Honey Pomelo

Chapter 674 The Battle of Wits

Hearing Han Mo's words, Han Shizhong's mouth twitched. He finally understood that Han Mo was playing a game of power with Zhao Zhen.

However, no matter what Han Mo decided, he was already firmly branded with Han Mo's mark. At this moment, he naturally had no choice but to stand on Han Mo's side.

"This is a rare opportunity. You must seize it yourself!"

After patting Han Shizhong on the shoulder, Han Mo smiled and said.

"Yes!"

Hearing Han Mo's words, Han Shizhong was filled with indescribable gratitude.

At this moment, the Ministry of Revenue was almost driven to destitution. Escorting so much copper coin to the capital at this time, even a fool could tell that he would be rewarded by the emperor.

Coupled with the many merits he had accumulated before, and with Han Mo operating behind the scenes for him, he was at least guaranteed a promotion of three ranks!

"Alright, I'll write a letter later. You will personally visit Duke Liang's mansion when you enter the capital. After you return this time, I will personally arrange the wedding for you and Hong Yu!"

Patting Han Shizhong on the shoulder, Han Mo then walked out with a smile.

"Tsk tsk tsk, it's true that having connections in the court makes official life easier. With such a big brother, it's only right that you get promoted and prosper! When you hold high positions in the future, don't forget who helped you get there!"

Seeing Han Mo leave, Shao Bowen also patted Han Shizhong on the shoulder and said with a smile.

"Sir, you jest. Brother's kindness is something Shizhong will never forget!"

Hearing Shao Bowen's words, Han Shizhong quickly replied, his whole body trembling.

"Why are you so serious? It was just a casual remark!"

After hearing his reply, Shao Bowen smiled with satisfaction and turned to walk away again.

After Shao Bowen left, Han Shizhong let out a long sigh of relief.

He could naturally tell that Shao Bowen was admonishing him on behalf of Han Mo.

However, thinking about what had happened to him in the past few months, even Han Shizhong himself felt a sense of emotion.

He had spent several years to go from a small soldier to an insignificant captain.

If he hadn't met Han Mo and gained his appreciation, he couldn't even imagine his current achievements.

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"My lord, what about the money confiscated from the Pu family?"

After arriving in the courtyard, Shao Bowen once again caught up with Han Mo.

"This money is for us to make money for the imperial court. I have already submitted a memorial to the Emperor. Once Han Shizhong's money arrives in Bianliang City, no one will be able to take the Pu family's money!"

"Are you really planning to fall out with Prince Xin?"

Hearing Han Mo's words, Shao Bowen quickly looked around to make sure no one was around, then lowered his voice and said again.

"Whether we fall out or not depends on what Prince Xin does! If he is sensible, it doesn't matter who gets the money. If he is not sensible, then let him deal with it himself!"

With financial control in hand, Han Mo was now free to advance or retreat.

In any case, Han Mo knew clearly that this money squeezed from corrupt officials would not end up in his own hands. It would either be squandered by the emperor, or by Prince Xin, or by those high-ranking officials.

No matter who it went to, the result was the same for him.

However, for those who spent the money, it was completely different!

At the very least, for Prince Xin, if Han Mo stubbornly refused to hand over the money, he would have to wield his butcher's knife to raise military funds!

Rebel forces were everywhere, and the entire southeast was in constant warfare. The troops he had assembled from various places, combined with those local forces, brought his army to nearly six hundred thousand.

Coupled with the various rebel forces in different regions, the total number of people on both sides reached at least over a million.

Such a large army consumed an astronomical amount of grain and fodder every day.

Although the southeastern regions were originally the source of the imperial court's finances, they could not withstand such consumption.

During wartime, grain prices were constantly soaring. Moreover, for various reasons, both sides would from time to time burn surplus grain.

All these actions combined further increased Zhao Zhen's difficulty in procuring grain and fodder.

Not everyone in this world had the ability to pull off a "wolf from the sheep's back" trick like Han Mo!

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Five days later, the official document sent back by Long Haoting finally returned to Suzhou City.

"Bastard! Does he think I'm blind? Or deaf! Does he think he can swallow those millions of strings of copper coins all by himself?"

With just a glance at the content of the official document, Zhao Zhen directly tore it to shreds.

The reason he went to such great lengths to have the official document sent to Long Haoting was for the copper coins obtained from Han Mo's confiscation of the Pu family's assets!

But who would have thought that Han Mo would refuse to give him even a little face...

"Your Highness, why don't we invite Master Zong back..."

Seeing Zhao Zhen's angry expression, the little eunuch serving him quietly said.

Although they didn't understand grand principles, they were aware of the relationship between Han Mo and Zong Ying.

"Go find Master Wang for me. I don't believe that without him, Han Mo, my hundreds of thousands of troops will go hungry!"

Zhao Zhen was in a fit of rage. The little eunuch dared not argue with him.

Hearing this, he quickly acknowledged and turned to walk outside.

"Your Highness, do you need me for something?"

A moment later, Wang Xiang once again appeared before Zhao Zhen.

"The military provisions are almost depleted at this moment. I would like to ask if you have any suggestions, sir?"

Hearing Zhao Zhen's words, Wang Xiang's heart suddenly sank.

What suggestions could he have?

If he could solve it, this problem would not be on Zhao Zhen's desk.

At this moment, Zhao Ji had already emptied Hebei, Hedong, and the capital region to solve the grain and fodder problem for the army that destroyed the Liao. Anything he could think of was already barren.

As for the situation in the six southeastern circuits, although the main force of the rebels was trapped in Jiangnan circuit and Jinghu North and South circuits, in other areas, there were still small rebel forces that had emerged from various places. It could be said that Jiangnan circuit and Jinghu North and South circuits, which originally produced abundant grain, were now depleted of any grain to requisition!

If they wanted grain, they had to requisition it from Liangzhe and Fujian circuits.

However, the problem was that on one hand, the roads were long, and transportation was a major issue. On the other hand, rebels were appearing one after another. In the past ten days, three grain transport teams had been ambushed by rebels!