"There are no problems on my end, as soon as the Prince's document is issued, I can set off immediately!"
Although Han Mo had been helping Zhao Zhen contend for power and interests, seeing Zhao Zhen starting to disregard everything for the sake of power and interests made Han Mo feel a little uneasy.
He had originally planned to have a deep talk with Zhao Zhen, but after hearing about the people Zhao Zhen had sent to him, Han Mo suddenly lost interest in having a heart-to-heart with him.
After all, you can never wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep. Since Zhao Zhen had already acted this way, it would not be easy for Han Mo to change his mind on what had already been decided.
Moreover, even if he could forcibly change the matter, it would only lead to an increasingly strained relationship between the two of them in the end, making the loss outweigh the gain.
Rather than wasting time arguing with those pedantic scholars, Han Mo preferred to spend his time on his own ideals.
From Emperor Huizong down to the lowest soldier, no one took the navy seriously.
However, it was precisely their perception that gave Han Mo great convenience.
Since they paid no attention to the navy, he could take this opportunity to build a fleet that he could completely control.
Whether or not there was an official establishment was of no importance to Han Mo.
After all, weren't the royal navy that traveled the seas in later generations all pirates at the beginning?
As long as he could develop his own strength, everything else would follow naturally.
"The Prince is currently discussing military affairs with General Zhong. Why don't you come and sit with me at my place?"
"No need. Haven't we said all that needs to be said? You handle the matter of the document. On the day the document comes down, I will set off immediately!"
After speaking, Han Mo stretched his body with a long yawn and turned to walk out of the yamen, showing no sign of lingering.
Seeing him leave so freely, Zong Ying couldn't help but sigh.
Although he was also a confidant of Zhao Zhen, ever since those old officials came to Zhao Zhen's side, many matters were not something he could decide on his own.
Although he felt in his heart that Zhao Zhen was indeed a bit unkind to Han Mo this time, he was, after all, a subordinate and could only passively accept it now.
Returning to the post station, Han Mo shut himself in his study.
Looking at the various books that Jiang Yan and the others had collected from the streets in the past few days, Han Mo felt an indescribable discomfort.
Many of these books were unique copies, rare editions, and some were handwritten copies or manuscripts.
If it were any other time, these items might have been priceless treasures, but now, these more than ten boxes of books combined were only worth half a cart of grain.
How many rare editions were lost to destruction in a war.
"How much copper coin do we have on hand?"
Emerging from the study, Han Mo took a deep breath and directly asked Xu Fengnian.
"When we came out, Madam brought a chest of gold ingots. We don't have much copper coin! However, Lord Zong just sent over two carts of grain and a cart of assorted dried meat..."
"Two carts of grain and a cart of dried meat?"
Han Mo asked with some surprise.
"You don't know, the post station supervisor in the front yard just sent someone to notify us that starting today, their mess hall will no longer be able to supply food. From now on, we have to rely on ourselves..."
"What about the grain supply outside?"
Han Mo's brow furrowed immediately.
"All the grain merchants in the city have reportedly been invited to the Pacification Commissioner's Office. It seems that starting today, each household can only receive a ration of grain!"
Hearing him say this, Han Mo could only offer a wry smile.
This was truly a case of the people suffering whether the country prospered or fell!
"Never mind, leave half for ourselves for consumption. The rest, give it to Jiang Yan and the others, and have them go around the city to exchange it for various ancient texts! No matter what type, as long as it's not a duplicate, I want it!"
Taking a deep breath, Han Mo once again suppressed his weakness.
He was not a saint and could not save all the suffering people in the world.
Zhao Zhen had indeed embarked on the path that Han Mo least wished him to take, but Han Mo could do nothing about it.
This feeling of powerlessness plunged Han Mo into a state of anger.
He was now even eager to leave Suzhou City, if only to avoid seeing what was happening.
"Young Master, why do we need so many books?"
Xu Fengnian asked with some confusion.
After all, in this era, anyone could see that the price of grain would only continue to rise. Exchanging grain for these items at this time seemed like a losing proposition.
"Just do as you are told, why do you have so much nonsense to say?"
"Yes, sir!"
Seeing that Han Mo was angry, Xu Fengnian dared not say any more and quickly hurried out.
"Sir, what's wrong with you today?"
Seeing Xu Fengnian run out, Liang Hongyu smiled and handed Han Mo a bowl of milk.
"It's nothing, just a bit vexed. There's no need to specially prepare this for me from now on. The common people in the city probably can't even get food to eat!"
Looking at the milk in the bowl, Han Mo couldn't help but smile wryly again.
"Sir, you seem different from the officials I know..."
Looking at the pained expression on Han Mo's face, Liang Hongyu suddenly said.
"I wish I could be like them, enjoying fine food and clothing with peace of mind, but..."
As Han Mo spoke, his face became even more bitter. The damned values instilled in him by his later education were more like torture for Han Mo now.
"Alright, if you have nothing else to do, come and help me sort them out!"
Mid-sentence, Han Mo suddenly realized how truly unfortunate he was, not even having someone to talk to freely.
"Yes, sir!"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Liang Hongyu stopped saying anything more and focused on helping Han Mo classify these books.
The two of them worked until nightfall before they had finally classified all the books according to their rarity.
"Sir, what should we do with these books?"
After the last book was repacked, Liang Hongyu asked.
"Let's keep them for now. When we leave, I'll find someone to send them back to our old home in Xiangzhou!"
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Han Mo said with some disappointment.
Besides the Zhuo Jin Hall, he didn't know how else to properly house these rare and unique books at the moment.
However, thinking of Zhuo Jin Hall, Han Mo suddenly realized that he really should make time to go back and take a look.
He had been too idealistic before. Now, it seemed, rather than placing all his hopes on Zhao Zhen, it was better to make himself indispensable!