Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 93 A Pot of Delicious Food
The kitchen was filled with smoke and steam.

Chef Zhu, who was in charge of cooking, stood in front of the stove and carefully lifted the lid of a large, warm celadon bowl.

A burst of steam, a blend of the rich aroma of grains and the savory fat of meat, suddenly rose up, billowing like mist and instantly filling the entire kitchen, making even the air smell sweet.

The grand finale of today's Dragon Boat Festival banquet, "Humi and Zisi Soup," has finally been prepared.

The ingredients for this dish are extremely carefully selected.

"Diaohu" refers to wild rice, which needs to be soaked in water for three hours in advance, and then simmered over low heat for one hour to release its unique aroma, which has a hint of grass and wood fragrance and a calm, nut-like aroma.
"Gusi" refers to the tender stems of the wild rice plant. The freshest tender shoots must be selected, peeled, and cut into thin strips. They resemble white jade and have a crisp and tender texture with a hint of sweetness.
The broth is made by simmering whole chicken, pork bones, and aged ham in a clay pot for a full day and night. The broth is crystal clear, yet incredibly rich and flavorful, so delicious that it makes you want to bite your tongue off.

Chef Zhu looked at the soup in the pot with satisfaction, then picked up a few thin slices of "cloud" from the plate next to him and gently laid them on the surface of the soup one by one.

These "cloud slices" are made from the smoothest, boneless "live meat" from the back of the Longhe carp, so thin that they are almost transparent.

The soup has just been removed from the heat and is extremely hot. As soon as the fish touches the broth, it is quickly cooked and curls up slightly, like white clouds, locking in the ultimate freshness of the fish and making it mouthwatering.

"Serve!"

Chef Zhu wiped the sweat from his forehead, a smug smile on his face, and loudly gave the order.

The young apprentices and maids waiting nearby immediately got busy. Some carried trays, others held cloths, carefully carrying this grand finale of the main course to the banquet hall, afraid of making the slightest mistake.

Chef Zhu watched his apprentices' departing figures, smiled with satisfaction, then took off his apron and walked out of the steaming kitchen.

A grape trellis was erected in the yard outside the kitchen, its lush green tendrils climbing all over the trellis.

Under the grape trellis was a rattan table and several rattan chairs. His young apprentices had already brewed him a pot of cool tea. The tea was clear and had a faint aroma.

Chef Zhu walked to the rattan table and sat down. He grabbed the towel draped over the back of the chair, wiped the sweat from his forehead, then picked up the teapot and took a large, satisfying gulp from the spout.

The cool tea instantly dispelled the heat throughout his body, making him sigh with relief.

Just then, a young apprentice responsible for serving dishes tiptoed to the table with a fawning smile on his face.

"Master, didn't you previously instruct us to pay close attention to any unusual activity inside and outside the manor, and to report to you immediately if anything seemed amiss..."

Chef Zhu was enjoying a rare moment of peace when he heard his apprentice's words. He glared at him impatiently and said, "Just spit it out! Stop beating around the bush and keeping me from resting!"

The young apprentice dared not be negligent, so he quickly moved closer, lowered his voice, and said with a fawning smile, "Master, please don't be angry, it's like this."

Just now, my apprentice went to Aunt Du's vegetable garden to get amaranth and coriander. Aunt Du told me that she saw Zhang Zhuangzhu and Wang the cobbler chatting together for quite a while at the alley entrance!

The two seemed to be acting mysteriously, as if they were discussing something important.

Chef Zhu was sipping his herbal tea from the spout when he heard his apprentice's words. His hand holding the cup paused slightly, and the tea rippled slightly around the rim of the cup.

A glint of light suddenly flashed in his eyes, which were usually squinted from the heat of the stove and hidden under his thick eyelids.

He put down the teapot, made a flat "hmm" sound, then waved his hand, his tone as usual, as if he had only heard about something insignificant.

"Okay, that's all for you. Go peel the remaining scallions in the kitchen, don't just stand there."

The young apprentice had been waiting for his master to praise his cleverness, but upon hearing this, his face immediately fell.

