Zhong Yanchong departed, and Han Mo's life finally returned to normal.
Without so much political maneuvering, his days were still busy and fulfilling.
All the laborers in Neihuang County had been mobilized, yet joy filled everyone's faces.
They performed the most strenuous work, received the most meager income, yet they were all content.
A grown man, for just two catties of coarse grain daily, along with a bowl of thin porridge in the morning and two meals of dry rations at noon and night, bowed and scraped to Han Mo.
Whenever Han Mo witnessed such scenes, he felt his heart was so black it could be used as charcoal for burning.
Yet, when the common folk saw him, they expressed their sincere gratitude.
This made Han Mo deeply pained. The officials in the upper echelons lived lives of drunken indulgence.
A single banquet hosted by Prime Minister Cai Jing cost at least five hundred strings of cash, while the thousands of laborers on the river embankment combined had a daily expense of only four hundred strings.
Flesh rots behind vermilion gates, while frozen bones lie by the roadside.
Yet, facing all this, Han Mo felt so powerless.
Gao Zhiyao was unaware of Han Mo's thoughts. He only noticed Han Mo's furrowed brow every time they met, instinctively believing he must have done something wrong.
Initially, he was somewhat timid, but as he saw it more often, his courage gradually grew.
It wasn't until five days later, seeing Han Mo's furrowed brow again, that he mustered the courage to approach him.
"My lord, there should be no issues with the progress of the river embankment. You need not worry too much!"
"I'm not worried about these matters. Since I've assigned these tasks to you, they are your responsibility. Never mind, you wouldn't understand if I explained. Just do your jobs well!"
Hearing his words, Han Mo immediately realized that his own perpetual grim expression had likely frightened them. However, at that moment, he couldn't be bothered to explain.
After all, if he were to talk about equality or class oppression to a native of the Song Dynasty like Gao Zhiyao, he'd likely be considered insane.
With a heavy heart, Han Mo returned to the county office.
"Second brother, this is a letter that Master Zhong sent for you!"
As soon as he entered, Chun Tao greeted him and handed him a thick envelope.
"I understand. You can go about your business now!"
Just by the feel of it, he knew it contained the blank memorial that Xu Churen had given him.
However, now that he had the item, who would he send back to handle this matter?
Wu Jie and Wu Lin, like himself, held official positions. Sending them back was out of the question.
As for him going back, that was even more unthinkable. The moment he left Neihuang County, someone would likely submit a memorial impeaching him.
Yet, this matter simply couldn't be resolved through correspondence alone.
Such sensitive matters could not be put into writing. This suddenly put Han Mo in a difficult position.
In the end, it all came down to a lack of personnel, which made Han Mo feel rather helpless.
"What's wrong? Why the long face first thing in the morning?"
Seeing Han Mo standing by the doorway with a frown, Zhe Yourong asked softly.
"What else could it be? I have an urgent matter to handle immediately, but I lack suitable personnel at the moment..."
"Personnel? What kind of personnel do you need?"
"Bold yet meticulous, sharp-minded, and adaptable. Of course, most importantly, extremely trustworthy!"
"Is that all?"
Hearing Zhe Yourong's words, Han Mo's heart leaped with joy. Right, how could he have forgotten this?
He himself certainly didn't have suitable candidates, but that didn't mean Zhe Yourong didn't have any.
The Zhe family entrusted such a large business to Zhe Yourong, so they must have provided her with plenty of capable staff.
If she could just spare one or two of them, wouldn't the problem be solved?
"My dear wife, how could I have forgotten you? If you have suitable candidates, please help me!"
"If you call me 'Good Sister,' I'll help you, how about that?"
To Han Mo's surprise, Zhe Yourong made such a request.
"What? Can't stomach it? Then you can continue to worry. I'm leaving!"
Seeing the strange expression on Han Mo's face, Zhe Yourong chuckled.
"You really learn fast..."
Recalling how he had forced her to call him 'Good Brother' before, Han Mo was now at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
This was truly a debt from June, repaid so quickly!
"Stop with the nonsense. Are you going to call me or not, quickly!"
Zhe Yourong spoke, laughing even more heartily.
"Good sister, please help me this once!"
However, Zhe Yourong still underestimated Han Mo's thick skin. Such teasing was nothing to Han Mo.
"You're no fun. You should at least resist a little..."
Seeing him so nonchalant, not even blushing, Zhe Yourong felt a little displeased.
"My good sister, this matter concerns human lives, and not just one or two!"
Han Mo forced a bitter smile. This girl really had many demands.
But at this moment, he had an extraordinary amount of things to do and no time to joke around like this.
"Alright, go to the study first. I'll have him find you in the study after an incense stick's time."
"If this matter is exposed, it's a matter of life and death!"
Seeing Zhe Yourong's reluctant expression, Han Mo quickly lowered his voice and added.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing!"
After hearing Zhe Yourong's words, Han Mo nodded and returned to his study.
"Student greets the official!"
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a man in his thirties, led by Zhe Yourong, slowly entered the study.
"This is?"
Han Mo frowned, carefully examining the man before him.
He appeared to be in his thirties, wearing a light blue robe, his hair casually tied with a jade hairpin. He didn't look like a shopkeeper from a trading firm, but rather like a scholar who spent much time in his study. However, when he walked, it was evident that his right leg was somewhat lame.
"This is Mr. Yuan. Father invited him to help me handle some official matters!"
Zhe Yourong introduced him briefly.
"So it's Mr. Yuan. Please have a seat, Mr. Yuan!"
Although Zhe Yourong hadn't said much, she had indirectly conveyed the man's reliability to Han Mo.
"My son-in-law, please feel free to give me any instructions. I am merely a person who has suffered punishment, so I am not worthy of the title 'Mr.' If you don't mind, please call me by my name. My surname is Yuan, and my given name is Xingchi!"