HUS Chapter 52: Calculating with Chips in Hand
HUS Chapter 52: Calculating with Chips in Hand
Dec 26, 2025
When Zhang Yunyi decided to go to Phoenix Mountain Manor to slander Yang Can, Yang Can was leisurely staying in his guest quarters.
These past days, in order to develop the curved-shaft plow, he had been going out early and returning late, working very hard.
Now that he had achieved great success, rewarding himself a bit wasn't excessive, right?
"Yang... Steward, I heard some people have come following the wind, wanting to secretly learn your new plow. What should we do?"
Qingmei walked in quickly, holding two plates of fruit in her hands.
Ever since returning to the manor and receiving Suo Zhanzhi's "imperial decree," Qingmei's last bit of inner conflict had been resolved.
Now her attitude and feelings toward Yang Can had greatly changed.
Two plates of fruit, one plate of wild cherries, one plate of mulberries.
Both were seasonal fresh fruits, washed with well water until they glistened, and placed on Yang Can's table.
Regarding the people who had rushed over following the wind to secretly learn the new plow's manufacturing, Qingmei was very indignant.
That was our family's thing!
Yang Can smiled, "This kind of farming tool isn't mysterious. It didn't exist before only because no one thought of it, not because it couldn't be made. Now that it's in the fields, any good craftsman who looks at it carefully a few times will understand how to make it. Of course it can't be kept secret."
Qingmei said unwillingly, "Then what do we do? Are we just letting people take advantage for free?"
"Where in the world are there free advantages?"
Yang Can smiled, "Among the eight great clans of Longshang, the Yu family occupies the most farmland. Everyone has the same agricultural tool, but the Yu family's advantage remains unchanged. As for the two great empires of the Central Plains, hehe..."
Yang Can raised his eyebrows, "Which of those two countries benefits more, what does it have to do with me?"
Qingmei thought about it and indeed there was no way to prevent it. She could only dejectedly pick up a mulberry and toss it into her mouth.
The sweet flavor quickly permeated her heart and spleen, dyeing her crystal-clear lips a light purple.
Yang Can said, "And even if it spreads to the Central Plains, it will still be called the 'Yang Can Plow.' Although I myself haven't gone to the Central Plains, my name will already be known to everyone there. Doesn't this have any benefit for me?"
Hearing this, Qingmei became happy again and cheerfully picked up a mulberry to reward Yang Can by feeding it to him, "Alright then, with this great achievement, you should be able to establish yourself in the Yu family, right? That man surnamed Zhang, do we still need to deal with him?"
"These are two different matters."
Yang Can waved his hand, "By using the promotion of the new plow to spread my reputation, I'll have even more confidence in dealing with Zhang Yunyi. As for how to proceed..."
Yang Can paused, then suddenly like the old godmother of Golden Horn King in Journey to the West, dragged out his tone and asked, "Our Accountant Li, how far has he gotten with checking the accounts?"
...
Li Damu was still conscientiously "checking the accounts."
He strictly forbade others from disturbing him while checking accounts. Everyone already knew this rule of his.
Therefore, at this moment, outside the accounting room was completely quiet, fearing someone might anger this "imperial envoy."
On the wide desk in the accounting room, many account books were piled in disarray.
On the tall three-legged table beside it were placed tea and dried fruits and candied treats.
Against the wall was a wide armchair, its soft cushion already pushed up against the chair back.
Miss Xiaotan with her delicate figure was currently curled up in the large armchair without a stitch of clothing.
At this moment, she was like the account books on the desk, completely disheveled.
Her soft murmuring sounds were like the flowing water in the courtyard's living water pool, gurgling and babbling.
"Mr. Li, not here, if someone sees us, I'll truly die of shame..."
"Don't worry, this is where Li is checking the important accounts. Without being summoned, who would dare come in?"
Li Damu looked disdainfully around, his spirit soaring with pride.
"Mr. Li, Steward Yang requests your presence."
A voice full of vigor suddenly came from the courtyard. Li Damu was immediately startled.
The accounting room immediately became chaotic with chickens flying and dogs jumping...
After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Li Damu walked out properly dressed.
His face carried an abnormal flush.
"Ahem! Yang... Steward, did you need me for something?"
Accountant Li asked the Suo family guard who had come to deliver the message, slightly out of breath.
The rules he had established here didn't count as rules in front of the young mistress's trusted guards.
"That's right, Mr. Li, please come with me."
The guard looked at Li Damu with some puzzlement, but didn't suspect how checking accounts could make him both excited and exhausted.
Li Damu licked his dry lips and looked back.
Xiaotan, naked and holding her clothes, peeked out from behind the door to look at him, then closed the door.
Only then did Li Damu feel relieved and follow the guard away.
When Li Damu arrived at Yang Can's residence, he discovered Zhang Yunyi, Qingmei, and Young Master Zhang were all there.
When Zhang Yunyi saw Li Damu arrive, he smiled, "Mr. Li is here too. I was just about to send someone to inform you."
Li Damu quickly glanced at Yang Can and said with feigned composure, "I wonder what instructions the Estate Head has?"
Zhang Yunyi said with a smile, "I just finished telling Steward Yang that Feng'an Estate's spring plowing is progressing very smoothly, especially after having the new plow that Mr. Yang developed. Zhang intends to make a trip to Phoenix Mountain Manor to report the situation here to the Clan Head. This trip will take at most two days. During the time Zhang is away from the estate, if Steward Yang, Mr. Li, and Miss Qingmei have any matters, you can ask my son to assist."
