"His Highness Prince Xin is over there!"
Xu Fengnian said, pointing towards a spot not far away.
"Let's go take a look!"
Han Mo took a deep breath and looked in the direction Xu Fengnian was pointing.
"Stop!"
Before they could get closer, they were stopped by several guards.
"I am Han Mo. I am acquainted with His Highness. Hearing that His Highness is here, I have come specifically to pay my respects!"
As Han Mo spoke, he produced the token that Prince Xin had given him.
"Please wait here. We will go and inform him!"
Upon seeing the token, the guard's expression immediately became much more respectful.
"Brother Han, why are you here?"
A moment later, Zhao Zhen, dressed in casual short clothes, walked over with a smile.
"I heard His Highness was here and came specifically to see you!"
Seeing the sweat on Zhao Zhen's face, Han Mo's mood seemed to finally improve a little.
"I heard about the situation here a few days ago and planned to speak to His Majesty about it. Unfortunately, I sent out invitations several times these past few days, but His Majesty has been too busy to see me! I can only manage it myself for now."
As Zhao Zhen spoke, a hint of self-mockery appeared on his face.
"With so many people, Your Highness must be prepared for significant expenses!"
Han Mo surveyed the surroundings, his expression softening slightly.
"Money and possessions are external things. While I am not as wealthy as some of my brothers, I do have some modest means from these years!"
Zhao Zhen chuckled heartily and said directly.
"Your Highness, we don't have much grain left. We've brought all the reserves from the manor!"
Just then, a servant hurried over.
"Then have someone go buy more!"
Zhao Zhen said casually.
"But, but..."
The servant was stammering. Han Mo immediately understood.
It seemed they were running short of funds and supplies!
"But what? Why are you stammering?"
Zhao Zhen said impatiently.
"Your Highness, the price of rice in Bianliang City has reached nine hundred wen per dou. The little copper coins we have in the manor will likely only last for three to five days..."
Nine hundred wen per dou. Looking at the bustling crowd, Han Mo let out a bitter smile.
"Go buy some first, and we'll worry about the rest after today! I'll find a way to handle the money later!"
A hint of embarrassment appeared on Zhao Zhen's face. If it weren't for his incredibly convincing acting, Han Mo suspected what the servant had said was true.
"Yes!"
The servant acknowledged and turned to leave.
"I'm afraid I've made a fool of myself in front of you, Brother Han."
Zhao Zhen awkwardly cupped his hands towards Han Mo.
"Aren't you afraid that His Lordship Cai will be displeased by your actions?"
Han Mo smiled and said.
"What does his mood have to do with me? I am, after all, a prince of the Great Song. I don't need to rely on his face to eat!"
As Zhao Zhen spoke, his composed demeanor finally brought Han Mo much relief.
Thankfully, being thrown into this situation by heaven seemed to have given him a way out!
"Your Highness, speak with caution!"
Seeing Zhao Zhen about to speak carelessly again, a middle-aged man standing beside him said with a wry smile.
"And who is this gentleman?"
Han Mo gave the man a deep look and then asked with a smile.
"This is my attendant, Zong Ying, Scholar Zong!"
Zhao Zhen quickly made the introduction.
"Student Han Mo greets Scholar Zong! May I ask if Scholar Zong is related to Scholar Rulin?"
The surname was rather uncommon. In the official circles of the Great Song, there was indeed a renowned figure with that surname, so Han Mo asked somewhat curiously.
"That is indeed my father!"
Upon saying this, Zong Ying's expression darkened slightly.
Han Mo truly hadn't expected to meet a celebrity.
"So, Scholar Zong is the son of Scholar Rulin. Han Mo has been disrespectful!"
"You are too kind, young sir. Although you are young, your literary talent truly makes me ashamed. How dare I call myself a scholar in front of you!"
"I am merely a few years older than you, young sir. If you don't mind, shall we address each other as equals? You can call me Brother Shou Zheng!"
Although Han Mo was young, due to his two widely acclaimed works, even Zong Ying held him in high regard now.
"Then this young man will be presumptuous! Brother Shou Zheng, please accept this bow from your junior brother!"
Han Mo had not yet reached his capping ceremony, so he still lacked a courtesy name. Now, in front of these literati, he could only go along with it.
"This is not a place to talk. I think we should find somewhere else."
After all, there were many people watching, and the queues were long. With people bumping into each other, it was inevitable that there would be a few curses and the cries of children.
It was indeed not a place for conversation. Han Mo did not refuse and followed Zhao Zhen towards the back.
"Your Highness was chopping wood here earlier?"
As they reached the shed in the back, Han Mo immediately spotted an axe wrapped in yellow cloth.
"I was idle and had nothing to do. Practicing martial arts or chopping wood requires strength, so why not do something for these disaster victims!"
Zhao Zhen said with a hearty laugh.
"His Highness Prince Xin is accustomed to a more relaxed lifestyle. Please do not mind, Brother Han."
Zong Ying quickly tried to smooth things over.
"Your Highness is right. Han Mo also has a lot of strength with nowhere to put it. Why don't I join His Highness?"
Han Mo smiled, picked up an axe from the side, and began chopping wood as if it were natural.
"Then let's see who can chop faster!"
Zhao Zhen also smiled genially and picked up an axe, then began to chop wood.
"This..."
Zong Ying's mouth twitched. As Zhao Zhen's attendant, his future prospects were tied to him.
Although he knew Zhao Zhen had no claim to the throne, he still held onto a sliver of hope.
Zong Ying, as an attendant, was naturally aware that Han Mo had been bestowed a Ruyi scepter by the Emperor.
At this moment, Han Mo's sudden visit was an opportunity. He had originally intended for Zhao Zhen to win him over, or at least forge a friendship with Han Mo.
But he hadn't expected Zhao Zhen to start chopping wood with Han Mo...
Good heavens!
Zong Ying felt a thousand "mud horses" stampeding through his mind. Such a golden opportunity was right before them!
Everyone knew that Prince Yun was trying to recruit him, and the Crown Prince was also making every effort to recruit him from the Imperial Academy.
And today, with such good luck, he had come to their doorstep, and instead of speaking with him properly and trying to win him over, you were going to chop wood with him?
If Han Mo wasn't here, he would have wanted to smash his head against something!
"Hahahaha, Your Highness, you're three pieces behind!"
Han Mo said, laughing heartily.
"Brother Han, don't rush, watch me!"
Zhao Zhen said, picking up his axe and executing several spins. Three pieces of wood split apart with a thud.
Watching the two of them compete like children, Zong Ying suddenly felt his head ache, and it seemed the two words "idiot" had been carved onto his forehead.