Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 142 A Discussion on Power and Wealth During Drinking
Tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve, and strings of lanterns have already been hung under the eaves of the backyard of the Yang residence.

The warm yellow light shone through the lamp body, which had a slender bamboo frame and a plain silk surface, and spread across the ground, creating hazy patches of light.

Li Youcai and his wife walked in, bathed in the light and shadow. The night breeze blew through the copper bells hanging under the eaves, and their gentle tinkling broke the tranquility of the deep courtyard at night.

But the faint, intermittent crying of the baby just now gave me a creepy feeling.

Could it be that the Yang family has welcomed a newborn?

Pan Xiaowan secretly pondered, but if Yang Can had a child, Qingmei clearly had not been pregnant.

Even if Yang Can had another woman outside, the birth of a child would be a joyous occasion, so why would he hide it and not want to make it public?

She glanced at the houses on both sides and immediately recognized that this was the inner courtyard where the master lived, not a place for servants and laborers.

If the servants in the mansion had children, they would certainly not be placed in such a respectable place.

Pan Xiaowan's heart sank more and more as she thought about it, fearing that she might stumble upon some secret she shouldn't know.

Don't be fooled by how her man calls her "Brother Yang" so affectionately, as if they were siblings.

But if they were to uncover any dirt on Yang Can, they might just turn around and sell him out for their own benefit.

With this in mind, Pan Xiaowan slowed her pace, pondering how to persuade Li Youcai to go back.

Inside the greenhouse, Yang Can's posture in holding the swaddled baby was really clumsy. The little guy in his arms must have been uncomfortable because of the pressure, because he burst into tears.

Yang Can had never touched such a small doll in both his lifetimes combined, and he was immediately flustered.

The swaddled baby in his arms was as light as a cloud, and he didn't dare to use any force, only gently rocking and coaxing, "Good boy, baby, don't cry, don't cry..."

But the baby didn't understand any of this, and its cries grew louder and louder, its little face turning as red as a ripe cherry.

The tears clinging to her eyelashes trembled, making Yang Can's heart clench.

"Sir, let me do it."

Rouge watched from the sidelines, but eventually couldn't resist stepping forward.

She had learned how to care for infants from Zhu Sha.

Rouge reached out and took the swaddled baby, supporting it steadily in the crook of her arm. With the fingertips of her other hand, she gently stroked the baby's soft chin, her voice tender.

"Our little girl is the best. Look how much Daddy loves you. Why are you crying? Don't cry, don't cry..."

Perhaps it was because of the soft, rosy chest and the strong heartbeat that the little one felt like he had returned to his safest harbor.

The little one's crying gradually subsided, until only his little nose was twitching and two teardrops of grievance remained in the corners of his eyes.

Rouge gently wiped away her tears with her fingertips, and then slowly placed her into the bamboo cradle beside her.

Yang Can breathed a long sigh of relief as he watched his daughter sleep peacefully with her eyes closed.

Rouge covered the child with a small brocade quilt embroidered with hibiscus flowers, gently rocked the cradle, and then turned to Yang Can with a smile:

"Don't worry, sir. Let the young lady sleep for a while. There will be plenty of time to play with her later."

Yang Can nodded in agreement. In the past, he was the one who ordered Yan Zhi to do things, but today, when it came to childcare, he really had no idea what to do and could only obediently follow orders.

"By the way, go to the front yard and see how the banquet preparations are going."

If Mr. and Mrs. Li Youcai arrive, please ask them to wait in the banquet hall, and tell them that I will change my clothes and come over.

Having just seen his own flesh and blood, he was too reluctant to leave even for a moment, so he had no choice but to entrust the task of greeting guests to Rouge.

Rouge responded with a "Yes," straightened her clothes, and quickly walked out.

Li Youcai, who was under the eaves, could no longer hear the crying, but he remembered the direction from which the sound had come.

A few steps further, a bamboo fence suddenly appeared in front of us, blocking our way.

This bamboo fence didn't look like it was meant to keep out thieves; it was loosely tied, and a single pull could create a gap that was wide enough for a person to pass through. He was about to take action immediately.

"Are you crazy?"

Pan Xiaowan quickly grabbed his wrist: "No matter how close we are, it's still someone else's private courtyard. How can we barge in like this? Let's go back and wait!"

Li Youcai paused, craning his neck to peer through the gaps in the bamboo fence, where he could see warm, shimmering light and shadows flickering.

