Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 101 What a crime

Yang Can sat in his study, quietly pondering for a long time, repeatedly considering the future situation.

In a corner of the study, beneath a floorboard that blends seamlessly with the surrounding brickwork, bald-haired Falcon Evil is imprisoned in darkness.

But at this moment, the life or death of this person had completely faded from Yang Can's thoughts.

His mind was completely absorbed in a chess game suspended in his sea of ​​consciousness.

Killing Bald Falcon Evil would be as easy as turning his hand, and he could do it anytime.

At the same time, he felt that only the dead, bald-haired Falcon Evil was the safest.

However, it seems that Yu Rui still wants to use the bald-headed falcon evil for some other purpose?
Since that's the case, let's spare his life for now and see what kind of scheme Yu Rui is planning.

However, if this pawn might backfire on him, he would never easily hand over the bald-haired falcon.

Inside the Yang residence, Qingmei was directing the maids and servants to tidy up some of the decorations for the Dragon Boat Festival banquet.

The little green plum's anxious and insecure attitude disappeared, and her face was beaming with a particularly amiable smile.

The oppressive atmosphere that had been building up among the maids and servants because of Xiao Qingmei's impatience over the past two days was instantly swept away.

With the soft clinking of porcelain, the celadon bowls decorated with lotus scrolls and the gilded jade pot vases were carefully wiped clean by the maids with soft cotton cloths.

The servants took them, folded them in the same way, wrapped them in fine cloth, and carefully put them into wooden boxes lined with hay.

This needs to be sent back to the sand pile deep inside the warehouse and properly sealed.

These luxurious items are not something we would normally use so many of.

"Master, the lords of the estates and the herdsmen will soon be setting off to return home."

Wangcai tiptoed into the study and whispered to Yang Can.

"Okay!" Yang Can replied.

Yang Can was very satisfied with the Dragon Boat Festival banquet.

The owners of all the major estates and the owners of the three major ranches have now all submitted to him.

He even lured them onto the same ship of interests by offering them the bait of trading with the Western Regions.

They are now both collaborators and pawns controlled by Yang Can.

Now that they are all going their separate ways, Yang Can, as the eldest, should see them off.

"I'll go change my clothes and call two maids here."

Yang Can raised his hand to straighten his clothes, but stopped abruptly as soon as he finished speaking, his fingertips resting on the buckle.

"By the way, is Zhang Yunyi still in the fortress?"

"Master Zhang returned to his residence in the afternoon."

Seeing Yang Can's thoughtful expression, Wangcai took two steps closer and lowered his voice.

"Don't worry, Master Zhu has already made contact with the people at the Zhang residence."

Every aspect of Zhang Zhuangzhu's life, from eating and drinking to defecating, is under our watchful eyes.

Yang Can listened and nodded slowly.

He spared Zhang Yunyi's life, not because he was soft-hearted.

Rather, it was because this piece was the best "raft" for a smooth transition of power in Feng'anzhuang at that time.

By not killing Zhang Yunyi, the managers of the five major estates and three major ranches could see the consequences of resisting him, but they were not forced into desperation and to join forces to cause trouble.

But now, he has firmly bound all forces together with his interests, and it is time to eliminate Zhang Yunyi, this lurking viper.

He never expected Zhang Yunyi to truly submit to him.

If he were in that situation, and he himself suffered the humiliation of being usurped from power and the hardship of living under someone else's roof, he would also take revenge with the most ruthless means if given the chance.

Cheng Xiaoyi's surveillance and tracking of Wang the leatherworker eventually led him to discover that Wang had gone up Phoenix Mountain.

Previously, this cobbler Wang had met Zhang Yunyi again. So, who on Phoenix Mountain does Zhang Yunyi have a secret connection with?

All of these things made him wary.

However, we can't just "punish without warning"; we still need to wait for an opportunity.

"The chef did a good job on this dish. Tell him to keep a close eye on it."

