According to historical records, this defeat was merely the beginning. Soon, the news of the disastrous loss in Yanjing would reach Zhuozhou. Tong Guan and Liu Yanqing, leading an army of over a hundred thousand, would flee in disarray under the attack of forty thousand Liao troops. After this, the Song army would lose all ability to reclaim the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun. It was precisely for this reason that the glory-seeking officials, coupled with the obstinate Emperor Huizong, placed their hopes of recovering lost territory on the Jin people. Their subsequent series of bewildering actions would then completely expose the Song dynasty's weakness to the Jin.
"Brother Han, are you alright?" Zhang Shaoyou asked anxiously, seeing Han Mo's ashen face.
"I'm fine, I'm fine!" After taking several deep breaths, Han Mo directly picked up his wine bowl and drained it in gulps, finally calming his emotions.
"Young Master!"
"It's nothing, I just thought of some other matters!" After exhaling a long breath, Han Mo forcefully banished all the chaotic thoughts from his mind. At least for now, the troops under Prince Xin still retained their fighting strength. Furthermore, for Han Mo, this defeat was also a rare opportunity. If he could seize this chance to deal with Tong Guan, the subsequent battles might not be entirely lost! Of course, the most pressing matter now was how to prevent Tong Guan from secretly requesting the Jin people to send troops!
"Brother Shaoyou, is this news reliable?"
"The news is absolutely reliable. The soldier who delivered it is the younger cousin of a former subordinate of mine, and he personally participated in the Battle of Yanjing!"
"Never mind, never mind, let's not worry about these things for now. Brother Shaoyou, I want to ask you something, and I hope you'll tell me the truth!" Gritting his teeth, Han Mo decided to set this matter aside for the moment. Taking down Tong Guan was not something that could be accomplished overnight. Rather than wasting time now, it was better to wait and see the Emperor's reaction.
"What is there between brothers that we can't say? Brother Han, please ask away!" Hearing Han Mo's question, Zhang Shaoyou's heart skipped a beat. They were all sensible people, and as soon as the position of Kaifeng Prefecture Deputy Prefect became vacant, he had already begun to make his move. If he wanted to secure this position on his own, he certainly lacked the ability, but with Han Mo's support behind him, the situation would be completely different.
"The position of Kaifeng Prefecture Deputy Prefect has become vacant. Brother Shaoyou, do you have any aspirations for it?" Pouring himself another bowl of wine, Han Mo spoke slowly.
"Of course, I have aspirations. However, with my qualifications, it might be a bit difficult to secure this position..." With his heart pounding a few times, Zhang Shaoyou said with a light smile.
"Brother Shaoyou, you know many people. You should have a good idea of how many competitors you have for this position at the moment, right?" Signaling Zhang Shaoyou with his wine bowl, Han Mo took a sip of wine and asked again.
"That's a bit hard to say. After all, this position is very coveted. There are probably seventy to eighty people eyeing this position right now..." After taking a sip of wine, Zhang Shaoyou couldn't help but chuckle self-deprecatingly.
"If I were to lend you a hand at this moment, Brother Shaoyou, do you have the confidence to secure it?"
"That depends on how Brother Han helps me..." Hearing Han Mo's words, Zhang Shaoyou's right hand holding the wine bowl trembled slightly. One might encounter many opportunities in life, but often, even when opportunities arise, one lacks the ability to seize them. If one has the help of a noble person at this moment, rising rapidly to prominence can happen in the blink of an eye. And right now, wasn't Han Mo his noble person?
"The Emperor is currently most troubled by two matters. One is the matter of Master Yuan Miao building the formation base, and the other should be the matter of Yanjing! I cannot resolve the matter of Yanjing, but I can help with the matter of Master Yuan Miao..." Looking at him deeply, Han Mo spoke slowly.
"But those monks are not to be trifled with either..." Hearing Han Mo's words, Zhang Shaoyou immediately felt his mouth dry. Although those monks did not have as much influence as the Daoists, in recent times, with their aggressive financial offensives, quite a few court officials had already leaned towards them. At this moment, whoever wanted to undertake this matter would likely not find it simple! After all, no matter what, the monks would have no reason to give up a golden goose like the Grand Xiangguo Temple, would they? Without the Grand Xiangguo Temple, would Buddhism still be Buddhism?
"You don't need to worry about that. If I can help you resolve this matter, do you have the confidence to secure the position of Kaifeng Prefecture Deputy Prefect?" Han Mo smiled and said directly.
"This... I'm currently working in the Ministry of Revenue..." Saying this, Zhang Shaoyou awkwardly scratched his head. Without proper recognition, one's words would not carry weight, and even if successful, the credit would likely be snatched by others. However, he couldn't really blame anyone for this; it was the sorrow of small individuals.
"Then I will help you a bit further. Just write a memorial to the Emperor recommending yourself! At that time, a noble person will naturally assist you!" Seeing the fleeting bitterness in his eyes, Han Mo suddenly smiled and said again.
"Brother Han, how can I ever repay your kindness for treating me like this!" Hearing Han Mo's words, Zhang Shaoyou felt tears welling up. Han Mo had gone this far, and in the end, it was he who would receive the credit, using such a method to fulfill another person. If he were in Han Mo's shoes, Zhang Shaoyou himself could not have done this.
"Brother Shaoyou, what are you doing? When I was just a mere student, didn't you help me quite a bit? If we say such things between us, it will only create distance. Besides, with you in that position, won't I be able to walk around Kaifeng City unchecked from now on?"
"Brother Han..." Although he had come to Han Mo today to seek this very matter, when it truly came down to it, Zhang Shaoyou couldn't help but feel a surge of inexplicable emotion.
"Alright, alright, if you keep crying like this, how can we still enjoy our drinks?" Seeing that Han Mo had finished his main business, Yuan Xingchi immediately stepped in with a smile to ease the atmosphere.
"Mr. Yuan is right. Let's drink, let's drink. Everything is in the wine!"