Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 80 This night is anything but quiet
Yang Can nodded solemnly, his eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight.

"You're right, I didn't think things through."

Since you have more important things to do, choose someone else to serve you tomorrow.

Yang Can pondered for a moment, then lightly tapped the table with his fingertips: "The trade route in Longshang is treacherous; without guards, it's impossible to make a single step."

"Leopard Head still needs to stay by my side. Why don't you go see Kang Zhengyang tomorrow?"

"Kang Quchang?" A hint of surprise flashed in Rena's eyes.

"Exactly."

Yang Can looked out the window at the deep night: "He had long intended to go into business, but recently he suffered the pain of losing a loved one."

"Since they need to provide relief to their relatives, they must be short of money; this is the most opportune time to extend an invitation."

Rena smiled sweetly: "My lord is wise. It would be best to have Kang Quchang, who is in charge of the troops in Feng'an Village, to help us."

What Yang Can didn't say was that his deeper plan was to firmly bind this military commander to himself.

But there was no need for Rena to know these things. As the trade routes became increasingly prosperous, Kang Zhengyang would naturally become an indispensable piece in this game.

"One more thing."

Yang Can's voice pulled Rena back to reality: "I was thinking of bringing this up with you sometime later, but it's better to let you plan ahead sooner."

"Please speak, sir."

Upon learning that she could be relieved of her duties the next day, the thin frost between Rena's brows quietly melted away.

The candlelight illuminated her fiery red hair, and her deep blue eyes shimmered with a gentle light, causing Yang Can to momentarily lose his composure.

"Ahem! I want to invite everyone to join in this grand event, rather than going it alone."

Yang Can carefully chose his words: "The managers of the eldest branch, as well as the heads of the five major estates and three major ranches, will be invited to invest in the company one after another."

"So this brings up the question of how to go into partnership, you understand?"

Yang Can wasn't sure if the concept of a shareholding system already existed in this era, so he wanted to explain it more clearly to Rena.

But before he could even begin explaining, Rena already smiled knowingly.

“I understand, sir. My father was a ‘saboteur’.”

Rena answered cheerfully.

As business development matured, the rudiments of modern partnerships and joint-stock systems had already emerged.

This business model has seen the emergence of equity participation methods that separate investors from operators.

For example, some wealthy merchants, nobles, or monks in Samarkand simply invest without managing the business and receive dividends.

Other managing partners may only invest a small amount of capital, or even not invest any money themselves.

However, he was the actual person in charge of the entire caravan, responsible for the long-distance transport and trade over thousands of miles.

This is similar to the role of the chief stewards of the eight major clans.

Even Yang Can, the owner of the estate, has management rights, but not ownership.

The actual executor of such caravans was called "Sabao" in the Western Regions, which is equivalent to a modern CEO.

Rena's father was a "Sabao" in such a large merchant caravan from the Western Regions.

A large caravan is itself a commercial alliance.

The caravan leader, "Sabao," was the overall person in charge.

Each member of the caravan plays multiple roles simultaneously.

They were not only members of the merchant guild, but also owners of their own businesses, and had partnership agreements with other members that were exclusive to both parties.

It sounds very complicated, but the structure is also very flexible.

Yang Can was speechless upon hearing what she said.

Rena understands the shareholding system and its operation even better than he, the time traveler, does.

"In that case, you will be in charge of drafting the specific regulations."

Yang Can shook his head helplessly, but his eyes were filled with admiration.

"Okay, sir."

Rena playfully agreed, her red hair tracing a bright arc as she turned around.

She noticed the frustration in Yang Can's eyes. This Mr. Yang was quite interesting.

As soon as the shoji door was pulled open, Rena froze in place.

"you……"

"Shh!"

Dugu Jingyao raised a finger to her lips, and the moonlight bathed her white dress in a soft glow.

"Little Master, what brings you here?"

Rena quickly lowered her voice and asked in a low voice.

They were both slaves acquired by Manager Qian, and they not only knew each other long ago, but were also close friends who had shared hardships.

Dugu Jingyao sighed, hesitated, and then sighed again.

"Sigh! Never mind, this is a long story, well, it's a complicated matter. I won't go into it with you."

Dugu Jingyao pointed to the room: "Is he asleep?"

"not yet."

"Alright, I'll go tell him that you should go and get some rest!"

Dugu Jingyao straightened her clothes, and in an instant, she transformed back into that otherworldly fairy who was untouched by the world's dust.

She gently knocked on the door, her voice clear and melodious: "Where is the Master? Jingyao has something to discuss with you."

"Little Master Jingyao? Please come in."

Yang Can's voice came from inside the room. Dugu Jingyao waved to Rena and went in.

Rena frowned slightly. What was wrong with this little Ni?

She shook her head, took two steps, then suddenly turned back. Was this young nun, who had suffered such a misfortune, about to leave the nunnery and entrust her life to someone else?
The more Rena thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

A young nun with such outstanding looks and temperament, whose temple gate was destroyed, was practically cursed and would never be able to move an inch from now on.

Perhaps, while she is still young and beautiful, returning to secular life early and attaching herself to a young, wealthy, and powerful manor owner like Master Yang would be her best destiny.

So...she's here tonight to offer herself up?

