"Magistrate Han, I ask you about the matter of seizing imperial property. Is it true?"
After being suppressed for so long, the discussion finally got to the crucial point. Liu Shanqing felt like a liberated serf singing a song of triumph.
Now, everything depended on Han Mo's confession.
As long as this brat confessed, the matter would be much simpler.
Even if he had monumental matters to attend to, it was no excuse for seizing imperial property!
"Is there such a thing? How come I don't know?"
Han Mo said dismissively.
"Han, stop playing games here. Don't you know that the land on the west bank belongs to Shenxiao Palace? I have the land deeds as proof. What do you have to say now!"
Wang Daolu said, then directly took out a thick stack of land deeds from his embrace.
"Magistrate Han, this is the court of the Transportation Bureau. If you lie here, it will be meaningless!"
Seeing that victory was within his grasp, Liu Shanqing said smugly.
"My lord, which of your ears heard me lying? Do you have any evidence?"
Han Mo sneered disdainfully and said directly.
"Reporting to my lord, these are the land deeds in my possession. These deeds prove that the land being used for flood discharge by Han Mo at this moment is the property of Shenxiao Wanshou Palace! This brat, due to previous unpleasantness with us, has deliberately sought revenge this time, using the flood control matter to intentionally damage Shenxiao Wanshou Palace's property. I beg my lord to discern!" Wang Daolu said, then directly knelt before Li Jixian, his eyes filled with tears, appearing as if he had suffered great injustice.
"Let the two lords examine it!"
What Liu Shanqing wanted was nothing more than this evidence. As long as this matter was proven ironclad, whether Han Mo confessed or not was irrelevant.
Therefore, without a second thought, he directly asked someone to present the deeds to Xu Churen and Li Jixian.
"There's no need for me to examine it. Haven't I said it? I'm just here to observe the trial today. Other matters are irrelevant to me. You just proceed with your case! After you're done, I can choose another place to catch up with my little friend!"
Li Jixian didn't know how to address this shameless old man. This fellow was truly going too far! How could anyone conduct a trial with such words?
"Magistrate Han, these land deeds don't seem fake. Do you have nothing to say?"
Li Jixian was not as calm as Xu Churen. After glancing at the deeds, he immediately looked back at Han Mo.
"Does what I say matter at this moment? I say, my lord, why don't we save some effort and you two just escort me back to Bianliang and go directly to the Ministry of Justice?"
Han Mo said with a cold smile.
"What are you talking about? I am giving you a chance to defend yourself. Do you know what you will face if you miss this opportunity? Seizing imperial property is a crime akin to grave disrespect!"
"My lord, the character for official has two mouths, it truly can be said any way you please! Since that's the case, why are you still talking nonsense here? Let's meet in Bianliang then!"
"Bianliang? Do you think you will have a chance to return to Bianliang alive? If this crime of grave disrespect is confirmed, I have the authority to execute you on behalf of His Majesty!"
Li Jixian said sternly.
"Hahahaha! Lord Li, why don't we give it a try? Do you believe that if my head falls today, tomorrow the heads of your entire family will be hanging on the city gate!"
Since the confrontation had escalated to this point, Han Mo naturally had no reservations in his words.
"You are threatening me!"
Li Jixian also stood up abruptly.
The atmosphere in the great hall immediately became extremely tense.
"I dare not. I am merely stating a fact! My lord, please do not forget that seizing imperial property is grave disrespect. Is desecrating imperial gifts also not grave disrespect?"
"What desecrating imperial gifts? I don't understand!"
Hearing Han Mo's sonorous voice, even Li Jixian felt an inexplicable sense of timidity.
"Don't understand? Then let's say something you do understand. My lord, haven't you noticed that I'm carrying a small bundle on my back?"
"So what if you're carrying a bundle? Is this bundle also an imperial gift?"
"My lord is indeed my lord, you've guessed it right!"
Seeing the smile on Han Mo's face, Li Jixian was stunned.
"If I recall correctly, my little friend was bestowed two treasures by His Majesty in Bianliang City! One is the Qingping Sword of the Flying General of Han, and the other is a magical artifact gifted to His Majesty by Master Yuan Miao..."
Xu Churen also added lightly at this moment.
"Magic, magical artifact..."
"That's right, it's the jade Ruyi I'm carrying on my back!"
After Han Mo finished speaking, Liu Shanqing truly wished he could smash his own head with a hammer.
If he had known this brat was so troublesome, he shouldn't have gotten involved that day.
Everyone else was pushing it away, and he foolishly went and took on the responsibility.
Wasn't that a sign of a sick mind?
"Take off his shackles! Be careful, be careful!"
At this point, Liu Shanqing could no longer sit still. If he had known that Han Mo was carrying such a thing in his small bundle, he wouldn't have dared to have shackles put on him.
If that thing were to be damaged, and Han Mo pushed the responsibility onto him, it would be like mud falling into his trousers – it would be messy whether it was shit or not.
Wasn't the crime of damaging an imperial gift more serious than seizing imperial property?
"No, no, didn't I say earlier? I feel quite comfortable carrying this thing. If I go to the Golden Hall like this, from now on, Han Mo will also be remembered in history!"
After hearing his words, Liu Shanqing almost cried.
The writ for restraining Han Mo had his signature on it. If something went wrong, he would be the first to suffer!
"Lord Xu, your relationship with Magistrate Han is extraordinary. Why don't you try to persuade him? If that treasure were to be damaged, wouldn't we all be unable to bear the consequences?"
Although in this era, it was not uncommon for the emperor to bestow imperial gifts upon high-ranking officials and their descendants.
However, the problem was that the name "Ruyi" itself was somewhat telling.
Moreover, this Ruyi was extraordinary; it was presented to His Majesty by Lin Ling Su.