Three Kingdoms: Madam, I am a decent person

Chapter 648: Shocking Change: Wen Chou is going to defect?
Zhang Sui was startled when he saw the expressions of Chen Deng and Ju Shou. He immediately came to his senses and wiped his face vigorously with both hands. Then he looked at Chen Deng and Ju Shou and asked, "Is there a problem at Jiguan?"

Chen Deng nodded and said in a low voice, "Half a month ago, Ma Chao shouted at Wen Chou in front of the battle line, saying that he was a traitor who was seeking fame and fortune. Wen Chou could not resist and tied up the military advisor Chen Jiao, Zang Ba and Sun Guan who tried to persuade him."

"Afterwards, he led his men across the river and attacked Ma Chao's camp at night."

"Unexpectedly, he fell into Ma Chao's trap to lure the enemy."

"Three thousand troops launched a surprise attack."

"Except for Wen Chou and less than a hundred people who escaped to the other side, all others died in the battle."

"Wen Chou was afraid that the matter would be leaked, so he didn't dare to report the true situation of the battle, and could only release false information to us."

"The people from Qilin Pavilion have already contacted military advisor Chen Jiao, Zang Ba, and Sun Guan, and secretly brought them out."

"Military Advisor Chen Jiao wants to see you right away, my lord."

"It seems Cao Cao sent someone to persuade Wen Chou, who may rebel at any time."

"Now Chen Jiao, Zang Ba and Sun Guan have been secretly rescued again."

"Wen Chou must have discovered that the three people disappeared."

"Rebellion is just a matter of thought."

Zhang Sui: “.”

This news was like a bolt from the blue for some people.

He wanted to curse!
He had written to Wen Chou repeatedly before, asking him not to be provoked, not to confront Ma Chao, and to hold on to the end. As long as they could hold out for a year, the army would move south, and that would be the chance for Wen Chou to make achievements.

But I didn't expect that even after going this far, Wen Chou still chose this path of no return!

Zhang Sui sighed and said, "Let Chen Jiao come here immediately."

Chen Deng glanced at Ju Su, turned around and left quickly.

Ju Su looked at Zhang Sui, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

Zhang Sui looked at Ju Shou, his expression somewhat exhausted, but he still managed a smile and said, "Mr. Ju, do you still need to be like this in front of me?"

"I have always regarded you and Mr. Tian as teachers and half fathers."

"If you have something to say, just say it!"

Ju Shou mustered up the courage to say, "Although Wen Chou has committed a serious crime, please do not implicate his family."

"No matter what, Wen Chou has fought for Hebei all his life."

"Also, the current strategy still needs to be adhered to."

"Hebei is a vast land with abundant resources and food supplies. There is no need to start a war over a small defeat."

"We can ask the Royal Guards to capture Wen Chou."

"I recommend someone to replace Wen Chou."

Zhang Sui remained silent.

Ju Su looked at Zhang Sui nervously.

After a while, Zhang Sui said, "Wen Chou's family, don't worry, Lord Ju, I am not a bloodthirsty person."

"There is no way on the battlefield."

"Now have someone announce that if one person makes a mistake, only one person will be punished."

“Families and their children still have the opportunity to make achievements.”

"As long as you don't cover up for him, his family and children will continue to live as usual."

Ju Su breathed a sigh of relief and was about to kneel down and said, "This old minister will..."

Zhang Sui quickly grabbed Ju Shou's arm and said with a forced smile, "Don't bother me."

"That's how I arranged it when I was an official in Zhongshan County."

"Besides, you are right. No matter how wrong Wen Chou was, he worked hard for Hebei his whole life."

"Even if Wen Chou is wrong now, I will not implicate his family and children for his past."

Ju Shou then stood up, looked at Zhang Sui with some emotion and said: "Then the defensive strategy——"

Zhang Sui did not respond immediately.

It was a long time later that Chen Deng came over with Chen Jiao, who looked disheveled.

Chen Jiao rushed forward, knelt down in front of Zhang Sui, prostrated himself on the ground, and said in a trembling voice: "My lord, Chen Jiao deserves to die!"

