"The copper coins are not ours, but how will we account for them at the Ministry of Revenue? Such a large sum must be registered under the Prince's name. What if we are impeached by the censors..."
"You don't need to worry about this matter. Someone will deliver the money later. But you must remember, these two million strings of cash are what the Prince has left for the Emperor, understand?"
"Then..."
"The secrets of heaven must not be revealed. If certain things are said now, they might not come true later!"
"I understand!"
Although he didn't know what schemes Han Mo was brewing, Zong Ying understood that Han Mo had never harmed Prince Xin. If it weren't for Han Mo, Prince Xin would likely still be a nominal prince.
"By the way, where is your esteemed father now?"
As he said this, Han Mo suddenly remembered Zong Ying's father.
"To fall before the battle is half done, often makes heroes weep." wΑp.kanshu伍.net
In the original Song history, Zong Ze was one of the most tragic figures in the Northern Song dynasty.
"My father is still in Nanjing handling military affairs and rectifying military discipline. If it weren't for him, ordinary people couldn't do such things..."
Recalling the scene of Zong Ze punishing those soldiers, Zong Ying felt his legs tremble even now.
Yet, even so, the soldiers' admiration for Zong Ze never diminished in the slightest.
Many, even after being punished, still spoke of his kindness. This ability was something Zong Ying felt he could only look up to.
"If I have the chance, I really want to meet your esteemed father!"
"Of course, you will have the opportunity. Aren't you heading south this time? I'll introduce you then!"
Upon hearing that Han Mo wanted to meet his father, Zong Ying felt a sense of pride.
"Alright, let's talk about these matters later. I've been busy all day and haven't eaten yet. Why don't you have someone prepare something for me?"
"Since there's nothing else to do, how about we have a few drinks together?"
"That sounds good. How about this, I'll send someone to invite Zhang Shaoyou, and we can eat and chat!"
"Excellent idea. Then I'll go arrange the banquet!"
Hearing Han Mo's suggestion, Zong Ying's interest was piqued. After all, he was also eager to see if Zhang Shaoyou truly possessed the brilliance he claimed.
"Alright, then I'll send someone to fetch him!"
After speaking, Han Mo immediately got up and went to the outer courtyard to find Xu Fengnian. After giving him careful instructions, he asked him to go to Kaifeng Prefecture to find Zhang Shaoyou.
Nie Shan was about to be promoted, and the entire Kaifeng Prefecture was in a state of unrest.
"My lord, someone has arrived from outside, saying they have an invitation from your old friend!"
Just as Zhang Shaoyou was idly flipping through case files, someone suddenly reported from outside the door.
"An invitation from an old friend? Who could be my old friend?"
Just as Zhang Shaoyou was about to have the messenger sent away, a thought suddenly struck him.
"Let him in!"
"Yes!"
Although Xu Fengnian was a native of Kaifeng, this was his very first time entering the Kaifeng Prefecture.
After following the bailiff to Zhang Shaoyou's office, before he could speak, Zhang Shaoyou's face immediately lit up with a smile.
"I was wondering who was playing a trick on me at this hour. After all this talk, it turns out to be Brother Han!"
"My master specifically sent me to find you, sir, and said that if you are free, please come to Prince Xin's mansion to chat!"
"Prince Xin's mansion?"
Ever since Han Mo had spoken to him last time, he had been thinking about this matter.
However, in the past few days, one thing had followed another, and even Han Mo himself had not expected that this matter would be delayed for so long.
What was originally thought to be a matter of two or three days had dragged on for seven or eight days.
Zhang Shaoyou had almost given up hope, but he never expected that Han Mo would actually send someone to pick him up just as he was about to give up.
As a judicial official of Kaifeng Prefecture, he naturally understood where the greatest opportunity lay within the Kaifeng Prefecture at that moment.
He had even considered going to Prince Xin's mansion himself to offer his services, but the thought of having no connections with Prince Xin made him hesitant.
Now that he heard Xu Fengnian's words, his anxious heart could finally be at ease.
"Now?"
"My master said that if it is inconvenient for you, sir, there is no need to force it!"
"What's inconvenient about it? This matter can't be completed in a day anyway. Please wait for me outside for a moment, I'll change my clothes and be right there!"
This was an opportunity that had come knocking on his door. How could Zhang Shaoyou let such a good chance slip by?
Excitedly changing into casual clothes, Zhang Shaoyou then followed Xu Fengnian back to Prince Xin's mansion.
Passing by the main gate of Prince Xin's mansion, Zhang Shaoyou couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions as he saw the officials waiting anxiously outside.
At this moment, he didn't even need to ask or get closer to inquire; he could roughly guess what those people would say about him.
After all, he himself had been part of that crowd in his younger days.
He had tried his best, but in the end, he couldn't even get through the door. Yet others could enter the residences of the powerful without even a greeting. This contrast was truly disheartening.
However, when the carriage stopped directly in the backyard of Prince Xin's mansion, he felt like shouting, "I have a backer now!"
"The Prince is still in the study speaking with Lord Fan. Brother Shaoyou, why don't you have a simple meal with me and Reader Zong?"
Seeing Zhang Shaoyou descend from the carriage, Han Mo immediately stepped forward with a smile.
"Of course, I have no problem with that. I can take the opportunity to taste the delicacies of the Prince's mansion!"
Although he was not being received by Prince Xin himself, Zhang Shaoyou understood Zong Ying's standing in Prince Xin Zhao Zhen's heart.
Looking at Han Mo again, the gratitude in his eyes was evident.
"Since that's the case, let's take our seats first!"
As Han Mo spoke, he pulled Zhang Shaoyou into the adjacent courtyard building.
"Brother Han, for your kindness today, I..."
As Zhang Shaoyou said this, his voice even became a little choked. kanδん
"Brother Zhang, why do you need to be so emotional? It's just a meal. Let's plan properly, and then you can take up your post at the Ministry of Revenue with Lord Fan!"
"Lord Fan? Ministry of Revenue?"
"The position of Minister of Granaries. Do you think this position is too beneath you, brother?"
"Minister of Granaries!"
Upon hearing these four words, Zhang Shaoyou's heart couldn't help but pound violently.
Although this official position was not high, its importance was truly significant!