In early May, Wei Shao led an army of 100,000 soldiers directly to Dongjun. They encountered no resistance along the way and entered Yanzhou.
Ding Qu met Wei Shao in battle at the southern outskirts of Yan County, a hundred li from Dongjun. Defeated, he retreated to defend the city.
Wei Shao ordered all prisoners from this battle to be executed on the spot.
Among them were Ding Qu’s soldiers and some of the Qiao family’s troops.
When the news reached Dongjun, everyone feared for their lives.
Hou Jia, Wang Hui, and others were former generals under Qiao Ping. They had returned drunk from the birthday banquet, and the next day when they woke up, they were arrested. Liu Yan arrived shortly after. Qiao Ci fled the city with Madam Ding, and then Qiao Yue took charge, issuing orders in Qiao Ping’s name. However, Qiao Ping was nowhere to be seen.
Qiao Yue claimed that Qiao Ping was unconscious and unable to see anyone, which aroused suspicion in Hou, Wang, and the others.
However, given Qiao Yue’s position and the fact that Liu Yan was the legitimate Han Emperor, they dared not act rashly. When the Emperor entered the city, his imperial procession was majestic, accompanied by armored troops. People along the way knelt and shouted “Long live the Emperor!” Hou Jia, Wang Hui, and the others had to bide their time. They secretly found out where Qiao Ping was being held. Taking advantage of the chaos when Ding Qu was forced to retreat into the city and fortify it, and with Wei Shao’s army surrounding all four gates, they gathered loyal old subordinates and snuck in, killing the guards to finally see Qiao Ping.
They found him blinded and confined in a squalid room. The once-revered Duke, supported by both military and civilians, was now like a dragon stranded in shallow waters. Filled with righteous indignation, they vowed to rescue him and fight Ding Qu to the death.
Qiao Ping, his eyes poisoned and confined for days, knew that turmoil must have erupted outside. He had been anxiously preparing for the worst but hadn’t imagined things would deteriorate to this extent. Gathering his strength, he inquired about the situation inside and outside the city. As he calmed down, he stopped them, saying, “Liu Yan is deeply cunning. He must resent my family for breaking the engagement years ago, so he’s been plotting, exploiting the discord between my brothers to interfere. I failed to see through this, leading to today’s great calamity. Although Ding Qu is despicable and unprincipled, he’s exceptionally fierce and not easy to deal with. Moreover, he’s borrowing the Emperor’s authority, holding a military seal, and has his troops. He must also be wary of our Qiao family’s old subordinates. If you rashly attack now and fail, you’ll be killed instead.”
Hou Jia anxiously said, “Wei Shao’s army is already at the city gates. In the recent battle at Yan County, he killed all the prisoners, including our Qiao family soldiers who were forced to fight. Ding Qu is using this to spread panic. The soldiers and civilians in the city are all unsettled, fearing that if the city falls, they’ll be massacred by Wei Shao. They can only fight with all their might to defend the city. If we don’t act now, Yanzhou will truly be destroyed by Liu Yan’s hands!”
Qiao Ping pondered.
Liu Yan was no longer the young man who had sought refuge with the Qiao family after being forced to leave Langya due to his stepmother’s slander.
The fact that he had spared Qiao Ping’s life must have its purpose.
In the end, Ding Qu would inevitably use him to bargain with Wei Shao.
If Wei Shao disregarded his life, it would surely damage his marital relationship with Young Lady Qiao.
But if he let this go, he couldn’t explain it to his soldiers.
No matter the outcome, if it came to that point, it would be a lose-lose situation for both Wei Shao and the Qiao family.
The fact that Liu Yan could scheme to this extent showed his deep hatred and cunning, which was beyond Qiao Ping’s expectations.
After thinking for a moment, Qiao Ping said, “I’ve heard that Ding Qu is fickle. I have a plan that can make him lower his guard first, then strike. It will be easier to succeed this way.”
