"This fellow is leading an elite army, and at this time, instead of fighting on the frontline, he's patrolling the streets of Suzhou. His generalship is truly quite relaxed and leisurely!"
Although this matter was indeed tricky, Han Mo Zhen didn't take the minor official, Xin Xing Zong, seriously.
"I heard someone pulled some strings from above..."
Jiang Yan said in a low voice.
"That depends on who pulled the strings! Here, I'll write you a note. You can immediately find someone to deliver this note to Master Zong!"
As they spoke, Han Mo had already thought of a solution.
Casually throwing on his clothes, he went straight to the desk.
After writing a note with a flourish, he handed it directly to Jiang Yan.
"I say, what exactly is your master doing? He hasn't come out for so long. Could he have fled to escape punishment?"
Although Zhao Zhen had already begun dealing with the people from the Ying Feng Bureau yesterday, this matter was of great importance and involved many people.
To prevent leaks, the matter had been kept confidential until now.
All the personnel he had dispatched throughout the entire process were teams personally trained by Zong Ze at the Nanjing Garrison.
Perhaps these people's combat quality was not high, but their loyalty to Zhao Zhen and the strictness of their military discipline were indeed the highest among all the troops.
Firstly, their actions were swift, and secondly, their military discipline was truly strict.
Apart from those directly arrested, very few people among the remaining individuals knew about this matter.
The local officials in Suzhou might have smelled something fishy, but Xin Xing Zong truly hadn't heard a whisper of it.
No sooner had he heard that people from the Ying Feng Bureau were killed in the street, than he immediately led his men to investigate.
Although Xin Xing Zong's martial arts were ordinary, he was quite skilled at this kind of work.
In just one night, he had managed to find a few eyewitnesses. Although these people hadn't found evidence of Han Mo making the move, they had clearly seen Li Bao kill Zhu Cheng with a single strike.
When his subordinates discovered that Li Bao had followed Han Mo back to the inn and hadn't left all night, Xin Xing Zong was ecstatic beyond measure.
"I knew it was General Xin. What? Does the General think the one-copper medicinal fee is too little?"
Just as Xin Xing Zong was preparing to charge in with his men, Han Mo lazily walked out from the courtyard with Jiang Yan and Liang Hongyu.
"Master Han, I, this general, am not someone who retaliates for personal grudges. I am here today on official business. Someone saw your subordinate kill over thirty imperial constables on the street, including Zhu Cheng, an official from the Ying Feng Bureau. I request you hand over the subordinate who committed the murder!"
Upon seeing Liang Hongyu, a flicker of ferocity flashed in Xin Xing Zong's eyes. However, he quickly suppressed it, calmed his emotions, and then continued.
"Hahahaha, General Xin, did you go mad last night? You've come to my place this early in the morning to talk nonsense!"
With so many people suddenly arriving at the inn to arrest someone early this morning, the surroundings were already crowded with onlookers.
Even the roofs of nearby buildings were filled with idlers trying to get a better look.
This fellow was clearly looking for trouble, so Han Mo naturally wouldn't give him any pleasantries.
"Han Mo! Is this how you speak to a superior officer?"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Xin Xing Zong's face instantly turned ashen with anger.
"Superior officer? Where is your so-called superior officer? I say, you surnamed Xin, you're not talking about yourself, are you?"
Although, by rights, Xin Xing Zong was the imposing Defense Commissioner of Zhongzhou, which was indeed a step above Han Mo.
The problem was that he was a military officer, while Han Mo was a civil official. Coupled with the existing animosity between them, Han Mo naturally wouldn't give him any face.
"You are merely a minor seventh-rank official, while I am the Defense Commissioner of Zhongzhou, a true fifth-rank official. How can I not be your superior?"
Xin Xing Zong glared at Han Mo menacingly as he spoke.
"General Xin, do you think too highly of yourself? Han Mo is an official of the Southeast Six Routes Pacification Bureau, not a common soldier under your command. If you want to be Han Mo's superior, you should go back to your mother's womb and study for a few more years. When you pass the imperial examinations and become a Jinshi, then you can talk about superiors and subordinates with Han Mo!"
Han Mo paid no mind to his impotent rage.
The opposition between civil and military officials in the Great Song Dynasty had existed for many years. It could be said that since Zhao Kuangyin's coup at Chenqiao, the suppression of military officers had become irreversible.
Although Han Mo's rank was not as high as his, if this matter were to escalate now, any civil official who dared to support Xin Xing Zong would be ostracized from society thereafter.
Whenever matters involving civil-military opposition arose, the attitude of civil officials was always remarkably consistent.
Once a high-ranking military officer bullied a civil official, the matter would invariably end with the scholars' victory!
After all, the emperors of the Song Dynasty had always proclaimed that the Great Song Empire was ruled jointly by the emperor and the scholar-officials!
"Little child Han Mo, how dare you insult me thus!"
Although what Han Mo said was the truth, the truth was often blinding, especially such a bloody reality.
Being so humiliated by Han Mo in full view of everyone, Xin Xing Zong truly wished he could kill him.
"Insult you? I am insulting you today, what are you going to do about it? Xin Xing Zong, I warn you, don't provoke me. Now, take your lackeys and get as far away from here as possible. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite!"
Han Mo sneered and cast another disdainful glance at Xin Xing Zong.
Originally, he didn't want to make things so unpleasant, but Han Mo knew in his heart that if he showed any sign of backing down, Xin Xing Zong would inevitably press his advantage! If he were allowed to charge in, Han Mo's prestige would truly be shattered!
"Men, break through and charge in! Anyone who resists, kill without mercy!"
Xin Xing Zong's eyes turned red, and he drew his sword, preparing to attack.
The soldiers behind him exchanged glances upon hearing his order and hesitantly drew their single-edged swords.
"Hahahaha, although I, Han Mo, am not talented, my courtyard is honored with an imperial bestowal. Those who are not afraid of death, come forward if you dare! By the way, what is the punishment for desecrating an imperial bestowal?"
As soon as Han Mo said this, the soldiers immediately stopped in their tracks.
The dynasty did not kill scholar-officials, but it didn't say it wouldn't kill common soldiers...