Chapter Fifteen: The Way of Using People

  "Uncle, get ready, tomorrow early in the morning, we will go to the fields in the suburbs to take a look."

  Su Pingyang thought of calling the young master not to go, but the young master's tone was completely different from before. He nodded silently, it seemed that he really had to adapt to the young master's changes.

  Soon after Su Pingyang left, Yu Huan supported Su Jun and came with a limp.

  They reached the entrance, Su Jun and Yu Huan both stood up and spoke respectfully.

  "Young master, Su Jun has come to see you."

  "Young master, I, Yuexiang, request an audience."

  The change in attitude of the two people foreshadowed that Su Tiancheng's status in the Su Mansion was completely different.

  Su Tiancheng's attitude has also changed, Su Jun is still a person with his own strengths, born and raised in the household, loyalty to the master's family is not necessary to mention. Having crossed over to the Ming Dynasty, thinking that it would be easy to have a group of loyal servants, but almost impossible, uniting all who can be united for my use is the most correct approach. From the current situation, the Su household's servants are the best targets to strive for, as for the big madam, there is no need to worry.

  "Su Jun, Yu Huan, what's going on with you two?"

  Xiao brought the jade ring to take a look at Young Master's.

  Su Tiancheng's face wore a smile, and his attitude was completely different from the previous few days. He also knew that Su Jun was still worried about reporting to the authorities, and with this handle in his own hands, it was like holding a steel knife over Su Jun's neck.

  "It's rare that you have this heart, Yuhuan. Help Su Jun sit down and take the family law. His body can't handle it yet, this is a lesson, be careful in the future."

  "Xiao remembered, in front of Young Master, didn't dare sit, standing and speaking was fine."

  "Su Jun, if I'm not mistaken, your monthly salary is 10 taels of silver, and Yuhuan's is 5 taels. In a year, that's 180 taels of silver, which is quite a good treatment."

  "This is all thanks to the kindness of the old master and his wife."

  "Hehe, I don't have any opinion on this, these are all things you should take. By the way, about your family law issues, I'm sure your wife knows about it already."

  When Su Tiancheng said this, Su Jun's body trembled slightly. He didn't know what Su Tiancheng was thinking, and with a thud, he knelt down in front of Su Tiancheng. Yu Huan also followed suit and knelt down.

  "Young master, I really didn't speak nonsense."

  Su Tiancheng smiled and didn't say a word. Even if the mistress found out, it wouldn't be Su Jun or Yu Huan who told her. After all, Su Jun had done something wrong himself, and if the mistress knew about it, she wouldn't protect such a servant as Su Jun.

  "Master, I swear, if I speak nonsense, may I die a terrible death."

  Yuán Huán knelt on the ground, her head bowed, and remained silent the whole time.

  Seeing this situation, Su Tiancheng roughly understood it, and it seemed that Yu Huan was aware of it.

  "Yu Huan, why don't you ever speak?"

  Yu Huan's body trembled slightly.

  "Young master, I don't know what to say."

  "Speak up."

  Suddenly hearing Su Tiancheng's tone become heavier, Yu Huan almost fainted, she timidly raised her head.

  Su Tiancheng's smile had disappeared, his handsome face, along with his clear eyes, was as still as stagnant water, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

  These days, seeing Su Tiancheng every day and comparing him with Gongzi, Yu Huan suddenly felt that Gongzi's performance was even more stable than Lao Ye's. He did things decisively and accurately, and for some reason, she suddenly felt that the future of the Su family might have to rely on Gongzi to support it.

  "Little master, my husband will never betray you, I can stake my life on it."

  "So you must know who it was that reported it, haha."

  Yu Huan nodded and was about to speak when Su Tiancheng waved his hand to stop her.

  "It's better not to mention these things, after all. A distant road tests the horse's strength, and a long time reveals people's hearts. What can be done even if one knows? Guarding against people's mouths is more important than guarding against rivers. I still understand this principle."

  Su Tiancheng did not call for the two kneeling men to get up. He stood up and slowly walked to the opposite side of the two.

