Bend Over [ 折腰 ] - Chapter 141

[Chapter 139]

Since the end of last year, when Wei Shao and Xing Xun started the war, this battle for hegemony in the Yellow River Basin has become the focus of attention of the princes and city lords of all places.

The spies traveled from east to west, north to south, and delivered the latest news to the master as quickly as possible.

Qiao Ping paid more attention to this war than others.

Although he had never heard Wei Shao call him father-in-law, and even now that his daughter had been married to him for so long, all Qiao Ping’s impressions of this son-in-law were only based on the words of others with only scales and claws. Piece together.

But in the bottom of his heart, he had unknowingly developed a sense of intimacy towards the son-in-law he had never met.

In the several correspondence with her daughter, in the past year, when her daughter mentioned this man, her tone gradually stopped being the same as before, it was just a vague title.

Between the lines, and inadvertently, there was more tone mixed with her feelings.

Qiao Ping is both civil and military. In addition to military affairs, he has also made great achievements in poetry and poetry, and he loves his daughter from the bottom of his heart.

The mind is much more delicate than the average father.

Even if the daughter didn’t say it explicitly, from her words, he could feel that the daughter should have agreed with this man as her husband.

Besides, she is about to have a baby now.

He naturally pays close attention to the changes in the battle situation.

He sent spies, and every few days, the latest news about the war would be delivered to Dong County. Never delay.

But this time, after he ended the battle of Juye and returned to Dongjun, the latest news about the war still stayed on the one he received half a month ago: because of the bad weather, Wei Shao and Xing Xun Le Zhenggong’s Northern Expedition Allied Forces continued to confront the area along the Yellow River Ancient Road. He is at a disadvantage.

Whether it was the news itself or the fact that the spies didn’t return, Qiao Ping felt uneasy.

He sent out new spies.

While waiting anxiously for the latest news, this day coincided with Qiao Yue’s birthday, not only for Qiao Gong’s birthday, but also for Qiao Ping’s father and son.

That night, the Qiao family’s generals gathered in the longevity hall, and the banquet was staggered.

The whole place was full of joy, but Qiao Ci was the only one who was drinking and drinking without saying a word. Zhang Pu chatted up with a smile: “It’s a good thing to congratulate you for winning the battle, and it’s a happy birthday for the lord. Tonight, you shouldn’t be drunk, but why is your son so depressed?”

Qiao Ci turned a deaf ear and ignored it. Seeing everyone looking at him, Zhang Pu felt a little embarrassed. He pretended

that nothing had happened, and smiled again: “I have good news, you will surely be delighted when you hear it.”

An important official in the Han Dynasty, the family has a daughter, she is of age and scorpion, beautiful and of high quality. The Duke of Zuo heard that the son is a young hero and intends to marry his daughter…” The

longevity hall gradually became quiet. It’s just that before he finished his words, he heard a “pop”, and Qiao Ci slammed the wine bottle in his hand on the desk and sneered: “Who are you? Although my mother is gone, my father is still alive. When will I want you to replace me in my marriage? Are you in charge ?” The

longevity hall was suddenly silent.

Zhang Pu was embarrassed and turned his attention to Qiao Yue.

Qiao Yue’s face sank slightly: “Ci’er is rude! How can you say such a thing? That’s what I mean. You are also in the year of marriage, and you are going to pass a single pass for my Qiao family. It is time to think about marriage!”

Qiao Ping hurriedly spoke. : “Brother’s kindness, I’ll take it on behalf of Ci’er. The daughter of Zuoduhou, Ci’er may not be able to climb high. It’s better for brother to push Zuoduhou’s kindness. And it’s rare for everyone to gather together tonight, so it’s not appropriate to be here. Discuss this matter. Everyone is free to drink and drink!”

Qiao Ping naturally knew that when he was fighting Juye with Zhou Qun, who had invaded by Xingbing, Liu Yan was embraced and proclaimed emperor by Yu Langya, an old minister of the Han Dynasty, and established the name Zhengguang. , As the orthodox Han emperor, he ordered the princes of the world to conquer Luoyang to conspire against the imperial court, seek the original Qingyuan, and restore the Han Dynasty.

