Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 52 Holding the Weapons and Calculating
When Zhang Yunyi decided to go to Phoenix Villa to put in a bad word for Yang Can, Yang Can was leisurely staying in the guesthouse.

These days, he's been working incredibly hard, leaving early and returning late, all in his pursuit of developing the curved plow.

Now that everything is done, it's not too much to treat yourself, is it?

"Steward Yang, I heard that someone has come here to steal your new plow. What should we do?"

Qingmei walked in quickly, carrying two plates of fruit.

Since returning to the mountain and receiving the "imperial decree" to entangle the branches, Qingmei's last knot in her heart has been untied.

Her attitude and feelings towards Yang Can are now very different.

Two plates of fruit: one plate of cherries and one plate of mulberries.

Fresh, seasonal fruits, washed with well water until they were glistening, were placed on Yang Can's table.

Qingmei was furious at those who rushed over to steal the secrets of making the new plow.

Those are my family's things!

Yang Can laughed and said, "This kind of farm tool is not mysterious. It didn't exist before. It's just that no one thought of it. It's not that it couldn't be made."

It's right here in the field now. Any skilled craftsman who takes a close look will understand how it was made; of course, it can't be kept a secret.

Qingmei said unwillingly, "Then what can we do? Are we just going to let someone else take all the benefits for free?"

"What good is there in this world if you get something for nothing?"

Yang Can laughed and said, "Among the eight powerful families in Longshang, the Yu family occupies the most arable land."

Everyone has the same farming tools, but the Yu family's advantages remain unchanged.

As for the two great empires of the Central Plains, hehe…

Yang Can raised an eyebrow: "What does it matter to me which of those two countries benefits more?"

Qingmei thought about it and realized there was really no way to stop it, so she could only pick up a mulberry and put it in her mouth in frustration.

The sweet taste quickly permeated my heart and soul, and my glossy lips were stained a pale purple.

Yang Can said, "Even when it spread to the Central Plains, it was still called 'Yang Can Li'."

Although my men haven't gone to the Central Plains, my name is already known to everyone there. Doesn't this bring me any benefit?

Qingmei perked up again upon hearing this, and happily picked up a mulberry, offering it to Yang Can as a treat:

"Alright then... with this great achievement, you should be able to establish yourself in the Yu family, right? As for that Zhang guy, should we still deal with him?"

"Those are two different things."

Yang Can waved his hand: "By promoting the new plow and spreading its reputation, I will be more confident in dealing with Zhang Yunyi."

As for how to get started...

Yang Can paused, then suddenly, like the old matriarch of the Golden Horned King in "Journey to the West," asked in a drawn-out tone, "Where has our accountant Li gotten to in the accounting?"

……

Li Damu was still diligently "checking the accounts".

He strictly forbids others from disturbing him when he checks the accounts, and everyone already knows this rule of his.

Therefore, it was quiet outside the accounting office at this moment, for fear that someone might offend this "imperial envoy".

On the large desk in the accounting office, many account books were piled up haphazardly.

On the tall three-poster table next to it were tea, dried fruit and candied fruit.

There was a large armchair against the wall, the soft cushions of which had been rubbed onto the backrest.

The petite and delicate young lady, Tan, was curled up in a large armchair, completely naked.

At this moment, she was like an account book on a desk, completely disorganized.

Her soft murmurs were like the flowing water in the pond in the courtyard, murmuring gently.

"Mr. Li, not here! If someone sees us, we'll be so embarrassed we'll die..."

"Don't worry, this is Li's confidential accounting location. Who would dare to come in without being summoned?"

Li Damu's disdainful gaze exuded an air of heroic grandeur.

"Mr. Li, Deacon Yang requests your presence."

A strong, resonant voice suddenly came from inside the courtyard, startling Li Damu.

Chaos erupted immediately in the accounting office...

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Li Damu emerged, impeccably dressed.

His face had an unnatural flush.

"Ahem! Deacon Yang, is there something you need?"

Slightly out of breath, Accountant Li asked the Suo family guard who had come to deliver the message.

The rules he established here are no longer rules in front of the young mistress's trusted guards.

"Yes, Mr. Li, please follow me."

The guard looked at Li Damu with some curiosity, but didn't question why he seemed both excited and exhausted while checking the accounts.

Li Damu licked his dry lips and glanced back.

Xiao Tan, naked and clutching her clothes, peeked out from behind the door, glanced at him, and then closed the door.

Only then did Li Damu feel relieved and follow the guard away.

When Li Damu arrived at Yang Can's residence, he found Zhang Yunyi, Qingmei, and the eldest son of the Zhang family all there.

Upon seeing Li Damu arrive, Zhang Yunyi smiled and said, "Mr. Li, you've come too! I was just about to send someone to inform you."

Li Damu glanced quickly at Yang Can, then asked with feigned composure, "What are your orders, Master?"

Zhang Yunyi said with a smile, "I just finished talking with Steward Yang. The spring plowing in Feng'an Manor is progressing very smoothly, especially after Mr. Yang developed the new plow."

Mr. Zhang planned to go to Phoenix Villa to report the situation to the lord, which would take at most two days.

"While Zhang is away from the estate, if Steward Yang, Mr. Li, or Qingmei need anything, my son can be of service."

Young Master Zhang cupped his hands in greeting to Yang Can and the other two, saying, "If you three need anything, please feel free to give us your orders."

