Everything under this sky belongs to the emperor!
How could the army and its generals be an exception?
Even Zhong Shidao would not dare to claim the Zhong family's army as his own!
"That's right, it's under your own control! This army will not have an imperial designation. You are simply village militia, do you understand?"
"But if they're village militia, then the weapons and armor..."
"All the weapons and armor you use are lent to you by this official, and you are merely safeguarding them for now. Of course, as village militia, you won't receive much pay. However, as compensation, you will receive some additional grain! Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Some grain?"
"That's right, for instance, one shi of white rice per person per month!"
After hearing Han Mo's words, Yue Fei almost jumped out of his skin.
If it were in previous years, such a small amount of grain would not have been much. But in these times, one shi of grain, even in Mingzhou City, would be enough to buy several young girls!
If such a price were offered, how many strong young men in Mingzhou City would be lining up for Yue Fei to choose from!
"Your Excellency, rest assured, I will not let you down!"
Taking several deep breaths, Yue Fei immediately bowed deeply to Han Mo once more.
"Alright, it's still early. Sit down and have a couple of drinks with me!"
Looking at the sun beginning to set outside, Han Mo smiled and gestured to the seat opposite him.
"Yes!"
After responding, Yue Fei unceremoniously sat down directly opposite Han Mo.
With the important matters mostly handled, Han Mo no longer wished to discuss the darkness of officialdom with Yue Fei. Instead, he began to discuss military training with him.
When it came to official matters, Yue Fei was indeed a complete novice, a truly incompetent rookie.
However, when it came to military training, Yue Fei transformed into a true professional.
Although he himself had not been personally training soldiers for a very long time, Han Mo had to admit that some people possessed talent in certain areas.
Just like Yue Fei, in the realm of military training, he was truly someone blessed by the ancestors.
Initially, Han Mo was speaking, and Yue Fei was listening. But as they spoke, it shifted to Yue Fei doing the explaining, with Han Mo merely adding supplementary information. By the end, it had even become a one-sided lecture by Yue Fei.
After all, training an army and training a few athletes were entirely different matters. The experience Han Mo had accumulated in his previous life could only serve as a reference for Yue Fei in certain aspects.
They only managed to pause when the wine in the pot was empty and the sky had completely darkened.
"Let's go, we'll wait outside Tongjin Gate!"
Seeing that the time was almost right, Han Mo smiled and began to stretch his body.
The sky was completely dark. After accompanying Li Shishi in her staged "falling into the water" act, they were supposed to leave Bianliang City for good.
Looking at the myriad of lights in the distance, the only regret Han Mo felt was not being able to have a proper talk with Han Jiayan on this trip.
However, the驸马府 (Fù mǎ fǔ - Princess's Consort's Residence) was full of prying eyes and ears. Han Mo, no matter how bold he was, would not dare to return directly to the 驸马府...
"Gentle spring breeze, Cold Food Festival day,
Incense smoke curls from a jade brazier, faint and gray.
From a dream I wake, to a pillow of silk embroidered with flowers' play.
Swallows haven't come, people still play with grass;
River plums have passed, willow catkins now amass.
Dusk's sparse rain dampens the swing, alas."
Listening to the faint singing from a distance, a smile clearly appeared on Han Mo's lips.
"We'll drop anchor here. We'll set off when I return!"
After clearly seeing the painted boat in the distance, Han Mo smiled and took off his long robe.
"Your Excellency, why don't I go instead?"
Looking at Han Mo's actions, Yue Fei was truly startled. After all, it was night. If anything were to happen to Han Mo, he would truly be a sinner for all eternity!
"How can such a thing be entrusted to others? Don't worry, my swimming skills are exceptionally good!"
Han Mo said as he quickly stripped off his clothes and handed them to Yue Fei.
After shedding his restrictive clothing, Han Mo, like a fish, silently leaped into the Bian River. After a rough estimation of the direction, he immediately swam towards the source of the singing.
...
"Help! Help! The young lady has fallen into the water!"
"Save her quickly! Save her quickly!"
...
Li Shishi had fallen into the water. This immediately terrified the maids and servants accompanying her.
Whether by coincidence or not, not a single one of the women with her today knew how to swim...
By the time everyone had called for help from the workers and boatmen from the cabin, Li Shishi's figure had long since disappeared into the darkness.
The women on the entire boat began to wail, frantically directing the boatmen and sailors to search for Li Shishi.
And while they were busy, Han Mo's boat finally set sail again...
By the time the sun rose the next day, as soon as the palace gates opened, Zhao Ji received a piece of terrible news.
"Your Majesty, Miss Shishi went for a night stroll on the Bian River last night and accidentally fell in. Her whereabouts are currently unknown..."
"What did you say? How could she have fallen in? Where are the people who were with her?"
Before Liang Shicheng could finish speaking, Zhao Ji became agitated.
As the saying goes, a wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as a forbidden affair, and a forbidden affair is not as good as one that cannot be achieved!
In Zhao Ji's eyes, Li Shishi belonged to the "forbidden affair" category.
Although he had not visited her as frequently recently, it was entirely due to him being preoccupied with state affairs, and it had nothing to do with the feelings between them!
Now, upon hearing that his beloved had tragically fallen into the water, the depression in his heart was naturally imaginable!
"It happened so suddenly last night, and those around her were not prepared for it. By the time the servants went to look, she was already..."
Liang Shicheng felt a sense of difficulty even as he said this. If he were in the same situation, he would likely feel the same...
"Then why are you still standing here? Hurry and send people to look! Immediately send people to search downstream. I want to see her alive, or her body!"
"Yes!"
After responding, Liang Shicheng could only smile bitterly and walk out.
Li Shishi's status was rather awkward. To make such a public search for a singing girl, who knew what the censors would say...