Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 133 Is Yang Can a Mohist?
"Reporting to your Excellency, our two subordinates have been in Wuzhou for more than ten days..."

One of the spies clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, about to speak in detail, when his gaze inadvertently swept over Zhao Tengyun and Liu Bo standing beside Yu Rui, and his voice suddenly stopped.

Yu Rui smiled knowingly and said loudly, "Commander Zhao and Mr. Liu are the people I trust most. You can say whatever you want without any worries."

As he spoke, he dismounted, tossed the reins to a servant who came out quickly, and added, "Let's talk inside the hall; it's windy outside."

After saying that, he grabbed Zhao Tengyun and Liu Bo, who were trying to walk away to avoid suspicion, and said in a way that left no room for refusal, "You two come in with me, and you can also hear this news."

The three walked side by side up the stone steps into the mansion, while their attendants led the horses behind them, turning towards the stables in the side courtyard.

They passed through several courtyards paved with bluestone slabs, and soon arrived at the hall of "Black Water Pavilion".

Three braziers of charcoal burned in the corner of the hall, the charcoal glowing red and crackling softly, making the room warm and cozy.

Yu Rui walked to the head seat and sat down, while Liu Bo and Zhao Tengyun sat down on the chairs on either side.

The servants quickly brought hot tea, the celadon teacups steaming.

Yu Rui, not even bothering to drink his tea, hurriedly asked, "Now you can tell me, what exactly did you find out on your trip to Wuzhou?"

The scout on the left immediately stepped forward and respectfully said, "Young master, we have been inquiring in teahouses, wine shops, and markets inside and outside Wuzhou City for more than ten days."

But we searched the entire city of Wuzhou and never heard of a poor scholar named Ding Hao who had an affair with the Luo family's daughter and was subsequently executed along with his entire family.

He paused, then said, "I think that perhaps such private matters of the wealthy are too secretive for ordinary people to know."

So the two subordinates visited Wuzhou City and its surrounding counties, asking only if there was any news of a family surnamed Ding being wiped out.

However, after their investigation, the two subordinates found no news of such a tragedy in the past twenty years.

As for twenty years ago, I thought it was too far in the past, so I didn't inquire in detail..."

Yu Rui listened with his eyes lowered, his fingertips gently stroking the rim of the teacup.

He pondered to himself that Yang Can was only in his early twenties. If there really was a blood feud that wiped out his family, it couldn't possibly be something that happened twenty years ago.

This Yang Can was indeed no ordinary scholar from a poor family in Jiangnan, and Yu Rui's mood immediately brightened.

Yu Rui nodded and smiled, "I understand. Remember not to tell anyone about this. Go to the accounting office to collect your reward."

"Thank you, young master!" The two spies were overjoyed and quickly bowed before cautiously retreating.

As the door closed, only Yu Rui, Zhao Tengyun, and Liu Bo remained in the Blackwater Pavilion.

Yu Rui could no longer hide his smile; first, the corners of his lips turned up slightly, and finally, he burst into laughter.

"Hahaha... Yang Can, no matter how well you hid it, your fox tail has finally been revealed!"

Zhao Tengyun and Liu Bo exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with confusion.

Zhao Tengyun cupped his hands and asked, "Is this Yang Can you speak of, young master? Is he the eldest son's steward who is currently enjoying great influence under the clan leader?"

Yu Rui smiled and said, "That's right, it's this person."

Liu Bo asked, puzzled, "This man does have some skills, improving plows and repairing waterwheels. He's a promising talent, but surely he doesn't deserve your attention, young master?"

"Oh, no, no."

Yu Rui waved his hand and laughed even more happily: "Commander Zhao, Mr. Liu, you two don't know this, but I have already subdued Yang Can."

Now... he's also a resident of our Dailai City.

"What?" Zhao Tengyun and Liu Bo exclaimed in unison, their faces immediately lighting up with joy.

They were retainers of the Dailai lineage. The more people who submitted to Dailai City, the stronger Dailai City became, and the brighter their future would naturally be.

Yang Can's importance to the entire Yu Clan is not particularly significant, but he is the most promising figure under the clan leader in the past two years.

This person actually secretly pledged allegiance to Dailai City. Doesn't this prove that the clan leader's fate is sealed and the future of the Dailai lineage is bright?

The two men quickly cupped their hands in congratulations: "Young master, congratulations!"

Yu Rui waved his hand and said, "If that's all there is to it, although it's a joyous occasion, it's not worth me showing off to you."

