The Marquis Is Innocent

Chapter 142.1

At the beginning of May, Wei Shaos 100,000 soldiers drove straight to East County without encountering any obstacles and entered Yanzhou.

Ding Qu fought against Wei Shao on the southern outskirts of Yan County, a hundred miles away from East County, and was defeated. Wei Shao ordered to execute all the captives on the spot, which were Ding Qus soldiers and the Qiao family soldiers.

The news reached the city of East County, and everyone was in jeopardy.

Wang Hui was the former General of Qiao Pings army. On the night of the birthday banquet, he was drunk. When he woke up the next day, he was locked up.

Then, Liu Yan arrived. Qiao Ci held Mrs. Ding to escape from the city. With Qiao Yue in charge, he issued the order in the name of Qiao Ping, but Qiao Ping never showed up.

Qiao Yue claimed that Qiao Ping was in a coma and could not see anyone. General Hou, General Wang, and others were suspicious. But with Qiao Yues status and Liu Yan being the legitimate emperor of Han, the son of heaven, they didnt dare act rashly and held back until now.

After secretly inquiring about the place where Qiao Ping was locked and taking advantage of the fact that Ding Qu was defeated and retreated, with Wei Shaos troops encircling all the four gates and chaos in the city, they secretly united with the loyalists, sneaked in during the chaos, killed the guards, and finally saw Qiao Pings face.

Seeing him blind, trapped in a crude room. The people and the army adored the magistrate, but today he was like a dragon lost in the water, trapped in the shallows. Everyone is filled with righteous anger and vows to save him from the trap and duel with Ding Qu to death.

With his eyes poisoned and trapped for many days, Qiao Ping knew there must have been a change outside. These days he was so anxious but did not expect things have gone to this extent.

Qiao Ping asked about the situation inside and outside the city, and gradually calmed down and said, Liu Yan has deep intentions. He hates my Qiao family for breaking the contract, so he is trying to use our discord to make trouble. I was not aware of this, which led to todays disaster. Ding Qu, he is fierce and not easy to deal with. Moreover, he has carried the name of the Han emperor to receive the military section, and he has his troops, so he must have guarded against my Qiao family.

General Hou anxiously said: Wei Shaos troops are already approaching the city. The day before yesterday, in the battle in Yan County, he killed all the prisoners, including the Qiao family soldiers. Ding Qu used this to make a mess. The citys military and people are all unsettled. They fear being slaughtered by Wei Shao and can only respond to the battle and defend the city. If we dont take action, Yanzhou will ruin under Liu Yans hand!

Qiao Ping pondered.

Liu Yan was no longer the young man forced to leave Langya by his stepmothers slander and sheltered by the Qiao family. Today, he left him alive because he had his intentions. In the end, Ding Qu would use him to threaten Wei Shao.

If Wei Shao ignores his life and death, it will hurt the couples love. But if he surrenders, he wont be able to answer his soldiers. No matter the outcome, it would have been a lose-lose situation for Wei Shao or the Qiao family.

Liu Yan could set up the game to this point, which means his hatred must be heavy.

Qiao Ping thought for a while and said: Ding Qu is a fickle person. I have heard a little. I planned to lure him to relax his guard first and then give him a blow. Its more likely to succeed.

Ding Qu retreated from Yan County into the city, spreading the news of Wei Shaos massacre inside, driving the Qiao soldiers to hold the city.

After seeing that all the people were frightened and did not dare to have a moment to relax, he was slightly relieved and came down from the city wall, drinking wine alone.

There are many beautiful women in Yanzhou. When he remembered that Zhang Pu had said that Qiao Yue had a concubine with a beautiful face, he asked someone to summon the woman to him. The woman came with trepidation and bowed to him. On closer observation, her eyebrows resembled those of Su E Huang.

When Ding Qu saw it, he felt even more angry.

The day the city of Luoyang broke down, he took Su E Huang to escape the chaos, hoping to get Xing Xuns treasures. But she wanted him to take her to Liu Yan first. After she settled down, she would disclose the treasures.

Ding Qu suspected she was evading her responsibilities and wanted to kill her. But for the treasure, plus at that time, he was a lost dog, and without no choice, he went with her to join Liu Yan.

Unexpectedly, when Miss Su and Liu Yan faced each other, they were like old acquaintances. The two of them had a secret talk, and after they came out, Miss Su became Liu Yans guest of honor, protected by the guards.

Not to mention pressuring her about the treasure, even if he want to see her again, it is not easy.

Ding Qu knew she tricked him, but now she has Liu Yan as her backer. There is nothing he can do about her.

He felt increasingly resentful. With fierce eyes, he pulled the woman by force and tried to kill her when he suddenly heard footsteps at the door. He looked up and saw Qiao Ping being carried inside by several old Qiao family generals.

Soon, a dozen or so of Ding Qus men poured into the hall.

Qiao Ping said: General Ding, dont worry. I cant see with both eyes now, and these old men have retired from the military, so they cant hurt you with their bare hands.

Ding Qu settled down and said, How did you escape? What do you want?

Qiao Ping said, I have something for my own interest and for the General, too. I wonder if the General can talk with me in detail?

Ding Qu thought for a moment and signaled his men to go out.

Qiao Ping ordered General Hou, General Wang Hui, and the others to go out, slowly took his seat, and said, General Ding is on the verge of a big disaster and still doesnt know it!

Ding Qu sneered: Im afraid its the magistrate who is in danger. Not worrying about yourself! How dare you threaten me with scary words, ridiculous!

Qiao Ping smiled and said, General Dings courage is known to the world. But Wei Shaos soldiers, most of them are good at attacking cities. Now Liu Yan harmed Wei Liang, provoking hatred between the Qiao and Wei families. Wei Shaos army comes with revenge, unstoppable. Even if my Qiao family is powerful, how long could you defend this city? Once the city broke, even if General Ding escaped from the siege, his wisdom would be tarnished again. I feel sorry for General Ding!

Ding Qu didnt say anything.

Qiao Ping sighed: I feel sorry for General Ding, really. Liu Yan is using General Ding, and you dont even understand it!

Ding Qu said, What do you mean by that?

Qiao Ping said, To be honest, Liu Yan had a marriage contract with my daughter in the early years. But my eldest brother decided to wed my daughter to Wei Shao. Liu Yan and my Qiao family had a broken contract, with Wei Shao stood at odds with each other. That is why he designed to harm and lock me up and anger my brother. Currently, when Yanzhou was in danger, Liu Yan left and gave the matter of Yanzhou to you. Do you think he values you? No! His heart is so deep that he wants the Qiao family to fight with Wei Shao. He used your ability to hold on to Yanzhou, creating the illusion that my family is fighting against Wei Shao. With the more resistance he encounters, Wei Shao will be more enraged, and the more tragic the situation will be when the city breaks.