"It's deep in the night, and inventorying the armory at this hour might cause unnecessary panic among the common people. Perhaps tomorrow would be better?"
At this point, Li Yueyang could only try his best to stall for time. However, looking at the soldiers behind Han Mo, his heart turned cold.
If the armory fire didn't happen, then, including himself, everyone's fate would be in Han Mo's hands.
"My lord, are you joking with me? To tell you the truth, tens of thousands of rebels are already on their way. If we continue to delay like this, are you perhaps planning to abandon the city and flee?"
As Han Mo spoke, his expression turned cold again.
The atmosphere instantly became tense, and the soldiers behind him all placed their right hands on their sword hilts.
Before coming, Wang Bing had given them strict orders: no matter what happened, everyone must obey Han Mo's commands unconditionally.
These three thousand Shengjie troops had followed Wang Bing for many years, and he had personally trained them. Naturally, there were no issues with discipline.
"My lord is right. Since that's the case, let's proceed as my lord intends."
Seeing Han Mo's resolute attitude, Li Yueyang could only force a bitter smile, cup his fists towards Han Mo, and agree.
"The situation is urgent. I think my lord shouldn't stand on ceremony. Let the attendants follow behind. Someone, prepare a horse for my lord!"
After hearing Han Mo's words, Li Yueyang's lips were only capable of a bitter smile.
Han Mo's meticulousness in his actions was truly frightening to him.
At this moment, he could only hope that Qiu Renjie's side would succeed quickly; otherwise, things would likely become even more troublesome.
"My lord Prefect, please mount your horse!"
A soldier directly led a warhorse, extending the reins to him.
Regardless of whether Li Yueyang was willing or not, he could only obediently mount the horse at this time and follow Han Mo and his men towards the armory.
"Lord Li, why are you sweating so much? Are you alright?"
As they walked side by side, although a cool breeze was blowing, Li Yueyang's forehead was already covered in fine beads of sweat.
No matter how much they dawdled, the distance between the prefectural yamen and the armory was not that great.
Seeing Li Yueyang's forehead covered in cold sweat, Han Mo asked with a smile.
"Indeed, indeed, I'm feeling a bit unwell today..."
After a dry cough, Li Yueyang replied somewhat awkwardly.
"Lord Li, you must be very familiar with the situation of the armory, right? What about other places? Nowadays, there are shortages everywhere. I wonder how much the deficit is in the Yueyang Armory?"
Just as Li Yueyang was racking his brains to stall for time, Han Mo suddenly asked.
"I..."
This time, Li Yueyang truly hesitated. He couldn't quite figure out whether Han Mo genuinely wanted to help him or was deliberately trying to extract information from him.
If he told the truth, his heart was a little worried. But if he didn't, he was afraid of missing this opportunity. He was truly in a dilemma.
"What? My lord doesn't trust me?"
Han Mo chuckled and then directly made a stopping gesture, signaling the soldiers behind him not to follow for the time being.
Seeing the marching procession suddenly halt, Li Yueyang's heart clenched tightly.
Should he speak or not?
"Lord Li, one cannot say you are good, but neither can one say you are bad. There are many officials in the imperial court who are worse than you, and many more ruthless people. However, officials who allow their subjects to live so prosperously are truly few and far between!"
Han Mo and Li Yueyang walked side by side. After walking about thirty to forty paces, Han Mo suddenly reined in his horse and said meaningfully.
"This..."
"Don't 'this' or 'that'. I've said what I needed to say. What is the actual situation in the armory? I believe you know better than I do, my lord!"
"Lord Han, what exactly do you want to say?"
After taking a deep breath, Li Yueyang finally made up his mind.
However, before revealing the truth, he still wanted to confirm Han Mo's intentions one last time.
"If it were just a few corrupt officials like you, do you really think I wouldn't be capable of dealing with you? Let me be clear: I suspect you've already had ulterior motives by now. Before I arrived here, I had already sent men to seal all the access routes to the armory. Without my order, no one can enter or exit!"
Seeing that this fellow was still wavering at this point, Han Mo couldn't help but sneer.
"Sent men to seal the armory?"
After Li Yueyang spoke, his entire face turned extremely grim.
"Isn't this only natural? My lord, are you truly indifferent to the lives and deaths of so many people in this city? You wouldn't possibly be thinking of letting these citizens die with you, would you!"
After hearing Han Mo's words, Li Yueyang fell into complete silence.
If Han Mo had already sent men to seal the armory before arriving, then all his plans would likely be in vain.
It would be fine if Qiu Renjie and the others didn't act. But if they acted and were caught, he would truly be beyond redemption.
"According to the intelligence I've received, thirty thousand rebels are already on their way. We have at most six or seven days to organize the city defenses! If you are willing to cooperate, as long as Mingzhou City can be defended, I will overlook the matter of the armory. But if Mingzhou City cannot be defended, Lord Li, I can guarantee that you and your family will perish with Mingzhou City!"
As Han Mo said this, he turned his horse and looked at Li Yueyang meaningfully again.
Under Han Mo's gaze, Li Yueyang couldn't help but tremble all over.
"Why is my lord willing to help me?"
After taking a deep breath, Li Yueyang asked again.
"As I said, I'm not helping you; I'm helping all the people in this city!"
"This..."
"Lord Li, I don't have much time, and I don't like to waste my time. We are less than half an incense stick's time away from the armory. I ask that you make a swift decision. If you haven't made up your mind before we reach the armory, then you don't need to say anything else!"