"Heaven collapses and earth caves in, a tragedy unprecedented since ancient times..."
Although these were only eleven simple characters, after hearing him finish, Han Mo's expression immediately turned grim.
"Lord Han, it's best not to ask further. If I were to continue, I fear this very spot would become my burial ground..."
Before Han Mo could speak, Shao Bowen said with a bitter smile.
"Then why are you still sitting here? Aren't you afraid I'll pry more information out of you later?"
After a moment of silence, Han Mo asked with a smile.
"It's not that I don't want to leave, but rather, I cannot find a second path to survival anywhere else except by your side!"
"You mean to say..."
After hearing his words, Han Mo looked at Shao Bowen with disbelief.
"Why must you look at me like that, sir? Surely you don't think I'm just finding an excuse to stay by your side and freeload?"
Seeing Han Mo's strange expression, Shao Bowen's mouth twitched.
"I don't feel like you are; I feel like you are..."
"I..."
This time, it was Shao Bowen's turn to be dumbfounded.
He had, over the years, made quite a name for himself throughout the Great Song dynasty.
While he wouldn't dare claim to be known throughout the land, at least any high-ranking official or noble hearing his name would at least give him a welcoming reception.
Countless people had tried to recruit him over the years. The Prince of Yun and the Crown Prince themselves had visited him countless times, but he was a man of peculiar character. No matter who invited him, his response was always the same: a rustic villager, unable to endure the constraints of noble households.
Now, after finally deciding to attach himself to someone, Han Mo had spoken such words, nearly making him spit up three liters of blood.
"Hahahaha, I was just joking, sir. Why take it so seriously?"
Seeing his embarrassed expression, Han Mo couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Sir, your joke is not funny at all..."
"I apologize, sir!"
Although it had been confirmed that Shao Bowen was not a transmigrator, simply by virtue of his ability to foresee the general outline of the Jingkang Incident, Han Mo had already developed a desire to recruit him.
Since he had now come to offer his allegiance willingly, Han Mo naturally had to give him a way out.
"Then, Shao will have to rely on you for my sustenance from now on!"
Shaking his head with a wry smile, Shao Bowen said playfully.
"Rest assured, sir. I may not have much else, but when it comes to coin, I will certainly not mistreat you! However, I am a vulgar person, and perhaps my future scent of wealth might displease you!"
"Hahahaha! Lord Han, have you not heard, 'Ambition seeks to gather all nine generations of kin; separation only brings shared life. Who can fulfill such a wish? Only the brother of Kong Fang!'"
"Sir, please don't lead me astray. The Emperor has just issued a ban, and the poems and writings of the two wise men, Su and Huang, have become forbidden texts once again!"
"Does Lord Han still care about such things?"
"I do not!"
"Hahahaha, Lord Han is indeed a remarkable person!"
Han Mo's simple three words truly amused Shao Bowen.
"Son-in-law, the carriage is ready. What do you think..."
Just as they were talking most happily, Jiang Yan walked over with a smile.
"Sir, will you be returning with me tonight, or..."
"I have already decided to sell this life to you, sir. Surely you aren't so reluctant to part with mere worldly possessions?"
"Hahahaha, my mistake, my mistake. How about this, since there's nothing else to do tonight, why don't we visit the Drunken Red Pavilion?"
"Excellent, excellent! However, I have no money, so the expenses for the night will have to be covered by you, sir!"
After speaking, Shao Bowen didn't wait for Han Mo's agreement and turned to get into Han Mo's carriage.
At this, even Han Mo inwardly cursed the old fellow for his shamelessness.
Damn it, eating with him was one thing, but to have him expect me to pay for his prostitutes too?
"Son-in-law, this..."
"That's enough, stop dithering. Let's go, let's go to the Drunken Red Pavilion and witness the vibrant world of Mingzhou City!"
"Yes!"
Although there had been a lot of activity in Mingzhou City in recent days, with the Pu family's affairs keeping countless merchants on edge, the Drunken Red Pavilion, as the largest and most famous brothel in Mingzhou City, had seen absolutely no impact on its business.
By the time Han Mo and his companions arrived at the Drunken Red Pavilion, it was already bustling with patrons.
"You two look unfamiliar. Are you first-time visitors or do you have preferred courtesans?"
In a place like a brothel, the guests' attire was naturally the most important factor.
Seeing Han Mo's affluent appearance, the pimp of the Drunken Red Pavilion immediately approached with a smile.
"Why are you so clueless, you fellow? The number one talent of the Great Song, the great scholar Han, has arrived! Let the young ladies inside and outside the establishment handle this as they see fit!"
Before Han Mo could speak, Shao Bowen couldn't help but say with a loud laugh.
Oh my god!
Hearing him say this, Han Mo nearly rolled his eyes to the heavens. What the hell was going on?
The two of them were going to have some drinks and visit a brothel together, and he was paying, but this guy was also announcing his fame so loudly. Was this how you set someone up to be screwed over?
While it was not considered a big deal for men to visit brothels in this era, he had a fierce wife at home.
If news of this were to spread throughout Mingzhou City, and eventually Zhi Rong arrived, with her temperament, wouldn't she tear him to pieces...
"The Great Song's number one talent, Han Mo, Lord Han, has arrived!"
Upon hearing Shao Bowen's words, the pimp standing at the entrance immediately blushed. Seeing that Han Mo did not refuse, he quickly shouted.
The once bustling street suddenly fell silent after hearing his shout.
"The Great Song's number one talent, Han Mo, Lord Han, has arrived!"
Seemingly very satisfied with this effect, the pimp cleared his throat and shouted again.
"Lord Han!"
"Great scholar Han?"
...
After a brief moment of silence, all eyes on the street were drawn to them.
All the young ladies with some beauty in the Drunken Red Pavilion stood up, regardless of whether they had customers beside them, and immediately hurried towards the entrance.
As for the ladies in other establishments, their situation was even more pronounced.
In just a few breaths, the entrance of the Drunken Red Pavilion was suddenly crowded with onlookers.
"Sir, your expression seems a bit off."
Becoming the center of everyone's attention, Shao Bowen seemed very pleased with the effect. Nodding with satisfaction, he then turned to look at the stunned Han Mo beside him.
"Sir, after I apologized to you earlier, what did you say?"
"Ah?"