After all the irrelevant people had left, only Li Jixian and Liu Shanqing remained in the courtroom. Liu Shanqing looked at Li Jixian, his face drained of color, and asked in a low voice.
"What else can we do? Do you think we can still turn back now?"
Li Jixian smiled bitterly. What Han Mo had said was indeed reasonable, but the problem was that at this point, they both had no way back.
Under the endless greed, the pits they had dug for themselves were simply too deep, so much so that even if Xu Churen was willing to let them go, they themselves could not climb out.
The total deficit for the entire Hebei East Circuit, from top to bottom, was probably tens of millions of guan.
Although these deficits were not entirely caused by them, a large portion of them was left by their predecessors.
But the problem was that all the accounts had been handed over long ago, and at this moment, they had no room for regret.
Xu Churen sealing all the official granaries was equivalent to completely cutting off all their ways to survive.
Unless Xu Churen was willing to give up investigating the deficits of past years, even if he did not pursue it, the powerful families of Hebei would not let them off.
The war of annihilation between the imperial court and the Liao Dynasty was imminent. How could Xu Churen possibly give up such a large sum of money?
"Then, are we just going to sit here and wait for death?"
Liu Shanqing said with some unwillingness.
"If I calculate the time, Pang Yue should be almost ready by now. I just don't know if those distinguished guests are willing to help us!"
After taking a deep breath, Li Jixian could only force himself to cast aside all these pessimistic and negative emotions.
He had toiled for so many years to reach his current position. Now he had money, reputation, and status. For anyone to give up everything they had in front of them, wouldn't they feel unwilling?
Although they were almost at their wits' end now, at least he still had a last chance to fight.
"Good lad, your move today was brilliant! Even this old man was sweating for you!"
In the study of the Daming Prefectural Office,
Xu Churen laughed heartily at Han Mo.
"It's just some minor tricks. Compared to what you've been doing in Hebei recently, my methods are nothing!"
Han Mo smiled and cupped his hands towards Xu Churen again.
"You brat, you're still playing these tricks in front of me! But the idea you gave me this time is indeed good. If it weren't for your bad idea, even if all those corrupt officials were arrested, they wouldn't have been able to come up with so much money!"
At this point, Xu Churen's eyes were full of admiration for Han Mo.
War was about money and supplies, especially this kind of war of annihilation.
Although Xu Churen himself did not quite agree with the court's decision to attack the Liao this time, since it had become a foregone conclusion and the entire nation was working towards this goal, Xu Churen could only stand firm and prepare for war.
Once the two countries went to war, the entire Hebei would become the logistical base for the imperial army's northward advance.
With the increasing expenses of the imperial court in recent years, coupled with the construction of Gengyue, even though the annual taxes collected by the imperial court reached tens of millions of guan.
However, it was still unable to meet the expenses of the entire country.
Redundant soldiers, redundant officials, and redundant expenses were like three great mountains, pressing down on the entire country.
At this time, to ensure the victory of this war, a well-stocked Hebei official granary was indispensable.
"My lord, are you praising me or criticizing me?"
Han Mo let out a wry smile.
"Hahahaha, of course, I'm praising you! They have been plundering the people's wealth for so many years. Now that the nation is in crisis, shouldn't they contribute a little?"
Although these words did have a bit of a rich-hating sentiment, Han Mo did not have the time to argue with him now.
"That's what they say, but it sounds so awkward. My lord, do people from your hometown praise people like this?"
"Hahahaha, alright, you little rascal, stop it. We're not outsiders anymore, so I'll just speak my mind!"
After a few pleasantries, Xu Churen changed the subject and was ready to get down to business.
"My lord, please speak freely!"
Han Mo naturally understood what Xu Churen was most concerned about at this time. He had come precisely to reassure him.
And, there were indeed some matters that needed to be discussed properly with Xu Churen.
As for other matters, like Yue Fei, Han Mo did not want him to be buried under his command.
Being able to forge a good relationship with him was enough for Han Mo.
At this moment, keeping him under his command was only limiting his growth.
Throughout history, all military gods were forged on the battlefield. Without being tempered by fire, how could they become true gold!
"What do you think of the situation in Bianliang City? Bai Shizhong actually became the Minister of Personnel at this time. I'm becoming more and more confused recently!"
Since there were only the two of them in the room, Xu Churen spoke without any reservations.
At this time, his greatest concern was the succession of the prime ministership. He had originally thought that Wang Fu could have dealt a fatal blow to Bai Shizhong.
But he never expected that Bai Shizhong, who was clearly on the verge of death, would survive so quietly!
What he did not expect even more was that during the court session yesterday, Bai Shizhong had audaciously ascended to the position of Minister of Personnel!
Although according to the normal promotion sequence of civil officials, the promotion of a Vice Minister of a Six Ministries should be to the Minister of Rites or Minister of Works, but with such an emperor who did not play by the rules, even the court officials were helpless.
However, this was not what worried Xu Churen the most. He was more worried that once this person ascended to the position of prime minister, the influence of Prince Yun would truly soar.
"It's actually very simple. My lord, as long as you look at it from the Emperor's perspective, everything will be clear!"
Han Mo smiled and said directly.
"How so?"
"It's still that word: balance!"
"Balance?"
Xu Churen's brow furrowed again.
"That's right. Li Bangyan is friendly with the Crown Prince's faction. Once he takes office, our Prince Yun's space to survive will be greatly compressed!"
"Are you saying that the Emperor is preparing for Li Bangyan's ascension?"
Xu Churen suddenly understood.
"Yes and no! If my prediction is correct, whether Li Bangyan can ascend to power now does not depend on Bai Shizhong, but on Wang Fu!"