Yang Can instructed, "If Zhang Yunyi makes any unusual move, report it to me immediately."

……

In the courtyard of the Zhang residence, pomegranate flowers are in full bloom.

The crimson petals fell on the bluestone slab, much like the blood splattered on the uncle and son who were executed by Zhang Yunyi that day.

The Zhang residence is no longer as lively as it used to be, and Zhang Yunyi rarely visits the residences of his principal wife or other concubines anymore.

The courtyard where Chen Wan'er lived became the place where he spent the most time each day.

The forbidden allure emanating from this woman, who had once been his daughter-in-law, was like poison that made him succumb.

However, ever since he personally executed his uncle and son, his temperament has become extremely violent.

No one in the Zhang household dared to utter a word about such inhumane behavior.

At this moment, Zhang Yunyi was leaning against a rosewood couch, which was covered with a cashmere carpet from the Western Regions.

Chen Wan'er knelt on the couch, wearing only a light green gauze dress with the neckline hanging loosely.

When she bent over, her snow-white skin was faintly visible under the gauze, like jade bathed in moonlight.

She held a Li Guang apricot, chilled in well water, in her hand, carefully removed the pit with a silver skewer, and then presented the fruit to Zhang Yunyi's lips with her slender fingertips.

Zhang Yunyi took a bite of the apricot from her hand, but deliberately rolled his tongue lightly over her fingertips.

The cool touch mixed with the warmth of the woman's fingertips brought a satisfied smile to his face.

Chen Wan'er withdrew her hand, a blush rising on her fair cheeks.

"Master, the lords of the estates and herdsmen are leaving today. Aren't you going to see them off?"

Zhang Yunyi swallowed the apricot, his gaze sweeping over the blooming pomegranate flowers outside the window, a self-deprecating smile playing on his lips.

"Now that all the managers have their hearts set on Yang Can, he is riding high on his success. Why would he need an old man like me to join in?"

He raised his hand and stroked Chen Wan'er's hair, his fingertips tracing her delicate neck, his voice carrying a hint of suppressed hatred.

“I, Zhang Yunyi, am nothing more than a rag in Yang Can’s hands. When the music ends and the banquet is over, I should naturally be thrown back into the corner to collect dust.”

Chen Wan'er lowered her eyelids, unable to respond to these words, and could only let the man's hands linger on her body.

Zhang Yunyi's fingertips caressed the woman's plump thighs, but his mind was preoccupied with Yang Can's plan to trade with the Western Regions.

He was quite interested in Yang Can's plan to trade with the Western Regions.

If he could make a sale through this trade route, he could break free from "Master Shan's" control in just one instance.

By then, Yang Can would no longer be of any use.

Once he confirms the trade route is viable, he can immediately take action to eliminate the person who has taken everything from him.

In any case, Yang Can, like him, was just a participant in this trade route, not the leader.

When he makes a comeback, he can take her place and continue to work with Origi Rena.

"Master." The voice of the butler, Wan Tai, came from outside the door, tinged with urgency.

"Come in," Zhang Yunyi replied lazily, but his hand did not leave Chen Wan'er.

Wan Tai pushed open the door and entered, his eyes immediately fixed on Chen Wan'er.

The woman wore only a thin spring undergarment, which outlined her graceful curves, and her plump hips were particularly eye-catching when she knelt.

He greedily lingered on those rounded curves for a moment before reluctantly turning his gaze away. He quickly walked to the bedside and whispered, "Master, people from Phoenix Manor have arrived!"

Zhang Yunyi suddenly opened his eyes, and two sharp glints instantly flashed in his previously lazy eyes.

After much anticipation, the lord of the clan finally sent someone!
He sat up excitedly, slapped Chen Wan'er's buttocks with his palm, and laughed triumphantly: "Aren't you going to help the master change his clothes?"

It's one thing if it's done in private, but now they're not even trying to hide their intimate behavior from Wan Tai, their servant.

