HUS Chapter 35: Silver-Tongued
After Yang Can communicated with Li Youcai, he went to request an audience with the Clan Head.
Unless it was an extremely urgent matter, each branch didn't need to report to the Clan Head. They only needed the approval of their branch head.
Even for extremely urgent matters, it was the branch head who reported to the Clan Head. It was impossible for a steward to report over their superior's head.
Unless it was someone like Yi She, an external affairs grand steward, who was already equivalent to a regional military governor with a different status and position. However, the main lineage of the Yu family's eldest branch was currently somewhat special. The male master of the eldest branch's main lineage was dead, and the female mistress's position remained uncertain.
At this time, Yang Can first visiting Yu Xinglong was a way to express an attitude and stance.
At this moment, Yu Xinglong was teaching his son.
Cultivating a successor in a wealthy family was very difficult, requiring consistent cultivation over twenty to thirty years.
A clan heir first had to study various academic classics.
This shaped his basic moral values and worldview.
Afterward, he had to study various governance classics to master political strategy, learn to govern territories, and possess the art of managing people then he also had to study poetry and prose, which were necessary means to display talent in social situations.
At the same time, he had to study etiquette and family rules, cultivate thoughts of filial piety and fraternal duty, and inherit family traditions.
After reaching adulthood, he also had to practice administrative affairs, with elders teaching by word and example, undergoing tempering.
Yu Chengye had previously been in the "administrative practice" stage.
Now that Yu Xinglong had established his younger son Yu Chenglin as heir, and knowing his own body was weak and not long for this world, his personal instruction of his son had a sense of seizing every moment.
He now set aside time every day to check on his son's studies and, in the process, impart some worldly strategies.
Yu Chenglin was still too young and might not understand such profound things.
Yu Xinglong could only employ cramming education, having him memorize things first regardless of whether he understood them.
Hearing that Yang Can requested an audience, Yu Xinglong was slightly surprised.
Seeing his son had already put on a pained mask trying to remember what he'd said, Yu Xinglong smiled helplessly and waved his hand, "You may go back first."
Yu Chenglin, as if granted amnesty, quickly took leave of his father and left the study.
Only then did Yu Xinglong have someone summon Yang Can in.
Upon seeing Yu Xinglong, Yang Can explained that the accounts were now clear and that he planned to inspect several estates.
Yu Xinglong looked at the ledger with special markings and asked in surprise, "So quickly? How many accountants did you use to organize the accounts?"
Yang Can said, "This vassal organized them myself. As for ledgers, this vassal does understand a thing or two."
Yu Xinglong raised his eyebrows. The entire family's accounts were consolidated with him. How could he possibly not understand account books?
To organize these ledgers so quickly, how could it be as simple as "understanding a thing or two"?
Yu Xinglong pondered for a moment and said, "You want to conduct inspections, that's fine. Inspections are necessary, but major upheavals would be inappropriate."
Yang Can bowed slightly, "The Clan Head is right. This vassal has discussed it with First Steward Li. This vassal will grasp the proper measure."
Yu Xinglong smiled, "Mm, many things cannot be accomplished overnight. These estates and ranches, this old man hopes they can be received back smoothly and steadily."
Yu Xinglong didn't dare hope for a great harvest this year right after taking them over. As long as it wasn't much worse than before, that would be sufficient to answer to the entire clan.
"Yes, this vassal will remember the Clan Head's teachings."
"Mm, have you already sought instructions from the young mistress?"
"After reporting to the Clan Head, this vassal will go seek instructions from the young mistress."
Yu Xinglong was even more satisfied hearing this. This person truly understood propriety.
In that case, he could rest assured letting him conduct inspections.
He needed to make the stewards of those estates and ranches clear on who their master was now.
Yu Xinglong smiled, "Next time you have matters, you should still report to the young mistress first. Although you initially had some unpleasantness with the Suo family, the Suo family's daughter is already my Yu family's daughter-in-law. She is now the master of the eldest branch's main lineage. You should still maintain proper respect for her."
Yang Can bowed, "Yes, this vassal respectfully follows the Clan Head's instructions."
Yu Xinglong stroked his beard and nodded with a smile, "You may go."
...
Suo Zhanzhi's personnel reorganization of the rear residence continued steadily.
Relying on Qingmei and several matrons brought from her natal family, the "deceased young master faction" in the rear residence was being continuously marginalized.
Since news of her pregnancy spread, the young mistress's prestige and authority had risen considerably, making her purge more forceful.
Some fence-sitters had already shown intention to align with the young mistress, but Suo Zhanzhi didn't particularly want to accept them.
Nine months from now she would face new challenges. She didn't want to keep people around whom she couldn't absolutely trust. However, this kind of thing couldn't be completed in just two or three days. She still had nine months. There was no rush.
"Young mistress, Second Steward Yang Can requests an audience."
Qiaoshe walked quickly into the flower hall, reporting to Suo Zhanzhi who had just picked up a preserved fruit and was about to put it in her mouth.
"Have him come in." Suo Zhanzhi glanced at Qiaoshe. This girl was also one of the people she planned to purge.
Qiaoshe was originally a servant girl from the Clan Head's wife's courtyard, dispatched by the wife to her son's side.
Now she was obviously the wife's eyes and ears watching this daughter-in-law.
Qiaoshe crisply acknowledged and walked out.
A lotus-pink narrow-sleeved short jacket, moon-white waist-tied short skirt, with a pale blue silk sash at her waist, gave her a neat and playful air.
