After hearing Shao Bowen's words, Han Mo's pupils also constricted.
A twenty-year-old prime minister!
Did Zhao Huan really have the courage for that?
"That's right, our current emperor is good in all other aspects, but he is simply too weak. Those people he favors are all superficial and weak. If your excellency wishes to ascend, those people are mere chickens and dogs, easily swept away with a flick of the wrist!"
"But, the southeast is my foundation!"
After hesitating for a long time, Han Mo still shook his head with a wry smile.
In the end, the southeast was his foundation. Without the support of the people of the southeast, he would truly be a rootless wanderer.
"The southeast is indeed your excellency's foundation, but everything your excellency has done here has long since formed a system. Everything in the southeast is dependent on the Maritime Trade Office, and the entire Maritime Trade Office is now completely under your excellency's control! No matter who comes, anyone who wants to tamper with the rules set by your excellency will inevitably be backlashed by those rules! Why should your excellency care about the position of Commissioner?"
After Shao Bowen finished speaking, Han Mo fell into silence again. After pondering for a long time, he realized that it seemed to be true.
No matter who sat in his current position, they had to be able to control the Maritime Trade Office. Without the massive wealth provided by the Maritime Trade Office, everything would be a mirage!
In at most a few months, the once prosperous situation would return to its original state.
And the most important businesses within the Maritime Trade Office were spices, porcelain, silk, and tea!
With the East India Company in his hands, the most important spice supply was entirely in Han Mo's hands. As for the remaining porcelain, silk, and tea, without Han Mo's nod, even if they shipped the goods out, it would only benefit Han Mo for nothing!
It could be said that Han Mo was now the overlord of the Song Dynasty's seas, and at least for the next ten years, no one could shake Han Mo's position!
"It seems I really should find a successor for this position!"
"No, no, no, your excellency doesn't need to worry about this. With Grand Chancellor Fan's temperament, he definitely won't be able to stay in Bianliang City. After he rests for a while, won't it be perfect for him to come here and take over from your excellency? With his qualifications, a pacification commissioner position should not be a problem!"
"That's what you say, but I don't know what my uncle himself thinks!"
After chatting with Shao Bowen, Han Mo suddenly felt much more enlightened.
"It doesn't matter what Grand Chancellor Fan thinks, but I believe that within a day or two, there will be new news."
"Who do you think will get the position of Grand Chancellor?"
"What does your excellency think?"
Shao Bowen did not answer Han Mo's question, but instead asked with a smile.
"How about this, let's each write our answers on a piece of paper and reveal them together?"
Seeing the mysterious look on Shao Bowen's face, Han Mo also became interested.
"An excellent idea!"
While speaking, Shao Bowen directly brought over the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
After writing down their answers, the two smiled at each other and handed their slips of paper to the other.
"Hahahaha!"
Seeing the same name, Zhang Bangchang, written on both slips of paper, the two once again smiled at each other.
On the same day that Li Bao led the navy on an expedition, Zhao Huan, the new emperor of the Great Song in Bianliang City, finally received the resignations of Fan Zhengguo and Zhong Shidao.
"Your Majesty, this is a critical moment. Both Zhong Shidao and Fan Zhengguo are capable ministers. Your Majesty must not accept their resignations!"
Before Zhao Huan could speak, Li Ruoshui, who was standing beside him, quickly spoke up.
"They are indeed capable ministers. Haven't you seen what they have done? Whose subjects are they truly?"
As soon as Li Ruoshui finished speaking, Zhao Huan slammed the table and stood up.
Seeing the murderous intent flashing in his eyes, even Li Ruoshui was shaken. Where was the benevolence of the emperor before his ascension?
"Your Majesty, it's one thing to let Fan Zhengguo go, but if you dismiss Zhong Shidao, who else in the court knows how to fight? If Xu Churen cannot hold back the Jin people, who will you send to resist them?"
After hesitating for only two breaths, Li Ruoshui raised his head again.
"Didn't Zhao Zhen steal my hundred thousand troops? Then let him lead his army to Hebei to resist the Jin people!"
"Your Majesty, you are being foolish!"
Hearing his impulsive words, Li Ruoshui was completely stunned by the emperor's words.
At this time, letting Zhao Zhen out of Bianliang City to go to Hebei, if Zhao Zhen were to win, wouldn't he become too powerful to control?
"There's no need to say more. I already have this matter in mind. Prime Minister Li, you should return first!"
Before Li Ruoshui could finish speaking, Zhao Huan directly turned and left.
At this, Li Ruoshui felt dizzy.
The emperor had just taken the throne, and it hadn't even been a month, and two prime ministers had already resigned. At this moment, he couldn't even imagine how history would record this emperor.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
But no matter how he shouted, Zhao Huan's steps did not stop. It was only after Zhao Huan had completely walked away that Li Ruoshui collapsed to the ground helplessly.
"Prime Minister Li, are you alright?"
Seeing Li Ruoshui fall, Shunxi, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward to help him up.
"I ask you, whom has His Majesty summoned these past few days?"
Seeing Shunxi, Li Ruoshui seemed to have grabbed a lifeline and rushed forward, grabbing Shunxi's sleeve.
"Prime Minister Li, aren't you making things difficult for me? If I tell you, I..."
Seeing the excited expression on Li Ruoshui's face, Shunxi felt a little awkward.
"You heard it just now, this is a time of national crisis. This is a matter of the survival of the Great Song. Are you still going to hide things from me at this time? Did Grand Commandant Liang teach you only this?"
Hearing Li Ruoshui mention Liang Shicheng, Shunxi began to hesitate.
To be honest, when Zhao Huan was the crown prince, he seemed to be closest to Li Ruoshui and Liang Shicheng.
"If I tell you, you must not tell anyone else..."
After hesitating again and again, Shunxi cautiously lowered his voice and said.
"Just tell me who His Majesty has met and what he has said. You don't need to worry about anything else! I won't mention it to anyone either!"
Hearing that Shunxi had something to say, Li Ruoshui quickly promised.
"No, it was the night before last when His Majesty received letters from Tang Ke and Geng Nanzhong. After reading the letters, His Majesty was alone in the study, crying and laughing for a long time..."
"Tang Ke, Geng Nanzhong..."
Hearing these two names, Li Ruoshui felt a headache coming on. These two were truly persistent!