"This..."
"I can tell you right now, if the war turns unfavorable, they will not hesitate to instigate the Emperor to flee south. They will unhesitatingly hand over this vast land to the Jin people, as long as they can save their own lives and preserve their wealth and status. They will do anything for that!"
"My lord..."
By this point, Yue Fei's forehead was covered in a dense layer of cold sweat.
Though he would later become a renowned military god, he was not a capable politician. He was upright, kind, and still very young, thus he could not comprehend these dark machinations of the imperial court.
Having Han Mo break down and lay everything bare before him so frankly, he was startled by his own reaction.
"Alright, you and I are entirely different people. I never intended to change you. The reason I've not hidden any of this from you is so you can understand just how terrifying the human heart can be! The human heart is unfathomable. If you wish to achieve your aspirations, you must first survive to see that day. If you die, all will be in vain!"
Smiling, Han Mo raised his wine cup and spoke with a light chuckle.
"Thank you for your guidance, my lord!"
Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Yue Fei said sincerely.
"Pengju, I hope we will always be friends, not enemies!"
Stretching his arms, Han Mo donned the bamboo hat beside him, slowly stood up, and walked out of his room.
"My lord, Yue Fei will never forget your kindness today!"
Just as Han Mo was about to step out, Yue Fei suddenly stood up and bowed respectfully to him.
Although Han Mo's words were few, they had opened a new door for Yue Fei. Despite his youth, he understood that Han Mo would never have shared such matters with him unless he truly considered him a close confidant. This kindness alone was enough for Yue Fei to regard him as a father or elder brother.
"Alright, let's go. I'm taking you to meet a very important person today!"
Smiling, Han Mo waved to Yue Fei.
"Yes!"
Seeing the smile return to Han Mo's face, Yue Fei quickly followed.
——————————————————————————————————
"Father, you've only been Prime Minister for a few days, how can you quit now?"
In Fan Zhengguo's mansion, his eldest son Fan Zhiyun knelt before him, looking at the resignation letter he had half-written.
"They are capable of such shameless acts. If I remain in court any longer, how will I face the ancestors of the Fan family in the afterlife!"
"Father, but if you leave like this, won't this position be handed over to those villains! I heard that Cai family's lackey was arrested by the Kaifeng Prefecture for buying and selling offices. Wait a little longer, perhaps, perhaps the Emperor will really deal with them!"
Seeing his father's resolve to go ahead with his decision, Fan Zhiyun quickly added.
"Even if they have ironclad evidence, so what? Does anyone in this world not know what they have done? Are the people in the Imperial Guard just eating their fill? They can describe the details of the Crown Prince's private moments with his concubines at night, how could they possibly not know what the Cai family is up to?"
Fan Zhengguo grew increasingly angry, and in his frustration, he flung the brush in his hand far away.
"Mas... Master, there is a guest here to see you!"
Just as Fan Zhiyun was about to say something, the gatekeeper's voice suddenly came from outside.
"Didn't I tell you I'm not seeing anyone today?"
Before the gatekeeper could finish, Fan Zhengguo threw a teapot out the window.
"Crash—"
Hearing the sound of the teapot shattering, the gatekeeper couldn't help but tremble.
"But, that person said he is from the southeast and has a message from Lord Li Gang!"
"Who did you say?"
Upon hearing Li Gang's name, Fan Zhengguo rushed out of the room.
He didn't have many friends in his life, but Li Gang was definitely one of them. They both had stubborn personalities, a trait they shared with a certain cynical humor. Hearing that his old friend had a message, he couldn't afford to delay any further.
"Li... Li Gang, Lord Li, that's what the person said!"
"Where is the visitor?"
Confirming it was indeed his old friend, Fan Zhengguo immediately asked.
"He is waiting outside the gate now!"
"Immediately escort the person to the side hall!"
"Yes!"
Despite being startled just moments ago, upon hearing Fan Zhengguo's words, the gatekeeper dared not delay and scurried away.
"Uncle, I hope you are well!"
As soon as he arrived at the side hall and was about to observe the visitor, Fan Zhengguo suddenly heard a familiar voice by his ear.
"You, you..."
Although Han Mo was wearing a bamboo hat and his face was not visible, how could he not recognize the boy's voice.
"You all go down. Don't come in to serve unless I call for you. We'll have a private chat here."
Seeing Han Mo tap his bamboo hat with his fingers, Fan Zhengguo immediately understood and quickly sent all the servants attending in the room away.
"Are you crazy? How dare you return to the capital at this time? Do you know the crime of returning to the capital without authorization?"
Once all the servants had left, Fan Zhengguo approached Han Mo, grabbed his collar, and said in a low voice.
"Uncle, if I hadn't returned, I fear you would have already submitted your resignation as Prime Minister?"
Seeing Fan Zhengguo's agitated state, Han Mo quickly reached out and patted the hand that was gripping his collar.
"You rascal, your news is quite well-informed!"
Reluctantly releasing his grip, Fan Zhengguo said with a frown.
"Uncle, if there was an opportunity to put the Cai family to death now, would you be willing to lend a hand?"
Slowly picking up his teacup and taking a sip, Han Mo suddenly said with a smile.
"Are you serious?"
Hearing this, Fan Zhengguo's pupils constricted.
"Of course. However, I only have about a sixty percent chance of success with this matter."
Han Mo did not conceal much from Fan Zhengguo and spoke directly.
"At worst, I'll just resign as Prime Minister. Forget sixty percent, even with only thirty percent, I'm willing to try!"
Having already written half of his resignation letter, Fan Zhengguo no longer cared about the risks Han Mo hadn't mentioned.
After all, this was the Great Song Dynasty. With his father, Fan Zhongyan, as a precedent, he was not worried about Cai Jing's retaliation.
Seeing his confident demeanor, the last stone in Han Mo's heart finally settled. Now, the final straw he had prepared was in place. It remained to be seen if this old camel, Cai Jing, could withstand this final blow...