"Since they were deliberately chosen, they must have extraordinary abilities. Let's do as the young master wishes!"
Yuan Xingchi did not dwell on this matter further. After all, Han Mo had briefly mentioned the importance of the Japanese affairs to him in his letter.
Regardless of the considerations, Han Mo would not be vague in selecting the commander.
"The two of them, one civilian and one military, accompanying you should complement each other. However, if you can identify more talents among the accompanying personnel, please make an effort to cultivate them! After all, with your talent, remaining in that tiny place is truly a waste. My plan is for you to establish the framework there temporarily, and let them sort out the rest themselves."
"Young master, rest assured, I understand the reasoning!"
Given Yuan Xingchi's experience, he could naturally discern that Han Mo was trying to put his mind at ease. However, he did not expose it, merely nodding with a smile.
Conversing with intelligent people, a hint is enough.
With the main direction confirmed, the atmosphere of their conversation became relaxed.
"Other matters are fine, but has the young master considered how the Hebei situation will be resolved in the end?"
As they were talking, Yuan Xingchi suddenly changed the subject and lowered his voice again to ask.
"What does Mister mean? Did you hear something on your way back?"
Although they were just chatting here, Han Mo understood that Yuan Xingchi was always discreet in his words and actions. If he hadn't heard any news, he wouldn't have spoken without reason.
"It's just a bit of gossip, not yet confirmed, but..."
Yuan Xingchi paused here, falling silent himself.
"Although the Hebei situation is dangerous, it's not irreversible. After all, isn't Prince Xin still commanding hundreds of thousands of troops?"
Han Mo understood that Yuan Xingchi wanted to hear his opinion first before deciding whether to continue speaking. After a moment's hesitation, Han Mo spoke again.
"Then, what if Prince Xin refuses to march north?"
After a long hesitation, Yuan Xingchi lowered his voice and uttered another sentence.
"Mister means..."
Hearing Yuan Xingchi's words, Han Mo's pupils contracted involuntarily.
With his reminder, Han Mo's heart skipped a beat.
At this point, the matter was quite clear. When would the situation in the southeast end? It was now entirely up to Zhao Zhen's whim. Fang La had already become a trapped beast.
The east, west, north, and south were all completely surrounded by government troops. Taking him down was merely a matter of a single word.
But it was precisely this single word that was the most delicate part of the entire affair.
The idea of "nurturing the enemy for self-preservation" was impossible for the former Prince Xin. But for the current Zhao Zhen, even Han Mo had to suspect if he would do such a thing...
To preserve the last bit of vitality for the Great Song Dynasty, Han Mo had meticulously placed Zhao Zhen at the forefront.
These hundreds of thousands of troops had basically become the last hope of the Great Song.
Although the vast majority of these hundreds of thousands of troops were the auxiliary forces, after this experience, Han Mo believed they still had the fighting capacity.
Moreover, Han Mo had also secured the veteran general Zhong Shidao for the Great Song Dynasty!
With formidable generals like Han Shizhong, Yue Fei, Wu Jie, and Wu Lin in hand, if a battle were to break out, as long as there was no interference from above, Han Mo believed these individuals were definitely capable of fighting!
As long as the Song army did not falter in Hebei, the covetous Jurchen people might not dare to march south directly!
Even if they did march south directly, with veteran generals like Zhong Shidao above, and Zhang Suo, Zong Ze in the middle, and the new generation of formidable generals like Yue Fei, Han Shizhong, Wu Jie, and Wu Lin below, the outcome of a battle was not yet certain!
However, all of this was predicated on Zhao Zhen not "nurturing the enemy for self-preservation"!
If this fellow truly took this step, then the fate of the Great Song Dynasty would likely revert to the beginning of history.
Tong Guan was an incapable official who made foolish mistakes at critical moments. If it weren't for his successive defeats on the Hebei battlefield, how would the Jurchens have dared to march south directly before they had completely digested Liao?
"Young master, many things are different now. That Prince Xin was indeed the perfect candidate back then, but do you truly believe he is still capable of great deeds?"
Seeing Han Mo fall into silence, Yuan Xingchi delivered another strong blow.
"What Mister says is indeed not without reason. However, even if he wants to nurture the enemy for self-preservation, he has to ask if I agree!"
After gritting his teeth, Han Mo finally made up his mind again.
He had gone to great lengths to create this favorable situation, and he truly did not want it to be ruined by Zhao Zhen's selfish desires!
"Young master, have you considered that if you do this, there may be no room for reconciliation between you and Prince Xin from now on?"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Yuan Xingchi let out a wry smile.
With Han Mo's intelligence and methods, Yuan Xingchi had no doubt that Han Mo could achieve what he said.
But what about afterwards?
Even Sun Tzu's Art of War states that the best strategy is to attack the enemy's plans; the next best is to attack their alliances; the next best is to attack their army; and the worst is to attack their cities!
If the initial planning in the court was flawed, how good could the final outcome be?
"Mister need not worry too much about this. Since I dare to do it, I have the ability to solve the remaining problems. As long as Mister manages Japan well and Mr. Shao controls the Southern Ocean, what can Zhao Zhen do to me?"
"The young master is so confident?"
Looking at Han Mo's confident demeanor, Yuan Xingchi asked with some surprise.
"Mister, you must understand one thing: whether it is fighting or governing, the most indispensable elements are money and grain! The Great Song Dynasty is now plagued by a hundred ailments. As long as I hold sufficient financial power, no matter who sits on that throne, there will always be a place for me, Han Mo, in the court! They have to use me, they cannot but use me, and they dare not not use me!"
"Whoosh—"
After hearing Han Mo's words, Yuan Xingchi let out a long sigh.
"Well said, 'have to use me, cannot but use me, dare not not use me!' So the young master had already planned it all along. I was worrying unnecessarily."