Han Mo understood that the Pu family had suffered such a significant loss this time and would definitely seek retribution. However, he felt quite confident in this matter.
For one thing, the imperial court was in dire need of Zhao Zhen's efforts at this time. Any memorial that was unfavorable to Zhao Zhen would surely be suppressed by the emperor for the time being.
After all, changing generals on the battlefield was a major taboo in warfare.
With the previous three million strings of cash as a buffer, their father and son's relationship with Zhao Ji was at least in a honeymoon phase.
Furthermore, Han Mo was not one to just take a beating without fighting back.
Regardless of the era, Han Mo firmly believed that the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
On the very night he dealt with Pu Jinshan, he had already sent a carrier pigeon to inform Yuan Xingchi of the matter.
Considering the timing, Yuan Xingchi should have arrived in Luoyang by now...
"By the way, has the Prefectural Office begun conscripting civilians to repair the city walls?"
Just as Jiang Yan was about to turn away, Han Mo suddenly asked.
"Not yet, son-in-law. Are there really going to be bandits attacking Mingzhou City?"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Jiang Yan quickly asked in a low voice.
"Under normal circumstances, no. But who knows if a cornered dog will leap over a wall..."
As he said this, Han Mo couldn't help but take a deep breath. After all, when a family's foundation is completely destroyed, who can guarantee that the Pu family won't do something extreme?
Han Mo preferred to control his own destiny. Rather than hoping they wouldn't act desperately, it was better to truly turn Mingzhou City into an impregnable fortress, leaving them no chance for a final desperate counterattack!
"Regarding the Prefectural Office, Lord Li is still claiming to be ill. What do you think, should we go..."
"Find someone to go and give him a warning. Tell Lord Li that if he is truly seriously ill and unable to perform his duties, I can recommend the Prince find someone capable to take over as Prefect!"
Han Mo sneered dismissively.
"Sir, isn't that a bit too..."
"Overbearing?"
Han Mo asked with a light smile.
"Mm!"
Jiang Yan nodded earnestly.
"In this day and age, if we aren't a bit overbearing, we'll just be bullied!"
Han Mo smiled, not taking it too seriously.
After all, times had changed. He had to carve out a position for himself amidst these wolves surrounding him.
The best way to achieve this was naturally to become the true wolf king!
To become the wolf king, one had to be feared, held in awe, and be someone no one dared to provoke!
"Yes!"
Although he didn't quite understand Han Mo's underlying meaning, Jiang Yan deeply agreed with Han Mo's viewpoint.
---
"Fourth Brother, there's a guest outside asking to see husband!"
At the Western Capital Residence, Cai Tao, Cai Jing's fourth son, was reading when a servant outside reported.
"A guest? What kind of guest?"
Hearing the servant, Cai Tao found it rather strange.
Although Cai Jing was still the Governor of the Western Capital, the Cai faction's influence was far from what it used to be.
Moreover, Cai Jing was already over seventy years old and his health was deteriorating day by day. Those sycophants in the court should now be avoiding him like the plague. How could anyone possibly come here to curry favor?
"He said he's from Mingzhou, and this is his gift list!"
As the servant spoke, he handed over a large red invitation.
"Five merchant ships of ten thousand tons? Five hundred thousand catties of high-grade spices?"
After opening the invitation and looking at its contents, Cai Tao was stunned.
"Is this person trying to mock me? Throw him out!"
After a moment of stunned silence, Cai Tao burst into laughter.
Didn't the Cai family's disciples in their hometown do business with spices?
They had almost monopolized all the spice trade. How could this person possibly have so many spices in his possession!
"Yes!"
Although he didn't understand Cai Tao's intentions, the servant quickly went out.
"Come back, still let him in!"
As the servant's front foot crossed the threshold of the study, Cai Tao suddenly said again.
"Yes!"
The servant, momentarily stunned, replied again.
"Your Excellency seems unfamiliar, may I ask your name?"
A moment later, led by the servant, Yuan Xingchi finally arrived at Cai Tao's study.
"I am merely a broker. It is natural that your excellency has not met me!"
Yuan Xingchi had met several prime ministers, so he naturally felt no stage fright at this moment.
"A broker?"
Cai Tao was quite curious about his self-proclaimed title.
"That's right, a broker!"
Yuan Xingchi repeated with a smile.
"A mere broker, coming to seek an audience with my father at this time? What? Do you perhaps have some business to conduct with us, father and son?"
Ever since following his father to Luoyang, the Western Capital, Cai Tao had been utterly bored.
The position of Governor of the Western Capital was originally a sinecure, with subordinates handling the specific matters. As a scholar attending his father, he was even more idle.
Finally encountering someone interesting, he was eager to hear what novelties Yuan Xingchi had to say.
"I don't know. For the position of a Prime Minister, in exchange for the Pu family, do you think this deal can be made, Your Excellency?"
Yuan Xingchi truly pushed the boundaries of shocking people with his words. As soon as he spoke, he stunned Cai Tao.
"Sir, are you perhaps joking with me?"
After a moment of shock, Cai Tao quickly regained his composure.
"Such a significant matter, how could I dare to joke about it?"
Yuan Xingchi's face also turned serious.
"Sir, do you know that the Prime Minister is the teacher of all officials? How can a merchant family be compared to that! Moreover, you seem unfamiliar. Do you truly have the ability to decide this matter?"
Although Cai Tao knew that the Pu family was the largest spice merchant in the entire Great Song Dynasty, the mere Pu family was nothing compared to the position of Prime Minister.
Furthermore, he believed he was well-informed about the dignitaries in Bianliang City. If there was someone capable of influencing the succession of the Prime Minister, he would have surely met them. He absolutely could not believe that the person before him could decide who would become Prime Minister.
"Whether I have the ability or not, why don't you try and find out, Your Excellency?"