"Aren't you scared at all?"
After Wu Jie had left, Han Mo asked Zhe Yourong, who was embroidering nearby.
"If you aren't scared, why should I, a mere woman, be afraid?"
Zhe Yourong put down her bamboo frame and smiled as she replied.
"Find someone to deliver a letter to Zhong Jiyi. We should send him a message!"
"For what reason?"
"Say that the case has made significant progress and ask him to personally bring people to witness a good show. It won't wait!"
"You want to involve him at this time?"
Zhe Yourong frowned and asked.
"Now is the perfect time. Not only him, but I've heard that the Zhe and Zhong families are old acquaintances, aren't they?"
Han Mo asked with a smile.
"They served in the Northwest Army, so naturally, there were some interactions. However, they weren't openly that close!"
This statement was rather interesting, especially the words "openly."
It even made Han Mo unable to help but laugh.
However, Han Mo understood that it was unavoidable.
Both the Zhe and Zhong families hailed from military households. Whether it was the Zhe family or the Zhong family, their influence in their respective regions was considerable.
Especially the Zhe family, who had been stationed in the Linfu and Fengsanzhou areas for generations. Due to a decree left by the former Grand Ancestor, they were not only permitted to conduct business but also allowed to control local finances to expand their armies, train elite soldiers, and bribe enemy generals.
Although all three prefectures were border prefectures and did not receive much tax revenue throughout the year, even so, this was enough to make countless people envious!
Under such circumstances, if the relationship between the Zhong and Zhe families were to become unusually close, it would indeed cause those with ulterior motives to begin slandering them.
The Zhe family was not afraid, as their influence in Linfu and Fengsanzhou had almost surpassed that of the imperial court.
However, the Zhong family was different. Although they were both military families, their foundations were not as stable.
"Regardless, it's only right that we invite Uncle Zhong for a meal when he arrives in Jun County, isn't it?"
Han Mo said with a smile.
"That's not a problem, but his accompanying guards probably cannot exceed fifty people."
The military law of the Great Song Dynasty was strict, showing considerable apprehension towards military officers.
Without orders, even a renowned general like Zhong Shidao could not mobilize more than ten soldiers.
Coupled with his personal guards and younger family members, fifty people would likely be the limit.
"Fifty elites, plus Jiang Yan and his men, and the people accompanying Brother Zhong – that should be enough to give them a surprise!"
Han Mo said with a cold smile.
"But have you considered what happens after we repel the enemy?"
This was, after all, Hebei Circuit. Even if Tang Ke had any hidden operatives, their numbers would definitely not be too large.
At this time, there were government troops everywhere. Even if Tang Ke dared to have such people, he would not allow them to be exposed under the watchful eyes of the government troops.
After all, once these clandestine elements saw the light, the consequences would be difficult to predict.
"What else can we do? Since this Lord Tang is so unreasonable, I will have to force Li Bangyan to break ties with the Crown Prince!"
Han Mo said with a cold laugh.
At this moment, all the evidence was in his hands. If he was determined, this matter would not be difficult at all.
"But how will you explain yourself to Liang Shicheng?"
Seeing her worried expression, Han Mo simply chuckled.
After all, in Zhe Yourong's view, Liang Shicheng was a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince. If Han Mo acted this way, wouldn't he be cutting ties with Liang Shicheng?
"What are you laughing at? Isn't that the case?"
"Of course not! At least, not for now!"
Han Mo poured himself a cup of tea and then said.
"Why? Isn't he afraid that if the Crown Prince is really overthrown by you, his own plans will fall through?"
Zhe Yourong asked with some confusion.
"You don't understand him well enough. This person never cares about camaraderie; all he cares about is profit!"
Han Mo took a sip of tea and continued.
"Still don't understand?"
"Can't you stop being cryptic?"
Zhe Yourong was so annoyed she gritted her teeth. This guy always speaking in halves was truly unbearable.
"Hahahaha, it's actually very simple. Ever since our Prime Minister Li took office, the Crown Prince's old ministers have been deliberately trying to distance the Crown Prince from Liang Shicheng!"
Han Mo said with a cold laugh.
"You mean, Liang Shicheng also wants to take this opportunity to warn them?"
Zhe Yourong's eyes immediately lit up.
"Warn them? He always acts directly and never does anything without purpose. Moreover, do you think those old scholars can't do it a second time if they've done it once?"
"Then isn't he afraid that Li Bangyan will turn to Prince Yun?"
Zhe Yourong was, after all, not as meticulous as Han Mo, nor was she as adept at understanding the darker aspects of human nature.
"If he does that, then his position as Prime Minister should be relinquished! Wouldn't our Emperor be afraid of Prince Yun directly usurping the throne?"
"Then, according to your reasoning, even if Li Bangyan breaks ties with the Crown Prince, he will never turn to Prince Yun?"
"That's a given. If he doesn't have this much awareness, then he deserves to be removed from his position!"
After hearing Han Mo's explanation, Zhe Yourong finally felt relieved.
Although she appeared calm and collected on the surface, it would be a lie to say she wasn't worried about Han Mo in her heart.
"Since you already have a plan, why have you been delaying it until now?"
After taking a breath of relief, Zhe Yourong gave Han Mo a slightly reproachful glare.
"Do you think doing this is easy? If it weren't for Tang Ke's persistent pressure, I wouldn't want to do this thankless task! After all, we gain absolutely nothing from this!"
Han Mo also felt a sense of helplessness. Ultimately, it was a matter of lacking capable people.
Li Gang and Zong Ze were not favored by Emperor Huizong, and Zhong Shidao was still just a military officer.
Looking at all the capable individuals in the imperial court who were qualified to ascend to the position of Prime Minister, they were either corrupt scholars, sycophants, or those with exceedingly high opinions of themselves.
Even if someone replaced Li Bangyan, the outcome might not be better than the current situation.
At the very least, Li Bangyan, compared to others, was much easier to control.
"Then I'll go make arrangements now, but will Zhong Jiyi really come?"
At this time, it should be the busiest period for the entire Governor's Office.
As Xu Churen's most capable assistant, even Zhe Yourong was not sure if he could really make it.
"Don't worry, he won't miss out on this kind of excitement! Our Mr. Yuan has been idle for too long, and it's time for him to get out and move around a bit!"