"Brother Qionglin, it's been a long time!"
Seeing Qian Lang again, Han Mo suddenly realized that in just a few dozen days, this guy seemed to have matured considerably.
"Your Excellency speaks the truth. You are so busy lately, why would I dare to disturb you if I had nothing important to discuss?"
Although the Qian family was a prominent clan, Han Mo's rapid promotion had caught them off guard, and even Qian Lang was a little unaccustomed to it.
After all, just the title of Commissioner of the Coastal Defense of Liangzhe and Fujian alone had elevated Han Mo's status significantly.
Even local Pacification Commissioners had to respectfully address Han Mo as "Your Excellency" when their jurisdictions overlapped.
"Brother Qionglin, you seem to have something on your mind. Please, tell me, is there something you wish to discuss with me today?"
After the servants had served tea, Han Mo said with a smile.
"I dare not hide anything from Your Excellency. I do indeed have something I wish to discuss with you."
As Qian Lang spoke, he glanced at Jiang Yan, who was standing nearby.
"You two, please step out for a moment. I have some matters to discuss privately with Brother Qian."
After giving Jiang Yan a deep look, Han Mo directly instructed him.
"Yes, sir!"
"Are we clear to speak now?"
Only after Jiang Yan had walked away did Han Mo ask with a smile.
"I heard Your Excellency is currently organizing the Mingzhou Navy?"
"Oh? Brother Qionglin truly has sharp ears. Where did you hear this news?"
Hearing this, Han Mo's gaze toward Qian Lang immediately changed.
Putting aside other matters, he had just received the official document concerning this today. The Qian family's ears were indeed remarkably swift.
"Please do not blame me, Your Excellency. This information came from the Pacification Commissioner's Office."
Seeing Han Mo's ambiguous look, Qian Lang quickly explained.
Although it was a simple statement, it conveyed a great deal of information.
Han Mo understood Qian Lang's intention perfectly. On one hand, it was an act of deference; on the other, it was a gesture of goodwill.
"There is indeed such a matter. What is it? Brother Qian, does your Qian family wish to meddle in such affairs as well?"
Although Han Mo was smiling, Qian Lang did not dare to be careless in the slightest.
The fact that he could obtain this order from the Pacification Commissioner's Office, and that he had gained absolute control over the Mingzhou and Quanzhou navies, was enough to demonstrate Han Mo's influence.
While the military orders issued by the Pacification Commissioner's Office were temporary, and would cease to exist once the unrest subsided and the office was dissolved, the personnel appointments made by Han Mo during this period were very real.
If the Mingzhou and Quanzhou navies were filled with Han Mo's men from top to bottom, it would be difficult for anyone to interfere later on.
For the true scholar-officials, they naturally disdained such auxiliary military forces.
However, the Qian family was different.
While a large family could strengthen its influence through marriage alliances, ultimately, it depended on the success of its own descendants.
Compared to land forces that engaged in direct combat, the navy offered a new channel for advancement.
Although the status of military officials was indeed lower than that of civil officials in the Song Dynasty, for family members who could not apply themselves to scholarly pursuits, becoming a military officer was a decent option.
Moreover, one lived off the land one inhabited, and by the sea one lived off the sea.
The Qian family already made its living from maritime trade. If their family members could secure positions within the navy, it would be an invaluable opportunity for the entire Qian family, something hard to come by even with a lantern.
If it were ordinary civil officials, Qian Lang might have already showered them with money. But when dealing with Han Mo, he could only proceed with careful negotiation.
"Your Excellency, you jest. I have no intention of competing with you for dominance. It's just that I have a few unaccomplished clan juniors who wish to seek a livelihood under your command."
As Qian Lang spoke, he gestured towards two young men standing behind him.
"The Mingzhou Navy is newly established, and we need to set rules for everyone. Other matters, while not impossible to consider, will depend entirely on their own capabilities. Do you understand?"
After giving Qian Lang another meaningful glance, Han Mo suddenly said.
"Of course, I understand, Your Excellency. Please rest assured, if they truly lack ability, then letting them be mere soldiers is their fate."
As Qian Lang spoke, he took out a small booklet from his sleeve and placed it before Han Mo.
"What is this? Are you trying to bribe me?"
Seeing his practiced movement, Han Mo asked with a cold smile.
"Your Excellency, you are mistaken. This is our entire family's support for the nascent Mingzhou Navy. With fighting ongoing everywhere during its establishment, I believe the formation of the Mingzhou Navy will be a tremendous boon to all merchants in Mingzhou. This is merely a token of our sincerity, and I implore Your Excellency to accept it!"
As Qian Lang spoke, he pushed the booklet in his hand towards Han Mo again.
Han Mo could not help but exclaim after a brief glance at its contents. The Qian family was indeed incredibly wealthy.
However, he hesitated to allow the Qian family to plant their people within his ranks at this nascent stage.
The presence of the Qian family had both advantages and disadvantages for him, but the fact that the Qian family had not yet definitively declared their stance made Han Mo, truthfully, feel a sense of unease.
"If it is merely some provisions and funds, I fear you may be mistaken..."
Hearing Han Mo's words, Qian Lang's heart leaped with joy. His greatest fear was Han Mo not giving him a chance to speak.
"Our entire Qian family is willing to follow Your Excellency's lead. We are also willing to share all the nautical charts our family has collected with Your Excellency!"
"Brother Qionglin, you are too kind. If that is the case, then I must truly thank you."
Seeing Qian Lang's compliance, Han Mo's expression immediately softened into a smile.
"Your Excellency, you are too gracious. Was not your initial intention in establishing the Mingzhou Navy to protect merchants like us? It is only right that we contribute our efforts."
With Qian Lang's intelligence, he wouldn't be foolish enough at this point to ask if Han Mo had agreed. Instead, he bowed to Han Mo again and said,
"The Mingzhou Navy is still in its infancy, a time when young talents are most needed. These two appear to have some education. Our nation should indeed show favor to scholars. Let them each be granted the rank of Colonel."