The previous county magistrates were all learned scholars, quoting Confucius and reciting poetry.
Compared to them, Han Mo was simply a guy who didn't play by the rules!
This kid not only lacked the scholar-like habits of those magistrates but acted like a wild bandit.
He kept talking about killing people. Although this was Hebei, and strict laws were needed to govern chaos, this kid was too ruthless!
Wang Xingye was a major leader under Li Mao'er, yet this fellow was beheaded without a second thought.
His head was hung on the flagpole outside. As for the bandits he had captured, they were now all fettered with long cangues and displayed at the county yamen.
And, just as Han Mo had said, those accompanying him were all elites from the Imperial Guard.
He had been serving in Neihuang County for twenty years, including this year, and had been the yamen's secretary for fifteen years.
However, in all these years, he had never seen any magistrate come to take up their post accompanied by soldiers from the Imperial Guard.
This display alone made Zhang Huai regret his actions.
"My lord, whatever your orders, this humble servant will gladly die to fulfill them!"
"No need for death wishes, I'll say it again. I don't care how the previous magistrates did things. I'm giving you three days to make up the deficit in the accounts! Otherwise, you can guess whether I dare to settle all your past deeds with you, one by one!"
As Han Mo spoke, Wu Jie beside him had already drawn his saber more than an inch.
Although Zhang Huai intended to argue, he didn't dare to waste any more words at this moment.
"Yes!"
Feeling Wu Jie's naked killing intent, and thinking of the bandits outside, and Lu Ying kneeling on the ground, he finally gritted his teeth and agreed.
"Very good. Remember, you only have three days. After three days, I will start auditing the accounts. If you have the guts, feel free to leave me an empty treasury to see!"
Feeling Han Mo's unconcealed killing intent, Zhang Huai's body began to tremble.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. I come from the Han family of Xiangzhou. My father-in-law is the pillar of the current Zhe family, Zhe Kecun. You can try and see if anyone will listen to your explanations after you kill me!"
Just as Zhang Huai reached the door, Han Mo added with a smile.
This casually spoken sentence made Zhang Huai's body tremble.
How was this possible?
This was completely different from the intelligence he had received!
However, in an instant, he guessed the general situation. Han Mo had no reason to lie to him about this matter.
At this moment, he really wanted to smash his own head.
The Han family of Xiangzhou and the Zhe family of Fuzhou, one civilian and one military, were both powerful clans.
Especially the Han family of Xiangzhou. How far was Neihuang from Xiangzhou?
Less than two hundred li. How could he have been so foolish as to try and murder a descendant of the Han family of Xiangzhou in Neihuang?
Wasn't he just seeking his own death?
However, the feud was already set. Even if he regretted it, it was too late.
This was truly a case of having no one to complain to. If he had known this kid had such powerful backing, he wouldn't have dared to play such a trick even if he were beaten to death!
Zhang Huai left, and Han Mo's background immediately spread throughout the county yamen.
Soon, the eyes of the minor officials looking at Han Mo began to turn humble.
In the Great Song Dynasty, officials without backing could be bullied, but young masters from aristocratic families, wherever they went, were always fawned upon!
They not only had connections and influence but, more importantly, these lords ascended with the speed of rockets.
As long as they could establish a connection, when he became successful, wouldn't they also rise with him?
"Damn it, go and arrest that bastard Liu San!"
As soon as he returned home, Zhang Huai began smashing things furiously.
"Second Master, what's wrong?"
Seeing his rage, the subordinates beside him asked softly.
"Go and arrest that dog first! If he escapes, I'll break all your bones!"
The enraged Zhang Huai had lost all reason, grabbing a vase and hurling it towards their heads.
"Yes!"
The few people didn't dare to delay any longer and quickly turned and left.
Listening to the clatter from the room, all the servants in the Zhang mansion looked at each other.
After nearly half an hour, Zhang Huai, who had vented his anger for a long time, finally calmed down.
"Second Master, you were looking for me?"
Seeing the furious Zhang Huai, Liu San trembled inexplicably.
"I ask you, where did you get the information about Han Mo's background from?"
As Zhang Huai spoke, his face was filled with malicious resentment.
A month ago, they had received news that Han Mo was coming.
To ascertain Han Mo's background, he had spent fifteen hundred guan, sending Liu San, the yamen's scribe, to Daming Prefecture to smooth things over.
But he hadn't expected that the information this guy brought back was completely different from the background Han Mo had stated today.
Han Mo wouldn't lie, so the person who lied must be this kid!
"Second Master, I, I, I..."
Upon hearing the question, Liu San knelt down without thinking.
"Speak!"
Zhang Huai said through gritted teeth.
"I, I... I met a woman in Daming Prefecture, so..."
"So you took the money for the news to ransom her!"
Zhang Huai said through gritted teeth.
"Second Master, I was just confused, just confused!"
As Liu San spoke, he began to cry profusely.
"Do you know that he is a descendant of the Han family of Xiangzhou, and his father-in-law is Zhe Kecun, the current head of the Zhe family! Do you know how much trouble we would be in if he died here?"
"Do you know what he's making me do now? He wants me to fill all the deficits in the accounts! All of them! Do you know how much money that requires? Do you know how much money that requires?"
As he spoke, Zhang Huai vigorously slapped Liu San's face.
He was in a fit of rage, and he didn't hold back when he struck.
Within a few blows, Liu San's face was covered in blood.
Yet even so, Liu San didn't dare to move.
"Second Master, Chief Clerk Li has arrived!"
Fortunately, just as Liu San was about to die, the steward's voice came from outside.
"Please invite him in!"
Although the entire room was in disarray, and Liu San was still kneeling on the ground, he felt no nervousness about the arrival of his nominal superior.