At that time, Wang Ba, Dong Cheng, Dou Wu, Deng Xun, and other people ran and shouted for him, shaking the roof tiles.

Therefore, when he suddenly heard the news that Wang Ba intends to marry, he was stunned for a moment, and then he subconsciously refused.

Qiao Yue showed disapproval and wanted to speak again, but Qiao Ci suddenly got up and said straight: “Uncle, my marriage is not in a hurry, and it will not be too late to discuss it later. I just want to ask uncle, General Green Eye I have the grace to help Yanzhou. I will not say it before, this time Yanzhou was attacked twice. If General Green Eyes did not join forces to fight together, I still do not know how Yanzhou is today. Why did my uncle turn a blind eye or refuse to accept it? I’m really puzzled!”

In the battle of Juye, the green-eyed general was majestic, and Zhou Qun also died in his formation. The Qiao family’s generals were all convinced, and they didn’t want Qiao Yue to allow him. I didn’t dare to say a word, but I felt a little puzzled in my heart.

At this moment, Qiao Ci suddenly spoke, as if speaking his own heart, and everyone turned their attention to Qiao Yue.

Qiao Yue remained calm and silent.

Zhang Pu on the side said, “Why did the son speak so disrespectfully to the lord? Bi She used to be a runaway slave of the Qiao family, but now the lord does not punish him, it is a kind of extravagance, if he accepts it again, wouldn’t it be laughable and generous?

” There are such heroes who don’t accept it, and instead judge people based on their background and push him away! No wonder Yanzhou has fallen to this point and has to rely on sending women to sigh in order to protect themselves!” Qiao Ci sneered.

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere suddenly froze.

Qiao Yue’s face changed.

“Presumptuous! The bigger you are, the more ignorant you are! You openly contradicted me for a manu!”

Qiao Yue angrily slapped the case and shouted sharply.

Qiao Ping also had a lot of helplessness about his eldest brother’s insistence on not recognizing Bi She as his son-in-law.

Can only persuade slowly.

Knowing that his son had just sent Bi She away, he was in a depressed mood, so he spoke out against Qiao Yue. He couldn’t bear to blame him, so he just got up and said, “Ci’er is drunk. Go down first!”

Qiao Ci stared at Zhang Pu fiercely, got up from the banquet, turned around and strode out of the banquet hall.

Qiao Ping said: “Don’t blame my brother. Ci’er received the life-saving grace of General Green Eyes, and this time Yanzhou solved the problem, and he helped a lot. Seeing that he didn’t even have access to the Dongjun city gate, he just drank a few glasses of wine and thought about it. It’s because of a momentary uneasiness in my heart that I’m offended. I’ll talk to him properly when I go back.”

Qiao Yue’s face was still gloomy.

The families will see this, knowing that this wine feast is not good to eat anymore, and they are already seven or eight points drunk, so they get up one after another, support each other in twos and threes, and back out, and each part is scattered. carry.

Only Qiao Yue, Qiao Ping and Zhang Pu were left in the longevity hall.

Zhang Pu coughed and lost a wink at Qiao Yue.

Qiao Yuefang finally smiled reluctantly and said, “Forget it, as an elder, do I still know as much as Ci’er?”

Qiao Ping thanked him.

Thinking that his son had just left in a rage, he felt a little uneasy, and said, “It’s getting late. I saw that my brother drank a lot of wine just now. If it’s gone, we should rest earlier.”

Qiao Yue said: “Two Wait, brother. You have been busy all the time, you and my brother may not have the time to sit down and have a drink like tonight. Taking this opportunity, my brother will give you a toast.”

Zhang Pu picked up a wine on his food table. The pot is filled with Qiao Ping and served with both hands. Qiao

Yue raised his glass and said, “Yanzhou has won a great victory in this battle of Juye, thanks to the efforts of the second brother. Brother toasts you, do it first.”

.

Zhang Pu filled his cup again.

“Brother knows that he is mediocre. In these years, the second brother’s hard work, both inside and outside, has enabled Yanzhou to have today’s situation. While my brother is gratified, he is also ashamed of having a corpse meal. This second cup, my brother’s work will be respected!”

