"My own people?"
Although Han Mo knew that this was the other party's goodwill gesture, he still felt a wave of nausea. The words themselves seemed innocuous, but coming from a eunuch, Han Mo found them exceedingly unpleasant.
"Hahahaha, Prefect Feng speaks wisely. However, you must be weary from your journey. I won't impose on you tonight. How about I host a welcoming banquet for you tomorrow evening?"
"Then I thank Your Excellency for your consideration! Oh, and Godfather also asked me to bring thirty condemned prisoners to Your Excellency for disposal!"
As Feng Yi spoke, he chuckled and cupped his hands towards Han Mo.
"You will immediately take people and personally escort them. Ensure all their needs are met to the best of your ability. Furthermore, issue an order that no one is to mistreat or torture them!"
As soon as Feng Yi left, Han Mo hurriedly instructed Jiang Yan to receive the artisans.
These were elites drawn from the ironworks of Cizhou and Xingzhou. They were merely assigned to Han Mo under a convenient pretext to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Regardless, these individuals had suffered injustice because of him, and Han Mo naturally wanted to offer them some compensation.
"My Lord, why are you treating these mere criminals with such kindness?"
Upon hearing Han Mo's instructions, Li Zong could no longer contain his curiosity. After bowing to Han Mo, he asked with a frown.
"My esteemed elder brother, if you are curious, why not accompany them and see for yourself?"
Li Gang had sent his son to Han Mo's side not only as a gesture of goodwill but also with the intention of having Han Mo help mold his honest son. Han Mo was fully aware of this.
However, Han Mo also understood that not everyone could accept such methods. While he was adept at adapting, it didn't mean that other literati could accept his ways of doing things.
This situation presented a perfect opportunity for him to test Li Zong.
"Then, I shall take my leave!"
After a moment of hesitation, Li Zong quickly made up his mind. He bowed to Han Mo and then headed directly in the direction Jiang Yan had gone.
An hour later, Li Zong returned to Han Mo, his brow furrowed.
"Understood?"
Han Mo leisurely poured him a cup of tea before asking again.
"My Lord, I don't understand why you would do such a thing."
After carefully choosing his words, Li Zong finally asked.
"Let's put that question aside for now. Have you seen the situation at Qingyang Ironworks?"
Gesturing for him to sit, Han Mo picked up his tea cup and took a sip before speaking.
"But you could have directly petitioned the Emperor, explained the benefits, and then the court could have issued an decree to send them here openly!"
Despite the disparity in their status, Li Zong showed no fear, his eyes fixed on Han Mo's.
"Do you think I haven't done that?"
As he spoke, Han Mo took out a brocade box from a nearby cabinet.
"This is the draft of my memorial to the Emperor!"
Han Mo then took out several sheets of paper filled with writing and placed them before Li Zong.
"But, then they..."
"You're curious, aren't you, why I wrote a memorial, but things ended up like this?"
Seeing his furrowed brow, Han Mo asked with a smile.
"That's right!"
"The reason is quite simple. The Emperor might agree, but the officials in the court might not. The six southeastern routes have just recovered from rebellion. Under such circumstances, do you think the high-ranking officials would agree to establish a new Ministry of Armaments in the southeast?"
"But, you still shouldn't sacrifice the reputation of these artisans for no reason! Moreover, if it fails once, you could always write a second memorial!"
Although Li Zong still spoke in this manner, his tone had softened considerably.
"Indeed, you are right. If it doesn't work once, then twice; if not twice, then thrice. Eventually, they will agree. But have you considered how long this would take?"
Li Zong was visibly taken aback by Han Mo's slightly melancholic gaze.
"You must have heard something about the situations in Hebei and Hedong. This intelligence arrived just last night. The court is currently negotiating with the Jin to reclaim the lost territories of Yan and Yun. If you were the Jin, would you disgorge the meat you've already swallowed?"
As they spoke, Li Zong noticed Han Mo's gaze deepen, and his expression became profoundly forlorn.
"But what does that have to do with Qingyang Ironworks?"
Li Zong was still somewhat perplexed.
"I heard from Uncle that you yourself once attempted to modify fire-arrow rockets and achieved some success?"
Just as Li Zong finished speaking, Han Mo abruptly changed the subject and asked.
"That's correct, there was such an attempt. However, my father later moved south, and I had to follow him to fulfill my filial duty."
"Then, let me show you something. Judge for yourself if this is feasible."
With that, Han Mo retrieved a scroll from the cabinet and placed it before Li Zong.
"This is?"
Upon opening the scroll and taking a glance, Li Zong's pupils contracted.
With his experience in modifying fire-arrow rockets, he quickly recognized the extraordinary nature of this item.
"Do you think this is feasible?"
Han Mo asked, pouring himself another cup of tea.
"This... this would probably require testing!"
After a moment of hesitation, Li Zong replied with a frown.
"What if I told you that this has already been tested, and the manufacturing method has been found, what would you say?"
"Then why not put it..."
Halfway through his sentence, Li Zong suddenly understood. He, having personally experienced it, was keenly aware of the immense power of a gunpowder explosion.
To withstand the force of such an explosion, this seemingly simple tube would likely weigh at least a thousand catties!
Ten such devices would weigh ten thousand catties, and a hundred would weigh at least a hundred thousand catties!
Furthermore, pig iron was too brittle, and wrought iron too soft. To withstand such immense force, it would have to be made of finely smelted steel!
Such a large quantity of finely smelted steel...