"Huh? Master, didn't we just finish lunch? Why are you peeling scallions now?"

Chef Zhu immediately glared at him, raising his voice a few decibels, with the unique authority of a chef.

"Nonsense! If we've finished lunch, we don't need to prepare food for dinner?"

Are you suggesting we let the guests go hungry tonight? Hurry up and get going, stop dawdling here!

"Oh……"

The young apprentice dared not argue further. He pouted, dragged his reluctant steps, turned around, and disappeared into the still-steaming kitchen, leaving only a faint sound of footsteps.

Chef Zhu picked up the teacup again, his fingertips tracing the cool rim of the cup, and slowly sipped the tea, his gaze not as calm as it appeared.

Indeed, this seemingly indifferent chef Zhu, who only knows how to bury himself in recipes and deals with pots and pans all day long, is Yang Can's "ears" and "eyes" planted deep within the Yang family mansion.

Since the last time important information was leaked in Feng'an Village, Yang Can had Qingmei investigate secretly, but she still couldn't find any clues. So he turned his attention to this inconspicuous Chef Zhu.

Actually, it's understandable that Qingmei couldn't get a result.

After all, she was a newcomer, having only been in Feng'an Village for a few days. She hadn't even gotten to know the layout of the streets and alleys or the interpersonal relationships within the village yet, so how could she possibly understand the intricate and complex ways of the place in such a short time?
After much deliberation, Yang Can finally settled on Chef Zhu.

Who would be wary of a cook who spends all day around the stove with greasy hands?
To everyone else, Chef Zhu's world seemed to consist only of ingredients, seasonings, and cooking time, and had nothing to do with things like "surveillance" or "intelligence."

Moreover, the dining table is always the place where people are most relaxed.

After a few drinks, even the most cautious person can easily lose their tongue and say something they shouldn't.

Throughout the Yang household, from the master to the guests and servants, everyone's meals were prepared by Chef Zhu.

He had access to key figures within the household and could also glean various bits of information from the servants' casual conversations, making him the perfect informant.

Thus, this seemingly ordinary cook became an important pawn secretly planted by Yang Can.

Normally, Wangcai is in charge of communication, relaying Yang Can's instructions and the information collected by Chef Zhu.

Chef Zhu was responsible for taking the lead in connecting everyone in Feng'an Village who was willing to work for Yang Can.

The old ladies selling vegetables in the village, the butchers slaughtering pigs at the market, and even the mischievous children running around the village all became part of this surveillance network.

They appear to be unrelated, yet they can inadvertently pass on information they see and hear to Chef Zhu, who then compiles and reports it to Yang Can, forming an intelligence network that no one can detect.

The cup of cold tea was quickly emptied. Chef Zhu placed the empty teacup on the rattan table, patted the dusty hem of his robe, and stood up.

He swayed his round body and strolled slowly toward the inner courtyard of the Yang residence with steady steps.

……

"Sir, the dishes for today's lunch were prepared according to your instructions. I wonder if they suit the tastes of our guests?"

When Chef Zhu arrived at the inner courtyard, the Dragon Boat Festival lunch had just ended, and Yang Can was personally escorting the guests to their lodgings to rest.

Yang Can stood at the entrance of the guesthouse with a gentle smile on his face and said politely to the several farm owners and ranchers, "You've all worked hard today. Go back to your rooms and rest for a while to recharge your energy. We'll continue the fun tonight."

After everyone nodded in agreement and went into their respective rooms, he turned and walked out.

Upon seeing this, Chef Zhu quickly followed, asking as he walked, "Master, should we make some adjustments to the dishes and flavors for tonight's dinner, based on the luncheon experience?"

"No need."

Yang Can waved his hand, his tone relaxed, "Your cooking is quite good; everyone enjoyed the lunch."

As they talked, the two quickly left the area where the inn was located, and there were no other guests or servants around.

Chef Zhu immediately lowered his voice and hurriedly repeated the message his apprentice had told him, word by word.

