The article written by Tao Gu is obviously very good. He has beautiful official script and reads it through. The writing is grand and generous. Although Liu Chengyou's quality is not enough to express any in-depth insights on it in terms of literature. But that didn't stop him from expressing his approval.
After praising Tao Gu, Liu Chengyou decided to keep this person by his side for the time being, to serve as the military secretary and his writing staff. The position can be described as low, but Tao Gu seemed to be happy to accept his orders. This person was very happy. , his personal ethics may be lacking, but he is indeed a very smart person, with a very sensitive political sense and good at maneuvering.
Moreover, at least for a short period of time, Liu Chengyou could not detect anything bad about Tao Gu's personal character. However, he was still very satisfied with his literary talent. Previously, most of the paperwork was left to Guo Rong and Xiang Xun. In terms of aspect, the two of them are not at the same level as Tao Gu, and even Wei Renpu cannot compare.
...
"I wonder what your Highness is calling me for?" In the military tent, Feng Dao bowed slightly, glanced at Liu Chengyou cautiously, and asked cautiously.
This old man has experienced a lot of officialdom and has an insight into world affairs. He is much older. When facing Liu Chengyou, his grandchildren, he is still low-key and polite, without any intention of relying on his elders.
Noting Feng Dao's cautious appearance, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but recall the scene when he first met this gentleman. He really thought it was better to be famous than to meet him. However, despite the harmless appearance of this white-haired old man, he even seemed a little groveling, but looking at him There is no hint of sadness in the color of the eyebrows.
"Ms. Feng——"
As soon as Liu Chengyou stood up, he saw Feng Dao smiling modestly and saying: "Your Highness, this old man is just a white man now. He is a talentless old man and does not deserve the name of 'Ms.-in-law'..."
Feng Dao had made similar remarks more than once. Looking at Feng Dao, Liu Chengyou twitched the corner of his mouth and said directly: "The country needs good ministers like Feng Gong to stabilize the situation and people's hearts. Even if you go to the officialdom, There must also be a position!”
Seeing the old man open his mouth, he obviously wanted to say something more modest. Liu Chengyou waved his hand, not intending to talk about such useless topics with him anymore. He handed him a letter and showed a serious expression: "This Zhang Li, what's going on? Can it be trusted?"
The letter came from Zhending and Zhang Li. The higher-ups reported Yelu Ruan's strategic trend of leading the invading Liao army to fully return the Khitan, and suggested that Liu Chengyou make early preparations. The rest expressed his full eagerness to return the country.
Liu Chengyou had some reservations about this letter. It came so inexplicably that Zhang Li gave him a strange feeling. He even wondered if this was a trick played by the Khitans to confuse him.
Faced with Liu Chengyou's question, Feng Dao put down the letter, thought about it seriously for a while, subconsciously stroked his beard, and then said in a pertinent tone: "I know Zhang Mengchen, he is upright, righteous and compassionate. This book is trustworthy, but not entirely trustworthy.”
Feng Dao's words were ambiguous, and Liu Chengyou extracted some useful confidence in his mind, with doubt in his tone: "I heard from Wei Renpu that Zhang Li Tianfu had entered the Khitan in the first year of his life and had served Yelv Deguang for ten years. How could he suddenly send someone to send money and send a message to express his surrender?"
"Wei Renpu only knows this. Zhang Mengchen has a good temperament and serves the Khitan only because of the kindness of the Lord of Liao to repay his kindness!" Feng Dao said: "He was originally a minister of the Tang Dynasty. He had no choice but to join the Khitan. How could he have any intention to do anything for him?" The reason why Beidi tried his best. Few people know that Zhang Mengchen once thought of his homeland when he was in Khitan and tried to escape back to the southern country. However, the Lord of Liao noticed it and sent cavalry to search for him."
When Liu Chengyou listened to Feng Dao's words, he always felt that something was wrong. After thinking about it carefully, he felt that it was as if he was talking about himself. They, the ministers of the Jin Dynasty, also surrendered to the Khitan and became ministers of the other dynasty, although it was not for a long time. , but, after all, I have been a minister of Liao for a period of time...
His eyes wandered around Feng Dao twice, and Liu Chengyou's eyes already showed a little amusement.
I saw Feng Dao continue to say: "Zhang Mengchen, as a Han minister, trusted the Lord of Liao and was deeply hated by people. Coupled with his upright character, he offended many Khitan nobles. Since the Lord of Liao is dead, if he stays in Khitan for a long time, he will not end well. .This time His Highness defeated the Khitan in a single battle in Luan City. With such prestige and his desire to return to the country, it is not too unexpected."
After slowly digesting what Feng Dao said, Liu Chengyou understood in his heart that this old man seemed to be washing for Zhang Li, but in fact he was washing for himself...
Lifting his chin with his hand, Liu Chengyou asked, "Mr. Feng, you are indeed well-informed. You know so much about the situation of Zhang Li and the Khitan people!"
Feng Dao cupped his hand and said, "I'm just old. I've experienced a lot and I know a lot of people. That's all."
After finishing speaking, he added: "However, Zhang Mengchen is in the Khitan after all, in a camp of tigers and wolves. Perhaps this sudden letter is really a trick of the Khitan people, and King Yongkang is considered to be a little talented, so His Highness has to guard against it. "
Feng Dao's change of tone made Liu Chengyou really convinced of this old fox. He was as steady as an old dog. He had to tell the truth and the contrary. Let Liu Chengyou decide for himself...
However, Liu Chengyou gained something from his conversation with Feng Dao. At least he made a decision in his heart to ignore this letter. Based on the development of the situation at this time, Liu Chengyou can sit firmly on Diaoyutai regardless of whether the Liao army withdraws or not. , garrison troops in Luan City, organize the troops and practice martial arts, and continue to digest the fruits of victory in the battle of Luan City. There is really no need to have too many arrogant thoughts.
He made a decision in his heart, but there was no expression on his face at all, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at Feng Dao, whose eyelids were always slightly lowered, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart. After communicating with him, he could always gain something, that is, this old man spoke honestly. Like to go around.
Liu Feng said that they had a meal together and then paid back the gift. As an old man, it is not too greasy to eat, so the food is relatively light and simple, but this old man looks like he is eating delicious food.
...
In less than two days, news came from the north of Zhending. The Liao army actually withdrew, looted Zhending and returned it all the way. It was similar to Zhang Li's book, and it was also consistent with what Liu Chengyou and Wei Renpu had discussed before.
After hearing the news, Liu Chengyou sent his cavalry to continue to follow and monitor. The main force of the Lord was still stationed in Luan City. After confirming that the Liao army was far away, he led his troops northward. When it became safe, Liu Chengyou was too cautious.
Of course, during this process, Liu Chengyou made a big move against the Khitan people's retreat plan. As Hebei's "Commander-in-Chief of the Anti-Liao Dynasty", he sent dozens of envoys to various states to deliver messages and vigorously incite the states and counties. The army and the people, kill the barbarians and avenge the country.
As the news of the Battle of Luancheng gradually spread, Liu Chengyou became famous and at the same time, Hebei's "anti-Liao" cause also became completely prosperous. The Battle of Luancheng really touched the hearts of the people and vented their anger for more than ten years. The soldiers and people of Hebei were indignant at being invaded, plundered and oppressed by the Khitans.
The Khitan's hundreds of thousands of elite troops were defeated in one battle, and what was left was worth fearing. As such thoughts spread, the retreat of the Khitan army trapped in Hebei was destined to not be smooth.
Not to mention other distant places, in the prefectures and counties near Zhenzhou, such as Heng and Zhao, rebels sprang up.
