"That disgrace at the Imperial Academy, have Yuan Chang mete out strict discipline. If such a thing happens again, even my reputation will be tarnished!"
The Emperor was, of course, aware of what had transpired at the Imperial Academy. While many had tried to gloss over it, using veiled language to downplay the incident.
However, the intelligence reports from the Imperial City Guard were, as per custom, forwarded directly to the Emperor.
As long as he wished to know, no one could truly conceal details from this Emperor.
"Chancellor Cai is advanced in years. It is only natural for a great man to occasionally have an unvirtuous wife or unfilial son. With his vast household, it is not uncommon for a few unfilial scions to appear. However, given the magnitude of this affair, I presume Chancellor Cai is already addressing it."
Liang Shicheng smiled, subtly lodging a complaint against Cai Jing.
"Speaking of which, is he not seventy-two this year?"
Huizong pondered for a moment and then casually inquired again.
"Seventy-four!"
Liang Shicheng replied with feigned nonchalance.
"At such an age, he still has to worry about his sons and grandsons. It is rather pitiable. In a few days, when the weather warms, accompany me to pay him a visit at his residence!"
Zhao Ji's casual remark immediately delighted Liang Shicheng.
Cai Jing was already over seventy and clung to his position as Grand Minister, refusing to relinquish it. How could Liang Shicheng, eager to promote his adopted son Wang Fu, tolerate this?
Although the Emperor had not directly stated his displeasure, his words had clearly conveyed his dissatisfaction with Cai Jing.
Others might not have grasped the undertones, but Liang Shicheng, as the Emperor's personal eunuch for over a decade, could undoubtedly discern the unspoken meaning behind the Emperor's words.
"Yes!"
Having garnered so much attention today and having settled a score, Han Mo felt lighter with every step he took.
After Zhao Huan departed, the gazes of the scholars in the study hall towards him began to change.
While it was one thing to have scholars slighting each other, when one's stature reached a level that commanded universal admiration, the way people looked at them was entirely different.
Although Han Mo had no prior poetic works, it was only in the past month or two that he had suddenly produced a poem and a lyric.
However, both were undisputed masterpieces. Had it been just one, there might have been room for speculation about ghostwriting.
But after composing this poem today, the scholars were utterly convinced of Han Mo's talent.
Furthermore, there was an incipient trend of regarding him as their leader. While Han Mo was not particularly concerned with this, Xu Fengnian was ecstatic.
He had witnessed his young master conversing privately with His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince.
This was truly an honor that gold could not buy!
"What are you grinning about, you rascal?"
On the carriage ride home, Han Mo casually asked, observing Xu Fengnian's wide, beaming smile.
"Second Brother has truly made a splash today. I reckon from now on, the title of Bianliang's foremost scholar will fall upon Second Brother. And I'll be the follower of Bianliang's foremost scholar!"
Xu Fengnian chuckled foolishly again as he said this.
Hearing this, Han Mo was taken aback. He had not expected this fellow to harbor such thoughts.
"The title of foremost scholar is not something one casually bestows. Don't say such things in the future, lest people laugh their heads off."
Compared to Xu Fengnian's carefree cheerfulness, Han Mo's lightness was tinged with a hint of concern.
"Little Master, rest assured, I know the gravity of the situation!"
Upon returning to his courtyard, Han Mo's gaze fell upon the hundred-plus catties of brown sugar piled in the outer room, and he was reminded.
He still had so much to sell, and this commodity was directly related to his livelihood.
Although this item had now graced the Emperor's table, he still needed a channel to fully open up the market.
He naturally disdained ordinary shops. On one hand, they couldn't afford the price. On the other, even if they were to sell it, they wouldn't move much volume throughout the year.
"Second Brother, look, we've accumulated so much stuff. Why don't you try visiting the residences of a few princes again?"
Upon seeing Han Mo return, the little maid said with a cheeky smile.
"Do you think those princes are fools? We've already given them so much that it's no longer precious."
Han Mo understood that this little money-grubber was urging him to find a way to move the goods quickly.
"Don't worry, I'll go out tomorrow, and I guarantee this will immediately be in short supply."
The items he possessed could only be sold as luxury goods for now, as his production capacity was simply not high enough. Producing a few dozen catties a day was already the limit.
Any more would require scaling up production.
Scaling up meant a greater risk of the formula being leaked. At least for the time being, he had no such intentions.
Therefore, he needed a large number of customers with more money than sense. Despite the current widespread hardship, there were still plenty of affluent patrons in the capital city of Tokyo!
Moreover, the top echelon of these patrons consistently gathered in one place!
"Mo Ge, have you thought of a solution?"
Hearing Han Mo speak, the maid's eyes lit up.
"Of course. Rest assured, you can just sit at home and wait to count the money. But remember this, the bottom line is 30 guan per jin. Don't you dare break this precedent for anyone!"
"Are we really going for thirty guan?"
The little maid still looked at Han Mo with some trepidation, clearly disbelieving that such an outrageous price could be achieved for the commodity.
"30 guan is the base price! No one will buy it now, but after tomorrow, they will!"
Han Mo smiled, then hummed a little tune and headed inside.
As Han Mo entered, Cai Wei immediately sat up straight.
But the moment Han Mo's gaze left her, she stealthily reached behind her back.
"The wound is almost healed; you mustn't scratch it. Some itching is normal. At this stage, you can only wipe it with saltwater. If it's inconvenient for you, you can ask Chun Tao to help you!"
Han Mo, without looking up, was simply selecting something from the scrolls submitted by the Han family banquet.
"Shameless!"
Cai Wei's face immediately flushed crimson. Although she knew Han Mo hadn't seen anything, she still felt her face burning.
"Shameless already? I wonder if you can only say 'shameless' and 'scoundrel.' I am your savior, after all. Aren't you afraid of divine retribution for repaying kindness with such ingratitude?"
Han Mo rolled his eyes at her, then took a few scrolls and walked proudly towards the study.