Upon hearing this, alarm bells immediately went off in Yang Can's mind, and his relaxed expression instantly turned serious.

He stopped, his brows furrowing slightly as he quickly processed the information in his mind.

Based on the existing information alone, nothing can be proven. Perhaps Zhang Yunyi was just casually chatting with Wang Yongcai about the price of furs.

But when he thought of Wangcai's previous report, and considering that Zhang Yunyi harbored deep hatred for him, Yang Can dared not be careless.

"I see."

Yang Can said in a deep voice, "You go back first. Keep a close eye on the banquet. Report to me immediately if anything happens."

After Chef Zhu nodded in agreement and left, Yang Can immediately called over Leopard Head and instructed him, "Find someone clever, obedient, and tight-lipped to keep an eye on Leatherworker Wang Yongcai."

……

The owners and managers rested in the guesthouse for more than an hour, during which servants brought tea and snacks, and the atmosphere was relatively relaxed.

Zhang Yunyi was also arranged to stay temporarily at the guesthouse. He stayed there mainly to chat with several familiar ranchers.

About an hour before the banquet, a servant from the Yang family suddenly came to the guest house, saying that Yang Can had important matters to discuss and invited all the estate owners and ranch owners to the front hall for a meeting.

Everyone stood up, straightened their robes, and followed the servants outside.

Yu Xiaobao stood in front of his room window, looking through the crack in the window at the commotion outside.

Seeing that the six estate owners and three ranch owners had left the guesthouse with their servants, but he had not received an invitation from Yang Can, he couldn't find a reason to follow them and became even angrier.

"Wait, during the lunch banquet, Zhang Yunyi seemed to have mentioned something to me..."

Yu Xiaobao frowned and paced back and forth in the room, trying hard to recall the scene at the luncheon.

A moment later, he suddenly remembered that Zhang Yunyi seemed to have said that the Xianbei leaders, Balimo and Tuoba Junxie, left one after the other with their men during the luncheon without saying goodbye.

Originally, his enthusiasm was met with indifference from Bald Falcon Evil, and the proud and arrogant Third Master Leopard no longer wanted to pay attention to this barbarian.

However, the "soft alienation" of these village managers left him with no way to use his strength.

In this light, the straightforward Xianbei people seem to be easier to deal with.

With that thought in mind, Yu Xiaobao walked out of the room and headed towards the residence of the bald-headed Falcon Demon.

In order to establish a relationship with the Bald Tribe, he had previously contacted Bald Falcon Evil and knew where Bald Falcon Evil lived.

Yu Xiaobao walked to the vicinity of the inn and saw that the door was closed and there were no attendants guarding the door. It was so deserted that it did not look like anyone lived there.

Seeing a servant carrying a kettle of hot water pass by, Yu Xiaobao asked, "Has the Tuoba Xianbei man who lives here returned?"

The servant stopped and quickly bowed, replying, "Reporting to Third Master, Lord Bald Head left with his men around noon."

They left in a hurry and didn't say whether they would come back, so the younger one didn't dare to tidy up the room and could only leave it empty for now.

"They left at noon and haven't come back yet?"

Yu Xiaobao frowned even more deeply and pressed on, "Where are his followers? I remember he brought more than ten followers with him, did they all leave with him?"

"Yes, all the attendants went with Lord Bald."

The servant nodded and added, "By the way, Lord Bali also left at noon, half an hour earlier than Lord Tufa. He also left with all his entourage and didn't say goodbye."

After hearing this, Yu Xiaobao's doubts deepened.

He waved his hand, dismissing the servant, and stood there, frowning in thought:

The fact that the two Xianbei leaders left one after the other with all their followers, without saying goodbye, is definitely not a coincidence; there must be some hidden story behind it.

He dared not hesitate any longer and immediately hurried back to his room, summoning his personal guard.

"Go to the village immediately to find out where Balimo and Tufa Junxie have gone with their men. If you have any news, come back and report to me immediately!"

……

On Yang Can's side, the nine invited manor owners and ranch owners had already gathered in the main hall of the Zhongzhai residence.

