"Isn't the explanation already there? Lord Grand Marshal, have you forgotten?"
"Already there?"
Liang Shicheng was a bit perplexed. After thinking it over and over, he couldn't find any reasonable explanation.
"The southeastern lands are truly fertile. Of the annual tax revenue, the southeastern provinces account for sixty percent of the imperial court's income! But why has it become a land of smoke and suffering people? With things having reached this state, shouldn't the Emperor send someone to investigate?"
After listening to him, Liang Shicheng became hesitant again.
How did the southeast become like this? Did he really not know?
No, he knew better than anyone!
If it weren't for the construction of the Yue Gardens, and if it weren't for Zhu Mian and his son, how could this matter have escalated to this point?
However, he really couldn't say these words.
If he said them, then all the people from the Yingfeng Bureau would be in grave trouble.
No matter what, they were still his disciples and their disciples. If they were finished, Liang Shicheng himself would not be able to escape the responsibility.
"Isn't this explanation a bit too far-fetched..."
After hesitating for a long time, Liang Shicheng said evasively.
Han Mo knew exactly what this guy was thinking. It was nothing more than being afraid that the matter of the Yingfeng Bureau would eventually implicate him.
After all, he did have some dealings with Zhu Mian, and Zhu Mian had sent him money quite a few times over the years.
It seemed a bit unkind to stab him in the back at this moment.
"Lord Grand Marshal, while lips are gone, teeth will be cold, but if the lips rot completely, it's entirely different. Continuing like this will only implicate yourself..."
Han Mo said this, and Liang Shicheng was stunned.
"Did you hear something?"
But he quickly reacted, lowered his voice, and looked at Han Mo with a stern expression.
"Don't you know what the situation in the southeast is like, Lord Grand Marshal? Those father and son are no longer mere retainers under your tutelage! If you keep protecting them blindly, aren't you afraid they'll drag you down when they fall?"
Upon hearing Han Mo's words, Liang Shicheng immediately sat up straight, his gaze towards Han Mo becoming complicated.
If this person wasn't Han Mo, he would have wanted to have him killed on the spot.
"Over the years, you haven't really done much for yourself. Even if there were occasional questionable acts, as long as you can support the Crown Prince's ascension, it's not a problem to land safely!"
"But those two are not necessarily so. The entire southeast is a land of flourishing culture. Who can guarantee that among those scholars, there won't be one or two future dignitaries!"
This was a bit of a heart-piercing remark, especially every word of it struck Liang Shicheng’s heart.
Perhaps it was because he had done too many wrong things over the years, but Liang Shicheng’s greatest fear in recent years had been this very thing.
"But how can I ensure that this matter will not be linked to me?"
Liang Shicheng took a few deep breaths, and only then did he speak again.
"That depends on who the Grand Marshal chooses. If the person is loyal and knows how to repay kindness, then naturally these issues won't exist. But if it's those..."
Han Mo didn't continue speaking at this point. The key was that no one knew the character of these princes better than Liang Shicheng.
He didn't need to say much; a hint was enough.
"What do you think of Prince Su?"
After Han Mo finished speaking, the entire carriage fell into a long silence. After a full quarter of an hour, Liang Shicheng tentatively asked again.
"Do you have any dealings with Prince Su, Lord Grand Marshal?"
"None!"
"And will this matter allow Prince Su to rise to prominence?"
Han Mo asked again.
"It seems not..."
The fact that Zhu Mian and his son could cause such a mess in the southeast at this time without being punished by the Emperor already explained a lot. Besides Liang Shicheng, there were many others in the court who stood on their side, or rather, on the side of money.
This task would not only fail to make Prince Su soar to prominence but would also make Prince Su incur the resentment of many.
Although it was an opportunity to wield real power and make a name for himself, it was also a task that would offend people.
If Prince Su were to take on such a task, it would be good enough if he didn't dig up Liang Shicheng's eighteen generations of ancestors, let alone be grateful to him.
"Then Prince Jing..."
As soon as he uttered the name, Liang Shicheng dismissed the suggestion himself. If Prince Su refused, let alone Prince Jing.
"Lord Grand Marshal, you have navigated the court for so many years, don't you understand the principle of giving favors, you must give them fully at once?"
Seeing his troubled expression, Han Mo smiled and said again.
"You mean..."
With Han Mo's reminder, Liang Shicheng's eyes immediately lit up.
"Who can predict the future? Although His Highness the Crown Prince has stabilized his position, in the end, it still depends on the Emperor's will! Don't put all your eggs in one basket!"
Although this statement was a bit taboo, after Han Mo said it, Liang Shicheng's impression of Han Mo completely changed.
This sentence was spoken entirely from Liang Shicheng's perspective, or at least that's how Liang Shicheng saw it.
"But regarding the Crown Prince..."
This idea was indeed a good one and served as a backup plan, which was not wrong.
After all, as Han Mo said, who could predict the future?
If we look at the current situation, with Prince Xin like this, he definitely wouldn't win the Emperor's favor.
But if Prince Xin were to be stationed in the provinces and truly do a good job this time, and if Xu Churen could also be more thorough in Hebei, then this might indeed be an opportunity.
However, one Prince Yun was already enough to give the Crown Prince a headache. If another Prince Xin were to appear at this time, wouldn't that be trying to sow discord with the Crown Prince?
"What are you worried about? With his personality, can he govern the country? Given his nature, after this trip, there will definitely be many heads rolling. After offending so many people, will anyone in the court speak for him in the future?"
"Moreover, Prince Xin has a straightforward personality. If His Highness the Crown Prince wishes to befriend him, it could be a help in the future. Brothers fight tigers, and sons fight alongside their fathers."
"Whether it's the west or the north, it hasn't been peaceful in recent years. If the Crown Prince had a brother who could help him, it wouldn't be a bad thing!"
This was truly hitting the nail on the head. After listening to his analysis, Liang Shicheng's doubts were completely gone.
"As expected, you are a Zhuangyuan. Tomorrow is the Qionglin banquet. Do you have a preferred government department now?"
After hearing Han Mo's explanation, Liang Shicheng had no doubts left in his heart. Instead, he smiled and looked at Han Mo.