"You have it backward," Han Mo said, smiling. "It's my fortune to have your strong support!"
Han Mo patted Yuan Xingchi on the shoulder.
"By the way, I seem to have hidden some good stuff!"
Just as Yuan Xingchi was about to say something else, Han Mo suddenly stood up and hurried out the door.
"Young master, it's cold outside. Please put on some more clothes!"
Yuan Xingchi picked up the fox fur coat that had fallen off Han Mo's shoulders and chased after him.
"It's fine, this little bit of cold means nothing. Don't you forget, I have innate divine strength!"
Han Mo spoke as he walked, magically producing a hoe from a nearby room outside.
"Young master, what are you doing?"
Yuan Xingchi was startled to see Han Mo holding a hoe.
"I hid a jar of good wine under this plum tree. It's truly exceptional stuff, given to me by my granduncle. I didn't have the heart to drink it back then, so I buried it. Later, with the passage of time, I even forgot about it myself!"
Han Mo explained, and then began digging under the plum tree with his hoe.
This was the last gift his former self had left him.
Even when that person was indulging in alcohol, he hadn't touched this jar of wine, and now it was a fortunate find for Han Mo.
"There's really something that good?"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Yuan Xingchi's interest was immediately piqued, and he leaned closer.
Despite the freezing weather and the ground being frozen solid, with Han Mo's abnormal stamina, they found the jar of wine Han Mo had hidden in just over half an hour.
"Gulp—"
As soon as the mud seal was broken, the intoxicating aroma of the wine spread out, and Yuan Xingchi couldn't help but swallow.
"Brother Mo, we have a visitor. He says his surname is Zhang!"
Just as Han Mo was about to taste it, Xu Sanbao's voice came from outside.
"This fellow came at just the right time..."
Even Han Mo couldn't help but twitch his mouth at his words.
He didn't know many people in Bianliang City. The only one who would come to visit at this time was likely Zhang Shaoyou.
"Hahahaha, this Lord Zhang is also a remarkable person. Since he's already here, why don't you try to get closer to him?"
Although it was a shame that another person would be joining them for drinks, Yuan Xingchi said with a smile.
"Who do you think he's here for at this time?"
Hearing this, Han Mo also smiled.
"What else could it be for? Of course, it's for the position of Kaifeng Prefecture Vice-Prefect!"
"As expected, great minds think alike. But do you think he can handle this position?"
While the position of Kaifeng Prefecture Vice-Prefect was only a fourth-rank official, the complexity of Bianliang City made it no easy feat for just anyone to hold onto such a post.
"What I think doesn't matter. What matters is what you think, young master?"
"I say, you're really becoming mischievous!"
Hearing this, Han Mo couldn't help but laugh. This fellow was clearly playing coy.
"Who else could understand him better than you, young master?"
Yuan Xingchi smiled and didn't say any more. The position of Kaifeng Prefecture Vice-Prefect was crucial for Han Mo.
After all, whoever controlled this position would certainly have more access to information. While the Imperial City Department was beyond ordinary reach, the position of Kaifeng Prefecture Vice-Prefect was different.
If he could secure this position, whatever Han Mo planned to do next would be greatly aided.
"Invite him in!"
Since Xu Sanbao was still present, Han Mo didn't say any more.
"Yes!"
Xu Sanbao responded, turned, and walked out. A moment later, he led Zhang Shaoyou back into Han Mo's courtyard.
"Brother Han, it seems I've arrived at a most opportune moment!"
Smelling the enticing aroma of wine, Zhang Shaoyou burst into laughter.
"Indeed. I just remembered a jar of good wine I'd bought earlier. As soon as I opened it, you arrived, drawn by the scent!"
"That's why they say it's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early! Hahahaha!"
Zhang Shaoyou laughed heartily.
"Indeed? Steward Xu, could you please prepare some small dishes to go with the wine?"
Han Mo spoke, reached for some wine bowls from a nearby cabinet, and personally poured a bowl for Yuan Xingchi and Zhang Shaoyou each.
"A cow died in the front courtyard yesterday. I specifically asked them to make some braised beef to send to the mansion over there. I'll have them cut some and bring it over right away!"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Xu Sanbao happily agreed.
"That would be wonderful. It's been a while since I've had beef. It seems I'm in for a treat today!"
Zhang Shaoyou laughed at his words.
Even in this era, beef wasn't something that could be eaten frequently.
Although Zhang Shaoyou was considered influential in the Ministry of Revenue, cattle were treated with more care than humans in this world.
Even one's own cattle couldn't be slaughtered as one pleased. While the death of ordinary citizens might not be investigated, the officials of Kaifeng Prefecture would meticulously investigate the cause of a cow's death!
It was known that each prefecture had a quota for the number of cattle that died annually. If the number exceeded the quota, it would affect the official's performance review by the Ministry of Personnel!
"Brother Shaoyou, do you have something important to discuss this late?"
After Xu Sanbao had left, Han Mo winked at Jiang Yan, signaling him to keep watch outside the courtyard, and then asked Zhang Shaoyou.
"I do have something to discuss tonight. Brother Han, have you heard? Yanjing has fallen!"
Standing up and glancing outside the courtyard, Zhang Shaoyou lowered his voice.
"What did you say?"
Hearing this, Han Mo immediately stood up.
"I just received some unofficial news. His Majesty has summoned all the chancellors to the palace in the middle of the night. Yanjing was initially victorious, but then suffered defeat. Guo Yaoshi and others entered the city, only to be driven out again!"
"Is that so?"
Upon hearing this news, Han Mo felt a chill run through his limbs. Everything had indeed come to pass.