Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 91 Playing with the Princes

Just as Yang Can was nagging the stewards in the banquet hall, Bald Falcon had already led his men and rushed out of the gates of Feng'an Fort.

The guards that Chinu had sent to track Balimo had already left marks along the way that only they could understand.

These nomadic peoples graze their livestock on the grasslands year-round, and their tribal members are often scattered, operating in tents.

In this situation, it is extremely difficult for the leader to gather his followers and for relatives and friends to contact each other.

Therefore, the ability to utilize the surrounding natural conditions, such as broken branches, placing special stones, or drawing simple symbols on the ground to leave marks that can be understood by their companions, became a survival skill they had to master.

In the Central Plains region, only scouts specifically responsible for reconnaissance learn this skill.

Over thousands of years, the nomadic people's ability to leave markings has become an integral part of their lives, an innate and fundamental survival skill.

That's why, as the bald-haired Falcon followed the marks, he didn't have to worry about losing track of Balim.

Moreover, the roads in the Longshang area are not well-connected; most are winding dirt roads, and it usually takes a long time to encounter a fork in the road, making it difficult to take the wrong turn.

Meanwhile, Ba Limo was leading his men, following the marks left by the men they had sent out earlier, in a relentless pursuit.

He first rode northeast for a while, and when he reached the vicinity of "Tielinliang", he saw the sign suddenly turn, so he turned his horse around and chased southwest.

As he chased after it, Ba Limo suddenly felt something was wrong. It looked like a circle.

Moreover, judging from the direction, it's clearly heading towards Canglang Mountain, which is the direction of our own tribe, isn't it?
He frowned, pulled on the reins, and stopped his men temporarily. He carefully examined the markings on the ground, and after confirming they were correct, his doubts only deepened.
Could it be that the batch of mountain goods is still hidden near Canglang Mountain?
Further ahead in the wilderness, Kang Zhengyi, acting as guide, led Yu Rui's entourage of carriages and horses forward at a leisurely pace.

The road they were on was extremely remote and rarely visited by people. The road surface had long been covered with weeds and was almost unrecognizable.

The only way to make out the direction was by the slight difference in the density of the wild grass on the road compared to the sides.

Yu Rui rode on his horse, feeling indescribably happy.

One hundred sets of fine iron armor, while certainly valuable and capable of greatly enhancing the military strength of Dailai City, are not considered an excessively large fortune for the powerful city of Dailai.

Even so, something is better than nothing; a hundred more sets of armor mean a greater chance of victory.

Moreover, since they have gained a hundred sets of armor, their uncle Yu Xinglong has effectively lost a hundred sets of armor. That's how the accounts should be calculated.

More importantly, Yang Can's act of offering up the armor clearly demonstrated his unwavering determination to serve Dailai City.

In this way, the six large estates and three large ranches that their father, Yu Huanhu, had previously handed over, nominally belonged to the eldest branch of the family, but in reality, they were still in the hands of their two branches.

As long as the two branches decide to turn against the clan leader Yu Xinglong, these industries can immediately return to the control of the two branches and become important capital for them to fight against the eldest branch.

What pleased Yu Rui most was that Yang Can's behavior and the talent he displayed were just like the legendary, mysterious successor of the Mohist school.

If Yang Can is indeed a member of the Mohist school, given his abilities, his status within the Mohist school must be quite high.

If Dailai City can win over the leader of the Mo Clan through Yang Can, then Dailai City will immediately have the strength to challenge their uncle.

However, if Yang Can is truly a descendant of the Mo family, then the bargaining chips promised to him beforehand are probably not generous enough.

Yu Rui suddenly remembered that his younger sister was also approaching marriageable age. She was beautiful and gentle. If he could persuade his father to marry her off to Yang Can and make him his son-in-law...

In this way, Yang Can would become his brother-in-law and a member of the Yu family. Would he still be afraid that Yang Can would not be loyal to the two branches?

Thinking of this, Yu Rui felt increasingly happy, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

……

In the banquet hall, Yang Can randomly picked out a "complaint" from his notebook, cleared his throat, and read out two self-criticisms.

It's nothing more than trivial matters like farms failing to report yields per acre or ranches keeping young livestock without permission.

These things were an open secret in every farm and ranch, and almost everyone had been involved in them to some extent.

So the managers listened without knowing whose "self-recommendation" he was reading.

Then, Yang Can picked up another "application" and read a few sentences from the section about the autumn harvest forecast.

But this time, he was cunning and increased the predicted harvest by 30%.

All the managers cursed inwardly, thinking, "Who the hell is this son of a bitch?"

Reporting the autumn harvest is an art in itself. If you underreport the yield, and the actual harvest is higher, you can show off your skills and get credit for "exceeding the target".

If the reported figure is so high, and the harvest is even slightly below expectations, it would be considered a dereliction of duty, leaving no room for maneuver.

Isn't this blatantly showing off and blocking other people's path?
It’s obvious to you, right?

Don't let me find out who you are, or I'll get you drunk!
Yang Can only read a few sentences before slamming the notebook shut and saying in a deep voice, "That's good enough."

The "petition" I'm asking you to submit isn't something you can just write casually; it's the bottom line that you absolutely must meet.

Above the bottom line, the more you gain, the better. Any extra is real merit, and the lord will reward you handsomely.

He paused, his eyes suddenly sharpening: "As for those things that were concealed or omitted in the past..."