…
After retreating from Yan County into the city, Ding Qu spreads rumors about Wei Shao’s intention to massacre the city, forcing the Qiao family’s soldiers to defend the city walls.
Seeing everyone terrified and not daring to relax for a moment, he finally felt some relief. He came down from the city wall and drank alone, brooding.
Yanzhou was known for its beautiful women.
Remembering Zhang Pu once mentioning that Qiao Yue had a concubine of extraordinary beauty, he ordered someone to summon her.
The woman came trembling and bowed to him. Looking closely at her features, she did bear some resemblance to Su E’huang.
Seeing her, Ding Qu felt even more depressed.
On the day Luoyang fell, he escaped with Su E’huang in the chaos, hoping to obtain Xing Xun’s treasure. However, the woman said she would first lead him to Liu Yan, and after they found a place to settle, they would then seek the treasure.
Ding Qu suspected she was stalling and wanted to kill her, but feared she might truly know about the treasure. Moreover, at that time, he was like a stray dog with no other choice, so he had to follow her to Liu Yan.
Unexpectedly, Su immediately hit it off with Liu Yan. After a private conversation, Su became Liu Yan’s honored guest, with guards escorting her everywhere.
Let alone forcing her to reveal the treasure’s location, even seeing her again became difficult.
Knowing he had been tricked by her, but unable to do anything now that she had Liu Yan’s protection, he felt increasingly frustrated.
Feeling more and more stifled, his eyes flashed with a murderous glint as he forcibly pulled the woman towards him, about to commit a violent act. Suddenly, he heard footsteps at the door. Looking up, he was shocked to see Qiao Ping being escorted in by several of his old generals. He abruptly pushed the woman away and stood up, drawing his sword while loudly calling for his guards to enter.
In a moment, more than ten of Ding Qu’s subordinates rushed in.
Qiao Ping said, “General Ding, please calm down. I am now blind and these few old subordinates have long been stripped of their military power. Unarmed as we are, how could we harm you in the slightest?”
Ding Qu gradually calmed down and asked, “How did you escape? What do you intend to do?”
Qiao Ping replied, “I have a matter to discuss that is beneficial for both myself and you, General. Would you be willing to talk with me in private?”
After some thought, Ding Qu gestured for his men to leave.
Qiao Ping ordered Hou Jia, Wang Hui, and the others to leave as well. He then groped his way to a seat and said, “General Ding, great calamity is upon you, and you don’t even realize it!”
Ding Qu sneered, “Duke, it seems you’re the one whose life hangs by a thread. Instead of worrying about yourself, you’re trying to intimidate me with ominous words. How ridiculous!”
Qiao Ping smiled slightly, “General Ding’s bravery is well-known to all. But Wei Shao’s troops excel at besieging cities and conquering territories. Now that Liu Yan has injured Wei Liang, inciting hatred between the Qiao and Wei families, Wei Shao’s army comes seeking revenge, unstoppable in their advance. Even with the full strength of my Qiao family, how long do you think this Dongjun City can hold? Once the city falls, even if General Ding manages to break through and escape with your life, your lifelong reputation will be tarnished. I truly feel regret for General Ding!”
Ding Qu remained silent.
Qiao Ping sighed, “My regret for General Ding goes far beyond this. General, you’ve been used by Liu Yan without even realizing it?”
Ding Qu asked, “What do you mean?”
Qiao Ping explained, “To be frank, Liu Yan was once engaged to my daughter. Later, to resolve the siege of Yanzhou, my elder brother decided to marry my daughter Wei Shao instead. Liu Yan bears the humiliation of a broken engagement with my Qiao family, and he’s also irreconcilable with Wei Shao. That’s why he schemed to harm me, imprison me, and manipulate my elder brother, ultimately provoking Wei Shao to bring his army here. Now that Yanzhou is in imminent danger, he’s left it all to you. Do you think he values you? Not at all! He’s deeply cunning, wishing nothing more than for the Qiao family and Wei Shao to fight to the death. That’s why he’s using your abilities to defend Yanzhou, creating the illusion that my Qiao family is desperately resisting Wei Shao. The more resistance Wei Shao encounters, the more enraged he’ll become. Thus, when the city falls, the situation will naturally be even more brutal!”
