"Does something seem off about him?"
Watching Han Mo chat with a minor official from a distance, Zhe Yourong asked with some curiosity.
"No, it's just that his name sounds very similar to an old acquaintance of mine!"
"An old acquaintance?"
Zhe Yourong looked at Han Mo doubtfully. She had never heard of Han Mo having any acquaintances in Guanxi.
"Alright, that's not important. You go rest for a bit. I'll go over and give some instructions!"
Han Mo was rather curious about this Yelü Cha.
A Khitan daring to threaten Zhong Shidao? Unless this fellow was truly out of his mind, it seemed he must be harboring some bigger plan.
"Then be careful!"
Although Zhe Yourong was reluctant for him to run around at this moment, she also knew Han Mo had no choice.
The situation had reached this point, and Han Mo could only see it through to the end.
His relationship with Prince Xin was not yet at a stage where it could be revealed. Relying solely on Zhong Yanchong, who was by Xu Churen's side, offered little deterrence to those in power.
"My lord, why have you come over now?"
Seeing Han Mo also follow, Lü Ying seemed somewhat surprised.
"You first interrogate the leader. I'll watch from the side!"
Han Mo was truly filled with curiosity about Yelü Cha.
Their setup in Hebei could be understood as an attempt to delay the Song Dynasty's military action.
However, their collusion with the Manichaean religion was far too interesting.
According to Hu Changzai's confession, their collusion with the Manichaean religion had been ongoing for at least a year or two.
At that time, the maritime alliance between the Song and Jin should not have even begun preparations. By doing this, were they not afraid of provoking disputes between the two nations?
The two nations had been in a state of confrontation for so long. While the Song army was undoubtedly decadent, how much better could the Khitan army be?
If this matter were to be exposed, it was likely that even the Emperor of the Khitan Liao would have to hand over the mastermind to appease the Song's wrath!
Han Mo was truly curious who this person was, who dared to defy the heavens.
If this person was not a lunatic, he would likely be one of Han Mo's greatest future rivals.
Although the tripartite destruction of the Khitan Liao was almost inevitable, and it was true that many people in the Khitan Liao would perish, Han Mo did not believe that such a person would easily go to his death!
After all, intelligent people would not put themselves in a life-threatening situation. With his ability to make arrangements in the Song country thousands of miles away, it could be inferred that this person must have immense backing.
Wielding such powerful influence, and yet being able to predict the course of events, who could this person be?
"Yes!"
Seeing Han Mo looking so preoccupied, Lü Ying did not press further.
After all, he could not fathom Han Mo's thoughts, nor did he have the inclination to try.
"Alright, show me what you've got. Just pretend I'm not here. As long as the person doesn't die, you can do whatever you please!"
"Yes!"
With his words, Lü Ying felt reassured.
He called out, had a chair moved to the adjoining room for Han Mo, and then had Yelü Cha brought in.
"You are Yelü Cha?"
As soon as Yelü Cha entered, he pushed away the two bailiffs accompanying him.
"That's right, I am Yelü Cha! People say your Song Dynasty is a land of etiquette. Since you've invited me, shouldn't you offer me a cup of tea first?"
Even at this juncture, Yelü Cha showed no fear whatsoever.
When looking at Lü Ying, he even displayed a hint of disdain.
"Audacious wretch! Guards, tie him up first and give him thirty lashes!"
This was the first time in Lü Ying's life that he had been disregarded by a prisoner, and during his interrogation at that.
Seeing the fellow's arrogance, he immediately ordered the use of torture without a second thought.
"My lord, you should think carefully. Hahaha, I don't mind for my own body, but your delicate wife, with her tender skin, if she were to receive thirty lashes, it would truly be regrettable!"
As soon as Lü Ying finished speaking, Yelü Cha burst into laughter.
"You dare to threaten me!"
Lü Ying's eyes suddenly turned red, and his gaze towards Yelü Cha was filled with murderous intent.
"Don't look at me like that. You can send someone home to check, and then decide whether to proceed with the torture!"
At this, the bailiffs who were ready to administer the punishment froze on the spot. After all, Lü Ying had always treated them quite well.
If his family were to be implicated, then things would indeed be dire.
"Stop trying to bluff me. Do you think I'm a three-year-old child? If you had this capability, would you still be here?"
Glancing towards where Han Mo was, Lü Ying calmed down.
"That's reasonable, but you seem to have forgotten one thing. The one who captured me was Zhong Shidao, and he had a large army by his side. I truly had no means to escape. However, in this dungeon, do you really think this place can hold me?"
Yelü Cha remained fearless, his demeanor more like that of a powerful presiding official, with Lü Ying being the prisoner awaiting slaughter.
"If you have the ability, then try it. Let's see if your men arrive first or if Yue Mou's iron spear is quicker!"
Just as the atmosphere at the scene turned icy, Yue Fei strode in with his men.
"It's you!"
As Yue Fei entered the interrogation room, Han Mo clearly saw the fearful expression on Yelü Cha's face through the small hole in the wall.
It seemed that Yue Fei from that night had indeed left him some rather memorable impressions.
"That's right, it's me! We're meeting for the second time, I believe!"
Yue Fei spoke while cupping his fist to Lü Ying.
Seeing his arrival, Lü Ying immediately understood. It seemed Han Mo feared he wouldn't be able to control the situation and had sent Yue Fei to back him up.
He, an interrogator, being intimidated by a prisoner would truly be a huge joke if it got out.
"Guards, commence the torture!"
After taking a deep breath, Lü Ying struck the "start of interrogation" wooden board before him once more.
As a county lieutenant, he technically did not have the authority to preside over cases. However, with both the county deputy and registrar absent from Neihuang County, he could indeed indulge himself.
"Yes!"
Having received confirmation again, the bailiffs rushed forward and, without a word, bound Yelü Cha.
"Hey, hey, hey, I say, Lord Han, we are all civilized people. There's no need for this, is there!"
Looking at Yue Fei standing by the side, Yelü Cha no longer displayed his arrogant demeanor.
However, as he spoke, he did not look at Lü Ying but rather in Han Mo's direction.