Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 60 Checking in with your bags
Now that he was back in the mountains, Yang Can naturally wanted to meet with his subordinates.

"Wangcai!" Yang Can called out as soon as he entered the courtyard.

Wangcai and Laixi were sitting on the porch talking, laughing heartily about something.

Upon hearing Yang Can's voice, Wangcai looked up sharply and saw that its owner had returned. It jumped up immediately.

Yang Can looked at Wangcai, who ran up to him like a dog, and gave him instructions with a smile.

"Go and have the kitchen prepare a feast. Tonight I'm hosting a banquet for all the stewards of the outer quarters."

He glanced at Lai Xi again: "Xi Zi, go and tell the managers for me."

Since he had a silver tongue to serve him, Lai Xi no longer needed to stay in the courtyard every day.

Lai Xi didn't realize he had fallen out of favor; on the contrary, he was enjoying it.

Whenever he had free time, he would run next door to play with Wangcai.

Anyway, as long as Madam Wan calls out, he can hear her even through the courtyard wall.

The two boys immediately took off running.

The host is hosting a dinner party! That's great news! There will be plenty of leftovers and oily food to go around.

Yang Can set off from Feng'an Village early in the morning and arrived at Phoenix Villa in the afternoon.

He met with the lord of the clan and Suo Chanzhi, spending a particularly long time with Suo Chanzhi.

So by this time, the sun was setting and the sky was full of rosy clouds.

Upon learning of the invitation from the two deacons, all the stewards gladly accepted.

At the banquet, they learned that Yang Can had also taken on the role of the head of Feng'an Manor.

For a moment, everyone looked at Yang Can with complicated expressions.

On the one hand, Yang Can, as the second steward of the eldest branch, also serves as the head of Feng'an Manor, which is something many people envy.

They hold high-ranking positions and occupy powerful posts below; who wouldn't envy them?
On the other hand, it's obvious to everyone that Feng'anzhuang is currently facing numerous troubles.

One wrong move and you could fall there.

However, they are all shrewd people, and naturally they would not do anything too intimate with someone they don't know well.

"Steward Yang is truly talented! He has actually improved the plow and is now famous throughout the land!"

Manager Niu raised his glass and toasted Yang Can's invention.

Congratulations are inappropriate, but a warning is even more inappropriate; the matter of Yang Can concurrently serving as the head of Feng'an Manor can only be left unresolved.

"Yes, yes, Deacon Yang's actions are truly meritorious; we should raise a toast to him."

All the managers raised their glasses to toast Yang Can.

After several rounds of drinks, the banquet was in full swing when suddenly the tinkling of jade pendants could be heard.

Upon being sized up by a drunken steward at the door, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh dear!"

"Mrs. Pan?"

Everyone turned their heads and saw Madam Pan standing gracefully in the interplay of light and shadow outside the door.

She wore a crimson silk dress, her hair was slightly loose, and a golden hairpin was tucked into her hair.

Under the lamplight, her eyes flowed like water, exuding an extremely charming and alluring beauty.

Upon seeing this, all the managers stood up with a clatter.

Pan Xiaowan smiled and said, "I heard that the Second Steward has returned to the mountain and is hosting a banquet for all the stewards tonight."

A relative happened to send some seasonal produce up the mountain, so I prepared a few simple dishes.

She raised her hand to smooth a strand of hair at her temple, her alluring eyes glancing at Yang Can with a sticky, seductive look.

"I am sending this now to Deacon Yang and the other managers to enjoy a drink and to express my gratitude."

Pan Xiaowan spoke softly, gesturing to Qiaoshe and Laixi behind her.

Qiaoshe and Laixi hurriedly carried the food box forward to serve the dishes.

Pan Xiaowan took out a small cup from it and smiled gently.

"There aren't many milk crisps left at home, so I'll only make this one bowl."

Since the Second Deacon has rarely returned, please have him taste it himself…

Yang Can quickly left his seat, stepped forward, and accepted the nectar with both hands.

Yang Can said, "Madam, you have gone to great lengths. I am deeply grateful."

Their eyes met briefly before looking away, which appeared to be extremely polite to onlookers.

Only when their eyes met could they feel the undercurrent of their intertwined emotions.

Pan Xiaowan handed over the porcelain cup, her fingertip casually tracing a line across Yang Can's hand.

A soft, low voice, audible only to the two of them, scolded, "You little devil, so heartless!"

Yang Can lowered his head to accept the cup, his voice barely audible: "Sister-in-law, stop fooling around."

Pan Xiaowan gave a soft snort, playfully rolled her eyes at him, handed the drink to Yang Can, and immediately took a step back, behaving with utmost propriety and grace.
"Alright, everyone, enjoy yourselves. I won't bother you any longer."

With a gentle, alluring glance, Pan Xiaowan then left with Qiaoshe and Laixi.

The banquet became lively again.

Especially with the addition of several steaming new dishes, everyone's enthusiasm for drinking intensified.

The stewards all praised Madam Pan for being considerate, kind-hearted, and adhering to traditional virtues while her husband was on patrol, and for managing the household well.

Yang Can held a spoon and savored the "sweet gravy," listening with a slight smile.

When the moon was high in the sky and its light bathed the ground, the banquet finally came to an end.

It was too late to clean up the mess, so Yang Can didn't wake up Wangcai, who was dozing off. He simply saw the guests off and then bolted the gate.

Turning my head to look at the top of the wall, I saw a large lotus pot, which was very easy to climb.

On the top of the wall, the apricot blossoms on the tree were almost finished blooming.

