The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 142
Chapter 142
At the beginning of the fifth month, Wei Shao drove his one hundred thousand soldiers directly toward Dong, encountering no resistance whatsoever along the way as he entered Yanzhou.
Ding Qu engaged Wei Shao in battle at the southern outskirts of Yan County, one hundred miles away from Dong, but he was defeated and retreated to defend the city.
Wei Shao ordered every single captive taken during this battle to be executed on the spot.
Among them were Ding Qu’s soldiers, as well as a portion of the Qiao family’s soldiers.
When the news spread into the city of Dong, every person felt themselves to be in imminent danger.
Hou Jia and Wang Hui, among others, were formerly family generals under Qiao Ping. On the night of the birthday feast, they had returned home thoroughly drunk, only to be arrested the next morning upon waking. Liu Yan arrived immediately afterward, and Qiao Ci escorted Madam Ding as they fled the city. Subsequently, Qiao Yue took charge of affairs, issuing all orders jointly under Qiao Ping’s name, yet Qiao Ping never once showed his face.
Qiao Yue claimed that Qiao Ping was in a coma and could not receive visitors, which left Hou Jia, Wang Hui, and the others deeply suspicious.
However, Qiao Yue’s status was undeniably established, and Liu Yan was the legitimate Han Emperor, holding the supreme dignity of the Son of Heaven. When he entered the city, his imperial carriage was majestic and accompanied by armored soldiers, causing the citizens along the road to kneel and shout "Long live the Emperor." How could Hou Jia, Wang Hui, and the others dare to act rashly? They endured in silence until now, secretly uncovering the location where Qiao Ping was held captive. Taking advantage of the chaotic order within the city—caused by Ding Qu’s defeat and retreat to defend the city behind fortified walls, and Wei Shao’s army besieging all four gates—they covertly allied with loyal old subordinates. Infiltrating under the cover of chaos, they killed the guards and finally laid eyes on Qiao Ping.
Seeing that he had lost his sight and was trapped in a wretched room, the Commandery Duke, who was once revered by the soldiers and civilians alike, now resembled a mighty dragon stranded in shallow waters. Every single one of them was filled with righteous indignation, swearing to rescue him from his confinement and fight a battle to the death against Ding Qu.
Qiao Ping’s eyes had been poisoned, and he had been trapped for many days, knowing in his heart that a transformation must have occurred outside. He had been burning with anxiety these past days, prepared for the absolute worst-case scenario, yet he still had not expected things to deteriorate to such a catastrophic extent. Forcing himself to gather his wits, he asked about the situation both inside and outside the city. As he gradually calmed down, he restrained them, saying, "Liu Yan possesses deep and calculating malice. He must harbor hatred for the humiliation of my Qiao family breaking the marriage covenant back then, which is why he deliberately planned this, exploiting the discord between my brother and me to create obstacles. My lack of vigilance has brought about today's disaster. Although this man Ding Qu is contemptible and lacks principles, he is exceptionally fierce and brutal, making him by no means easy to deal with. Furthermore, he is flaunting his powerful connections, using the Han Emperor's name to command the military tally, and he possesses his own personal troops. He will certainly be on guard against my Qiao family's old subordinates. If you rashly fight your way out like this, should you fail, you will only invite slaughter upon yourselves."
Hou Jia said anxiously, "Wei Shao’s army is already at the city gates. In the battle at Yan County the day before yesterday, he slaughtered every last captive, and among them were our Qiao family soldiers who were forced to go out and engage in battle. Ding Qu is using this to aggressively spread panic, causing the hearts of the soldiers and civilians within the city to waver. Fearing that the city will be massacred by Wei Shao once it falls, they can only put forth their full effort to defend the city walls to the death. If we do not strike now, Yanzhou will truly be destroyed at Liu Yan's hands!"
Qiao Ping fell into contemplation.
Liu Yan was no longer that youth who had once been forced to leave Langya due to the slanders of his stepmother, seeking shelter under the protection of the Qiao family.
Leaving him with his life today surely served a purpose of his own.
In the end, Ding Qu would inevitably use him to blackmail Wei Shao.
If Wei Shao disregarded his survival, it would certainly damage the marital affection between him and Xiao Qiao.
But if Wei Shao let the matter drop because of this, he would have no way to give an account to his own generals and soldiers.
No matter the outcome, if it truly reached that stage, it would be a scenario where both Wei Shao and the Qiao family would suffer defeat.