Although there are usually disputes between the two brothers due to their different views, at this moment, seeing the sincerity in the words of the eldest brother, Qiao Ping felt in his heart that he had been stumbling and stumbling all the way through these years, and that he had worked hard and worked hard. I couldn’t help but feel a lot of emotion, bowed and said: “Brother, don’t break the younger brother. If it is not for the elder brother’s tolerance, what can I do with my own strength? The younger brother should give the elder brother a cup.”

After speaking again All in one drink.

Qiao Yue also seemed moved, raised his third glass of wine, and said, “Very good. In the future, if you and my brothers are of the same mind, then nothing will happen!”

Qiao Ping nodded and drank the wine in the glass again.

After three cups, Qiao Ping was about to retire, and Qiao Yue said again: “Wait a minute. I have something to tell my second brother.”

“Eldest brother, please tell me.”

“To be honest, I have decided to lead Yanzhou to support Han. Emperor, make a complete break with the traitor Xing Xun!”

Qiao Ping was taken aback: “Liu Yan? Why didn’t the eldest brother mention such a big event in advance?”

Qiao Yue said slowly: “Second brother, what do you mean by this? When I do things, I have to ask for your permission first, right?”

Qiao Yue was anxious, and the drink he had just drank seemed to be rolling in his belly suddenly, burning his heart and lungs, his forehead and back, and he was sweating in an instant.

“I don’t mean it! Breaking with Xing Xun is the right thing to do, but the matter of supporting Liu Yan, eldest brother, please think again! Today, the situation in the world is uncertain, and Yanzhou can protect itself for the time being. In my opinion, we should wait and see. First, don’t rush to serve Langya!”

Qiao Yue snorted in his nostrils: “Second brother, do you think I don’t know what you’re thinking? You’re just thinking about relying on Wei Shao and sharing a piece of the soup with him in the future. Brother advises you. , or don’t put your hopes in vain! Now Wei Shao is suppressed by the Xunxun Lezhenggong coalition in the old road of the Yellow River. The defeat has been determined, and he himself will not be able to protect himself. Do you still expect him to protect my Qiao family in the future? Liu Yan is an orthodox Han Emperor, the world is in the heart, and others will not say it, even Yuan Zhe is openly supported! The emperor’s grace is mighty, I, Qiao Jiazhongliang, have been ordered by several generations of herdsmen here. Act of?”

Qiao Yue suddenly felt tightness in his chest, and his eyes seemed to turn black.

He tried his best to calm down and said, “Brother, have you ever thought that my Qiao family and Wei family are in-laws! Wei Shao is in a predicament, and I, Yanzhou, should have sent troops to help, even if I don’t help, I shouldn’t act rashly at this time! Brother! This move is tantamount to falling into the limelight, and you want to leave my daughter where?”

Qiao Yue said coldly: “Second brother, what you said is just to tie my Yanzhou and Qiao’s life and death to Wei Shao. In one place, is it not? Not to mention that Wei Shao is now unable to protect himself, and he will retreat 10,000 steps. Even if he is lucky enough to escape this disaster, there are only two ways out in the future. I worship Liu Yan as emperor. My decision today coincides with his, so why can’t you nod your head? If he is self-reliant, what is the difference between him and the rebel Xingxun? If he is charged with treason, I will It’s okay if the family suffers from the disaster of the pond fish, and then it will be scorned by the whole world. How do you tell me to face the ancestors? As for the niece, you were forced to marry the Wei family because of the situation, and you were full of reluctance. It’s not too late. In my opinion, it’s better to take the opportunity to take her back, so that the two families can be broken up cleanly, and it will save you from being involved in the future!”

Qiao Ping couldn’t bear it any longer, and was furious: “The words of my brother, I can’t follow! Since my brother has said it to this point, I will also speak it bluntly! My brother suddenly decided to join Liu Yan. He should have decided that Wei Shao would lose this battle, and was afraid that Xun Xun would be held accountable in the future, so he was eager to leave Wei Shao with him. Clean up the relationship, to show innocence? At first, the marriage between Wei Qiao and Wei Qiao came from the intention of the elder brother. Now, when there is a little trouble, the elder brother has broken his promise. What is the difference between this kind of behavior and the grass on the wall?”