  "Su Jun, Yu Huan, perhaps you are still worried, thinking that I will hand over those evidences to the government. What would you do then? Wouldn't everything be over? Today, this young master says it here, past events are already passed, and this young master won't hold a grudge. If I were to do so, wouldn't I be just like a petty person? This young master wants to handle big matters, but can't even handle small things properly. You can rest assured, even if your aunt comes to Pingyang Prefecture, this young master won't mention this matter again. As for Uncle and Auntie and Er Tong's place, this young master has already emphasized that some things are better left unsaid."

  "Su Jun, you are a born son of the Su family, with a heart that is for the Su family. Yuhuan, you have served as a maid by my mother's side and also think only of the Su family. This I am clear about. If it weren't for your loyalty, I would have driven you out long ago. Not even my mother or father could change this."

  "No one is perfect, and gold has no flaws. Making mistakes is not a big deal, and making the same mistake again is not the end of the world either. The key is to know where you went wrong, what to pay attention to in the future, and how to do things differently next time. Once you understand this point, who knows, maybe you'll still have great prospects ahead."

  "Some things, I'll say it clearly now, Yuhuan. Since you've married Su Jun, you must stick to him till the end. No matter who tries to take advantage of you again, it's unacceptable and impolite. Regardless of their status or position, it won't be allowed. If you decide to stay in Pingyang City, I can guarantee that no one will dare touch you."

  "Su Jun, you are a born son of the Su family, wholeheartedly for the Su family. The Su family must live up to you, otherwise, what kind of aristocratic family is this? From today on, no matter what grievances are in your heart, let's put it aside. I'll give you two sentences: first, a gentleman loves wealth, but takes it in a righteous way; second, be unmoved by honor or shame, watch the flowers bloom and wither in front of the courtyard, come and go without intention, look at the clouds rolling in and out in the sky. Go and ponder on this."

  "This young master knows what you're worried about, and soon he'll have Er Tong return the account books to you. It's all said that life and death are fated, wealth and nobility are in heaven, but this young master feels that sometimes one's own grasp can decide their fate."

  "Alright, I've said all I wanted to say, you can leave now."

  Su Tiancheng spoke in the process, Su Jun and Yu Huan were both trembling with their bodies.

  Although Yu Huan is married to Su Jun, Ran Gongzi still clings to her and has become even bolder. Everyone in the mansion knows about this matter, which makes Su Jun feel ashamed and unable to say anything. Yu Huan wants to live a peaceful life with Su Jun, but she dares not refuse Ran Gongzi, fearing dire consequences. Fortunately, Ran Gongzi went to Taiyuan Prefecture at the beginning of the year; otherwise, things would still be as they were before.

  As for Su Jun, being able to become the steward of the Su Manor in Pingyang Prefecture was largely due to the first wife's favor towards Yu Huan. It was a reward given out of consideration for Yu Huan's sake. And it was precisely because of Yu Huan that Su Jun had some opinions about the young masters of the Su Manor. Past events could be let go, but now that he and Yu Huan were married, yet the young masters still acted this way, what did they take him for?

  Su Tiancheng's words struck the weakest spot in both of their hearts.

  Su Jun wailed again, crawling on the ground, and Yu Huan also started sobbing.

  After a while, Su Jun finally calmed down.

  "My lord, I was once ignorant and did things that were not even worthy of a pig or dog. Today, I swear to you here, I will be loyal to you until death. If I betray my oath, may I not die a good death and may my spirit not rest in the ancestral temple."

  Su Tiancheng felt shocked. If it was just a vow that would not bring good death, it wouldn't be anything, but the vow of not being allowed to enter the ancestral temple after death is the most poisonous vow under heaven. This means that Su Jun's descendants also have no status, and Yu Huan and the younger generation are all implicated.

  After Su Jun and Yu Huan left, a smile appeared on Su Tiancheng's face. Winning people over requires more than just wealth and power; sometimes you need to understand what others truly need.

  From now on, I already have five die-hard supporters.

  There will be more in the future.