Chen Wan'er felt her cheeks burning and felt quite ashamed, but she dared not resist in the slightest and quickly got up to get off the bed.

Upon seeing this, Wan Tai immediately stepped forward, bent down, gently lifted the straw sandals from the ground, and presented them to her with both hands.

Chen Wan'er hesitated for a moment, but finally put her feet into the shoes.

Wan Tai squatted on the ground, using the slipper-like position to stare intently at those crystal-clear, jade-like snow feet, his breathing becoming rapid.

……

On the road north of Feng'anzhuang, two covered carriages were moving slowly forward, with more than twenty guards dressed in tight-fitting clothes and carrying long swords at their waists, riding closely beside the carriages.

The early summer breeze, carrying the fragrance of wheat fields, drifted past the car window and ruffled the clothes of the people inside.

Inside the first carriage, He Youzhen, the steward of the Yu family's external affairs, leaned back on the soft couch, rolled up the curtain halfway, and casually glanced out the window.

Farmers were working in the fields, a peaceful scene unfolding before them.

It seems Yang Can has truly managed to win over the businesses handed over by the Second Master; he's quite resourceful.

He Youzhen sighed inwardly.

The curtain of the carriage behind was lowered, completely obscuring the view inside.

On the passenger side of the carriage, the servant Lai Xi, dressed in a short blue cloth shirt and wearing a small hat, looked around curiously.

Inside the carriage, Li Youcai was carefully picking up a bright red wildberry with a silver toothpick and offering it to Pan Xiaowan's lips. The wildberry was plump and juicy, and he had deliberately chosen the reddest one, his eyes full of flattery.

"Wanwan, try this, it's fresh and very sweet."

To please Pan Xiaowan, he deliberately left his concubine Zaoya and maid Qiaoshe on the mountain this time, only taking Laixi with him.

The jujubes were already his, all of them were in his bowl, when could he not enjoy them?

I felt a little guilty for not consulting my wife beforehand, so I should appease her first, otherwise there would be unrest at home.

Pan Xiaowan slightly opened her mouth and put the wild berries in it, but the sweet taste didn't melt on her tongue at all; she only felt it was bland and tasteless.

The carriage has entered the territory of Feng'an Village. In a few moments, she will see the man who has caused her so much distress.

She once thought that since becoming a "spy," her heart had become as hard as iron.

As for Yang Can, it was nothing more than lusting after his handsome face and his young and strong body.

But because of his rejection, perhaps because he couldn't have her, he longed to see her even more.

The closer she got, the more turbulent her heart became, and even her fingertips felt slightly warm.

"What are you thinking about, lady?"

Seeing her wandering gaze, Li Youcai reached out and stroked the back of her hand, his voice so gentle it could melt hearts.

Pan Xiaowan snapped back to reality, turned her gaze away from the car window, sighed softly, and said in a somewhat wistful tone.

"It's been a long time since I've come down the mountain. Looking at the scenery along the way, I'm reminded of how I looked before I got married."

She raised her hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, a hint of melancholy flashing in her eyes.

"Time flies so fast. So many years have passed in the blink of an eye. In a few more years, I'm afraid I'll be old."

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Li Youcai immediately frowned, reached out and gently pinched the tip of her nose, his tone slightly reproachful.

"My wife is so beautiful that even in ten or twenty years, she will still look the same, even more charming than those young girls."

He can spout sweet words effortlessly, without having to exert any effort at all.

Just then, a voice called "Stop the car" came from ahead; it was He Youzhen's voice.

The carriage slowly came to a stop. He Youzhen lifted the curtain, stepped down from the carriage, and his gaze fell on a stone tablet by the roadside.

That is the "Encouraging Farmers Stele" of Feng'an Village. Many characters are engraved on the stele, recording the farming and sericulture in the village.

