"My lord, Commander Wu is here. He is waiting outside!"
The couple was chatting when Xu Fengnian's voice suddenly came from outside.
"What is he doing here at this time? Let him in!"
After a moment of surprise, Han Mo said directly.
"Brother, why are you here at this hour? Has something happened?"
Given his relationship with Wu Jie, there was no need for roundabout talk. As soon as Wu Jie entered, Han Mo asked directly.
"I just received an imperial document, instructing me to lead my troops to Yuan City immediately to assist the Transport Commissioner in escorting grain!"
"How many men are to be drawn?"
Han Mo's brow immediately furrowed.
"The document states that I am to personally lead eight hundred elites!"
As soon as Wu Jie finished speaking, Han Mo felt that something was amiss.
At this time, the entire Hebei region was filled with elite troops and generals transferred from various places.
Furthermore, the severe incident of the Changping granary being set ablaze had just occurred in Jun County.
At this time, the army selected for escorting grain should at least be drawn from the Hebei imperial guards!
Besides, even if the Xiang Army were to be deployed for military duties, they would not directly draw all the Xiang Army from a single county, would they?
After all, although the combat effectiveness of these Xiang Army soldiers was not great, they were still an important force for maintaining local stability.
Drawing away eight hundred men at once would mean depleting all the strength of Neihuang County!
"Have the surrounding counties also received troop transfer orders?"
After pondering for a moment, Han Mo asked again.
"As soon as I received the document, I immediately sent people to inquire. Apart from us, the surrounding counties have not received any troop transfer orders."
After listening to him, Han Mo understood. It seemed this was Tang Ke's doing.
He intended to first eliminate his subordinates and then deal with him directly.
"There's something sinister about this whole affair. I have a feeling someone is playing a trick!"
The methods were too obvious. Wu Jie was not a fool, and he naturally sensed the unusual nature of the situation.
"No need to guess. If I'm not mistaken, this document should have been prepared long ago. It seems I've underestimated our Lord Tang!"
Han Mo said, his face full of disdain.
"You mean, they plan to..."
As Wu Jie spoke, his eyes widened.
After all, the bureaucracy had its own rules.
Under normal circumstances, political struggles between civil officials typically ended with one party being transferred, demoted, or dismissed.
Unless the grievances were too deep, it was rare for family members or descendants to be implicated.
Even taking someone's life was rare, let alone resorting to such extreme measures.
This was also an unwritten rule of engagement among civil officials. After all, no one would want to have their throat slit while sleeping.
"Isn't it obvious? Our Lord Tang really thinks highly of me!"
"Damn it! Isn't that old scoundrel still in the city? I'll take men tonight and chop him down!"
Upon hearing Han Mo's words, Wu Jie was instantly enraged.
The futures of their two brothers depended entirely on Han Mo. If Han Mo were to have any accident, not to mention being implicated, the retaliation from the Zhe family and the Han family alone would be enough to doom them.
"No, you mustn't interfere in this matter!"
Seeing Wu Jie's furious demeanor, Han Mo felt a warmth in his heart, but he still stopped Wu Jie directly.
"What do you mean? Are you going to let us two watch you being humiliated like this?"
"Brother, listen to me! I have my own plans for this. If you and second brother get involved, this matter will become even more complicated. Since you have received the document, just lead your troops as ordered!"
"But this old fellow is clearly playing dirty!"
Wu Jie said angrily.
"The fact that he can resort to these underhanded tactics means he has no other options. Brother, just rest assured. He can't outplay me in official tactics, so how can he outplay me in these unorthodox methods?"
"The bandits in Hebei are not completely eradicated yet. What if they..."
"There won't be any 'what if,' rest assured!"
"I..."
"If you intervene, you will be risking your lives in vain! Rest assured, do you think I would risk my own life?"
Han Mo said with a smile.
"But swords and spears have no eyes..."
"Swords and spears indeed have no eyes, but if they want to take my life, they must see if Tang Ke has the ability! Since he dares to use these underhanded tactics, don't blame me for pulling the rug out from under him!"
"Do you really have a way?"
Seeing Han Mo's confident expression, Wu Jie asked doubtfully.
"Of course, I have a way. Just lead your troops as ordered. When you return, the Prefect of Hebei Road will likely be replaced!"
Han Mo sneered and continued.
"..."
If anyone else had said such a thing, Wu Jie would have thought they were crazy.
But when it came from Han Mo, Wu Jie had no choice but to believe him.
"Then I'll leave the one hundred brothers from the Imperial Guard with you!"
After pondering for a moment, Wu Jie said directly.
"No need. Have you forgotten that I have Jiang Yan and the others with me?"
Han Mo smiled and said casually.
"They are indeed skilled in martial arts, but what if..."
"Rest assured, if I say I have a way, I have a way!"
Although the hundred soldiers of the Imperial Guard were good, Han Mo understood that they were his best support in normal times.
However, when it came to such a sensitive matter, it was better not to involve them.
"Brother, since Brother Mo says so, just do as he says!"
Zhe Yourong also said calmly.
"You guys..."
Seeing the couple so nonchalant and not the least bit nervous, even Wu Jie was speechless.
"The document says I must depart tomorrow morning. If they plan to make a move, it will likely be tomorrow night or the night after."
Seeing the couple's demeanor, Wu Jie understood that no matter what he said, they wouldn't change their minds. So, he stated his approximate conjecture.
"Then go back and prepare. I'll host a farewell banquet for you tonight!"