"You dare!"
At this, Pu Jinshan's expression also turned grim.
This was the first time in Mingzhou City that someone had dared to speak to him like this.
Normally, even the prefect would give him some face, let alone kill his man right in front of him.
"Han Shizhong, what are you waiting for?"
Han Shizhong had hesitated a little. After all, they were in Mingzhou City, and killing someone on the spot made him feel a bit uneasy.
However, seeing Han Mo urge him again, Han Shizhong no longer dared to delay and charged at the two Japanese samurai with his bare hands.
The two Japanese men did not understand the rules of the Song officialdom and only knew to obey Pu Jinshan's orders and protect his safety.
Seeing Han Shizhong charge at them, they drew their swords and slashed without hesitation.
However, although their movements were fast, they were no match for Han Shizhong.
Facing their attacks, Han Shizhong did not hesitate at all. With just a few shakes of his shoulders, he dodged their fatal blows.
Taking advantage of their unstable balance after their swords missed, he rushed to them in an instant.
His hands flashed like lightning, grabbing both of their throats. With a simple twist, they both collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
In that swift moment, even Qian Lang couldn't help but want to applaud.
"You dare to kill my people?"
Pu Jinshan's face was full of ferocity. Han Mo had shown him absolutely no face by doing this!
"Since you have no official rank, nor are you an official of the court, but merely a barbarian from abroad, what right do you have to bellow at me? Kneel!"
If someone respects me one inch, I'll respect them ten feet. Either don't do it, or do it completely. This was Han Mo's principle for living.
If that fellow had been a little more restrained just now, Han Mo wouldn't have been so disrespectful.
But since it had already happened, Han Mo naturally didn't mind making things even more unpleasant.
The Pu family was not originally Song people. Looking at his Muslim attire and his face, it was clear that these people were likely Arabs.
Not being Song people and daring to act so arrogantly here, Han Mo naturally didn't mind teaching him what hierarchy meant!
"Han, although I am not an official, nor do I have any rank, do you believe me when I say that if I want to kill you, it's just a word away!"
Although he spoke tough, seeing the menacing looks of Han Shizhong and Li Bao, Pu Jinshan still retreated three steps consecutively.
"It seems this fellow is indeed quite ill. You two, help him out!"
After Han Mo finished speaking, he signaled Han Shizhong and Li Bao with his eyes. Without a word, the two of them stepped forward a few paces, grabbed Pu Jinshan's shoulders, and pushed down simultaneously.
Pu Jinshan wanted to struggle, but with the monstrous strength of Li Bao and Han Shizhong, even Yue Fei might not be a match for the two of them, let alone a pampered fop like him, whose body had been hollowed out by his indulgence in women.
Almost instantly, he was forced to his knees uncontrollably, and with a crisp crack, both his arms dislocated. The intense pain made him lose his balance completely.
As Han Shizhong and Li Bao released him, he collapsed onto the ground.
"Ah—"
With both arms broken, Pu Jinshan let out a scream and almost fainted from the pain.
"This is the proper posture for a barbarian! Today, considering it's your first offense, I won't hold it against you. But remember this from now on: when you see officials of the court, the citizens of my Great Song might not have to kneel, but you barbarians must perform the rite of prostration with five limbs touching the ground!"
Han Mo slowly stepped forward, reached his side, nudged his face with his foot, and said with disdain.
Seeing that Han Mo had dealt with Pu Jinshan in a flash, showing him no respect whatsoever, even Qian Lang couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
Although he didn't know what Han Mo was relying on, at this moment, he was truly impressed.
This was a ruthless person, a truly ruthless person!
"Han, you remember this! The humiliation today, I will repay tenfold!"
In such a predicament, Pu Jinshan's inner ferocity was ignited.
Not only was he not afraid, but he glared fiercely at Han Mo.
"Threatening an official appointed by the court? Very well, I'll see who is more capable, you or the laws of the court! Guards, take him to the Mingzhou Prefecture yamen, tell the prefect to shackle him for three days and parade him through the streets! Also, send someone to the military camp outside the city to bring a detachment of soldiers. Anyone who dares to obstruct will be punished accordingly!"
Han Mo's words truly startled Qian Lang. If he really did this, then he and the Pu family would truly be in an irreconcilable conflict.
Although the Pu family was indeed not Song people, they had been rooted in Quanzhou for nearly thirty years.
Through the immense wealth accumulated from maritime trade, nearly half of it had been invested in the officialdom.
Although their own descendants had not held high positions in the court, the network of protection they had cultivated in the several southeastern circuits and among the high echelons of the court was not to be trifled with.
Han Mo was merely a seventh-rank official. If he truly clashed with them, Han Mo himself would be the one to suffer in the end.
"My lord, please reconsider!"
After a moment of hesitation, Qian Lang couldn't help but speak.
"No need, I have thought it through very clearly. Take him away!"
With a cold snort, Han Mo flicked his sleeve.
Li Bao and the others naturally wouldn't be polite. They grabbed Pu Jinshan by his collar and lifted him up like an eagle carrying a chick.
"My lord, by doing this, you might bring about your own doom!"
After Li Bao and the others had taken him away, Qian Lang quickly stepped forward, grabbed Han Mo's sleeve, and said in a low voice.
"Doom? You underestimate me, Han. How about we make a bet?"
Seeing his nervous appearance, Han Mo couldn't help but smile.
"I..."
Now, Qian Lang was somewhat at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
He had made his point so clearly, yet Han Mo still didn't seem to take it seriously.
At this moment, he was truly worried. If this Han fellow were to die, what would happen to the cotton yarn production technology?