That Liu Yan could set up a trap to this extent meant his hatred could not be described as anything but profound, and his calculation could not be described as anything but deep. It truly caught him completely unprepared.
After reflecting for a moment, Qiao Ping said, "Ding Qu is a fickle and volatile man; I have heard rumors of this myself. I have a plan that can induce him to lower his guard first, before we deliver a strike, making it much easier to succeed."
After Ding Qu retreated his troops into the city from Yan County, he aggressively spread news within the city that Wei Shao would massacre the populace, forcing the Qiao family soldiers to firmly defend the top of the walls.
Seeing that everyone was terrified and did not dare to relax for even a single moment, he finally breathed a slight sigh of relief, stepping down from the city walls to drink gloomy thoughts away by himself.
Yanzhou was a place of many beautiful women.
Recalling that Zhang Pu had once mentioned Qiao Yue possessed a concubine of youthful and exquisite beauty, he ordered someone to summon that woman.
The woman arrived trembling with fear, offering her greetings to him. Looking closely at her features, she actually bore a slight resemblance to Su Ehuang.
Seeing this, Ding Qu felt even more suffocated with irritation.
On the day Luoyang fell, he had taken Su Ehuang and escaped under the cover of chaos, originally hoping to obtain Xin Xun’s treasure. However, that woman claimed she would first lead him to submit to Liu Yan, and once they had a place to settle down, they could gradually plot for the treasure.
Ding Qu suspected she was making excuses and wanted to kill her, yet he feared she truly knew the location of the treasure. Furthermore, since he was like a stray dog at the time, he had no choice but to accompany her to submit to Liu Yan.
To his surprise, the Su woman hit it off with Liu Yan from their very first meeting. The two engaged in a secret conversation, and when she emerged, she had actually become an honored guest of Liu Yan, with guards accompanying her movements.
Let alone pressing her further for the treasure’s whereabouts, even catching a glimpse of her face was no easy task.
Knowing he had been played by her, yet because she currently relied on Liu Yan as her backing, he could do nothing to her.
Feeling increasingly stifled in his chest, his eyes flashed with a fierce light. He forcefully dragged the woman over, intending to commit violence, when he suddenly heard a flurry of footsteps at the door. Lifting his head, he saw Qiao Ping actually entering, flanked and supported by several old generals of the Qiao family. He was utterly shocked, throwing the woman aside and springing to his feet, drawing his sword while loudly summoning his guards inside.
Within moments, a dozen or so of Ding Qu’s subordinates surged into the hall.
Qiao Ping said, "General Ding, please calm your agitation. I am currently unable to see anything with my eyes, and these few old subordinates of mine were stripped of their military power long ago. Empty-handed as we are, how could we harm the General in the slightest?"
Only then did Ding Qu slowly compose himself, asking, "How did you escape? What is your intention?"
Qiao Ping said, "I have a matter that is both for my own good and for the General's consideration. I wonder if the General would be willing to speak with me in detail?"
Ding Qu pondered for a moment, then gestured for his subordinates to leave.
Qiao Ping ordered Hou Jia, Wang Hui, and the others to leave as well. Groping his way forward, he slowly took a seat and said, "General Ding, a great disaster is about to descend upon your head, yet you remain unaware!"
Ding Qu sneered, "The Commandery Duke is likely the one whose life hangs by a thread. Instead of worrying about yourself, you actually use alarmist words to terrify me. How utterly ridiculous!"
Qiao Ping said with a gentle smile, "General Ding's fierce valor is known to all the world. However, Wei Shao’s soldiers are most adept at capturing cities and seizing land. Now that Liu Yan has wounded Wei Liang, provoking the hatred between the Qiao and Wei families, Wei Shao’s grand army comes with the intent of vengeance, possessing an unstoppable edge. Do you truly believe this city of Dong can be defended for long, even if the strength of my Qiao family is combined? Once the city falls, even if General Ding manages to hack through the encirclement and escape with his life, I fear your lifelong illustrious reputation will be tainted once more. I truly feel deep regret for General Ding!"
Ding Qu remained silent.
Qiao Ping sighed, "My regret for General Ding extends far beyond this. General Ding has been utilized by Liu Yan, yet you remain completely oblivious?"
Ding Qu asked, "What is the meaning of this?"
