I was a conman in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 404 The dog takes the mouse

Chapter 404 A Dog Catching a Mouse

Wang Wenzhou said with a wry smile, "Brother Yu, we're in the same boat. If I cheat you, I'm cheating myself. To be honest, I don't know what Sun Chuanting's intentions are either. I'll write him a letter first and tell him that I'm safe."

Yu Tao carefully examined Wang Wenzhou and felt that Wang Wenzhou did not seem to be lying.

Yu Tao nodded and said, "Lord Wang, then I'll have to trouble you. Lord Sun is coming with great force, and I'm really worried."

As Wang Wenzhou wrote the letter, he muttered to himself, "I have repeatedly told you not to spread the news of my kidnapping. How did Sun Chuanting know that I was kidnapped?"

After writing the letter, Wang Wenzhou handed it to Yu Tao, asking Yu Tao to send it to Sun Chuanting.

When Sun Chuanting received the letter, he was discussing with his subordinates how to rescue Wang Wenzhou.

After reading the letter, Sun Chuanting shook his head with a wry smile and said, "It seems that Lord Wang is a man who cares a lot about his reputation. Not only does he deny being kidnapped, but he also refuses to let me help him. Lord Zheng, you have had a lot of contact with Lord Wang these days. What do you think of this?"

Zheng Jiadong was the deputy commander-in-chief under Sun Chuanting. Wang Wenzhou ordered Sun Chuanting to send 3,000 elite troops to protect him, and Zheng Jiadong was the one leading the team.

Zheng Jiadong thought for a moment and then said, “Your Excellency, Lord Wang acts recklessly and unruly. His kidnapping was entirely due to his impulsive actions. His wives and concubines also plotted to forcefully rescue him, but Lord Wang, fearing something might happen, did not agree. In my opinion, Lord Wang is worried about something unexpected happening.”

Sun Chuanting shook his head with a wry smile. Although Zheng Jiadong didn't say it explicitly, his meaning was that Wang Wenzhou was afraid of death and therefore wouldn't allow anyone to rescue him. But Wang Wenzhou was an imperial envoy; they couldn't refuse to rescue him! The dignified Northwest Military Supervisor couldn't be held hostage by bandits all the time. If word got out, not only would Wang Wenzhou be unable to face anyone, but what would become of the court's prestige? What would become of the Emperor's dignity?

Sun Chuanting looked at He Renlong and asked, "Lord He, Yu Tao was once your subordinate. If I were to send you to pacify him now, could you persuade him to surrender?"

He Renlong smiled awkwardly and said, "In reply to Your Excellency, it is all my fault. I should not have been so soft-hearted. I should have listened to Lord Hong Chengchou and killed all these surrendered rebels."

He Renlong was afraid that Sun Chuanting would blame him, because, after all, Yu Tao was his subordinate. He Renlong always felt unlucky; based on his military achievements and seniority, he shouldn't still be a general.

He Renlong has followed many famous generals, first Hong Chengchou, then Chen Qiyu, and now Sun Chuanting, but he always feels that none of them treat him as one of their own.

Sun Chuanting asked coldly, "Does Lord He mean that it is impossible to persuade Yu Tao to surrender?"

He Renlong nodded. He wished Yu Tao were dead right now. How could he let Yu Tao live? After all, Yu Tao was his subordinate. If Yu Tao lived and started making baseless accusations, things would become very complicated.

He Renlong solemnly said, "Your Excellency, Yu Tao has committed numerous evils and has aroused deep resentment among the people. It is precisely because of this that Lord Wang wanted to kill him on the spot. Even I did not expect that Yu Tao would dare to rebel, which is why Lord Wang is in such a dangerous situation. In my opinion, the only way now is to launch a strong attack and annihilate the traitor in one fell swoop."

Sun Chuanting thought for a moment and then said, "Someone, bring me the map."

Sun Chuanting pointed to the map and said, "There are only a little over two hundred bandits. I have brought thirty thousand elite troops this time, and Lord Wang has five thousand elite troops. Annihilating these bandits is a piece of cake. What I fear most now is that the bandits will resort to desperate measures and harm Lord Wang."

