The Marquis Is Innocent

Chapter 14: Cut The Tree

In the evening of the next day, Wei Liang arrived in Shiyi. He cursed in a loud voice under the city gate. His voice reaching the city.

Shiyi is in the north of Taihang. It has a natural rift valley. Easy to defend and difficult to attack. Shiyis governor Chen Pang is Chen Ruis uncle and has been guarding Shiyi for many years.

While the father and son Chen Xiang and Chen Rui had a reputation for brutality, Chen Pang had a reputation for loving the people under his rule. He won the hearts of many people. In the early years, Wei Shaos father Wei Jing had attacked Shiyi several times, but because the people actively supplied food for Chen Pang, the attack was unsuccessful and he returned. A few years ago, the young Wei Shao was vigorous. He was determined to seize the gateway to the west, and his eyes fell on Shiyi again. When Chen Pang learned of the news, he was afraid of Wei Shaos rampant attack, and feared that he would find an excuse to attack, so he submitted a statement to the imperial court. Complaining that the people under his rule were desperate. Because the war had resumed, there were countless people fleeing from the deserted fields and abandoned homes, with their children in tow. The people were suffering, implying Wei Shao had raised an army to attack. Naturally, the court did not want Wei Shao to sit on his head, so they issued an order to intervene.

Wei Shao asked Gongsun Yang. The government said Shiyi had always been owned by Chen Xiang. Chen Pang had been kind to the people under his rule. Even if Wei Shao had taken it, he would have to leave a heavy force behind to defend it, otherwise he would lose all his previous achievements. Wei Shao listened to the plan, and Shiyi escaped from a disaster. Several years have passed, Chen Pang has been training his troops and Shiyi has been fine. Now a lieutenant from the city gate has reported that Wei Liang from Youzhou has come. Because there was no news before, he was shocked. He hastily ordered his soldiers and generals to the city wall to deal with it. He saw Wei Liang with a dozen soldiers under the city, not a thousand troops, so he relaxed a little.

Wei Liang was a fierce general under Wei Shaos command, and Chen Pang had naturally heard of his name. He suddenly came to the city scolding to fight, fearing there was another reason, so he talked across the air. When Wei Liang saw Chen Pang show up, he said nothing more. He sneered and shot a roll of letter silk with his bow. And the feathered arrow with a harsh whistling sound broke the air and nailed into the flagpole at the citys gate.

Chen Pang ordered people to take off the arrow shaft on the letter. He unfolded to see the letter and his face changed.

Just a few hours ago, his nephew Chen Rui arrived in the city. Chen Pang heard the news of the battle of Boling a year ago and thought Chen Rui had gone back to Bingzhou with his army. He suddenly came out and ran to his place, so he opened the door to welcome him in. He looked tired and said he hadnt slept last night. He asked him where he was coming from, but he stammered and did not answer. There was a carriage with him. The four walls were tightly covered, and unknown what was inside. He asked again. Chen Rui remained vague, saying it was a woman. She is shy and unwilling to show her face.

Chen Pang knew his nephew was sexually greedy and had a lot of concubines in his room. When he saw he had lost the battle and ran away, but he did not forget to bring a woman with him. He gave him a lecture and told him not to disturb the people in the city.

He thought the woman his nephew had brought was just an ordinary woman, or at least robbed from somewhere. He never thought it would be Wei Shaos new wife, the Qiao family of Yanzhou.

This is a big surprise.

Chen Pang ordered people to guard the city gates. No one is allowed to open. He turned down the city head hurriedly to find Chen Rui.

Chen Rui arrived at the residence. Ordered everyone to disperse. No one is allowed to stay. When all the people were driven away, he carried Xiao Qiao straight into the house. He close the door and took off the cloth towel that blocked her mouth. Untied the rope that bound her hands and feet, and saw her wrists had been blackened with a circle of purple bruises. He was immediately distressed. Catch her hand and give her a rub, and said: Beauty, dont be offended! I am not such a rude person! I am afraid you will shout out without consideration, and it will be bad to make my uncle suspicious. If you stay calm, how can I be so rude to you?

Xiao Qiao avoided his hand. She turned sideways. While slowly rubbing her wrists, she measuring this Chen Rui in front of her, without saying a word.

Chen Rui is beside her, looking at Xiao Qiao dumbfounded, his eyes straight.

