"Your words humble me, sir. I wish I could write a letter, but how can I do so when I am shackled?"
The old fellow feigned ignorance, leaving Han Mo with no choice but to play the fool.
"Shackled? Who put shackles on you?"
Seeing Xu Churen's expression as if he had discovered a new continent, even Han Mo's lips twitched. This old man was truly a master of pretense.
However, his question made Li Jixian somewhat awkward.
"This, this... What's going on, Lord Liu?"
Li Jixian had already stated that he was there to observe the trial today. Even if this was his own idea, at this moment, he could only set the matter aside.
After hearing his words, Liu Shanqing's face was full of dark lines. Hadn't you specifically instructed this?
"Who ordered you to shackle Lord Han? You dogs, do you have the courage of a leopard?"
In front of Xu Churen, Liu Shanqing dared not take the blame. At this moment, he could only shift the responsibility along with Li Jixian.
Wang Lu, who had escorted Han Mo to the court, almost burst into tears. Although he had known he might have to bear this burden, doing so in front of Xu Churen, with his official rank, was a death sentence.
The founding emperor had left behind an oath monument, stating that the dynasty would not kill scholars or those who submitted memorials. But the problem was, he, a petty official from the legal branch, was hardly considered a scholar in the eyes of these learned men!
"Spare me, sir, spare me! I was momentarily confused, utterly confused!"
No matter how unwilling he was in his heart, he could only kneel and confess his guilt at this moment.
"Is that how it happened? Because what I heard is different,"
Before Han Mo could speak, Xu Churen suddenly said.
"Different?"
Liu Shanqing's heart skipped a beat. He immediately recalled the document he had issued.
Xu Churen was no ordinary person. If this matter truly fell into Xu Churen's hands, his troubles would be immense.
"To seize a court official not yet convicted, Lord Liu, what great authority you wield!"
As he spoke, Xu Churen took out the document from his sleeve.
Seeing the crimson seal on it, fine beads of sweat broke out on Liu Shanqing's forehead.
A chill shot up from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. If he hadn't been sitting on a chair, he would likely have collapsed on the ground by now.
"It was a slip of the pen, a slip of the pen!"
After painstakingly wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, Liu Shanqing immediately came up with an excuse that seemed somewhat passable.
After all, he was the chief official of the Daming Transport Office, and there was no escaping the responsibility, even if he wanted to.
"Lord Liu, what are you doing?"
Seeing Liu Shanqing trembling like a sieve, Xu Churen asked with a smiling face.
"I, I..."
"Don't be nervous, absolutely don't be nervous. Be very careful when you speak. If you say anything you shouldn't, then this matter will truly become troublesome!"
Seeing his stuttering, Xu Churen nonchalantly took out a token from his sleeve.
In just a few sentences, with skillful maneuvering, the initiative had completely fallen into Xu Churen's hands.
Now, it was Li Jixian's turn to be in a difficult situation!
"Quickly remove the shackles from Lord Han!"
Although Li Jixian was somewhat unwilling, Xu Churen presenting this document and not pursuing the matter was itself a display of power towards him.
If he didn't play along now, Xu Churen's subsequent moves would likely be revealed.
Although he had been caught off guard and Xu Churen had seized upon this minor fault to turn the tables, and the case had already fallen into a disadvantage before it even began, Li Jixian understood.
No matter how much this lawsuit was debated, he could still justify his actions.
After all, Han Mo and the others had encroached upon royal land first. Regardless of the reason, it was something he had done.
As long as he held firm to this point, Xu Churen, no matter how capable, could only watch as he escalated the matter.
Upon hearing Li Jixian's command, Wang Lu and the others quickly stepped forward. However, before they could even produce their keys, Han Mo had already stepped back.
"This thing is quite good to wear. I think it's best not to remove it for now. When this matter blows up, I'll gladly take these things with me to the Golden Hall!"
Damn it!
Li Jixian wanted to curse. This brat was clearly trying to sow discord with him!
"County Magistrate Han, you are, after all, a court official. You should pay attention to the dignity of the court!"
Liu Shanqing said awkwardly.
"The dignity of the court? Lord Liu, your words are truly amusing. You remember the dignity of the court now? Han, in any case, is the top scholar of this imperial examination, and my position as county magistrate was personally promoted by His Majesty. You, without a word, had me shackled and put into a prison cart, parading all the way from Neihuang County to Yuancheng. And now you talk to me about the dignity of the court?"
Han Mo's words truly left Liu Shanqing speechless.
If the court truly had any dignity, it would have been stuffed into a latrine by them by now.
"Don't look at me. I'm just here to observe the trial today. You all carry on with your business. I've only brought my ears; I have nothing else with me!"
Seeing Liu Shanqing's pleading gaze, Xu Churen said frankly.
What the heck!
In just this short period, Li Jixian had mentally cursed all of Xu Churen's female ancestors eighteen generations back.
If you truly brought nothing, then what was that document?
If you truly brought nothing, then what was that scolding I just received, making me like a grandson?
"County Magistrate Han, Lord Liu's actions were indeed inappropriate. However, he is your superior. Even if he made a mistake, you shouldn't hold onto it so tightly..."
Seeing Liu Shanqing standing there awkwardly, Li Jixian could only step in to mediate.
After all, regardless of what happened, the main judge of this case was still Liu Shanqing, and he desperately needed to define the nature of this case.
Only by doing so could he completely suppress Han Mo's arrogance and then use this matter to attempt negotiations with Xu Churen.