“Zheng Jiadong!” Sun Chuanting said.

"Your subordinate is here!" Zheng Jiadong quickly clasped his hands in greeting.

Sun Chuanting ordered, "The assault will be carried out by your unit. You must ensure Lord Wang's safety. There can be no accidents!"

Zheng Jiadong nodded and said, "Please rest assured, Your Excellency, I will launch an attack under cover of night. Once the bandit soldiers guarding Lord Wang are eliminated, Lord Wang will be safe."

Sun Chuanting nodded and continued, "He Renlong, you go and arrange a meeting with Yu Tao in person. While Yu Tao is away, the bandits will be leaderless, and Zheng Jiadong will launch an attack."

"Your Excellency's plan is brilliant; I admire it greatly!" He Renlong flattered him profusely.

Sun Chuanting looked at his other generals and said, "Better safe than sorry. You all immediately take your troops and set up checkpoints at all the surrounding intersections. No one is allowed to pass without my order."

"Your subordinates obey!" The crowd quickly clasped their hands in acknowledgment.

Just as Sun Chuanting was planning to rescue Wang Wenzhou, Wang Wenzhou was also planning how to escape.

Wang Wenzhou wanted to escape because he feared Sun Chuanting would use the pretext of saving him to kill him. After all, his relationship with the Donglin Party was extremely hostile, and the civil and military officials wished nothing more than to tear him to pieces. Although Wang Wenzhou admired Sun Chuanting and knew that Sun Chuanting was not a member of the Donglin Party, he truly dared not fully trust Sun Chuanting.

Besides, although Wang Wenzhou is currently Yu Tao's hostage, he is not in any danger.

Wang Wenzhou said, "Babies, babies, that old dog Sun Chuanting is meddling in other people's business. I just like being a hostage, I just like being kidnapped, what's it to him?"

Wang Wenzhou said angrily, "That old dog Sun Chuanting is obviously trying to embarrass me. If he rescues me, he'll become a hero, and I'll become a laughingstock! How can that be allowed? So, my darlings, this time, our mission is arduous! We must make a run for it before Sun Chuanting makes a move."

"Sigh..." Wang Ying sighed helplessly. Her husband was really crazy. What could she say to him? Lord Sun had come all the way to save her, and instead of hoping for his good fortune, she cursed him as a dog catching a mouse.

Liu Rushi frowned. At first, she couldn't understand why her enemy didn't want to be rescued. But then she realized that her enemy was afraid of complications and that Sun Chuanting would use this incident to his advantage. Liu Rushi thought about it; although her enemy's escape plan was underhanded, she had no other good options and could only do it this way.

"Jiaojiao!" Wang Wenzhou waved to Zhang Jiaobao, who immediately ran over and threw herself into his arms.

Wang Wenzhou hugged Zhang Jiaobao and kissed her, saying, "Jiaobao, this operation depends on you! You will command the female police team and the female guard team to contain Zheng Jiadong's troops and prevent them from having a chance to attack us."

Zhang Jiao nodded and said, "Husband, don't worry. Although we are women, we are all cavalry. In open areas, one charge can send them flying and their horses crashing down."

"My dear Jiaojiao! Your husband asked you to restrain them, not to fight them. After all, we are all part of the imperial army, how can we kill each other?" Wang Wenzhou gently stroked Zhang Jiao's hair.

"Mmm!" Zhang Jiaobao nodded and said seriously, "I understand. A good Jiaobao is one who listens to her husband."

"Good girl!" Wang Wenzhou kissed Zhang Jiao, looked at Yu Tao, and said, "Brother Yu, immediately order your men to pack up and we'll escape tonight."

Yu Tao nodded and said with a wry smile, "Lord Wang, I really don't understand you high-ranking officials! I'll instruct my brothers to pack their bags right away."

At this moment, a bandit soldier came and reported, "Brother, He Renlong, Lord He, requests to meet you."