The room was elegantly furnished, with round-backed chairs on either side of a long rosewood table, and a set of celadon teaware on the table, the aroma of tea wafting through the air.

Having just enjoyed a lavish feast at noon and taken a short rest, I now hold a warm teacup, sip a cup of clear tea, and feel completely refreshed, all fatigue gone, and my spirits lifted.

"Did you all rest well?"

Accompanied by a gentle laugh, Yang Can slowly emerged from behind the screen.

He changed into a light blue Taoist robe, the fabric embroidered with fine, dark patterns that shimmered in the light, making him appear even more gentle and refined.

"Greetings, Your Excellency!"

Upon seeing this, everyone stood up and bowed, but they all looked puzzled. Even Zhang Yunyi couldn't figure out Yang Can's intention in suddenly inviting them here.

The luncheon had just ended, the dinner was yet to come, and no word had been given in advance, making it truly impossible to guess what Deacon Yang was thinking.

Among them, Cheng Dong from Liupanshan Ranch, having previously given Yang Can two three-year-old foals, felt he had already built a closer relationship with Yang Can, so he took the lead in laughing and asking the question on behalf of everyone.

"The wine and food prepared by the steward today are of excellent taste, and we have eaten and drunk to our heart's content."

"I wonder if the steward has summoned us so suddenly because he has some instructions for us?"

Yang Can waved his hand: "'Instructions' are not the right word. Only when doing things for the lord can it be called 'instructions'."

Mr. Yang's invitation to you all at this moment has nothing to do with the clan leader, nor with the Yu family, but only with the opportunity between us.

After saying this, he sat down in the armchair in the main seat, and gestured with his hands downwards to indicate that everyone did not need to be so polite.

"Therefore, the purpose of inviting you all here today is not to 'summon' you, but to invite you, to discuss matters."

Upon hearing this, the plantation owners and ranchers exchanged bewildered glances.

Yang Can's words, though seemingly mild, only made people more uneasy.

Filled with doubt, they could only sit down and wait for Yang Can to continue.

After everyone was seated, Yang Can picked up the teacup on the table, took a small sip to moisten his throat, and then spoke with a smile.

"There's something I need to say upfront, so that you won't have any concerns."

The matters discussed with you all today are entirely voluntary.

Whether you want to participate or not, Mr. Yang will not force you.
We will not hold a grudge against those who are unwilling to join, so please rest assured.

But the more he said that, the more uncertain the estate owners and ranchers felt.

Zhao Shanhe of Lupo Ridge, with the most impatient temperament, could not contain himself any longer and stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and said:

"Deacon Yang, please stop beating around the bush! Just say what you need to say. Everyone is completely confused and feeling uneasy."

Upon hearing this, Yang Can smiled and said, "Master Zhao, don't be anxious. I think this matter has great potential, but the intricacies involved are quite complex."

I fear I might not explain things clearly enough, and that this could lead to misunderstandings. Perhaps I should invite someone knowledgeable to explain things to you in detail.

As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Can clapped his hands three times and called out, "Wangcai, please welcome Miss Rena." With his command, Wangcai, dressed in a blue robe and a small hat, led a woman slowly into the flower hall.

The woman wore a Persian-style long dress embroidered with gold, the dress adorned with intricate intertwined floral patterns shimmering in the light.

Her face was covered by a thin veil, revealing only a pair of deep blue eyes and fiery red hair that fell over her shoulders.

The long dress was made of soft, form-fitting fabric, perfectly outlining her shapely curves.

So as soon as she entered the flower hall, all the manor owners and ranch owners focused their attention on her.

When the crowd saw her distinctive fiery red hair, azure eyes, and her beautiful face partially obscured by the veil, they stirred up a great deal of excitement, with whispers rising and falling among them.

"Is this girl Rena?"

"Judging from her attire and appearance, she looks like a Hu woman from the far west!"

The manor owners exchanged glances discreetly, their doubts growing. What important matter could a young and beautiful Hu woman possibly discuss with them?
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is Miss Rena. She comes from a prominent merchant family in Persia."