Soon, Yang Can was led into the flower hall. Suo Zhanzhi, who had been reclining languidly, was now seated elegantly upright.
A jade-colored wide-sleeved robe with dark green delicate branching flower patterns. Apart from a pair of lustrous white pearls beneath her earlobes, she wore no other adornments.
Upon seeing Yang Can, Suo Zhanzhi asked coolly, "Second Steward comes here, what is the matter?"
Yang Can bowed slightly, "Young mistress, regarding the estates and ranches our eldest branch's main lineage has taken over, this vassal has sorted through the accounts clearly. I was thinking of going down to walk around and conduct field inspections."
Suo Zhanzhi was somewhat puzzled. Didn't we say I was responsible for controlling the rear residence while you controlled the front estate?
Why are you running off to inspect estates?
Though she didn't understand the intention, Suo Zhanzhi knew Yang Can must have his reasons for doing this.
Forget it. I'll agree first. Later I'll have Qingmei ask him clearly and tell me.
"Very well, but our Yu family's business is agriculture, and now is the critical time for spring plowing. If we delay one season, we delay an entire year. In all your actions there, you must be cautious."
"This vassal keeps it in mind."
Suo Zhanzhi shifted to a more comfortable sitting position. Young ladies from wealthy families had incomparably elegant movements.
"How long will this inspection take?"
"This vassal only plans to inspect three estates. I estimate at most one month will suffice."
Suo Zhanzhi nodded slightly, "Qingmei has followed me since childhood. In all matters of tenant rents and workshop labor, she understands the methods. In accounting matters, her abilities are also quite good. Let her go with you then, as an assistant."
Yang Can was about to agree when he suddenly saw Qiaoshe standing to the side, listening intently.
This girl wasn't part of Suo Zhanzhi's dowry. Thinking of this, Yang Can's expression immediately soured.
"Does the young mistress not trust this vassal?"
Suo Zhanzhi smiled faintly, "Why does Steward Yang say this?"
Yang Can said in a deep voice, "Young mistress, this vassal was personally appointed by the Clan Head as Second Steward of the eldest branch! Originally, young mistress, you appointed a Second Steward. If she only serves in the inner residence, this vassal says nothing, but inspecting territories is external affairs..."
Suo Zhanzhi silently praised him. This fellow's reaction was so quick, and his acting was convincing too.
Suo Zhanzhi's expression turned stern, "So what if my father-in-law appointed you? In this eldest branch, both internal and external, can I not manage it?"
Yang Can said, "This vassal didn't say that. This vassal only... that Miss Qingmei, a little girl whose feathers haven't even grown in, if she follows me to inspect territories, what can she do?"
"Who are you saying has no use... no feathers?"
Qingmei happened to walk into the flower hall just then. Hearing this, without thinking, she instinctively retorted.
Only after she'd already taken up the conversation did she realize this phrase wasn't quite right to pick up.
Most importantly, Yang Can's words unfortunately hit the mark. The young girl was somewhat embarrassed and angry.
Qingmei's small face flushed red. She forcefully changed the subject, afraid Yang Can would mock her, so her little mouth opened fire at full force, not giving Yang Can time to think.
"Steward Yang, you're not that old, but your face is as big as a millstone! Going on about inner residence and outer estate, distinguishing them quite clearly. But in that outer estate, this young lady hasn't seen you accomplish anything. A silver-tipped wax spearhead, just a decoration. The young mistress letting me go inspect estates with you is giving you face. What, are you afraid? Afraid this young lady will expose your slick false accounts?"
Yang Can smiled, "This steward going to inspect estates does estate matters. Looking to see if the estate heads are conscientious in their work, checking if the accounts have any errors. When the time comes, punishing who should be punished, rewarding who should be rewarded. It's not taking a little maid on a garden stroll!"
"If you wanted to take this young lady on a garden stroll, this young lady would have to be willing! Stop flattering yourself here. As for those things you mentioned, whatever you Steward Yang can do, this young lady can do just the same."
Qiaoshe smiled apologetically, "Sister Qingmei, the Second Steward is right. On estates, those matters are quite troublesome. Whether the estate heads work conscientiously, how the tenants and dependents are managed. Are there troublemakers, are there people exploiting power..."
"And those miscellaneous estate matters, livestock, farm tools, storerooms, everything must be inventoried. Don't let horses get thin, cattle get sick, plowshares rust. All these matters must be accounted for. It's not easy. The Second Steward had good intentions. Sister Qingmei, you should stay at the manor where it's easier."
Suo Zhanzhi glanced at her coldly, then turned to Yang Can, her tone also less courteous, "What, this young mistress manages the eldest branch. Are my instructions not instructions?"
Yang Can said, "The young mistress's instructions, this vassal naturally dares not disobey. It's just that if Miss Qingmei causes any trouble, this vassal won't take the blame for others."
Suo Zhanzhi was playing along with Yang Can, but Xiao Qingmei had gotten somewhat heated in the argument.
She put both hands on her slender waist and said indignantly, "This young lady has served the young mistress for so many years and never made mistakes. You've only served the young mistress for how many days, yet you dare spout such nonsense? This young lady will definitely do better than you when she goes."
Suo Zhanzhi's heart skipped a beat. She immediately glanced at Qingmei.
The little girl was glaring angrily at Yang Can, her almond eyes round and wide, practically spitting fire.
Suo Zhanzhi's heart relaxed. It was just a thoughtless remark. No problem then.
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