"My dear Brother Han, can you please watch your words? This is Suzhou City, after all. If someone overhears what you're saying, they might think you're plotting a rebellion..."
As soon as Han Mo finished speaking, Zong Ying, who had just taken a sip of tea, sprayed it all out.
He realized then that this fellow was doing it on purpose.
"Who's joking with you? Everything I said is true! I have an imperial decree with me!"
Han Mo spoke as he actually reached into his sleeve and pulled out two imperial decrees, then handed them to Zong Ying.
"Aren't these the ones you were asked to establish the Mingzhou Navy with before..."
As Zong Ying said this halfway, he suddenly froze.
That's right, the Emperor had only agreed to let him establish the Mingzhou Navy. Where would the soldiers come from? Where would the warships come from? Where would the soldiers' equipment come from? And where would the funds for this come from? The Emperor hadn't said anything about any of it...
And the other imperial decree appointed Han Mo as the Commissioner of Pacification for the Coastal Areas of Liangzhe and Fujian, and the Grand Director of the Maritime Trade Bureaus of the Southeastern Routes.
The content of this decree was even more bizarre. Besides the normal appointment, the rest were the conditions Han Mo had previously proposed to the Emperor.
How much money needed to be remitted annually, and nothing else was written...
"Don't you think this loophole is a bit too big?"
Seeing his strange expression, Han Mo grinned mischievously.
"But..."
"But what? The Mingzhou Navy is only in its infancy, and the warships it possesses are all converted merchant ships. Currently, the soldiers are only training at sea. If they truly want to go on ocean voyages, how can these merchant ships bear the might of our Heavenly Dynasty?"
"So, your intention is, after remitting money to the imperial court, the remaining portion..."
"Exactly, to build ships, big ships! Coupled with these gunpowder artisans, with them, we can properly figure out weapons worthy of these large ships!"
At this, Zong Ying's expression became even stranger. After being an official for so many years, this was the first time he had ever seen someone dare to exploit loopholes like this.
"I am acting according to the Emperor's decree!"
"Aren't you afraid someone will impeach you?"
"Impeach me for what? Wasting the people's wealth? Or the national treasury? Whoever wants to impeach me can go ahead. If they have the ability to sit in my position, then why not give them this position?"
After hearing his words, Zong Ying realized that for the moment, he really had no way to deal with this kid...
With the fall of Yanjing City, the situation between the Song and Jin dynasties would undoubtedly become more tense.
With the current income of the court, it was simply not enough to cover expenses.
The court was now relying on Han Mo to remit tens of millions of strings of copper coins annually. Under this premise, no matter who, for whatever reason, wanted to impeach Han Mo, it would probably not be easy.
Before finding a suitable person to replace Han Mo, his position could be considered more stable than anyone else's.
Moreover, the money Han Mo earned could not be considered ill-gotten gains. He did not engage in extortion or demand, nor did he increase taxes. And thirdly, the money Han Mo spent was ultimately used on the imperial army.
The Emperor had issued a decree for him to establish the Mingzhou Navy, and he was self-funding it. The imperial court did not spend an extra penny, and in the end, they gained a powerful navy for free. No matter how you calculated it, it was a profitable deal...
"I suddenly realize that my half-life as an official has been wasted..."
After a long silence, Zong Ying finally said with a strange expression.
"That's not entirely true. It's just that you still haven't figured out what it means to be an official!"
"What does it mean to be an official?"
After hearing his words, Zong Ying's brow was almost furrowed.
"It's alright, no need to rush. You can think about it slowly. When you finally understand and figure it out, the path ahead will be smooth sailing!"
Seeing him fall into thought again, Han Mo said with a smile.
"Don't try to fob me off with these empty words. I'll go back and sort things out first. After I've handed over my responsibilities here, I'll show my face at the Transport Bureau, and then I'll come to Mingzhou City to find you! Mingzhou is your territory, so you'll have to pay for the manor and concubines!"
"Bah! Why should I pay for your concubines? Is 'easy mark' written on my forehead?"
"Friends should share their wealth. Why are you so stingy?"
"I..."
"Stop with the 'you and I' stuff. By the way, I like gentle Jiangnan women. You can keep your wife, who is like that, for your own enjoyment!"
After throwing out this remark, Zong Ying, without even looking at Han Mo's face, which was as black as the bottom of a pot, turned around and left with a loud laugh.
"Guards! Guards!"
"Young Master, what is it?"
As soon as Zong Ying left, Han Mo immediately shouted.
"Write a sign later and hang it at the door: Zong Ying and dogs are not allowed in!"
Watching his smug back, Han Mo gritted out the words through his teeth.
"Ah? That doesn't seem very good..."
After hearing Han Mo's words, Jiang Yan couldn't help but twitch his lips.
If such a sign were really hung out, how would they face Zong Ying in the future?
"Just write it when I tell you to, stop with the nonsense!"
Giving him a glare, Han Mo said angrily again.
"Yes!"
Although he didn't know what Han Mo was insisting on, Jiang Yan still had someone write a sign according to Han Mo's wishes and hang it out.
As soon as the sign was hung up, within less than an hour, Zhao Zhen had received the news.
"Are you sure you saw clearly? Is that what the sign really says?"
Upon hearing this news, Zhao Zhen was overjoyed!
"I specifically went to see it myself. It is indeed those words, but the handwriting is crooked and doesn't look like it was written by Master Han. It should be a proxy..."
"Alright, you may go."
After dismissing the messenger, Zhao Zhen paced back and forth in his study excitedly.
If Han Mo and Zong Ying hadn't completely fallen out, how could Han Mo have written something like this in a fit of anger?
It seemed that his plan had indeed been the right one!
While Zhao Zhen was smugly pleased, the entire Funing Hall was silent as a tomb.
Including Cai Jing, Zhang Bangchang, and Fan Zhengguo, all those who could decide the fate of the entire Great Song Empire were standing in ranks on both sides of the hall, but no one was willing to speak first...
"Are you all mute? Are you all deaf? You're usually all so eloquent! Now tell me, what have my hundreds of thousands of troops done?"