Xie Jingchen couldn't chat much with Su Jin, but capturing Xie Jingchuan and taking him as a hostage was perfect for forcing Marquis Dongxiang to retreat.
Actually, he had informed Marquis Dongxiang that General Shi was someone Zhao Xu wanted to win over.
Although Daqi and Nanliang were at the brink of war, Zhao Xu wasn't an enemy of Daqi; he was his cousin.
He captured Su Jin to give Marquis Dongxiang a reason to retreat and let General Shi off, allowing internal strife with Duke Huguo.
If General Shi truly rebelled against the court, the war between Daqi and Nanliang could cease.
There needed to be a concession, but it couldn't be too obvious, else Duke Huguo might retaliate, and accuse General Shi of collusion with Daqi. General Shi might be eliminated by the Emperor of Nanliang before he even thought of rebelling.
Xie Jingchen wasn't confident about the people sent to inform Marquis Dongxiang. What if something went wrong?
This matter must be foolproof.