"Chen Jiao failed to fulfill his duty of persuasion, allowing General Wen Chou to attack the enemy camp at night, which led to an ambush."

"However, my lord, General Wen Chou is hesitant at this moment."

"Cao Cao sent Yang Fu, the head of the Yang family, a noble family in Liangzhou, to persuade Wen Chou."

"Please send someone to stop it immediately, my lord."

"Perhaps Wen Chou has already betrayed the enemy." Zhang Sui motioned Chen Deng to help Chen Jiao up, and then said softly: "It has nothing to do with you, you don't need to blame yourself."

"Ji Bi, you should have a good rest in Yecheng during this period of time."

"I have my own plans for Jiguan."

Chen Jiao thanked him and turned to leave.

Chen Deng looked at Zhang Sui and asked, "My lord, who should we send to capture Wen Chou?"

"Wen Chou is in such a state now that I'm afraid ordinary generals can't subdue him."

"What if he has surrendered on the way there—"

Zhang Sui rubbed his eyebrows.

This is also the reason why he doesn't trust military generals very much.

Most military generals have bad tempers and short memories.

After all, there are too few generals like Zhao Yun, Qian Zhao and Zhang Liao who are both brave and resourceful.

After a slight hesitation, Zhang Sui looked at Ju Shou and Chen Deng and said, "I think I'll go there with my personal soldiers later."

"Let Gao Shun lead the Xianzhen Camp to keep a distance of about fifty miles."

"I want to give Wen Chou a chance."

"If he had not surrendered and rejected Cao Cao's advice to surrender, I would not have executed him, but would have demoted him to teach him a lesson."

"If he has surrendered, there is no need to bring him back."

"If he surrenders and gives up Jiguan, there is no need to keep his body. Hang his head at the east gate of Yecheng for the world to see!"

"Tell his eldest son to go with me."

"Tell his family not to get involved."

Zhang Sui looked at Ju Shou again and said, "As for the strategy you mentioned, we should continue to focus on defense. By the way, who did you recommend to replace Wen Chou?"

After listening to Zhang Sui's endless chatter, Ju Shou and Chen Deng were about to object and ask Zhang Sui to come forward in person.

But when Zhang Sui mentioned that continuing to defend was a strategy, the two swallowed their objections.

The fact that Zhang Sui was still able to stick to a defensive strategy at this time showed that he was not too angry.

Letting him face Wen Chou might be the best decision.

Given Wen Chou's current situation, the best general they could think of was Yan Liang.

But Yan Liang is now in Bingzhou defending against the Xianbei and other Hu peoples. Calling him back would be a hassle and he might not be able to wait that long.

At this moment, seeing that Zhang Sui was still in the mood to ask about the person who replaced Wen Chou, Ju Su hurriedly said, "Shen Rong."

Zhang Sui was a little suspicious.

Shen Rong, why doesn't he have any impression of this name?

There seemed to be no detailed introduction to this person in the history books I read before traveling through time.

But Ju Su recommended him to replace Wen Chou.

Then Shen Rong’s status must not be too low.

How could he not notice?

Seeing Zhang Sui's bewilderment, Ju Shou said, "He is the nephew of the former Yecheng magistrate Shen Pei. In the previous imperial examination, Shen Rong ranked third."

"Because his uncle Shen Pei helped the Third Prince in his rebellion, so—"

Ju Su didn't say it.

However, Zhang Sui could also understand.

Ever since he took the position of the lord of Hebei, everyone under him has to look at his face.

Even people like Ju Su were respected by him.

However, Ju Shou would not offend himself easily.

Ju Shou and Tian Feng are different in this respect.

Tian Feng still spoke his mind directly to himself, just like during the Yuan Shao period.

He just doesn't care.

Seeing Ju Shou's cautious look, Zhang Sui smiled and said, "Okay, call him over and I'll talk to him."

Ju Su responded and walked out.

Zhang Sui then said to Chen Deng: "Go and ask Gao Shun to prepare. Set out tonight at night and keep a distance of about fifty miles from me."

(End of this chapter)