"What do you think about granting him the position of Commissioner of Maritime Trade at this juncture?"
After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Ji suddenly spoke.
"This child has just entered officialdom, isn't it a bit too soon? How about we wait for the Ministry of Personnel's appraisal?"
Liang Shicheng's eyes flickered, and he quickly replied with a smile.
Liang Shicheng had also read Han Mo's essay.
Although he didn't know how this kid's mind worked, based on his essay, all his plans were centered around establishing the Hangzhou Maritime Trade Office.
The entire southeast was in disarray. First, Zhu Mian and his son caused widespread banditry due to the Gongshi program.
Then, coupled with the Manichaean rebellion, and now Fang La has emerged. Although Muzhou and Hangzhou are still some distance apart,
Who could guarantee that Hangzhou would remain peaceful?
At this time, if Han Mo were to be sent there, and something were to happen to him, wouldn't it be a great pity?
Therefore, without a second thought, he directly refused on Han Mo's behalf.
"That's true. Although I need him at this moment, we shouldn't force growth!"
Upon hearing Liang Shicheng's words, Zhao Ji smiled wryly.
The emperor's financial situation was truly tight lately.
The construction of Genyue was in its final stages, and the war of annihilation against the Liao Dynasty was imminent. Although the collection of summer taxes was almost complete,
Nature was not cooperating. Forty-four prefectures and counties across the Great Song were suffering from drought, floods, or locust plagues. The entire southeastern region's tax revenue had sharply declined due to the actions of Zhu Mian and his son.
Apart from the funds for disaster relief, the actual usable funds did not exceed eighteen million strings of cash.
While this seemed like a vast sum, the problems of redundancy in expenses, officials, and troops were like three gluttonous beasts.
Even with the Ministry of Revenue squeezing the budget as much as possible, at least fifteen million strings of cash would have to be fed to them.
The remaining three million strings were to cover the court's daily expenses and any unforeseen incidents.
The expenses for Genyue and the military funds for the Liao campaign were directly deferred by the bureaucrats of the Ministry of Personnel until after the autumn tax collection.
From Emperor Huizong's perspective, the military expenses were manageable, as solutions would always be found when the time came. However, the matter of Genyue was something he found difficult to accept.
He could not bear to see the royal garden he had designed turn into an unfinished project.
If the construction were truly halted, how would the people view him, the Emperor of the Great Song?
Under such immense pressure, it was not surprising that His Majesty Emperor Huizong had turned his attention to Han Mo.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Finally managing to get past the issue, Liang Shicheng breathed a sigh of relief.
"Then let it be so. Grant him a golden plaque, and allow his memorials to be delivered directly to the imperial court!"
After pondering for a moment, Zhao Ji spoke again.
"This is better!"
This time, Liang Shicheng was finally satisfied.
Although this reward seemed unremarkable, to those with discerning eyes, this favor was not something ordinary individuals could receive.
It should be known that, generally, such imperial favor was only bestowed upon provincial inspectors or pacification commissioners on missions.
For ordinary officials serving outside the capital, submitting a memorial to the emperor required going through the Tongzhengsi channel.
Not only was the efficiency low, but almost all memorials had to be reviewed by the Three Departments.
After a rigorous review process, it might finally be placed before the emperor.
However, by the time this process was completed, it would have taken at least ten days.
Moreover, after the emperor reviewed it, the amended opinions still needed to be conveyed through the Three Departments.
After the Three Departments had finished, it would be distributed through the court's courier system. If there was any urgent matter, it would truly be too late.
But with this golden plaque, the situation would be entirely different.
If Han Mo had anything to memorialize, he could send it directly to the imperial court via the express courier system.
For example, the time it took to submit a memorial from Neihuang County to the imperial palace was at least half a month.
But now, with the entire process completed, he could receive the emperor's reply in as little as three days.
And most crucially, such memorials did not need to go through the Three Departments.
Of course, the greatest significance of this was its deterrent effect.
This was no longer merely being favored by the emperor; Zhao Ji was openly telling everyone that this young man was under his protection!
It should be known that before this, only Zhong Shidao had received such imperial favor.
"Since that is the case, you shall handle this matter. Also, send a trustworthy person to investigate the situation on the ground and see what the local people are saying!"
"His Majesty's favoritism towards this child is so pronounced that I fear some of the chancellors will gossip."
Liang Shicheng teased with a smile.
"Them? If they possessed the ability of this young man, I would show them the same favoritism!"
When it came to the chancellors, Zhao Ji's anger flared up instantly.
Li Bangyan had just taken office, and strictly speaking, he shouldn't be criticized.
However, immediately after he ascended to the position of chancellor, his family caused trouble.
If he were to serve as chancellor for ten or eight years, his sons would undoubtedly be claiming land within the imperial palace!
As for Wang Fu and Bai Shizhong, they were even worse.
These two were masters of infighting but were utterly incompetent when it came to managing finances!
Bai Shizhong had just taken office, so nothing more could be said. But Wang Fu, that fellow, spent his days scheming for power and profit, contributing nothing to the court's major affairs.
When Cai Jing was in power, although his own reputation was not good, and the country was filled with popular discontent due to his actions, Cai Jing, no matter what, had never left the emperor so financially strained!
Liang Shicheng could only offer a smile in response to the emperor's complaints and say no more.
Tong Guan's ambition had not been severed along with his prized possession. Even though he was now a eunuch, he still harbored dreams of becoming a feudal king.
But he was different. He only wanted to make a safe landing and enjoy his later life. As for the court's disputes, if someone could provide him with adequate protection, he would gladly step aside at this very moment!