"It's good you're here. Invite the two of them in!"
After a wry chuckle, Han Mo couldn't help but shake his head in self-mockery.
Yet, he understood that Li Yueyang's life was not easy, and the lives of Zong Ying and Li Gang were hardly any better.
Li Yueyang was clearly lost in his own thoughts, while Zong Ying and Li Gang were genuinely on tenterhooks. Not only did they have to play along with his charade, but they also had to tread carefully and maintain the delicate balance of power in the court.
Especially Zong Ying. Feng Yi, after all, came from the imperial palace. Even if he was momentarily blinded by greed, after not seeing Han Mo for a month, how could he not have his suspicions? A single blocked visit might be overlooked, but if it happened repeatedly, with his years of experience navigating palace intrigue, it was hard to guarantee he wouldn't figure something out! One had to remember that Feng Yi submitted at least one memorial to the Emperor every five days! Keeping him in check was no easy feat!
"Uncle Li, why are you here with him?"
Seeing the two walk in from outside, Han Mo quickly rose to greet Li Gang.
"What? Can't the two of us come together?" Li Gang said, glancing at the servants attending them.
"Yes, yes, of course! This nephew's illness has been severe lately, causing many delays in official matters. It's all thanks to your assistance, Uncle Li. I offer my respects!" Han Mo said, half-jokingly, rising and cupping his fists in greeting to Li Gang.
"I say, you young scamp, you're a wealthy man. You can't just dismiss me, an old man, with a few empty words for such a significant matter, can you?" Li Gang retorted with a jest of his own.
"You all may leave. Do not return unless summoned!" After the servants served tea, Han Mo smiled and dismissed them all, then gave Jiang Yan a meaningful look. Jiang Yan immediately understood, and with his two subordinates, turned and exited the main hall.
It was only when Jiang Yan's cough was heard that Han Mo's expression finally relaxed.
"I must say, you really think highly of me! Why didn't you wait another year or so to return? That scoundrel Feng Yi has been here seven or eight times already. If it weren't for me intervening, even an immortal couldn't have protected you!" Seeing Han Mo's relaxed demeanor, Zong Ying glared at him reproachfully.
"What could I do? The journey was long, and I couldn't travel normally. Time was bound to be lost on the way. How is Quanzhou? That damned eunuch isn't going to delay things, is he?"
"Don't worry about Quanzhou. That damned eunuch knows what he's doing. He's certainly pocketed a lot himself, but he's managed to cover the deficit from elsewhere. It's the managers of the ironworks who are truly out of luck this time." Although there were no outsiders present, Zong Ying understood that the situation in Quanzhou greatly impacted Han Mo's future plans, so he spoke truthfully.
"What's the progress there? When can it start production?"
"The initial renovations are almost complete. By the time I returned, it had already taken shape. I estimate it will be another three to five days before the first batch of iron comes out! But I must say, the artisans you brought back have been a tremendous help. Without them, this project might not have proceeded so smoothly." Zong Ying spoke with great admiration for the artisans. In the past, his days were filled with scheming, internal power struggles, or dealing with official correspondence. This was truly the first time he was responsible for concrete matters. Zong Ying himself had never witnessed how steel was refined. Even without seeing the finished product, observing the transformation of the ironworks and the experimental items they produced, Zong Ying began to admire Han Mo's foresight.
"Alright, let's set these matters aside for now. What's happening in the imperial court?" Li Gang interrupted Zong Ying, who had only spoken half of what he intended. Compared to these trivial matters, Li Gang was more concerned about affairs in the court. Mingzhou was a good place in many respects, but its isolation was an unavoidable drawback. Even though the Zhe Family's business would occasionally send them messages via carrier pigeon, many matters were difficult to understand for those not involved in official circles.
"I have fulfilled my mission. You both should know that Cai Jing is dead, right?" Hearing Li Gang's question, Han Mo no longer beat around the bush and asked them directly.
"Information in Mingzhou is scarce. We only know that Cai Jing is dead, and that he committed suicide by poison. We are unaware of any other details!" After exchanging a glance with Zong Ying, Li Gang asked again.
"It's actually quite simple. I forced him to his death! I promised to ensure his Cai family lineage would continue and then employed some subtle tactics. Coupled with his son's repeated blunders, it all came together by chance!" After hearing Han Mo's words, both Zong Ying and Li Gang involuntarily gasped. Although they had their suspicions, hearing Han Mo say it aloud sent a shiver down their spines. That was Cai Jing! Cai Jing, who had navigated the treacherous waters of officialdom for a lifetime, was killed by Han Mo at such a small price...
"Why are you two looking at me like that?" Seeing their unwavering gaze, even Han Mo, with his thick skin, felt a little overwhelmed.
"You brat, you're a true demon!" After staring at Han Mo for a long time, Li Gang finally let out a curse.
"Indeed!" Zong Ying added seriously, nodding in agreement.
"I..."
"Enough, don't flatter me. I sometimes truly wonder what you've been eating to grow up. I feel like you're just… different from everyone else." Li Gang shot Han Mo another look, then gave up on dwelling on the matter. Han Mo's surprises were simply too great, leaving him at a loss for words. Every time he thought about the things this young man had accomplished, Li Gang felt like spitting blood. Reflecting on Han Mo's achievements since entering officialdom, and his current position, Li Gang felt an urge to curse, feeling that his own years in office had been utterly wasted in comparison!