"Alright, this matter ends here. I will go talk to him tonight. Lin Lingsu should have entered the palace by now. You should all go prepare your own affairs. Remember this: make sure to settle the families of those people, and fulfill the promises made to them."
"Yes!"
With this matter settled, the disciples who were originally indignant finally breathed a sigh of relief.
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"Brother Han, you did a great job!"
Upon returning to Zhao Zhen's residence, Zong Ying couldn't help but excitedly say to Han Mo.
"Don't talk about that first. This matter doesn't have much to do with me. Rather, it's you. If you hadn't found out the whereabouts of those people, even with my immense abilities, I wouldn't have known when this rain would stop!"
Han Mo showed no intention of taking credit for such things. Instead, he praised Zong Ying in front of Zhao Zhen.
"Brother Han, if you say that, you'll make me too ashamed to show my face!"
Although Zong Ying said this, his eyes were already filled with gratitude as he looked at Han Mo.
"I think neither of you need to be so polite. Let's talk about what we should do next!"
Although they didn't gain any practical benefits from today's events, it had significantly changed the Emperor's view of Zhao Zhen.
As a son, Zhao Zhen felt this the most directly.
"Brother Han, you should be the one to speak!"
When it came to serious matters, Zong Ying directly handed over the initiative to Han Mo.
"Then I will state my opinion?"
After cupping his hands towards the two, Han Mo stood up with a smile.
"I am all ears!"
Zhao Zhen also smiled and returned the salute to Han Mo.
"The matter of military pay is about to be resolved. The next steps for Your Highness are to handle three things!"
"The first is that Your Highness should have a thorough discussion with Old General Zhong to determine the division of authority!"
When it came to specific strategies, Han Mo was very direct.
"Division of authority?"
Zhao Zhen looked at Han Mo with some confusion.
"Exactly. Although Your Highness is a prince, you do not have experience leading troops in battle. Therefore, in military matters, you should primarily heed his opinions. Giving conflicting orders is a great taboo in the army!"
Han Mo strongly believed in entrusting professional matters to professionals.
Especially when it came to leading troops in battle, Zhong Shidao's experience was unparalleled!
Their current opponents were merely a group of bandits, even if they had support from the Khitan people behind them. In the age of cold weapons, armies were not tested by individual combat capabilities. Discipline and order were not something that could be cultivated in a short period.
In this regard, the elite troops of the Western Army, who had been through countless battles, were no match for these hastily assembled refugees.
As long as Zhao Zhen did not give any misguided orders, victory was almost a certainty.
"Old General Zhong is a renowned general of our Song Dynasty. Following his lead in battle will certainly not be wrong!"
Zhao Zhen agreed immediately after a moment's thought.
"While battles are to be led by Old General Zhong, all policies concerning the regions must be issued by Your Highness! The southeastern region has deep-rooted local powers, but it is still an important source of revenue for the imperial court. If it is not absolutely necessary, Your Highness should primarily focus on appeasement!"
"Yes, I have noted this!"
Appeasement as the primary strategy, with suppression as secondary, was the main policy for quelling rebellions, and Zhao Zhen was naturally compliant.
"The second matter is that although Your Highness now holds the position of Commander of the Six Routes, upon arriving in the southeast, you must be extremely cautious of the Zhu father and son!"
"Didn't they, father and son, make the people of the southeast destitute? Shouldn't they be sliced into a thousand pieces?"
Speaking of Zhu Mie and his son, Zhao Zhen's teeth itched with hatred.
He was already someone who hated evil and abhorred wickedness. Now, facing these two utterly wicked individuals, he naturally harbored an intense hatred.
"They, father and son, are indeed detestable and deserve retribution. However, the problem is that everything they have done has been under the Emperor's banner. If Your Highness intends to deal with them, you must also be able to distance the Emperor from it! Moreover, they have been established in the southeast for many years. Your Highness should still be wary of them becoming desperate and cornered!"
"Your Highness, Brother Han is right. A moment's impatience can ruin great plans. Your Highness should prioritize the overall situation. The Zhu father and son should be left for later to be properly punished!"
Seeing Zhao Zhen's indignant expression, Zong Ying quickly chimed in.
"I understand. As long as they don't go too far, I will tolerate them for now!"
Zhao Zhen and Zong Ying were currently the two most important people by his side. With both of them speaking, Zhao Zhen naturally had to give them some face.
"The third matter is that Your Highness must remember, upon arriving in the southeast, no matter who offers tribute, except for necessary military pay, you are absolutely forbidden to accept anything!"
"You mean..."
Hearing Han Mo say this, Zhao Zhen's pupils couldn't help but contract.
"The reason the Emperor bestows such great favor upon Your Highness is not out of father-son affection! Your Highness should keep this firmly in mind!"
After Han Mo said this, the atmosphere in Zhao Zhen's study suddenly became oppressive.
Even Zong Ying fell silent. Although he had seen some clues, these words were still considered taboo.
"I know Brother Han is doing this for my own good. Otherwise, you would never have spoken such words. Zhao Zhen will never forget this kindness!"
After a brief silence, Zhao Zhen also took a deep breath and said.
"Your Highness is too kind. It is enough that Your Highness understands this matter in your heart. I have been in this residence for quite some time today, so let's conclude here!"
Seeing the time, as the day was nearing its end, and having said all that needed to be said, Han Mo decided to take his leave.
"Yes, I will escort Brother Han!"
Although Han Mo had shattered his final illusions, Zhao Zhen indeed felt a bit uncomfortable, but he understood that what Han Mo said was indeed the truth.
"There's no need. Your Highness's status is sensitive, and it's best not to attract attention at this time. Have Brother Shou Zheng escort me out through the back door. Your Highness, we will meet again in Jiangnan."
"We will meet again in Jiangnan!"
After bidding farewell to Zhao Zhen, Han Mo followed Zong Ying all the way to the back courtyard of the prince's mansion.
"Brother Han, you shouldn't have revealed this matter so directly..."
When they reached a secluded spot, Zong Ying couldn't help but whisper.
"If I hadn't revealed this matter, I fear Your Highness might have lost his life due to impetuous actions."
Although Han Mo knew that speaking such words directly could easily be misunderstood as him instigating discord between Zhao Zhen and his father, Han Mo understood even more that Zhao Zhen was too straightforward. If this wound were not exposed in advance, he feared that by the time Zhao Ji made his move, Zhao Zhen would have lost the strength to retaliate...