After a night on the carriage, her face is weary. There are faint green traces under her eyes. Her hair is also a bit disheveled, but this does not harm her appearance, but makes her look delicate in a pitiable way.

Chen Rui was so strong that he had no less than a hundred women since he was fourteen years old. There was no shortage of beautiful women among them, but he had never seen such a face as Xiao Qiaos. He felt the more he looked at her, the more he loved her. He couldnt get enough of her, and he wanted to swallow her into his belly. Beauty! I really love you! That Wei Shao is heartless and unrighteous to you. He sent you away on the second day of your wedding. Could it be he is not a real man? If he is not a man, then you should leave him! You should follow me! From now on I will love and cherish you

Xiao Qiao was shocked and dodged his mouth. Escaped from the top, but not the bottom. She struggling and one sock was ripped away. Her jade feet are exposed under Chen Ruis eyes, white and tender like a piece of frozen tofu. Chen Rui looked straight. Swallowed with a gulp, and resisted the idea of pouncing. He hesitated, drew his sword and threatened: If you do not obey me, I will kill you.

Fall into Chen Ruis hands, saying that she is not afraid is not true. Xiao Qiao knew this person is sexually obsessed, and is not afraid to appear ugly in front of her. And now he threatened with a sword. She gradually settled down. Afraid he will use force on her, simply said angrily: My Qiao family in Yanzhou live for three generations, and considered a big family, even if I am not good, how can I allow you to abuse me like this? I would rather die than be humiliated by you!

When the beauty is angry, its still unique. Against such a pleasant and angry face, Chen Ruis hand softened. He could not hold the sword, ding fell to the ground. He also knelt down and said: Okay, okay, I do not force you. You want me to marry you before you will obey me? Whats so difficult about that? My wifes position is vacant, its just right to marry you

Suddenly, there was a sound of footsteps outside. Then came the sound of tapping on the door. Uncle Chen Pang was calling.

With a chagrined look on his face, Chen Rui jumped up from the ground and turned to go out. He paused and turned back to Xiao Qiao and whispered, Dont let my uncle know you are Wei Shaos wife! If he finds out, he will definitely send you to Jin Yang!

After Chen Rui finished his instructions, he went to open the door, not letting Chen Pang see Xiao Qiao inside and closed the door, asking, Uncle wants to see me for something?

Chen Pangs face was ugly, pointing straight to the door and saying, The woman you brought back, is she Wei Shaos wife?

Chen Rui was startled and was about to deny it when Chen Pangs finger was already poking him in the face, shouting sternly: Do you want to bring trouble to my Shiyi? Why would you want to touch Wei Shaos woman? How could he tolerate such a humiliation? Now Wei Liang is scolding on the outskirts of the city! Where is she? Send her out before Wei Shao arrives!

Chen Rui did not expect Wei Liang to find him so quickly. He was stunned to see Chen Pang trying to push the door, but he was not willing to send back the beauty he had in his hand. Furthermore, he had a grudge against Wei Shao. He reached out to stop Chen Pang and said with a sneer, I took Wei Shaos wife, so what? If he has the ability, he can take it back from me.

Chen Pang said, Foolish! Ive been working hard for Shiyi for years to maintain the situation today, and youve given him an excuse to attack me! Get out of my way!

Chen Rui was stunned, then he said, Wei Shao can come. Im not afraid of him. In the previous battle at Boling, I was just not prepared enough, and thats why I lost my footing. I want to fight him again, so Ill wait for him!

Chen Pangs hands were trembling with anger. Chen Rui saw his uncles green lips, thought for a moment and coaxed: It was difficult to catch Wei Shaos wife. How can you just return her? If word gets out, how can I save my face in Bingzhou? Even if we send her out now, it will be too late. Wei Shao will still come to attack! I have already sent a letter to my father to exchange her for Wei Shaos two cities. Shiyi is a fortress with a natural rift valley. He couldnt take it down! Uncle, why do you want to destroy your own prestige?

Did you really send a letter to Jinyang?

Chen Rui swore to heaven.

Chen Pang hesitated.

If Jin Yangs side already knows about this, he is afraid that he cannot decide to return this Wei Shaos wife out, he can only wait for a response now. He hesitated, looked back at the door, and left with hatred.

