"Cough—cough—cough—"
"Didn't I tell you? There's no need to thank each other between us. Saying so is too strange!"
Zong Ying spoke with an innocent smile.
"I really thank your whole family!"
Han Mo's trembling right hand pointed at Zong Ying several times before he gritted his teeth and uttered a sentence.
"My good brother Han, you can't blame me for this. That old scholar is still waiting. Otherwise, why don't you come with me first? He's going to see the Emperor tomorrow morning!"
The position of Da Ming's garrison has been vacant for a long time. At this time, almost the entire Hebei province is boiling with public discontent.
It's easy to imagine that he wouldn't stay in Bianliang City for long. If his grievances aren't resolved first, who knows what he might say to the Emperor.
"You think highly of me!"
Han Mo was speechless.
"Didn't I just say it? I really don't have the confidence to persuade him. If it backfires, won't it just cause you trouble? So, let's not bother others with one matter. Brother Han, you'll have to bear with it!"
Zong Ying said, cupping his hands towards Han Mo again.
"My current status is awkward. Is it appropriate for me to go at this time?"
Han Mo rubbed his temples and said with some depression.
"I've already thought of this for you. Brother Han, you are, after all, the county magistrate of Neihuang. It seems nothing is wrong with meeting your superior before taking office! I've already prepared the gifts for you; they are in the carriage outside!"
Zong Ying said with a chuckle.
"Alright, alright, allow me to change my clothes first!"
Han Mo, with a hint of annoyance, rubbed his temples before getting up and heading to the back chambers.
After a hasty wash and changing into new clothes, Han Mo followed Zong Ying into the carriage.
"Why doesn't this old dignitary stay at the post station?"
Han Mo looked at Zong Ying with some curiosity.
"When the teacher arrived last night, it was already late. The Bianliang Post Station was already overcrowded, and he's not the kind of person who would kick others out..."
Zong Ying said this with a wry smile.
Originally, the court had strict regulations on the use of post stations. However, after Cai Jing took office, all these systems collapsed.
The post stations of the court could barely maintain their revenue. But in recent years, with the abuse of post station vouchers, they have only incurred losses year after year.
After all, as long as one holds a post station voucher and buys an official position for oneself, one can freely take advantage of the court's resources. For merchants traveling around, isn't this a good thing that can't be found even with a lantern?
Although Cai Jing has stepped down now, Wang Fu and his ilk are so focused on eliminating their rivals that they have no time to manage such trivial matters.
"This old gentleman is truly interesting!"
Han Mo smiled and didn't say anything more at that time.
"Brother Han, it's all up to you now!"
After arriving downstairs at the inn where Xu Churen was staying, Zong Ying's voice lowered a few octaves.
"Look at your courage. Can he eat you?"
Han Mo gave him a dismissive glance and strode upstairs.
"Who is this?"
Upon hearing that Zong Ying had arrived, Xu Churen immediately had someone invite them in.
However, as soon as they entered, Xu Churen realized that he had no impression of the young man Zong Ying had brought with him.
"Teacher, this is Han Mo, the top scholar of this year's imperial examination, and also the Prince's strategist! It is all thanks to Brother Han's planning that you and the Prince were able to ascend!"
Although Zong Ying had his guards stationed outside the door before entering, he instinctively lowered his voice when he spoke these words.
"The top scholar of this year's examination?"
Xu Churen's pupils contracted, and he immediately gave Han Mo a deep look.
"This junior, Han Mo, pays his respects to Mr. Xu!"
After Zong Ying introduced them, Han Mo smiled and cupped his hands towards Xu Churen generously.
"What a handsome young man! I've long heard that the Han family of Xiangzhou produced a remarkable young talent. Seeing him today, he is indeed extraordinary!"
It must be said that Han Mo's appearance was too advantageous. Even though Xu Churen had other matters weighing on his mind, he couldn't help but show a slight smile when he saw Han Mo's face.
"You flatter me, old sir. Han Mo is merely fortunate for the moment!"
"You don't need to be so humble about this. Although I am far away in Jiangnan, I have heard of your great works! Ending the king's affairs for the world, winning fame before and after death, alas, white hair... Every time I read it, I can't help but shed tears..."
"This junior was rash and has made you laugh, sir!"
"If this is considered rashness, then we old men have truly read books into the stomachs of dogs! Since we are now serving in the same court, you don't need to call me 'Sir' or anything like that. Why not be straightforward and call me Old Xu?"
"No, no, no, propriety must not be abandoned. Han Mo dare not offend you! If you find it uncomfortable to be called that, how about I call you Old Xu?"
Han Mo knew that this was a tough nut to crack; otherwise, Zong Ying wouldn't have come to him.
Therefore, at this moment, he could only brace himself and try his best to handle every detail properly.
"Old Xu or Xu Lao, it doesn't matter. Speaking of which, I once exchanged poems with Han Wending back in the day. Since you are his descendant, I'll be direct about what I have to say!"
Hearing him say this, Han Mo immediately stood up and cupped his hands towards him again. It seemed that the real business was about to begin.
"Old Xu, please speak your mind!"
"Let me ask you, since you were born into the Han family of Xiangzhou, why do you associate with sycophants? Don't you know that Liang Shicheng and Lin Ling su are treacherous villains who deceive the king and defraud the country?"
As expected, the old man's opening nearly choked Han Mo to death.
Looking at his righteous and awe-inspiring demeanor, Han Mo felt a headache coming on.
He now understood why, in the original history, Prince Xin Zhao Zhen had no great achievements in his life.
It was precisely because the people he could rely on were all more straightforward than the others.
If it were anyone else asking such a question, Han Mo would probably not even bother to answer. However, when it was Xu Churen, Han Mo really had to brace himself to explain.
"Then, according to what you say, sir, what should I do?"
Facing Xu Churen's knife-like gaze, Han Mo asked nonchalantly.
"Since ancient times, scholars die for remonstrance, and warriors die in battle. We scholars should naturally present memorials to His Majesty and expose their true faces! By associating with them, aren't you aiding and abetting a tiger?"
"May I ask, sir, what will be the outcome if I do as you say?"
"Confucius said 'Ren' (benevolence), Mencius said 'Yi' (righteousness). How can we, the people of our generation, be greedy for life and fear death?"