Qiao Yue also said: Anger: “How dare you talk to me like this? Do you still have my elder brother in your eyes? Don’t forget, I am the head of the Qiao family, the prefect of Yanzhou!”

Qiao Ping said: “I also know that my brother is against the wall, so the catastrophe is not far away. It’s just this matter, forgive me and never agree! I persuade the eldest brother, Mo Ren will look down on Wei Shao. Even if he is at a disadvantage now, he may not have a chance to win the battle of the Yellow River! I haven’t been able to return for a long time. The news I know now is only half a month ago. The war is changing rapidly, and I have not yet learned what the actual situation is. I am still waiting for the news. I also advise my brother to be more patient and not do it. A stupid thing that makes the enemy happy and the relative pain!”

Qiao Yue looked gloomy.

“Wei Shao’s troops are not as strong as Xing’s, and with Le Zhenggong, the Gaotang battle was defeated, and the army was defeated. Only then did he retreat to Muye. If it wasn’t for the severe cold weather, he would have been wiped out by the coalition forces long ago. How could he have survived? Is there a chance to turn defeat into victory? I have no children, and I regard Ci’er as a parent and child. Is it for myself? Not for Yanzhou’s long-term consideration! You don’t need to say more. I’ll tell you the truth, I’ve made a statement to Langya There is no room for you to put your beak on this matter!”

Qiao Ping suddenly felt a tightness in his chest, his eyes were blurred, and his eyes seemed to be densely pierced by countless ox-hair needles. ”

My eyes suddenly stinged so much that I couldn’t see anything anymore.

Qiao Ping was furious and overturned the food table in front of him. With the impression of the position he had just left, he drew his sword and stabbed the opposite Zhang Pu. Zhang Pu hit the sword in the shoulder, screamed and fell to the ground.

Qiao Ping swung his sword to slash again, but the medicinal power quickly attacked, swaying, the long sword fell to the ground, and the man fell to the ground.

With the last bit of consciousness left in Lingtai, he gritted his teeth and hissed: “Brother, Yanzhou may be hurt by your hand –

Qiao Yue was trembling all over, watching Qiao Ping gradually stop struggling on the ground, Fang Ji rushed forward. , probed his breath, knowing that he just passed out, Fang breathed a sigh of relief, turned his head sharply, and said angrily, “What medicine did you put into the wine? Why can’t his eyes see things? Zhang Pu was stabbed in the

shoulder, fell to the ground, covered the bleeding spot with one hand, and felt flustered and confused.

The medicine in the drink was given by Liu Shan, which is said to be colorless and odorless, but the medicine is better than ordinary The Mongolian medicine was several times stronger. He was afraid that the medicine would not kill Qiao Ping, so he cast more.

Qiao Ping fell at this moment, which was expected.

However, he did not expect the damage to his eyesight.

Resisting the pain in his shoulders, he said, “Don’t panic, my lord. I must have been angry with the lord just now, so I can’t see things for a while. After a few days, it will be fine. The priority for the lord is to control the lord, tomorrow. Early in the morning, in the name of the lord and the county lord, I will sue the family and generals, and then wait for His Majesty to come in person to help the lord control the situation. When Emperor Han is here, who would dare to refuse?”

Qiao Yue reluctantly settled down and said: “Ci’er that What’s wrong? Just stop him, don’t hurt him!”

Zhang Pu nodded: “My lord, I have arranged for a trusted confidant, it will be safe.”

…

Qiao Ci rushed out of the Shoutang angrily, and was blowing air outside, thinking of her eldest brother-in-law. Not being accepted by my uncle, the second brother-in-law’s war on the Yellow River was unpredictable.

When I woke up the next morning, I found that I was locked in the room.

The guard said that he was here at the order of the Duke of the county, and asked the gentleman to think about it in the room.

Qiao Ci didn’t think much about it at first.

It was true that he contradicted Qiao Yue in public last night. It is normal for my father to be unhappy and to think about it himself.

But soon, he became suspicious.

There are dozens of guards sent in Mingli, and all the doors and windows are strictly guarded.

Where did he make himself face the wall and think about it, it was clearly the posture of guarding the prisoners.

And all of them were from my uncle’s side.

