"Shaoyang, have you truly thought this through? Once I speak, you'll be irrevocably entangled in this scheme!"
Although Han Mo had anticipated Chen Dong's reaction, faced with the moment, he still felt an inexplicable pang of discomfort.
At this moment, Chen Dong was like those passionate students of later generations, full of righteous indignation, brimming with fervor, and possessing a pure heart.
However, Han Mo could not afford such purity. Politics was not a game for those with such simple intentions!
Han Mo, at this juncture, both needed Chen Dong to complete the final step and, from the depths of his heart, wished that Chen Dong would refuse.
Emperor Huizong was no Emperor Qinzong; he was a complete tyrant who would not hesitate to kill.
What's more, this matter was being instigated by Huizong himself. It would be more accurate to say that he, the Emperor, was the chief instigator, rather than Cai Jing and Tong Guan.
To petition such a bloodthirsty and cruel emperor, and in such an extreme manner, leading the Imperial Academy students in a joint petition, was akin to dancing on the edge of a knife.
Who knew what the final outcome would be? Who knew how many of these Imperial Academy students would survive this ordeal!
"Now, our Great Song has mobilized hundreds of thousands of troops for a northern expedition, consuming no less than ten million strings of cash and grain. In the end, we need the Jurchens to reclaim our lost territories! The Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun are to be returned only in part, with four prefectures, and we still have to pay such a vast sum. And for all this, that eunuch who brought disgrace to the nation is to be enfeoffed as a prince! Such shameless acts are truly unprecedented in history!"
"Brother Han, just tell me what to do. For the sake of the nation and to eliminate traitors, be it a mountain of knives or a sea of fire, Chen Dong will not flinch!"
The more indignant Chen Dong became, the more Han Mo felt like a rat scurrying in the gutter.
"Shaoyang, you must consider carefully. His Majesty the Emperor has personally issued a decree: anyone who dares to speak carelessly of border affairs will be banished three thousand li!"
Seeing his indignant fervor, Han Mo asked with a wry smile.
"If I can drag these old villains down with me, what is three thousand li, or even thirty thousand li?"
At this moment, Chen Dong's eyes were completely clouded by anger, and he no longer cared for his own safety.
This, in turn, made Han Mo feel even more uncomfortable.
"Shaoyang, I, Han Mo, am truly sorry to you regarding this matter. However, I have my reasons. At this time, I cannot reveal my identity..."
After a long period of hesitation, Han Mo finally looked at Chen Dong seriously and said.
"Brother Han, I understand the logic. In battle, it is the common soldiers who charge forward, not the generals. What reason is there for the commanders to engage in direct combat?"
As soon as Han Mo finished speaking, Chen Dong replied with a smile.
"I, Han Mo, swear here today that if the time comes when I, Han Mo, am needed to charge forward, I will not dare to retreat even half a step!"
Although Han Mo knew that such words held no real binding power, at this moment, he could not help but blurt them out.
"Hahahaha, I knew I had never misjudged Brother Han. Brother Han, rest assured, if anything goes wrong with this matter, I will never involve you! You just take care of yourself. As for the rest, we will leave it to fate. If this Great Song nation truly needs someone to sacrifice for it, then I, Chen Dong, am willing to be the first!"
As he spoke, Chen Dong reached out, grabbed a pot of strong wine from a nearby shelf, took a large swig, and then exhaled a long breath.
"Brother Chen, your righteousness makes me, Han Mo, ashamed that I cannot match it!"
At this point, even Han Mo had to admit that whenever an era of chaos approached, countless loyal ministers and valiant martyrs would emerge in the world. Perhaps their actions seemed like moths flying into a flame, but the courage they displayed always inspired those who came after them to press forward relentlessly.
"Hahahaha, to be able to win the admiration of you, the foremost scholar of Great Song, is the proudest moment of my life!"
After hearing Han Mo's words, Chen Dong burst into laughter again.
"Cough—cough—cough—"
As the two were talking, three coughs were suddenly heard from outside.
"Brother Chen, our time is short. I will speak frankly from now on!"
Hearing Gao Shun's cough, Han Mo's expression instantly turned serious.
"Brother Han, speak freely!"
"The Grand Court Assembly is the morning after tomorrow. If Brother Chen is to present his memorial, you only have today and tomorrow to prepare. During these two days, Brother Chen must be extremely careful and must not let any news leak out in advance!"
"Brother Han, rest assured, I understand!"
"There is one more thing. If circumstances become insurmountable, I implore Brother Chen to prioritize his own safety."
After repeated hesitation, Han Mo finally added this sentence.
"Your words are enough, Brother Han. However, Confucius spoke of achieving benevolence, and Mencius spoke of righteousness. With the grand path of the ancient sages before me, how dare I, Chen Dong, delay matters of the state for the sake of my own life? Even if circumstances become insurmountable, I, Chen Dong, am willing to use my fervent blood to let the people of this world see the actions of these wicked villains!"
Although Chen Dong knew that Han Mo was concerned for him, he still said stubbornly.
"In that brocade box, there is a pawn ticket and one hundred taels of gold. I have also deposited five thousand taels of silver for Brother Chen at Yongxing Pawnshop. Please use this money to help those in need!"
Among the students studying in the Imperial Academy, not all were from wealthy families; a portion were indeed from humble origins.
Having them undertake such a task made Han Mo feel uneasy. After all, these individuals had parents and wives and children. Without resolving their concerns, Han Mo would feel even more distressed.
After all, they were embarking on a path with a high probability of not returning!
"Then I shall accept this money. It will be just enough to invite a few good friends for a drink!"
Seeing Han Mo's serious demeanor, Chen Dong said with a smile.
"When Brother Chen returns victorious, I will book Fan Lou to celebrate my brother!"
"Hahahaha, then it's settled. I've long heard of your immense wealth, but I never had the nerve to trouble you. Now that I have this opportunity, I must seize it!"
"Hahahaha, then I shall await Brother Chen's good news!"
"Hahahaha!"
"Hahahaha!"
After Han Mo finished speaking, they exchanged a look and then burst into laughter together.
"Cough—cough—cough—"
"Since everything has been discussed, and Brother Han's identity should remain hidden, perhaps you should leave if you have matters to attend to!"
Hearing the coughing from outside the door again, Chen Dong immediately lowered his voice.
"Brother Chen, everything is entrusted to you!"