Yang Can spoke at the opportune moment, breaking the commotion in the flower hall.

“Rena’s father was a wealthy merchant who traveled between the Western Regions and the Central Plains for many years. He was knowledgeable and had extensive connections.”

Today, Rena is here in Feng'an Village on behalf of her family, seeking cooperation.

The farm owners and ranch owners still looked at Yang Can with suspicion, their eyes filled with distrust.

What kind of business can a girl from another race discuss with them?
Du Pingping, the owner of the manor in Qingyuan, even secretly grumbled to himself.

Could it be that Steward Yang was bewitched by this Hu woman's beauty, which is why he did such an absurd thing?

Are you suggesting they come and "discuss matters" with a woman surnamed Hu? Are you suggesting they pay her to please her?

Don't be ridiculous, our money didn't grow on trees!

While everyone was lost in their own thoughts, Rena gracefully bowed to them.

She lacked the shyness and awkwardness of ordinary women; when she spoke, she spoke fluent Mandarin with a slight foreign accent.

"Thanks to Deacon Yang's introduction, it is Rena's honor to meet with all the manor lords and pastoral lords today."

She gave a slight bow and continued, "Rena has come on my father's orders to discuss a business collaboration with you all. If we can reach an agreement, it will surely benefit both of us."

Upon hearing that Yang Can was merely an "introducer" and that this Ms. Hu was not his confidante, the attitudes of the various estate owners and ranch owners immediately cooled.

Du Pingping even crossed her legs, picked up the teacup on the table, gently skimmed off the foam, and spoke with a hint of contempt.

"Oh? Since it's business, then we'd like to listen attentively and see what good deals Miss Rena can bring."

He was quite disdainful in his heart; doing business was never that easy.

Everyone wants to make money, but only one in a hundred people can actually do so.

Deacon Yang was probably blinded by the beauty of this Hu woman, which is why he believed her lies.

He was determined to expose the Hu woman's "lie" later, saving Steward Yang a sum of money that would have been wasted. Steward Yang would then naturally remember his kindness.

Rena seemed oblivious to the contempt in Du Pingping's tone, maintaining her smile and simply gesturing towards the door.

Soon, two burly men dressed as servants carried in a six-panel screen, which they slowly opened in front of everyone.

Above the screen was a map stretching from Chang'an to the Western Regions.

This map only shows the important cities, rivers, and trade routes along the way, making it easy to understand at a glance.

Wangcai stepped forward at the right moment and handed Rena a slender stick made of polished poplar wood.

Rena took the "teaching baton" and stood gracefully to one side of the screen, like a female geography teacher.

With a gentle tap of her pointer, she accurately landed on the city marked "Tianshui" on the map, her voice clear and firm.

"As you can see, Tianshui County is located in the heart of Longyou, a vital transportation hub connecting the Central Plains and the Western Regions. Merchants and travelers come and go every day, and business opportunities are endless."

You all possess tens of thousands of acres of fertile land, thousands of livestock, and a vast workforce, yet you sit idly by and watch your wealth flow away like water, like guarding a gold mine but not knowing how to mine it—it's truly a great pity.

"Miss Rena, you can't say that!"

Zhao Shanhe immediately retorted, his tone tinged with dissatisfaction: "We all have our own businesses to run, we're not just sitting around doing nothing."

Take me for example, every year I transport medicinal herbs from Lupo Ridge to Tianshui County to sell, and I can make quite a bit of money from it.”

Rena smiled and said, "What Master Zhao said is absolutely right. Indeed, all of you have businesses, whether it is selling grain, selling furs, or dealing in medicinal herbs."

However, these are all small-scale, scattered businesses, limited in scale and with meager profits, truly wasting your exceptionally favorable conditions.

"What do you know, you barbarian woman!"

Du Pingping couldn't help but slam down her teacup and snorted coldly: "Do you think doing business is just about opening the door and waiting to make money?"
The journey is treacherous, the market is volatile, and bandits roam freely—which of these should we not consider?