Qiao Ping said, "To tell you the truth, Liu Yan was betrothed to my daughter during his early years. Later, in order to resolve the siege of Yanzhou, my eldest brother took charge and altered the arrangement, marrying my daughter to Wei Shao instead. Liu Yan suffered the humiliation of a broken covenant from my Qiao family, and he stands in absolute opposition to Wei Shao. This is why he designed this trap to harm me, imprisoning me and controlling my brother, so that he could finally fulfill his wish of provoking Wei Shao's grand army into a campaign after enraging him. Now that Yanzhou is in imminent danger, he simply walked away and handed the affairs of Yanzhou over to the General. Do you truly believe he regards you highly? Not at all! He possesses a deep and calculating mind, wishing for nothing more than for the Qiao family and Wei Shao to fight to the bitter end. Only then did he utilize the General's capability to firmly defend Yanzhou, creating the illusion that my Qiao family is desperately resisting Wei Shao. The more resistance Wei Shao encounters, the more enraged he will certainly become. In this manner, on the day the city falls, the situation will naturally become more and more tragic!"
Ding Qu initially wore an expression of wariness, but his attention gradually focused.
"Even if my Qiao family is ultimately wiped out entirely, it will be due to the incompetence of us two brothers, a punishment of our own making. You, General, are different! You possess the reputation of a hero, known to everyone under heaven. Your current service to Liu Yan must also stem from a heart of loyalty to the Han dynasty. Yet Liu Yan utilizes the General in this manner, nominally enfeoffing you as a marquis and placing the supreme power of Yanzhou into your hands, when in reality he has merely handed you a hot potato, desiring nothing more than to drive the General into a hopeless situation!"
Hearing this, Ding Qu felt a wave of terror, breaking into a cold sweat.
He reflected on how he possessed the reputation of a hero in vain, yet his destiny was full of misfortunes. He had sequentially submitted to Yuan Zhe and Xin Xun, but none of those he encountered were enlightened lords. Not only had he failed to achieve merits as he wished, but because he frequently changed masters, he was criticized by the world. Now, forced by circumstances, he had switched his allegiance to Liu Yan, whom he had previously looked down upon.
Furthermore, was Wei Shao a person who was easy to deal with?
Now that his army was at the gates, although he had tried every means to assemble the Qiao family's old subordinates to defend the city with all their might, he did not know how long they could hold out.
If the city was breached, even if he flaunted his valor and fought his way out, his illustrious reputation would be tainted once more, just as Qiao Ping had described.
The current situation left him unable to advance or retreat, caught in a dilemma.
Gritting his teeth, he said, "Matters have already reached this point! What else can I do? I can only fight to the death against Wei Shao!"
Qiao Ping shook his head, "General, do not lose heart. Listen to a word from me. With the General's majesty, it is truly a pity to be played like a puppet in the palm of Liu Yan's hand in this manner. Furthermore, I do not wish for the soldiers and civilians of my Yanzhou to suffer slaughter due to Liu Yan's sinister plot. This entire matter began because of my eldest brother, Qiao Yue. Wei Shao’s wrath is also directed at my brother. This brother of mine is heartless and unprincipled; in order to seize my power, he actually poisoned my eyes to blindness. There has long been no brotherly affection left between him and me. I wish to kill him, take his head, and use it to seek a resolution from Wei Shao. Wei Shao is my son-in-law. With Qiao Yue’s head, and with my daughter mediating from the side, this matter can undoubtedly be put to rest. Once the siege is resolved, I shall recommend the General to Wei Shao. Wei Shao’s ambition lies in the realm under heaven, and he thirsts for talent. With the General's reputation as a hero, if you are willing to offer your service, how could he possibly refuse to accept you?"
Ding Qu was already swayed, yet an expression of difficulty appeared on his face as he said, "I possess not a shred of merit before Wei Shao; on the contrary, we shared a deep enmity in the past. How could he be willing to accept me now?"
Qiao Ping said, "If the General goes and kills Qiao Yue, will that not be a great piece of merit?"
Realization dawned upon Ding Qu, and he was overjoyed. Letting go of the sword in his hand, he said, "Listening to your words, I am suddenly enlightened! Commandery Duke, please wait a moment. I shall go right now to kill Qiao Yue and cut his head down!"
Qiao Ping said, "There is no rush; it will not be too late to kill him tomorrow. Where could he possibly escape to? Although my eyes cannot see, and I have only exchanged a few brief words with the General, I feel a great sense of having met a kindred spirit. If the General does not disdain it, would you be willing to share a few cups of wine with me?"