Just then, the bamboo fence creaked open from the inside, and a figure flashed out.

Rouge looked up and bumped into Li Youcai and his wife; both were startled.

Li Youcai sized up the girl in front of him. Her fair skin was accentuated by her moon-white silk jacket, her double-bun hairstyle was neat and tidy, and her pretty eyes and brows revealed a cleverness. She was obviously a top-class maidservant who was useful in the Yang family.

"Are you from Brother Yang's household?" he asked first. "Why was there a baby crying here just now?"

He didn't recognize Rouge, but Rouge recognized him; she had seen him from afar several times before at the manor.

Li Youcai might not notice the maids by the roadside, but Rouge, as the maid in charge of the Yang family, had to keep track of all the important figures in the manor.

When Li Youcai asked her this question, Rouge was startled, but she didn't show it on her face.

If it were her honest and simple-minded sister Zhu Sha, she would probably panic, but Yan Zhi didn't even blink.

"Oh, Master Li, you mean the crying just now?"

Rouge cleared her throat and suddenly began to imitate him in a high-pitched voice.

"Wah... Waaah..." The voice was soft and tender, and it even imitated the pauses in a baby's crying as it took a breath.

After finishing the lesson, two blushes appeared on her cheeks, carrying a touch of girlish charm:
"When I heard that the young mistress had given birth to a young master and that the household was going to give the servants a reward, I was overjoyed."

I tried calling out a few times while sweeping. I'm so sorry to have disturbed you, sir and madam.

Her innocent and naive words amused Li Youcai: "I knew it! Where did that crying come from? It sounded really scary."

It must be Brother Yang who has spoiled this maid so much that she is so naughty.

However, looking at Rouge's pretty appearance, he sighed inwardly: If it were me, I would spoil her too.

Pan Xiaowan suppressed a laugh and asked, "Where is your master?"
My wife and I came at his invitation, but where are the hosts?

Yan Zhi, fearing that the child inside would cry out again, quickly stepped forward to lead the way: "Master is changing his clothes and has specially instructed me to come and invite you two to sit in the banquet hall."

Please come this way, sir and madam. The banquet is almost ready.

"Oh? Brother Yang, your house even has a banquet hall?"

Li Youcai's eyes lit up, and he said happily, "This is getting more and more decent!"

Rouge ushered the two into the banquet hall, instructed the serving maids to prepare tea, and then curtsied to them.
"Master and Madam, please have some tea. I'll go and urge my master to drink some more."

After saying that, she hurriedly left.

Inside the greenhouse, Yang Can sat by the cradle, talking to his daughter incessantly.

One minute he'd say he'd teach her to ride a horse when she grew up, the next he'd say he'd make her a small peach wood hairpin in the spring, completely ignoring whether the little one, fast asleep with her eyes closed, could hear him.

Rouge pushed open the door and came in, recounting in detail her encounter with Li Youcai and his wife. Yang Can couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat after hearing it.

It's inappropriate to be too distant with Li Youcai. When he went to Tianshui, the other party treated him like a close relative. Now that they've come to visit, being too formal would make them seem like strangers.

But this is not a private residence outside the mountain. Strictly speaking, all the properties on the mountain belong to the Yu family.

He was merely a retainer in charge of official duties, and was assigned this courtyard to stay temporarily, so the rules were already quite lax.

If the child is hidden here, there will inevitably be a leak sooner or later.

Today Li Youcai caught us crying, but who knows, tomorrow some servants might hear the crying.

Yang Can already had plans for his daughter, and this incident only strengthened his resolve.

He gazed at his daughter's peaceful sleeping face in the cradle. Although he was reluctant to part with her, he gritted his teeth and made a decision in secret.

"After Chanzhi has seen the child tonight, we'll send the little guy away first."

We need to find a foolproof opportunity to bring her back openly and legitimately.

He instructed Rouge to take good care of the child, then straightened his clothes and hurried toward the banquet hall.

……

Tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve, and many New Year's Eve dishes are prepared as semi-finished products in advance, ready to be cooked and seasoned when the host wants to eat them, so the dishes are served very quickly.

The amber-colored braised pork knuckle lay trembling on a white porcelain plate.

The glistening, oily skin of the roasted chicken was incredibly fragrant.