The real reason is that Yang Can has another mysterious, unknown identity!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Tengyun and Liu Bo were both taken aback, their curiosity piqued.

A mysterious identity? What kind of identity deserves the word "mysterious"?

Liu Bo couldn't help but ask, "Young master, do you know what other mysterious identity this person has? If it's inconvenient..."

"Both of you are trusted confidants of my father and me. What secrets do you have that you cannot speak of?"

Yu Rui interrupted him, smiled smugly, and said with great certainty, "Yang Can is indeed a disciple of the Mo Sect."

Zhao Tengyun and Liu Bo were core members and trusted retainers of the Dailai lineage. Even if they hadn't been there by chance, Yu Rui wouldn't have been wary of them.

Moreover, they happened to be there at that time, so it would be inappropriate to hide it any longer.

Moreover, Yu Rui felt that telling them about this would not only show that he trusted them enough, but also let them see the potential of Dailai City, thus making them more loyal to Dailai City.

This is similar to Yu Xinglong's public pronouncements that the Xianbei Bali tribe had submitted to him.

"Disciples of the Mo Sect?" Zhao Tengyun and Liu Bo were truly astonished this time.

The Mohist school was a renowned and prestigious name among the various schools of thought during the Hundred Schools of Thought period.

Although the Mohists have declined and split into three factions, most of them are skilled in practical knowledge and are highly organized and disciplined.

How could a disciple of such a mysterious sect stoop to serve Dailai City and become dependent on our young master?

Zhao Tengyun was overjoyed and asked, "Young Master, is this really true?"

Yu Rui said with a smile, "If you ask him directly, he will naturally not admit it."

Yu Rui took a sip of tea and said smugly, "However, based on the information I have, it's pretty much true."

Zhao Tengyun said happily, "Haha, then congratulations, young master!"

Liu Bo clapped his hands repeatedly in praise, seemingly delighted that Dailai City had gained another great general.

But a complex light flickered in his gentle eyes.

Yang Can is actually a member of the Mo Sect?
So, is he Qin Mo or Chu Mo?
Yes, this person improved the plow and waterwheel. Since he is proficient in mechanical engineering, he is most likely one of Qin Mo's men!

Could it be that Qin Mo Juzi also realized that Confucianism had become the dominant religion in the Central Plains, making it difficult for them to realize their lifelong ambitions, so he decided to move to Longshang?

Qin Mo and I, Qi Mo, have always been at odds. If Qin Mo also chooses to join the Yu family, they will inevitably clash with us, Qi Mo, in the future...

No, I need to inform my son about this as soon as possible!

……

The old manager of Kunlun Inn had eyes that had been worn down by the years to be sharper than a thief's; even if you were dressed in gold and jade, he could tell at a glance how many copper coins you had in your pocket.

The moment the owner, Yang Can, met this young lady Pan, the old shopkeeper noticed the unusual charm hidden in her eyes and brows.

So the old shopkeeper gave a signal and sent all the waiters and Hu Nu, who were waiting to curry favor, away.

Yang Can wanted to host a banquet for Madam Pan at the Kunlun Hui Inn, but the old manager was puzzled about what dishes to prepare.

Kunlun Huizhan is not a restaurant. In this snowy and cold winter, if you send someone to order food at a restaurant, even if the food box is wrapped up tightly, by the time the food is brought back, the heat will probably have dissipated.

But if he were to cook it himself, there really weren't any skilled chefs at the inn. After thinking it over, he actually came up with a solution: to eat "Jiaodouzhu".

As long as the ingredients are good, you don't really need any special cooking skills.

So the old shopkeeper immediately sent his assistant to buy vegetables and meat, and Ms. Hu tidied up a room to serve as a private room for drinking, and a jar was placed on the square table.

The way of eating "Jiaodou" is very similar to the hot pot of later generations. The Jiaodou is made of brass, with a deep belly and round bottom, and three short legs, which are placed on the charcoal brazier.

The old shopkeeper first added a few pieces of high-quality smokeless charcoal to the charcoal brazier, then placed the copper simmering basin on top, filled it with clear well water, and sprinkled in a few peppercorns and galangal.

Once the water started to bubble, the mutton bones, which had already been blanched in boiling water to remove the blood and foam, were put into the water.

The meat wasn't to be eaten right away; it was meant to be used to make broth. Only after the fat had rendered out did the old shopkeeper go to invite the owner and Madam Pan.

In the snow shed in the backyard, a martial arts master from Huizhan, who was most skilled at wielding a knife, was carefully slicing mutton that had been frozen for half an hour.

