"It is right to favor scholars, but I must be clear about one thing: a foolish general can exhaust a thousand soldiers. You should know this better than I. Their captaincy is temporary. If they cannot prove themselves capable during the subsequent training, do not blame me for showing no mercy."
Seeing Qian Lang's smile, Han Mo spoke again.
"My lord, rest assured, I understand this principle. If they lack the ability themselves, they deserve to be replaced later!"
Upon hearing Han Mo's words, Qian Lang was not angered. Instead, his expression became even more pleased.
After all, not all captaincies are equal. If they paid such a high price only to end up with two captains who couldn't fight on the battlefield, what use would they be to them? From Han Mo's current strategic planning, it was evident that the Mingzhou navy had significant operations planned. Those who couldn't fight on the battlefield meant they couldn't bring more benefits to their families. As for whether they would die in battle, that was not within his consideration.
After generations of procreation, the Qian family had far too many descendants, especially those collateral branches who were not so fortunate. Despite living within a prominent aristocratic family, their lives beneath the gleaming exterior were known only to themselves. Since they were not academically inclined and did not wish to live a mediocre life, their only recourse was to strive on the battlefield.
"With your words, I am relieved. Have them report to the barracks tomorrow. In a short while, the selection for the Mingzhou navy will begin, and they can familiarize themselves with the process then!"
"Many thanks for your cultivation, my lord. Your subordinate is willing to serve you!"
Hearing Han Mo's words, the two young men standing behind Qian Lang immediately bowed and paid their respects.
"Do not say such things in the future. You are not serving me, Han Mo; you are serving the Great Song Dynasty and His Majesty!"
"Yes!"
Seeing their understanding, Han Mo nodded with satisfaction. As the matters concerning them were concluded, Qian Lang smiled and waved them away, indicating that they could wait outside. He had not traveled all the way from Mingzhou to Quanzhou solely to bring these two individuals in.
"Brother Qionglin, is there anything else you wish to discuss?"
With only the two of them left in the room, Han Mo asked with a smile.
"Indeed, there are still some matters. I wonder if my lord remembers the conversation we had before..."
Upon hearing Han Mo's words, Qian Lang's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly realized that Han Mo intended to renegotiate the terms.
"Matters we discussed before? What matters did we discuss before? My memory is quite poor. Perhaps Brother Qionglin could remind me?"
Looking at Han Mo's confused expression, Qian Lang wished he could punch him in the nose. This young man was truly adept at feigning ignorance.
"It's about the cotton, my lord. Do you remember..."
Licking his lips, Qian Lang tentatively asked again.
"Ah, Brother Qionglin is referring to this. If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have truly forgotten!"
Upon hearing this, Han Mo's face lit up with a look of sudden realization.
"It is good that my lord remembers. I wonder, now that this matter is to be carried out, my lord..."
Clearing his throat slightly, Qian Lang asked Han Mo with some awkwardness.
"If this matter were to be carried out now, it would be a bit..."
Han Mo trailed off, tapping his fingers lightly on the table before him. This was outright shameless! Seeing his half-smile, Qian Lang truly wanted to curse him. However, Qian Lang also had his own difficulties. Although the terms Han Mo had initially proposed were indeed very favorable, even somewhat humble, the elders of the Qian family did not think so. They had never believed that Han Mo possessed such great capabilities, causing the matter to be repeatedly delayed until this point. The concessions made to Han Mo previously were partly a tactical move, and partly to gauge Han Mo's own abilities. At the time, Han Mo was merely an official in charge of general affairs for the Grand Surveillance Commissioner's Office of the Six Circuits in the Southeast. But now, he had become the Grand Canal Commissioner for the Coasts of Zhejiang and Fujian, and the Grand Administrator of Maritime Trade for the Southeastern Circuits. Now, he was on the verge of commanding two naval fleets. At this juncture, if one still wished to negotiate based on the old agreement, it was natural for him to demand a higher price.
"I know that bringing this matter up again at this time is indeed a bit too late. If my lord has any requirements, please state them directly!"
Seeing that Han Mo remained silent, Qian Lang had no choice but to brace himself and extend his head, ready to be taken advantage of.
"In fact, my requirements are very simple. This is the revised regulations for the Maritime Trade Office that I have drafted. The relationship between the Maritime Trade Office and merchants must also change. As long as you support me in this matter, our previous agreement remains valid!"
As Han Mo spoke, he took a small booklet from his sleeve and placed it directly before Qian Lang.
"My lord intends to establish new regulations?"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Qian Lang's mouth twitched involuntarily. If the Maritime Trade Office were to establish new regulations, the most affected parties would naturally be the great families who relied on maritime trade for their livelihood. As for the merchants, that was another matter!
"That's right. Why don't you take a look first!"
Han Mo showed no intention of evading the issue and instead pushed the booklet towards Qian Lang.
Reaching out to take the booklet, Qian Lang's brow furrowed immediately after reading just the first page. The further he read, the uglier his expression became. By the time he reached the end, his forehead was beaded with sweat. This was not merely revising regulations; this was outright seizing their livelihood! According to the revised regulations established by Han Mo, the Maritime Trade Office would no longer be a mere administrator. Under the old rules, foreign merchants doing business in the Great Song Dynasty would first have their goods assessed by the Maritime Trade Office. After confirming the approximate prices, a portion would be collected as commission according to the regulations set by the court. After the commission was collected, the goods would then be subject to forced purchase, if needed, based on the actual needs of the court. Of course, "forced purchase" essentially meant a government-regulated price acquisition. After meeting the court's demands, the remaining goods would be issued with certificates, allowing them to be sold elsewhere.