He certainly didn't have that ability, but for a charlatan like Lin Ling Su, wouldn't this be a matter of a single word?
If he just whispered a few words to the emperor, wouldn't these two people then be brought together?
Moreover, compared to the Crown Prince's mansion, a place like the Shen Xiao Palace made it incredibly easy to sneak in without anyone noticing.
After all, the emperor was superstitious about Taoism, let alone the common folk.
The Shen Xiao Palace was currently flourishing with incense offerings, and people wanting to make offerings were truly endless from morning till night.
Coincidentally, Lin Ling Su was one of the biggest beneficiaries in this matter.
At this point, it was perfectly fine for him to exert some effort!
Although, after Cai Jing was removed this time, Wang Fu's ascent was unstoppable.
However, compared to the cunning Cai Jing, Wang Fu was undoubtedly much easier to deal with.
Those who could study at the Imperial Academy were basically either descendants of high-ranking officials or from aristocratic families. Song people naturally liked to discuss politics.
The embarrassing stories of the big figures in the imperial court, as well as major court affairs, would become topics of discussion among these imperial students within two days at most.
Although Han Mo's original self didn't study very well, he had retained the knowledge reserves for such matters.
These things were merely after-dinner conversation for those imperial students, but for Han Mo, they were truly priceless treasures.
Although Cai Jing was indeed a powerful minister and one of the culprits behind the demise of the Northern Song Dynasty, it was undeniable that he possessed great talent.
Whether in calligraphy or poetry and prose, he could certainly be called a master.
Most importantly, he was a true grandmaster in political maneuvering, able to navigate between the old and new factions, profiting regardless of who came to power.
From an unknown pawn, he ascended to the position of prime minister in just a few short years; this was not something an ordinary person could achieve!
What's more, he ascended to the highest peak of power in the Song Dynasty four times in his life, with ups and downs, the last time at the advanced age of seventy-six. Could such a master be compared to a mere clown like Wang Fu?
Lost in thought, Han Mo finally fell into a dazed sleep as dawn began to break.
Although he hadn't slept well last night, the things that needed to be done still had to be done.
Before leaving, Han Mo specifically asked Chun Tao to deliver a letter to Zhang Ru Hui, and then yawned as he walked out of his home.
By the time Han Mo arrived at the Imperial Academy, all the students there were pointing and whispering at him, but Han Mo himself paid it no mind.
"Brother Han, what's wrong with you? Why are you so dispirited today?"
After enduring two classes, when it was time for lunch, Zhong Yan Chong curiously approached Han Mo and asked with some confusion.
"I slept too late last night. I apologize for making you see me like this, Brother!"
Han Mo was very grateful for Zhong Yan Chong's concern.
"Brother Han, although the imperial examinations are important, you are already favored by the Emperor. Why do you still have to work so hard? You should still pay attention to your health when you study!"
Zhong Yan Chong looked at Han Mo with admiration.
"Uh... Brother Zhong is right!"
Han Mo looked embarrassed. However, he clearly misunderstood. Han Mo had no intention of explaining it to him.
"By the way, Brother Han, have you heard? Someone challenged you yesterday at Fan Lou!"
"What? How come I don't know?"
Han Mo looked utterly surprised.
He had heard of Fan Lou. It was one of the largest brothels in Bian Liang city.
Of course, it was also the biggest money pit in the entire Bian Liang city.
Han Mo had always longed to visit it, after all, he was a man!
However, although he wasn't exactly short of money recently, he was still quite far from being able to frequent such a place where one threw money around carelessly.
"It's normal for you not to know. The big boss of Fan Lou has spent a lot of money recently to invite Miss Shi Shi to play the zither and chat daily at Fan Lou. Yesterday, for some reason, someone asked Miss Shi Shi to comment on Brother Han's great works. Guess what happened?"
Zhong Yan Chong even winked at Han Mo as he said this.
"What happened?"
Although Han Mo was quite adept at this kind of teasing, it was a different story when it happened to him, and he was now thoroughly disgusted.
If it weren't for Zhong Yan Chong, he would have wanted to act right then and there.
"Miss Shi Shi said that Brother Han's talent rivals Su Zi Zhan and is no less than Liu San Bian! He is a rare great talent of the past hundred years!"
"Pfft—"
Han Mo spat out the mouthful of soup he had just taken. Zhong Yan Chong was so pleased with himself that he didn't waste any of it, covering his face.
"Don't blame me, Brother Zhong! Please don't blame me, but I really don't deserve such a compliment!"
Han Mo, flustered, took out a handkerchief from his sleeve to wipe him, while hastily apologizing.
"It's alright, it's alright! Brother Han didn't do it on purpose anyway!"
Zhong Yan Chong was also very embarrassed now. He never expected Han Mo to do such a thing to him.
"Then what's the deal with this challenge?"
After finally finishing cleaning up, Han Mo asked again with an air of gossip.
"Who else could it be? Of course, it's the great scholar Zhou! After hearing Miss Shi Shi's appraisal, he immediately issued a challenge publicly, inviting you to a poetry contest!"
"Great scholar Zhou? Zhou Bang Yan, the Qing Zhen Layman?"
Han Mo's eyes widened.
"Of course, besides him, where else in Bian Liang city is there a second great scholar Zhou?"
I'll be damned!
This is even possible?
Han Mo couldn't help but twitch his lips. What was going on?
He was getting caught in the crossfire just by lying down!
No wonder everyone was looking at him as soon as he entered.
At first, he thought it was because he wasn't in good spirits today. After all this talk, it turned out the root of it was here!
This was truly more wronged than Dou E!
Although he had copied two poems, and it was a bit ungenerous to do so. But the retribution came too quickly!
This kid was clearly jealous, but what did it have to do with him?
He chased his girl, and he went to his studies. This kind of irrelevant jealousy, could he really direct it at him?
"Brother Han, when do you plan to go? If not, how about bringing your little brother along when you go?"
Zhong Yan Chong said, looking at Han Mo with anticipation.
"Brother Zhong, don't joke. Don't you find this kind of thing absurd?"
Han Mo's mouth twitched. He was extremely busy now and didn't have time to bother with him.
If it were any other famous courtesan, perhaps he could have experienced what was called a gentle embrace.
But as for Li Shi Shi, forget it. This girl was the Emperor's darling, and even if she asked him to do something, he wouldn't dare!
In this day and age, to compete with the Emperor for a famous courtesan, how big of a bump on the head would that require!