Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 35 A eloquent tongue
After communicating with Li Youcai, Yang Can went to see the clan leader.

Unless it is an extremely important matter, each household does not need to report to the clan head; they only need the consent of their own head.

Even for extremely important matters, the head of the household would report to the clan leader; it was impossible for a steward to report directly to a higher level.

Unless it's someone like Yi She, a high-ranking official in charge of external affairs, who is essentially a regional governor, their status and position are different.

However, the situation is somewhat special now, as the male head of the eldest branch of the Yu family has died, while the status of the female head of the branch is still undetermined.

At this point, Yang Can went to visit Yu Xinglong first, which was to express an attitude and stance.

At this time, Yu Xinglong was teaching his son.

It is not easy for wealthy families to cultivate heirs; it requires two or three decades of persistent training.

The first thing a member of a powerful clan must do is study various academic classics.

This is what shaped his basic moral and value system.

Afterwards, he should study various classic texts on governance, so that he can master political strategies, learn how to govern a region, and acquire the skills to manage people.

He also needed to learn poetry and prose, which was a necessary means for him to showcase his talents in social situations.

At the same time, they should learn etiquette and family rules, cultivate filial piety and brotherly love, and inherit family traditions.

After reaching adulthood, he will also need to engage in political practice, receiving instruction and guidance from his elders.

Yu Chengye was already in the "political practice" stage.

Now that Yu Xinglong has made his youngest son, Yu Chenglin, his heir, and knowing that he is physically weak and not destined for longevity, he is making the most of every moment to teach and guide his son.

He now takes time every day to check on his son's studies and, in the process, imparts some life wisdom to his son.

Yu Chenglin is too young; he may not be able to understand such profound things.

Yu Xinglong could only resort to rote learning, making him memorize things first, whether he understood them or not.

Yu Xinglong was slightly surprised to hear that Yang Can was requesting an audience.

Seeing that his son had put on a mask of pain in order to remember the principles he had been taught, Yu Xinglong smiled helplessly and waved his hand, saying, "You should go back first."

Yu Chenglin felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and quickly took his leave from his father's study.

Yu Xinglong then had someone bring Yang Can in.

When Yang Can met Yu Xinglong, he told him that the accounts had been sorted out and that he planned to inspect several farms.

Yu Xinglong looked at the ledgers that he had marked with special symbols and asked in surprise, "So fast? How many accountants did you use to keep track of the books?"

Yang Can said, "This was compiled by me. I do have some knowledge of account books."

Yu Xinglong raised an eyebrow. The entire family's accounts were compiled in his hands, so how could he not understand the ledgers?

The fact that these ledgers could be sorted out in such a short time shows that it's not just a matter of having a basic understanding.
After a moment's thought, Yu Xinglong said, "It's fine if you want to go on patrol. Patrols are necessary, but it's not appropriate to make a big fuss about it."

Yang Can bowed and said, "What the clan leader says is true. I have discussed it with Chief Steward Li, and I will handle the situation with care."

Yu Xinglong smiled and said, "Yes, many things cannot be accomplished overnight."

I hope these estates and pastures will be taken back smoothly and peacefully.

Yu Xinglong didn't dare to hope for another bumper harvest this year, having just taken over the business. As long as it wasn't too much worse than before, that would be enough to explain to the whole clan.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will remember your teachings."

"Hmm, have you already consulted with the young mistress?"

"After reporting to the clan head, I will go and consult the young mistress."

Yu Xinglong was even more satisfied upon hearing this; this person was indeed a man of principle.

Therefore, we can rest assured to let him go on the inspection.

The stewards of those farms and ranches need to be made clear who their owners are now.

Yu Xinglong smiled and said, "Next time something happens, you should report to the young mistress first."

Although you had some unpleasantness with the Suo family back then, the Suo family's daughter is now my Yu family's daughter-in-law.

She is now the head of the eldest branch of the family; you should still show her the respect she deserves.

Yang Can bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will obey your orders."

Yu Xinglong stroked his beard, smiled, and nodded: "Go ahead."

……

Suo Chanzhi continued to reorganize the personnel in the inner quarters.

With the help of Qingmei and the few nannies from her maternal family, the "Undead Prince Faction" in the inner quarters is being increasingly marginalized.

Since the news of her pregnancy spread, the young mistress's prestige and power have increased significantly, making her purges even more effective.

Some opportunists have already shown interest in getting closer to the young mistress, but Suo Chanzhi is not too keen on accepting them.

Nine months later, she will face new challenges and does not want to keep people she cannot completely trust around her.

However, this kind of thing can't be done in just a few days. She still has nine months, so there's no rush.

"Young Madam, Second Steward Yang Can requests an audience."

Qiaoshe strode into the flower hall and reported to Suochanzhi, who was about to put a piece of candied fruit into her mouth.

"Let him in." Suo Chanzhi glanced at Qiao She, who was also one of the people she planned to get rid of.

Qiaoshe was originally a maid in the courtyard of the powerful lord's wife, but she was sent by the wife to be by her son's side.

Now she is clearly the lady's spy, keeping an eye on her daughter-in-law.

She readily agreed and went out.

Wearing a light purple, narrow-sleeved short jacket and a moon-white, belted short skirt, with a pale blue silk sash at the waist, Yang Can exuded a neat and playful charm. Soon, she was led into the flower hall, where Suo Chanzhi, who had been lounging lazily, was now sitting elegantly.

