Chapter 5: Almost Ready to Go Out
Cao Cao had always considered Zhang Miao a good friend.
When Cao Cao took control of Yan Province, he still regarded Zhang Miao as a benefactor. However, Cao Cao could never have imagined that Zhang Miao’s suggestion to fight the Yellow Turbans was actually a scheme to have him killed!
The last shred of guilt Cao Cao had felt towards Zhang Miao vanished completely at this moment.
“Big Brother, how could Zhang Miao dare to do this?” Cao Ren, filled with rage, spoke with a tone full of murderous intent, wishing to drag Zhang Miao out and have his corpse beaten.
Cao Cao whispered, “Zhang Miao deserved to die! But he’s already dead.”
Zhang Miao’s entire family had been killed, even to the extent of his clan being exterminated. This vented Cao Cao’s pent-up anger.
“Sir, is this really true?” Cao Ang’s voice interrupted their anger. After hearing the final analysis, Cao Ang’s previous perception of Zhang Miao was completely overturned. He was shocked to learn how ruthless Zhang Miao truly was.
“Whether it’s true or not, only Zhang Miao himself would know,” Chen Zhou replied without further elaboration.
Cao Ang, lost in thought, asked, “Well, Cao Gong’s attack on Xu Province, wasn’t it for revenge? Or is there a deeper meaning behind it?”
“Ha ha…” Chen Zhou laughed upon hearing this and said, “Even if it were for revenge, there was no need for such brutal city-wide slaughter. I’ll explain it to you tomorrow.”
As he spoke, he made to stand up, intending to leave the cell and return to his confinement.
Even though Cao Ang had brought him out, Chen Zhou had no opportunity to escape since the area outside was heavily guarded.
Upon hearing the footsteps, Cao Cao quickly hid, but before he could move, Cao Ang’s voice came through: “Sir is a person of great ability. Cao Gong is now eagerly seeking talented individuals. I can recommend you and ensure that you are released and put to good use. What do you think, sir?”
He wanted to release Chen Zhou.
Such a talented individual should not be confined in such a dark place. If the Cao family could have Chen Zhou’s assistance, they would definitely secure a place in the chaotic world.
Chen Zhou, pleased at last, contemplated but did not immediately agree. Although he could guess that Cao Ang might be a Cao family relative, he was unsure of his exact identity and status. He felt that with only a few days of lectures, it was not sufficient to use Cao Ang’s influence to persuade someone who could actually release him.
What he sought was certainty, a secure release with no further troubles.
Chen Zhou planned to play a bigger card to make Cao Cao aware of his presence and be impressed. Thus, a direct order from Cao Cao himself would be the most straightforward and safest method to ensure his release.
However, with Cao Ang’s words, Chen Zhou realized that for the time being, he would not die and could live on.
“Do you think Zhang Miao is despicable?” Chen Zhou asked.
Cao Ang gritted his teeth and replied, “Despicable Indeed!”
Chen Zhou continued, “Since you find him despicable, Cao Cao would find Zhang Miao even more so. I am associated with Zhang Miao, so how could he easily let me go? I believe you have the ability to recommend and release me. But if you do, it might anger Cao Cao, which would be detrimental.”
“Because of my matters, you might lose your future prospects or even your life. It’s not worth it!”
He shook his head, refusing.
“Sir!” Cao Ang was anxious.
Chen Zhou’s willingness to forgo his chance for freedom because of him was a testament to true nobility!
Cao Ang added, “Even if I release you, Cao Gong won’t hold it against me. Actually, I am…”
Chen Zhou interrupted, “Alright, I’m hungry! Please arrange for some food to be brought in.”
He patted Cao Ang’s shoulder and walked out, returning to the cell with a swagger.
Cao Cao and Cao Ren quickly hid, and even Cao Ang could not see them nearby.
“Sir, I will definitely rescue you!” Cao Ang shouted as he left, his tone resolute.
How to rescue Chen Zhou?
Cao Ang’s first thought was Cao Cao. Although he was Cao Cao’s son, Chen Zhou was a prisoner related to Zhang Miao. The people in the prison might not dare to release him, so the most reliable method was to have Cao Cao issue an order for his release, making Cao Cao aware of Chen Zhou’s talents and abilities.
“I’ll go back and organize the content of the lectures Sir gave, then present it to Father,” Cao Ang said, arranging for the prison staff to bring food and wine for Chen Zhou, and then went back to think of ways to rescue Chen Zhou.
Once they had all left, Cao Cao and the others finally revealed themselves.
“Zi Xiu wants to release him, but he doesn’t want to leave?” Cao Cao was quite surprised, thinking that Chen Zhou seemed genuinely committed to teaching Cao Ang.
A prisoner who could resist the temptation of living was rare. Cao Cao reflected on his own inability to match Chen Zhou’s integrity and considered him to be a remarkable person who could even think of Cao Ang’s future.
After some thought, Cao Cao said, “Let’s go back.”
Back in the clean cell, Chen Zhou leaned against the wall and sat for a while. Soon, the prison guards brought in the food and wine prepared by Cao Ang.
The guards and other prisoners, seeing Chen Zhou enjoying such treatment while imprisoned, felt a mix of envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Chen Zhou ignored their envy, casually opened a wine jar, took a sip to quench his thirst, and then tore into a chicken leg, savoring the meal. He thought that being imprisoned in such a way might make him the most fortunate prisoner of the Three Kingdoms era.
“The young master wants to take me out.”
“The plan is almost complete.”
“Just wait a little longer, and I’ll be able to leave this wretched place.”
Chen Zhou thought to himself, feeling much better and enjoying his food even more. The abundance of food and wine sent by Cao Ang was more than he could finish, so he sent the leftovers to the nearby prisoners.
They might not wish to betray anyone, but being related to Zhang Miao and others made them unfortunate victims of Zhang Miao’s actions.
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