"Enough. No need to say more. How about this: according to the court's regulations, my meals and all expenses should be covered by the court. The expenses for my entourage will all be deducted from this."
Han Mo spoke as he reached into his sleeve and pulled out three gold leaves.
These were personally given to him by Zhe Yourong before he left, intended for his expenses on the road.
Each gold leaf was worth exactly one tael of gold.
Converted into copper coins at the current gold-to-copper exchange rate, it would be around 13 to 15 guan.
Three gold leaves amounted to nearly 50 guan. For a regular seventh-rank official, this was almost two or three months' salary.
However, Han Mo was now quite affluent, and he didn't hesitate to spend it.
"This, how can we possibly impose on you to spend money like this?"
The post station official was a supernumerary official without any rank. At this moment, how could he dare to offend Han Mo?
Even though Han Mo had already placed the money before him, he still did not dare to accept it.
"If you don't accept it, then I'll have to take them to stay at an inn outside!"
Tired from the journey, Han Mo had no patience to bicker with him here.
He glared and threw the gold leaves directly in front of him.
"No, no, no, then I'll accept it, alright?"
Seeing that Han Mo seemed truly angered, the post station official dared not say anything more. He quickly reached out, picked up the gold leaves from the ground, and kept smiling obsequiously at Han Mo.
"That's more like it. Bring us some good wine and food first. We've been eating dry rations all the way, and now my hiccups taste like dry rations!"
Seeing him accept the money, Han Mo then called out to Jiang Yan and the others to unload his luggage from the horses.
"You rest first. I'll have them prepare wine and food for you immediately!"
"Young master, why did you have to give this scoundrel money? With these people, even if you give them the money, it'll likely end up in their own pockets!"
"Alright, but these are just small sums. What do these things count for? Whether we give it or not is not for us to manage! After you've sorted the things, you should also hurry up and get some rest, and then go out and inquire if there is a general named Wang Bing among the rebel-suppressing army mobilized by the court."
"Wang Bing? The commander of the Shengjie Army?"
"You know him?"
Hearing Jiang Yan say that, Han Mo's eyes widened. Could there really be such a coincidence in this world?
"I don't know him personally, but I've heard of him. It is said that he is very brave, with the might to defy ten thousand men. However, he should be in Hebei at this time..."
Jiang Yan scratched his head and asked somewhat doubtfully.
Hearing him say that, Han Mo finally reacted. It seemed to be the case.
Wang Bing was originally a subordinate of Tong Guan, so it was normal for him to be in Hebei with Tong Guan. Could Han Shizhong, as his subordinate general, really return to Jingkou at this time?
This made Han Mo a little troubled. The situation seemed to have suddenly become complicated.
Under his schemes, Zhong Shidao and Zhao Zhen became the biggest beneficiaries of suppressing Fang La.
Since Tong Guan had not yet moved south, how could his subordinates possibly move south?
But if Han Shizhong did not come here, would he then miss Liang Hongyu?
Was Han Shizhong still Han Shizhong without Liang Hongyu?
Without the merit of capturing Fang La alive, how long would Han Shizhong have to temper himself in the army again?
Thinking of this, Han Mo's headache grew worse. Everything was like a domino effect.
Just because of the flutter of wings from this extra butterfly, it seemed that everything had begun to deviate from the original history.
"Forget it, you go out and inquire first. Who can be sure about such things?"
Tong Guan was still holding back his troops. Who knew if he would dispatch his confidants to the south to grab a piece of the cake in this feast?
"Yes!"
Seeing Han Mo's troubled expression, Jiang Yan didn't know if he had said something wrong, but since Han Mo had said so, he could only agree and then left directly.
Returning to his room, Han Mo's anger grew with every thought. He had calculated everything, but how could he have forgotten this?
This was Han Shizhong's opportunity to make a name for himself. If he deprived him of it like this, wouldn't he be ruining a famous general?
"Is Lord Han here?"
After eating a disheartening lunch, just as Han Mo was about to take a nap, a strange voice suddenly came from outside the door.
"What business do you have with Han?"
Although Han Mo was quite well-known, he couldn't remember having any acquaintances in the vicinity of Jingkou. After opening the door, seeing the person dressed in a blue shirt and a small cap, Han Mo was truly puzzled.
"Lord Han, my lord is the county magistrate of Jingkou, Fang Jing. He admires your talent. Hearing that you are passing through here, he wishes to meet you. My lord is hosting a banquet at his residence tonight. May I know if Lord Han can grace us with your presence?"
Hearing Han Mo's words, the person quickly stepped forward, bowed to Han Mo with his hands clasped, and then handed over a visiting card with both hands.
"Fang Jing?"
Hearing the unfamiliar name, Han Mo originally wanted to refuse, but soon he reacted again.
Even if he couldn't find Han Shizhong, finding Liang Hongyu would be a good option.
After all, this Fang Jing was a local, and if it came to inquiring about people, he should be more convenient than himself.
As for whether this person surnamed Fang seeking him out had any other intentions, such things were quite normal. At this time, Han Mo was carrying out duties for the Pacification Commissioner's office. If this person came to find Han Mo now, at most, he would just want Han Mo to help him find a better position.
If he could really help Han Mo find the person he wanted to find, helping him write a letter of recommendation didn't seem like anything extraordinary.
"Your lord is thoughtful. In that case, Han will intrude tonight!"
After thinking this through, Han Mo readily agreed.
"Lord Han is too polite. If that's the case, then I shall return to inform my lord!"
Even the person himself did not expect that Han Mo would agree to such a presumptuous invitation. At that moment, even he was somewhat overjoyed.
Having completed such a task, the reward money from his lord would be enough for him to live lavishly for a long time...