"Then this token is left with you, sir, as proof of today's engagement!"
Although everything had unfolded much as he had anticipated, Qin Hui couldn't help but feel a smug satisfaction at having acquired a free enforcer.
"Then I shall accept it! And please trouble yourself to tell Chancellor Wang that I remember today's events, and I hope Chancellor Wang will not forget our agreement! If not, then do not blame me for a desperate struggle!"
"Farewell!"
Though Lin Ling's parting words were rather unpleasant, Qin Hui paid them no mind.
Having already gained such a significant advantage, it was only fitting to allow the other to save face at this juncture.
Upon leaving the Shenxiao Palace, Qin Hui felt a considerable sense of relief.
He had initially expected to expend considerable effort to achieve his goal, but he had never imagined that Lin Ling would agree so readily.
As he recalled the grand promises made by Wang Fu, Qin Hui felt a sense of elation.
"Sir, shall I go over..."
In the back alley of Shenxiao Palace, watching Qin Hui slip out the back door with self-satisfaction, the coachman licked his lips and made a throat-slitting gesture towards Yuan Xingchi.
"This is Bianliang City, what do you think you're doing?"
Seeing his ill-intentioned look, Yuan Xingchi shot him an exasperated glance. This fellow had been by his side for so long, yet he still hadn't learned to gauge the situation.
If they were outside Bianliang City, there would be no witnesses to kill him, but this was within Bianliang City. If an official of the court died here, the Imperial City Department would surely be in an uproar.
They still had other matters to attend to, and drawing the attention of the Imperial City Department at this moment would only bring them trouble.
"I was just saying..."
The coachman coughed awkwardly.
"Alright, speak less of such things in the future, and this joke isn't funny at all!"
After another exasperated glance, Yuan Xingchi stretched with a long yawn.
Although this carriage had undergone special modifications, the hurried journey from Luoyang back to Bianliang had left his back feeling sore.
"Shall we go now then..."
"It's already this late, let's go. We should first find lodging at the estate outside the city!"
Watching Qin Hui board the Wang family's carriage, Yuan Xingchi yawned widely before waving his hand and saying to the coachman.
"We're just going back like this?"
The coachman said, somewhat unwillingly.
"Look at his smug expression, it's obvious we were a step too late. Even if we killed him now, it wouldn't change anything."
"Yes!"
Yuan Xingchi had come today intending to secure the final piece of the puzzle, but to his surprise, despite their haste, they had arrived a step too late, and Qin Hui had secured the advantage first.
However, in all honesty, this matter had little impact on the overall situation. Seeing that there was no longer any need to pursue it, he had decisively chosen to give up.
——————————————
"Young Master, this is a carrier pigeon message from Lord Zong!"
"Oh?"
Upon hearing Jiang Yan's words, Han Mo couldn't help but frown.
Although they both belonged to the Southeast Six Circuits Pacification Commission, they usually avoided contact to avoid suspicion, and Zong Ying would not proactively contact Han Mo unless there was an emergency.
Especially for him to contact Han Mo directly via carrier pigeon was extremely rare.
"Sir, what do you say?"
After a hasty perusal of the letter's contents, Han Mo handed the pigeon message to Shao Bowen.
"It seems they intend to kill you!"
Shao Bowen sneered after a single glance at the letter.
"But I'm afraid they'll be disappointed. I've always had a tough life, and I'm not so easily killed! On the contrary, this Lord Wang treats me like a piece of dough!"
"Then how does the master plan to respond?"
Shao Bowen looked at Han Mo with interest.
"Since they've offered their faces to be slapped, wouldn't it be a disservice to their kind intentions if I didn't strike hard? So what if there are no reinforcements? I never expected any reinforcements anyway!"
"What about the accountability afterward?"
"If the battle is won, do we need to consider this issue? Moreover, if he wants to kill me, he'll have to see if he has the ability!"
"While that may be true, the rebels are about to reach the city. I wonder how Commander Han's preparations are going..."
The rebel army was now less than two days away from Mingzhou City, and the rebel vanguard had even appeared near Mingzhou. Even though this plan was Shao Bowen's idea, he himself was starting to feel a little nervous.
After all, if Mingzhou City were to fall, the consequences would not be something Han Mo alone could bear.
"Whether it works or not, at this stage, we can only trust him. He is someone who can create miracles, and I believe he will not fail our trust."
Han Mo understood Shao Bowen's meaning, but at this moment, he was unwilling to add pressure to Han Shizhong.
Tomorrow was the fifth day, and for the plan to continue, Wang Bing would have to lead his troops onto the ships tomorrow night.
Han Mo believed that Han Shizhong's pressure at this time must be far greater than his own.
In just five days, Han Mo himself found it hard to imagine how Han Shizhong would forge these useless men into tempered steel.
"His physiognomy indeed suggests a destiny of great wealth and honor, but the study of physiognomy is ultimately illusory. Are you not afraid of the unforeseen..."
Shao Bowen trailed off here. After all, war was fought with confidence, not just the confidence of the soldiers, but also the confidence of the generals and officials.
And as the actual controller of Mingzhou City, if Han Mo's confidence were truly shaken, it would be the greatest disaster for Mingzhou City.
"There are no 'what ifs'. Mingzhou City must be defended. I, Han Mo, am not one of those pedantic scholars who cannot carry a shoulder pole or hold a sword. If it truly comes to the final moment, my sword can also be used to kill on the city walls!"
After taking a deep breath, Han Mo looked at Shao Bowen again.
"For the master to have such courage is a blessing for Mingzhou and its people!"
Seeing Han Mo's confident demeanor, Shao Bowen cupped his hands towards Han Mo and said with a smile.