We don't need to concern ourselves with the matters in Nei Huang County. Erase all traces of our involvement, and others will handle the rest!
As Tang Ke spoke, he handed the letter in his hand to Li Yan.
Li Yan received the letter with some confusion, and after reading it, he finally understood.
So it's Cai You who has his eye on that kid!
They're all scoundrels anyway, let them fight amongst themselves like dogs!
As he spoke, even Tang Ke himself had to admit that Han Mo was indeed a talented individual.
However, it was a pity that such a talent could not be used by him.
After all, he knew very well that the Crown Prince's court was filled with upright old ministers like himself, and there wasn't a single person like Han Mo who was skilled in both civil and military affairs.
Originally, he had wanted to eliminate Han Mo at all costs, but he hadn't expected the kid to be so lucky. Even with all the tricks he had employed, the young man had still managed to turn danger into safety.
Fan Zhixu, the Minister of Justice, has personally taken action. It seems this kid is beyond saving this time! Judging by the date reported in the letter, we might even enter the capital together!
You're not wrong about that. Alright, then you find someone to inquire about when he will be escorted to the capital!
Thinking of Han Mo's cunning and treachery, Tang Ke's heart stirred.
People often do extraordinary things at special moments, such as when they are in trouble.
This time, Cai You was determined to deal with him, directly sending officials from the Ministry of Justice to Hebei to arrest him.
If they could seize this opportunity to make the young man change his mind, it would be a great boon to both him and the Crown Prince.
Yes, sir!
After Li Yan acknowledged the order, he excitedly walked out.
Meanwhile, within the imperial palace, Zhao Ji was also looking at a memorial with a grim expression.
Your Majesty, has something happened?
Seeing the Emperor's somber expression, Liang Shicheng asked cautiously.
They are going too far! Do these damned Khitans take me for a fool!
As Zhao Ji spoke, he slammed his hand heavily on the table and threw the memorial to Liang Shicheng.
After a rough glance at the thick memorial, Liang Shicheng couldn't help but gasp.
He had come today to help Han Mo, hoping to get the Emperor to issue a special decree to personally review Han Mo's case. However, he hadn't expected that Han Mo would have such a trump card.
It's fortunate that this kid made a decisive move, killed all those people, and sent these documents to Your Majesty. Otherwise, even if Prime Minister Li had a hundred mouths, he wouldn't be able to explain himself at this moment.
As Liang Shicheng spoke, he carefully chose his words.
No, we can't wait any longer! If what this kid said is true, then the southeast region is in imminent danger right now!
Zhao Ji paced back and forth in the hall as he spoke.
After pacing a few times, he suddenly stopped and looked seriously at Liang Shicheng.
Your Majesty is right, but right now...
As Liang Shicheng spoke, he also appeared troubled.
The bulk of the military expenses for dispatching troops to suppress the Khitans were extorted from the corrupt officials in Hebei by Xu Churen. Although Xu Churen had handled this matter meticulously, there were still many people in the Censorate who were impeaching Xu Churen.
If it weren't for Li Bangyan, acting on the Emperor's instructions, holding onto these memorials without issuing them, then quite a few investigation teams would have already been dispatched to look into Xu Churen.
The army in Hebei cannot be moved. To quell the rebellion, separate troops need to be deployed.
However, the moment troops are moved, high military expenses follow.
Where can such a large sum of military expenses be found at this time?
Liang Shicheng had served the Emperor for many years, and it was impossible for them to lack tacit understanding. Before Liang Shicheng could finish his sentence, the Emperor understood what he meant.
Money, money, money!
As he spoke of this, even Zhao Ji became agitated.
Seeing the Emperor's distress, Liang Shicheng meekly shrunk his neck.
However, after a moment, Liang Shicheng once again made up his mind.
My humble servant still has some money and provisions at home. Although it's not much, it should be enough to gather four to five hundred thousand guan. After my humble servant returns, I will also sell some of the land I own, and that should be enough to gather four to five hundred thousand guan.
Liang Shicheng's words greatly moved Zhao Ji.
How can the nation's warfare be funded by your money and provisions? Don't say such things again!
Although Zhao Ji was moved, he also understood that if this were truly done, what would become of his imperial authority?
Your Majesty! All of my wealth was bestowed upon me by Your Majesty. Without Your Majesty, my humble servant would likely have long been a dried skeleton in the grave. Even without these possessions, my humble servant would still have enough to eat and wear. Moreover, with the nation in peril, how can my humble servant stand idly by!
As Liang Shicheng spoke, he knelt directly before Zhao Ji.
Although the one million guan was merely a drop in the bucket for him, at this moment, it truly made Zhao Ji's heart filled with mixed emotions.
Shou Dao...
As Zhao Ji spoke, he reached out and patted Liang Shicheng's shoulder, his eyes already glistening with tears.
Your Majesty!
At this moment, Liang Shicheng could not tell whether he was acting or truly moved by genuine emotion.
Of all the officials in the court, you are the only one who can truly share my burdens.
With a long sigh, Zhao Ji said with emotion.
Even with this million guan, if a major war breaks out, it might not last long.
Despite his感动, Zhao Ji understood that once the battle began, money would cease to be just money!
Given the current prices, this mere million guan would likely be spent in at most two months.
Although he was a foolish emperor, the Great Song Dynasty had been engaged in continuous warfare with the Khitans and the Western Xia.
In the first year of Xuande, which was last year, the military expenses for the Shaanxi route alone reached fifteen million guan, an average monthly expenditure of at least one million guan.
Now, with troops being deployed from other regions and the need to be vigilant about the Western Xia intervening, if this war were to truly break out, even with the utmost frugality, this million guan would not be enough to sustain a rebellion suppression.
Your Majesty, others may not have a solution, but that kid might have some ideas!
Seeing that the Emperor was already moved, Liang Shicheng decided to strike while the iron was hot.
Where is that kid now?
Reminded by Liang Shicheng, the Emperor suddenly recalled. Ever since that kid went to Nei Huang County, hadn't he been creating miracles?
This matter was a dead end for others, but for him, there might be another way.
Lord Fan of the Ministry of Justice has already sent people to escort him to the capital. Counting the time, it should be within these two or three days.
Escorted to the capital? What crime did he commit?
Upon hearing Liang Shicheng's words, Zhao Ji was stunned.
Those spies...
Liang Shicheng coughed and then supported the memorial he was holding.
Issue an imperial decree, promoting Nie Shan, the Vice Prefect of Kaifeng Prefecture, to be solely in charge of Han Mo's case!
After looking at the memorial in Liang Shicheng's hand, Zhao Ji immediately understood what was happening.