"What are you still gawking for? His Excellency wants you to review the case, so continue with the trial!"
Having been reprimanded for no reason, Li Jixian felt an inexplicable discomfort at this moment.
At this very moment, he truly hated Xu Churen with all his heart, yet he dared not show any outward sign of it. Moreover, he had to force a smile in front of Xu Churen!
The feeling was akin to having a dead rat shoved into his mouth and being asked if it tasted good...
"Lord Liu, do you have any further questions? If you don't, I have other matters at my manor and will not be accompanying you further!"
Seeing Liu Shanqing's flushed face, Han Mo spoke again.
Wang Lu, who was watching from the side, felt an inexplicable sense of relief. He was fortunate that he hadn't pushed things too far when he was at the Neihuang County yamen; otherwise, his name would likely have been on the list of those demoted by three thousand miles by now.
"Madam Han, you have been making baseless arguments for a long time. Do you have any evidence in your hand to prove that Magistrate Han discussed matters with the plaintiff before the incident? You must know that these lands were bestowed by the Emperor upon Master Yuanmiao. The Emperor's words still echo in our ears. Now that these lands are suddenly gone, isn't this making the Emperor lose face?"
Either break the silence with an explosion or die in silence.
Indeed, under pressure, people would always unleash some extraordinary abilities.
Liu Shanqing, who was on the verge of being cornered, suddenly had a flash of inspiration and forcefully steered the conversation back.
After he finished these few sentences, even Li Jixian sitting beside him wished he could hug and gnaw on him.
This was a true desperate counterattack!
If Han Mo had communicated with them beforehand, would they be here filing a complaint now?
Although he was managing the land on their behalf, in the end, the matter of the land was an internal affair of the Shenxiao Sect.
Both in sentiment and in reason, Han Mo should have greeted Wang Daolu.
"My Lord's words are truly interesting. The floodwaters are raging, and the people of Neihuang County are in imminent danger. Yet, His Excellency still has the mind to quibble over words. It's truly as they say, a magistrate's words can twist anything; no matter how you say it, you're in the right!"
Before Han Mo could speak, Zhe Yourong said disdainfully.
"How dare you! Madam Han, I have been lenient with you, considering your noble background. But do not forget, this is a public court!"
Zhe Yourong's statement had ripped off Liu Shanqing's last fig leaf. As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Shanqing became furious.
"Reporting to Your Excellency, I am indeed the Abbot of the Shenxiao Wanshou Palace in Neihuang County. I can testify that Magistrate Han did not consult with me beforehand and inexplicably injured more than a dozen disciples guarding the fields. I implore Your Excellency to uphold justice for our Shenxiao Sect!"
Despite Xu Churen's repeated pronouncements of his stance, Wang Daolu, seeing that the situation seemed to have a sudden chance of reversal, immediately jumped out.
After all, no matter how forceful Xu Churen was, he was still an appointed official of the court.
With the current Emperor's favor towards Lin Ling Su, the Taoist sect could entirely operate outside the laws of the Great Song Dynasty.
"Magistrate Han, what do you say?"
With Wang Daolu's testimony, Liu Shanqing's smile became even more pronounced.
Although this old Taoist had made mistakes time and time again, he had finally seized this opportunity.
"What do I say? Do I still need to say anything?"
Han Mo said disdainfully.
"So, you admit it? Knowing full well that those lands were bestowed by the Emperor upon Master Yuanmiao, you directly occupied them without consulting anyone. What position do you place the Emperor in?"
Liu Shanqing sneered at Han Mo.
Even if Xu Churen were present, so what?
Even if he had the support of a Provincial Governor, so what?
Wasn't he still directly taken down by me!
"I say, Your Excellency, have I offended you in some way? Or have you accepted some benefits from this Taoist? Why is it that ever since I took the bench, you have been so determined to smear me?"
"Magistrate Han, this is after all a public court. If you have evidence, present it. If you do not, do not slander your superior here. Is this the etiquette you learned in the Imperial Academy?"
Li Jixian understood clearly that their time was running out. If they continued to bicker with Han Mo, they would be the ones to suffer in the end.
After all, the influential families in Hebei Circuit were not to be trifled with. If they were to completely lose their patience and submit a memorial to the imperial court, not only would the officials in various regions face trouble, but he, the Transport Commissioner of Hebei East Circuit, would likely face dire consequences as well. WΑp.kanshu伍.net
Although the current dynasty did not execute scholar-officials, there were no less than ten methods he knew of to make a person wish they were dead rather than alive.
"Very well, since Lord Li has said so, let us be clear about this matter! The reason why I did not consult with anyone is because these lands rightfully belong to me!"
After hearing Han Mo's words, everyone was stunned, and even Liu Shanqing wore a mocking expression. Was this fellow perhaps driven mad?
"I say, Magistrate Han, are you perhaps delirious with anger? These lands were bestowed by the Emperor upon Master Yuanmiao. The copies of the land deeds are currently in the office of the Transport Commissioner!"
"Magistrate Han, since you claim these lands are yours, do you have any land deeds?"
Wang Daolu's heart began to pound wildly. As long as Han Mo produced a forged land deed, the matter today would truly be much simpler.
Let alone Xu Churen, even if the King of Heaven came, he wouldn't be able to save him!
As an official, to forge land deeds and to target the Emperor's most favored Taoist? Such a thing, perhaps not even the most sensational story in the entertainment districts would dare to write it like this!
"Of course, I have land deeds. If Your Excellency does not believe me, then by all means, send someone to verify them!"
As Zhe Yourong spoke, she directly pulled out a thick stack of land deeds from her sleeve.
Seeing these land deeds placed before Liu Shanqing once again, even Xu Churen sat up straight.
Although he did not know what these two, husband and wife, were up to, based on what Han Mo had told him in Bianliang City, Xu Churen did not believe that he would present anything fake.
However, if these things were true, it seemed somewhat unlikely...
If Lin Ling Su were truly so accommodating, the sun would have risen from the west already!