After listening carefully for a moment longer, and confirming that there was no one around, Zong Ying finally said in a low voice.
"Are you worried the Prince will make a move against him?"
When Zhong Shidao heard this, he suddenly stood up.
"If it were just the Prince himself, I don't think it would have reached this point. But if there are wicked people instigating, then it's hard to say!"
"Isn't the Prince being protected by you? Don't you have any confidence in yourself?"
"Old General, you don't know, the Prince is no longer the Prince he was. My words carry little weight now. Wasn't that the case last time?"
As Zong Ying spoke, he forced a bitter smile.
"Rest assured, I understand what you mean. If anyone dares to instigate the Prince, I will not stand idly by!"
Having reached this point in the conversation, Zhong Shidao finally understood Zong Ying's good intentions. It seemed he was truly devoted to Han Mo.
He was afraid of losing control and ultimately implicating Han Mo, which was why he had come to seek his help.
Although this did feel like he was trying to use him, seeing his sincerity towards Han Mo, even Zhong Shidao felt a sense of inexplicable emotion.
After all, in this era, self-preservation was the golden rule in officialdom. He hadn't seen such a fool in many years.
"Thank you, Uncle!"
"Very well, he also shows me the respect of a junior, and coupled with that timeless song that spread throughout Bianliang City, even if only to repay his kindness, I cannot stand by and watch him get into trouble!"
After saying this to him, Zong Ying's constantly suspended heart finally settled.
"Then I will send someone to deliver this message to Han Song now!"
"Good, there's no time to lose with this kind of matter. You go ahead and busy yourself; I will send people to keep an eye on this."
Watching Zong Ying's hurried departure, Zhong Shidao couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. Han Mo, that young man, truly had something.
Whether it was his vision, his knowledge, his methods of handling affairs, or his overall demeanor, in his generation, no one could surpass him.
Although his two sons couldn't compare to him at all, the thought of his grandson's relationship with Han Mo made him feel much more balanced.
If he could build a good relationship with him now, perhaps his descendants would benefit in the future.
"Thank you, Uncle!"
After leaving Zhong Shidao's room, Zong Ying felt much relieved.
An hour later, as several carrier pigeons took flight from Zong Ying's rear residence, his heart finally felt completely at ease.
He had done all he could. Now, it was up to Han Mo to make his move.
"Disband them all?"
In the camp of the Quanzhou Navy, Li Bao was completely stunned when he heard Han Mo's words.
He had painstakingly selected these three thousand elite soldiers and equipped them with great effort.
Just as they were about to achieve great things, Han Mo told him to disband the entire 3000 chosen men on the spot.
"That's right, relieve them of their military posts. I have other uses for these people!"
Han Mo said with a smile as he spoke.
"But sir, if they are gone, then is the Quanzhou Navy still the Quanzhou Navy?"
Li Bao immediately became agitated. Without these elites, how could the remaining Quanzhou Navy soldiers reach a state of being able to be mobilized at will and fight effectively within a few months?
"Don't get agitated first. The Quanzhou Navy has no combat missions for now. Your mission is in four months. Four months is enough time for you to train a new batch of soldiers. I will equip you with the best warships and the best weapons. In naval warfare, as long as you can enforce strict discipline, I guarantee you can roam the seas!"
"But..."
Even though Han Mo was speaking so eloquently, Li Bao still felt very uncomfortable.
Who would prefer raw recruits when they had veteran soldiers?
"Alright, I know. This matter truly puts me in your debt. Consider it a favor from me as an elder brother, how about that?"
It was difficult for anyone to understand such a situation, and Han Mo did not force him on this matter.
"But sir, why is this happening..."
"Do you really want to know?"
Seeing his furrowed brow and wronged expression, Han Mo asked with a smile.
"I..."
Looking at Han Mo's half-smile, Li Bao suddenly froze, and then realized that Han Mo seemed to be keeping something from him.
"But if they really take off their uniforms, how will their wives and children at home eat?"
After a brief moment of hesitation, Li Bao finally relented.
"They will not lack food or clothing. They will leave here and someone will take them to a new place. Perhaps you will have a chance to meet again. Don't worry, do you think I would treat them unfairly?"
Han Mo smiled, but did not say more.
"But this, asking me to tell them now, I..."
When Li Bao selected these men, he had patted his chest and promised them that he would lead them to a better life. After such a short time, he was now being asked to publicly announce their disbandment, and Li Bao truly felt unable to say the words.
"Don't worry, it won't take long. They will come to find you themselves. The reason I'm telling you this is because I'm afraid you'll feel bad."
"I..."
After listening to Han Mo's words, Li Bao's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
If the person standing in front of him wasn't Han Mo, he would have started cursing by now.
"Alright, let's leave this matter as it is for now. In another three to five days, the first refitted warship should arrive in Quanzhou!"
Patting Li Bao's shoulder, Han Mo slowly walked out of the tent.
"General, that..."
As soon as Han Mo left, a captain promoted by Li Bao walked in, hesitant to speak.
"Speak quickly if you have something to say, spit it out if you have to. What are you being so hesitant for?"
Seeing his hesitant demeanor, Li Bao felt an uncontrollable surge of anger.
"General, I, I am indeed here on behalf of my brothers today. My brothers have asked me to ask you if they can be disbanded along with the old soldiers..."
"What are you saying? Niu Sibao, you better think carefully. How hard did you work to become a captain!"
As soon as Niu Sibao finished speaking, Li Bao's eyes widened.
Although he was only a captain without a rank, he was still a military officer, wasn't he?
For an ordinary soldier to reach this level, it took a life-threatening effort!
"General, the key is that for a common soldier like me, even if I try my best, even if I die on the battlefield in the end, I'm only worth a little more than a donkey..."
As Niu Sibao said this, a bitter smile also appeared on his lips.