Ding Qu naturally nodded. Rearranging the banquet, the two drank opposite each other. During the meal, Ding Qu's desire to converse erupted fully. He cursed Yuan Zhe for being narrow-minded, cursed Xin Xun for being brutal and opinionated, and cursed Liu Yan for being a despicable, petty man, venting his frustration thoroughly. Hearing Qiao Ping offering consolations from the side, he increasingly regretted that they had not met sooner. Cup after cup of wine went down his throat, until he became thoroughly intoxicated. When his eyes were blurry with drunkenness, Hou Jia and Wang Hui entered, cutting off his head with a single stroke of a blade without making the slightest sound. It was pitiful that a fiercely valiant general of a generation met his end in Dong in such a manner.
With Ding Qu eliminated, Hou Jia and Wang Hui immediately summoned their old subordinates, holding up the head to command Ding Qu’s soldiers to disarm. Most complied, though there were some who put up a desperate resistance.
Following a bout of fierce fighting, by the time dawn arrived, the forces of Liu Yan within the city were finally completely extinguished.
Hou Jia hated Zhang Pu to the very bone. Seizing this opportunity, he raised his blade and rushed to Zhang Pu’s residence. Upon entering, however, he could find no trace of him; the house was completely empty, with not even a single domestic servant remaining.
Entering the inner chamber, he caught the heavy scent of blood, seeing a corpse actually collapsed upon the ground with its head already severed. Distinguishing the clothing and physical form, it was unexpectedly the Provincial Governor of Yanzhou, Qiao Yue.
Hou Jia was utterly shocked. While dispatching someone to report to Qiao Ping, he searched the vicinity, finally capturing a servant from Zhang Pu’s household and bringing him before Qiao Ping.
The domestic servant was trembling with fear, kneeling upon the ground as he said, "Yesterday morning, not long after the news of Ding Qu’s defeat arrived, Lord Qiao sent someone to summon Zhang Pu. Zhang Pu refused to go see him, packing up his valuables as if intending to flee. Unexpectedly, before he could step out the door, Lord Qiao arrived in person. I saw him holding a precious sword, filled with raging fury, pursuing Zhang Pu into the inner chamber. After a short moment, Zhang Pu left in a hurry carrying a bundle. I gathered my courage to go inside, only then seeing that Lord Qiao’s head had already been severed. Hearing that Wei Shao was attacking the city, the hearts of the people within the city were in great chaos. Fearing that I would be implicated, I fled out of fear for a time. I am ignorant of the matters that followed. I beg the Commandery Duke to spare my life; I am truly innocent, and Lord Qiao did not die by my hand!"
Qiao Ping pondered.
Qiao Yue must have heard the news of Wei Shao attacking the city, wishing to kill Zhang Pu to vent his hatred. He did not know how the process unfolded, but his brother was instead harmed by Zhang Pu, and even his head had been cut away.
Although Qiao Ping also hated his brother's muddled foolishness, which had plunged Yanzhou into such a dire predicament, he had not expected him to ultimately die in such a manner at the hands of the strategist he trusted most, leaving his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He instructed people to collect Qiao Yue’s corpse, and immediately dictated an order for a letter to be drafted, explaining the causes and consequences clearly, with Ding Qu’s head attached.
Hou Jia volunteered himself to go out of the city to meet Wei Shao.
Qiao Ping waited anxiously for news.
Yet Wei Shao refused to even grant Hou Jia an audience, much less read the letter, sending him back along with Ding Qu’s head.
Qiao Ping was filled with anxiety, "He must believe that my Qiao family is once again trimming our sails according to the wind, killing Ding Qu to seek favor with him once more, which is why he resolutely refuses to see anyone. It is still better for me to personally go out of the city to meet him! This entire matter in Yanzhou arose because of my lack of vigilance, and General Wei Liang’s ambush is something I cannot detach myself from."
Everyone hurriedly restrained him. Suddenly at this moment, an urgent report arrived, saying that Wei Shao’s grand army had completely closed in from all four directions, sealing the east, west, south, and north gates of Dong so tightly that not a drop of water could leak through.
Standing atop the city walls, one could already see the banners blotting out the sky.
Simultaneously, Bi Zhi had also led his army from Juye, appearing to intent on preventing Wei Shao’s grand army from attacking the city.
The forces of the two sides confronted each other, actually displaying a state where a conflict could erupt at any second.
A sudden surge of anxious fury struck Qiao Ping's heart. He vomited a mouthful of blood, teetering on his feet before collapsing flat upon his back onto the ground.