Hearing him say that, Han Mo let out a silent laugh in his heart. Today was truly his lucky day.
Not only did he succeed in the imperial examinations, but he also encountered two of the seven princes of the Southern Song dynasty before they had risen to prominence.
Double blessings were enough to surprise him, and he never expected that halfway through their drinks, Liang Shicheng would come knocking on his door!
"Anyone? Including other princes?"
Han Mo barely managed to suppress his excitement, donning a thoughtful expression once more. After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"What do you mean?"
Upon hearing his words, Liang Shicheng became instantly wary.
"Aren't you afraid, Your Excellency the Grand Commandant, of cultivating a new rival for His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"Hiss—"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Liang Shicheng was indeed taken aback. However, he immediately understood.
Wasn't that precisely the case?
Even though the Crown Prince and Prince Yun were currently locked in a fierce struggle, with the other princes seemingly observing the spectacle.
However, if any one of the princes were to secure the position of Grand Guardian of Daming, and subsequently win the Emperor's favor, like Prince Su, for instance!
Then, he might very well be cultivating a new rival for the Crown Prince.
"That is certainly not allowed, at least not to the extent of disrupting the current balance!"
After a considerable period of hesitation, Liang Shicheng finally frowned and added another condition.
"If that's the case, then the scope is far too narrow…"
Han Mo rubbed his temples with his hand as he carefully considered what to say next.
"I know this is difficult. Don't worry, I won't have you toil in vain!"
Liang Shicheng clearly misunderstood Han Mo's intention, but Han Mo made no effort to clarify. After all, being too eager to explain at this moment might only lead to unnecessary trouble for himself.
"Without disrupting the current balance, without causing trouble for His Highness the Crown Prince, and yet having the qualifications to succeed the Grand Guardian of Daming, such a person…"
As Han Mo spoke, he lightly tapped his fingers on the table in front of him.
To avoid disturbing his thoughts, Liang Shicheng specifically knocked on the nearby wall.
The coachman outside immediately slowed down, and the guards beside him promptly drove away any idle individuals who attempted to approach within twenty paces of the carriage.
"I actually do have a suitable candidate in mind. I wonder what Your Excellency the Grand Commandant thinks?"
After pretending to ponder for a long time, Han Mo finally spoke.
"Is there truly such a person?"
Even Liang Shicheng was surprised with joy.
He had long regarded the position of Grand Guardian of Daming as his personal fief. Now that he was reluctantly forced to let it go, he naturally wanted to choose a pushover.
Not disrupting the current balance meant this person had to be a solitary official.
Worst-case scenario, even if not a solitary official, the prince he was affiliated with must have no possibility of ascending the throne.
Otherwise, this matter alone would be enough to incur the Crown Prince's resentment.
He was still counting on relying on the Crown Prince to ensure his safe landing.
If anything were to happen at this juncture, wouldn't that be inviting trouble?
"Your Excellency the Grand Commandant, what do you think of Xu Churen?"
Han Mo smiled and casually said.
"Xu Churen? You mean Prince Xin's tutor?"
Liang Shicheng's face immediately showed a thoughtful expression.
He had navigated the officialdom for so many years, watched these princes grow up, and witnessed their struggles for power. He was naturally very clear about the tutors of these princes.
"That's right, him! With his seniority, he is more than qualified to take on the position of Grand Guardian of Daming. Moreover, he's an old scholar. Regardless of any considerations, he is the best candidate!"
As Han Mo spoke, he deliberately emphasized the word "old" in "old scholar."
Liang Shicheng, with his astute mind, quickly understood Han Mo's meaning.
It was precisely because he was an old scholar that he wouldn't cling to power like Cai Jing, who was already over seventy but still refused to retire.
"I recall he is fifty-six this year, isn't he!"
Liang Shicheng's eyes began to light up.
Strictly speaking, Xu Churen was indeed a suitable candidate, and most importantly, he was old enough.
He would serve as Grand Guardian of Daming for one term, which was three years. By then, he would be exactly fifty-nine.
According to the conventions for civil officials in the Great Song Dynasty, retirement at sixty. If he served his term and was sensible, he could be granted a nominal title of Grand Preceptor of the Imperial Guards and a ceremonial umbrella, allowing him to retire honorably. Then, Liang Shicheng could send someone else to take over, and there would be no problem.
"But Prince Xin…"
Just as Liang Shicheng was about to nod in agreement, he suddenly thought of another possibility.
Prince Xin's mother consort was deeply favored by the Emperor during her lifetime. If Prince Xin were to obtain this position at this time, he genuinely feared that this Prince Xin might soar to great heights.
"Your Excellency the Grand Commandant is worried about Prince Xin? Do you think he needs to be worried about? This Prince Xin has a chivalrous heart, and he cannot tolerate any wrongdoing. Such a person is perfectly suited to be a leisurely prince!"
Han Mo smiled and casually said.
Upon careful consideration, Han Mo's words did indeed hold some truth.
Although Prince Yun concurrently held the duty of overseeing the Imperial City Department.
However, the Imperial City Department was located within the imperial palace.
Moreover, the officials within the Imperial City Department were predominantly eunuchs.
All intelligence reports submitted to the Emperor had to be screened by Liang Shicheng.
Over time, Liang Shicheng had gained an extraordinary understanding of the hidden secrets of the nobles in Bianliang.
Among these, the most important were naturally the situations of the princes.
In terms of understanding, Liang Shicheng likely understood Prince Xin far more deeply than Han Mo did.
Prince Xin possessed a heroic spirit at his core. He was less like a prince and more like a chivalrous warrior roaming the martial world.
As long as the Emperor was not blind, he would never choose such a person as the Crown Prince.
"You are correct, Prince Xin is indeed not a cause for concern! I have noted Xu Churen! However, if I wish to vent my anger, do you have any ideas?"
After exhaling a long sigh, a stone that had been weighing on Liang Shicheng's heart was finally lifted.
"I have three strategies: upper, middle, and lower. I wonder which one Your Excellency the Grand Commandant would like to hear?"
Han Mo saw this as a business opportunity delivered to his doorstep, so he replied almost without hesitation.