Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 59 Journey to Fengshan Again

I dislike killing!

Yang Can looked at Liu Yu, the newly appointed commander of the eldest son's guards, with a serious expression.

The one who shouted "Spare his life!" earlier was Commander Liu.

As a result, he stumbled and fell to the ground, and now half of his face is swollen.

Leopard Head stood at the door, staring at Liu Yu.

The stone that caused Liu Yu's horse to stumble was the one he kicked out.

"I always shed tears when I see stray cats and dogs lying dead by the roadside," Yang Can continued emotionally.

Xiao Qingmei stood beside Yang Can, glancing at her man as he spouted nonsense.

"I can't help it, I'm just a sentimental man."

Yang Can sighed in regret.

Liu Yu twitched the corner of his mouth slightly: "Then why would Deacon Yang stand by and watch Master Zhang use such brutal methods to kill his own uncle, his own son, and his grandnephew?"

"Commander Liu, you came, but you still couldn't stop him, could you?"

"I had no choice. Those unruly people in Feng'an Village didn't even avoid me when they saw me. I was afraid of accidentally killing someone, so I tripped and fell."

Yang Can shook his head: "Therefore, their deaths are not only the will of the people, but also the will of Heaven!"

Liu Yu was bewildered. How did Deacon Yang suddenly turn from a kind person into a charlatan?
Yang Can sighed again: "The people who were executed committed heinous acts that violated human ethics and angered the public."

Master Zhang's love was deep, and his hatred was intense..."

Liu Yu didn't want to listen to his nonsense anymore and interrupted him.

"Steward Yang, the clan leader sent me here because he doesn't want things to get out of control at Feng'an Manor."

Given the current situation, we can only trouble Steward Yang to personally explain the matter to the clan leader.

"That's what I meant!"

After Yang Can finished speaking, he walked towards Qingmei: "Qingmei, the people of Feng'an Village are not at peace right now, so you should stay here."

As he spoke, Yang Can leaned forward slightly, his voice barely audible: "Find out who tipped off Phoenix Manor, and kill him!"

After saying that, Yang the Philanthropist smiled slightly and walked towards Leopard Head.

“Zhang Yunyi is still useful. As the head of the manor, he must stand firm.”

However, you and Kang Zhengyang still need to keep a close eye on him.

As long as you have the reins of power, I'm at ease.

The demon in Zhang Yunyi's heart was unleashed by Yang Can himself.

The Zhang family head, whose inner demons gave birth to him, even went so far as to kill his own son to prove his Dao.

Yang Can wasn't sure if he would go berserk.

However, Zhang Yunyi is still useful if he wants to solve the problem of the six major estates.

Therefore, Zhang Yunyi cannot die, at least for now.

Liu Yu watched as Yang Can gave Leopard Head instructions and couldn't help but smile faintly.

I knew it! We sent people to Chicken and Goose Mountain, but we couldn't find out where you were.

So she's managed to get on Deacon Yang's good side?

It's a pity that Deacon Yang is already in dire straits!

……

"I do not enjoy killing!"

Yang Can looked at Yu Xinglong with a sincere expression.

"I have never believed that killing is a good way to solve problems."

"However, the young master of the Zhang family intended to kill his father, which enraged the head of the Zhang family."

I fear that Lord Zhang might act even more irrationally, therefore... it's better to guide than to suppress!

A mocking glint appeared in Yu Xinglong's eyes: "Do you really think that all the illegal things done in Feng'an Village were done by Zhang Yunyi's son?"

Yang Can shook his head: "Lord of the clan, whether it is or not, it can only be now."

Yang Can is now very calm. With the achievement of improving the plow, killing him will not be so easy.

But he wanted more.

Yu Xinglong's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "But, has the matter really been resolved? I'm afraid that Feng'an Village is already rife with undercurrents."

"Your Majesty is wise, but in my opinion, the situation in Feng'an Village is like a raging torrent, ready to explode at any moment."