Ding Qu, initially wary, gradually became more attentive.
“Even if my Qiao family is completely wiped out, it’s due to the incompetence of us brothers, a fate we brought upon ourselves. But you, General, are different! Your heroic name is known throughout the world. Now that you’ve pledged allegiance to Liu Yan, it must be out of loyalty to the Han dynasty. Yet Liu Yan is using you like this, nominally granting you a marquis title and handing you control of Yanzhou, but in reality, he’s given you a hot potato, intending to trap you in a desperate situation!”
Ding Qu listened with growing alarm, breaking out in a cold sweat.
“I have a plan. We can first make him lower his guard, then strike. It will be easier to succeed this way.”
…
Ding Qu retreated from Yan County into the city and spread rumors about Wei Shao’s intention to massacre the city, forcing the Qiao family’s soldiers to defend the city walls.
Seeing everyone terrified and not daring to relax for a moment, he finally felt some relief. He came down from the city wall and drank alone, brooding.
Yanzhou was known for its beautiful women.
Remembering Zhang Pu once mentioning that Qiao Yue had a concubine of extraordinary beauty, he ordered someone to summon her.
The woman came trembling and bowed to him. Looking closely at her features, she did bear some resemblance to Su E’huang.
Seeing her, Ding Qu felt even more depressed.
On the day Luoyang fell, he escaped with Su E’huang in the chaos, hoping to obtain Xing Xun’s treasure. However, the woman said she would first lead him to Liu Yan, and after they found a place to settle, they would then seek the treasure.
Ding Qu suspected she was stalling and wanted to kill her, but feared she might truly know about the treasure. Moreover, at that time, he was like a stray dog with no other choice, so he had to follow her to Liu Yan.
Unexpectedly, Su immediately hit it off with Liu Yan. After a private conversation, Su became Liu Yan’s honored guest, with guards escorting her everywhere.
Let alone forcing her to reveal the treasure’s location, even seeing her again became difficult.
Knowing he had been tricked by her, but unable to do anything now that she had Liu Yan’s protection, he felt increasingly frustrated.
Feeling more and more stifled, his eyes flashed with a murderous glint as he forcibly pulled the woman towards him, about to commit a violent act. Suddenly, he heard footsteps at the door. Looking up, he was shocked to see Qiao Ping being escorted in by several of his old generals. He abruptly pushed the woman away and stood up, drawing his sword while loudly calling for his guards to enter.
In a moment, more than ten of Ding Qu’s subordinates rushed in.
Qiao Ping said, “General Ding, please calm down. I am now blind and these few old subordinates have long been stripped of their military power. Unarmed as we are, how could we harm you in the slightest?”
Ding Qu gradually calmed down and asked, “How did you escape? What do you intend to do?”
Qiao Ping replied, “I have a matter to discuss that is beneficial for both myself and you, General. Would you be willing to talk with me in private?”
After some thought, Ding Qu gestured for his men to leave.
Qiao Ping ordered Hou Jia, Wang Hui, and the others to leave as well. He then groped his way to a seat and said, “General Ding, great calamity is upon you, and you don’t even realize it!”
Ding Qu sneered, “Duke, it seems you’re the one whose life hangs by a thread. Instead of worrying about yourself, you’re trying to intimidate me with ominous words. How ridiculous!”
Qiao Ping smiled slightly, “General Ding’s bravery is well-known to all. But Wei Shao’s troops excel at besieging cities and conquering territories. Now that Liu Yan has injured Wei Liang, inciting hatred between the Qiao and Wei families, Wei Shao’s army comes seeking revenge, unstoppable in their advance. Even with the full strength of my Qiao family, how long do you think this Dongjun City can hold? Once the city falls, even if General Ding manages to break through and escape with your life, your lifelong reputation will be tarnished. I truly feel regret for General Ding!”
