My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Qian Zhao remained silent and did not answer immediately, his eyes clearly showing hesitation.

As Guo Huai implied, this plan is ungentlemanly and shameful.

Putting aside the fact that he was involved, no one could carry out such a plan without feeling guilty.

Qian Zhao has even more concerns.

What will people say about him for doing such an unjust thing?
If we succeed, great; but if we fail and fall into Liu Bei's hands, how will we face our childhood sworn brother?
To carry out this plan is unjust!
However, if this plan is not followed, it would be disloyal to the Great Wei and to Emperor Cao Cao!

At this moment, Qian Zhao is caught in a dilemma between loyalty and righteousness, and is naturally hesitant.

Seeing that Qian Zhao remained silent, Xiahou Dun's face darkened:
"Qian Zizhao, what do you mean by this? Could it be that in your heart, your so-called sworn brotherhood with that big-eared thief is not as good as the bond between you and the Emperor?"

"Don't forget, although Liu Bei is your friend, he is now the mortal enemy of our Great Wei."

"As a minister of the Great Wei, how can you let personal matters interfere with public duties and jeopardize state affairs?"

Upon hearing Xiahou Dun's accusation, Qian Zhao frowned and cupped his hands in greeting:
"As a minister of the Great Wei, I should be loyal to the country. However, I believe that using such unjust means to serve the country is shameful, even if successful."

"I humbly request that the General understand my predicament and perhaps rescind his order?"

Xiahou Dun's expression changed drastically.

Qian Zhao actually refused his order?
In order to uphold so-called loyalty, he disregarded the lives of 40,000 soldiers, abandoned his loyalty to the Great Wei, and openly rejected his order to feign surrender.
"Take a beckoning gesture!"

Xiahou Dun slammed his hand on the table and angrily rebuked:
"Loyalty and righteousness, loyalty must always come before righteousness!"

"As a subject of the Great Wei, and eating the food of the Great Wei, how dare you forget your loyalty to the Great Wei for the sake of your petty righteousness?"

"How can you repay the Emperor's favor?"

Facing Xiahou Dun's rebuke, Qian Zhao showed no shame and said solemnly:

“The Emperor has been kind to Zhao, and Zhao remembers it in his heart. Zhao has never forgotten the loyalty that a subject should have.”

"If Jinyang falls, I will fight to the death to fulfill my duty as a subject!"

"However, the General has ordered me to use such unjust means to serve the Great Wei, and I am truly unable to comply!"

The generals on both sides were all taken aback.

Qian Zhao not only disobeyed orders, but also dared to speak eloquently and forcefully, giving Xiahou Dun a resounding rebuttal.

They're really bold.

However, his words were all reasonable, and for a time Xiahou Dun was speechless, though he was full of anger but had no way to vent it.

"Qian Zhao, you speak so eloquently and righteously, but I think you're actually waiting for Jinyang to fall so you can rightfully and legitimately surrender to that big-eared thief, aren't you?"

"You yourself said that you and Liu Bei are sworn brothers. If you surrender to Liu Bei, you will surely be highly valued by him, and your wealth and honor will probably be far greater than what you have now!"

Wang Ling, standing to the side, launched into a sarcastic and sarcastic remark.

Qian Zhao's eyes narrowed, and she glared angrily at Wang Ling.

Before he could even speak, Xiahou Dun was already enraged and roared:

"Qian Zhao, could it be as Wang Ling said, that you have long harbored the intention to surrender to the Big Ears traitor, which is why you dared to refuse to use this feigned surrender tactic?"

Qian Zhao's heart skipped a beat.

Xiahou Dun was clearly incited by Wang Ling, and even began to question his loyalty.

Qian Zhao immediately wanted to argue.

Xiahou Dun, however, did not give him a chance, waving his hand and shouting:

"Guards, immediately arrest all of Qian Zhao's wife, children, and family members in Jinyang!"

Qian Zhao was shocked and exclaimed, "General, why are you taking my family into custody?"