Hearing the commotion, Li Youcai, who was in the carriage behind, lifted a corner of the curtain and saw He Youzhen standing in front of the monument. He quickly said to Pan Xiaowan, "I'll go take a look," and then got off the carriage.

He Youzhen raised his hand to stroke his beard, carefully looking at the inscription on the stele, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

"This Yang Can, though young, is quite shrewd. Such methods are not typical of a young man who has just taken power."

Li Youcai quickly stepped forward and said with a fawning smile, "That's right. If it weren't for Steward Yang's ability, how could he have gained the clan leader's favor and wielded such great power at such a young age?"

Holding great power?

A hint of mockery flashed in He Youzhen's eyes.

Since receiving the order to investigate the trafficking of military equipment, he has conducted an investigation into Yang Can, the new head of Feng'an Manor.

You, Deacon Li, dumped the mess of Feng'an Village on him just to shirk responsibility.

If Yang Can hadn't been so resourceful, by the time of the autumn harvest, it wouldn't just be the crops that would be harvested by the sickle, but also Yang Can's head.

How dare you say he's scheming?
He Youzhen smiled faintly and changed the subject: "After sitting in the car all the way, we're all tired. Why don't we walk into the village and stretch our muscles?"

“Of course I’m willing to accompany the deacon.”

Li Youcai quickly agreed, turned around and waved for the guards to follow, while he lifted his robe and hurried to catch up with He Youzhen.

Inside the carriage, Pan Xiaowan gently pulled open the side curtain a crack, her gaze falling on the "Encouraging Farmers Stele".

The inscription on the monument was densely packed, and she couldn't make out any of it. Only the two characters "Yang Can" pierced her eyes like nails.

Her heart suddenly raced, and her gentle eyes gradually filled with tears, as if they were about to overflow.

……

At this moment, outside Feng'an Fort, Yang Can was standing on the stone steps, seeing off the last guest, Cheng Dong, the owner of Liupanshan Ranch.

Cheng Dong was a burly man with a thick beard and a loud, booming laugh.

He smiled at Yang Can and said, "Steward Yang, have you ridden the two horses I gave you the other day, one named 'Frostbreaker' and the other 'Snowbreaker'? Are you satisfied with them?"

Upon hearing this, Yang Can's lips twitched slightly.

He had been on the ranch for two and a half years and was so tired of riding horses that he had no time to care about the two horses that Cheng Dong had sent.

But since it was just a kind gesture, a matter of social interaction, there's no need to put on a "straightforward" persona and offend them.

He smiled and nodded: "I've ridden them, I've ridden them. I rode both of them in turn, and they were both very docile. I'm very satisfied."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Dong burst into laughter, giving a thumbs-up and exclaiming, "Deacon Yang is indeed young and strong, truly remarkable! His vigor is simply like that of a dragon or a tiger!"

He knew that the pair of pretty maids would definitely satisfy Yang Can.

Yang Can's lips twitched. Was it really necessary?
Is it really worth praising two horses as dragons and tigers just because they were test-ridden?
Cheng Dong smiled and said, "I'm glad you like them, but they are still young. If they can't handle your favor, please forgive them."

Yang Can disagreed, saying, "What's there to be lenient about? They're foals, not fully grown yet. I feed them the best hay every day and take good care of them."

Cheng Dong was taken aback for a moment, then laughed even harder: "Deacon Yang is truly a wonderful person, his words are so witty!"

He laughed heartily, mounted his horse, and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Yang Can: "Then I'll head back now. I'll gather the amount stipulated in the contract and send it over as soon as possible."

Yang Can smiled and nodded, watching Cheng Dong and his group leave. Just as he was about to turn back to the fortress, Kang Zhengyang's voice came from behind him: "Master, people from Phoenix Manor have arrived."

Yang Can paused, looking in the direction Kang Zhengyang pointed. He saw a procession of carriages slowly approaching from the other end of the village.

Yang Can frowned slightly. The lord of the clan had finally sent someone, but the response was far too slow.

