"The matters here will eventually be handed over to you all. You must plan carefully for yourselves. When you act, do not just focus on one city or territory. We want the entire land of Wa, not just the gold and silver. Your vision needs to be broader!"
As Yuan Xingchi spoke, he patted Feng Yuanbao on the back.
For some reason, upon hearing these words, Feng Yuanbao suddenly recalled the things he had done for the Fujiwara family. He had just lectured someone on having a broad vision, and now it was his turn?
"Alright, you've worked hard these past few days. You can go and rest now."
"Yes!"
Although he felt a bit uncomfortable, Feng Yuanbao did not dwell on the matter. He gave a response and then turned to leave.
While they were strategizing about Wa, in Suzhou City, Zong Ying was anxiously watching Han Mo, who appeared unperturbed.
"Brother Han, please stop playing coy. Things have reached this point, you must say something!"
Seeing Han Mo's silence, Zong Ying could no longer contain himself.
"Why are you in such a hurry? Can't I finish reading this chess manual first?"
Han Mo said, raising the book in his hand.
"What time is it now, and you're still in the mood to read this? Don't you know the war has been over for so long, yet the Emperor still has no intention of recalling the Prince back to the capital? It's clear he intends to keep him stationed outside! And what about the situation in Hebei? That scoundrel Tong Guan, inviting the Jin people to help the Great Song recover lost territory – has there ever been a precedent for fighting a war like this in history?"
Seeing Han Mo's nonchalant attitude, Zong Ying became even more agitated.
"My dear cousin, others aren't worried about these two matters, so why are you so anxious? Look at Vice Envoy Wang, and look at our General Zhong. Aren't they all unhurried at this time?"
Han Mo stretched his back as he spoke. Sitting for too long really did take a toll on one's back.
At this moment, he truly missed the second-hand old sofa in his office. How wonderful it would be to lie on the sofa and browse his phone in weather like this!
"Are you the same as them? Aren't they clearly waiting for you?"
After hearing Han Mo's words, Zong Ying rolled his eyes so hard they threatened to pop out. This fellow was clearly doing this on purpose!
"My dear cousin, think about it carefully. Is this the kind of matter a subject like me should be scheming about? The Prince hasn't spoken yet, and if I proactively bring this up, do you think it would be appropriate?"
Han Mo chuckled lightly and then said slowly.
"You mean you've already made preparations?"
After hearing Han Mo's words, Zong Ying suddenly froze. He blinked his eyes several times before finally catching the hidden meaning in his words.
"Such things cannot be spoken of. If you speak them, they lose their potency!"
Seeing Zong Ying's eyes wide as saucers, Han Mo chuckled again.
"No wonder you're not worried! If you had a plan long ago, you should have said so, making me here to..."
"Did you give me a chance to say it? Didn't I already tell you that this kind of thing isn't urgent? You just didn't listen, so it's not my fault!"
"Hey, you're playing coy, and you still have the nerve to be right? I don't care. If you don't treat me to a night at a courtesan house, I'll go back and send someone to Mingzhou City to report that you're indulging in revelry every night in Suzhou City!"
"Hahahaha, isn't it just a night at a courtesan house? Do you think that's a big deal considering the fame of Han, the great scholar?"
Han Mo winked at Zong Ying as he spoke.
Zong Ying, who had just felt he had the upper hand, suddenly realized that this matter seemed far too easy for Han Mo.
It seemed that no matter which courtesan house this fellow went to in this world, he would definitely be greeted by the most sought-after courtesans.
Let alone that this brat could enjoy their services for free, it was more likely that these celebrated courtesans would have to dip into their own pockets to ask this kid to leave something behind for them...
"I..."
"Hahahaha!"
Seeing the awkward smile on his face, Han Mo couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Aren't you afraid the Emperor will actually agree and let the Jin people recover lost territory for the court?"
Zong Ying shook his head with a wry smile and finally resigned himself. He truly couldn't compare to this fellow in this regard. He had been born into such good fortune. He couldn't fathom how this kid's brain was wired...
If he had this kid's ability, he probably wouldn't even want to be an official in his life. Sleeping with courtesans all over the world also seemed like a decent option...
"We are in Suzhou City now. How can we control matters in Hebei? If you can't reach it, don't worry about it,"
Han Mo said meaningfully, looking at Zong Ying's worried expression.
"While that may be true, aren't you worried the Jin people will see through the court's weaknesses? Being neighbors with tigers and wolves is truly not a good thing..."
Although Zong Ying knew that Han Mo's words made sense, his mind had been instilled with the idea of loyalty to the monarch and patriotism since childhood, with the entire world as his responsibility. This was not something that could be changed in a moment.
"The way the battle in Hebei is going, the Jin people aren't blind. They've already seen through what they needed to see. Besides, the situation changes by the hour. If you ask me, perhaps Yanjing has already fallen into someone else's hands..."
Yanjing was a large, tempting piece of meat. How could a cat sleeping next to salted fish resist?
"You mean the Jin people will directly..."
Zong Ying knew Han Mo's temperament. If it were something without basis, he wouldn't mention it!
"From when we received the news until now, more than ten days have passed. Do you think the Jin people would leave Yanjing, such a strategically important location, unoccupied?"
"But if they do this, wouldn't they be betraying the alliance of the sea?"
After hearing Han Mo's words, Zong Ying's back suddenly felt cold.
"So-called alliances are based on both sides having similar military strength. Do you think a tiger would abide by an alliance with a sheep?"
"Hoo—"
Although Zong Ying wanted to refute Han Mo's words, after opening and closing his mouth several times, he found himself utterly speechless.
Just as Han Mo said, an alliance that both parties must adhere to is built when both are tigers. If one of them is a leopard or a wolf, the effectiveness of that alliance would likely be greatly reduced.
If the other party to the treaty is just a sheep, why would the fierce tiger share half of its spoils?