Standing on tiptoe and looking towards the wall, Yang Can saw that a light was still on in Pan Xiaowan's bedroom, like a pair of sleepy eyes filled with tender affection. Yang Can gently shook his head.

He naturally understood Madam Xiaowan's intentions, but he had resisted when things could have naturally progressed, so he would not climb over the wall to pick that apricot blossom now.

Yang Can's figure quietly disappeared at the doorway, and the apricot blossoms on the branches were blown by the wind, causing petals to fall like rain.

……

Yang Can only stayed at Phoenix Villa for one night.

His current focus is on Feng'an Village, and he still needs to establish his base there, developing in a stealthy manner.

Upon returning to Feng'an Village, Yang Can immediately had someone invite Zhang Yunyi.

Zhang Yunyi was still the nominal head of Feng'an Manor at this time, although he was already under the control of Leopard Head and Kang Zhengyang.

"During this trip back to the mountain, I met with the clan leader and explained the situation. The clan leader's meaning was..."

Yang Can paused deliberately, but didn't see any reaction from Zhang Yunyi; he was rather calm.

"Master, you have shown righteousness by eliminating your own relatives and eradicating scoundrels. Therefore, although you have failed to investigate properly, you will not be severely punished. You will be demoted from Master to Assistant Deputy Master. This matter ends here."

Zhang Yunyi silently took a step back, lifted his robe, and knelt down: "Thank you for your kindness, Deacon Yang."

Yang Can shook his head: "This steward wishes for Feng'an Manor to be safe and sound, and for this autumn's harvest to be no less than that of previous years. Can Manor Lord Zhang do that?"

Zhang Yunyi said, "I dare not say what the weather will be like this year, but with the effect of the new plow made by the steward, I am confident."

"Okay!" Yang Can nodded; this was the result he wanted.

A group of people who have been entrenched in Feng'an Village for many years cannot be eliminated without the entire village transitioning smoothly.

But if there is any turmoil, it will give Master Yu something to talk about.

Therefore, Yang Can took over all the managers of Feng'an Village, but left Zhang Yunyi's name still standing there.

The purpose is to ensure that the dramatic changes in Feng'anzhuang during the spring plowing and planting season do not have a significant impact on agricultural production.

Yang Can then looked at Kang Zhengyang: "Kang Zhengyang is loyal and dutiful, and the clan leader greatly admires him."

"The troops of Feng'an Village will remain under your command. You must train them diligently and protect the village."

Kang Zhengyang was overjoyed and thanked him. All the managers of Feng'an Manor except him had been arrested. Was he really so clean?

In any case, only now could he finally put his mind at ease.

Qingmei stood to the side, her bright black eyes darting around.

Why haven't I been given any arrangements?

He's going to be stationed at Feng'an Village and won't be back at Phoenix Manor for a while. What am I going to do?
Should I go back to serve my young lady, or... cough cough, stay and serve my son-in-law?
Yang Can pondered for a moment and said, "As for the stewards in the manor..."

His expression darkened slightly as he said, "Anyone with blood on their hands should be punished severely."

Those who can be retained, Master Zhang, you must also give them a stern warning.

Zhang Yunyi calmly agreed.

For many years, his only obsession has been to make the Zhang family bigger and stronger.

Now he doesn't even care about the Zhang family anymore; all his former beliefs and constraints have become a joke.

For him, all his cherishing and perseverance were worthless.

He can now sing "It Doesn't Matter".

Zhang Yunyi said respectfully, "Feng'an Fort is the last stronghold of my Feng'an Village against refugees and bandits."

This fortress was built with the combined manpower and resources of the entire village; it is not Zhang's private property.

Zhang will move out of Feng'an Fort within three days to make room for the estate owner.

Yang Can nodded, not standing on ceremony with him.

He had indeed set his sights on this fortified village.

It's not feasible for Zhang Yunyi to continue living here; he should build another house elsewhere.

So who is the boss of Feng'an Village?

From now on, he will be the ruler of Feng'an, the king of Feng'an!
No, not only that, there are also five estates and three ranches that are his for the taking.

Butler Wan Tai was waiting outside. As soon as he saw Zhang Yunyi come out, he immediately went to greet him.

Wan Tai asked anxiously, "Master, how is it?"

Zhang Yunyi smiled faintly: "The clan leader still needs me. The manor lord has become the deputy manor lord. It can be said that he was raised high and then gently put down."

Upon hearing this, Wan Tai breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhang Yunyi said, "Gather our personal and other valuables and leave Feng'an Fort within three days."

Wan Tai was taken aback: "Master, then...where should we settle in?"

Zhang Yunyi narrowed his eyes: "Although Uncle Xiaomi's house can't compare to Feng'an Fort, it's enough to settle our family."

"Let's move there. From now on, Uncle Xiaomi's house will be my house."

"Then... Uncle's family..."

Zhang Yunyi said coldly, "Uncle Xiaomi originally didn't own a single house, so now, he's just back to square one."

Wan Tai responded with a "yes," then suddenly remembered something and hurriedly took two steps to catch up.
"Sir, a shipment of mountain goods is about to pass through our area."

Such a big thing happened in the village, should we notify them...?

"No, that's not necessary!"

A chilling smile appeared on Master Zhang's face as he said venomously:

"Since Heaven has bestowed wealth and honor upon Yang Can, I must see if he is destined to enjoy it."

P.S.: This book will be available for purchase tomorrow. I started writing at the age of 33 and have been working on it for 20 years, now my hair and beard are all white.

However, I love reading and writing books, my only two hobbies in life, so of course I will continue.

I will update at 12:05 tonight. I would like to ask you all for a first subscription and wish you all a happy National Day!
(End of this chapter)