But then he thought again, since he had already successfully gotten rid of those armors, he no longer needed the people from Phoenix Manor.

When the people from Phoenix Manor arrived, they couldn't find anything else.

Yang Can then smiled and quickly went to greet him.

"Deacon Li!"

Yang Can, standing a few steps away, bowed respectfully with his hands clasped in front of him.

In front of outsiders, he naturally couldn't address them as brothers as he did in private.

Li Youcai quickly stepped aside to let He Youzhen step forward and introduced him: "Deacon Yang, this is Deacon He from my Yu family. He has been ordered by the clan leader to come and investigate the matter of someone trafficking mountain goods."

"Grand Steward He."

Yang Can quickly stepped forward, bowed deeply, and became even more respectful.

He Youzhen carefully examined Yang Can, noticing his tall and upright figure, his heroic spirit between his brows, and the composure hidden in his eyes. He couldn't help but nod in praise, "Steward Yang, you are indeed a promising young man."

"Elder He, you flatter me. You two have come a long way and must be tired. Please come in..."

Yang Can smiled and was about to invite them into the fortress when his voice suddenly stopped.

Pan Xiaowan, dressed in a pink dress, stepped down from the carriage and walked slowly toward him.

"Deacon Yang, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Pan Xiaowan's voice was as soft as water, her eyebrows and eyes carried a hint of charm, and the affection in her eyes was almost overflowing.

Behind Pan Xiaowan, Lai Xi winked at Wangcai across the street.

With their respective owners in front, the two little friends dared not make any other moves.

Yang Can's heart tightened, and he quickly straightened his clothes and bowed, saying in a serious tone, "Yang Can greets Sister-in-law."

This woman's eyes were naturally like a pair of amorous hooks; whenever Yang Can saw her, these hooks would inevitably make his heart flutter.

Pan Xiaowan, however, seemed oblivious to his nervousness, and smiled sweetly: "I was bored staying on the mountain, so I'm afraid I'll have to bother Steward Yang this time as I come down the mountain with you, sir."

"We are delighted to have such distinguished guests at our door."

Yang Can cupped his hands in reply, and then quickly stepped aside to let the guests in: "Steward He, Steward Li, Madam Pan, please come with me into the fortress to rest."

Li Youcai felt he was in a pivotal role, so he quickly walked between He Youzhen and Yang Can and said with a hearty laugh, "Steward He, please."

Just as the group was about to take a step, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from afar, accompanied by hearty laughter.

"Haha, Master Yang, we left without saying goodbye the day before yesterday, and today we've come uninvited again. Please don't think we're being presumptuous!"

Yang Can and the others turned around and saw Yu Xiaobao riding a black horse, leading dozens of people and escorting four carriages, rushing over quickly.

Yang Can immediately spotted Yu Rui next to Yu Xiaobao, and his heart skipped a beat.

Yu Rui had someone send the bald-headed Falcon Evil over, saying he would send someone to take him away later, but he didn't mention that he would return on his own!

What alarmed Yang Can even more was that the four carriages in Yu Rui's group were now parked in front of He Youzhen and Li Youcai.

He Youzhen and Li Youcai came to investigate arms trafficking.

Yu Rui, the scapegoat, appeared before them carrying military weapons.
Yu Xiaobao, that troublemaker, has suddenly turned back again, and we don't know what he's up to.

Even worse, the bald-headed Falcon Demon was being hidden in his study.

And Pan Xiaowan, that woman, kept flirting with him, which just made all the trouble happen at once!
Just then, another voice came: "Elder He, Elder Li, it is an honor to have two distinguished guests. Yun Yi is late in welcoming you!"

Yang Can looked in the direction of the sound and saw Zhang Yunyi and his butler Wan Tai smiling as they came to greet them.

Yang Can's eyelids twitched even more violently. He had really done something terrible!
(End of this chapter)