"My lord..."
A bailiff following him also cautiously approached, pointing at Han Mo's official uniform.
To have an imperial official, still in his uniform, seated in a prisoner's cart – what was the court's dignity coming to?
"If you've got the guts, you say it!"
Wang Lu also felt a headache coming on.
Rules were rules, but the problem was, at this moment, he really didn't dare to take off Han Mo's official uniform!
Furthermore, the writ only mentioned apprehension, not stripping him of his uniform.
If things escalated, and their superior started nitpicking the wording, they would truly become scapegoats.
Hearing Wang Lu's words, the bailiff also forced a wry smile. However, time was short, and there was no way to delay any further.
They could only brace themselves and escort Han Mo into Yuan City.
An official in his uniform, imprisoned in a cart and shackled, being paraded towards the Transport Commissioner's yamen.
This scene quickly attracted the attention of the surrounding populace.
"Lord Han, I never expected that the next time we meet, you would be a prisoner!"
When Han Mo and his entourage arrived at the entrance of the Grand Prefecture Transport Commissioner's yamen, Wang Daolu was already waiting outside.
"Daoist Master Wang? What are you doing here? I was just looking for you. I heard the bandits who beat you up last time are still on the prowl. You should be careful when you go out!"
"Han Mo!"
Upon hearing Han Mo's words, Wang Daolu's face darkened to the extreme.
"No shouting in front of the Transport Commissioner's yamen!"
Just as Wang Daolu was about to say something, an official from the Transport Commissioner's yamen shouted.
"We'll see!"
Wang Daolu smiled sinisterly, then gritted his teeth and uttered a harsh threat before heading into the yamen.
Although this was merely the Grand Prefecture's Transport Commissioner's yamen, Han Mo knew in his heart that today's events were all Li Jixian's doing.
However, that didn't matter to him. It was likely that they would reveal themselves soon enough!
——————————————————————————————————————————————
"Criminal official Han Mo, do you know your crime!"
Less than half an hour after entering the yamen, Han Mo was brought to the hall of the Transport Commissioner's yamen.
Seated in the presiding judge's position, Liu Shanqing looked at Han Mo, who was still shackled, with a cold smile.
"Lord Liu, did you have a drink today?"
Instead of answering his question, Han Mo retorted.
"A drink?"
Liu Shanqing was taken aback. Why was this fellow speaking so strangely?
"This is a court of law, do not evade the question!"
After a dry cough, Liu Shanqing said with a cold smile.
"If Lord Liu did not drink, why is he talking nonsense? As the magistrate of Neihuang County, I have been in office for less than a few months. I first pacified bandits, then managed the river dikes, and recovered arrears owed to the court over the years. Which of these actions violates which law, I ask you to enlighten me!"
Han Mo stated proudly.
"Han Mo!"
This was a blatant slap in the face, and it showed he didn't take Liu Shanqing seriously at all.
"Han Mo is here!"
"This is the hall of the Transport Commissioner's yamen, not your backyard. If you dare to speak nonsense again, do not blame me for being impolite!"
Liu Shanqing was infuriated. This was the hall of the Transport Commissioner's yamen. If he couldn't maintain order here, he wouldn't be able to proceed with the trial.
"Lord Liu, since they clearly don't respect you, the Transport Commissioner, I think you don't need to be polite with them!"
As soon as Liu Shanqing finished speaking, Li Jixian strolled in imposingly.
"Your subordinate greets Lord Li!"
Seeing Li Jixian arrive, Liu Shanqing quickly rose to greet him.
"No need for formalities. This is your Grand Prefecture Transport Commissioner's yamen. I, the Transport Commissioner of the Hebei Circuit, am here today merely to observe the trial. You may proceed with your judgment!"
"Yes!"
With Li Jixian's backing, Liu Shanqing felt much more confident.
"Guards, strip him of his official uniform!"
With Li Jixian's support, his courage swelled.
"Lord Han, I know you are skilled in martial arts. How about you have a spar with the archers in my residence?"
Liu Shanqing sneered, looking at Han Mo with undisguised threat in his eyes.
"When did the Transport Commissioner's yamen become a training ground?"
As soon as his words fell, a powerful voice rang out from outside.
"Lord Xu... Lord Xu..."
Liu Shanqing's mouth twitched. Impossible!
Xu Churen came just like this?
"Lord Xu, why are you here?"
Seeing Xu Churen arrive, even Li Jixian was taken aback.
Although he knew that making a move on this fellow might provoke Xu Churen.
However, according to his estimation, the old fox would at most send someone to observe the trial, not come himself!
This was not how the script was supposed to go!
"If I can come, can you not?"
Xu Churen said with a smile.
"Of course, of course. Guards, prepare a seat for Lord Xu!"
Li Jixian's face was a picture of annoyance. He quickly changed the subject.
"Little friend Han, we haven't seen each other for a long time. After parting ways in Bianliang, I have always remembered your words from that day!"
Xu Churen spoke while gesturing for someone to bring a chair for Han Mo as well, placing it right beside him.
Damn it!
Li Jixian was about to curse. What was going on?
With this old fox sitting here, how could this trial proceed!
Given Han Mo's demeanor earlier, Liu Shanqing was rendered speechless after just one sentence.
Now, with Xu Churen's backing, wouldn't this fellow become even more defiant?
"Your Lordship is too kind. After our last meeting, I also missed you dearly!"
Han Mo spoke while subtly gesturing to Xu Churen that he was still shackled.
"You're always spouting nonsense. If you missed me, why didn't you write to me!"
Xu Churen feigned ignorance.
Han Mo was about to roll his eyes to the heavens. This old fox had become cunning!
At this moment, he had learned to speak with his eyes wide open and lie!
However, was Han Xiao Guanren someone to be trifled with?
Who in Bianliang City didn't know that Han Xiao Guanren never returned what he borrowed.
Now that the great backer Xu was right in front of him, if he didn't borrow some of his influence, would he still be Han Xiao Guanren?