Recalling the way Yang Can had stared at her earlier, Rena's ears burned, and some indescribable, alluring images flashed through her mind.

As an international businesswoman who has traveled between the East and the West for many years, her vision is clearly not limited to the inner chambers.

Moreover, Western women are more mature, so there are many things they understand.

Rena hurriedly lifted her skirt and left, not daring to think about it anymore.

If she thought about it again, her heart would involuntarily flutter.

……

The candlelight flickered in the room. When Yang Can stepped out from behind the screen, he saw Dugu Jingyao standing in the hall.

The moonlight shone through the window lattice, casting a soft halo around her.

"Young master, what brings you here so late at night?"

Yang Can calmly observed this cunning little spy who was always stealing meat.

Could it be that since they haven't been able to find anything, they're planning to seduce me?
Isn't she afraid that I'll take the sweet coating and then return the cannonball?
Dugu Jingyao took a deep breath, put her palms together, and said, "Master, this little nun has come to say goodbye."

"Saying goodbye?" This was unexpected for Yang Can.

"Yes, I will never forget the kindness of Lord Nimon's shelter. However, the world is full of troubles..."

Dugu Jingyao sighed and shook her head. Farewell, my braised pork knuckle! Farewell, my roasted lamb...

"After much thought, the young nun decided that it would be more convenient for her to practice in the nunnery."

The owner of the manor mentioned before that there is a Manshu Temple at the foot of Maijishan Mountain.

The young nun wished to go there to cultivate herself, to fulfill her vow to serve the Buddha in this lifetime.

The room fell silent for a moment, with only the crackling of the candlelight.

After a long while, Yang Can's gaze swept over Dugu Jingyao, with a scrutinizing and amused look.

"Oh? Why did you suddenly change your mind, little master?"

Dugu Jingyao sighed softly, "It's all because the little nun overestimated her devotion to Buddhism. Practicing in the mortal world inevitably involves getting tainted by worldly dust."

"But I wonder, what is this dust that you're talking about, little master?" Yang Can slowly stood up.

He was trying to figure out how to get rid of this mysterious young nun with an unknown identity and unclear intentions. But she actually wanted to leave on her own initiative?

Something's not right, there must be a problem!

Lord Leopard has arrived, the Crown Prince of Dailai City has arrived, and the leaders of the two major Xianbei tribes have arrived. At this moment, the little spy suddenly wants to leave?
There must be some major reason that I am unaware of.

Therefore, as long as I do the opposite of what this little traitor does, I can't go wrong.

Thinking of this, Yang Can's gaze swept over her eyebrows and eyes under the crown like a butterfly alighting, finally settling on her two pink cherry-like lips.

Yang Can countered, "Little Master, isn't the purpose of cultivation to cultivate a pure and untainted mind?"

If one avoids the dust of the world, does that mean one has attained a state of being free from dust and hindrance?

"This……"

Yang Can suddenly took two steps closer, his voice as gentle as spring water: "Little Master, have you ever thought that the destruction of the temple and your wandering in the mortal world might be a chance for you to cultivate yourself, as granted by Buddha?"

"what?"

Dugu Jingyao parted her lips slightly, looking bewildered.

Her lips didn't need any rouge; they were like flower petals washed by snow, with a natural, almost transparent pink hue.

Yang Can cleared his throat, and Teacher Zhao's magnetic voice echoed in the quiet hall:
"Little Master, do you know that because of your arrival, even the moonlight in my manor has become a bit clearer and more radiant?"

If you leave now, with whom shall I share this garden full of moonlight?

Ah~~~
Dugu Jingyao screamed in her heart, "What kind of nonsense are you talking about?!"
A faint blush rose to her porcelain-white cheeks.

These explicit words, like a sudden flood, overwhelmed her heart.

Dugu Jingyao hurriedly stood up, her plain white dress rippling like water.

"Master, please don't joke..."

Dugu Jingyao had imagined all sorts of reactions from Yang Can and was prepared to politely refuse him when he tried to keep her.

She never imagined that Yang Can would say such a thing to her.

Dugu Jingyao's aloof and ethereal image was now on the verge of collapse.

"Master... please... stop joking..."

“Xiao Ni is a person outside the secular world…” Her voice trembled, and she just wanted to escape this unsettling ambiguity.

"But, from the moment you came here, our fates were sealed."

Yang Can's gaze fell on her forehead, where a gauze crown was placed.

The canopy not only covered her buzz cut, but also the small lock-shaped mark above her right forehead.

The lock symbol is the mark of a female slave, signifying that she is "locked-up property," and her master is her only "key holder."

Yang Can was the key holder for her.

"This...no, Xiaoni is a nun..."

A blush uncontrollably spread across her fair and delicate face.

Dugu Jingyao is no longer considering whether to leave or not; she wants to run away and get as far away from this terrifying man as possible.

"No! You can't leave. Now that I've said it, I want to make things clear!"

Yang Can chuckled inwardly and grabbed her wrist, startling Dugu Jingyao so much that her delicate body trembled, and she screamed wildly in her heart:
I don't want to listen to your nonsense! Let me go! I... I have no hair! You like bald heads? Are you crazy?!

(End of this chapter)