After listening to Han Mo's words, Zong Ying finally let out a long sigh of turbid air, and only now did he wake up from the shock.
"I'm just a little curious, how did you know this recipe?"
Being asked this, Han Mo felt a bit embarrassed. It was indeed a bit difficult to respond.
"Of course I read it in ancient books. Do you think I was born with this knowledge?"
Fortunately, he quickly found a seemingly reasonable excuse. After all, in this era, the custom of collecting books was prevalent. Even though printing technology had developed remarkably, there were still countless fragmented texts hidden away in the libraries of wealthy families.
After hearing Han Mo's answer, Zong Ying was clearly not entirely satisfied. He stared at Han Mo for a full quarter of an hour, making Han Mo feel a little uneasy. Then, he sighed.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Actually, there are many times when I truly believe you were born with this knowledge..."
"Only sages are born with knowledge. I'm at best a rogue!"
Clearing his throat awkwardly, Han Mo leaned back against the soft cushions of the carriage.
"I don't have suitable personnel on hand, so you'll probably have to manage the production process. Other matters can be discussed, but at least until this war is over, this method absolutely cannot be known by anyone else!"
To cover his embarrassment, Han Mo quickly changed the subject.
"Don't worry, I understand! But you still need to solve the manpower problem!"
"Yes, I will select reliable personnel for you and find a suitable location. However, this workshop cannot be under the official name. Let's set it up as a trading company under your name!"
"Trading company?"
Hearing Han Mo say this, Zong Ying suddenly felt a little sheepish.
"That's right. We'll each hold fifty percent of this trading company. After the war, we can also produce this for the enjoyment of the wealthy. But before the war is over, not a single grain of white sugar is allowed to leak out!"
"If you put it that way, why do I feel like I'm taking advantage of you again?"
"We are brothers, what's there to be advantageous or not?"
Patting Zong Ying on the shoulder, Han Mo suddenly lost the inclination to continue talking.
According to the pace of history, at this time, that Daojun Emperor should be ready to flee in haste.
The surrender faction, who were originally in the history books, had now been completely dismissed by him. A mere Zhang Bangchang should not be able to cause too much trouble...
The only detestable thing was that this fellow Tong Guan was too resilient. He had been in dire straits but had miraculously survived twice.
Even in this last instance, his desertion in the face of the enemy led to the entire Hebei region falling into a bitter struggle. Yet, he could still live smoothly. This adaptability far exceeded Han Mo's expectations.
As expected, eunuchs from ancient times produced talented individuals!
"What are your plans for the next steps?"
After a long period of silence, Zong Ying spoke again.
"Mr. Shao and Li Bao should be back in a few days. I plan to discuss it with them after they return. However, before that, we must make preparations in advance. If His Majesty orders the entire empire to raise an army to protect the king, we must also have a force that can be deployed!"
Han Mo did not hide much from Zong Ying. Although in the eyes of others, Zong Ying was still Zhao Zhen's confidant.
However, only a few informed individuals, including Han Mo, understood that Zong Ying was no longer the same Zong Ying. At this moment, he might lean towards Han Mo far more than Zhao Zhen.
"I've heard some rumors these past couple of days, saying His Majesty plans to abdicate to the Crown Prince. What are your thoughts on this matter?"
"If you ask me, it's strange if he *doesn't* abdicate! The title of a deposed monarch doesn't sound very good!"
Listening to the clatter of the carriage wheels on the bluestone slabs, Han Mo's tone was filled with endless mockery.
A dignified ruler of a nation, when invaded by an enemy, instead of thinking about how to protect his own territory, hands over the mess to his son and then runs away.
What's the point of having such an emperor?
"It would be great if you were in Bianliang City at this time..."
After Han Mo finished speaking, a long while passed before Zong Ying suddenly let out a sigh.
"I don't like hearing you say that. What's so good about that place? If His Majesty were to do something rash, the entire court nobility might be captured!"
"Can you stop joking? How could that possibly happen?"
As soon as Han Mo finished speaking, Zong Ying rolled his eyes. However, Han Mo did not offer any further explanation. After all, to anyone else, Bianliang City was an impregnable fortress.
The scholar-officials of the Great Song Dynasty were all self-important. How could they possibly admit that their grand celestial empire could not even protect its own capital?
"Alright, let's stop talking about this. But tomorrow morning, I should also meet the Transfer Commissioners of Liangzhe Circuit and Fujian Circuit!"
"What do you want to do?"
Hearing him say this, Zong Ying's body trembled.
"What else can I do? Doesn't training troops require grain and fodder? At this time, the Jurchens have already started heading south. I don't think this year's canal grain needs to be transported to Bianliang! We can discuss anything after this war is over!"
"But will they listen to you? Without an imperial decree, doing this could cost you your head!"
After hearing Han Mo's plan, Zong Ying was truly startled. The court was in dire need of money and supplies at this time.
Although the six southern circuits were also facing difficulties, under such circumstances, arbitrarily intercepting canal grain and being held accountable later could lead to serious consequences!
"What are you afraid of? I'm not saying they shouldn't transport it. It's just that at this critical time when Hebei and Hedong are in peril, if the Jurchens don't attack the cities and instead advance directly to the gates of Bianliang, sending grain into the city at that moment could be intercepted and handed over to the Jurchens as provisions?"
"I..."
"Enough, don't worry. With the tens of millions of strings of cash that the Maritime Trade Office contributes annually, do you think this kind of matter is a problem for me?"
Looking at his relaxed expression, Zong Ying suddenly realized that the saying "money makes the world go round" applied even in officialdom.
Even the emperor himself seemed powerless in the face of this truth.