Ding Qu remained silent.
Qiao Ping sighed, “My regret for General Ding goes far beyond this. General, you’ve been used by Liu Yan without even realizing it?”
Ding Qu asked, “What do you mean?”
Qiao Ping explained, “To be frank, Liu Yan was once engaged to my daughter. Later, to resolve the siege of Yanzhou, my elder brother decided to marry my daughter Wei Shao instead. Liu Yan bears the humiliation of a broken engagement with my Qiao family, and he’s also irreconcilable with Wei Shao. That’s why he schemed to harm me, imprison me, and manipulate my elder brother, ultimately provoking Wei Shao to bring his army here. Now that Yanzhou is in imminent danger, he’s left it all to you. Do you think he values you? Not at all! He’s deeply cunning, wishing nothing more than for the Qiao family and Wei Shao to fight to the death. That’s why he’s using your abilities to defend Yanzhou, creating the illusion that my Qiao family is desperately resisting Wei Shao. The more resistance Wei Shao encounters, the more enraged he’ll become. Thus, when the city falls, the situation will naturally be even more brutal!”
Ding Qu, initially wary, gradually became more attentive.
“Even if my Qiao family is completely wiped out, it’s due to the incompetence of us brothers, a fate we brought upon ourselves. But you, General, are different! Your heroic name is known throughout the world. Now that you’ve pledged allegiance to Liu Yan, it must be out of loyalty to the Han dynasty. Yet Liu Yan is using you like this, nominally granting you a marquis title and handing you control of Yanzhou, but in reality, he’s given you a hot potato, intending to trap you in a desperate situation!”
Ding Qu listened with growing alarm, breaking out in a cold sweat.
He thought about how he had the reputation of a hero but had been plagued by misfortune. He had served Yuan Zhe and Xing Xun in succession, but neither proved to be worthy lords. Not only had he failed to achieve his ambitions, but he had also been criticized for frequently changing allegiances. Now, forced by circumstances, he had turned to Liu Yan, whom he had previously looked down upon.
And Wei Shao was no easy opponent.
Now that he was at the city gates, Ding Qu had tried every means to gather the Qiao family’s old troops to defend the city, but he didn’t know how long they could hold out.
If the city fell, even if he managed to fight his way out, as Qiao Ping said, his reputation would be further tarnished.
The current situation was indeed precarious, leaving him in a dilemma.
Gritting his teeth, he said, “Things have come to this! What else can I do? I can only fight Wei Shao to the death!”
Qiao Ping shook his head, “Don’t lose heart, General. Listen to me. It’s a pity that a man of your stature is being manipulated by Liu Yan like this. I also don’t want the soldiers and civilians of Yanzhou to suffer because of Liu Yan’s schemes. This whole affair was caused by my elder brother, Qiao Yue. Wei Shao’s anger is directed at my brother. This brother of mine is heartless and unrighteous. To usurp my power, he even poisoned my eyes. There’s no brotherly affection left between us. I want to kill him and take his head to appease Wei Shao. Wei Shao is my son-in-law. With Qiao Yue’s head, and my daughter’s mediation, this matter can surely be resolved. Once the siege is lifted, I’ll recommend you to Wei Shao. Wei Shao aspires to rule the world and is desperate for talent. Given your heroic reputation, if you’re willing to serve him, how could he not accept you?”
Ding Qu was tempted but looked troubled, “I not only have no merits in Wei Shao’s eyes, but I’ve also offended him deeply in the past. How would he accept me now?”
Qiao Ping said, “If you kill Qiao Yue, wouldn’t that be a great merit?”
Ding Qu suddenly understood and was overjoyed. He released his sword and said, “Your words have opened my eyes! Please wait, Duke. I’ll go kill Qiao Yue and bring back his head right away!”