However, as long as the clan leader sends a mature and prudent minister to take charge of the overall situation,

Using the art of diplomacy and strategy to mediate between them, and employing the art of persuasion and negotiation to achieve a balance of power.

In this way, the precarious situation can be kept afloat.

Given time, the crisis will naturally be resolved.

"A seasoned and prudent minister..."

Yu Xinglong paced back and forth for a few steps, then suddenly stopped and turned to look at Yang Can.

"What new plow did you develop in Feng'an Village? It's said to greatly improve the efficiency of tilling the land?"

"Yes, when I was inspecting Feng'an Village, I had some thoughts while working in the fields, so I made some improvements to the plow."

Yu Xinglong's gaze suddenly turned cold: "Why wasn't this matter reported to me?"

If the six major estates are not reorganized, then he will have reclaimed a lonely place from Yu Huanhu.

However, if we were to rectify the situation, it would likely result in a situation where we kill a thousand enemies but lose eight hundred of our own.

Therefore, Yu Xinglong approved of Yang Can's ingenious idea of ​​"overhauling the team while preserving the brand".

He even admired this method in his heart.

However, he dislikes the feeling of being out of control.

The improvement of the plow was a success, but Yang Can never reported such a big thing to him from beginning to end.

Does Yang Can still regard him as the head of the clan?

Having gone through the incident with Yu Huanhu, Yu Xinglong is now particularly sensitive to things that are out of his control.

Yang Can looked troubled upon hearing this: "Your Majesty, I have no one to rely on."

Yang Can remained completely calm, handing over all of Zhang Zhuangzhu's hidden fields and households without reservation.

He was confident he could cover up the matter of improving the new plow.

"When you came down the mountain, didn't the eldest branch provide you with some of the old servants from the mountain village?"

"Yes! But Qingmei, the young mistress's personal maid, is inseparable from me."

Yang Can complained, "She sees everything I do."

As soon as I devised a method to improve the plow, she immediately reported it to the young mistress.

"On what grounds should I send someone else back to the mountain?"

Yu Xinglong narrowed his eyes slightly: "How come I heard that you and this childhood sweetheart have an affair?" Yang Can smiled bitterly: "Master, a beautiful young girl and a man are inseparable, and you even keep an eye on them at night. Isn't that how rumors start?"

Yu Xinglong fell silent upon hearing this, and after a long while, he sighed softly.

"If I were to hand over Feng'an Village to you, could you guarantee that it would remain intact even if it were hanging by a thread?"

Yang Can was surprised: "Clan leader, this is the second steward of my eldest son's branch..."

Yu Xinglong waved his hand and said, "Feng'an Manor is closest to Phoenix Mountain. Given the current situation of Feng'an Manor, it is most appropriate for you to serve as the manor's head."

This move was exactly what Yang Can had anticipated; he didn't even need to guide it.

Because Feng'an Village is now riddled with problems, even more complicated than before he came down the mountain.

No one was willing to touch this hot potato before, let alone now?
Yu Xinglong's confidants were unwilling to be thrown into this pit.

Among those whom Xinglong doesn't trust but is capable of dealing with, who is more suitable than him?
Yang Can looked unwilling, yet had no choice but to take on this mess.

"Yes, Your Majesty has given the order, and I will obey."

Yu Xinglong nodded in satisfaction: "Go and see the young mistress. She should be treated with the proper respect!"

As soon as Yang Can left, Yu Xinglong asked without turning his head, "Has Huan Hu had any contact with Yang Can?"

Butler Deng Xun said, "Our spies have been keeping a close eye on things. So far, the Second Branch has not made any contact with Steward Yang."

Yu Xinglong nodded: "Keep an eye on it. Report back immediately if there's any news!"

……

"The respect that is due should still be shown."

Suo Chanzhi mimicked Yu Xinglong's tone, glaring at Yang Can coquettishly: "Is this how you respect me?"

"Isn't that right? This is the greatest respect one can show to their beloved beauty."

