"Lord Han!"
"Lord Han, you're here!"
"We've long heard that Lord Han is a brilliant young talent, and seeing you today, you truly are extraordinary!"
As soon as Han Mo and Li Yueyang stepped into Wanghai Tower, a group of officials immediately rushed to greet them.
Han Mo paid no mind to their flattery.
These individuals had all signed their confessions with their own hands. If Han Mo wished for their lives, it was merely a matter of a single thought.
"Since all lords are here, let us take our seats first!"
After a sweeping glance around and seeing Li Yueyang nod silently, Han Mo finally spoke.
"Yes!"
Under Han Mo's stern gaze, all the officials became quiet.
"Lords, you all know why I've invited you here today, don't you!"
After everyone had taken their seats, Han Mo poured himself a cup of wine and stood up again to speak.
"Lord Han is kind-hearted, we..."
"Save your flattery. You all know what you've done, and I don't need to say more!" Han Mo interrupted Li Yueyang coldly, who had only spoken half a sentence.
Silence fell over everyone again. If Han Mo didn't even give face to Li Yueyang, who else would dare to babble further.
"I have invited you all here today for three matters, and I request your utmost cooperation!"
As Han Mo spoke, he took out a thick stack of documents from his sleeve.
Seeing the numerous crimson handprints on them, everyone flinched. These were their signed confessions of guilt.
As for the authenticity of these documents, these individuals knew best. While this wasn't everything they had done, according to the Great Song law, even if they weren't executed, they would all be exiled to Yazhou.
"Lord, please just give your orders. We will follow your lead!" Li Yueyang said without hesitation, seeing as things had come to this point.
"We will follow your lead!" The remaining officials quickly chimed in after Li Yueyang spoke.
"Very good!" Han Mo nodded in satisfaction as they all began to pledge their allegiance.
"For the first matter, the rebel army is about to arrive, but the imperial granary is empty. Do you all understand the situation?"
Upon hearing Han Mo's words, everyone couldn't help but tremble.
Wasn't the imperial granary empty precisely because they had all been pocketing funds? Han Mo bringing this up now clearly meant he intended for them to disgorge everything, principal and interest.
"I am not trying to make things difficult for you. According to the numbers on these documents, whatever you ate and took, you must all return!"
Even Li Yueyang was taken aback by Han Mo's words. These documents already had a considerable buffer, and Han Mo asking them to return according to these numbers was clearly showing them leniency.
"Lord Li, you go first and state your position!" Han Mo said as he poured Li Yueyang another cup of wine.
"Lord, rest assured, within three days, this subordinate will ensure all that is owed is replenished in the granary!" Han Mo had already shown leniency. To bargain now would be foolish. Li Yueyang downed the cup of wine in front of him without hesitation.
"Good! Lord Li is indeed a pillar of the nation. What do the rest of you say?" With the Prefect of Mingzhou, Li Yueyang, already conceding, the others, despite their reservations, dared not speak further. Seeing their silence, Han Mo walked around the table, refilling everyone's cups.
"If you are willing to give me, Han Mo, some face, then drink the wine in your cups. If not, you may leave now!" This was blatant blackmail. With Han Mo holding their fates in his hands, none of them dared to object.
Upon hearing Han Mo's words, everyone immediately stood up and drank their wine.
"Very good. It seems that although you lords have made some minor mistakes, your hearts are still with the court!" Han Mo nodded in satisfaction as they all gulped down the wine.
"The first matter is settled, with the deadline set for three days from now. Now, for the second matter: the rebel army is on its way. To avoid bloodshed, you all have five days. At all costs, you must evacuate all citizens to the prefectural city of Mingzhou. As for their resettlement, Lord Li, I don't need to tell you, do I?"
Under Han Mo's gaze, Li Yueyang shivered and quickly stood up.
"Lord, rest assured, this subordinate will begin arrangements as soon as I return!"
"Very good. In five days, all citizens within your jurisdictions are to be evacuated to the prefectural city of Mingzhou. Do any of you have objections?"
"Yes!" Although completing this task in five days was an unimaginable feat for them, with the sword already at their throats, they dared not utter another word.
"Very good. I know it's hard to leave one's homeland, but you must have heard about the rebels' methods. Anyone who dares to slack off now should think about how they will survive the rebels!" Han Mo sneered and admonished them again, looking at their crestfallen expressions.
"Yes!"
"Then, I shall address the final matter. Mingzhou city has limited grain. With so many people gathered within the city, if there isn't enough food and medicine, great chaos will ensue. I ask that you all return and personally visit the wealthy households in your jurisdictions to borrow or buy grain. If anyone starves a single citizen, do not blame me for making them pay with their lives!" Han Mo said, his smile sweeping across the room.
At this, including Li Yueyang, everyone's mouths twitched. If it were a few days ago, perhaps they could have borrowed grain. But now, with the rebels so close, if those people were willing to lend them grain when asked, it would be a miracle!
"Lord, perhaps this..."