While unable to comprehend Han Mo's complex emotions, Feng Yuanbao found another reason.
Han Mo didn't offer much explanation to this, merely nodding his head. In any case, it was a fortunate accident.
"The journey is long. You can discuss the remaining matters with your deputies. The Great Song and Wa have no diplomatic relations, and those Wa people have never submitted to the Great Song, so they are not considered tributary states of the Great Song. Once you are at sea, the laws of the Great Song will no longer apply to you!"
Han Mo knew that this task was not easy, so he had to leave them some autonomy.
Therefore, he didn't concern himself with every single detail.
After setting a few bottom lines for them, he delegated all other rights.
"Then what about the annual supplies?"
Compared to other matters, supplies were what Feng Yuanbao cared about the most.
"For military equipment and scarce materials, you can submit a list. Every few months, ships will be sent to deliver them. When they return, they can also transport the items you mine! However, for food, you will mainly rely on local supplies!"
Given the immense distance, if all the food had to be transported from the Great Song, even Han Mo would find the consumption unbearable.
This was why Han Mo had previously agreed with Ping Zheng Sheng and the others that the food for the army would be their responsibility.
However, Han Mo was also aware that Wa was a small and impoverished country, with many mountains and little arable land.
The amount of grain they could cultivate each year was extremely limited.
If the local grain supply encountered problems, they might have to seek help from Goryeo in a short period.
Fortunately, as long as the gold and silver mines could be effectively exploited, their operations would essentially be a venture without cost.
The slaves mining were all prisoners of war or criminals conscripted from various regions. All they needed was enough to eat.
As for other costs, apart from shipping fees, they could essentially be considered zero.
"Then, how many soldiers from the navy can be stationed near the port?"
"One thousand navy soldiers will remain, and the other two thousand will be infantry. Of course, in the later stages, I can help arrange for over a hundred cavalry to be sent over!"
Although the Great Song cavalry was not as formidable as it once was, far from the level of the Jing Sai Army at the country's inception.
However, compared to the Wa cavalry, the situation was entirely different.
Compared to the horses of the Great Song, the horses raised by the Wa people were practically not of the same species.
"That would be great!"
"Alright, that's all for now. It will soon be the first month of the lunar year. You should spend the festival with your family first. These matters can wait until after the first month before preparing!"
Once Feng Yuanbao left, he would likely not see his family for a long time, whether it was three to five years or longer. Han Mo did not want to delay his precious time any further.
After finishing the last sip of tea in his cup, he stood up and bid farewell.
"Son-in-law, are you sure that fellow can handle it?"
A long distance from the Feng family's residence, Jiang Yan cautiously asked Han Mo.
"Why not? Just wait and see. When he gets to Wa, he'll be a ruthless devil that sucks the bones dry!"
Although Feng Yuanbao didn't reveal much of his thoughts, and Han Mo did most of the talking while he listened throughout the process, Han Mo could tell from his facial expressions that this fellow was definitely a ruthless individual.
Furthermore, after all the hardship he had endured over the past year, who knew what heaven-defying things this fellow might do if he were in a place where laws couldn't reach him.
"But if he acts like this, aren't you afraid he'll provoke those Wa people into rebellion?"
Jiang Yan asked with some concern.
"Why worry so much? Rebel? Do you think they dare to rebel? Just this document in my hand, if it were to be made public, the entire Heike family would vanish in the blink of an eye!"
Han Mo was well aware of this.
Moreover, even if the Heike family's actions caused widespread resentment, what of it?
At most, they would change their partner.
Given Wa's current situation, there were plenty of ambitious individuals. Since they were merely puppets, as long as they were obedient, everything else was irrelevant.
As long as Han Mo's interests in the country could be guaranteed, it didn't matter whether it was the Heike family or the Genji family, or even the historical progression.
If it weren't for the need to keep these people to mine, Han Mo would have even considered a plan for national annihilation.
"Alright, let's not talk about this. Let's go see Lord Li and see how their Thunderbolt Cannon research is progressing!"
Compared to these matters, Han Mo was more concerned about the Thunderbolt Cannon at this moment.
The name of this thing was indeed awe-inspiring, but in essence, it was like a large hand grenade.
And it was a homemade hand grenade, as primitive as it could be.
However, even so, it was not an easy task to get the gunpowder formula and the amount of gunpowder inside just right.
To resolve this matter as quickly as possible, Li Yueyang had gone to great lengths, finding many folk experts from all over the Liangzhe Circuit.
"Yes!"
—————
"Sanlang, are you sure Han said that?"
In the Qian family's mansion, several elders of the Qian family were looking at each other in dismay.
Originally, they believed that as long as they united, even Han Mo would have to bow to them.
However, they never expected Qian Lang to bring such news after attending a banquet.
"I heard it with my own ears. Of course, I'm sure. He even specifically stated that we only have three days, and we must give our final answer by dusk three days later."
Speaking of this, Qian Lang himself let out a wry smile.
Han Mo's words were already very clear: if they did not comply, then war would ensue.
Their family did have considerable influence in the local area over the years, and they also held some unsavory private armed forces.
But if they were to truly fight against Han Mo, the Military Commissioner of the Coastal Regions of Liangzhe and Fujian, they were not in the same league.
After all, no matter how powerful a family's strength was, it could not contend with the machinery of the state.
"In my opinion, this kid is just bluffing. Among the seven major families, which one can he swallow in one go? Although everyone's hands are not clean, as long as we don't make mistakes, what can that Han person do to us?"