work for nothing, so he had to give Luo Shang a commission.

After careful consideration, Yang Zhengshan wrote a letter and asked Yang Minghao to deliver it to Luo Shang.

The main market for selling charcoal here is still Chongshanguancheng. Although Yinghebao belongs to Jianningwei, it is more than seventy miles away from Jianningwei, but less than thirty miles away from Guancheng.

……

September 18th.

Soldiers from various garrisons, watchtowers and beacon towers arrived at Yinghe Fort one after another, making the already bustling Yinghe Fort even more lively.

When they received the news of the training, most of the soldiers were nervous. However, when they learned that the government would provide them with meals during the training and that they would be paid according to wartime rations, the soldiers became excited again.

Not having to participate in the war and still being able to get food and wages is an unprecedented good thing.

Therefore, they all came to Yinghe Fort with excitement and anticipation.

However, after the training began, the excitement in their hearts disappeared without a trace in an instant.

The training plan compiled by Yang Zhengshan was really tiring. Even the basic training at the beginning was enough to make these soldiers who neglected training on weekdays suffer.

And because of time constraints, Yang Zhengshan did not reduce the intensity of training at the beginning as he did in Linguanbao.

"Let me tell you, my salary is not that easy to get! If you want to eat your fill and get your salary, don't be afraid of sweating!"

"Since you are here, be prepared to shed blood and tears!"

"During this training, you may get hurt or even die!"

"I'm giving you wartime wages, so you have to treat training the same way you would on the battlefield!"

"If anyone makes a mistake, they will be dealt with according to military regulations. If anyone dares to escape, they will be treated as deserters!"

On the riverbank on the east side of Yinghe Fort, Yang Zhengshan walked between the queues with his hands behind his back, shouting in a cold tone.

Now he no longer needs to take charge of the training himself, but he still has to give a speech on the first day.

Based on the principle of combining kindness with severity, providing meals and distributing food and wages is kindness, while enforcing military law is severity.

These soldiers are different from the soldiers in Linguan Fort.

The soldiers in Linguan Fort were refugees, but they were a group of experienced soldiers.

If we don't treat them harshly, we probably won't be able to scare them.

Yang Zhengshan has already prepared to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys, but he doesn't know when the chicken will jump out.

"Don't tell me you can't bear it!"

"Do you want to become a warrior, do you want to make achievements, do you want to be an official?"

"If you want, then train hard!"

"I want to tell you something today! A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier!"

"I will give you a chance to become an officer during this training. After completing three training sessions, there will be a competition."

"The meeting is divided into cavalry and infantry. The first place can be awarded the rank of centurion, the second to the tenth place can be awarded the rank of trial centurion, and the third to the tenth place can be awarded the general flag."

"Whether you can become an official or not depends on whether you work hard enough."

"Hahaha~~ Soldiers, I am looking forward to your performance!"

Yang Zhengshan left with a big laugh.

All the soldiers on the riverbank were excited.

Be an official?

Who wouldn't?
A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier.

The general was too far away from them, but the centurion, trial centurion and general flag were right in front of them.

"Your Excellency is wise!"

I don't know who shouted this, but then cheers and shouts rang out across the entire riverbank.

"Your Excellency is wise!"

"Your Excellency is wise!"

There were waves of noise, but Yang Zhengshan had already left. "Shut up, shut up!"

"Stand still, everyone!"

Immediately afterwards, the scolding voices of Yang Chengxu and other instructors were heard.

Just as the intensive training was about to begin, Yang Mingcheng escorted more than 20 carts of grain back to Yinghe Fort, and Yang Mingcheng and others came with him.

In the backyard of the government office, Yang Zhengshan finally met his adopted eldest son and youngest daughter again, as well as his eldest daughter-in-law, second daughter-in-law, eldest grandson, second grandson, eldest granddaughter, and three apprentices.

"Son kowtows to father!"

As soon as Yang Mingcheng walked in front of Yang Zhengshan, he knelt down and kowtowed before Yang Zhengshan could say anything.

When he knelt, Wang and Li behind him also knelt, and then they all knelt down in a row.

Yang Zhengshan looked at them, his beard trembling slightly.

Meow!

Why did you kneel down?

Although you are my son and I know you are filial, could you please not kneel down and kowtow to me at every turn?

In the Darong Dynasty, kneeling was not popular.

