Han Mo brought back a full hundred-man squad of soldiers when he left, whereas he had only brought Jiang Yan as an attendant when he came.
"Send someone to fetch Li Bao and Han Shizhong at top speed. Have them bring their men to block all entrances and exits to the arsenal. No one is to enter or leave without my explicit order!"
Immediately after departing the barracks, Han Mo sent for Han Shizhong and Li Bao. After all, obstructing someone's path to wealth was akin to killing their parents.
Thoroughly investigating the matter of the arsenal would likely send shockwaves through the entire Mingzhou officialdom.
If the arsenal was indeed facing severe losses as Wang Bing had previously stated, then everyone from the esteemed Prefect Li Yueyang down to the lower-ranking granary officials would be held accountable.
Han Mo might not necessarily pursue a full reckoning of this matter, but he had to make these people understand that he held leverage over them.
As for how these individuals would ultimately be dealt with, that would depend entirely on their attitude.
"But sir, without the Prefect's decree, with just our few dozen men, I fear..."
Jiang Yan was taken aback. Han Mo's retinue, along with the fifty Xuanfeng Army soldiers, numbered less than eighty in total.
If they were to clash with the soldiers, they would be the ones at a disadvantage.
"How foolish! The arsenal itself is their responsibility, but the roads outside are not under their purview! If we cannot enter, then they shall not enter either!"
"Yes, sir!"
Although it was only a hundred-man squad, the sheer number of warhorses entering the city in such haste immediately caught Li Yueyang's attention.
Before Han Mo even reached the prefectural yamen, Li Yueyang was already discussing Han Mo's intentions with Qiu Renjie.
"Teacher, what do you suppose he intends to do by bringing troops into the city so late at night? Could it be that he plans to eliminate the Pu family's people directly?"
As the Prefect of Mingzhou, Li Yueyang was not the most well-informed person in the entire affair, but he could not have remained entirely oblivious to the fact that so many people, including Jiang Yan, were distributing leaflets in the city.
"Sir, please do not forget that he left directly from Zui Hong Lou. If it were merely for such a trivial matter, would he need to mobilize troops into the city in the dead of night?"
Although Qiu Renjie had not yet figured out what Han Mo was planning, this single act of mobilizing troops into the city late at night made him feel that the situation was far more complicated than he initially thought.
"If it's not about this matter, then what else could be worth such a grand display?"
As Li Yueyang spoke, a dreadful thought flashed through his mind, but he immediately dismissed it.
"Sir, could it be..."
Taking a deep breath, Qiu Renjie pointed directly in the direction of the arsenal.
"What do you mean? Impossible! No, no, this is absolutely impossible!"
"Why is it impossible?"
Despite Li Yueyang's constant denial, the more he denied it, the more convinced Qiu Renjie became.
After all, apart from this reason, he could not fathom any other matter within Mingzhou that would warrant Han Mo bringing troops into the city so late at night.
"That fellow Han also started as a county magistrate. How could he not understand local affairs? What benefit could he possibly gain from exposing this matter?"
After a moment of hesitation, Li Yueyang spoke again.
"That is the strange part, but apart from this possibility, there are no others!"
Qiu Renjie was so agitated that he was almost pulling out the few hairs on his chin.
Indeed, from Han Mo's perspective, there was no reason for him to expose this matter, as even if he did, he would gain no additional benefit.
With wars erupting everywhere, tearing open this veil of secrecy would only increase the tension among officials at all levels within Mingzhou.
One must know that in the official circles, the unwritten rule of "not concerning oneself with affairs outside one's designated responsibilities" was the surest path to promotion and fortune.
Han Mo, as a Commissioner for the Six Routes of Southeast Military Affairs Command, had merely come to Mingzhou to assist with defense.
The responsibility for investigating unlawful acts fell upon the Investigating Censor. Han Mo's rash involvement in this matter at this time was undoubtedly a grave offense in the officialdom. If the matter succeeded, he would gain no merit, but if it failed, he would bear the blame. Given Han Mo's intelligence, why would he undertake such a thankless task?
"Unless..."
"Unless what?"
Upon hearing Qiu Renjie's words, Li Yueyang immediately stood up.
"Unless Mingzhou is about to face war..."
After Qiu Renjie finished speaking, even he was taken aback.
Yes, it seemed that this was the only remaining reason.
If this were the case, then everything could be explained.
If Mingzhou were about to face war, the first order of business would naturally be to inventory the arsenal and strengthen the city defenses.
"Impossible, this is impossible! There are no rebels near Mingzhou!"
Although he spoke these words, Li Yueyang's forehead was already covered in a cold sweat.
If Qiu Renjie's words were true, then in order to absolve himself of responsibility, Han Mo would have to thoroughly investigate this matter to its very end.
If Han Mo reported this matter directly, even if Mingzhou ultimately fell due to a depleted arsenal and a lack of military supplies, Wang Bing and Han Mo would bear no responsibility whatsoever.
However, Li Yueyang would be in a completely different situation. Even if Mingzhou fell, it would eventually be recaptured.
If they did not perish in battle, they would inevitably be held accountable afterwards.
"But what should we do now?"
No one knew the situation within the arsenal better than Li Yueyang himself.
Once Han Mo and his men stormed the armory, not only his own life but the lives of everyone in the Mingzhou officialdom would be held in Han Mo's hands!
"For the current situation, sir, I fear you have only three paths left..."
After a wry smile, Qiu Renjie spoke again.
"Teacher, at this point, do not be coy!"
From the city gate to the prefectural yamen, it was at most half an hour's journey. At this moment, Li Yueyang had no patience to listen to his slow explanations.
"If I have not guessed incorrectly, the rebels should be arriving soon. Sir, if you have the courage to make a bold move, you could directly eliminate Han Mo, and before Wang Bing can react, buy a boat and flee overseas. That would be the wisest course of action!"
After Qiu Renjie finished speaking, even Li Yueyang's forehead began to bead with sweat.
"Teacher, do not joke. You and I both know that the man named Han is surrounded by numerous masters, and even the members of his wife's family cannot touch him. How could we possibly be any different..."
"Then there are only two paths left. Either the arsenal disappears, or sir must be completely open and discuss the matter with him..."
After hearing Qiu Renjie's words, Li Yueyang fell silent once more.
Neither of these decisions seemed easy to make.
Han Mo was born into a prominent family, and both he and his wife's family had deep connections within the imperial court.
As a scion of such a noble lineage, how could he possibly risk danger to help them conceal such a matter?