"Your Highness, you are putting me in a difficult position. How can I possibly comment on such matters!"
When too much is said, mistakes are bound to happen. It's best to remain silent if one can.
"Brother Han is too modest. It's just you and me here. Please, Brother Han, you must help me!"
Although Han Mo tried his best to refuse, Zhao Kai seemed determined to corner him today.
"Then, what is Your Highness's intention?"
After a moment of silence, Han Mo directly retorted.
"The position of the Grand Preceptor of Daming carries great power and prestige. If there is a possibility, I naturally wish to contend for this position!"
At this moment, the alliance between the Jin and Song dynasties was already more than halfway formed.
Now, all that remained was for the Song Dynasty to send an envoy with a state letter to the Jin Dynasty. Once the Jin Emperor signed it, the alliance between the two countries would be considered successful.
With the dual conquest of the Liao dynasty by both countries seemingly a foregone conclusion, the importance of Daming Prefecture as the front line against Liao was self-evident.
Whether it was mobilizing troops or raising grain and provisions, he couldn't possibly bypass the position of Grand Preceptor of Daming.
Moreover, once the two countries went to war, this position would immediately become highly coveted. It was almost the preferred choice for anyone looking to achieve military merit.
It could be said that this position was a fast track to entering the core of power.
"Is Your Highness planning to force the issue?"
Looking at Zhao Kai's expectant gaze, Han Mo delivered a shocker.
"Brother Han, don't joke. How could I possibly do such a rebellious thing?"
Han Mo's words genuinely startled Zhao Kai. After a dry cough, he quickly said,
"Then, is Your Highness planning to rebel?"
"Brother Han, you!"
Zhao Kai's expression immediately turned unpleasant.
This fellow was becoming more and more outrageous with his words.
To speak such treasonous words so casually within Bianliang City, was he trying to kill him?
"Since Your Highness has no intention of forcing the issue or rebelling, then why do you want this position? In our Great Song, since its founding, there has never been a precedent of a prince successfully seizing the throne!"
Zhao Kai had backed down, but Han Mo showed no intention of letting him off the hook.
"Brother Han means..."
"There is only one such position. At this moment, His Majesty is in his prime. It is far too early to speak of such matters. Your Highness, do you not feel that your ambitions are too obvious?"
Seeing that Zhao Kai was thoroughly intimidated, Han Mo chuckled inwardly.
This fellow was the type to have the ambition but not the courage. A few casual words had already scared him stiff.
"Please, Brother Han, enlighten me!"
Zhao Kai took a deep breath, stood up again, and bowed respectfully to Han Mo.
"Your Highness, in fact, when we last met, I already explained it very clearly to you. It's just that now, it seems Your Highness has not understood! Since His Majesty dislikes the Crown Prince, why did he allow him to hold that position for so many years? It all boils down to two words: peace of mind!"
"Peace of mind?"
"Precisely. Your Highness, being in the royal family, you should know about the events in Emperor Renzong's later years, right?"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Zhao Kai's expression immediately turned peculiar.
He of course knew about Emperor Renzong's situation. For the common folk outside, these matters might be considered taboo, but for members of the royal family like them, it was hardly a rare occurrence.
Emperor Renzong had no sons, so in his later years, he had no choice but to adopt Zhao Zongshi as his adopted son.
However, after confirming Zhao Zongshi's status as a prince, Emperor Renzong and Empress Cao wept nightly in the palace in his later years.
Royal matters were never about filial piety or lack thereof.
Emperor Renzong had no choice back then. Under pressure from the ministers, he was forced to establish Zhao Zongshi as a prince.
Of course, Han Qi was the main instigator in this matter.
"It is likely that our current Emperor will not truly establish a Crown Prince until the last moment! This means that no matter how far Your Highness progresses, His Majesty will not move the Crown Prince from his position!"
"If you truly become strong enough to completely crush the Crown Prince, I imagine a new prince will emerge very soon. After all, His Majesty has more than just you and the Crown Prince as sons..."
Seeing the strange look on his face, Han Mo chuckled again.
Although these words were spoken lightly, they still terrified Zhao Kai to the point of near madness.
"Then, if what you say is true, does that mean I will..."
Zhao Kai's forehead was covered in a dense layer of sweat as he spoke.
"Your Highness, among His Majesty's many princes, you and the Crown Prince know each other intimately. And although the Crown Prince has the legitimate claim, he does not have His Majesty's favor. If this situation continues, you may yet have a chance to replace him! But if..."
"If what?"
"If His Majesty becomes wary of you, then the father-son bond will be lost forever. And if at this time, another prince happens to gain His Majesty's favor..."
Han Mo stopped speaking at this point. It was enough. Zhao Kai was now soaked in a cold sweat.
Although Han Mo's theory sounded alarmist at first, being involved in the situation, Zhao Kai found it increasingly plausible the more he thought about it.
Ever since Tong Guan and Cai You joined his camp, the Emperor had not been as close to him as before.
Many times, even the occasional displays of closeness seemed to be mere posturing.
Coupled with Han Mo's words, he was now truly filled with dread and uncertainty.
"Brother Han, then what should I do now?"
Zhao Kai trembled as he reached for the wine pot on the table, shakily bringing it to his lips. After taking a large gulp of wine, he continued to ask,
"Your Highness needs to do nothing. You just need to maintain the current situation. In fact, you don't need to concern yourself with court affairs at all. The more you interact with those ministers, the deeper His Majesty's wariness will become."
"Think about it carefully. If you had a son who was overly ambitious, would you not worry that one day he might try to usurp you... At this moment, whoever can give His Majesty peace of mind is the most favored prince!"
Seeing that he had almost successfully misled him, Han Mo smiled again, picked up a piece of steamed white fish with wine, and put it into his mouth.
The delicious taste immediately filled his mouth. The rich aroma of wine and the fresh flavor of the white fish continuously assaulted Han Mo's taste buds, making him unable to resist picking up another piece.