Yang Can pressed down on the fragrant shoulder entwined with the branches, speaking in a serious tone.

"Get lost! He's playing the zither. If the music stops for too long, the servants will definitely get suspicious."

"I can play the zither! Let me play!"

How can a secretary not know how to play the zither?

After Yang Can became Yu Chengye's advisor, he actually received a proper education.

Of course, so far, Yang Can has only learned one piece, "Three Variations on Plum Blossom".

He, on the other hand, couldn't play a single piece.

This place is lush with flowers and trees, with flowing water and winding corridors, making it a place for leisure and relaxation in the back courtyard of the main house.

It is now mid-April, and the garden is lush with vegetation and in full bloom.

Bees and butterflies flutter about, creating a uniquely wild scene.

A pond of clear water and lotus flowers, a few old willows by the water, and clumps of reeds swaying on the lakeside.

The area is shaded by greenery, with only a winding path leading through it, making it extremely private despite being in the wilderness.

With her fair skin as smooth as jade and her hair styled like cicada wings, she was originally sitting at a square zither table playing the zither.

Yang Can came to see her and was led here.

Suo Chanzhi is now gaining increasing prestige within the inner quarters.

Those who served her closely were all dowry servants from the Suo family, and all the old servants from the eldest branch of the family were transferred away from her side.

Therefore, no one dared to object to Yang Can's presence here.

Although this place is not a dark room, it is surrounded by dense bushes.

Therefore, only by keeping the music playing could people's doubts be dispelled.

Since the young mistress was constantly playing the zither with both hands, she certainly couldn't be doing anything else.

So what's wrong with having a secluded place to meet with the outer quarters steward?

A piece of music, "Three Variations on Plum Blossom".

Yang Can gently plucked and stroked the strings, and the music flowed like water.

Every now and then the music would go off track, either because the wrong string was plucked or too much force was used.

However, only those with considerable skill in playing the piano can hear the difference.

The player played "Three Variations on Plum Blossom" countless times, but his fingering never became skillful; instead, he made more and more mistakes.

Finally, the music faded away.

Not long after, Steward Yang emerged from the secluded path and headed towards the outer residence.

Two maids slowly walked into the depths of the green shade.

The young mistress was holding a cup of tea and was spitting the tea back into the cup.

"You've come at the right time. This tea has gone stale. Let's get you a fresh pot."

Suo Chanzhi calmly put down the cup.

Her lips were bright and seemed fuller than usual.

Suo Chanzhi has been in a very pleasant mood lately.

She's pregnant, but whether it's a boy or a girl isn't something she can worry about right now.

Her control over the inner quarters of the eldest son's household is getting better and better.

Having a powerful maternal family is a source of absolute confidence.

Knowing full well that she was purging the old members of the eldest branch of the family in the inner quarters, the patriarch and his wife pretended to be deaf and dumb.

There was no other way; the clan leader still needed to rely on the Suo family to suppress Yu Huanhu's power.

When you need something from her, how can you still act like a proper in-law?

Yang Can improved the plow, and she deserves half the credit for that.

Hmm... otherwise, I would never have agreed to his absurd request.

A little treat, a reward for him.

Now, Yang Can has also obtained the position of head of Feng'an Manor, and he is holding the position concurrently.

The outer quarters of the eldest son's household are not the same as the inner quarters; even she couldn't easily cause a major disturbance there.

Not to mention that Yang Can was only a second steward in the outer residence, subordinate to Li Youcai.

Yang Can was both wary of by Yu Xinglong and suppressed by Li Youcai, making it difficult for him to develop his influence in the outer quarters.

Now he's taking a different approach, using Feng'anzhuang as his base, which will allow him to break through.

Everything was going well, and Suo Chanzhi hadn't even done anything; she had simply "won without lifting a finger."

She was naturally overjoyed.

Deep in the green shade, the sound of a zither rises again.

This time, the performance of "Three Variations on Plum Blossom" was incredibly smooth and natural.

(End of this chapter)