“If there wasn’t some trouble brewed, how would we brothers meet again so soon?”
After Han Jiayan left, Han Mo became much more casual when he spoke.
“Hahahaha, though what you say isn’t wrong, it’s really not worth causing such a commotion just for our brothers to meet.”
At this, Zhang Shaoyou could only offer a smile.
“Jokes aside, but I truly have to thank my brother for today’s matters. If it weren’t for you, I’m afraid I would have suffered quite a bit!”
As Han Mo said this, he cupped his fists and bowed to Zhang Shaoyou again.
“Don’t flatter me like that. I’m just a small judicial supervisor, a trivial official. In this Bianliang city, if you stand on the city walls and casually throw a brick, it would probably hit two sixth-rank officials!”
Hearing Han Mo’s words, Zhang Shaoyou immediately shook his head with a laugh.
“Brother Shaoyou, what’s wrong with being a sixth-rank official? Don’t forget, I’m just a small county magistrate, which means I’m two ranks lower than you.”
Although the two didn’t have much deep acquaintance, strictly speaking, Zhang Shaoyou had indeed helped Han Mo a lot.
Han Mo himself hadn’t expected that the person who came to rescue him today would be Zhang Shaoyou.
“I was just saying! I didn’t mean anything by it. Besides, are we the same? Your elder brother has struggled for half his life and only managed to become this small judicial supervisor, while you, how long have you been in officialdom?”
As Zhang Shaoyou said this, a bitter smile flickered across his face.
Of course, there was one unspoken thought in his mind.
He had spent so long in Bianliang, and he indeed knew many high-ranking officials and nobles. However, at crucial moments, there wasn’t a single person who would speak for him.
But Han Mo was different. Liang Shicheng was willing to disregard the common consensus and offend Cai You just to bring Han Mo’s case directly before the Emperor.
Just based on this, Zhang Shaoyou felt he could never catch up.
“Why must my brother be so modest? Regardless, if you hadn’t arrived in time today, I’m afraid I would have had to take a trip to the Ministry of Justice’s prison!”
“Alright, alright, we’re like brothers. Why say this? If you keep talking like this, I, as the elder brother, will be utterly ashamed!”
Many things are best left unsaid. Having navigated the officialdom for so many years, Zhang Shaoyou naturally understood this principle.
Since Han Mo had the capability to mobilize Liang Shicheng, he would naturally also be able to figure out what role Zhang Shaoyou played in this matter.
He had already expressed his gratitude. If he were to harp on his own contributions now, it would be too hypocritical.
“How many years has brother been serving as the judicial supervisor in Kaifeng Prefecture?”
Since Zhang Shaoyou had said that, Han Mo saw no reason to continue and changed the subject with a smile.
“It’s rather embarrassing to say, but your brother has been in this position for over 5 years. However, previously I offended a certain noble, so during the Ministry of Personnel’s evaluation…”
At this point, Zhang Shaoyou didn’t continue. However, Han Mo immediately understood what had happened.
“Then, if an opportunity for a meteoric rise were placed before you, I wonder if my brother would dare to seize it?”
As the carriage neared the post station, Han Mo suddenly asked with a smile.
“An opportunity for a meteoric rise? Brother, don’t joke with me!”
Seeing the faint smile on Han Mo’s face, Zhang Shaoyou couldn’t help but straighten up.
“How could I joke with elder brother? I’m speaking the truth. However, this opportunity might offend some people. I just don’t know if my brother has the courage?”
“Could it bring disaster upon my descendants?”
After careful consideration, Zhang Shaoyou asked again.
“At most, it would just be an assignment to a distant post. As for bringing disaster upon descendants, my brother worries too much!”
Since this case was personally ordered by the Emperor for the Kaifeng Prefecture to investigate, it meant that the Emperor had already taken notice of his affairs.
Han Mo had just returned from Hebei and was thoroughly familiar with the situation there.
Counting the days, the Manichaean uprising should be starting soon.
There wasn’t much time left for the court to mobilize its armies, but at this moment, the court’s military funds were severely lacking.
Han Mo was almost certain that it wouldn’t be long before the Emperor personally sought him out.
To find some work for Tang Ke, who was about to take office as the Minister of Revenue, Han Mo truly needed a capable assistant who was familiar with Bianliang’s affairs.
After much thought, Zhang Shaoyou seemed to be the most suitable candidate at this moment.
This was indeed a thankless task, but it was also an opportunity to gain favor with the Emperor.
If the matter were handled well, it would be a golden opportunity for Zhang Shaoyou to soar to the heavens.
Bai Shizhong, the Minister of Personnel, was about to be finished.
Even if the Emperor favored Cai You the most, it would at most be to find someone to take over as a Vice-Minister of Personnel.
As for the remaining positions of Minister of Personnel and another Vice-Minister of Personnel, it was unknown whether they would fall into the hands of the Crown Prince or Li Bangyan.
However, it was certain that regardless of who ultimately held these positions, the Ministry of Personnel would usher in a period of chaos.
As long as Zhang Shaoyou helped Han Mo complete this task and gained the Emperor’s attention, and Han Mo discreetly operated behind the scenes, other things aside, seizing this opportunity to obtain a position as a director in the Ministry of Personnel wouldn’t be a problem!
Han Mo, having transmigrated from the future, understood the importance of teamwork far better than the people of this era.
He had too few people he could rely on. Zhang Shaoyou treated him well normally, and this person possessed a certain rogue-like spirit.
If he could truly win him over, for Han Mo, it would indeed be a significant boost.
“Since that’s the case, what is there to fear? At worst, I’ll have to endure a few more years in a distant post. Just give me your orders, brother. If I so much as frown, then my name isn’t Zhang Shaoyou!”
Hearing Han Mo’s words, Zhang Shaoyou immediately patted his chest and gave his assurance.
“Hahahaha, if that’s the case, then I’ll consider brother as part of this. If we fail, brother, don’t blame me!”
“Saying such things between brothers is being too formal. Just give me your orders for anything you need!”
“Then brother, go back and prepare yourself. Sooner than three days, or at the latest half a month, what little brother has spoken of will surely bear fruit!”