Huang Qianshan was going absolutely mad. This brat was too much of a scoundrel.
"We are acting under orders to apprehend a fugitive. What do you think you're doing?"
Others might not recognize Han Xiao, but could the yamen runners from Kaifeng Prefecture not recognize him?
This was the young master of the Grand Princess's manor, Han Jiayan's most beloved legitimate grandson!
"This..."
Seeing the yamen runners brace themselves as if facing a formidable enemy, Huang Qianshan's few confidants could only retreat to the side.
"Young master, what brings you here?"
After sending those people away, the leading yamen runner hurried over to Han Xiao.
"I thought after returning to Xiangzhou to study for a few years, you all would have gotten better. Dammit, you don't even recognize this young master anymore!"
"What are you saying, sir? If there's anyone we don't recognize, we certainly wouldn't not recognize you!"
In front of these bumpkins from Mengzhou, they could certainly act tough. But standing before Han Xiao, if they continued to feign ignorance, they would truly be courting death.
One must know that although this young master did not often frequent Bianliang City, he was previously a notorious devil-may-care prince throughout the entire city!
"It's good that you recognize this young master. Coincidentally, there's a servant of mine who needs to go home, so I'll have him accompany you back to the capital. I don't care how you usually handle your cases, but if you dare to take even a fraction of this fellow's ill-gotten gains, do you believe I won't dig up your ancestors for eighteen generations!"
As Han Xiao spoke, everyone's mouths twitched.
This clearly meant they wouldn't even be given the chance to offer or accept bribes!
"Young master, did this old fellow offend you?"
Hearing his words, Wang Tiezhuan, the leader, quickly asked in a low voice.
"He didn't offend me directly. See over there? My uncle, also a jinshi from the imperial examinations, was tormented by him to this state. Other than giving him plain water every day, they wouldn't even let a grain of rice be sent in!"
As Han Xiao spoke, the unconcealed hatred on his face immediately startled Wang Tiezhuan.
Looking at Huang Qianshan again, he appeared as if he were looking at a dead man.
"I understand, young master. Please rest assured, we are the most by-the-book people. We won't let him suffer any more than he deserves, but we also won't let him escape any of the suffering he is due!"
"Very good! I like people like you who are by-the-book. By the way, I have a letter here. After you return to Bianliang, deliver it to my manor for me. This shouldn't be too difficult for you, right?"
Han Xiao said this while pulling a letter out of his sleeve.
"You jest, young master. This is but a simple task!"
Hearing him say this, Wang Tiezhuan was overjoyed.
Having been in this line of work for so long, he naturally understood that delivering this letter to the Grand Princess's manor would surely earn him a substantial reward.
Wasn't such clean money more satisfying to spend than money extorted through threats?
Moreover, this was an imperial case. If things got too out of hand, it wouldn't look good in the eyes of the public.
"If that's the case, then thank you!"
Seeing the smile on his face, Han Xiao also began to smile.
"Then, young master, please continue with your business. We shall take our leave now!"
"No need to see me out!"
After those people left, the expressions of the remaining jailers in the prison changed completely as they looked at Han Xiao.
The yamen runners from Kaifeng Prefecture were so polite to him, coupled with his background from the Han family in Xiangzhou. That branch of the Han family in Bianliang City...
Thinking of this, how could these people dare to offend him?
"I say, everyone, this prison cell is truly dark. My uncle is already old, so wouldn't it be okay to move him to a cleaner cell where he can see the sun?"
"You're joking, of course, that's no problem. Before, it was that fellow surnamed Huang who was giving orders, and we had no choice. Master Han, please don't blame us!"
Those who had navigated the world of officialdom were naturally accustomed to changing their allegiance with the wind.
Huang Qianshan was clearly on his way to ruin. If they continued to stick with him, wouldn't that be courting death?
Besides, the cells were empty anyway. As long as the person didn't get out, where they were confined didn't matter.
"I've ordered a banquet from Songhe Tower. Since you are all former colleagues of my uncle, why don't you join us for a drink later?"
"Young master, you jest. How could we possibly share a table with you?"
"Enough with the pleasantries. If you don't come, it means you look down on me!"
"Then, we are grateful for your consideration!"
In the blink of an eye, the banquet arrived. Han Xiao, along with Han Rui and a group of jailers, began to feast heartily.
However, Huang Qianshan was not so lucky.
Especially after Wang Tiezhuan relayed Han Xiao's situation to Yang Chengchou, his miserable days truly began.
"Lord Huang, here are the imperial decree and the official documents from Kaifeng Prefecture. Have you verified them thoroughly?"
Yang Chengchou said as he handed over the documents and the imperial decree he had brought.
"I, I am innocent, I am innocent!"
"Whether you are innocent or not will be determined once you reach Kaifeng Prefecture. However, for now, sir, please do not make things difficult for us!"
Yang Chengchou spoke while pointing to the prisoner's cart beside them.
Normally, such a matter would not require this contraption. But who could help it, as this fellow had committed the crime of deceiving the emperor this time?
The testimonies of officials from Qin Prefecture, the written testimonies from local gentry, and the hydrological records left by the Qin Prefecture waterways—all these had already formed an inescapable net. It was essentially impossible for Huang Qianshan to escape this time!
Coupled with Han Xiao's involvement, it was only natural for him, as the judge of Kaifeng Prefecture, to gladly do them a favor.
Whatever conflicts occurred at higher levels were matters for them. For a minor figure like himself, forging a good relationship would always be beneficial.
With his command, several yamen runners unceremoniously placed the heavy cangue used for thieves around Huang Qianshan's neck before throwing him into the prisoner's cart.
"Take everything from the study. Thoroughly search the entire manor. All of Huang Qianshan's documents, letters, receipts, and valuables must not be missed!"
"Yes!"
The news of Huang Qianshan committing the crime of deceiving the emperor spread throughout the yamen almost instantly. All the officials, from top to bottom, began to feel a sense of personal peril.
These people were too busy worrying about themselves to even speak up for Huang Qianshan...
"Lord Huang, do you remember what our young master told you? Fate turns like a wheel. Rest assured, I will be with you on this journey, and you will not miss any of the suffering you deserve!"