With an idea in mind, Han Mo felt a surge of energy.
While such a strategy was certainly bold, a well-timed execution at a crucial moment might just be a brilliant way to secure victory.
Others might not have the courage to attempt tactics that were ahead of their time, but Han Mo was an exception.
However, Han Mo also knew that this strategy had a fatal flaw: the enemy's navy had to be dealt with first.
The Jin people naturally had no navy, but the Liao navy was a different matter entirely.
Not only in the number of warships, but also in their size and quality, they were in no way inferior to the Song.
Thinking this, Han Mo began to hesitate again.
Should he deliver a decisive blow now?
After a moment of hesitation, Han Mo abandoned the tempting thought.
While there wasn't a complete lack of opportunity to do so now, the risks far outweighed the potential gains.
More importantly, although the Song and Liao navies had comparable equipment, compared to Wanyan Aguda, the founding emperor of the Jin, his sons were far inferior in both magnanimity and methods.
If the Liao naval commanders were to gain control, perhaps that navy could contend with Li Bao and his fleet.
But, judging by what they were doing in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, one could imagine the treatment those surrendered naval commanders would receive.
It would be fortunate if they were allowed to keep their lives, let alone continue to command the navy!
After all, unlike the army, once these naval forces truly separated from land, what could the vast ocean use to restrain them?
If they were truly determined to rebel, turn to the Song Dynasty, or simply set sail, it would take at least ten years for the Jin to build another navy of similar scale.
Therefore, their most likely course of action would be to replace the original commanders with fools who only knew how to ride horses and shoot arrows.
Naval warfare might seem simple, but in reality, it was a complex art.
After Han Mo's "golden overhaul," the combat effectiveness of the Mingzhou and Quanzhou fleets was on an entirely different level compared to before.
Fighting them directly now, while it could destroy their navy, would not achieve the desired effect of deterring the enemy.
If they were left to their own devices, and according to historical progression, when the Jin navy made its grand advance south to attack Lin'an, delivering a surprise then would be far more impressive, both politically and otherwise, than doing so now!
"My lord, why are you standing here?"
After finishing a piece of music, Li Shishi discovered that Han Mo was standing in her courtyard.
"There's nothing else. I'm planning to make another trip to Quanzhou tomorrow, so I came to see you tonight. Are you settling in well here?"
"It's fine!"
Although Li Shishi still had to wear a veil when she went out and could not show her true face, she was much more content than when she lived in Bianliang.
At that time, she was like a caged golden canary, appearing glamorous on the surface but only available for the entertainment of the truly powerful and noble.
Now, though she couldn't reveal her true face and her movements were inevitably restricted, at least she could come and go as she pleased.
She no longer had to force herself to please someone against her will. Even Han Mo treated her with respect.
Whatever she did, if she didn't want to, he never forced her.
This feeling of freedom might mean little to ordinary people, but to her, it was incredibly precious.
"Was that song you just played newly composed?"
Seeing the slight upward curve of her lips as she spoke, Han Mo finally felt at ease.
He didn't know what they had discussed that day, but after their conversation, the relationship between the two women seemed to have become much more harmonious.
Even when they had nothing else to do, Han Mo would see them sitting together, chatting and laughing, and occasionally, he would see Li Shishi teaching Zhe Yourong to play the zither.
"You could tell?"
As they spoke, they walked towards the house. Looking at a beauty under the lamp was indeed one of life's great pleasures, though it could be taxing on the back after a while.
He didn't know how Lord Han managed it, but the next morning when Lord Han emerged from the room, his right hand was constantly rubbing his old back.
As soon as he boarded the official ship, Lord Han immediately fell into a deep sleep, remaining in bed for a full day and night before he finally recovered.
"My lord! You're here!"
As soon as Han Mo got out of bed, Li Zong rushed to greet him.
"This isn't a formal occasion. Calling me 'cousin' is enough!"
Looking at Li Zong's noticeably thinner physique, Han Mo couldn't help but worry if Li Gang would come looking for him to settle the score if he saw his son in such a state.
"No, no, no, propriety must be maintained! I should still address you as 'my lord'!"
Seeing his persistent demeanor, Han Mo could only smile and let him have his way.
"My lord, we have some new ideas here, but they are a bit complicated to implement, and we don't have a good solution at the moment. Why don't you come and take a look with me?"
As soon as the pleasantries were exchanged, Li Zong cut straight to the chase. Hearing this, Feng Yidou, standing beside them, couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
If it weren't for his father being Li Gang, he would really have wanted to have a good chat with this young man about what it meant to respect superiors and inferiors.
The moment an official landed, this young man immediately dragged him off to inspect the work!
This young man took his superior far too lightly!
If everyone acted like him, wouldn't the superiors be worked to death?
"If Lord Feng has nothing else to do, why not come and take a look together?"
Li Zong might be oblivious, but Han Mo certainly wasn't.
Regardless, Feng Yi coming to the dock to greet him today was a sign of respect, and in the spirit of reciprocity, Han Mo felt obliged to return the favor.
"My lord, you jest. What could I possibly be busy with? My affairs are nothing compared to yours! Since my lord has spoken, I'll tag along to watch the excitement?"