Even in the court, there is generally no need to kneel. Kneeling is only used during important ceremonies.

As for the common people, there were no clear regulations requiring them to kneel before officials.

Generally, warriors perform the fist-clasping salute, while scholars perform the cupped salute.

Of course, we still have to kneel to Heaven, Earth, the Emperor, our parents and our teachers when it’s time to do so.

It is only right for filial sons and grandsons to kneel down.

But Yang Zhengshan didn’t like it because it made him seem older and of higher seniority.

"Ahem, get up!"

Yang Zhengshan stroked his long beard helplessly.

The beard is getting longer and longer, and the old man’s persona can no longer be lost.

Yang Mingcheng got up from the ground, smiling so hard that his teeth were showing.

"father!"

Yang Zhengshan nodded and glanced at the people behind him.

Wang's face seemed to have grown bigger, like a pancake, and her waist seemed to be developing into a bucket shape, and it looked even bigger than Li's who was seven months pregnant.

Li had also gained some weight, or to be more precise, she had become plumper and not as thin as before.

The youngest daughter Yang Yunxue has grown taller, with her jet-black hair tied in two buns, she looks even cuter!
Lin Zhan, well, this kid seems to be more stable.

Wang Yunqiao has grown taller and fatter, and the baby in her arms is looking at Yang Zhengshan with a pair of big, bright eyes.

"Grandpa! I missed you so much!"

Little Radish-Head Yang Chengye squeezed through the crowd, hugged Yang Zhengshan's legs, raised his head and said aggrievedly.

"Grandpa, I miss you too!" Little boy Yang Chengmao also ran over, blinking his cute big eyes at Yang Zhengshan.

Yang Zhengshan looked at the two older grandsons and complained in his heart: "Grandsons, grandsons! These are all my grandsons!"

After being away from home for half a year, he almost forgot about his two adopted grandchildren. Now that they suddenly appeared, he was a little uncomfortable.

But on the surface he still showed a kind smile, picked up one in each hand and said, "Grandpa misses you too!"

Walking into the main room, he sat on a chair and handed them the maltose that he had prepared long ago.

Suddenly, the main room was filled with a scene of grandchildren playing happily.

"Are you obedient at home?"

"Grandpa, I'm the most obedient!" Yang Chengye is already four years old. He knows what's right for him and behaves very well around Yang Zhengshan.

Yang Chengmao was even more lively. He seemed to find everything new to him. He walked around the main room with his short legs, looking around.

Yang Zhengshan teased his two older grandsons for a while, then brought Yang Wanqing over.

Yang Wanqing is already one year and four months old. The soft and cute little girl looks even cuter.

Yang Zhengshan originally wanted to get close to his eldest granddaughter, but as soon as he held Yang Wanqing in his arms, the eldest granddaughter grabbed his beard.

Yang Zhengshan was not paying attention for a moment and she pulled out several strands of his beard.

Good granddaughter, you actually attacked your grandfather!

Yang Zhengshan gritted his teeth in pain.

"father!"

Seeing him like this, Yang Mingcheng and Wang immediately became nervous.

"This damn girl is so rude, she deserves a beating!" Wang walked forward nervously and was about to hit her daughter.

Yang Zhengshan quickly stopped him, "It's okay, it's okay!"

But Wang's appearance still frightened Yang Wanqing, and she burst into tears.

Suddenly, loud crying was heard in the main room.

Yang Zhengshan raised his eyebrows.

This little girl has a really loud voice!

"Be good girl, don't cry!" Yang Zhengshan coaxed her in a panic.

But the more she coaxed her, the harder the little girl cried, and she even hiccuped from crying.

Yang Zhengshan was completely stumped!

He really likes children, but he has no experience in raising children.

"Eldest wife, come and coax the eldest girl and don't hit her!" Yang Zhengshan had no choice but to ask Wang for help.

Wang was also someone who loved her daughter, but in front of her father-in-law, she was afraid that her daughter would upset him, so she acted so nervous and anxious just now.

Now listening to Yang Zhengshan's words, Wang hurriedly took her daughter in her arms and coaxed her.

She just coaxed the little girl for a short while and she stopped crying.

Yang Zhengshan was a little amused.

This girl doesn't like her grandfather!
That’s right, to this girl, he, as her grandfather, should be a stranger.

More than half a year was enough time for this girl to forget about her grandfather.

(End of this chapter)