Chapter 6: Ready to Execute?
Night.
“Big brother, we have results,” Cao Ren hurriedly entered and said, “That gentleman is Chen Zhou, courtesy name Duzhi. He is a minor clerk under Zhang Miao, just an ordinary subordinate official. He comes from a humble background, and four years ago his parents passed away, leaving him with no other relatives. He remained in mourning for three years, which ended a year ago. Because of his mourning, Zhang Miao recommended him as a filial and upright official, and he became a clerk. Although his promotion was somewhat hasty, his abilities are quite ordinary.”
“Zixiao, are you sure he is truly ordinary?” Cao Cao questioned, unable to believe Chen Zhou’s investigation results.
Judging from the content Chen Zhou analyzed in the prison, it was clear he was not just ordinary or merely hastily promoted.
Cao Ren had to reply, “According to our investigation, Chen Zhou really is ordinary, and then he was implicated by Zhang Miao and subsequently captured and imprisoned by us.”
Cao Cao frowned, “Since he was recommended by Zhang Miao as a filial and upright official, he should be inclined to support Zhang Miao, right?”
“I don’t think so, big brother,” Cao Ren replied.
He continued, “After ending his mourning and being recommended, he frequently visited brothels and did not engage in any proper activities. With his ability, if he were truly grateful to Zhang Miao, how could he not fully support Zhang Miao? I suspect he didn’t want to help Zhang Miao but rather used Zhang Miao’s recommendation to free himself from being a commoner.”
Upon hearing this, Cao Cao slightly nodded, “You have a point.”
However, when Cao Cao heard that Chen Zhou frequently visited brothels, he felt a bit pleased.
No wonder Chen Zhou was so familiar with brothels and could draw so many conclusions from them. It turned out he shared similar interests.
Cao Ren evidently noticed this and smiled, “Big brother, Chen Zhou, who shares your interests, often visits brothels, indicating he might be a capable person!”
Hearing this, Cao Cao awkwardly laughed.
Cao Cao thought this hobby of Chen Zhou’s was good. If there were opportunities in the future, he should exchange tips on visiting brothels.
“What did he do after returning to the prison?” Cao Cao asked again.
Cao Ren said, “Zixiao brought him a lot of food and wine. He ate a great deal and gave the leftovers to other death row prisoners implicated by Zhang Miao. That was all.”
Mentioning the death row prisoners, Cao Ren paused and asked, “Big brother, you don’t want to kill Chen Zhou now, but what about those other death row prisoners?”
“Keep Chen Zhou alive, but execute the rest,” Cao Cao snorted coldly.
For those who betrayed him, he would never show mercy. However, Chen Zhou was an exception.
Since Chen Zhou did not want to support Zhang Miao, it meant he wasn’t betraying him. Considering his talent, he could be kept under observation for a while.
“Alright!”
Cao Ren was about to issue orders to execute the prisoners the next morning when Cao Ang rushed in.
Having returned from writing down Chen Zhou’s insights, Cao Ang had been scribbling so intensely that his arm felt sore. Finally, he ran over to see Cao Cao as soon as he finished. But upon entering the room, he overheard the conversation between his father and Cao Ren.
“Father, I heard you’re planning to execute those death row prisoners?” Cao Ang asked urgently.
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and asked, “Does Zixiao think those death row prisoners should not be executed?”
“They should be executed!” Cao Ang replied and added, “But among them is a great talent who should not be killed. I’ve talked with him for several days and can determine that his abilities are extremely high, and he has a sharp insight into many matters, analyzing underlying truths and principles. If father can recruit him, it would benefit our Cao family.”
Here it comes!
Cao Cao and Cao Ren exchanged glances, thinking Cao Ang would indeed come to plead for Chen Zhou.
“A person locked in a prison is considered a great talent?” Cao Cao did not immediately agree to Cao Ang’s plea.
He needed to continue observing Chen Zhou in secret.
“Father, here are his insights,” Cao Ang presented several pieces of silk with the lecture content to Cao Cao, and added, “I’ve recorded what the gentleman taught. After reading, father will see he is truly a great talent.”
“Alright!” Cao Cao took the papers and said, “It’s getting late. You should go rest.”
“Father…” Cao Ang wanted to say more.
But Cao Cao asked him to leave.
Seeing that he had given his father the insights, Cao Ang felt there was still hope and decided to wait in his room for news.
He was truly worried and planned to plead for Chen Zhou again the next day.
Cao Cao was eager to know the content of the first three days of lectures Chen Zhou had given, as he had only heard about the brothels and Zhang Miao’s betrayal. Today was the fourth day.
Opening the silk, he saw several headings: “The Relationship Between the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the Han Dynasty Economy,” “Analysis of the Current Situation,” and “The Survival Rules of the Aristocracy…”
Reading the content under the headings, Cao Cao was quickly astonished.
The insights were unique, the angles were novel, and the content was direct and thought-provoking.
“Zixiao, I must have him, I must!” Cao Cao said excitedly.
Cao Ren had never seen his elder brother so eager for a humble scholar. Even when Xun Yu came to join them, Cao Cao had not been this enthusiastic.
The next day.
Chen Zhou was awakened by the commotion.
“Keep up, let’s go!”
“Anyone who resists will be executed on the spot.”
“You’d better hope for a better rebirth in your next life!”
Chen Zhou heard the shouts of the guards and the cries and wails of the death row prisoners echoing through the prison.
He looked up and saw dozens of guards, escorting those chained death row prisoners out.
Chen Zhou had seen this scene countless times. This was the rhythm of taking them to execution. He thought, “Will I be executed just as I found a glimmer of hope for survival?”
Chen Zhou did not want to die. If he had known yesterday, he would have agreed with Cao Ang to leave first. He asked, “What are you doing?”
“Sir!” The warden came over politely, “We have received orders from the lord to take these people for execution. Keeping them is a waste of rations. It’s better to execute them all.”
It was indeed going to be an execution.
Chen Zhou swallowed and forced a calm demeanor, “Alright then, give me a set of shackles, and I will cooperate with you.”
The warden waved his hand, “Sir, you misunderstood. Given your status, we wouldn’t dare to execute you. We have orders that you may remain in the prison and wait for further arrangements.”
They still showed great respect for Chen Zhou.
Besides Cao Ang’s status, they also valued the knowledge and principles they had heard from Chen Zhou.
They didn’t care whether they understood or not; they just thought Chen Zhou was impressive. Since he was respected by the lord’s son, he must have a chance to leave the prison.
They were even eager to curry Favor.
“Alright, you carry on,” Chen Zhou said, feeling relieved.
Cao Ang’s words from yesterday had proven useful.
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