"I am truly sorry, but I, Han, bear grudges from childhood. I have never heard of the concept of tolerance!"
In any case, at this moment, the longer it dragged on, the more advantageous it would be for Han Mo. Moreover, the reason he came to Yuan City was precisely to attract the attention and notice of these people. At this time, he was naturally eager to quibble with them here.
"Lord Han, do you not feel that your actions are contrary to the sage's way of benevolence and forgiveness?"
Seeing that he had spoken personally, yet this brat was still relentless, even Li Jixian felt a loss of face.
"Since I began my studies at the age of fifteen, no teacher has ever taught me that when someone defecates on your head, you must greet them with a smile! I would like to ask your lordship, what exactly is the way of benevolence and forgiveness?"
"You!"
At any other time, Li Jixian would have left in a huff. But on this occasion, how could he dare to leave like this? Although he knew that this brat was deliberately provoking him, at this moment, he had no choice but to swallow his anger.
"What about me? I humbly request your lordship to enlighten me. By the way, I am currently shackled and unable to pay my respects. I hope your lordship will forgive this discourtesy!"
Seeing the mocking look in Han Mo's eyes, even Li Jixian, with his excellent temper, could barely contain himself at this moment.
"Have you not heard that 'He who is not offended when others are offended, is he not a gentleman?' In what way do your current actions resemble those of a gentleman?"
After hearing Li Jixian's words, even Xu Churen could barely stifle his laughter. This fellow had levied heavy taxes throughout Hebei, causing countless commoners to become displaced.
Now, he actually had the audacity to stand in the court and talk about the way of the gentleman with Han Mo, discussing the way of benevolence and forgiveness. This was simply a great joke in the eyes of the world.
However, upon seeing the disdainful expression on Han Mo's face, he prudently shut his mouth and sat there, preparing to watch the show.
"Your lordship's words are indeed interesting. If we follow your logic, then should I not be grateful to Lord Liu and thank him for humiliating me so unsparingly and disregarding decorum? If this is what you call the way of the gentleman, the way of benevolence and forgiveness, then Han Mo would rather be a true scoundrel than a hypocrite!"
"You!"
This simple sentence truly infuriated Li Jixian to no end. He had never encountered such a shameless person before.
All the civil officials in the Great Song Dynasty, without exception, including himself, Li Jixian, even if they committed all sorts of wicked deeds in secret, had to outwardly maintain an attitude of a modest gentleman.
However, Han Mo's theory of hypocrites and true scoundrels made his face flush with embarrassment.
"Han Mo, do not get too carried away! Do not forget the matter of encroaching on royal land. You have irrefutable evidence, and there is no room for denial! Even if you talk your way out of it today, you cannot overturn this matter!"
Li Jixian finally became somewhat irrationally angry and blurted out his true thoughts.
However, this level of threat was simply insufficient in front of Han Mo.
"Lord Li, what are you doing? Were you not also here to hear the trial? Why did you suddenly start judging the case?"
As soon as his words fell, before Han Mo could even speak, Xu Churen said unhurriedly.
"I..."
This simple sentence completely shattered the emotions Li Jixian had been building up for a long time.
He had originally prepared a lengthy speech, but in such a short time, he suddenly realized that all his prepared arguments seemed useless.
"Alright, I say, what are you people doing? You've been sitting here for so long, are you unwilling to even offer a cup of tea?"
After interrupting Li Jixian, Xu Churen glanced again at Liu Shanqing, who was standing by.
Liu Shanqing's nose twitched, and he almost burst into tears.
How did this good transfer department hall suddenly turn into a tea house?
And when Xu Churen spoke earlier, his eyes were clearly looking in his direction.
In such a short time, he suddenly felt as if he had become a waiter.
"Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and serve Lord Xu some tea!"
Even though he felt uncomfortable in his heart, the proper courtesy could not be neglected.
Under the circumstances, he could only quickly have someone serve tea and water to Xu Churen and Li Jixian again.
He originally wanted to have someone serve Han Mo as well, but upon seeing the shackles on his hands and shoulders, he had to temporarily give up.
The situation became awkward, and even Liu Shanqing did not know what to do at this moment.
"Lord Liu is indeed intelligent and perceptive, understanding at a single word. However, such a trivial matter as serving tea certainly does not require troubling your lordship, the transfer commissioner. I suggest you focus on presiding over the trial!"
Seeing his bewildered look, Xu Churen smiled and waved his hand.
"Yes!"
Taking advantage of the opportunity to serve tea, Liu Shanqing finally quickly stabilized his emotions and regained his composure.
At this moment, he naturally could not continue the trial according to his original plan. Han Mo's case could not be dealt with for the time being.
Helplessly, he had no choice but to change his approach and start anew.
"Guards, bring forth the plaintiff!"
After taking a deep breath, Liu Shanqing heavily pounded the gavel and ordered the plaintiff to be brought in.
A moment later, Wang Daolu, clad in a Taoist robe, swaggered in from outside.
And from beginning to end, he maintained a posture of looking up at the sky at a 45-degree angle. To say he was arrogant was truly no exaggeration.
Given his height and this 45-degree angle, it would be a miracle if he could see anyone.
"Who is before the hall? For what reason have you come?"
Looking at Wang Daolu's obnoxious and belligerent demeanor, Liu Shanqing, who was already seething with anger, truly wished he could pin this old fellow down and beat him with a plank.
"Reporting to your lordship, I am the abbot of the Shenxiao Wanshou Palace in Neihuang County. I have come to the transfer department to seek justice for the matter of Neihuang County Magistrate Han Mo encroaching on royal property!"
It was only when he said this that Wang Daolu looked at Liu Shanqing, who was seated in the hall.
However, it was only when he looked closely at the surrounding situation that he suddenly realized that Han Mo, although still wearing shackles, was sitting so brazenly in the hall.
This immediately caused his entire mood to do a 180-degree turn.
This is darkness! It's too damn dark!
Even if officials protect each other, they don't play like this!