Whether you are under pressure from your subordinates or hoping to get away with something, I, Yang, am making this clear today.

As long as you submit the required amount as stated in the petition this fall, all past transgressions will be forgiven!

“But from now on…” His voice grew colder, “I hope you will all keep to your duties and be loyal to the clan leader wholeheartedly.”

The lord is always reasonable and would never mistreat anyone who works diligently.
Conversely, if someone dares to outwardly comply but inwardly defy, betray their own cause, and attempt to deceive the clan leader…

Yu Xiaobao, seated at the head of the table, finally couldn't contain himself any longer. He gently swirled his wine cup, then scoffed, saying sarcastically, "Well said! Deacon Yang, you've hit the nail on the head."

Yang Can looked at Yu Xiaobao: "Third Master, do you have something to say?"

Yu Xiaobao said, "I'm afraid some people say 'let bygones be bygones,' but they're keeping a grudge in their hearts. Aren't there plenty of cases of settling scores later?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Can still wore a gentle smile as he looked at Yu Xiaobao: "Does Third Master mean that our clan leader is narrow-minded and unable to distinguish between rewards and punishments?"

Yu Xiaobao rolled his eyes: "Don't give me that! Stop talking about the clan leader all the time. It's fine if you're just scaring other people, but that's my own brother!"

"Oh?"

Yang Can asked in surprise, "So, Third Master thinks that his elder brother is narrow-minded, unable to manage his subordinates fairly, and would do things like settling scores later?"

Yu Xiaobao was furious, his face changing as he said, "You! You keep calling me 'Clan Leader,' what exactly do you mean by that? Are you trying to intimidate me by using my elder brother?"

Yang Can shrugged: "Third Master, you're mistaken. I am a member of the Yu family, I eat the Yu family's food, I do the Yu family's work, and I sleep in the Yu family's... bed."

If I don't follow the clan leader's orders in everything and don't always remember the clan leader's kindness, then who do you think I should listen to and who do you think I should remember?

"Am I supposed to listen to your Third Master?"

"You and I……"

Yu Xiaobao was speechless, his face turning from red to purple with frustration.

Yang Can's words were all based on the principle of "loyalty to the warlord," and every word emphasized "political correctness."

If he were to refute this, it would be an admission that he disrespected the clan leader;
If they didn't refute it, they couldn't swallow their anger, and for a moment they were frozen in place, unable to utter a single word.

Upon seeing this, the stewards in the hall all flashed a look of disdain in their eyes:
This "Leopard Lord" is truly useless at everything. He can even get shut down in an argument. No wonder he's never held real power all these years.

Only Zhang Yunyi, sitting on the right, sharpened his gaze and secretly glanced at Yu Xiaobao.

Was Yu Xiaobao's loss of composure genuine or feigned?

If this Third Master is truly as incompetent as the rumors suggest, then so be it;

But if he's "pretending to be weak to deceive others," then that kind of cunning is terrifying.

Just then, Kang Zhengyang appeared silently at the entrance of the banquet hall.

Yang Can's eyes met his, then she glanced at the curtain to the side.

Kang Zhengyang immediately understood, and with footsteps as light as a cat, he quietly walked to the corner of the side wall of the banquet hall.

Seeing this, Yang Can raised his hand to pick up the wine cup on the table, his face blooming with a spring-like smile again, and his voice becoming much gentler.

"Alright, today is the Dragon Boat Festival feast. I am grateful that you all have taken the time to gather here with us."

All the unpleasantness of the past should vanish with this glass of wine, and be laughed off.
In the days to come, I hope we can work together to serve the lord and also secure a bright future for ourselves.

Gentlemen, please drink to your heart's content!

These words, seemingly a toast, actually revealed everything to everyone.

The grain and livestock that should be handed over to the lord must not be less than a penny, and should even be reported as more than in previous years. This is a matter of attitude; don't try to play tricks.

As long as this is accomplished, I, Yang Can, can give an account to the clan leader. I will no longer hold onto those past grievances of yours. From now on, you can use your own methods to manage your estates and ranches.

After all, everyone has selfish desires, so why shouldn't I, Yang, have them too?
Upon hearing this, the managers felt reassured, as if a weight had been lifted from their shoulders. Their initial nervousness dissipated, and they raised their wine cups in response.

"Drink up! Thank you, Steward Yang!"

"Drink up!"

"Cheers!"

In an instant, the somewhat tense atmosphere in the hall became lively, and laughter and cheerful conversation filled the air as glasses clinked.

Yang Can put down his wine cup, bowed and smiled at Yu Xiaobao, who was sitting at the same table: "Third Master, please excuse me for a moment, I'm going to change my clothes."

He was wearing a dark brocade robe embroidered with cloud patterns, which was too formal and he really needed to change into casual clothes to make it easier to drink.

Yu Xiaobao was still brooding over what had just happened. Upon hearing this, he merely snorted, rolled his eyes, and didn't even bother to say a word.

Yang Can didn't take offense, maintaining his smile as he turned and walked behind the curtain on the side.

Zhang Yunyi, who was bending down to pour wine for Yang Can, immediately noticed that Kang Zhengyang, who was standing in the corner, had also quietly followed. The two of them walked behind the curtain one after the other.

Zhang Yunyi's heart stirred, and he immediately picked up a glass of wine without making a sound, and walked towards the table of ranchers.

Two people were missing from that table: Bald Falcon and Balimo. Moreover, there was a curtain behind that table.

(End of this chapter)