Even the cold-dressed wood ear mushrooms are cut into even slices and tossed with fragrant vinegar and sesame oil, making them appetizing and refreshing.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Yang Can and Li Youcai were enjoying themselves when they suddenly heard a soft rustling of the curtain. Looking up, they saw Rouge walking in.

She waved slightly to the maid standing beside Yang Can, and the maid tactfully withdrew.

Rouge then stood gracefully beside Yang Can, took the wine pot to pour him wine, and used serving chopsticks to pick up a tender piece of pork knuckle and put it into his bowl, her movements skillful and natural.

Yang Can paused slightly, holding his wine glass, his heart skipping a beat: Why is Rouge here? Who's looking after the children in the greenhouse?
He sat there restlessly for two drinks, then got up under the pretext of washing his hands, secretly giving Rouge a wink as he turned around.

Rouge understood immediately, and after Yang Can took a few steps, she followed him out.

As soon as they reached the corridor, Yang Can asked impatiently, "Why did you come here? Who's watching the child?"

"Master, don't worry."

Rouge smiled, her eyes curving into crescents: "Zhu Sha is back. She takes better care of babies than I do. She's sitting right next to the cradle, not moving an inch."

Yang Can breathed a sigh of relief, then asked, "How is the young mistress doing?"

"This servant came to report this matter."

Rouge's smile faded, and her expression became serious: "The young mistress just had a bowl of Angelica and Astragalus Chicken Soup, and her spirits have improved considerably."

The young mistress was watching over her, and seeing that the young mistress was not feeling unwell, she sent Zhu Sha back.

"Oh, by the way, the young mistress said she'll be staying with the young mistress tonight and won't be going back to her courtyard."

With both worries resolved, Yang Can was completely at ease.

He stood in the corridor for a few more moments before turning back into the banquet hall.

With no worries this time, and overjoyed at the birth of his beloved daughter, he picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp, his brows furrowed with a hearty and unrestrained spirit.

This way of drinking was exactly what Li Youcai wanted.

He was already a heavy drinker, and seeing this, he became even more enthusiastic, grabbed the wine jug, filled his own cup, and repeatedly clinked glasses with Yang Can: "Good! That's more like it, brother! Cheers!"

"You two shouldn't drink too much."

Seeing this, Pan Xiaowan reached out and pressed down on Li Youcai's wine cup, scolding, "One is the foreign affairs steward who returned to the mountain to pay New Year's respects, and the other is the chief steward in charge of the eldest branch of the family."

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. So many things need to be arranged in the village! If everyone gets drunk and passes out, let's see who cleans up the mess.

Li Youcai put down his wine glass with a bitter face, but he knew that what his wife said made sense.

His return to the mountain served two purposes: first, to pay New Year's respects, and second, to demonstrate his loyalty to the clan leader.

Now, with the joyous occasion of the young mistress giving birth, if we were to neglect our duties because of excessive drinking, it would be like picking up a sesame seed and losing a watermelon—a loss that would not outweigh the gain.

Since I can't drink too much alcohol, I can only chat to pass the time.

Li Youcai picked up a piece of cold wood ear mushroom and chewed it, saying casually, "Brother, you're now a steward in the eldest branch of the family. You have power and prestige, and you're living a comfortable life. That's good."

Yang Can, being extremely astute, immediately understood the implication in the words. He raised his eyes and asked, "What's wrong, Brother Youcai? Have you run into some trouble? Or have you heard some rumors?"

Li Youcai chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "It wasn't me, it was that old bastard, Steward Yi."

As you know, the Yu family has now opened its doors, allowing the Suo family to conduct business independently on our territory, right?

He took a sip of the remaining wine with a smug look on his face, and lowered his voice even further: "Deacon Yi is in charge of the Yu family's trade routes."

A few days ago, the Suo family tricked him, cutting off three grain transport lines, which made him so angry that he couldn't even eat two bowls of rice.

Yang Can paused, his fingertips tracing the rim of the glass as if deep in thought.

Li Youcai sighed, put down his chopsticks, and said, "Speaking of which, these various clans are just like various states."

On the surface, everyone treats each other with respect, creating an atmosphere of harmony, but underneath, undercurrents are flowing and no one has good intentions.

When there is no war, the struggle is about basic resources like salt, iron, and grain.

Our Yu family's land has good soil and water, suitable for farming; it's a blessed land left by our ancestors.