Qiao Ping said, “There’s no rush. It’s not too late to kill him tomorrow. Where could he escape to? Although I can’t see, we’ve only exchanged a few words, yet I feel like I’ve met a kindred spirit. If you don’t mind, would you share a few drinks with me?”
Ding Qu nodded readily. They rearranged the feast and drank together. During the meal, Ding Qu became talkative, cursing Yuan Zhe for his narrow-mindedness, Xing Xun for his cruelty and stubbornness, and Liu Yan for being a despicable person. He cursed to his heart’s content while Qiao Ping consoled him. They lamented not having met earlier. As they drank cup after cup, Ding Qu became completely drunk. When his eyes were blurry, Hou Jia and Wang Hui entered and swiftly beheaded him without a sound. Thus, a once-fierce general met his end in Dongjun.
With Ding Qu eliminated, Hou Jia and Wang Hui immediately summoned their old subordinates and ordered Ding Qu’s soldiers to disarm, showing them the severed head. Most complied, though some resisted stubbornly.
After a bout of fighting, by dawn, they had completely extinguished Liu Yan’s forces within the city.
Hou Jia, harboring a deep hatred for Zhang Pu, took this opportunity to rush to Zhang Pu’s residence with a knife. However, upon entering, he found no one there. The house was empty, without even a single servant.
Entering the inner chamber, he smelled a strong scent of blood and saw a headless corpse on the ground. Judging by the clothes and body, it was none other than Yanzhou Inspector Qiao Yue.
Shocked, Hou Jia sent someone to inform Qiao Ping while searching the vicinity. They finally caught a servant from Zhang Pu’s household and brought him before Qiao Ping.
The servant, trembling, knelt and said, “Yesterday morning, not long after news of Ding Qu’s defeat arrived, Lord Qiao sent for Zhang Pu. Zhang Pu refused to see him and was packing his belongings as if to flee. Unexpectedly, before he could leave, Lord Qiao came in person. I saw him carrying a sword, furious, chasing Zhang Pu into the inner chamber. Moments later, Zhang Pu hurriedly left with a package. I gathered my courage to enter and found that Lord Qiao had been beheaded. Hearing that Wei Shao was attacking the city, people were in chaos. Fearing implication, I fled in fear. I don’t know what happened after that. I beg for mercy, Duke. I’m innocent, Lord Qiao didn’t die by my hand!”
Qiao Ping pondered.
Qiao Yue must have heard about Wei Shao’s attack and wanted to kill Zhang Pu out of anger. Somehow, he ended up being killed by Zhang Pu instead, even having his head taken.
Although Qiao Ping also resented his brother’s foolishness that had plunged Yanzhou into such a predicament, he hadn’t expected him to die at the hands of his most trusted advisor. His feelings were mixed.
He ordered people to collect Qiao Yue’s body, then immediately dictated a letter explaining the whole situation, attaching Ding Qu’s head.
Hou Jia volunteered to leave the city to meet Wei Shao.
Qiao Ping anxiously awaited news.
However, Wei Shao didn’t even meet Hou Jia. He didn’t read the letter and returned both it and Ding Qu’s head.
Qiao Ping said anxiously, “He must think our Qiao family is changing sides again, killing Ding Qu to curry favor with him, that’s why he refuses to meet. It’s better if I go out of the city to see him myself! This whole affair in Yanzhou started because of my negligence, and General Wei Liang’s ambush is also related to me.”
As everyone hurried to stop him, urgent news arrived: Wei Shao’s army had surrounded the city, blocking all four gates of Dongjun – east, west, south, and north.
Standing on the city walls, they could already see the banners and flags of the army.
At the same time, Bi Zhi also led an army from Juye, seemingly to prevent Wei Shao’s army from attacking the city.
The two armies faced each other, on the brink of battle.
Qiao Ping, overcome with anger and anxiety, coughed up blood, swayed, and fell backward onto the ground.