"Go tell your Master Feng that Zong Ying, a reader in the Prince of Xin's household, has come to visit!"
Neither of them had the mind to speak further. They arrived at a large mansion located in Zhaode Ward, and Zong Ying spoke directly to the doorkeepers outside.
"Master Feng?"
Han Mo asked curiously.
"This is all thanks to Prime Minister Cai. Brother Han, haven't you heard that nursery rhyme? Three thousand strings of cash, straight to the Imperial Library; five hundred strings of cash, promoted to Vice Prefect! This Master Feng spent five thousand strings of cash to buy himself a sinecure as a junior official in the Ministry of War's Left Department!"
Zong Ying said disdainfully.
"Official positions are truly valuable in the court!"
Han Mo smiled noncommittally.
"Following the current practices of the grand councilors in the two administrations, it won't be long before everyone in Bianliang can be addressed as a colleague!"
While buying official posts wasn't a new phenomenon, the reign of Emperor Huizong had truly thrown all pretense of dignity to the wind.
As long as one could afford the price, even high-ranking officials of the third rank or above could be directly purchased.
Although no one had yet fallen for it, given the current situation, it was only a matter of time.
For such matters, it would be truly astonishing if a hot-headed youth like Zong Ying could tolerate it!
"Reader Zong? What brings you to my humble abode today?"
Although the two had little interaction usually, and Zong Ying was not a high-ranking official, Feng Yuanbao hurried out to greet him upon hearing of his arrival.
"I do not visit the Hall of Three Treasures without reason. I have indeed come to see you today, Master Feng!"
Zong Ying spoke rather impolitely, which made Feng Yuanbao a bit awkward.
However, he dared not put on airs with Zong Ying here.
Though his position as a junior official in the Ministry of War's Left Department was technically a sixth-rank position, while Zong Ying's role as a reader in the Prince of Xin's household was only a seventh-rank position.
In terms of seniority, Zong Ying should have addressed him as a superior. Yet, Zong Ying was a legitimate jinshi (successful candidate in the imperial examination) official, and the title of Prince's Household Reader enjoyed the treatment of a fifth-rank official.
If posted externally, he could be a prefect of a major prefecture, and if Prince Xin were to have good fortune someday, they could truly ascend to prominence.
Even though the possibility seemed almost infinitesimally close to zero at the moment, he dared not offend even a one-in-ten-thousand chance.
"Since Your Excellency has business, perhaps we should speak inside!"
Feng Yuanbao led the way himself while speaking.
Although he was a merchant, being able to buy a residence in Zhaode Ward made him a rare gem among the merchants of Bianliang.
Han Mo followed Feng Yuanbao into his grand mansion without saying a word.
As soon as he entered, Han Mo's brow furrowed. It wasn't apparent from the outside, but upon entering, the opulence of the mansion truly startled Han Mo.
"This residence is in a very good location! The neighbors on both sides must be high-ranking officials, right?"
Han Mo asked casually.
"Indeed. This residence is excellent in both location and layout. To the right is the mansion of Deng Zhigang, a Vice-Director of the Huiyou Pavilion, and to the left is the mansion of Xu Fen, a scholar of the Longtu Pavilion. I paid a great sum to acquire it!"
After Feng Yuanbao mentioned these two individuals, Han Mo's expression became even more peculiar.
"Xu Fen? The son of Xu Wending, the Minister of the Chancellery?"
Han Mo stopped dead in his tracks.
"That's right! What's wrong?"
Feng Yuanbao looked at Han Mo, somewhat puzzled.
"Brother Shou Zheng, we should pay another visit another day!"
Han Mo, too lazy to waste more words, said directly to Zong Ying.
"Ah?"
Zong Ying was stunned. Were they leaving without saying anything?
"I apologize, we have other matters to attend to, so we bid you farewell!"
After speaking, Han Mo grabbed Zong Ying and left.
He looked as though he was fleeing a plague, unwilling to stay a moment longer.
Although Zong Ying didn't know what he was doing, since Han Mo said so, he didn't ask anything and followed Han Mo out.
Feng Yuanbao was even more dumbfounded. What was going on?
These two were not invited guests. They had come to find him themselves, and now they were leaving just after entering. What was this all about?
"Master, that person just now, if I'm not mistaken, seems to be Han Mo, that young official who beat Cai's young master!"
As Feng Yuanbao was in confusion, his head steward, Feng Yuan, suddenly said.
"Is that the young official Han, who was bestowed a magical artifact by His Majesty?"
Feng Yuanbao was a devout Taoist and naturally knew about the jade ruyi.
"I believe it's him, nine times out of ten!"
Feng Yuan himself had been one of the onlookers. After recalling carefully, he said immediately.
"Then why did they leave so abruptly?"
Feng Yuanbao looked at Feng Yuan, perplexed.
"Master, that jade ruyi was a magical artifact presented to His Majesty by Master Yuan Miao. Why would His Majesty give it to just anyone? I surmise it must be because this young official Han possesses inherent spiritual roots. You say, could he have seen something?"
Although Feng Yuan's words were mere speculation mixed with his own imaginings, it must be said that his guess was very close to the truth.
"You mean, there's something wrong with this residence?"
Feng Yuanbao's face turned pale. Although he had people inspect the residence before, Master Yuan Miao, Lin Ling Su, was the most talked-about charlatan in Bianliang!
Once Han Mo was connected to him and His Majesty, his abilities in Feng Yuanbao's eyes were instantly elevated to omnipotence.
After all, why else would His Majesty bestow such a treasure upon an ordinary person?
"It is likely so, otherwise, why would he leave without saying a word..."
Feng Yuan said solemnly.
"This is bad, quickly go after them!"
Feng Yuanbao suddenly realized that this residence was something he had just purchased. If there was indeed something wrong with it, something that could frighten these two away, then how would he dare to live in it?
"Brother Han, is there something wrong? We haven't even discussed our main business, why are we leaving?"
After leaving the gates of Feng Mansion, Zong Ying finally spoke and asked.
"Please wait a moment, both of you!"
Before Han Mo could speak, Feng Yuanbao had already rushed out.
"Is there something, Master Feng?"
Zong Ying looked at Han Mo and then asked.
"Is this the young official Han?"
Although asking this was indeed a bit impolite, at this moment, seeing the two about to leave, Feng Yuanbao quickly asked.
"You know Brother Han?"
Zong Ying looked at Han Mo, somewhat confused.
"Is it truly young official Han? Young official, have you noticed something amiss with my residence? If there is anything wrong, please tell me directly! I am willing to offer a generous reward!"
Feng Yuanbao looked at Han Mo pleadingly.