"Enough, let's not flatter each other here. Forget it, let's not talk about this!"
Zhong Shidao said, sighing deeply.
There were always things one couldn't control in officialdom. Even though he held a high position and significant power now, he couldn't escape this reality.
The crimes of the Zhu family were heinous. If Han Mo hadn't devised a plan to leak their whereabouts along the way, they would have vanished without a trace. Otherwise, they would have returned to Bianliang, circled around, and soon been reassigned to serve again elsewhere.
Thinking about the state of the entire Song dynasty's officialdom, Zhong Shidao felt a strong urge to retire.
However, like Cai Jing, the new generation of the Zhong family was not yet strong enough to support their legacy. He, an old man, could only continue to persevere.
"Old Grand Tutor, you must be tired. How about this, I'll have a room prepared for you. You can rest today, and I'll host a banquet to welcome you tomorrow night?"
Having said what needed to be said, and seeing his despondent look, Han Mo also smiled and cupped his hands respectfully.
"We are not outsiders, so I won't be polite. I am indeed a bit tired from the journey. You two young people can chat here slowly. I'll go back and rest first!"
Glancing at Zong Ying, who stood silently beside him, Zhong Shidao said no more and smiled as he rose to take his leave.
"I'll escort you, Grand Tutor!"
After escorting Zhong Shidao away, Han Mo returned to the living room.
"Why are you here at this time? Don't tell me you missed me?"
Pouring himself a cup of tea and taking a sip, Han Mo smiled and asked Zong Ying.
"What do you mean? Can't I come to see you without a reason? You know about my position, don't you? I'm essentially a man with no official duties now. The yamen won't assign me anything, and I have no proper tasks outside."
As a trusted confidant of Zhao Zhen, Zong Ying had held considerable power when he was first appointed to this local post. However, with Zhao Zhen on the verge of returning to the imperial court, his own standing had naturally declined.
The people in the yamen kept their distance from him, treating him with a kind of distant respect, as if he were a statue. In essence, they wouldn't offend him, but they wouldn't grant him any real authority either.
Han Mo had anticipated this situation before Zong Ying took office. Hearing him mention it with a face full of resentment now, Han Mo was not surprised.
"Isn't that good? If you get such a job where you get paid without working, just tell me!"
"Cut it out. If I were you, I'd go crazy with such a job! I came all the way to Quanzhou specifically to see you. Take a look at this first!"
As Zong Ying spoke, he pulled out an envelope from his sleeve and handed it to Han Mo.
"What important news is worth you making a trip yourself? Couldn't you just send it via someone else? All this way..."
Han Mo's face was initially smiling, but as he read, his expression became grave.
"Is this news reliable?"
After a long while, Han Mo let out a long sigh and asked in a low voice.
"At this point, the Jin envoys are already in Bianliang. What do you think, reliable or not?"
As Zong Ying spoke, he slammed his fist heavily on the table.
"An annual tribute of 200,000 taels of silver and 300,000 bolts of silk, Yan Jing taxes of one million guan annually, a one-time reward of 200,000 guan in copper coins for Xijing, 300,000 shi of grain, 2,000 baskets of green vitriol, and the handover of all surrendered Liao officials. The Jin dynasty will return Yan, Yi, Tan, Shun, and Jing prefectures. All the people of Yan Jing will belong to the Jin dynasty? How could they dare to agree to these terms!"
After receiving Zong Ying's confirmation, Han Mo also slammed his palm on the table, standing up abruptly.
He knew that the Treaty of Chanyuan, which had been criticized for so long, had initially only stipulated 100,000 taels of silver and 200,000 bolts of silk.
The Song dynasty had dispatched hundreds of thousands of soldiers, fought for so long, and spent tens of millions of guan in copper coins, only to end up with this result. Anyone with a bit of sense would be furious upon hearing this news!
"How could they dare to agree? You'd have to ask those scoundrels Tong Guan and Cai You!"
When Zong Ying said this, his teeth were gritted, as if he wanted to tear Tong Guan and Cai You into pieces.
"The loss of wealth is one thing. Haven't they considered the impact of sending all surrendered officials to the Jin dynasty?"
"No, this cannot pass!"
Even though Han Mo had no hope for Cai You and Tong Guan, he had not expected them to betray the country so thoroughly.
Could these terms be accepted?
The battles in Hebei and Hedong were disastrously handled by the two of them, consuming so much military pay for nothing. If these terms were truly agreed upon, wouldn't it be a clear signal to the Jin that the Song were easy to bully?
"You probably don't know this yet. Minister Fan and Official Nie have both been so angered that they are bedridden. That scoundrel Zhang Bangchang has defected to Cai Jing at this critical moment and is now actively promoting peace talks!"
"Bastard!"
Hearing Zong Ying's words, Han Mo, enraged, kicked over the table in front of him.
At this moment, he truly regretted not eliminating Cai Jing sooner.
He had been too careless, believing he could control everything, but the reality proved him to be too naive.
For scoundrels like Cai Jing and Zhang Bangchang, whose eyes were only on profit, no opportunity for them to turn the tables should have been given.
"I ask you, when did this news come out?"
After taking several deep breaths, Han Mo asked with red eyes.
"This news was risked and passed on by an old friend of mine in the Privy Council. Including my travel time, it should be about 7 days ago!"
After estimating, Zong Ying spoke again.
"Seven days..."
After hearing Zong Ying's words, Han Mo sank to the floor with a thud. Seven days had already passed. At this point, with the schemes of Cai Jing and Zhang Bangchang, by the time Han Mo's memorial was written and sent back to Bianliang, the situation would likely be irreversible...
"Brother Han, are you alright?"