Do you really think you can make money just by assembling a caravan? Ten times more people go bankrupt than those who actually make money!

Rena remained unperturbed, instead nodding gracefully and puffing out her chest confidently.

Her ligament has been reinforced, so there's no need to worry about it breaking again.

"Master Du is right. Doing business is indeed not easy and is fraught with risks. A slight misstep can lead to losing everything. That's why I'm here!"

Yang Can sipped his tea contentedly, smiling as he looked at Rena.

See, this is the correct way to use this "Persian cat"!

When she talks about business, her eyes light up, and she becomes incredibly radiant.

Yang Can did not reveal to everyone that Rena was actually his agent. If he did, people would inevitably think that this was a "trap" he had set up, and it would be difficult to gain their trust.

Moreover, he planned to have himself and other plantation owners and ranchers hold shares in similar proportions so that the powerful clan leaders would not be wary.

As for his excess shares, they were naturally entrusted to Rena for holding.

Please find out what a "legal representative" does.

“I am different from ordinary businessmen.”

Rena proudly raised her head, and the braid on her chest became even more erect. Fortunately, the reinforced straps firmly supported her expansion without loosening at all.

“My father was a merchant for more than 30 years, and his footprints covered major cities in the East and West, such as Chang’an, Ctesiphon, and Rome. We knew the distribution of products, market demand, and best trading times along the way like the back of our hand.”

Her pointer once again pointed to the map, heading west from Tianshui County, passing through Shule, Yutian and other places: "With the resources and experience accumulated by my father, we can fully integrate the outputs in your hands."

"Grain, leather, wool, livestock, medicinal herbs—anything available in the Central Plains but needed in the Western Regions—we can purchase in one go."

"After that, we will standardize the quality, classify and grade them, and then form our own caravans to transport these goods to the places in the Western Regions that need them most."

Rena's voice grew more and more passionate, her eyes sparkling with anticipation for the future.

"Once we reach the Western Regions, we can use these goods to exchange for gems, spices, and glassware that are scarce in the Central Plains, and then transport these treasures back to Longyou and even Guanzhong for distribution."

In this way, we can reduce the exploitation by all middlemen, and profits will more than double!

"You put it lightly!"

Du Pingping remained unconvinced: "The journey to the Western Regions is long and arduous, with bandits roaming the area. Caravans can easily encounter misfortune if they are not careful. It's not as easy as you say."

Rena smiled and used her pointer to mark the places Shule, Khotan, and Samarkand on the map.

Her slender waist swayed gently with her movements, and her full breasts and slim waist outlined a captivating curve, like a flowing landscape on a screen.

“Rena had already considered Master Du’s concerns.”

My father had established fixed trading posts in Shule, Khotan, Samarkand and other places.

"We have strong ties with the local powerful families, so there's absolutely no need to worry about the safety of our caravans passing through these areas."

She paused, her tone enticing: "Not only that, but with the help of these trading stations, we can also trade directly with local buyers, reducing the cuts from second, third, or even fourth middlemen."

In this way, our profits can at least increase several times over. Don't you all think this kind of business is worth doing?

She withdrew her pointer, her beautiful eyes smiling: "A fine Persian carpet might only be worth ten taels of silver in the Western Regions, but it can be sold for fifty taels in Chang'an."

A small bag of spices emitting a strange fragrance is a common item in Persia, but in the Central Plains it becomes a prized item sought after by high-ranking officials and nobles, with its price increasing more than tenfold.

You are all business people, and I'm sure you all know the profit margins involved without me having to elaborate.

Conversely, the profits from transporting silk and tea from the Central Plains to the Western Regions were equally considerable.

Just as everyone was secretly making plans, Wangcai had already taken out nine pieces of paper and handed them to each of the farm owners and ranch owners.

This is the business plan form that Yang Can meticulously prepared over several days, and it has finally been "released" today.

The table clearly lists the origin, best trading season, expected costs, and profits of various goods from both the East and the West.

He even calculated in detail the losses during the journey and the cost of escorting the guards.

