"Offense of great disrespect, all offenders shall be executed!"
Seeing the soldiers' timid appearance, Jiang Yan sneered and added another sentence.
This immediately silenced the scene. Not only were the soldiers looking at each other, but even the officials watching the excitement nearby began to consciously retreat.
This matter seemed to be getting bigger and bigger, and it had already escalated to the crime of great disrespect. If they still pushed forward now, what if they accidentally got into trouble? That would truly be a disaster.
"You say it is, so it is? You're just a mere seventh-rank official, what imperial decree would you possess?"
Judging by the soldiers' reactions, Xin Xingzong knew that if he couldn't suppress Han Mo, his men would likely not even dare to enter.
However, having served in the frontier regions of the northwest for a long time, he knew very little about Han Mo's background.
He had come with such a large contingent today, making a public spectacle of arresting someone. If he were to be scared away by a few words, he would truly be disgraced beyond measure.
The incident in Jingkou, under his stern threats, had not yet spread. However, with so many people watching, if this matter were to reach Tong Guan's ears, even if Han Mo didn't deal with him, Tong Guan would not let him off.
"The courtyard gate is right here. If you have the guts, draw your sword and step in. See if I dare to execute you in public today!"
As Han Mo said this, he directly made way and gestured for him to enter.
This put Xin Xingzong in a difficult position.
So many people were watching him. If he backed down now, within half an hour, more than half of Suzhou would know that Xin Xingzong was a coward.
"Even if there is an imperial decree in your courtyard, so what? I am currently on official duty!"
Although his words were firm, as soon as he spoke, he was met with a wave of boos.
"On official duty? Do you have a document signed by Prince Xin?"
Since he had the upper hand, how could Han Mo give him a chance to recover? He once again asked aggressively.
"No..."
Such a trivial matter could not possibly trouble Zhao Zhen. If he dared to bother Zhao Zhen with this, he would likely be driven away before he even entered.
"Then do you have a wanted document issued by the Ministry of Punishment?"
"This, this also no..."
At this point, Xin Xingzong himself felt a wave of awkwardness.
Ultimately, his assignment was just to patrol the streets and maintain order within the city.
As for hearing cases and dealing with documents, these were all matters for the prefectural yamen.
The only reason he came in person today was to retaliate against Han Mo.
However, he had forgotten one thing: Han Mo was a civil official, and he had truly served as a county magistrate.
He was extremely familiar with the division of powers among the various levels of government.
"You have none of this, none of that, then do you have any signed documents from the Suzhou Prefecture or the Department of Judicial Review?"
"You..."
"What about me? Don't tell me you don't even have this. I'm really curious, General Xin, without even this, who are you here to arrest? What right do you have to come here and arrest people?"
Seeing his hesitant demeanor, Han Mo immediately understood. It seemed that this fellow had just happened to encounter this matter yesterday, and upon discovering that it was related to him, he had brazenly come to arrest him.
If that was the case, then this matter would be very simple.
This fellow had delivered himself to his doorstep. How he was humiliated was entirely his own doing!
"I, I..."
Han Mo's barrage of questions completely stunned Xin Xingzong. Although he was trembling with rage, at this moment, he truly had no recourse against Han Mo.
"General Xin, have you ever heard a saying? 'Those not in their position do not deliberate on their affairs; dogs snatching mice are meddling.' Escort him out!"
After speaking, Han Mo turned and walked into the courtyard, not even glancing at him from beginning to end.
"General Xin, please!"
Seeing Han Mo leave, Jiang Yan also smiled coldly and gestured for Xin Xingzong to leave.
Having lost so much face in front of everyone, Xin Xingzong was now trembling with anger, yet he could do nothing to Han Mo.
Seeing his face, which was so dark it seemed to drip water, the onlookers also began to feel that the situation was not good.
This fellow was already infuriated by humiliation. If they continued to linger and watch, they might inadvertently attract trouble, making it not worth it.
Facing such a profound humiliation, Xin Xingzong's fists were clenched so tightly that they made cracking sounds.
Although he wished he could split Han Mo in two, he knew that this was in Suzhou. If he dared to do anything here, even as Tong Guan's favored general, he would not be able to leave alive.
"General, shall we..."
Only after the crowd had dispersed did Xin Xingzong's deputy ask softly.
"We're leaving! I'm not finished with him today!"
After dropping a fierce threat, Xin Xingzong turned and left directly.
"My Lord..."
Seeing the soldiers appear, Li Bao's heart was racing.
He had originally thought that since these people had come to his door, no matter how much Han Mo protected him, he would eventually have to be handed over.
But he had never expected that Han Mo would ultimately choose to confront Xin Xingzong head-on.
He knew nothing about the previous grievances between Han Mo and Xin Xingzong. He simply applied all of Han Mo's actions to himself.
Seeing Han Mo return, even this rough and tough man couldn't help but shed tears of gratitude.
"What are you doing? A man should not shed tears, only blood. What is this crying and sniveling?"
Seeing his moved state, Han Mo was quite surprised.
"My Lord has shown me such great kindness. If I, Li Bao, ever harbor any disloyalty towards my Lord, may heaven strike me down and pierce my heart with ten thousand arrows!"
"Uh..."
This time, Han Mo felt a bit awkward. Should he explain it to him or not?