This was not the first time something like this had happened; before coming here, he had already learned about the fates of several merchants who had previously attracted Wang Fu's attention.
"Second Brother, please help him!"
Han Yan was still a child and didn't understand the gravity of the situation, so she directly spoke up for Feng Yuanbao.
Hearing her say this, Feng Yuanbao became even more agitated.
His crying intensified, and the wailing immediately gave Han Mo a headache.
"How much time did he give you to raise the funds?"
Han Mo hesitated before asking again.
"He only gave me three days! They are clearly trying to force me to my death!"
Feng Yuanbao continued to wail as he spoke.
"Shut up! If you cry again, I'm not getting involved in this matter!"
Han Mo frowned and glared at him again.
Feng Yuanbao quickly wiped away his tears and looked at Han Mo pitifully.
"Does anyone else know you came to see me?"
"No one knows. I specifically disguised myself and rode here alone."
Feng Yuanbao said quickly.
"Listen to me. After you leave here, go directly to Wang Fu! Tell him you still have a large batch of goods on the way, and once you've processed them, you're willing to pay one million five hundred thousand strings of cash as compensation for the white jade statue! Ask him for a month to deal with the goods, otherwise, he can kill you now."
"But, but, isn't that lying?"
"Do you want your entire family to live well, or do you want to lie?"
Han Mo rolled his eyes. This guy talked too much.
"But, what happens after a month? Even if I tear my family apart piece by piece, I can't come up with one million five hundred thousand strings."
"As long as you can hold out for a month, this Lord Wang won't have time to trouble you then!"
"He has enough trouble of his own. No one will care about these minor matters. However, after this is over, quickly dispose of all the things you have and never return to Bianliang City!"
After roughly calculating the time, Han Mo said directly.
"Young Master, are you serious?"
Feng Yuanbao swallowed hard, looking at Han Mo with disbelief.
"You need to understand one thing: wealth attracts attention! Make fortunes in secret. If you act so high-profile, who else but you will die?"
"Young Master, don't worry. After this matter is over, Feng will definitely reform and never dare to act like this again! It's just, just coming down directly..."
Feng Yuanbao's voice began to crack with tears as he said this.
He had been operating in Bianliang City for so many years, and now, to abandon his foundation, he didn't even know where he should go.
The world was so vast, yet it seemed there was no place for him.
Speaking of which, life's encounters were truly miraculous. Half a month ago, he was a famous wealthy merchant in Bianliang City, and now he couldn't even find a place to stay.
Han Mo understood what he meant, but with great chaos imminent, how could a nest remain intact?
It seemed there was truly no peaceful place in the world anymore.
Bandits were rampant in the Hebei circuits. It was said there were already seven or eight groups with tens of thousands of people, not to mention the countless roving bandits.
In the southeast, there was the Yingfeng Bureau, and Zhu Mian and his son were living devils.
The people of Shu were exploited by the eunuchs to the point of utter destitution. Fang La was rebelling in Suzhou and Hangzhou, and war was about to break out in the west and north.
In such a situation, even Han Mo didn't know where to send him...
"Since we know each other, I advise you, if you can build a large ship and go to sea, take your family overseas as soon as possible!"
With a wry smile, Han Mo patted his shoulder again and said.
"Thank you, Young Master!"
Feng Yuanbao's lips trembled.
Although Han Mo's words were vague, they made him understand the urgency of the situation.
Of course, Feng Yuanbao feared Wang Fu's subsequent retaliation, while Han Mo feared the impending turmoil.
The world was vast, yet there was no paradise on earth. If war broke out, Feng Yuanbao could buy a boat and go to sea, but what about the common people?
The Jianyan Southern Crossing saw the entire Central Plains lost. What would happen to the remaining common people?
Thinking of this, Han Mo's face was filled with gravity.
He suddenly realized that he was like a mantis before the wheels of history. Seeing the wheels rolling towards him, he could do nothing...
"Alright, you can go now!"
Han Mo lost the desire to speak further and waved his hand at Feng Yuanbao, then walked back towards the study.
After entering the study and closing the doors and windows, Han Mo slumped wearily onto the chair beside the desk.
Originally, Han Mo thought that as long as he climbed high enough, he could change something.
But now, he suddenly realized that he might have been too optimistic.
Like now, what was the point of being in a high position?
With all his strength, how many nails could he drive?
Wang Anshi and Fan Zhongyan had both seen the flaws of the Song Dynasty, but when one person stood against the world, what could they ultimately achieve?
As powerful as Wang Anshi and as wise as Fan Zhongyan, they could only compromise in the end.
After their deaths, their policies and efforts would ultimately be in vain.
Was he really much stronger than them?
Could he really do better than them?
Han Mo fell into a cycle of self-doubt, almost completely breaking down.
"What are you doing here again?"
At some unknown time, Zhe Yourong, dressed in a night-traveling outfit, appeared before Han Mo again.
"You..."
Han Mo was speechless at Zhe Yourong's attire.
Couldn't this girl be more normal?
"You know that Bianliang City is not like Fuzhou. If I came openly, countless people would start gossiping!"
Zhe Yourong pouted and directly grabbed the teapot in front of Han Mo, pouring herself a cup of tea.
"It's cold! Bitter and astringent!"
After taking a sip, Zhe Yourong's face puckered from the bitter tea.
"You came so late, is something the matter?"
Facing her, Han Mo's mood finally improved significantly.
"I originally wanted to ask you how to sell the first batch of soap, as the first batch has already been made. But you've been sitting here for half an hour since I arrived. Do you have something on your mind?"
Unknowingly, it had already gotten completely dark, yet Han Mo had not lit a lamp.
Under the moonlight filtering through the window screens, Zhe Yourong's face was exceptionally beautiful.
The concern in her eyes made Han Mo feel an urge to cry.
Yes!
Even if he wasn't as strong as Wang Anshi, or as wise as Fan Zhongyan, he still had people he had to protect.
Even if he was just a mantis, let this mantis overturn the rolling wheels!
A man should naturally have some responsibility!
A beauty as precious as jade, he should protect her completely!