"Lord Zhang has quite the sharp eyes. But I wonder, if I hadn't been here, would you have simply arrested and imprisoned them all, perhaps even beaten them to death!" Cai Shu sneered, preparing to put on airs.
"Young master, you jest. This is Kaifeng Prefecture, right under the Emperor's nose. Who would dare commit such illegal acts here!" To Han Mo's surprise, Zhang Shaoyou was remarkably resolute. Han Mo found it rather strange, this fellow's sheer audacity! Did he not fear repercussions from the Cai family after this? Or did this young man have some other backing?
"There's no need for empty talk. How do you intend to handle this matter today?" Cai Shu spoke, glancing at Han Mo. He was in a difficult position. Although his servants had fumbled, they were still his people. Abandoning them now might lead to further complications!
"Handle it how? Isn't it obvious? Ah, I understand! Young master Cai, rest assured!"
"You understand? In that case, I'll trouble Lord Zhang with today's affair. We shall take our leave." Hearing Zhang Shaoyou's words, Cai Shu finally managed a smile.
"Come, seize this wicked servant who slandered my name! Drag him away and give him fifty strokes as a warning!" Before Cai Shu could even step away, Zhang Shaoyou had already given the order.
"What do you mean by this?" Hearing this, Cai Shu immediately turned, glaring angrily.
"Did the young master not just ask me to handle it strictly? You are the young master of Minister Cai's household. How can it be tolerated that these people dare to act wickedly in your name?" Zhang Shaoyou appeared concerned, a demeanor that almost made Han Mo burst into laughter. It seemed this Lord Zhang was truly an interesting character!
"You!"
"Young master, please don't take it to heart. This is a mere trifle, an effort of raising a hand. As for any gratuity, let's forget it. After all, it would not be good if it were said that the Cai family bribed an official of the court!" Cai Shu was beside himself with rage, but at this moment, he truly couldn't say anything else. The people of Bianliang loved a spectacle; this was no new phenomenon. With the crowd growing larger by the moment, speaking rashly now would be asking for trouble.
"You wait!" Under the public gaze, Cai Shu could only utter a threat before turning and leaving with the remaining men.
"My Lord, how should these three be dealt with?" After Cai Shu left, the Cai family servants were also apprehended. The trio involved in the staged accident were now dumbfounded. They could only kneel on the ground, begging for mercy. As for escaping, that was simply laughable. They all had families to support; even if the monk escaped, the temple remained!
"Young official, how should these three be handled?" Zhang Shaoyou smiled, looking at Han Mo. The implication was clear: these three were to be handed over to him for disposal.
"My Lord, you jest. Since they have broken the law, it is naturally up to my Lord to deal with them according to the law!" Han Mo understood that the man was merely being polite, offering him face. If he actually spoke up, it would be a sign of true ignorance.
"In that case, someone, take them down and question them thoroughly to see if they have committed any other wicked deeds!" Zhang Shaoyou cast a deep look at Han Mo, a growing admiration in his eyes.
"Yes!" Hearing Zhang Shaoyou's command, the constables swarmed forward, directly taking the trio involved in the staged accident away.
"Thank you, my Lord, for clearing my name today. I express my gratitude!" Han Mo spoke, cupping his hands in a salute towards Zhang Shaoyou.
"Young official, you are too polite. It is nearly the end of our duty. How about we find a place to sit for a moment?" Now, Han Mo was truly unsure what this man was up to. He was merely a Taixuesheng (student of the Imperial Academy). Why was he being so courteous? It was evident that there was more to this than met the eye. Even if that jade ruyi held some hidden significance, it should only be of use to the princes. Could this minor official from Kaifeng Prefecture also want to get involved in something here? However, the man had gone this far, showing such humility. If Han Mo refused to reciprocate, it would be truly impolite.
"Since my Lord has invited me, this humble scholar naturally dares not refuse! In that case, I shall trouble you."
"There's no trouble at all. It's rare to meet a young talent like yourself, young official. Please wait for me a moment. I shall change my clothes and be right back." Zhang Shaoyou bowed to Han Mo again before turning to leave.
A moment later, he reappeared in casual attire and led Han Mo to a restaurant near Xingguo Temple.
"Lord Zhang, you're here!" Seeing Zhang Shaoyou enter, the waiter greeted him enthusiastically. It seemed he was a regular patron.
"Is the usual spot upstairs occupied?" Zhang Shaoyou asked casually.
"As you say, my lord. Even if it were occupied, they would surely make way for you!" the waiter replied with a fawning smile.
"Alright, alright. With that silver tongue of yours, you could make the dead come alive. I don't think you need to be a waiter tomorrow; you should go to the entertainment district and perform vocal mimicry!" Zhang Shaoyou said as he led Han Mo upstairs, casually joking with the waiter. Han Mo rarely visited this area. Given its proximity to the Imperial City, even this small eatery had rather expensive dishes on its menu. A single bowl of lamb soup cost eighty wen.
"These copper coins are worth less and less. A mere bowl of lamb soup now costs eighty wen. Your shopkeeper's heart is too black!" While the waiter was clearing things, Zhang Shaoyou continued to jest.
"This is not the shopkeeper's fault, my lord. You wouldn't know, but yesterday, the price of white rice here reached eight hundred wen per dou! They say there are bandits in Jiangnan, so high-grade Huzhou white rice is likely to become even more precious!" If anyone else joked like this, it would be one thing, but for Zhang Shaoyou, an official from Kaifeng Prefecture, to joke, the waiter dared not take it lightly.
"Alright, alright, I was just saying. The usual, please. A pot of Yu Bing Shao, and some of your specialty dishes. We'll have a chat, and don't disturb us unless called." Zhang Shaoyou, being part of the government, naturally knew more about these matters than the waiter. However, these were not things he could control. After ordering a few dishes, he ushered the waiter out. The waiter was quite tactful. Before long, after serving the food and drinks, he closed the door from the outside.
"Lord, your great kindness to Han Mo truly makes me feel overwhelmed. I toast you with this wine!" Although he didn't know the man's true intentions, Han Mo raised his wine cup with a smile.
"You keep calling me 'Lord,' and it truly sounds rather awkward. We are not in official capacity now, and besides, I am merely a petty official, busy with trivial matters every day. What sort of 'Lord' am I?"
"If you don't find it beneath you, how about we address each other as equals?" Zhang Shaoyou smiled, raising his wine cup.
"I fear that might not be appropriate. Han Mo is merely a scholar, how could I dare address you as an equal?" This sudden politeness made Han Mo feel rather uneasy.
"My young friend, that's not a good thing to say. Although you are currently only a Taixuesheng, you come from a distinguished family and have gained the Emperor's favor. Are you perhaps looking down on this old Zhang?" Zhang Shaoyou was joking, but his words revealed much.
"My Lord, you jest. In that case, Han Mo will not be polite! Brother Shaoyou, please!"
"That's more like it! Brother Han, please!" With the change in address, their relationship immediately began to heat up. After a few rounds of drinks, their demeanor had become considerably more cordial.
"Brother Han, you've also been around Bianliang these days. Have you heard about the incident at the Cai residence some time ago?" As they spoke, Zhang Shaoyou suddenly changed the subject. Han Mo's heart stirred. So, the real reason had arrived!