The more Qiao Ci thought about it, the more wrong it became. He wanted to go out immediately, but was stopped by the guards. If he wanted to forcibly break in, hundreds of guards poured out from the dark and trapped him.

Qiao Ci was furious, tried his best to break through the barrier, and rushed to the courtyard, but was caught by a horse that was set up in secret and tripped over, and was locked up again.

One pass is three days.

On the fourth day, Mrs. Ding brought a food box to see Qiao Ci.

The lieutenant named Chen Shao, who was ordered to guard Qiao Ci, was Qiao Yue’s confidant. At first, he refused to let him go, saying that he was under the orders of the lord, and that no one could enter or leave. Before he finished speaking, Mrs. Ding spat at him fiercely, and said angrily, “I don’t care what the old man said. , I’ll bring some food to my nephew, and you dare to stop me? If you want to kill, kill, otherwise I will enter this door!” After saying that, he walked forward.

The guard didn’t dare to stop him and watched Mrs. Ding enter.

Chen Shao was helpless, so he had to catch up and asked to take a look at the food box first.

Mrs. Ding uncovered it herself.

Chen Shao checked carefully, and Madam Ding asked coldly, “Can General Chen still search me?”

Chen Shao hurriedly said, “Don’t dare!”

After hesitating, she thought that Madam Ding had always been weak and cared about the son as a relative. She was raised like a son, and suddenly appeared here today. I must be worried that the young master came to visit. Even if she was allowed in, nothing would happen.

He ordered the guard to give way.

Mrs. Ding sneered, took the food box and moved on.

While Chen Shao ordered someone to watch the prison, he secretly sent someone to sue Qiao Yue.

Qiao Ci had already heard the movement outside. As soon as Mrs. Ding came in, she flew up and asked anxiously, “Auntie, what happened? How is my father? Why did my uncle lock me up—”

“Bah! An immortal thing! Don’t call him uncle again!”

Madam Ding cursed bitterly, grabbed Qiao Ci’s arm and looked up and down, seeing that he was fine, she breathed a sigh of relief, and said, “Your father these few days How, I can’t see it, and I don’t know the details, it must have been locked up by that old thing!”

Qiao Ci was furious at first, turned around and wanted to rush out again, and when he reached the door, he stopped abruptly and slowly turned around.

“Auntie, what happened these days? Tell me!”

Mrs. Ding sighed, “I heard Zhang Pu’s words and voted for Liu Yan! That Liu Yan is at home today!”

Qiao Ci was stunned.

…

Yesterday, Qiao Yue welcomed Liu Yan into Yanzhou, and he called his family to pay homage to the monarch and minister. He later said that he and Qiao Ping had agreed to lead Yanzhou to serve Emperor Han.

Because of the suddenness of the incident, everyone was surprised at the time, and Qiao Ping had not been seen in the past two days, which was somewhat suspicious.

Liu Yan once took the risk to rescue the young emperor from the tiger’s mouth and escaped from Luoyang. Unexpectedly, the young emperor died of a serious illness on the road. Later, he was embraced as the new emperor by Wang Ba Dong Cheng and other old officials of the Han family, who was the orthodox king of the Han family.

The whole world knows this.

Now that he has arrived in Yanzhou, the head of the family, Qiao Yue, keeps claiming that he is a Han minister. If he has any doubts, he will be openly disobedient and even regarded as a traitor.

So in the end, everyone followed Qiao Yue to Liu Yan as a monarch and a minister.

” Auntie

doesn’t know what is important in the world, only that the old man believed that Zhang Pu voted for Liu Yan, but it was because of your father’s objection and his calculations! Yanzhou has been charged by Liu Yan, and he usually obeys your father’s generals. Last night, I was replaced overnight. You must not be impulsive, wait until you escape and report to your eldest brother-in-law and ask him to save your father! Otherwise, if you delay, I am afraid that your father will have an accident! ”

Qiao Ci squeezed the bones of both fists. With a loud thud, her chest heaved violently, she managed to control her emotions, nodded and said, “Thank you auntie for telling me, I have some. Auntie, please leave quickly, so as not to be blamed.”