But that's precisely the problem; it's too suitable for farming, and compared to the other major clans, our martial virtue is truly lacking.

“Brother Youcai, I cannot agree with this.” Yang Can shook his head slightly. “Don’t be fooled by the fact that our Yu family is often said to be the weakest among the eight powerful clans of Guanzhong.”

But if things really come to a head and violence breaks out, I'm afraid more than half of the powerful clans won't be able to outlast the Yu family.

No sooner had these words been spoken than a figure in the corridor stopped in his tracks.

The visitor was Deng Xun, the most trusted confidant and chief steward of the clan leader.

Just as the servant leading the way was about to step forward and announce the news loudly, Deng Xun grabbed his shoulder.

The servant turned around and saw Deng Xun shaking his head and waving his hand at him. Not daring to disobey, he quickly fell silent and stepped aside.

Deng Xun stood under the corridor, listening intently to the sounds coming from inside the hall.

Inside the hall, Yang Can's voice came clearly: "Brother Youcai, don't underestimate the farmer."

Farmers are skilled at cultivation. They may not seem fierce on the surface, but they follow the rhythm of the four seasons: spring planting, summer cultivation, autumn harvest, and winter storage. This in itself is a form of disciplined training.

This is essentially the same as the military training that involves advancing at the sound of a drum and retreating at the sound of a gong.

Moreover, once the inherent courage and fighting spirit of a farmer is unleashed, it is even more intense than that of those who are always eager for violence.

Think about it, if an honest person is driven to a dead end, wouldn't they be more willing to fight desperately than someone who is usually arrogant and domineering?

Li Youcai stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and nodded:

"That's true. A couple of years ago, there was a disaster in the village. Some tenant farmers were bullied by local thugs and got so angry that they picked up a hoe and smashed someone's head open. I still get scared when I think about how ruthless they were."

"Moreover, food is the most important thing for people."

Yang Can said loudly, "Food is the ultimate source of confidence."

If we really have to fight with other powerful families, we might suffer losses at first.

After all, our cavalry is inferior to that of the Dugu family, and our financial resources are inferior to those of the Suo family.

But as long as we can hold out and drag the war into a protracted conflict, hehe, you'll see who can't afford to lose then.

Anyway... it's definitely not our Yu family.

"Yes! That makes sense!"

Li Youcai slapped his thigh and exclaimed in delight, suddenly realizing, "When the world is in chaos, food is the most important thing!"

"With enough food, we can feed our troops and hold out. Those powerful clans that lack food will crumble after a few months!"

Deng Xun, who was standing under the eaves, suddenly brightened up and quietly moved forward half a step to listen more carefully.

Pan Xiaowan also became interested and asked with a smile, "Oh?"

So, brother, if our Yu family were to really fight the Dugu family, who do you think would win?

Upon hearing this, Yang Can raised an eyebrow, picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and began to ponder seriously.

Li Youcai and Pan Xiaowan both stared at him with bated breath, and even Deng Xun, who was standing under the eaves, unconsciously took a few more steps closer to the door, his heart beating faster.

After a moment, Yang Can slowly spoke: "My Yu family's foundation is in Tianshui, where the land is fertile."

The Dugu clan's roots are in Lintao, a place with many mountains and vast grasslands.

Their cavalry were the most valiant and brave, making them the most difficult of the eight clans to deal with.

However, their biggest weakness is the lack of arable land.

Even when there's no war, they rely on trade with other regions to gather enough food. But once war breaks out, food will be their Achilles' heel, their Achilles' heel.

He paused, then continued, "Therefore, we cannot confront the Dugu Clan head-on."

We must set up checkpoints at strategic locations along the mountain passes to guard the grain supply routes.

In plains areas with no natural defenses, the strategy is to fortify the terrain and clear the fields, relocating both the grain and the people, rather than competing with them for short-term gains.

In this way, as long as the commander is not too incompetent and does not lose all the dangerous places and fall into a completely passive situation, we can outlast them.

Once their supplies are exhausted and their troops are weary, it's time for us to switch from defense to offense. At that point, our chances of victory will be 80%!

"Then... let your sister-in-law test you again."

Pan Xiaowan's beautiful eyes suddenly lit up, and a sly smile appeared in her eyes as she looked around.
"What if... our opponent is the Murong Clan?"
Their family wasn't as short of food as the Dugu clan.

Normally, Yang Can would have noticed something was wrong.

