"What if I really wanted to rebel?"
Hearing this, even Han Mo was impressed by Yue Fei's thought process. However, seeing his tense expression, Han Mo suppressed a smile and retorted.
"I, I..."
Han Mo's words left Yue Fei speechless again.
He had never considered such a possibility. After all, how could someone as loyal to the Great Song as himself commit such a rebellious act?
"Alright, do you think a noble like me would have any reason to do so? I'm already a high-ranking official nearing twenty. Do you think I have any need to rebel?"
Seeing his dilemma, Han Mo finally decided to stop teasing him.
"My lord, did I ask a foolish question?"
Now it was Yue Fei's turn to feel embarrassed. When he thought about it carefully, he had indeed been a bit foolish.
Given Han Mo's identity and status, as long as he didn't make any fundamental mistakes, the position of Prime Minister was practically guaranteed, regardless of who was emperor.
To ask him to rebel? What kind of madness would that take?
"Alright, don't say such things again. However, I still hope you can distinguish one thing: loyalty to a person, and loyalty to the Great Song dynasty are two different concepts! Often, these two things overlap, but if one day you truly have to make a choice between them, I hope you can make your own judgment!"
After Han Mo finished speaking, Yue Fei fell silent again. He vaguely felt that Han Mo was telling him these things for a deeper reason, but he couldn't quite articulate what it was.
"Aren't you very interested in our old immortal? Let's go, I'll take you to see a real old immortal today!"
Seeing his dejected silence, Han Mo suddenly smiled and patted his shoulder again.
"We're going to Shenxiao Palace? But that place is crowded with people, and aren't there many who recognize you!"
Yue Fei was truly startled by Han Mo's suggestion.
Shenxiao Palace was no ordinary place. Besides the spies from the Imperial City Department, there were students from the Imperial Academy, famous courtesans, merchants, and all sorts of people coming and going.
Han Mo had been the center of attention in Bianliang City, and countless people recognized him. At this critical juncture, if he were recognized, it would be no laughing matter.
"Don't worry, the old immortal is going out of the city tonight to observe the celestial phenomena. Take the things we need to bring, and we don't need to return here tonight!"
After stretching his arms long, Han Mo spoke again.
"But, aren't we waiting for the final outcome?"
"What's there to wait for? Everything I needed to do is done. Cai Jing is dead, and the Cai family has completely declined. After Yu Shen takes office, he definitely won't let Tong Guan and Cai You off the hook. After all, if they don't fall, how can Yu Shen absorb their power? I believe our Prime Minister will handle everything for us!"
He had done what he could, and Han Mo had no intention of interfering further with the remaining matters.
The Cai family had lost their backing, and the entire Cai faction would now disintegrate.
When Cai You chose to fight with all his might, he had already cut off all his escape routes. Now that the victory or defeat was decided, and he had wrongly trusted Tong Guan, he had to bear the consequences himself.
No matter how much the Emperor wanted to protect him, he would be utterly defeated from now on. At least until Yu Shen retired again, he wouldn't have any prospects in the court.
As for Tong Guan, to save face, the Emperor would likely send someone to persuade him soon.
By this point, five of the six main villains from history had died, and Han Mo could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
However, before leaving Bianliang City, he had one last thing to do, something no one else could accomplish, only Lin Ling Su, the swindler, could perfectly fulfill this last wish for him!
"Understood!"
Yue Fei responded and turned to follow the subordinates Li Shishi had found, quickly packing the items they needed to bring.
"My lord, these are several boxes sent by Miss Shishi. Do you need to inspect them?"
A moment later, a man in his early forties, honest and clad in plain gray linen, walked in with a smile, pointing at several boxes placed in the courtyard and asked.
"No need. Since they are her belongings, take them all. You can also take any other things. You don't need to ask me specifically about these matters!"
"Understood!"
After receiving Han Mo's permission, the man turned and continued packing.
Since they were preparing for a long journey, it was no longer a matter that could be resolved with a small, dark-canopied boat.
Fortunately, the people Li Shishi had found were well-connected in Bianliang City. In less than two days, they had found a merchant ship of suitable size.
Although the ship was a converted cargo vessel, the cabins had been remodeled to be extremely comfortable.
Not only were all the necessary amenities fully equipped, but even all the sailors on board were employees secretly borrowed from the Zhe family's trading company in another region.
"My lord, everything is ready. When do you wish us to depart?"
It took nearly an hour and a half to pack everything. Only after Han Mo had finished lunch was everything on the ship arranged properly.
"Have them check again carefully. Erase all traces of our presence in this courtyard. Make sure nothing is missed!"
Han Mo took one last look at the small courtyard where he had stayed for a few days and then gave another instruction.
"Understood!"
This place looked unremarkable, but Han Mo knew that once Li Shishi disappeared, it would quickly come under the Emperor's scrutiny again.
If any clues were left behind, it would be his own misfortune.
It wasn't until the hour of Shen (3 PM to 5 PM) that Han Mo himself walked around the courtyard again. Finally, he nodded with satisfaction and, guided by Yue Fei, boarded a merchant ship.
"Let's go! Let's head out of the city first, towards Tongjin Gate!"
Han Mo scanned the spacious cabin, nodded with satisfaction, and casually gave the order.
Soon, this unremarkable-looking merchant ship blended into the merchant fleet on the Bian River, like a drop of water flowing into the sea, and disappeared without a trace...