"This matter, though simple to speak of, might not be so easy to accomplish..."
As Zhao Zhen said this, he let out a wry smile.
The situation had deteriorated to this point, frozen solid, and it wasn't something that could be resolved in a single day.
Although they were currently only bogged down in Hangzhou, rebellions were erupting one after another across the southeastern regions, with people raising banners in response to Fang La.
If they couldn't quickly control the situation, they feared that even if they managed to quell one uprising, another would ignite elsewhere.
"When it comes to military matters, Your Highness can consult with Old General Zhong. However, the matter of the Yingfeng Bureau, Your Highness must expedite. The current state of the southeast is at least eighty percent the responsibility of the Zhu father and son. As long as Your Highness brings them and that clique of corrupt officials to justice, at least half of the public's heart in the southeast will be calmed!"
"I know what you mean, but this matter is indeed quite difficult to execute..."
With the fall of Hangzhou city, the account books of the Hangzhou Yingfeng Bureau had essentially become a bad debt.
Given the shrewdness of the Zhu father and son, Han Mo even suspected at this moment that the fall of Hangzhou might have been a scheme intentionally orchestrated by the two of them.
After all, with Hangzhou city lost, if they managed to shift all blame onto those who had already died, Zhao Zhen would indeed have no good way to deal with them.
"This matter brooks no delay. If it drags on, it will only become more troublesome. Your Highness must make a resolute decision!"
"I understand. Brother Han, since you've only just arrived today, I think it would be best for you to rest for a while. I will speak with you again tomorrow!"
After hearing Zhao Zhen's words, Han Mo was momentarily stunned, but he soon understood. Zhao Zhen likely had his own thoughts, but it was inconvenient for him to voice them at this particular moment.
Following a brief silence, Han Mo smiled, cupped his hands towards Zhao Zhen, and turned to leave.
All along, he had positioned himself as Zhao Zhen's strategist, and Zhao Zhen had indeed followed his advice implicitly.
This had even given Han Mo the illusion that the two of them were practically one and the same.
However, Zhao Zhen's words had thoroughly shattered Han Mo's delusion.
"Brother Han, I didn't mean anything else, I just..."
"I understand. Your Highness is simply being kind!"
Han Mo smiled and said no more, as further discussion would only strain their relationship.
In the final analysis, the fault lay with Han Mo, for from the very beginning, he had never truly regarded Zhao Zhen as a genuine superior.
The advantage of his transmigration had completely erased any sense of hierarchy from his mind.
Even though Zhao Zhen was a prince, Han Mo did not harbor much respect for him.
Instead, he had always placed himself in the position of Zhao Zhen's protector.
But the problem was, the current Zhao Zhen was no longer the leisurely prince he once was.
Now holding command of hundreds of thousands of troops and serving as the Grand Supervisor of the Six Routes of the Southeast, it could be said that, among the princes, no one could match him at this moment.
Power always had a way of inflating people, even the most timid, once they occupied such a position, it would instill a measure of courage within them.
"Since that is the case, then Brother Han, please go and rest first!"
Only after Han Mo had once again exited Zhao Zhen's study did Zhao Zhen feel an inexplicable pang of sadness in his heart.
Though neither of them had explicitly stated it, they both understood that from this day forward, they were no longer close companions.
An invisible rift had begun to slowly form between them.
However, whether it was Han Mo or Zhao Zhen, both understood that this day was bound to come.
The ruler and the minister were inherently meant to uphold their respective duties, and neither should cross the line; this was the proper way for a ruler and minister to interact.
"Brother Han, why are you leaving?"
By the time Han Mo was nearing the entrance of the Grand Supervisor's Office, Zong Ying rushed up to him.
"It's nothing. Everything that needed to be said has been said. I've just arrived today, and I am feeling quite fatigued at the moment!"
Looking at Zong Ying's breathless appearance, Han Mo said with a smile.
"You must have had a difficult journey. In that case, how about this: why don't you go back and rest, and I'll host a banquet for you this evening to welcome you?"
"Let's skip this evening. Just let me rest properly tonight. Tomorrow, we can talk tomorrow, alright!"
This inexplicable sense of loss left Han Mo feeling somewhat unwell, and he even declined Zong Ying's invitation.
"Alright! I've been really busy lately. Sigh, before, I lived day by day in a daze, always thinking about how to get the Prince more tasks. But now that the Prince is truly busy, my heart feels a bit unsettled. How many days has it been since we came south, and the Prince has already lost so much weight..."
"Brother Zong, a true man's ambition lies in all directions. The Prince is still young, and enduring some hardship is nothing!"
After patting Zong Ying's shoulder, Han Mo turned and headed towards the door.
Stepping out of the Grand Supervisor's Office, Han Mo seemed to not even see his carriage and continued walking forward on his own.
"Young Master, aren't we going back?"
Seeing Han Mo's solemn expression, Jiang Yan asked in a low voice.
"I'm feeling a bit dispirited today, and there's no hurry to return. Why don't you all accompany me for a stroll through the streets?"
Looking at the concerned expressions on Jiang Yan and Xu Fengnian's faces, Han Mo smiled and said.
"At a time like this, with all this unrest and chaos, you going out on the streets..."
Xu Fengnian was still a young boy and naturally eager to accompany Han Mo for a walk, but Jiang Yan said softly with a look of difficulty.
"Don't worry. Although my martial arts are not as good as yours, some petty thieves won't be able to harm me. Besides, this is Suzhou city, after all. With so many troops stationed within and outside the city, do you really think any petty thieves would dare to act recklessly here?"
Han Mo was completely unconcerned about Jiang Yan's worries.
With so many troops stationed in and around the city, and countless high-ranking officials from the court, even if there were assassins, they wouldn't possibly pay attention to a mere seventh-rank official like him.
"While that may be so, it's just that..."
"Alright, no more 'just'. We'll just stroll along the main streets, and we won't venture into any alleys!"
Han Mo smiled and then led the way forward again.
Seeing that he couldn't dissuade Han Mo, Jiang Yan could only widen his eyes and scan the surroundings meticulously, fearing that an assassin might suddenly appear.