Yang Can laughed and said, "These past few days I've been busy developing a new plow, so I'm a bit tired."

We were planning to rest for a couple of days. No problem, Master, if you need anything, please feel free to take care of it.”

Zhang Yunyi smiled at Yang Can, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "In that case, I'll take my leave."

As Zhang Yunyi turned around, he glanced meaningfully at Li Damu.

Mr. Li knew that Zhang Yunyi was asking him to take good care of her.

Of course, since a beautiful young woman had taken the initiative to throw herself into his arms, he was bound to pay a price.

He knew this from the beginning; lust is a powerful force that's hard to control.

Now that Deacon Yang has just invented the curved plow, he is in a state of great pride and satisfaction. Presumably, the reason for calling him here is simply to inquire about the progress of the audit.

Li Damu comforted himself in this way, thinking that when Deacon Yang asked, he could just make up some minor questions to brush it off.

This is Zhang Yunyi's home, and Yang Can and his two companions are guests, so there's no reason for them to see the host to the front door.

So the three of them only escorted the Zhang father and son to the gate of the courtyard and watched them leave. Yang Can's smile vanished instantly.

“Let’s go back. Mr. Yang has something to say to Mr. Li.”

After Yang Can finished speaking, he turned and left.

Seeing the change in his expression, Li Damu felt uneasy.

The three returned to the main room. Li Damu carefully sat down and said with a forced smile, "Steward, did you summon me here because you have something to tell me?"

Before Yang Can could answer, Qingmei said impatiently, "Zhang Yunyi is about to leave the manor. I'll go and make the arrangements."

Yang Can nodded: "Don't kill him, you must bring him back safe and sound."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it myself."

Qingmei gave Yang Can a haughty smile, her chin held high.

In front of Yang Can, she finally found where she was better than him.

Compared to you, a weakling, I'm a real fighter.

Qingmei flew away like a butterfly, but Li Damu's expression suddenly changed.

Judging from their conversation, are they planning to take action against Zhang Yunyi?
Yang Can didn't give him much time to think before smiling and saying, "Mr. Li?"

"Ah? Your humble servant is here."

"Hehe, men are like that. As long as it's consensual between you, I can't be bothered with your little problems."

"Huh? What? The butler means..."

Li Damu stammered, his old face already flushed red.

Yang Can didn't continue the topic, but instead asked, "Have you found anything while you've been reviewing the accounts of Feng'an Manor these past few days?"

"Um……"

Li Damu hesitated, then tried to make up a few small discoveries he had prepared beforehand to brush it off.

Yang Can stared at Li Damu's somewhat unfocused eyes and said, word by word:
"Just say something casually, like last autumn, the 3,400 shi of grain that disappeared from Feng'an Village compared to the actual harvest?"

"Thump!"

With a single "slide kneeling," Accountant Li went from sitting in a chair to kneeling on the ground.

He effortlessly pulled a notebook from his sleeve and immediately presented it to him with utmost respect.

"Steward Yang, this is what I have gathered from the accounts these past few days. Please take a look, Steward!"

joke!

Yang Can not only gave the time, but also the exact number. If he doesn't kneel now, when will he?

Master Zhang, it's not that I'm unwilling to make an exception for you if we're not brothers!
That Deacon Yang is as cunning as a devil. As for us brothers, we should just let our fathers die and our mothers remarry, and each of us take care of ourselves.

Li Damu's lightning-fast reaction startled Yang Can.

He deliberately let Li Damu see Qingmei arrest Zhang Yunyi, and then deliberately pointed out a loophole in the accounts, all to shatter Li Damu's illusions.

But Li Damu didn't even put up the slightest struggle; he simply knelt down in a spectacular fashion...

This guy is amazing!

Yang Can couldn't help but marvel.

There is no shortage of talented people in this world.

How many of Liu Bang's civil and military officials came from Pei County alone?

How humble were their original identities?
Fan Kuai was a butcher.

Zhou Bo was a bamboo craftsman and a funeral musician.

Xiahou Ying was a groom.

Xiao He was a minor official.

Ren Ao, a prison guard...

Are all the auspicious feng shui of emperors and generals concentrated in Pei County?
Of course not. Given enough opportunities and room to grow, many ordinary people have the potential to become great ministers who govern the country.

It's just that most people in this world simply don't have that opportunity.

If Yang Can hadn't encountered Yu Chengye, who was wounded by a poisoned arrow, he would still be herding cattle at this time. If he really had the ability, who would he have used it on?
Is this like casting pearls before swine?
It's not surprising that Li Damu made this decision.

Yang Can carefully read through the notes presented by Accountant Li, and a smile appeared on his face.

The accounts are very clear, and it seems like they were prepared in advance.

Yang Can closed the note, pondered for a moment, and said, "Li Damu."

Accountant Li was still kneeling there when he heard this, and he quickly bowed his head and said, "Your humble servant is here."

Yang Can said, "Zhang Yunyi was not the person who directly handled these accounts."

Yang Can handed over the notes: "So, take them back and reorganize them properly."

Li Damu asked blankly, "What does Your Excellency need me to... tidy up?"

Yang Can said, "Make a list of the people involved in these crimes."

Their relationships with Zhang Yunyi, their relative closeness, and their respective positions are listed in order of importance.

(End of this chapter)