"My lord, you jest. This subordinate is always at your service..."
Liao Wenxing's voice even stammered as he spoke.
"Since that is the case, then after this matter concludes, I shall accompany you back to Tangyin! It would be troublesome if any news were to leak, or if any storerooms or ledgers were to be burned!"
Seeing the rich smile on Zhong Yanchong's face, Liao Wenxing felt a chill run down his spine.
"Wouldn't you agree, Minister Pang!"
It was evident that the action was to commence from Tangyin County, and Pang Yue felt a surge of unease.
At this moment, he truly regretted agreeing to Wang Fu.
But the deed was done, and there was no turning back once the arrow had been loosed from the bow.
"This, this subordinate does not understand what you are implying..."
Pang Yue stammered.
"Is your lordship genuinely not understanding, or are you feigning ignorance?"
With the conversation having reached this point, how could Pang Yue possibly focus on the trial?
Both he and Liao Wenxing felt as if a great mountain was pressing down upon their heads.
The matter of the Tangyin treasury was merely the tip of the iceberg. If he were to follow this thread, not only would Liao Wenxing be in trouble, but the Transferring Commissioner's yamen would likely see more than a dozen nameless ghosts...
"Don't dally, my lord, you should proceed with the trial!"
Seeing that Zhong Yanchong had completely seized the initiative, Han Mo also turned to Pang Yue with a smile.
"This, this..."
"My lord, according to procedure, you should now summon Zhou Ding for questioning!"
Looking at the stammering Pang Yue, Han Mo let out a cold laugh and stated directly.
"Yes, yes, yes! Guards, bring Zhou Ding!"
At Pang Yue's command, someone immediately pushed Zhou Ding in from the door.
"My lord, this subordinate is innocent, I am innocent!"
This was his last chance to escape death. Ever since Zhou Ding heard that Cui Hao planned to save him, he had been eagerly awaiting this day.
As soon as he entered, before even clearly seeing who was presiding over the trial, he knelt down and began to cry out his innocence.
"Since you claim innocence, you must explain yourself thoroughly. County Magistrate Zhou, today is likely your last chance to speak. If you cannot clarify things today, you may never have another opportunity to speak again!" Han Mo said with a cold laugh, then slowly stood up.
"My lord, this subordinate is innocent, I am innocent! I merely stayed overnight at my suburban villa outside the city. It is simply because this fellow surnamed Han did not come to greet me upon his arrival, and thus he holds a grudge, fabricating charges against me. I implore your lordship to restore my innocence!"
The days spent in prison felt like years to Zhou Ding. Seeing the hope of escape so close at hand, he could not let go of even the slightest opportunity.
"County Magistrate Zhou, you claim you did not collude with those bandits. Then let me ask you, how do you explain these letters I found in Li Mao'er's hideout?"
As Han Mo spoke, he pointed to the evidence placed on the table beside him.
"How would I know about this? I believe all of this is clearly fabricated by you!"
Without a second thought, Zhou Ding bit back immediately.
"Then why were you arrested along with Li Mao'er's bandits?"
Han Mo asked again with a cold smile.
"Who was arrested with them? Do not make baseless accusations! It was clearly I who went to Tangyin County to surrender and prove my innocence, and was then rescued from prison by those brigands!"
As Li Mao'er spoke, his speech became exceptionally rapid. Han Mo immediately understood; it appeared they had a pre-arranged strategy.
However, this was exactly what he wanted. If Liao Wenxing was not properly admonished now, it would be difficult for Zhong Yanchong to extract any useful information from him, and it would likely require considerable effort.
Watching the aggressive Han Mo and the retreating Liao Wenxing, Pang Yue, who sat in the chief presiding seat, could only offer a bitter smile and remain silent from beginning to end.
"County Magistrate Liao, is this true?"
Zhong Yanchong turned to Liao Wenxing with great interest.
"This..."
Liao Wenxing's heart sank. This was going to be disastrous.
"Here is a copy of the document I wrote to Administrator Liao, and it also bears Administrator Liao's signature!"
Indeed, before Liao Wenxing could speak, Zhou Ding produced a document from his怀.
"Administrator Liao, is what he says true? Was he really rescued from prison?"
Han Mo looked at Liao Wenxing with a knowing gaze.
The bait had been cast, and now they were waiting for it to be taken.
As long as he took the bait this time, Liao Wenxing's life would be entirely in Han Mo's hands.
"This, this..."
This time, it was Liao Wenxing's turn to be put in a difficult position.
Although he did not know what fallback Han Mo had in his possession, judging by Han Mo's expression alone, he knew this brat was definitely harboring some wicked plan.
Furthermore, at this moment, his focus was entirely on the Tangyin County treasury, and he had no inclination to meddle in Zhou Ding's affairs.
However, these documents were prepared in advance, and the signatures on them were his own.
At this point, even if he wanted to deny it, it would not be an easy task.
Seeing Han Mo's relentless pressure, he could only grit his teeth, stomp his feet, and go all the way.
"Indeed, that is how it happened. He voluntarily surrendered at the time, but he consistently claimed he was wronged, so I could only submit a report on his behalf!"
Since he could not deny it, Liao Wenxing simply admitted it directly.
"Thank you, Administrator Liao, for your righteous testimony!"
Upon hearing Liao Wenxing's words, Zhou Ding felt a great sense of relief.
With Liao Wenxing's statement, the document in his hand now became genuine.
This way, one of the key pieces of evidence linking him to the bandits, and his arrest alongside them, could be cleared.
After all, the more this case was escalated, the more beneficial it would be for Zhou Ding.
Having navigated the political arena for so many years, he understood this point. In reality, once the case escalated, it had little to do with the case itself.
From the moment Cui Hao had approached him, he had understood that a certain influential figure wanted to use his situation to achieve their own goals. However, he didn't care; as long as he could live, what was wrong with being a pawn?
Moreover, in times like these, not everyone had the qualification to be a pawn!