"Alright, it's best to say less of such things in the future!"
Han Mo also smiled bitterly, then reached out and patted his shoulder.
When superiors have a preference, subordinates will surely follow.
This is how the atmosphere in officialdom is, and it's not something he alone can change.
Sometimes Han Mo even wondered if the Jingkang Incident, though a great humiliation, was also a golden opportunity.
It was just that Heaven seemed to be playing a joke on the entire Song Dynasty.
The only surviving imperial prince was thoroughly frightened by the Jin people.
Holding a winning hand, they ended up destroying their own defenses.
However, thankfully, this time is different!
Han Mo firmly believed that even if he were just a butterfly, with knowledge spanning over a thousand years, he could still stir up a monumental storm!
However, now is not the time to talk about this; he needs a higher position, greater power, enough power to counter imperial authority.
Only then will he have the chance to alter the course of history.
After leaving Feng Yuanbao, Han Mo, along with Lü Ying, patrolled the river embankment again. Once they confirmed there were no issues, more than half the day had passed.
"I'm really a bit hungry. Are there any farmhouses nearby? How about we find a place to get a meal?"
After all, safely navigating the entire flood season was indeed something worth celebrating for Han Mo.
If he hadn't had to inspect the fields that were about to be harvested today, Han Mo would have really wanted to take his men and find a place to have a good drink right about now.
"Yes, no, there are no farmhouses..."
Just as Gao Zhiyao was about to speak, he was glared at fiercely by Lü Ying and quickly changed his words.
"Is there or isn't there? Why are you looking at him? It's just a meal, don't worry, I, an official, will pay. I won't harm the common folk!"
With Han Mo's sharp perception, he immediately noticed something was amiss.
"No, no, there are no farmhouses nearby, my lord. How about we go back to the county town instead!"
Lü Ying also quickly smoothed things over and said.
"Jiang Yan, you few follow me! Let's go check up ahead!"
Seeing their current demeanor, Han Mo knew something was fishy. He beckoned Jiang Yan, then mounted his horse and galloped ahead.
"Lord Lü, what do we do now..."
Seeing Han Mo leave like that, Gao Zhiyao was instantly stunned.
"What else can we do? It's all your fault! If anything were to happen to His Lordship, you'd be an eternal sinner of Neihuang County!"
Lü Ying glared at him impatiently, then unhitched a horse from the nearby carriage and quickly chased after them.
However, with this slight delay, Han Mo and the others were already long gone. He could only hope that Han Mo wouldn't run into whatever was happening up ahead...
"My lord, look, there are so many people gathered up ahead!"
After galloping for three or four li, they could faintly see a large cluster of houses ahead.
Normally, at this time of day, the nearby villagers would either be working in the fields or busy picking wild vegetables.
But now, many people were inexplicably gathered together, and they seemed to be arguing loudly. This truly piqued Han Mo's curiosity.
"Let's go see!"
Han Mo frowned and immediately spurred his horse forward.
"Weren't we all agreed to pay after the harvest? You're here demanding repayment now, how are we supposed to come up with the money?"
"In just half a month, the interest has multiplied tenfold. You're clearly trying to force us to death!"
As Han Mo and his group approached, before they could even push their way closer, they heard someone in the crowd shouting.
"You damned peasants, what do you think you're doing? Rebelliing?"
"I'm telling you, this is the loan agreement you signed. It clearly states that on the first day of August, you will return the principal and interest together! For every day late, the interest increases by ten percent! You all put your fingerprints on this, what? Are you trying to go back on your word now? Let me tell you, my old master is the father-in-law of the current Prime Minister Li! If anyone is fearless, go ahead and try!"
Just as the villagers' emotions were reaching their peak, a man who looked like a steward jumped onto a nearby table, waving a thick stack of contracts.
"Go ask someone what's going on!"
Han Mo frowned, then signaled to Jiang Yan.
"Yes!"
Upon receiving the order, leaving a few companions to ensure Han Mo's safety, Jiang Yan led his men into the crowd.
"My lord, my lord, we can't interfere in matters here!"
However, at this moment, Lü Ying quietly sidled up and whispered.
"What exactly is going on? Explain it clearly to me!"
Hearing this, Han Mo immediately understood; it seemed he was aware of the situation.
If it weren't for the fact that this fellow had been following Han Mo closely recently and had been diligent, Han Mo would have suspected this old scoundrel was involved.
"My lord, this is the steward of Steward Lin from Jun County. Although he is merely a merchant, his son-in-law is the current Prime Minister Li..."
Li Bangyan's father-in-law?
Han Mo's expression immediately turned strange.
He never expected that just after he helped Li Bangyan ascend to power, his father-in-law would come to his territory to cause trouble.
"What are they doing?"
Han Mo gave a self-deprecating smile, then asked.
"It's nothing new. They lend money to ordinary people at a lower interest rate than the imperial seedling loan when crops are scarce. After they've borrowed the money, they forcefully demand repayment before the crops are harvested, coercing the people into selling their land to them at a low price..."
Having been a county captain for so many years, Lü Ying was quite accustomed to such tactics.
"Isn't he afraid of bringing disaster upon Li Bangyan by doing this?"
Looking at the fields that were about to be harvested in the distance, even Han Mo couldn't help but sneer.
This was the bureaucracy of the Great Song Dynasty, this was the home of the Prime Minister of the Great Song Dynasty...
With such a person as prime minister, Han Mo suddenly felt that the Jingkang Incident seemed to be Heaven's punishment for the Zhao Song imperial family!
"That is the current Prime Minister. Who would dare to manage such a trivial matter..."
Lü Ying let out a wry smile.
"I only ask you one thing, did you benefit from this matter?"
Han Mo took a deep breath, then suddenly turned his head and asked Lü Ying earnestly.
"My lord, if I took any benefits from their family, may heaven and earth strike me down and may I die a horrible death!"
"Good!"
"Where is County Captain Lü Ying!"
Finally, Han Mo was relieved that this fellow hadn't profited from the situation. However, he immediately shouted loudly.
"Your subordinate is here!"
"Arrest all these villains who prey on the people and engage in illicit profiteering, and bring them back to the county yamen!"
"This... this..."
Hearing Han Mo's command, Lü Ying's expression became troubled again.
"Are you defying my orders?"
Han Mo's expression turned gloomy once more.
"Yes!"
Thinking of Han Mo's previous raid on the Li family village, and looking at Han Mo's gloomy face, Lü Ying shuddered all over.