Pan Xiaowan, a woman who lives deep within the inner courtyard, has always only cared about firewood, rice, oil, salt, and trivial matters in the manor. How could she be so concerned about the situation of the various clans?
But today, with the joy of welcoming his beloved daughter and expressing his feelings freely, the double happiness caused him to feel the effects of the alcohol. His head was spinning, and he assumed that Pan Xiaowan was just being playful, so he didn't think too much about it.

Yang Can tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, pondered for a moment, and then slowly said:

"The Murong Clan... Their base is in Pingliang County, sandwiched between the Dugu Clan and Guanzhong. They seem to be attacked from both sides, but in reality, they have the advantage of a well-connected location."

In terms of fertile land, it cannot compare to the boundless expanse of Tianshui; in terms of grassland, it is far inferior to the vast and abundant Lintao; in terms of commerce, it cannot rival the Suo family's goods that are traded throughout the world.

However, it has everything: fertile fields, grasslands, and trade routes, and its iron ore reserves at the foot of the Longshan Mountains are abundant.

The Murong family was skilled in weapon crafting; their Pingliang ring-pommel sword, capable of cutting through hair with a single blow, was a renowned weapon throughout the land.

He picked up his wine glass and took a sip, his thoughts becoming clearer: "From this perspective, although the Murong Clan is not among the top three clans, when it comes to the struggle between the eight clans and the fight for supremacy, they are actually the most resilient and the toughest nut to crack."

"Oh? So, if the Murong family has ambitions to seize power, then they have the best chance of succeeding?"

Pan Xiaowan's eyes lit up, and she leaned forward unconsciously. The candlelight reflected in her eyes, creating shimmering light.

Yang Can chuckled and shook his head: "Your words are a bit biased, sister-in-law."

Man proposes, God disposes; no one is born with a destiny predetermined.
In terms of food, financial resources, and military strength alone, it is indeed clear which side is stronger.

But when it comes to a time of great competition, it's never about comparing one aspect alone.

Just like in war, how can you win by relying solely on cavalry or supplies?

When he got carried away, Yang Can simply put down his wine glass, as if he had returned to the days of "discussing the Tao" with others online in later generations.

"When various factions compete, what they really fight for is resources and strategies."

When resorting to force, these two things are essential; when not resorting to force, these two things are even more crucial in the calculations.

First, let's talk about resources. Each of the eight factions has its own strengths. The core is to protect their own foundation before trying to take away other people's jobs.

If you have something I don't, I'll make you weaker; if you have something I also have, I'll find a way to make you lose it.

With this ebb and flow, the gap in strength naturally widens.

Brother Youcai said that salt, iron, and grain are fundamental, while weapons, medicine, and warhorses are essential for survival.

Pan Xiaowan gently rested her chin on her hand, gazing intently at him.

The candlelight reflected on Yang Can's face, making the sharpness in his eyes even clearer. His commanding presence brought a gentle smile to her eyes.

"As for strategy, that encompasses a wide range of things."

Yang Can did not notice her unusual behavior: "Turning enemies into defection and using spies are underhanded tactics that can disrupt the enemy's foundation without them even realizing it."

Their real tactics are to seize territory and plunder people, gradually chipping away at their opponents' strength.

Forming alliances and vying for legitimacy are brilliant strategies that can get the whole world on your side.

And most importantly, we must attract talent!

Yang Can emphasized, "Strategists can devise plans, craftsmen can create tools, and doctors can save lives. We can recruit as many as we can."

We have plenty of talented people here, while you have no one to use. In three to five years, the difference in quality will be obvious.

In addition, stabilizing one's own people's hearts and minds, and undermining the enemy's morale and causing their soldiers to scatter, is an even more ingenious strategy to strike at their very core.

"Wouldn't the marriage alliance between the Suo family and our Yu family be considered a form of strategic alliance?"

Pan Xiaowan interjected at the right moment. The strange look that had flashed in her eyes when she heard "use of a spy" had disappeared, leaving only pure curiosity, and her tone had softened a bit.

"Marriage alliances cannot be simply categorized as alliances between states."

Yang Can pondered for a moment and said, "It is more complicated than an alliance. It can be a bond for mutual support, or it can be a means of infiltration and control."

Generally speaking, it does fall somewhere in the category of 'spatial'.

"In my opinion, the Suo family is using spies!"