Xiahou Dun's eyes were cold and sharp as he said in a deep voice:
"You only need to obey my orders and honestly write a letter of surrender to that big-eared thief. If you can successfully carry out this plan of feigned surrender for me, I will naturally not make things difficult for your family."

"If you continue to make excuses, it means you have a guilty conscience and are plotting to betray Wei and surrender to Han. Don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Qian Zhao shivered and suddenly realized what was happening.

Xiahou Dun was clearly impatient and didn't want to hear any more of his explanations. He wanted to use his family as leverage to force him to submit and implement a feigned surrender to deceive Liu Bei!
If he disobeys, kill his whole family!
Qian Zhao clenched his fists, a deep contempt burning in his eyes.

How could a dignified general of Wei stoop so low as to use such despicable means to force his subordinates to commit unjust acts? Doesn't Xiahou Dun feel ashamed?

Even Guo Huai, who was standing to the side, frowned slightly, expressing his dissatisfaction with Xiahou Dun's methods.

However, at this critical moment of life and death, although Guo Huai felt uneasy, he could not say much and could only sigh inwardly.

"Qian Zhao, I'll ask you one more time: are you going to write this letter of feigned surrender or not?"

Xiahou Dun pointed at Qian Zhao and demanded an explanation in a stern voice.

This is tantamount to an ultimatum.

A hint of murderous intent had already appeared in Xiahou Dun's eyes.

If you, Qian Zhao, dare to be stubborn and resist again in the next second, you might just be bleeding on the spot.

Qian Zhao is not afraid of death.

But he still had a wife, children, and dozens of family members in Jinyang City. If he were killed by Xiahou Dun, these dozens of people would also be doomed.

After agonizing for a long time, Qian Zhao could only grit her teeth and sigh helplessly:
"Since the General has given the order, we shall obey."

Xiahou Dun breathed a sigh of relief, a smug look creeping onto his lips. He immediately ordered pen and ink to be brought, intending for Qian Zhao to write a letter of feigned surrender in front of him.

Qian Zhao had no choice but to sit down, his pen hovering in the air as he pondered what to do.

Xiahou Dun stood behind him, staring intently at him, clearly monitoring whether he would write anything "inappropriate" in the letter of feigned surrender.

Qian Zhao's eyes darted around a few times, and suddenly a strange look flashed across them.

"Xiahou Dun, it's not that I, Qian Zhao, am disloyal to the Great Wei, but that you were unjust first, so don't blame me..."

Qian Zhao's lips curled up slightly, and then without further hesitation, he picked up his pen and began to write rapidly.

In an instant, a letter of surrender was written.

Xiahou Dun, fearing something amiss in the letter, examined it repeatedly for a long time to ensure there were no flaws or suspicious points.

Then it was handed over to Guo Huai and Wang Ling for them to re-examine.

Only after the two nodded did Xiahou Dun feel relieved, and the gloomy and cold expression on his face finally softened.

So he chose a trusted confidant who was eloquent and skilled in persuasion, who pretended to be Qian Zhao's confidant, and took the letter of surrender out of the city to the Han camp to deliver this false letter of surrender to Liu Bei.

"Qian Zijing, it seems that you are still loyal to our Great Wei and the Emperor."

"If this plan succeeds and we are able to break through smoothly, you and Guo Boji will both be the greatest contributors."

"I will personally submit a memorial to the emperor to recommend you for merit, and I guarantee that you will be granted the title of a county marquis!"

Xiahou Dun's expression changed instantly. He patted Qian Zhao's shoulder with a smile, offering both comfort and empty promises.

That face, those words, made Qian Zhao feel utterly disgusted.

However, he dared not show it on his face, and could only force a smile and give empty words to deal with it.

With one matter settled, Xiahou Dun surveyed his generals and declared with a flourish:
"Gentlemen, prepare quickly! In three days, our entire army will break out!" (End of Chapter)