Though he knew this fellow was flattering him, Zhao Ji couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.
As Liang Shicheng had said, a young man not yet capped was about to become a high-ranking official in the court.
If it were any other emperor, where would they find such decisiveness?
"Your Majesty, this old servant has heard that the matters concerning Prince Xin have been largely settled, and the situation in Mingzhou has also stabilized. Since this case is involved, why doesn't Your Majesty summon this young man back to the capital to report? It would also be an opportunity to hear his analysis of the northern war situation!"
Liang Shicheng harbored no goodwill towards the ambitious Tong Guan.
Tong Guan's desire for power was too strong, so strong that it made Liang Shicheng feel uneasy.
He had been looking for an opportunity to subtly speak ill of Tong Guan. Just now, when the Emperor mentioned Han Mo, he suddenly conceived this idea.
"You are not wrong to say that. This young man has been running around outside for so long, and the military provisions he has secured for the court are almost equivalent to those of the Hebei provinces combined. If I really think about it, I do miss him!"
A poor man remembers his virtuous wife; a nation in crisis calls for loyal ministers. Even the ancient sages could not avoid such things, let alone the muddled ruler Zhao Ji.
He was almost driven mad by poverty. Regardless of whether this news was true or false, even if Han Mo could come back and offer him a suggestion, it would be good!
Moreover, even if this news were definitively true, if this fellow could disgorge the ill-gotten gains and be given a chance to reform, it didn't seem impossible...
"Where..."
"Go and do it. Dispatch a golden token express messenger immediately to summon him to the capital!"
After a brief moment of deliberation, Zhao Ji agreed directly.
Hearing this, Liang Shicheng was taken aback. However, he didn't say much more, nodded, and turned to leave.
Express messengers were already used for transmitting military intelligence, and generally, they were not to be deployed lightly.
And a golden token express messenger was of an even higher grade. Under normal circumstances, a regular express messenger had to travel four hundred li a day to be considered qualified.
A golden token express messenger had to travel at least five hundred li a day to be considered qualified.
The golden tokens that summoned Yue Fei back to the capital during the Southern Song Dynasty referred to golden token express messengers!
However, calculating according to the Song Dynasty's setup of a resting pavilion every twenty li and an inn every sixty li, dispatching a golden token express messenger meant that several horses would be worked to death along the way.
Although such losses were nothing to the emperor, summoning a minister in this manner was truly rare.
"Wait!"
Just as Liang Shicheng's foot was about to step out of the door, the Emperor suddenly thought of something and quickly called him back.
"Does Your Majesty have any instructions?"
"Inform the Kaifeng Prefecture that the case is to be temporarily suppressed, and the news is not to be revealed to anyone. Additionally, no one is to know about the summons for Han Mo to return to the capital!"
Hearing this, Liang Shicheng couldn't help but sigh inwardly, realizing how unusually concerned the Emperor was about Han Mo.
Suppressing the news at this moment clearly indicated the Emperor's intention to leave a way out for Han Mo. Even if this young man had committed a major crime of corruption, the Emperor would only raise the whip high and then gently lower it.
If it were any other minister, let alone raising the whip high and gently lowering it, it would have been considered good luck if he wasn't directly met with the executioner's blade.
"Your Majesty is truly cherishing this young man!"
Seeing the fleeting hesitation in the Emperor's eyes, Liang Shicheng couldn't help but say with a smile.
"How dare you jest with me, you old fellow! Think about Chancellor Cai back then. He merely offered me a small amount of wealth, and it caused a city-wide uproar. But look at this young man. He has only been an official for a few days, yet he has accumulated so much wealth for me. If I don't cherish such talent, what meaning is there in being an emperor?"
"Your Majesty speaks wisely!"
"Alright, you and I are getting old. We must start considering future matters. Everyone in the world says that the Emperor is a true celestial dragon, who can live for thousands of years, ten thousand years, and forever. But look at my imperial elder brother, and my imperial father; which one lived past a hundred years? I know myself what the state of the world is like now. Even if I cannot govern it, I should leave behind one or two trusted ministers for the future ruler!"
"If this matter proves that this young man was framed, then in the future, you should interact with him more closely. If the day comes when I ascend to the Pure Land, you will have someone to rely on!"
When the Emperor said this, even an old fox like Liang Shicheng couldn't help but kneel on the ground.
"Your Majesty..."
Before Liang Shicheng could utter two words, tears streamed down his eyes like pearls from a broken string, falling one after another.
"Alright, alright. We've just exchanged some heartfelt words. We have been emperor and minister for so long, and only you truly care for me. I cannot stand by and watch you come to ruin! Get up and attend to your duties!"
Patting Liang Shicheng on the shoulder, Zhao Ji then slowly walked towards the rear hall.
It wasn't until Zhao Ji had gone far away that Liang Shicheng wiped the tears from his eyes, then turned and walked towards the outside.
However, this time, his steps were much firmer.
This was the first time the Emperor had revealed his true feelings to him. With this information, he had a clearer idea of how to navigate his future path.
Rather than stubbornly protecting an untalented crown prince, it was better to secure a future powerful minister.
Compared to ordinary court officials, Han Mo was simply too young.
If he could reach a sufficiently high position in this dynasty, wouldn't that be the best protective umbrella for Liang Shicheng?
Given Han Mo's age, Liang Shicheng would likely still be alive and making waves in the court even when he reached ninety.
Compared to that crown prince, Han Mo not only possessed astonishing methods but also clearly valued loyalty and righteousness.
Perhaps when he was in a high position, he could use all sorts of scoundrels, but to ensure his own safety after retirement, he would have to rely on someone like Han Mo...
The Emperor's words were equivalent to giving Han Mo a pass to the position of Prime Minister...