"No matter, no matter, young sir is too polite!"
After the vendor took the stool, he turned and walked back into the darkness.
Han Mo let out a bitter smile and wandered aimlessly along the street again.
Just now, while returning the stool, Han Mo had a close look at him. He was in his thirties but had the face of a fifty-year-old.
With large bags under his eyes and high, protruding cheekbones due to long-term malnutrition, his eye sockets appeared particularly deep.
The common folk outside the city lived in hardship, but were the small citizens within the city any different?
To make a living, he had to conduct business door-to-door at night.
During the day, he had to do another job. Coupled with his wife’s mending and washing clothes for others, they could barely make ends meet for their family.
Under the deep night, Han Mo moved silently through the streets, the common people toiling day and night for their livelihood.
And the wealthy families in the city feasted and entertained courtesans until dawn. At the same time, in the same place, their lives were entirely different.
Even Han Mo couldn't help but sigh that the lives of the common people seemed to have not changed much from ancient times to the present.
He was very tired and sleepy, but Han Mo’s heart gained some new understanding.
Although Han Mo was not sure if he could make their lives a little easier, it was still better than those corrupt officials who occupied positions without doing anything, right?
Beliefs are invisible and intangible, but often they can make people fearless.
After a night of melodramatic feelings, Han Mo could finally sleep peacefully.
However, less than two hours after he fell asleep, Xu Fengnian hurried to Han Mo’s bedside to wake him.
"My lord, my lord! Someone is here from the Transport Commissioner's Office!"
"Transport Commissioner's Office?"
Han Mo frowned. His official document had only just been sent out; it shouldn't have reached the Transport Commissioner's Office yet. Why were they looking for him?
Could it be…
"You go and find Lu Ying now and tell him to immediately investigate whether anyone has seen Zhou Ding these past few days!"
After his mind raced for a few moments, Han Mo quickly guessed the cause of the matter.
Besides this, there seemed to be no other matter that could attract the attention of the Transport Commissioner's Office!
The so-called Transport Commissioner, in the early Song Dynasty, was merely a temporary position responsible for gathering military supplies and provisions, established when needed and dismissed upon completion.
However, as it developed, it gradually became the chief administrative official of a circuit, responsible for the circuit’s finances and supervision, abbreviated as the漕司 (Cáo Sī).
"Yes!"
After hastily changing his clothes, Han Mo went to the main hall.
"You are Han Mo?"
As soon as he entered the main hall, a middle-aged man in a green robe, about forty years old, asked arrogantly.
"This subordinate is indeed Han Mo. May I ask your honor’s name?"
Just by hearing the tone, Han Mo knew that the visitor was not friendly and immediately became alert.
"This official is Pang Yue, the Judge of the Transport Commissioner's Office of Hebei East Circuit!"
"So it's Lord Pang. May I know why you are here in Neihuang County today?"
A judge from the Transport Commissioner's Office put on airs as if he were a prime minister, but Han Mo still asked with a smile.
"Someone has accused you. This official is here to apprehend you!"
Pang Yue said, sizing up Han Mo with a cold smile.
"My lord, I don't understand what you mean. What do you mean by 'someone has accused me'? This subordinate is dull-witted. I beg my lord to clarify!"
Han Mo’s pupils contracted, and his heart sank.
He had been careless this time. If he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have let Zhou Ding live.
"Since you say so, then this official would like to ask, Lord Han, where are your county officials, registrars, and clerks?"
Just as he expected!
This confirmed Han Mo's suspicion that this matter was definitely related to that idiot in Tangyin County.
However, for what purpose were they doing this?
For a moment, Han Mo couldn't quite figure it out.
"What does my lord mean by that? Did I not submit a written report to the Transport Commissioner's Office about the affairs of Neihuang County ten days ago? The document from the Judicial Inspection Bureau has already come down. Your inquiry makes this subordinate very confused!"
"Han Mo!"
Seeing that Han Mo was not being polite at all, Pang Yue became furious and grabbed the gavel on the table, slamming it down heavily.
"This subordinate is here. My lord, my ears are still quite good; you don't need to shout so loudly!"
Seeing his furious demeanor, Han Mo showed no haste.
"Is this how you speak to your superior?"
Pang Yue glared at Han Mo, puffing with anger.
"My lord, am I not speaking the truth? I don't know what attitude your lordship means. Could you please demonstrate?"
Since this fellow was here to cause trouble, Han Mo decided not to waste time arguing with him. In any case, Lu Ying was already investigating, and the longer they delayed, the more beneficial it would be for him.
"You!"
Han Mo's words indeed caused Pang Yue's momentum to falter.
"What about me? My lord, you said someone accused me. May I ask who the plaintiff is?"
Seeing that his arrogant momentum had been blunted, Han Mo asked with a smile.
"The one who accused you is Zhou Ding, your subordinate county official!"
Pang Yue said through gritted teeth.
"My lord, you must be joking, right? Zhou Ding?"
Han Mo’s face was full of mockery.
"How can there be jokes in matters of the court?"
"My lord, if you are not joking, then I find it strange. When did he accuse me?"
"This…"
Hearing Han Mo’s words, Pang Yue was startled, but then he reacted.
It seemed they had made a basic mistake!
Zhou Ding's accusation against Han Mo was submitted by Liao Wenxing. However, the problem was that Zhou Ding had already been stripped of his official status and was a commoner at that time.
Logically, in such a situation, he should have first filed a complaint in his own county, and then Han Mo, to avoid suspicion, would have reported the case to the prefectural government.
After preliminary review at the prefectural level, it would be reported to the Transport Commissioner's Office. This was the normal procedure.
Only if this procedure was blocked could he appeal to a higher authority. Otherwise, the Transport Commissioner's Office should not have accepted the case at all!
He had only thought about what Wang Fu had promised and had completely forgotten such an obscure rule.
Now that Han Mo had brought it up in court, he was truly a bit flustered.
"My lord, you don't even know this, do you?"
Seeing his expression, Han Mo knew that this old fellow had trapped himself. Han Mo, having the upper hand, was relentless.
"This official naturally knows, but this official is busy with official duties and has forgotten for the moment. Just hand over the prisoner."