Chapter 90: Preparing for the New Year’s Gifts
“Father, when are we sending out the New Year’s gifts this year?” Yang Mingcheng asked in the afternoon.
“New Year’s gifts!” Yang Zhengshan thought to himself. It was already the twelfth month, and they should start preparing the gifts soon. Yang Zhengshan mentally calculated the list of relatives they needed to send gifts to, including the Wang, Li, Jiang, Liang, and Lu families. These families didn’t require overly expensive gifts, just a token of goodwill. However, there were a few families that needed more substantial gifts.
Yang Zhengshan instructed Yang Mingcheng to prepare the gifts and visit the Liang family personally. He also asked him to send some cloth to his elder sister and inquire about Jiang Hua’s willingness to come and welcome the New Year.
Yang Yuyan, one of Yang Zhengshan’s siblings, was often ignored. This was unavoidable, as Yang Yuyan was already married, and Yang Zhengshan couldn’t show favoritism. Jiang Hua was still young, only nineteen years old, and had just started practicing martial arts. Although he couldn’t join the military, he could help Yang Mingcheng manage the Yang family’s business.
Yang Zhengshan also instructed Yang Mingcheng to discuss with the clan leader and visit County Magistrate Luo Jin, as he had arranged a touring inspector position for Minghui. They had to prepare a substantial gift, no matter what.
As for the Lu family, Yang Zhengshan asked Yang Mingcheng to purchase some furs and precious medicine in Guan Cheng and send them over, even if they might not be able to appreciate the gifts. Yang Zhengshan was aware that the Lu family’s cultural background was shallow, and they didn’t have much to offer in terms of gifts.
Yang Zhengshan handed Yang Mingcheng five hundred silver taels to handle the gift-giving. Giving more gifts meant receiving more in return, and Yang Zhengshan didn’t want to take advantage.
Yang Mingcheng and his father went to Guan Cheng that afternoon, accompanied by over a dozen cavalrymen. They rode their horses and reached the Mountain Pass Fortress, where Yang Zhengshan visited Yang Chengze, who was in charge of recruiting refugees. Yang Chengze was only seventeen years old, and Yang Zhengshan allowed him to take a break and visit his family.
Yang Zhengshan and Yang Mingcheng divided their tasks the next morning. Yang Zhengshan bought some snacks and half a sheep at the bakery and butcher, respectively, and then visited the Luo family, giving them a New Year’s gift. He also visited the Lu family’s grain store and gave them a gift. Although these two families weren’t important, they had helped Yang Zhengshan a lot over the past year, and he wanted to show his appreciation personally.
After visiting these two families, Yang Zhengshan started preparing the gift for General Zhou Lan. What should he give her? Yang Zhengshan was stumped. Most women liked jewelry, but General Zhou Lan wasn’t an ordinary woman, and Yang Zhengshan rarely saw her wear any accessories.
As he walked along the street, Yang Zhengshan asked Song Dashan, “What do you think we should give General Zhou Lan?” Song Dashan was originally a small-flag officer at the fire beacon tower and was now the captain of Yang Zhengshan’s personal guard. He was around thirty years old, tall and sturdy, and had a martial arts background.
Yang Zhengshan and Song Dashan walked along the streets, visiting over ten shops, but couldn’t find the right gift. Finally, they came across a bookshop, which was a rare find in Chong Shan Town. Yang Zhengshan had an idea and walked into the shop.
The bookshop was decorated in an ancient style and had a rich history. Yang Zhengshan browsed through the shelves, looking at the various books on martial arts, medicine, and other subjects. He found a few rare books on swordplay and asked the shopkeeper about the prices. If they weren’t too expensive, he would buy them.
Yang Zhengshan’s eyes lit up when he saw a book on the “Thirty-Six Stratagems.” He had an idea and asked the shopkeeper if they had this book. The shopkeeper didn’t recognize the title, and Yang Zhengshan realized that this book didn’t exist in this world. He had an epiphany – he could create his own military strategy book, combining modern military strategies with the “Thirty-Six Stratagems” and other ancient Chinese military tactics.
Yang Zhengshan’s eyes sparkled as he thought about the possibilities. He swept through the bookshop, buying up all the military strategy books he could find, a total of six books.
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