Yue Fei's assumption didn't surprise Han Mo; it seemed Yue Fei's skill points were all dedicated to military matters.
Matters of the imperial court, with all its complexities, were not his forte.
"Alright, this isn't important. Is our stuff packed?"
After patting him on the shoulder, Han Mo changed the subject.
"Sir, did I say something wrong?"
Seeing Han Mo change the topic, Yue Fei asked somewhat awkwardly.
"No, this matter wasn't complicated to begin with. It's just that there were many people scheming within it, which is why it became complicated. Our current Emperor was forced to deal with Tong Guan. If Tong Guan said anything unpleasant, it would be embarrassing for the Emperor!"
Seeing his cautious expression, Han Mo chuckled.
"You mean, the Emperor didn't actually want to punish Tong Guan?"
Although Han Mo's words were simple, these few sentences profoundly impacted Yue Fei's values.
In his pure heart, the Emperor was just, kind, and benevolent.
All the absurd things the Emperor did were due to treacherous officials like Tong Guan misleading him.
As long as the Emperor understood the truth, he would naturally set everything right.
But at this moment, Han Mo's words shattered all his perceptions.
"You studied diligently since you were young. Do you really believe anyone in this world is born with innate knowledge?"
Seeing Yue Fei's pale face, Han Mo's tone softened.
"I..."
"There are no immortals in this world, no saviors. The only one who can save us is ourselves!"
To accommodate Yue Fei, Han Mo spoke more tactfully, avoiding direct, rebellious words.
However, even so, Yue Fei felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
"But, but, but I heard that you, sir, are on very good terms with Master Yuan Miao, and the Emperor even bestowed upon you a magical artifact gifted by him!"
After stammering for a long time, Yue Fei finally managed to squeeze out a sentence.
"Master Yuan Miao? Do you really think he's an immortal?"
Upon hearing Yue Fei mention Lin Ling Su, a hint of disdain appeared on Han Mo's lips.
"Is, is he not?"
"If he is considered an immortal, then there are too many immortals in this world!"
Han Mo was now sparing no effort in spewing his venom onto this national hero who would be worshipped for a thousand years.
"But, everyone in the world says he has profound powers, can know the past and future, can traverse yin and yang, enter the netherworld at night, and can even cast the Five Thunder Divine Spell!"
As Yue Fei said this, his tone clearly became more assertive. He didn't even realize that he was no longer just stating facts to Han Mo, but rather defending his worldview.
"You think too highly of him. He's actually just a swindler..."
Although Han Mo didn't want to be so cruel, things had reached this point, and he didn't want to see Yue Fei repeatedly fall back onto the same old path.
"But what about his act of suppressing national destiny? Everyone knows that as soon as he completed the grand formation, news of victory came from the front lines, and in Hebei too..."
"Victory reports? How was Fang La pacified? Don't you have the most say in that? Do you think his little tricks are truly effective? I can tell you responsibly that the idea of building the so-called national protection formation was mine, I also helped him choose the location, and the purpose was very simple: to use this momentum to drive those bald donkeys out of Bianliang City!"
"Th-this is impossible!"
Despite saying this, a cold sweat broke out on Yue Fei's forehead.
"This is the truth! Not just in Bianliang, but in Hedong, Hebei, and other cities, it's the same! Haven't you noticed that these so-called formation cores are all strategically important military locations?"
Upon hearing Han Mo's words, Yue Fei was completely stunned.
He stood there blankly for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Then, he slumped onto the ground.
Seeing his pale face, Han Mo felt a pang of emotion. Poor kid!
However, faith, once shattered, can be rebuilt. Losing this so-called faith is far better than being tricked to death by a sliver of luck later on.
Patting him on the shoulder again, Han Mo led him back into the house.
Seeing him in this state, Han Mo understood that nothing else could be done today. He patted his shoulder again and returned to his study.
At this very moment, at another end of Bianliang City, Cai Jing, who had dominated the entire Great Song Empire for more than ten years, lay silently in the coffin he had prepared for himself.
Cai Jing was dead. The entire Cai family suddenly became like an isolated, abandoned island.
Besides the servants of the Cai family, all the officials of the Cai faction seemed to have suddenly developed collective amnesia.
Those who had once clamored to sleep at Cai Jing's doorstep like guard dogs now all kept their distance.
The people sent by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to arrange the funeral had just put up the mourning tent before they all fled.
It was as if the person lying in the coffin wasn't Cai Jing, but a plague god!
The gates of the Cai residence were open day and night, yet no one dared to come and offer condolences.
Cai Tao, clad in heavy mourning, no longer had his usual spirit. He knelt beside the coffin, disoriented, lost in thought.
Cai Tao was completely immersed in grief, almost unable to extricate himself. However, the imperial court was still fiercely debating, and had yet to decide on the posthumous honors for Cai Jing.
Not only that, but with walls collapsing, and everyone pushing, at this point, there was no need for Fan Zheng Guo to speak. Many ambitious individuals, seeking to gain favor, had already submitted memorials to the Emperor demanding a thorough investigation into Cai Jing!
The former backbone of the Cai faction had now become like a rat crossing the street, with everyone nearly forgetting that the man lying there was a confidant who had served the Emperor for over a decade!
As night fell, a light rain began to fall again, the drizzling rain like a curtain, covering the ugly city of Bianliang tightly.
Under the dark sky, an ox cart slowly stopped outside the Cai residence. An old servant, looking almost fifty years old, wearing a straw cape, waved to stop the ox cart from a distance.
"Master, we've arrived!"
As soon as the cart stopped, the old servant said quickly.
"Go up and knock on the door!"
"Ah?"
Looking at the two wide-open gates, the old servant wore a strange expression.