The sliced ​​meat is cut into even slices and coated with a layer of fine ice crystals, which makes it tender when cooked in hot pot.

Hu Ji had also prepared the dipping sauce; the garlic was mashed into a paste, mixed with aged vinegar and fine salt, and the aroma alone was appetizing. Ahead, Yang Can and Pan Xiaowan, who had chosen tapestries and carpets, were chatting and drinking tea when the old shopkeeper calmly walked over to Yang Can, offering a slight bow with a smile.

"Master, in such a hurry, I didn't prepare a very elaborate meal. I was afraid that we would miss the meal and that you and Madam Pan would go hungry, so I made a 'Jiaodouzhu' (a type of stew)."

If it doesn't suit the tastes of the master and Madam Pan, just have some to tide you over, and I'll think of something else."

Before Yang Can could speak, Pan Xiaowan smiled and said, "In this kind of weather, it's just right to eat 'Jiaodouzhu' (a type of stew). I'll have to trouble you, shopkeeper."

"Jiaodouzhu" is actually similar to hot pot in later generations. It was a dish that wealthy families often ate in winter and was not a dish that was considered low-class.

However, even though it's all "boiled in a clay pot," the ingredients vary depending on the social class and wealth.

For poor people, all they eat is a few cleaned meat bones boiled down to make a little oil; they're content as long as they can taste a bit of meat.

But Yang Can and the others ate large chunks of mutton soup, and several pounds of frozen mutton slices were prepared so they could eat as much as they wanted.

Upon hearing this, Yang Can smiled and said, "This is the first time I've hosted a banquet for you, sister-in-law. I hope you don't find it too modest. Please come in."

The old shopkeeper led the two to a "private room" that had been temporarily prepared.

There was a square table in the room, with a brocade stool on each side, and the bronze jars on the table were bubbling away.

The charcoal glowed red-hot at the bottom of the basin, making the whole room warm and cozy.

Two plates of freshly sliced ​​mutton were placed on the table, their slices evenly cut and their texture enticing.

A silver wine jug was being warmed in hot water, and there were two small dishes of side dishes: salted radish greens and cold-dressed shallots, all of which are rare vegetables in winter.

The radish greens were blanched in boiling water, cut into sections, and mixed with seasonings. They were salty, sour, crisp, and tender, making them the perfect way to cut through the greasiness of the dish.

Sand onions have a light onion aroma, are crisp and tender with a hint of spiciness, and are the most appetizing when you take a bite.

Given the short timeframe and the harsh winter weather, it must have been quite a challenge for the old shopkeeper to prepare such a lavish feast.

Qiaoshe followed behind, and after Yang Can and Pan Xiaowan entered the house, she quietly took two steps back, stood outside the door, and lowered the thick cloth curtain.

She knew perfectly well that her mistress and Steward Yang had something going on; otherwise, why would they have locked the door that night?

At this point, she certainly couldn't go in and get in the way.

Pan Xiaowan took off her fur coat, and Yang Can took it from her and hung it on the hanger for her.

Pan Xiaowan wore only a crimson ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), which made her figure appear even more graceful and tall.

Yang Can sat down on the brocade stool, intending to pick up a few slices of mutton, cook them, and put them on Pan Xiaowan's plate, but before he could hang up his fur coat, Pan Xiaowan had already started making them.

Several slices of lamb, cooked to perfection and already dipped in sauce, were handed to Yang Can's plate.

Yang Can smiled helplessly, picked up the hot mutton, and put it in his mouth.

The rich aroma of mutton, combined with the unique spiciness of Gansu seasonings, warms you from the tip of your tongue all the way to your stomach.

"Here, have a drink to warm yourself up."

Pan Xiaowan picked up the warmed wine pot again and poured a cup for Yang Can and herself, acting like a gentle young wife and a caring older sister.

The liquor was amber in color, freshly scalded, and still steaming.

Yang Can took the wine glass and raised it to Pan Xiaowan, but noticed that Pan Xiaowan's expression was a little strange.

Although she was smiling, she seemed preoccupied, her brows furrowing unconsciously.

In fact, Yang Can had already vaguely sensed something while they were having tea and chatting outside.

Yang Can said half-jokingly, "Your wife seems to have something on her mind? With Brother Youcai being so afraid of his wife, how could he possibly upset her?"

Pan Xiaowan was slightly surprised upon hearing this. She thought she had hidden her feelings well, but she didn't expect that Yang Can would still see through her.

