"The copper coins have been brought, they are on the carriage outside!"
"That's not urgent. How is your preparation for the fungal strains coming along?"
For large-scale cultivation, seeds are naturally the top priority.
"Rest assured, my lord, the fungal strains have long been prepared. I can dispatch dedicated personnel to each village and town to teach them hands-on!"
In the past, Feng Yuanbao's business dealings were solely driven by profit.
However, after this great change, he was like a reborn man, and his business now felt more like doing good deeds.
Especially with ventures like this, which allowed him to do good and make money simultaneously, he was exceptionally attentive.
After all, people always need to eat, and any business that involved honest dealings was always a big business.
The small Neihuang County was merely a beginning. If he could truly master this business and expand it to other neighboring counties, it would indeed bring in a colossal income.
Moreover, as Han Mo had previously stated, once this benefit chain was formed, he would truly become a savior to many common people.
At that point, anyone who dared to move against him would have to consider whether the common people of the land would agree.
No one could guarantee they could always grasp the intentions of the nobility, but the minds of the common people were much simpler.
"In that case, I will have notices posted today. When distributing the copper coins, have your people supervise alongside the village heads! If anyone dares to touch a single fraction of this money, deal with them severely and with the utmost strictness!"
"Thank you, my lord!"
With Han Mo's permission, Feng Yuanbao's face lit up with joy.
"Alright, you go and arrange your personnel first!"
Han Mo smiled and then signaled for him to leave.
"Yes!"
Feng Yuanbao responded and then left in high spirits.
Han Mo did not delay, unrolling another sheet of paper and beginning to write a letter to Liang Shicheng.
The matter of opening the road naturally required Liang Shicheng's assistance, as there were too many troublesome characters along the way, and without his authority, it would be difficult to maintain order.
"My lord, a messenger just reported that Lord Tang, the Provincial Transport Commissioner of Hebei Circuit, is already on his way."
Han Mo's letter was only half-written when Xu Fengnian suddenly said from outside the door.
"You said who?"
Han Mo was taken aback. Although he had anticipated that many people might come to plead or threaten, he had not expected the first significant figure to appear to be such a weighty one.
"Tang Ke, the Provincial Transport Commissioner of Hebei Circuit!"
Xu Fengnian quickly replied again.
After receiving confirmation, Han Mo fell silent once more.
It seemed that this Lord Tang was unusually anxious at this time.
The entire officialdom of Hebei was currently in a period of upheaval.
As the Provincial Transport Commissioner of Hebei Circuit, he was a highly influential figure. Countless officials were likely trying to curry favor and bribe their way to an audience with him daily, yet he himself had rushed directly to Han Mo's location.
"My lord, should we make some preparations?"
Seeing Han Mo remain silent for a long time, Xu Fengnian asked in a low voice.
"Have a few clean rooms prepared. Nothing else is needed. I believe our Lord Tang will not be in the mood for meals."
After a brief moment of shock, Han Mo regained his composure.
Ever since he had reported this matter, he had been prepared for what was to come.
Although he hadn't expected Lord Tang to rush to his doorstep, these cases had already been solidified as ironclad. Even if Li Bangyan himself came, as long as Han Mo didn't yield, he wouldn't be able to overturn the verdict.
"Yes!"
Upon hearing Han Mo's words, Xu Fengnian immediately agreed and turned to leave and make arrangements. Although he felt this approach was highly unconventional, he had one good quality: he generally did not waste Han Mo's time with excessive chatter.
"You are Han Mo?"
Two hours later, at the entrance of Neihuang County's city, a minor official in green attire asked Han Mo with a poker face.
"That is correct, I am this official!"
Although he did not know what role this fellow played beside Tang Ke, Han Mo could roughly guess from his expressionless face that this fellow was acting under Tang Ke's instructions.
"I have long heard that Lord Han is the top scholar of this imperial examination, but I did not expect that Lord Han would be so lacking in manners! Do you not know that my lord is the current Provincial Transport Commissioner of Hebei Circuit?"
Seeing Han Mo's composed demeanor, the minor official's face clearly showed dissatisfaction.
"Your words are rather interesting. I would like to know in what way Han Mo is lacking in manners?"
"Do I need to state that? You are merely a small county magistrate. Knowing my lord was coming, should you not have come out to greet him at the prefecture's border?" the minor official said proudly.
"May I know your esteemed surname and your official position?"
Han Mo did not answer his question but instead retorted with a cold smile.
"Certainly. My name is Li Yan, and I humbly serve as the Judicial Officer of the Provincial Transport Commissioner's Office of Hebei Circuit!"
"So you are Judge Li. Your subordinate wishes to ask, do you have any enmity with Lord Tang?"
Upon hearing Li Yan's introduction, Han Mo let out a cold laugh.
"Nonsense! I warn you, Han, do not speak carelessly here!"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Li Yan immediately became agitated.
"If you have no enmity with Lord Tang, then do you have any enmity with me?"
Han Mo asked again, looking at his flustered expression.
"This should be our first meeting. We have never met, so how can there be any enmity?"
"Since you have no past grudges with me, nor any current enmity, and you have no grievances with Lord Tang, then why are you trying to harm us?"
Han Mo coldly asked again.
"When have I harmed you? Han, clarify your words, or we shall go before Lord Tang to make things clear!"
This accusation was not to be taken lightly, and Li Yan did not wish to be slandered so inexplicably.
"Very well, then I shall make it clear! As the magistrate of Neihuang County, I am responsible for the defense of my territory. Even if the Emperor himself were to visit, I would only need to greet him ten li outside the city. You ask me to go to the prefecture's border to greet Lord Tang. Do you believe Lord Tang's position is even above that of the Emperor?"
"You..."
Han Mo's casually delivered remark left Li Yan speechless.
He had intended to make things difficult for Han Mo, but he had not expected this young man to be so sharp-tongued.