As for where to set up transit stations, when is the most cost-effective time to ship goods, how to price to seize the market, and how to deal with bandits or market fluctuations, the table provides a detailed and logical analysis, taking all aspects into consideration.

Such a detailed and feasible business plan would be considered an excellent solution even in modern society, let alone in today's imperfect business system, it is simply a game-changer.

Of course, Yang Can was only responsible for creating the spreadsheets; most of the data and information within them was provided by Rena.

The plantation owners and ranchers held the paper, their eyes growing brighter with each reading. Their initial doubts and disdain had vanished, replaced by barely concealed excitement and anticipation.

They instinctively sat up straight, their previously relaxed shoulders gradually tensing, and they gripped the papers in their hands even tighter.

Although these people were local wealthy individuals with businesses of varying degrees, they were hardly professionals when it came to the ways of doing business.

Their businesses are mostly limited to a hundred miles around their own estates, with a very small reach and a small scale.
It was simply a matter of selling surplus grain to neighboring villages and handing over the furs from the pastures to the peddlers in town, earning whatever profit they could.

Moreover, this kind of business relies entirely on local status and connections. Where have you ever seen such a large-scale business that spans east and west and is planned in an all-round way?

The plan presented by Rena demonstrates a keen business sense far beyond her years, enabling her to see through the supply and demand gap between Eastern and Western products at a glance.

Among them is his father’s years of shrewd business experience, which allowed him to calculate the risks and costs along the way with perfect accuracy.

In addition, Yang Can's modern and clear expression style makes complex business logic easy to understand with tables.

The combination of the three elements was simply stunning, opening the eyes of these landowners who had been tending their own small plots of land for years.

The flower hall quickly fell silent, and even the sound of breathing became much softer.

Everyone stared intently at the paper in their hands, afraid of missing a single word.

Even Zhang Yunyi, who had been secretly wary of Yang Can, temporarily put aside his calculations and focused all his attention on the plan on this thin page.

His fingertips slid across rows of data repeatedly as he silently calculated in his mind.

Yang Can sat in the main seat, observing everyone's reactions.

After a long while, Du Pingping was the first to raise her head, slammed her hand on the table, and her voice was full of excitement.

"Miss Rena, you are truly a female Tao Zhu!"
In all my years, this is the first time I've ever seen such a comprehensive business plan.

This deal was a success!

As soon as he finished speaking, the other farm owners and ranchers nodded in agreement.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the flower hall became lively, and the previous doubts and disdain had long since vanished.

At this moment, Zhang Yunyi hesitated and said, "Everyone, Rena is to the west, and to the east, we..."

Everyone was speechless upon hearing this.

In Tianshui County alone, the Yu family's caravan has already taken up residence, and a few days ago, the Suo family's caravan also moved in.

Let alone places further away, to the east, where would they find a way?

In addition to the inherent business risks, the greater difficulty in doing business comes from power.

If they only engage in minor disturbances, those in power will not take them seriously.

But if they really made a fortune every day...

Yang Can stood up at the opportune moment, smiling as he said, "So, has everyone noticed the shareholding ratio I proposed for everyone?"

Upon hearing this, the farm owners and ranchers immediately looked down at the paper in their hands.

They were so focused on calculating the potential and exact amount of profit from the goods that they completely overlooked the shareholding column.

Upon closer inspection, each person's shareholding is clearly marked.

"Only half complete!"

Cheng Dong couldn't help but frown: "Isn't that a bit too little? Even if all nine of us combine, it's only 45%!"

"That's right, the nine companies combined account for 45%."

Yang Can nodded and said with certainty, "Besides the nine of you, besides me, and besides Rena's family, there is another very important partner who will be investing in this business."

As you all probably know, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yu family is not only the eldest daughter-in-law of the Yu family, but also a noble lady of the Suo family.

Behind her stand two powerful families, the Yu family and the Suo family.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his expression one of undeniable composure.

"From now on, if there's anything in the west, contact Rena; if there's anything in the east, contact the young mistress. Is there anything else?"

(End of this chapter)