Pan Xiaowan raised her hand to touch her cheek, forced a smile, and said lightly, "What could be making me unhappy?"
Having grown accustomed to living on Phoenix Mountain, while this place offers greater freedom and comfort, I don't know a single familiar face, and I don't even know who to confide in.

As she spoke, she sighed softly, picked up her wine glass, poured herself a drink, and perhaps because she drank too quickly, her eyes reddened.

She glanced at Yang Can with her slightly reddened, pretty eyes and teased him:

"My master didn't become the chief steward of the eldest branch until he was forty-two years old. You're only half his age, yet you've already become the chief steward of the eldest branch. You must be feeling quite pleased with yourself, right?"

Are you feeling quite pleased with yourself?
If we only look at current achievements, then perhaps so.

But the journey so far has been full of unexpected twists and turns.

The ordeal with Granny Tu was a life-or-death ordeal.

Having dealt with Granny Tu, he now needs to outwit the foxes in the Mingde Hall to demonstrate his worth.

She finally got her wish and stayed in the eldest son's family, but she arrived with a pot on her head.

In Feng'an Village, Zhang Yunyi outwitted him. If he hadn't been prepared, his ashes would have been blown away somewhere by now.

Having subdued Zhang Yunyi and intimidated the Five Villages and Three Shepherds, the four chariots of armor brought him endless trouble.

Yu Rui, Yu Xiaobao, Zhang Yunyi, He Youzhen, Ba Limo, Tu Fajunxie, Kang Zhengyang, Wang Pijiang, Chen Wan'er...

He was like a Tai Chi master standing in the center of the ring, fighting ten opponents at once, combining softness and strength, and using their strength against them. In the end, he managed to defend the ring.

But next... he will face the crisis of Suo Chanzhi's childbirth.

One wrong move and all the previous efforts will be in vain, and the glory before us will vanish like a bubble, leading to an irrecoverable end.

Thinking of this, Yang Can couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Riding the wave of success?"
My dear sister-in-law, I have always felt like I am walking on thin ice.

"Eight villages and four pastures—conquering them requires winning them over, and winning them over requires maintaining those relationships. Which one is easy?"

He raised his glass, drank it all in one gulp, and sighed, "I am young and inexperienced, and I have been promoted too quickly after suddenly gaining recognition."

Now, all I see when I go out are people flattering me, saying flattering things, but what are they really like in private?

Pan Xiaowan listened intently, then poured Yang Can a full glass of wine and said with a wry smile, "Well, hearing what you said has actually made me feel more at ease."

In this life, is there ever anything truly easy?

It seems some are down on their luck while others are successful, but those who are down on their luck suffer their own hardships, and those who are successful have their own hidden worries; everyone is simply enduring their own kind of suffering.

Pan Xiaowan raised her glass to him: "Come on, I, a person with a hard life, toast to you, a person with a hard life."

Yang Can raised his glass and clinked it with hers, then drank the wine in one gulp and said earnestly, "What exactly is troubling you, sister-in-law? Why don't you tell me?"

What might be a difficult situation for you, sister-in-law, I believe I can help you resolve.

Yang Can spoke very sincerely; he genuinely sensed that Pan Xiaowan must have encountered some difficulties.

Pan Xiaowan is already married, and her daily business is limited to matters within the household.

Li Youcai both loved and feared her, and was extremely afraid of his wife. Under such circumstances, she shouldn't have any troubles.

Of course, if we must point out any troubles, it would probably be the various incompatibilities between the older man and the younger woman.

Li Youcai was much older than her and had an ordinary appearance, so there was bound to be some distance between them.

Generally speaking, when a young woman tells a man about her misfortunes, she is usually sending him an "invitation."

But Pan Xiaowan's current appearance didn't seem to suggest that kind of thought.

Pan Xiaowan didn't really have any feelings for Yang Can at the moment. When she was choosing the carpet, she deliberately flirted with Yang Hao, but it was just to tease him.

Pan Xiaowan's household now has an extra nanny, Mu, who is a spy sent by the family.

Pan Xiaowan didn't want Granny Mu to know about her ambiguous relationship with Yang Can, otherwise her family would definitely make her use Yang Can.

This is how her life will be, but she wants to preserve a pure land in her heart.

She had no chance of escaping the person behind the scenes, and Yang Can was no match for that behemoth.

Therefore, she wouldn't reveal anything to Yang Can, lest she drag him into it as well.

Pan Xiaowan sniffed and put on a smiling face: "You, don't say nice things."

"If you really care about your sister-in-law, then drink with her until you're completely drunk tonight. She'll appreciate it then. Come on, cheers!"

(End of this chapter)