“With these words from you, big brother, I believe his marriage is all but secured!”
Upon hearing Han Mo’s statement, Han Shizhong couldn’t help but chuckle.
“It still depends on whether the young lady herself is willing. As for him, I think he needs to read more books in the future!”
Han Mo couldn’t help but laugh as he said this. In this era, it was truly difficult for a military general who didn’t read to get ahead.
He had told Li Bao many times before to read more when he had the chance, but it was evident that all his good intentions had been eaten up by the boy, dipped in sauce.
If someone could truly force this kid to start studying, it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing for Li Bao.
In this world ruled by civil officials, a military general who enjoyed reading would undoubtedly be promoted faster and integrate more easily into this peculiar bureaucracy.
“If this marriage truly comes to pass, then he won’t be able to avoid reading, even if he wanted to!”
“You keep talking about him, but reading more books would be beneficial for you as well! If you could actually achieve the Jinshi degree, it would be of great benefit to your future!”
“I can read military texts, but to pass the Jinshi examination…”
Han Shizhong scratched his head with a bitter smile as he said this.
“Alright, alright, I won’t say any more. You’ve eaten your fill, let’s be off! You go handle your duties, and when you’re done, find me at the Princess’s manor in the city!”
Although his subordinates were handling the transfer of goods, Han Shizhong still had some documents to personally process. Judging by the speed at which the soldiers were unloading the ships, it would take at least a day or two to get everything off. Han Mo had no intention of waiting for him here any longer.
“Farewell, big brother, I understand!”
After leaving the tavern, Han Mo leisurely returned to the Princess’s manor.
With Han Mo back for a few days, the Princess’s manor was naturally filled with banquets and drinking.
Under the diligent persuasion of Han Jiayan, Han Mo once again got drunk.
It wasn’t until noon the next day that Han Mo finally climbed out of bed, rubbing his head.
After downing a bowl of hangover soup and washing his face with cold water, Han Mo finally felt like he had come back to life.
He absentmindedly ate a little something, changed his clothes, and then, yawning, he called for a carriage, heading straight for the Xiangguo Temple.
“Sir, we’ve arrived at Xiangguo Temple!”
“Wait for me here. I have something to discuss inside. I’ll be out in about half an hour.”
Stretching lazily, Han Mo tossed a piece of silver from his sleeve to the coachman, telling him to find a place nearby to eat something.
“Yes, sir!”
Having received the reward, the coachman happily headed towards a small tavern nearby.
Even though the times were chaotic with war and unrest everywhere, the common folk in Bianliang city, after receiving their earnings, still habitually sought out places for a drink.
Han Mo didn’t say anything about this habit of his. Everyone had their own way of life, and as long as they didn’t break the law, having personal hobbies was a good thing.
After all, even though the Song Dynasty’s resources were considered unprecedentedly abundant, the average lifespan at this time was less than thirty years.
While those scholar-officials could often live to eighty or ninety, their happy lives were built upon the suffering of countless common people!
“Benefactor, please stop! If you wish to offer incense, please proceed to the front hall!”
Shortly after Han Mo entered the Xiangguo Temple, he was immediately stopped by a young monk.
“Go tell the old monk Daojian that a benefactor surnamed Han has come to visit!”
Looking at the new monk’s robes, even Han Mo couldn’t help but sigh that being a monk or a Taoist priest in this era was indeed a very promising profession.
Not only did they not have to pay taxes, but they were also exempt from many unnecessary corvee labor.
If one could reach the status of a senior monk and hold some authority within the temple, even having three wives and four concubines would be considered commonplace!
If one could climb even higher, to become the abbot of a small temple, the incense and oil money received annually would be enough to spend without constantly visiting brothels, as long as they didn’t seek out courtesans!
“Benefactor, please wait a moment!”
Upon hearing Han Mo mention Daojian’s name, the young monk was stunned. He bowed to Han Mo and then quickly scurried towards the rear meditation room.
Not long after the young monk left, the old monk Daojian personally came out to greet him.
“Master, we meet again!”
After a few days, the old monk seemed to have recovered much of his spirit.
“Benefactor is indeed a man of his word. Please, come inside!”
Although he desperately wanted to bite Han Mo to death, the old monk maintained the demeanor of a generation’s eminent monk in front of his disciples.
“Master, please!”
It was just a show of courtesy, and Han Mo was very familiar with this act.
After exchanging pleasantries with the old monk in a pretense of formality, Han Mo, led by the old monk, arrived at the meditation room where the old monk practiced in the rear courtyard.
“Master, three days have already passed. Have you considered my proposal?”
Upon entering the old monk’s meditation room and taking their seats, with a young monk from the temple personally serving them tea, Han Mo slowly asked after taking a sip.
“Has the benefactor visited the Xiangguo Temple?”
After drinking his tea with a blank expression, the old monk suddenly changed the subject and asked in return.
“Of course I have visited the Xiangguo Temple. What does Master mean by this?”
Han Mo knew what the old monk was trying to say, but he had no interest in playing mind games with him here, so he directly feigned ignorance.
“The Xiangguo Temple, since its establishment in the sixth year of the Tianbao era of the Northern Qi dynasty, has a history of hundreds of years. For a single word from the benefactor, this ancient temple would be destroyed. Does the benefactor feel no guilt?”
Seeing Han Mo’s unperturbed expression, the old monk couldn’t help but say through gritted teeth.
“Master, we are all sensible people. It’s meaningless for you to say such things. Since Buddhism was introduced to the Divine Land, it has long since lost its original meaning. Look at the monks all over the world today; they all outwardly abstain from meat and chant scriptures, but in their hearts, which one of them isn’t surrounded by women? They have one family in the temple and another outside. I truly don’t understand the meaning of their renunciation!”
“Don’t rush to refute me. While those Taoist priests are not good people, are you Buddhists any better? Speaking of the Xiangguo Temple, Emperor Wu of Liang devoutly believed in Buddhism. To sculpt a golden body for the Buddha, he didn't hesitate to sell himself to Buddhism despite his status as emperor. Such a pious fanatic, and what did you senior monks do in the end? You watched him starve to death with your own eyes!”
“Old monk, you are inherently cold-hearted. Don’t try to play the emotional card with me!”