“Such a trivial matter, and you have to trouble Lord Zhong for it? Keep a close eye on the river embankment. In at most three days, I should be back!”
“They likely… this time…”
Seeing Han Mo’s confident demeanor, Lü Ying could only offer a bitter smile inwardly.
That was the Transport Commissioner’s office, and it was evident to anyone that these people were not here with good intentions. How could things be as easy as Han Mo claimed…
“Alright, alright, stop saying such disheartening things. You go ahead and attend to your business. Don’t worry about things here!”
Han Mo spoke while straightening his clothes.
“Yes!”
Since Han Mo had said so, Lü Ying, despite his hundredfold unease, could only turn and leave.
“Take good care of my lord on the journey!”
Compared to Lü Ying’s worries, Zhe Yourong’s demeanor was much calmer.
Taking a large package from Chun Tao and handing it to Xu Fengnian, she then said in a low voice.
“Madam, rest assured, I understand!”
Xu Fengnian agreed without hesitation.
“The matters over there have been settled. Tomorrow at noon, the official document will surely be delivered to Yuancheng!”
As he was about to leave, Zhe Yourong whispered into Han Mo’s ear.
“Then I shall trouble you, Madam. Wait for my return!”
With accurate information in hand, Han Mo felt much more confident.
Indeed, it seems that relying on one’s wife is the sweetest path in life.
“Lord Han, I am Wang Lu, the Judicial Staff Officer of the Grand Prefecture’s Transport Commissioner’s Office. We are on official duty, so I must trouble you to accompany us!”
The moment Han Mo stepped out of the yamen’s gates, an official in green robes, accompanied by several runners, approached directly.
As he spoke, he produced a set of cangues, preparing to place them directly on Han Mo.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Han Mo’s pupils constricted, and his expression immediately turned grim.
“Lord Han, we are merely following orders. Please do not make things difficult for us.”
Wang Lu chuckled, and those behind him prepared to step forward.
“Hahaha, you bunch of scoundrels! Whoever dares to take a step forward, let’s see if the saber in my hand recognizes you!”
Just as they were about to resort to force, the tall and imposing Wu Lin, leading dozens of soldiers, surrounded them.
Han Mo was their sworn brother. Hearing that the Transport Commissioner’s men were trying to make trouble for Han Mo, how could Wu Lin let them succeed?
“You, you, you, what do you think you’re doing? Are you rebelling?”
Wang Lu was stunned. He wanted to speak with more authority, but looking at Wu Lin’s imposing figure and the naked killing intent in the soldiers’ eyes, his legs began to tremble.
“Hahaha, there are only you few birds here. Even if I were to cut you all down and hang your heads on the city gates, claiming they were the work of bandits from outside the city, who would come to seek justice for you?”
Wu Lin understood perfectly well that he couldn’t actually harm these people; doing so would only bring greater trouble to Han Mo. However, scaring them was certainly permissible.
After all, everyone he brought with him today were Imperial Camp soldiers from Bianliang City.
These soldiers had no ties to the officials in Hebei Circuit. Back in Bianliang City, even as the Emperor’s personal guards, their monthly pay was half in banknotes and half in cash.
However, after arriving in Neihuang County, Wu Lin paid them half in copper coins and half in grain.
This implicitly meant that their treatment had not only not decreased but had actually increased by nearly thirty percent.
For these soldiers who lived by their pay, receiving an extra thirty percent in money and grain was truly a rare opportunity that one wouldn’t find even with a lantern.
Moreover, Wu Lin truly possessed extraordinary qualities, surpassing them in both martial arts and courage.
Over these past few months, they had been thoroughly won over by Wu Lin.
Let alone coming to help him intimidate a few straw men, even if they were asked to take action, they would have done so without hesitation.
“Han Mo, what do you think you’re doing!”
Although Wu Lin’s words were harsh, Wang Lu, having navigated the treacherous waters of Hebei Circuit for so many years, understood that this was indeed the reality of Hebei Circuit.
It was raining today, and everyone near the county yamen was Han Mo’s man.
If they were all killed today, there wouldn’t even be anyone left to report back.
At that point, Wu Lin could simply throw their bodies outside the city, and in this land riddled with bandits, who would come to seek justice for them?
Thus, in his helplessness, he could only shift his target back to Han Mo.
“What do you mean, what do I think I’m doing? I’d like to ask what you think you’re doing, sir. As a mandated official of the court, and this year’s top scholar, I’d like to know what crime I’ve committed that requires you to bring shackles for me at our first meeting!”
Han Mo shrugged his shoulders, appearing as if it had nothing to do with him.
“Hehehehe, tie these birds up and take them outside the city to be hanged for three days.”
Wu Lin grinned sinisterly and directly ordered his soldiers to move.
“Wait! Lord Han, I am also acting under duress. How about we forgo the shackles? However, I still must trouble Lord Han to accompany us to the Transport Commissioner’s office!”
Wang Lu’s mouth twitched, and he immediately said in a most accommodating manner.
“Since the Transport Commissioner has summoned me, may I ask if there is an official document?”
Seeing the man’s submission, Han Mo asked with a smile.
“There is indeed an official document. Lord Han, please take a look!”
As Wang Lu spoke, he handed over the documents he had tucked away.
After reading the document, Han Mo actually found the words “lock up and apprehend” on it.
With this in hand, Han Mo immediately felt emboldened.
“Second Brother Wu, I appreciate your kindness, but the court has its own laws. These people are also acting under orders, so you should not make things difficult for them.”
“Lord!”
Lü Ying also hurried over.
From the attitude of these people alone, he knew that this matter could not be easily resolved today.
“Zhong Jiyi is in the manor now. Take this document to him and have him forward it to Commissioner Xu.”
Han Mo finished speaking and handed the document in his hand to Lü Ying.
“But shouldn’t I go and invite Zhong Jiyi here now?”
Lü Ying lowered his voice and said softly.
“Don’t worry, I have my own plans. Just do as I say.”
Han Mo smiled and then patted his shoulder.
“Since the document states ‘lock up and apprehend,’ then please bring the shackles! However, please tell Transport Commissioner Liu when you return that Han Mo is eccentric. Once these are on, it won’t be so easy to take them off!”