Madam Ding said, “The old man is ruthless and unrighteous, and does not recognize me. My daughter and son-in-law, I don’t take him as my husband, so I’m afraid he will blame him? There are nearly 100 guards outside, and there are still many barriers to get out. You can’t escape by yourself no matter what. You can hold me hostage and kill me.”

Qiao Ci immediately Rejection: “How can I put my aunt in danger?”

Mrs. Ding shook her head, caressed Qiao Ci’s hair lovingly, and said, “Don’t worry. Although the old man and I have long since lost their relationship as husband and wife, I don’t think he would dare to kill him in public. Wait until he leaves the city. You can escape by yourself.”

Seeing that Qiao Ci was still hesitating, he said angrily, “Your father’s life and death are still unknown, and Yanzhou has fallen into the hands of others. If you are trapped here again, do you really miss the Qiao family? Do you want to be in the hands of the old thing?” With

tears in her eyes, Qiao Ci knelt down at Madam Ding and kowtowed, “Auntie is righteous, let my nephew pay her respects!”

Madam Ding’s expression softened, she helped him up, and took out a A hidden knife was handed over and said: “You hold me hostage, and you can go out.”

…

Qiao Yue heard the news and brought someone there. Seeing that Mrs. Ding was put on the neck with a knife by Qiao Ci, the two had already arrived at the door inside the gate. Next to the wall.

Hundreds of sergeants surrounded Qiao Ci and Mrs. Ding.

Qiao Yue was furious, separated the soldiers and rushed up, shouting: “Ci’er, what do you want to do? Put down the knife and come back with me!”

“Where is my father now? You tell him to come out. When I see him, I will naturally go back with you. If you want to fight or kill, it’s up to you!”

Qiao Ci stared at him and said word by word.

Qiao Yue felt guilty for a while and was speechless.

Zhang Pu hurriedly said, “Young Master, don’t be impulsive. Hurry up and let go of Madam…”

“I’m talking to my uncle, what are you, come to interrupt?”

Qiao Ci scolded.

Zhang Pu looked embarrassed.

Qiao Yue calmed his mind and said, “that night of the birthday banquet, your father drank too much later, and he fell on the way back and hit his forehead, causing him to faint. Don’t worry, Ci’er, uncle has already hired a good doctor. The treatment will improve in a few days. You put down the knife, follow me first, and I will take you to visit…” A

shadow passed through Qiao Ci’s eyes, and without saying a word, she turned her head and carried Madam Ding to the door.

Sergeant Ping Japan only served Qiao Ping and Qiao Ci’s father and son. Today, there is such a scene. Although I don’t know why, I always have Qiao Ci in my heart. Besides, with Mrs. Ding in his hands, where would anyone really stop him? However, he pretended to let them go almost all the way, and let the two of them get to the door.

Qiao Ci ordered to open the door.

Zhang Pu was anxious and ordered a sergeant to stop him.

The sergeant was driven away, and gradually surrounded him again.

Mrs. Ding suddenly stopped, turned her head and said loudly: “Your Majesty, I know you are nearby! You are the emperor of the Han Dynasty, the honor of the ninety-five, but you still remember how I lived in my house when the young man was in distress. To you? I don’t dare to expect His Majesty’s return. It’s just that at this moment I was kidnapped by my nephew. He must leave the city, but his uncle refuses to let him go. If he can’t get out, it will definitely be detrimental to me. Your Majesty has always had Lin Feng Zhi Lan. I heard that when His Majesty proclaimed himself emperor in Langya, the people all over the world even danced and sang, praising His Majesty as an unparalleled benevolent king! I know that Qiao Yue is obedient to you. The ants are willing to sacrifice their lives, let alone people? I beg Your Majesty to read The love that day saved my life, I can’t be more grateful!”

Mrs. Ding usually lives in a secluded place and rarely shows her face, but at this moment, every word of her words seems to have entered the hearts of the people.

The sergeant looked back with Madam Ding’s gaze, as if Liu Yan was really behind him.

For a while, there was no sound at the gate of Qiao’s house, which was crowded with hundreds of people.

After a while, Liu Fan turned out from behind the screen, attached to Qiao Yue’s ear, and gave a low voice.

Qiao Yue was unwilling, but he had to obey, staring at Madam Ding fiercely, and reluctantly said, “Let him out of the city!”

[End of This Chapter]