"You're very strange. Shouldn't you ask who is leading the troops first?"
Zong Ying looked at Han Mo with some confusion.
"Why is that worth asking? Either Shi Dao will lead the troops, or Tong Guan himself will go south, provided the Emperor is willing!"
Han Mo wasn't too concerned about this issue, as the Song and Liao dynasties were sworn enemies.
From Zhao Kuangyin to the current emperor, from prime ministers in high courts to street vendors at the bottom of society, the Song people's sentiment and fervor for recovering the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan Yun simply did not allow Zhao Ji to abandon this heaven-sent opportunity.
It was precisely because he understood this deeply that Han Mo chose to turn a blind eye, even though he knew that the alliance by sea was like seeking a tiger for its skin.
"What you guessed is indeed correct. Although the Emperor hasn't explicitly stated that Shi Dao will lead the troops, he has secretly and urgently summoned Shi Dao back to the capital!"
"With his current seniority, being appointed as a pacification envoy is more than enough. Such an important matter naturally requires an audience with the Emperor!"
After all, it was about handing over so many troops to Shi Dao. It was normal for the emperor to have concerns and want to talk to him first. Even if Han Mo didn't say it, Zong Ying could understand.
"That's true, but the Emperor hasn't remembered the Prince yet."
Compared to who would lead the troops, Zong Ying was more worried about whether Zhao Zhen could secure this position at this moment.
"There's nothing to worry about. It's just a matter of time. Nanjing is not far from Bianliang. If we travel at full speed, it will take three days. Earlier, it might be tonight, and later, it will be three days. The Emperor should have made a decision by then."
Fang La's rebellion was no trivial matter. Although Han Mo had described the situation as very serious, the Emperor would definitely still hold onto some hope.
After all, at this moment, for the Zhao emperors, who were accustomed to the ways of balance, allowing one of their princes to suddenly gain a large amount of military merit was a great threat.
Even if Zhao Ji hadn't experienced the life of changing kings like flags on a city wall during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, he should not be unfamiliar with the process of imperial succession, which was filled with bloodshed, as recorded in history books.
He would not make such a decision unless it was absolutely necessary.
"You have so much confidence in the Emperor?"
Zong Ying looked at Han Mo with some confusion, as there were still two Deputy Commissioners in the court.
According to past precedents, in an emergency situation, sending one Commissioner out of the capital should have been enough. Sending a prince on a campaign was unprecedented.
"I don't have confidence in the Emperor, I have confidence in that rebel who calls himself the Holy Duke!"
Han Mo said this while haphazardly putting on his outer robe.
"What do you mean by that? Have you had dealings with him?"
As soon as Han Mo said this, Zong Ying immediately stood up, carefully checked the situation outside, and then lowered his voice to ask.
Although Han Mo was just a small county magistrate now, he was undeniably the foremost strategist for Prince Xin, Zhao Zhen.
If Han Mo really had any dealings with that rebel, and it were to be discovered, it would be a fatal blow to Zhao Zhen.
"Don't be ridiculous! How could I possibly have any dealings with him? I'm just inferring from the existing facts!"
Han Mo naturally couldn't explain these knowledge brought from the future to him, so at this moment, he could only attribute everything to reasoning.
"Inference?"
"A rebel jointly elected by the Manichaeans and the Liao people. If everything wasn't prepared, how could he have launched it so directly? If my guess is correct, there will likely be more bad news soon!"
"You mean the situation will become even more dire?"
"This is nothing yet! Don't you forget what Zhu Mian and his son did in the southeast for the so-called Gang of Flower Stones!"
As he said this, Han Mo couldn't help but let out a cold snort.
If it weren't for the fact that the father and son had made the southeast a living hell, would ordinary people have nothing better to do than follow those rebels and revolt?
"I've only heard some rumors about that..."
Zong Ying said this with some shame.
As a strategist, saying such a thing was indeed a bit embarrassing, but Han Mo didn't mind.
After all, people are different, especially in this era.
For someone like Zong Ying, he would be more suited to staying in his study to pursue academic studies or teach and educate others, rather than working as a strategist.
"Just wait and see. This Genyue is the beginning of the Song Dynasty's upheaval. If it cannot be reborn from the ashes, I'm afraid the downfall of the empire will be in an instant..."
Han Mo said this, pushed open the window, and looked with complex emotions at the Genyue construction site in the distance, where countless artisans were still toiling.
"Is the situation really that grim?"
"Why do you think I've been working so hard to ensure that the Prince personally goes to the southeast?"
A thunderclap suddenly sounded in the overcast sky outside, followed by a downpour. In the pouring rain, Han Mo's voice began to sound ethereal...
"Brother Han..."
"I'm fine, I'm just feeling a little emotional. Except for the founding Emperor Taizu, Taizong, and Zhenzong, all the other emperors of my Great Song Dynasty have grown up in the deep palace. Perhaps the Jinming Pond outside the imperial palace is the farthest place they have ever been. They have never experienced the suffering of the common people, so they naturally don't know what impact a decree they casually write in the imperial palace will have on the common people of the world..."
Amidst the rolling thunder, the entire Bianliang city was once again submerged in the rain.
The sound of rushing rain covered up all the ugliness in the world, but what about after the rain stopped?
"You are different from everyone I've known before..."
After a long silence, Zong Ying suddenly stood up, cupped his hands towards Han Mo seriously, and then bowed.
"How could I be any different? If I told you that I once saw what might happen in the future in a very long dream, would you believe me?"
As he said this, Han Mo suddenly smiled.
Zhuangzi's dream of butterflies: Was it Zhuangzi who entered the butterfly's dream, or was it the butterfly that flew into Zhuangzi's dream...
"Then tell me, in your dream, what was the state of the Great Song Dynasty?"