After Chen Pang went back, he ordered someone to visit the city gate. Wei Liang was still sitting in the same place, holding his sword on horseback. Knowing this matter cant be avoided, recalling the scene when he talked to his nephew. He cant rest assured and wrote a letter with a fire lacquer seal. He called his messenger in and ordered to send it to Jin Yang. The messenger held the letter and left. Chen Pang was pacing restlessly in the room when he suddenly heard a voice at the door saying, Uncle, you dont believe in your nephew?

Chen Pang looked up and saw Chen Rui with a sword in his hand, pointing at the messenger who had just gone out, forcing him to retreat. His face couldnt help but change and sank down. He angrily said. Yun Ji, what do you mean ?

Chen Rui sneered: Uncle, when I was in Jingyang, I often heard people say in front of my father that you were born cowardly. In order to win a good name, you were willing to beg for peace to Wei Shao. Your fame has been achieved, but it has degraded the prestige of my Jingyang. Now I am here. How can I do nothing? Uncle, you are getting old, so you should take care of yourself, and leave the matter of Shiyi to your nephew.

After he said, a few armor-clad warriors ran in behind him. They came up and put their swords on Chen Pangs neck.

Chen Pang was furious. He cursed Chen Rui for his ignorance and shed tears: I knew you were a bastard when you were a child! Today, you have really become more aggressive! Im afraid that you will destroy the Shiyi Ive been defending for over ten years today because of a woman!

When Chen Rui was a child, Chen Pang did not like him and often said things about him in front of Chen Xiang. Chen Rui had long been discontented with his uncle and was furious when he cursed at him. He ordered someone to gag him and escort him to jail. He also gave an order that he had taken over Shiyi City under his fathers order and everything here was under his control from now on. Anyone who did not comply would be executed by military law.

The generals and soldiers in Shiyi City were baffled. But Chen Rui is the third son of Jinyang, has war merits, and is favored by Chen Xiang. Chen Pang is gone, and he is holding a letter of authority, and said he will execute anyone who does not obey. No one dares complain. They all follow Chen Ruis orders with fear.

Chen Rui saw the official army in Shiyi treating him with respect, and it swept away his depression over the past few days.

Shiyi has 20,000 soldiers, all of them are elite soldiers, and the landscape adds a boost to the citys defense, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

He is waiting for Wei Shao to come, as long as he defeats Wei Shao, he will not only be able to clear his shame in Jin Yang but also be able to raise his eyebrows in front of the beauty, so she will not dare to look down on him.

Chen Ruis chest was full of pride. He led a row of archers to the city wall. Below the city gate, he saw Wei Liang is still there, and he ordered the archers to shoot arrows to force Wei Liang back. He probed to the outside of the wall, said: Go tell Wei Shao, after I marry the beauty, I will have a nice meeting with that guy, and fight him for 300 rounds!

The arrow array forced Wei Liang back for over ten feet. Chen Rui laughing wildly and went away. Wei Liang did not know how the lady was doing in the city, or whether the meteor horse had spread the news to Xindu. He pondered for a moment. After ordering the sergeant to stay and continue to spy on the citys movements, he got on his horse and turned back.

He was in a great hurry and blaming himself. He didnt stop for a moment. In the evening, when he arrived at Qingyun, more than a hundred miles away from Shiyi, he saw the banners on the opposite side of the road. He recognized Wei Shaos banner and rushed. Wei Liang rushed straight to Wei Shao. He dismounted from his horse, knelt down, and said: Please give me a death sentence! My Lord entrusted the important task of escorting the lady, but I failed in my duty and put her in danger. I am ashamed to face you again! When I have taken Shiyi and saved her, I will take my own life to atone for my sin.

Wei Shao rolled off his horse, helped Wei Liang up, and asked, How is she?

Wei Liang looked up at Wei Shao. He hesitated and finally whispered, Chen Rui, that guy put words in the city gate, said he would marry the lady first, and then would meet the Marquis and battle with the Marquis for three hundred rounds

The air around suddenly seemed to freeze.

Wei Shao did not move. A moment later, one side of his eyes suddenly jumped twice. With a sound of Cang, he drew his knife. He cut off an old willow tree that was thick as a bowl on the side of the road.

The willow bent and folded over and fell down with a whimper.

Wei Shaos face is gloomy, turned his head, and said word by word: Pass the order, start on the road at night, attack Shiyi, kill without mercy. Those who capture Chen Rui alive will be heavily rewarded!