Li Youcai slammed his hand on the table, his voice rising with the smell of alcohol:

"Marrying a daughter into our Yu family is ostensibly a way to strengthen family ties, but secretly it's a way to gradually win people's hearts and seize real power!"
If Young Master Yu hadn't left so early, wouldn't the young mistress of the Suo family have easily succeeded?

"Now that the young mistress hasn't been able to get any help from the Suo family, that Second Master Suo isn't exactly behaving himself either..."

"Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting!"

Pan Xiaowan's heart tightened, and she kicked Li Youcai hard under the table.

"You think you can just casually talk about such internal valve secrets? What would happen if outsiders heard that?"

"Hey, there's no one else here!"

Li Youcai, drunk, waved his hand, holding a glass in one hand and pointing at Yang Can with the other: "Hey, this is my brother who'd risk his life for me!"

He then pointed at Rouge with his finger: "Look, this is my brother's woman!"
Where are the outsiders? Where are the outsiders?

Rouge's face flushed red instantly, and she felt both ashamed and embarrassed.

Pan Xiaowan was both angry and anxious. She snatched Li Youcai's wine glass and slammed it heavily on the table: "Stop drinking! If you drink any more, you'll become a madman!"

Under the eaves, Deng Xun listened to the commotion inside the hall, took a deep breath, and his eyes were filled with a mixture of amazement and contemplation.

He quietly stepped back two steps and gave the servant behind him a wink.

The servant understood and quickly stepped forward, announcing loudly, "Master, Steward Deng has arrived!"

The room fell silent instantly, and everyone was taken aback.

Yang Can reacted the fastest, immediately getting up to greet him.

Li Youcai didn't dare to be presumptuous in front of this confidant of the warlord. He had sobered up a bit and, with Pan Xiaowan's help, he stood up unsteadily.

Deng Xun entered the banquet hall, wearing a light gray brocade robe.

His gaze swept over the crowd, and a gentle smile spread across his face:
"So Deacon Li and his wife are here too. Hehe, I'm sorry for my abrupt arrival, which has disturbed your enjoyment."

"Hey, Steward Deng, you're being too polite!"

Li Youcai's tongue was still a little wobbly, but he tried his best to stay awake.

“We usually don’t even have the chance to get closer to Manager Deng, so how could we be being presumptuous? It’s our good fortune that Manager Deng came!”

Pan Xiaowan frowned as she listened. What he was saying was incoherent and even more embarrassing than drunken ramblings.

She simply turned her face away and pretended to tidy her sideburns.

Deng Xun smiled and said, "Actually, I didn't come here for anything important."

Today, the young mistress gave birth to a son, and tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Phoenix Manor is celebrating two happy events, and the eldest branch of the family is doubly blessed.

There are some festive arrangements in the manor that involve the affairs of the eldest branch of the family. We need to discuss these with Steward Yang to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Yang Can quickly replied, "In that case, Steward Deng, please have a seat! Let's eat and chat."

Brother Youcai has been in charge of affairs in the eldest branch of the family for many years and is more familiar with festival arrangements and manpower allocation than Yang. It would be good to have him give us some advice.

Upon hearing this, Deng Xun hesitated only slightly before smiling and nodding, saying, "In that case, I, Deng, will respectfully comply."

The moment these words were spoken, even Li Youcai, who was already seven-tenths drunk, was stunned.

Because Deng Xun was the most trusted confidant of the clan leader, this old steward was also the most discreet in his dealings with people, and always maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too distant from anyone other than the clan leader.

But today, when Yang Can asked him to speak, he actually agreed without hesitation?
Deng Xun walked forward with a smile, and Yan Zhi quickly moved a chair and placed it between Yang Can and Li Youcai.

Deng Xun smiled frankly and said to Yang Can and Li Youcai, "Then, I won't stand on ceremony. Please sit down."

Unbeknownst to them, Deng Xun had just overheard Yang Can's insights in the corridor.

Although it was said after drinking and didn't go into depth, it still made him look at Yang Can with new respect.

Yang Can's importance in Deng Xun's eyes is growing.

Yang Can is a man with unique vision and extraordinary strategy. This is not the kind of insight that an ordinary steward would possess.
Deng Xun, the old steward, had seen countless people and served the lord of the clan for many years.

He knew better than anyone the value of talent, and today he was genuinely interested in recruiting Yang Can.

(End of this chapter)