She wore a jade-colored, wide-sleeved robe with dark green, delicate intertwined floral patterns. Apart from a pair of gleaming white pearls under her earlobes, she wore no other adornments.

Upon seeing Yang Can, Suo Chanzhi calmly asked, "Second Elder, what brings you here?"

Yang Can bowed and said, "Young Madam, I have sorted out the accounts of the estates and ranches that my eldest son's family has taken over. I was thinking of going down to take a look and conduct an on-site inspection."

Suo Chanzhi was a little confused. Wasn't it said that I was in charge of managing the inner quarters and you were in charge of managing the front quarters?
What farm are you inspecting?
Although she didn't understand his meaning, Suo Chanzhi knew that Yang Can must have had his reasons for doing this.

Alright, I'll agree for now. I'll have Qingmei find out more about it and let me know later.

"Alright, but my family makes a living by farming, and now is the crucial time for spring planting."

If you miss one season, you'll miss a whole year. You must be careful in everything you do on this journey.

"Your subject will keep this in mind."

Suo Chanzhi shifted to a more comfortable sitting position. As a girl from a wealthy family, every move she made was incredibly elegant.

"How long will it take you to complete this inspection?"

"I only intend to inspect three estates on this trip, and I expect that a month will be enough time at most."

Suo Chanzhi nodded slightly: "Qingmei has been by my side since she was a child. She knows all the ways to handle rent collection and workshop employment."

She's quite capable in strategic planning; let her come with you as an assistant.

Just as Yang Can was about to agree, he suddenly noticed that Qiao She was standing to the side, listening intently.

This girl wasn't part of Suo Chanzhi's dowry. Thinking of this, Yang Can's face immediately turned ugly.

"Does the young mistress not trust me?"

Suo Chanzhi smiled faintly: "What makes you say that, Deacon Yang?"

Yang Can said in a deep voice: "Young Madam, I am the Second Steward of the First Branch, personally appointed by the Clan Head!"
Originally, Madam, you appointed a second steward. If she were only to serve in the inner quarters, I wouldn't say anything. But inspecting the local areas is an external matter..."

Suo Chanzhi secretly praised him, thinking how quick-witted this fellow was and how convincingly he acted.

Suo Chanzhi's face darkened: "So what if my father-in-law appointed him? Can't I manage the affairs of the eldest son's family, whether inside or outside?"

Yang Can said, "I didn't say that. I just... that Qingmei girl, she's just a little girl who hasn't even grown up yet. What could she possibly do if she came with me to inspect the area?"

"Who are you calling useless...useless?"

Qingmei happened to walk into the flower hall, and upon hearing this, she instinctively wanted to refute it without thinking.

But once she had taken the bait, she realized that the sentence was not easy to respond to.

Most importantly, Yang Can's words unfortunately came true, and the little girl became somewhat embarrassed and angry.

Qingmei blushed and abruptly changed the subject, fearing that Yang Can would make fun of her. So she chattered away without giving Yang Can any time to think.

"Deacon Yang, you're not that old, but your face is as big as a millstone!"

They clearly distinguish between the inner and outer courtyards.

But I haven't seen you do anything in that outer courtyard either.

It's all just a showpiece; the young mistress asking me to accompany you on an inspection of the estate is just to flatter you.

What, you're scared? Afraid that if I go, I'll expose your slick, fake facade?

Yang Can smiled and said, "When I went to inspect the estate, I was only doing things related to the farm."

Check whether the managers of each estate are doing their jobs diligently, and examine the accounts for any errors.

"Those who deserve punishment will be punished, and those who deserve reward will be rewarded. This isn't like taking a little maidservant for a stroll in the garden!"

"If you want to take me for a stroll in the garden, it has to be with my own willingness! Stop being so presumptuous."

As for those things you mentioned, if you, Deacon Yang, can do them, so can I.

With a silver tongue, she said with a smile, "Sister Qingmei, the Second Steward is right. Things are quite troublesome in the manor."

Are the estate managers doing their jobs diligently? How well are the tenant farmers and their retainers being managed?

Is anyone acting tough or causing trouble? Is anyone using someone else's power to bully others?

There were also miscellaneous tasks on the farm: livestock, farm tools, storerooms—everything needed to be inventoried.

You have to consider things like the horse getting thin, the ox getting sick, or the plow getting rusty. It's not easy.

The second steward meant well, but Sister Qingmei, it would be better if you stayed at the manor to avoid trouble.

Suo Chanzhi glanced at her coldly, then turned to Yang Can, her tone becoming less polite:

"What? I, the young mistress, am in charge of the eldest branch of the family. Does that mean my orders aren't orders?"

Yang Can said, "I would naturally not dare to disobey the young mistress's orders."

However, if Qingmei causes any trouble, I will not take the blame for her.

Suo Chanzhi and Yang Can were working together in a back-and-forth, while Xiao Qingmei was getting a little carried away with their argument.

She put her hands on her slender waist and said defiantly, "I have served the young mistress for so many years and have never made a mistake."

You've only been serving the young mistress for a few days, and you dare to spout such nonsense?

"If I went, I'd definitely do a better job than you."

Suo Chanzhi felt a pang of guilt and immediately glanced at Qingmei.

The little girl was glaring angrily at Yang Can, her almond-shaped eyes wide open, as if she were about to spit fire.

Suo Chanzhi felt relieved. It turned out she hadn't meant any harm. It was alright then.

(End of this chapter)