The girl's clear, sweet cry of "Governor Chen wins!" filled Dou Tao with shame and anger. Too mortified to remain any longer, he flung his brush to the ground, cupped his hands toward Su Daozhi, and said, "Master Su, I take my leave. I am deeply grateful for your hospitality." With that, he swept out, returned to the guest quarters within the fortifications, and packed his belongings.
Su Qi saw the guests off on his father's behalf, escorting Dou Tao and his dozen-odd servants out of Su Family Fort and watching them ride away to the northwest.
Chen Caozhi, Ran Sheng, and Shen Chiqian climbed the western corner tower of Su Family Fort. Level fields and open countryside stretched as far as the eye could see; even after Dou Tao's party of a dozen or so had ridden for quite some time, they remained in view.
Ran Sheng lowered his voice. "Elder Brother, shall I take a few men and catch up with them...?"
Chen Caozhi understood what Ran Sheng meant. It seemed that Dou Tao ought not to be allowed to carry their debate back to Di Qin, so Ran Sheng wanted to take a squad of elite soldiers, follow secretly in their tracks, and kill them under cover of night.
Chen Caozhi shook his head. "No need. Even if this man returns to Qin and repeats my words before Wang Meng, I have nothing to fear. Besides, he is conceited. After suffering this setback, he will certainly consider it a profound humiliation. When he returns to report, he will only say that I used my position to bully him, not describe in detail how he lost the debate. Let him go. After all, we are traveling to Di Qin to negotiate peace."
Ran Sheng nodded and said no