After listening to Han Mo's words, Han Shizhong quickly fell into thought. This matter was indeed an important choice for him.
Han Mo did not rush him, but silently reached out and refilled his wine cup.
After a long while, Han Shizhong finally let out a long breath, as if he had made up his mind.
"Big brother, I know that if I stay by your side, with your guidance, I might be able to reach a higher position within a few years. However, ever since ancient times, scholars have died offering sincere advice, and generals have died fighting valiantly! Our country is in peril now, and it is precisely the time for us to rise up. I still want to go to Hebei and see for myself!"
After speaking, Han Shizhong looked at Han Mo somewhat guiltily.
After all, only he knew best how much Han Mo had sacrificed for him and how many things he had done for him. To leave just like this now did indeed feel a bit ungrateful.
"Since you have already decided, then do as you wish. However, I hope that no matter when, you will always remember that you are my brother, Han Mo. If anyone dares to bully you, just write me a letter!"
Smiling, Han Mo raised his wine cup and drank it down in one go. He then patted Han Shizhong on the shoulder and said.
"Thank you, big brother, for your approval!"
Seeing that Han Mo had agreed, Han Shizhong finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"You don't need to worry about matters at home. If you lack funds, you can always ask me. Although in officialdom one is often not in control of their own actions, I still hope that you can stay away from those bad habits. I do not wish for things like taking ghost soldiers' pay or exploiting soldiers' blood to happen to you!"
Han Mo truly did not want any blemishes on such a peerless general.
"Big brother treats me so well, I truly have no way to repay you. Please accept my bow, big brother!"
Listening to Han Mo's heartfelt words, Han Shizhong's nose couldn't help but sting. He directly knelt before Han Mo.
"What are you doing? We brothers don't need this! When we get back, I'll have them gather your weapons and armor. It will be much more difficult to replenish these things once you reach Hebei..."
Although Han Shizhong was determined to serve his country in Hebei, Han Mo understood that none of the men under Tong Guan were easy to deal with.
They were not good at fighting, but when it came to power struggles, each one was more formidable than the last.
Even though it was a period of conflict between two nations, there were still plenty of people making fortunes from the national disaster.
"Thank you, big brother!"
"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Since you're back this time, let's spend the New Year's Day together in Bianliang City. After the New Year, we can set off south together!"
As the year-end was approaching and there were only a few days left, Han Mo was no longer in a hurry to return.
"Yes, sir!"
After responding, Han Shizhong refocused his attention on the table in front of him.
Although with his status, coupled with the dowry Han Mo had provided for Liang Hongyu, their daily life was passable.
However, this was truly the first time he had tasted the delicacies of Fan Lou.
There were more than ten dishes on the table, along with a huge basin of rice. In the end, more than half of it all went into his stomach.
Compared to ordinary people, Han Mo's appetite was indeed quite good. But compared to Han Shizhong, it was completely a drop in the ocean.
"It's a pity Li Bao isn't here. Otherwise, this table of dishes probably wouldn't be enough for him to eat alone!"
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Han Mo sipped his clear tea while leisurely picking his teeth with a toothpick.
"I heard he's also been quite troubled lately!"
Seeing Han Mo mention Li Bao, Han Shizhong suddenly said mysteriously.
"Oh? Such a rascal like him would also have moments of trouble?"
As expected, hearing him say that, Han Mo's interest was immediately piqued.
Li Bao had a simple mind, and at this time, he was busy training troops. Han Mo really couldn't imagine what could trouble him.
"I heard he recently took a liking to a young lady, but that young lady seems to be from an official family..."
As Han Shizhong spoke, the smile on his face suddenly turned lewd.
"Cough—cough—cough—"
As soon as he finished speaking, the mouthful of tea Han Mo had just drunk gushed out.
If he hadn't reacted quickly enough, that mouthful of tea would have ended up splashing all over Han Shizhong's face.
"What did you say? That fellow took a liking to someone else's young lady?"
"Isn't that right? I heard he has already sent a matchmaker to propose three times, but unfortunately, the young lady simply doesn't fancy him, this rough fellow..."
Han Shizhong even sounded a bit gleeful as he said this.
Although Li Bao's martial arts were inferior to his, when it came to brute strength, even Han Shizhong couldn't compare to him.
The two of them were both military officers, and in private, they often sparred. They were also around the same age and served under Han Mo. Over time, they became sworn friends. Seeing his sworn friend in trouble, Han Shizhong naturally couldn't help but indulge in some schadenfreude.
"How come I haven't heard him mention it at all? In the letters he had someone ghostwrite for him not too long ago, he didn't mention a single word about it!"
Shaking his head with a wry smile, Han Mo asked curiously.
"How could he possibly tell you something like this, big brother! Even I only found out from the soldiers gossiping!"
"He's not young anymore, and it's about time he got married. I just don't know what kind of woman he's taken a liking to, to make him so infatuated..."
Han Mo was truly curious about what kind of woman could trouble someone like Li Bao to this extent.
"Since she's a young lady from an official family, she must be good-looking..."
"If that's the case, then I'll have to go and see for myself when we get back!"
"Big brother wants to help him?"
Although seeing his sworn friend in trouble was indeed a great joy in life.
However, upon hearing that Han Mo intended to help, Han Shizhong felt a surge of happiness for him.
"He's been working hard lately, and since he's encountered difficulties now, I, as his elder brother, should naturally help him out! With his abilities, perhaps a young lady from a high-ranking official's family is not suitable, but one from a lower rank should be fine, right?"
Han Mo couldn't help but laugh as he said this. He was becoming more and more adept at playing the matchmaker...