When Liu Xun became the governor, he lived in the same mansion that had previously belonged to Lu Kang and was later used as a residence by Sun Ce.
Qiao Jingjing knew this place like the back of her hand; she even knew where the stables were.
If things went wrong later, she grabbed her father and ran towards the stables. She believed that Magistrate Liu's family definitely had several fine horses, and that there might not necessarily be men in black hiding there.
Qiao Jingjing's plan was well-thought-out.
She knew of Liu Xun because the Records of the Three Kingdoms did not have a very good opinion of him.
The others, at least, could be called fierce tigers and generals, or receive praise such as heroes and outstanding individuals.
Liu Xun was described as a pampered and arrogant person.
Ignoring everything else, just look at the fact that he raised a daughter named Liu Ajiao.
It's likely that the father and daughter share the same pampered and arrogant nature, relying on their family background and connections. Their surname is Liu, the same as the current emperor's, and they're supposedly descendants of the founding emperor. Even figures like Yuan Shu and Cao Cao show them respect.
It's not just giving him face, it's practically showing him preferential treatment.
Lujiang City was clearly conquered by Sun Ce with great effort, but Liu Xun came along and took advantage of the situation to become its governor.
Qiao Jingjing helped Qiao's father up.
I waited for a long time outside that study.
If Liu Xun's steward hadn't told him, "Prefect, there's a beautiful young lady waiting outside,"...
Liu Xun would not allow Qiao Xuan to enter.
In his eyes, what was Qiao Xuan anyway! A pedantic, pretentious scholar who dared to come to his house and snatch someone just because he had some education. Even snatching a cat or dog wouldn't be allowed, let alone a servant!
What, is that servant Qiao Xuan's second daughter-in-law?
Ha! Qiao Xuan is now offering his daughter-in-law to Prefect Liu as a servant, but Prefect Liu might not even look at her.
If she were a delicate, unmarried young woman...
That's something to consider.
When the butler brought Qiao Xuan and his daughter in.
Liu Xun leaned back on a low couch, eating a few sour oranges, his expression one of pure, enjoyable tanginess. On a small table with legs, there was an expensive bronze fruit plate, with a few dried dates next to the sour oranges.
Liu Xun thoroughly enjoyed the wine served in the lacquered vessel.
Don't blame them for being shallow! A few sour oranges and a few shriveled dates were already the most high-class fruits at the time.
Liu Xun waited for Qiao Xuan and Qiao Jingjing to come in and greet them. He chewed half a sour orange, then put the other half back on the plate.
"My dear brother, it's only been a short time since we last met! How come you've grown so much gray hair? You came all this way, and even brought a gift? Oh, this delicate little beauty... You're really too kind! Come, come, little beauty, sit next to me. This is some delicious fruit specially sent by Yuan Gonglu from Shouchun. Little beauty, smell this fragrance... Doesn't it smell good?"
As soon as Liu Xun said this, he grabbed Qiao Jingjing's hand.
Qiao Jingjing gave it a hard shake.
Liu Xun was instantly slapped in the face by a gust of wind.
Qiao Xuan quickly knelt down: "Prefect, you misunderstand! This is Xuan's eldest daughter. Having lost her mother's care at a young age, she is extremely unruly. That day, she was ignorant of the world and worried about my second daughter-in-law..."
!
Stop.
"Oh, it's you who came to my backyard to snatch someone and injured two men in the street?"
Liu Xun was like a lion eyeing its prey—cunning yet majestic.
Qiao Jingjing nodded.
"Everyone says that a shrew has appeared in Lujiang City, and that shrew is you!" Liu Xun's expression suddenly changed, looking quite frightening.
Qiao Xuan continued to explain, "That's not how it is, Prefect, there's a misunderstanding."
But Liu Xun wouldn't listen to the explanation; he immediately ordered his men to tie Qiao Jingjing up.
The steward whispered a few more words in his ear, which made Prefect Liu glare with anger, puffing out his beard: "How dare you! You actually injured my servant! Do you have no respect for the law?"
Liu Xun was about to tie Qiao Jingjing up.
Old Man Qiao was so frightened that he knelt down and crawled over to hug Liu Xun's leg, begging desperately.
"Prefect, Prefect! My daughter is still young and doesn't know any better. She really doesn't know any better and has no mother to discipline her! This, this isn't her fault, it's my fault! Prefect, please, for Xuan Zhi's sake, forgive her this time. Prefect, please forgive her this time! My daughter and I have come to you to beg for forgiveness!"
Qiao Xuan almost buried his white-haired head in Liu Xuan's lap.
Qiao Jingjing also bowed her head in a very cooperative manner—no, she kowtowed and admitted her mistake.
Absolutely.
Her father has already humbled himself so much, if she were to jump up and curse him...
That's terrible.
She had no future.
Liu Xun is not Sun Ce, and this greasy, middle-aged man is not that young man; he does not have his elder brother's magnanimity.
"Please, Prefect, have mercy! Please, Prefect, forgive my sins!"
Qiao Jingjing also begged for mercy.
Liu Xun sneered: "You have committed such heinous crimes, disregarded the law, and acted like a hen committing evil. How can I show you mercy? How can I show you mercy so that others won't say that I, Prefect Liu, am biased towards you?"
He was subjected to a barrage of probing questions from Magistrate Liu.
Yes. Didn't Brother Sun blatantly favor his mother in front of everyone? Did he ask for a reason? No!
Since Prefect Liu wants a reason.
Qiao Jingjing then swore to the heavens that she could double the grain yield of Lujiang City this spring, summer, and autumn.
That vow was truly extraordinary at the time.
Liu Xun thought he had misheard.
"What? Say that again!"
“I, Qiao Jingjing, hereby swear that I beg Prefect Liu to forgive me. I am willing to atone for my sins by performing meritorious service. I am willing to sign a military pledge to take charge of the agricultural affairs of Lujiang for the Prefect, and to double the rice and millet production in Lujiang this autumn. If I fail to double the production, I will follow the Prefect’s orders and have no objections.”
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