Young Master Zhang cupped his hands toward the three, "If you three have any matters, please feel free to give orders."
Yang Can smiled, "These past days I've been busy developing the new plow and am indeed somewhat tired. I was just planning to rest for two days. No problem, if the Estate Head has business, please go ahead and attend to it."
Zhang Yunyi smiled at Yang Can and cupped his hands, "Since that's the case, then Zhang will take his leave."
As Zhang Yunyi turned, he glanced meaningfully at Li Damu.
Mr. Li knew this was Zhang Yunyi asking him to be more accommodating.
After all, such a beautiful young woman had actively thrown herself at him, an old man. Of course he had to pay a price.
He had known this from the start. With lust at the forefront, it was hard to control himself.
Now that Steward Yang had just invented the curved-shaft plow and was at the height of satisfaction, presumably he was calling him over just to routinely inquire about the progress of checking the accounts?
Li Damu comforted himself this way and thought, when Steward Yang asks, I'll just find some minor issues neither too light nor too serious to brush him off.
This was Zhang Yunyi's home, and Yang Can and his companions were guests. Naturally there was no reason for them to send the host all the way to the main gate.
So the three only accompanied the Zhang father and son to the small courtyard gate. Watching the father and son depart, the smile on Yang Can's face dropped with a clack.
"Come, let's go back. I have something to say to Mr. Li."
After Yang Can finished speaking, he turned and left first.
Seeing his expression change, Li Damu couldn't help but feel apprehensive.
The three returned to the main hall. Li Damu sat down carefully and said with a forced smile, "Does the Steward have orders for me?"
Before Yang Can could answer, Qingmei couldn't wait and said, "Zhang Yunyi is about to leave the estate. Should I go make arrangements?"
Yang Can nodded, "Don't harm his life. Be sure to bring him back completely intact."
"Don't worry, I'll personally take action."
Qingmei smiled proudly at Yang Can, her chin raised high.
In front of Yang Can, she had finally found something she was better at than him.
Compared to you, this weakling, this young lady can really fight.
Qingmei flew out like a butterfly, while Li Damu beside them suddenly changed expression.
From their conversation, did they intend to make a move against Zhang Yunyi?
Yang Can didn't allow him much time to think and said with a smile, "Mr. Li?"
"Ah? I'm here."
"Hehe, as for men, as long as it's consensual between you two, that little matter of yours, this steward is too lazy to bother with it."
"Ah? What? The Steward means..."
Li Damu stammered, his old face already flushed bright red.
Yang Can didn't continue this topic and spoke again, "During these days of examining Feng'an Estate's accounts, have you made any discoveries?"
"Um..."
Li Damu hesitated, wanting to mention the few small discoveries he had prepared in advance to brush this off.
Yang Can stared at Li Damu's somewhat evasive eyes and said word by word, "Just say whatever comes to mind. For example, last autumn, that amount of grain from Feng'an Estate that compared to the actual harvest mysteriously vanished, those three thousand four hundred shi of grain?"
"Thud!"
Accountant Li performed a "sliding kneel," changing from sitting in the chair to kneeling on the ground.
He smoothly pulled a notebook from his sleeve and immediately presented it respectfully.
"Steward Yang, this is what I obtained from checking the accounts these past days. Please review it, sir!"
Are you kidding!
Yang Can not only stated the time but even stated the exact amount. If he didn't kneel now, when would he kneel?
Estate Head Zhang, it's not that your brother doesn't want to accommodate you!
This Steward Yang is cunning as a ghost. Between us brothers, it's every man for himself when father dies and mother remarries.
Li Damu's reaction was so swift that it even startled Yang Can.
He had deliberately let Li Damu see Qingmei going to capture Zhang Yunyi, and deliberately mentioned an accounting discrepancy, all to shatter Li Damu's illusions but Li Damu didn't even have the simplest process of struggle and just magnificently knelt like this...
This... what a talent!
Yang Can couldn't help but marvel.
After all, this world never lacked talent.
Among Liu Bang's civil and military officials, how many came from just Pei County alone?
And what humble status did they initially have?
Fan Kuai, a butcher.
Zhou Bo, a bamboo craftsman and funeral musician.
Xiahou Ying, a stable hand.
Xiao He, a clerk.
Ren Ao, a jailer...
Was all the good feng shui for emperors, generals, and ministers concentrated in Pei County?
Of course not. As long as people were given sufficient opportunities and room to grow, many small figures had the potential to become ministers of a well-governed era.
It was just that most people in this world simply never had that chance.
If Yang Can hadn't encountered Yu Chengye with a poisoned arrow wound, at this time he would still be herding cattle. Even if he truly had ability, who would he show it to?
Cast pearls before swine?
That Li Damu could make such a decision wasn't strange at all.
Yang Can carefully read through the notebook Accountant Li presented, and a smile appeared on his face.
These accounts were organized very clearly, and moreover, it seemed he had been prepared early.
Yang Can closed the notebook, pondered for a moment, and said, "Li Damu."
Accountant Li was still kneeling there. Hearing this, he quickly bowed his head, "I'm here."
Yang Can said, "The direct handlers of these accounts are not Zhang Yunyi himself."
Yang Can held out the notebook, "So, you take it back and organize it properly again."
Li Damu said blankly, "What does the Steward want me... to organize?"
Yang Can said, "Organize the people involved in these crimes. Their closeness or distance to Zhang Yunyi, as well as their status levels, use this as the order and list them one by one!"
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